TheDetroitBureau.com is all over the big news within the auto industry in our latest podcast, Headlight News. The weekly roundup includes news, features, reviews and more.
The Sept. 6 episode features a recap of stories by TheDetroitBureau’s Publisher Paul A. Eisenstein. New vehicle sales tumbled by double digit figures, including a full third for Ford Motor Co. Yup, you can blame the ongoing chip shortage for cutting inventories and making it hard for buyers find the vehicles they want and raising prices as well. Some of other stories in the podcast include:
- The 2021 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study shows new vehicles are built better than ever. Also, Dodge built on its tie for first last year to place second this year, behind another surprise winner: Ram.
- Subaru continues to expand its reach into the off-road segment with the introduction of its second Wilderness model: the Forester.
- Genesis announced its portfolio will be completely electrified by the end of this decade. It also added it will not introduce any new gas-powered vehicles after 2025.
- Tesla’s added another vehicle to the “delayed” list: the second-generation Roadster.
- Ford revealed plans to produce a hybrid version of its Mustang coupe as well as plans to cut the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus and replace them with an all-electric model down the road.
Executive editor Joe Szczesny’s top story is the startling decline of new vehicle sales. Not only are automakers, dealers and buyers struggling with inventory levels that are often less than a third of normal, there is no real end in sight to the chip shortage.
This week, Managing Editor Michael Strong reviews the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Cabriolet. Powerful, comfortable and loaded with luxury convenience and safety features make for an experience that is a cut above other droptops.
Strong also looks at what’s coming in the week ahead, led mostly by a slew of product news, including Hyundai’s plans for hydrogen fuel cells, driving impressions on the new Infiniti QX60, Toyota Corolla Cross, Polestar 2, Chevy Silverado and two Volkswagens: Tiguan and ID.4 AWD.
Contributing Editor Larry Printz provides a look at the industry’s past, starting with the founding of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in 1898. Additionally, a Stanley Locomobile becomes the first vehicle to reach the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The 7.6-mile trip takes a little more than two hours, not counting the stops needed to add more water to the steam engine. The company that ultimately became Jaguar is founded in 1922, building side cars for motorcycles. It eventually moves to Coventry and the rest is history.Find out more by listening to TheDetroitBureau’s latest edition of the Headlight News podcast by clicking here. And look for a new episode every Monday!
