Latest news with #Autoblog
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Used Porsche Taycan Values Crash as UK Dealers Halt Sales
Pre-2025 Taycans are losing nearly 50% of their value in the UK, prompting a pause in sales. Here's why buyers and dealers are shifting focus to the 2025 model. Porsche Responds to Reports of UK Taycan Sales Suspension Porsche UK has reportedly instructed its dealers to suspend sales of used first-generation (pre-2025) Taycan electric vehicles (EVs), according to a report from Car Dealer. Porsche has told Autoblog that the report is greatly exaggerated, as just 135 cars require a fix for a battery issue. The remaining cars are all still on sale, according to the manufacturer's UK arm. Porsche Taycan — Source: Porsche But the Taycan's problems are perhaps deeper as the performance EV faces broader market challenges. As a used car it just isn't going well with the British buying public. Prices have been tumbling and stocks piling up. Used Taycans See Steep Depreciation Compared to Panamera Used Taycans are experiencing significant depreciation across the pond, with values dropping by nearly 50% within twelve months for some models. For instance, a Taycan S that cost £186,300 new in 2024 was valued at approximately £97,680 at the start of this year. In contrast, a Panamera that cost £168,700 is now valued at £111,555, a drop of just under 34%, according to Parkers. In the U.S., similar trends are evident. A new Porsche Taycan depreciates just over 61% after five years, while a new Porsche Panamera depreciates just under 48% in the same period. The UK used car website Autotrader has 578 used 2020-24 Taycans up for offer. In comparison, there are fewer than 100 Panameras of the same vintage, and they attract higher prices. Porsche Taycan Turbo GT EV Tax Incentives Favor New Buyers, Not the Used Market Part of this is a specific UK issue, as the new-car tax regime heavily favors buyers who run EVs as company vehicles, saving them thousands of dollars a year. There are no such incentives for used EVs. There are also significant advantages for the companies themselves, both in terms of tax breaks and in their performance on Corporate Social Responsibility scores that boost share price. Why the 2025 Taycan Is the One Buyers Want The pre-2025 Taycan also suffered from a range disadvantage compared to the Tesla Model S. That changed with the 2025 model, which brought a major boost in both range and efficiency, making it the version most buyers now prefer. Interestingly, the Taycan's troubles in the UK have been somewhat eased by the fact that Tesla no longer sells the Model S in right-hand drive, limiting direct competition in that market. Porsche Taycan 4 — Source: Porsche
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon is selling a 'powerful' $200 magnetic portable charger for just $28, and shoppers say it 'works flawlessly'
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon is selling a 'powerful' $200 magnetic portable charger for just $28, and shoppers say it 'works flawlessly' originally appeared on Autoblog. Looking down at your phone and seeing a low battery often leaves you feeling defeated and stressed. But thankfully, there's an easy way to combat this situation. A portable charger is the best way to make sure your devices never run out of battery. And right now, Amazon is having a fantastic deal on the Gxorul Magnetic Portable Charger, which is a whopping 86% off. For a limited time, shoppers can pay just $28 for this highly-rated and compact power bank. You won't have to worry about bulky add-ons with this pocket-sized portable charger by your side. It offers a strong magnetic attachment that adheres right to the back of your phone for easy charging. Plus, it comes with a built-in stand, so you can hold your phone vertically or horizontally during video calls or while watching a movie. With a 10,000mAh capacity and 15W wireless fast charging, it will charge devices up to 60% in just 30 minutes, providing you with all-day power and reliability. "Exactly what I needed — compact, powerful, and smartly designed!" wrote one shopper. "This charger feels solid, looks sleek, and works flawlessly. It's now a must-have in my everyday bag. Highly recommended for anyone with an iPhone looking for a dependable wireless power bank."A second customer said, "This magnetic portable charger is hands-down one of the best tech purchases I've ever made! From the moment I unboxed it, I could tell this was a high-quality product. The magnetic alignment is flawless, my iPhone snaps right into place and starts charging instantly. No more fumbling with cables or worrying about loose connections!" The charger includes a 20W type C output and USB-A output that can charge three devices simultaneously. With an LED digital display, you can easily see the remaining battery percentage in real time, allowing you to plan your charging accordingly. Your devices will also stay safe during charging due to its overcharge, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection. A third reviewer wrote, "This battery backup for my smartphone has been a lifesaver! It has come in handy more than once. Easy to charge and compact to take with me everywhere." Give yourself peace of mind by adding this $28 magnetic portable charger to your cart. It'll keep your devices ready for just about anything. Amazon is selling a 'powerful' $200 magnetic portable charger for just $28, and shoppers say it 'works flawlessly' first appeared on Autoblog on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Engine Teardown Reveals Internal Failures Behind GM's L87 6.2L V8 Recall
