Automotive News

Car loss on burned ship in the Azores exceeds $400 million

The destroyed vehicles among the cargo on the burned ship that caught fire last week in the Atlantic Ocean may tally a loss of more than $400 million, according to an industry consulting firm. Volkswagen alone could have incurred as estimated loss of $155 million. The total value of the cargo on the Felicity Ace, the ship ablaze for several days off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands, is approximately $438 million, according to the Russell Group. The 650-foot long ship was built in 2005. Estimates of the loss are based on all vehicles on board the burned ship as total losses. About 4,000 Volkswagen Group vehicles were on board, including Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche and VW. About 1,110 of

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Burning ship, 4,000 burning cars in the Atlantic, oh, my!

As if the automotive marketplace doesn’t nave enough problems, now it has burning cars on a burning ship adrift on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. According to insurance experts, an estimated 4,000 vehicles in transition from Germany to Rhode Island were cargo on the now-abandoned 656-foot Felicity Ace. It’s the ship that caught fire while carrying an estimated $401 million worth of cars and a total of $438 million in goods. The burning cars include Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche or Volkswagen models. The vessel’s 22 crew members were evacuated without injuries via helicopter. But the fire continued to burn for several days, fueled by lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles on board, according a port official. “These

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New U.S.P.S. truck fleet stalled again by controversy

The U.S.P.S. once prided itself in an unofficial motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” But for the past several years, the agency can’t even get new vehicles built to try to efficiently get job done. The pending new contract with by Oshkosh Defense to replace a 30-plus-year-old fleet is in neutral — again. After years of negotiation, the U.S. Postal Service and Oshkosh Defense reached at estimated $6 billion negotiation, but it’s now being questioned by the Environmental Protection Agency. New U.S.P.S. Trucks Face Scrutiny A letter this week complains about the poor fuel economy of the proposed mail truck replacement and urges the

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Consumer Reports: Some new cars, trucks less than sticker

Despite extraordinary higher prices and limited supplies of new vehicles, a report recently released by Consumer Reports details several new cars and trucks are available for less than their respective sticker prices. Three of the most discounted vehicles are pickup trucks from Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. The publication’s analysis states discounted vehicles are “specific trim variations, rather than savings being consistent across a model range.” According to the report, the discounts are smaller than usual, with the best prices still available via “negotiation and shopping around.” Consumer Reports notes: “Most months there are a few models that are given an extra push with incentives tied to supply and/or a coming redesign. Automakers and dealerships need to make room for new

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To keep or sell old cars, that is the question

The consensus among car owners is to keep their old cars longer. According to IHS Markit, the average age of cars on U.S. roads reached more than 12-years-old in 2021. It isn’t uncommon for vehicles to last well past the 100,000-mile milestone, with some cars exceeding 200,000 miles. In the wake of the post-pandemic economy, it is expected drivers will keep their vehicles even longer. Still, not every car owner is willing to keep their vehicle forever. In fact, despite the economic situation, some drivers are already wondering how to sell a car rapidly so they can buy their next vehicle. In a context where vehicles are durable and can maintain their performance for many years, it is worth asking

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Ripped Off: Catalytic Converter theft skyrockets

The theft of catalytic converters in cars and trucks nationwide is increasing exponentially. The reason: The easily accessible part includes rare metals skyrocketing in value. Located in front of a vehicle’s tailpipe, catalytic converters are easily removed, particularly in older cars and trucks with high clearances. Mandated for all U.S. cars and trucks in 1975, catalytic converters convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they’ve left the exhaust system. Platinum, palladium, rhodium or gold are used as the catalyst. Catalytic Converter: Rare Metals Thieves can sell converters to metal recyclers for $20-$200. The recyclers extract the metal and resell it for as thousands of dollars per ounce. Palladium sold for about $500 an ounce in 2016; It’s currently more

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Bored with driving? Here’s how to enjoy the ride

Driving can be a fun, exhilarating and life-affirming experience — at least when you’re in the right frame of mind driving enjoyable places. Most drivers are optimistic when they pass their first driving test. Road trips, greater autonomy and the ability to properly enjoy the world of auto enthusiasm and car culture are appealing. Unfortunately, the initial enthusiasm wears off. Many drivers use their cars to commute and the repeated pattern because mundane. It doesn’t help the driving experience when a driver gets into an accident or another car-related issue that requires the assistance of a car accident attorney. Determining how to get more enjoyment from driving and perhaps even make it an uplifting experience is recommended. Here are a

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Pickup truck owners beware: theft on the rise

Pickup truck owners get the best of all automotive versatility. But there’s also a dubious consideration — theft. According to newly released statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, four of the top-10 most stolen vehicles in the United States are pickup trucks. At the top of the stolen list for the second straight year is Ford F series pickup truck. Theft of the country’s most popular vehicle increased 13 percent from 2019 to 2020, with 44,014 reports of stolen. The most “popular” year for the full-size pickup truck’s theft is 2006. Pickup Truck Theft: Ford Tops List Trucks on the most stolen vehicle list also include the 10. Dodge Ram 1500 (11,991); No. 7, GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (13,016)

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Goodbye, farewell to Ford F-150 (diesel), Toyota Land Cruiser

