José Muñoz will become global chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor Co. on Jan. 1. It will mark the first time a non-Korean will move into that leadership position — and comes at a critical time for what has become one of the world’s largest automakers.
One area that often gets lost in the shuffle for automakers is their aftermarket business. However, each year they all converge on Las Vegas for the annual SEMA show to show off what consumers can buy to make their vehicles go faster, be louder, ride higher or go more places. Headlight.News offers a sampling of what you can find at the show.
Kia launched its new Tasman pickup, a midsize truck that takes direct aim at two of the global market leaders, the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. The bold design is available in a variety of different body configurations and offers two different powertrain options. The question now is whether Kia will take a chance at prying open a niche in the U.S. market.
Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding exports to key regions like Europe and Latin America after long focusing on their home market. But that’s created problems as target markets fight back with new tariffs and other trade restrictions. As a result, some Chinese manufacturers are looking to shift production abroad – and that could include factories in the U.S.
Dodge has always been a brand with attitude. So, it’s no wonder it would use that as the name of its entry-level sedan. Haven’t heard of the Dodge Attitude? Apparently you haven’t been down “South of the Border” lately. It’s a unique Latin American product and our Mexican correspondent David Loji checked it out.
Sales of electric vehicles set a new global record in September hitting 1.7 million units. This surpassed the previous record by 150,000 vehicles last December. Unsurprisingly, China is leading the charge, but contrary to what many in the U.S. would tell you, the American market is up 10% through the end of the third quarter. Find out more at Headlight.News.
The Paris Motor Show has traditionally been a big event for European automakers and, in some ways, it could prove even more important this year, as Western manufacturers roll out new products designed to hold back increasingly aggressive Chinese competitors. Headlight.News looks at some of the most important products set to debut in the City of Lights this coming week.
A strike by longshoreman called in dispute over wages and use of automation threatens to choke off shipments to ports on the East and Gulf coasts, threatening to delay deliveries of everything from groceries to autos and auto parts.
The damage wrought by Hurricane Helene could take months to calculate but it also could be felt worldwide. The floods that roared through the mountainous western part of North Carolina devastated one town, in particular, that is known for more than just its scenic views. It’s one of the world’s largest sources of the “high-purity quartz” needed to produce semiconductors. And it could touch off another major chip shortage in the months ahead.
Conventional wisdom might seem to suggest that EVs have come unplugged, with traditional automakers such as Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG pulling back on their plans to go all-electric. But don’t tell that to the folks in Norway. As contributing editor Joe Szczesny discovered during a visit this week, you’ll have to look hard to find a new vehicle drawing power from a tank of gasoline.
It’s been the subject of speculation for weeks, “knowledgeable sources” chattering amongst themselves about the possibility China’s BYD is in talks with Stellantis as it looks for a way to crack into the U.S. market. The two makers have firmly dismissed the rumors. But there seems little doubt Chinese automakers want to target the world’s second-largest automotive market and are sniffing around the North American auto industry looking for a way to break in.
As the 2024 Presidential campaign moves into higher gear, the U.S. auto industry is once again at the center of the nation’s political conversation. There are numerous places where candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump conflict. But they suddenly seem to agree on one key issue – sort of – EVs.