The Auto World

Ford’s secretive EV team is testing a new $30,000 electric pickup ahead of launch. Midsize truck will debut a cost-focused EV platform designed for multiple models. Ford says the new architecture must compete with both EVs and gas-powered vehicles. Ford announced its “Model T Moment” a year ago . With it came the promise of an affordable electric pickup and other models on the same platform. According to a new report, we’re about to see prototypes on the road in Dearborn prior to its release next year. According to Ford CFO Sherry House, prototypes of the automaker’s upcoming electric midsize pickup are already being built and tested as the company pushes toward a planned 2027 launch. While Ford later clarified that the camouflaged trucks aren’t yet driving on Michigan roads, spokesman Dave Tovar confirmed to The Detroit Free Press that they’ll be out in public within the next few weeks. That mean...

Toyota and Lexus are crowned kings of long-term durability in a new study. Together with Honda and Acura they’re most likely to reach 250,000 miles. Tesla ranks surprisingly high, finishing ahead of Mazda, Subaru and Porsche. If you asked a room full of enthusiasts which brands are most likely to build a vehicle capable of lasting 250,000 miles (402,000 km), most would probably guess Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura. They’d be right. But tucked among the usual durability champions is a name that might surprise some buyers, especially those still worried about EV battery life: Tesla. According to a new iSeeCars study covering more than 174 million vehicles, Toyota sits comfortably at the top with a 17.8 percent chance of reaching a quarter-million miles. Lexus follows at 12.8 percent, while Honda and Acura complete a clean sweep for Japanese brands. They’re the only four manufacturers to beat the overall industry average of 4...

It’ll likely take Ford a full year to develop a remedy for leaky brake hoses. While a recall was issued last August, owners are still paying for repairs. A Boston man had to pay over $1,800 to get his Edge’s brake hoses replaced. Ford would like the world to believe it’s tightening up its quality controls to avoid issuing as many recalls . The numbers say otherwise. The automaker is still handing out far more recalls than its rivals, and in at least one case, the lag between announcing a recall and actually sorting it out has left a Boston man staring down a hefty repair bill. Back in August of last year, Ford issued a recall for 497,624 examples of the 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX in the US, warning that the flexible rear brake hoses on these vehicles could rupture and leak fluid. Read: Ford’s Recalling 420,000 SUVs Whose Seatbelts Can Lock You In For No Reason Issuing the recall was the right ...

Medicinal cannabis has been legal in Australia since 2016, but drivers can’t use it. Moving forward, motorists will be able to drive with a small amount of THC in their bodies. Those who exceed the limits could face an AU$704 fine and a three-month suspension. A new government proposal in the Australian state of New South Wales could change the rules for motorists who hold a prescription for medicinal cannabis, allowing them to legally get behind the wheel with THC in their system. Medical cannabis has been legal in Australia for the past decade, but up until now, those with prescriptions could face the same drug driving charges as recreational users. Through a new proposal, individuals who can use medicinal cannabis will be able to drive with up to 50 nanograms per milliliter of THC in their saliva. Read: 1 In 10 British Drivers Admit To Drug-Impaired Driving, Alarming Study Shows However, if a motorist tests positive for cannab...

China’s tougher new tax rules favor plug-in hybrids with much longer ranges. European luxury brands have pulled back from China’s shrinking PHEV market. Local automakers now dominate with batteries big enough for weekly charging. For years, plug-in hybrids were sold as the perfect compromise , with a heavy emphasis on that last word. A little electric driving to get you through a day’s commute, plenty of gasoline backup for longer trips, and in many countries some major tax advantages. But in China, that formula is suddenly looking outdated, and some of Europe’s biggest luxury brands are retreating with their tailpipes between their wheels. China’s latest taxation rules have raised the bar for plug-in hybrids, rewarding models that can travel much farther on electricity alone with more lenient bills. Previously PHEV s only need to achieve 27 miles (43 km) to qualify for discounts, Automotive News reports. From Janu...

BMW iX3 went the furthest of any EV in Norway’s summer test. Xpeng X9 minivan beat its official range by a wide margin. Most of the 24 EVs barely strayed from their stated range figures. Most modern EVs look like long-haul champions on the spec sheet, but the paper numbers and the real world don’t always shake hands. The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and its independent membership magazine Motor are back with the bi-annual “El Prix” range test, putting 24 electric models through their paces to see which ones live up to their official WLTP ratings, and which ones fall flat. This round was run under the kindest conditions an EV could ask for. NAF conducted the test during the Norwegian summer, with dry roads and temperatures hovering between 12 and 18°C (53.6 to 64.4°F). More: EV Range Claims Still Sound Great, Until Freezing Temps Hit The standout was the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive , which covered 781...