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Jeep cuts production of Gladiators and Wranglers at Toledo plant
Production cuts are hitting the Stellantis NV plant in Toledo, Ohio, that builds the Jeep Gladiator pickup and Wrangler SUV this week, the latest of several factory pauses or slowdowns by the automaker as it deals with large vehicle inventories and other challenges.
The automaker paused production of the Gladiator at the Toledo Assembly Complex...Read more
Motormouth: Starter problem? Maybe not
Q: You wrote in a recent column that you should never attempt to start an already running car, due to the nasty noise it makes. My wife and I hear a similar noise when we cold start our 2014 Honda CR-V. The dealer says it's a common issue with our make and model year resulting from faulty design. They further say, it would be an expensive repair...Read more
Feds look into reported problems with automatic steering on VinFast SUVs
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into complaints that the system designed to keep VinFast SUV’s in their lanes doesn’t always work properly.
NHTSA says 14 drivers have complained of problems with the “lane keep assist” safety feature on their VinFast VF8 that in some cases require them to wrestle for control...Read more
Stellantis dealers, UAW find common foe in CEO Carlos Tavares
Leaders of Stellantis NV's U.S. dealer network delivered a direct and blunt message by phone Thursday to CEO Carlos Tavares and other top executives: We need bigger and better incentives to clear vehicles off our lots, and we need them fast.
"We had a good exchange of information," said Kevin Farrish, chairman of the National Dealer Council. "...Read more
Henry Payne: North American Car, Truck & Utility of the Year competitors announced
The 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year tournament bracket is under way and the list of competitors has been narrowed to 25.
NACTOY jurors announced their “Best of 2025” list Friday afternoon in three categories: 10 cars, five trucks and 10 SUVs. Electric vehicles dominated the list — making up nearly 50% of the...Read more
Self-driving Waymo vehicles coming to Atlanta and Austin in Uber app in 2025
Self-driving Uber rides are coming to Atlanta and Austin, Texas, starting early next year through a partnership between Uber and autonomous car company Waymo.
Waymo already operates with self-driving cars giving rides in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, and the company announced Friday that it is expanding the service to Atlanta and ...Read more
Auto review: Classic Alfa Romeo 4C is a delicious Italian meatball
CHARLEVOIX, Michigan — One of comedian ‘n’ musician Steve Martin’s ol’ stand-up routines celebrated the banjo.
“When you’re playing the banjo, everything is OK,” he said, merrily strumming his favorite instrument. “I think the banjo is the one thing that could have saved Nixon. Think if he had been traveling around the country...Read more
Auto review: Extravagance lives in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe
If there’s something that’s disappearing faster than kindness and civility, it’s the luxury coupe.
This ultimate form of automotive expression is vanishing as the SUV has become omnipresent. In turn, automakers have become unwilling to offer any true choice in the market. After all, SUVs are little more than tall, four-wheel-drive ...Read more
Auto review: Volvo V60 may be the best car of 2024
Volvo vehicles are easily the most lauded and endorsed in Grasso’s Garage, and for good reason. Their easy display of comfort and luxury is always surprising to me, but their design stands out the most.
Appeal is in the eye of the beholder, and this week’s tester, the Volvo V60 Recharge confirms this because, in our eyes, its appeal, ...Read more
US House passes bill tightening China restrictions for EV tax credit
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would tighten requirements around Chinese business ties in determining which electric vehicles qualify for $7,500 federal tax credits upon purchase.
Debate for the bill, which passed along a mostly party-line 217 to 189 vote, was contentious. It set members of the ...Read more
Stellantis spending $406 million for EVs, hybrids across 3 Michigan plants
Stellantis NV said Wednesday it's investing $406 million across three Michigan plants as it gears up to add more electric vehicles and hybrids to its lineups.
The maker of Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram said the investments are happening at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, and the Dundee Engine Plant, and ...Read more
Motormouth: Trouble codes
Q: My Jeep was in my garage for 8 months without being started. Of course, the battery died. I am due for a state inspection sticker soon. A mechanic said there is nothing to test because the dead battery erased all info. I was told I need to drive it for 100 miles to get new data for testing. What should I do before I bring it into the station?...Read more
NHTSA proposes new rule to protect pedestrians from front-end crashes
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it has proposed new standards meant to reduce harm from vehicle-to-pedestrian crashes.
The standards, if enacted, would apply to all vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less — a cap that includes every new consumer vehicle currently sold in the United ...Read more
Auto review: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric van is a barn-dominium that hauls big loads
So, my friend asks, “Hey, Casey, what are you driving this week?”
To which I reply, “One of the new Mercedes electric vehicles.”
“Is it roomy?”
“Oh, yeah, lots of space. It’s like a bus inside!”
My daughter overhears this conversation as we’re rushing out the door to my dentist appointment. I’m sure she imagines her ...Read more
UAW's tall task: Rebuilding its political power to boost Harris campaign
WASHINGTON — Just over a decade ago, the United Auto Workers union was instrumental in delivering a resounding Michigan victory for former President Barack Obama in his successful 2012 reelection bid.
UAW officials, then-union President Bob King recalled, received personal thanks for their organizing efforts by Obama and two of his key ...Read more
Auto review: 2024 Revuelto: an electrifying raging bull from Lamborghini
The 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto may be the supercar brand’s first hybrid — and a plug-in hybrid at that — but you’ll never mistake it for a Prius, thank goodness. For the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto retains wildly classic Lamborghini traits, even as it takes its initial step toward electrification. And, being Lamborghini, it’s little ...Read more
Auto review: 2025 Infiniti QX80 inspires luxury sticker shock
When Infiniti entered Grasso’s Garage in the past, we were excited that the brand’s models exceeded expectations while still maintaining an appropriate price point. With traces of Nissan design are still evident in the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph, we recognized nicely apportioned accouterments. But brace yourself, this one is going to hit ...Read more
Auto review: Affordable Jetta vast, fast, and (at last) fetching
HELL, Michigan — The VW Jetta GLI has long lived in the shadow of its sibling, the OG hot hatch Golf GTI. No more.
With a dramatic refresh for the 2025 model year, the once-frumpy GLI is now a lean, mean, fighting machine.
A lean Golf-like fascia has replaced the previous bulbous, Shrek-like nose. The lower red front lip curls with a sense ...Read more
Why public EV chargers almost never work as fast as promised
For EV drivers traversing the great state of Wyoming, the Smith’s grocery store in Rock Springs is an oasis. It’s just off I-80, there’s a Petco across the street, and it has six plugs promising to charge at 350 kilowatts. At that rate, a Tesla Model 3 could go from empty to full in the time it takes to hit the bathroom and grab a Snickers...Read more
Workers at GM-LG battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee join UAW
Workers at the General Motors Co. and LG Energy Solution joint-venture Ultium Cells LLC battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, are joining the United Auto Workers, the union said Wednesday.
A majority of the 1,000 workers at the plant — the second such Ultium Cells facility in the country — signed cards to join the UAW and the company ...Read more