Motor News

Only two weeks have passed since the UAW called a strike on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, but the action has already had significant effect. Beyond the non-stop international media attention, the strike has spread to 38 new production facilities, been visited by one former and one current American president, and caused multiple auto suppliers to announce layoffs. More on the StrikeWhat Has HappenedThe initial strike on September 15 called for roughly 13,000 UAW members to stop work at three plants. Ford’s Michigan Assembly in Wayne, Michigan, was the first, where the company currently builds the Bronco and Ranger. GM’s Wentzville Assembly in Wentzville, Missouri, was the second, which currently builds the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, among others. Finally, the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, was the third, which builds the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. A week later, 5600 workers walked out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis facilities in 20 states. UAW president Shawn Fain said that Ford dodged additional stoppages because it is “serious about reaching a deal.” The other two, however, were “a different story,” and so were punished by a further wave of the UAW’s Stand Up Strike.What’s NextAs the strike enters its third week of negotiations with the Big Three, the UAW’s scope of action looks set to expand, and we’re likely to see more action soon. On Tuesday, UAW president Shawn Fain pledged that, should negotiations not make any significant headway, he was ready to “amp up the pressure.” Fain is expected to announce an expansion of the UAW’s rolling Stand Up Strike via Facebook Live on Friday September 29 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.This time, it seems unlikely that Ford will escape further escalation. “Ford will likely be pulled back into the strike escalation,” says Ambrose Conroy, an auto supply chain expert and founder of Seraph Consulting. “The UAW gave them some time to try and get a deal done, but it did not happen. We expect the pressure to be turned up on Ford.”Scott Olson|Getty ImagesAs to what will happen, that is unclear. “The UAW may lift the strike on the first plants and choose to impact the Big Three in other places,” Conroy says. “Bringing workers back to the original plants will restore their pay and allow UAW membership to share the suffering; taking down new plants will spread chaos and pain within the OEMs.”Suppliers, however, are already affected. CIE Newcor, a manufacturer of components and subassemblies, and Dana, a supplier mainly focused on powertrains, have warned that hundreds of layoffs are coming in the wake of the ongoing strike.Those impacts will only increase should this strike lingers. “This is a game of chicken where the participants may not have that much to gain,” Conroy says. “Hyundai, Tesla, Rivian, and Toyota all stand to gain while the Big 3 and union labor lose out on market share and jobs if this continues for too long.”President Biden VisitFain took the initial strike expansion as an opportunity to invite President Biden to join the picket lines. Biden did just that on September 26. Speaking at GM’s Willow Run Redistribution Center in Belleville, Michigan, Biden said: “You saved the automobile industry back in 2008 and before, made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot, and the companies were in trouble. But now they’re doing incredibly well, and guess what, you should be doing incredibly well, too.”This visit made Biden the first modern sitting U.S. president to join a picket line, according to the AP, a contrast to previous presidential union relations, like Ronald Reagan’s firing of 11,000 striking members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization in 1981.JIM WATSON|Getty ImagesFormer president Donald Trump, on the campaign trail for the 2024 election, was quick to follow Biden. Trump spoke at Drake Enterprises in Clinton Township, Michigan, curiously a non-union outfit. But, rather than rally the UAW members against big corporations, he instead used the platform to decry the industry’s shift toward electric vehicles, saying: “It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference what you get because in two years you’re all going to be out of business.” More

Toyota has dropped the base L trim for the 2024 Highlander SUV. The LE is the new cheapest version the mid-size SUV and marks a $2500 price increase over last year’s base model. The manufacturer is also bringing the Nightshade Edition to the Hybrid versions of the Highlander LE and XLE. Toyota is shaking up the 2024 Highlander lineup by adding a Nightshade Edition and dropping the former entry-level L trim. The removal comes as another example of a manufacturer dropping a base version, while subsequently raising the barrier of entry for the vehicle.That means for 2024, the cheapest Toyota Highlander will set you back $40,515—a $2500 increase over last year’s base model. It should be noted, however, that the price of the LE trim has only increased by $100 for the new model year. Upgrading to the hybrid version will run you an extra $1600, as will the upgrade to all-wheel drive from the standard front-drive configuration.Toyota also decided to end the Highlander Bronze Edition trim, deeming it instead time to add a Nightshade Edition for the family SUV. The package is only available on the hybrid versions of the LE and XLE trim and runs $1000. Like with other Nightshade Editions, the Highlander comes with black trim on the grille, mirror caps, door handles, and