Joshua Sirefman, an urban planner who trained at the University of Michigan and began his career in Detroit, is returning to lead the evolution of Michigan Central Station as the new CEO of what is now a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co. Sirefman, 54, lives in New York City and plans to look for a home within walking… Continue reading Ford recruits CEO with Detroit roots to run Michigan Central Station, Corktown site
Author: Detroit Free Press Online
Michigan Porsche, VW dealers say car buyers anxious over burning cargo ship
Motor City Porsche Sales Manager Mike Moore has been fielding phone calls from anxious customers since Thursday. About a dozen customers of the Eastpointe dealership are awaiting luxury German cars they ordered, ranging in value from $50,000 to $265,000, with many landing at the higher end. But news Wednesday of a fire on a cargo ship, called the Felicity… Continue reading Michigan Porsche, VW dealers say car buyers anxious over burning cargo ship
Ford memo outlines plan to put unvaccinated salaried workers on unpaid leave
Ford Motor Co. is planning to place unvaccinated salaried employees in the U.S. on unpaid leaves of absence if they do not have approved exemptions, according to an internal document obtained by the Free Press. The action, which could affect several hundred employees, is “due to continued non-compliance with the company’s vaccination requirements,” the document says. Go… Continue reading Ford memo outlines plan to put unvaccinated salaried workers on unpaid leave
Starting at $185K, Aston Martin’s DBX performance SUV is a license to thrill
When money ceases to matter, scarcity still counts. That, as much as beauty, speed and an association with literary superspy James Bond, is the key to Aston Martin’s enduring appeal for the very rich. The DBX performance SUV translates that from the niche-selling two-seat sports cars that have been the brand’s mainstay for 109 years… Continue reading Starting at $185K, Aston Martin’s DBX performance SUV is a license to thrill
New headlight technology that improves safety, cuts down glare OK’d by NHTSA: How it works
Imagine having headlights that don’t blind oncoming drivers but that do a better job of showing what’s up ahead, hopefully cutting down on crashes and saving the lives of people both in and out of vehicles. That’s what a vehicle safety rule given the green light by federal regulators aims to do, and one that… Continue reading New headlight technology that improves safety, cuts down glare OK’d by NHTSA: How it works
Stellantis recalls some Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans for fire risk
Worries about a potential fire risk have prompted Stellantis to warn owners of certain Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans not to park them near structures or vehicles and not to recharge them. The company, which owns Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Fiat, has issued a voluntary recall covering 19,808 plug-in hybrid 2017 and 2018 model year Pacificas after “a routine… Continue reading Stellantis recalls some Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans for fire risk
Rolls-Royce turns the Flying Lady into a hood ornament for the EV age. What she’ll look like
One of the auto industry’s most famous and recognizable symbols is getting an update to keep up with the dawning age of electric vehicles. Rolls-Royce Motors’ iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament — the Flying Lady to her friends — underwent 830 hours of modeling and wind-tunnel testing to become sleeker and more aerodynamic as… Continue reading Rolls-Royce turns the Flying Lady into a hood ornament for the EV age. What she’ll look like
Top Tesla engineer hired by Ford after 12 years with EV industry leader
Alan Clarke, a top engineer at Tesla for the past 12 years, is now working at Ford Motor Co., the automaker confirmed Thursday. He is a key player in the advanced electric vehicle development department and reporting to Doug Field, a former Tesla engineer who joined Ford in September and now runs its advanced technology and embedded systems. “I’m happy to share that… Continue reading Top Tesla engineer hired by Ford after 12 years with EV industry leader
GM cancels shift at one car plant, works to keep another going amid bridge protest
General Motors has canceled a shift at one Michigan factory and has been rerouting trucks to keep another plant running as truckers continued to restrict travel across the Ambassador Bridge. Wednesday marked the third day of the protest at the border crossing by truckers who object to pandemic vaccine mandates in Canada. The blockade is shutting down traffic on the international… Continue reading GM cancels shift at one car plant, works to keep another going amid bridge protest
Former GM executive resigns from EV startup amid investigation
A former General Motors executive is out and a onetime Ford Motor Co. leader is in — after a management shake-up at a Troy-based electric vehicle startup. Electric Last Mile Solution (ELMS), which makes battery-powered delivery vehicles, said its top two executives resigned Feb. 1 after an investigation into their share purchases. Jim Taylor, 65, resigned as CEO of ELMS, and Jason… Continue reading Former GM executive resigns from EV startup amid investigation