The i series vehicles has been BMW’s electrified brand on the road since 2014. The i3 is the pure-electric urban bubble vehicle while the supercar-styled i8 is the hybrid of the pair. But beyond sharing similar design cues and a TRON-inspired paint job, the two vehicles couldn’t be further from each other. At the 2017 LA Auto Show, the automaker …
Shift makes buying a car as easy as ordering a pizza
Buying a car can be a hassle. Especially if you’re looking to save some cash by purchasing something used. You end up scouring tons of random Craigslist listings and dreading the moment a used car dealer sits you down with the loan officer. Fortunately, there’s a new way to buy a vehicle that doesn’t even involve you leaving the house. …
California Considers its Own Ban on Combustion-Engine Cars
The internal combustion engine’s days could be numbered in California, where officials are mulling whether a ban on sales of polluting autos is needed to achieve long-term targets for cleaner air. Gov. Jerry Brown has expressed an interest in barring the sale of vehicles powered by internal-combustion engines. Brown, one of the most outspoken elected official in the U.S. about …
Mercedes Planning Cut Costs
Mercedes-Benz said the upcoming launch of its EQ electric vehicle family could mean it may not meet its profit margin target in the midterm. The automaker said it will launch a $4.8 billion cost-cutting program to counteract the expected pressure. Mercedes CFO Frank Lindenberg said the brand would trade off some of its profits in the short term in exchange …
Nissan’s next Leaf is cheaper and can almost drive itself
The Nissan Leaf does pretty well for the automaker. It’s one of the best selling EVs ever and today the company introduced a redesigned $29,990 Leaf with ProPilot, a hands-on semi-autonomous feature for heavy traffic. With a 150 mile range and a price about $700 cheaper than it predecessor, Nissan is determined to stay at the top of the electric-vehicle …
Qualcomm develops new chips for wireless vehicle communications
Qualcomm Inc. has developed a chipset to allow cars to communicate with their surroundings. Using 4G and upcoming 5G cellular technology, the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset enables cars to connect to other vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians, improving active safety and driver assist systems. The chipset is slated for commercial sampling in the second half of 2018 and expected to be …
2018 Ford F-150’s Begin Arriving at Dealerships
The 2018 Ford F-150 is starting to arrive in dealerships, with increased capability, an updated exterior and additional convenience features. The freshened pickup enters a market in which competition is expected to significantly increase. A redesigned Ram 1500 from Fiat Chrysler is scheduled for release in January, followed by retooled Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from General Motors in …
BMW Nissan in San Diego Offer Huge Discounts on Electric Cars
BMW and Nissan Motor Co. are offering big discounts in the San Diego area that can knock $20,000 off the cost of a new electric car when combined with state and federal incentives. In a promotion with San Diego Gas & Electric, the brands are dangling a $10,000 discount, on top of a federal tax credit worth as much as …
Toyota Tech Aims to Help, Not Annoy
Toyota wants its technology to make humans better drivers before fully autonomous vehicles take over — but it wants to avoid coming off as an overbearing driving instructor. Recent breakthroughs are making things easier for drivers. Artificial intelligence allows the car’s controls to intervene before an accident, and data gathered via sensors can help drivers make more informed decisions. The …
Mercedes-Benz’s First Pickup
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first-ever pickup truck in South Africa on Tuesday. The luxury brand owned by Daimler AG is introducing the mid-size vehicle to appeal to more consumers, from do-it-yourselfers to construction contractors, following a three-million automotive recall on Tuesday over concerns of diesel emissions. Mercedes X-Class — priced at $43,000 in Germany, according to Bloomberg — will be available …