With sales of electrified sales climbing, even as inflation and interest rates fall, Ford, Toyota, and Honda all reported strong sales in November. General Motors also hinted it had a big month while Tesla pulls back on Cybertruck.
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Consumer Reports Has Some Big Surprises as it Hands Out its Annual Automotive Report Card
Ready to invest in a new car, truck or crossover? There are plenty of choices these days. But how do you know what’s right for you? Consumer Reports is offering a helping hand as it releases its Automotive Report Card. The annual study helps you figure out which brands and models are reliable, feature-loaded and fun to drive – and which products to steer close of. And this year’s report contains more than a few surprises.
Western Automakers Losing Ground in China; GM Takes $5 Billion Charge, May Close Plants
Not all that long ago, foreign manufacturers like General Motors, Ford and Volkswagen dominated the Chinese automotive market where, in some cases, they were making their biggest profits. Now, as domestic competitors like Geely and BYD gain traction, times have changed. On Wednesday, General Motors revealed plans to take more than $5 billion in charges to restructure its Chinese operations and is likely to close some of its plants there. But it’s far from the only international manufacturer struggling in the world’s largest automotive market.
Ford Teases Mustang GTD Nürburgring Record, Will Reveal All Dec. 10
Ford teases a potential track record for the Mustang GTD as it prepares to bring the model into the hands of consumers.
Seven of Nine Finalists for North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year are Electrified
Battery power appears to have electrified the jurors of the North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year awards. Eight of the nine finalists are offered in all-electric or hybrid form. Here’s who’s on the list.
Honda Moves Closer to Solid-State Battery Breakthrough with New “Demo” Production Line
Even the most diehard EV fans wish for a next-generation battery-breakthrough, with most of the attention focused on solid-state batteries. Proponents claim they’ll deliver better range at lower costs, among other benefits. And now, Honda says, it’s bringing the technology closer to reality with the debut of a demonstration line meant to prove out the processes needed to launch mass production.
Ford Keeps Scaling Back, Cutting Bronco Production, European Workforce
Sluggish Bronco sales have Ford reducing production of the once-hot-selling SUV while “reassigning” 400 workers related to the move. Additionally, the company is cutting 14% of its European workforce due to slow sales and other issues. Get details at Headlight.News.
Job Cuts Growing as Automakers Fret About the Future
Automakers in the U.S., Europe and Japan have announced thousands of job cuts over the past month and there’s growing concern the pace could increase as the industry moves into an uncertain new year, with a new presidential administration in Washington threatening to upend automotive rules and regulations — and possibly the economy, as well. Check out the story at Headlight.News.
Ford Facing Two New Investigations into Handling of Recalls
Less than a week after federal safety regulators hit Ford with one of the largest fines in automotive history, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched two new investigations into the way the automaker has handled some recent recalls.
Ford to Pay Up to $165 Million Fine for Dragging Out Recall
Ford agreed to pay one of the largest fines in automotive history for dragging its feet on a 2020 recall covering 700,000 vehicles while also failing to give federal regulators timely information. It’s the latest in a costly series of quality and safety problems impacting Detroit’s second-largest automaker.
Lucid Latest to Try Out for the Force
Lucid Motors offered up a specially outfitted Lucid Air to the California Highway Patrol. The department is looking at different vehicles to fit its various needs, and Lucid is the latest to slap a police livery on one of its vehicles to see if it can cut the mustard. Tesla and Ford have done the same in recent months. Get details at Headlight.News.
Trump Election Crimps UAW Political Influence
The 2024 election cost organized labor — especially the UAW — influence in Washington, D.C. It also handed an old foe, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, more sway over industry and labor in the new administration. Get the story at Headlight.News.