special badging. Both the LE and XLE roll on a set of black 18-inch five spoke wheels, and the XLE version gets a set of black roof rails. ToyotaThe interior features black seats finished in either cloth or two-tone Softex, depending on trim level. The XLE also comes with 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats and second row captain’s chairs. Exterior paint options on the Nightshade include Cement, Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, or Ruby Flare Pearl. The front-drive version of the LE Nightshade will run you $43,115, while the all-wheel-drive version is $44,715. Stepping up to the front-drive version of the XLE cost $46,265, and the addition of all-wheel drive brings that total to $47,660.More on the Highlander LineupAssociate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The 2024 Honda Prologue debuts as the brand’s second EV for the United States, and the mid-size SUV will start between $45K and $50K.With an estimated range of up to 300 miles, the Prologue offers front- or all-wheel-drive powertrains; the latter produces 288 horses and 333 pound-feet of torque.Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Prologue’s handsome exterior and smart interior are courtesy of Honda’s Los Angeles-based designers.Who remembers the Honda Clarity EV? Most people probably don’t. The funky-looking sedan was the brand’s most recent attempt at selling an electric car in the United States, but it was ultimately doomed by a measly 89-mile range estimate, not to mention it was only available for lease and only in California and Oregon. Now, with the help of GM’s scalable Ultium battery platform, Honda gets back into the American EV game with the 2024 Prologue.Prologue PreviewSpanning 192 inches long, the Prologue is just over seven inches longer than the compact Honda CR-V and about three inches longer than the mid-size Honda Passport. The electric SUV also has a lengthy 121.8-inch wheelbase (the same as the recently revealed Acura ZDX), which helps provide ample passenger space. Since the Prologue is wider than it is tall (64.7 inches), it gives off station-wagon vibes à la the now-defunct Ford Flex.Honda’s Los Angeles design team penned the Prologue’s design, which features smooth exterior surfaces and short overhangs. While its minimalist appearance is plain compared with anything new wearing a Kia or Hyundai badge, we think it looks handsome. A set of 21-inch wheels on the top-of-the-line model complement its proportions.The Prologue’s interior also looks attractive, with its simple layout and restrained mix of materials. Along with preserving physical buttons and knobs on the dash, we applaud the column-mounted shifter and versatile center console, which has huge cupholders that accept 32-ounce containers as well as oodles of cubby space between the upper and lower levels. We had the chance to sit in the Prologue, and we can report that there’s lots of legroom in both rows. However, taller rear-seat passengers will have to deal with limited headroom, especially on models with the panoramic sunroof. The back seats do slightly recline, and behind them there’s 25 cubic feet of space. Dropping the seatbacks expands that space to 58 cubes. Under the cargo floor is an additional cube of storage. Unfortunately, due to the packaging of the front electric motor, there’s no frunk.Prologue Battery and PowertrainsThe Prologue comes with either a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The latter generates an estimated 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Honda hasn’t released power output for the single electric motor, but judging by its platform mate—the front-drive Chevy Equinox EV—we think the Prologue will produce somewhere around 210 horses and 243 pound-feet. Regardless of the powertrain, acceleration and deceleration is expressed with simulated sounds, but it remains to be seen whether they make the driving experience better or worse. With an 85.0-kWh battery pack, Honda estimates the front-drive Prologue will have a maximum driving range of 300 miles. While there’s no estimate for the all-wheel-drive models, we think it’ll be similar to the Equinox EV, which has a 280-mile estimate.With a 155-kW max charging rate when connected to a DC fast-charger, the Prologue’s battery is expected to add 65 miles of range in 10 minutes. Customers can also select from one of three different charging packages. They include an 11.5-kW home charger or a 7.6-kW portable charging kit (both with a $100 public charging credit and a $500 installation incentive). A $750 public charging credit is the third option. Prologue Features and PricingThe Prologue comes in three trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite. Even the base model is well-equipped, as it comes standard with heated front seats, a power-operated driver’s seat with lumbar adjustments, dual-zone climate control, and a wireless smartphone charger. Stepping up to the Touring swaps cloth upholstery for leather and adds memory seat settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Elite includes perforated leather in more colors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. An 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a horizontal 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard on all models. The latter features Google software, including myriad apps, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to all that tech, every Prologue has a host of driver assists, which include blind-spot steering assist, and rear cross-traffic braking, and rear pedestrian detection.Honda hasn’t yet released full pricing for the 