Jean Jennings was a gifted storyteller who became one of the go-to authorities about the auto industry. Unfortunately, she was silenced by Alzheimer’s Disease, passing away this week at the age of 70. Headlight.News takes a look at her life.
History
Volkswagen Workers Strike as Automaker Prepares to Close as Many as 3 German Factories
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.
Jaguar’s New Concept Sticks to Founders Vision While Dumping Heritage
Despite the pictures of Jaguar’s Type 00 concept leaking before the debut, the all-electric vision provided the iconic British brand with a chance to make a statement. And while Jaguar officials seem confident about this new direction, it’s clear it will take others longer to share that confidence. Get details at Headlight.News.
New Life Envisioned for GM’s Old HQ
It’s an iconic part of the Detroit skyline but, with General Motors moving its headquarters to a downsized alternative the fate of the massive Renaissance Center complex has been uncertain, some calling for its demolition, others hoping to find an alternative use. Now, GM is looking at a solution that’s a bit of both as it proposes a massive new “waterfront destination.”
The Past Lane: Happy Anniversary Chevrolet Small-Block
After seven decades, Chevrolet’s second V-8 is an engineering and performance icon. And the bowtie brand’s very survival is tied to that small block engine.
The Past Lane: GM Challenges the Existing Order
The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado was a radical departure and a testament to the brand’s long-time technical excellence at the time. Here’s a look back at what became the first front-wheel-drive car from a U.S. automaker in decades.
Headlight News for The Week of 9-30 – 2024 – Struggling Stellantis – Carlos Ghosn Remember Him? – Review Jeep Rubicon Final Edition – This Week in Automotive History
In this week’s episode of the Headlight.News podcast we talk about Stellantis’s ongoing struggles as well as Carlos Ghosn emerging from the shadows to contend with more legal issues. We also review the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Final Edition and take a look at This Week in Automotive History.
The Past Lane: A Revolutionary Small Car Turns 65
The Mini Cooper is a true icon of the automotive industry, sporting a powertrain that revolutionized car design and engineering. It’s about to celebrate its 65th anniversary and in this week’s Past Lane we look at how this improbable vehicle came to be.
Chrysler Descendant Wants to Keep Brands All in the Family
Since the formation of Stellantis a few years ago, speculation about what will happen with the low-selling, but still-iconic Chrysler brand has run rampant. Officials, led by CEO Carlos Tavares, assured there were plans for Chrysler. However, time has passed with just one product left, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and now someone wants to resurrect the brand: Walter P. Chrysler’s great-grandson. Find out more at Headlight.News.
THE PAST LANE: CHRYSLER’S ATTEMPT TO REGAIN PRESTIGE
A once well-respected marque, the fate of Chrysler is increasingly in doubt. Last month, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis — the Euro-American automaker formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA — warned that some of its 14 brands could be abandoned if they don’t start delivering better sales and earnings. Chrysler is widely believed to be one of the most vulnerable divisions. But that’s really nothing new.
A Woodward Dream Cruise Retrospective
It’s hard to ignore the guttural roar of a classic muscle car. Now, multiply that by several thousand. That’s what we can expect on Woodward Ave., the main drag bisecting Detroit and its northern suburbs as the annual Woodward Dream Cruise gets underway. Mother Nature isn’t being very kind, heavy storms expected to put a damper on a gathering that, in good years, will bring out as many as 60,000 muscle cars, hot rods, sports cars and other cruisers – with more than 1 million folks lining the 16-mile route. That seems like a good excuse to look back at my favorite shots from the past three decades.
Fisker’s Woes Continue – Rivian Gets a Bailout – Everyone Is Going Hybrid – JD Power IQS Study – Mercedes CLE Review – This Week In Automotive History
This week's edition of the Headlight.News podcast focuses on Fisker's ongoing woes while rival EV maker Rivian got a bailout from Volkswagen. We also talk about the recent surge in hybrid models, the J.D Power IQS study, and even go for a spin in the 2024 Mercedes CLE...