Tesla is wrapping up 2023 with another record under its belt. But while sales hit an all-time high they still fell short of CEO Elon Musk’s ambitious forecast. And the Texas-based automaker has a growing list of problems on its plate, including mounting pressure for another recall following the one it announced two weeks ago.
Technology
Automotive Journalists Save Needy Puppies
Automotive journalists combined forces with automakers and with dog rescue operations in the Midwest to bring 12 adoptable dogs westward to find permanent homes. The doglift balances the supply and demand and delivers new pets in time for Christmas. Read the whole heartwarming story at Headlight.News.
Where’s My Affordable EV? Tesla, GM and Other Automakers Claim it’s Coming
At an average cost of $60,000, most of today’s battery-electric vehicles fall into the luxury category — and that’s one reason why the growth of the EV market has slowed down this year. But as we head into 2024, motorists who want to go electric could soon find more affordable options. Get details at Headlight.News.
Headlight News for the Week of 12-25-23: Blazer EV Stop-sale, Huge Honda Recall, Bargains for Car Buyers and Rescuing Dogs
The big news making Headlight News for the week beginning with Christmas is General Motors putting the brakes on the new Chevy Blazer EV before it even starts with a stop-sale order to dealers. It finishes with the efforts of automotive journalists to rescue some puppies during the holiday season trekking from Utah to Oregon. Check out the podcast at Headlight.News.
Porsche, Audi Recall 130,000 EVs and PHEVs Due to Fire Risk
Porsche and Audi dealing with two actions, one of which isn’t about the vehicles, but the charging cables. The other recall covers just 205 Porsche Taycans at risk for fire due to overcharging. Get details at Headlight.News.
Volkswagen Design Boss Confirms 2026 Debut of ID.GTI
The Volkswagen ID.GTI will reach market sometime late in 2026, according to the brand’s design chief, marking the latest VW icon to make the transition to all-electric power. More from Headlight.News
Chevy Orders Dealers to Stop Sales of Blazer EV
General Motors has issued a stop-sale order on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV due to mounting reports of problems with the battery-powered SUV. The issues appear to be software-based, and among those motorists have cited, are problems getting the vehicle to charge. A spokesman told Headlight.News the concerns impact a “limited number” of Blazer EVs, adding that Chevy is looking to make very quick fixes.
Dodge Charger and Challenger, Chrysler 300 Reach the End of the Line
Like the rest of its North American assembly lines, the Stellantis plant in Brampton, Ontario will be idled over the long holiday break. But unlike the rest of the production network it will stay off-line through the 2024 model year. The three models produced in Brampton – the Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars, and the big Chrysler 300 sedan – are going out of production. An all-electric version of Challenger is in the works, but plans to replace the other two models are uncertain. More from Headlight.News
Musk Shuts Down Hyperloop
It was supposed to provide a high-speed alternative to air travel, but Elon Musk is quietly shutting down his once-promising hyperloop company at the end of this year. Its assets are being sold off to a Dubai-based shipping company, though it’s far from clear that will ever bring the maglev system into real-world operation. Get details at Headlight.News.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 2 Could Be the Low-Cost EV the Market Needs
The EV share of the U.S. new car market has grown over 800% since 2019 – but it’s flattened out in recent months and industry analysts say the high cost of today’s all-electric models is a major problem as EVs go from niche to mainstream. Hyundai hopes to address that problem, a senior exec has hinted, with a new entry model likely to be dubbed the Hyundai Ioniq 2. More from Headlight.News.
EVs Help Blunt Impact of Jumps in Oil Prices
Oil prices declined for months, taking gas prices down with them. However, that’s turn in recent weeks, but the price of gas continues to fall. Discover the role electric vehicles are playing in the fossil fuel trends at Headlight.News.
U.S. Sets New Fuel Economy Record – But Detroit Makers Lag Imports
The U.S. auto industry set a new fuel economy record in 2022, according to the EPA – though Detroit’s Big Three automakers lagged both foreign-owned brands and domestic start-ups. It marked the biggest improvement in mileage in nine years. More from Headlight.News .