Shortage of computer chips causes problems for auto industry
DETROIT โ A shortage of computer chips is causing problems for the auto industry. General Motors has warned that it is likely to lose around $2 billion this year as a result. READ: Why you should ask about โdestination feeโs before purchasing a new vehicleFor the auto industry the problem is a supply and demand issue created by manufacturing. Because of the issue many automakers are having to slow or stop production to put the chips in vehicles. Or, if itโs something like a powertrain where every vehicles got it 100 percent of your vehicles have that powertrain chip, then youโre basically stuck,โ he said.
US probes complaints that Ford tailgate recall didnโt work
FILE - This Feb. 14, 2019 file photo shows the Ford logo on the front grill of a 2019 Ford Explorer on display at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)DETROIT โ U.S. safety regulators are investigating complaints that a Ford pickup truck tailgate recall didnโt fix the problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 11 complaints that a recall of power tailgates on 300,000 Super Duty pickups failed to rectify the issue. The agency says it also has received reports from Ford about unintended tailgate openings after the recall repairs were made. Ford recalled the F-250, F-350 and F-450 trucks in 2019 because the power tailgates could open while being driven.
General Motors makes $2 billion investment in electric car company working on trucks
DETROIT General Motors is making a massive pledge for the future of electronic vehicles, announcing a $2 billion investment in Nikola, an electric car company working on trucks. GM has the infrastructure for an electric truck, and so far, its planning two different brands. But the company is also hedging its bets in the electric vehicle space. GM has a truck platform that is perfectly suited for what Nikola needs, Abuelsamid said. Another unique note about Nikola: The company is working on hydrogen-powered electric trucks.
Study: Electronics could stop 40% of big truck rear crashes
DETROIT Safety features such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warnings could prevent more than 40% of crashes in which semis rear-end other vehicles, a new study has found. This is an important countermeasure to that.Trucks with collision warning systems reduced rear crashes by 44%, while automatic emergency braking cut rear crashes by 41%, the study found. For automatic emergency braking, the figure was 12%. In October of 2015, NHTSA began the regulatory process to evaluate forward collision warning and automatic braking for heavy trucks. Some just warn the driver of hazards, while more sophisticated emergency braking systems will actually brake the truck.
GM invests $1.5B to build midsize pickups in Missouri
โ General Motors plans to build its next generation of midsize pickup trucks at a plant in Wentzville, Missouri. The plant will receive $1 billion for necessary upgrades to its paint shop, body shop and general assembly line including new tooling, machines and conveyors, according to GM. "Through this investment, General Motors is making a firm commitment to the State of Missouri, the City of Wentzville and the GM Wentzville team,โ said GM president Mark Reuss. GM sells more pickups than any other automaker and we have aggressive plans to build on our strengths.โThis move will help retain 4,000 jobs at the Missouri plant which opened in 1983. โTodayโs announcement of a $1 billion investment will retain 4,000 jobs and shows commitment for a future mid-size truck in Wentzville.