Autonews - Current Issue

• Auto tech startups are hot targets for investors
  The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked investors to consider how transportation may soon be transformed. Many see startups as key players in that change.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Toyota sticks with Pinterest for minivan push
  The agencies the automaker hired for the campaign had a goal: Tell influencers' stories on the social media platform to quash the idea that only "soccer moms" drive minivans.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Nissan clings to incentives for dealers on pickups
  The brand will continue its sales-based program to move its full-sized Titans despite vowing to end its "stair step" scheme.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Chip shortage could stretch for years
  The industry has been confident that the strange problem would straighten itself before long. That now seems unlikely.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Blind racer gets Cruise support, but he'll drive
  The automated driving company is sponsoring Dan Parker's attempt to set a world speed record as a way to promote the potential for AV technology to help visually impaired people get around more easily.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• In digital age, dealers feel pressured to self-promote
  Vroom made waves with its Super Bowl ad, a "hyperbolic" take on the dealership experience. Some say franchised retailers need to do better at promoting their own convenient experiences.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• You may have won! But no
  More than 1,700 Oregon residents who say they were fooled by car dealership mailers into thinking they had won a prize will be getting money after all.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -

Autonews - Dealers

• newSAE panelist: EVs could begin to threaten ICE's reign in 2025

  

  FEV North America's Kiran Govindswamy predicts that "is when that transition will start to happen globally and in the U.S."
  - 11 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 7:53pm -
• newUsed light-vehicle sales in Q1 top pre-pandemic level

  

  China’s used light-vehicle market has fully recovered from the negative impact of the coronavirus outbreak that ravaged the country in early 2020, with sales in the first quarter far exceeding the level in the same 2019 period. 
  - 16 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 3:30pm -
• Mortgage payments higher priority than cars, credit cards

  

  Auto loans fell even further on the priority list if a consumer only had one credit card, a TransUnion study also found.
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 2:50pm -
• California DMV open for fully digital sales

  

  The change, announced , allows digital signatures on all vehicle contracts sent to the department.
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 2:46pm -
• Single-store Honda dealer adds 3 dealerships near Gulf Coast

  

  Ryan Mayer, president of Tameron Gulf Coast dealership group, in the past few weeks has purchased three dealerships: a Kia store in Mississippi and Buick-GMC and Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram-Fiat dealerships in Alabama.
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 2:45pm -
• Lithia completes deal for Michigan's Suburban Collection

  

  The acquisition gives the Oregon company a national store count of 246. Lithia acquired 34 dealerships and annualized revenue of about $2.4 billion.
  - 3 days ago 13 Apr 21, 11:15am -
• Baker Auto Group expands into Florida

  

  The group, with two stores in New Jersey, has purchased DeSoto Auto Mall. The dealership sells Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 1:18pm -

• You may have won! But no

  

  More than 1,700 Oregon residents who say they were fooled by car dealership mailers into thinking they had won a prize will be getting money after all.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Dealers deserve access to their data

  

  Under the guise of security and privacy, some red flags have been raised that dealerships should not be able to easily access their own information and share it with other vendors. This argument, however, creates a false choice.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• In digital age, dealers feel pressured to self-promote

  

  Vroom made waves with its Super Bowl ad, a "hyperbolic" take on the dealership experience. Some say franchised retailers need to do better at promoting their own convenient experiences.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -

Autonews - Europe News

• newFor the EQS, Mercedes likes what it sees in the mirror

  

  Replacing side-view mirrors with cameras brings safety and aerodynamics benefits, but Mercedes will not offer them on the EQS, for a very un-technical reason: motion sickness. 
  - 15 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 4:20pm -
• newMercedes EQS to offer hands-off self-driving tech

  

  The brand's flagship electric sedan has the technology to become the driver's 'co-pilot,' Mercedes says.
  - 15 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 4:04pm -
• newGeely targets Apple, Big Tech with upstart EV unit

  

  Zeekr will give Geely an edge against a new wave of potential rivals from the tech industry, which could see cars become like a piece of hardware that is constantly improved with software upgrades, Geely President Andy Conghui An said.
  - 15 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 3:53pm -
• newKia to showcase electric EV6 sedan

  

  Kia will exhibit a new compact electric sedan, the EV6, at the Shanghai auto show. The EV6, revealed online earlier, was Kia’s first product developed on the company’s global E-GMP EV platform. 
  - 16 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 3:26pm -
• newStellantis outlines electrification targets for Europe, U.S.

