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It is not hyperbolic to state that Tesla is the most influential and important automobile company of the 21st century so far. It deserves credit for innovations and products that have shaped the industry and its future. But its influence—and that of its autocratic leader, Elon Musk—has come at a cost.The latest season of Vox Media’s tech podcast “Land of the Giants”—which has previously looked at such brands as Amazon, Google, Netflix, Facebook/Meta, and Apple—now dives into the EV car company. Through dogged reporting, veteran car journalists Tamara Warren (The Verge, the New York Times) and Patrick George (Jalopnik, The Drive) weave together—at least in the two episodes we’ve had the privilege of hearing so far—a history of this EV juggernaut and its impact on the car industry, government, and the larger global context.Aren’t We Tired of Tesla by Now?But, as one of the most covered companies and people in the media landscape, we have to ask, why does the world need any further reporting on the subjects? “It’s easy to get caught up in the daily news about Tesla because there’s just so much,” says Warren, who has been writing about the company since its launch. “But when I joined this podcast, I was struck by how interesting it was to look back on the history, and retrace what’s happened, and then do a serious evaluation of how that impacts the market today and where it’s going tomorrow.”More TeslaIn its headstrong rush toward a future it is helping to define, Tesla and Musk have certainly disrupted our notion of what a car can and will be, along with things like the direction of our transportation policy, how we live, how we buy cars, and how we produce them. The podcast explores all of this. But its real strength is in describing the impact of this breakneck transformation on the lives of the actual people involved. There is no doubt their existences were disrupted too.picture alliance Via GettyFor Good or Ill, It Was Life-Altering to Work There”I think generally I would characterize for them that this was a life-altering experience. Whether that experience was positive or negative varied depending on who I spoke with and what their role was,” Warren says. Many reveal that they had a really difficult time working at a company where there wasn’t a lot of work-life balance, where the protective structures that exist in a traditional industry intentionally didn’t exist, and where people—even at the highest levels—were seen as expendable. Many were betrayed by the company, or by Musk personally, who comes across as capricious, vituperative, and vindictive and, as one of richest people in the world, able and very willing to enforce the silencing of dissent with the threat of ruinous burial in legal action. “I think over the course of this series you can see how the workers often get forgotten at Tesla at all levels, because their voices have really been stifled,” Warren says. “And I think when you hear the trepidation in their voices, it comes from working at a company where the motto was success at any cost. And it asks the question, what is the cost of a human contribution to that?”The Cult of PersonalityThe series also excels at studying the psychological roots of the cult of personality that surrounds Musk and, by extension, Tesla. “The passion that exists around this brand is unparalleled. It’s nothing compared to the Ferrari boys who put posters on their walls. It’s a whole other level of enthusiasm, and it’s often not rooted in positivity,” Warren says. But this does not deter her and George from an honest analysis. “As a woman who has covered the auto industry for a long time, I’ve seen and have experienced some of that Tesla backlash or criticism. So I kind of anticipate that’s just part of it,” she says.Given all of this, we wondered if she had come away from the creation of this narrative with greater understanding of Musk. She had, and it wasn’t particularly favorable. “I think he seems like a bad person to me,” she said. “And I think that’s something you hear a lot too now, people really struggling about how they feel about owning this car, be it current owners or [those considering] whether or not to buy one, because of its association with the CEO.”TeslaShe cautions us to continue to monitor the company’s situation with trepidation. “Despite the behavior of the CEO, we’re in the midst right now of this massive shift where Tesla is essentially being charged with managing the infrastructure in the sense of operating our national charging network,” she says, referring to the current industry decision to contract with Musk’s Superchargers, which are currently the world’s only effective grid for fast-charging a rapidly increasing coterie of EVs. It’s possible that whatever your position on the company, Tesla may take a role as outsize, and potentially influential, as that of Big Oil. As Warren says, “You can’t count Tesla out.””Land of the Giants” is available on Apple and Spotify. Contributing EditorBrett Berk (he/him) is a former preschool teacher and early childhood center director who spent a decade as a youth and family researcher and now covers the topics of kids and the auto industry for publications including CNN, the New York Times, Popular Mechanics and more. He has published a parenting book, The Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting, and since 2008 has driven and reviewed thousands of cars for Car and Driver and Road & Track, where he is contributing editor. He has also written for Architectural Digest, Billboard, ELLE Decor, Esquire, GQ, Travel + Leisure and Vanity Fair.    More

