Tesla said it plans to cut 9% of its workforce as part of a restructuring intended to reduce costs and boost profitability. The layoffs at Elon Musk’s electric car company come as it tries to increase production of its Model 3 sedan and turn a quarterly profit this year. Tesla said the more than 3,000… Continue reading Tesla to slash thousands of jobs in profitability drive
Author: BBC News
Daimler forced to recall Mercedes with defeat devices
The German government has ordered car maker Daimler to recall 238,000 vehicles in Germany after they were found to be fitted with emissions-cheating software. Across Europe a total of 774,000 diesel vehicles contain “defeat devices” and Daimler said it would recall them all. The diesel versions of the Mercedes C-Class, Vito and GLC models are… Continue reading Daimler forced to recall Mercedes with defeat devices
Volkswagen admits it can’t cope with new emissions tests
Germany’s Volkswagen has warned its main factory in Wolfsburg faces temporary shutdowns later this year, owing to new emissions test standards. It plans “closure days” to prevent a build-up of vehicles that have yet to be approved for sale. From September, more rigorous EU standards apply, designed to replicate real driving conditions more closely. Now… Continue reading Volkswagen admits it can’t cope with new emissions tests
GM settles self-driving legal action with California biker
General Motors has settled a legal action brought by a motorcyclist knocked over by one of the carmaker’s self-driving vehicles. Oscar Nilsson sued soon after the collision with the GM Cruise car in December 2017. Mr Nilsson sustained neck and shoulder injuries that needed lengthy treatment and caused him to take time off work. GM… Continue reading GM settles self-driving legal action with California biker
Trump administration launches vehicle import probe
President Donald Trump has ordered a national security probe into vehicle imports, which could bring new tariffs. Mr Trump said the US car industry was “critical to our strength as a nation” and ordered the Department of Commerce to investigate. The probe rests on 1960s legislation which lets the president restrict imports if they threaten… Continue reading Trump administration launches vehicle import probe
Elon Musk admits Tesla braking flaw
Tesla boss Elon Musk has admitted there is a braking issue in its Model 3 cars but promised a firmware update to fix it “in the next few days”. The problems were flagged up in a review of the electric car by US website Consumer Reports. “Our testers found flaws – big flaws – such… Continue reading Elon Musk admits Tesla braking flaw
Keyless cars causing dozens of deaths
Dozens of people have been poisoned by carbon monoxide after failing to turn off the ignition on keyless cars, according to the New York Times. Its report found that 28 people had died and 45 others had suffered injuries since 2006. More than half of the 17 million vehicles sold annually in the US now… Continue reading Keyless cars causing dozens of deaths
Japan bus drivers: Strikes with a difference
Bus drivers in the Japanese city of Okayama are on strike, but this is no ordinary industrial dispute. They’re still working, driving around picking up passengers. But they’re not doing a key part of the job – accepting fares – as they seek greater job security in the face of stiff competition from a rival… Continue reading Japan bus drivers: Strikes with a difference
BMW recalls 300,000 cars that risk stalling completely
BMW is extending a UK recall of its cars after the BBC’s Watchdog found that vehicles could cut out completely while they are being driven. It is recalling 312,000 vehicles: the BMW 1 Series, the 3 Series, the Z4 and its X1 petrol and diesel models made between March 2007 and August 2011. BMW initially… Continue reading BMW recalls 300,000 cars that risk stalling completely
Audi admits more diesel emission problems
Audi has admitted that another 60,000 A6 and A7 models with diesel engines have emission software issues. The number is on top of the 850,000 recalled last year by the Volkswagen subsidiary, of which only some have been found to require modification. The so-called dieselgate emissions scandal first came to light in September 2015. US… Continue reading Audi admits more diesel emission problems