Tesla recalls 15,000 Model X SUVs to fix a power steering problem
Tesla is voluntarily recalling 15,000 units of the Model X to fix an issue with the power steering. Owners can continue to drive their cars until it's fixed.
Uber’s new dial-a-cab feature is basically just an old-school taxi service
Uber introduced a new feature that basically turns the rideshare process back into a taxi service aimed at older adults, or for those that don't have smartphones.Â
LA fire department to go electric with first battery-powered fire truck in U.S.
The Los Angeles Fire Department will become the first in the U.S. to deploy an electric-powered fire truck, with the vehicle set for its debut run in 2021.
Researchers create artificially intelligent ears for cars to improve road safety
Researchers have developed tech that enables vehicles to understand and respond to nearby noises, giving the driver greater awareness of their surroundings.
Hyundai will use Canoo’s ‘skateboard’ chassis for future electric cars
Hyundai will use Canoo's chassis design as the basis for future electric cars. Canoo plans to launch its own electric car through a subscription service in 2021.
NASA wants help designing a new lunar rover. Here’s how we’d configure it
NASA is asking automakers to help design the next lunar rover. It needs to be electric, very capable off-road, and human-rated. Here's how we'd configure it.
What Lyft and Aptiv learned from 100,000 self-driving car trips
Lyft and Aptiv have completed 100,000 self-driving car trips in Las Vegas. They claim it will provide a blueprint for more widespread use of self-driving cars.
Hyundai recalls 430,000 Elantra sedans over fire danger
Hyundai is recalling 430,000 Elantra vehicles over a short circuit risk that could lead to a fire. The firm will begin contacting affected owners on April 3.
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV’s specifications are coming into focus
GMC will offer the 2022 Hummer EV with one, two, or three electric motors to cover as much of the market as possible. GM boss Mark Reuss also revealed a modular battery pack.
Ford’s Emoji Jacket for cyclists aims to foster harmony among road users
Ford’s prototype cycling jacket displays emoji on the back to foster harmony among road users. A device on the handlebars lets you select different emoji.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s solar roof can deliver up to 700 miles of ‘free’ driving
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets a solar roof that can significantly increase range, its maker claims. The roof can add up to 700 miles of "free" driving per year.
A $1 billion investment will bring more EV charging stations to rural America
ChargePoint and NATSO plan to install electric car charging stations at 4,000 rural highway travel plazas. The project has a $1 billion price tag, and a targeted completion date of 2030.
Nuro granted first federal safety exemption for a driverless car
Nuro is the first company to get an exemption from federal safety regulations for an autonomous car. The rules are intended for human-driven vehicles.
Quit honking! Mumbai tests traffic signals that stay red if you hit your horn
Mumbai is aiming to reduce noise pollution with a new traffic signal that stays red if you honk your horn. The timer on a red resets to 90 seconds if the noise levels go too high.
U.K. says 2035 is the end of the road for nonelectric cars
Britain unveiled plans to phase out the sales of gas, diesel, and hybrid cars by 2035 so that, eventually, only electric vehicles will be sold in the country.
Elon Musk says Bitcoin scammers impersonating him on Twitter are ‘not cool’
For more than a year, bots and trolls have used Twitter to scam cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, and used Elon Musk’s name to do it. Musk called out the scammers.
Carmax cites service, parts issues for temporarily dropping Tesla
CarMax told Digital Trends it stopped selling Tesla models because it experienced parts and service issues, though it declined to provide additional details.
Uber suspending some rider accounts to fight spread of coronavirus
Uber has suspended hundreds of rider accounts in Mexico as part of efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The riders used the same two vehicles used by someone suspected of having the virus. Uber Australia may also take similar action.
An electric Hummer means ‘watt guzzlers’ are here. That’s a good thing
The all-electric GMC Hummer will kick off the era of 'watt guzzlers' that have electric powertrains but don't focus on efficiency. They won't please environmentalists, but they remain a good alternative to cars powered by fossil fuels.
Why resurrecting the Hummer name for an electric pickup makes sense
The 2021 Hummer EV will capitalize on its predecessor without needing additional models to bolster it. GM hopes to enter the burgeoning electric pickup segment.
