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☆ TikTok's potential buyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Hallam Bullock | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts estimate the price tag for TikTok's US assets could fall anywhere between $40 billion and $100 billion. ": Married couple who both worked for Silicon Valley grieved after its collapse. Peter Thiel said he had $50 million in a personal account at Silicon Valley Bank when it collapsed. Silicon Valley Bank employees react to the bank's collapse Getty ImagesFrom our tech analysis team:9. Silicon Valley Bank's meltdown shows that tech's elites need the government after all.

☆ Current and former Rokt employees told Insider about blackface, booze, and blurred lines
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

They told my colleague Jordan Pandy that Charlotte seemed affordable and diverse on paper. The photo was shown at a company-wide meeting to highlight how "fun" working at $2 billion ad-tech startup Rokt was, an Insider investigation reveals. He said blackface isn't a big deal in Australia, where the company was founded and where the photo was taken. But more than 30 current and former employees told my colleagues Jack Newsham and Madeline Stone that they had a different experience. Come behind the scenes of Rokt with us, where Insider reports that booze and blurred lines flow rampantly.

☆ Artificial intelligence will replace work jerks. People skills will become more important.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

She turned into a hologram to see what the future of work might look like. When dealing with a difficult manager, it's important to identify what they hold true or what speaks to their values. That coworker who's brilliant — but a horrible person — better watch out. Employees will find out within the next 30 days whether they need to return to the office, per a leaked email. A leaked email shows Amazon has been working behind the scenes on AI.

☆ Kia and Hyundai Thefts Are Soaring — and It's TikTok's Fault
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Britta Lokting | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Lebeau-Chorn and Jenkins are just two victims of an unprecedented surge in car thefts that has swept across US cities in the past two years. The situation has become so critical that two major auto-insurance companies, State Farm and Progressive, have stopped insuring vulnerable Kia and Hyundai models. Safety shortcutsThe TikTok video that sparked the challenge — a how-to reportedly created by user @robbierayyy — exposed a security flaw in Kia models from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai models from 2015 to 2021. All Kia vehicles are subject to and comply fully with rigorous testing rules and regulations outlined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards." In Illinois last month, three 13-year-olds were arrested after being seen in a stolen Kia that hit and killed a 71-year-old man.

☆ Kia revealed a 3-row electric SUV with swiveling seats and a futuristic design — see the EV9
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Like Kia's smaller (and impressive) EV6 SUV, it features flush door handles that pop out when needed. The 2024 Kia EV9. KiaRead more: The 9 best cars for families

☆ 9 questions you should always ask when buying a car
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Many of the car brands with more inventory on lots than others might also have higher loan payments. "The role of a dealer isn't just to sell them a car, it's to help them find the lowest interest rate possible, and that's both new car dealers and used car dealers. "Even based on the specific car, one bank may provide a lower interest rate on a specific sort of make and model." The used car market might be even more complicated for car shoppers than the new market right now. As a result, far fewer car shoppers have opted to lease a car in recent years.

☆ The 9 best cars for families
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

US News & World Report released its ranking of the best cars for families in 2023. US News & World Report on Tuesday issued its annual ranking of the best new cars for families. Best 2-Row SUV: Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe. HyundaiBest Hybrid Car: Toyota Camry HybridThe Toyota Camry Hybrid. Tim Levin/InsiderBest Hybrid SUV: Toyota Highlander HybridThe 2023 Toyota Highlander.

☆ I've tested 19 electric cars. There are 4 huge reasons you should consider buying one.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I've driven electric cars from Tesla, Audi, Porsche, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Rivian, and more. EVs are quick, fun, and quietThe 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line. Tim Levin/InsiderAlmost all EVs, from budget Chevys to sporty Audis, have more pep in their step than comparable gas cars. The 2022 Kia EV6. Tim Levin/InsiderSince electric cars lack bulky components like an engine and transmission, automakers enjoy lots of flexibility to add extra interior room for people and stuff.

