Automotive news

Automotive

Expert suggests driver's test for autonomous vehicles in US

At a time of growing concern about the safety of self-driving vehicles, a leading expert is calling on the federal government to develop a national driver's test that such vehicles would have to pass before they could travel ...

Automotive

Will Tesla's robotaxi reveal live up to hype?

After years of talking up Tesla's prowess on autonomous driving, Elon Musk is set to host Thursday a much-hyped robotaxi event amid a mix of anticipation and skepticism.

Business

Study finds electric vehicle subsidies help the climate and automakers—but at a cost

A new study shows that electric vehicle tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act reduced pollution and boosted U.S. automakers, but largely benefited buyers who would have purchased EVs without subsidies.

Engineering

Texting while walking puts pedestrians in danger, finds study

New UBC research analyzing actual pedestrian interactions with vehicles on busy streets concludes that distracted pedestrians face higher safety risks compared with undistracted road users.

Business

EU states greenlight extra tariffs on EVs from China

EU countries gave a definitive green light on Friday to hefty additional tariffs on electric cars made in China, despite strong German opposition and fears it will trigger a trade war with Beijing.

Automotive

Balancing cost and reliability in autonomous machine design

With millions of self-driving cars projected to be on the road in 2025 and autonomous drones generating billions in annual sales, safety and reliability are important considerations for consumers, manufacturers, and regulators. ...

Automotive

GM reports US sales dip, but says EVs grew

General Motors reported a dip in third-quarter US auto sales Tuesday, but pointed to growth in sales of electric vehicles and said retail pricing remained steady.

Automotive

German car sales higher in July

The car market in Europe's largest economy Germany grew strongly in July, official data showed Friday, but figures for the year to date show sales barely beating 2018 levels.

Business

VW diesel scandal cost German carmakers plenty

The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal pulled down sales for other German car companies by about 105,000 vehicles worth $5.2 billion in 2016, according to a study that looked at how much collective reputation matters.

Automotive

BMW profits dented by electric vehicle investment costs

German high-end carmaker BMW on Thursday reported slumping second quarter profits, with pricey investment in electric cars sapping the bottom line, but it remained confident of hitting its financial targets.

Automotive

Former Audi boss joins ex-VW chief in dock over 'dieselgate'

Former Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler could become the first auto boss to stand trial in Germany over the "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, four years and tens of billions of euros after parent company Volkswagen ...

Business

Fiat Chrysler posts weaker sales, higher net profit

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has been hit by slowing sales that have afflicted the car industry worldwide, but the Italian-US automaker said Wednesday that it nonetheless managed to boost second-quarter profits.

Business

Rolls Royce faces probe over India deals

Indian investigators have launched a criminal probe into millions of dollars paid by a Rolls Royce energy firm to an intermediary in connection with deals with state-owned firms in the South Asian nation, according to documents ...

Engineering

Researchers add unique, efficient engine wear testing rig

Southwest Research Institute recently added an additional single cam rig (SCR) to its considerable array of tribology testing equipment. The rig, which investigates wear mechanisms in engine valvetrain components, was designed ...

Security

Insurance black boxes and the surveillance state

Over the last few years there's been a noticeable rise in the number of drivers opting to fit a "black box" to their cars in order to obtain cheaper insurance. According to some recent reports, these black boxes could save ...

Automotive

Hackers could use connected cars to gridlock whole cities

In the year 2026, at rush hour, your self-driving car abruptly shuts down right where it blocks traffic. You climb out to see gridlock down every street in view, then a news alert on your watch tells you that hackers have ...

Automotive

Big restructuring costs hit Ford earnings

Ford reported a steep decline in second-quarter profits on Wednesday due to large restructuring costs and a disappointing earnings forecast for the year, sending shares sharply lower.

Automotive

GM's Cruise delays launch of robo-taxis

General Motors' autonomous car division Cruise said Wednesday it will take longer than expected for it to hit the streets with self-driving taxis.