Tesla Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Rearview Camera Glitch

Tesla recently recalled almost every vehicle it has sold to update the Autopilot system with new driver monitoring features and safeguards. We’re now learning of another significant recall, this time involving almost 200,000 cars for issues with the backup camera software that could obstruct visibility.

The recall affects Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with the full self-driving computer system version 4 and a specific version of Tesla’s operating system. All affected models are from 2023. Recall documentation states that the software may cause the camera image to appear blank when the vehicle is in reverse.

The visibility reduction could increase the risk of a crash, but Tesla said owners could continue driving the vehicle using the old-school backup method, which requires the driver to turn their head and use the mirrors to see behind the car. Teslas have several cameras, some of which are integrated with vehicle safety systems and driver assistance features, so joking aside, they’re an essential part of everyday operation.

Tesla has received 81 warranty claims related to the problem but said it’s not aware of crashes, injuries, or deaths. The automaker has already released a software update to fix the camera issue, which began rolling out in late December. Tesla stores and owners will be notified by mail, but the software update is free and does not require a trip to a service center.

[Image: Sylv1Rob1 via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/tesla-recalls-200-000-vehicles-for-rearview-camera-glitch-44504845?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2004 Land Rover Discovery

We send you into the weekend with a weird one today. It's a 2004 Land Rover Discovery with a brand-new engine.

There are just 3,000 miles on the engine, which is a 4.6-liter. The trim is an SE and the transmission is an automatic.

Our seller isn't very verbose, but he or she does mention a snorkel and no rust.

The ask is $25,000 and this Land Rover is for sale in Raleigh. Check it out here.

[Image: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2004-land-rover-discovery-44504836?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Chevrolet Adds Trail Boss to Silverado HD

It’s a great time to be a fan of burly off-road pickup trucks from the Bowtie brand. With multiple flavors of dirt road fun in three different sizes, Chevy has covered just about all bases.

Proving things don’t always happen in order, the Silverado HD is getting a Trail Boss trim for 2025, a model whose off-road chops slide in between the Z71 and ZR2 – though both of those have options been available on the HD trucks for a spell already. Adding this trim to the Heavy Duty line completes a trifecta of sorts, with Trail Boss now showing up on midsize Colorado, half-ton Silverado 1500, and now these brutish HDs.

What makes a Trail Boss? Hove underneath the truck in LT or LTZ guise are a set of suspenders from the Z71, including specially tuned shocks which are not the trick DSSV units. If you want those, get a ZR2. Meaty tires on unique 20-inch wheels are part of the deal, as are swaths of blacked-out trim and badges. Stickers don’t add horsepower or off-road prowess but at least advertise the fact you’re not rocking a bog standard Silverado HD.

The 6.6-liter V8 gasser is standard, a mill which showed up this year with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque; there’s no indication those numbers will change for 2025. Meanwhile, the 6.6L Duramax diesel is the one you really want, belting out 470 horses and 975 lb-ft of twist. Both engines dance with a ten-speed automatic.

Elsewhere, the interior got a much-needed revamp last year, so other changes are minor. Park assists now appear on more trims, as does adaptive cruise control. Note that adaptive cruise is not Super Cruise – nor is it Ultra Cruise, a tech innovation The General has folded into the Super Cruise family and will no longer market separately. There’s a spate of black-out packages for 2025 as well.

These trucks will be available in summer of 2024. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.

[Image: Chevrolet]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/chevrolet-adds-trail-boss-to-silverado-hd-44504818?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Report: Tesla Model Y Was the World's Best-Selling Vehicle in 2023

Tesla was recently overtaken by Chinese automaker BYD as the world’s largest EV builder, but the American company had the world’s best-selling vehicle overall last year. According to a new report from data company JATO Dynamics, the Model Y sold 1.23 million vehicles, making it the global best-seller by a large margin.

The Toyota RAV4 came in second with 1.07 million units, and the Corolla landed third with 1.01 million sold. The Tesla took the top spot in Europe and China, the two biggest EV markets in the world. It outsold popular models like the Dacia Sandero, Peugeot 208, and VW T-Roc. Data from 2023 shows a reversal of roles for Tesla and Toyota, as the Japanese giant previously held the top two spots with the RAV4 and Corolla.

