mega cruise autos

Jan. 09, 1996

TOYOTA INTRODUCES THE MEGA CRUISER

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION announced today that it has launched the Mega Cruiser, a new four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle with outstanding capabilities for working in arduous conditions such as in rescue work during natural disasters. The new model goes on sale today at Toyota dealers nationwide.

The Mega Cruiser, with its advanced technology and small turning radius, provides outstanding performance in difficult driving conditions such as on rough-terrain and steep slopes. As an entirely new type of 4WD vehicle, the Mega Cruiser can perform rescue and reconstruction work in circumstances where other such vehicles would have difficulties. The vehicle is also suitable for research and exploration work under harsh conditions.

• Outstanding mobility in rough terrain and on steep slopes provided by such specifications as a 5.6m turning radius, four-wheel steering (4WS), full-time 4WD, two-speed transfer with center differential lock, a large approach and departure angle, and a high (420mm) ground clearance.
• Large, functional cabin accommodating six people, a 2,050mm-wide luggage area with a load capacity of 600kg.

Mega Cruiser (with options)

• The two-speed transfer, that makes the vehicle suitable for either normal (high speed) or low-speed traversal of obstacle strewn or rough terrain, is equipped with a center differential lock. Front and rear differentials have a "Torsen" (torque-sensing) limited slip differential (LSD) and differential lock as standard equipment, enabling the vehicle to extract itself from the worst predicaments.
• The Mega Cruiser boasts a turning radius of only 5.6m, despite its wide track and long (3,395mm) wheelbase, thanks to the reverse-phase 4WS that turns the rear wheels to a maximum angle of 12 degrees.
• A hub reduction mechanism drives the hubs via gears enabling the drive shaft to be offset and in a high position. This, along with large-diameter (37-inch) tires, helps achieve a 420mm ground clearance. The high ground clearance and the large approach and departure angle produce unmatched rough-terrain driving performance.
• The 4.1-liter 15B-FT diesel direct-injection turbo engine with intercooler produces an immense torque of 39.0kg-m at 1,800rpm, providing ample power.
• A double-wishbone, four-wheel independent suspension has been adopted to provide controllability, running stability, and a high level of riding comfort, suitable for transporting accident or disaster victims.
• The braking system consists of inboard-type ventilated disks―placed close to the differentials―on all four wheels to reduce unsprung weight.
• A tire pressure control that reduces rear tire pressure during driving is available as an option. This is for better drivability in mud and snow.
• A large, comfortable cabin space creates seating for two passengers in the front and four in the rear. The 2,050mm-wide luggage space and 600kg load capacity allows the Mega Cruiser to haul large and heavy rescue equipment.
• The center rear seat folds forward to allow greater access to luggage space. Folding steps to the cargo area are also provided.
• A detachable tilt-up sunroof is available as an option.
• Customized and special equipment will also be made available to meet different vehicle needs.

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Two Military-Spec Toyota Mega Cruisers Are Somehow for Sale in America Right Now

Neither of them are 25 years old yet, so we're not sure how they got here.

Like the rarer, more expensive civilian-spec Mega Cruiser, the military variants use a turbodiesel inline-four that sends power to all four wheels via a 4WD system with three locking differentials. The trucks use the same steering wheels, shifter and gauge cluster, but almost everything else is stripped out in the name of space. These two Mega Cruisers are troop carriers, likely used to move personnel from place to place when they were new.

The dark-green painted example seems to be in fair condition, with some surface rust inside and an odometer reading of 63,750 kilometers (39,612 miles). The unpainted model is slightly worse off, with rusted quarter panels that need immediate addressing.

The seller doesn't explain how the 2002 model-year Mega Cruisers ended up in Pennsylvania, but says they both have titles that can be transferred to any state except California. A windshield sticker suggests they're somehow connected to unusual-auto.com , a Pennsylvania JDM importer (though neither truck is listed on their site).

