مجله خودرو ام وی ام

دیترویت – هزاران کارگر در یک کارخانه بزرگ مرسدس بنز در نزدیکی توسکالوزا، آلاباما، ماه آینده در مورد اینکه آیا می‌خواهند توسط اتحادیه کارگران خودروسازی متحده نمایندگی شوند رأی خواهند داد.

هیئت ملی روابط کار روز پنجشنبه گفت که رای گیری از 13 تا 17 مه در تاسیسات ونس و وودستاک، آلاباما برگزار خواهد شد. آرا توسط آژانس در 17 می شمارش می شود.

NRLB گفت که شرکت و اتحادیه با تاریخ انتخابات موافقت کردند.

این رای، دومین رای اتحادیه برای سازماندهی 150000 کارگر در بیش از 12 کارخانه خودروسازی غیر اتحادیه عمدتا در ایالت های جنوبی خواهد بود. حدود 4300 کارگر در کارخانه فولکس واگن در چاتانوگا، تنسی، در حال رای گیری در مورد نمایندگی اتحادیه این هفته هستند و تعداد آرا روز جمعه اعلام می شود.

این تلاش سازماندهی پس از آن انجام شد که UAW پس از حمله به سه خودروساز دیترویت در پاییز گذشته، دستمزدهای زیادی را افزایش داد.

تاسیسات مرسدس تا پایان سال 2023 حدود 6100 کارمند داشت. UAW گفته است که بیش از 5000 نفر خواستار رای گیری اتحادیه هستند.

در پاسخ به درخواست کارگران، مرسدس بنز ایالات متحده اینترنشنال اعلام کرد که “به انتخاب اعضای تیم ما (در مورد) که آیا اتحادیه‌ها را تشکیل دهند، کاملا احترام می‌گذارد. این شرکت افزود که قصد دارد اطمینان حاصل کند که همه کارگران فرصتی برای رأی دادن مخفیانه خود و دسترسی به «اطلاعات لازم برای انتخاب آگاهانه» در طول فرآیند انتخابات دارند.

UAW مدیریت مرسدس را به تاکتیک های ضد اتحادیه در هفته های اخیر متهم کرده است و اتهامات کارگری فدرال را علیه این شرکت مطرح کرده است.

اوایل این هفته فرمانداران شش ایالت جنوبی، از جمله آلاباما و تنسی، بیانیه ای صادر کردند و گفتند که کارگران اگر به اتحادیه رای دهند، شغل خود را به خطر می اندازند.

Republican attorneys general from 25 states on Thursday sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block rules intended to reduce planet-warming emissions from cars and light trucks and encourage electric vehicle manufacturing, arguing the agency exceeded its legal authority.

The lawsuit challenging the regulations for passenger vehicles, finalized on March 20 by President Joe Biden’s administration, was filed by attorneys general from states led by Kentucky and West Virginia in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The EPA rules aim to cut fleetwide tailpipe emissions for cars and light trucks by nearly 50% over 2026 levels in 2032, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.2 billion tons through 2055.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the rules would harm the American economy, threaten jobs and raise prices while undermining the U.S. electricity grid. Coleman also said there is very little consumer interest in electric vehicles in his state.

Republican state officials have said the rules amount to an attempt by the administration to transform the American passenger vehicle market improperly through strict rules that make it difficult for manufacturers to not go electric.

“The Biden administration is willing to sacrifice the American auto industry and its workers in service of its radical green agenda. We just aren’t buying it,” Coleman said.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey called the rules “legally flawed and unrealistic, to say the least.”

The EPA declined to comment.

The regulations are among the most significant environmental rules implemented under Biden, who has made tackling climate change a key pillar of his presidency. The EPA has forecast that between 35% and 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 would be electric under the rules – a range that reflected the flexibility the agency has said automakers have to pursue different pollution-cutting technologies.

Republican state attorneys general during the public comment period before the rules were finalized had said that they go well beyond the EPA’s authority under the landmark anti-pollution law called the Clean Air Act, and amount to a “top-to-bottom attempt to restructure the automobile industry.”

After resistance by autoworkers and the auto industry, the final version of the regulations was scaled back compared to an earlier proposal in order to give automakers more flexibility in meeting the emissions reduction goals. The EPA gave automakers more freedom to meet emissions standards with gas-electric hybrids, which many environmentalists have opposed as a half-measure that delays the EV transition.

The EPA said the final rule cuts emissions by 49% by 2032 over 2026 levels compared with 56% under its previous plan. EPA chief Michael Regan said the rule impose “absolutely no mandate” on manufacturers to adopt electric vehicles.

Other states that joined the suit included: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

The EPA on March 29 separately said it was finalizing tighter tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles like semi-trucks and buses, but those regulations were not part of the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is the latest example of Republican attorneys general turning to the courts to challenge various aspects of the Biden administration’s climate agenda.

