Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV CEO Mike Manley called on European policymakers Tuesday to step up their support for automakers in their transition to electrified vehicles as the novel coronavirus pandemic represents the “biggest single risk ever to face our industry.” In the first half of the year, production on the continent of an estimated 3.6… Continue reading FCA CEO: Automakers need government support in Europe amid ‘biggest single risk ever’
Author: Detroit News Online
Nikola shares plunge after CEO says startup can go it alone
Nikola Corp. shares fell as much as 10% in early trading Friday after the electric-truck startup’s chief executive officer said he sees a path for his company even if it can’t come to terms with General Motors Co. on a proposed strategic partnership. Talks between the two companies are ongoing, but if a tentative technology-sharing… Continue reading Nikola shares plunge after CEO says startup can go it alone
Ford, BMW plug-in hybrid fires are a ‘black eye’ for electrified vehicles
Recalls over plug-in hybrid vehicles mostly in Europe from Ford Motor Co. and BMW are a bad look for the new technology, but are unlikely to affect the auto industry’s moves to sell more electrified models, experts said. Ford this week said it is delaying the launch of its plug-in hybrid Escape crossover to 2021 after 20,500… Continue reading Ford, BMW plug-in hybrid fires are a ‘black eye’ for electrified vehicles
GM files appeal in RICO lawsuit against FCA
Detroit — General Motors Co. is pushing forward with its racketeering lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in an appeal to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals filed Tuesday. GM’s case was cast aside by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman, even after the automaker presented new allegations in August that United Auto Workers leaders pocketed bribes from the… Continue reading GM files appeal in RICO lawsuit against FCA
COVID shook up Hummer EV premiere — and could transform GM debuts forever
Detroit — A big reveal for the new GMC Hummer EV was always a part of the plan. The marketing team planned a May reveal in Las Vegas to coincide with a dealer event, but the pandemic pushed that team to rethink how to showcase a product that’s very important for General Motors Co.’s electric future. Instead of… Continue reading COVID shook up Hummer EV premiere — and could transform GM debuts forever
Dearborn-based Zoom Ride launches amid pandemic to compete with Uber, Lyft
Dearborn — In March after three years of development, Bilal Hashwi and Basel Al Yasin were set to launch their new Zoom Ride hailing service as a competitor to Uber and Lyft. Then COVID-19 hit. “It’s not the best time to expand or to do any business,” Zoom Ride chairman Hashwi told The Detroit News. “People did not want… Continue reading Dearborn-based Zoom Ride launches amid pandemic to compete with Uber, Lyft
Hyundai confident on flying cars, steps up plans for full lineup
South Korea’s biggest automaker is stepping up its pursuit of flying cars, planning a full lineup of aerial vehicles that it envisages zigzagging city skies within a decade. Hyundai Motor Group is developing models that will carry five or six people within metropolitan areas and a bigger version to fly between cities, Jaiwon Shin, head… Continue reading Hyundai confident on flying cars, steps up plans for full lineup
Ford to keep office workers at home through at least next June
Ford Motor Co.’s tens of thousand of white-collar workers in North America will continue working from home through at least next June. The announcement Thursday is an extension of a remote-work policy the Dearborn automaker put in place near the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March. It follows General Motors Co.’s decision in early September to extend… Continue reading Ford to keep office workers at home through at least next June
Tesla alleges act of employee sabotage in new internal email
Tesla Inc. is warning workers at its auto plant in Fremont, California, that an employee allegedly “maliciously sabotaged” part of a factory last month and was fired after an internal investigation, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. The electric-car manufacturer responded to the incident rapidly, and operations at the facility were disrupted for… Continue reading Tesla alleges act of employee sabotage in new internal email
GM considers boosting stake in Nikola in reworked deal
General Motors Co. is considering revisions to its deal with embattled Nikola Corp., according to people familiar with the discussions, and may seek a higher stake in the startup now that its valuation has fallen after allegations of deception. GM tentatively agreed to take an 11% stake in Nikola as part of a cash-free deal… Continue reading GM considers boosting stake in Nikola in reworked deal