Engine Teardown Reveals Internal Failures Behind GM's L87 6.2L V8 Recall originally appeared on Autoblog. General Motors began 2025 facing a major issue: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a formal investigation into the company's widely used 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine. The probe affects 877,710 full-size trucks and SUVs, after multiple reports of engine failures were filed with the agency. The investigation has since led to a large-scale recall and a stop-sale order. In some cases, these engine failures occurred while driving down the highway or just a few miles into vehicle use. Needless to say, they pose serious safety risks. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The list of affected vehicles includes the not-rookies-to-recall Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban; the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; and the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, and Sierra 1500, model years 2021 to 2024, all powered by the small-block V8 engine. The American automaker hasn't pinpointed the exact issue with the problematic power plant, only saying that the connecting rod and/or crankshaft components have unspecified manufacturing defects. But what happens inside the L87 V8 engine when it fails? Internet mechanic I Do Cars got its hands on one for an engine teardown, providing a more intimate look at the internals of one of GM's V8 mill that faced a catastrophic failure. The engine in question is said to have been recalled (from a 2022 GMC Yukon Denali), although details of how he got it weren't disclosed. The teardown starts optimistically: the engine can be cranked by hand, indicating no fully seized components. However, the first sign of trouble appears on the pushrods, which exhibit abnormal wear. The lifters, though none have completely collapsed, show signs of debris exposure, with one in particularly poor condition. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Removing the oil pan reveals more – a lot more. The internal oil has turned carbon-black, indicating severe overheating and oil breakdown. All eight connecting rods are completely shot, showing extensive damage. The camshaft lobe is also missing a chunk, while the block's front shows scoring, suggesting the crankshaft struck the block. The teardown reveals significant and unusual damage for a relatively young and modern engine, though it aligns with GM's claim that the problem lies with the connecting rods and crankshafts. It's also likely that this engine failed gradually, unlike other reported cases of instant engine failure. As the presenter notes, the owner likely ignored early signs of engine trouble, leading to more catastrophic damage. As part of the recall, GM has already provided a solution to the issue. Affected engines that haven't failed yet will have their oil replaced with thicker 0W-40 oil (replacing the former 0W-20), offering increased protection at operating temperatures. They will also get a new oil filter and oil fill cap that reflects the change. Engines that were shot will be replaced. However, not everyone's happy with GM's band-aid solution to this widespread problem. A lawsuit claims that replacing the engine's oil with higher viscosity would decrease fuel economy. The lawsuit claims that "owners are presented with two bad options: do nothing and risk catastrophic engine failure or get the recall and pay hundreds of dollars more for gasoline." Engine Teardown Reveals Internal Failures Behind GM's L87 6.2L V8 Recall first appeared on Autoblog on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tariffs Threaten Toyota's 2025 U.S. Lineup as Prices and Plans Hang in Balance
Toyota has a big year ahead, with fully two dozen new models set to debut under the Toyota and Lexus brand names. But the Trump administration's tariffs has left the carmaker in a state of limbo, while a new ruling by a federal trade court has only complicated matters. The Japanese automaker is stuck in a "wait and see mode," David Christ, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, told Autoblog during an interview at Toyota headquarters. Under the tariffs announced in April, and formally enacted on May 3, automakers like Toyota face a 25% hit on imported autos and auto parts, potentially putting many products "out of reach for a lot of Americans," said Mark Templin, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Toyota Motor North America. How to respond to the new tariffs is a question Toyota is still trying to figure out, Templin and other senior executives told Autoblog. The answer could affect pricing, marketing, and manufacturing plans. Toyota has to rethink whether some base models should remain available in the US. Trying to figure out how to respond to the tariffs is no easy task, as manufacturers have yet to get clear guidance from the White House. The new sanctions are supposed to cover imported autos and auto parts. But how will parts and components that repeatedly cross the border be handled? How will they be applied to parts produced in Mexico and Canada covered by the USMCA trade deal signed during the first Trump administration? Meanwhile, Trump has signaled he might tweak the auto tariffs. He's already rolled back duties on imported computers and smartphones, rolled back tariffs on China, and delayed other sanctions. If those weren't complicating matters enough, the Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that the president didn't have authority to impose his sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as Trump claimed. But that ruling has been paused while it's reviewed by a federal appeals court. "We need to understand the rules," one Toyota executive said during a meeting at the automaker's headquarters in Plano, Texas last week. The new legal twist makes that even more challenging – and makes it more difficult for Toyota to move forward on its plans for the coming year, and beyond. One big question: is the product roll-out it has scheduled