Republican-led states also have challenged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s corporate climate disclosure rules, the U.S. Energy Department’s pause on approvals for new liquefied natural gas export facilities and EPA rules toughening standards for air pollution, among other things.

From next year, Mustang fans will want to visit North Carolina’s Charlotte Motor Speedway, as the iconic motorsports location will also be home to what Ford calls the Mustang Experience Center.

As Ford describes it, the new center will be the “destination for all things Mustang,” with visitors able to sample cars on the racetrack, learn some of the Mustang’s history, and purchase various merchandise related to the pony car icon, including performance parts.

Ford said there will also be a conference space for private and corporate events. Fans will even be able to host their wedding at the site.

For fans keen to head out on the track, Ford also hosts various driving school programs at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These include dedicated programs for the EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse grades.

Artist’s impression of Ford’s Mustang Experience Center

In the case of the Dark Horse program, participants are treated to a full day of classroom and on-track instruction that includes skid pad and autocross sessions, as well as lead-follow lapping. There are also hot laps where an instructor demonstrates just what the car can really do when left unbridled.

Ford announced the Mustang Experience Center on Wednesday during a special gathering at Charlotte Motor Speedway to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mustang’s debut. Other announcements included a 60th Anniversary Package for the Mustang GT, confirmation of a new Mustang variant due in 2025, and an option that makes the Mustang’s digital gauge cluster display gauges similar to those in the original Mustang.

Casey is getting his driver’s license soon and is eying up some options for his first ride. With a budget limited to $15,000, he wants something comfortable with a bit of luxury and enough cargo space for sports gear. What car should he buy?

(Welcome back to What Car Should You Buy? Where we give real people real advice about buying cars. Do you want us to help you find a car? Submit your story on our form.)

Here is the scenario:

I just turned 16 and I’m looking for my first car. I want something big but not too big. A bit of luxury would be nice, but I don’t need anything too fancy. I’m an athletic guy who plays hockey and baseball so I’ll need a decent-sized trunk or cargo area for big bags. I’m thinking something like a sedan or wagon with an automatic, and I don’t want to spend any more than $15,000

Quick Facts:

Budget: Up to $15,000

Location: Vancouver, WA

Daily Driver: Yes

Wants: A bit of luxury, a bit of space, big trunk

Doesn’t want: Something too small

Expert 1: Tom McParland – A Kia What?

Casey, you have some exciting times ahead, and I applaud you for targeting the “just right” size of car for a new driver. I often recommend a midsize-ish sedan for younger drivers, as they are big enough to offer some protection in case of a collision but not too large to be unwieldy for novice drivers. The other thing I tell parents and new drivers to target is sedans that have generally appealed to older folks, as these are usually comfortable, not driven hard, and often regularly maintained. You can find some solid picks if you look outside the standard Accord/Camry offerings.

For example, here is a really nice Kia Cadenza. The Cadenza was Kia’s take on the Toyota Avalon/Lexus ES series: A big, comfortable, front-drive sedan that is good for cruising. You will find plenty of room on the inside with some nice upgrades and a trunk large enough to fit your gear. This particular example only has 63,000 miles but it does have an accident on the CarFax, so you will want to investigate further with some kind of pre-purchase inspection. But if all goes well, this is a lot of car for $12,500.

Expert 2: Collin Woodard – How Small Is Too Small?

If you go with the Kia Cadenza, Casey, I’m sure it will do the job you need it to do, but I think you were onto something when you said you were considering wagons. You can definitely fit your athletic bags into the trunk or back seat of a sedan, but there’s just something special about being able to open a liftgate and toss a bunch of bags into the back. Plus, with the seats down, you still have access to your bags from the rear doors, so it’s easier to grab your things.

I’m assuming you’re probably decently tall since you said you play basketball, and combined with how big things like hockey bags are, I understand your desire to get a bigger car. My suggestion is probably smaller than you’re thinking, but hear me out: Kia Soul. It’s somewhere between a hatchback and a crossover, and its boxy shape makes it good for filling the back with all your stuff. Plus, it’s got plenty of room for tall drivers.

Since it’s been around for a couple of generations, you’ll have a lot of options with $15,000 to spend. Just get the nicest Soul you can find in your price range. To keep things interesting, though, I found a few, shall we say, compelling options. Here’s a 40,000-mile 2017 Soul for $10,995 that used to be someone’s business vehicle, and here’s a 59,000-mile 2021 for $14,895 that used to be a rental car.

The general recommendation is to avoid former rental cars, but if they pass a pre-purchase inspection, maybe one of those will end up being a good enough deal to make it worth rolling the dice.

Expert 3: Amber DaSilva – How Big Is A Hockey Bag, Really?

