Headlight News for the Week of 4-8-24 – Auto Sales Up but Tesla Down – Tesla Kills Cheap EV – Highway Deaths Drop – Land Rover Defender 130 Review – A Week in Automotive History
Safety
Highway Fatalities Fell in 2023 – But Are Still Up Over Pre-COVID Totals
Federal regulators said the number of Americans who died in highway crashes last year fell by 3.6%. But the total is still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, with safety experts pointing to a variety of causes, including distracted and drunk driving, as well as failure by passengers to wear seatbelts.
Headlight News Podcast Talks NY Auto Show Debuts, World Car of the Year and More
Headlight News for the Week of 4-1-24: NY Auto Show Debuts – World Car of the Year – Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review – and This Week in Automotive History.
Stellantis Recalls 285,000 Cars Due To Faulty Airbags
Stellantis is recalling nearly 285,000 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models due to faulty airbags that can explode and throw shrapnel.
First Drive: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe — A Rugged Remake
When it came to market nearly a quarter century ago, Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first SUV. Today, it’s part of a broader line-up that runs from the little Venue to the flagship Palisade – but it remains one of the brand’s best sellers. To keep momentum building, the Korean carmaker has given the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe a complete makeover, starting with the bolder and more classic SUV design. The cabin is not only roomier but adds more upscale details and plenty of welcome tech. And the XRT package now adds more rugged features for those looking to head off-road.
A Week With: 2024 Jaguar F-Type R
Oh, that happened quickly. One day, there are any number of Jaguar F-Type variants and the next, it’s whittled down to a handful, and soon to face the chopping block. In its place will be a number of vehicles, but nothing like the 2024 F-Type R. Check out our review for more.
Automakers Selling Data About Drivers Used by Insurance Companies to Set Rates
If your auto insurance has spiked recently, you might blame the company that made your vehicle. Cars, trucks and utility vehicles now collect all types of data about your vehicle. That information is often collected by automakers, then sold to insurance companies that use it to set the rates for your premium. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Automakers’ Semi-Autonomous Driving Tech Gets Failing Grade
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety unveiled its new rating program for the semi-autonomous driving technologies and only one out of 14 systems tested achieved an “acceptable” rating from the safety group. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Feds Open Probe into Honda Emergency Braking Problem
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started a probe into more than 250,000 Honda Insights and Passports due to dozens of complaints about the automatic emergency braking system activating for no apparent reason. Get details at Headlight.News.
Ford Racing F-150 Lightning Demonstrator at Pikes Peak
Ford is heading to Colorado to summit Pikes Peak with an F-150 Lightning EV demonstrator in June. It’s the second straight year the automaker’s charged up the mountain with an EV, doing so last year in its electric SuperVan. More and more battery-electrics are heading to the top. Find out more at Headlight.News.
California Wants to Require Automakers to Install Speed Limiters
California lawmakers are considering a bill that could require new vehicles to come with an “intelligent speed limiter” that, in most instances, would prevent motorists from driving more than 10 mph above the speed limit. Such devices have also been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board, though that has gained little traction on a federal level.
High Adventure on the Alcan 5000 Winter Rally
With my own eyes, I saw a large lynx cross the road ahead of us as we rounded a corner, with a sizable hare in its mouth destined to become the cat’s next meal. The lynx was massive, perhaps 40 pounds, and sleek in its ticked white winter coat. Read more at www.headlight.news.