Ford can use your voice to make your car’s wheels theftproof
Ford has developed a way to make a unique, 3D-printed locking wheel nut that features contours based on the car owner’s voice, reducing the chance of theft.
Hummer will return as a 1,000-horsepower electric vehicle in Super Bowl ad
After 10 years on the scrap heap, the Hummer name will return on a 1,000-horsepower electric truck. The electric Hummer will appear in a Super Bowl ad.
Tesla’s Shanghai factory hit by temporary shutdown over coronavirus fears
Just weeks after delivering its first Model 3 cars in China, Tesla was ordered to close its Shanghai factory over coronavirus fears.
Why Tesla’s promise to deliver 500,000 electric cars in 2020 isn’t unrealistic
Tesla wants to deliver 500,000 electric cars in 2020, a major increase over the 367,500 cars it delivered in 2019. But unlike some of the company's other promises, this goal seems fairly realistic. Tesla has a lot of potential production capacity to work with, and the new Model Y crossover waiting in the wings.
Brown goes autonomous: Waymo and UPS partner on package-delivery pilot
Waymo is partnering with UPS on a package-delivery pilot program in Arizona. Waymo's modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans will ferry packages between UPS Stores and a distribution hub in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The program will use the same vehicles as the Waymo One ridesharing service.
Tesla’s Model Y is on track to become its bestselling car
Motorists are chanting "crossover good, sedan bad" as they commute in massive vehicles, and those looking for an electric car that's more spacious than a Model 3, and cheaper than a Model X, will welcome the Model Y like a chariot sent from the heavens.
Lincoln will launch its first electric vehicle with help from Rivian
The first all-electric Lincoln will use startup Rivian's skateboard platform, meaning the Lincoln model will likely be an SUV. Lincoln parent Ford is investing $500 million in Rivian, which plans to sell its own electric SUV and pickup truck. Lincoln currently has two plug-in hybrids, but nothing fully electric.
Additional driving range makes the Hyundai Ioniq Electric a more competitive EV
The 2020 Ioniq Electric's increased range comes at a cost, and Hyundai is passing it onto buyers. The good news is that some Ioniq Electric buyers are still eligible to claim a federal tax credit that bring its price down about $26,000. That's a good deal for an EV with a 170-mile range.
Get off the sidewalk! Lime’s new scooter aims to make you ride on the road
Lime is testing a novel way to gently persuade its riders to stick to the street and stay off the sidewalk. The scootersharing company has added sensors to its electric two-wheelers that can distinguish between a street and sidewalk, and will send notifications to riders if they spend too much time on the latter.
Andrew Yang broke Tesla’s one big Autopilot rule in campaign commercial
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang has talked about the automation industry in his campaign, but he could stand to learn a few things when it comes to how to drive Autopilot. When he’s behind the wheel of the Tesla Model X in his new commercial, he takes his hands off while on autopilot, which is a big no-no.
The next Cadillac Escalade will be capable of changing lanes on its own
Cadillac's Super Cruise suite of semi-autonomous driving aids is getting its most extensive update since its 2017 debut. The CT4, the CT5, and the next-generation Escalade will be capable of changing lanes on their own after the driver taps the turn signals talk. Cadillac also improved its mapping technology.
GM gets serious with $2.2 billion investment in electric trucks, SUVs
General Motors will convert a Detroit assembly plant into a dedicated factory for electric vehicles. The factory will start producing electric pickup trucks in 2021, followed by the Cruise Origin self-driving car and other models. GM is spending $2.2 billion to retool the factory for electric vehicle production.
Tesla Model S, Model X could get major interior and powertrain updates in 2020
Tesla hoped to keep details about the upcoming updates under wraps, but an eagle-eyed hacker spotted them. The S and the X are about to receive a wireless device charger, two new batteries, redesigned seats, a different charging port, and an upgraded suspension. There may be infotainment upgrades, too.
Tesla owners accuse their cars of sudden unintended acceleration. Is it true?
The NHSTA has agreed to consider investigating sudden unintended acceleration in Tesla vehicles based on a petition filed with the agency. Does Tesla really have an unintended acceleration problem? And what are the next steps for the NHSTA?