News Blog

Most of us have forgotten something in a mode of public transport – be it a smartphone, sunglasses, or a jacket hastily flung onto the seat whilst fumbling around with luggage. Heck, a former managing editor of this place once managed to inexplicably leave his passport on an airplane, stranding him in a foreign country whilst he frantically sought a replacement.

In that vein, ridesharing company Uber has complied its 7th annual snapshot of riders’ most forgotten and most unique lost items. 

The Ford Ranger is sold worldwide, but Americans have been slower to get new variants and models. That’s about to change, as Ford recently confirmed that it would reveal the truck on Wednesday, May 10.

Driverless cars for everyday drivers do not exist, but a handful of cities in the country have allowed companies like Waymo to begin limited testing of autonomous taxis and other vehicles. Tech-heavy San Francisco is at the forefront of the movement, but its time with robo-taxis hasn’t been without drama. 

The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is one of the most iconic JDM cars in history, thanks to the Fast and the Furious movies, and the few that have made their way here over the years have sold for big bucks. Recently, a blue GT-R driven by Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 4 hit the auction block, and the result is surprising, even for an R34.

It’s the week to write about truck teasers, it seems. Perhaps tired of Toyota getting all the digital ink about shadowy references to future product, Ram dropped a post on Instagram suggesting they also have something up their sleeve.

Though it’s been several years since the first problems were reported, we’re still feeling the effects of the massive Takata airbag recall. B MW recently issued a “do not drive” warning to owners of its older vehicles over concerns about their airbags, adding to the list of automakers still recalling vehicles.

Ford Motor Company is tweaking plans in China and seeking to turn around financial losses after five years of lackluster sales within the region. The new strategy will be focused on exporting to other countries, commercial product, and reinforcing the necessary supply chain for all-electric vehicles.

Acura has finally announced pricing for the new 2024 Integra Type S and it has predictably come out as more expensive than the Honda Civic Type R with a starting MSRP of $51,995. The Acura offers additional standard equipment, however, and produces a smidgen more power from the 2.0-liter turbo the two models share. Though the over $7,000 pricing premium might make the fancier badge a tough sell, especially these days.

Though their electric vehicle lines are among the most compelling new zero-emissions models, Kia and Hyundai’s EVs don’t currently qualify for federal tax credits because of where they’re built. Both are working toward bringing EV production to the U.S., but in the meantime, Kia is looking to take advantage of a little-known provision in the new rules that allow customers to receive the credit on ineligible vehicles when leasing.

After what seems like a lifetime of being strung along, Toyota has finally dropped a firm date on which they will introduce the new Tacoma. And, true to form, they also published some photos from which we can parse some detail.

Alfa Romeo is not known for its vehicles’ efficiency or environmental consciousness, but the company is heading toward an all-electric future like many others. The automaker’s North American CEO, Larry Dominique, told The Drive that Alfa’s working on an electric SUV for the American market and promised that it would be different from the sea of increasingly homogenous vehicles hitting the market.

Porsche will reportedly be raising prices between 4 and 8 percent on the European and U.S. markets during the second half of 2023 to cope with higher operating costs noted in its first-quarter earnings announcement. Even so, higher-end brands appear to be doing fairly well at present, and Porsche itself noted that operating profits rose to €1.84 billion ($2.03 billion USD) while revenue increased to €10.1 billion in Q1 — which is about 25 percent higher than they were last year.

Things change quickly at Tesla, including pricing and the models it sells. The automaker has listed a Model 3 long-range model on its site with a “coming soon” tag for a while, and buyers can now order the car after a several-month hiatus from the company’s catalog.

Movie adaptations of video games aren’t always the most well-received at the box office, but the popularity of recent films may change that. The Super Mario Brothers movie just hit $1 billion in ticket sales, so it’s not surprising to see another beloved video game franchise headed to the big screen. A new trailer for the Gran Turismo movie just dropped, giving a glimpse before its August release.

While some may be perturbed by the premise that Toyota is adding complexity to the next-generation Tacoma via hybridization, the current model has been around since 2015 and is arguably due for an update. To pave the way for the new truck, the manufacturer recently sought to assuage fears that there will be no manual option by issuing a press release vowing be-clutched variants would remain available.

