Michael Martinez Reporter covering Ford, Tesla and the UAW for Automotive News [email protected] 313-446-1644 Mobile Number: 734-652-0718 See All Staff Page Recent Stories FCA pleads guilty to violating U.S. labor law amid UAW scandal The automaker will pay a $30 million fine and accept an independent compliance monitor for three years. Ford expands King Ranch trim to 2021 Explorer The vehicle, on sale this spring, will start at $53,595 including shipping. Ford has used the trim, named after the famed Texas ranch, for 20 years since it launched on the 2001 F-150. Ford recalling nearly 88,000 F-Series pickups for improperly attached windshields The windshields on the defective pickups, part of the nation's bestselling vehicle line, could potentially come off during a crash. Tesla's steering wheel will ‘guess' your direction The U-shaped steering wheel will no longer feature controls to put your car in park, reverse, neutral or drive. That will soon be up to sensors that power the Autopilot driver-assist system. Ford asks Texas dealers to loan out F-150s with generators during outages The company is offering dealers bonus money to lend trucks with the Pro Power Onboard feature so people can use them to power homes after an unusual spate of winter weather that has crippled utilities. Tesla passes Audi in luxury registrations The EV specialist leapfrogged the German maker in 2020 to become the fourth-largest luxury vehicle brand in the U.S. and is closing in on the top three of BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, according to new vehicle registration data from Experian. Tesla's commanding lead in U.S. EVs illustrated by registration report Lincoln talks facilities, not electrification The brand used its virtual make meeting to tout progress on a facility program and thank dealers for perseverance through the pandemic, but executives didn't reveal any new details on a long-promised battery EV. Growing retail sales is Ford's game plan Executives told dealers they were aiming to top 2019 retail sales this year, even as a microchip shortage slows production in the first quarter and the ongoing pandemic hinders demand. Ford idles key truck factory in Missouri for 1 week Ford, already grappling with a microchip shortage, is suspending F-150 pickup and Transit van output at a Kansas City assembly plant for one week to help conserve natural gas amid a severe cold spell in the Midwest. Mich. AG asks state Supreme Court to hear case alleging defective Ford transmissions The state's top law enforcement official wants the justices to revisit an interpretation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Ford targets 13% retail growth in '21 Ford executives told dealers they were aiming to top 2019 retail sales this year, even as a microchip shortage slows production in the first quarter and the ongoing pandemic hinders demand. Lincoln is mum on electrification plans The brand used its virtual make meeting to tout progress on a facility program and thank dealers for perseverance through the pandemic, but executives didn't reveal any new details on a long-promised battery EV. Gaining visibility crucial for Lincoln dealers Bill Dawes, chairman of the Lincoln National Dealer Council, is pleased with changes to the brand but is eager to know how executives plan to continue growing. Sales up for dealers on Ford's used platform The automaker said half of its roughly 3,000 U.S. dealers have signed up for the new Ford Blue Advantage online used vehicle shopping platform Ford's EV plan: Dealer revenue Customer data can help the automaker improve quality and aid dealers in retaining business, Ford CEO Jim Farley said Wednesday at the NADA Show. Load More
Michael Martinez Reporter covering Ford, Tesla and the UAW for Automotive News [email protected] 313-446-1644 Mobile Number: 734-652-0718 See All Staff Page