☆ Factbox: As Tesla prepares a Mexico plant, a look at auto plants in Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A general view shows the General Motors assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, in Coahuila state, Mexico February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Daniel BecerrilFeb 28 (Reuters) - Mexico has long been a manufacturing hub in North America for multiple automakers, and the country is trying to position itself for the wave of electric vehicles (EVs) to come. The auto sector is a driver of Mexico's major manufacturing industry, which is heavily integrated into U.S. and Canadian supply chains. Mexican officials on Tuesday said Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is the latest automaker with plans to build a plant in Mexico. Here are major automakers with plants in Mexico -General Motors Co (GM.N)Silao Plant in the central city in Guanajuato state, produces Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickup trucksRamos Arizpe Plant in the northern city in Coahuila state, builds the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer SUVs now and will build the 2024 Blazer EV and Equinox EVSan Luis Potosi Plant in the state capital of the central state of San Luis Potosi, produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC TerrainFord Motor Co (F.N)Cuautitlan Assembly plant in the central city of Cuautitlan Izcalli, produces Ford Mustang Mach-EHermosillo Assembly Plant in the state capital of the northern state of Sonora, produces Ford Bronco Sport and Ford MaverickToyota Motor Corp (7203.T)Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California in the northern border city of Tijuana, Baja California, produces the Toyota Tacoma pickupToyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato, produces the Toyota TacomaStellantis (STLAM.MI)Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in the state capital of Coahuila, produces Ram light and heavy-duty pickupsSaltillo Van Assembly Plant, makes the Ram ProMaster vanToluca Assembly Plant, produces the Jeep CompassNissan Motor Co (7201.T)Nissan Mexicana (Cuernavaca) in the central city of Jiutepec, produces NP300 pickup truckNissan Mexicana (Aguascalientes 1 Plant) in the central city of Aguascalientes, produces March, Versa, KicksNissan Mexicana (Aguascalientes 2 Plant), produces SentraNissan also has a joint venture plant with Mercedes (MBGn.DE) in Aguascalientes, making the Infinti QX 50 and 55 SUVs, and Mercedes GLB SUVHonda Motor Co (7267.T)Honda de Mexico (HDM) in Celaya, Guanajuato, produces HR-VVolkswagen (VOWG_p.DE)Volkswagen de México in Sanctorum, Puebla, produces Jetta, Tiguan, TaosVW's Audi unit in San José Chiapa, Puebla, produces Audi Q5 premium SUV and plans to start manufacturing EVs by 2027Mazda Motor Corp (7261.T)Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO) in Salamanca, Guanajuato, produces Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30Kia AmericaHyundai Motor Co's (005380.KS) Kia has a plant in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, produces Kia Forte, RioBMW AGBMW Plant in San Luis Potosi, produces BMW 3 Series, 2 Series and will produce fully electric "Neue Klasse" modelsSOURCES: Carmakers and Auto Forecast SolutionsCompiled by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Meet the typical electric-vehicle buyer: A wealthy millennial trading in a luxury gas-powered car
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Non-luxury EVs are attracting former luxury buyers. As more electric vehicles have hit the market, the buyer base for them is continuing to skew younger. Since 2019, Gen X has overtaken the Boomer generation as the second-largest pool of EV buyers in the U.S., J.D. Only 28.5% of EV buyers in 2022 were women, compared to 29.1% in 2019. For the Kia brand more broadly, only about 6% of buyers are trading in luxury vehicles.

☆ Chinese companies have rushed to fill the gap in Russia left by brands exiting from the Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Chinese manufacturers were already popular in Russia before the war, accounting for approximately 40% of the smartphone market in December 2021. Tough times for consumersAlthough Chinese brands are reaping the rewards of the Western embargo, the Russian market is shrinking as its economy slumps. If the war in Ukraine ends, Apple and Samsung will likely rebuild operations in the country — and quickly recapture smartphone sales, Stryjak said. Even then, with the return of international brands, Chinese players could retain their foothold, particularly given how long it could take to rebuild supply chains. “Stating this a bit harshly, but the Russian brands and the Chinese brands are kind of stand-ins for the real players,” said Le at Sino Auto Insights.

☆ Reuters wins George Polk Award for uncovering child labor in Hyundai supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Cheney OrrNew York, Feb 20 (Reuters) - A team of Reuters reporters on Monday won a George Polk Award for reports that revealed the widespread use of child labor among suppliers to Hyundai Motor Co in the U.S. state of Alabama. The Polk jury, awarding the prize in its "state reporting" category, said Reuters "sparked increased scrutiny from federal and state agencies and led Hyundai to demand more accountability from its suppliers." Also in February, Hyundai itself said it was in discussions with the Labor Department to resolve concerns about the child labor. After discovering that staffing agencies hired child workers for employment in Alabama poultry plants, they learned that migrant minors were also building parts for Hyundai and Kia (000270.KS). Both companies have said they don't tolerate child labor and are taking measures to ensure underage workers don't find their way back into their supply chains.

☆ Driving electric SUVs from Tesla, Kia, and Hyundai showed me why the Korean brands are gaining on Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are some of the trendiest new electric vehicles challenging Tesla. The trendy Korean SUVs are stylish, fun, and technologically advanced — and are making trouble for Tesla's Model Y. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. The 2022 Kia EV6. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderPlus, they drive greatThe Model Y accelerates like nobody's business and takes turns like a sports car.

☆ These are the 10 best cars for every budget from Toyota, Ford, and Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The best cars you can buy include the Toyota Corolla, Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Tesla Model 3. Under $25,000:Toyota Corolla HybridThe 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Toyota Corolla CrossThe 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross. $35,000-$45,000:Hyundai Santa Fe HybridThe Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Doug Berger/NWAPAThe Kia Telluride has earned its place among Consumer Reports' Top Picks since its debut in 2020.

☆ These are the best car brands of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Consumer Reports released a list of top car brands Thursday. Consumer Reports released its list of the top car brands for 2023 on Thursday. Taking the bottom five spots are Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Jeep, and Land Rover, with Land Rover at the very bottom. Consumer Reports ranked brands first by determining a road-test score using braking, handling, comfort, convenience, and fuel economy evaluations. The other domestic brands fell in the bottom-third of the rankings.

