Edition: U.S. / Global

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Automobiles

Ford testing a self-driving Ford Fusion Hybrid near the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.
Ford

Ford testing a self-driving Ford Fusion Hybrid near the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.

Silicon Valley, with Google and Tesla, is developing the smart cars of tomorrow, but the Detroit Three are working hard on self-driving projects in Michigan.

Hyundai’s U.S. Chief Is Out, as Automaker Seeks to Rekindle Growth

David Zuchowski had led the American unit of the South Korean company for two years, as the U.S. market shifted away from Hyundai’s strengths.

The Rogue Hybrid offers an even more fuel-efficient version of a compact sport utility vehicle that was already stingy with a gallon of gas.

Volkswagen Expected to Pay Another $1 Billion in Emissions Scandal

The agreement covers the remaining diesel cars involved in the scandal that were not included in a June settlement: about 80,000 Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche cars.

Wheels

Driving Down Memory Lane in the Original Minivan

An appreciative turn behind the wheel of a 1984 Dodge Caravan, the car that made the station wagon obsolete and paved the way for the S.U.V.

Converted Limousines Need Stricter Safety Rules, Report Finds

A special grand jury examined the issues raised by a July 2015 crash in which a converted Lincoln Town Car leaving a Long Island winery was struck by a pickup truck, killing four.

Cars Talking to One Another? They Could Under Proposed Safety Rules

Under the rules, cars would be able to use wireless technology to detect if another vehicle was moving too fast in their direction and headed for a collision.

Wealth Matters

Here’s the Key to Your Suite, and Another to Your Rolls-Royce

This holiday season, some high-end hotels and resorts are adding to their luster by offering guests free use of luxury cars, with or without chauffeurs.

Uber Expands Self-Driving Car Service to San Francisco. D.M.V. Says It’s Illegal.

The ride-hailing company debuted self-driving cars in San Francisco, only to have California’s Department of Motor Vehicles say it was illegal.

Google Parent Company Spins Off Self-Driving Car Business

The decision is a signal that the company thinks its self-driving technology has moved beyond research project status and is ready for commercialization.

Tied to Europe, Britain’s Car Industry Is Vulnerable After ‘Brexit’

After becoming an efficient industry with deep links to the Continent, it must grapple with the impact of the country’s vote to leave the European Union.

Worried Auto Industry Braces for Change Under Trump

Tariffs on imported vehicles and parts and fewer subsidies for electric cars are among the possible changes that concern domestic automakers.

At $55 million, a Ferrari Races Into the Stratosphere

A British dealer is asking $55 million for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, potentially the highest-ever price for a car.

E.U. Threatens to Sue 4 Countries Where VW Sold Polluting Cars

The move against Britain, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain is an apparent attempt to catch up after facing criticism for a lax response to a yearlong scandal.

Uber Bets on Artificial Intelligence With Acquisition and New Lab

With the Geometric Intelligence deal, Uber wants to make major advances in how the computers behind self-driving vehicles think and make decisions on the road.

November U.S. Auto Sales Up 3.7 Percent on Back of Steep Discounts

Hefty discounts helped boost November U.S. auto sales 3.7 percent, automakers reported on Thursday, putting the industry within reach of the annual sales record set in 2015.

Lapo Elkann, Italian Scion and Fashion Designer, Is Arrested in Manhattan

The 39-year-old is a grandson of Giovanni Agnelli, who turned his family’s auto company, Fiat, into a worldwide conglomerate.

Driven

Video Review: With the LaCrosse, Buick Continues to Pamper

The new model has a coddling suspension that mercifully shrugs off rough roads, and the brand’s new face gives the car a modern look.

Wheels
Out of Africa, an All-Road Honda Motorcycle

The arrival of a new Africa Twin is well timed to a surge of interest in bikes suited to long-distance treks, pavement optional.

Wheels
Dull Car Finish Now Shines

A flat matte finish is gaining popularity, with car enthusiasts willing to pay as much as thousands more for a vehicle with the dull look.

Wheels
Giving Today’s Car a Well-Tuned Interior

Automakers are using sensors and audio systems to diminish engine noise — or enhance it — for the driver and passengers.

A Vehicle’s Sound System Can Be a Matter of Life and Death

For safety’s sake, auto acoustics are tweaked to help drivers distinguish between warning sounds, and let drivers and passengers converse safely.

Climate Protection Advocates Fear a Rollback of Emissions Standards

President-elect Trump has indicated he will look for a quick exit from America’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Expanding Smart Car Fleet, New York Police Just Got More ‘Adorable’

Since their rollout last year, the tiny, bean-shaped vehicles have drawn the attention, and sometimes the affection, of curious passers-by.

Biggest Spike in Traffic Deaths in 50 Years? Blame Apps

Highway deaths have surged in the last two years, and experts put much of the blame on in-car use of smartphones and dashboard apps.

Wheels
Let the Lessee Beware: Car Leases Can Be the Most Binding of Contracts

An auto lease, a common alternative to buying a vehicle, is a three-party contract that can be hard to break.

Wheels
A Father, a Son and the Porsche They Went In On Together

How a shared affinity for horsepower led to test runs on the racetrack, a joint lease and shared custody of a 2016 Cayman S.

Buy a New Ride and Take a Spin With a Pro

Ford and Mercedes are among the automakers who offer United States buyers a chance to drive on a course and receive free professional instruction.

Self-Driving Truck’s First Mission: A 120-Mile Beer Run

Otto, the Uber-owned self-driving vehicle operation, delivered 2,000 cases of Budweiser 120 miles to Colorado Springs from Fort Collins, Colo.

New Car Reviews

2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid
2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S
2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600
2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600
2017 Buick LaCrosse
2017 Buick LaCrosse
2017 Chevrolet Cruze
2017 Chevrolet Cruze
2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid

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