  

  Stellantis, the automaker created from the merger of FCA and PSA, will rapidly expand its electric-car lineup.
  - 17 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 2:05pm -
• newDaimler's Spanish unit can be liable for cartel damages, EU court adviser says

  

  Daimler was fined $1.2 billion for its part in the 2016 cartel which included Volvo, Iveco and DAF Trucks, which the EU said had fixed prices and coordinated the introduction and timing of new emissions technologies and passed on the costs of those…
  - 18 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 1:30pm -
• newFerrari brings forward launch of first EV

  

  The automaker will unveil the car in 2025, the automaker's chairman, John Elkann, told shareholders.
  - 19 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 12:36pm -

• newChip shortage weighs on car sector recovery, VW CEO says

  

  An ongoing shortage of crucial semiconductors is the only factor weighing on a global recovery of the car sector from the coronavirus crisis, Herbert Diess said.
  - 19 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 12:23pm -
• newFerrari making good progress on CEO shortlist, chairman says

  

  John Elkann said Ferrari is making good progress on a shortlist of "very strong" candidates for the top job who have "all the right qualities, including importantly the technological capabilities," he said.
  - 19 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 11:45am -
• newContinental, Amazon Web Services launch automotive software platform

  

  Software-defined vehicles are becoming more and more commonplace, prompting Continental and Amazon Web Services to partner on a new, open automotive software development platform.
  - 20 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 11:00am -

Autonews - Marketing

• Honda taps H.E.R. for return of Civic Tour concert series but must overcome livestream fatigue

  

  H.E.R. will perform at the April 28 event hosted on Live Nation's Twitch channel as the automaker seeks to build buzz for the 2022 Civic.
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 1:10pm -
• Ad process evolves with pandemic

  

  It was a hectic year on the marketing front, with agencies and automakers having to adjust to stunted travel, stringent testing and smaller crews on sets.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Off-road course for Broncos? Not in my backyard

  

  A Vermont ski resort that planned to host one of four Ford Bronco "Off-Roadeo" driving schools around the U.S. backed out last week after an outcry from nearby residents.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• In digital age, dealers feel pressured to self-promote

  

  Vroom made waves with its Super Bowl ad, a "hyperbolic" take on the dealership experience. Some say franchised retailers need to do better at promoting their own convenient experiences.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Pandemic adds resonance to Garff effort

  

  The health crisis canceled plans to pack employees into movie theaters to watch slick promotional videos, turning the effort into a largely digital affair instead, but it didn't diminish the campaign's scope.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Blind racer gets Cruise support, but he'll drive

  

  The automated driving company is sponsoring Dan Parker's attempt to set a world speed record as a way to promote the potential for AV technology to help visually impaired people get around more easily.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• Toyota sticks with Pinterest for minivan push

  

  The agencies the automaker hired for the campaign had a goal: Tell influencers' stories on the social media platform to quash the idea that only "soccer moms" drive minivans.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -

• Shelby GT350 gets its one shining moment

  

  Out of an all-GT Final Four, the 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 emerged as the winner of Ford's version of March Madness.
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 4:00am -
• GMC to cover Hummer floorplan costs

  

  GMC's Duncan Aldred said the brand is still developing its long-term EV distribution strategy, but covering floorplan costs will be key.
  - 7 days ago 9 Apr 21, 7:00pm -
• AutoNation buys naming rights to Miami soccer stadium

  

  AutoNation and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF club have inked a three-year partnership that includes stadium naming rights, branding rights and more.
  - 7 days ago 9 Apr 21, 4:19pm -

Detroit News - Auto Insider

• newPayne: Hyundai's segment-busting pickup aims for SUV buyers

  

  Hyundai's Santa Cruz, which offers a small bed, is finally here as Korean automaker enters the midsize pickup wars      
  - 2 hours ago 16 Apr 21, 5:27am -
• newMercedes takes its flagship into an electrified new era

  

  Mercedes-Benz has long billed the S-Class as the pinnacle of luxury and performance for the combustion age. It's now intent to do the same with an all-electric sibling.      
  - 2 hours ago 16 Apr 21, 4:59am -
• newNearly all Stellantis nameplates will have electrified option by 2025

  

  The multinational automaker was created in January to generate the funds and scale to compete in an industry quickly adopting zero-emission technology      
  - 9 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 10:41pm -
• newToyota recalls Venza SUVs to fix air bag wiring problem

  

  The recall covers Venzas from the 2009 through 2015 model years      
  - 10 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 9:21pm -
• newGM, LG to make 'major' manufacturing news Friday in Tennessee

  

  The two companies have been looking to build a second battery cell plant in the U.S.      
  - 12 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 6:51pm -
• newSafety groups, unions urge US to fix recalled gov't vehicles

  

  Consumer groups and three federal employee unions are asking the U.S. government to stop using vehicles in its fleet with unrepaired safety recalls      
  - 13 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 6:00pm -
• newWalmart invests in GM-backed Cruise

  

  The Walmart investment brings the size of Cruise's latest funding round to $2.75 billion, the two companies said in a statement      
  - 15 hours ago 15 Apr 21, 3:57pm -

• Why stricter fuel-economy standards could have unintended consequences

  

  More stringent regulations, especially for pickup trucks and SUVs, potentially could do opposite of what policymakers want and deliver gas engines.      
  - 1 day ago 15 Apr 21, 4:13am -
• Hyundai Veloster N

  

  The 2021 Hyundai Veloster N is a fun little devil with sharp handling, 275-horsepower, and an eye for competitors like the Honda Civic Type R.      
  - 1 day ago 15 Apr 21, 4:01am -
• Payne: SUV OMG — Acura RDX A-Spec vs. Mercedes-AMG GLC 63

