Category: SUV

Apr 26

SUV crashes into Garland County massage building, causing damage

A massage building in Garland County was destroyed on Thursday after a black Mercedes drove through its front wall, causing it to cave in.

In a release, the Garland County Sheriff’s Office says that they responded to a call reporting a private property accident at 2:52 p.m. on Thursday.

They arrived at 1539 Airport Road to find a black Mercedes that had driven through the front wall of a local business, Angel Massage.

The Sheriff’s Office says that LifeNet units responded for the involved parties.

KATV reached out to the Garland County Chief Deputy, who confirmed that there were no lasting injuries from the incident by saying “Everyone involved is ok.”

Apr 26

iCar Launches Innovative 03T SUV and Electrifying X25 Minivan for Modern Adventurers

Expanding iCar’s Electrified Vehicle Offerings

iCar is diversifying its product range with the introduction of the sturdy 03T and the groundbreaking X25 electric minivan, enhancing its current 03 SUV collection. These additions highlight iCar’s commitment to developing rugged and inventive electric vehicles targeted at a younger, tech-savvy demographic. With a vision to introduce eight distinct models by 2026, iCar is leveraging its collaboration with Chery to solidify its footprint in the competitive market.

Chery’s iCar Expands Its Lineup With Rugged Minivans And Tougher SUVs

Exploring the Enhanced 03T and Revolutionary X25

Premiered at the Beijing Auto Show 2024, the 03T is an evolution of the standard 03 model, modified with superior features for enhanced off-road performance. Significant updates include broader fenders, optimized bumpers for increased maneuverability in rugged environments, and larger wheels engineered for exceptional terrain handling. While preserving the foundational dimensions, the 03T offers augmented ground clearance, delivering robust and reliable performance.

The X25 introduces a new vision for minivans with its advanced electric crossover format, integrating modern aesthetics with functional, off-road capabilities. This vehicle distinguishes itself with a novel, spacecraft-like design equipped for both urban commutes and explorative missions. The configuration promotes exceptional agility and extensive internal space, making it suitable for various customization options.

Widening iCar’s Range of Vehicles

Also featured at the auto show was the iCar V23, inspired by iconic off-road vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender. Offering up to 500 kilometers on a full charge, the V23 will be available in multiple drivetrain options, enhancing its versatility. iCar’s strategic plan to unveil eight innovative models by 2026 organizes these into three series: the technologically advanced 0 Series, the robust V Series, and the flexible X Series minivans.

Refined Factual Insights and Emotional Resonance

Advancing Towards Eco-Friendly Automotive Solutions

iCar’s initiative to expand its line of EVs signifies a move towards a more eco-conscious automotive future. By prioritizing electric engines, iCar plays a pivotal role in minimizing environmental pollutants and promoting sustainable practices. This strategy meets the increasing consumer demand for green vehicles and aligns with broader ecological conservation efforts.

Facilitating Sustainable Exploration

The debut of models such as the 03T and X25 equips adventurers and city dwellers alike with the means to explore diverse environments responsibly. These models are crafted to adeptly traverse both urban and off-path conditions, offering both resilience and flexibility. iCar enables drivers who value ecological responsibility and adventure to engage in new explorations with a minimal environmental impact.

Attracting a Young, Eco-Conscious Audience

iCar’s marketing strategy focuses on attracting young consumers by blending sleek, futuristic designs with state-of-the-art technology. This approach not only nurtures brand loyalty but also encourages young drivers to make environmentally favorable choices. Focused on this youthful market segment, iCar is poised to become a frontrunner in the rapidly advancing EV landscape, adapting to and anticipating consumer trends and values.

Apr 26

Toyota Bolsters Indiana Facility for Advanced Electric SUV Production

Enhanced Electric Vehicle Production in Indiana

Toyota is ramping up its transition to electric vehicles with a $1.4 billion enhancement of its Princeton, Indiana plant. This facility, known for assembling the Toyota Sienna and Lexus TX, will now also produce a new three-row electric SUV. This initiative not only highlights Toyota’s dedication to expanding its electric lineup but also escalates the total plant investment to a notable $8 billion.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

This new venture will add 340 jobs to the existing workforce of 7,500 at the Princeton plant. It is a key part of Toyota’s wider $18.6 billion investment strategy aimed at boosting its U.S. electric vehicle production capabilities initiated in 2021. The expansion underscores Toyota’s commitment to stimulating economic growth and securing sustainable employment in the area.

