Volkswagen’s enjoying strong results in 2024, buoyed largely by their lineup of SUVs. Hoping to keep the good times rolling, VW updated with 2025 Taos with more horsepower, an updated dashboard and some exterior tweaks to keep the overall look fresh. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Safety
Ram Recalls 1.2 Million Pickups, Latest Notice is 44th Recall for Stellantis This Year
Ram recalls 1.2 million Ram 1500 pickups due to faulty stability system. Latest recall is also a growing headache for Stellantis and is the 44th that the company has had to issue this year as it continues to struggle with declining sales and rapidly decreasing profits.
Californians Could Soon Get Warned Every Time They Speed
It’s now up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to decide whether to sign a new bill that would require automakers to install a “passive intelligent speed assistance system” into all new vehicles sold in the state starting no later than 2030. Lawmakers sent the governor the measure as part of a crackdown on speeding – which is reportedly involved in a third of the state’s fatal crashes. The measure mandates the use of a warning device but some safety advocates want to go further, installing speed limiters.
Feds Report Traffic Fatalities Fell 3.2 Percent in First Half of Year
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported U.S. traffic deaths declined 3.2% during the first six months of this year. Fatalities have declined for nine straight quarters. Read the story at Headlight.News.
Ford Enjoys Massive Sales Spike in August
Ford Motor Co. reported an impressive 13.4% jump in sales last month. Like many automakers, the company’s sales efforts this summer were throttled by the cyberattack on dealer management software and other factors. However, the company made up for lost time in August. Get details at Headlight.News.
AEB Phantom Braking is Causing Growing Number of Crashes and Recalls
Automatic Emergency Braking Systems have rapidly increased in availability with more vehicles coming equipped with the technology. While it has rapidly become a valuable tool in reducing accidents and crashes. However, a new report suggests that “phantom braking” is causing a surge in crashes and recalls.
GM Recalling 1,200 Cruise Robotaxis to End U.S. Safety Probe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agreed to end its probe of General Motors’ Cruise subsidiary’s robotaxis after it agreed to recall 1,200 of the vehicles. Go to Headlight.News for a closer look and details.
Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Order Due to Takata Airbags
The faulty Takata airbag inflator recall continues to cause problems for automakers with Ford issuing a Do-Not-Drive Advisory to owners of Ford vehicles that have been part of the three recalls involving the dangerous inflators who have not yet had their vehicles repaired. Find out more at Headlight.News
First Look: 2025 GMC Terrain Covers New Ground
GMC is giving the compact Terrain crossover a new, bolder look for 2025, while upgrading its powertrain and technology – including the new Google built-in system. It also adopts a new, three-trim strategy that should be easier for buyers to figure out. But you may have to wait a but to get the version of the 2025 GMC Terrain you want, as Headlight.News explains.
Mercedes Leading Industry Crack Down on Counterfeiters
Automakers face a slew of problems regularly: emissions compliance, workplace or office issues, quality shortcomings and more. However, the problem of counterfeit parts affects them all. Mercedes-Benz works with law enforcement globally to combat the problem, which can make vehicles less safe and certainly takes money out of the automaker’s coffers. Check out what Mercedes and the rest of the industry is dealing with at Headlight.News.
Hyundai, Kia Cuts “Most Stolen” Cars Theft Rate in Half with Software Upgrade
A few years ago, late model Hyundai and Kia vehicles were in the spotlight — the kind no automaker enjoys. Car thieves found a simple way to steal the cars because there were no immobilizers on them. The issue became such a problem a documentary film about the Kia Boyz was made, revealing the dangerous exploits of the car thieves. The automakers implemented a software update that appears to have put a dent in the problem. Go to Headlight.News for the story.
First Drive: 2025 Ram ProMaster EV
Online retailing will generate over $1.2 billion in revenues this year. And whether you’re buying from Amazon, WalMart, Target or countless other Internet retailers your package is likely to will make it to your doorstep in a delivery van. Increasingly, those vans are going electric as fleet operators seek low-cost solutions. Now, Ram is getting into the game with the new ProMaster EV. Headlight.News had a chance to take the rig for a run – without having to make any delivery stops.