Tag: Weekly

Posted on

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up March 13-19, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up March 13-19, 2022


PHOTO

PHOTO

AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO – March 20, 2022; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

LEARN MORE: Full versions of today’s news nuggets along with thousands of pages of relevant news and opinions, information stored in a million-page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 25 years. Complete information can be found by copying a bold headline and then inserting into any Site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive News Wrap-up – Week Ending March 19, 2022 Below are the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.

* There are various conversations being had in the political arena around the country to temporarily suspend the tax on gasoline due to the current high per-gallon prices at the pump. Will this gas tax suspension issue lead to a new end game? That is, repeal the gas tax and in its place implement use-fees for motor vehicles. With the ever increasing electrification of private passenger cars now might be the time to make the change.

* The semiconductor chip supply shortage has led automakers to ship new vehicles to dealers with some equipment not functioning. Usually this is some customer convenience feature that can be retrofitted later. Ford is the latest to join this practice shipping Explorer vehicles without the rear seat climate control function. BMW, GM and Nissan have shipped vehicles without certain features operating.

* And, it’s not just microchip supply, so says Reuters. War in Ukraine, turmoil in London’s nickel market, the COVID surge in China and an earthquake in Japanese are the newest issues. S&P Global Mobility, formerly known as IHS Markit, slashed its forecast for global vehicle production in 2022 and 2023 by a total of more than 5 million vehicles – 2.6 million lost in each year – and warned the auto industry could lose a total of as many as 8 million vehicles this year and next if supply chain disruptions get worse.

* From Subaru: As the automotive marketplace continues to move towards electrification, Subaru is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing marketplace and the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ). As part of that effort, Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. In the meantime, a next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform. The Subaru WRX STI and the STI brand represent the zenith of Subaru’s performance vehicles exemplifying Subaru’s unique DNA and rally heritage. As we look to the future, we also look forward to incorporating the essence of STI into our next generation of vehicles.

* The World Car Finals Powered by Brembo continues with the announcement of the Top Three in the World finalists. The winners in all six categories will be declared live at the 2022 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. A jury of 102 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. The vote results have been tabulated by KPMG. See the finalists here: https://www.worldcarawards.com/files/2022_WCA_TOP_THREE_FINALISTS.pdf

* Volvo said it will develop a public EV charging network in partnership with Starbucks that initially will stretch from Denver to Seattle. When’s the last time you spent a bunch of time in a Starbucks? EV public chargers might be better situated at a movie theater parking lot or garage where you might want to remain parked for a few hours.

* Pirelli announced the introduction in North America of its first replacement tire developed specifically for electric vehicles: the P Zero All Season Plus with Elect marking. The new tire has low rolling resistance, designed to increase the driving range while reducing consumption. Another advantage of the Elect marking is noise reduction, for ultimate comfort and to emphasize the quiet inside the cabin. In electric cars, the engine is no longer the primary source of noise, so reducing sound frequencies produced by the tires is key to increase driving comfort. BEVS are quieter which results in the surrounding environment being more pleasant.

* Joe White for Reuters writes Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told an audience at the South by Southwest tech conference that there will be “meaningful” federal policy on autonomous vehicles developed during the 2020s. Buttigieg acknowledged the obvious: Regulators are running far behind development of AV technology. Under Buttigieg, the Transportation Department has taken some steps, such as eliminating the need for fully autonomous vehicles to have steering wheels and pedals.

* Continuing for Reuters, Joe White writes: Do you know what a Level 2 automated driving system is? How about “Level 2.5?” Does Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system really enable a vehicle to fully drive itself? Don’t know? Don’t feel bad. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the U.S. auto industry’s main trade group, is “increasingly concerned about persistent confusion among consumers and policymakers over the critically important difference between partial automation (Level 2) and automated driving systems (Level 3-5), particularly as it relates to the responsibility of a human driver in the driver’s seat.” The Alliance has asked SAE International to do more to clarify its current taxonomy for automated driving systems. The Alliance’s concern coincides with a rush by automakers to deploy systems that more or less provide “Level 3” automation, defined as technology that enables vehicles to take over driving functions under limited circumstances. Tesla’s Autopilot is NOT a Level 3 system, yet. According to Tesla it is a Level 2 system. What FSD will be once it exits its Beta form is still TBD.

* Sure, you known you need to be careful when crossing a street. A new study by IIHS says at or near intersections, minivans, large vans, pickups, and SUVs (collectively known as light truck vehicles, or LTVs) were more likely than cars to be involved in crossing-roadway–vehicle-turning-left crashes versus crossing-roadway–vehicle-not-turning crashes. LTVs were also more likely involved in fatal crossing-roadway–vehicle-turning-right crashes at or near intersections versus crossing-roadway–vehicle-not-turning crashes when compared with cars. At non-intersections, LTVs were associated with increased odds of walking-along-roadway crashes relative to crossing-roadway–vehicle-not-turning crashes when compared with cars. The implication is the potentially problematic visibility of pedestrians near the front corners of these vehicles.

* Ford is recalling 157,306 F-150 pickups from 2021 model year due to a windshield wiper malfunction. At issue is a potential failing windshield wiper motor, which needs to be replaced.

* Dodge and Ram are recalling more than 370,000 vehicles because their electronic stability control (ESC) warning lights may not illuminate even if the ESC system is malfunctioning. Included in the recall are all 2021-2022 Dodge Durango SUVs, 2019-2022 Ram 2500 pickups, and 2019-2022 Ram 3500 cab chassis trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) below 10,000 lbs.

* Volkswagen is recalling its 2019-2023 Atlas and 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport utility vehicles due to an electrical issue that may trigger delayed airbag deployment or unintended low-speed braking. The recall affects 222,892 units of the midsize SUVs. VW does not yet have a fix for the problem.

