Cars

Arts

Why Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

11:08am December 16, 2022

by Fernando Alfonso III

Inflation, the curse of our pocketbooks and the Federal Reserve, has hit almost every good in the U.S. But the price of a beloved toy has managed to hover around $1 — for more than 50 years.

Johnny Navarro sits on the hood of his recently purchased 2014 Lexus.

Economy

Monthly car payments have crossed a record $700. What that means

9:18am July 02, 2022

by Brittany Cronin

The average cost of a new car is also at the highest on record, topping $47,000 a pop. At this rate, an essential household purchase is starting to feel like a luxury in America.

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National

Ford is recalling about 39,000 SUVS after 16 catch fire under the hood

10:17am May 20, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

The company is urging those with affected vehicles to park their cars outside and away from structures.

Transportation

As speeding-related deaths rise, a new campaign hopes to slow them down

3:47pm April 13, 2022

by Eddie Garcia

With spring break travel in full force, North Carolina officials are cracking down on speeding drivers with the

An employee walks among the cars during the inauguration of a factory that will recondition used cars near Paris, on Nov. 30.

Car ads in France will soon have to encourage more environmentally friendly travel

3:37pm January 04, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

The automakers' ads will suggest people consider carpooling or cycling instead of driving. The new rules, beginning in March, come as the country is trying to cut down on its carbon emissions.

Car keys are shown by glasses with alcohol in this stock photo illustration. Companies are developing technology that would allow cars to stop people from driving when drunk.

Health & Safety

What if cars could stop you from driving drunk? A peek at the latest tech

7:01am December 31, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

A new federal law will eventually require new vehicles to detect and prevent drunk driving, which would revolutionize vehicle safety. Here's a look at some of the technology being developed.

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A Rivian electric truck is displayed near the Nasdaq MarketSite building in Times Square in New York City on Nov. 10. Rivian, an electric-truck maker backed by Amazon and Ford, made its debut on Nasdaq in one of the biggest initial public offerings in U.S

The electric startup Rivian soared in its stock debut. Why there's so much buzz

3:57pm November 10, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

Rivian, which has just started deliveries of its battery-powered pickup truck, surged in its first day of trade after completing one of the biggest IPOs in U.S. history.

Vehicles sit in a nearly empty lot at a car dealership in Richmond, Calif., on July 1. The global semiconductor shortage has hobbled auto production worldwide, making it difficult to find a car to buy.

So, You Are Shopping For A Car At A Terrible Time. Here's What To Keep In Mind

4:19pm September 24, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

Finding a car to buy these days seems almost impossible. Dealer lots are emptier, prices are higher and shoppers are stressed out. Here's what to know.

In this aerial photo, pickup trucks and vans are seen last month in a parking lot outside a General Motors assembly plant where they are produced in Wentzville, Mo. A key component in the car industry is in short supply: computer chips. Taiwan's chipmaker

Taiwan Races To Remedy Car Chip Shortage But No End In Sight, Says Economy Minister

1:18pm April 28, 2021

by John Ruwitch

The microchips used in cars are in short supply. Taiwanese Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua tells NPR that Taiwan's cutting-edge chipmakers have ramped up production to meet auto industry demand.

Vehicles drive on highway I-94 in St. Paul, Minn., on Nov. 7, 2020. A recent report from the International Energy Agency said emissions fell across most parts of the economy, with one notable exception: SUVs.

Environment

Pandemic Drastically Cut Emissions From Cars. The Lone Exception? SUVs

7:00pm January 20, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

In rich countries, every sector of the economy reduced its contribution to climate change last year — with one big gas-guzzling exception.