New Volkswagen California swaps to car platform, gains PHEV

The new Volkswagen California concept previews the “future of the camper van”, showcasing a raft of extensive upgrades that will feature on the seventh-generation model which launches next year. Based on the Volkswagen Multivan, the concept was revealed at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf. Its near-production form showed off significant changes – such as a plug-in hybrid powertrain… Continue reading New Volkswagen California swaps to car platform, gains PHEV

GM pauses production of most pickup trucks amid parts shortage

General Motors will halt production of its popular pickup trucks due to parts shortages, but it is not specifying which parts it needs. The pause comes at an inconvenient time as industry experts note that GM and Stellantis have been increasing inventory in the last couple of months in preparation for a possible strike by… Continue reading GM pauses production of most pickup trucks amid parts shortage

Family of Georgia woman killed in Fiesta crash sues Ford over DPS6 transmission problems

Lt. Austin Cody Smith had just finished the night shift at the City of College Park Police Department in Georgia when he was driving home around 6:25 a.m. and noticed traffic on Interstate 85 merging in a way that made no sense to him, according to court records obtained by the Detroit Free Press. The… Continue reading Family of Georgia woman killed in Fiesta crash sues Ford over DPS6 transmission problems

UAW members practice picketing: As deadline nears, autoworkers are ‘ready to strike’

As UAW members marched on Detroit’s east side Wednesday under an overcast sky following earlier rains, their chants and signs echoed many of the same themes that union leadership has been preaching for months: “Equal work for equal pay. All the tiers must go away.” “Record profits. Record contracts.” It was a stream of members… Continue reading UAW members practice picketing: As deadline nears, autoworkers are ‘ready to strike’

GM announces closure of Arizona IT Innovation Center, resulting in 940 job cuts

General Motors is cutting 940 salaried jobs as it closes its Arizona IT Innovation Center at the end of October. The news comes almost a week after the automaker said it gave notice to about 200 engineers elsewhere that their positions were being eliminated. On Wednesday, GM notified the 1,029 nonunion employees at the Arizona… Continue reading GM announces closure of Arizona IT Innovation Center, resulting in 940 job cuts

Top thinker, author Malcolm Gladwell to speak at Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum

Malcolm Gladwell, global thinker and author, has been announced as the featured speaker at the North American International Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum. Gladwell, who is set to speak at the forum Sept. 14, is the author of six New York Times bestsellers. He is one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers, along with… Continue reading Top thinker, author Malcolm Gladwell to speak at Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum

Tesla hasn’t issued final pricing or specs for Cybertruck as Musk memo warns of manufacturing challenges

The Tesla Cybertruck during a tour of the Elkhorn Battery energy storage system in Moss Landing, California, June 6, 2022. Nik Coury | Bloomberg | Getty Images Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been promoting the company’s long-delayed, sci-fi inspired Cybertruck on social media this week. However, the electric vehicle maker still hasn’t issued final pricing… Continue reading Tesla hasn’t issued final pricing or specs for Cybertruck as Musk memo warns of manufacturing challenges

Where Uber’s climate and autonomous driving goals will meet in the future

Back when Uber Technologies was going public in 2019, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi gave a low-key warning: The profit gusher would not really begin until the company developed self-driving vehicles, a project on which it was then investing heavily. In the meantime, Uber lost more than $25 billion, as its early autonomous-vehicle program floundered and it… Continue reading Where Uber’s climate and autonomous driving goals will meet in the future

Robotaxis are making enemies as they go around San Francisco

This content is only available to subscribers. Get unlimited digital access. $1.50 per month for 12 months. Subscribe Now Your subscription supports: Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan-wide breaking news. Accurate, fact-based journalism without an agenda, so you get the information you need to make informed decisions. Complete coverage and commentary on Michigan politics from… Continue reading Robotaxis are making enemies as they go around San Francisco

EV batteries, China targets of Republicans at first presidential debate

This content is only available to subscribers. Get unlimited digital access. $1.50 per month for 12 months. Subscribe Now Your subscription supports: Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan-wide breaking news. Accurate, fact-based journalism without an agenda, so you get the information you need to make informed decisions. Complete coverage and commentary on Michigan politics from… Continue reading EV batteries, China targets of Republicans at first presidential debate