The Car Market ‘Is Insane’: Dealers Can’t Keep Up With Demand

Some customers have balked at paying top dollar for new cars and have opted to make do with older vehicles. That has increased demand for parts and service, one of the most profitable businesses for car dealers. Many dealers have extended repair-shop hours. Mr. Ricart said he had some repair technicians putting in 10- or… Continue reading The Car Market ‘Is Insane’: Dealers Can’t Keep Up With Demand

Tesla Autopilot Faces U.S. Inquiry After Series of Crashes

The U.S. auto safety regulator said Monday that it had opened a broad investigation of the Autopilot system used in hundreds of thousands of Tesla’s electric cars. The investigation was prompted by at least 11 accidents in which Teslas using Autopilot, an assisted-driving system that can steer, accelerate and brake on its own, drove into… Continue reading Tesla Autopilot Faces U.S. Inquiry After Series of Crashes

Lordstown Motors says it is likely to begin only ‘limited production’ of its electric truck this year.

Lordstown Motors, the cash strapped electric pickup truck start-up, said on Wednesday that it will only begin “limited production” by the end of September and expects that to be the situation through the rest of this year. The company, in a release of second quarter financials, indicated it was still in need of cash to… Continue reading Lordstown Motors says it is likely to begin only ‘limited production’ of its electric truck this year.

Road Rage, ‘Zipper Merging’ and a Stress-Free Path Through Traffic

You’re approaching a construction zone and a sign tells you the left lane will end several miles ahead. Traffic is heavy, but you see an opening and move to the right lane. As you inch along, drivers to your left keep zipping by. Miles ahead, you finally reach the merge point and the left-lane drivers… Continue reading Road Rage, ‘Zipper Merging’ and a Stress-Free Path Through Traffic

BMW Has Fallen Behind in the Electric Vehicle Race

MUNICH — Eight years ago, BMW was one of the first major automakers to sell a battery-powered car: The i3 broke ground with its lightweight carbon-fiber body and aluminum chassis. But lately, the German company, known for its sporty luxury cars and “ultimate driving machines,” has fallen behind in the global race to develop the… Continue reading BMW Has Fallen Behind in the Electric Vehicle Race

Volkswagen Sheds Bugatti, Maker of Over-the-Top Sports Cars

Volkswagen said Monday that it was giving up control of Bugatti, the storied automaker whose absurdly expensive hypercars are worshiped by aficionados but seemed incongruous at a company better known for economical Golfs and Passats. Bugatti, whose Chiron model starts at close to $3 million, will become part of a joint venture between Volkswagen’s Porsche… Continue reading Volkswagen Sheds Bugatti, Maker of Over-the-Top Sports Cars

Here’s How Biden Aims to Increase Electric Car Sales

But if a final infrastructure package includes little or no spending on electric vehicles, a tougher tailpipe rule would likely face opposition from automakers, who would be forced to build and try to sell costly electric cars. And autoworker unions are also likely to fight a rapid federal push toward electric vehicles absent any help… Continue reading Here’s How Biden Aims to Increase Electric Car Sales

Electric Cars for Everyone? Not Unless They Get Cheaper.

The people here are not Hollywood stars or billionaire tech entrepreneurs who might own Ferraris and private jets. But they are well off. The median household income in the area exceeds $165,000, and half the homes are valued at more than $1 million. Eight in 10 residents have at least an undergraduate degree. As early… Continue reading Electric Cars for Everyone? Not Unless They Get Cheaper.

Apollo 15 Anniversary: 50 Years Ago, NASA Put a Car on the Moon

Dave Scott was not about to pass by an interesting rock without stopping. It was July 31, 1971, and he and Jim Irwin, his fellow Apollo 15 astronaut, were the first people to drive on the moon. After a 6-hour inaugural jaunt in the new lunar rover, the two were heading back to their lander,… Continue reading Apollo 15 Anniversary: 50 Years Ago, NASA Put a Car on the Moon

A Lewis Hamilton McLaren Heads to Auction

For the first time, a car driven by the seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton of England is being offered at auction. The McLaren MP4-25A will be sold by RM Sotheby’s on Saturday at the Silverstone track during the British Grand Prix weekend. The car has a presale estimate of $5 million to $7 million.… Continue reading A Lewis Hamilton McLaren Heads to Auction