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☆ Elizabeth Warren calls out Elon Musk for ‘unavoidable’ conflicts of interest caused by Twitter takeover
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Senator Elizabeth Warren is raising concerns about conflicts of interest and potential legal violations for Tesla following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter. In a (TSLA)%20Board%20on%20Musk%20Concerns.pdf” target=”_blank”>letter to Tesla (TSLA) Chair Robyn Denholm, the Massachusetts Democrat argued Tesla (TSLA) shareholders may be hurt by its CEO’s ownership of Tesla (TSLA) and questioned whether the electric car maker’s board is doing enough to address the issues it poses. Musk’s acquisition created unavoidable conflicts of interest,” Warren wrote in the letter dated Sunday. “As the owner of Twitter, Mr. Musk may decide to run the company to maximize badly-needed revenue, even if that includes great deals for Tesla’s competitors and potential injury to Tesla,” Warren wrote. Noting Tesla’s board has legal obligations it must fulfill, Warren asked the board to respond to a series of questions about its handling of the situation by January 3.

☆ U.S. senator Warren questions Musk purchase of Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) takes part in an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) phone bank in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. December 2, 2022. Warren said Musk had not explained how he will manage conflicts between his role as Twitter CEO and his position at Tesla. "Twitter relies on advertising revenue from automobile companies that are in direct competition with Tesla, including Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Jeep, and Volkswagen,” wrote Warren. “As the owner of Twitter, Mr. Musk may decide to run the company to maximize badly-needed revenue, even if that includes great deals for Tesla’s competitors and potential injury to Tesla." Separately, Twitter users voted in a poll for Elon Musk to step down as CEO.

☆ Alabama woman sues FedEx, blames faulty tires after her husband was killed in crash with a delivery truck that had a blowout
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kelsie Platt is suing FedEx, Goodyear, and more for the death of her husband Hamilton. Platt alleges faulty tires were the cause of the fatal accident. Hamilton Platt, 32, died after he slammed into a FedEx truck that had blown a tire on Interstate 10 Sept. 21. According to local news, Kelsie Platt's lawsuit alleges FedEx's faulty retread tires caused the fatal accident. Although neither FedEx nor Goodyear immediately responded to Insider's request for comment on the suit, FedEx provided a statement to local news outlets.

☆ U.S. safety regulators investigating GM's Cruise robotaxis blocking traffic, causing collisions
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. automotive safety officials have opened a formal probe into the autonomous driving system used by General Motors' self-driving vehicle unit Cruise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has received complaints about the self-driving vehicles – retrofitted Chevrolet Bolt EVs – engaging in "inappropriately hard braking" or becoming "immobilized while operating," according to a filing. Officials said although the two types of incidents appear to be separate from one another, they each result in the Cruise vehicles becoming unexpected roadway obstacles. "This may introduce multiple potential hazards such as a collision with a Cruise vehicle, risk to a stranded passenger exiting an immobilized Cruise vehicle, or obstruction of other traffic including emergency vehicles," NHTSA said in the filing. Each of the crash incidents had already been reported, as mandated by regulations involving self-driving vehicles.

☆ U.S. opens safety probe into autonomous driving system in GM's Cruise vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. auto safety regulators said Friday they have opened a formal safety probe into the autonomous driving system in vehicles produced by General Motors' (GM.N) robotaxi unit Cruise LLC. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it has received notices of incidents in which self-driving Cruise vehicles "may engage in inappropriately hard braking or become immobilized." The agency said while both issues "appear to be distinct, they each result in the Cruise vehicles becoming unexpected roadway obstacles." The safety agency's preliminary evaluation covers 242 Cruise autonomous vehicles and is the first step before it could seek a recall. The investigation follows reports of three crashes in which Cruise vehicles were struck from behind by other cars after the autonomous vehicles braked quickly.

