GM will be adding a new ultra-high-end trim level to their GMC Yukon and Sierra lineup called the Denali Ultimate trim. This trim level will include GM’s new super cruise technology. This driver-assist cruise control system is capable of basically hands-free driving on the highway and even can change lanes automatically to pass other vehicles. The Denali Ultimate will sport a standard 6.2L V8 engine and an available Duramax 3.0L diesel. This announcement seems to come at a weird time as the microchip shortage and supply chain issues are still front and center in the automotive manufacturing industry, but unlike the light vehicle market, the Ultraluxury and exotic vehicle markets are booming. With the average cost of vehicle purchases rising like never before, it seems as though GM is looking to cash in on the trend. They have announced the Denali Ultimate Sierra pickup with start at $80,395 which is a little less than $20,000 more than the standard Denali Package. They have not announced the pricing of the Denali Ultimate for the Yukon yet but I would suspect it to start close to the $100,000 mark and will have several options that could probably make this vehicle well over $100,000.
What happens when an 80,000-pound, autonomously controlled, semi-truck has a major problem? This is one of the huge questions left for autonomous big rigs. As large manufacturers are promising automated big rigs by as soon as next year, the push for further safety features seems to be the largest outcry from the public that are expected to share the roadways with these robots. Recently a Kodiak Robotics big rig safely pulled off of interstate 45 and onto the should of the highway. The company is touting this as a great success and they demonstrated their feature by cutting a cable needed for the truck to connect to the internet. After the connection was severed the class 8 truck safely and slowly pulled over to the side of the highway avoiding all obscicals.
Carvana reportedly layed off around 2,500 employees this Tuesday. The employed took to messaging boards to air their grievances with the company and the CEO Ernie Garcia. Many stated they received little to no heads up about the lay offs. A leaked email from the CEO sent to staff on Tuesday morning stated “The impact of all of these forces on our industry has been severe, All-time-high car prices are slowing sales to recession levels. We have managed to grow despite sales being down industry wide, but we have grown a lot less than we planned for.” also stating, “Our team is bigger than we need and we can’t be certain growth will rebound quickly enough to bring us back into balance” Carvana’s stock price which was trading in 2021 for over $300 is down below $50 dollar per share. This lay off represents a little over 10% of all Carvana employees.
Mercedes is recalling over 290,000 vehicles and is issuing a stop drive notice for ML, GL, and R class vehicles including some diesel and hybrid-electric models ranging from 2006 to 2012. This recall states that a defect may reduce brake function or cause complete brake failure. This is pretty scary stuff and if you own one of these vehicles make sure you get it checked out at a dealership right away.
The new labor union in Mexico just struck a new deal for GM employees at the Silao plant. The deal is reportedly for raises that are above inflation. The agreement comes behind some very interesting events we have previously covered on Recent Auto News. Check out these articles, the first from June of 2021 and the second from August of 2021.
https://www.cooperfleetservices.com/ran15/
https://www.cooperfleetservices.com/recent-automotive-news-if-it-werent-for-bad-news/
As you can see, this plant seems to have been dealing with tough work conditions and some corruption in their union and in my opinion are well deserving of a raise.
