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☆ Why Tesla keeps making the Model S and X even as sales dwindle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Production ramped up slowly, but by 2017, Tesla was selling more than 100,000 a year of the Model S and its SUV sibling, the Model X. Similarly, pricing for the Model X SUV starts at about $98,000 but the smaller Model Y starts at just $47,000. Still, much like the S-class for Mercedes-Benz, the Model S remains Tesla’s flagship model, representing the brand. In fact, within its competitive class, the Tesla Model S and X are good sellers. By this point in their long lives, the Tesla Model S and X have become a stream of fairly steady profits, said Cox.

☆ Riding with the woman in charge of America’s last muscle car
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

I could take a ride in what will soon be America’s last gasoline-powered muscle car with the woman who’s in charge of getting it into production and onto the street. Courtesy FordTransou and others at Ford will tell you there is an electric Mustang, the Mustang Mach-E SUV. As we took off, there was a burst of speed and throaty V8 engine noise as we blasted down Manhattan’s 10th Avenue. First, it’s the only actual car Ford currently sells in the United States. About 40% of V8 Mustang buyers get a manual transmission, she said, going for that truly classic driving experience.

☆ EV tax credits 2023: Which models are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Under the new rule, consumers can get up to $7,500 back in tax credits on eligible cars. Which models are eligible for the new EV tax credit? Nine models, mostly from foreign brands including Hyundai and Nissan, do not qualify for the new tax credit. Under the new rule, consumers can get up to $7,500 in tax credits on eligible cars. Which countries can the materials come from under the new EV tax credit rule?

☆ How little engines are taking over American cars in a big way
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If Americans have experience with three-cylinder engines, it would probably have been in Europe where the engines are fairly common in tiny “city cars” used for basic, around-town transportation. Now, for the 2023 model year, there are ten different models available in the United States with three-cylinder engines, according to Edmunds.com. All of these are at least offered with three-cylinder engines, if not available only with that engine. Vehicles that would have once have been powered by eight-cylinder engines now have turbocharged six-cylinder engines, instead. GM currently offers two different three-cylinder engines and, Hommes said, plans to continue selling them even as GM moves toward selling nothing but electric passenger vehicles by 2035.

☆ Don’t Expect Mass Adoption of Electric Cars Anytime Soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Ted Nordhaus | Ashley Nunes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, shown at a trade event in Los Angeles in 2019, is the third-best selling electric car in the U.S. but costs $15,000 more than its gas-powered equivalent. If you believe the hype about electric vehicles (EVs), the internal combustion engine will soon be a thing of the past. Congress, under the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act, has extended generous subsidies to buyers of EVs. President Biden wants EVs to account for 67% of auto sales by 2032, and California plans to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in 2035. Soon enough, proponents suggest, EVs will be sitting in every American driveway, ending our love affair with the internal combustion engine, breaking our centurylong dependence on oil and allowing the U.S. to deeply cut its carbon emissions.

NEW YORK, April 5 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Wednesday that most of its electric and plug-in electric hybrid models will see tax credits halved to $3,750 on April 18 after new U.S. Treasury rules take effect. The other models currently getting credits - Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford E-Transit, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring - will see credits drop to $3,750. Stellantis said of its three plug-in hybrid electric models, its Chrysler Pacifica plug-in electric hybrid will qualify for $7,500 tax credits after April 18, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe qualify for just $3,750. All U.S. EV consumer tax credits require vehicles to be assembled in North America and have income and retail price caps. Electric vehicles leased by consumers can qualify for up to $7,500 in commercial clean vehicle tax credits without any of the same restrictions.

The other models currently getting credits - Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford E-Transit, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring - will see credits drop to $3,750. Sales of Ford's electric vehicles jumped 41% in the first quarter, data on Tuesday showed. GM currently receives that amount for the Chevrolet Bolt and the forthcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV would have been eligible. All U.S. EV consumer tax credits require vehicles to be assembled in North America and have income and retail price caps. Electric vehicles leased by consumers can qualify for up to $7,500 in commercial clean vehicle tax credits without any of the same restrictions.

☆ I drove the $40,000 Kia Niro EV and found it's a solid electric SUV for people who want something more traditional than a Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I tested the 2023 Kia Niro EV, a $39,550 electric SUV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV is none of those things. The 2023 Kia Niro EV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV.

