+++ General Motors teased a slew of future ICE and electrified models, including 2 new sports cars for the CHEVROLET brand, 1 of which will reportedly have “unimaginable performance” and the “next-step in performance for Chevrolet”. The revelations were made by GM President Mark Reuss, who was speaking at an investor presentation in New York. Although investors in the audience were shown images and teasers of what was coming in the near future, the pictures were redacted for media, who were forced to watch remotely, and that includes me as well. In addition to re-confirming that a hybrid version of the Corvette will premiere in 2023, something the company first mentioned in April, Reuss pointed to 2 additional, high-performance models. He called 1 the “next version of the C8” and the “next step of performance for Chevrolet” adding that “you won’t be able to imagine it from a performance standpoint”. Although he did say that the second car is based on the C8 platform, he avoided directly naming it as a Corvette, and instead referred to it only as an “incredible performance car” that should “set the standard of the world in performance for Chevrolet” and “put the world on notice” on what GM can do. He did not clarify whether this model will be electric, electrified or ICE. Although Reuss’s comments are cryptic enough to prevent certainty, the cadence of these vehicles still aligns with a leaked document from 2020 that allegedly laid out the release schedule of all coming Corvettes. It suggested, like Reuss, that there are 3 more Corvettes to come. The first, in 2023, will be what the document referred to as the Corvette Grand Sport. It is a hybrid version of the sports car, based on the same 6.2-liter V8 as the base stingray Corvette. It is expected to make 608 hp and to be more of a grand tourer than a hardcore sports car. The document then conveyed that, in 2024, a twin-turbo version of the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 that powers the Z06 would find its way into a Corvette ZR1. Set to make 862 hp, it should be a track weapon. Finally, a second hybrid version of the Corvette was set to round out the lineup, combining the ZR1’s twin-turbo V8 with hybrid assistance. All in, the powertrain would make 1.014 hp, and the model may be called the Corvette Zora. That paper, however, underrated the performance of the Corvette Z06, which we now know makes 679 hp, rather than the 659 hp listed on the sheet. We may, therefore, still be in for some surprises. In addition to making cryptic references to its sports car lineup, GM also previewed a number of ICE and electric vehicles. These include the Buick Electra E5 electric crossover that we had the opportunity to see in Chinese-specification this week and which will arrive in the U.S. in 2024 after first being revealed in China in 2023. The same year we’ll see the U.S.-specification of the Buick Envista, a sporty crossover that will launch in China this year. The new-generation Cadillac CT6 will be a China-only affair, but the new Buick Envista seen below will come to America in 2024. Cadillac will get 2 new electric SUVs, a full-size model that will likely act as an electric-replacement for the Escalade in 2024, as well as a smaller model. Reuss also confirmed a number of new ICE cars and EVs for China, including a smaller electric Buick model named the Electra E4 that will sit under the E5 as well as the GL8 EV minivan, a “pretty dramatic low roof” Chevrolet “Car-D” sports sedan primarily designed for China (but one we might see in other markets too) and the next-generation Cadillac CT6. +++
+++ Chinese consumers will soon have yet another new electric vehicle available to buy and this is it. Dubbed the Panda (now where have we heard that name before?) it has been brought to life by GEELY and has very similar overall proportions to the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, the nation’s bestselling electric vehicle. Uncovered in a series of photos from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Geely Panda has a cute square shape and is just 3.065 mm long, 1.522 mm wide, 1.600 mm tall, complete with a 2.015 mm wheelbase. The Panda will be sold through Geely’s Geometry brand and sports a pair of simple circular headlights while completely lacking a traditional front grille. The body has a host of interesting indents and creases, in particular those on the front quarter panels and doors. Rose gold trim around and between the headlights adds points to the overall styling. Elsewhere, we can see that the Panda sits on a set of tiny 4-spoke wheels and like the Hongguang Mini EV, has 2 doors. It sports black side window surrounds and has a dramatic B-pillar. Found at the rear of the car are a small third brake light in the rear window, a pair of square taillights with curved corners, and a bumper with a blacked-off section at the base. While the car has yet to be presented in full, local media reports that it is powered by a 40 hp electric motor and that it will feature a small lithium iron phosphate battery from Gotion Hi-Tech. It is unclear when Geely will start sales of the Panda. +++
