This is a quick roundup of what’s happened in automotive for the week of July 27 – August 3, 2024.
GM’s Arlington Assembly Celebrates 70th Anniversary and 13 Million Vehicles
The Arlington Assembly team produced the plant’s 13 millionth vehicle, a 2024 Cadillac Escalade, while celebrating the plant’s 70th anniversary of operation.
DOE Says That Most Light-Duty Vehicles Have Premium Fuel Recommendation
Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy says, most light-duty vehicles have had a premium fuel recommendation (91 octane or higher) as the norm. In model year 2023, 26.7 percent of vehicles sold required premium and another 26.3 percent recommended, but did not require, premium fuel. That’s compared to just 6.5 percent of vehicles produced in 1985.
British Frontline V8-Powered LE60 MGB Restomod to Unveil
Frontline Cars will debut its limited edition LE60 MGB at The Quail during Monterey Car Week. There will be only 30 LE60s made using the 4.8-liter Rover V8 engine (375 bhp).
Leapmotor Ships First Batch of EVs to Europe
Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor International (owned by Stellantis and Leapmotor) has shipped its first batch of electric vehicles from China to Europe. The C10 sport utilities and T03 cars left Shanghai, China and are heading to European ports this month.
John Hennessey Takes Venom F5 to 219 MPH Standing 1/2-Mile
Hennessey Special Vehicles founder John Hennessey has taken the company’s latest hypercar, the Venom F5, to a record-setting half-mile speed.
Uber, BYD Partner On 100,000 EVs
Uber Technologies has announced a multi-year strategic partnership designed to bring 100,000 new BYD electric vehicles into the Uber platform across key global markets. These include Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Audi Launches New A6 e-tron Model As Sportback and Avant
The Audi A6 e-tron concept shown at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2021 is now a production model, ushering in a new family of all-electric models for the luxury brand. The A6 e-tron Sportback and Avant will enter the market as 2024 model year offerings in Europe with expansion to North America and other markets afterwards. The models feature a 100 kWh battery and up to 756 km of range.
Maserati Set for World Premier of Super Sports Car at Monterey Car Week
On August 16, Maserati will unveil its new super sports car to the world. The so far unnamed car will be a part of The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering at Monterey.
Performance-Tuned Ford Maverick Lobo Remembers the Street Truck Age
Ford designer Josh Blundo modified a Ford Maverick pickup truck into a 1980s and 1990s-inspired “street truck” design. The lowered Maverick Lobo has had its suspension tuned for the lower ride and stiffer performance. The Maverick Lobo is now available for consumers by order via Ford dealerships.
Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera Will Make American Debut at Monterey
Hispano Suiza’s return to automotive with its Carmen Sagrera will stand next to its inspirational predecessor, the 1938 Xenia Dubonnet at Monterey Car Week in California next week.
Restored 1984 Honda HP-X Concept Makes North American Debut at Pebble Beach
Honda has restored its 1984 HP-X Concept car after it languished in storage for almost 40 years. The Pininfarina-designed concept was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours and will be at the upcoming Monterey Car Week in California.
Ford Introduces All-Wheel Drive Maverick Hybrid
Ford is adding all-wheel drive to the Maverick Hybrid pickup truck for the 2025 model year. The package option doubles towing capacity and is a request many potential Maverick buyers have had for the truck.
Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi Form Strategic Partnership for Electrification
Nissan Motor, Honda Motor, and Mitsubishi Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a framework for further intelligence and electrification efforts.
Honda Celebrates 60th Anniversary of First F1 Race at Monterey Car Week
Honda Heritage test driver Hikaru Miyagi will get behind the wheel of Honda’s first race-winning F1 car at the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion as part of Monterey Car Week next week.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Adds Direct Automatic Transmission To GR Corolla
The Toyota GR Corolla will receive a direct automatic transmission option for buyers who are not interested or able to use the manual transmission the GR Corolla comes with.
