Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has yet to roll out a production-ready model, but the company remains on track to produce a truck and a utility vehicle. The Plymouth, Michigan-based automaker with a manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, was expected to introduce its first model by the end of this calendar … Read more
The car model carnage continues. Automotive manufacturers have been dropping car models left and right as consumers continue to show a preference for utility vehicles and trucks. Through 2020, the American Honda Motor Co, Inc., has largely escaped the carnage, but that’s about to end. Indeed, there are three car … Read more
Ford’s luxury brand goes all-in on utility vehicles. The Lincoln Continental is one of the most storied models for Ford’s luxury marque, a big sedan with outsized styling, generous amenities, and class-leading comfort. In 2016, Lincoln resurrected the Continental to critical acclaim. Alas, its revival came as consumers eschewed sedans … Read more
Two months in and the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic shows little signs of ebbing. Sure, we’re seeing the number of new cases fall in many of the earlier hotspots, but in other areas of the country as well as in the world, the scourge seems persistent and ever-expanding. Trillions of dollars … Read more
March 2020 U.S. auto sales drop through the floor. As expected, the U.S. auto sales numbers for March 2020 reflect what we already knew: a substantial correction, resulting almost entirely from the COVID-19 pandemic. Every manufacturer and brand posted losses in March, as the country went through an expanding area … Read more
The coronavirus pandemic, best known as COVID-19, is the world’s greatest challenge of our time. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have tested positive for the virus with likely millions more affected but showing no signs of symptoms at present. We’ve reported about the impact the pandemic has had on the … Read more
COVID-19 is turning the world upside down, with nearly every country and region reporting cases, including deaths. “Business as usual” is no longer the case as companies large and small adjust or in some cases shut down. The auto industry is no exception and has, in fact, seen production stopped … Read more
It was only a matter of time before the U.S. auto industry reacted to the coronavirus pandemic, as both domestic and foreign-based manufacturers announced plans this week to thwart the spread of the contagion. The action taken varies from automaker to automaker, but ultimately a full production shut down ranging … Read more
Just as some manufacturers are embracing crossover utility vehicles at the expense of sedans, others are doubling down on the segment, seeking to carve a firm niche for consumers. Count Toyota in the latter category, a company whose Camry sedan has long been the best-selling car in America. All-Wheel-Drive Sedans … Read more
Once again, we’re bidding farewell to the Chevrolet Impala, a full-size sedan introduced as a Bel Air sub-model for the 1958 model year. Sure, there have been a few gaps in this model’s lineage, which resulted in earlier farewells, but for the most part, the Impala has maintained its position … Read more
If you were looking forward to learning more about the upcoming Hummer by GMC all-electric SUV during this year’s Super Bowl (congratulations, Kansas City), you might’ve been disappointed. The information was scarce, although the “quiet revolution” theme made its point. What we do know is that LeBron James is now … Read more
GMC took the wraps off of its next-generation full-size pickup trucks this month, introducing all-new 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL models. These flagship SUVs represent standard and stretched wheelbase versions of its largest utility vehicles and feature many changes, including an upgraded Denali line. The new models will be built … Read more
Talk about a story filled with intrigue! Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn (pronounced Gone), under the watchful eyes of Japanese authorities, secretly left his home late last month and made his way to Lebanon, where he has taken residence. The executive’s bold move, certain to become the script for a … Read more
Chevrolet’s largest SUVs are completely overhauled for 2021, all-new models that are also larger than ever. The Chevrolet Tahoe (standard wheelbase) and Chevrolet Suburban (stretched wheelbase) are what make the bow-tie brand the top seller in a segment with few non-GM players, most notably the Ford Expedition. Count the Toyota … Read more
Fifty years after NASA launched its first moonshot, GM follows with one of its own. An all-new Chevrolet Corvette was unveiled last night, the first mid-engine version of this super Chevy. An old military aircraft hangar in Tustin, California, served as the venue for the eighth-generation (C8) Corvette’s debut, with … Read more
