Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

California lawmakers drive solutions for EV battery recycling

Sep 27, 2024
As the market matures, used EV batteries will start piling up. New standards might encourage changes in manufacturing.
Now that more electric vehicles are on the road, the challenges of recycling their components are getting more attention.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Why some car companies expected a faster switch to EVs

Aug 23, 2024
An unsustainable burst of early-adopter enthusiasm stoked investment. But that was followed by a changing economy.
EVs may still be the future of the auto industry, but it appears to be taking longer to get there than companies hoped.
Eric Lalmand/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images

Why are car sales still strong, even with high prices and interest rates?

Jul 23, 2024
The vehicle industry is surprisingly resilient this year. Many people have been waiting for lower costs but can't hold out any longer.
When interest rates are high, people might wait to get a new car. But they might give in if rates stay high and the repair costs start to add up.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Pen and paper, but please no cursive: Widespread cyberattack sends car dealers back to 20th century

Jun 21, 2024
A hack on CDK Global, the system many dealerships use to track sales and service, is forcing them back to the analog era.
Fifteen thousand auto dealers across the U.S. and Canada were affected by the CDK Global hack. Service had not been restored as of Friday.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Why have car repairs gotten so expensive?

Aug 7, 2023
The cost of car maintenance and repair is rising much faster than inflation.
Aside from the rising price of spare parts, repair costs have gotten more expensive because newer cars are more complicated to fix. 
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

After years of not being able to get them, Americans want their wheels — no matter the cost

Jul 6, 2023
New light vehicle sales, including cars, SUVs and pickups, were up about 20% in June from this time a year ago.
Lots of consumers feel confident they’ll have the money to buy vehicles they might have once considered unaffordable.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

New car sales have slowed amid higher prices and interest rates

Mar 6, 2023
There are plenty of cars on lots, unlike a year ago. It's buyers who are in short supply.
Supply is higher than it has been, but new car prices are averaging around $50,000 and interest rates remain elevated. That means many buyers are staying away.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

It's 2023: Does anyone want to buy a car?

Jan 18, 2023
Electric vehicle sales are up, but is demand for cars overall taking a dip?
Used cars are displayed on a sales lot. The demand for vehicles this year will depend on wider economic conditions, analysts say.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Why Kia's confusing new logo might actually be good for business

Jan 9, 2023
A logo expert weighs in on “KN car” confusion and the wider design trend Kia’s logo exemplifies.
The logo of Kia on its new all-electric vehicle, EV6, during its showcase event in Seoul in June 2021.
Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images

Ford announces layoffs amid transition to electric vehicles

Aug 23, 2022
One of America's largest automakers announced that it would cut 3,000 jobs to lower costs amid its shift toward EVs.
Ford announced 3,000 job cuts Monday as the automaker shifts focus to connected and electric vehicles.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images