The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is re-investigating Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assistance system over concerns that a previous recall did not address key safety concerns. The agency previously conducted a probe over the course of three years to determine whether Autopilot was to blame for traffic incidents. It concluded that the system did not include features that kept drivers engaged on the road, resulting in inattention. Tesla recalled the software in December, updating the software of more than 2 million vehicles to comply wi ..read more

Hyundai is adding hybrid production to its upcoming Georgia facility, initially intended for fully electric vehicles. The automaker will now build hybrid models, such as the Tucson, at the Bryan Country factory after posting its first-quarter earnings. Hyundai previously intended the plant for EV production only but changed its mind after the first quarter of this year.  During the company’s quarterly shareholders call, Hyundai executives noted the start of the year had seen “sharply rising hybrid demand,” making the new expansion in Georgia a necessity. While bat ..read more

Future of Automotive Correcting traffic behaviors to build a safer future for U.S. driversWelcome back to the latest episode of The Future of Automotive on CBT News, where we put recent automotive and mobility news into the context of the broader themes impacting the industry. I’m Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures, and I’m glad that you could join us. There was a great article this last week in the Financial Times with some speculation on why American roads are so dangerous. Watch full segment here. Top Stories Toyota invests $1.4 billion to build 3 electric SUVs f ..read more

Welcome back to the latest episode of The Future of Automotive on CBT News, where we put recent automotive and mobility news into the context of the broader themes impacting the industry.  I’m Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures, and I’m glad that you could join us. Traffic deaths are still high in the U.S. There was a great article this last week in the Financial Times with some speculation on why American roads are so dangerous. The key takeaway from the article? While the number of people killed in traffic collisions fell by almost 4% in 2023, the bad news is the mortality ..read more

Earlier this week: Workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant vote overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers union, scoring a significant victory for the labor rights movement. General Motors posts strong quarterly profits and adjusts full-year earnings forecast. Fisker warns it has 30 days to avoid bankruptcy as it hires a restructuring expert. Tesla promises accelerated timeline for new products as Q1 profits plummet more than 50%. Toyota breaks worldwide annual sales record for fiscal year ending in March on improved supply chain. 1. UAW scores crucial victory as VW workers vote yes to un ..read more

In the heart of Silicon Valley, the future of mobility is unfolding before our very eyes, painting the streets of San Francisco with the colors of innovation and the promise of autonomy. As the founder and CEO of a recently acquired automotive software company, my professional life orbits the nexus of automotive technology, and it’s my personal passion for automotive innovation and technology that compels me to share this new Silicon Valley Update for CBT News, focusing on topics that blend high-tech and automotive. Living in downtown San Francisco, I find myself at the epicenter of autonomous ..read more

Toyota broke its all-time annual sales record during the fiscal year ended in March, sailing past previous records thanks to pent-up demand and a rapidly recovered supply chain. The Japanese automaker reported total global sales of 10.31 million units, up 7.3% year-over-year. This marks the first time that the brand has surpassed the 10 million unit mark, emphasizing the relative resiliency it has shown since the COVID-19 pandemic. Toyota’s annual production total came in slightly behind sales, jumping 9.2% from the 2022 fiscal year to reach 9.97 million units. The discrepancy betwee ..read more

Ford posted stable earnings late Wednesday after sales rose 7% over the first quarter but struggled to maintain profitability as moderate price cuts and electric vehicle production expenses took their toll. The Blue Oval automaker scored a quarterly revenue of $42.8 billion across its divisions, with automotive income representing around 93% of the total. Its earnings reflect a 3% year-over-year increase, underlining the positive impact rising inventory levels have had on sales in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic’s supply-strapped market. Commercial sales this year have been especia ..read more

Power Lunch How e-titling is changing the future of dealership F&I E-titling is a revolutionary new system that gives dealers control over the registration process while improving both data security and cost efficiency. On this episode of the Power Lunch, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Dave Spencer, national sales director at digital titling platform Vitu, and Jason Wilson, president of the Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association (KADA), to discuss how e-titling can drive results for your dealership’s F&I business. Watch full segment here. Top Stories New vehicle sal ..read more

New vehicle sales are set to decline in April after a strong first quarter but will maintain a healthy pace thanks to better affordability, more inventory, and stable demand. Cox Automotive forecasts April new vehicle sales volumes will reach 1.34 million units, a year-over-year decline of 2.2% and a 6.8% decline from March. While a 7% increase in average tax refund amounts helped drive demand ahead of prior-year levels in February and March, this month’s drop marks the end of tax season for most U.S. citizens, explaining the weaker sales. However, while sales were lower on ..read more