Seven major automakers are combining forces to create a network of 30,000 new EV fast-charging stations across North America. The joint venture between BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis is aiming to open the first chargers in the U.S. in summer 2024, with chargers in Canada to follow.These chargers will be compatible with electric vehicles that use both the Combined Charging System (CCS) and Tesla’s proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors. Many automakers have already pledged to adopt these NACS connectors in the near future, including Mercedes-Benz and GM, which are part of this joint venture. Other charging networks such as the Volkswagen Group’s Electrify America subsidiary and ChargePoint have also said they would adopt NACS in the near future.We don’t yet know what the joint venture will be called or when the network of 30,000 chargers will be completed. The automakers do claim that the stations will be in urban areas and along highways, and that each station will have multiple DC fast-charging connectors. Some locations will be designated as “flagship stations” and will provide “additional amenities.” The automakers say that the charging network will integrate with the various manufacturers’ apps and navigation functions, allowing for route planning, integrated payment functions, and even charging reservations.More on EV ChargingSenior 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

Toyota announced the next-generation Land Cruiser will officially make its debut on August 1 at 9:20 p.m. ET. The announcement comes hand in hand with this new teaser image showcasing the boxy and vertical front end of the redesigned SUV.We can see the inspiration drawn from other recently redone Toyota models including the Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia. And just like that, we’re under a week out from seeing the full design of the returning Toyota Land Cruiser. The company announced with an Instagram post this morning that the next-generation Land Cruiser will officially debut on August 1 at 9:20 p.m. ET. Toyota was also kind enough to satiate at least some of our desire to see the new 4×4 in full, with the addition of a new teaser image showing a hulking front end. The vertical bumper shown in the new image further strengthens our conviction that the Toyota will be a very close sibling to the recently revealed 2024 Lexus GX. ToyotaThe teaser image shown earlier in the month (see above) shows that the two models have nearly identical profiles, with vertical bumpers and windshields, body lines that jump up at the rear window, and a squared-off rear windshield tilting slightly towards the front of the car. More on LC and GXHybrid V-6 Power?With all the visual similarities, it also stands to reason that the Land Cruiser will share the GX’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine when it launches and an unspecified hybrid engine sometime down the line. We think the most likely hybrid setup is the 437-hp V-6 iForce MAX from the Tundra, but the smaller 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid available in the Tacoma could also make sense. As far as trim levels are concerned, we think the Land Cruiser could arrive with a bevy of options including off-road-inspired TRD and Trailhunter models. Toyota is sure to add more mainstream options like an SR5, Limited, or Platinum for shoppers less interested in a rugged 4×4. 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

The 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger get matching Mopar special editions that bring unique exterior and interior bits.Called the ’23 Mopar Special Edition package, it’s reserved for widebody R/T Scat Pack models and costs $3995 apiece.Mopar will sell 200 Challengers and 200 Chargers in the U.S. with the package, and orders will open in September.The 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger might be heading down the road to nowhere, what with production of both muscle cars set to expire by year’s end, but Mopar—Dodge’s factory-backed parts supplier and servicer—will bid farewell to each with matching special-edition packages.Mopar TwinsiesCalled the ’23 Mopar Special Edition package, it’ll be available on new Challengers and Chargers with the widebody R/T Scat Pack configuration. While the Mopar treatment won’t change any of the car’s mechanical bits, meaning their 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s will be unchanged, it will customize their looks. Along with Pitch Black paint and black 20-inch wheels, the special-edition Challenger and Chargers both receive matte-black body graphics and Mopar Blue accents seen on the front and rear brake calipers, hood, roof, and trunklid. The latter will be made of carbon fiber, which isn’t offered on any production model.MoparInside, the ’23 Mopar Special Editions come with shiny door