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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Detroit Grand Prix draws fans, families from far and wide
When the doors opened on a full People Mover car at the Millender Center station in downtown Detroit, the unmistakable whine of race cars enveloped the space like a thunderclap. The passengers, some of whom had been looking down at their phones or talking amongst each other, stopped at the sound and looked toward the windows facing Jefferson Avenue. After all, people love cars, said Stephanie Brinley, associate director of Auto Intelligence at S&P Global Mobility. While the race has undergone many changes since its first run in 1982, there is still a strong draw to the track – and the city – that inspires residents across the state, even if they wouldn't consider themselves car enthusiasts. More: Detroit Grand Prix signs new contract through 2028 'Is this race important to Detroit? Yes, it is,' Brinley said. 'Because it keeps coming back. The city loves it.' The Detroit Grand Prix roared across downtown streets on Sunday, June 1, with the featured NTT IndyCar race won by Kyle Kirkwood before the organizers announced the event would stay in Detroit through at least 2028. The Grand Prix draws more than 100,000 people each year to downtown Detroit, according to the organizers. In the third year since making the switch from Belle Isle, the Detroit Grand Prix likely has more attendance than ticket sales can account for. Up in the corporate suites, Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis for AutoPacific, pointed out there were far more spectators watching the race from the parking structures than in the paid stands. 'Belle Isle is literally an island. The economic impact to Detroit may be negligible, but it is right downtown,' he said, of the move. 'You don't have to bypass the city to get to the race.' Detroit resident Lauryn Barlow, a traveling bartender, rates the Christmas Tree Lighting as the most attended event she works, with the Grand Prix falling slightly behind the Detroit Auto Show. As for those she served this weekend, she said most spectators arrived from out of town. 'Everybody that I talk to is either from Ohio, Wisconsin," shes said, "and I was just like, "Well dang, where's everybody from Detroit?'' Families congregated on Woodward Avenue and in Hart Plaza to enjoy free events throughout the weekend and the cooler weather. This is the third Grand Prix for Aaron Norton, who drove from Owosso with his son Evan, an incoming freshman of Michigan State University. 'It's something to do,' he said. 'I just drove an hour and forty minutes to get here. My other kids didn't want to come.' The two walked through to Hart Plaza to admire GM's latest vehicles and ask questions of the product specialists on staff. During their stroll, they caught a bit of the race. 'I've learned a lot watching this, and Googling to see how fast they're going. I'm blown away with how much they're worth,' Norton said. 'The safety gear, the halo, is like $17,000 just to protect their head. The crazy prices of the motor. I never knew that.' Sponsoring the race serves a dual purpose for automakers like Honda and General Motors. In addition to seeding goodwill at the community level and showcasing vehicles around the city in an open-air showroom, the race itself acts as a proving ground, S&P Global Mobility's Brinley said. Participating automakers calculate vehicle performance on the track, such as engine fatigue, steering, suspension, lift and driving dynamics, and apply what they learn to the vehicles they retail. 'Not every street car needs to drive like a race car, but lessons learned about performances and tolerances can be applied to street cars,' she said, adding that tire manufacturers also learn about tire wear and performance from extreme racing. Sitting in the center of the track and host to many media events surrounding the Grand Prix is the Renaissance Center, the soon to be former headquarters of GM, which is relocating this year to the new Hudson's Detroit building on Woodward Avenue. While the RenCen's massive office and commercial retail space remains an icon of the city's skyline, it no longer serves its original purpose, Waatti said. Because of GM's broad footprint, with offices across the U.S. as well as other countries, maintaining such a large property no longer makes good business sense. 'The Detroit Grand Prix is a powerful showcase of GM's performance brands and a celebration of Detroit's comeback story. That's what makes GM's decision to leave the RenCen all the more bittersweet,' he said. 'While the race energizes the riverfront and spotlights GM's roots, the company itself is stepping back from the landmark that defines both.' Detroit resident Travis Foster said he's 'heartbroken' that it would be GM's last time hosting the event from its RenCen headquarters. 'As a native Detroiter, I'm really hoping that at the last minute someone is either going to have a change of heart or there's some type of financial decision that will make them at least give that a second thought,' he said. 'This building is iconic when it comes to the city of Detroit. These buildings are supposed to be here, it's meant to be here, it deserves to be here, and we need it here.' Foster, a federal employee, considers the Detroit Grand Prix a pivotal part of the city's summer event schedule. He pointed to the diversity in the crowd and said the race shows off the beauty of downtown and invite tourists and other Michigan residents into the fabric of the community. Embracing change is necessary for GM's success and the city of Detroit, according to Anthony Abbott, a retired GM employee from Farmington Hills who has attended the Detroit Grand Prix 10 times. 'Belle Isle was a beautiful place to have a race, it almost seems like it was built to have a race. But I really enjoy it down here better,' he said. 'And you can watch the event from the garages and see so much.' For Abbott, changes to the Renaissance Center could improve the riverfront landscape and open up more space for future Grand Prix events. 'Embrace change. GM moved down here, I forgot how many years ago, and rehabbed the towers, did a really great job with it. They're not leaving, they're just moving down the street. They're going to blow up a few towers and really open it up,' he said. 'It's iconic, it still will be – just with one or two less towers.' Christian Romo contributed to this report. Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Grand Prix draws fans, families from far and wide
