Cale Yarborough, a legendary figure in NASCAR, has passed away at the age of 84. Yarborough, known for his aggressive driving style and competitive spirit, raced in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1957 to 1988.
One of the first things we learn as new drivers is the color palette of the road. Green means “go”, yellow serves as a warning or to slow down, while red means “stop”. Today, for the first time in decades, a new color is being added to the list. It is turquoise, which will belong to cars operating without the intervention of their driver.
This color has been reserved as part of the permits issued by the states of California and Nevada to Mercedes-Benz for its revolutionary Level 3 SAE automated driving system, Drive Pilot. Mercedes has stated that there are no national or international standards for signaling computer-driven cars, which requires regulatory authorities to find a distinct color to signal authorized vehicles. This will prevent incidents where the public or police may freak out upon seeing an S-Class driver watching a video without touching the steering wheel.
Turquoise was chosen for multiple reasons: it is visible and distinct, unlike purple, and it is not already associated with any other signal. The primary colors red, yellow, and blue are already in use, as well as the composite colors green and orange. The fact that turquoise has already been recommended by the SAE is significant, as is the fact that this color is already associated with the authorized manufacturer’s Formula 1 team.
Under the operating permit, Mercedes’ Drive Pilot can activate turquoise lights incorporated into its headlights, taillights, and side mirrors. However, the use of this technology is limited to highways and is only permitted in California for two years. In Nevada, on the other hand, authorization is unlimited and will begin with the EQS and S-Class sedans in 2026.
Of course, the technology is already on the road, it just doesn’t need to announce what it’s doing. This framework does not seem to aim at forcing automakers to equip their vehicles with turquoise lights, but rather to give them the option to do so. Given the advantages it offers, it is hard to imagine other companies not adopting it as a standard, that is, when they can deploy equivalent technology.
In May of this year, Toyota recalled approximately 110,000 Corolla Cross models in North America due to a problem with the passenger airbag. It has now been revealed that 12,575 models in the United States (the number has not been specified for Canada), which had already been inspected for the defect, will need to be returned to dealers as they may require a repair. A notice issued by Toyota Motor North America indicates that an issue with the inspection process specified by Toyota means that some vehicles requiring the remedy may not have been identified.
The affected vehicles were manufactured between September 7, 2021, and May 4, 2023, and Toyota estimates that approximately 1.77% of the initially recalled 109,806 vehicles could have the defect. Owners of an affected 2022-2023 Toyota Corolla Cross will be notified by mail and invited to take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection. If necessary, the dealer will replace the dashboard free of charge. Toyota specifies that the Corolla Cross is equipped with a dashboard with a perforation that will open when the front passenger airbag is deployed.
However, it is possible that the instructions were not followed during the dashboard milling process, and there is a possibility that the dashboard was manufactured without this preformation. This could impact the deployment of the airbag and increase the risk of injury to the front passenger. This is not the first recall to affect the Corolla Cross in the past 12 months. In July of last year, it was involved in a recall that also affected various other Toyota and Lexus models where improper welding in the flat cable could result in the disconnection of the driver-side airbag.
Information sourced from Carscoops.
Porsche has ruled out the idea of an electric 911, at least for now, but hybrid technology is definitely being studied. When the 911 992 undergoes its mid-cycle refresh within the next six to twelve months, some variants will receive electrified powertrains.
One of these is expected to be the Turbo S model, currently being tested in Europe. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume stated last year that an electrified 911 would be coming. He specified that it would be a hybrid car based on the former 919 Hybrid LMP1, not a plug-in hybrid like the 918 Spyder. This means there will be no plug, and the electric motor(s) will only be used to support the internal combustion engine and to recover energy during braking. The power output is expected to increase, but Porsche has not provided any figures.
