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Audi Sees More Battery Recalls, Porsche Likewise Impacted
Audi’s all-electric e-tron subbrand continues suffering from battery issues, with the company recently issuing a recall for the GT sedan and its zestier RS variant. The issue is that the high-voltage batteries equipped to the models might short circuit, posing a fire risk to owners and whatever they’ve parked their EV next to. The recall report stipulates that Porsche warned Audi of the possibility of “thermal events” after realizing that some Taycan models were suffering from battery defects.
U.S. Traffic Deaths Declined in 2023 But Remain Historically High
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that traffic deaths declined by 3.6 percent in 2023. While this is good news, the United States continues seeing per capita vehicle fatalities at the highest rate witnessed since the mid 2000s.
In 2023, the NHTSA reported 40,990. This is in contrast with the 42,514 on-road deaths cited for 2022. However, the U.S. witnessed a fairly staggering decline in vehicular safety starting around 2015 and we’re still seeing metrics that would be considered high from before that period.
Rare Rides Icons: The Cadillac Eldorado, Distinctly Luxurious (Part XIX)
We’re back with more Cadillac Eldorado today, in our final entry on the third generation models. We spent our last installment reviewing the special and sometimes troublesome engineering that was standard on the Brougham. Since then, I discovered this April 1957 edition of The Cadillac Serviceman, GM’s in-house magazine publication for its dealer service centers. Twelve clearly scanned pages of technical and service detail await you! After reading, return here and learn about the changes made to the Eldorado line in 1958.
Ford Announces New Mustang Appearance Package, Anniversary Event, and Mystery Update
Ford took a victory lap this week after realizing the Mustang is now the only traditional front-engine, rear-drive, V8-powered American sports coupe that’s still available after 60 years on the market. To commemorate the achievement, the brand debuted a special red and black logo it said was inspired by the badging and wheel center caps on the Mustang that debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair. This is apparently tied to a 60th Anniversary Appearance Package the brand will soon be offering and a digitized “special feature” that will be made available on April 17th.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Officially Teased
Toyota has officially previewed the redesigned 4Runner for the first time via Instagram. But the photo in question doesn’t offer much information beyond the model wearing its name at the bottom of the rear hatch and getting some new taillights. There’s likewise a contrasting bumper, which may just end up being an option. However, Toyota offering up a teaser for the 2025 model year should also indicate that the much-anticipated SUV’s formal debut is likely right around the corner.
2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Inches Closer to Electrification
There are a handful of models that change so slowly that it’s almost imperceptible, leaving you with the impression that they might have never changed at all. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class could probably serve as the poster child for this phenomenon and has recently undergone another round of subtle tweaks for the 2025 model year. However, this is actually one of the more comprehensive updates the G-Wagen has seen between generations.
2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Revealed in NYC
Mini has released the 2025 Mini Cooper Hardtop, specifically the performance variant that’s likely to appeal to enthusiasts that aren’t interested in the hardcore John Cooper Works version. The manufacturer is reviewing the model at the New York auto show this week and looks to have kept the car that’s slated for sale in North America quite close to its European counterpart — with a few exceptions.
2024 New York Auto Show: Hyundai Doubles Up
NEW YORK -- Hyundai kicked off the 2024 New York International Auto Show by dropping the new Tucson and a refreshed Santa Cruz minitruck.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Has Major Implications for Automotive Sector
A cargo container ship exiting the Port of Baltimore collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. You’ve undoubtedly seen the footage by now, as well as the rampant speculation about what happened. As of now, nobody seems to know the full details of the incident but the ramifications should be relatively easy to predict. As a major shipping corridor for the United States, losing access means supply chain bottlenecks.
Porsche Stops Selling the 718 Boxster and Cayman in Europe
The Porsche 718 is now dead in Europe after it failed to meet the European Union’s so-called “cybersecurity” regulations. The Cayman and Boxster be joining the gasoline-powered Macan SUV in the afterlife, which encountered its own regional demise for similar reasons. While all models will reportedly return as electric vehicles, we know things will never be the same.
Bentley CEO Jumps Ship for Aston Martin
Bentley's former CEO Adrian Hallmark has broken with the company after making remarks that sales were down due to wealthy people buying fewer luxury products over concerns that it might upset poorer people living in those markets. That’s paraphrasing and his words were chosen much more carefully. However subsequent clarification from Bentley suggested that some markets were “experiencing continued economic and political difficulty” that would dissuade “showing displays of wealth.” It didn’t play well in the media and Hallmark has reportedly left the brand and since taken up with Aston Martin.
Rare Rides Icons: The Cadillac Eldorado, Distinctly Luxurious (Part XVIII)
We’re back with more Cadillac Eldorado coverage this week. In our last installment (over a month ago) we reviewed the interior accouterments of the Eldorado Brougham that were far beyond the standard Eldorado. Aside from its coach door hardtop body style, the other area where the Brougham went its own way was in engineering. And some of that engineering was of the experimental variety. What could go wrong?
Why Did Trump Propose a 100-Percent Tariff on Mexican Auto Imports?
Earlier this week, Donald Trump suggested that he would impose a 100 percent tariff on select automobiles manufactured in Mexico — sending the industry into a minor tizzy.
Having done some digging into the matter, Trump only appears to be targeting Chinese vehicles being manufactured south of the border. The statement was made during the “Buckeye Values PAC” rally in Dayton, Ohio, and comes after Chinese automaker BYD announced plans to build a production facility in Mexico. While most of the resulting vehicles are assumed to be electric, BYD has stated its intention is not to sell them within the United States.
Someone Is Recording People Repeatedly Failing to Make Mystery Turn
Earlier this week, a friend sent me a video where over a dozen vehicles failed to negotiate a mystery turn somewhere within North America. The following day, someone else shared the turn with me and this continued until it seemed like everyone I knew had seen the footage of the impossible mystery turn.
Those with a taste for vehicular mayhem are likely aware of the Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass, perhaps better known as “ The Truck Killing Bridge.” Located in Durham, North Carolina, the site consists of a railroad bridge covered in warning signs that’s just short enough to cleave the tops off unsuspecting commercial vehicles, buses and RVs. The location became so infamous for absolutely wrecking trucks that a local office worker decided to set cameras up in 2008 to capture the magic, resulting in one of the best websites in history.
Study Suggests Automakers Lose $6,000 On Each EV Sold
A new study is claiming that automakers lose an average of $6,000 for every $50,000 electric vehicle they sell. Boston Consulting Group, an American-based global management consulting firm that issued the report, said the figure accounts for customer tax credits — painting a rather bleak picture for the future of EVs.
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