☆ Buying a car is finally easier — but watch out for high interest rates and lingering inventory issues
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Easing supply chain crises mean more vehicles on lots, used vehicle prices are down, and demand is normalizing. "There's really not a lot of ways to escape them unless you are willing to change the car that you're buying," Drury said. As far as luxury cars go, there aren't many deals to be found, he added. Used cars are displayed on the sales lot at Marin Acura in July 2021. Car-buyers might find a used vehicle could suit their needs while they hold out for lower prices surrounding new vehicles.

☆ GM recalls 825,000 trucks, SUVs over headlight issue
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The recall covers 740,000 U.S. vehicles and 85,000 in Canada. GM said the body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air update to address the issue. The recall is an expansion of a recall GM announced in November for the sale issue. The recall was prompted after a GM engineer submitted a report about the issue in October prompting a company investigation. Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Marguerita Choy and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Electric Ford F-150 Lightning named MotorTrend's truck of the year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

DETROIT — The electric Ford F-150 Lightning was named MotorTrend's 2023 truck of the year Tuesday, topping traditional pickups with internal combustion engines from General Motors , Stellantis and Toyota Motor . The F-150 Lightning is a pivotal product for both Ford Motor and the U.S. automotive industry. It's the first mass-market electric pickup truck for mainstream buyers and widely viewed as a test of widespread EV adoption. "While some vehicles change the world by being radically different, others, like the Ford F-150 Lightning, change it by being different where it counts and familiar where it helps," MotorTrend said in a press release. Other finalists for MotorTrend's truck of the year were the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, 2023 Ram 2500 and 2022 Toyota Tundra.

☆ Ford F-150 Lightning named MotorTrend Truck of the Year, the second electric pickup in a row
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Ford F-150 Lightning was named MotorTrend’s 2023 Truck of the Year on Tuesday, making it the second electric pickup in a row to win that award. MotorTrend’s panel of judges lauded the F-150 Lightning as “the best-riding, best-handling, and best-driving F-150 yet.” Unlike other versions of the F-150, the Lightning has independent rear suspension instead of a solid axle connecting the back wheels. It’s also another sign that electric power is making its mark among America’s most popular type of vehicle. The Ford F-150 Lightning has a large storage area under the hood instead of a gas engine. The F-150 Lightning was a unanimous winner among the MotorTrend’s seven jurists.

☆ Forget the F-150 Lightning and Hummer EV. Ford and GM's real battle is for electric delivery vans.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But perhaps their real battle will happen with electric delivery vans. "But the electrification of the commercial vehicle market," he said, "I think is underappreciated." Now, government support through incentives has bolstered EV momentum, and as a result, companies looking for electric fleets will only ask for more. How electric delivery van-makers plan to nail this downFord and GM's inherent advantages over rivals include name recognition, robust supply bases, and ample resources. "We've seen over the decades how strong brand loyalty is in the commercial vehicle segment," said AutoPacific analyst Robby DeGraff.

☆ Tesla's struggles in China and Europe may be a preview of the pain coming for Elon in the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Reaching those numbers required cuts of up to 9% of the Model 3 and Model Y sale prices. Strong competition in China and EuropeMusk's auto company faces similar battles in Europe, the second-biggest EV market, behind China. Globally, Tesla's Model Y led the market last quarter, making up 7.5% of EV sales, Counterpoint reported. Competition is chipping away at Tesla's market share in the US, too. S&P Global Mobility predicts Tesla's market share will drop to 20% by 2025.

☆ GM's building its own kind of Tesla Supercharger network — and it's using car dealers as its secret weapon
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The automaker is partnering with startup FLO to install the Level 2 chargers. Since then, GM said, nearly 1,000 dealers have enrolled in the program, which started among Chevrolet dealers earlier this year. Dealers are helping GM and FLO identify areas in their community where the ability to plug in would be most beneficial. The dealer-led charging network is just the latest effort in GM's push to make EV buying and driving more seamless. Also in partnership with its dealer network, GM this year opened its EV Live call center, where potential and current EV drivers can ask experts questions about the nuances of these technology-packed vehicles.