The seller is asking $28,000 for either Mega Cruiser as-is, or $38,000 for either truck "restored/repainted." That's a lot of money for a shady import, we know. But it's a whole lot less than a civilian-spec Mega Cruiser—those usually go for six figures.

via Mike Austin on Twitter

Brian Silvestro is Hearst Autos' former lead deputy editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine where he contributed car reviews, industry interviews, and more. He has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.

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Incredibly Rare Toyota Mega Cruiser Sells For $310k Because Unicorns Are Very Expensive

It might sound too expensive, but good luck finding another Mega Cruiser with a US title

by Thanos Pappas

The Toyota Mega Cruiser , also known as the Japanese Hummer and the undeniable flagship of Toyota’s off-roaders, is a truly rare sight. However, a civilian example of the military truck was recently auctioned in the US, bringing in an impressive $310,000.

It is believed that only 150 out of the 3,000 Mega Cruisers produced between 1995 and 2001 were civilian versions, with the rest reserved for military use (codenamed BXD10). This example is even more special, as one of the few that have been converted to left-hand-drive configuration. According to the listing on Cars and Bids , it was imported from Kazakhstan and comes with a Colorado license, having an odometer reading of 90,900 km (56,500 miles) since new.

Also Read: Dongfeng Warrior M50 Is A Civilian Pickup Version Of China’s Reverse Engineered Hummer H1

The Mega Cruiser is actually larger than the Hummer H1, measuring 5,090 mm (200.4 inches) long, 2,169 mm (85.4 inches) wide, and 2,075 mm (81.7 inches) tall. In addition, and thanks to Toyota’s engineering, it is half a ton lighter than its American rival , weighing “only” 2.9 tonnes (6,393 pounds). This specific example also appears to be in a rather nice condition, featuring a ladder, providing access to the Gamiviti roof rack.

Inside the cabin, which is divided by a massive central tunnel exactly like the H1, we find four seats, leather upholstery, an aftermarket stereo with a trunk-mounted subwoofer, electric windows, heated seats, LED lighting, a refrigerator, a retractable table, a set of screens on the dashboard, and three more roof-mounted displays at the back. More importantly, the cargo space is occupied by a bed , where you can take a nap, relax, watch your favorite TV shows or listen to music.

Power comes from a 4.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 153 hp (114 kW / 155 PS) and 382 Nm (282 lb-ft) of torque which is transmitted to all four wheels through a four-speed automatic gearbox, a two-speed transfer case, and a trio of locking differentials. Features include independent suspension with a softer setup in the civilian version, portal axles, in-board brakes, four-wheel-steering, and a tire inflation system.

Doug de Muro actually reviewed this specific Toyota Mega Cruiser before the vehicle changed hands on his auction website. People in the US first got the chance to import the unicorn off-roader in 2020, when it turned 25 years old. This could mean that we might be seeing a few more of these mega-rare trucks arriving on US shores – especially after this result.

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2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore EV Droptop Forecasts Sunny Days Ahead

The convertible variant of the electric GranTurismo Folgore puts Maserati closer to a full lineup of EVs.

• Based on the GranTurismo Folgore , the GranCabrio version boasts a tri-motor electric powertrain with 818 horsepower.
• Curvaceous sheetmetal and a posh cabin make the GranCabrio Folgore a real stunner. Expect a six-figure price tag and an on-sale date by year's end.

The weather man in Maserati's hometown of Modena better be calling for a blue-sky summer because the Italian luxury automaker's latest EV is a soft-top convertible called GranCabrio Folgore. While the gas-powered GranCabrio debuted back in February in the waning days of winter, Maserati today pulled the covers off the Folgore variant in sunny Rimini, Italy.

Meet the GranCabrio, a Gorgeous Droptop

The GranCabrio Folgore, which is expected to be a 2025 model, is the electric variant of the gas-powered GranCabrio and is closely related to the GranTurismo Folgore coupe. So closely, in fact, that the two cars share a sculptural exterior design and an 818-hp electric powertrain.

Powering its three electric motors is an 83.0-kWh battery pack. And we expect the powertrain to provide nearly identical performance to that of the GranTurismo Folgore . That suggests a 60-mph time of 2.7 seconds, a quarter-mile run under 11.0 seconds, and a driving-range estimate around 240 miles per charge.

