Top 5 stories of the week: Jeep gets new North America boss; August U.S. vehicle sales
A quick look at the top automotive stories of the week as determined by reader interest.
Boeing’s beleaguered Starliner makes crewless return to Earth
Boeing’s Starliner completed its Crew Flight Test without its crew undocking Friday evening from the International Space Station and making the trip back to Earth.
The spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V back on June 5 with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams docking with the ISS the next day for what was supposed to be an eight-day visit.
Issues with failing thrusters and helium leaks on Starliner’s propulsion module, though, led to a series of delays and eventual call by NASA to keep its two astronauts safe on board the ISS and send Starliner home without them.
The #Starliner spacecraft is back on Earth.
At 12:01am ET Sept. 7, @BoeingSpace’s uncrewed Starliner spacecraft landed in White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico. pic.twitter.com/vTYvgPONVc
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) September 7, 2024
Undocking occurred at 6:04 p.m. followed by about a six-hour trip back hitting a desert landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Trump plan for Musk-led efficiency commission could give CEO influence over rules for his work, wealth
Donald Trump’s plan for a Musk-led efficiency commission could put him in position to change the rules for corporate America, including the industries in which his companies compete.
Why are U.S. dealers getting more pessimistic about the market? This Cox Q3 poll gives clues
Pessimism crept into franchised car dealers’ outlooks during the third quarter, according to a Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index poll, which also found that interest rates and consumers’ political uncertainty continue to burden dealerships.
Traffic piling up at Port Canaveral with space industry vessels
The arrival this week of Blue Origin’s new rocket landing support ship marks a busy time for Port Canaveral as government and private maritime ship traffic begins to pick up steam.
Jeff Bezos’ company is gearing up for the first launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket and what Blue Origin has been calling landing platform vessel 1 (LPV1) arrived Wednesday with the company’s blue feather logo painted on its flat surface along with the official name, “Jaklyn,” which is in deference to Bezos’ mother.
It pulled up along North Cargo Berth 6 adjacent Blue Origin’s massive crane that will be used to eventually pluck the recovered first stage of New Glenn off the ship.
JACKLYN IS HERE: The long-awaited Blue Origin
landing platform vessel (LPV1) for their New Glenn rocket booster has arrived at Port Canaveral. The vessel is named after @blueorigin founder @JeffBezos ‘ mother. The Harvey Stone towed the vessel into Port Canaveral with assistance… pic.twitter.com/BCJ2N6MZDl
— Port Canaveral (@PortCanaveral) September 4, 2024