Advancements in Production and Commitment to Quality

Toyota’s latest announcement includes setting up a new battery pack assembly line that will use lithium-ion batteries from its $13.9 billion North Carolina battery production plant, anticipated to start operations next year. This move is part of Toyota’s efforts to optimize its supply chain and enhance manufacturing efficiencies. Tim Hollander, the president of Toyota Indiana, highlighted the firm’s pledge to uphold high production quality and reliable job prospects, ensuring Toyota’s standards of excellence and dependability continue to meet customer expectations.

Enhanced Insights and Community Engagement

Solidifying the U.S. Manufacturing Presence

Toyota’s investments are pivotal in its shift towards electric vehicle technology, reinforcing its manufacturing base in the U.S. This expansion not only aligns with global sustainability efforts but also positions Toyota as a leader in the electric vehicle sector, poised to meet future market demands.

Strengthening Community Ties Through Employment

The addition of new jobs at the Princeton facility does more than enhance Toyota’s production capacity; it plays a crucial role in bolstering local economies. By providing new and stable employment opportunities, Toyota is actively contributing to the economic well-being of thousands of families, thereby reinforcing its role as a central community figure.

Upholding High Standards in Innovative Manufacturing

As Toyota forges ahead with the production of new electric models, it remains focused on delivering high-quality and high-performance vehicles. The investment in advanced manufacturing techniques and worker training ensures that the new electric SUVs adhere to the stringent quality standards Toyota is known for, enhancing consumer trust and satisfaction.

Apr 26

Woman who crashed SUV into birthday party at boat club, killing kids, is released is $1.5 million bond

The woman who crashed her SUV into the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County last weekend, killing two children, is now free on bond.

Marshella Chidester’s attorney told the Detroit Free Press the 66-year-old was released Thursday after posting her $1.5 million bond, with help from a surety company.

Chidester is accused of driving drunk when she crashed into the boat club, where a child’s birthday party was being held. She is charged with two counts of second degree murder, two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injuries

Footage from doorbell cameras show an SUV speeding before it crashes into the club. Two children, a brother and sister, ages 4 and 8, were killed. Their older brother and their mother were critically injured and remain hospitalized.

In total, officials said nine people were treated at hospitals, and others suffered minor injuries.

Family members of the children killed have already raised more than $225,000 through a GoFundMe page.

The family has also filed a lawsuit against Chidester and the bar where she was allegedly drinking prior to the crash, alleging gross negligence.

Chidester’s defense attorney contends she only had one glass of wine, wasn’t drunk, and crashed because she suffered a seizure behind the wheel.

Chidester faces up to life in prison if she is convicted on the murder charge.

Apr 26

Toyota confirms plans for second US-built 3-row electric SUV

Toyota on Thursday announced plans to invest $1.4 billion in its plant in Princeton, Indiana, to support production of a three-row electric SUV.

The investment also covers production of battery packs at the site using lithium-ion batteries supplied by a Toyota battery plant under construction in Liberty, North Carolina, and slated to start production in 2025.

The latest investment announcement brings Toyota’s total investments for U.S. production to $18.6 billion since 2021.

Toyota didn’t provide any details on the SUV but a spokesman told Automotive News (subscription required) it will be a Toyota-branded model larger than the three-row electric SUV Toyota plans to build at a plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Toyota BZ Large SUV

The SUV planned for Georgetown, which was announced in February and has received its own $1.3 billion investment, will also be a Toyota-branded model. It will be a midsize offering to be called the bZ5X. It’s due to start production in 2026 and is thought to have been previewed by one of the dozen of EV concepts Toyota rolled out in late 2021 (shown above).

Production of the SUV in Princeton is also expected to start in 2026, with sales to start late that year, pointing to an arrival as a 2027 model in the U.S.

The Princeton plant currently builds three gas-powered three-row SUVs: the Highlander, Grand Highlander, and related Lexus TX. It also builds the Sienna minivan. The planned electric SUV is rumored to carry the Grand Highlander nameplate.

Lexus is also planning to launch a three-row electric SUV that may be built at the Georgetown or Princeton plants. The vehicle may be called a TZ, judging by recent trademark activity. Such a name would indicate the SUV is an electric alternative to the TX.

Apr 26

Toyota’s $1.4 Billion Boost for Electric SUV Production in Indiana

Toyota’s Strategic Expansion in Indiana

Toyota is advancing its electric vehicle strategy with a significant $1.4 billion investment into its Indiana manufacturing facility to prepare for the production of a new three-row battery-electric SUV. This initiative will not only expand the plant’s capabilities but also create 340 new jobs, increasing Toyota’s total investment in this location to an impressive $8 billion. The expansion underscores Toyota’s commitment to enhancing its manufacturing footprint in the U.S. and transitioning towards more sustainable vehicle options.

