As heat and smoke from unchecked Canadian wildfires settled over auto plants from Flint, Michigan southward through Detroit to Toledo, employee complaints about unsafe working conditions has skyrocketed – complaints compounded by heat wave.
Legal
Polestar Banned from Selling Vehicles in the U.S. After 2026 Model Year
The Trump administration banned Polestar from selling vehicles in the U.S. after the 2026 model year, the automaker said Thursday, the result of the Trump administration’s crackdown on connected vehicle technology from China where the EV brand’s parent is based. More from Headlight.News.
New Study Shows Drivers Can be Tracked Using Tire Pressure Sensors
The battle for the privacy rights for vehicle owners has been steadily heating up as today’s cars, trucks and SUVs become ever-more connected. A new study isn’t likely to assuage privacy wonks’ concerns, as researchers found drivers can be tracked through the sensors in tire pressure monitoring systems. Headlight.News has details.
Inflation Hits Auto Insurance; Rates are Up and So Are Deductibles
“Affordability” is a big concern for car buyers these days. But whether you’re buying something new or hanging onto a jalopy you’re owned for years, the cost of insurance is going up, and as rates and deductibles climb less affluent customers feel more pain.
New York Leading Charge to Ban In-Car Subscription Services
A few years back, BMW toyed with the idea of charging car owners a subscription fee to use seat warmers. It was a monstrous flop. As automakers look for more ways to get a few more bucks out of owners, New York is considering a law that would prevent in-car subscriptions like what BMW tried. Get details at Headlight.News.
UAW Pres. Fain Delivered “Historic” Labor Contracts – But He Now Faces a Revolt Within the Ranks
Shawn Fain’s grip on the Presidency of the United Auto Workers Union is under siege as more locals ask the UAW’s board of directors to consider removing Fan from office under the watchful eye of an independent monitor.
Yet Another Major Ford Recall, This Time for Risk of Fire Involving 700,000 SUVs
It’s been a bad year for Ford Motor Co. – and, in this case, that’s bad for customers who have had to cope with a record flood of recalls. Add to the list another one announced Tuesday covering nearly 700,000 recent SUVs at risk of catching fire. For Ford, the service action will result in a $570 million charge to earnings. More from Headlight.News.
Tesla Sales, Stock Face New Backlash as CEO Musk Launches New Political Party
The battle between Elon Musk and Pres. Donald Trump has rapidly escalated as the Tesla CEO lays out plans to launch a new political party. But the Texas-based automaker is already suffering collateral damage. Days after Tesla announced another sharp decline in sales for the second quarter, the automaker’s stock price is taking a sharp hit as investors race for the exit. More from Headlight.News.
Feds Examining Incidents Where Tesla’s Robotaxis Appeared to Break Laws
Tesla’s first day of robotaxi service in Austin, Texas appeared to go off without a disastrous hitch. However, federal safety regulators are looking into situations where the vehicles may have broken local traffic laws. Meanwhile riders offered their largely positive reviews. Get details at Headlight.News.
California Plans Legal Battle After Trump Strips Right to Set its Own Emissions Standards
California vowed to fight President Donald Trump’s effort to roll back the state’s tough emission and fuel economy standards, which would allow it to push automakers to go all-electric. The upcoming court battle could leave automakers in limbo as they try to plan for the future, reports Headlight.News.
Hyundai Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Palisade Braking Problems
It’s one of Hyundai’s best-selling model lines but that doesn’t mean the big Palisade SUV is immune from problems – or lawsuits. The Korean carmaker’s U.S. arm faces a class action claiming issues with the electronic brake controls on Palisade can make it difficult to stop the 3-row SUV. More from Headlight.News.
As Musk, Trump Go to War, Tesla Takes Collateral Damage
Barely a week after they bid adieu during a collegial meeting in the Oval Office, Pres. Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have launched what has rapidly escalated into an all-out war of words, amplified by their individual social media outlets. The feud has already left Tesla lurching, nervous shareholders fueling the automaker’s biggest one-day loss ever. But Musk appears positioned to do some damage of his own.