Things To Do In SW Florida

NHTSA issued a ‘stop sale’ for the Hyundai Palisades and Kia Tellurides covered by the recall of the tow hitch harness, which is at risk for a fire.

Even in a class of one, the new Ford Bronco Raptor is beating out the notion of competition, early reviews say.

Ford Motor Co.’s newest model under the Bronco nameplate is meant to cater to one demographic: the most extreme off-road racing enthusiasts.

The Raptor is not hiding its intentions. It’s 9.8 inches wider than the base Bronco model, and it comes with a tougher steel frame, shock towers and axles. Its 37-inch tires are the largest on any current production SUV, according to Ford.

Under the hood, a twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission combine to produce up to 418 hp — enough power to climb mountain rocks and speed through desert sand.

A notable feature included to help with high-speed desert runs is Baja mode, which aims to optimize throttle control and torque delivery.

The Raptor is cheaper than its closest competitors — Ford’s F-150 Raptor and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 — starting at $70,095 with shipping. It might be hard to obtain one, however, as all 2022 models will be delivered to reservation holders. read more

The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday accused a Korean-owned auto parts maker and supplier to Hyundai Motor Co of violating federal child labor laws at an Alabama factory, federal court filings reviewed by Reuters show.

According to Sky News, Lithia Motors was the “large international corporate” that Pendragon cited in an August regulatory filing revealing buyout discussions between the parties had been terminated.

The automaker has canceled plans to build a next-generation Transit Connect in Mexico alongside the Bronco Sport and Maverick. It will stop importing the current van from Spain by the end of next year.