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“GM and Stellantis’s willful refusal to bargain in good faith is not only insulting and counterproductive, it’s also illegal,” Fain said. The complaints, which are identical and provide little detail, allege that “during the past six months, the employer has violated the [Labor Relations] Act by refusing to bargain in good faith over mandatory subjects of bargaining including but not limited to wages and benefits.” A Stellantis spokesperson, in a statement, said it was “shocked” by Fain’s accusation that the company is not bargaining in good faith. “This is a claim with no basis in fact, and we are disappointed to learn that Mr. Fain is more focused on filing frivolous legal charges than on actual bargaining,” the company said in a statement. “We will vigorously defend this charge when the time comes, but right now we are more focused on continuing to bargain in good faith for a new agreement.” “We are surprised by and strongly refute the NLRB charge filed by the International UAW...

MILAN — Alfa Romeo has revealed the 33 Stradale , a limited-edition “halo” sports car inspired by the 1967 33 Stradale that was derived from the Tipo 33 sports-racing model. The 33 Stradale was unveiled Wednesday at an event at the Stellantis brand’s museum in the Milan suburb of Arese. Alfa Romeo will build 33 examples, and all have already been sold, the automaker said. The price was not disclosed. The cars will be assembled by the coachbuilder Touring Superleggera, whose shop is close to the Alfa Romeo museum. Larry Dominique, senior vice president of Alfa Romeo in North America, said the super car “allows the world to be reminded of what Alfa Romeo can do.” But the debut of the 33 Stradale doesn’t mean Alfa Romeo is going to move into the high-priced world of sports car makers such as McLaren. “We’re approachable,” Dominique told Automotive News. “We’ve always been an approachable brand. We’re going to stay that way, but it doesn’t mean we can’t show what we can do from ...

Mumbai, August 30:  Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is finally set to launch around September or November 2023, as per multiple reports. The test bikes have been spotted on roads ahead of the launch; now, the new leaks confirm doubts. According to reports, the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 may launch at a price ranging from Rs 2,60,000 to 2,70,000. The first look at the Himalayan 450 indicate that it is designed to be like a dirt bike. The rugged looks of the motorcycle suggest it will be great as a roadster bike for long distances and highway riding. The upcoming bike has been tested on roads and spotted in social media posts and news. The Himalayan 450 is almost ready to make its first global appearance in the coming months. The expected features from the bikes are a 450cc engine, different riding modes, and a single-cylinder engine producing 40bhp and 45nm of torque. An additional anticipated feature of this adventure bike is switchable ABS.  Elon Musk-Run Tesla Asked to Pr...

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a game-changing technology, reshaping both auto and consumer finance. Machine learning and AI reveal valuable insights, automate processes and drive down costs.   As AI continues to evolve, financial institutions are harnessing the power of data from across the industry, and the technology’s influence will expand even further.   AI in the auto industry   AI is leading a significant transformation in the auto industry. It excels at improving safety through advanced driver assistance systems. AI-powered algorithms analyze real-time data from sensors and cameras, enhancing the detection of potential hazards and preventing accidents.   AI is also revolutionizing autonomous driving technology, paving the way for self-driving vehicles. Its ability to process vast amounts of data in real time enables autonomous cars to navigate complex road scenarios safely.   AI in the financial industry   AI is also driving crucial ...

Lando Norris qualified second for last week’s Dutch Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen , the latest evidence of the giant leap McLaren has made with its B-spec upgrade it deployed before the summer break. That overhaul allowed it to challenge Mercedes , Ferrari and Aston Martin  in the ever-fluctuating fight behind Red Bull , with no team being able to consistently claim the status of second-fastest team. But team principal Stella cautioned the difficult mixed weather conditions across the Zandvoort weekend flattered McLaren. While it introduced a new rear wing to good effect, Stella thinks the team will need regular development to be second on merit. “To be able to do that, we need to keep developing the car,” Stella commented on McLaren’s one-lap speed. “Because I think, at this track, in normal, dry conditions potentially Mercedes could have been there with us. They were faster than us in Hungary. If you remember they had pole position, actually. “So, I think the current ...

Tesla has received a special order from federal automotive safety regulators requiring the company to provide extensive data about its driver assistance and driver monitoring systems, and a once secret configuration for these known as “Elon mode.” Typically, when a Tesla driver uses the company’s driver assistance systems — which are marketed as Autopilot, Full Self-Driving or FSD Beta options — a visual symbol blinks on the car’s touchscreen to prompt the driver to engage the steering wheel. If the driver leaves the steering wheel unattended for too long, the “nag” escalates to a beeping noise. If the driver still does not take the wheel at that point, the vehicle can disable the use of its advanced driver assistance features for the rest of the drive or longer. As CNBC previously reported, with the “Elon mode” configuration enabled, Tesla can allow a driver to use the company’s Autopilot, FSD or FSD Beta systems without the so-called “nag.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Ad...