+++ GENERAL MOTORS spent its Investor Day 2022 in New York City touting how its EV investments over the past few years are beginning to show the fruit to come. Presentation slides for automaker president Mark Reuss advertised the Chevrolet Bolt being the number one mass-market EV, production plans for one million EVs in 2025, “transparent VIN-level pricing” on a new digital retail platform, and the arrival of a battery-electric Silverado pickup with a 20,000-pound towing capacity. Another few slides veered left into wholly surprising territory: Reuss said GM dealer service centers have made “11.180 repairs on Teslas” since 2021. Beyond the number and the make, almost everything else about the claim is unknown. Most importantly, we don’t know the nature of the repairs, and I suspect they aren’t too involved. Just like newer vehicles from legacy OEMs increasingly require proprietary diagnostic tools and modern ECUs are being locked down, it’s said complex fixes for Tesla powertrains need access to the carmaker’s Garage Tools server to pull codes and run self tests. And when even Tesla is having trouble getting parts for its range, there’s no reason to think GM could or would. Tesla did begin selling 2 subscriptions to service, repair, and diagnostic software last year. It’s possible GM dealers have got in on that, but I am only guessing. GM techs might be limited to fixes like suspension work, brake jobs, tire rotations and fluid flushes. Although Reuss called the new foray “a growing business for us”, the ancillary benefits are far more important than the revenue right now. GM gets to wag an “I told you so” finger at startup EV automakers unable to compete with a nationwide network of thousands of service centers. The majority of comments we’ve read from Tesla owners scoff at the idea of taking their cars to a GM dealer for any reason. But one commenter wrote: “True story: a rock broke the coolant hose leading into my Model 3’s battery pack. Tesla’s solution? Replace the entire battery pack at a cost of $16.000. They even refused to provide an upgraded Model 3 battery pack. I received a legacy battery with a 480 km range. I would welcome 3rd party repair shops like GM”. Bragging is always double-edged, though, another commenter writing: “Which GM dealerships are repairing Teslas? I have a GMC Sierra Hybrid which needs some work and I’ve talked with all 4 of my local dealers and been told with varying degrees of directness that they’d rather not work on it. Maybe one of these GM dealers who likes to work on Teslas would be willing to work on my GM product too?” Even better for GM, Tesla owners waiting for their cars to be finished will likely take a gander around the showroom to peruse GM’s electric offerings, which Reuss admitted “is a big deal for us”. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is probably too busy with his new social media network to worry about what a tiny number of Tesla owners are doing, but he knows the service issue is pressing. He tweeted in June of this year: “Working on Tesla North American service. Goal is 2/3 of cars receive same-day service, no wait”. +++
+++ The new HONDA CIVIC in non-Type R form may not be the most engaging new vehicle to drive but it is surely not unstable or unpleasant behind the wheel by any means. In fact, it turns out even the regular Civic e:HEV has a pretty decent road behaviour as a recent moose test shows. It’s worth pointing out that this car is equipped with 18 inch wheels, fitted with 235/45 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 performance tyres. The European model has a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine supported by 2 electric motors and a small lithium-ion battery package. The Japanese automaker claims this setup has 41 percent thermal efficiency but that’s not the most important thing in this test. So, let’s talk about the results of the moose test. The short version of the story is that the 2023 Civic passes the evaluation between the cones with flying colours. The highest achieved speed is 48 miles per hour and it is more than what the majority of models manage in the test. At a higher speed, the car remains stable and controllable but the driver is not able to go through the curve without hitting any cones. The test pilot also points out the car feels exactly as heavy as it actually is. And in this configuration, the Civic e:HEV weighs 1.517 kilograms, but the steering remains very precise under heavy load. Combined with the excellent grip provided by the tyres, the tested vehicle is also very fast in the slalom test. +++
+++ JAGUAR LAND ROVER announced a new jobs portal aimed at laid-off tech workers today and says it is looking to fill 800 roles in its self-driving, electrification, machine learning, and data science departments. The automaker’s announcement follows Elon Musk‘s decision to lay off half of its employees. The social media giant is hardly alone in engaging in mass layoffs, though, with reports emerging that Meta and Amazon will do or have done the same. As far as Jaguar Land Rover is concerned, these are the perfect workers to help bring the embattled carmaker into the future. People laid off from big tech companies have exactly the skills needed to become a “digital-first and data-driven” company. “We are further strengthening our data and digital skills base so we can deliver our Reimagine strategy and become an electric-first business from 2025 and achieve carbon net-zero by 2039”, said