02/05/24 - 2024 Lexus GX Tech Spec 🚗, Tesla’s week gets worse | Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned Program Now Covers 10-Year-Old Vehicles 🏭

GM. Rev up your day with the latest automotive news and insights delivered to your inbox in our exclusive newsletter! What we cover in today’s edition:

• 🚗 Car reveal/review: 

  • 2024 Lexus GX Tech Specs: Here’s Why It’s So Good

  • Lancia Ypsilon: Brand's first new car in a decade revealed

  • 2024 McLaren 750S Spider Review

• 🏭 Industry trend: Tesla’s week gets worse: Fines, safety investigation, and massive recall | Japan or China — who is the the world’s top car exporter? | Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned Program Now Covers 10-Year-Old Vehicles

• ⚡ EV: Nissan Energy Share: New service unlocking EV value in Japan

• 😄 Fun read: Behind the scenes at the Porsche dream factory in Weissach

2024 Lexus GX Tech Specs: Here’s Why It’s So Good (7 mins read)

The 2024 Lexus GX introduces the Overtrail and Overtrail+ trims, featuring off-road enhancements like fender flares, running boards, and a locking differential. The SUV offers improved traction with traction control modes for various terrains. It boasts a heavy-duty frame, advanced suspension, and a turbo V6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), now electronically controlled (E-KDSS), enhances off-road performance by adjusting sway bar stiffness for optimal ride comfort and handling. Read more.

Lancia Ypsilon: Brand's first new car in a decade revealed (3 mins read)

The Lancia Ypsilon Edizione Limitata Cassina, the brand's first new car in a decade, was officially unveiled, with a full debut scheduled for mid-February. Based on the Stellantis Common Modular Platform, the Ypsilon will likely grow in size, offering a more spacious interior, digital instrumentation, a large infotainment touchscreen, and the SALA system. The electric version, claiming a range of up to 404km, will mark Lancia's transition to an all-electric lineup. Read more.

2024 McLaren 750S Spider Review (7 mins read)

McLaren's new 750S, with a starting price of £267,900 ($361,515), boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, 750hp, and 2.8sec 0-62mph. Unveiled in 2023, it addresses the quest for an emotional connection, evolving from the successful 720S. Despite aesthetic similarities, the 750S impresses with a transformed interior, enhanced infotainment, and impeccable ride quality. Read more.

Tesla’s week gets worse: Fines, safety investigation, and massive recall (5 mins read)

Tesla faces challenges as a Delaware court voids a $55.8 billion pay package for CEO Elon Musk. The company is sued by 25 California counties for toxic waste dumping, following a recall affecting 2.2 million Teslas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates 2,388 complaints of steering failure in the 2023 Model 3 and Model Y. Tesla settles hazardous waste violations for $1.3 million. Another recall involves 2.2 million vehicles due to a font size issue in brake warning indicators. The investigation into steering components affects up to 334,569 vehicles.  Read more.

Japan or China — who is the the world’s top car exporter? (4 mins read)

China claims to be the world's largest car exporter, but Japan disputes the title. According to Japan's customs data, it exported 5.97 million vehicles in 2023, exceeding China's 5.22 million. Both countries use different metrics, with customs data including more categories. China has seen increased demand for its cars, especially electric vehicles. Chinese carmakers like BYD are expanding globally, with BYD surpassing Tesla as the world's top electric car seller at the end of last year. Read more.

Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned Program Now Covers 10-Year-Old Vehicles (3 mins read)

Toyota introduces a new tier, Silver Certified, in its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, expanding coverage to older vehicles with 60,000-125,000 miles, up to 10 model years old. The existing Gold Certified tier covers vehicles up to six model years old with mileage below 85,000. Some overlap exists, and dealers have discretion in certifying vehicles as Gold or Silver. Gold offers better coverage, including a longer warranty and a more extensive inspection. Read more.

Nissan Energy Share: A new service unlocking more EV value in Japan (4 mins read)

Nissan will launch Nissan Energy Share in Japan on March 1, offering a service primarily to companies, businesses, and municipal governments. The service leverages Nissan's energy management technology for optimal management of EV batteries. It facilitates load shifting through smart charging, peak shaving through discharge management, and efficient use of renewable energy. The system, connected to solar panels, enables users to consume off-grid renewable energy. Nissan provides a one-stop service, including planning, system build-out, and maintenance operations, contributing to decarbonization and supporting sustainable mobility initiatives. Read more.

Behind the scenes at the Porsche dream factory in Weissach (4 mins read)

This article delves into Weissach, the German village near Stuttgart, as the birthplace and vital research hub for every Porsche. From housing the first Porsche test track to conducting research and development, Weissach remains the epicenter of Porsche's automotive innovations, including electric cars like the Taycan, combining history, cutting-edge technology, and motorsport excellence. Read more.