sills as well as mats on the floor and in the trunk that feature Mopar logos. Each model also comes with an exclusive Mopar owner’s kit that includes a metal certificate of authenticity. It includes a serialized vehicle-build number along with rendering of the car courtesy of Mopar’s design team.Limited ProductionMopar will only build 440 total special editions. With 40 allocated to Canada, that leaves 200 Challengers and 200 Chargers for U.S. customers who will each have to pay an extra $3995 on top of the car’s base prices, which are $55,855 and $57,920, respectively. Orders have to be made through individual Dodge dealerships, with production set to start in September and deliveries slated for the following month.The Last of ThemThis 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

The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport arrives with a new Free Wheeling special edition that gives off ’70s vibes.The Free Wheeling model features sunset-like graphics inside and out along with funky red-accented wheels.For 2024, the Bronco Sport also gains a Black Appearance package that, you guessed it, dresses the compact SUV with dark details.Remember the 1970s? Whether you do or don’t, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport will give people a little taste of the vibes in those days with the introduction of the new Free Wheeling special edition. Not only is it inspired by Ford off-roaders from the ’70s, but the compact SUV’s brightly colored graphics and funky red-accented wheels are sure to attract the attention of boomers and millennials alike.’70s ThrowbackThe special-edition Bronco Sport is a modern take on Ford’s Free Wheeling décor package that was launched in 1977. Available on the Bronco, F-series trucks, and even vans of the day, the kit had black bumpers, white wagon wheels, and tri-color body decals.Ford Motor CompanyWhile the 2024 Bronco Sport Free Wheeling lacks black steel bumpers and white steel wheels, its hood, sides, and rear liftgate are emblazoned with reflective colorful stripes similar to those seen on its ancestors. Along with a black-painted roof, there’s a silver grille with contrasting Bronco script. The 17-inch wheels have red pockets that some will likely appreciate, while other will probably hate. We dig ’em.Inside, the Free Wheeling edition gets a similar sunset-like treatment that brings eye-popping striping on the seatbacks and redish accents on the center stack and upper door panels. The trim on the center console also includes a little plaque that identifies each Bronco Sport as a Free Wheeling edition—as if that wasn’t already obvious. Ford Motor CompanyBlack Appearance PackOn the complete opposite end of the spectrum, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport is also now available with a Black Appearance package that gives off moody vibes. With this option, the compact SUV’s grille and its Bronco lettering are completely blacked out. There are also matte black decals on the hood to match the 17-inch wheels. The roof and exterior badges are also black, and the interior gets a new bucking bronco badge that’s bright yellow. Just kidding, it’s black.Ford Motor CompanyLike the Black Appearance package, the Bronco Sport Free Wheeling is only offered on Big Bend models. Other changes to the 2024 Bronco Sport lineup are new Azure Gray and Desert Sand paint colors, which can’t be paired with the Bronco Sport Free Wheeling edition, for those who were wondering.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.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

There will be a second-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV, General Motors CEO Mary Barra confirmed today during an earnings conference call.Earlier this year, General Motors had proclaimed the Bolt dead as it prepared the hatchback’s factory for a transition to assembling electric pickups. But the Bolt is not dead and is in fact getting better, with Barra revealing that the second-gen Bolt will use GM’s newer Ultium battery technology.The Chevrolet Bolt nameplate will live on, General Motors CEO Mary Barra announced today during an earnings conference call. This contradicts earlier reports that the Bolt was dead after 2023, with GM stating in April that the Orion Assembly plant in Michigan where the Bolt is built was transitioning to building electric trucks like the Silverado EV next year.Marc Urbano|Car and DriverNow we know that the Bolt will receive a second generation, and Chevrolet is promising that the electric hatchback will continue to pack modern tech and a solid electric range into an affordable package. Although the Bolt was always among the cheapest EVs, price cuts for 2023 saw the MSRP drop to $27,495. Sales rebounded from a controversial battery recall in 2021, with 38,120 units finding homes in 2022 for the Bolt’s best sales year yet. So far, 2023 is going strong, with 33,659 Bolts delivered through the first half. The current Bolt, first launched in 2017, is built on the BEV2 platform, developed with a helping hand from LG, which also manufactured the Bolt’s battery pack. Since then, GM and LG Energy Solution have collaborated on a new battery platform, Ultium, that is already found in the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV and will also underpin the Silverado EV. More on Chevy EVsBarra confirmed that the next-generation Bolt will utilize the Ultium platform, which the company says should help the Bolt badge return to market “on an accelerated timeline,” although the specific timing won’t be announced until later. We expect the second-gen Bolt to arrive for the 2025 model year, and while Chevy didn’t specify whether the slightly bigger Bolt EUV will be back, it mostly likely will if crossover sales continue to dominate the market.