While it might be refreshing to drink a refreshing cold beverage delivered by an equally cold metal straw, it’s much less enjoyable when that straw becomes a stabby thing that can cut your mouth. [More]
Transportation & Infrastructure
Judge Shreds Uber; Says Company Can’t Prove Riders Are Giving Up Right To Sue
By 8.2.16
Uber, like a large and growing number of companies, has a clause in its terms of use that prohibits customers from suing the company or joining together in any sort of class action against the ride-hailing service. However, a federal judge recently scolded Uber over this contractual gamesmanship and deemed this particular clause unenforceable because the company can’t prove that users actually agreed to these terms. [More]
Tesla Buys SolarCity For $2.6B
By 8.1.16
After working together for years to build and test solar-based batteries for homes and businesses, Tesla has agreed to buy SolarCity — which is already chaired by CEO Elon Musk — for $2.6 billion. [More]
Uber Sells Its China Business To Competitor Didi For $35 Billion
By 8.1.16
It’s easy to think of Uber as belonging squarely American millennials, but the ride-hailing app, and the ecosystem attached to it, are truly global enterprises. The service operates and competes in dozens of nations worldwide… except with one less, now that it’s having to give up on one of the most populated countries on Earth. [More]
Uber Drivers Say That When They Turn Down Ride Requests, They Get Timeouts
By 7.28.16
Just like when your mom told you to go sit in the corner for refusing to pick up your toys, Uber drivers say that when they repeatedly turn down ride requests, they’re given timeouts. [More]
Uber, Lyft, & Philly Cabs Have Showdown Of Their Own At The DNC
By 7.27.16
Do you remember the scene in Anchorman when all the different news teams have a giant, lethal street fight? We imagine the showdown between Uber, Lyft, and Philadelphia cab drivers over access to the Democratic National Convention to be similar. Okay, it’s not physical, but the accusations are flying between the three ride-providing groups related to where and when they can pick up and drop off passengers headed to the event. [More]
Investigators: Driver In Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crash Was Speeding
By 7.26.16
As federal safety investigators continue to investigate the first fatal crash allegedly involving Tesla’s autopilot feature, a preliminary report found that the vehicle was speeding before the collision. [More]
Senators Urge Honda To Issue “Do Not Drive” Notice For Some Vehicles With Takata Airbags
By 7.26.16
Last month, tests revealed that each time certain older model Honda and Acura vehicles’ Takata airbags deploy, there’s up to a 50% chance that it will rupture, shooting shrapnel at drivers and passengers. While federal regulators urged owners not to drive these vehicles, lawmakers are now calling on Honda to issue the same warning to owners of vehicles containing the defective airbags. [More]
GM Recalls Nearly 290K Chevy Impalas Over Airbag Issues
By 7.21.16
Over the past two years, General Motors has recalled millions of vehicles over airbag issues, many related to Takata safety devices deploying too forcefully. Now, the company is recalling nearly 290,000 Chevrolet sedans for a different reason: the airbags might not deploy in a crash. [More]
Company Recalls Children’s Water Bottles Sold At L.L. Bean For Containing High Levels Of Lead
By 7.20.16
A company called GSI Outdoors is recalling about 6,700 kids’ insulated water bottles sold exclusively at L.L. Bean stores. Why? Because children shouldn’t be handling toxic lead. [More]
Even Fixed VW Diesels Might Emit More Pollutants Than Law Allows
By 7.19.16
As part of its $15 billion settlement package to begin resolving its use of so-called “defeat devices” in 500,000 diesel-engine vehicles in the U.S. to skirt emission standards, Volkswagen has agreed to pay $2.7 million to establish a fund to reduce nitrogen oxide in any area of the U.S. were VW’s emissions-cheating vehicles were located. But it turns out those funds aren’t just for past emissions, they’re also for future ones. [More]
Ford Teams Up With Jose Cuervo To Make Car Parts From Tequila Byproduct
By 7.19.16
Mixing cars and booze is a bad idea, but Ford and tequila giant Jose Cuervo are unlikely partners thanks to a new venture that hopes to make plastic car parts from materials left over from the tequila making process. [More]
Fiat Chrysler Subject Of Federal Fraud Investigation, Claims Report
By 7.18.16
The Justice Department is reportedly looking under the hood at Fiat Chrysler, investigating the automaker for possible violations of securities laws. [More]
Volkswagen May Compensate Dealers Over Diesel Emissions Scandal
By 7.18.16
Last month, Volkswagen agreed to compensate owners of more than 500,000 vehicles equipped with “defeat devices” used to skirt emission standards. Now, the carmaker is reportedly promising to also make it up to dealers affected by the scandal through an unspecified restitution plan. [More]
10 National Ice Cream Day Deals To Help Beat The Heat
By 7.15.16
National Ice Cream Day is officially July 17, or so the ice cream gods have proclaimed, but many businesses are either starting the festivities early or extending the sweet treat deals beyond Sunday. Here’s what you’ll need to know to get your brain freeze on. [More]
California Rejects VW’s Plan To Fix Emissions Cheating 3.0L Diesel Vehicles
By 7.14.16
It’s back to the drawing board for Volkswagen when it comes to finding an adequate fix for thousands of vehicles equipped with emissions cheating defeat devices in California, as state regulators rejected the carmaker’s remedy proposal. [More]
PA Governor Signs Bill Authorizing Temporary Truce Between Uber & Philadelphia
By 7.13.16
Not even 24 hours after a Philadelphia judge repeated her previous stance that the UberX car service is operating illegally in the city, the governor of Pennsylvania signed into a law a bill that authorizes a 90-day truce between Uber and the city’s Parking Authority. [More]
Fiat Chrysler Will Pay $1,500 Bug Bounties To Hackers Who Uncover Security Flaws
By 7.13.16
Nearly four months after the FBI warned carmakers that their products were “increasingly vulnerable” to hacking, Fiat Chrysler has unveiled its plan to combat any future hack attacks: launch a so-called “bug bounty” program to pay members of the public for finding security flaws in its vehicles. [More]
