Headlight News for the Week of 11-20-23 – LA Auto Show – Hyundai Ties up with Amazon – This Week in Auto History
Automakers
Cruise CEO Vogt Issues Apology, Resigns in Wake of Near-Fatal Crash
Kyle Vogt is out as CEO of Cruise, GM’s robocab subsidiary. The move comes barely two months after a near fatal crash that many blame on a culture that downplays risk. Vogt took responsibility for the company’s current mess before tendering his resignation. Headlight.News looks at Cruise’s troubles and where it goes next.
Family Sues VW, Claims its Car-Net Service Failed to Help When Toddler Taken During Carjacking
An Illinois family sued Volkswagen claiming Car-Net, its emergency telematics service, refused to help track their vehicle after a carjacking despite the Atlas SUV having their 2-year-old son onboard. A customer service rep allegedly said the family would first have to pay $150 for a new subscription to the service.
UAW Reveals Jeep Wrangler EV Arriving in 2028
UAW President Shawn Fain pledged to be transparent with union members, and that openness has including revealing future product plans, such as talking about the expected arrival of the Jeep Wrangler EV in 2028. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Hyundai Set to Sell Cars on Amazon — And Others to Follow
Pandemic lockdowns got millions of American motorists to rethink the car buying process as they began shopping from home much like they do groceries and electronic gadgetry. So, it should be no surprise that Hyundai will start selling its products through Amazon. While it will be the online retail giant’s first automotive partner, it won’t be the last, reports Headlight.News.
Kia EV3, EV4 Concepts Likely to Go Into Production
They’re just concept vehicles. For now, at least, but Headlight.News has confirmed that Kia is all but certain to put into production the two prototypes it revealed at the LA Auto Show, the EV3 crossover and EV4 sedan. Both will help the South Korean carmaker appeal to a more budget-constrained mainstream audience than the current Kia EV6 SUV. More from Headlight.News
Cadillac Teasers its Fourth EV, the Optiq
General Motors CEO Mary Barra likes to say the carmaker is “on a path to an all-electric future,” and no GM brand is moving faster than Cadillac. It’s already building the Lyriq, and is getting ready to roll out both the Escalade IQ and the exotic halo car, the Celestiq. Next, it seems is a downsized electric SUV, the Optiq, and these are the first teaser images. Headlight.News checks out the new EV and has insight on what it will offer.
Stellantis Workers Next to Ratify UAW Deal
Less than 24 hours after the contract between General Motors and the UAW was ratified by workers, Stellantis workers followed suit. The voting isn’t complete yet, but the number of “yes” votes is too high to be overcome by “no” votes. Ford isn’t far behind. Get details at Headlight.News.
Kia Reveals Updated 2024 Sorento in Los Angeles
The competitive nature of sport utility sales was reinforced at the LA Auto Show with the debut of the 2024 Kia Sorento and its 2025 hybrid siblings. The HEV and PHEV models will arrive later next year to round out the lineup. Get details at Headlight.News.
Subaru Unveils Updated 2025 Forester
Subaru has taken the wraps off the all-new 2025 Forester, and while the new car is not a whole lot different from the old car, the adage of “why mess with success?” definitely applies. Find out more at Headlight.News.
UAW Workers Approve GM Contract
In a surprise to many, the tentative deal between General Motors and the United Auto Workers was a close vote that, at one point, looked like it might fail. However, the final vote is in and the workers approved a new 4.5-year contract. Get details at Headlight.News.
Lucid Is Hoping Gravity Will Keep it Afloat — the New Gravity SUV, That Is
It’s been a tough year for Lucid, the startup’s Air sedan falling short of sales goals, and weak revenues requiring a $3 billion bailout to keep things going. But the California-based EV maker is betting that it can get the boost from its second product line, the all-new Gravity SUV debuting at the LA Auto Show. Roomy, stylish and sporty, it will also offer, at 440 miles per charge, industry-leading range. Headlight.News was on hand for the debut of the 2025 Lucid Gravity.