According to Motor Authority, the hybrid 911 Turbo S will use a 400-volt electrical system instead of an 800-volt system like the Taycan electric car. The higher voltage system is better suited for fast charging, which is not necessary for a hybrid car with a much smaller battery compared to an electric vehicle. The electric motor is expected to be integrated into the transmission. Former head of the 911, August Achleitner, stated in an interview with Motor Authority in 2019 that the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission used in the 992 generation 911 is the same as the one used in the hybrid versions of the Panamera, which also integrates the electric motor into the transmission.
The 911 update will also feature some stylistic changes. Prototypes reveal new designs for the rear lights and exhaust tips. The front bumper is expected to be modernized, and the headlights should have new internal elements with brighter and more precise beams. The turn signals may also be integrated into the headlights, instead of being placed on the front bumper as they currently are. The updated 911 Turbo S is expected to be unveiled later this year or early next year. It should be accompanied by a refreshed Carerra 911, which is also expected to offer a hybrid option. Both models are expected to be available in North America in 2025.
Source: “La Porsche 911 hybride est presque prête” from L’annuel de l’automobile – Actualité automobile
This news at the time generated a lot of interest. Already, three quarters of the shareholders of Olds Motor Works in Lansing and part of Buick Motor Company in Flint, Michigan, have accepted a merger plan. This plan involves the new company acquiring their shares and issuing its preferred and common shares in return on a fair basis.
Important Financial Details
General Motors Company, incorporated in New Jersey, had a capitalization of $12,500,000, divided into $1 nominal value shares. Preferred shares represented $7,000,000 while common shares amounted to $5,500,000. Preferred shares pay a cumulative dividend of 7%. Although Curtis R. Hathaway, a partner at Ward, Hayden & Satterlee in New York, is interested in this new company, he and his partners in law remain silent and refuse to discuss it until “the appropriate time”.
Reactions from Major Manufacturers
The names of almost all affordable car manufacturers have been associated with rumors of similar mergers. However, players such as Cadillac, Reo, and Ford have denied any involvement in such consolidations. Henry Ford, despite a production estimated at 20,000 cars, explicitly rejected any intention to merge at the time.
Strategic Goals of Mergers
The main idea behind these merger proposals is to purchase materials in large quantities, thus enabling substantial cost savings in production. This strategy also aims to avoid direct competition by allocating car production according to price ranges and limiting each company to a specific type.
With information from the New York Times
VinFast will unveil the entry-level SUV VF 3 at the CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2024 event in January in Las Vegas, as well as a new concept.
Around $30,000
So far, the Vietnamese manufacturer has not been able to break into the American market due to slow sales and a multitude of problems, but it remains convinced that the VF 3 has the potential to become a good seller. VinFast recently revealed that North American dealers have shown a lot of interest in the VF 3, especially because it could be marketed for under $20,000 US or around $30,000 Canadian, before a $12,000 credit in Quebec.
Pocket-sized format
The CES will be the first opportunity to see the VF 3 in person. It is only 3,114 mm long and, although it only has two doors, it claims to have enough interior space to accommodate five people. The technical specifications remain unknown, but the compact footprint and very affordable price likely mean that the vehicle will be equipped with a small battery and a single electric motor.
No details on the concept
VinFast has not provided any information about “its latest electric vehicle concept” that will also be present at the event. However, the concept and the VF 3 will be accompanied by the VF 9 and a range of electric bicycles that the company calls its “DrgnFly” models.
In the town of Renazzo, on April 28, 1916, Ferruccio Lamborghini was born, the oldest of five brothers, growing up on his father’s farmland. While his father spoke of the ancestral love for working the fields, Ferruccio’s soul vibrated to the rhythm of engines and cars.
He learned the trade of blacksmith at a young age, revealing his talent and passion for mechanics. After finishing primary school, he attended the “Frères Taddia” institute, where he forged his destiny as an entrepreneur, despite his father’s wishes for him to continue the work on the fields. Against his father’s wishes, he joined the prestigious workshop of cavalryman Righi in Bologna, where he gained experience in maintaining army vehicles.
