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Weekly Recap: Autonomous driving goes commercial in Nevada

Nevada granted Daimler Trucks North America the first license to run an autonomous commercial vehicle on public roads in the United States Tuesday, marking another milestone in the technology's rapid advancement. Gov. Brian Sandoval and Daimler truck chief Wolfgang Bernhard promptly used the license to lap Highway 15 near Las Vegas in a newly revealed Freightliner Inspiration Truck. It was a clear signal that autonomous driving is big-rig reality, though it's still a long way from widespread use. Nevada certified two of Daimler's Freightliner Inspiration Trucks, which use the company's Highway Pilot system with a stereo camera, radar, and lane-keeping collision-prevention features to regulate the brakes and steering. The radar component has a long-range sensor that can cover 820 feet at an 18-degree angle and a shorter-range unit that stretches 230 feet at a 130-degree angle. The Inspiration trucks are based on the existing Freightliner Cascadia Evolution model used on US roads. In addition to the autonomous technologies, it also has futuristic design cues, including blue lighting in the front and a new hood and grille. While there are only two Freightliner Inspiration trucks in existence, Daimler expects to bring the Highway Pilot system into mass-produced big rigs by 2025, in time to capitalize on the market's predicted growth. The German truckmaker predicts the global hauling market will triple by 2050, and the United States will be a key part of that growth. Trucks carry 69.1 percent the nation's domestic freight tonnage and hauled 9.7 billion tons of freight in 2013, according to the American Trucking Association. Daimler expects autonomous driving to augment this growth, and perhaps evolve the role of the truck driver. Still, the company points out autonomous tech is not meant to replace drivers, but to assist them and relieve fatigue and monotony on long hauls. The driver has to stay in control for passing, in city traffic, and when hooking up the trailer. The company said autonomous driving also offers the potential for improved fuel economy – tests showed a five-percent gain – and lower maintenance costs. Daimler also said the technology could reduce congestion on the road. Much of this is attributable to the constant flow of traffic, which is aided by autonomous driving. While the benefits are becoming increasingly apparent, autonomous technology is still met with skepticism.

Seventies super-salesman challenges new car-sales record

Some of the fondest memories from my youth were the Sunday afternoons spent walking between rows of new and used cars. This preceded the advent of widely available internet, so the cars didn't sell themselves online: A tentative buyer had to come see the cars in the metal, with old-school salesmen taking well-earned smoke breaks after putting someone behind the wheel of a new Saab 900. All-inclusive subscription services were unheard of. If you open a Guinness records book and look up car salesmen, you'll find Joe Girard. The definitely old-school Detroit salesman regularly sold over 1,000 new cars per year, with a particular high point of 1,425 cars in 1973 guaranteeing him a mention in the Guinness book. To reach that kind of sales figure, you had to be a pretty special salesman, and Girard was. He didn't take breaks unless absolutely necessary, and even his lunch hours were dedicated to selling more cars instead of shooting the breeze with other sales persons. By 1977 he was worn through, having sold over 13,000 cars in his career, and his physique couldn't take it anymore. He's been a motivational speaker since. Now, 44 years later, a Dearborn, Mich., Cadillac and Chevrolet salesman named Ali Reda has reportedly broken Girard's record. The books at Les Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac say Reda sold 1,530 new cars and 52 used cars in 2017, averaging 130 vehicles per month. But after Girard, 89, heard of the sales record, he called his attorney, not letting his record be broken without a fight — or at least an audit. The Dearborn dealer isn't too concerned about Girard's doubts, at least according to Gary Stanford, whose father founded the dealership. "It's very official, trust me," said Stanford to the Detroit Free Press. "Ali is the hardest worker I've ever seen. And if someone doesn't believe the data, well, they're more than welcome to consult with GM. It's all there in black and white." What Girard doesn't get is that Reda was honoring him with the accomplishment. "I read his book, 'How to Sell Anything to Anybody,' and it said it would teach you how to become the best," said Reda, who at age 44 was a newborn when Girard hit his peak. "He's an absolute legend in the industry. Your whole career, you're chasing his name.

Chevy rolls out Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition at SEMA

It's not just concept vehicles that Chevy is showcasing at SEMA this year. The Bowtie brand is also taking the occasion of the tuner expo to reveal the new Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition. The special edition of the flagship performance model pays tribute to the racing model with a series of special touches and upgrades. The C7.R edition is based on the Z06 in 3LZ trim, and comes equipped with the Z07 Performance Package, including Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. But that's not the end of the story. It also includes special graphics, yellow brake calipers, yellow-striped black wheels, a carbon ground effects package, carbon hood section, metallic gray grilles and vents, and a black leather interior with sueded microfiber trim, Competition Sports seats, and yellow stitching. Buyers will be able to order theirs in black or yellow and in either coupe or convertible body-styles. Only 650 examples will be made, of which 500 will remain in the United States, and each of them is individually numbered starting with the VIN 700001. Of course, being based on the Z06 we already know, it packs a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine good for 650 horsepower and an equal measure of torque. With the Z06 pack, that translates to a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds for the automatic version and 3.2 for the manual. Related Video: Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition Pays Tribute to Racing Legacy Distinctive appearance package complements capability with special-edition style LAS VEGAS – When the Z06 rejoined the Corvette lineup in 2015 as the most capable model in the car's long, storied history, it also joined an elite fraternity of the world's most capable supercars – with performance proven on the track, including winning Car and Driver's 2015 Lightning Lap evaluation. The Corvette Z06's capability is derived in no small part from technology and experience leveraged from the championship Corvette Racing program. That connection is celebrated with the 2016 C7.R Edition. It's offered in Corvette Racing's signature yellow livery – or black – with coordinated exterior and interior accents. Only 650 will be built (500 for the U.S. market), all with the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, and a specially serialized vehicle identification number.