[President-elect Joe Biden’s victory prompts spontaneous celebrations.] OAKLAND, Calif. — Drivers and other workers for so-called gig economy companies in California will not become their employees. California voters carried Uber and Lyft to victory, overwhelmingly approving Proposition 22, a ballot measure that allows gig economy companies to continue treating drivers as independent contractors. Uber, Lyft… Continue reading Uber and Lyft Drivers in California Will Remain Contractors
Author: New York Times Online News
Head of Nikola, a G.M. Electric Truck Partner, Quits Amid Fraud Claims
Trevor Milton, a college dropout, turned his entrepreneurial visions into Nikola, a start-up aiming to develop long-haul semi trucks powered by hydrogen and electricity. General Motors was so taken with the idea that it took a $2 billion stake in the company, even though it essentially has no revenue and has not produced a single… Continue reading Head of Nikola, a G.M. Electric Truck Partner, Quits Amid Fraud Claims
3-D Printing, a Boon for Racers, Inches Closer for Carmakers
The Belgian racing team Heli had an engine problem. Specifically, under race conditions, the manifold of the four-cylinder turbo diesel in its BMW 1-series exploded, bursting along an ultrasonically welded seam that held together the manifold’s two halves. The team tried reinforcing the seam. But when the car returned to the track, during the middle… Continue reading 3-D Printing, a Boon for Racers, Inches Closer for Carmakers
Uber and Lyft Consider Franchise-Like Model in California
OAKLAND, Calif. — Uber and Lyft, which are facing mounting pressure to classify their freelance drivers as employees in California, are looking for another way. One option that both companies are seriously discussing is licensing their brands to operators of vehicle fleets in California, according to three people with knowledge of the plans. The change… Continue reading Uber and Lyft Consider Franchise-Like Model in California
As Sales Rise, Automakers Ramp Up Production
Just two months ago, the auto industry was bracing for disaster. As the coronavirus spread, automakers shut down plants, and car sales plunged. But the industry is starting to breathe a little easier. Factories are churning out trucks and sport utility vehicles, with many of the plants nearly back to production levels that prevailed before… Continue reading As Sales Rise, Automakers Ramp Up Production
Honda Hackers May Have Used Tools Favored by Countries
A computer virus hit the Japanese automaker Honda this week, disrupting its internal computer networks, forcing it to shut factories across the globe and leaving employees cut off from email or internal servers. While Honda has declined to name the attackers or the tools they used, cybersecurity analysts said that the attack appears to have… Continue reading Honda Hackers May Have Used Tools Favored by Countries
Uber Buys Postmates for $2.65 Billion
SAN FRANCISCO — Uber has agreed to acquire the food delivery start-up Postmates for $2.65 billion as it aims to expand its presence in on-demand food delivery while its core ride-hailing business struggles. The companies announced the all-stock deal on Monday morning. Uber will combine Postmates with its own food delivery subsidiary, Uber Eats, which… Continue reading Uber Buys Postmates for $2.65 Billion
Renault and Nissan Unveil Plan to Patch Tattered Alliance
TOKYO — Nissan and Renault, the quarrelsome main partners in the world’s largest automaking alliance, announced a plan on Wednesday to try to reset their troubled relationship as they seek to survive the coronavirus’s devastating impact on the car industry. The plan seeks to more clearly delineate each company’s turf so they can better absorb… Continue reading Renault and Nissan Unveil Plan to Patch Tattered Alliance
Hertz, Car Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy Protection
Hertz, which started with a fleet of a dozen Ford Model T’s a century ago and became one of the world’s largest car rental companies, filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday after falling victim to its mountain of debt. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated Hertz by grounding business travelers and tourists, making it impossible for… Continue reading Hertz, Car Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy Protection
Big Rigs Begin to Trade Diesel for Electric Motors
CHINO, Calif. — The turning radius took some getting used to. So did the gigantic steering wheel. But the electric version of the Freightliner Cascadia big rig was otherwise easy to drive, as I navigated the warehouse parking lot, dodging delivery trucks for Amazon and J.B. Hunt. Being 80 feet long, it didn’t quite offer… Continue reading Big Rigs Begin to Trade Diesel for Electric Motors