Pricing has been a significant driver of Tesla’s success. The Model Y was 23 percent cheaper than the average EV cost in America and 18 percent lower than EV costs in Germany. JATO pointed out that Tesla’s price cuts and high profile helped it overtake Toyota and others.

While good news for Tesla, the Model Y’s success presents more challenges to automakers hoping to make inroads with American EV buyers. Nobody even came close to Tesla’s EV sales, as Ford, GM, and others were far behind last year.

[Image: Tesla]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/report-tesla-model-y-was-the-world-s-best-selling-vehicle-in-2023-44504824?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

GM Pushed Shift Time Back to Let Workers Watch NFC Championship Game

The Detroit Lions have never played in a Super Bowl, but the team’s appearance in this Sunday’s NFC Championship game may pave the way for its first Big Game. The whole city is understandably excited, and to help its employees enjoy the game, General Motors is delaying a shift at its Flint Assembly Plant.

Some employees at the plant took to social media to celebrate the decision. One shared Ford's internal memo to workers, notifying them of the change. “We recognize the Detroit Lions playing in the NFC Championship game as a rare, unique opportunity that warrants this temporary schedule adjustment to allow employees to enjoy the game and make it to work on time.”

GM’s Flint facility is the only one with a third Sunday shift. The plant builds Chevrolet and GMC heavy-duty trucks, and many of the location’s almost 5,000 employees have been in the game day spirit all week, wearing blue and silver to work.

This is a rare move from the automaker. One employee responded to a post on Reddit to say that they’d never seen a delay or shutdown in 13+ years, even for two feet of snow. Unfortunately for local fans, the NFC Championship game is away in San Francisco, but they’ll at least be able to enjoy the show before heading in to build trucks on the graveyard shift. 

[Image: Bryan Pollard via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/gm-pushed-shift-time-back-to-let-workers-watch-nfc-championship-game-44504815?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Diesel SUV alert. This 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 has the BlueTEC powertrain.

It also has the Premium Package 1 and 2, the Towing Package, and leather interior. The warranty on the BlueTEC has yet to expire.

That said, the compression is low and so, at the moment, the vehicle isn't running.

That's why the ask of $5,000 is so low -- you can sink the rest of your money into getting it running.

If that kind of project interests you, you can click here to see this California-based ride.

[Images: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2012-mercedes-benz-gl350-44504812?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2011 Lotus Evora S

Hey, wanna buy a Lotus?

This 2011 Lotus Evora S with 51,000 miles and a manual transmission might be your speed.

The car appears to be well-maintained and the seller says it's "well-sorted".

Mods include a carbon-fiber louvered rear window, carbon fiber sail panel, a GT4-style wing, modified tail lights, Alcantara steering wheel, rear subwoofers, front tweeters, and Recaro seats. The intake, exhaust, clutch, flywheel, and shifter are all modded.

The brakes are also upgraded -- and there's even more I am not listing here for the sake of brevity.

Some of the downsides include flawed paint and some cosmetic issues on the inside and undercarriage.

Click here to see this Wisconsin-based car -- note the Road America license plate, I approve -- that has an ask of $55,000.

[Images: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2011-lotus-evora-s-44504806?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Robotic Tire Changing Business Goes Bust

A Detroit-based startup hoping to normalize robotic tire changes has filed for bankruptcy, perhaps offering hope to all the humans worried that they're about to be displaced by automation. RoboTire, which launched in 2019, had stated its intention to speed up vehicle maintenance for auto repair shops, fleet operators and dealerships. Now its status is Chapter 7.

Some of the claims made were pretty lofty, however. The business had said that its robotic arm would have the effect of reducing multi-hour repairs into 15-minute tasks. While the device does seem to be adept at changing tires, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where it actually saves that much time. Footage of the arm is impressive, as it optically measures the wheel and can perfectly apply the correct torque values. But it's quite slow and can only tackle one side of the vehicle.