☆ 4 reasons to buy Kia's super-quick $63,000 electric SUV and 3 ways it falls short
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I drove Kia's high-performance electric SUV: the 2023 EV6 GT. Pro: Impeccable styleThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Con: Stiff rideThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Tim Levin/InsiderThe EV6's saving grace is it offers some of the quickest charging on the electric-car market. Tim Levin/InsiderThe EV6 GT comes loaded with impressive features that make driving it feel safe and convenient.

☆ GM to stop making Chevy Camaro, leaving muscle car’s future uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Stellantis had earlier announced it would stop production of the larger Dodge Challenger at the end of this year. Around the same time, Dodge executives revealed an electric muscle car concept car that, they said, provided a preview of a future model. GM has not announced any future versions of the Camaro, although it teased that there will be some future for the brand. After five generations of redesigned models, the Camaro was dropped from the lineup in 2002, but brought back in 2010. These muscle cars or pony cars are also among the last car models – as opposed to SUVs or trucks – manufactured by the three automakers.

☆ U.S. Treasury to release EV battery sourcing rules next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Nichola Groom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File PhotoMarch 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday said it will release guidance next week on sourcing requirements for electric vehicle battery tax subsidies under President Joe Biden's climate change law, the first in a string of highly anticipated rules to determine how broadly the credits can be used. It will also issue guidance on selling tax credits and making them refundable, which allows entities without tax liability to use them. The IRA specifices, for instance, that a $7,500 EV tax credit is only available to North American-assembled vehicles that meet certain local battery production and mineral extraction processing standards. In December, Treasury decided not to issue proposed guidance on battery sourcing rules until March, effectively giving some EVs not meeting new requirements a few months of eligibility in 2023 before battery rules take effect. The other half requires manufacturing or assembly of at least 50% of battery components in North America.

☆ Last Dodge Challenger makes 1,010 hp, has optional parachute
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The unveiling of the 1,025 horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been long anticipated, and long delayed. Dodge had originally expected to just modify the Dodge Challenger Demon engine, which is capable of producing up to 840 horsepower. The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 can reach 60 miles per hour in under two seconds. StellantisIntroduced in 2008, the modern Dodge Challenger shares much of its engineering with the four-door Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans. Options for the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 include a Direct Connection Parachute Mounting System.

☆ Tesla opening its Supercharger network to rivals could be a brilliant marketing move from a company that famously doesn't advertise — with one big risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla plans to open 3,500 of its fast-charging plugs to all electric-car owners by the end of 2024. Until now, Tesla's Supercharger network was only for Tesla owners in the US. According to Loren McDonald, CEO of EV industry consultancy EVAdoption, the Supercharger network serves as Tesla's single biggest marketing tactic. Sam Abuelsamid, an auto industry analyst at Guidehouse Insights, agrees that expanding Supercharger access could help Tesla sell more cars. Analysts see another risk: A boom in demand for limited charging stalls could frustrate Tesla owners by crowding popular stations.

☆ Ford's satirical Women's Day ad touts a 'car for men' with no blinkers, windshield wipers, or heaters
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ford celebrated Women's Day with a Ford Explorer Men's Only Edition. It's important to recognize women innovators and continue to boost equity in the auto industry. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops — delivered daily to your inbox. Ford's advertisement this week showcased a new Ford Explorer void of many crucial vehicle features developed by women in the auto industry. Ford's advertisement this week showcased a vehicle that was void of many crucial features developed by women.

☆ 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.

☆ Ford Motor Turns to Industry Outsider to Reverse China Slump
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Selina Cheng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

People looked at a Ford Mustang Mach-E at an auto show in Shanghai in 2021. HONG KONG— Ford Motor Co. promoted Sam Wu to head its China business as the American auto maker struggles to reverse its dwindling market share in the world’s biggest car market. Mr. Wu, who joined Ford China as managing director from Whirlpool Corp. in October, takes over as president and chief executive on March 1, the Michigan-based auto maker said in a statement Thursday. In his new role, Mr. Wu will report to Ford CEO Jim Farley and replaces Anning Chen, who is due to retire in October.

☆ 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.

