Larry P. Vellequette Fiat Chrysler, VW reporter Larry P. Vellequette is Toyota, VW reporter for Automotive News. [email protected] 313-446-0478 See All Staff Page Recent Stories In-car USB ports are switching to a new standard — but not everyone is all-in yet As the tech world coalesces around a single USB port design, some automakers are moving at a slower pace to keep customers happy and their devices plugged in. Bentley Bentayga EWB Mulliner model boosts limousine luxury for SUV Bespoke English brand Bentley introduced a Mulliner edition of its extended-wheelbase Bentayga at Monterey Car Week in California featuring a customizable tri-color interior and upgraded styling cues. Audi's Hildegard Wortmann: 'Edutainment' needed to boost consumers' confidence in EVs Hildegard Wortmann, head of sales and marketing for Audi, said automakers need to focus EV marketing efforts on 'edutainment' about living with an EV to ease consumer apprehension about leaving combustion vehicles. VW to test self driving ID Buzz vans with Mobileye tech in Texas VW will use specially equipped ID Buzz minivans to provide ride-hailing services in a geofenced portion of Austin, Texas, using Mobileye technology. For first time, VW names a design chief dedicated to Americas Jose Carlos "JC" Pavone has been named head of design for VW of America, giving him design responsibilities over North and South America. The native of Brazil has been with VW since 2002. Audi changes what, how it builds to drive out CO2 As it switches from ICE to BEV by 2033, Audi is also changing the way its assembly plants produce vehicles, concentrating on making those plants — and ultimately the rest of its operations — carbon neutral. VW aims ID7 electric sedan at fleet buyers, long-distance drivers The ID7's long range is a key feature because the sedan will be an all-electric alternative to the VW Passat, Europe's most popular fleet vehicle. Audi: Decision on new U.S. plant will come this year Audi CEO Markus Duesmann said the automaker will make a decision in 2023 on whether to build an assembly plant in the United States to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act's EV subsidies. Lamborghini to unveil first plug-in hybrid The new supercar, code-named LB744 and packing a V-12 engine and three electric motors, will be capable of operating at times on electric power only, improving emissions. Audi Activesphere combines mixed reality interior with a pickup With the Activesphere's augmented reality features, Audi is venturing into an area that BMW also focused on with its i Vision Dee concept car. VW shows ID7 sedan featuring a 'lit' camouflage scheme The Passat-sized ID7 sedan will be the sixth member of VW's all-electric family. Audi's Brussels plant is teaching VW Group about EVs Lessons learned at Audi Brussels will be shared as other VW Group plants globally make the move from ICE to EV. VW's U.S. dealers must wait for pickup Executives appeared to dash hopes for a VW variant of the automaker's planned new pickup for its Scout brand. Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept would slot below bZ4X in EV lineup The Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept, which debuted ahead of the Los Angeles auto show, is roughly the size of the Toyota Corolla Cross. A production version would likely be called the bZ3X. How Bentley salvaged a disaster after 189 cars sank to the bottom of the sea Bentley had an unusually high number of vehicles aboard the doomed car carrier Felicity Ace when it caught fire in February. It finally delivered the last replacements to waiting customers last month, brand officials said. Load More
Larry P. Vellequette Fiat Chrysler, VW reporter Larry P. Vellequette is Toyota, VW reporter for Automotive News. [email protected] 313-446-0478 See All Staff Page