Enhancing Production with Advanced Technology

The Indiana facility will see the addition of a new battery pack assembly line that will utilize lithium-ion batteries from Toyota Battery Manufacturing in North Carolina, another major investment set to start production in 2025. Tim Hollander, president of Toyota Indiana, emphasized the company’s dedication to maintaining high standards, stating that the team is focused on delivering the new electric SUV with the same level of quality and performance Toyota’s customers have come to expect. This facility is already a significant production hub, home to over 7,500 team members assembling popular models such as the Toyota Sienna, Highlander, Grand Highlander, and the Lexus TX.

Broader Impact and Future Projections

Toyota’s Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing and Electrification

With Toyota’s ongoing strategy to increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in the United States, this new investment is part of a broader $18.6 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing operations aimed at supporting the company’s electrification efforts. Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb praised the deepening partnership, noting that the collaboration between Indiana and Toyota has spurred job stability and economic opportunities in the Princeton area and beyond for nearly three decades. This latest investment follows a similar $1.3 billion infusion into Toyota’s Kentucky facility, marking a continued commitment to expanding the company’s electric vehicle production capacity in the U.S. and reinforcing its leadership in the automotive industry’s shift towards electrification.

Apr 22

Tragic Accident in Bengaluru: Toddler Fatally Injured by SUV Driven by Father

Heartbreaking Incident in Agara Village

In a devastating turn of events, a toddler was fatally run over by an SUV driven by her own father in Agara village, part of Bengaluru’s HSR Layout. The accident occurred late Sunday night right in front of their home. This tragic incident unfolded shortly after the family had returned from a wedding celebration in Channapatna, marking a sorrowful end to their day.

Circumstances Leading to the Tragedy

The young girl, identified as one-and-a-half-year-old Shazia Jannat, had just alighted from the vehicle along with her mother and other family members. While standing near the SUV, her father, unaware of her position near the vehicle, began to drive away, tragically running over her with the offside wheel. The father only realized the heartbreaking accident after being alerted by other family members.

Legal Consequences and Community Impact

Investigation and Aftermath

Following the incident, which was recorded on a nearby building’s CCTV system, local authorities were quick to respond. The HSR Layout traffic police have registered a case against the father for causing death by negligence under IPC section 304 A. He was subsequently arrested and later released on bail. This incident has not only caused immense grief to the family but also raised concerns about vehicle safety and awareness in residential areas, highlighting the critical need for caution and vigilance to prevent such accidents in the future.

Apr 22

Four tons of gravel spill when an SUV makes a bad lane change

Four tons of gravel spill when an SUV makes a bad lane change into a semi truck at an intersection.

The accident happened on SR 56 east of Interstate 75 in Wesley Chapel, Florida on Monday, April 22nd, reported News Channel 8.

In the video, the SUV and the truck hauling gravel are both approaching an intersection when the SUV just smacks right into the semi truck. The force of the impact sends both vehicles skidding and the truck overturns in the middle of the intersection, spilling almost four tons of gravel.

Both the 78-year-old motorist and the 59-year-old trucker sustained only minor injuries in the crash.

Watch the video of the incident, below.

Apr 22

Tragic Skateboarding Accident Involving Multnomah County SUV Results in Critical Injuries

Accident Details

Early Saturday morning, a grave accident occurred when Zane Everson, a 29-year-old skateboarder, collided with a Multnomah County SUV. The incident took place on NE Corbett Hill Road near Reed Road, where it’s reported that Everson lost his balance while turning a curve, unintentionally crossing into the opposite lane and striking the SUV. The Oregon State Police are actively investigating this incident, which underscores the significant risks skateboarders face on public roadways.

Response to the Accident

Everson was urgently airlifted to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) via Life Flight, indicating the critical nature of his injuries. As of now, details about his condition remain sparse, pending further updates. Meanwhile, the SUV driver was found to be unharmed, and the vehicle involved was not significantly damaged, eliminating the need for towing.

Broader Safety Implications

Evaluating Road Safety for Non-Motorized Users

This distressing event acts as a critical reminder of the inherent dangers present when different modes of transportation share the same road space. It highlights an urgent need for increased vigilance and improved safety protocols to protect vulnerable road users like skateboarders. Moving forward, there may be a push for stricter safety regulations and enhancements to road design, especially in areas frequented by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles, to prevent future tragedies and ensure safer roads for everyone.