Author: EVAI
Impact of the DARPA Grand Challenge reverberates 20 years later (Episode 241)
March 13 marks the 20-year anniversary of the inaugural DARPA Grand Challenge race, which catalyzed interest in self-driving tech. DARPA Director Tony Tether, Carnegie Mellon University’s Red Whittaker, Waymo’s Melanie Dumas Grimm and Pronto’s Anthony Levandowski offer reflections on that race and how it steered the course of automated-driving development.
Editor’s note: We have corrected the spelling Melanie Dumas Grimm’s name.
Finance companies’ leasing not optimal
I have never understood why captive finance companies’ leasing terms are not structured for accurate depreciation through optimum vehicle disposal periods instead of 24-, 36- or 48-month terms.
Asbury battling FTC allegations of violations related to F&I product sales
The Federal Trade Commission has accused Asbury Automotive of violating the FTC Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act in the dealership group’s vehicle protection product sales. Asbury denies the allegations.
‘Artificial paydown’ fraud from customers can leave car dealers, auto lenders with losses
An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty to three counts related to duping dealers into paying or crediting him with funds based on what authorities called reports of phony former vehicle payoffs.
Augustin Wegscheider parses the nuances in AV, EV forecasts (Episode 240)
The co-leader of Boston Consulting Group’s Center for Mobility Innovation discusses complications in deploying automated-driving technology and points to limited EV offerings as a contributing factor behind a sales slowdown.
Larry Burns identifies the biggest threat to the automotive future (Episode 239)
The retired General Motors vice president of R&D and adviser to Google and Waymo believes the way digital technology is reshaping our lives will impact both vehicle development and whether we need vehicles at all.
Union of Concerned Scientists’ engineer unpacks the plug-in hybrid revival (Episode 238)
A senior engineer in the organization’s Clean Transportation program, David Reichmuth discusses whether plug-in hybrids will lead to reduced emissions amid renewed interest and calls out automakers with inefficient PHEV offerings.
EV-C3: A New American EV Sports Car Inspired by One of the Most Iconic Vehicles in History
EvAutoInsider.com is an independent online platform that covers the latest news and trends in the electric vehicle industry. If…
Kia EV9 wins, Fisker franchises, Tesla tops BYD, leather in EVs: The Week in Reverse
Which EVs made the tax-credit shortlist in 2024? Which company faced a $1.7 billion fine for diesel emissions cheating? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending January 5, 2024. The Kia EV9 is Green Car Reports’ Best Car To Buy 2024. Among its many winning assets: It fits…
Fisker pivots to franchised dealerships for EV sales, support
Fisker on Thursday said it would add franchised dealerships alongside company-owned showrooms, pivoting away from the pure direct-sales model previously discussed. “We are evolving our business model and intend to add as many as 50 dealer partners in the U.S. and Canada and a similar number of dealer locations in Europe this year,” CEO Henrik…