Like its coupe twin, the GranCabrio Folgore uses the brand's 800-volt architecture and uniquely shaped battery pack that's not a flat-panel typical of EVs. Instead, this T-shaped pack is designed to fit inside what would otherwise be the transmission and driveline tunnel, helping to avoid the sort of tall-in-the-saddle seating height of EV cars with the traditional layout.

The electric GranCabrio's cabin includes a premium ambiance, eco-friendly materials, and desirable tech features. The soft top quickly folds at speeds up to 31 mph and is designed to stow in the most compact shape possible to preserve trunk space. Passenger room is plentiful in the front seat, but although the rear seats are capable of fitting adult riders, we suspect most won't find it particularly comfortable.

While leather is available, the GranCabrio Folgore comes standard with a silky-feeling upholstery on the seats made from Econyl, a synthetic fiber made from recycled nylon, which also features laser-etched perforations that create an eye-catching design. If you're hoping to enjoy a top-down cruise under the stars, Maserati has fitted neck warmers to the two front seats in case you get chilly.

The front seats offer 18-way adjustability and a leather-wrapped steering wheel features brushed-aluminum paddle shifters and a start-stop button on the left spoke. A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and separate touch-controlled climate functions are standard, as is a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wireless), a head-up display, and a 16-speaker Sonus Faber sound system; a 19-speaker Sonus Faber stereo is optional.

A staggered wheel-and-tire package is standard, with 20-inch front wheels on 265-section-width tires and 21-inch rear wheels on 295-section-width tires. No less than six different wheel designs are offered, which are also available in four different finishes. Low rolling-resistance tires are optional and designed to improve range, but we suspect that will come at a cost to cornering grip.

Driver-assistance features are on the menu too, with the GranCabrio's front Trident logo hiding a sensor for adaptive cruise control. Automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree exterior camera system are also standard.

There aren't any other convertible electric vehicles on the market today, unless you count the plug-in-hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe (we don't). That makes the GranCabrio Folgore a unique prospect. Prepare to pay dearly for it, though, as we expect this stunner to start around $220,000. It's expected to reach dealer showrooms near the end of this year or in early 2025.

Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.      

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On the world’s largest cruise ships, bigger means bolder adventures. There isn’t a holiday in the world that packs more adventure into one week than Oasis Class ships – Harmony®, Allure®, Symphony®, Oasis®, Wonder® and Utopia of the Seas℠. Whether you’re looking forward to a thrill-filled getaway with a squad that spans several generations, or a sun-soaked couples’ retreat elevated by world class dining and electrifying nightlife, each Oasis Class cruise ship offers experiences to wow every kind of traveler. Discover why the largest cruise ships sailing to Caribbean and Europe vacation destinations are consistently awarded Best Ship year after year by Travel Weekly readers. 

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With more than 16 decks and 20 restaurants, 7 distinct neighborhoods bustling with unique onboard experiences, and endless thrills to discover around every corner, the world’s largest cruise ships serve up expeditions filled with excitement drenched slides and rides, shows that transcend the stage, and gourmet globetrotting from Italy to Wonderland.

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Go big on bold when you sail aboard the three largest cruise ships in the world. Deck-defying attractions aren’t the only things to look forward to when you sail onboard the newest cruise ships addition to the Oasis Class.

utopia OF THE SEAS℠

Introducing Utopia of the Seas℠ — the ship that’s totally transforming weekends for good. We’re talking bigger flavors. Bolder play. And better chill days than you’ve ever imagined. No craving goes unsatisfied with over 40 ways to dine and drink. New charttopping showstoppers blow your mind on stage, ice, water and air. This is not a routine recharge. This is the World’s Biggest Weekend — arriving in summer 2024 to Port Canaveral.

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Wonder of the Seas® brings even bigger adventures to the award-winning Oasis Class. Like eight unique neighborhoods, including the Suite Neighborhood. A totally redesigned pool deck with more ways to soak up the sun —or shade —than ever before. The most immersive AquaTheater ever, with a game-changing surround-stage that makes you feel part of the action.