  

  Some hot fudge with your compact SUV? The Acura RDX A-Spec and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 dress up as hotties; the Merc provides more power at a higher price      
  - 1 day ago 15 Apr 21, 3:01am -
• Payne: Hyundai Veloster N offers N-pressive bang for the buck

  

  The sizzling, quirky Hyundai Veloster N is an affordable hot hatch with premium pretensions, now available with dual-clutch automatic      
  - 1 day ago 15 Apr 21, 3:00am -
• Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor and diplomat, to serve as adviser to top Ford execs

  

  The Blue Oval said Huntsman, a director, also will become vice chair of policy, serving as an advisor to CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chair Bill Ford.      
  - 1 day ago 14 Apr 21, 10:21pm -
• Detroit dealers, downtown partnership to host 'Motor City Car Crawl'

  

  Detroit Auto Dealers Association and Downtown Detroit Partnership are planning the outdoor event in the wake of the indoor auto show's cancellation      
  - 1 day ago 14 Apr 21, 10:21pm -
• Ford to see widespread production impact on U.S. plants this month due to chip shortage

  

  The ongoing global shortage of semiconductors continues to hit the production schedules and bottom lines of automakers.      
  - 1 day ago 14 Apr 21, 8:50pm -
• Audi takes on Tesla's Model Y with entry-priced electric SUV

  

  Audi's new Q4 e-tron will go head-to-head with Tesla Inc. in the fast-growing market of compact crossover SUVs      
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 6:23pm -
• Payne: Mazda MX-30 boasts full-EV and Wankel plug-in models

  

  Performance brand Mazda jumps into the EV game with the MX-30, a small SUV leading a parade of electrified vehicles including a rotary-powered plug-in      
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 3:37pm -
• Payne: Ford's hands-free BlueCruise chases Tesla Autopilot and GM Super Cruise

  

  Ford introduces its semi-autonomous driving tech called BlueCruise, which will roll out first on the Ford F-150 and Mustang Mach E vehicles      
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 12:22pm -
• GOP leader sticks with Michigan voting plans despite opposition of GM, Ford

  

  Businesses say they are united for principles such as equitable access to the ballot and the avoidance of moves that reduce voting      
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 10:43am -
• Feds probe reported air bag malfunction in GM vehicles

  

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the probe covers nearly 750,000 Chevrolets, Cadillacs and GMCs from the 2020 and 2021 model years      
  - 2 days ago 14 Apr 21, 2:01am -
• Michigan House panel considers ban on mobile phone use while driving

  

  A Michigan House panel is considering changes that would ban the use of mobile devices while driving, including cell phones, tablets, or laptops.      
  - 2 days ago 13 Apr 21, 9:38pm -
• Lithia Motors buys Troy-based Suburban Collection dealerships

  

  The sale to one of the biggest dealership groups in the country is one of the largest franchise transactions in auto retail      
  - 2 days ago 13 Apr 21, 9:31pm -
• Ford to sell vehicles directly to customers in China under new EV organization

  

  The move, in the world's largest auto market and electric vehicle leader, is the latest step forward in Ford's bid to boost production of EVs globally      
  - 2 days ago 13 Apr 21, 8:45pm -
• GM able to 'mitigate' some chip shortage production impact

  

  GM will restart production at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant a week early and it will not have to cancel Chevy Blazer production at a Mexico plant      
  - 2 days ago 13 Apr 21, 8:30pm -
• Rubber scarcity creates new headache for beleaguered automakers

  

  Automakers struggling with plant shutdowns and a global chip shortage are now confronting another supply chain headache: dwindling rubber supplies      
  - 3 days ago 13 Apr 21, 3:18pm -
• As auto leaders push for set-aside chips, Biden administration remains non-committal

  

  The administration didn't directly answer a question Monday on whether it would support setting aside a portion of chip production for auto companies.      
  - 3 days ago 13 Apr 21, 2:22am -
• Feds pick UAW monitor to oversee corruption reforms

  

  The appointment of a monitor is part of a settlement between the government and the UAW aimed at eliminating fraud and wrongdoing within the union.      
  - 3 days ago 12 Apr 21, 8:36pm -
• GM to launch new navigation system

  

  General Motors Co. is launching Maps+, a navigation application, upgrading capabilities for select model year 2018 and newer models      
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 3:34pm -
• Cruise to operate autonomous vehicles in Dubai

  

  Dubai will also be the first non-U.S. city for the launch of the Cruise Origin, a self-driving electric shuttle      
  - 4 days ago 12 Apr 21, 12:41pm -
• The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

  

  Dave Dewandeler, of Fraser, poses with his new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, Wednesday morning, March 31, 2021.      
  - 5 days ago 11 Apr 21, 2:55am -
• Ford to end production of the Lincoln Continental at end of 2020

  

  Ford Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday it will end production of the Lincoln Continental at the end of 2020.      
  - 7 days ago 8 Apr 21, 9:48pm -