Tesla will recall 2 million EVs sold in the U.S. to make significant updates to its Autopilot system. As Headlight.News reported Tuesday, the semi-autonomous technology has come under fire because, among other things, it can be used on roads for which it was not designed. That has been linked to numerous fatal crashes. But Tesla put a positive spin on the issue, CEO Elon Musk claiming the recall is part of a “moral obligation” to ensure the safety of its vehicles.
Regulatory
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.
Nearly 3,700 Jeep Workers Warned of Layoffs — Blames California
Facing declining demand for its Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Gladiator models, Jeep says it will cut as many as 3,700 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio — and its putting at least some of the blame on California’s tough emissions rules.
White House May Temporarily Revise EV Tax Credit Rules as Sales Slow
The Biden admin. may give a critical boost to the auto industry as sales of battery-electric vehicles slow, temporarily lifting rules sharply curtailing the number of EVs qualifying for federal tax credits. But the senator who introduced the restrictions says he’ll fight any rollback, reports Headlight.News.
Cruise Scales Back — Delays Debut of Origin Robocab
Cruise will slash the number of cities where it’s testing its autonomous vehicle technology in the wake of a serious crash last month. And it is delaying the launch of the driverless robocab it hoped to put on the road next year, the General Motors subsidiary announced. Headlight.News has the latest.
California Suspends Cruise Robotaxi Permit Following Pedestrian Crash
California regulators suspended the permit allowing General Motors’ subsidiary Cruise to operate a fleet of driverless robocabs on the streets of San Francisco. The move happens as additional video evidence comes to light in the wake of a crash earlier this month in which a pedestrian was run over by one of the company’s vehicles. Get details at Headlight.News.
GM, Honda Set to Unleash Cruise Robocabs on Tokyo
Any foreigner who has tried to negotiate Tokyo’s narrow, windy and painfully crowded roads knows what a challenge that can be. But General Motors and Honda say they’re confident they’ve got a better way to navigate traffic, with the partners set to launch service by Cruise robotaxis in Japan’s capitol starting in 2026.
Jaguar F-Type’s Last Gulp of Gas
The end of an era arrives at Jaguar with the 2024 F-Type ZP Edition. The limited-edition model will be the last new Jag sports car powered by an internal combustion engine. The company plans to produce just 150 of them, so move fast, reports Headlight.News.
Cruise Crash Leaves San Francisco Pedestrian in Critical Condition, Draws Fed Scrutiny
Federal and state safety regulators are looking into a crash involving a driverless vehicle operated by GM’s Cruise ride-share service after it ran over a pedestrian, leaving her in critical condition. Get the details at Headlight.News.