* Racer magazine reports NASCAR is planning a return to Le Mans in 2023. In a collaborative effort between IMSA, NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear, a modified Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be entered in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will be a Garage 56 entry, which is reserved for highlighting innovation and technology that exists outside of the WEC regulations. The entry will not take a spot from a car on the traditional starting grid. Bill France Sr. first took a stock car to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12, 1976. Hershel McGriff owned and drove a Dodge Charger while Richard Brooks and Dick Hutcherson drove a Ford Torino owned by Junie Donlavey.

* For a NASCAR cup car to run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans it will need windshield wipers, headlights and taillights, air jacks, and rain diffuser flaps. Garage 56 was introduced in 2012 as a special single-entry class reserved for innovative cars. We’ll speculate here and suggest this NASCAR Chevrolet may even have a hybrid engine. We’ll see!

* Chip Ganassi Racing’s #02 car won the Sebring 12 Hours, the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, after an action-packed ending to the American sportscar classic. The 70th staging of the 12 Hours of Sebring represents the next endurance classic in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. A 53 car entry formed the grid for the 70th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts. That’s an increase of 16 cars from a year ago, in the second race for IMSA’s newly revamped class structure. There are few surprises with seven DPis, eight LMP2s, 10 LMP3s, 11 GTD Pro and 17 GTD cars.

* Vic Elford, Porsche 917 ace and one of the finest sports car racers, has died at the age of 86. Though outright Le Mans success eluded him, Elford twice won his class in the 24 Hours, with a Porsche 906 in 1967 and then again in a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 in 1973 before retiring to the United States. Elford was the first driver to have an average lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) above 150 mph – he did so in a 1970 Porsche 917 LH (Long-Tail). Elford initially made his name in rallying, largely in Triumph and Ford machinery, and then joined Porsche. He won the 1967 European Rally Championship before an incredible run of success in early 1968. Elford won the Monte Carlo Rally with co-driver David Stone in a 911T then, just a week later, he took the Daytona 24 Hours, one of five drivers to share the victorious long-tailed 907.

Stay safe. Be Well.

Posted on

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up: February 20, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up: February 20, 2022


PHOTO


PHOTO

AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO – February 20, 2022; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

LEARN MORE: Full versions of today’s news nuggets along with thousands of pages of relevant news and opinions, information stored in a million page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 25 years. Complete information can be found by copying a bold headline and then inserting into any Site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive News Wrap-up – Week Ending February 20, 2022 Below are the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.

* Was the Super Bowl game better than the commercials? There were no fewer than five electric vehicle commercials broadcast during the game. The average Super Bowl spot this year cost a record $6.5 million for 30 seconds, so it’s telling that General Motors, BMW, Kia, and Polestar have gone all in on ads featuring electric cars and SUVs. Nissan, one of the few car companies that chose not to solely advertise an EV, gave its electric SUV Ariya a brief cameo.

* U.S.DoE factoid of the week: The United States imports many of the minerals used in EV batteries, such as cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, and nickel, with lithium being the predominant mineral. Although use of these minerals is not restricted to battery production for EVs, they are nonetheless important for meeting the increasing demand for EV production. From 2016-2019, over 90{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the lithium imported to the United States came from Argentina (55{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}) and Chile (36{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}). During this same time period, Gabon produced 69{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the manganese imported to the United States, while imports of cobalt, graphite and nickel were not as heavily dependent on a single country. In terms of U.S. net import reliance, 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of graphite and manganese was imported, 76{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of cobalt was imported, and about 50{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of lithium and nickel was imported in 2020.

* Quote of the week: “We urge investors to dial-back expectations of autonomous car/robotaxi commercialization at scale over the next 5 years at least.” Morgan Stanley’s Adam Jonas on the hype surrounding self-driving vehicles. Hat tip to Phil LeBeau of NBC News.

* Reuters reports that Ontario and Windsor Canada authorities cleared out truckers blockading the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit, reopening a critical link in the North American auto manufacturing supply chain. Auto plants that shut down because parts could not move across the bridge should be able to reopen, though Toyota and Honda said production will be curtailed this week.

* The world’s power grids were not designed to replace the energy for transportation that is currently supplied by petroleum. In Europe, utilities and charging startups are behind in a race to deploy smart charging technology that can automatically program EVs to pull current from the grid at off-peak hours, and return electrons to the grid if demand from homes and workplaces spikes. A study by Ernst and Young warns Europe’s grid faces an “enormous challenge” if Europeans actually hit an EU goal to deploy 130 million EVs by 2035. This news from Reuters.

* MotorTrend announced that the Porsche 911 GT3 has been named MotorTrend’s 2022 Performance Vehicle of the Year. MotorTrend says the competition was fierce for this inaugural award, with the GT3 besting twenty-one other contenders including the Lamborghini Huracán STO and the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.

* The latest Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch Report for Q4 2021 is out. The year closed out with a new leader in non-luxury brand consideration, with Ford – fueled by hot new products and more plentiful inventory – dethroning longtime leader Toyota, which previously held the top spot for nearly four years straight. Among luxury shoppers, Lexus eked past BMW as the most-considered brand, while Tesla remained hot on their heels.

* GM plans to resume production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and larger Bolt EUV on April 4 after many months of production stoppage. It is the longest-known production stoppage for a safety defect in GM’s history. Production was stopped in August as GM gave priority to provide new batteries to recalled customer-owned Bolts. GM recalled more than 140,000 Bolts to replace battery modules after a series of fires.