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There isn’t a vacation in the world that packs more adventure into one week than Oasis Class ships — Harmony®, Allure®, Symphony®, Oasis, Wonder®   and Utopia of the Seas ℠ . With ships this packed with adventure, next-level thrills never ends.

OASIS OF THE SEAS

Reimagined from bow to stern, the Amplified Oasis of the Seas® is loaded with fresh and exciting things to do to level up your romantic retreat — including bars, entertainment and dance floors that keep the fun going long into the night.

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ALLURE OF THE SEAS

The most awarded ship in the world is stealing the spotlight again for entertainment, dining, family activities and more, it’s filled with endless ways to make every moment incredible.

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HARMONY OF THE SEAS

Rally the crew for the boldest family vacation ever. Harmony of the Seas® offers thrills for all ages, like the tallest slide at sea, surf sessions on the FlowRider®* and plenty of unique spaces just for kids of all ages.

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DISCOVER. PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

Forget everything you thought you knew about beach days, because this private island destination is raising the standard to a whole new level. Experience elevated island vibes while lounging in The Bahamas’ only private overwater cabanas. Earn bragging rights on the tallest waterslide in North America. And take your vacation to new heights — literally — in a helium balloon ride above the island. This is Perfect Day at CocoCay — only on Royal Caribbean®.

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SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS ENDLESS WAYS TO EXPLORE

Get ready for an unforgettable getaway filled with first-of-their-kind feats, including seven distinct and vibrant neighborhoods that each offer up bucket list adventures, palate-pleasing dining and inspiring entertainment to rival any cosmopolitan city on land — and they’re only found on Oasis Class ships by Royal Caribbean®. 

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Cruise’s fleet of vehicles are back on the road — but with a major catch

• Cruise resuming operations comes after a several month stop in operation after California pulled the permit allowing the GM-owned brand to operate. 
• The vehicles are back on the road in Phoenix, but with one major change.

After halting the operation of self-driving vehicles across the United States in October 2024, Cruise is coming back. While the fleet still consists of cars with custom branding and self-driving capabilities, they will not be driven alone.

The company is resuming operations with “manual driving” focusing on creating maps for the locale and learning about the roads. In a blog post announcing the resumption, Cruise writes : “This work is done using human-driven vehicles without autonomous systems engaged, and is a critical step for validating our self-driving systems as we work towards returning to our driverless mission.”

Related: Driverless car company explains urgent reason it ceased operating

You may recall that Cruise had to pause its operations across the United States after its permit to test and operate driverless vehicles was pulled in California . That came after it was discovered that the GM-owned and operated driverless car operation initially misrepresented an incident in which a Cruise vehicle hit a pedestrian. With that pause, Cruise suspended operations in San Francisco as well as Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Phoenix.

While GM Cruise was previously steadfastly focused on self-driving and driver-less robotaxis, it’s clear it is going back to basics. This move may inspire more consumer confidence and hopefully build up a better training set of data to improve performance.

This restart also comes shortly after Elon Musk announced via X (formerly Twitter) that Tesla will unveil its robotaxi on Aug. 8, 2024. With driver-operated vehicles and a large amount of data gathering, Cruise is hoping to set a higher bar on performance and safety. It’s clear that GM eventually wants the Cruise vehicles to return to robotaxi form, as the blog post also noted that the cars will be tested on closed courses before being set on public roads.

You can see the full blog post from Cruise here , and we’ll update if more details emerge on an expansion of driver-operated rides and if we get a formal date of a return to self-driving confirmed.

Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024

GM announces Cruise to reintroduce human-driven vehicle fleet in Phoenix

General Motors'  (GM.N)  autonomous driving startup, Cruise, said on Tuesday it would reintroduce a small fleet of human-driven vehicles in some cities, starting with Phoenix, about six months after it suspended operations following an incident in San Francisco.