☆ Kia's new electric SUV is the stylish, super-quick competitor of Elon Musk's nightmares — but it has one big downside
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The 2023 EV6 GT Kia lent me came out to roughly $63,000, including a destination fee. The 2023 Kia EV6 GT. The 2023 Kia EV6 GT. The 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Our impressionsThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT is a unique, adrenaline-inducing ball of energy that makes you feel outrageously cool while behind the wheel.

☆ Meet a 24-year old living with her parents who splurges on weekend trips, a Chanel handbag, and a Balmain jacket with all the money she'd spend on rent
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Anastasia Ricci, 24, decided to stay with her parents during the pandemic and never left. With all the money she's saving on rent she's able to buy designer clothes and expensive trips. Anastasia Ricci in a $1,700 Balmain jacket. Anastasia Ricci bowling in Miami. Anastasia Ricci during a $1,200 weekend trip to Miami.

☆ Amazon's pledge to become 'Earth's Best Employer' is failing.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I get a lot of satisfaction out of what I do, but I'd love to work for the world's best employer. What would the best employer in the world look like? While we ponder these imponderables, I can tell you that it's probably not Amazon — despite its flashy 2021 pledge to become "Earth's Best Employer." Amazon is fumbling its "Earth's Best Employer" pledge. CEO Andy Jassy even once admitted that the definition of Earth's Best Employer is "subjective."

☆ Salesforce is applying pressure to workers to drive down headcount
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Before we drive off into the night, let's jump into today's tech. Salesforce performance pressure is on. Employees told Insider that the cloud company is about to drop new performance metrics for engineers. Plus, multiple investors are believed to be pressuring Salesforce to cut additional costs to become more profitable. Email dsiu@insider.com or tweet @diamondnagasiu) Edited by Dave Smith (tweet @redletterdave) in Toronto and Nathan Rennolds (tweet @ncrennolds) in London.

☆ Kia and Hyundai are rolling out software upgrades for models targeted by a viral challenge that taught people how to steal them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Kia and Hyundai are rolling out a free anti-theft software upgrade for models targeted by thieves. Eligible car owners are being notified by Kia and Hyundai about how to get the free upgrades. Car owners can deactivate the "ignition kill" feature by unlocking their car with the key fob. Car thefts in Denver have risen by 160% since 2018, and most of the thefts are Kia and Hyundai cars, Denver7 reported. Theft rates for some Kia and Hyundai models are so high that State Farm and Progressive temporarily stopped writing insurance policies for some of the models in some cities last month.

☆ Hyundai, Kia Make Fix To Thwart Thefts Fueled by Social-Media Challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Joseph De Avila | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hyundai and Kia have faced lawsuits seeking class-action status by car owners in several states. Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. have created new theft-deterrent software for millions of their vehicles in response to a surge of thefts fueled by social-media challenges. The software update requires the key to be in the ignition to turn the vehicle on, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. It also extends the duration of the car alarm from 30 seconds to one minute.

☆ Hyundai, Kia offer software upgrade to 8.3 mln U.S. vehicles to prevent thefts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The free upgrade will be offered for 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles in the United States, the automakers and NHTSA said. USA Today reported last month that two major insurance companies had stopped offering new policies for Hyundai and Kia vehicles at high risk of theft. Many 2015-19 model year Hyundai and affiliate Kia vehicles have no electronic immobilizers, which prevent break-ins and bypassing the ignition. The initial Hyundai upgrade will cover more than 1 million 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue model year vehicles. All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment.

☆ Hyundai and Kia roll out free software patch to keep some cars from getting stolen
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The vehicles in question, 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models with turn-key ignitions — as opposed to push-button start — are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age. The two South Korean automakers have come up with a software patch to fix the problem, the automakers and NHTSA said Tuesday. Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the United States, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a large stake in Kia, and various Hyundai and Kia models share much of their engineering. The patch will be installed free of charge on vulnerable models, with software that requires an actual key in the ignition to turn the vehicle on. Hyundai will begin providing the software immediately for the most popular — and most frequently stolen — vulnerable models.

☆ Electric cars need less service — but they could cost you more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Electric cars require different service and maintenance than gas-powered ones. They also wonder what it means to service and maintain these vehicles — and how much that will cost them. Tesla even advertises its vehicles as "eliminating the need for service." EV tires are different than those for a gas-powered vehicle. What it means for car dealersAs a result of these shifts, dealers are assessing just how much of an impact that potentially less vehicle service will have on their bottom lines.

☆ A couple took an electric car on a 1,500 mile road trip. They had to stop 12 times and forgo heat due to their range anxiety.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An Axios reporter took a Kia EV6 on a 1,500 mile road trip. She and her husband stopped to charge the car 12 times over the course of the trip from Michigan to Florida. Axios reporter Joann Muller said her husband took the electric car on a 1,500 mile road trip — she joined him part-way through — to see if the US is truly ready for mass EV adoption. While EV range continues to improve, charging infrastructure still poses a major hurdle for electric-vehicle adoption. Earlier this year, the Biden Administration rolled out a $5 billion funding plan to improve EV charging infrastructure.

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