Pleased Tuesday! It is December 16, 2025, and that is The Morning Shift — your every day roundup of the highest automotive headlines from all over the world, in a single place. That is the place you may discover a very powerful tales which might be shaping the best way Individuals drive and get round.
On this morning’s version, we’re yet one more NHTSA investigation into Tesla’s doorways, in addition to Waymo’s makes an attempt to make its vehicles work when visitors lights do not. We’ll additionally take a look at Toyota’s November numbers, and Hyundai’s newest recall.
1st Gear: NHTSA investigation into Tesla doorways expands to Mannequin 3
The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration has been investigating Tesla’s doorways for the small challenge of “trapping passengers inside whereas they burn to loss of life.” That investigation initially solely targeted on the Mannequin Y, however now it is expanded to incorporate the Mannequin 3 as effectively. Given how comparable Tesla’s handles are throughout its lineup, do not be stunned if the Mannequin S, Mannequin X, and Cybertruck get hit too. From Reuters:
Dec 24 (Reuters) – The U.S. auto security regulator stated on Wednesday it has opened a defect investigation into Tesla Mannequin 3 compact sedans over considerations that emergency door launch controls will not be simply accessible or clearly identifiable in an emergency.
The Workplace of Defects Investigation stated the probe covers an estimated 179,071 mannequin 12 months 2022 automobiles.
The investigation was opened on December 23 after the company acquired a defect petition alleging that the automobiles’ mechanical door launch is hidden, unlabeled and never intuitive to find throughout emergencies.
Simply final week, Bloomberg discovered no less than 15 fatalities attributable to the ill-advised design of Tesla’s futuristic handles–one the auto business at giant sadly appears eager on adopting. However nailing down such a quantity is hard, and the precise physique depend might be even greater.
2nd Gear: Waymo is updating its vehicles after San Francisco robotaxis floor to a halt
Final week, Waymo vehicles throughout the Bay Space got here to harmful standstills in the course of intersections, blocking roadways after visitors lights have been hit by an influence outage. Now, the corporate is doing its greatest to make sure its vehicles do not do this once more. From Reuters:
Alphabet unit Waymo stated on Tuesday it’ll replace software program used to function its self-driving automobiles and enhance its emergency response protocols after its robotaxis stalled in components of San Francisco on Saturday because of a widespread energy outage that snarled visitors and gridlocked components of town.
Waymo paused service Saturday night following a hearth at a PG&E substation that knocked out energy to roughly one-third of town, affecting about 130,000 residents and forcing some companies to shut quickly.
Quite a lot of movies posted on social media confirmed Waymo robotaxis caught at intersections with their hazard lights turned on as visitors lights stopped working as a result of outage.
Waymo stated its self-driving automobiles are designed to deal with darkish visitors indicators at four-way stops however they could often request a affirmation examine.
If Waymo vehicles are “designed to deal with darkish visitors indicators,” however did not truly handle to deal with these darkish visitors indicators, it appears like they don’t seem to be functioning as designed. Only a reminder that every one robotaxis are beta merchandise, and corporations are testing them by simply handing software program management of 1000’s of kilos of metallic and glass that would effectively hit you at any time.
third Gear: Toyota had a mediocre November, and China’s in charge
Toyota is without doubt one of the world’s largest automakers, nevertheless it’s not infallible. Working example, it struggled in November due to drops in gross sales in maybe the world’s most necessary automotive market: China. It will not be Toyota’s fault, although — the corporate may be caught up in some worldwide relations points. From Bloomberg:
Toyota Motor Corp.’s gross sales and manufacturing fell in November, weighed down largely by a pointy drop in China because the nation discontinues subsidies meant to spice up the gross sales of electrical and fuel-efficient vehicles.
World gross sales — together with at subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. — fell 1.9% within the interval from a 12 months earlier to 965,919 items, the Japanese carmaker stated Thursday. Manufacturing shrank 3.4% to 934,001 automobiles.
Toyota and Lexus model gross sales in China fell 12% in November, the corporate stated, citing the top of trade-in subsidies in main cities as funds ran dry. The figures have been launched in opposition to a backdrop of diplomatic tensions which have been brewing between China and Japan since November, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks about Taiwan that angered Asia’s largest economic system. China responded by warning its residents in opposition to touring to Japan.
A lot of automakers have been blaming current drops in gross sales on the cessation of EV subsidies in China and the U.S., however Toyota affords fewer EV fashions than most. The trade-in subsidies are a extra probably offender right here, nevertheless it’ll be fascinating to see if different automakers confronted the identical points as extra numbers for the month roll out.
4th Gear: Hyundai recollects 52,000 vehicles over fireplace threat
Hyundai is recalling almost 52,000 Tucsons for trailer wiring harnesses that would begin fires, however the points aren’t actually Hyundai’s fault. The harness, which comes from a third-party provider, appears fully in charge. From Reuters:
Hyundai Motor is recalling 51,587 automobiles within the U.S. as a result of a brief circuit in non-functioning trailer lights, attributable to incorrect set up of the wiring harness, might enhance the chance of fireside, the U.S. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration stated on Wednesday.
As a treatment, house owners are suggested to park outdoors and away from constructions till the recall restore is full. Sellers will substitute the trailer wiring harness, freed from cost, NHTSA added.
The Tucsons themselves aren’t even addressed in the recall notices — technically, the recall is for the trailer wiring harness itself. On condition that the harness solely suits the Tucson, although, you possibly can guess which house owners shall be getting notices to take their automotive in to the supplier.
Reverse: Linda Blair was born harmless
On The Radio: Kali Uchis – ‘Ridin Spherical’
Apparently I’ve by no means used this observe as an On The Radio gear, and that must be remedied instantly. The only model, which is simply higher than the model off “Por Vida.”
