The constant addition of new technologies to new vehicles continues to give automakers problems with quality, according to J.D. Power’s latest Initial Quality Study. The same study shows Ram and Porsche were the top quality brands in their categories. Go to Headlight.News for more details.
Awards
New Study Finds Tesla the “Most American-Made” Brand – But Foreign Marques Dominate
Tesla leads the list of the most “American-made” vehicles, with three of its product lines in the top 10, according to a new study. With one exception, the rest of that list was dominated by European and Japanese manufacturers.
Koreans, Electrified Vehicles Dominate World Car Awards
The Kia EV9 was named World Car of the Year during a ceremony at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, with Korean vehicles winning three of the six awards handed out by a panel of journalists from around the world. The annual event had more than a few surprises.
EVs Are Getting Better but Public Charging is Getting Worse
While the rate of growth may be slowing, EV sales hit a record 1 million last year as more and more Americans find them to be acceptable alternatives to conventional, gas-powered vehicles. But “charging anxiety” has become one of the key factors slowing EV growth, according to industry analysts. And a new J.D. Power study concludes that “Public charging isn’t just bad, it’s getting worse.” That said, most owners are ready to buy another EV when it’s time to trade in, especially those with the top-ranked BMW i4.
IIHS Tightens Requirements for Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick + Awards
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tightened Its qualification criteria for Top Safety Pick Awards. The organization cited demand for better side crash protection and improved pedestrian detection systems as key reasons for making these changes. Get details at Headlight.News.
“Electrified” Vehicles Dominate Consumer Reports’ Top 10 Car Picks
They may still represent only a small share of the new car market but electrified vehicles are becoming increasing desirable, according to Consumer Reports. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric models make up seven of the models in the non-profit publication’s 2024 10 Top Cars list. For the first time, that includes a Tesla product, the Model Y, thanks to the automaker’s increasingly ubiquitous Supercharger network. Meanwhile, BMW and Subaru topped the CR Brand Report Card rankings.
A Week With: 2024 Toyota Prius: Winning Over the Skeptics
Since it made its debut a full quarter-century ago, there’ve certainly been reasons to praise the Toyota Prius for its fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain. But it hasn’t scored big in either the performance or fun-to-drive categories. Now, with the latest-generation hatchback, it’s an entirely new game. And it’s won over our reviewer.
Battery power dominates as Toyota Prius, Ford Super Duty and Kia EV9 Named North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year
A jury of 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists narrowed down an extensive field of new vehicles, with three models named the winners of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards. At a ceremony in Detroit, the Toyota Prius was named Car of the Year, the Ford Super Duty taking top honors in the truck category. And the Kia EV9 was named Utility Vehicle of the year.
EVs and Plug-Ins Suffer Serious Problems in Annual Consumer Reports Reliability Study
While automakers are beginning to get a handle on quality issues with EVs and plug-in hybrids they still suffer more problems than conventional gas models, according to the 2023 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Study. On the flip side, conventional hybrids were among the most reliable products now on the market, owners reported. More from Headlight.News
NACTOY Names Car, Truck, Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists
From 52 down to nine. Jurors for NACTOY, the most prestigious vehicle awards program in North America, have announced the nine finalists for Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle-of-the-Year, three in each category. And battery power clearly has the 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists who make up the jury charged up. Headlight.News checks out the nominees.
And the Winners Are… (Okay, the Semifinalists)
Marking its 30th anniversary, the North American Car and Truck of the Year announced the vehicles in the running for the group’s three coveted awards on Wednesday. The semifinalists included 10 cars, five trucks and another 10 utility vehicles vying for the attention...