Burl Ives sings that it is “the best time of the year,” but that may not be so if you are one of the expected 115.2 million people expected to travel more than 50 miles during the 10-day holiday period — nearly a record. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Business
New Vehicle Prices Dropped in November Compared to Year Ago
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.
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.
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.
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...
Polaris Updates Slingshot Lineup for 2024
With many parts of the U.S. preparing for winter weather on the horizon — i.e. snow — Polaris rolling out an updated lineup of vehicles isn’t a surprise. However, the company is showing off the newest iteration of its three-wheeled autocycle, the Slingshot. Check it out at Headlight.News.
UAW’s Organizing Drive Gaining Traction at VW’s Tennessee Plant
The United Auto Workers union is hoping the third time’s the charm at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2014 and again in 2019, workers voted to reject a union organizing bid. Now, the UAW is back as part of a broader effort to organize workers at more than a dozen non-union plants across the country. More than 1,000 of those at VW have signed cards that could trigger a third vote. More from Headlight.News.