#NewsBlog
Lawmakers Demand Details On Ford’s Battery Partnership
The chairs of three U.S. House of Representatives committees have demanded Ford turn over documents pertaining to its partnership with Chinese battery company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) while threatening to call in CEO Jim Farley to testify before Congress.
This comes after Ford elected to pause work on its $3.5-billion Michigan battery plant using technology. While the official reason given was that the facility may not be able to operate competitively depending on how contract negotiations progressed with the United Auto Workers, there seems to be members of Congress fretting over the prospect of U.S. tax subsidies benefiting Chinese businesses.
Ferrari Patents Augmented Reality System Designed to Merge Real and Virtual Racing
Ferrari has filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office that leverages augmented reality to allow real-world racing to crossover into the virtual realm. By using wireless networks and the real vehicle’s positional data, Ferrari thinks it can replicate it on screens at home with a high degree of accuracy.
But the really slick stuff comes into play once that experience is replicated the other way round. The special interface device the automaker has filed its patent for also replicates virtual vehicles competing against it via an advanced head-up display (HUD) and some feedback features made possible by electronic controls.
Biden Visits UAW Picket Lines
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden went to Michigan to join the United Auto Workers auto workers on the picket line after the union expanded striking to 38 additional GM and Stellantis facilities. While Ford has made significant headway with the UAW, even stalling construction of a Michigan battery plant as talks progress, it’s likewise still subject to strikes.
Considering UAW leadership has been extremely clear that it doesn’t want politicians interfering with negotiations since day one, it’s unclear what Biden will be doing during his trip. Thus far, he’s given a few speeches and pledged his support for unionized labor. But his position on electric vehicles has left the UAW with a lukewarm attitude.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Pricing Revealed, New Trim and Performance Parts
Pricing for the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla has dropped. But that probably won’t matter much due to the fact that the model will undoubtedly be subjected to horrid dealer markups. Though that issue may be improving as Toyota ramps up production and adds a new trim that’s clearly targeting how most people were already configuring the rally inspired hatchback.
Toyota May Have Leaked the 2025 Camry UPDATED
Toyota may have revealed the design of the next Camry sedan in an unrelated video. The supposed leak comes via a rather straightforward clip from the automaker explaining the difference between buying and leasing. It uses the Camry as its demonstration vehicle, usually represented by die-cast toys scaled to fit in the palm of the hand.
Report: Dealers Worried About Getting EV Refunds From the Government
Nobody likes bureaucratic red tape or waiting on payment and this seems to have become a sticking point for retailers nervously waiting to see how the United States’ updated EV tax credit scheme plays out.
According to a report from Automotive News, dealers are getting worked up about the prospect of not receiving money swiftly enough — mimicking some of the hardships endured during the Cash-for-Clunkers period.
Report: FIA to Reject Every F1 Team Application Except Cadillac
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is expected to reject three applications for new Formula 1 teams with the Cadillac-backed Andretti Global being the only exception.
Hyundai Offering Free Chargers to EV Buyers, Swelling Industry Incentives
Hyundai is offering customers willing to buy an all-electric vehicle a Level 2 home charger for no extra cost. While the ChargePoint device is framed as being free, it does require the purchase of a new automobile through the automaker’s captive finance arm Hyundai Capital America.
That makes the $33,550 (before any federal tax credits or state incentives) Kona Electric the most affordable way to take advantage of the deal. But you’ll still have to find someone to install the unit into your home, to which the manufacturer has offered a $600 credit toward installation.
Report: Suppliers Asking Automakers for Pricing Concessions Over UAW Strike
Ramifications from the UAW's strike against Detroit automakers was always going to reverberate throughout the industry and suppliers are asking for some concessions. But the reason isn’t wholly down to some of the obstacles created by the recent work stoppages and the long term implications are beginning to mount.
U.K. Government Pushes Gasoline Car Ban to 2035
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that he’s delaying bans the government had previously made for gasoline-powered vehicles. The scheme was to have the United Kingdom restrict citizens from purchasing new combustion vehicles by 2030. But Sunak has questioned the previous timeline’s viability, opting to push things out to 2035.
This probably isn’t a huge surprise for anyone with at least one foot planted in reality. EV mandates have frequently been accompanied by target dates that are wholly ridiculous. Manufacturers aren’t producing these vehicles in sufficient quantities, the supportive infrastructure isn’t in place, and there's a significant portion of consumers that appear disinterested in buying non-traditional powertrains.
Can-Am Spyder First Drive: Embracing The Third Wheel
As a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve wanted to sneak stories about two-wheeled transportation onto this website. So you can imagine my delight upon being informed that I had been tapped for a driving event that required a license featuring a cycle endorsement. Though I quickly learned that the vehicle I would be experiencing wasn’t quite what I had in mind.
Can-Am had invited me to test out the 2023 Spyder RT and Spyder F3. Despite having seen them around for years, they were models I had long assumed would be marginally better than the atrocious three-wheeled motorcycles offered by Harley-Davidson. This turned out to be a mistake on my part. Can-Am’s three-wheeled products turned out to be some of the best touring vehicles I’ve ever ridden sans air conditioning.
Rare Rides Icons: The Cadillac Eldorado, Distinctly Luxurious (Part VI)
As we learned in our last installment, when the second generation Eldorado debuted in 1954 it was repositioned at Cadillac. No longer was it an ultra expensive and largely hand-built conveyance for a select few who could afford it. Rather it appeared as a sort of premium trim package on top of the company’s bread and butter Series 62. No unique body panels, no special interior design, no single-model windshield. Was there much left to differentiate Eldorado from its sibling?
American Fuel Consumption Goes Down, Prices Do Not
Fuel prices have been climbing this year and continue to do so. However, consumer demand can no longer be blamed as we enter into the autumn months when consumption consistently drops. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that Americans were burning through a million fewer barrels of oil last week than they were the week before.
What isn’t dropping is oil prices and that seems to be making all the difference.
UAW Strikes Slated to Expand Next Week
America’s automotive union has committed itself to expanding strikes if leadership feels meaningful progress has not been made by the end of this week. UAW President Shawn Fain has said more factories would be called up to picket if the state of contract negotiations are still deemed lacking on Friday.
While the union hasn’t indicated which (or how many) facilities would be joining the strike, messaging from the UAW has tried to convey to the public that it’s serious about having its demands met and will do whatever it takes to reach its contract goals.
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