First off, Casey, I want to congratulate you on the nominative determinism. “Casey” is a hockey player name if ever I’ve seen one. Anyway, I googled some hockey bag dimensions, and found out that even extra-large bags can pretty much fit straight in a Miata trunk. The key in car buying is that you always need less space than you think you do.

But, you need to carry bats and sticks too, so a Miata is perhaps not ideal for your use case. Nor is a Subaru BRZ, given your request for an automatic transmission. So, Casey, I offer you the best of all possible worlds: The Volkswagen GTI.

It’s an obvious choice, sure, but it’s obvious because it ticks so many boxes. You’ve got room inside for your gear, a nice enough interior for the cost, and even a bit of performance to try and goad you into fast-car enthusiasm. Plus, it’ll be way easier to park than a Cadenza.

Here’s an option out by you that’s well within your budget, but you can find GTIs under $15,000 all day long. Find your favorite color, the one nearest you, whatever you want. Just make sure you get that plaid interior.

Expert 4: Lawrence Hodge – This Just Makes Sense

Casey seeing as this is going to be your first ride — and congrats on getting your license! — you need something that’s both great to drive and that’s going to last you a while. You also need something that can carry your sports stuff with ease. What you really need is the ideal body style, a wagon. And there’s no better first car for you than an Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

It was one of the few wagons on the market at the beginning of the 2010s, and it wasn’t sold for long, so it’s relatively rare. It’s also decently sized and not bad to drive since it’s pretty much a European Honda Accord Wagon. You got a 201 hp 2.4-liter I4, five-speed automatic transmission, four wheel independent suspension and most importantly, 60.5 sq. ft of space with the rear seats folded.

They’re also old enough now that, if you can find one, they’re cheap and within your budget. This example in Portland, Oregon has just under 107,000 miles on it and is only $14,900.

The latest S650 Ford Mustang made numerous improvements over the outgoing generation, including a revised powertrain and better tech. Now that it’s had time to marinate on the new car, Shelby American has given it the Super Snake treatment, taking the already capable Mustang to the next level with far more power and performance, a unique interior, and a wide body kit.

Shelby supercharged the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8 with a 3.0-liter Whipple unit, bringing output to more than 830 horsepower and adding a beefier radiator and heat exchanger. All cars get performance half shafts, but manual models get a one-piece drive shaft and a short-throw shifter. A Shelby by Borla exhaust system finishes the package and gives the car a throaty sound.

Exterior upgrades include an aluminum Super Snake hood with pin locks, carbon fiber hood vents, wide body front fenders, and a wide body front fascia assembly. Shelby also installed a carbon fiber Super Snake rear wing and rear diffuser, along with plenty of company logos, to make sure everyone knows what you’ve got. The 20-inch forged magnesium wheels cut almost 37 pounds from the stock Mustang wheels, at just nine pounds per corner, giving the car better acceleration and shortening braking distances.

Inside, the car gets Super Snake door sill plates, a Shelby shifter for manual models, embroidered floor mats, and Cobra puddle lamps. Convertible variants add a light bar, and each car has plaques displaying its production number and engine.

The 2024 Shelby Super Snake is a one-year-only build, and the company said it’s limiting production to 250 units in the United States and limited availability in other markets. Pricing is yet to be announced, but it’s likely significantly more expensive than other Mustang upgrades Shelby offers, such as the GT500SE, which adds $29,995 to the car’s MSRP. The good news is that the company’s builds come with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty to replace the factory coverage.

Electric vehicles are seeing huge discounts right now, but those new lower prices are still not enough to get folks to, y’know, buy them. Now, an ever-more-bloated EV inventory is pushing automakers and dealers to slash prices even further. Five-figure price discounts are no longer out of the question.

On average, automakers discounted their EVs about $6,000 per unit in the first quarter of 2024, according to a Cox Automotive study reported by Automotive News. Automakers and dealers alike are offering these high-ass discounts for the simple fact that people do not want to spend a huge premium on electric vehicles, and they’re now piling up on dealer lots.

Some automakers are going well above and beyond that $6,000 average, though. Nissan is offering nearly $16,000 off its Aryia electric crossover. That works out to nearly a third of its MSRP right off the bat, and that doesn’t even include tax breaks or utility rebates for buyers. Mercedes-Benz is also making big cuts, according to AutoNews. Its EQS SUV currently getting nearly $20,000 cash on the hood, cutting the price to a tick under $105,000. That works out to a 19 percent discount.

Here’s more from Automotive News on how massive EV inventory is impacting car dealers:

As of April 1, EVs were sitting on dealership lots for an average of 119 days. While that’s fallen from a peak of 169 days in mid-February — helped by the discounts — it’s still a lot higher than the 73-day supply average of gasoline-powered vehicles. Days’ supply — or the average number of days a vehicle stays in dealer inventory before selling — can include vehicles in progress, in transit and on dealership lots.

