INSIDER
A driver's test for autonomous vehicles? A leading expert says US should have one
Read full article: A driver's test for autonomous vehicles? A leading expert says US should have oneAt a time of growing concern about the safety of self-driving vehicles, a leading expert is calling on the federal government to develop a national driver’s test that such vehicles would have to pass before they could travel on public roads.
Winter travel tips: How to get vehicle unstuck from snow, list of emergency supplies to take with you
Read full article: Winter travel tips: How to get vehicle unstuck from snow, list of emergency supplies to take with youThe 4Warn Weather Team is tracking a significant storm that is expected to strongly impact holiday travel.
Here’s how to protect yourselves against theft of catalytic converters in Metro Detroit
Read full article: Here’s how to protect yourselves against theft of catalytic converters in Metro DetroitHere are a few tips on protecting yourself against the theft of catalytic converters in Metro Detroit as the costly crime is on the rise.
Trailers, heavy vehicles face traffic restrictions amid 2022 Woodward Dream Cruise
Read full article: Trailers, heavy vehicles face traffic restrictions amid 2022 Woodward Dream CruiseThe Woodward Dream Cruise wants to remind the general public of the weight restrictions for commercial trucks and trailers for August 20.
Police search for 2 vehicles linked to shooting that caused fatal crash in Garden City
Read full article: Police search for 2 vehicles linked to shooting that caused fatal crash in Garden CityPolice are searching for two vehicles linked to a shooting that caused a fatal crash in Garden City, according to authorities.
Annual list highlights safest new, used vehicles for teens for 2022
Read full article: Annual list highlights safest new, used vehicles for teens for 2022The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports on Thursday published their annual list of the safest affordable vehicles for teenage drivers for 2022.
New program aims to educate new teen drivers in areas where they lack experience
Read full article: New program aims to educate new teen drivers in areas where they lack experienceOne of the most exciting rites of passage for teens is getting a driver’s license. It can also be one of the most troubling for parents who have concerns about safety. This happens to be National Teen Driver Safety Week, and there is a program called “Strive 4 a Safer Drive” that is dedicated to helping teens make safer driving choices.
Ongoing catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in Monroe County raises concern
Read full article: Ongoing catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in Monroe County raises concernMonroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough would like to make the public aware of the ongoing catalytic converter thefts from vehicles.
GM sales sharply decline in 3rd quarter due to part shortages
Read full article: GM sales sharply decline in 3rd quarter due to part shortagesSales have dropped significantly for General Motors this quarter due to part shortages and “historically low inventories” caused by issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Reminder: Woodward Dream Cruise weight restrictions for commercial trucks, trailers in Oakland County Aug. 21
Read full article: Reminder: Woodward Dream Cruise weight restrictions for commercial trucks, trailers in Oakland County Aug. 21The following is a reminder from the Michigan Department of Transportation about vehicle weight restrictions during the Woodward Dream Cruise
US agency orders automated vehicle makers to report crashes
Read full article: US agency orders automated vehicle makers to report crashesThe U.S. government’s highway safety agency has ordered automakers to report any crashes involving fully autonomous vehicles or partially automated driver assist systems.
Volkswagen tests electric cars, transit apps on Greek island
Read full article: Volkswagen tests electric cars, transit apps on Greek islandGerman carmaker Volkswagen has launched a five-year project on the small Greek island of Astypalea to test the adoption of electric vehicles in areas switching to sustainable energy generation.
Ford raising EV spending to $30 billion, aims for 40% of fleet electric by 2030
Read full article: Ford raising EV spending to $30 billion, aims for 40% of fleet electric by 2030Ford Motor Co. is boosting its spending on electric vehicle production by $30 billion as it aims to have 40% of its fleet all-electric by 2030.
Explainer: Are electric vehicles really better for the environment?
Read full article: Explainer: Are electric vehicles really better for the environment?The U.S. is investing big resources into electric vehicles, and Michigan will be leading the way in manufacturing -- but are they better for the climate?
