On August 1, Ford announced an expansion to its compact truck lineup with the new 2023 Maverick Tremor Off-Road Package, which begins production in Hermosillo, Mexico this fall.
Ford announced its retail order banks will be re-opening for its other popular 2023 models, the Bronco Sport, Edge, Explorer and Ranger, on August 2, and Maverick and Maverick Tremor will be available for retail order in September.
Retail orders for Ford’s hot-selling F-150 and Transit opened a few weeks ago.
The new Maverick Tremor is an entry-level option for buyers seeking greater off-road capability and bold styling in the same compact package that comfortably fits their daily life in the city while also supporting their outdoor passions.
Maverick Tremor is available for XLT and Lariat series trucks.
Equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, the compact pickup builds on the FX4 Off-Road Package with an all-wheel-drive system new to Maverick.
This advanced system includes a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock feature to allow greater off-road capability.
Maverick Tremor also comes with exclusive Trail Control, which operates like cruise control for off-road driving, as well as a 1-inch increase in ride height.
Off-road capability is further bolstered by a heavy-duty transmission cooler and upgraded half-shafts.

(Ford press release on August 1, 2022)

On July 26, Volkswagen Group China unveiled its first electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) passenger drone prototype, as part of its strategy to explore and break new ground in fully electric and sustainable individual mobility concepts. In 2020, Volkswagen Group China launched a Vertical Mobility project. After intensive research, conceptual work, and development, the project team has now developed its first validation model – the V.MO.
The prototype concept is based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technology for emission-free mobility. With a luxury x-wing configuration of 11.2m in length and a span width of 10.6m, the model features eight rotors for vertical lift and two propellers for horizontal flight.
The Group will conduct several flight tests later this year to optimize the concept and an improved prototype will undergo further advanced test flights by late summer of 2023. In its final future iteration, the fully electric and automated eVTOL could eventually carry four passengers plus luggage over a distance of up to 200km. In the first phase of its commercial use, V.MO is likely to be pitched as a premium product for high-net-worth tech-savvy Chinese customers, for example for VIP air shuttle services.
The Group formed a team of young, local experts to drive Vertical Mobility project forward. They have been supported by Chinese partners including Hunan Sunward Technology, a subsidiary of Hunan-based manufacturing group Sunward. The company specializes in aviation product development, sales and services and is a market leader in the light sport aircraft industry.

Based on Volkswagen Group press release

On July 26, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it has opened three investigations into safety problems with approximately 1.65 million vehicles produced by Stellantis.
The largest probe covers 1.34 million Jeep Cherokee small SUVs from the 2014 through 2020 model years.
NHTSA says it has 80 complaints that the electronic parking brakes can turn on while the SUVs are moving, alleging that water can get into the computer that controls the brakes.
Another probe covers 289,000 Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass and Patriot small SUVs from 2016 after 127 complaints about engine stalling due to crankshaft or camshaft sensor problems.
NHTSA says Fiat Chrysler did a recall in 2016 for a similar problem and is looking to see if the problem is happening with vehicles not included in the recall.
NHTSA also says it has 40 complaints of a transmission problem causing Chrysler Pacifica PHEV minivans to lose power.
The probe cover 21,000 vans from the 2019 through 2021 model years.
The investigations could lead to recalls, but so far the agency has not sought any.
In all three cases, no crashes or injuries have been reported.

(Detroit News article on July 26, 2022)