If you’ve taken a car to the dealer for repairs, you’re probably aware that costs can add up fast. Independent shops are a great way to save money on car repairs, but a new J.D. Power study found that owners are less satisfied with aftermarket service providers than in years past. 

Like a petulant child who won’t share their toys, Ford has released a handy smartphone app filled with crowd-sourced and professionally curated tools such as trail maps for off-road journeys – but the only ones who can use it are Bronco owners.

Talk about walling off your garden. Or off-road trail, in this case

Lordstown Motors is back in the headlines with news that it could end up in bankruptcy if it can’t negotiate a dispute with Foxconn. The Taiwanese giant threatened to withhold funding, which could have a dire impact on Lordstown’s ability to operate.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius has told the German media that the brand has no intention of cutting ties with China, saying such a move would be unwise for the whole of Germany industry. 

"The major players in the global economy, Europe, the U.S. and China, are so closely intertwined that decoupling from China makes no sense," he was quoted as saying in Bild am Sonntag.

Anyone blessed with the gift of reading comprehension has noticed an influx of stories about Ford and its recent quality control issues. Top brass Jim Farley is on record lamenting the problems and pledging to turn things around in this area. One of the first out of the gate with a quality control (QC) overhaul? The brand’s important (and profitable) new Super Duty.

Though it’s long been known for building sensible, reliable cars, Toyota has emerged as an enthusiasts’ ally in recent years. The brand created the GR Yaris for other countries, but here in the States, we’ve got the GR 86, GR Corolla, and GR Supra, making Toyota one of our more performance-forward automakers. That could continue, as incoming CEO Koji Sato recently said the company’s former CEO and well-known gearhead might have more time to develop fast cars. 

Following new rules approved by local regulators on Friday, the State of California has inched closer to banning diesel semi trucks. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) board unanimously voted on a plan that would seek to phase out sales of medium and heavy-duty vehicles that are powered by diesel fuel by 2036.

People use pickup trucks as everyday vehicles, even heavy-duty models, so it’s not surprising to see automakers adding more luxury and capability to their most work-ready models. Rugged, off-road-read heavy-duty trucks are nothing new, but GMC’s taking it to the next level with the new Sierra HD AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition trucks. The pair comes with a slew of upgrades to improve their off-road capability while maintaining the workhorse attitude that people expect from heavy-duty trucks.

A year after its release, the Ford F-150 Lightning remains one of the most elusive new vehicles, and wait times for factory orders extend to a year for some configurations. Year-to-date sales of the truck tally 3,600, better than before, but lower than expected. Despite that, Ford’s pushed into new markets with the truck, announcing recently that it would begin selling the Lightning in Norway.

If you’re a hopeless automotive nerd, and since you’re reading this, you likely are, there’s nothing better than having access to automakers’ historical archives. Some offer public-facing portals with easily searchable brochures and images, and Ford’s just got a major content injection.

Mercedes-Benz has submitted its intended U.S. lineup with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 2024 model year and the E-Class wagon is back on the list. With the W214 generation having just been introduced, everyone has been wondering which versions of Mercedes’ midsize model would make it to our shores. But it looks like we’re only getting the All-Terrain variant for now. 

The brand from Italy rolls into the next model year with a trio of models under its finely crafted leather belt, starting with the new Tonale and followed by the Giulia sedan plus Stelvio crossover. Fresh off the line are Competizione variants of the latter two, in addition to trims marking a centenary date.

What does it take to get a home EV charger installed?

Well for one Boston man, it took two and a half years, 37 letters, and four endorsements from councilors.

The Ford Motor Company is recalling a small number of Bronco and Ranger models built this year over what has to be one of the most straightforward defects we’ve seen in a while. Based on reports issued to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there’s a chance the driver-side lug nuts might not have been tightened sufficiently at the factory.

If you wondered how some of America’s speed houses were going to adjust to an all-electric future, today brings a partial answer. Shelby has introduced a Mach-E GT, a rig that adds carbon fiber body panels and a performance suspension – while leaving the powertrain untouched.

In a telling move, the first 100 copies are reserved for Europe.

