https://www.nytimes.com/section/automobiles en-us Copyright 2025 The New York Times Company Thu, 02 Jan 2025 03:19:22 +0000 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 02:21:42 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/automobiles https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/business/tesla-sales-stock-elon-musk.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/business/tesla-sales-stock-elon-musk.html Sales of the company’s cars are flagging, but investors are focusing on the potential of autonomous driving and Mr. Musk’s ties to President-elect Donald J. Trump. Jack Ewing Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:03:44 +0000 Tesla Motors Inc Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Musk, Elon Stocks and Bonds Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Trump, Donald J Automobiles Driverless and Semiautonomous Vehicles Loren Elliott for The New York Times The Cybertruck is Tesla’s first new model since 2020, but its sales have been much more modest than those of the company’s most popular car, the Model Y. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/business/osamu-suzuki-dies-94.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/business/osamu-suzuki-dies-94.html He built Suzuki Motor into a Japanese global brand making small vehicles and motorcycles. Entering India’s market in the 1980s was one of his early successes. River Akira Davis and Kiuko Notoya Sat, 28 Dec 2024 03:01:08 +0000 Suzuki, Osamu (1930- ) Deaths (Obituaries) Japan India Suzuki Motor Corp Automobiles Kazuhiro Nogi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Osamu Suzuki in Tokyo in 2016. He was among the longest-serving leaders of any major automaker. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/honda-nissan-auto-merger-deals.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/honda-nissan-auto-merger-deals.html The Japanese companies are considering joining forces to survive in a rapidly changing auto industry, but auto history is filled with troubled and failed marriages. Neal E. Boudette Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:00:06 +0000 Automobiles Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Shutdowns (Institutional) Driverless and Semiautonomous Vehicles Layoffs and Job Reductions Factories and Manufacturing Politics and Government Stocks and Bonds Sports Utility Vehicles and Light Trucks Corporations Labor and Jobs Executives and Management (Theory) DaimlerChrysler AG Honda Motor Co Ltd Nissan Motor Co Stellantis NV Japan United States Germany France Italy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV Satoshi Sugiyama/Reuters Nissan and Honda formally began talks for a merger to help them contend with changes in the auto industry, including the shift from gasoline to electric vehicles. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/business/volkswagen-union-deal-germany.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/business/volkswagen-union-deal-germany.html The automaker agreed to keep all 10 of its factories in Germany open and to guarantee workers’ jobs until the end of 2030. Melissa Eddy Fri, 20 Dec 2024 19:30:19 +0000 Automobiles Organized Labor Collective Bargaining Factories and Manufacturing Ig Metall Volkswagen AG Germany Ronny Hartmann/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The Volkswagen plant in Hanover, Germany, on Friday. The company’s struggles over the last months have strained its strong ties with its roughly 120,000 workers in Germany. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/business/hyundai-supplier-alabama-prison-labor.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/business/hyundai-supplier-alabama-prison-labor.html The supplier fired dozens of prisoners after some of them said they felt they had no choice but to take those jobs. Talmon Joseph Smith Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:46:58 +0000 Labor and Jobs Prisons and Prisoners Forced Labor Government Contracts and Procurement Thirteenth Amendment (US Constitution) Hiring and Promotion Workplace Hazards and Violations Law and Legislation Automobiles Suits and Litigation (Civil) Hyundai Motor Co Corrections Department (Ala) Jobs to Move America (Nonprofit) New York Times Alabama South Korea Audra Melton for The New York Times Prison labor is facing more legal challenges in Alabama since the state changed its Constitution to more broadly ban “involuntary servitude.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/business/honda-nissan-talks-merger.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/business/honda-nissan-talks-merger.html The merger talks between Japan’s second- and third-largest automakers highlight the intense upheaval within the world’s auto industry. River Akira Davis and Neal E. Boudette Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:21:56 +0000 Honda Motor Co Ltd Nissan Motor Co Japan Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Automobiles Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures Richard A. Brooks/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Nissan Motor’s Tochigi plant, the company’s largest in Japan. Nissan and Honda Motor each sell more than three million vehicles a year. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/us/rear-seat-belt-warning-rule.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/us/rear-seat-belt-warning-rule.html The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed an existing rule to expand and enhance seatbelt warning requirements. Amanda Holpuch Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:09:50 +0000 Seatbelts Traffic Accidents and Safety Roads and Traffic Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Sensors Automobile Safety Features and Defects National Highway Traffic Safety Administration United States Jenny Kane/Associated Press Seatbelt-reminder warnings will be required for rear seats beginning in September 2027. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/business/automakers-trouble.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/business/automakers-trouble.html Changing technology, political turmoil and competition from China are cutting into profits and forcing carmakers to cut jobs and close factories. Jack Ewing Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:00:14 +0000 Automobiles Layoffs and Job Reductions Electric and Hybrid Vehicles International Trade and World Market Factories and Manufacturing Stellantis NV Ford Motor Co General Motors Nissan Motor Co Toyota Motor Corp Mercedes-Benz Bayerische Motorenwerke AG Volkswagen AG BYD Co Ltd Chery Automobile Co Benedicte Desrus for The New York Times The threat by President-elect Donald J. Trump to impose tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada could pose a challenge to automakers with plants in Mexico like BMW and Volkswagen. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/business/gm-cruise-robotaxi.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/business/gm-cruise-robotaxi.html The company said it would now focus its efforts on developing fully autonomous vehicles for personal use. Jack Ewing and Eli Tan Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:34:37 +0000 General Motors Cruise LLC Driverless and Semiautonomous Vehicles Taxicabs and Taxicab Drivers Automobiles San Francisco (Calif) Shutdowns (Institutional) United States Jim Wilson/The New York Times A GM Cruise driverless car in San Francisco in August 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/business/china-mexico-ev-electric-vehicles.