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.
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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.
Stellantis “In the Black” on EV, Says CEO, But Tavares Warns Other Automakers Could Be Forced Out by Losses
With rare exception EVs have been big money-losers for the auto industry. But there are a few exceptions, starting with Tesla. Now, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares says his companies electrified vehicles also are “in the black.” Speaking at an industry conference, Tavares warned that automakers who can’t improve margins could be forced out of business by the end of the decade.
Stellantis Makes Battery Swapping Deal
Just after revealing its electric vehicles are profitable, Stellantis continues to do things a little differently. The company just inked a deal with a company called Ample to use its battery swapping technology for the automaker’s Free2Move fleet of Fiat 500e EVs in Europe. Find out more at Headlight.News.
New Vehicles Get Slightly More Affordable in Third Quarter
Consumers have been concerned about the affordability of vehicles for some time now. Rising prices for new vehicles combined with a constant stream of interest rate hikes have made buying a new vehicle a more expensive proposition until recently. Find out what’s changed at Headlight.News.