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Toyota redesigns America's top-selling RAV4 SUV
America's favorite car is getting a major facelift . After months of cryptic teasers and close-up shots that revealed little more than headlights and body lines, Toyota has finally pulled the cover off the redesigned RAV4. Next year's RAV4 ditches gas-only entirely, going all-in on hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Aesthetically, it sports a chunkier, more upright stance that gives the compact SUV a more menacing vibe — and early impressions are positive. 'There's a RAV4 for everyone's taste,' Robby DeGraff, a product and consumer insights expert at AutoPacific, told 'The sixth-gen RAV4's boxier shape rewards consumers with a much bigger, wider appearance.' Toyota's new plug-in system cranks out up to 320 horsepower — an 18 hp increase over the outgoing model — and now delivers an estimated 50 miles of all-electric range. It also brings DC fast-charging to the table, which juices the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The plug-in charging speed is not impressive: other EVs can reach the same levels in shorter periods of time with much larger batteries. But hybridizing the RAV4 felt like an obvious choice for the brand. Toyota has been relaunching several best-selling cars, like the Camry, as an all-hybrid lineup. Toyota's hybrid system adds a boost of electric torque during low-end speeds and optimizes fuel efficiency on the highway. The engineneering allows drivers to enjoy enhanced driving dynamics and less pain at the gas pump. Toyota has not released pricing or mileage estimates yet. But scuttlebutt around the release is estimating a base-price in the mid $30,000s and top-end models fetching a little less than $50,000. Expect Toyota to make hundreds of thousands of copies at its battery and assembly plant in Kentucky. US-based production will make the popular SUV less susceptible to President Donald Trump's 25 percent automotive tariffs. For those prices, Toyota can expect the RAV4 to virtually print money for the corporation. The Japanese brand shocked the automotive world last year, outpacing the Ford F-150 as America's best-selling vehicle with 475,193 units sold from American dealerships. The 2026 model year also introduces a trio of new spec options: core, rugged, and sport, each tailored to a different kind of SUV owner. Drivers can opt for the LE, XLE, and Limited trims and upgrade to ventilated seats, a bigger infotainment display, and 20-inch wheels. The rugged models are off-roading focused. Toyota slaps on its recently-released Woodland badge onto the tougher model. Toyota also surprised with an athletic GR model. Tuned by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, the GR SPORT gets a unique suspension setup, sharper steering, summer tires, and aggressive styling including wing-type spoilers. Previously, GR models were exclusive to Toyota's more enthusiast-focused models , like the Corolla Hatch. But now, the division is making its mass-market debut. 'It's worth applauding Toyota on ensuring each of the new RAV4 trims have their own unique design, from the outdoorsy Woodland to the boy-racer GR Sport,' DeGraff added. Shoppers on social media have also been supporting the car's latest design. 'These are gonna keep selling like hotcakes,' one gearhead commented on Reddit. 'It looks handsome and the interior has a mix of traditional buttons and screens. They haven't messed it up like so many manufacturers do with redesigns.' Recently, Toyota has been on a tear with new model announcements. The car company unveiled its new C-HR: the diminutive SUV is making its American reintroduction, three years after it was pulled form the market. This time, it's reappearing as a $35,000 EV with a 300-mile range. The company also redesigned the bZ4X, its only current mass-market battery-operated car. Next year's design smooths out some of the EV's funky angles and improves on the battery's efficiency. It also simplifies the name to just bZ.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
America's top-selling car finally gets a redesign after eight years... and ditches the gas engine
