Tesla is coming under more intense fire as a result of a series of crashes involving its Autopilot system. The NTSB wants the automaker to block its use on roads where it’s not safe to operate. And California regulators say the name, Autopilot, is itself false and misleading and should be changed.
Technology
2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre: an electrifying grand touring coupe
For luxury automakers with long histories, moving into the modern electric era while retaining their essence may prove to be a real challenge. However, Rolls-Royce appears to have met that challenge on its first go with the all-electric 2024 Spectre. Check out the review at Headlight.News.
Demand Down, Ford Halves Production of F-150 Lightning EV
Ford Motor Co. will slash production of its F-150 Lightning early next year, the automaker confirmed, reflecting a drop in customer demand. Ford had only recently completed a major expansion at the Dearborn, Michigan plant building the all-electric pickup to respond to initial demand following Lightning’s launch in spring 2022.
Kia Partnering Up to Help Ocean Cleanup
It’s twice the size of Texas and still growing. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic waste in the world, but by no means the only place where cast-off plastic is accumulating in the world’s waterways. Now, a non-profit called The Ocean Cleanup believes it can dramatically reduce this waste over the next two decades. And it’s getting a helping hand from Kia which intends to turn much of that junk into useful parts for its vehicles. More from Headlight.News.
Tesla Cybertruck Crash Videos Set Off Alarms Among Safety Experts
During a live-streamed event marking the first deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck on Nov. 30, CEO Elon Musk played off a video showing the electric truck crashing into a barrier at 35 mph. “If you’re ever in an argument with another car you will win,” Musk said, triggering cheers from the audience. But safety experts aren’t quite ready to celebrate. Despite — or perhaps because of — Cybertruck’s stiff stainless steel body panels, questions are being raised about what it could do to pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles — and whether it can actually protect its own passengers.
Next-Gen Chevy Bolt Will Only Come in EUV Form
Fans of the Chevrolet Bolt have ridden a roller-coaster this year. Parent General Motors initially indicated the Bolt would go away as it switched to EVs based on its new Ultium platform, then said an all-new Bolt would return, also using that updated technology. Now, says GM, only the longer, SUV version, the Bolt EUV, will rejoin the line-up. That means buyers will have to say goodbye to the original 5-door hatchback Bolt EV, after all.
Polaris Updates Slingshot Lineup for 2024
With many parts of the U.S. preparing for winter weather on the horizon — i.e. snow — Polaris rolling out an updated lineup of vehicles isn’t a surprise. However, the company is showing off the newest iteration of its three-wheeled autocycle, the Slingshot. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Stellantis Makes Battery Swapping Deal
Just after revealing its electric vehicles are profitable, Stellantis continues to do things a little differently. The company just inked a deal with a company called Ample to use its battery swapping technology for the automaker’s Free2Move fleet of Fiat 500e EVs in Europe. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Honda Debuting New EV “Series” at CES Next Month
Even as it prepares to launch its first long-range EV for the U.S. market, Honda said it will introduce an all-new “series” of global battery-electric vehicles during next month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The even will mark the launch of the first models developed internally by Honda, rather than as part of a partnership with General Motors.
Man Planning “Mass Casualty” Attack Arrested Ahead of Tesla Cybertruck Launch
A Florida man was arrested after taunting authorities “to stop me” before making a threat to commit what is being described as a “mass casualty” event during the roll-out of the new Tesla Cybertruck last week. More from Headlight.News.
GM Chief Barra Says EVs Here to Stay — So is She
GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra told reporters Monday evening the company remains focused on its coming array of EVs, and that hybrids are not on the agenda — for the U.S. anyway. She also dispelled any notion of a looming retirement. Find out what else she said at Headlight.News.
Lucid Lowers Prices, Simplifies Lineup
Hoping to gain more traction — and make it simpler for customers to choose the right version — for its all-electric Air sedan, EV startup Lucid lowered the price on its two lowest trim models. Its also ended the run for its original Air Dream packages. The California-based automaker also added a range of new options available across the lineup. More from Headlight.News.