Two more Jeep recalls this week

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve

Jeep had two more recalls this week, both affecting 2024 models. The Jeep Wrangler can have inoperative trailer lighting, but only 34 vehicles in the US (and presumably a handful elsewhere in the world) are affected. This only affects vehicles made from January 24 through March 18, 2024, with the tow package but with the … Read more

GM laying off 1,000 people globally

General Motors GM Flint Metal Center

General Motors told news organizations that it was laying off a thousand people around the world, mostly salaried workers with some hourly people. The layoffs were announced by email. According to MSN, some of the layoffs were due to poor performance, while others involved changing priorities. GM has been cutting back on some projects, such … Read more

Walmart going with Brightdrop for new delivery program

brightdrop

Walmart is adding BrightDrop electric vans to their “last mile fleet” for home deliveries, following a pilot program. This follows Amazon’s use of Rivian vans, which are supplementing or replacing Ram ProMasters and Ford Transits; Amazon invested a great deal of cash into Rivian to make their vans a reality as well as buying them … Read more

Stella updating Free2move Charge Go; GM’s 400 fast-charger stalls in USA

EVgo charging station with chargers for electric cars

Stellantis recently announced Free2move Charge Go with this statement: Free2move Charge, Stellantis 360-degree ecosystem designed to deliver seamless charging and energy management solutions introduces Free2move Charge Go, the second of the three strategic pillars: Free2move Charge Home, Free2move Charge Go and Free2move Charge Business. Designed to ensure that customers can easily access the most extensive … Read more

GM boosted profits at STLA’s expense

GM sales

General Motors announced that North American profits rose to nearly $4 billion as its revenue hit a record $41 billion—a 14% increase. While the margin may not have been as high as Stellantis seems to demand, GM profits were high and inventories were under control. GM operates under a UAW contract very similar to that … Read more

No Mopars in this week’s recalls; Germans have wide issues

recalls

Stellantis wasn’t listed in this week’s recalls after having three last week. The German companies put in more appearances than usual, though. Volkswagen recalled its 2022-24 E-Tron series due to short circuits; the 2020-24 Taycan was recalled for the same reason, and the 2025 for nonfunctional rearview cameras. Over at BMW, the brake system might not … Read more

JD Power APEAL: Ram #2 mass-market brand

apeal 2024

Ram performed extremely well in the J.D. Power APEAL study, which considers customer satisfaction with performance, execution, and layout. Among mass market brands, Mini was first, followed by Ram and then Kia and Hyundai.  GMC, the only other truck-only brand, scored just below Hyundai, in a statistical dead heat. All GM mass-market brands scored above … Read more

GM announces big profits

Chevy Blazer police car

General Motors announces that, with stable sales, it earned $48 billion in revenues during the second quarter of 2024. Profits before interest and taxes were $4.4 billion; net profits were $2.9 billion for the quarter. GM increased its expectations for 2024 slightly, now expecting to earn net profits of $10.1 to $11.5 billion. This is … Read more

GM announces US sales gain; STLA timing

Chevy Blazer police car

For the second quarter, General Motors (GM) sold 696,086 vehicles in the United States, up 0.6%; in the first half of the year, they sold 1,290,319 vehicles, down 0.4%. Sales could be called “flat,” with quality gains countered by a delay in producing electric cars due to a slower-than-expected robotics supplier at the battery plant. … Read more

Ford profits fell, revenue rose

The first quarter was a real winner for General Motors, but the story was mixed for Ford, which had higher revenue but a 24% drop in profits, largely due to its commercial vehicle unit. Total adjusted earnings before interest and taxes was $2.8 billion. The EV unit, which is still in a capital-expenses, development-costs mode … Read more

Videos, slides: Guided tour to the rest of the 2024 New York Auto Show

Plymouth Gran Fury

This is a guided tour, albeit not in perfect order, of the upper and lower levels of the 2024 New York Auto Show. The upper level was the traditional car companies showing cars, with some interactive experiences; the lower level was the EV test track, miscellaneous exhibitors (including Lucid, which really belongs upstairs), and a large number of tuner cars and otherwise-modded cars (e.g. with paint, decals, and lighting).

Chevy Blazer EV police car, RS quick test drive

all kinds of cop equipment hanging around (Chevrolet Blazer Pursuit EV)

For a long time, Dodge dominated police car acceleration, especially if you discount the turbocharged V6 Ford Explorers. Dodge is still planning police-edition Chargers which should leave those Explorers in the dust, but many departments are moving away from sedans and into crossovers and SUVs. Chevrolet’s new Blazer EV, shown at the 2024 New York Auto Show, may be stiff competition in that arena—both because of its acceleration and because of its readiness for police work.

Camp Jeep vs Ford Off-Roadeo (updated)

Camp Jeep 2024 slanty NYC

For the first time, the New York Auto Show has dueling off-road courses outside, standing side by side. In the more visible place, where you can rise up well above street level, is the Camp Jeep setup. When it’s not raining, the massive hill provides a good view of the surrounding city—not as good as … Read more