”Consumers … might want to wait” to buy EVs, said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive. “It’s a huge investment. Affordability is an issue.”

But some EVs that were out of the price range for many consumers are now among the more affordable options in the new-vehicle market. With incentives, 11 EV nameplates cost less than the first-quarter industrywide average transaction price. The Ariya sold for about $35,500, according to Cox Automotive data, while the Nissan Leaf is less than $28,000. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is $36,506.

Tesla and Ford cut sticker prices on EVs in addition to discounting. The Tesla Model 3 costs $40,547 while the Model Y costs $43,238, with modest incentives on average. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is $44,910 on average with incentives, according to Cox Automotive data. Retail prices don’t include shipping.

This is all happening for one simple fact: the demand for EVs is cooling alongside sales. Electric vehicles made up 7.3 percent of new vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2024, AutoNews reports. Sales volume rose 2.6 percent from a year earlier, which is the right direction, but it’s a much slower rate of growth than in previous quarters. EV volume jumped 46 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2023, and 81 percent in the first quarter of 2022. This is telling us the early-adopter era of EVs is pretty much over, and the next batch of consumers isn’t so sure about the tech. From Automotive News:

“As we move into this next wave of adoption, it’s getting more challenging,” Valdez Streaty said. “That’s why inventories are building up.”

EV supply started last year at 59 days, a relatively typical turn time for many models, no matter the fuel type. Inventory, however, has swelled since then, crossing 100 days last May and peaking at 169 days in February. Gasoline vehicle inventory also reached a high in February, but its 82 days was less than half the average EV supply.

Incentives and price cuts have helped sell EVs over the last few months. Ford’s supply fell to 140 days in March from 314 in February after it cut the Mustang Mach-E’s price by up to $8,100 in February.

Nissan’s EV supply dropped to 94 days in March from 159 days in February. Dealers told Automotive News that employee discounts on the Ariya boosted sales.

What all of this is telling me is that electric vehicles are just far too expensive for customers. Right now, folks just do not see the value in buying an EV when its internal combustion-powered counterpart is almost always cheaper. Maybe that’ll change, but prices are going to have to come way down.
If you want to learn more about what automakers and dealers are, well, dealing with in terms of EVs, head over to Automotive News for the full story.

دارندگان فورد موستانگ اکنون می‌توانند دسته‌های ابزار دیجیتال خودروهای خود را با طراحی رترو الهام گرفته از خوشه سنج موستانگ 1967-1968 تغییر دهند.

طبق اعلامیه کوتاهی از فورد، این گزینه اکنون از طریق به‌روزرسانی نرم‌افزاری OTA برای مدل‌های فورد موستانگ 2024 در دسترس است. این تلاش دیگری از سوی این خودروساز برای استفاده حداکثری از مجموعه نمایشگرهای نسل هفتم موستانگ است. یک تم گرافیکی برای خوشه ابزار 12.4 اینچی که شبیه خوشه موستانگ 1987-1993 Fox-body است نیز برای موستانگ 2024 در هنگام عرضه در دسترس بوده است.

موستانگ 2024 کاملاً جدید نیست، اما آنقدر جدید است که بتوان آن را نسلی متفاوت دانست، با تغییر کد پلتفرم داخلی از S550 به S650. علاوه بر تنظیمات دقیق تر صفحه نمایش، به روز رسانی شامل معرفی موستانگ دارک هورس با قدرت 500 اسب بخار بود، که به اندازه کافی خوب بود تا بهترین خودرو برای خرید فینالیست 2024 باشد. موستانگ GTD شدیدتر در راه است.

طراحی کلاستر گیج یکپارچهسازی با سیستمعامل به دنبال رونمایی این هفته از بسته 60 ساله با نسخه محدود است که شش دهه از نام موستانگ را جشن می گیرد. موستانگ اصلی در نمایشگاه جهانی نیویورک در سال 1964 رونمایی شد و از آن زمان به بعد از آن به‌عنوان رقبایی مانند شورولت کامارو و دوج چلنجر، از این پلاک استفاده شد.

این پکیج بر اساس مدل 2025 موستانگ GT Premium طراحی شده است و دارای رینگ‌های 20 اینچی منحصر به فرد، گرافیک جانبی، جلوپنجره ویژه که شبیه جلوپنجره اصلی موستانگ است و پلاک خط تیره است. مدل های بدنه کوپه و کانورتیبل در دسترس خواهند بود.

فورد قصد دارد با توجه به اولین سال تولید موستانگ، تنها 1965 نمونه بسازد. فورد اولین سال موستانگ را مدل 1/2 1964 نامید، زیرا این موستانگ خارج از تغییر مدل معمولی سال بود، اما خودروها به عنوان مدل های 1965 نامگذاری شدند.