* State Farm and Ford announced the launch of Drive Safe & Save Connected Car usage-based insurance (UBI) for customers with eligible connected Ford or Lincoln vehicles. State Farm customers with eligible connected vehicles can opt into the State Farm UBI program, Drive Safe & Save, which adjusts premiums to an individual vehicle’s mileage and customer driving behavior. State Farm will debut Drive Safe & Save Connected Car in Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, for policies effective on or after Feb. 27, 2022, followed by a rollout across more states (excluding Calif., Mass. and R.I.). You will need to let big brother watch over you for this program.

* Michigan U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence sent a letter signed by 65 other House members urging the Department of Transportation to update safety standards to require the use of accurate female crash test dummies. There is no crash test dummy that represents the average female body used in car safety testing, despite women making up more than half of all licensed U.S. drivers. Experts say that may contribute to a disparity in crash outcomes: Women get in fewer car accidents than men. But when they do, they’re up to 73{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} more likely to be injured and 28{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} more likely to die, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

* Joe White at Reuters shared that in a Reddit chat covered by Automotive News VW Chairman Herbert Diess suggests VW is considering a new electric station wagon derived from the Space Vizzion concept (attention shooting-brake obsessed auto writers,) and the CEO responded to a question about an electric VW pickup truck for the United States with an enthusiastic “Good idea!” VW has been shut out of the U.S. pickup market in part because of the ancient 25{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} “chicken tariff” the U.S. imposes on imported trucks, a legacy of a 1960s U.S.-Europe trade war. The success of Ford’s compact Maverick compact (Euro-sized) pickup and the huge interest in Tesla’s Cybertruck and the electric F-150 must be getting attention in Wolfsburg. And we add, VW owns Navistar which owns the international Harvester name.

* Diess also said the Beetle might return in an all-electric version using VW’s scalable MEB platform. Ironically, when the new Beetle appeared as the Concept 1 back in 1994 the original design idea by J Mays and Freeman Thomas was for it to be an all-electric car. But, that never happened.

* PPG, the paint company, said 67{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the vehicles sold in 2021 were white, black or grey. The share of red cars decreased by 1 percentage point to just 7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. PPG tried to put a happy face on this, saying two-tone paint jobs are rising in popularity. A lot of color choice has to do with what dealers order for inventory that they know they can sell easily. Will we see more color variety on the road when more new vehicle buyers place orders with an automaker?

* A cargo ship carrying about 3,965 Volkswagen Group vehicles—VW, Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini, destined for North America was abandoned in the Atlantic about 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal after a fire broke out in the hold. The 650-foot-long Felicity Ace has a crew of 22 that have all been rescued safely.

* Subaru climbed two spots to first place in Consumer Reports’ annual ranking of the most well-performing, safe and reliable automotive brands. The rest of the top ten are: Mazda, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Mini, Toyota and Infiniti. The Ford Mustang Mach-E was selected by the group as one of its Top Picks, climbing ahead of Tesla. See more details here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-best-cars-top-picks-2022/

* Blinded by the light no more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a final rule allowing “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles. It will go into effect when published in the Federal Register in the next few days. The headlights, commonly used in Europe, have LED lamps that can focus beams on darkness such as the driver’s lane and areas along the roadside. They also lower the intensity of the light beams if there’s oncoming traffic. Camera sensors and computers help determine where the light should go.

* Dodge is putting its money where its parts are when it comes to Direct Connection, the brand’s exclusive new source of factory-backed performance parts. The Direct Connection Contingency Program will offer Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak racers $10,000 to win at National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Factory Stock Showdown and National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) Factory Super Cars events, giving Drag Pak competitors multiple shots at taking home a five-figure winner’s purse during the 2022 season. The $10,000 purse, the largest available contingency award from a manufacturer in both NHRA Factory Stock Showdown and NMCA Super Cars classes, will be up for grabs for Drag Pak drivers at 14 total events. The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown schedule includes eight stops during the 2022 season, while NMCA Factory Super Cars will feature a slate of six races.

* NASCAR will begin a new season — and a new era — today, Sunday February 20, at the 2022 Daytona 500. The race will be the first full event for the new Next Gen cars. The race is sold out. The stands are full There are no covid restrictions and limits. Forty cars will roll onto the starting grid for the 64th edition of the Great American Race. Reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson earned the pole position in single-car qualifying. The Hendrick Motorsports driver turned a 49.680-second lap (181.159 mph average speed) on Daytona’s 2.5-mile superspeedway oval.

* Autoweek paid tribute to Bill Robinson, whose career spanned a time of remarkable change, and whose influence extended beyond his own work. His story shows how people still make a difference in an industry that is heavily focused on hardware. Robinson began his career as an automotive designer in 1948, went on to work on the classic Packards of the 1950s. Later, he became a teacher at the College for Creative Studies, the automotive design school in Detroit. At CCS, Robinson was a mentor to a generation of aspiring designers who have since become leaders in the industry, including Ralph Gilles of Stellantis and Richard Vaughan of Rivian. Robinson died this week at 96.

* Autoweek also sadly reports Kevin Olson, a two-time USAC National Midget Champion, was killed in a car crash on February 11 in Janesville, Wisconsin. The head-on crash also critically injured wife Nancy, according to multiple reports. Olson, 70, had retired from racing in 2020, according to the Gazette, in Janesville. Olson, who resided in Evansville, Wisconsin, is a member of both the United States Auto Club (USAC) Hall of Fame and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He began his career on the national stage in a USAC National Midget race in 1972 at Springfield (Ill.) Speedway. His final national USAC National Midget race was 2014 at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Stay safe. Be Well.

Posted on

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up: January 16-22, 2022


PHOTO

PHOTO

Auto CENTRAL CHICAGO – January 23, 2022 Each and every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car or truck Guy and Govt Producer, with capable help from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Vehicle Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Automobile Channel’s “acquire” on this previous week’s automotive information, condensed into straightforward to digest news Nuggets.