Southwest Detroit neighbors pushing for action to stop street racing
Read full article: Southwest Detroit neighbors pushing for action to stop street racingNeighbors in Southwest Detroit are speaking out a day after a driver suspected of racing crashed his vehicle along Fort Street near Interstate 75.
Section of Jefferson Street in Ann Arbor closed through April 9
Read full article: Section of Jefferson Street in Ann Arbor closed through April 9ANN ARBOR – Jefferson Street from Ashley Street to First Street closed Monday morning to through traffic for road construction that is expected to last until 5 p.m. on April 9. According to the city, cars traveling westbound on Jefferson Street will be detoured north on Ashley Street, east on William Street, and south on First Street. Cars traveling eastbound will be detoured south on First Street, east on Madison Street, and north on Ashley. Property owners on Jefferson located in the work zone will be able to access the road throughout the project. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained by the contractor during the project, but some detours may be implemented depending on project developments.
South Main Street in Ann Arbor to close Thursday for crane work
Read full article: South Main Street in Ann Arbor to close Thursday for crane workANN ARBOR – The city will be closing both directions of South Main Street between East William Street and Packard Street on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to facilitate crane work. The city has posted this detour map so drivers are aware of what to expect. The closure will only affect a one-block stretch of road, but with Main Street being a major thoroughfare, the detours may slightly slow your commute. Access will be maintained for local businesses at all times during the construction work while pedestrians will also be detoured along the same route as vehicles. Emergency vehicles are also advised to take the posted detour below:
Will Apple be breaking into the auto industry? -- What we know
Read full article: Will Apple be breaking into the auto industry? -- What we knowSpeculation of an Apple car came in 2015 when the A123 Systems electric car battery company sued Apple Inc. for poaching some of its employees. Gartner auto analyst Mike Ramsey said the idea of Apple getting into the car business grabs attention. Nobody in the auto industry has ever made those kinds of profit margins. Industry headlines have recently included notions that Ford could possibly build the Apple Car, then Hyundai and now there’s also Canadian auto supplier, Magna. That’s the kind of company that Apple likes to work with and the rest of their business,” Abuelsamid said.
Ford adding 350 jobs at 2 plants to make electric vehicles
Read full article: Ford adding 350 jobs at 2 plants to make electric vehiclesDETROIT – Ford plans to add 350 jobs at two factories to meet expected demand for electric vehicles that haven't gone on sale yet. The company says these are early investments in the first phase of its plan to build more electric vehicles. In addition to the Kansas City and Michigan plants, Ford will build electric vehicles and components in Oakville, Ontario, and Cuautitlan, Mexico, the company said. “This is just the first chapter with more new electric vehicles and more investment to come,” Galhotra said. Last year, automakers sold just over 236,000 fully electric vehicles, up 36% from 2018.
Woman in critical condition after being struck by 2 vehicles in Detroit, police say
Read full article: Woman in critical condition after being struck by 2 vehicles in Detroit, police sayDETROIT – Police are asking for help identifying and locating two vehicles involved in a hit-and-run incident that happened on Detroit’s east side. A 26-year-old woman was walking in the middle of Harper Avenue on Sept. 11 at 11:40 p.m. when she was struck by a Jeep that was traveling west, according to police. After being hit, a dark colored minivan that was traveling east struck her too. Medics transported the woman to a hospital where she is listed in critical condition. Police are looking for an unknown driver who was in the dark colored Jeep and an unknown driver who was in the dark colored minivan.
Detroit homeowners want changes to dangerous curve on citys west side
Read full article: Detroit homeowners want changes to dangerous curve on citys west sideDETROIT Residents in Detroits Rosedale Park Historic District said they are fed up with cars speeding around a curve, causing drivers to lose control and crash on a routine basis. On the daily, somebody speeding around this curve, not realizing the depth of it. We hear the screeching of the tires, we hear it all, and then we come out and see, Davis said. This guy missed the curve, hit the pole, knocked over the garbage can and ran into the ladys yard across the street, Davis said in the recording. The city of Detroit will begin looking into what can be done to slow the traffic down.
