Drew Dowdell

Ford of Europe announced Thursday that the company would be laying off around 12,000 employees as part of a global restructuring. This is on top of the layoffs Ford previously announced earlier this year. Ford says it will reduce the number of plants in the region to 18 and reorganize its business into three divisions; Commercial, Passenger, and Imports such as the Ford Mustang. Most of the positions in Europe will be eliminated via voluntary separation programs and should be completed by the end of 2020. Of the jobs lost, 2,000 will be salary and another 5,000 will be white color positions. Ford is struggling to make its European operations profitable against a backdrop of stagnant sales in the EU. Ford of Europe says that in future, all new vehicles will come with an electrified version, be that a full EV or a hybrid. View full article

Delayed indefinitely / until further notice.

Can you link me?

The i8 is a hoot to drive! The i8 is so hard and tight to get in and out of (even for me) that it makes an NSX look like getting into a '66 Toronado.

probably sensors for the active cruise control and traffic jam control.

Audi has unveiled their updated Audi Q7 in Ingolstadt today. The new Q7 gets a more robust look with an even larger grille than before, but overall retains the same basic shape. The headlights can be optionally equipped with HD Matrix LED and Audi laser light. Many improvements went into the suspension. Now available as an option is active roll stabilization to reduce the cars tendency to roll into the curve. Adjustable stabilizers reduce body movement on uneven roads. Customers can also elect the S-Line option that offers a firmer suspension and a 0.6 inch lower ride height. The powertrain at launch in the EU will be a choice of two diesel units, with a gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid to follow later. All of the ICE engines get a mild-hybrid setup using a belt-alternator-start (BAS) and 48 volt electrical system. The BAS can recover up to 8kW of power into the battery. The Q7 can be ordered in either a five or seven seat configuration. The cockpit is fully digital and includes two large touchscreens for the MMI infotainment system. Adaptive cruise assist is standard and also includes traffic jam assist, active lane assist, and adaptive speed assist. Emergency assist is new to the Q7 and if it detects the drivers is inactive, the system will bring the car to a stop and initiate protective and rescue measures. The 2020 Q7 launches in Europe in September with a US launch to follow later. View full article