The company had  suspended  its U.S. operations last October after a pedestrian in San Francisco hit by another car was dragged by one of its robotaxis.

"Cruise is resuming manual driving to create maps and gather road information in select cities, starting in Phoenix. This work is done using human-driven vehicles without autonomous systems engaged," the company said in a blog post.

Cruise said the move is key to validating its self-driving systems in its path to return to driverless operations.

Its rival Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving startup, has been operating and expanding services in Phoenix for several years and recently began offering driverless rides on freeways in the Arizona city.

Cruise update: GM plans to put totally driverless vehicles back on U.S. roads

Under Cruise's former CEO Kyle Vogt, company officials had earlier said their decision to focus on San Francisco would deliver a more robust autonomous vehicle technology than developing software on the broad boulevards of a city like Phoenix.

Cruise said during the operational pause over the last few months, it has been conducting extensive tests in complex environments and on closed courses to ensure continuous retraining and improvement.

Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and Joe White in Detroit; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar .

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Mega Cruise rolls on at the airport

PENN TWP — An overcast gray sky and the threat of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of car enthusiasts at 21st annual Mega Cruise at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport on Saturday.

The gates opened for spectators at 2 p.m., but cars, motorcycles and trucks began rolling onto airport runways early in the morning, according to Kevin Shoemaker, vice president and fundraising chairman of the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department, which stages the annual event.

A suggested admission donation of $2 benefits the Penn Township VFD and help with event costs, but cruise cars get in free, Shoemaker said.

“It’s more of a community event, and we do make some money, which goes to training, equipment repair and new equipment,” Shoemaker said.

“We get a lot of people from the community that come to see the cars, and we have a lot of community groups that come and have displays, like the VFW and Legion Riders and the Shriners,” he said.

“They do a lot of things for the community and we try to accommodate them,” Shoemaker said.

“This year, I’m expecting over 1,200 vehicles, and we expect to have 2,500 to 3,000 spectators,” he said.

There was also food, beverages, music, a 50/50 raffle and a basket auction in a hangar. The first 600 vehicles received dash plaques and a Mega Cruise program.

Kim Getz, who was working the fire department’s Mega Cruise 2022 T-shirt table, said she was selling out even before the Mega Cruise had officially begun.

“I had a whole tableful. Now it’s just what you see,” she said. “It’s because people collect these that the table is clearing out.”

Mary Core, who was selling tickets at the basket raffle table for the department along with Sherry Glace, said ticket sales were steady.

“I think the weather might be keeping a few away. But it’s just overcast. But it’s nice, nobody’s sweating. The temperature’s beautiful,” Core said.

Out on the runway, Tony and Diane Calderone of Renfrew were showing off Tony’s 1958 Buick Special convertible, which he bought when he was 19.

Calderone pointed out that the fender guards were mounted with a V, signifying the Buick’s V-8 engine.

“It’s got all its original parts. I’m looking at getting a new top soon,” he said.

“I worked since I was young, since I was 9,” and saved up to buy the Buick, he said.

“I didn’t use it much. I still don’t drive it much,” saying the car had only 31,000 miles on the odometer and still had the original spare tire in the trunk.

The classic had one drawback, though. “You don’t get too much gas mileage. You couldn’t pass too many gas stations. That’s just the way they made them,” Calderone said.

Members of the Butler Old Stone Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America were showing off even older cars: a 1939 Bantam Roadster built in Butler, now owned by the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau; and a 1909 Huselton, one of only 13 Huseltons made, and the only one that is still around.

Club member Bob Cochran said the club maintains and takes the pair and other vintage automobiles to events such as the Mega Cruise.

“We try to educate (the public) that these cars were built here,” Cochran said.

Club president Dan Sum said the Huselton is owned by the City of Butler. The Huselton was the personal vehicle of Edgar Huselton Sr., the first car dealer in Butler County.

When Huselton’s grandson found it in an Ohio barn, he began a restoration, Sum said.

“He came to an arrangement with the City of Butler, which got the title in exchange for the club would finish the restoration,” he said.

