Todd Lassa
Contributing Editor
As a kid growing up in Metro Milwaukee, Todd Lassa impressed childhood friends with his ability to identify cars on the street by year, make, and model. But when American automakers put an end to yearly sheetmetal changes, Lassa turned his attention toward underpowered British sports cars with built-in oil leaks. After a varied early journalism career, he joined Autoweek, then worked in Motor Trend’s and Automobile’s Detroit bureaus, before escaping for Mountain Maryland with his wife, three dogs, three sports cars (only one of them British), and three bicycles. Lassa is founding editor of thehustings.news, which has nothing to do with cars.
Does Your EV Belong in the Garage?
EVs are safer than internal-combustion vehicles, especially when properly handled and maintained.
Let My Driverless Cars Drive
Combined, GM’s Cruise and Google’s Waymo operate nearly 500 autonomous cars on “geo-fenced” streets in San Francisco.
A Requiem for the Volvo Estate
Volvo’s iconic wagons are discontinued in the UK, and barely hanging on here.
Sinister Diesel Supplier Pays $1 Million Fine for Defeat Devices
The California aftermarket company pays $500,000 each for criminal and civil charges in a plea deal with the Justice Department.
Ford to Unveil New F-150 at Detroit Auto Show in September
Ford Pro commercial truck business out-earned ICE Blue in the second quarter, while Ford ups earnings outlook for the year.
All-Electric Chevrolet Bolt Will Return on Ultium Platform
Meanwhile, GM says it’s ramping up EVs as it enjoys higher-than-expected revenue, profits in the second quarter.
Is Tesla Model Y the World’s Best-Selling Car? Nope, Not Even Close
But Tesla’s revenues and profits are up, and the Cybertruck and Robotaxi are still on for debuts this year.
Drivers in Large Chunks of NYC Will Soon Have to Shell Out to Get In
New York City is set to enact its long-awaited congestion pricing program next spring. How does the Big Apple’s plan compare with London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore?
Can EV Sales in the US Cross the 1-Million Unit Mark this Year?
While EV production and sales gain first-half steam, EV market share could sputter as the overall auto market surges.
Booming Auto Sales May Help Avoid a Recession
Cox Automotive figures Americans will buy 15 million new vehicles in 2023—800,000 more than it forecast in January.
Bank of America Picks Vehicle Brands Poised to Gain Market Share
Stellantis brands are lagging behind in terms of replacing existing vehicles, while GM is about average, the report says.
Ford-SK Battery JV Taps Federal Loan Program for $9.2 Billion
Three BlueOval SK battery plants will employ 7500 people when they open in 2025.
Hyundai Has Its Own Take on GM’s Ultium Battery Strategy
Eager for a dedicated battery platform, Hyundai plans for 2 million EVs globally by 2030, with more than 10% profit margin.
While the Current Chevy Bolt Departs, How about an Ultium-Based Model?
GM’s popular EV hasn’t left the market yet, but CEO Mary Barra sure sounds interested in bringing back this “important vehicle.”
With Simple Questions, ChatGPT Might Help Find Your Next Ride
Do minivans make good mobster transports? Thanks to AI, ChatGPT has the answer.
Debt Ceiling Negotiations Spare Clean Vehicle Tax Credits
You can count on tax incentives for all-electric commercial trucks and vans and used PHEVs and fuel-cell vehicles.
Could EV, Manufacturing Tax Credits Go Away in Debt Ceiling Talks?
House Republicans want to axe key IRA provisions designed to lower EV costs, but the cuts may still be in play.
Ford Pro Commercial Trucks to Make Up for Model e Losses
Even as it doubles Lightning production, Ford will not chase volume over profits, CEO Jim Farley says.
Global EV Sales Expected to ‘Leap’ 35% in 2023, Study Says
‘Landmark’ government policies are driving sales worldwide to an expected 14 million EVs this year.
GM Cancels Chevy Bolt, Expects Ultium EVs to Bolster the Bottom Line
GM announces a $3 billion battery factory with Samsung and is counting on Ultium EVs to make up nearly a quarter of its 2025 gross revenues.
Tax Credits Are Now in Play for Both New and Used EVs
Starting today, if you buy an eligible MY22-23-24 EV, PHEV, or FCV, you won’t have to worry about whether, say, Ford sells 200k of them by next year.
EPA Emissions Standards Target Air Quality, More EVs, Less Oil
New proposed rule sets strict standards but gives automakers flexibility on how to meet them.
Can Automakers Sell 10-12 Million EVs Here by 2032?
Two-thirds of new vehicles sold in the US must be zero-emissions, the EPA is scheduled to announce on Wednesday.
Q1 Auto Sales Look Good, if You’re Not Toyota or Stellantis
GM moves the most metal overall and also grabs second place in EVs by selling 19,700 Chevy Bolts.
IRS Issues Arcane Rules for EV Tax Credits
Hints: Cadillac Lyriq is indeed an SUV, and you might consider leasing instead of purchasing.
Still Bullish on Hybrids, Will Toyota Leapfrog EV Tech with Solid State?
Meanwhile, supply chains remain stressed, and Toyota and Lexus sell everything they can build.
It Should Get Easier to Buy an EV That Meets IRA Tax Credit Rules
‘Substantial opportunities’ to diversify mineral and battery supply chains lie on both sides of the Atlantic, US and EU officials said.
Where Buick Fits in the Growing US-China Clash
Deteriorating diplomatic relations could impact the American brand’s long history in China.
A Chevy Bolt and a Ford Lightning Drive Up to a Tesla Supercharger …
No joke: Tesla owners soon will be sharing their charging stations.
Hybrid C8 Comes in 2023; Track Z06 and First Buick Electra Arrive in 2024
GM previews a slew of upcoming EV and ICE models, but only Wall Street investors get to see them.
Skies over Buick Continue Darkening
US sales are way down and Buick dealer ranks will be trimmed. Survival depends on Electra EV production in North America.
’We’re Number Two!’ in EV Sales, Say Ford and Hyundai/Kia
Both automakers are telling the truth, but chasing Tesla is about to become quite a contest.