Volvo has come up with some truly compelling EV designs, and that’s before we talk about anything from Polestar. The automaker’s upcoming EX90 blends the XC90’s clean, attractive shape with advanced safety and driver-assist technology. It’s become so popular with prospective buyers that Volvo had to stop taking orders to catch up.

Electric vehicles are more common and popular than ever, but a new study shows that we’re just getting started. IEA, a global sustainable energy advocacy firm, recently released a study that shows incredible demand for EVs and a projection of even more growth in 2022.

A poll making the rounds this month suggests that almost half of Americans wouldn't buy an EV for their next vehicle purchase, due to a lack of reliable charging and high costs.

Modern car seats are notoriously uncomfortable. We can blame manufacturers for cutting costs while seeking to standardize snazzier equipment elsewhere. Buyers often don’t consider the importance of seat comfort, especially when they’re only spending 10 minutes on a test drive. However, worsening road conditions have made us long for prior decades when car companies went overboard with the springs and foam. 

The industry knows this and the phenomenon may even help explain the popularity of crossover vehicles, which often have softer suspensions than their sedan counterparts. But Honda is working on something that would bring the buffering inside the cabin. 

After a long period of hiring and widespread labor shortages, some companies are looking to cut back on staff to prepare for uncertain economic times ahead. Earlier this month, we learned that thousands of GM employees took the company’s offer for a buyout, which helped it avoid mass layoffs. Now it’s Stellantis’ turn, as the automaker is offering money to lure around 3,500 hourly workers out of their jobs.

If you’re “the automotive person” in your family or friend group, you’ve likely gotten at least a question or two about EV range and battery life. It seems that people are getting over range anxiety as automakers release vehicles with ever-longer estimates, but there are still a lot of questions about how long EV batteries last. The answer is “at least 100,000 miles” because everybody’s required to offer eight-year/100,000-mile warranties on the batteries, but it turns out that some can drive much longer than that with surprisingly little degradation. 

We’ve spilled innumerable gallons of digital ink on the forthcoming Tacoma, partly thanks to an incessant stream of teaser photos but mainly because it is a hugely important product in a hot segment. But still – Toyota, if you’re listening, hurry up with the real thing, will ya?

This time around, we learn of a neat option ripped straight from the Book of Wrangler.

Honda has sent us a brief on its hopes and plans for the near future.

Not surprisingly, there's a fair amount of optimism and some gestures toward EV plans.

The gub’ment wants you to drive an electric car, so what’s the best way to go in the exact opposite direction in the most obnoxious way possible? This truck, to start. Hennessey took the Ford Raptor R, added two wheels, a bunch of new bodywork, and a crazy price tag. And, it’s all covered with a three-year warranty.

While the automotive sector is habitually discussing how electric vehicle adoption will be spurred on by the country building a more robust charging infrastructure, nobody seems to be talking about how to make charging profitable enough to sustain itself. As of now, government subsidies are helping to ease the financial burden of installing EV charging stations. But their long-term viability is being undermined by the fact that most people prefer charging at home.

This story from earlier this year somehow just came to my attention, via the Twitter account of a former TTAC M.E. And it's a bit bonkers.

Looking at most dealer lots, there’s a fair argument to be made that crossovers and SUVs have rudely – and perhaps permanently – shoved sedans into the bin. But the venerable body style is still kicking at some brands, selling in solid numbers and providing an option for smart customers who’d rather not copy their neighbors.

The Chevrolet Bolt has been an important player in GM’s move to electrify itself, but as one of the automaker’s early EVs, its time has almost run its course. The affordable car is going away at the end of the year to make way for the production of GM’s new electric trucks, including the Chevy Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV. 

Airless tires are one of those concepts that have been around forever (we used to call them wagon wheels) but never seem to be able to achieve a technological breakthrough that would make them preferable to what’s already on the market. However, Michelin just managed to produce a set it says has been tested at 130 mph that it believes could be ideal for law-enforcement applications.

On Sunday, the Berlin E-Prix had to be delayed after a gaggle of climate activists attempted to glue themselves to the starting grid. While the setback itself was minor, the protest has reportedly left everyone scratching their heads — as the event was part of the Formula E racing category which only fields all-electric vehicles. 