Your author remains confident that he could have removed all four tires in less time with the aid of an impact wrench. RoboTire’s main advantage seems to be its ability to work in tandem with automated wheel mounting and balancing robots. However, that means interested businesses would have to pay far more money to reap the rewards. A human mechanic is still far more versatile and takes up much less space.

With support from Discount Tire, the company had secured a round of Series A funding in 2021 and was reportedly seeking more investors as it sought to expand the business.

"Our focus is to revolutionize the way tires are changed, and collaborating with Discount Tire — an iconic automotive and tire industry leader — will make our innovative technology more widely available to consumers who need both speed and service as part of their daily lives," RoboTire Chief Executive Victor Darolfi previously stated. "We are immensely proud to receive this backing from our investors and know this is just the first turn down a long road to success for our company."

But the road appears to have stopped with the firm filing for Chapter 7. According to Crain's Detroit Business, RoboTire Inc. filed for protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Delaware on Friday carrying $12.7 million in liabilities. CEO Darolfi listed $12.3 million in assets — most of which reportedly pertained to copyrights and trademarks.

From Crain’s:

That intellectual property is subject to a lien by Reinalt-Thomas Corp., doing business as Discount Tire. The Scottsdale, Ariz., tire retail giant, which was founded in Ann Arbor in 1960, has a $1.6 million secured claim against the value of the debtor’s intellectual property. The retailer is also the startup’s largest unsecured creditor, with a separate $3.3 million claim.

A spokesperson for Discount Tire declined to comment on the case. Inquiries were left with RoboTire and Alessandra Glorioso, attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Delaware, who represents RoboTire in the case.

The company, launched in suburban Detroit in 2018, designed technology to automate tire-changing using a robotic arm, claiming it could dramatically reduce the time it takes to complete a job. The startup landed a $7.5 million Series A financing round in 2021.

In addition to Discount Tire, participants in that round included Detroit Venture Partners, the venture capital firm founded by billionaire Dan Gilbert. The firm was just a small equity investor and is not listed as a major creditor in the bankruptcy case.

RoboTire has numerous systems being piloted around the United States. But it had been ramping up operations in Metropolitan Detroit and with its headquarters located in nearby Plymouth, Michigan, shortly before openly confronting financial difficulties.

Last month, American Funding Services filed a lawsuit against RoboTire and Mr. Darolfi over claims that the business owed more than $130,000 after going into default last October. But it looks like it wasn’t the only business RoboTire still needed to pay.

Cain’s reported that there are roughly 70 unsecured creditors involved in the case. Many of those were said to be located in Michigan — including Alro Steel of Jackson, Allied Inc of Ann Arbor., H&P Technologies Inc. of Warren, Herkules Equipment Corp. of Walled Lake and Michigan Glass Coatings of Auburn Hills. The full details of the RoboTire bankruptcy have yet to be provided. However, all assets are assumed to be liquidated in the hopes of settling some corporate debt as this is a Chapter 7 filing.

[Image: RoboTire Inc.]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/robotic-tire-changing-business-goes-bust-44504797?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Big Meats: Jeep Offers 35-Inch Tires on 2-Door Wrangler

If you’ve been putting off picking up a new Wrangler just because Jeep doesn’t offer the Xtreme 35 Tire Package on two-door models of the Rubicon and Willys, you have officially run out of excuses.

Competition is great for consumers, as witnessed by the availability of the Xtreme 35 package on Wranglers as a foil to similarly sized meats available on Ford’s burly Bronco. Off-road gearheads are known to prefer the two-door Wrangler for ‘wheeling excursions, largely thanks to its shorter wheelbase, but it’s only now that the brand is offering the Xtreme 35 on that body style. “Our passionate Jeep Wrangler customers are always asking for more – more capability and more adventure – so it’s a natural follow up to the success we’ve seen on the four-door Wrangler,” said Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, in reference to this package being available for some time now on four-door Wranglers.

The extra height only pads the two-door Wrangler’s already impressive resumé. Shod with these jumbo BFGoodrich KO2 tires, breakover angle (a measure referring to clearance angles underneath the Jeep) jumps to an impressive 32.4 degrees, meaning this thing should be able to scarper over all but the toughest obstacles. So equipped, a two-door Rubicon or Willys will have approach and departure angles of 47.2 and 40.4 degrees, respectively. Overall ground clearance crests and entire foot to settle at 12.6 inches.