☆ From a road-trip disaster to a face-melting rip in the world's quickest supercar, these are my biggest lessons from driving 20 electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I've tested 20 electric cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks from Tesla, Ford, Porsche, Polestar, and more. But electric cars are quick, convenient, fun to drive, and quiet. Hours behind the wheel taught me some important lessons about range, charging, and our electric future. Charging can be more convenient than getting gasRecharging an electric car takes a whole lot longer than filling up on gas. The best ones offer spacious interiors and clever storageToday's electric cars typically use what's known as a skateboard platform, which is basically what it sounds like.

☆ Ford Mustang Mach-E has a mile of wires it didn't need. That's a big deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Ford CEO Jim Farley was rather blunt about the problems that Ford experienced as it rolled out its hot EV models, the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning pickup. While both vehicles have a long list of waiting customers, Farley admitted that Ford encountered numerous problems with their production. They resumed last year, but GM ended up with total US EV sales of just under 40,000. In 2022 Ford’s US EV sales came to just under 62,000, roughly a tenth Tesla’s US sales that year. That means about 600,000 US Tesla sales for the year.

☆ I drove the new Nissan Z. It's a beautiful, $50,000 retro-modern sports car with a few pesky flaws.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Alanis King | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The 2023 Nissan Z is the start of a new era for Nissan's famous "Z" sports car. The 2023 Nissan Z. Alanis KingThe Z has always been special. The 2023 Nissan Z. NissanBut the Z isn't just pretty — it's usable, especially for a two-door sports car. The 2023 Nissan Z. Alanis KingAll of this would have been fine at a lower cost. The 2023 Nissan Z. Alanis KingI think the Z is the right car for a lot of people.

☆ Ford CEO Jim Farley's frustration builds as he vows to transform the automaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Phil Lebeau | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In this article F Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTwatch nowFord CEO Jim Farley is frustrated. In short, Farley wants Ford to become a far more efficient company, and he needs it to happen quickly. Ford workers produce the electric F-150 Lightning pickup on Dec. 13, 2022, at the automaker's Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Farley said the answer is not simply cutting jobs, which has historically been the way automakers have cut costs. Will this new push to cut costs hurt Ford's growth in production and sales of electric vehicles?

☆ Tesla gets a big tax credit win as rules Elon Musk called 'messed up' get changed to include more vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US government walked back a controversial part of the new electric-car tax credit. The rule change means that more electric SUVs from Tesla and others qualify for the $7,500 incentive. Under the new federal EV tax credit included in Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, it matters quite a lot, actually. On Twitter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk called the rules "messed up" and "bizarre." The seven-seat Tesla Model Y qualified for the $80,000 price cap, while the five-seat model did not.

☆ U.S. Treasury makes more Tesla, Ford, GM EVs eligible for tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The move is a win for Tesla, GM, Ford and other automakers which had pressed the Biden administration to change the vehicle definitions. The decision raises the retail price cap to $80,000 from $55,000 for GM's Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla's five-seat Model Y, Volkswagen's ID.4, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Escape Plug-in Hybrid. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted last month the EV tax rules were "messed up." The five-seat version of the Tesla Model Y is not considered an SUV, while the Model Y seven-seat version is and can qualify for the credit. The Treasury said the revised definition will apply to all buyers of EVs since Jan. 1.

☆ Biden administration expands EV tax credits in boost for Tesla, Cadillac, others
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

DETROIT – The U.S. Treasury said Friday it is changing its definition of an "SUV" to make more electric vehicles from Tesla, General Motors and other automakers eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits at higher prices. The change raises the retail price cap to $80,000 from $55,000 for vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen's ID.4. Previously some or all models of these vehicles did not qualify because they didn't weigh enough to be considered an SUV by the Treasury's standards. The credits are part of the Biden administration's $437 billion Inflation Reduction Act, which was approved in August. Under the bill, SUVs can be priced at up to $80,000 to qualify for EV tax credits, while cars, sedans and wagons have to be priced at or under $55,000.

☆ In boost for Ford and Tesla, Treasury changes EV tax rules making it easier to qualify as an SUV
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Until now, the Treasury Department considered the Mustang Mach-E a car, not an SUV, for purposes of tax credits. The tax rules seemed to defy both common sense and what the EPA was saying. Before, the Treasury Department had been relying on vehicle definitions used by the National Highway Traffic Administration to administer Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations. “This change will allow crossover vehicles that share similar features to be treated consistently,” the Treasury Department said in an announcement. 2023 and who didn’t qualify for a tax credit under the old rules may now qualify, Treasury said in its announcement.

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