Master Far more: Entire variations of present-day information nuggets together with 1000’s of web pages of suitable information and viewpoints, info stored in a million web page library printed and indexed on The Auto Channel all through the earlier 25 yrs. Finish information can be discovered by copying a daring headline and then inserting into any Internet site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive News Wrap-up – Week Ending January 22, 2022 Below are the earlier week’s significant, suitable, semi-mystery, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted simple-to-fully grasp automotive universe information nuggets.

* From Our Pal Paul A. Eisenstein, Publisher Of theDetroitBureau.com

PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Marty Bernstein, The Car Channel’s Senior Editor-at-substantial handed away this week at age 89.
Marty was a sharp dresser, with a sharp wit and an incisive ability to reduce by all the nonsense normally heaped on a journalist.

It might be uncomplicated to tumble into cliché and call Marty Bernstein the “dean of auto writers.” After all, he was far more than 2 times — certainly, triple — the age of many who acquire aspect in the touring circus of vehicle exhibits, new car previews, driving reviews and peer to peer interviews with executives who make the around the globe car industry go, they all talked with Marty. But he was much additional than that. He could be a mentor, if that was what the minute termed for. A source of insight. A fount of wonderful stories. And, until eventually incredibly late in lifetime, a major challenger on the tennis court.

The very last 12 months have been significantly rough. But, he by no means misplaced his keen eye and, even on the worst of times, he’d roll out a joke in his rumbling voice. Marty Bernstein passed this week with the similar amount of dignity that described the rest of his long existence.

PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Marty Bernstein was laid to relaxation on Jan. 21, 2022. He leaves behind his wife, Marti son Michael and daughter-in-regulation Jennifer Bernstein. The loved ones indicates donations be designed to the Kidney Basis, to Mazon, a Jewish firm dedicated to avoiding starvation, to the Chabad Center of Troy, or to a charity of your picking. They plan a celebration of his daily life sometime through the spring.

“May Marty’s memory be for a blessing”, Rest In Peace my pal and thank you for normally staying there for us…you will be skipped.

* DoE simple fact of the week. In product yr 2021 all-electrical automobiles had a median driving array about 60{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} that of gasoline powered vehicles. For the 2021 model yr, the median driving assortment of all-electrical cars (EV) was 234 miles when the median vary for gasoline automobiles was 403 miles. Whilst this is a sizeable distinction, EV ranges have been escalating swiftly. When the greatest selection for any EV made available in the 2021 design year was 405 miles, there are now EV versions supplied for the 2022 model calendar year reaching a greatest assortment of much more than 500 miles. As a lot more lengthy vary EVs develop into available, the discrepancy in assortment concerning gasoline powered automobiles and EVs is likely to keep on to slim.

* In June 2022, BMW will make the really last V12 motor at any time to be fitted to a BMW collection output highway vehicle. To mark the celebration, BMW will offer you The Remaining V12 a confined series of 12 cars for consumers in the US. Primarily based on the BMW M760i xDrive, these will be 12 of the previous V12 BMW automobiles crafted for the US current market and will be distinguished by exclusive badging, wheels, and a decision from the extensive assortment of exterior colours and upholstery offered by BMW Particular person. BMW launched their to start with roadgoing V12 in 1987.

* Reuters studies that Germany is hedging on BEVs. A major official of the new German governing administration has walked back again the country’s target of owning 15 million EVs on the road by 2030. The pledge now involves hybrids AND EVs. Germany now has 1 million electrified autos on the road, 50 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of which are hybrids. Obtaining to 15 million by 2030 will be a stretch both way the government counts.

* And a single additional from Reuters: Oil large BP stated its EV recharging stations could shortly be as successful as gasoline pumps. If BP and its rivals start off accelerating the speed of EV charger set up, you can expect to know the tipping place has certainly arrived.

* From AP we read through, California prosecutors have submitted two counts of vehicular manslaughter from the driver of a Tesla on Autopilot who ran a red light-weight, slammed into one more car and killed two individuals in 2019. The defendant appears to be the very first human being to be charged with a felony in the United States for a deadly crash involving a motorist who was utilizing a partially automated driving system. Los Angeles County prosecutors submitted the rates in Oct, but they came to mild only last 7 days. The misuse of Autopilot, which can command steering, speed and braking, has occurred on several situations and is the matter of investigations by two federal agencies.

* The Insurance policy Institute for Freeway Safety (IIHS) is producing a new rankings system that evaluates the safeguards that motor vehicles with partial automation employ to enable drivers continue to be targeted on the highway. The new score system is for motor vehicles with partial automation but no automobile on the current market can move with out changes. Irrespective of misleading messaging from some companies, for now, at the very least, self-driving cars and trucks are not accessible to people. IIHS expects to difficulty the to start with set of rankings in 2022.

* Reuters stories the French govt desires automakers to include things like cigarette fashion health and fitness warnings as section of their ads, and vehicle corporations are not content, the Economical Instances reviews. A French authorities rule would require disclaimers in car adverts such as “for limited journeys stroll or acquire a bike, when possible,” or “take into account auto pooling.”

* Ford is recalling about 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. to resolve a trouble that can halt the brake lights from turning off. The remember handles certain 2014 and 2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ midsize vehicles as very well as some 2015 Mustangs. All have been marketed or registered in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Ga, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii.

* The Washington, D.C. Auto Present opened its doorways this week to representatives of the automotive industry, federal government officials, and associates of the media all through its official General public Policy Working day. Regarded on the automobile circuit as the formal “Community Coverage Clearly show”, the day resolved the innovations and troubles for the country’s crucial automotive sector. It is really a exhibit for the people in federal agencies and in Congress, and not so substantially about new vehicles and vehicles.

