Ford will keep offering AM radio, at least through 2024, CEO Jim Farley announced via Linkedin. The decision to reverse course on plans to start deleting AM radio is a victory for broadcasters and politicians on both the Left and Right who had vowed to take action to stop automakers from dropping AM radio from their infotainment systems. Ford did not say it will keep conventional AM radio forever. For one thing, EV motors create interference with AM band signals.
BMW took the wraps off its new 5 series sedans, including the electric i5. BMW traditionalists will be pleased to see that the new 5-series has a restrained grille – not the gaping front end that has drawn mixed reactions from the motor press. New technology includes a driver assist system that allows you to change lanes by turning your eyes to the outboard mirror. BMW will offer the 5-series in petrol, all-electric and plug-in hybrid versions. But the top-of-the-line is now an electric, all-wheel drive car that can lunge from stop to 60 mph in under 3.7 seconds. The times they are a-changing.
Waymo and Uber are collaborating to offer driverless rides in Phoenix via Uber’s platform. Uber abandoned its efforts to develop self-driving vehicles after a fatal crash, but it still needs to reduce the cost of its rides. Waymo could use access to the largest ride-hailing platform to scale its operations at a time when investors are losing patience with the slow progress toward an autonomous future.
Lynk & Co, the luxury EV brand created by China’s Geely and its Volvo Car unit, is ramping up to enter the European market in 2024. Brand chief Alain Visser told Reuters correspondent Gilles Guillaume that Lynk has the “ambition” to also branch out into the U.S. market at some stage.
Lordstown Motors launched a reverse stock split in a bid to retain its Nasdaq listing and force assembly partner Foxconn to fork over $170 million in new funding. The stock split is aimed at keeping RIDE shares above $1 each, the NASDAQ minimum. Foxconn – which has bigger problems on its hands thanks to a soured investment in Japan’s Sharp – has refused to go through with the Lordstown investment.
EV makers may have to wait for U.S. biofuel subsidies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has told the White House to delay a proposal to allow EV manufacturers to benefit from subsidies aimed at promoting biofuels.
Uber wants to deploy more EVs in India, where the government is revving up efforts to clean up the air in big cities.
Aston Martin will use Honda engines in its Formula One cars starting in 2026. Aston said the F1 team’s decision to drop Mercedes as its engine supplier will not affect the British company’s partnership with Mercedes (which owns a stake in Aston Martin Lagonda) to power its luxury road cars.
Volvo Trucks will test its new electric tractors on a mission of vital importance: Hauling Chivas and Glenlivet scotch. Chivas Brothers and its freight-hauling partner said they will test the capability of Volvo’s electric FM tractor for two years, and expect one electric truck will cut the distiller’s carbon output by 155 tons.
