What’s one way to avoid major emissions-cheating scandals? Make cars that don’t run on fuel: As part of the company’s previously announced plan make up for Dieslgate by focusing on electric cars, Volkswagen says it’ll build electric versions of all 300 models it offers by 2030. [More]
vehicles
Volkswagen Resurrecting The Microbus With New Electric Version
By 8.21.17
Our love affair with things of the past has spurred the resurgence of several products in recent years — Crystal Pepsi, Zima, Clearly Canadian to name a few. Volkswagen is hoping to parlay this affection for the throwback into big sales by redesigning one of its most emblematic models, the microbus, with a modern twist. [More]
Why Are Chinese Car Companies So Interested In Buying Fiat Chrysler?
By 8.14.17
After years of perusing the dating apps, hoping for a multi-billion dollar love connection, Fiat Chrysler has reportedly found itself on the receiving end of a Bachelor-like rose from an unnamed Chinese auto manufacturer. Except, the company has said “thanks, but no thanks,” leaving us with all kinds of questions. [More]
Twelfth Death Linked To Ruptured Takata Airbag In Honda Accord
By 7.10.17
A twelfth death has been linked to the deployment of a shrapnel-shooting Takata airbag, marking the 11th such incident in a Honda vehicle. [More]
BMW Owners Say Their Parked Cars Are Going Up In Flames
By 5.11.17
When you park your car, turn the engine off, and walk away, you have a reasonable expectation that when you return the vehicle will be in the same spot and in the same condition as when you left. But some BMW owners say they’ve returned only to find their car in flames. Now, these owners and fire officials from across the country are asking why. [More]
The Real Problem With Self-Driving Cars: They Actually Follow Traffic Laws
By 5.11.17
In the century or so that people have been driving, two different sets of rules have developed: The official laws that we’re supposed to obey, and the unofficial code of the road that bends and often breaks those laws. For example, we all know — whether we like it or not — that many highway drivers are going to exceed the speed limit. But what happens when you introduce self-driving cars that are designed to always follow the rules and don’t understand why other drivers are extending their middle fingers in their direction? [More]
Ford Recalls 441,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk, Door Latch Issues
By 3.29.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Driving a car that is on fire or that has doors popping open is impressive, but not recommended. For that reason, you should be aware of Ford’s latest recalls. [More]
Walmart To Start Selling Cars At Dozens Of Stores
By 1.24.17
It was just a matter of time: More than a year after Walmart-owned Sam’s Club began selling customers cars, taking on Costco’s long-running auto program, and with Amazon dipping its toes into the industry, Walmart is finally following suit. [More]
Report: Fiat Chrysler Facing Criminal Probe Over Use Of Supposed “Defeat Devices”
By 1.13.17
In a week where Volkswagen and Takata both entered guilty pleas to criminal wrongdoing as part of settlements with federal prosecutors, the Department of Justice has reportedly opened a new investigation against Fiat Chrysler for its alleged failure to disclose so-called “defeat devices” in 100,000 vehicles. [More]
Fiat Chrysler Brands & Vehicles Make Poor Showing In Latest Owner Satisfaction Survey
By 12.22.16
There are dozens of car, truck, SUV, and minivan brands to choose from, but one carmaker is bringing up the rear in the latest owner satisfaction survey from our colleagues at Consumer Reports. [More]
Report: Volkswagen Settlement Over 3-Liter Vehicles Could Add $1B To “Dieselgate” Tab
By 12.19.16
Volkswagen has already agreed to pay $15 billion to settle a large portion of its “dieselgate” scandal, so what’s another $1 billion? That figure could reportedly be added to the carmaker’s tab as part of a settlement concerning so-called “defeat devices” on thousands of 3-liter vehicles not covered by the company’s earlier settlement with federal regulators. [More]
Proposed Safety Rule Would Require Cars Be Able To “Talk” To Each Other
By 12.13.16
The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a new rule that would mandate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) on all new cars, saying the technology has enormous potential to reduce crashes and possibly save lives. [More]
Hacker’s Company Handing Out Code That Can Turn Any Car Into A Self-Driving Vehicle
By 12.1.16
Does making a product free mean you don’t have to answer to authorities who might come knocking later? One experienced hacker seems to think his startup can avoid liability while giving away code for a software kit to convert cars into self-driving vehicles. [More]
Volvo Launches Concierge Service To Fill Up, Wash Vehicles On Demand
By 11.18.16
Owning a car means you have to wash it, take it in for needed maintenance, and of course fill it with gas if you want to actually go anywhere. But those pesky chores no longer have to be part of the equation if you own a Volvo. [More]
All Ferarri Cars Will Be Hybrids By End Of Decade
By 11.8.16
If you can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a vehicle, you probably aren’t too concerned about how much gas will set you back. But if you are, and you’re worried about the environment, you’ll have another hybrid option in a few years: Ferrari announced Tuesday that it will sell only hybrid vehicles in three years. [More]
Fiat Chrysler Recalls 257K Vehicles Over Airbag, Fire Risks
By 10.19.16
Fiat Chrysler hasn’t exactly been having a great year when it comes to vehicle safety and recalls — from cars that tend to roll away because of confusing gear shifts to a slew of vehicles with airbag issues. Those woes continued today as the carmaker announced two separate recalls — totaling more than 257,000 vehicles — involving airbags that might not deploy and wiring issues that could cause a fire. [More]
Report: Apple Taking A Big Step Back From Electric Car Plans
By 10.17.16 — Updated: 11.1.16
A little over a year ago, Apple was speeding up its quest to join the electric car market, announcing that it hoped to have a vehicle ready by 2019. Fast forward to today, and the company is reportedly putting the brakes on that plan. [More]
Lexus Owners Say Update Bricked Cars’ Navigation Systems
By 6.8.16
Just like your phone or computer, your web-connected car needs to get the occasional software update. Most of these system tweaks happen quietly without too much interruption to your life, but occasionally one goes wrong and you end up with a Lexus with navigation and infotainment systems that can’t be used because they are stuck in a reboot loop. [More]