America's favorite car is getting a major facelift. After months of cryptic teasers and close-up shots that revealed little more than headlights and body lines, Toyota has finally pulled the cover off the redesigned RAV4. Next year's RAV4 ditches gas-only entirely, going all-in on hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Aesthetically, it sports a chunkier, more upright stance that gives the compact SUV a more menacing vibe — and early impressions are positive. 'There's a RAV4 for everyone's taste,' Robby DeGraff, a product and consumer insights expert at AutoPacific, told 'The sixth-gen RAV4's boxier shape rewards consumers with a much bigger, wider appearance.' Toyota's new plug-in system cranks out up to 320 horsepower — an 18 hp increase over the outgoing model — and now delivers an estimated 50 miles of all-electric range. It also brings DC fast-charging to the table, which juices the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The plug-in charging speed is not impressive: other EVs can reach the same levels in shorter periods of time with much larger batteries. But hybridizing the RAV4 felt like an obvious choice for the brand. Toyota has been relaunching several best-selling cars, like the Camry, as an all-hybrid lineup. Toyota's hybrid system adds a boost of electric torque during low-end speeds and optimizes fuel efficiency on the highway. The engineneering allows drivers to enjoy enhanced driving dynamics and less pain at the gas pump. Toyota has not released pricing or mileage estimates yet. But scuttlebutt around the release is estimating a base-price in the mid $30,000s and top-end models fetching a little less than $50,000. Expect Toyota to make hundreds of thousands of copies at its battery and assembly plant in Kentucky. US-based production will make the popular SUV less susceptible to President Donald Trump's 25 percent automotive tariffs. For those prices, Toyota can expect the RAV4 to virtually print money for the corporation. The RAV4 gets a new front fascia with a more upright look - it modernizes America's favorite car for the first time in seven years Simon Humphries, Toyota's head of design, was one of the presenters at last night's unveil The Japanese brand shocked the automotive world last year, outpacing the Ford F-150 as America's best-selling vehicle with 475,193 units sold from American dealerships. The 2026 model year also introduces a trio of new spec options: core, rugged, and sport, each tailored to a different kind of SUV owner. Drivers can opt for the LE, XLE, and Limited trims and upgrade to ventilated seats, a bigger infotainment display, and 20-inch wheels. The rugged models are off-roading focused. Toyota slaps on its recently-released Woodland badge onto the tougher model. Toyota also surprised with an athletic GR model. Tuned by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, the GR SPORT gets a unique suspension setup, sharper steering, summer tires, and aggressive styling including wing-type spoilers. Previously, GR models were exclusive to Toyota's more enthusiast-focused models, like the Corolla Hatch. But now, the division is making its mass-market debut. Off-roading trims of the RAV4 will get orange highlights and seat stitching in the interior The RAV4's new nose might look familiar - it borrows headlamp designs from the Camry and badge placement from the Corolla Toyota also added a flip-able center console that can act as a elbow cushion on one side and a hard-cover table on the other The RAV4's boot opts for chromed lettering instead of a brand badge 'It's worth applauding Toyota on ensuring each of the new RAV4 trims have their own unique design, from the outdoorsy Woodland to the boy-racer GR Sport,' DeGraff added. Shoppers on social media have also been supporting the car's latest design. 'These are gonna keep selling like hotcakes,' one gearhead commented on Reddit. 'It looks handsome and the interior has a mix of traditional buttons and screens. They haven't messed it up like so many manufacturers do with redesigns.' Recently, Toyota has been on a tear with new model announcements. The car company unveiled its new C-HR: the diminutive SUV is making its American reintroduction, three years after it was pulled form the market. This time, it's reappearing as a $35,000 EV with a 300-mile range. The company also redesigned the bZ4X, its only current mass-market battery-operated car. Next year's design smooths out some of the EV's funky angles and improves on the battery's efficiency. It also simplifies the name to just bZ. The bZ's update extends Toyota's cooperation with fellow Japanese automaker Subaru. Both companies also released a wagon-like model that has a longer wheelbase and more off-roading capabilities. Toyota named the new model the bZ Woodland.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
New Slate Electric Truck Debuts With Sub-$20k Price Tag (After Rebates)
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Slate aims to disrupt the automotive industry with a new vehicle and way of doing business that focuses on the necessary and gives buyers the power of choice at a budget-conscious price. The company revealed its Slate Truck on Thursday in Long Beach, California. "The definition of what's affordable is broken," said Slate CEO Chris Barman. "Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry." Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific, told Newsweek he believes "Slate is poised to challenge entrenched norms in the auto industry by profoundly rethinking how vehicles are designed, built, personalized, and sold. At a time when EV startups often chase high-end buyers with complex tech and escalating price points, Slate takes a distilled, contrarian approach—simplification, modularity, and a focused affordability strategy." Slate's truck is 20 inches shorter in length than the Ford Maverick and one foot narrower (nearly the same width as a Toyota Corolla), cementing it in the small truck category. The unique truck is a two-seat pickup that will be sold in a single configuration - one bed size and one cab style. Simplicity is key to the design team's approach to the model; its windows crank and there are climate control knobs. There is no infotainment system nor a touchscreen. It wears steel wheels on each corner. According to Waatti, the company is "tapping into a growing fatigue with over-digitization in vehicles. By inviting customers to "bring your own tech" and focus on tactile, analog controls, Slate speaks to a growing audience alienated by bloated infotainment stacks