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 EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Kia has revealed the facelifted version of the Sorento mid-size SUV.It also has a revised interior with a larger infotainment screen.We expect to see the updated Sorento arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.The fourth generation of Kia’s mid-size Sorento SUV still seems pretty fresh, but it’s already time for a mid-cycle update. This refresh brings revised styling for the front and rear ends, along with an interior upgrade that brings new screens. Kia told C/D that the 2024 Sorento would be a carryover model, so we expect to see this new Sorento to arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.Up front, the 2025 Sorento features a completely different grille shape and interesting new headlights. The LED accent strips are reminiscent of the new Kia EV9’s lighting signature. In the rear, the taillights are slightly revised and add a new design element that connects the two light bars on each side. We can also spot new wheel designs and what looks like a new beige color, at least for the Korea-market model that’s been shown so far. Kia Inside, the biggest change is a new set of screens for the digital gauge cluster and the central infotainment system. The center screen appears to be running Kia’s newer infotainment software, and the digital gauge cluster looks larger than the unit that’s currently available on the Sorento’s higher trim levels. There’s also a touchbar lower down on the dash that looks similar to the one in the Sportage and the EV6 that can switch between HVAC and navigation controls.KiaWe don’t expect any major changes to the Sorento’s powertrains, which include a 2.5-liter gasoline engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, a 227-hp hybrid setup, and a 261-hp plug-in-hybrid option with an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range. The LX, EX, SX, and X Line trim levels should also stick around.We’re not sure about timing for the 2025 Sorento yet, as it will likely go on sale in Korea first and reach the U.S. market later on. Kia has yet to release 2024 model-year information yet, so it seems that the 2024 Sorento will have a short run before the updated 2025 model starts to arrive in showrooms.More on the SorentoThis 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 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

Kia has revealed the facelifted version of the Sorento mid-size SUV.It also has a revised interior with a larger infotainment screen.We expect to see the updated Sorento arrive in the U.S. for the 2024 model year.CLARIFICATION 7/27/23: We now expect the updated Sorento to arrive in the U.S. as a 2024 model, not 2025 as previously stated.The fourth generation of Kia’s mid-size Sorento SUV still seems pretty fresh, but it’s already time for a mid-cycle update. This refresh brings revised styling for the front and rear ends, along with an interior upgrade that brings new screens. We expect to see this new Sorento to arrive in the U.S. for the 2024 model year.Up front, the 2024 Sorento features a completely different grille shape and interesting new headlights. The LED accent strips are reminiscent of the new Kia EV9’s lighting signature. In the rear, the taillights are slightly revised and add a new design element that connects the two light bars on each side. We can also spot new wheel designs and what looks like a new beige color, at least for the Korea-market model that’s been shown so far. Kia Inside, the biggest change is a new set of screens for the digital gauge cluster and the central infotainment system. The center screen appears to be running Kia’s newer infotainment software, and the digital gauge cluster looks larger than the unit that’s currently available on the Sorento’s higher trim levels. There’s also a touchbar lower down on the dash that looks similar to the one in the Sportage and the EV6 that can switch between HVAC and navigation controls.KiaWe don’t expect any major changes to the Sorento’s powertrains, which include a 2.5-liter gasoline engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, a 227-hp hybrid setup, and a 261-hp plug-in-hybrid option with an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range. The LX, EX, SX, and X Line trim levels should also stick around.We’re not sure about timing for the 2024 Sorento yet, as it will likely go on sale in Korea first and reach the U.S. market later on. Look for Kia to release U.S. details on the updated model soon before it reaches showrooms, likely before the end of the year.More on the SorentoThis 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 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