Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, there are some clear challenges to owning an EV, starting with using public chargers. The good news is that more and more are going in across the country – and seemingly by the day. And it’s about to get easier to use them without having to set up separate accounts with each charger brand. In fact, you’ll soon be able to “plug-and-charge” without having to use an app or credit card, making the process even easier than getting gas.
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.
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.
Workers at Volkswagen’s German operations walked off the job Monday. The 120,000 members of trade union IG Metall took to the streets to protest the automaker’s plans to pair back its home market operations, a move that could see it shutter as many as three assembly lines.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, we talk about some of the important debuts that happened at the L.A. Auto Show, VW’s Cupra brand coming to the U.S., and we go for a spin in a new vehicle. We also make a rest stop and take a look at This Week in Automotive History.
Months after Volkswagen revealed interest in bringing its sporty Cupra brand to the U.S. market it has taken a critical step closer to making that happen before the end of the decade. It’s begun talks with the Penske Automotive Group which could partner on the launch.
The 2024 LA Auto Show is now being turned over to the public, but not before scores of new vehicles — ICE and electric — made their debut in the City of Angels. Headlight.News went to Los Angeles to ensure we had the latest news from this year’s event. Check out the stories.
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.
Competition in the compact sport-utility segment just got tougher with the debut of the third-generation VW Tiguan. It’s faster, more powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor sporting a more aggressive look and improve interior for the new model year. Check out the latest intro at the LA Auto Show at Headlight.News.
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.
Pablo di Si unexpectedly stepped down as head of the Volkswagen Group of America and will be replaced by Rivian executive Kjell Gruner, the automaker announced Tuesday. The move comes at a critical time for VW which has been struggling to move its all-electric models in the U.S., even as it prepares to launch the all-new, all-electric Scout brand.
The Volkswagen Tiguan goes up against a lot of tough competitors and, hanging around since 2016, the current model is clearly in need of an update. The good news for VW fans is it will be getting one, a replacement set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week. And the automaker is offering up a tease that gives us a hint of what it will look like.