Tag Archives: vehicles

News

Mercedes-Benz star maker declared bankruptcy

The German automotive industry is in a major crisis. While the big players are finding ways to survive in the market, the small companies that have been supplying them for years are quietly shutting down. One of them is Gerhardi Kunststofftechnik GmbH, the company that produced the Mercedes-Benz logo.

Gerhardi Kunststofftechnik was founded in 1796, survived two world wars, but not the current crisis. It started its journey more than two centuries ago with the production of metal products, and then entered the automotive industry as a supplier to the Mercedes-Benz star. However, the long-term decline in demand for their products led to the shutdown and layoff of 1,500 employees.

Other suppliers could face the same problem, such as French company Forvia SE, which announced it was cutting thousands of jobs, or Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt AB, which is also in major financial trouble.

The crisis in Europe is getting worse and there is no way out in sight. VW recently announced that it will lay off 35,000 employees over the next six years and move production of the Golf Mk8 to Mexico, while other manufacturers have begun to reduce and shut down production at certain plants.

Source: Bloomberg

Auctions

1965 Shelby Cobra Replica is up for auction

Between 1962 and 1967, the American company AC Cars produced a sports car, the Shelby Cobra, which over time gained the status of a legend. One example, a 1965 Shelby Cobra Replica, used in the movie “Bad Boys” is for sale.

Bad Boys is a series of action comedy films starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. This car is one of two replicas used for the film and owned by South Beach Classic, a collector car dealership and vehicle rental business for the film, modeling and music industries.

The car was originally finished in red, but within 48 hours it was repainted in Midnight Blue to meet the needs of the movie. It was used in the scene where the French kingpin, Antoine Fouchet was chased by cops Will Smith and Martin Lawrence down the Opa-Locka airport runway. After the shooting, this Cobra Replica was placed in dry storage for 27 years.

At first glance, few would notice that it is not original. This Shelby Cobra is slightly larger than the original. It has a slightly more spacious black interior equipped with a Nardi Torino steering wheel, a Hurst shift lever and an instrument panel placed in the middle of the dashboard.

It is powered by a 351 CI V-8 engine rebuilt in 2023, paired with an FMX automatic transmission.

The car comes with an agreement with Columbia Pictures, signed by their transportation coordinator Larry Crenshaw, copy of one check and the original statement from Columbia Pictures, original Certificate of Insurance from Columbia Pictures, showing certificate holder with reference to the Bad Boys movie, date and insurance amounts, copy of registration made out to Columbia Pictures, and original 1099 form issued from Columbia Pictures to South Beach Classics.

The auction will be held on January 18, 2025.

Source: Mecum

Gallery:

1965 Shelby Cobra Replica is up for auction
News

Tesla’s Cybercab can be operated via a controller

In early October, Tesla unveiled its self-driving car, the Cybercab, without traditional controls and without any driver control. Now, sources at the Petersen Museum, where the Cybercab is on display until next year, have revealed that the car can be controlled via a controller.

According to AutoEvolution, the Tesla Cybercab comes with a small Xbox-like controller that plugs into the car and is used for steering and pedals. A recently released video shows the car climbing a ramp while a person sits in the front seat, who is believed to be using the controller. Sources have confirmed that the controller was indeed used at the museum, but that it is also possible to control the car wirelessly from outside the vehicle.

Currently, Tesla is looking for an operator to use their Cybercab cars, but many believe that this will not happen in the next three years. The cars will be controlled remotely in order to address safety and navigation issues that robotaxi vehicles will not be able to handle on their own.

One of the problems that the American company needs to solve in the coming period is the maintenance of these vehicles, and some companies have given up on providing this service due to high costs. Also, some markets are currently unavailable for Cybercab due to strict regulations, so Texas is considered an ideal place to start.

Source: Tesla, via Instagram