* The Chevrolet Corvette celebrated its 69th birthday this week. The Corvette designed its debut on Jan. 17, 1953 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York Town.

* The legendary Hirohata Mercury marketed for $1.95 million very last 7 days at the Mecum collector auto auction in Kissimmee, Fla. This famed “leadsled” tailor made 1951 Mercury is a primary instance of the custom made auto scene that blossomed in midcentury Southern California. The overall body was developed by George Barris, the interior by Carson Leading Shop and pinstriping was carried out by Kenneth Howard, far better known as the artist Von Dutch.

*Dodge is in look for of an influencer for its model. It really is not a whole-time occupation, but anybody can apply for the position with perks like $150,000, a corporation SRT Hellcat for a calendar year, the capacity to fulfill with Dodge engineers about what’s to arrive from the manufacturer, Dodge goods and receiving to show up at activities from the racing keep track of to the North American International Vehicle Present in Detroit. The ambassador will share his or her ordeals on the web. Applicants will have to submit a maximum two-minute video displaying why they really should be the chief donut maker. Applications are thanks by Feb. 28. The 1st 10,000 will be reviewed. Followers can utilize or abide by alongside at DodgeGarage.com. https://www.dodgegarage.com

* Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined his dad in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Earnhardt alongside with late-design driver Pink Farmer and the late Mike Stefanik, a embellished modified driver who died in a plane crash in 2019, were being inducted this week in the 2021 course. It is NASCAR’s 12th Hall of Fame class and the to start with with just 3 new inductees. For the past 11 many years the HoF experienced a five member course but transformed the procedures setting up in 2021. Ralph Seagraves was named as the recipient of the Landmark Award for Exceptional Contributions to NASCAR.

Remain secure. Be Well.

Posted on

Stocks drop again, dragging the S&P 500 to its biggest weekly loss in nearly two years.

Credit history…Carlo Allegri/Reuters

A group of personnel at Raven Application, a studio owned by Activision Blizzard, stated Friday that they were forming a union and needed the well known video recreation company to voluntarily recognize it.

The new union, the Video game Employees Alliance, states it incorporates additional than 80 per cent of the 34 people in the top quality assurance division of Raven, the Wisconsin studio that helps build Activision’s popular Phone of Duty video game. More than 60 Raven personnel walked out in early December, protesting the company’s ending of the contracts of a dozen non permanent Raven high-quality assurance workers, which they reported felt abrupt and unfair. Some have been on strike given that then.

“This is just the greatest factor for us and our firm heading ahead, for us to have a voice,” explained Erin Corridor, a Raven high-quality assurance worker who aided organize the union. She mentioned she hoped that unionizing would guide to superior job stability, and that the Activity Employees Alliance would be just “the initial domino at Activision.”

“I assume a ton of us are inspired a ton by the fact that unionization in the video games marketplace hasn’t actually happened yet,” Ms. Hall stated.

Now, Activision executives will have to make your mind up whether to acknowledge the union voluntarily or pressure a vote amongst workers, which the Nationwide Labor Relations Board would oversee. Activision mentioned in a assertion that it was “carefully reviewing” the ask for.

“While we consider that a direct marriage between the corporation and its group users delivers the strongest get the job done force prospects, we deeply regard the rights of all workforce under the legislation to make their have decisions about whether or not to join a union,” the organization explained in the statement. Activision included that it had amplified shell out, time off and health care added benefits for the unionizing employees in latest decades.

Activision, which Microsoft on Tuesday said it would buy for approximately $70 billion, has been working with months of worker unrest. Right before the business incited anger by not retaining the Raven personnel in December, workers experienced been pushing for labor organizing and improved remedy due to the fact July, when a California employment agency sued Activision, accusing it of fostering a culture the place women have been routinely sexually harassed and discriminated against.

Jessica Gonzalez, a former Activision worker and a single of the organizers of ABetterABK, a group of activists that fashioned in the wake of the lawsuit to strengthen situations at Activision and its Blizzard and King models, stated she hoped the Raven union, even though little, would galvanize far more labor attempts at the enterprise — which has about 10,000 personnel — and at other gaming publishers.

“I consider it’ll have a ripple influence throughout the industry,” Ms. Gonzalez mentioned. “I’m hoping the relaxation of ABK will join our mission and help drive this movement ahead.”

In contrast to Europe, unions are unusual in the North American gaming field. American staff members are typically subjected to unanticipated layoffs and brutal “crunch,” in which they are necessary to do the job extensive several hours and weekends for weeks at a time to make certain online games do not skip deadlines.

Fascination in unionization has picked up in recent many years, with teams like Video game Workers Unite, Activity Staff of Southern California and the Campaign to Manage Electronic Staff members, a job from the Communications Staff of The united states, all doing the job to mobilize gaming staff.

In December, workers at the unbiased activity developer Vodeo Game titles, which has about a dozen staff, became the very first movie game studio union in North America.

The Raven employees’ arranging effort was shepherded by C.W.A., a notable tech, media and communications union.

“A collective bargaining agreement will give Raven QA personnel a voice at get the job done, strengthening the games they deliver and creating the corporation more powerful,” Sara Steffens, C.W.A.’s secretary-treasurer, stated in a assertion. “Voluntary recognition is the rational way forward.”

In a news release asserting the union, C.W.A. and the Sport Staff Alliance accused Activision of using “surveillance and intimidation techniques, which includes employing notorious union busters, to silence employees.”

Ms. Hall and C.W.A. equally mentioned the timing, provided Microsoft’s blockbuster acquisition of Activision, was coincidental. Microsoft declined to comment on the union organizing.

