All In Gear
Tesla battery swapping: useful service or tax credit ploy?Tesla battery-swapping stations were supposed to open across the country, but progress has been slow.聽And the swapping process isn't fully automated, unlike the one supposedly presented by Musk 21 months ago.
Honda Accord Hybrid finally becomes more availableThe Honda Accord Hybrid has been a rare beast on dealership lots since its 2013 launch, despite favorable reviews and a handful of awards. Now, it looks 聽like the supply has finally caught up to the demand for the Honda Accord Hybrid.
Top Gear鈥檚 Jeremy Clarkson suspended by BBC, no show this weekThe bravado and buffoonery that have become Jeremy Clarkson鈥檚 trademark style聽have landed him in hot water with the BBC once again鈥攁nd this time, he鈥檚 been suspended.聽
Audi R8 dazzles at the Geneva Auto ShowThe new and final variant of the Audi R8 racer is lighter and safer than ever before, with clearly improved aerodynamics. The new Audi R8 made its debut thus week at the Geneva Auto Show.聽
John Oliver saved net neutrality. Can he save our roads, too?When John Oliver turns his gimlet eye on your particular business or industry, you'd better pay attention. And last Sunday, he focused that gaze on America's crumbling infrastructure.
Hyundai recalls 205K Elantra sedans for possible power steering failureHyundai has issued a recall for nearly 205,000 Elantra and Elantra Touring models registered in the US that may lose power steering while in motion, increasing the risk of an accident. Owners affected by the Hyundai recall can take their cars into a dealer for repairs at no cost.聽
NHTSA ramps up Takata airbag investigation. Forced recall ahead?The NHTSA has announced plans to ramp up its investigation of Takata, the airbag company linked to several deaths in recent years. This week, the agency聽announced several changes that boost the likelihood of broader recalls of Takata airbags.
Lexus voted 'most dependable' by J.D. Power for fourth straight yearLexus has been voted the most dependable brand for the fourth year in a row in J.D. Power鈥檚 Vehicle聽Dependability Study. In addition to Lexus and other Toyota brands, GM also performed well in the J.D. Power study.聽
Consumer Reports: Tesla Model S 'Best Overall' again in 2015For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports聽has named the Tesla Model S its 聽'Best Overall' vehicle聽to buy for 2015. Consumer Reports praised the Tesla Model S for its 'innovation, magnificence, and sheer technological arrogance.'
Fisker Automotive reborn as Elux; Karma launch delayed, report saysFailed electric car startup Fisker was bought out by a Chinese company last year. Now, reports say, the company's long-awaited electric vehicle will be sold under a new brand called Elux.聽
2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen gets a price tagThe 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportsWagen will start at $21,395, with the price increasing with added features. A top-tier 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportsWagen will run closer to $30,00.
With low gas prices, do car buyers still care about fuel economy? Yes. A lot.The recent drop in gas prices has led many analysts to believe that sales of fuel-efficient gasoline models, hybrids, and even plug-in聽electric cars聽will take a nosedive. But car buyers expect gas prices to increase eventually, so they still prioritize fuel efficiency, according to a new survey.聽
Takata fined $14k for every day it refuses to cooperate with airbag probeTakata will be fined $14,000 per day by the NHTSA for failing to take part in the agency's investigation into its faulty airbags, which pose a massive safety hazard to drivers. Takata airbags聽have been linked to at least six deaths in the U.S. and Japan after exploding upon deployment.
Gas guzzlers are on the road to extinctionAs recently as 2008, half of the cars bought in America were considered 'gas-guzzlers,' with fuel economy of less than 20 mpg. Today, gas-guzzlers account for about a quarter of new car sales.聽
Apple lawsuit all but confirms self-driving car rumorsMost of us realized that Apple is preparing to build autonomous electric cars earlier this week. But now Apple has been sued for poaching engineers for a new battery division, a key factor in driving down costs for electric car production.聽
How much will Tesla Model S battery life decrease over time?Tesla Model S lithium-ion batteries gradually lose capacity over the years. The critical question for owners of Model S cars, with their high battery replacement costs, is how much.聽
Strange bedfellows: Consumer groups, Koch brothers unite for Tesla storesThe famously conservative Koch brothers have teamed up with groups like the Sierra Club and Environmental America to urge lawmakers to support Tesla's direct sales business model, which has fought auto dealers in several states.聽
Tesla Roadster 3.0 update: San Jose to LA without rechargingThe Tesla Roadster has received its long-awaited update. A prototype of the Roadster 3.0 boosts the range of Tesla's very first product between 40 and 50 percent.聽
Tesla to offer batteries for home energy storageTesla has plans to sell or lease lithium-ion battery packs for home energy storage, CEO Elon Musk said in the automaker's recent earnings call.聽Tesla already provides battery packs to Solar City, which leases solar panels and batteries to households to allow them to generate and store their own electricity.
Driverless cars could cut auto sales in halfToday's sky-high auto sales could plummet as driverless cars start hitting the streets, research suggests. The reason? Driverless cars would let people share a vehicle for separate trips.聽
