Reports

You are currently browsing articles tagged Reports.

Florida could suspend Carvana’s dealer license after it has failed to transfer the titles of some vehicles sold.

Carvana was reportedly notified of the issues in an email sent by Florida authorities last week. This email is said to have included a spreadsheet that showed 300 Carvana vehicle sales dating back to 2019 that had not had their titles transferred. More than 100 of these vehicle sales occurred in Florida.

Read Also: Carvana Banned From Selling Used Cars In North Carolina Area Until 2022

State law in Florida requires retailers to apply for a title within 30 days of completing a sale. Speaking with Auto News, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said Carvana has until January 31 to submit title applications for all the vehicles it sold in 2021 before December 1.

“The department has been proactively working with Carvana to identify and assist Florida customers who have not received their title in a timely manner, and in accordance with state law,” the spokesperson added. “Florida law allows for the suspension of the dealer’s license if they fail to apply for a transfer of title in a timely manner.”

This isn’t the first time Carvana has been scrutinized for not delivering titles in time. Earlier this year it settled with Florida regulators and agreed to pay $500 each to 12 customers who had to wait three to eight months to receive titles on vehicles they purchased. In August, Carvana had its dealer license suspended for 180 days in Wake County, North Carolina for not producing titles fast enough, among other issues.

Carvana sold 244,111 vehicles in the U.S. last year, making it the country’s second-largest retailer of used vehicles. A spokeswoman from the company says Carvana has applied for around 23,500 titles in Florida over the past 12 months.

For GREAT deals on a new or used Nissan check out Route 22 Nissan TODAY!

Tags: , , ,

Next year is gearing up to be a special one for BMW’s M division. BMW M GmbH will mark its 50th anniversary in May, 2022, and new rumors suggest that there’s a special, limited production M4 on the horizon.

The lead comes from an alleged BMW insider on g80.bimmerpost. The user, who apparently has a good track record for new car info, suggests that the unnamed M4 special will be “configured like the CSL, but with a manual transmission.”

The forum member goes on to say that several options will be deleted, including comfort access, parking sensors, and electric seats. The absence of such would result in an M4 that’s even lighter than the already lightweight CSL, provided this special model is based on the upcoming CSL in the first place.

Although the production M4 CSL hasn’t yet been revealed to the public, our spies have spotted prototypes undergoing testing. These cars feature revised air intakes and grilles, as well as lightweight wheels, a more prominent lip spoiler, and a new diffuser.

Read: BMW Teases Next-Generation M4 GT4 Customer Race Car

A BMW M4 CSL prototype caught testing at the Nurburgring

As yet, powertrain details for the CSL have not been confirmed, although there have been reports that BMW may not offer a manual transmission. If that were the case, a limited, manual-equipped take on the CSL could prove to be the holy grail of BMW’s M4 line-up. The source also remarks that the new variant will be only produced for a few months, starting in November 2022, implying that production numbers will be kept low.

We already know that BMW M GmbH has big plans on the horizon for the upcoming year. Their 750hp plug-in hybrid SUV, the XM, is set to be in production before the end of 2022, and from January, customers will be able to order their cars with a roundel that harks back to the Motorsport division’s classic logo. If that weren’t enough, the new BMW M3 Touring would finally fulfill our M wagon dreams, and a series of 50 new M paint finishes will be made available. A special, ultra-limited edition of the M4 could just be the icing on the cake.


For GREAT deals on a new or used Nissan check out Nissan of Sumter TODAY!

Tags: , , , ,

Buick’s range in North America comprises exclusively of SUVs including the Envision, Encore and Enclave, but none of them is fully electric. This could change in the near future as the automaker filed a trademark for the Electra name in Canada, a move that could hint at a production version of last years’ fully electric crossover concept bearing the iconic name.

General Motor’s trademark filing from December 20 for the Buick Electra name was posted at the Rivian Owners Forum. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Buick will use the Electra name on a production vehicle, nor that this will be a fully electric crossover, however both of those assumptions sound plausible given the timing.

See Also: 2023 Cadillac Lyriq Electric SUV Unveiled In Production Form

The pictured Buick Electra concept was unveiled last year in Shangai. The prototype brought back an iconic name used in full-size luxury sedans from 1959 to 1990. Unlike its predecessors, the new Electra adopted a sleek crossover-style silhouette previewing Buick’s future design language.

Like the Cadillac Lyric that was unveiled in production form earlier this year, the Buick Electra concept was based on GM’s Ultium architecture with a fully electric powertrain. In the concept, the dual electric motors produced 583 hp (435 kW / 589 PS), while the Ultium battery allowed a range of more than 410 miles (660 km). The production version could use the Lyriq’s 100 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is good for a more down-to-earth 300 mile (483 km) electric range.

See Also: Buick Smart Pod Is A Futuristic Luxury Minivan Concept

A Buick Electra SUV could be a competitor for the rumored Chrysler Airflow and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, or move upmarket to rival more premium electric SUV proposals from BMW (iX), Audi (e-tron), and Mercedes-Benz (EQE). In any case, the design of the concept would have to be toned down for production, including a more conventional design for the greenhouse and the doors while retaining elements like the overall crossover shape, the Matrix LED lighting units, and the large-diameter wheels.