Modern cars come with more advanced safety features than ever before. Nowadays, even affordable cars come with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning as standard. Unfortunately, blind spot monitoring (BSM), which can stop drivers from turning into an occupied lane, tends to be optional. And as Consumer Reports points out, it can be a costly option for what’s considered to be a “life-saving feature.” According to research that the organization did, BSM, can cost over $1,000 on some modern vehicles. Not only is BSM highly sought after, a national survey that Consumer Reports conducted in 2022 revealed that the majority of respondents (82% of 2,180 people surveyed) stated that it’s an important feature on their next vehicle, but BSM can also reduce automobile crashes. In 2019, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute put out a report that stated BSM reduced injuries related to lane-change accidents by 23%....

Tow ropes are a handy tool for getting vehicles unstuck while off-roading, but Toyota may have found a way to improve them. In a patent application published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Aug. 1, 2023, Toyota describes a retractable tow rope that rolls out from a reel installed on a vehicle—a bit like a winch. Toyota retractable tow rope patent image Such a system would allow drivers to adjust the length of the tow rope by reeling it in or out, eliminating slack and creating the tension needed to tow another vehicle. With conventional tow ropes, slack is taken out by driving the towing vehicle forward until the rope achieves tension, but this isn’t always possible in tight spaces, Toyota notes in the application. As described in the patent application, the tow rope, which Toyota says can be either heavy-duty fabric like nylon and polyester or a steel cable, has notches for adjustability. These can be used to secure the rope to the tow hitch of the tow...

My son has a veritable battalion of baby toys. A truckload of trucks. Several stuffed sloths. But now, as he’s just starting to string syllables together into words, only one of those toys has a name. Allow me to introduce “Didah.” Didah is a first-generation UE Boom with what I think is a limited-edition design. I don’t remember when or how I got it, but given the OG Boom’s release date was in the spring of 2013, there’s a good chance it’s technically over a decade old. It spent the lion’s share of that life getting no use while sitting on various shelves until it was drafted into active ( very active) service a few months ago, largely because I care about it less than my Sonos Roam SL . My year-and-a-half-old son, however, has a different opinion. Let me tell you about its features. Didah is great for listening to Nine Inch Nails with your extremely cool dad while on a jog. Eric Limer Didah is hefty. Weighing in at over a pound, it’s substantial to lift, but fits nic...

The 2024 Toyota Tundra pickup truck rumbles into the new year with a Nightshade black trim package as well as new TRD off-road features, Toyota announced last week. Even without any changes, the 2024 Toyota Tundra gets a price increase of at least $1,055, and the top Capstone model caps pricing at $80,695, which is $1,200 more than the 2023 Tundra . Pricing includes a $1,850 destination fee that increased $55 on August 1.   The new Nightshade package available only on the $53,705 Limited model applies the black treatment on 20-inch wheels and on the fenders, grille, side mirrors, and badging for an extra $450. 2024 Toyota Tundra Another new development for 2024 is a factory-installed 3.0-inch lift kit for TRD grades. That increases the max ground clearance to 12.4 inches.  The third development is Platinum four-wheel-drive models can be fitted with the TRD Off-Road package for $2,105 extra. The package swaps in 20-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, Bilstei...

There’s a new Ford Nugget in town, and this one’s not made of chicken. No, this particular Nugget is a Transit camper van . It has to have one of the cutest names in the automotive world being called the Transit Custom Nugget, but don’t get your hopes up too high, because this little van is a Euro-only product. Similar to the previous Nugget , Ford is building this one as a collaboration with camper converter Westfalia. Ford starts from the latest and greatest Transit , which means you get all the benefits of the new model. Buyers can choose between a diesel engine producing 168 horsepower or a PHEV pumping out a combined 229 horsepower between the gasoline engine and electric motor. Ford says it’ll go about 35-42 miles on electric power using WLTP figures, but we’ll also note that this is the same setup as you can get in the Escape PHEV in the U.S. That compact crossover gets an EPA-rated electric range of 37 miles, but expect a weighed-down camper van to not go as far. Ford sa...

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD Company Limited (“BYD”), in conjunction with its subsidiaries known as the “Group,” today announced a significant acquisition. Its subsidiary, BYD Electronic (International) Company Limited, (“BYD Electronics”) has inked an acquisition framework agreement with Jabil Circuit (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“Jabil Singapore”), a subsidiary of Jabil Inc., one of the world’s most prominent electronics manufacturing service and solution providers. Photo credit: BYD Electronics The agreement aims to facilitate the acquisition of Jabil Singapore’s mobile electronics manufacturing business by BYD Electronics. This strategic move comes with an impressive price tag of approximately 15.8 billion yuan (equivalent to US$2.2 billion) in cash. By seizing this opportunity, BYD Electronics is positioned to bolster its core supply chain for consumer electronics, thereby notching up its market share and solidifying its preeminent stance in the industry. The focus of this acquisition r...

Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs, have become hugely popular over recent years. These vehicles are robust, spacious, and with options such as the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro , they also offer high levels of comfort and luxury. With the right SUV, you can look forward to a practical vehicle that is fun to drive, offers plenty of space for families, and is designed to offer great performance for years to come, even in challenging terrain. Whether you buy a used or brand-new SUV, it is important to look at the various options to help you to make the right decision. Consider factors such as pricing and your budget , interior features, exterior colour and design, and the condition of the vehicle if you buy a used one. In this article, we will look at some of the key benefits of owning an SUV. Some of the Top Reasons to Consider an SUV There are many benefits you can look forward to when you invest in the right SUV, and this is why these vehicles have gained huge popularity over recent years. Some...

Mitsubishi Motors revealed this week it’s suspending operations in China due to its inability to keep up, as electric vehicles continue to take over the market. China continues to lead the industry in the transition to EVs. Information from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales topped 2 million through the first five months of the year, up 51.5% YOY. CAAM reported a 7% drop in sales of gas-powered vehicles through the same period. Many analysts believe the momentum will continue, EV news website Electrek reported. Bank of America Securities’ head of Asia Pacific basic materials, Matty Zhao, sees China’s EV market growing another 27% this year, reaching 32% of overall auto sales, up from 26% last year. Some are predicting that number could grow to 50% in the next two years. The shift comes after the Chinese government supported the transition with tax breaks for EV buyers, subsidies and other policies that have sparked growth i...

Though it’s not exactly what we are getting in the US, the ID. Buzz’s cabin is full of family-friendly touches. You can’t look anywhere in this interior without finding a clever place to store stuff, whether it be the shelf on the dashboard, the many shelves with integrated USB ports on the doors, the fold-out cupholders, a removable center console that doubles as a cooler, phone pockets on the seatbacks, and even rear tray tables like a Rolls-Royce! Disappointingly, that last option will not make it stateside due to safety regulations. We even loved the yellow interior, which isn’t coming either. We didn’t play around with it much on this short drive, but the infotainment would be our lone complaint with this interior. A lack of physical controls necessitates too many menus for essential functions like climate, but the larger screen in the US-spec car might rectify this problem. The US version will also get a sunroof with electrochromic tinting, an option that will make the alread...

The BMW 2002 launched the brand’s sport-sedan reputation, and the 2002tii model is its ultimate expression. This 1974 2002tii benefits from extensive work, some of which moved the car away from stock but should pay dividends in drivability. This Bring a Trailer auction ends August 31. Car and Driver From the outside, there is something severe about the restrained styling of a classic BMW 2002. This all-black example manages to be almost clerical in spirit, like a priestly cassock or nun’s habit, all clasped hands and pious intent. But, as former Car and Driver editor David E. Davis, Jr. once wrote, “Turn your hymnals to Number 2002 and we’ll sing two choruses of Whispering Bomb.” A 2002tii is not for saints but for us speedy sinners. Bring a Trailer Today’s pick over at Bring A Trailer—which, like Car and Driver , is part of Hearst Autos—is a 1974 BMW 2000tii achingly beautiful in black and chrome. Its subtlety and simplicity stand in stark contrast to the marque’s c...

Texas store The New Orleans group also bolstered its Texas presence on Aug. 3 when Duhon, with partners Randon Blacklock and Rick Martinez, purchased the former Littlefield Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, northwest of Lubbock. Blacklock and Martinez have undisclosed ownership stakes in the store renamed Premier Chevrolet-GMC of Littlefield and Martinez is general manager. Katzenmeyer said Blacklock and Martinez also are partners with Premier at other Texas stores. Katzenmeyer said confidentiality agreements prohibit Premier from disclosing the sellers of the California and Texas stores. A LinkedIn profile for Michael Brown lists him as president of Hyundai of Moreno Valley and Brown is listed under owners, qualified managers and principals on California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair website providing licensing information for Hyundai of Moreno Valley. Brown did not immediately return a message seeking comment and a Hyundai spokesman referred Automotive News to Premier Automotive. The Lam...

The system allows volume automakers to offer contrasting roof colors without having to run a vehicle through the paint shop a second time. Eliminating overspray also cuts the need to mask the body before painting the roof, which saves time. Reger said energy costs are a third lower than those for a traditional atomizer system, which runs at high speed to push the air. “We do not have this with PixelPaint, so energy consumption for the head itself is down,” he said. Building or rebuilding paint shops is usually one of the most expensive parts of an auto assembly plant project. ABB said the new robots can be installed at the end of a traditional paint line without overhauling the paint shop. Reger foresees PixelPaint first being used on vehicle roofs. “Next will be the big surfaces, such as the hoods, the doors. And the third step is hopefully to paint 80 to 90 percent of the car body,”he said, adding that the tech won’t replace all paint robots. “You may still need one cell with ...