Top OEM Headlines | October 2015

This week’s most impactful OEM headlines, including:

  1. Toyota to sell cars that communicate with each other and roadways by year end
    Forbes reports that Toyota will sell cars that communicate with each other and roadways by year end. Many automakers are working on this technology, but Toyota aims to become the first automaker to announce that it will make it available to consumers.
  2. Drivers aren’t buying automatic safety systems
    Time.com says U.S. car buyers aren’t willing to pay for a new generation of automatic safety devices like infrared night vision, something that might set shoppers back more than $2,000. The study by the Boston Consulting Group found that the estimated cost of seven automated safety systems totaled around $8,240 and that consumers were willing to pay only 25-70% of that.
  3. Jaguar Land Rover committed to offering diesels in U.S.
    The Detroit Free Press says the timing is terrible, but Jaguar Land Rover North America has begun selling its first diesel-equipped vehicles and has no plans to stop. The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport went on sale in the U.S. with an optional diesel engine two weeks ago. That was the same day the story broke that Volkswagen had been cheating on its emissions testing.
  4. Lexus adds two new RC Coupe models for 2016
    Lexus will add two new RC Coupe models for 2016. The RC line will now offer buyers a turbocharged 4-cylinder option, as well as an all-wheel drive version of the model’s more powerful V-6.