At 18 years old, his friendship with Marino Filippini, a fellow worker at Righi, led him to open his own workshop in Renazzo. These were carefree and intense years, where every old car or motorcycle became the embodiment of his passion, traversing country paths and engraving in him the indelible mark of freedom. But this idyllic period was abruptly interrupted by the horrors of war. Sent to Rhodes, a Aegean island, he became a corporal mechanic, seizing a unique opportunity to be surrounded by the most refined tools of the mechanical industry. His bravery and mechanical genius earned him the trust of his commander, to the point of even repairing the commander’s personal car. The war, a bitter tragedy, interrupted this peaceful island life until the tumult of September 8, 1943, forcing the entire “Autocentro” contingent to flee the city. Ferruccio, enamored with engines, returned to Rhodes in civilian clothes, opening a small workshop under the auspices of the Germans, who recognized his mechanical knowledge instead of imprisoning him.
After the war, he returned to Italy with Clelia, his love from Rhodes. Upon his return, he discovered an Italy filled with a new energy, ready to embrace opportunities. In this land untouched by conflict, the agricultural crisis opened up new horizons, awakening his visionary spirit for large-scale agricultural automation.
In 1947, the “Carioca” tractor was born, the result of his doubled ingenuity, winning over farmers and driving growth. The following year, he propelled production forward, supported by the family farm that was put up as collateral for a loan. Morris engines became the beating heart of the L33 tractor, a symbol of growing success. His momentum led him to a new home in 1951, a larger structure for “Trattori Lamborghini”, the beginnings of a meteoric rise. The 1950s marked his transition from artisan to industrialist, propelling his name to the far corners of the globe, while his tractors conquered agricultural lands. With prolific entrepreneurship, an expanding sales network, and continuous expansion of facilities, Ferruccio, a trailblazer, anticipated market demands even before his competition had considered them. Diesel tractors were born from his genius, marking a new era for the company.
In 1963, the automotive adventure began, with the 350 GT setting international exhibitions on fire. The Bull, a symbol of tenacity, stood as the emblem of “Lamborghini Automobili”, captivating the automotive world with its mechanical finesse and inimitable style. The Miura, a luxurious gran turismo, took to the roads, overshadowing competitors for several years. Movie stars and musicians clamored for it, glorifying its luxury and elegance, even leading it to be exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York as a work of automotive art.
However, the twilight of the 1960s brought about change. The crisis hit “Lamborghini Trattori” hard, a heavy toll from a canceled order and labor tensions. Disoriented, Ferruccio gradually sold his companies, distancing himself from the industrial turmoil to find a peaceful haven by Lake Trasimene.
At La Fiorita, his estate rose, transforming the land into a modern enterprise, combining hunting, relaxation, and prestigious winemaking. Ferruccio, an eternal entrepreneur, sculpted his refuge into a sought-after place, where friendship and memories shaped the final moments of a life marked by innovative vision. He passed away in 1993, surrounded by lifelong friends.
Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed the country’s largest automobile group, Rolf, under temporary state management. Rolf is owned by a Cyprus-based company and was founded by Russian businessman Sergei Petrov. The decision has been justified in the name of “economic expedience,” but the company’s founder claims that this action will be permanent and tarnish Russia’s image as a safe destination for investors.
This incident is the latest example of private assets being confiscated by the Russian government. It stands out as the first time a high-level Russian company has had its control seized by the Kremlin. Until now, seizures have primarily targeted foreign companies, many of which were involved in a US-led embargo in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Rolf, one of the first car dealerships to emerge after the collapse of the Soviet Union, has a portfolio that includes over 30 car brands spread across 59 showrooms. According to Interfax, these outlets collectively sold about 100,000 cars in 2022.
A spokesperson for the Kremlin told Reuters, “This is solely related to economic expedience and compliance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation, given the known international economic situation that surrounds us now.” The government added that this temporary management change would have no impact on Rolf’s operations. However, Petrov has called this action a blow to Russia’s attractiveness for foreign investment. He questioned whether Asian companies would be willing to risk purchasing stakes in the country’s assets if such actions continued.
