2024 has been a momentous year in the automotive world, including announcements of major mergers and joint ventures, recalls for problems which make your vehicle dangerous to drive, killing off nearly a dozen models, and so much more.
Here’s a recap, from various sources.
Mergers and Joint Ventures
Honda and Nissan plan to merge by 2026, creating the world’s #3 automaker, after Toyota and Volkswagen (which incudes brands Audi and Porsche). The merger also throws a monkey wrench into the growing power of Chinese automakers.
- Read more in this Reuters article.
VW and Rivan announce joint venture agreement – VW invests nearly $6Billion to access Rivian’s EV software.
- Read more in this Car and Driver article
Recalls for Safety Issues
Tesla topped the list, recalling more than 700,000 vehicles – multiple models for multiple issues – in 2024. The Cybertruck led the way with seven separate recalls.
- Read more in this USA Today article
Ford pays a near-record $165 Million dollar fine for delaying repairs on recalled vehicles
- Official announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Kia recalls more than 60,000 of its award-winning EV6 models because of a loss of battery power. Additional models from siblings Hyundai and Genesis also are affected.
- Read more in Green Car Reports.
Has your vehicle been recalled? You can check here, on the NHTSA Vehicle Recall Site – look for yours by license plate number, model or VIN
End of the Road
These sedans, sportscars, SUVs and trucks won’t be back in 2025. They’ve been killed off by lagging sales or because the manufacturer is switching them to an EV version.
- Read our full list on ecoXplorer
Luxury EV car maker Fisker declares bankruptcy, causing service, repair and resale problems for owners. The cautionary tale also applies to those who own or lease a cancelled model by an active carmaker.
- Read more in this Motor Trend article
Good News for Mazda
Mazda Motor Corp. is wrapping up a banner year in an overall sluggish auto market, and its US sales chief expects that momentum to extend into 2025—all without offering an electric car.
Buoyed by demand for its gasoline-powered compact crossovers and mid-size SUVs, the Japanese company is on track to deliver more than 420,000 vehicles in 2024, a 16% rise, Tom Donnelly, president of Mazda’s North American operations told , breaking a record set in 1986. It aims to sell 450,000 vehicles in 2025, he told Bloomberg News.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
Leave a Reply