VW recalls Jettas to fix fuel leaks that can cause fires

Detroit – Volkswagen is recalling more than 218,000 Jetta sedans in the U.S. to fix a fuel leak problem that can cause fires. The recall covers certain cars from the 2016 through 2018 model years. Volkswagen says in documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators that bolts holding some high-pressure tubing can come loose over… Continue reading VW recalls Jettas to fix fuel leaks that can cause fires

GM Defense delivers first Infantry Squad Vehicles to Army

Milford — GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors Co., completed an initial delivery of four Infantry Squad Vehicles to the U.S. Army for its first major defense contract since its 2017 inception.  The Army awarded a $214.3 million contract for the vehicles just a few years after the automaker’s comeback in the defense business. GM Defense will manufacture 649 Infantry… Continue reading GM Defense delivers first Infantry Squad Vehicles to Army

Lordstown Motors pushes forward with Endurance electric truck

Farmington Hills — Now that Lordstown Motors Corp. has the financial backing it needs, the electric vehicle startup is hoping to beat its competition to market by delivering its electric truck by next September. Northeast Ohio-based Lordstown Motors and DiamondPeak Holdings Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, completed a merger that makes the EV startup a publicly traded… Continue reading Lordstown Motors pushes forward with Endurance electric truck

UK carmakers warn no-deal brexit may undermine climate goals

U.K. carmakers warned that a no-deal Brexit could jeopardize the government’s plans to cut carbon emissions by reducing demand for electric vehicles. A failure of negotiators to reach a trade agreement would mean a reversion to World Trade Organization tariffs, which would raise the price of European Union-made EVs sold in the U.K. by 2,800… Continue reading UK carmakers warn no-deal brexit may undermine climate goals

GM ‘going forward’ with Nikola partnership talks on trucks

Partnership talks between General Motors Co. and Nikola Corp. to build electric and fuel-cell trucks together are pushing ahead, GM President Mark Reuss told Bloomberg TV.  GM and Nikola have yet to finalize their partnership agreement after detailing it in early September. Days after that announcement, a short seller accused Nikola and its then-chairman, Trevor Hamilton, of deception about… Continue reading GM ‘going forward’ with Nikola partnership talks on trucks

FCA CEO: Automakers need government support in Europe amid ‘biggest single risk ever’

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’

Ford wage, benefits fuel union buzz at Honda, Toyota, says Unifor leader

Jerry Dias has his eye on Honda and Toyota now. The president of Unifor, the union representing Detroit Three autoworkers in Canada, said contract talks with Ford Motor Co. went so well that nonunion workers have begun making inquiries, wondering if the time has come to join. The Ford deal announced Sept. 28 included a $1.5 billion (U.S.) investment… Continue reading Ford wage, benefits fuel union buzz at Honda, Toyota, says Unifor leader

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