Some personnel check out Microsoft’s obtain of the company, which could choose a 12 months or more to near, as a route for Activision to enhance its workplace culture.

Other people see it as an simple out for the company’s embattled chief executive, Bobby Kotick, who has been under fireplace due to the fact past summertime and is expected to phase down as main executive when the offer is complete, two people with expertise of his programs have reported.

During a enterprise livestream on Thursday with Julie Hodges, Activision’s main people officer, Mr. Kotick informed personnel that he had promised Microsoft that he would “stay as lengthy as is vital to ensure that we have a good integration and a excellent transition,” according to a transcript of the conversation seen by The New York Times.

Mr. Kotick also resolved Activision’s culture difficulties, saying the Microsoft deal “reinforces” his determination to reforming the office, “and we have certainly identified that we have chances for improvement.”

He extra that Microsoft “has been on its very own journey to strengthen its place of work, and I feel that it’s a shared journey.”

Posted on

Nutson’s Auto News Weekly Wrap-up


PHOTO

PHOTO

AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO – January 9, 2022; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

LEARN MORE: Full versions of today’s news nuggets along with thousands of pages of relevant news and opinions, information stored in a million page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 25 years. Complete information can be found by copying a bold headline and then inserting into any Site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive News Wrap-up – Week Ending January 8, 2022; Below are the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-digest news nuggets.

* General Motors has been the top-selling automaker in the United States since 1931. Toyota now holds the No. 1 spot in the U.S. market for 2021, selling 2.3 million vehicles to GM’s 2.2 million. This is largely due to the supply chain issues that crippled GM production for much of the year. But it’s more than that, as Reuters points out. GM has been diminishing itself by choice. The company largely abandoned the compact car segment, and cut production of midsize Malibu sedans to favor trucks during the worst of the chip shortage. Result: Toyota sold more than 729,000 passenger cars in the United States during 2021. GM sold about 162,000 cars. Toyota’s lead in cars overcame its deficit to GM in U.S. truck sales.

* Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia all had sales declines in December. GM slid 43{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in Q4. 2021 closed on a down note with total sales just over 15 million vehicles, up 3.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from 2020, the year the pandemic took hold in the U.S.

* Tesla global sales is evidence of the rapidly rising acceptance of electric cars, especially in China. Tesla Inc. delivered 308,600 vehicles worldwide in the fourth quarter, smashing the previous record for the electric-car maker and setting a capstone on a year in which the company joined the exclusive $1 trillion market valuation club. The better-than-expected results pushed Tesla’s total sales for the year to more than 936,000, up about 87{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} over 2020’s deliveries of just under half a million vehicles.

* More than 2200 exhibitors were planning to be at CES 2022 this week. However, overall, the show got scaled down due to concerns over the Covid Omnicon variant. In the automotive space, General Motors, BMW, Stellantis and Mercedes all canceled their physical presence. Fisker, BrightDrop, and Blink Charging still were at the show. The Chevrolet Silverado EV, Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept and the 2023 BMW iX M60 were unveiled through online events during CES.

* At CES 2022, the Chrysler brand revealed the Chrysler Airflow Concept, giving a glimpse at the leading-edge drive-system technology, fully connected customer experiences and advanced mobility features, wrapped in inspiring, dynamic design, which will fuel the Chrysler brand’s future. Chrysler plans to be an all-electric producer by 2028.

* Sony revealed plans at CES to get into the auto business with a new business unit, Sony Mobility Inc. And, Sony showed another new concept vehicle: Vision-S 02. This is follows along from two years ago at CES when Sony showed a functional electric vehicle concept. The Vision-S 01 has been under testing in Europe for the past year.

* At CES 2022 a new player, the Vietnamese auto startup VinFast introduced three new battery-electric vehicles. This follows the debut of two other all-electric models at the Los Angeles Auto Show just two months ago. They expect to be selling in the U.S. later in 2022.

* Joe White writing for Reuters commented regarding CES: ‘once again the auto industry has proven you don’t need to gather hundreds of reporters in a convention hall to make news. Though it is fitting, given the huge wagers auto and tech companies are making, that the biggest U.S. auto show is now nominally taking place in Las Vegas.”

* In a new study GasBuddy forecasts the nationwide average price for gas will be $3.41 in 2022. The current price nationwide averages about $3.29. GasBuddy thinks prices could near $4 a gallon by June as drivers take to the roads for the summer. California is seen as primed for more gas price inflation in 2022. GasBuddy thinks gas prices could approach $6 a gallon in San Francisco, while hovering around $5.50 in Los Angelos and Sacramento. The average price for gas in California is currently $4.65, per data from AAA. In total, the average U.S. household may spend $2,341 next year on gas, compared to $1,977 in 2021. It would be the most spent on gas by households since 2014, according to GasBuddy.

* A new NBC sitcom “American Auto” will bring you inside the corporate headquarters of a Detroit auto maker. “American Auto,” which aired two episodes in December as a sneak peek, officially premiered this week in its regular time slot at 8 pm Tuesday. Set in Detroit, but filmed in the former Toyota headquarters building in Los Angeles, the comedy explores the day-to-day ongoings of Payne Motors, a fictional 100-year-old car company that’s struggling at a time when the future of the entire industry is up for grabs. Tune in.

* Electric pickups are hot. In September, due to huge demand for the F150 Lightning, Ford doubled its production plan from 40,000 to 80,000 trucks per year. The demand keeps growing, so Ford is doubling it again and now plans to produce 150,000 annually. Of note, nearly half of those ordering the new F150 Lightning do not own a Ford now.