Priced at $4,495, the package is available on these rigs equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo engine and includes the obvious 35-inch tires (LT315/70R17 if you prefer that metric), beadlock capable wheels, a 1.5 inch lift from the factory, and a stouter rear swing gate to support the now ginormous spare tire. Anyone popping for the $62,295 Rubicon X will get this gear as standard kit.

Order books for this option on a Rubicon are open now, while the Willys will be available to spec later this quarter. Production starts at the Ohio plant in March.

[Image: Jeep]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/big-meats-jeep-offers-35-inch-tires-on-2-door-wrangler-44504800?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Tesla Finally Appears to Make Moves Toward Building Affordable EV Model

The long-rumored affordable, entry-level Tesla is almost here – maybe. Four years after the automaker first said it would build a cheaper EV, it appears things are in motion. Tesla reportedly alerted suppliers that it would start building a mass-market compact crossover in the middle of 2025, which would become one of the most affordable electric models on sale if it becomes a reality.

The $25,000 vehicle, named “Redwood,” will reportedly have a 10,000-unit weekly production volume and is expected to start rolling through the factory in mid-2025. Chinese company BYD recently overtook Tesla as the top EV company in the world, so this cheaper model could help the American automaker regain its top spot.

Last year, CEO Elon Musk hinted at two new products, aiming for combined sales of five million units annually. One of them is expected to be a robotaxi, which would join the affordable Redwood on a new Tesla architecture.

Tesla has not yet met its goals of delivering affordable EV models, though the Model 3 is one of the least expensive on sale today. The Cybertruck landed at a higher price than initially advertised, and it took several years to release, so the automaker’s track record with new product releases and pricing isn’t the best. 

[Image: Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/tesla-finally-appears-to-make-moves-toward-building-affordable-ev-model-44504794?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Review - Yeah, It Is That Good

God knows I’m a big proponent of the minivan. I’ve owned a few, though my rapidly-emptying nest no longer requires the flexible cargo area behind the seats that roughly resembles a small airport hangar. It’s hard to argue against the versatility of the big square box where stale french fries and the dreams of DINKs go to die.

But minivans have been in a massive decline ever since someone - that mythical someone - decided they were uncool. While I’ve never been accused of being anything remotely associated with cool, I do struggle to see where a slightly smaller box than the big square box of a minivan, caused by the lifted floor to accommodate the offroading that absolutely no first owner of a three-row crossover will ever do, is that much more hip. It is a large device meant for hauling families in comfort – that’s it.

Toyota soldiers on as one of the few remaining automakers still carrying the minivan torch, now as an all-hybrid lineup. But despite the sliding side doors that make a van better for careless tots and their parking lot exuberance, it remains a bit player compared to this 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max. Toyota seems to be swinging for the “ultimate family vehicle” fence here.

There’s a lot to grok on the nameplate, so let’s dive in. Grand Highlander, of course, is the extended-wheelbase (116.1 versus 112.2 inches) version of the incredibly popular Highlander. Hybrid, of course, sticks something resembling a Prius beneath said Grandness. The Max adds another wrinkle - turbocharging. Yep, a turbo atop a hybrid. This gives 362 total system horsepower on a Max, over the 245hp on the typical hybrid. A healthy 400 lb-ft of torque is on tap, giving the Hybrid Max a 5,000 towing capacity, versus 3,500 for the usual hybrid. And for those allergic to the CVT found on most hybrids, the Hybrid Max features a good old-fashioned six-speed automatic gearbox that shifts seamlessly.

It’s a heckuva package, showing 27 mpg in both my testing and on the window sticker. No matter how I drove - though, admittedly, I didn’t manage to fit in either a triple-digit-speed highway cruise nor a towing session in my week with the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max - the fuel efficiency remained rock steady. The standard hybrid, with CVT and sans turbo, can manage around 33 mpg, give or take depending on front- or all-wheel drive configuration.

