In recent days, several automotive executives have discussed scaling back their EV and battery production plans and started talking up the advantages of hybrids. Much of this was tied to thoughts that company’s overestimated the demand for electric vehicles, especially in light of the flattening of sales in recent months. GM CFO Paul Jacobson pumped the brakes on that notion. Get details at Headlight.News.
Technology
Hyundai Reinvents the Wheel – And it Could Make for a Better EV
The race is on to build a better EV, one delivering enhanced range and lower costs, among other things. Most of the attention has focused on next-generation batteries. But Hyundai is betting it has come up with a critical breakthrough by, quite literally, reinventing the wheel. Headlight.News checks out the Hyundai Uni Wheel.
After Repeated Delays, Tesla Finally Hands Over Keys for First Cybertruck
Almost precisely four years after unveiling its first electric pickup, and after a long series of delays, Tesla finally delivered the first Cybertruck to customers at its Texas assembly plant on Thursday afternoon. The question is whether the all-electric pickup will live up to the hype it has received –considering it falls well short of its original range target while prices are 50% higher than what was promised in 2019. Even the automaker’s CEO Elon Musk isn’t as confident as normal.
First Look: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Get Major Makeovers
They’re the bread-and-butter product lines for General Motors. And the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are getting major makeovers for 2025. The bestselling models in their respective segments roll out updated exterior and interior designs, new tech features, an upgraded diesel engine and enhancements meant to make it easier to tow trailers. Headlight.News checks out the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
GM, Other Automakers Rethink EVs and May Shift Near-Term Emphasis to Hybrids, Plug-Ins
With EV sales growth slowing down, General Motors “is currently assessing” its massive investment in battery-electric vehicles. And, while it remains committed to CEO Mary Barra’s “path to an all-electric future,” it will shift more emphasis to the hybrids and plug-ins it was planning to abandon. And other automakers, including Ford and Stellantis, are likewise shifting direction. If anything, this validates Toyota’s strategy calling for a mix of EVs, hybrids and PHEVs, reports Headlight.News.
GM Cutting Spending on Cruise Robocab Unit
General Motors continues looking at its business with a critical eye, planning to cut back its spending on its robocab subsidiary Cruise. The company recently revealed plans to slow its cadence on electric vehicle introductions. The new cuts come after a Cruise robocab was involved in a collision with a pedestrian. Get details at Headlight.News.
First Drive: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Offers More Power, More Choices
Can Toyota continue to dominate the midsize pickup market? That was the key question in mind as I set out for a first drive of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The midsize truck certainly looks good on paper, with eight trim package, four powertrains – including a first-ever hybrid – and a seemingly endless list of body, bed and technology options. How did it stand up, both on-road and off? Check out this review on Headlight.News.
Cheap Gas, Cruise’s Robocab Crash, Ford Cuts EV Spending Top the Headlight News Podcast
In this edition of Headlight News for the Week of 11-27-23, we cover cheap gas, the latest fallout from Cruise’s robocab crash, Ford’s EV spending cuts and more. We also review the 2024 Buick Envista and take a trip through This Week in Automotive History. Join us!
Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicles (VTOLs): The Next Frontier in Personal Mobility
Automotive expert Tim Jackson uses his three decades of industry experience to shed some light on the potential of flying cars, more specifically, Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicles, or VTOLs. Check out what he believes is the future of transportation at 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.
First Look: 2024 Porsche Panamera
Porsche just lifted the covers on its third-generation Panamera. And while it doesn’t break major ground from a design direction, there’s plenty to take note of. The 2024 Porsche Panamera delivers more power, upgraded infotainment technology, improved safety gear, and enhanced ride and handling. Headlight.News checks out the latest edition of the distinctive German luxury sedan.
Tesla, CEO Musk Knew About Autopilot Defects, Judge Determines
A judge in Florida cited “reasonable evidence” that Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk knew the automaker’s Autopilot system had a potentially fatal defect, a finding that could create serious problems for Tesla as it faces the third trial this year over the semi-autonomous driving system.