TheDetroitBureau.com covers the top stories occurring in the auto industry in the latest edition of the Headlight News podcast. The weekly roundup includes news, features, reviews and more.
Finally some good news about the semiconductor shortages, Publisher Paul A. Eisenstein reports, as Hyundai’s North American CEO, José Muñoz, told reporters last week he believes the worst is over. In fact, he said production is picking up and the South Korean automaker expects its own manufacturing schedule will nearly fall in line with early-year projections.
- However, Hyundai’s optimism is offset by recent data from the National Automobile Dealers Association showing new vehicle inventory levels are down to just a five-day supply in some instances, due in large measure to the chip problem;
- Shortages aren’t just limited to semiconductors and automakers. Other needed parts, materials and components are also in short supply for consumers now, especially tires — TheDetroitBureau has a special report on this growing problem;
- Sales of electric vehicles hit all-time highs in the UK last month as a shortage of tanker drivers there caused massive backups at service stations which simply had no gasoline left;
- In the U.S., more and more Americans are becoming interested in EVs, according to a new study by J.D. Power, but some traditional roadblocks are still in the way; and
- General Motors worked out a deal with its battery supplier, LG Chem, for the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV to pickup the costs of the recall of the 143K-plus vehicles. The South Korean battery maker is paying more than $1.2 billion and the entire event will be a non-factor to GM’s bottom line.
Executive Editor Joe Szczesny’s top story this week unfortunately dashes hopes that gas prices are going to drop in the near future. Currently, the average price for regular unleaded gas is $3.29 per gallon and analysts believe that’s going to keep rising until the December holidays before it begins to decline.
This week’s review is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair Reserve AWD. Managing Editor Michael Strong notes it’s an attractive vehicle with plenty of the latest technology and good performance. So what’s the problem? It’s doesn’t inspire much passion, which is a problem when spending close to $60,000 on a vehicle.
Strong sticks around to discuss what’s coming in the week ahead, including two new vehicle reviews coming off embargo: the 2022 Ford F-150 Tremor and the 2022 Audi A3 and S3 sport sedans. In addition to the previously mentioned special report about shortages plaguing auto companies and now owners, we’ll have a second report about the continuously rising price of new vehicles and when — or if— it will stop.
Lastly, Contributing Editor Larry Printz wishes Happy Birthday to August Horch, the founder of Audi, who then leaves the company in a fight with management. In 1901, Henry Ford wins the only race he actually runs himself, a 10-lap event in Grosse Pointe, Michigan that his competitor only completes three laps of. Additionally, the founding of Fiat Chrysler came this week, creating the eighth-largest automaker at the time. It’s now the fourth largest after completing a merger with PSA earlier this year and creating Stellantis.
Find out more the industry’s history and more by listening to TheDetroitBureau’s latest edition of the Headlight News podcast by clicking here. And look for a new episode every Monday!