Author: Tom Krisher
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Trump’s latest US corporate Twitter target: General Motors
Greg Smith. Photo courtesy Colorado PERA.
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Self-driving cars go public; Uber offers rides in Pittsburgh
SAN FRANCISCO — The option to hail a ride in a self-driving car, which was science fiction just a few years ago, will soon be available to Uber users in Pittsburgh, the first time the technology has been offered to the general public. Within weeks, the company announced Thursday, customers will be able to opt…
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Tesla driver killed in crash while using car’s ‘Autopilot’
WASHINGTON — The first U.S. fatality using self-driving technology took place in May when the driver of a Tesla S sports car operating the vehicle’s “Autopilot” automated driving system died after a collision with a truck in Florida, federal officials said Thursday. The government is investigating the design and performance of Tesla’s system. Preliminary reports…
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SUV that rolled, killed ‘Star Trek’ actor is under recall
LOS ANGELES — The SUV that rolled down a driveway and killed “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin was being recalled because the gear shifters have confused drivers, causing the vehicles to roll away unexpectedly, government records show. Yelchin, 27, a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the rebooted series, died Sunday after his…
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Chrysler changes course, agrees to Jeep recall
DETROIT – Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant posture and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can catch fire in a rear-end collision. In deciding on the recall, Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators that could have led to public hearings…
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Picking new tires is critical safety decision
DETROIT – If you’re cutting corners by canceling cable or clipping coupons, it might seem natural to skip replacing your tires, too. Don’t.Worn treads can be dangerous, especially when they lose their grip as you’re trying to brake or steer around danger. It’s true that replacement tires are pricier than in the past because they’ve…
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Ford adds 4.5M vehicles to defective switch recall
DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will add 4.5 million older-model vehicles to the long list of those recalled because a defective cruise control switch could cause a fire.The latest voluntary action pushes Ford’s total recall due to faulty switches to 14.3 million registered vehicles over 10 years, capping the company’s largest cumulative…
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Let it shine: Silver remains top auto paint color
DETROIT – Silver in hues ranging from chrome to charcoal gray extended its reign as the most popular choice for car and truck paint across the globe this year, according to annual data collected by a leading paint maker.Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries Inc. said silver has been the No. 1 color for nine straight years, accounting…
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GM to shut down Saturn after Penske walks away
DETROIT — General Motors Co. will shut down Saturn now that a deal with former race car driver and auto dealer magnate Roger Penske has collapsed, marking the end of a brand that was supposed to revolutionize the way small cars were built and sold in America.The deal with Penske was supposed to be finalized…
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The future of car buying: Don’t supersize me
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Big cars and trucks are out. Smaller ones that offer more for your dollar are in. And many drivers will hang onto the new cars they buy longer. We’ve seen some of this before – in the 1970s. But there’s reason to believe that this time, American car-buying habits have changed…