You probably haven’t heard of VinFast, the local Vietnamese automaker. But VinFast aims to get its name out there, by producing a succession of new models, beginning with a $17,000 hatchback debuting this month. VinFast is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vingroup, one of the largest private enterprises in Vietnam. … Read more
In the near future, checking tire pressure may become a thing of the past thanks to innovative technology. Specifically, tire manufacturer Michelin and the General Motors Company (GM) are collaborating on updated tire technology that will eliminate the risk of flat tires and blowouts in passenger vehicles equipped with Uptis … Read more
The Ford Motor Company has received thousands of complaints about the dual-clutch transmissions found in some of its models. Specifically, owners of 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus models have complained to Ford about problems, which have caused these cars to operate dangerously or break down. Ford settled one suit earlier … Read more
RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO, and Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford announced a $500 million Ford investment in Rivian. Through a strategic partnership, Ford will develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio using Rivian’s skateboard platform. Upstart Rivian, a future manufacturer of electric vehicles, … Read more
The auto industry takes to New York to showcase its very best. The Big Apple lives up to its name with every major event done in a spectacular way. Fashion Week, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square are among the annual occurrences that keep New … Read more
Electric vehicles may very well be the future, but the transition to them is a long process. Manufacturers must invest tens of billions of dollars to research, develop, and execute these models — a cost that can be prohibitive, if not downright impossible to meet for some companies. This week, … Read more
Remember when a Cadillac was easily identified by its model name? Among those vehicles, we had the Cadillac Eldorado, Coupe de Ville, Seville, and Escalade, with each one representing something distinct in our own minds. Well, the traditional Cadillac naming convention was tossed in the early 2000s, as the Seville … Read more
Ford expands its Super Duty line and updates other vans and trucks. There is a fresh name coming to the Ford Super Duty family, the first new F-Series model we’re seeing in 20 years. The Ford Super Duty F-600 broke cover this week, expanding the automaker’s venerable line of full-size … Read more
French automaker Peugeot departed the U.S. market in 1991, following years of operating in relative obscurity. Indeed, the company never sold more than 20,000 vehicles annually during its time in the states, with just a fraction of that number sold in its final years. The automaker’s parent, the PSA Groupe, … Read more
Audi’s U.S. chief heads to Volkswagen. Audi of America’s loss is Volkswagen of America’s gain. This week, Volkswagen announced that Audi’s president will become president and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America as well as head the Volkswagen brand in North America, beginning November 1, 2018. Scott Keogh’s appointment … Read more
An end of an era as the Chrysler 300 finishes its final model year. Sixteen years is a long time to build a model, especially one that has seen few changes since its debut. The Chrysler 300 is that model, a traditional full-size sedan and one of only two vehicles … Read more
Do you remember the Toyota-Isuzu partnership? Probably not, as these two Japanese automakers are at polar opposites in their involvement in the U.S. market. Indeed, Toyota is one of the top brands in the U.S., while Isuzu hasn’t sold a vehicle here since 2009. Certainly, Toyota dominates in several things, … Read more
VinFast aims to grow with Vietnam’s car market. If you consider Vietnam, automotive manufacturing is not one of its strong suits. But with more than 93 million people, this southeast Asia nation is following a well-established passage taken by other emerging countries as consumers trade up from scooters and motorcycles … Read more
Union appeals to lawmakers to support Trump’s infrastructure bid. In his first State of the Union address to the American people last night, President Donald J. Trump reiterated his request for a comprehensive infrastructure initiative, an investment that would cost “at least $1.5 trillion.” The president underscored the problem of … Read more
Waymo nears deployment of its self-driving vehicle fleet. The minivan segment continues to contract with Nissan the latest manufacturer to make an exit. Only one manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler (FCA), has managed to avoid the double-digit losses experienced by its competitors, thanks in large part to demand for its newest model, … Read more