Category: Automotive News

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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LUXURY: Tesla Q1 sales more than double those of BMW

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The entire US luxury sector sales rose 23 percent to 616,970 cars and light trucks in the first quarter, outperforming the broader industry’s 8.4 percent bump. In the first quarter, BMW sales rose 12 percent, and the automaker secured a more than 14,000 vehicle advantage over No. 3 Lexuses. The Toyota luxury brand delivered 68,251 vehicles, up 6 percent from a year earlier. BMW, which commanded a 13 percent share of the luxury segment, extended its lead over German rival Mercedes-Benz with a more than 20,000-vehicle advantage. Mercedes’ sales of 61,531 were down 1.2 percent from the prior year as…
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Why Does a Cracked Windshield Spread?

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A rock flies up and hits your windshield making a small crack. Uh oh. You know you have time, but how much time? Eventually, the crack will spread, obstruct your view, get you a ticket, and you’ll have to replace the entire windshield, something auto insurance typically doesn’t cover. So what exactly causes a small crack in a windshield to spread like wild fire? There are more than a few answers to this question. 1. Extreme Temperatures When you mix hot and cold, your windshield feels it. Going from sitting in the scorching sun to getting blasted with AC or…
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Bob Loquercio Auto buys Ford, Toyota and Lexus dealerships

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Bob Loquercio Auto Group has expanded with the addition of three dealerships in Peoria, Ill. CEO Bob Loquercio and his namesake group on April 5 purchased O’Brien Lexus of Peoria, O’Brien Toyota of Peoria and O’Brien Ford of Peoria from Joe O’Brien of O’Brien Auto Team, Loquercio confirmed to Automotive News. The dealerships, in central Illinois, were renamed Peoria Toyota, Lexus of Peoria and Ford of Peoria. Loquercio said his brother, Anthony Loquercio, also purchased an undisclosed stake in the Peoria Ford store. Bob Loquercio said the group’s first Lexus store will get updated, with construction expected to begin in…
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