News

The track-focused 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS debuts a motorsports-inspired central radiator and a large carbon wing that delivers greater downforce.

The redesigned GT car arrives in the spring with a starting price of $225,250, including shipping.

Under the hood sits a high-revving 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that delivers 518 hp and a 0-to-60-mph time of three seconds.

Adjustable wing elements on the front and on the two-part rear wing help provide more than 900 pounds of downforce at about 124 mph — three times as much as a current 911 GT3.

To boost performance, the GT3 RS uses a central radiator concept — first used in the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR.

Instead of the three-radiator layout seen in previous cars, the GT3 RS relies on a large, angled center radiator in the car's nose, positioned where the luggage compartment is located on other 911 models. The freed-up space on the sides allowed engineers to integrate active aerodyna…

Tesla Inc. has parted ways with the law department leader heading an internal inquiry into purchase orders at the electric vehicle maker.

David Searle left his position as Tesla’s head of legal less than a month ago, according to three people familiar with the matter. His LinkedIn profile has not been updated to show his departure.

Dinna Eskin, a deputy general counsel at the company, has taken over the role, the people said.

Searle had been overseeing an internal investigation involving Omead Afshar, a key lieutenant to Tesla’s top executive, Elon Musk, who was tasked with navigating a tangled global supply chain to obtain critical construction materials. The probe over a hard-to-get glass order has led to some Tesla employees being fired, according to Bloomberg.

Searle is a former federal prosecutor who was initially hired by Tesla in 2021 to be its head of compliance. His title at Tesla was acting head of legal and corporate secretary.

T…

Electric vehicle owners are dealing with a large number of inoperable charging stations and a slow rollout of public charging infrastructure, hurdles that could hamper adoption even as the technology looks to be gaining momentum.

EVs accounted for about 5 percent of U.S. new light-vehicle registrations during the first half of this year, up from 2.5 percent during the same period of 2021.

"Not only is the availability of public charging still an obstacle, but EV owners continue to be faced with charging station equipment that is inoperable," said Brent Gruber, executive director of global automotive at J.D. Power.

Driver satisfaction with Level 2 public chargers is falling, according to J.D. Power's annual U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study, released Wednesday.

Its survey of more than 11,000 EV and plug-in hybrid owners found satisfaction declined to 633 from 643 last year on a 1,000-point scale. Satisfaction with DC fast charg…

A lawsuit filed against Ford Motor Co. by New York dealer Kitty Van Bortel surrounding reneged plans to purchase a dealership has been dismissed.

Last September, Van Bortel, a dealer based in western New York, entered into an oral agreement with a Ford representative to purchase Henderson Ford in Webster, N.Y., according to the suit.

The representative told her that if another buyer arose, Ford would exercise its right to refusal and give her the deal, according to the complaint. Ford told Van Bortel on Oct. 25 that the company planned to sell Henderson Ford to West Herr Auto Group.

Van Bortel filed the complaint in U.S. District Court on Nov. 15, claiming breach of contract and that Ford discriminated against her based on her sex, violating the state's Human Rights Law.

But U.S. District Judge David Larimer dismissed the lawsuit Aug. 10, saying an oral agreement between Van Bortel and Ford did not constitute a valid, legal contract.

In hi…

The Inflation Reduction Act is now law, leaving about 20 EV models eligible for tax credits. BMW is getting Tesla-like cylindrical batteries from a Chinese supplier. The revived DeLorean Motors faces claims of stolen intellectual property. Plus, a look at the rise and decline of LMP Automotive.

How do I subscribe?

Can't wait to hear the next episode of "Daily Drive"? Subscribe through a podcast app to receive episodes days in advance. If you don't have a podcast app already, here are some options. 

iPhone / iPad

“Daily Drive” is available on the iTunes Store and through the ‘Podcast’ app pre-installed on all iOS devices. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

Android

“Daily Drive” is available on the Google Play store. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

Spotify

"Daily Drive" is available on Spotify. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

The IRS issued guidance clarifying the electric vehicle tax credit rules outlined by the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law on Tuesday.

Here are edited excerpts.

EVs purchased before Aug. 16

» If you entered into a written binding contract to purchase a new qualifying electric vehicle before Aug. 16, but do not take possession of the vehicle until on or after Aug. 16 (for example, because the vehicle has not been delivered), you may claim the EV credit based on the rules that were in effect before August 16. The final assembly requirement does not apply before August 16.

EVs purchased and delivered Aug. 16-Dec. 31

» If you purchase and take possession of a qualifying EV after Aug. 16 and before Jan. 1, aside from the final assembly requirement, the rules in effect before the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act for the EV credit apply (including …

OURAY, Colo. — The Telluride has carved successful new paths for Kia since the crossover was launched in 2019.

