The estimated number of deaths on U.S. roadways last year fell to 44,450 from 46,270, which is a decline of 4%. The first decline since 2019 came despite Americans driving 2.1% more miles in 2023. Get details at Headlight.News.
Government
Auto Companies Fight Battle Against Global Counterfeit Parts Makers
The recent investigation by U.S. Department of Homeland Security in metro Detroit turned up scores of counterfeit auto parts. The probe, aided by Detroit Three automakers, netted scores of inexpensive, but fake parts for Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge car parts. The bust is a microcosm of a much larger problem across the U.S. costing automakers billions of dollars. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Biden’s 1 of 1 Cadillac ATS-V Crossing Auction Block, Rare Collector Opportunity
The personal vehicles of the president’s past have been more curious than collectible. Barack Obama’s Chrysler 300C didn’t fetch the $1 million the initially asked for on eBay Motors. Now Joe Biden, the sitting president, sees his last car up for bid. He knows cars,...
Sales Growth Slowing, Biden Administration May Delay EV Mandates
Facing slowing sales growth — and pressure from automakers and their dealers — the Environmental Protection Agency may delay proposed emissions rules that would require EVs to account for as much as two-thirds of the new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2032. The move would provide more time to address issues blamed for slowing adoption, including the high cost of EVs, as well as the lack of a robust public charging network.
Auto Dealers Collect $135M YTD in EV Tax Credit Payments
Anyone who may have wondered about the potential success of offering EV buyers the option to get their tax credit at the time of sale, including using it as a down payment, can stop thinking about it — it’s working. The U.S. government’s paid out $135 million in electric vehicle tax credits in a little more than a month. Get details at Headlight.News.
Apple Vision Pro Goggles Could Take Distracted Driving to the Next Level
Distracted driving catches blame for about 10% of all U.S. highway fatalities, according to government data, but if driver’s texting and chatting on their smartphones hasn’t become a serious enough problem, the situation could soon get even worse. Federal regulators...
Ford EV Owners Getting Free Tesla Supercharger Adapters
Ford was the first automaker to tie up with Tesla, announcing plans to switch to the NACS plug letting owners of products like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning use the big Tesla Supercharger network. Ford CEO Jim Farley on Wednesday announced “eligible” owners...
Headlight News for the Week of 1-29-24: Tesla Touts Cheap EV While Enduring Bad Week
This week on Headlight News we talk about Tesla’s tough week. During the company’s earnings call, CEO Elon Musk confirms the company’s well on its way to building a low-cost electric vehicle. Find out what happened and more at Headlight.News.
UAW Endorses Biden for Second Term as President
President Joe Biden’s brief visit in September to a union picket line in Ypsilanti, Michigan during the United Auto Workers strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is paying off with an UAW endorsement of Biden’s re-election. Find out more about the ties between the two at Headlight.News.
Ford Recalls Over 2 Million Explorers; Trim Parts Can Fly Off
Ford recalled more than 2 million Explorer SUVs. The automaker told federal regulators that trim parts may not have been attached properly and could fly off while driving, potentially leading to a crash. More from Headlight.News.
EV Skeptic Akio Toyoda Sees Electric Vehicle Market Share Peaking at 30%
He’s warned that the switch to battery-electric vehicles could seriously harm the auto industry. And even though his successor as Toyota CEO has committed more resources to EVs, Akio Toyoda continues to see a future in which hybrids and other alternatives dominate the global market. More from Headlight.News.
GM Will Cover Federal Tax Credits Lost by Some of its EVs This Year
Revised rules that went into effect on January 1 took away federal tax credits on all but about a dozen EVs. But General Motors will make up for that loss by offering up to $7,500 in discounts on EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV, the automaker said. Ford, meanwhile, said it is raising the price on some versions of its F-150 Lightning by up to $10,000, while lowering the cost of premium models by as much as $7,000.