☆ GM to roll put thousands of electric vehicle chargers in rural America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN Business —General Motors is moving ahead with plans to install as many as 40,000 electric vehicle chargers in, mostly, rural parts of America. The chargers will have industry-standard J1772 charging plugs that can be used by most electric vehicles, not just GM (GM) models. Many GM dealership owners — these are independently owned businesses — own more than one dealership. Today, most electric vehicles in America are sold in coastal areas like New York and California. GM declined to say how much it’s spending on this particular program, but it’s part of an overall $750 million the automaker plans to spend on electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

☆ Batteries got more expensive in 2022 after years of dropping prices — and it could delay access to cheaper electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The world may need to wait longer than expected for affordable electric cars. BloombergNEF graph of battery prices over time. BloombergNEFAs electric cars have graduated from niche to mainstream, battery costs have plummeted. And those steadily declining prices held the promise that someday EVs would cost roughly the same as combustion-engine cars and trucks. BloombergNEF expects battery prices to rise slightly in 2023 before continuing their downward trend in 2024 as lithium mining and processing ramps up.

☆ Police arrest Connecticut man accused of murdering 11-month-old daughter
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Police on Friday arrested a Connecticut man accused of brutally murdering his 11-month old daughter, culminating a two week-long manhunt involving the FBI in a case that one police official called "horrific and gruesome." Authorities also credited community members with helping to facilitate Francisquini's arrest. An 'extensive criminal history'Before his arrest, Francisquini was believed to have last been seen on Nov. 18, when police say security video captured him walking down Quinnipiac Avenue in New Haven. He also said earlier in the investigation that police arrived at the grisly scene of the alleged murder after someone in the house called 911 to report that Camilla was dead. Saturday — the day after Francisquini's arrest — would have been Camilla's first birthday, according to a tweet posted by the Naugatuck Police Department.

☆ Ex-convict found with friend's severed head in car after Las Vegas police chase sentenced to at least 18 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

An ex-convict who led police on a chase around Las Vegas before officers found the severed head and dismembered body of his friend in a stolen vehicle he was driving was sentenced Thursday to at least 18 years in prison. Eric Holland, following his arrest on Dec. 23, 2021, in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Police Department / AP“I don’t know how to make sense of it,” sobbed Amanda Dawn Potter, who traveled from Portland, Oregon, for Holland’s sentencing. Holland was friends with Miller, 65, who lived on a houseboat at Lake Mead, the Colorado River reservoir about a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas. Las Vegas police said Thursday they had no missing person investigation related to Zhu.

☆ 5 things automakers and car shoppers are getting wrong about electric vehicles, according to GM's president
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

GM is looking to position itself as a leader in electric vehicles, putting billions of dollars toward electrifying its fleet and promising a future without fossil-fuel emissions. Companies need hybrids to bridge the gap to full EVsSome automakers have been making the transition to electric lineups with a pit stop: hybrids. Toyota, for example, has invested in hybrids in addition to electric products and has faced skepticism from the industry as a result. "We're not going to dilute our investment with hybrids," Reuss said, adding that the automaker expects its EV business to be profitable by 2025. The charging experience and the driving experience are one and the sameReuss said it can be frustrating to see drivers rate vehicles based on the charging experience alone.

☆ The electric Hummer isn't as great for the environment as you might think — and it proves not all EVs are created equal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

If you think driving a pint-sized Nissan Leaf is as good for the planet as driving a huge electric Hummer, think again. The GMC Hummer EV uses significantly more electricity than other EVs, meaning it produces more pollution upstream. Moreover, the GMC Hummer EV is in many ways a supersized gas guzzler for a new era. EVs can be energy guzzlers tooOn the whole, electric cars use less energy than gas-powered ones. The 4.5-ton elephant in the roomThe Hummer EV is a full 4,000 pounds heavier than a well-optioned, gas-powered Ford F-150.