While my fingers are hovering around the top row of the keyboard, let’s discuss another number - that price. It’s incredibly hard for me, a kid who recalls walking into a Toyota dealership in 1990 before my mother drove away in a base-model Corolla for right around ten grand, imagine spending over sixty thousand dollars at a Toyota dealership unless the entire truckload of vehicles was included. Now, that Corolla had neither a right-side mirror or a clock, where this beast is loaded up with just about everything you could imagine from heated/cooled seats up front, heated seats in the middle row, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Heck, I can’t even imagine what young Chris would have thought of an iPhone, let alone everything packed within a modern family car.

If you choose, you can get into a well-equipped Grand Highlander Hybrid (non-Max) for around $46K with front-wheel drive, or $48K with all four wheels driven. That’s right around the price of the average new vehicle selling price (gulp) so it’s reasonable, considering the market.

No matter the Grand Highlander Hybrid you pick, you’ll get something comfortable and roomy for six or seven that will last essentially forever. It rides well, drives benignly, and is easy to live with. If I’m picking nits, I’d argue that the touchscreen is maybe a bit far away from my reach, especially when trying to hit the “Now Playing” button at the top right of the screen when using Spotify with Apple CarPlay, but the distance makes for comfortable viewing. Everything works intuitively.

As a family vehicle, actually, one seeming downside to the Hybrid Max is the interior material. It appears that every Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is fitted with leather and UltraSuede seating. The leather is fine, but that UltraSuede tends to grab a bit more tenaciously to staining liquids and french fry grease. It might never be a problem - especially if the kids have aged out of baby bottles and juice boxes - but it’s something to consider. The standard hybrid models have either Toyota’s excellent SofTex material for the seats or solid leather.

Yeah, there are times - like the day I had to go bring home a new dishwasher since we couldn’t wait for delivery - when I miss my minivan. But I’ll grant that they aren’t for everyone, and those dishwasher install days are likely few and far between. Rent the pickup from the home store when you need it, and something like this 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max will fit just about every other need nicely.

[Images © 2024 Chris Tonn/TTAC.com]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2024-toyota-grand-highlander-hybrid-max-review-yeah-it-is-that-good-44504746?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Chevy unveils 2025 Equinox

These days, given customer preferences and the current state of our car market in this country, the announcement of a new Equinox is as important to GM’s bottom line as was rolling out a new Impala back in the day.

Playing in the murderously competitive compact crossover segment, the Equinox represented a huge chunk of Chevrolet volume in the 2023 calendar year. Shifting 212,701 units, it was the largest seller – by a wide margin – of any model not named Silverado. Save for that pickup truck, the next best-selling rigs were the Malibu (oddly) and Traverse at roughly 130K and 123K units, respectively.

New sheetmetal headlines the ’25 changes, with LT and RS getting their own front fascia treatments plus an Activ trim shown here in the light green. This ‘nox is 2.3 inches wider than the old one and all but identical in length/wheelbase, showing up for duty in a set of clothes inspired by the brand’s truck line and taking much from the handsome new Traverse. Squared wheel openings and flared fenders do add a measure of visual impact while that C-pillar is clearly a case of Equinox designers looking over the shoulders of those working on the three-row Traverse.

The interior is revamped, as you’d expect, increasing the amount of digital real estate and making the most of that newfound width. Ahead of the driver is an 11.0-inch gauge cluster, abutted by a new 11.3-inch infotainment screen angled slightly toward the driver. The shifter moves to the steering column, though not like Uncle Walt’s old Silverado, heat is standard on the wheel and front seats, there’s hidden storage under the rear cargo floor, and one can open up 63.5 cubes of room with the rear seats folded. There’s just shy of 30 with them up.

Under the hood is a 1.5L turbocharged four banger making 175 horsepower and either 184 or 203 lb-ft of torque depending on the number of driven wheels. Equinoxesessses with all-wheel drive get the larger number along with an eight-speed automatic compared to the front-driver’s continuously variable transmission. When shod with AWD, the Equinox can tow 1,500 pounds which is comparable to other four-cylinder competitors but well south of a RAV4 V6 which can haul 3,500 lbs when equipped with a towing pack. Front-drive is good for just 800 pounds.