The Hummer EV has a sky-high price tag and wait times that extend to two years for some people. Despite that, and the fact that production isn’t rolling at blazing speed, GMC’s pushing forward with model year updates for 2023, including more range for the pickup and SUV variants. 

BYD, China’s largest electric automaker, isn’t as gung-ho about autonomous vehicles as many other auto industry giants. A company spokesperson recently said that BYD believes self-driving tech that is “fully separated from humans is very, very far away, and basically impossible.” 

Polestar is reportedly taking over Saab's defunct plant in Sweden to expand upon its European research and development operations. The 15,000-square-meter building, located in Trollhattan, is said to be focusing on the brand’s powertrain development.

While Milan Design Week is primarily focused on showcasing the latest representations of furniture you couldn’t possibly afford, sometimes a car or two gets thrown into the mix and Alfa Romeo had one hell of an entrant prepared this year. But it wasn’t a new design.

Instead, the Italian automaker rolled out the Carabo concept from the 1968 Paris Motor Show. As one of the first vehicles to pioneer the wedge shape that became synonymous with supercars in later decades, the Alfa holds a massive amount of historical significance. However, there may be more going on than the automaker simply wanting to take a trip down memory lane.

We’ve been hearing about the TikTok-inspired thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles for a while, including that some insurers have declined to issue new policies on some models. Now, several states are calling on the feds to issue a recall for the cars and fix the problem.

Rumors of Jaguar’s demise have floated for decades, really, but we’re now learning it’s the British automaker’s sister company that will be seeing the most dramatic changes. Jaguar Land Rover recently announced that it would rebrand itself as JLR and that Land Rover as we know it is going away. 

Yesterday, our man Matt Posky ably wrote about the 2023 Honda Civic Type R and its record-setting lap at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, circling the Green Hell in 7:44.881, enough to best the 2019 Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R by over half a second.

This got us thinkin’: with a time like that, what other cars did it beat?

The Polestar 4 is coming soon, bringing a striking design and no rear window. Though it will eventually become available in several countries, including the U.S., Polestar’s launching the oddball EV in China to start. The $60,000-ish Polestar 4 is now available for preorder only in China, using the company’s QR code and app.

When it comes to performance vehicles sporting front-wheel drive, the Honda Civic Type R is usually the model everyone looks to as the benchmark, and the eleventh generation seems to be no different. The manufacturer has announced that the 2023 Honda Civic Type R is now the fastest front-drive production car to ever lap Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, or SEMA, represents thousands of aftermarket and automotive parts companies, giving it a unique level of sensitivity to changes in emissions, safety, and other vehicle regulations. Recent changes to EPA regulations could bring a seismic shift in the automotive market, making a significant portion of new vehicle sales electric early next decade. SEMA’s President recently shared the organization’s thoughts on the issue, which are predictably skeptical of the changes.

Ask anyone who’s been behind the wheel of an electric vehicle lately about the state of public charging facilities and you’re likely to get an earful about broken facilities and wonky payment systems. Say what you like about Tesla (and we often do) but their original tack of building out a huge charging network ahead of dumping millions of EVs on America’s roads was the right call.

Not that long ago, there was a time when Tesla vehicles seemed to defy the laws of depreciation, and some actually gained value on the used market. That’s changing, as the automaker has cut prices more than once in 2023, with the latest round of decreases landing this week. 

If you’re the kind of person that wants to make a strong impression on the neighborhood and are less than concerned whether it’s good or bad, Ford is offering 2024 model year Mustangs with a key fob that lets the holder remotely rev up the engine. While a pointless gimmick, it would be a lie to say that it doesn’t sound like fun.

The Ohio-based Lordstown Motors has reportedly resumed assembly and delivery of its all-electric Endurance pickup this month, after having to pause production in February to address quality concerns.

Though it’s a bit more adventurous and sporty than its parent company, Polestar’s designs haven’t drastically strayed from Volvo’s calming look. That’s changing – albeit slightly – for 2024, with the introduction of the Polestar 4. The coupe-SUV features a concept car look, including a large solid panel where the back window should be.