Petrov has accused the Russian government of asset redistribution within the country. He has not been favored by the Russian authorities. Currently residing in Austria, he was part of a small group of business leaders who signed a letter condemning Putin in 2014 in response to the annexation of Crimea.
In 2019, Rolf was accused of buying shares at an inflated price and moving assets out of the country, accusations that Petrov denies. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and one of the top executives of the automobile group was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for his alleged involvement in the case.
Chevrolet has announced a sales stop for the 2024 Blazer EV due to a software quality issue. Chevrolet stated that this situation does not pose a safety risk, without specifying the exact quantity affected. The sales stop applies to vehicles in transit and those in stock at dealerships.
According to Chevrolet, engineers are currently working on a solution for these software problems, including sporadic issues with the vehicle’s interior screens and, less commonly, during attempts to recharge on certain public DC fast chargers.
Chevrolet stated that customers who own a Blazer EV will be contacted and will be able to have their software updated at a dealership.
The Blazer EV was launched this summer with an RS all-wheel drive version, followed by a 2LT all-wheel drive version before the arrival of the base model, a 2LT front-wheel drive, in 2024.
Rubber production is one of the main causes of deforestation, and electric vehicles could worsen this problem.
Modern tires are made up of about 50% natural rubber, and some companies plan to increase this proportion.
Natural rubber comes from rubber trees, which are planted in former tropical forests.
Due to their heavier weight, electric vehicles can wear tires about 30% faster than comparable gasoline models.
According to new studies using sophisticated satellites, rubber trees are a major cause of deforestation, and electric vehicles could exacerbate this problem.
In fact, the growing demand for rubber is prompting companies and governments to convert vast areas of tropical forests into rubber tree monocultures worldwide.
This has a major environmental impact on all species living in tropical forests, many of which are endangered.
Despite campaigns to stop deforestation for cocoa, coffee, or agriculture, among others, there has been very little resistance to the effects of the rubber industry on this issue.
This is partly due to the low level of public awareness that rubber is a natural product, although it has been used in industrial applications for nearly two centuries.
The 2.3 billion tires manufactured each year use about 70% of the world’s natural rubber production, and the increasing number of new vehicles registered worldwide each year is driving the creation of more rubber plantations.
This problem does not seem to be improving, as major tire manufacturers like Michelin claim to want to increase the proportion of natural rubber used in their tires to reduce their perceived environmental impact.
Currently, most modern tires are made up of an equal mixture of natural and synthetic rubbers, combined to give the tires the necessary properties, such as cold resistance and improved grip.
While synthetic rubber is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel product, its production is criticized by environmental groups and the public. In contrast, the lack of information about deforestation caused by rubber plantations means that the use of natural rubber escapes most criticism.
Experts argue that reducing the tire industry’s dependence on fossil fuels seems like a good step for climate protection, but its impact on deforestation could actually be more damaging to the planet as a whole.
Furthermore, the growing market share of electric vehicles in key countries such as China and the United States, as well as the proposed bans on combustion models in the next decade, could significantly increase the need for rubber plantations.
Indeed, electric vehicles are much heavier than similar-sized vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel engines, which means they wear their tires more quickly.
In fact, Goodyear claims that this increase in wear could reach up to 30% with conventional tires.
One proposed solution to this problem will come in the form of tires specially designed for electric vehicles, many of which are currently being developed.
Another way to ensure that tire production does not contribute to deforestation would be to implement a tracking process that could trace the use of natural rubber, from the tree to the finished tires, as is already the case with other products causing deforestation.
Currently, there is only one FSC-certified tire: a Pirelli model introduced in 2021 specifically for use by BMW.
Specialists also argue that promoting agroforestry (planting rubber trees among other types of trees) rather than monoculture plantations could mitigate the impact on wildlife and climate while producing a similar rubber yield.
With information from Motor Illustrated