Buick hasn’t made any announcements for the future product strategy so we don’t know if and when they are planning to introduce their first fully electric SUV. Outside North America, the automaker is steadily increasing its sales in China, where it is also offering a wide range of sedans, SUVs, and luxury MPVs.

Tags: , , , , ,

The age of all-electric supercars and hypercars has arrived and as car manufacturers look to push performance boundaries to new levels, some are turning to smaller EV specialists.

One of these companies is British firm YASA which was recently purchased by Daimler. YASA already suppliers motors to the likes of Ferrari, Koenigsegg, and an unnamed British supercar company and will soon supply its electric motors to the Mercedes-AMG brand.

The YASA axial flux electric motor is similar in size to a steering wheel and is flat, meaning it is also lighter and more efficient than more conventional radial flux motors. YASA’s motor is also oil-cooled and already being used by the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB.

Read More: Every New Mercedes Model Will Get An All-Electric Version, Starting In 2025

Fellow British motor manufacturer Saietta has also developed its own water-cooled axial flux motors and will produce them for the Asian motorcycle market. Speaking with Reuters, Saietta’s chief commercial officer Graham Lenden said automakers need a helping hand when it comes to electric motors.

“These manufacturers know combustion engines forwards, backwards and inside out but they do not know electric powertrains and what they are looking for is someone to hold their hand,” he said.

YASA aims to bring the costs of its axial flux electric motor down so that Daimler can use them for its entire range of cars.

Of course, the motor of an EV is only one part of the equation. Supercar and hypercar manufacturers know that weight is their enemy and are also looking for ways to reduce the weight of heavy battery packs or, at the very least, offset a battery’s heft with weight savings elsewhere across vehicles.

For example, the Rimac Nevera‘s body and chassis are made from carbon fiber and its batteries form part of the car’s structure, while the platform of the Lotus Evija uses light aluminum alloys to reduce its weight.

According to Silk-FAW vice president for innovation and technology, Roberto Fedeli, “weight saving is even more important than a higher level of power.” Silk-FAW plans to build a range of electric sports cars in Italy.

YASA axial-flux electric motor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

General Motors is extending the production shutdown at the Michigan plant, where the Chevrolet Bolt is made, for another two weeks following a recall related to the battery units catching fire.

Reuters reports that the pause in production will last until at least September 24 as “a result of a battery pack shortage.” GM added that it will not resume production or sales of the Bolt until it is satisfied that the recall remedy will address the fire risk.

GM stopped production of the Chevrolet Bolt on August 30 as it sought to determine the cause of fires that are originating from the battery modules in some cars built since 2017. That shutdown was initially supposed to end on September 6. Just three days before that, though, GM said it wasn’t yet satisfied that its supplier, LG Chem, had yet become capable of building new batteries without any defects.

Read More: Chevy To Pause Bolt Production For Two Weeks After Expanding Recall

“If we took the battery stock that’s in the field right now or at a warehouse, we’re not confident that it is defect-free,” a GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press. “Because we are not confident that LG has the capability to build defect-free products, we’ve put the repairs on hold and we are not building new Bolts. We’re not going to start recall repairs or start building new Bolts until we’re confident LG will build defect-free products.”

Indeed, GM has reason to be cautious, since it has had to recall the Bolt twice. In July, it announced that Bolts that had already received the fix from a 2020 recall had to be recalled again. As a result, the automaker has had to widen its recall to 140,000 vehicles at a cost that is estimated to reach $1.8 billion.

GM’s spokesperson said earlier this month that it and LG Chem have hundreds of people working round the clock to find the cause of and a solution to the battery defects.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Elon Musk has confirmed that the Tesla Cybertruck will not hit the production line until late 2022.

When first unveiled in November 2019, Tesla stated the Cybertruck would hit the market in 2021. However, the automaker revealed its plans had been pushed back until 2022 during its Q2 2021 financial results announcement in August. Musk has now specified that it has been delayed yet again until late 2022 and that significant volume production will not be achieved until late 2023.

Musk confirmed the news while speaking with employees on a company-wide call. He did not specify a month or a quarter when production will begin.

Read Also: Crowdsourced Tracker Suggests Cybertruck Reservations Could Exceed 1 Million

When the Cybertruck was first unveiled, there was an expectation that it would be one of, if not the, first electric pickup trucks to reach the hands of customers. However, it appears that the Rivian R1T will take that crown with deliveries set to commence imminently. Both the GMC Hummer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning will also likely reach customer driveways before the first Cybertrucks.

However, as we have learned time and time again, most Tesla customers are more than willing to put up with delivery delays. It is also reported that there have been more than 1 million reservations placed for the Cybertruck, meaning that when it does finally launch, it certainly has the potential to be the best-selling electric pickup truck on the market, at least for the first couple years of production.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Toyota will start to assemble fuel cell modules at its Kentucky plant in 2023.