2024 Prologue, but the EX is expected to start somewhere between $45,000 and $50,000. We’d wager the top-tier Elite will tack on another $10K or so. The EV SUV will be available to order before the end of the year, with deliveries set to start early in 2024.More Prologue NewsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Subaru confirmed a new WRX variant is on the way; unfortunately for longtime fans of the nameplate, it won’t be a new STI.Instead, Subaru is teasing an “enthusiast-focused” WRX TR, the last of which was a “Tuner Ready” version in 2006.According to the automaker, the full reveal will happen at Subaru’s Subiefest at Daytona International Speedway on October 7.Subaru just teased a new “enthusiast-focused” WRX sedan, and no, unfortunately it is not the WRX STI variant we all so desperately want. Instead, the automaker is reaching back to 2006 for a different historical name. The automaker is resurrecting the TR moniker, as in “Tuner Ready” to describe the new version. Subaru is tight-lipped on details at this point, but we can still infer a few things from the tight-cropped teaser image.The last WRX TR was a bare-bones variant meant for buyers who wanted to customize the car any way they want in the aftermarket. It came with a cheap stereo, non-leather steering wheel, and regular seats. Subaru didn’t even bother painting the mirror caps. SubaruIt seems a little unlikely that the Subaru of today would create something as basic as the 2006 WRX TR. The last TR was actually $1000 cheaper than the standard WRX. Looking at the teaser photo of the new model, we can spot Brembo brakes peeking out from behind the new wheels. The teaser also shows a set of side skirts.More on the WRXThe new 2023 WRX starts at $31,625 and ranges up to the grown-up GT trim that starts at $44,415. There aren’t enough details to really know if Subaru is leaning into the no-frills aspect of the last TR, but we don’t really expect this new version will cost less than the base WRX. The full reveal of the car is scheduled for October 7 at the automaker’s annual Subiefest event in Daytona Beach, Florida. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Hyundai and Kia recalled more than 3.3 million vehicles over fire concerns on Tuesday, a federal filing shows. The automaker says affected vehicles should be parked away from homes and other structures.“The vehicle’s anti-lock brake system module could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short,” a National Highway Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing says. “An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked.” Hyundai said owners can continue to drive the vehicles and that it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries due to these issues, Reuters reports. To date, Hyundai says it knows of 21 related vehicle fires and 22 “thermal incidents” (visible smoke, burning, and melting) in the United States. Kia also reported 10 incidents of fire and melting. Affected vehicles include 1.64 million Hyundai models: 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Sonata Hybrid; 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, and Veloster; 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe and Santa Fe; 2014-2015 Equus; 2010-2012 Veracruz; 2010-2013 Tucson; 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell; and 2013 Santa Fe Sport. Kia’s recall encompasses the 2010-2019 Borrego; 2014-2016 Cadenza; 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup and Sportage; 2015-2018 K900; 2011-2015 Optima; 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul; 2012-2017 Rio; 2011-2014 Sorento; and 2010-2011 Rondo. Owners of any of these models should see their local dealer for a replacement fuse once they receive a letter via first-class mail with instructions.Contributing EditorKristin Shaw fell in love with cars while visiting dozens of auto shows as a kid, which explains her love for big-finned 1950s cars and 1960s Corvettes. She competed in her first Rebelle Rally, an all-female off-roading competition, in the fall of 2022 in a lifted Hyundai Santa Cruz and will participate again in 2023. Her words have appeared in numerous publications like Popular Science, Edmunds, The Drive, GearJunkie, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Wheels, Today, The Washington Post and more. More

Genesis adds a Coupe version of its GV80 SUV for the 2025 model year.The GV80 Coupe will offer the e-supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the G90.The 2025 GV80 Coupe and SUV have debuted in Korea ahead of their U.S. arrival next year.Three years into its production run, the Genesis GV80 is branching out with a second body style for 2025, the GV80 Coupe. Previewed by the GV80 Coupe Concept that made its debut at the 2023 New York auto show, it presents a slightly faster-sloping roofline than the already-stylish standard GV80. Presumably, the GV80 Coupe will not offer the optional third-row seat, which is already a cramped affair in the regular GV80.Whereas the standard GV80 will continue with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine and an available twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, the GV80 Coupe gets a third engine choice: the e-supercharged V-6 from the G90 sedan, where it makes 409 horsepower. With that range-topping engine comes launch control, a Sport+ driving mode, and a selectable instrument cluster view that includes auxiliary gauges. The Coupe also incorporates an Active Sound Design feature that mimics the sound of “a large-displacement sport coupe’s exhaust,” and adjustable brake-pedal response. Both models