Justice Department, SEC to investigate Cruise robotaxi pedestrian crash

Cruise exhibited poor leadership, poor judgment and an adversarial attitude toward regulators, according to a report it and General Motors commissioned on the crash.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 29, 2024

Stellantis acquires CloudMade’s AI technology for software-defined vehicles

More than 40 engineers and software developers will join the automaker as part of the deal.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 26, 2024

Hyundai, Kia restructure R&D for mobility, software-defined vehicles

It’s the second time the automakers have reorganized their R&D efforts in the past year. 

By Michael Brady • Jan. 19, 2024

Hyundai Mobis unveils ‘e-Corner System’ EV drive technology

The technology allows a vehicle to move laterally and diagonally, as well as perform stationary 360-degree pivot turns.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 11, 2024

Auto suppliers sitting on surplus semiconductors, chip company says

Mobileye said its customers hold millions of excess units to hedge against shortages and are now working through the inventory.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 9, 2024

China-based EV makers tap Nvidia for AI tech

Automakers in China have been racing to produce autonomous vehicles with high-tech infotainment.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 9, 2024

Transportation tech, challenges on agenda for new US DOT advisory committee

The wide range of experts will advise the agency in what Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called a time of “unprecedented” challenges and opportunity.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 5, 2024

Mercedes-Benz approved to use turquoise-colored lights for self-driving vehicles

It’s the first-ever approval from regulators in California and Nevada to use special colored lighting to indicate the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 21, 2023

Mercedes-Benz to test Level 3 autonomous driving on roads in China

The testing permit could pave the way for the carmaker to offer its Drive Pilot feature, which does not require a driver’s full attention, to customers in the world’s biggest auto market.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 20, 2023

GM shakes up product development team amid EV, Cruise troubles

The news comes as General Motors struggles to launch new EVs, and its self-driving unit Cruise faces an uncertain future.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 18, 2023

GM’s Cruise unit lays off 24% of its workforce a day after executive dismissals

About 900 employees are impacted by the job cuts, which come as the company slows down commercialization of its autonomous products to focus on improving its technology.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 15, 2023

GM’s Cruise unit dismisses 9 top executives amid safety probes

COO Gil West was among the executives let go from the automaker's robotaxi division.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 14, 2023

Tesla’s largest-ever recall: 2M vehicles to get Autopilot fix

The automaker says the system’s driver monitoring controls may not be sufficient to prevent the misuse of its Autosteer advanced driver assist feature.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 13, 2023

Auto industry groups lobby for federal autonomous vehicle rules as skepticism grows

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was supposed to publish its proposal in November but has not.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 13, 2023

Cruise CEO resigns amid safety probes into company’s robotaxis

The company’s robotaxi fleet remains grounded in California after one of the vehicles struck a pedestrian in downtown San Francisco in early October.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 20, 2023

UAW members vote to approve GM labor deal despite opposition

Nearly 55% of autoworkers represented by the United Auto Workers at General Motors voted “yes” to approve the deal, but 13 facilities rejected it.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 16, 2023

‘End the unsafe operation’ of autonomous vehicles, union leaders tell US DOT

Federal oversight and more investigations into AV companies are urgently needed as robotaxis wreak chaos in public spaces, said 26 labor unions in a Wednesday letter.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 10, 2023

GM halts production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi

The decision comes after California regulators ordered Cruise to cease operations after a pedestrian was struck by one of its self-driving vehicles in downtown San Francisco.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 8, 2023

Cruise recalls driverless robotaxis after halting operations in 3 cities

The General Motors subsidiary is grappling with two federal investigations and a recent incident in which one of its cars left a pedestrian seriously injured.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2023

Ford, UAW reach tentative agreement to end strike

General Motors and Stellantis autoworkers could also receive significant raises if the union pressures them to meet or exceed Ford’s latest offer to raise top wages by more than 30% over the next four years.

By Eric Walz • Oct. 26, 2023

California suspends Cruise robotaxis for misrepresenting safety

The General Motors subsidiary withheld portions of a video showing a recent incident that left a pedestrian severely injured, the state DMV said.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2023

Cruise faces federal investigation after driverless robotaxi severely injures pedestrian

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating four incidents involving Cruise autonomous vehicles and pedestrians in San Francisco.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 17, 2023

Top automotive industry conferences in 2024

Upcoming events will touch on electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, software-defined vehicles, supply chain management and more.

By Michael Brady • Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Automakers need help developing vehicle software, digital services: Deloitte

Vehicle manufacturers should be more like smartphone makers, inviting third parties and startups to develop software to maximize the value of their cars and trucks.

By Eric Walz • Oct. 5, 2023

4 ways ‘cars are the worst’ for privacy

All 25 brands studied by Mozilla earned its “*Privacy Not Included” warning label, the open-source nonprofit said.

By Michael Brady • Oct. 4, 2023