☆ GM's trying to fix the worst part of buying an electric car by turning an old Target into a new kind of call center
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"EV Live" is a way to supplement dealers, not replace them, GM says. To win them over, GM is helping new EV owners and potential buyers understand the quirks and nuances of the tech-heavy vehicles — by directing them to a call center. GM's specialists don't just help GM buyers. In fact, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, EV Live saw a surge in calls from non-GM owners, Hassani told Insider. That's why EV Live has added training for dealers since it opened.

☆ Twitter continues to see a 'significant decline' in advertising losses: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Isabella Zavarise | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A report from Platformer revealed that Twitter advertising revenues continue to fall. This comes as the company struggles to retain advertisers following Elon Musk's takeover. "We are seeing a significant decline in bookings," a revenue analyst posted on Slack, as per Platformer. Platformer reported that a revenue analyst for Twitter based in Europe posted a message to Slack on Monday that read: "We are seeing a significant decline in bookings." The news comes one day after Musk called out Apple and its CEO Tim Cook, accusing the company of censorship and claiming it "mostly stopped" advertising on Twitter.

☆ Twitter employees are calling Elon Musk's plans to reinstate banned accounts 'the Big Bang'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter staff are skeptical about Elon Musk's plans to reinstate banned accounts, Platformer reported. Twitter is working to reinstate 75 with more than 1 million followers, Platformer reported. But staff at Twitter say the plans could cause them a big headache. Twitter staff are working to reinstate tens of thousands of suspended accounts, Platformer reported. This includes around 62,000 accounts with more than 10,000 followers, one of which has more than 5 million followers and 75 of which have more than 1 million followers, the outlet reported.

A Tesla Model 3 vehicle is on display at the Tesla auto store on September 22, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. The data firm found that Tesla's market share of new registered electric vehicles in the U.S. stood at 65% through the third quarter, down from 71% last year and 79% in 2020. S&P forecasts Tesla's EV market share will decline to less than 20% by 2025, with the number of EV models expected to grow from 48 today to 159 by then. A drop in Tesla's U.S. market share was expected, but the rate of the decline could be concerning for investors in Elon Musk's autos and energy company. "Given that consumer choice and consumer interest in EVs are growing, Tesla's ability to retain a dominant market share will be challenged going forward."

☆ Police, FBI searching for Connecticut man accused of brutally murdering 11-month-old daughter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Authorities are searching for a Connecticut man who they allege brutally murdered his 11-month-old daughter earlier this month in a case one police official called "horrific and gruesome." The FBI is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to Francisquini’s arrest and prosecution. Information released by Naugatuck Police describes Francisquini as about 6 feet tall and weighing about 230 pounds. Authorities ask anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact Naugatuck Police at 203-729-5221 or the confidential tip line at 203-720-1010. Court records show that Francisquini was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years on special parole on a first-degree felony assault charge in 2013.

☆ Your next Domino's delivery may arrive in a GM Chevy Bolt as pizza chain pushes EVs nationally
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Domino's will roll out 800 custom-branded 2023 Chevy Bolt electric vehicles at locations across the U.S. in the coming months. "Domino's was founded in 1960 as a delivery company, and we go to bed every night and wake up every morning saying 'how can we get better?'" "This is a way we can get better; better service for our customers and better for the environment." The adoption of this fleet of EVs is not the first time Domino's has looked to optimize how pizza is delivered. Other start-ups, such as Refraction AI, have been testing autonomous vehicles suited for pizza delivery.

☆ 50 of Twitter's top 100 advertisers have pulled out of the platform since Elon Musk took over, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Half of Twitter's top 100 advertisers have stopped promoting on the platform, per Media Matters. Since 2020, those 50 companies have spent $2 billion on Twitter advertising. Coca-Cola, Kellogg's, and Meta are among those who have pulled their advertising budgets away from Twitter, according to Media Matters. The list of all 50 is available in Media Matters' report. Insider has reached out to all 50 companies for comment.

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