Given GM’s laser focus on EVs, don’t expect a V6 in the Equinox gasser any time soon. There was no mention today of a hybrid variant, flying in the face of Honda trotting out a CR-V Hybrid and Toyota doing big business with the twin successes of RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime plug-in. At least the Chevy no longer has a six-speed ‘box, I guess.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox will be available sometime later this year – probably sooner rather than later. Additional details, including pricing, will be available closer to the start of production.

[Images: Chevrolet]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/chevy-unveils-2025-equinox-44504776?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Online Used-Car Retailer Vroom to Shutter Operations

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a seismic shift in how people work, play, and live, and that includes car shopping. Faced with the existential crisis of having no physical customers, dealers began offering remote car-buying services and shipping. Online retailers took off, too, but the party never lasts forever. Vroom, an online used-vehicle retailer, recently announced that it would sunset its e-commerce business, suspending sales on its website.

The company said it would liquidate its current inventory through wholesalers and noted that there would be no new vehicle purchases. Additionally, it’s cutting around 90 percent of its workforce in a bid to cut costs and boost value.

Two Vroom subsidiaries, United Auto Credit Corp and CarStory, will continue operating, and the company noted that the layoffs would not affect people at the two divisions. Vroom CEO Tom Shortt said, “Despite significant efforts to do so, we ultimately were unable to raise the necessary capital in the current market. Obviously, we are very disappointed with this outcome.”

The super-volatile used car market hasn’t been kind to Vroom or any other used-car retailer. Vehicle values have been all over the map, making it exceedingly difficult to purchase and resell cars efficiently and without taking losses. Margins are thin, and now that people can go out and buy cars in person, the virtual model has lost some of its appeal.

[Image: Tada Images via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/online-used-car-retailer-vroom-to-shutter-operations-44504767?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Porsche Teases the Macan EV - With a Design Sketch

We’ve known about the Porsche Macan EV for quite a while now, with spy shots and previews popping up all over the internet. Until recently, however, we’d not had an official look from Porsche, but the automaker pulled back the curtain – sort of – by sharing a design sketch of the upcoming electrified SUV.

Porsche said the Macan is its first electrified model adapted from an existing model, which presents challenges and opportunities with the design process. Porsche’s first EV, the Taycan, was built as a new model, not sharing underpinnings with an existing vehicle.

The automaker has to balance the need to update the Macan for electrification while retaining its Porsche spirit and basic look. To get there, the brand said it centers efforts on three main areas: Focus, Tension, and Purpose. Though articulating what each word means for the brand is difficult, finding their meaning is how Porsche said it approaches designing new and updated vehicles. For example, Porsche’s Focus is the driver, so the interior, driving experience, and design all follow that lead.

As for the new Macan, its debut is imminent. Porsche plans to reveal the new EV in Singapore on Thursday, January 25. We don’t have pricing yet, but the SUV is expected to sport impressive specs, with more than 600 horsepower and 733 pound-feet of torque in some configurations.

[Image: Porsche]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/porsche-teases-the-macan-ev-with-a-design-sketch-44504740?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Waymo Looks to Expand While Cruise is Down and Out

General Motors’ Cruise has had a rough few months, ending with it pulling back on autonomous testing efforts across the country. Now, Alphabet’s Waymo is looking to expand, asking the California Public Utilities Commission for permission to grow its services in Los Angeles.

Waymo already has a large operational footprint in San Francisco and is testing rides in Los Angeles, but they’re only by invitation. It announced on X that it would work with local officials, including first responders and lawmakers, to get the service up and running in the city. It also offers free rides in Phoenix and said that it planned to begin testing autonomous vehicles on highways around the city. Waymo plans to expand to Austin, TX, at some point soon.

Cruise’s troubles caused a slight pause in Waymo’s expansion, as the GM-backed entity ran afoul of public sentiment and safety. But, while Cruise paused operations and shook up its executive staff, Waymo’s temporary slowdown appears to be over as it plans these expansions.

