current automotive news

10/02/2025Automotive News

Led by BMW, 2022 profits soared at Europe’s biggest automakers

Europe’s biggest automakers posted record profits in 2022 despite mostly flat sales and supply chain and logistics problems.

Net profits rose 22 percent to a record total of 67.8 billion euros ($73.6 billion) at the six largest Europe-based automakers: BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Stellantis, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Car (see table, below), plus the largest luxury carmaker, Ferrari.

Most of those profits came from the four largest groups. BMW had the largest net profit, at 18.6 billion euros, followed by Stellantis (16.8 billion euros), VW (15.8 billion euros) and Mercedes (14.8 billion euros).

BMW’s results are not entirely comparable

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07/08/2024Automotive News

5 Tips for Safe Driving as the Days Get Shorter

Gloves? Check. jacket? Check. Beanie? Check. You wouldn’t go out into the cold without being prepared, right? It’s no different from driving as the days get shorter and wetter. To stay safe on the road, you need to be prepared for changing conditions.

For example, kids go back to school in the fall, so there are more pedestrians and traffic now than there were during the summer. However, that’s just one factor to account for; fall and winter also bring fog, rain, glare, low light, and the occasional snow. Here are some tips to help you prepare for whatever winter

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24/07/2023Automotive News

Having Problems with Your Car’s Windows Sliding Down?

Are you frustrated because your car windows won’t stay up? Many vehicle owners in Tampa have problems with sliding car windows. Keep reading to learn more about why this happens and how expert repair services can keep your door windows in place.

3 Reasons for Windows that Won’t Stay Up

Sometimes, your vehicle’s windows won’t stay up because the child safety switch is engaged or the ignition switch position needs to be in the accessory mode. When these simple fixes are the cause of your sliding window problem, you likely have one of the following issues that service technicians need

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04/07/2023Automotive News

Tesla’s NACS connector will be standardized by SAE

The move to Tesla’s NACS system won’t affect the federal government’s funding of a nationwide charging network.

For federally funded EV chargers, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, “CCS and NACS connectors and adapters are eligible for funding. This means federal funding is available to build charging infrastructure that can service all EV drivers, regardless of their vehicle’s current or future connector type,” the Federal Highway Administration said in a statement.

SAE said developing the NACS standard will be put on a fast track and is one of several charging projects, including cybersecurity, the organization is working on to

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30/06/2023Automotive News

Investing in a New Windshield Offers Clear Visibility

Making sure that you can see clearly when behind the wheels of a vehicle is essential to keep yourself and your passengers safe. A new windshield installation can be a practical way to ensure the best visibility and to reduce the risk of accidents for yourself, your family, and friends when driving in Tampa, FL.

Why Clear Visibility Matters

Poor visibility is responsible for thousands of automobile accidents each year. While cracked or distorted windshields are not to blame for all these accidents, the lack of visibility caused by damage to your windshield can put you and your passengers at

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14/06/2023Automotive News

Canada’s LeddarTech going public | Automotive News

LeddarTech Inc., a Canadian automotive software company, is going public through a merger with a blank-check company led by Qualcomm Inc.’s former president, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The transaction will give LeddarTech a pro forma equity value of $348 million, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. The transaction will provide the company with $23 million from the blank-check company Prospector Capital Corp., assuming investors don’t redeem their shares, and $43 million from a private investment in public equity, or PIPE, they said.

Proceeds from the deal will be used to fund the

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17/05/2023Automotive News

VW explores plug-in hybrid for US as EV transition unfolds

The Q5 e — also known as the Q5 55 TFSI e — is a five-seat midsize crossover that now boasts a 17.9-kilowatt-hour battery, allowing it to travel up to 23 miles on a single charge. The Q5 e was assembled in Mexico and went on sale in the US for the 2021 model year with a slightly smaller battery and less electric range than it now has. It currently features a combined 362 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque between its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. It starts at $58,595 including shipping.

Di Si, who started the CEO

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27/04/2023Automotive News

Suppliers take a close look at proposed EPA emissions rules

Last week, the EPA released the strictest limits on tailpipe emissions in its history, a move that figures to spur more EV sales and cut down on pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, the country’s biggest driver of greenhouse gas emissions.

The EPA said its proposed light-duty standards for the 2032 model year could lead to a 56 percent cut in projected fleetwide average greenhouse gas emissions target levels, compared with 2026 model year standards.

That will be a significant leap forward, involving new R&D programs and component enhancements.

Suppliers are still sorting through the proposed rules

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