Under the Microscope: Fatal crash in Calif. prompts yet another NHTSA investigation into Tesla Autopilot
Toronto, Ontario — Another fatal collision involving a Tesla vehicle, another special probe from the NHTSA to root out the cause behind a tragedy allegedly linked to the company’s highly controversial driver assistance features. This latest incident took place in California and involved a 2018 Tesla Model 3 that is suspected to have made use […]
The Future, Finally: Tesla Cybertruck built at Giga Texas, full production likely for 2023 year-end
Austin, Texas — Tesla’s first completed Cybertruck finally rolled off the production line on Saturday, ahead of what is supposed to be a full model launch of the highly-anticipated truck later on in 2023. The Cybertruck aims to compete directly with other popular electric pickup trucks, like the Ford F-150 Lightning or one of Rivian’s […]
Inflated Ego: ARC Automotive questions NHTSA jurisdiction, basis of request for inflator recall
Toronto, Ontario — After rejecting a request from the NHTSA in May to recall its 67 million airbag inflators from circulation, ARC Automotive has doubled down, accusing the administration of stepping out of its lane to assert demands. Last Friday, representatives from ARC offered their side of the story to the Associated Press, alleging that […]
Access Denied: Mass. right to repair law in dispute as NHTSA, senators clash over data security
Washington, D.C. — A pair of U.S. senators are aiming their federal auto regulator, as Massachusetts’ Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren recently called out the NHTSA for a letter it sent to automakers asking them to ignore the state’s right to repair legislation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alleged in its June […]
A Smarter Assistant: Mercedes-Benz launches ChatGPT-powered voice assistant beta in U.S.
Toronto, Ontario — If ChatGPT hasn’t come across your newsfeed enough recently, Mercedes-Benz announced last week a beta program where drivers can try out a new in-car AI assistant, powered by OpenAI’s groundbreaking software. Where many current voice assistant features are limited to a predefined library of understood phrases and responses, vehicle’s equipped with the […]
AI Intern: Toyota unveils generative AI vehicle design process
Toronto, Ontario — The emerging industry for generative AI software is making its way into OEM vehicle design, as Toyota unveiled Tuesday a new AI-powered process that allows its designers to create multiple versions of a vehicle prototype within minutes. Toyota engineers and designers are now able to simply draw the desired body lines of […]
Snitching for Safety: OEM whistleblowers protected, rewarded in new NHTSA rules proposal
Toronto, Ontario — In an effort to incentivize safety and good faith among automakers, the U.S.’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put forth a set of rules last Wednesday that aim to protect and reward OEM whistleblowers. This proposed rulemaking on the part of the NHTSA intends to outline more concrete implementations of the […]
Backseat Bruises: Small cars underperform in rear-seat passenger protection, IIHS report says
Toronto, Ontario — Small cars are the latest vehicle to record less-than-stellar results in the IIHS’s updated moderate overlap crash test, with the Institute reporting that many of the tested vehicles failed to protect their rear-seat passengers. Bearing an unfortunate resemblance to its recent testing of midsize SUVs in the same test, the U.S.’s Insurance […]
Cutting the Coupe: Mercedes-Benz to wind down CLS production later this year, reports say
Toronto, Ontario — Reports have been rolling in, alleging that Mercedes-Benz plans to axe its Mercedes-Benz CLS from production later on this year. According to initial reports from Driving.ca, the German automaker is planning to shelf the popular four-door “coupe” at the end of the year, falling in line with many other automakers who have […]
Mix and Match: Ford secures patent for configurable, modular vehicle frames
Toronto, Ontario — Ford’s engineering department is working towards what could be a significant cost-cutting measure for the automaker, as a recent patent filing dug up by Ford Authority shows a design for a one-size-fits-all configurable frame for use on future vehicles. The patent design, which was filed on Nov. 23, 2022 and published last […]
