March 2023

GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay, Android Auto in new EVs



GM working with Google on new
navigation, infotainment systems


(April 1, 2023) DETROIT -- General Motors plans to phase out widely-used Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technologies that allow drivers to bypass a vehicle's infotainment systems, shifting instead to built-in infotainment systems developed with Google for future electric vehicles, according to Automotive News.

Jeep Brand prepares for Easter Jeep Safari with new concepts



(March 31, 2023) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — An entirely new collection of eye-catching, efficient and mission-capable concept vehicles will be unveiled and driven off road during the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari April 1-9 in Moab, Utah, the Jeep brand’s home away from home. Electrified power and commanding performance will be front and center during this year’s Safari.

Ford increases prices on F-150 Lightning again



(March 31, 2023) Ford is again increasing the price of some models of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup, with the base model now starting at $61,869, including shipping— up about 50 percent over the initial starting price when the truck launched in April 2022, according to Automotive News.

Subaru achieves $256 million in total donations for Share the Love



(March 31, 2023) Subaru of America has announced that the Subaru Share the Love Event has donated $256 million to national and local charities following its 15th year, surpassing its $250 million donation goal. The 2022 Subaru Share the Love Event culminated in a $29.1 million donation to charities, with Subaru of America donating $20.7 million and its retailers donating $8.4 million.
 

Stacked Lincolns



Lincoln enjoyed a measure of success during the second half of the 1970 decade selling as many as 189,546 vehicles in 1979. However, Lincoln sales still trailed arch-rival Cadillac by about 200,000 in each of those years. These two Lincoln sedans have gone into retirement on top of each other. The top car is a 1978 model and the bottom car is a 1975. (Photo by Jim Prueter}

New BMW i5 endures winter testing on ice and snow



(March 30, 2023) MUNICH — The first-ever BMW 5 Series with a fully electric drive system has yet to make its global debut, but it has already come through the ultimate endurance test. The new BMW i5 repeatedly demonstrated both the stability of its electric powertrain and its dynamic performance qualities over the course of arduous test drives in wintry conditions. The program of testing on ice and snow lasted about a year in all, from the initial test runs to the final stages of fine-tuning.

Cadillac House at Vanderbilt offers Celestiq owners personalization experience



(March 30, 2023) Saarinen-designed facility at General Motors’ Global Technical Center restored to bring together select customers and designers for unprecedented collaboration of ultra-luxury EV. Cadillac today announced the development of Cadillac House at Vanderbilt — a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the individualized, bespoke client experience of the Cadillac Celestiq, "the world’s first all-electric ultra-luxury sedan."

2024 Kia EV9 full details — Reshaping SUV user experience



(March 29, 2023) SEOUL — Kia has today revealed full details of the Kia EV9, its first three-row seat electric flagship SUV that brings fresh thinking, design, and technology to the sector and spearheads the brand’s rapid transformation to a sustainable mobility solutions provider in the era of electrification. 

Ford to end sales of Transit Connect in North America



(March 29, 2023) DETROIT – Ford on Tuesday confirmed to Automotive News that it will end sales of the Transit Connect small van in North America after the 2023 model year. The automaker, which hasn't publicly commented on the plans until now, said in a statement the decision stemmed from the company's "efforts to reduce global manufacturing cost and complexity, alongside decreased demand for the compact van segment."