this coming year still viable? Among other things, Toyota has to figure out how much tariffs might add to each of its vehicles – and whether to pass higher prices onto consumers. It may also have to consider whether to shift production of some parts, components and vehicles to avoid or, at least minimize, the impact of tariffs. Toyota builds roughly 50% of the vehicles it currently sells in the United States at 11 U.S. plants. That climbs to 80% if you include three Canadian and Mexican assembly lines. But even those could be impacted by the new trade sanctions due to their reliance on imported parts and components. Last year saw U.S. auto sales nip the 16 million mark for the first time since the pandemic – though that remained well behind the 17.5 million record set in 2016. Nonetheless, the trajectory seemed bound to keep climbing. Toyota's target for the industry this year was 16.1 million, with some bullish estimates as high as 16.5 million. But there's widespread expectation that this will drop sharply should the tariffs remain in effect for an extended period. Cox Automotive now forecasts a figure of around 15 million and as low as 14 million should the new trade sanctions trigger a recession. While Trump has warned automakers not to pass tariff costs onto consumers, Christ said that would be difficult for even the most profitable manufacturers. Rival General Motors, for one, has forecast it could see a $5 billion impact from the new sanctions. For its part, said Christ, how much it passes on to consumers likely will vary by model line and market segment. For one thing, it needs to see what the competition is doing. No matter what product, "a 25% increase hurts" buyers, he said, though "maybe the higher-end customer has a little more flexibility in their budget than a low-end customer." Toyota is particularly vulnerable at the low end, the executive acknowledged, noting that it has six product lines available under $30,000, starting with the Corolla which carries a base price of $22,035. The problem is that for entry-level buyers, even "a 1% increase (in price) could take away 10% of the market" for affordable vehicles, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, during a meeting of the Automotive Press Association. Toyota's policy is to build as many vehicles as possible in the markets where they are sold, noted Templin. And it isn't averse to adding even more capacity. But that isn't as easy as simply throwing a switch. "You can't simply move production facilities overnight," cautioned Templin. It could take years to see new assembly plants added to the 11 Toyota already operates in the U.S. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric originally appeared on Autoblog. GM's been resolute, for the most part, on electrification. With the Silverado EV released and a mix of electric SUVs across the Chevy and Cadillac brands (Escalade iQ and Lyriq, Chevy Equinox and Blazer EV), the brand has committed harder than any other American automaker. That's not to say the automaker's commitment to internal combustion is gone, though. Tonawanda Propulsion, a GM-owned plant covering 190 acres and comprising three separate facilities, has received nearly $900 million in funding, securing over 850 jobs and production of GM's sixth-generation V8 engine. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The investment is important to a lot of people. 'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said Tara Wasik, the plant's director. "This is a testament to the hard work of the membership of Local 774,' said Raymond Jensen Jr. in an interview with local news. 'It's extremely important to the community, to the surrounding areas, and to New York State itself." The impressive sum of $888 million will go towards new machinery, equipment, tools, and renovations as part of the more than $1.5 billion GM has invested in New York State in the last 15 years. It's also hardly the first time in recent memory that GM has extended the V8's lifespan. In 2023, GM invested $579 million in its Flint, Michigan production site. There, too, V8 production will continue to chug along. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article However, it doesn't account for the $300 million commitment made two years ago in union negotiations to produce electric vehicles, specifically at Tonawanda. And it's not the first area where GM has had to pump the brakes on EV endorsements. The company has sold off its stake in a battery production facility to its partner, LG Energy. In other areas, GM has pushed back against California's 2035 plan to eliminate sales of gas-only vehicles, which is now, by the way, completely dead. On the other hand, GM pushed into the number two spot for April EV sales, capturing nearly 15% of EV sales. Getting mixed signals? Us too, but we blame the current political and economic climate, not necessarily GM. Outfitting the plant for V8 production is important for CEO Mary Barra, too. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' she said in a press release. She further emphasized the plant's importance to the brand, citing its 87 years of operation. The plant will finish production of GM's fifth-gen V8 before commencing work on the sixth-gen product. This $888 million investment marks the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine-producing facility. The fact that it happens to make V8s is almost irrelevant; it implies the combustion engine at large still has several decades of work ahead of it. GM isn't faring poorly in the EV arena, either, so unlike other automakers that have rekindled V8 production, this isn't a crutch. GM's going where the money is, and that's just good business. Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric first appeared on Autoblog on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
