Author: Detroit News Online

Chip woes: GM eliminates start/stop feature on some full-size trucks, SUVs

Detroit — The global semiconductor shortage is forcing General Motors Co. to eliminate the automatic stop/start feature on some full-size 2021 trucks and SUVs, the automaker said Tuesday.  The move affects only vehicles equipped with 5.3L and 6.2L V-8 engines mated to 10-speed transmissions. Models involved are: Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban GMC Yukon and Yukon XL Cadillac Escalade and… Continue reading Chip woes: GM eliminates start/stop feature on some full-size trucks, SUVs

Segment-buster: Ford unleashes compact Maverick pickup

Putting an exclamation point on its aggressive transition to all-SUV/truck brand, Ford Motor Co. debuted its Maverick compact pickup Tuesday — based on the unibody chassis shared with the Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs. Slotted below the midsize, ladder-frame, $26,015 Ranger pickup, the entry-level Maverick starts at just over $21,000 including destination fee, $19,995 without.… Continue reading Segment-buster: Ford unleashes compact Maverick pickup

Consumers Energy program to help businesses electrify their fleets

Consumers Energy is offering a new program to help businesses, governments and school districts electrify their vehicles. PowerMIFleet will assist these organizations step by step in the transition toward electric vehicles, said Brian Wheeler, spokesman for the CMS Energy Corp. subsidiary. The Jackson-based utility will provide expertise and consultation services and $3 million in rebates for charging… Continue reading Consumers Energy program to help businesses electrify their fleets

Bosch opens $1.2B semiconductor factory in eastern Germany

Berlin – German technology company Bosch on Monday opened a 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) chip factory in the eastern city of Dresden to help meet the growing demand for semiconductors. A global shortage of semiconductors has forced major auto companies such as Volkswagen and BMW to slow vehicle production in recent months. “Bottlenecks on… Continue reading Bosch opens $1.2B semiconductor factory in eastern Germany

Tesla Won’t Make Model S Version ‘Plaid+’, Musk Says

Tesla Won’t Make Model S Version ‘Plaid+’, Musk Says News Sports Autos Business Michigan Life + Home Entertainment Opinion Obituaries Sebastian Tong Bloomberg Tesla won’t be producing a souped-up version of its Model S Plaid as the original iteration of the car is “so good,” CEO Elon Musk said in a series of tweets on… Continue reading Tesla Won’t Make Model S Version ‘Plaid+’, Musk Says

Ghosn ‘happy and satisfied’ after grilling by French investigators

Beirut — Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has answered hundreds of questions by French investigators over the past week in Beirut and was “happy and satisfied” to have had the opportunity to explain himself over accusations of financial misconduct, his lawyers said Friday. The four and a half days of questioning marked the first opportunity for… Continue reading Ghosn ‘happy and satisfied’ after grilling by French investigators