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/business/china-mexico-ev-electric-vehicles.html BYD and other manufacturers are importing cars from China and scouting factory sites in Mexico as part of a global expansion that, for now, excludes the United States. Jack Ewing Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:00:55 +0000 Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Automobiles International Trade and World Market Customs (Tariff) Protectionism (Trade) BYD Co Ltd Mexico Mexico City (Mexico) China United States Benedicte Desrus for The New York Times Esteban Alegría, who works at the BYD dealership in Iztapalapa, said it was selling cars as fast as they arrived from China. His top seller is the Dolphin Mini, a four-door electric compact that costs about $18,000. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/business/general-motors-china-electric-vehicles.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/business/general-motors-china-electric-vehicles.html General Motors and other foreign automakers are selling fewer cars and losing lots of money in China, where domestic electric and hybrid cars have taken off. Neal E. Boudette Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:22:52 +0000 Automobiles Electric and Hybrid Vehicles General Motors China SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd Qilai Shen for The New York Times A General Motors booth at Shanghai’s auto show. G.M.’s joint venture in China was created in 1997 and made considerable profits for many years. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/business/volkswagen-strikes.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/business/volkswagen-strikes.html Workers at nine of the automaker’s German factories walked off their jobs for several hours, and warned they would escalate the action if their demands went unmet. Melissa Eddy Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:47:32 +0000 Strikes Automobiles Factories and Manufacturing Organized Labor Volkswagen AG Ig Metall Germany Julian Stratenschulte/DPA, via Associated Press Volkswagen workers during a rally at the company’s plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/business/gm-ev-batteries-lg.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/business/gm-ev-batteries-lg.html LG Energy Solution will now solely own a factory in Michigan that it had planned to operate through a joint venture with General Motors. Jack Ewing Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:37:57 +0000 Batteries Automobiles Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Factories and Manufacturing Presidential Election of 2024 General Motors LG Energy Solution Samsung Group Biden, Joseph R Jr Trump, Donald J Lansing (Mich) Ahn Young-joon/Associated Press General Motors said Monday that it would get back the $1 billion it had invested in the battery plant. LG Energy Solution will complete the construction. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/business/stellantis-ceo-resigns.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/business/stellantis-ceo-resigns.html The company, facing slumping sales, announced that Carlos Tavares would step down immediately and that a search for a new chief was underway. Neal E. Boudette Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:11:54 +0000 Appointments and Executive Changes Company Reports Automobiles Stellantis NV Tavares, Carlos Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse, via Associated Press Carlos Tavares had announced earlier this year that he planned to retire at the end of his current contract, in 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-season-champions.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-season-champions.html Max Verstappen won the title again, but it was a fight, as was the team championship, taken by McLaren at the last race. Ian Parkes Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:12:51 +0000 Automobiles Automobile Racing Formula One McLaren Automotive Red Bull Racing Ltd Ferrari SpA Norris, Lando (1999- ) Verstappen, Max (1997- ) Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images Lando Norris was able to stay clear of the field in Abu Dhabi after Oscar Piastri had a first-corner collision with Max Verstappen. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-aston-martin-season.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-aston-martin-season.html Its season began with so much promise, but the team was unable to keep up with the leaders. Alex Kalinauckas Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:10:58 +0000 Automobile Racing Automobiles Aston Martin Formula One Alonso, Fernando (1981- ) Stroll, Lawrence S Stroll, Lance (1998- ) Joe Portlock/Getty Images Aston Martin started 2024 no better than it had ended the previous year, as ultimately the fifth-fastest squad once again. Things then got worse when it dropped back from racing well against some of the quicker teams. When the season was over, the team had scored 94 points, compared with 280 last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-tracks-circuits-best.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/sports/autoracing/f1-tracks-circuits-best.html From street circuits like Monaco to challenging courses like Suzuka International, some tracks stand out. Phillip Horton Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:09:56 +0000 Automobile Racing Automobiles Formula One Content Type: Service Clive Mason/Getty Images Formula 1’s newest venue, Las Vegas, is almost the opposite of Monaco. It is wide and has lengthy straights, but few challenging turns. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/f1-charles-leclerc-drivers-title.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/f1-charles-leclerc-drivers-title.html The Ferrari driver is confident about 2025 as he teams with Lewis Hamilton. Ian Parkes Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:02:34 +0000 Automobile Racing Automobiles Ferrari SpA Formula One Leclerc, Charles (1997- ) Hamilton, Lewis Content Type: Personal Profile Rula Rouhana/Reuters Charles Leclerc after taking second place in the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. He expressed enthusiasm about Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Ferrari team. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/lewis-hamilton-mercedes-ferrari.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/lewis-hamilton-mercedes-ferrari.html He had a remarkable run with the team, winning six titles, but after this weekend he will be racing for Ferrari. Ian Parkes Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:28:48 +0000 Automobile Racing Diversity Initiatives Philanthropy Content Type: Personal Profile Hamilton, Lewis Ferrari SpA Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team Mark Thompson/Getty Images Lewis Hamilton in December before the Grand Prix of Qatar. He’s leaving the Mercedes team to join Ferrari. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/f1-haas-komatsu.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/sports/autoracing/f1-haas-komatsu.html The team finished last in 2023, but it has risen in the standings and has plans for next season, including new drivers. Phillip Horton Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:00:47 +0000 Automobiles Automobile Racing Formula One Toyota Motor Corp Komatsu, Ayao Haas F1 Team Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters Ayao Komatsu became the team principal of Haas in January, replacing Guenther Steiner. Komatsu said next year would be the first time in 10 years that the team would be able to “stand on our two feet.”