Category: Automotive News

Lloyd Reuss obituary: Former GM president championed engineering

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DETROIT — Lloyd Reuss, a mechanical engineer who rose to become General Motors president in the early 1990s, died on Friday. He was 86. Reuss, a classic company man with sharp political instincts and a passion for performance, was the father of Mark Reuss, GM’s current president and head of the automaker’s regional and international operations, global product development programs, quality and design. Mark Reuss posted the news of his father’s death on Facebook. Lloyd Reuss became GM president on Aug. 1, 1990, as part of incoming Chairman Robert Stempel’s executive team. As president, he was an early supporter of…
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Transport technology startup funding plunged 43 percent in March

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Globally, deal activity in the mobility technology sector for the fourth quarter of 2022 was going flat into 2023, Jonathan Geurkink, a senior analyst at PitchBook, told Automotive News. “We are seeing investment shift away from the activity in and around autonomous driving and the ride-hailing and last mile stuff seems to be tailing off as well,” Geurkink said. “I think there are areas certainly in battery technology that look interesting. We’re probably going to put out an analyst note in the next month or so on sodium battery technology and some of the investments there.” Of the 47 investments…
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Why Arizona Heat Makes Windshield Cracks Expand

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Many of us have been there. You get a small chip or crack in your windshield and leave it alone, figuring it won’t get any bigger. Unfortunately, this isn’t often the case. In many situations, this crack or chip will gradually grow larger, causing you to need a full windshield replacement in the future, rather than requiring a small repair now. This can leave you wondering exactly why the heat of the Arizona summer causes this result. Read on to learn the answer. Why the Spread? It may seem unusual for a cracked windshield to spread. After all, most people…
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Road safety study: SUVs are more dangerous to cyclists than cars

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SUVs cause more severe injuries to bicyclists than cars, a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. The tall front end of SUVs can strike bicyclists higher on their bodies above the center of gravity. This results in riders getting knocked down, where they can be run over, rather than being thrown onto the hood of the vehicle, said IIHS statistician Sam Monfort, the lead author of the study. The study analyzed data from 71 Michigan bicycle crashes that involved a single SUV or car and a bicyclist age 16 or older. The severity of injuries inflicted…
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VW’s Cariad, ThunderSoft partner on connectivity, infotainment

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BERLIN — Volkswagen Group’s software unit Cariad will establish a joint venture with Chinese technologies provider ThunderSoft for connectivity and infotainment systems in China, with ThunderSoft holding a 51 percent stake. The partnership will develop software products for car cockpits, infotainment systems and cloud development. These are consumer-facing areas where automakers are competing to set themselves apart and retain control over valuable data on consumer behavior. “The needs and requirements of the Chinese customers are at the center of our strategic efforts,” VW Group China chief Ralf Brandstaetter said on Thursday. Cariad will be the minority shareholder in the joint…
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Tesla cuts prices in Germany, France to boost demand

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BERLIN — Tesla’s latest price reductions in Europe were made possible because of a scaling up and improvement in its production capacity, the company said. Tesla cut prices in European markets including Germany and France on Friday, with all versions of the Model 3, Model S, and Model X selling for lower prices as well as the Model Y Performance. “Our mission is to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Our master plan has set a clear pathway to achieve that mission: the transformation of cost-intensive small-series products to cheaper mass-series vehicles,” Tesla said in a statement. In Germany, Tesla…
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How to Pick the Perfect Rally for Your Driving Style

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Choosing the right rally can make all the difference between a thrilling experience and one that feels stressful or overwhelming. With so many exotic car rallies, endurance events, and charity drives available, understanding your driving style is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Here’s how you can select the perfect rally tailored to your preferences.Assess Your Driving PreferencesBefore registering for any rally, it’s important to identify what you enjoy most about driving. Do you prefer high-speed runs and adrenaline-pumping curves, or do you enjoy scenic routes and leisurely drives? High-performance rallies often feature challenging terrains and…
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