Don't Bogart My Blog: Wheels: Ford, at a Crossroads, Seeks Cuts and Partners

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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Ford, an Automaker at a Crossroads, Seeks Cuts and Partners

An F-150 pickup truck on the assembly line at Ford's Rouge complex in Dearborn, Mich. The automaker's bottom line is weakening despite record sales of its pickups and sport utility vehicles. Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

With its stock at its lowest point since 2009, the company plans to trim its salaried work force and is exploring an alliance with Volkswagen.

Audi

Order a Coffee and Pay, With a Tap on the Dash

By PAUL STENQUIST

Automakers are connecting cars with technology that lets drivers order food, make reservations and pay for gas, bypassing their cellphones.

Indian Motorcycle

Motorcycle Makers Shake Up Designs to Draw Riders

By NORMAN MAYERSOHN

Indian Motorcycle unveiled a stylish new bike. It is one of a number of makers taking a daring, and perhaps unexpected, leap with its designs.

Glenn Harvey

2-Second Rule for Distracted Driving Can Mean Life or Death

By ERIC A. TAUB

While people will always find a way to distract themselves, the industry is dreaming up new ways to keep drivers' eyes on the road.

A demonstration of vehicle-to-vehicle communications using the Cellular V2X standard in July. Another standard has been awaiting final government approval for nearly two years.

5G Automotive Association e.V., via Associated Press

The Auto Industry's VHS-or-Betamax Moment

By MARK GARDINER

After nearly 20 years, the language that cars will speak when they talk to one another is still undecided. Critics say the delay is endangering lives.

Tesla Reports Progress on Model 3 Car Production

A tent set up at Tesla's factory in Fremont, Calif., to augment production of the Model 3. Elon Musk has tied his company's profitability to a sharp rise in Model 3 sales. Justin Kaneps for The New York Times

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

The improvement is welcome news for a company that has been rocked by upheaval since Elon Musk, its chief executive, unveiled an abortive buyout plan.

News

Scott Keogh, who who heads Audi of America, was appointed on Wednesday to take over Volkswagen's United States operation.

Volkswagen, With a New U.S. Leader, Aims for a Revival

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

Struggling to win back consumer trust after an emissions scandal, the automaker picked an American executive to head the company in the United States.

Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive, reached a deal with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Saturday that forces him to give up the chairman's post for three years.

Elon Musk Steps Down as Chairman in Deal With S.E.C. Over Tweet About Tesla

By MATTHEW GOLDSTEIN

After walking away from a deal, Tesla's chief agreed to give up the chairmanship for three years and pay a $20 million fine.

An industrial site in Lathrop, Calif., east of San Francisco, where the self-appointed Shorty Air Force has identified a large collection of Tesla cars. This view was shot in late July.

Unraveling a Tesla Mystery: Lots (and Lots) of Parked Cars

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

Groups of new vehicles are being detected in unexplained locations across the country. Evidence being posted online has raised questions about production, logistics, quality and even demand.

A G.M. autonomous car in San Francisco last year.

Honda Putting $2.75 Billion Into G.M.'s Self-Driving Venture

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

The Japanese automaker will take a $750 million stake and commit $2 billion over 12 years in the race to develop fully autonomous vehicles.

Trump Hails Revised Nafta Trade Deal, and Sets Up a Showdown With China

By MARK LANDLER AND ALAN RAPPEPORT

The president said the new pact will help United States companies and workers. But the deal's importance may have less to do with its details than the signal it sends.

Mike Jackson, the AutoNation chief executive, at company headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Tuesday. Mr. Jackson showed that a large, publicly traded operation could make it in car sales.

End of a Car-Selling Era as AutoNation's Chief Steps Down

By NEAL E. BOUDETTE

Mike Jackson's formula for franchised dealerships created the industry's biggest retailer and paved the way for investors to take car sales seriously.