* Joe White writing for Reuters points out that automakers and many Americans really like big trucks and SUVs, as sales figures and pricing data from the last couple of years prove. But keep an eye on criticism that big trucks pose an outsized safety risk, particularly to pedestrians. The Detroit Three have had a nearly decade-long vacation from significant challenges from safety advocates to the large, heavy vehicles that pay the bills. Climate concerns and rising traffic deaths could change that.

* Reuters reports Robo-semi company TuSimple said one of its trucks drove 80 miles on public highways in Arizona with no human driver on board and no human intervention. The Dec. 29 announcement appears to be a first for the nascent robo-trucking industry. Other robo-truck companies – including Gatik – are targeting 2022 to take out drivers and start scaling up automated, commercial goods delivery.

* A panel of world-renowned car designers, engineers, auto industry titans, motorsport legends, specialist journalists, broadcasters and media professionals voted for their Best Cars of the Year 2021/2022. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 tied for first place and were declared joint winners in this, the first-ever judging verdict from a new, revolutionary evaluation process. The 10 models voted for by those judges into this year’s Best COTY Top 10 are from 10 separate brands, based in six countries spread across the world’s Top 3 car-producing continents – Asia, Europe and North America. Vehicles will be displayed at the Best Cars of the Year stand at the British Motor Show this coming August, when the selection, evaluation, test driving and voting process for the Best Cars of the Year 2022/23 project will begin.

* Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, released its 69th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealing most cars on today’s roads are white (35{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}), black (19{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}) and gray (19{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}). White vehicles have been found in the most abundance on the roads since 2011 worldwide, with Asia leading in white vehicle builds. Overall, the popularity of white hit a long-term high of 39{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in 2017. For the third year in a row, Europe is the only major region to report gray as the most popular color at 27{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Silver is most popular in South America as it ranks second place with 23{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} usage. Black is most found in Europe at 22{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and continues to lead in the luxury segment. North America has the most amount of new red cars on the road at 8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

* A good bellwether of the eventual three NACTOY “vehicles of the year” is the Detroit Free Press winners as chosen by Auto Editor and NACTOY juror Mark Phelan. The Free Press Car, Truck and SUV of the year are the Honda Civic, Ford Maverick and Ford Bronco, respectively. NACTOY winners will be announced on January 11.

* VW CEO Herbert Diess on Twitter sketched out the contours of the new design retro-microbus EV which draws on the lines of the original model. March 9 is the date set for it to be unveiled.

* American Amy Lerner is underway for her second Dakar, piloting her 1982 Porsche 911 SC through the prologue and the first stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. She and co-pilot Sara Bossaert of Spain, joined 409 teams from around the globe taking the official start on Jan 2. It is the third time the rally has been held in KSA and the second year for the “Classic” class that is open to vehicles of the same type that have competed in any pre-2000 Dakar race. Last year saw 24 entries in the class for vintage models while there are 142 competitors this year. Hearty vehicles, experienced off-road drivers and talented navigators are required to succeed in the 14-day rally that covers more than 6,000 kilometers of terrain with a substantial amount of sand, dunes and rocky tracks. The Dakar Rally is the longest and most grueling off road competition in the world.

* The 100th anniversary of famed Route 66 will be celebrated in 2026. A new exhibition honoring one of the original highways in the United States is in the works at the Illinois State Museum. The museum has received contributions from the estate of Bob Waldmire, an artist and cartographer known for his Route 66 art pieces. Throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, Waldmire drove Route 66 and stopped win towns along the way to create and se his art. The museum is seeking items from anyone who lived, worked and travel Route 66.

Stay safe. Be Well.

Posted on

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up December 20-25, 2021


PHOTO

PHOTO

Auto CENTRAL CHICAGO – December 26, 2021 Each and every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Automobile Dude and Government Producer, with ready support from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Vehicle Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Car Channel’s “just take” on this earlier week’s automotive information, condensed into easy to digest information Nuggets.

Master Far more: Complete variations of present day information nuggets together with 1000’s of pages of relevant information and opinions, info stored in a million page library released and indexed on The Automobile Channel during the previous 25 yrs. Complete data can be identified by copying a daring headline and then inserting into any Web-site Lookup Box.

Nutson’s Automotive News Wrap-up – 7 days Ending December 25, 2021 Below are the earlier week’s vital, suitable, semi-magic formula, or snappy automotive information, opinions and insider back stories introduced as
expertly crafted straightforward-to-digest news nuggets.

CAFE Lives! * Final vehicle emissions rules comprehensive by the Environmental Safety Company are extra stringent than those at first proposed and set in position underneath previous President Barack Obama. Environmental and community wellbeing groups are placing pressure on President Biden to impose the strongest rule possible, which includes eliminating added incentives and credits that make it simpler for automakers to fulfill the requirements. Less than the last rule, the emissions reduction targets for 2023 to 2026 enhance in stringency from 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in each and every product calendar year to achieve a fuel-economic system fleetwide average of 40 mpg in 2026, in comparison with 38 mpg below an August proposal. The regulations depict the most stringent federal greenhouse fuel emissions requirements to date and occur following a long time of reduce benchmarks put in position by former President Donald Trump. These polices place the fleetwide focus on at 32 mpg.

* Nonetheless, take note this. There is a evident loophole on the textbooks that has been amongst the single biggest contributors to greenhouse fuel emissions in the US around the past 30 years. Whilst the facts are a bit specialized, the upshot is the Biden administration is presenting nevertheless a further policy as a victory in the battle towards local climate change when it is a marginal enhancement at greatest and fails to suitable just one of the most obtrusive coverage troubles that has designed local weather adjust worse. Each individual new motor vehicle customer ought to study this: Listed here

Charger Eiquette* In a current report Wards Intelligence factors out that demand time may be replacing assortment panic as the top rated issue for BEV obtain intenders, modern consumer surveys point out. On typical, industry insiders believe by 2025, BEVs need to recharge to 80{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} ability in just 10-20 minutes, while here as well the sights are relatively divergent across the sector. About one-fifth to a person-third of BEVs available in 2025 are anticipated to have greater-voltage 800-900 volt battery packs that make it possible for for quickly charging, say the bulk of respondents in a study by Wards.