A dedicated line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) site in Georgetown will assemble dual fuel cell modules to be used by hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty commercial trucks. This site already builds the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES 350.

The dual-fuel cell modules weigh approximately 1,400 lbs and produce 160 kW of power and the kit that will be assembled in Kentucky includes a high voltage battery, electric motors, transmission, and the hydrogen storage assembly itself. A Toyota spokesperson confirmed to Auto News that the fuel cell modules are “designed to fit in essentially the same space” as a similar diesel engine in a Class 8 semi-truck.

Watch Also: James May Finally Gets To Properly Drive His New Toyota Mirai

“We’re bringing our proven electric technology to a whole new class of production vehicles,” president and chief executive of Toyota Motor North America, Tetsuo Ogawa, said. “Heavy-duty truck manufacturers will be able to buy a fully integrated and validated fuel cell electric drive system, allowing them to offer their customers an emissions-free option in the Class 8 heavy-duty segment.”

Toyota hasn’t specified what companies it will supply its hydrogen powertrain to, nor has it said if the move will bring any new investment to the plant.

“This second-generation fuel cell system is necessary for a carbon-neutral future,” Toyota Kentucky powertrain head David Rosier stated. “It delivers over 300 miles of range at a full load weight of 80,000 lbs., all while demonstrating exceptional drivability, quiet operation and zero harmful emissions.”

Tags: , , , ,

Next year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that will be held from January 5 to January 8 will require all in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

CES has quickly become one of the most important events for automobile manufacturers as many morph into mobility companies that are heavily reliant on new technologies. The 2022 iteration of the show will also include a digital event running in parallel with the in-person program and catering to those who won’t be able to attend in Las Vegas.

Read Also: New York Auto Show Cancelled Due to Covid – Again, For The Fourth Time In A Row

“Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19,” president and chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Gary Shapiro, said in a statement. “We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols. We are taking on our responsibility by requiring proof of vaccination to attend CES 2022 in Las Vegas.”

The CTA says it is also considering the acceptance of proof of a positive antibody test showing previous COVID-19 infection as an alternative requirement to vaccination. More details regarding this safety measure will be announced at a later date. The CTA added that it will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will announce additional or modified protocols closer to the show. It will also follow state and local guidelines and recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CES 2022 will host more than 1,000 companies, including some 200 from the transportation and vehicle technology industries. GM chief executive Mary Barra will be the keynote speaker.

Tags: , , ,

The first allocation of 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray models have been accounted for in Australia, even though the mid-engined sports car has yet to reach local shores.

General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed that all 250 examples have been sold, although it reiterated that this is only the first allocation and more are on the way.

Chevrolet’s Bowling Green assembly site will begin building right-hand drive Corvettes for Australia later this year before customer deliveries begin in late December or early January. Those who missed out on the initial allocation will still have a chance to buy a 2022 example, although GMSV failed to reveal how many more 2022 models are earmarked for the country. It did confirm to Car Advice that 2023 models will also be available at a later date.

Read Also: Chevrolet Launches Right-Hand Drive C8 Corvette In Japan

Local pricing for the Corvette 2LT Coupe starts at AU$144,990 (US$106,756) before on-road costs and increases to AU$160,500 (US$118,000) for the 3LT Coupe and AU$189,990 (US$139,889) for the flagship Corvette Carbon Edition. Convertible variants of the 2LT and 3LT are also available, each with an AU$15,000 (US$11,044) premium over their coupe counterparts. It remains to be seen how many buyers have actually managed to lock in an allocation for these prices, however, as many GMSV dealerships are said to be charging between AU$20,000 (US$14,726) and AU$40,000 (US$29,452) in delivery fees to boost their profits.

GMSV isn’t concerned with this, though, simply stating that “delivery fees are at the discretion of the dealer.”

Tags: , , , , ,

Targets are known for having big red balls outside of their entrances and they helped to create an unusual sight at a store in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

As you can see in these tweets and video, a Nissan Altima managed to drive on top of one and get stuck.

According to authorities, the car reversed into the ball at high speed and effectively climbed on top of it. This is backed up by the photos, which show the Altima received extensive damage to its rear bumper while the front bumper has also seen better days.

Also Watch: Porsche Taycan Driver Screws Up And Nearly Parks On Top Of A BMW 1-Series

WRAL reports the incident occurred yesterday afternoon and emergency crews were able to stabilize the vehicle as well as ‘free’ the driver. Speaking of the latter, the station said 49 year old Michelle Wright was charged with reckless driving as well as driving while impaired.

Needless to say, those are serious charges as reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 60 days in jail as well as fines of up to $1,000 (£733 / €848). Driving while impaired is far more serious as there are five levels of the offense, which are “punishable by a fine up to $200 (£146 / €170) and a minimum jail sentence of 24 hours and a maximum of 60 days” at Level 1.

The incident is shaping up to be a costly Target run, but thankfully no one was injured.

Lead image credit: @TaurineYeen

Tags: , , ,

« Older entries