Sum added, “I don’t own an old car myself, but I’m fascinated by the simplicity of them. Computers were never meant to be on wheels.”

Tom and Leslie Webb of Wexford brought their 1967 Firebird to the event.

“We got it six years ago. We did a complete restoration down to the frame,” Tom Webb said.

“She only comes out in nice weather. She wasn’t going to come out if it was raining today,” he added.

“We like to look at other cars and let people see ours. It’s a work of art and we let other people appreciate it,” he said.

Jim Zimmerman of Penn Township was showing off his 1983 Chevy S10 truck that he had overhauled after his brother found the truck in Florida and had shipped to Pennsylvania.

He said he spent four years putting a Chrysler V-8 engine, transmission and rear end in the truck.

“I rebuilt the frame to fit the big tires,” Zimmerman said which meant he had to move the truck’s gas tank to the truck bed and the battery into a tool box also resting in the bed. Next up, he said, was giving the truck a new paint job.

Adam Kennihan of Valencia was showing off his 2010 yellow Camaro that had the “Transformers” factory option because it was the model that transformed into the autobot Bumblebee in the “Transformers” movie.

“I fell in love with it when I saw the movie. It was my dream car,” he said. “We found it in a barn in Baltimore. It was in pristine condition, just as it is.”

The Mega Cruise continued until a fireworks show at 9:50 p.m.

Shoemaker said about organizing the Mega Cruise, “I don’t know how long I’ve done it. The nice thing is that people know what the rules are and the jobs are, and everybody pitches in.”

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GM's robotaxi unit Cruise to resume operations with small human-driven fleet in Arizona

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Tesla tries legal 'Band-Aid' to revive Musk's huge pay deal

Tesla and Elon Musk are seizing upon an obscure provision in corporate law to attempt to restore Musk's $56 billion pay package, in an untested move that could again mire the company in litigation, legal experts said.

GM’s Cruise robotaxis are back in Phoenix — but people are driving them

General Motors’ Cruise is redeploying robotaxis in Phoenix after nearly five months of paused operations, the company said in a blog post. The catch? The cars will be in “manual mode,” so they won’t be driving themselves.

Cruise will resume manual driving of its autonomous vehicles to create maps and gather road information in certain cities, starting with Phoenix, the company said Tuesday. The GM subsidiary already had a presence in Phoenix before it pulled its entire U.S.-based fleet last year following an incident in San Francisco that left a pedestrian stuck under and dragged by a Cruise robotaxi.

Prior to that incident, Cruise had been announcing launches in new cities — including Dallas, Houston and Miami — at a startling pace. Critics accused the company of expanding too fast and cutting corners on safety.

Today, we’re taking an important next step in returning to our mission: we're reintroducing a small fleet of human-driven vehicles in select cities – starting in Phoenix. These vehicles will create maps and gather road information, a critical step for validating future… — cruise (@Cruise) April 9, 2024

Now Cruise appears to be going back to basics, a sharp pivot away from the aggressive growth strategy the company has been pursuing for the last few years. In 2022, former Cruise CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt — who stepped down amid last year’s controversy — told investors that Cruise had “ de-risked the technical approach ” by applying what worked well in San Francisco to similar ride-share markets. 

In a blog post published Tuesday that reads like it could have been written in 2018, Cruise explains how it needs to first identify high-fidelity location data for road features and map information like speed limits and lane paint so that the AV can understand where it is in relation to its environment. The post then goes on to chart out how Cruise will eventually make it back to fully autonomous operations: slowly, supervised by humans, and with continuous validation of the technology. 

All of these steps are part and parcel of building and expanding a self-driving car business, which leaves us wondering if Cruise is spelling out the obvious for the public’s benefit, or if its new safety team is scrapping its old technology and starting over? 

A Cruise spokesperson declined to comment on the company’s strategy. 

The October incident wasn’t the first time Cruise’s technology has caused problems. Even as Cruise expanded to new cities in the second half of 2023, its robotaxis were routinely malfunctioning in cities like San Francisco and Austin, disrupting the flow of traffic, public transit and first responders. 