The large ute draws a steady wave of new, younger and more affluent buyers to the brand. Average transaction prices have hovered above sticker since it went on sale.

It was the fifth-bestselling large crossover in the U.S. last year behind the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas; it moved ahead of the Traverse in the first half of this year to take the No. 3 spot. The Telluride ranked second among vehicles in the three-row crossover segment in J.D. Power's latest survey of initial quality, behind the Highlander and ahead of the GMC Acadia, after placing first in 2021.

And it consistently scores among the most satisfying and appealing crossovers in its segment, again rated by owners, based on a separate J.D. Power survey.

But it is still missing some true off-road chops that cater to families and outd…

The race is on to help buyers with existing EV credits before they expire. Volkswagen and its union in Mexico are on a bumpy road toward a new contract. GM adds a new board member from the luxury fashion world. Plus, Upstream Security CEO Yoav Levy talks about cyber threats against vehicles and infrastructure.

How do I subscribe?

Can't wait to hear the next episode of "Daily Drive"? Subscribe through a podcast app to receive episodes days in advance. If you don't have a podcast app already, here are some options. 

iPhone / iPad

“Daily Drive” is available on the iTunes Store and through the ‘Podcast’ app pre-installed on all iOS devices. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

Android

“Daily Drive” is available on the Google Play store. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

Spotify

"Daily Drive" is available on Spotify. Click here to subscribe to "Daily Drive"

Toyota Motor North America has named three new members to its North American Diversity Advisory Board.

The automaker on Monday announced the appointments of Robert Davidson, former CEO and chairman of Surface Protection Industries; Domenika Lynch, executive director of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program; and retired Army Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith.

The appointments were effective Aug. 1.

"These very fine leaders were selected to lend their expertise in the areas of diversity and inclusion that build on our existing members," said Sandra Phillips Rogers, Toyota North America's chief legal and diversity officer. "All three of them are such rich [diversity and inclusion] and executive leaders in their own right."

She added: "Tammy is a trailblazer. She has been an advocate for equal workplaces, and she's helped on policies that make the military more welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community. Robert has worked in community organizations to drive div…

Jaguar's metamorphosis into an ultraluxury brand is underway.

The change starts with creating a more upscale perception of the iconic British luxury brand in consumers' minds. The undertaking began Aug. 8 with a new marketing campaign that features ads and videos for upscale magazines.

The lifestyle ads aim to position Jaguar as the pinnacle of luxury, right up there with such exclusive European brands as Cartier jewelry and Hermes and Balenciaga fashions.

"We are actually part of that world, but we don't really communicate the brand in that way. We are quite rooted in automotive tradition," said Stuart Schorr, vice president of communications for Jaguar Land Rover North America. "And as we try and elevate and move into the future, sometimes you just need a strong break."

When Jaguar Land Rover CEO Thierry Bollore in 2021 rolled out his Reimagine plan that will see the current generation of Jaguars end production and be replaced by an array of ul…

Last week, I reported on a handful of major announcements from online used-vehicle retailer Shift Technologies. After facing market challenges, the company is getting a new CEO next month and cutting its work force by 60 percent through the rest of the year. Shift also plans to merge with CarLotz, a similarly troubled company in the used-vehicle consignment space.

Why is Shift taking these steps? Its executives said such a realignment is necessary to get the retailer on track to profitability. Current Shift CEO George Arison — who will be succeeded in that role by Shift President Jeff Clementz on Sept. 1 — said it has become clear that the retailer's former business plan would be hard to finance given the changes happening in the used-vehicle market environment at the moment.

So Shift updated that plan in part to focus most sales through its online checkout channel, which enables consumers to purchase a vehicle online, sight unseen, for pickup or delivery. Of n…

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday it is awarding $1.66 billion in grants to cities and states to buy 1,800 buses in a shift to cleaner, lower-emission travel.

The grants will fund 1,100 zero-emission buses, which will nearly double the existing 1,300 zero-emission transit buses, the White House said.

The funding for 150 bus fleets from the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure law will help cities and states retire older polluting buses.

The funding will also buy 700 buses, which include hybrid-electric, natural gas and diesel models.

"These grants are going to be used in every corner of this country," White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu told reporters.

Buses account for about half of the 10 billion U.S. transit trips Americans took in 2019. But there are still few green buses -- just 18 percent of the 72,000 U.S. transit buses were hybrid electric in 2020, according to the American Public Transpor…