and touch-heavy interfaces." From that baseline, buyers can build up their model which has a 1,400-pound payload capacity and a large front trunk (frunk). When deliveries begin, over 100 accessories for the model will be available individually or bundled. Owners can purchase the accessories at initial purchase or over the vehicle's lifetime, as their budget allows. Though initially sold as a truck, the model can be transformed into an SUV through an accessories package. "Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a two-seat pickup to a five-seat SUV," Barman said. Those who purchase the SUV kit get a roll cage, airbags, a rear seat and body panels. Owners can complete the installation themselves or have it done for them. A universal phone mount and USB outlets allow a person's smartphone to serve as the infotainment hub. Owners can also install a mount for the tablet of their choice and connect any device to a self-installed speaker system or a portable speaker. Slate owners also have the option of wrapping their vehicle or having it wrapped by a pro. Customers can choose from three levels of wrap, which is designed to make the vehicle especially personal. The automaker will host SlateU tutorial videos on its website to instruct owners on how to enhance their model whether through accessory additions or wrapped elements. Buyers can choose between two battery packs for the mode, a 52.7-kilowatt-hour (kWh) pack or an 84.3-kWh one. The rear-wheel drive truck's smaller battery delivers a targeted 150 miles of all-electric range. The larger is expected to offer up to 240. Slate's model is charged via a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, the same as a Tesla and the type of port many mainstream automakers are transitioning to. Using that port, the truck can charge to full overnight on a household outlet or fast-charge to 80 percent when attached to a 120-kilowatt charger, in under 30 minutes. The American company will purchase American-made batteries for its electric truck and assemble the model in the U.S. "Made in America is very important to us. We have a passion, we want to re-industrialize America, and in doing that, we're targeting where our location will be in the heart of the Midwest. We want to go into a brownfield [site]. We want to take that and make it over into something that's going to bring a new technology to a community that may have had what for many years a thriving business that over time, for whatever reason, unfortunately, had a shutter. What we want to do is go back in and use that facility and revitalize that community," Barman told Newsweek. Waatti says "Slate's re-industrialization narrative—building in the U.S., with a transparent pricing model and service infrastructure—is well-timed to resonate in a post-COVID, tariff-conscious economy where domestic manufacturing and affordability are back in focus." Slate intends for the vehicle to achieve high safety ratings. It will equip the model with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning technology and have up to eight airbags. "The vehicle will be an IIHS Top Safety Pick, as well as an NCAP (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program) 5-Star. Often people get concerned when they hear affordable that they may think, 'where have corners been cut?' There's been no compromises here. It will meet the highest safety standards within the industry," Barman said. "I think next that comes to mind with people is, 'If it's affordable, does it mean that there's going to be some compromise on quality or the reliability of the vehicle?' [Addressing that has] been paramount for us. We [are working to ensure that we] meet the highest quality levels as well as [being] a very reliable vehicle, so that people can depend on it day in and day out for many years, to be able to service them in the way that they need to," she said. The company plans a direct-to-consumer sales model that allows purchasers to order their new Slate online, take delivery near their home and find a service location in their neighborhood. "For us, what was really important is we want to own the relationship with the customer. We want to connect with them. We want to service them. We want to make sure that they are satisfied as they're going through the purchase process, be it for the vehicle or be it for the accessorization, and even later, if it may be with service. It's important to us that we have that connection to the customer and that we are the ones that are able to keep them satisfied," Barman said. Slate announced that the price for its new electric truck would be less than $20,000 when federal rebates are applied to the purchase. The continuation of those rebates is not guaranteed. "We're just very focused on our primary customer - it's that wage earner. It's that hard-working American. And, regardless of other dynamics that may be happening, we know that we want to serve those hard working people and provide them with safe, reliable, affordable transportation. That's been our focus and our mission since we've started. We also want to provide a vehicle that is desirably designed that those individuals are going to be very proud of, proud to own, proud to drive, and proud to put their own personality with into the vehicle, to have it be an expression of themselves," Barman said. And Waatti adds that if successful, Slate "could shift expectations not just for what a vehicle is but also for how it's configured, purchased, and owned. It's not just a vehicle—it's a modular mobility platform built for people who want control, simplicity, and value. That's a potent combination in today's market." Interested buyers can reserve their vehicle with a $50 deposit today at the company's website. The deposit is fully refundable.