The caution with which Waymo is approaching new markets should serve as a reality check for buyers hoping to get their hands on an autonomous vehicle. Even the most advanced driver assistance systems can’t yet take the place of a human driver, and automakers’ sometimes-confusing marketing language isn’t helping.

[Image: Sundry Photography via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/waymo-looks-to-expand-while-cruise-is-down-and-out-44504737?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Scrapyard Find: 2010 Peugeot Bipper, Royal Mail Edition

Last week, I joined fellow car writer Andrew Ganz on a four-day trip to Northern England, with one of Great Britain's two Ewe Pullet-style self-service junkyards as our primary destination. This was the U-Pull-It in York, and today's Junkyard Scrapyard Find is one of the more interesting products of the Société Européene de Véhicules Légers during the 2000s.

Sevel S.P.A. began life in 1978 as a joint venture between Fiat and the PSA Group and is now part of the mighty Amsterdam-based Stellantis Empire. This van is a third-generation Fiat Fiorino, which PSA Peugeot Citroën sold with Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper badging. Thanks to FCA, it was sold as the Ram V700 in Chile.

U-Pull-It is owned by Dallas-based Copart and runs two self-service yards in the United Kingdom. The York facility is much closer to Heathrow Airport (to which there are cheap nonstop flights from Denver) than the one in Edinburgh, so we rented a Mercedes-Benz A-Class saloon and drove the four hours north to York (stopping at a breaker's yard near Nottingham to grab some Euro-market XJ Cherokee taillights, as one does).

The inventory at U-Pull-It York is well-organized and the employees are friendly (if somewhat difficult to understand). The Peugeot, Renault and Vauxhall sections are the biggest, which made for a fascinating scrapyard day for a couple of American car aficionados. Sure, it was 33°F and very damp out, but English winter weather make you tough.

Out front, they sell late-model runners for cheap. How about a Renault Modus with good title for just £695?

This van's original owner was Her Majesty's government, though the Royal Mail was fully privatised a few years after its purchase.

This engine is a 1.4-liter HDi turbodiesel, developed by a partnership that included, Mazda, Ford and the PSA Group. It was rated at 67 horsepower and 118 pound-feet.

Curb weight is well under 3,000 pounds, but even so it must have been difficult to get a tall van full of mail going fast enough to hit the 70 mph limiter.

Fortunately for its drivers, this van was equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. Imagine the United States Postal Service requiring its carriers to work a manual transmission in 2010! Even most examples of the Jeep DJ Mail Dispatcher were slushbox-equipped when purchased by Uncle Sam.

For such a small van, the cabin seems spacious and comfortable.

There's a sliding door on the left (sidewalk) side and plenty of space in the cargo compartment.

In back, a pair of asymmetric rear doors. A seriously useful delivery van with great fuel economy and French seats. What more could a mailman ask for?

It's extremely unlikely that FCA ever considered bringing the Fiorino cargo van over to the United States, but the Bipper Tepee (aka Fiorino Qubo) passenger version might have found a cult following among outdoorsy American families. Just kidding— most car shoppers over here would have eaten a potato bug rather than be seen anywhere near a Bipper Tepee. By the way, I now own this Bipper emblem, along with dozens of others from my whirlwind English scrapyard trip.

Did rust doom it? We can't know, though U-Pull-It's photos of this van show the gauges with the ignition on and a final mileage of just 127,848 miles.

After a productive day of photographing discarded examples of everything from a Mitsubishi i to one of the very last MGs ever built in Britain (you'll see all of them soon enough, here and at the other publications that employ me), we enjoyed a spicy Indian meal and then headed over to Brew York's Taproom for a selection of their excellent stouts and porters. They'll sell four third-pints for the price of a pint, which I recommend.

It's the new low-emission van designed for the city. Seen in all the tightest spaces and all the best places.

Equally at home on the Great Wall of China or the Moon.

The FDM ads for this van family appear to be the most fun. Comacité. Maniabilité.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

2010 Peugeot Bipper Royal Mail cargo van in English junkyard.

[Images: The Author]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/down-on-the-junkyard/scrapyard-find-2010-peugeot-bipper-royal-mail-edition-44504731?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full