March 2023

New study shows BMW Manufacturing a significant economic driver in S.C.



(March 22, 2023) SPARTANBURG, S.C.  — BMW Manufacturing, the largest BMW Group plant in the world, remains a high-performance economic engine for South Carolina through the company’s continued investment and job creation, according to a new study conducted by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. The annual economic impact of the Spartanburg plant totals approximately $26.7 billion, the report says, which reflects all goods and services produced in the state both directly and indirectly.

Bentley Blower to return to racing to complete validation



(March 22, 2023) CREWE, England — The first car of Bentley’s Blower Continuation Series — known as Car Zero — is set to invoke the history of its ancestor by racing at a series of events across 2023. Completing its purpose of engineering validation while honoring its genealogy, Blower Car Zero will take to tracks in the UK, France and Belgium in a set of races that will test its performance and endurance.

Hyundai shows new automatic charging robot for electric vehicles



(March 22, 2023) SEOUL — Hyundai Motor Group has developed an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles (EV), and has released a video showing its capabilities in a video. The ACR for EVs is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an EV’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete. The new video of the real robot in action follows up on a CGI version released by the Group in July last year.

Ford Pro working with services firm to help customers with EV tax credits



Going electric can be challenging
for businesses to navigate new law

    
(March 21, 2023) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Pro is expanding its one-stop shop for commercial customers with the announcement of a new program designed to help fleets understand Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) electric vehicle tax credits. Ford’s commercial division is working with professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) to help provide customers with information on potentially valuable tax credits and incentives designed to make electric vehicle adoption more affordable.

Final Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow — Sold out



(March 21, 2023) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow to mark the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque’s history. This bespoke masterpiece, limited to just 12 examples worldwide, is also the last V12 coupé Rolls-Royce will ever make, as it embarks on its bold new electric era.

320 horsepower confirmed for Acura Integra Type S



(March 20, 2023) Acura today announced the highly-anticipated 2024 Integra Type S will launch this summer with an impressive 320 horsepower, 310 lb.-ft. of torque and class-leading power-to-weight ratio, taking Integra performance to its highest levels yet. 

29 Ford dealers drop out of EV program; N.C. dealers challenge plan



(March 20, 2023) A small number of Ford dealers have dropped out of the automaker's EV certification program after the automaker made changes following complaints raised by a majority of state dealer associations, according to Automotive News.