They’re just cars and trucks, simply transportation from some, nearly family members for others. And every year, plenty of vehicles bid farewell. Via poor sales, it’s out with the old, in with the new. And usually, there’s extenuating circumstances. The Ford Bronco returned in 2021 after a 25-year absence. For RVers, some of the departing vehicles have been reliable companions, some short-term, others icons. For 2021 goodbyes that includes the Ford F-150 (diesel) and Toyota Land Cruiser. Ford didn’t have much success with the diesel version of the popular pickup truck. According to Car and Driver, the manufacturer notes the diesel option fell out of favor with customers who prefer EcoBoost V-6 gas option. The departure of the Land Cruiser

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New GM troubles, massive lawsuit claims faulty transmissions

The eight-speed transmissions installed in numerous Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, including several trucks and SUVs manufactured by General Motors, are faulty. According to a new class-action lawsuit against GM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, the automaker shipped vehicles with transmissions with that: “Slip, buck, kick, jerk, harshly engage, suffer abnormal internal wear, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, difficulty stopping the vehicle, and eventually require replacement of the transmission or its components.” Vehicles affected include: Cadillac ATS (2016-2019), Cadillac ATS-V (2016-2019), Cadillac CTS (2016-2019), Cadillac CTS-V (2016-2019), 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6, Cadillac Escalade/Cadillac Escalade ESV (2015-2019), Chevrolet Camaro (2016-2019), Chevrolet Colorado (2017-2019), Chevrolet Corvette (2015-2019), Chevrolet Silverado (2015-2019), GMC Canyon (2017-2019),

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Tiger Woods back, still can’t drive or play straight

Now that the fandom and television network adulation have subsided, a calmer, bigger-picture perspective on Tiger Woods’ return to golf is warranted. He is not a hero. And nor does he represent the beauty of the mentorship that occurs between fathers and sons. Instead, Woods, 10 months removed from his third automobile accident in 14 years — all the golfer’s fault — is still a father in denial. While he previously appeared on national television to apologize for his poor personal life choices, Woods has yet to appropriate any public forum to address his wont for reckless driving. Tiger Woods: 3 accidents, 14 years Woods’ children aren’t fatherless only because the 82-time PGA Tour winner and 15-time Major winner was

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What’s in a price? Good is cheap in electric vehicles

Cars.com has compiled a comprehensive list of the top 11 current cheapest electric vehicles. It’s a varied list; nine manufacturers are represented. Starting prices range from $28,375 to 44,445. The average price of a new car in the United States for the first time recently surpassed $45,000. Most of the vehicles are eligible for federal and state tax credits and, in some instances, local rebates. The current cheapest electric vehicle available in the United States is the 2022 Nissan Leaf. It has a starting price of $28,375 and has a range of 149-226 miles, with the official estimates to be determined. Electric Vehicles: 11 at $45,000 or less Here’s what Cars.com wrote: “The news for 2022 is that the standard-range

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Holiday gifts for drivers, car-camping mattresses to kayaks

Stranded travelers forced to sleep in their cars many experience wondrous spirit-of-the-adventure memories. They might also endure near catastrophes best forgotten. Luno believes its car air mattresses add joy to the appeal of “roughing it.” Air mattress options suitable for 42 car brands and in more than 2,000 configurations are the company’s forte. Luno started about five years ago when company founders decide to save money while skiing on Mammoth Mountain. They slept in their Subaru in makeshift accommodations. Holiday Gifts For Drivers: Car-Camping An idea was born: To make the next car-camping trip more comfortable with high-end comfort. The Luno Mattress 2.0 is the company’s latest offering, and it’s an ideal holiday gift. Made from 300-denier (fiber thickness) Oxford

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Concept cars: back to the future again — maybe

Concept cars, also called prototypes, are showcased at auto shows to test media and public interest. The idea began in 1938 with the Buick Y-Job, a specialty vehicle presented as a vision of how future cars might look in 20 years. The idea of forecasting the automotive future stuck. Nearly 85 years later the practice remains, including during the LA Auto Show. Its 10-day run, the show’s first edition since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ends today at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Themes presented in concepts change. Sometimes a one-off creation is so bizarre its only job is to attract attention. Sometimes, concepts are nearly identical to the production vehicle about to debut. Concept Cars: Will they be

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NVIDIA reveals AI solutions including autonomous driving

During the recent GTC Fall 21 keynote address this morning, NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang announced industry-transforming AI and accelerated computing solutions to address the world’s toughest problems, including autonomous driving for tomorrow’s car. Here are the highlights of the address: Omniverse Replicator for DRIVE Sim – An engine for generating synthetic data with ground truth to train AV perception networks. Synthetic data has proven to be an incredibly effective tool in accelerating AV development. Now using Omniverse Replicator, DRIVE Sim produces hard/impossible ground truth that humans can’t label, such as velocity, depth, occlusion, severe weather conditions and edge cases. DRIVE Concierge & DRIVE Chauffeur – Two new AI platforms dedicated to removing the stress and hassles of daily

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2023 Kia Sportage gets rugged

The 2023 Kia Sportage, beginning its fifth generation, has debuted and features a larger and more varied lineup of subcompact sport utility vehicles including new off-road trims. Under the manufacturer’s umbrella slogan “Movement That Matters, the new Kia Sportage lineup will include LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige and X-Line and the new Sportage X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims geared toward off-road travel with all-terrain tires and other features. 2023 Kia Sportage: New Exterior, Interior Designs New features for the 2023 Sportage Sportage firsts include an available dual panoramic curved digital display Most Sportage trims will now be assembled in the U.S., alongside the carmaker’s Telluride, Sorento, and K5 in West Point, Georgia. The Sportage will also be available in a hybrid

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