GM’s autonomous vehicle unit Cruise is on the hook for a $500,000 fine for filing a false report to the Justice Department regarding an accident in October where a pedestrian was run over.
Regulatory
Ford to Pay Up to $165 Million Fine for Dragging Out Recall
Ford agreed to pay one of the largest fines in automotive history for dragging its feet on a 2020 recall covering 700,000 vehicles while also failing to give federal regulators timely information. It’s the latest in a costly series of quality and safety problems impacting Detroit’s second-largest automaker.
Nissan Gets New Activist Investor, Shares Jump on News
Days after announcing a major acceleration in its plans to cut costs — including eliminating 9,000 jobs — Nissan Motor is getting a bit of a boost. Courtesy of a regulatory filing, it was revealed Effissimo Capital Management took a 2.5% stake in late September. Find out what it means and why shareholders are excited at Headlight.News.
Trump’s Second Term Presents Opportunities, Poses Risk to Auto Industry, Says Top Toyota Exec
After scoring a major win in the election this week, President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to move quickly on a broad agenda when taking office next January. He has made it clear this will include a number of issues critical to the auto industry, including tariffs and EVs. That presents some significant opportunities for manufacturers, but also poses quite a few risks, said a senior Toyota executive who spoke to Headlight.News shortly after Trump’s victory was confirmed.
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.
Feds End Query into 411K Ford Vehicles Suddenly Losing Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was ending its investigation into complaints about a problem with Ford pickups and SUVs suddenly losing power. It covered as many as 411,000 vehicles. Get details at Headlight.News.
Scout’s New Assembly Plant Could Turn into a Factory for Hire
When the new Scout plant in South Carolina opens in 2027 it will produce the brand’s two new products on a single shift. Whether there will be enough demand for the Scout Terra and Traveler models to justify adding more shifts is uncertain. That has the new Volkswagen subsidiary looking at other options, possibly including production of vehicles for other VW brands and even some competitors.
Scout’s Direct-to-Buyer Sales Plan Sets Off Dealer Backlash
Auto dealers are ready to go to war with Scout Motors over the new brand’s plan to sell directly to customers without using franchised retailers. Scout is also planning to build separate service centers, which are emerging a key part of the EV landscape.
NHTSA Opens Investigation into 2.4 Million FSD-Equipped Teslas
Just days after showing off nearly two dozen Cybercabs running on Full Self-Driving, Tesla finds itself being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The feds are examining 2.4 million FSD-equipped vehicles due to issues driving in “reduced visibility conditions,” including a fatality. Find out more at Headlight.News.
For Tesla Cybertruck, 10 Months Bring 5 Recalls
Tesla announced a recall covering more than 27,000 vehicles. More precisely, 27,185 Cybertrucks. This marks the fifth time the all-electric pickup has faced a safety-related callback since the first dozen Cybertrucks were handed over to customers by Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the end of November 2023. And it comes at a time when Tesla has had more recalls than any other automaker.
Used Car Buyers Beware: Hurricane Helene Could Flood Market With Water-Damaged Vehicles
Hurricane Helene delivered a record punch this past week, leaving a trail of destruction from Florida’s Big Bend to the western mountain towns of North Carolina. And the impact could be felt much further away. If past natural disasters are any indication, thousands of flood-damaged vehicles could wind up being repaired just enough to put them out on the used car market. And unsuspecting buyers could be in for some major problems.
GM Recalling 450,000 SUVs, Pickups For Potential Brake Problem
General Motors will recall 449,671 pickups and SUVs due to faulty software that can lead to a failure of their brake fluid warning lights. The good new is that GM will use smartphone technology to make the repairs.