Hyundai, Kia recall vehicles for leaks that can cause fires
Read full article: Hyundai, Kia recall vehicles for leaks that can cause firesWASHINGTON (AP) Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a brake fluid leak that could cause engine fires. In company documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators, Hyundai said it had 15 reports of engine fires caused by the fluid leaks, while Kia said it had eight. The company said it monitors safety concerns, including non-collision fires and acts swiftly to recall any vehicles with safety related defects.In April of 2019, NHTSA opened two new investigations into fires involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles after getting complaints of more than 3,100 fires and 103 injuries. The investigations, one for Hyundai and the other for Kia, cover non-crash fires in almost 3 million vehicles from the affiliated automakers. NHTSA had previously said it would incorporate the noncrash fires into a 2017 investigation that examined recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles for engine failures.
Michigan plans dedicated road lanes for autonomous vehicles
Read full article: Michigan plans dedicated road lanes for autonomous vehiclesLANSING, Mich. The state of Michigan and some private partners are taking steps toward building or assigning dedicated lanes for automated vehicles on a 40-mile stretch of highway between Detroit and Ann Arbor. Ford is among nine autonomous vehicle and auto companies on an advisory board for the project. The project is being led by a company called Cavnue, which will start the study by running autonomous vehicles with human backup drivers along I-94 and U.S. 12 to collect data. Chinese media have reported on a similar project on a new freeway in China, and others have proposed similar ventures in the U.S., but Winer said the Michigan project would be a first. Vehicles and autonomous driving systems used by all companies would be able to use the lanes, provided they meet standards, Winer said.
Michigan plans dedicated road lanes for autonomous vehicles
Read full article: Michigan plans dedicated road lanes for autonomous vehiclesFord is among nine autonomous vehicle and auto companies on an advisory board for the project. Eventually, autonomous buses and shuttles would run along the Interstate 94 corridor, linking the University of Michigan to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the citys downtown. Tech and auto companies that favor running the vehicles with normal traffic seem to be winning, Walker Smith said, although that has eased as expectations for autonomous vehicles have become more realistic. Vehicles and autonomous driving systems used by all companies would be able to use the lanes, provided they meet standards, Winer said. The company plans to build a prototype freeway lane at the American Center for Mobility, an autonomous vehicle testing area Ypsilanti, Michigan, he said, adding that the study will consider how to handle wildlife or humans entering the dedicated lanes.
US investigates electrical fires in 2014 Chrysler minivans
Read full article: US investigates electrical fires in 2014 Chrysler minivansDETROIT The U.S. government's road safety agency is investigating complaints of fires in a power and charging port in some Chrysler Town and Country minivans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has three reports of fires and one injury in minivans from the 2014 model year. The agency says owners complained of fires starting in the ports, which are mounted in a trim piece on the driver's side between the second- and third-row seats. Fiat Chrysler, which makes the minivans, says it's cooperating with the investigation. The agency will determine what caused the fires and how often they happen.
Ford, VW to collaborate on vans, pickup, electric vehicle
Read full article: Ford, VW to collaborate on vans, pickup, electric vehicle(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)DEARBORN, Mich. DEARBORN, Mich.Ford and Volkswagen will each offer a small city van, a larger cargo van, a small pickup truck and an electric vehicle as part of their global alliance announced last year. The companies announced some details of what the venture will yield Wednesday, with the city van created by VW and a 1-ton cargo van engineered by Ford to be sold by both companies. Also, VW will make a small pickup built on the underpinnings of Ford's Ranger, and Ford will build an unidentified electric vehicle for Europe based on VW's modular design, the companies said. VW would start selling the pickup truck in 2022, and the electric vehicle would come in 2023, the companies said in a statement. The companies also said last year that they would jointly fund autonomous vehicle development, with VW investing in Argo AI, a Pittsburgh company largely owned by Ford.