Consumers actually paid more for a new vehicle in November than October, but compared to last November prices fell 1.5%. It was the third straight month prices dropped when compared to year-ago numbers. Find out why at Headlight.News.
Automakers
First Drive: 2024 Blazer EV – Something for Everybody
Chevrolet is getting into EVs in a big way, the bowtie brand beginning to ramp up production of an all-electric Silverado, prepping the Equinox EV for a launch next year, and confirming the Bolt nameplate will return in all-new form. But the spotlight now is on a battery-powered version of one of its most popular model lines. And Headlight.News spent several days in sunny San Diego getting a chance to drive two versions of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV.
Tesla Autopilot Takes New Heat – And California Says the Name is Part of the Problem
Tesla is coming under more intense fire as a result of a series of crashes involving its Autopilot system. The NTSB wants the automaker to block its use on roads where it’s not safe to operate. And California regulators say the name, Autopilot, is itself false and misleading and should be changed.
UAW Steps Up Organizing Drive, Files Charges at Three Non-Union Plants
The United Auto Workers is stepping up its campaign to organize workers in Southern states, filing a series of unfair labor practice complaints against Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen as part of the effort. Headlight.News has details.
2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre: an electrifying grand touring coupe
For luxury automakers with long histories, moving into the modern electric era while retaining their essence may prove to be a real challenge. However, Rolls-Royce appears to have met that challenge on its first go with the all-electric 2024 Spectre. Check out the review at Headlight.News.
Demand Down, Ford Halves Production of F-150 Lightning EV
Ford Motor Co. will slash production of its F-150 Lightning early next year, the automaker confirmed, reflecting a drop in customer demand. Ford had only recently completed a major expansion at the Dearborn, Michigan plant building the all-electric pickup to respond to initial demand following Lightning’s launch in spring 2022.
Nearly 3,700 Jeep Workers Warned of Layoffs — Blames California
Facing declining demand for its Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Gladiator models, Jeep says it will cut as many as 3,700 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio — and its putting at least some of the blame on California’s tough emissions rules.
Kia Partnering Up to Help Ocean Cleanup
It’s twice the size of Texas and still growing. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic waste in the world, but by no means the only place where cast-off plastic is accumulating in the world’s waterways. Now, a non-profit called The Ocean Cleanup believes it can dramatically reduce this waste over the next two decades. And it’s getting a helping hand from Kia which intends to turn much of that junk into useful parts for its vehicles. More from Headlight.News.
Auto Industry Diversity Efforts Lag Other Industries, Study Says
Automakers and suppliers have been working to improve their diversity for some time now; however, they still lag the gains companies in other economic segments have made, according to a new study just released. Get details at Headlight.News.
Tesla Cybertruck Crash Videos Set Off Alarms Among Safety Experts
During a live-streamed event marking the first deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck on Nov. 30, CEO Elon Musk played off a video showing the electric truck crashing into a barrier at 35 mph. “If you’re ever in an argument with another car you will win,” Musk said, triggering cheers from the audience. But safety experts aren’t quite ready to celebrate. Despite — or perhaps because of — Cybertruck’s stiff stainless steel body panels, questions are being raised about what it could do to pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles — and whether it can actually protect its own passengers.
Next-Gen Chevy Bolt Will Only Come in EUV Form
Fans of the Chevrolet Bolt have ridden a roller-coaster this year. Parent General Motors initially indicated the Bolt would go away as it switched to EVs based on its new Ultium platform, then said an all-new Bolt would return, also using that updated technology. Now, says GM, only the longer, SUV version, the Bolt EUV, will rejoin the line-up. That means buyers will have to say goodbye to the original 5-door hatchback Bolt EV, after all.
Bentley and Ducati Reveal Limited Edition Motorbike
In what could only be called an unusual pairing of two Volkswagen Group brands, Ducati and Bentley unveiled the Ducati Diavel for Bentley, a limited-edition motorbike at an exclusive event at Art Basel in Miami Beach. A mere 500 copies will be built, with an...