Anthony Battle, JLR’s chief information officer. “Our digital transformation journey is well underway but being able to recruit highly skilled digital workers is an important next step. We are pleased to be able to provide opportunities to talented individuals with digital capabilities”. The automaker will look to fill roles in Ireland, India, China, Hungary and the United States, and is offering hybrid work schedules. The majority of the new jobs though will be located in the United Kingdom. Jaguar Land Rover says it wants to focus on electrification, digital services, and data in the future and is intent on enhancing its in-house data capability. “Jaguar Land Rover is transforming to an electric-first business, and we are creating some of the most digitally advanced vehicles ever seen”, said Dave Nesbitt, digital platform director. “Through our products we will create new experiences, new levels of intimacy and connected car services for our customers, to give our clients a true modern luxury experience”. +++
+++ The coronavirus pandemic forced auto shows to go on hiatus but they’re back, although not necessarily better. While a number of shows were struggling before the pandemic, their returns have been relatively lackluster as new debuts have been few and far between. Complicating matters even further has been a lack of excitement and exhibitor attendance. Organizers have been trying to adapt and the latest is the Tokyo Motor Show, which has been “redesigned” as the JAPAN Mobility Show. Set to kick off on October 26th of 2023, the show aims to attract new exhibitors and start-ups “beyond the framework of mobility”. There’s no word on which specific models could debut at the show, but the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) will start recruiting exhibitors later this month. They’re aiming to attract companies to show “next-generation mobility including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, car bodies, parts and machinery”. The Japan Mobility Show will take place at the Tokyo Big Sight, which is also known as the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. This isn’t surprising, but JAMA said they’re considering expanding the event into areas near the exhibition center as well as the Rinkai Fukutoshin area. Should this be given the go-ahead, these areas will have “various programs” aimed at making the event “even more enjoyable for 1 million visitors”. A number of questions remain, but the head of the show’s organizing committee, Jun Nagata, has suggested the show might try to sway mobility-as-a-service providers into attending. JAMA chairman and Toyota president Akio Toyoda said: “We set a framework for mobility so other industries can join the event. I hope it will be a show that re-energizes Japan”. +++
+++ The LEXUS UX is entering its 4th model year in 2023, having gone into production at the end of 2018 as a 2019 offering. The NX and RX have lately lasted 7 years before a new generation drops, so the UX is due for a heavy refresh at the least. It’s possible the refresh or the next-generation version will bring an upgraded model with more power. Brand parent Toyota filed a trademark application for the term UX 300h. As always, a trademark application doesn’t mean the described product will make it to market. However, there’s very good reason for Lexus to take the UX to the next level. Currently, the ‘250h’ has a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder helped by 2 electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, making 184 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Despite general favor shown for the crossover’s appointments and frugality, the repeated ding against it is feeble acceleration. The hybrid system in the NX 300h, based around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, makes 204 hp and 265 Nm, the horsepower figure rising to 215 hp in the ES 300h and as much as 220 hp in the erstwhile IS 300h, so there’s headroom if product planners are allowed to use it. Considering the Toyota Corolla 2.0 Hybrid is slated to get 194 hp, the snazzier and luxury-branded UX would seem ripe for engine and power upgrades. With the updated NX and all-new RX on the market now, and the Corolla Cross Hybrid coming for next year, we won’t be surprised if Lexus doesn’t wait for the second-generation UX to bolster the spec sheet. +++
+++ Consumer Reports (CR) has determined that Japanese automakers sell the most RELIABLE vehicles in the U.S., while Americans make the least reliable ones on the market. That comes, in no small part, because pickups and big SUVs are among the least reliable vehicles money can buy. The outlet determined this by gathering data on over 300.000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2023 model years and asked owners about 17 trouble areas, including engine, transmission, and in-vehicle electronics. It found in its survey that Toyota and Lexus were the 2 most reliable brands in America in 2022. Moreover, Asian automakers (including Korea’s Kia) were 7 of the top 10 most reliable brands, according to CR, with BMW, Audi and Lincoln sneaking onto the list. Lincoln, it found, was the most reliable American automaker on the market thanks to the improving quality of the Nautilus and Corsair. Its larger Aviator, though, was