can be had with an electronically controlled suspension with road preview. The GV80 Coupe wears an evolved version of the oversized shield-shaped grille and twin-line headlights, both shared with the standard GV80 for 2025. The Coupe gets exclusive 20- and 22-inch wheels, while in both models, the exhaust tips hide behind the rear bumper.Inside, the infotainment screen merges with the digital instrument cluster to create a single 27.0-inch display. Genesis also switches to touch-based climate controls (oh, no!) and ups the bling factor with a crystal gear selector. Rear-seat passengers get a new 14.6-inch screen of their own, and heated armrests join the list of sybaritic comfort features.Genesis continues to go beyond the usual grayscale color palette, with 13 exterior paint colors for the standard GV80 and 15 for the GV80 Coupe. The GV80 also offers five interior color schemes including two different browns and Glacier White. The 2025 GV80 lineup is just now making its debut in the home market and is expected to reach U.S. dealers sometime in 2024. We don’t yet know pricing, but we expect the Coupe to cost a few thousand dollars more than the SUV.More on GenesisThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

Kia has announced a starting price for the 2024 EV9 three-row electric SUV.The base model is the EV9 Light RWD, which has a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 215 hp.Pricing for the Long Range models and the dual-motor AWD configurations has not been announced yet.The base version of Kia’s new electric three-row SUV, the EV9, will cost about as much as a fully loaded version of the gas-powered Telluride. The 2024 EV9 in its standard Light RWD configuration officially has an MSRP of $54,900; while Kia hasn’t yet provided the mandatory destination charge, based on destination charges for the EV6 we suspect the base price will come in at just over $56,000.This configuration features a single, rear-mounted electric motor with 215 horsepower, which sources energy from a 76.1-kWh battery pack. EPA range estimates aren’t yet available, but Kia estimates this version will deliver 223 miles of range. 215 hp isn’t much for propelling the EV9’s 5000-pound curb weight around, so we’ve previously estimated this model to accelerate to 60 mph in a laggard 8.0 seconds.More on the EV9Pricing for the more desirable versions of the EV9—which are available with larger battery packs for more range and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain setups with significantly more power—is still forthcoming. We reckon the larger Long Range battery pack, measuring 99.8 kWh, will add several thousand dollars to the bottom line. So, too, will the 379-hp dual-motor powertrain offered in the Wind, Land, and GT-Line trim levels. Fully loaded versions will likely top $70,000.Kia says that the EV9 will go on sale in the U.S. late this year, with initial units coming from Korea. Next year, Kia will move production to its factory in West Point, Georgia.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

Westfalia has been absent from North American market for 20 years, and now it’s coming backOriginally a VW-based brand, this new effort will be centered around Ram ProMaster vans.This new company will be based out of Ontario and is looking to establish a dealer network in 2024 and beyond.For decades, the sight of a Volkswagen camper van meant two things: free-wheeling adventure for its owner and prayers for a passing lane from anyone stuck behind it. Westfalia camper conversions, or “Westys,” spawned a whole subculture of the van life movement, rolling slow and setting up home whenever the sun began settling low on the horizon. But then Daimler bought out the Westfalia-Werke camper conversion company and put an end to pop-top VWs. It’s been 20 years since Westfalia camper vans were sold in America—but now, they’re coming back.Clearly, Westfalia’s current owner, the French Groupe Rapido, has been paying attention. North American brand recognition of the Westfalia name is too valuable a prospect to simply ignore, and the new Westfalia-Americas company is planning a return for 2024.More on Camper VansDo not, however, expect any sloth-like Volkswagen campers. Westfalia does still offer camper versions of VW vans across the pond, but as those vans are not sold here, certifying them for U.S. regulations would likely be cost prohibitive. And although Westfalia also makes campers out of the Mercedes Metris van, the Metris is dead in North America for 2024. Instead, the sole candidate for a reborn Westfalia is the Ram ProMaster.In Europe, there are are four versions of what Westfalia calls its Columbus model (pictured at top), all built on a Fiat platform similar to that of the Ram ProMaster sold here. Westfalia’s pre-production display model is a class B van built from the ProMaster, and can sleep up to six in three fold-away berths—yes, including up top in a pop-up roof section. It’s not as big as other RVs, but offers flexibility and plenty of cargo storage.According to trade journal RV Business, the conversions will be done by Roadtrek in Ontario, Canada, which already does camper conversions on the ProMaster 3500 chassis. As yet, a dealer network is still in the early planning stages. However, Westfalia is back with its pop-top roof, just like its fondly-remembered peripatetic ancestors. And, just like those slow and steady VW-based machines promised, the return of Westfalia to North America comes with tremendous appeal. When wherever you are happens to be home, why not keep roaming?Contributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More