Technological issues aside, what really put Cruise in hot water late last year was its response to the incident. Regulators accused the company of withholding information about the crash, only sharing that a Cruise robotaxi ran over a pedestrian who had been flung into its path after first being struck by a human-driven vehicle. A n internal report conducted by law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and released in January confirmed that Cruise employees weren’t forthcoming with what happened after the Cruise vehicle ran over the pedestrian, only sharing days later that the robotaxi’s pullover maneuver resulted in the pedestrian being dragged for 20 feet. 

The mishandling of the information resulted in parent company GM slashing spending and taking greater control of Cruise . 

A big part of Cruise’s strategy moving forward, as outlined in Tuesday’s blog post, involves reforming and establishing updated incident response and crisis management protocols to ensure more efficient and transparent responses in the future. The company says it will also work on improved engagement with first responders to facilitate trainings in each precinct it plans to operate in. 

Cruise has not announced when or where it will resume driverless operations. The company’s main operations were historically based in San Francisco, but Cruise lost its permits to operate there following the accident. Cruise began expanding its paid service area in the Phoenix area in August 2023 . Alphabet’s Waymo — Cruise’s main competitor that’s still active in San Francisco — has operated a paid, driverless robotaxi service in the area since 2020 and last year doubled its service area in downtown Phoenix and launched driverless rides to the airport.

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Texas Mother Arrested After Leaving Her Young Children Home Alone to Go on Cruise

According to police, the apartment was in “disarray” and smelled like urine.

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A Texas mother is facing time behind bars after allegedly leaving her young children home alone while she went on vacation.

As reported by KHOU 11, Lakesha Woods Williams is facing a child abandonment charge after she allegedly left her two young children, aged 6 and 8 years old, alone in her Houston apartment for nearly a week while she was on a cruise.

Williams, 29, was arrested and booked into jail last Thursday and has been charged with abandoning a child with intent to return. She is being held on a $25,000 bond.

The mother of two was arrested after police received a a call from a neighbor who was concerned about the children's safety. According to police, the apartment was in “disarray,” as the officers who arrived at the scene said trash and leftover food was scattered around the home, which also smelled like urine.

“On April 9th, deputies found the children alone in the apartment, and they told deputies their mother was on a cruise,” police said in its news release. “Paramedics and CPS were called to the scene to check on the kids' health and safety.”

A spokesman for the constable’s office said that Williams returned home April 10, six days after her children told police their mother left for a cruise on April 4.

"We are still putting together the facts and circumstances of how these children were left alone for several days," Constable Ted Heap said in a post on Facebook. "But the important thing is they are safe now and those responsible should be held accountable for leaving these kids in an unsafe situation."

Williams appeared in court Friday where she received a $25,000 bond. On Monday, a judge upheld the bond decision. 

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1 dead, several injured in Honolulu after shuttle bus crashes outside cruise terminal

One person has died and multiple people were injured in a shuttle bus crash in Honolulu , Hawaii on Friday.

"Nine Carnival Miracle guests were hit by a shuttle bus in the transportation area outside the Honolulu cruise terminal on Friday morning," Matt Lupoli, senior manager of the Carnival Cruise Line , told USA TODAY. "Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover."

The shuttle bus crashed into pedestrians and two concrete barriers at the terminal. The shuttle bus driver mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the break when they attempted to stop the bus from moving, Hawaii News Now reported.

All of the victims were taken to local hospitals and are being treated for their injuries. The victims are in different conditions ranging from serious to stable, the news outlet said.

"Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones," Lupoli said.

USA TODAY has reached out to the  Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services for comment.

1 dead, 13 injured: After man crashes truck into Texas Department of Public Safety building

Eyewitnesses share their experience after the Honolulu shuttle bus crash, reports state

Eyewitness told KITV Island News that the relaxing Friday morning turned deadly after the shuttle bus crash.

"We heard the tire of a vehicle screeching," Lillian Le, a visitor from Denver told the broadcast station. "We looked and it was a bus running over people and hit against a wall."

An employee at the complex said he has never experienced this before.