* Investment decision carries on in EVs. The US DoE reports in addition to electric powered auto battery vegetation that are already in operation in the United States, 13 further plants have been introduced and are predicted to be operational in just the subsequent 5 decades. Of the 13 vegetation that are prepared, eight are joint ventures among automakers and battery brands. Numerous of these new crops will be positioned in the Southeast or Midwest.

* From the Detroit Free of charge Push we read through a lot more than 1,000 buyers who assumed they’d get a new all-electric powered Ford Mustang Mach-E this year and qualify for the $7,500 tax credit history might be in for an uncomfortable shock. Ford Motor Co. alerted its dealers to desired seatbelt repair involving specific 2021-22 design 12 months Mach-Es, triggering a hold on any undelivered new autos. Shoppers can even now implement for the federal tax credit rating, it just could shift to calendar yr 2022 for some buyers. The credit is utilized to the calendar year a car or truck is shipped, not requested.

* Typical Motors reopened the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky that was shut in the wake of tornado hurt. Substantial-pace winds moreover a hearth on the roof from the tornado that roared as a result of the area compelled the plant to close for a 7 days. Experiences vary on the amount of destroyed Corvettes, but additional than 100 cars have been weakened past repair and will be scrapped.

* Automotive News studies that GM has delayed output of the Chevrolet Bolt EV right up until February. GM also has suspended sale of the Bolt EV. The automaker in August widened its recall of the Bolt to additional than 140,000 autos to switch battery modules soon after a collection of fires. The National Highway Traffic Basic safety Administration has an ongoing investigation into the battery fires.

* A Quotewizard.com research says your car’s make and model is an essential issue in identifying what you pay for vehicle insurance coverage. The Tesla Model 3 is the most high-priced well-known car to insure. The Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Forester are the cheapest well-liked cars and trucks to insure. Have appear at the facts In this article

* Automakers are progressively turning to way of living events to arrive at new buyers. Previously in December at 2021 Artwork Basel Miami, BMW, Lamborghini, Lexus, Lincoln, Lucid and Mercedes-Benz all have been existing in South Beach with motor vehicle displays. BMW chose Art Basel fairly than an automobile clearly show to reveal the Principle XM, the to start with electrified M design.

* At the forthcoming CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5-8, 2022 Stellantis shows will consist of Citroën Ami city EV, Citroën long run mobility notion, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe outfitted with Uconnect 5 in-car or truck-engineering program, DS Cars Formulation E race motor vehicle, Fiat New 500 and a Chrysler Airflow notion vehicle.

* Automotive News reports Basic Motors and Waymo are the hottest businesses to terminate CES strategies above COVID-19-similar problems. GM CEO Mary Barra had been scheduled to give a keynote speech at the yearly convention on Jan. 5, for the duration of which the corporation would have proven its electric powered Silverado pickup for the very first time. Barra will still make the speech and presentation more than the online, a spokesman stated. Waymo experienced planned to screen its new Course 8 Freightliner Cascadia truck for the 1st time. Designed with redundant autonomous methods in collaboration with Daimler Vans, the system is a lynchpin of Waymo’s emphasis on self-driving trucking. Twitter, T-Mobile, Amazon and Meta (Fb) said they would not participate mainly because of health and fitness worries. Technology-focused media outlets these kinds of as TechCrunch and The Verge have also withdrawn.

* Dodge declared a new Direct Relationship overall performance areas lineup, pieces catalog and technical hotline. Immediate Link is the Dodge brand’s unique resource of factory-backed overall performance parts, that will include things like: New “Tuner” and “Stage” kits that can strengthen the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and Challenger SRT Hellcat up to 885 horsepower and 750-additionally horsepower, respectively 14 new functionality kits for the output Dodge Challenger 13 new race-prepared kits and 4 graphics deals for the Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak. The new Immediate Connection elements catalog, is offered for obtain at Dodge.com/dodge-muscle.

* Tesla is below pressure from U.S. basic safety regulators since it will allow video clip video games to be performed on heart infotainment screens even though cars are transferring. In response Tesla has agreed to cease permitting the video games to be performed with its “Passenger Enjoy” feature. A software update sent out about the online will lockout the aspect.

* Ford is recalling almost 185,000 F-150 comprehensive-dimension pickups. The 2021 and 2022 design-yr vans have driveshaft challenges that could trigger it to fracture. The situation only has an effect on specified F-150 Crew Taxi 4×4 pickups.

* Autoweek stories two-time CART winner and previous F1 racer Alex Zanardi carries on to recuperate from a close to-deadly handbike crash in which he was struck by a auto whilst racing in Italy in June, 2020. His loved ones is joyful to report that at the very least now he has been capable to transfer from a rehabilitation clinic to his house. Spouse Daniela gave an update on Zanardi’s situation that was released currently on a BMW Group web page. Zanardi, who was a 15-time winner in Indy vehicles, is a BMW Team Ambassador.

* Shunji Tanaka, a key designer of the iconic Mazda Miata, has died. He was 75. Tanaka led the exterior and inside structure of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a lightweight Japanese roadster influenced by postwar-period British sporting activities cars and trucks. The vehicle went on sale in the U.S. in May well 1989 with a commencing price of $13,800 and a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder motor with 116 hp.

Satisfied Xmas!

Remain harmless. Be Well.