Weekend News Roundup February 10, 2024

The global economy is a complex and constantly moving entity, which frequently causes companies to reevaluate their operations. Porsche was recently pushed up against that wall when the U.S. government determined that nearly all of its cars couldn’t be imported into the country, allegedly due to a single microchip manufactured in Belarus. If you didn’t know, Belarus is the subject of major sweeping State Department sanctions at the moment, due to the authoritarianism of the Lukashenka regime, and the country’s support of Russia’s war effort against Ukraine. Allegedly all Porsches, except Macan and 718 models, are held in port right now waiting for a replacement chip. - Bradley Brownell Read More

Driving for Uber can be lucrative, as long as you look at how much you could possibly make on paper. The truth is way less rosy as, one Uber driver detailed to Business Insider. He made over $100,000 in gross income, but after taxes and expenses, he really only made $20,000. - Lawrence Hodge Read More

They don’t build cars like they used to. It’s true. They’re safer, more fuel efficient and more reliable than ever before. These days, most cars are just getting started when they cross the 100,000-mile mark. They may require quite a few repairs to keep going after that point, but the days of cars with six-figure mileage being on their last legs are long gone. - Collin Woodard Read More

Hey remember last year when Donald Trump held a rally at a non-union auto supplier shop in Michigan while President Joe Biden was taking his historic walk along the UAW picket line? Well we now know that strange stunt cost the Don $20,000. - Erin Marquis Read More

It has been not-so-secret Silicon Valley knowledge in recent years that Elon Musk frequently enjoys partaking in mind altering, hallucinogenic, and potentially dangerous drugs. A January Wall Street Journal piece voiced the concerns of investors and higher ups within Musk’s companies, that his propensity to use drugs was affecting his ability to be an effective CEO. Following a Delaware court’s decision to block Musk’s outrageous compensation package based on the evidence that the Tesla board was engaging in cronyism, WSJ is back with another banger connecting those board members to Musk. These connections were often based around drug-fueled parties and flights. - Bradley Brownell Read More

If you plan to do a lot of off-roading, the Toyota 4Runner is an excellent choice. And with features such as a locking rear differential, part-time four-wheel drive and crawl control, the 4Runner TRD Off-Road can be a great starting point for an adventurous build. That said, no one is forcing you to take a 4Runner off-road. You could always completely throw that out the window and build a giant pavement princess like the 2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road that’s currently for sale on Cars & Bids. - Collin Woodard Read More

Tesla staffers are getting ready for potential job cuts after managers at the Austin, Texas-based automaker were asked to let higher-ups know if each of their employees’ positions are critical. I’m sure this will all go just fine for Tesla and its workers. - Andy Kalmowitz Read More

It’s a bit hard to believe that the Porsche Taycan has now been out for almost five years, with nearly 150,000 of the brand’s first EV having reached the hands of customers. While the Taycan still looks spectacular and remains the driver’s choice among EVs, it’s fallen a bit behind in terms of efficiency and tech. Enter the face-lifted 2025 Taycan, which Porsche promises is improved in every way. - Daniel Golson Read More

As much as Kia wants you to think its Carnival is a genre-bending vehicle, marketing it as an MPV with SUV styling and the space of a van, at the end of the day it’s really just a minivan. But we love minivans, and in my opinion the Carnival is the best you can buy thanks to its unique design, excellent interior and great driving dynamics. For 2025 Kia is making the Carnival even better with some major styling updates and the addition of a new turbocharged hybrid powertrain. - Daniel Golson Read More

Florida seems a lawless land, where (nearly) anything goes and vehicular mischief is just appreciated as entertainment. As it turns out, though, there are rules — rules put in place to stop good, hardworking Americans from taking their pickup trucks surfing. - Steve DaSilva Read More