Current auto news can be a whirlwind to follow. From new models, trims, and companies, to new regulations and laws. So, here is a handy list of the top eight need to know items that are happening in the world of current auto news.
Highlights From The 2018 New York Car Show
The Jacob Javits center hosted a plethora of the newest models to hit the line at this year’s New York Car Show. This year’s crossovers truly shined and will surely make a splash in next year’s market. In case you missed it here of the most highlighted attractions:
- 2019 Acura RDX
- 2019 Cadillac XT4
- 2019 Genesis G70
- 2019 Honda Insight
- 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2019 Nissan Altima
- 2019 Subaru Forester
- 2019 Toyota RAV4
- Lincoln Aviator
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Updates On The Tesla Model 3
In past news, The Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable electric car but was struggling with assembly. Their goal was to have 5,000 models by December 2017 but was forced to push back to the end of the second quarter of 2018.
The first quarter ended not long ago, and Tesla produced 2,020 Model 3s in the past seven days. Their goal was 2,500 cars per week, so they only fell short by a little. Tesla believes they are making rapid progress and that when all models are accounted for, production has grown by 40 percent over the last quarter of 2017.
All in all, Tesla still maintains its admirable confidence and aims for 5,000 a week production rate of the Model 3 by the end of June 2018. We are all hoping this is true since the Tesla’s new Model 3 is now the best-selling electric car in the U.S.
The Chevy Tahoe Embraces the Night with Its New Custom Midnight Edition
If black is your lucky color, then the new Chevy Tahoe Midnight Edition will get all your wheels turning. You just may not see them since they are also all in black. The only thing that isn’t silked in black is the lights. Honestly, the look is like a cool crossover between something the military issued and an FBI caravan. Black has always been an in-style color in the fashion industry, and now the auto world.
The Electric Come Back of ISETTA
This ISETTA looks like the most adorable bubble you have ever driven in. The classic Isetta was best known for its BMW-derived version, but now it is coming in a new electric model. The current news on this auto’s stats is that it will have two battery capacities. The 8 kWh with a range of 74.5 miles and the 14.4 kWh which will have a range of 133.5 miles. The top speed is expected to be 56 mph, which is pretty cool for an electric option. So keep your eyes out for this one.
The Self-Driving Vehicle Battle Heats Up
With the premise of fully self-driving cars coming closer to an everyday reality many opinions are being heard from everyday consumers to MIT scientists. Reports of crashing in autonomous cars have been reported. On this Evangelos Simoudis, an investor and self-driving expert, states that in those situations “Humans don’t have the ability to take over the vehicle as quickly as may be expected.”
“We just don’t know enough about how drivers use any of these systems in the wild,” said MIT research scientist Bryan Reimer. When asked to remark on this situation.
Jake Fisher, an everyday Consumer also remarked that human drivers “are bad at paying attention to automation and this technology is not capable of reacting to all types of emergencies.”
For the most part many believe in order to integrate this kind of technology into the world a lot more research needs to be done, and even more, auto safety bills need to be passed. Hopefully, more will be reported about the future of autonomous vehicles.
Trump Takes Final Steps to Changing EPA Regulations Set By Obama
Obama administration’s pushed for more rigid emissions and fuel-economy regulations. Trump’s administration differs from this belief and feels those standards are too high. The Pruitt-led EPA is now attempting to match the transportation agency’s corporate average fuel-economy standards to create new emission limits. This will lead to a rollback of Obama’s regulations.
Not all are in support of this even in the automotive world. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and President and CEO Jim Hacket spoke out on their blog stating that they “support increasing clean car standards through 2025 and are not asking for a rollback.”
Whether more stand against or for this new change is yet to be seen. For now, Trump is making his final moves into new EPA standards.
Always Check for Cleanliness at Used Auto Dealers
A pair of microbiologists from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro was invited to a random side of a used-car road lot, not to be named. The goal was to bring their sterile swabs and join in accessing the cleanliness of the vehicles to see what past owners left behind. By the end, the test was not ideal as some very dirty microscopic organisms did appear.
This does not mean your basic used car dealer is bad, but mostly it is just a current auto news reminder to always double check the dealership and car closely before buying used.
New Take On an Old Scam: Be on The Watch for Quick Scratch Fixers
Recently some shady individuals have taken to asking innocent people in parking lots if they want their car fixed. This is nothing new though. What is new is that a victim reported that the crooks not only offered to repair scratches on their car but after being declined they would somehow find the car and repair it anyway followed by demanding reimbursement for their intrusive and shoddy work. It is recommended that you do not pay a cent if this happens to you. Whether you feel threatened or not after refusing to pay, you must get to a safe or public area as soon as possible and report it to the police immediately.
Well, these are the top eight current auto news stories you needed to hear. Never forget always to keep informed.