"We saw the first responders coming, it was substantial, probably about 10 a.m., four or five ambulances, two fire trucks, ten cop cars, looked pretty bad - it's really distressing," Mark Elwell, an employee at the complex wher the accident occurred. "I've worked here 21 years, I've never seen anything to this magnitude, really sad to see, obviously people were hurt pretty bad to be taken away by ambulance."

Jessica Lani Rich, a visitor at the Aloha Society of Hawaii told KITV Island News that the woman who died was celebrating her 46th wedding anniversary with her husband.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X @forbesfineest.

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Walt Disney famously said that Disneyland will never be completed. He was right.

The vote by the Anaheim City Council on Wednesday to approve the Disneyland resort’s $1.9-billion expansion plan is the latest of several huge investments made by the media giant at the 100-acre facility known to its fans as the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

Once upon a time, Disneyland was just a concept that grew out of a visit by Disney to Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Then on July 17, 1955, the gates were flung open at the then-$17.5-million resort and things have never been the same for the city of Anaheim.

Ticket prices on opening day were $1 for an adult and 50 cents for a child, with each attraction charging extra at each location, ranging from 10 to 35 cents.

Over the decades, the resort has added new attractions and entire worlds built around new franchises acquired by Disney. Bear Country opened in 1972 and gave way to Critter Country in 1988 in anticipation of Splash Mountain , which eventually closed in May 2023. Splash Mountain will be reopened later this summer as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , inspired by the Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Travel & Experiences

Want to see Disneyland’s most advanced animatronics? Visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

With new droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and some of the most lifelike characters ever created at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney is looking to wow guests.

April 4, 2024

In February 2001, Disneyland threw open the doors on its 55-acre California Adventure . At the time, the $1.4-billion addition opened to poor reviews, leading some visitors to dub the park “Six Flags California Adventure,” a biting comparison to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Over the years, the park added Cars Land in a $1.1-billion makeover, Pixar Pier and other locations that harked back to an era of California when red trolleys owned the streets.

In 2019, Disneyland opened its 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a $1-billion expansion that features two rides, shops and retail outlets around the “Star Wars” movie franchise theme. Jedis and stormtroopers roam about the intergalactic city that encourages role-playing with in-character staff.

“If you want to sit back and just watch the world go by, that’s also fine, but I think one of the things that we know about our guests is they want more and more to lean into these stories,” says Imagineer Scott Trowbridge, whom Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger described on social media as the “creator” of Galaxy’s Edge.

The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride requires riders taking up different roles, with two gunners, engineers and a pair of pilots.

Editorial: Disneyland’s gas-fueled Autopia cars showcase the worst of Todayland. EVs are a good start

Disneyland is finally planning to convert its fossil fuel fleet of mini cars to electric vehicles, but why stop there? Disney can envision a more ambitious transportation future.

April 5, 2024

By June 2021, Disneyland set its sights on transporting guests to the world of the Marvel cinematic universe with its Avengers Campus . Built on the bones of A Bug’s Land, construction for the Avengers Campus was waylaid due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but eventually opened to much fanfare within California Adventure. The Orange County Business Journal estimates construction on the site cost $500 million, but the House of Mouse was mum on the official cost.

Avengers Campus boasts a Spider-Man stunt show with a robotic web-slinger who launches from one tower to another and flies 85 feet in the air. The character reappears as a costumed human who scales down the walls of the building to pose for photos with parkgoers at ground level.

Times staff writers Todd Martens and Hugo Martin contributed to this report.

More to Read

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

April 17, 2024

Huge Disneyland expansion to add new rides, restaurants and hotels wins OK

The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

April 9, 2024

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Nathan Solis is a Metro reporter covering breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. He previously worked for Courthouse News Service, where he wrote both breaking news and enterprise stories ranging from criminal justice to homelessness and politics. Before that, Solis was at the Redding Record Searchlight as a multimedia journalist, where he anchored coverage of the destructive 2017 fires in Northern California. Earlier in his career, he worked for Eastsider L.A.

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