German electric air-taxi startup Volocopter GmbH is seeking regulatory approval to operate its vertical takeoff craft in the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering a type-certification application from Volocopter, opening up the possibility of flights in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington in the next two to three years,… Continue reading Volocopter seeks approval for electric air taxis in US cities
Author: Detroit News Online
Chevy introduces virtual shopping experience for new vehicles
Detroit — The pandemic has pushed auto manufacturers and dealers to rethink how customers shop, affirming the importance of virtual platforms like General Motors Co.’s new Chevy MyWay live vehicle tour. The platform, launched Wednesday in test mode, gives customers one-on-one access to live tours of the Chevrolet lineup with product specialists. It also can create a virtual auto show experience. Chevy… Continue reading Chevy introduces virtual shopping experience for new vehicles
Rivian Is close to raising funds at $25 billion valuation
Rivian Automotive Inc., the electric-truck startup backed by Amazon.com Inc. and Ford Motor Co., is close to raising a new round of funding valuing it at about $25 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Several existing Rivian investors are participating in the round, which will raise several billion dollars, the people added, asking… Continue reading Rivian Is close to raising funds at $25 billion valuation
FCA to invest in Poland for new electric Jeeps, Fiats and Alfa Romeos
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV on Tuesday confirmed plans to refurbish a plant in Poland for three new models for the Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands, including hybrid and all-electric versions. It is not yet clear if those vehicles will be sold outside Europe when they start rolling off the line in the second half of 2022,… Continue reading FCA to invest in Poland for new electric Jeeps, Fiats and Alfa Romeos
GM recalls 840K vehicles for seat belt, suspension problems
Detroit — General Motors is recalling nearly 840,000 vehicles in the U.S. for suspension problems or because the front seat belts can fail. The seat belt recall covers 624,000 2019 through 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks. Also included are the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL, and… Continue reading GM recalls 840K vehicles for seat belt, suspension problems
FCA sues auto supplier over breach of contract, faces $100M loss
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is suing a Canadian auto supplier in federal court over an alleged breach of contract because it cannot provide enough engine blocks needed to build popular Jeep SUVs, Ram trucks and Chrysler minivans — a decision the automaker says could cost it more than $100 million. Martinrea International Inc. “improperly and unilaterally”… Continue reading FCA sues auto supplier over breach of contract, faces $100M loss
Cadillac Blackwing sedans to be GM’s first production cars with printed parts
3D printing applications have become commonplace in consumer products to include sneakers, jewelry and Ikea clothing hooks. Add Detroit auto manufacturing to the list. General Motors Co. has established a 3D printing center at its Warren Tech Center called the Additive Industrialization Center. With 24 3D printers, the 15,000-square-foot facility is the hub of GM’s acceleration of… Continue reading Cadillac Blackwing sedans to be GM’s first production cars with printed parts
Amazon’s Zoox unveils autonomous electric vehicle
An autonomous vehicle company acquired this year by Amazon has unveiled a four-person “robo-taxi,” a compact, multidirectional vehicle designed for dense, urban environments. The carriage-style interior of the vehicle produced by Zoox Inc. has two benches that face each other. There is no steering wheel. It measures just under 12 feet long, about a foot… Continue reading Amazon’s Zoox unveils autonomous electric vehicle
Ferrari CEO search may take months, cover non-car candidates
Ferrari NV may take months rather than weeks to name a new boss after Chief Executive Officer Louis Camilleri abruptly left the Italian supercar maker, according to people familiar with the matter. The company is taking a thorough and deliberate approach to resolve its second leadership crisis in as many years, the people said. Ferrari’s… Continue reading Ferrari CEO search may take months, cover non-car candidates
VW’s battery bet reveals data showing tech could top Tesla
QuantumScape Corp., a battery startup that counts Volkswagen AG as its largest shareholder, says new data show its batteries can be charged to as much as 80% of full power in 15 minutes, almost twice as fast as a Tesla Model 3. The performance data, which have yet to be road tested, suggest QuantumScape’s batteries… Continue reading VW’s battery bet reveals data showing tech could top Tesla