VIEWPOINT | DEFINING WHAT VEHICLE AUTOMATION REALLY MEANS

Carmakers are rushing to provide their vehicles with increasing ability to pilot themselves. But the race can create confusion among about just what “autonomous driving” really means—and not just among consumers.

Lawsuit Claims FCA Cheated on Diesel-Powered Ram Pickups

A lawsuit filed in a federal court in Detroit claims Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Cummins Inc. falsely promoted as "clean diesels" some 500,000 Ram fullsize pickup trucks that in fact grossly exceeded U.S. emission limits.

Mercedes Looks to Find Its Car-Sharing Croove

Next month Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit plans to launch a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform in Europe called Croove that will link users with private vehicle owners.

Mazda Ready to Debut Diesel Models for U.S.

Mazda Motor Corp. reportedly has finally cleared regulatory approvals to introduce two diesel-powered models in the U.S. next year.

FTC Wants to Expand Probe of Alleged Diesel Document Destruction at VW

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has asked a federal judge for permission to question another Volkswagen AG official about allegations the company destroyed documents related to its diesel emission test cheating.

Qualcomm Inks Licensing Deal for Wireless Charging Tech

Qualcomm Inc. has signed an agreement to license its wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) technology to Preh GmbH, which was acquired by China’s Joyson Electronics Group in 2011.

French Prosecutors Get Report on “Abnormal” Renault Diesel Emissions

Investigators in France have turned over a report to prosecutors that describes “abnormal” nitrogen oxide emissions from some of Renault SA’s diesel-powered vehicles, Reuters says.

GM Cuts Car Production at Two U.S. Factories

General Motors Co. will furlough nearly 2,100 hourly workers indefinitely at assembly plants in Michigan and Ohio because of slumping demand for the cars made there.

Nissan to Debut Car-Sharing Program in Paris

Nissan Motor Co. plans to launch a pilot program for its Get & Go Micra car-sharing service next year in Paris.

Hyperloop One Expands Feasibility Study in Middle East

This week Los Angeles-based startup Hyperloop One (H1) announced plans to work with road and transit authorities in the United Arab Emirates to evaluate the feasibility of a passenger route for its ultra-high-speed transportation pods.