There’s always more happening than we can report here on ecoXplorer.
So here’s what we’ve been reading about travel, automotive, food, fraud and the environment that you might have missed, along with news about my hometown New York City – from publications you might not follow, but we do.
We link only to intel that’s not behind a paywall; if there’s a paywall, we tell you where the information was published, but avoid linking to it.
Travel News
ABC News –
Fast Company – American Airlines is discriminating against passengers who try to board before the group listed on their boarding pass – enough to call such passengers “gate lice” and implement new technology to embarrass them into waiting their turn.
ecoXplorer –
New Federal rules now in effect require airlines to pay you back automatically and immediately within seven business days, with a full refund to whatever method you used to pay – cash, credit card or frequent flyer miles.
No more vouchers, unless you want one.
NYTimes – Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, but will continue to fly.
- Should you book a flight? What the bankruptcy means for travelers.
- Spirit Airlines official letter to customers.
Automotive News
USA Today – Rivian to get a $6Billion loan from Washington to restart construction of restart construction of a $5 billion vehicle and battery plant near Covington, Georgia.
Car and Driver – Infiniti sales are so bad that some dealerships are closing and others merging with parent brand Nissan.
- Read the full story here.
CNN – Jeep Gladiator prices are through the roof. Customers are bailing and dealers are furious.
The article also says that overall sales for Stellantis vehicles are down significantly, including Chrysler and Ram trucks.
NY Times – President-Elect Trump has said he will end the $7,500 tax credit for buying an EV. That will make electric cars and trucks more expensive along with some plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Here’s what you need to know.
Detroit News – General Motors is recalling roughly 40,000 Chevrolet Silverado trucks over concerns that brake fluid could leak, raising the risk of fire.
Owners should park their pickups outside and away from structures until repairs have been made, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes the Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD from the 2019 to 2023 model years.
- Read the full story in the Detroit News.
Bloomberg –Ford plans to shut down the Michigan factory that produces its F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup truck, its signature electric vehicle, as demand for EVs continues to wane.
The move is the latest blow to a model that had been a centerpiece of Ford’s EV strategy and that Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said would be “a test for adoption of electric vehicles.”
The automaker is to begin a seven-week shutdown in mid-November of the Dearborn plant visited by President Joe Biden in 2021, who drove a Lightning and declared “this sucker’s quick.”
Reuters – Stellantis is recalling 44,500 hybrid crossover SUVs worldwide because the brake pedal could disengage and stop working.
- If you drive one of these vehicles, drive carefully until you can get the brakes fixed.
If you own or lease a 2022 Dodge Durango, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, drive it carefully until the software fix becomes available in July 2024.
- Read more in this Associated Press article.
- See also – ecoXplorer article – Stellantis cancels production of Ram and Alfa Romeo models
BBC Autos – China’s BYD out-earns Tesla for first time, to become world’s largest EV manufacturer. The article also says there is a growing backlash abroad against the Chinese government’s support for domestic car makers like BYD.
Also, the European Union raised tariffs of up to 45.3% on imports of Chinese made EVs came into force across the bloc.
Chinese EV makers were already facing a 100% tax from the United States and Canada.
ICYMI- From the Library
Travel News
Disney price hikes, long lines and other issues have soured many families on the parks.
- Read what Disney is doing to get you back, with cheaper tickets, hotels and more, in this Bloomberg News article.
- The NYTimes wonders if a Disney vacation is worth the increasingly high price.
Wrongful death lawsuit against Disney shows importance of reading contracts thoroughly before you click or sign “I Agree”. The question is whether signing a contract with one division of a giant company (the Disney streaming service) also includes fatal allergic reaction to eating in a Disney restaurant in a theme park. What do you think?
- Read the full story in this Associated Press report.
Namibia is one of the most fascinating countries I have visited in 30+ years of travel and writing about it. Under a new program, US visitors and citizens of 30 other countries can get a visa online.
- Details in the travel trade publication Travel and Tour World
- See also – ecoXplorer article on my recent visit to Namibia, and what I learned.
If you’ve ever taken home a towel or pen or something else from a hotel, you are not alone.
- What is stolen the most from hotels from the international website Wellness Heaven
Automotive News
Waymo driverless cars parked in a San Francisco parking lot have been honking incessantly 24/7, driving nearby residents bonkers. Waymo has promised a fix.
- Read the full story on CBS News Online.
Recalls are always important.
General Motors is recalling 21,469 electric SUVs because the vehicles’ antilock break system, or ABS, may activate unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday.
The recall involves GM’s 2023-2024 Cadillac Lyriq all-wheel drive models, the auto safety regulator stated. GM plans to fix the issue with an over-the-air update or by a dealer, free of charge.
- Read the full story on CBS News Online
Tesla recalls another 1.8 million new and used vehicles – this time for a faulty hood latch. Because who wants the hood to open while you are driving and block your vision.
- Read the full story, including the specific 2021-2024 models affected, on CBS News online.
An ocean of debt has forced boutique EV maker Fisker into bankruptcy and selling off its assets. Ironic, since the Ocean SUV is its only current model.
- Read about the bankruptcy in Wired.
- Read about the potential perils for owners, for maintenance and other issues, in this article in MotorTrend
- Pros and cons of buying a $70,000 Fisker at the liquidated price of $17,000, on the Capitol One blog.
- See also – ecoXplorer article – Lucid Motors wants to be the next Tesla
Some vehicles lose as much as 40% of their value in the first year of ownership. Your new car may be worthless soon.
- Details in the off-beat website Healthy Gem
Stellantis-owned Chrysler is recalling more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks in the U.S., due to a software malfunction that could disable the cars’ electronic stability control systems.
If you own or lease a 2022 Dodge Durango, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, drive it carefully until the software fix becomes available in July 2024.
- Read more in this Associated Press article.
- See also – ecoXplorer article – Stellantis cancels production of Ram and Alfa Romeo models
Food News
Yes, Chipotle has been cheating you by skimping on your bowls. Even the company CEO admits it.
- Read more in this CBS News report.
- See also – ecoXplorer article – best deals and new menu items at national restaurant chains.
Frauds & Scams News
Meta takes down more than 60,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts linked to Nigerian sexual extortion scams and recruiting new scammers.
- Read more in this Associated Press article.
- See also – ecoXplorer article – How to avoid romance scams
New York City
When you gotta go – where to find s public restroom in Lower Manhattan, including National Park Service sites and churches.
- From our friends at the Downtown Alliance
Bagels with a schmear and pastrami on rye are two of the classic 50+ sandwiches the NYTimes claims define NYC.
- This JTA (Jewish Telegraph Agency) article focuses on the Jewish sandwiches that dominate the list.
Whether you are a resident or a visitor, if you indulge in cannabis, you should know the laws in NYC, including growing your own.
- Full guide to legal and illegal dispensaries and more, in the local publication The City.
- See Also – ecoXplorer article – What you need to know about traveling with cannabis, CBD or hemp products
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
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