2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited: The Brand’s Mileage Stretching Compact Sedan

 

Highlight: The roomy compact has a 550-mile to 594-mile driving range, depending on the hybrid trim.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $30,305 (Base Blue Hybrid): $ 25,665

Seating Capacity: 5 (a tight fit)

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection; automatic high beam assist; an electronic blind-spot collision avoidance assist with a rear cross-traffic; traction control system; a hill start assist system; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a compact spare tire

Its Shop Time Mondays: Doors May Open On Some 2015-16 Model Years Ford And Lincoln Cars, While Driving

 

Doors May Open While Driving

Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V775000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

The President Of Toyota And Lexus North American Design Talks To 'Auto Trends'

Kevin Hunter, who is wearing the blue sweater, gathers with a few members of his design team to examine the all-new 2024 Tacoma. (Photo Credit: TMC)

Kevin Hunter, the president of Toyota Motor Corporation's U.S. design studio, California's Calty Design Research, talks one-on-one with Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only multicultural syndicated automotive program in North America. 

Hunter, a Michigan native, also oversees production and advanced designs for one of the world's top automotive manufacturers, at studios in California and Michigan.

Hunter, who is the first and only American to head TMC's North American designs, has served as president since 2007. For over four decades, he has been imagining concepts and creating final production ready vehicles both as a designer and a leader for Toyota and Lexus.

2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Hybrid 4WD: An All-New Stylish Design

  

Highlight: The Sequoia is only available with a hybrid powertrain.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $79,576 (Base Model – SR5 4x2): $60,215

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 (depending on trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a back up camera; a 360-degree camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; an electronic blind spot monitoring system; and a hill start control system; a lane departure system; a full speed radar activated cruise control system; a lane tracing assist system; automatic beams; a road sign assist system; and a trailer merger warning system

Its Shop Time Mondays: Honda Is Recalling 300,000 Newer Model Accord And HR-V Vehicles

 Unsecured Seat Belt Pretensioners/FMVSS 208-210

A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V782000

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components SEAT BELTS

'Auto Trends' Talks To One Of The First High Schools In The U.S. To Create An EV Conversion Class

 

Instructor Hartman and his class pose with the 1964 Chevy Impala convertible they are converting to a lowrider electric vehicle. (Photo Credit: GCC)

This week on Auto Trends with JeffCars.com we talk to California's Gateway Community Charters (GCC). As the country slowly shifts toward electric vehicles (EV), this Northern California school system has become one of the first in the country to create an EV curriculum. What makes this program so unique is that the school system has decided to focus on lowrider vehicles, which was birthed out of the Hispanic culture. 

Being that Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy (SAVA), a GCC charter school, where the course is being offered, caters to a student population with a high concentration of Latino and Black students, this makes perfect sense that the school has chosen to convert a lowrider gasoline car to an all-electric vehicle.

2023 Lexus LC 500h: The Brand’s Flagship Luxury Hybrid Coupe

2023 Lexus LC 500h (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

Highlight: The hybrid coupe has a fuel driving range of 644 miles on a full tank of gasoline.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $ 118,260  Base Model MSRP: $98,850 (non hybrid model)

Seating Capacity: 2 (rear seating for small kids)

Standard Safety Features: ABS; a rear back up camera; a pre collision system with pedestrian detection; a lane keep assist system; a lane departure alert system with steering assist; a radar activated cruise control system; a first aid kit; a tire pressure monitoring system; a temporary spare tire; a blind spot monitor system; heated auto dimming outside rearview mirrors; and a rear cross traffic alert system

Its Shop Time Mondays: Acura, BMW And Honda Are Recalling Over 400,000 Vehicles Due To Engine Concerns

Camshaft Timing Bolts May Loosen Causing Stall

Loose or broken VANOS housing bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Potential Number of Units Affected 155,627

Automotive News Discusses The UAW Historic Contract Negotiations On 'Auto Trends'

Michael Martinez is an automotive news reporter.  (Photo Credit: LinkedIn)

This year could be dubbed as the year of the workers. Everyone from the railroad laborers to Kaiser Permanente healthcare employees to UPS workforce have stood up to their employers, demanding that they be fairly compensated, after years of sacrificing, as the companies they have worked for racked up record profits.

The automotive industry also joined the fight this fall. Since 2009, assemblers have made major sacrifices, saving 'The Detroit Three,' General Motors, Ford and Chrysler during the Great Recession. Automotive News reporter Michael Martinez talks to Auto Trends with JeffCars.com about the United Auto Workers (UAW) historic contract negotiations. Martinez, who is based in Detroit, has been covering the UAW extensively for the past 10 years. In an eye-opening conversation, we'll examine the pros, cons and more of the historic UAW Stand Up Strike. 

CBS News Profiles Ed Welburn: GM's First Black Car Designer (Video)

 

Mercedes-Benz Launches First North America EV Charging Station To Rival Tesla

Photo Credit: JeffCars.com

Photo Credit: JeffCars.com

As more consumers adopt electric vehicles in the United States, one of the biggest drawbacks for both current and potential owners have been the lack of access to public chargers. Once they are located drivers are hoping and praying that they work. Up until recently, the only automaker that has offered a network of reliable charging stations was Tesla. 

Like a number of automakers who have pushed forward in manufacturing and selling EVs, Mercedes-Benz signed a pact with Tesla earlier this year, allowing their owners access to the EV sales leader 12,000 chargers starting in January 2024.

2023 BMW XM AWD: The Brand’s All-New High Performance Flagship Plug-In

Highlight: The XM is being built in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $ 168,395 (Base Model): $159,995

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; AWD; a front collision warning system; a lane departure warning system; lane return with steering assistance an electronic blind spot warning a hill descent control system; a traction control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; rear view camera; automatic high beams; a rearview cameral and a mobility tire kit

2023 Lexus RZ 450e Luxury AWD Prototype: The Brand’s First All-Electric Vehicle

Highlight: The RZ is available as an AWD model only.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $65,740 (Base Model: $59,650)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; a traction control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and headlamp washer

Toyota Recalls Over 2.5-Million Vehicles For Electrical And Bumper Concerns, While Jeep Wagoneer Addresses Seat Belt Safety

1. Unsecured Battery May Cause Short Circuit

A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000

Manufacturer Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 1,853,568