Pleased Tuesday! It is December 16, 2025, and that is The Morning Shift — your each 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 can be shaping the way in which Individuals drive and get round.
On this morning’s version, we’re taking a look at yet one more NHTSA investigation into Tesla’s doorways, in addition to Waymo’s makes an attempt to make its automobiles work when visitors lights do not. We’ll additionally have 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 demise.” That investigation initially solely targeted on the Mannequin Y, however now it is expanded to incorporate the Mannequin 3 as properly. Given how comparable Tesla’s handles are throughout its lineup, do not be shocked if the Mannequin S, Mannequin X, and Cybertruck get hit too. From Reuters:
Dec 24 (Reuters) – The U.S. auto security regulator mentioned on Wednesday it has opened a defect investigation into Tesla Mannequin 3 compact sedans over considerations that emergency door launch controls is probably not simply accessible or clearly identifiable in an emergency.
The Workplace of Defects Investigation mentioned the probe covers an estimated 179,071 mannequin yr 2022 autos.
The investigation was opened on December 23 after the company obtained a defect petition alleging that the autos’ mechanical door launch is hidden, unlabeled and never intuitive to find throughout emergencies.
Simply final week, Bloomberg discovered not less than 15 fatalities brought on by 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 rely may very well be even greater.
2nd Gear: Waymo is updating its automobiles after San Francisco robotaxis floor to a halt
Final week, Waymo automobiles throughout the Bay Space got here to harmful standstills in the midst of intersections, blocking roadways after visitors lights had been hit by an influence outage. Now, the corporate is doing its greatest to make sure its automobiles do not try this once more. From Reuters:
Alphabet unit Waymo mentioned on Tuesday it can replace software program used to function its self-driving autos and enhance its emergency response protocols after its robotaxis stalled in elements of San Francisco on Saturday as a result of a widespread energy outage that snarled visitors and gridlocked elements of the town.
Waymo paused service Saturday night following a hearth at a PG&E substation that knocked out energy to roughly one-third of the town, affecting about 130,000 residents and forcing some companies to shut briefly.
Plenty 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 mentioned its self-driving autos are designed to deal with darkish visitors indicators at four-way stops however they could sometimes request a affirmation test.
If Waymo automobiles are “designed to deal with darkish visitors indicators,” however did not really handle to deal with these darkish visitors indicators, it feels like they are not functioning as designed. Only a reminder that every one robotaxis are beta merchandise, and firms are testing them by simply handing software program management of hundreds of kilos of metallic and glass that would properly hit you at any time.
third Gear: Toyota had a mediocre November, and China’s responsible
Toyota is likely one of the world’s largest automakers, however it’s not infallible. Living proof, it struggled in November because of drops in gross sales in maybe the world’s most essential automotive market: China. It is probably not 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 automobiles.
International gross sales — together with at subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. — fell 1.9% within the interval from a yr earlier to 965,919 items, the Japanese carmaker mentioned Thursday. Manufacturing shrank 3.4% to 934,001 autos.
Toyota and Lexus model gross sales in China fell 12% in November, the corporate mentioned, citing the tip of trade-in subsidies in main cities as funds ran dry. The figures had 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 number 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, however it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if different automakers confronted the identical points as extra numbers for the month roll out.
4th Gear: Hyundai remembers 52,000 automobiles over fireplace danger
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 responsible. From Reuters:
Hyundai Motor is recalling 51,587 autos within the U.S. as a result of a brief circuit in non-functioning trailer lights, brought on by incorrect set up of the wiring harness, may enhance the chance of fireside, the U.S. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration mentioned on Wednesday.
As a treatment, homeowners are suggested to park exterior and away from buildings till the recall restore is full. Sellers will change 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. Provided that the harness solely matches the Tucson, although, you may guess which homeowners shall be getting notices to take their automobile in to the seller.
Reverse: Linda Blair was born harmless
On The Radio: Kali Uchis – ‘Ridin Spherical’
Apparently I’ve by no means used this monitor 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.”