among the least reliable vehicles on the market, along with its stablemate, the Ford Explorer. Every single one of Lexus’ models, on the other hand, had above-average reliability, according to CR. Toyota nearly achieved the same trick, but was let down by the RAV4 PHEV, which had only average reliability, and the Tundra, which ranked low on the reliability scale. Indeed, all fullsize pickups had difficulties in this survey. The vehicle segment has an average predicted reliability score of 30 out of 100. That compares abysmally to minivans (44), SUVs (51) and ‘low cars’ (sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes), which were the most reliable category of vehicle on the road, with an average score of 58. Pickups weren’t alone in their struggles, though. Electric vehicles did not fare well in this survey, either. The newfangled machines had an average predicted reliability of 36 with owners of the Chevrolet Bolt, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Volkswagen ID.4 all reporting issues with the battery packs, the charging systems, the motors in their drive systems, and more. Strangely, hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs were among the most reliable vehicles out there, with an average reliability score of 65. Vehicles like the Lexus NX Hybrid, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota Venza take top honors in the category. In terms of brands to avoid, this year, the worst performing brands (from the lowest up) were Mercedes, Jeep, Volkswagen, GMC, Chevrolet, and Tesla. Meanwhile, the best brands (from the top down) were Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Mazda, and Honda. Let me guess; some of you are already up in arms about the absence of certain brands, some of which have long populated the lower ends of any reliability list. We hear you, but Consumer Reports has an explanation: “We either have insufficient data or the manufacturer has too few models for us to rank the Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mini, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Porsche, and Rivian brands”, the outlet said. +++
+++ VINFAST showcased 4 battery-electric SUVs at the L.A. Auto Show this week, vehicles that it has long shown and discussed. But now it’s even hinting at a sports car, as the Vietnam-based automaker pushes ahead with its plan to break into the U.S. market. The 4 EVs, which ranged in size from small 5-passenger crossovers to large 7-passenger SUVs, is part of the company’s effort to resonate with U.S. consumers. In an EV market that now has just about every automaker jumping in, it may take more than simply offering SUVs. Although choice is part of the plan, according to Craig Westbrook, the chief service officer of VinFast U.S. VinFast’s plan is to flood the space with plenty of options so that Americans get familiar with the new brand, Westbrook told TechCrunch. The executive also hinted that by this time next year, VinFast may show off a sports car for the U.S. market. “We need a product offensive”, Westbrook said in an interview at the L.A. Auto Show. “We need to come to market strong. We don’t need to trickle down or ease out models and buying opportunities for the few. So within probably less than a 12-month period, you’ll have all 4 models, all SUVs across these four major size and price segments”. VinFast showed off the VF6, VF7, VF8 and VF9 at the L.A. Auto Show, and offered ride-alongs in the 5-passenger VF8 outside the convention center. Unlike last year’s auto show, where the company showed off global vehicles the VFe36 and VFe35 with no interiors, the VF6 and VF7 had interiors that customers and media could poke around to get a feel for what the new-to-the-U.S. company might deliver. In the two short laps around the tiny test track in front of the L.A. Convention Center the VF8 felt like any other EV crossover: the weight of the battery pack, which VinFast estimates will get up to 292 miles of range, is apparent, especially over uneven bumps. The vegan leather interior and large central screen make the interior feel luxurious and surprisingly ample. A large dual-pane roof makes the backseat feel spacious and open, and the ride in the rear is equally engaging. Westbrook said the VF8 and VF9 vehicles are currently on their way to the U.S. and should be delivered to buyers in early 2023. Globally, VinFast says it has taken 65.000 reservations for the VF8 and VF9, but the company didn’t have a specific breakdown for North America at the time of our interview. Most of those orders are coming to California, according to Westbrook, and customers, according to Westbrook’s observation, are mostly those who are making the first-time EV-leap. “Most of the preorders have taken place in California”, Westbrook said. “California is easy. This is where headquarters are and where a port is, and so, we’re going to serve these customers first. Obviously we want to look at all our customers, but that’s going to be the first way that we can try to splash into the market as effectively as possible”. VinFast currently has 6 retail locations open in California, all located in shopping malls where people can come in and check out the vehicles, much like a Tesla store. Westbrook says that some of the first vehicles coming off the boat from Vietnam will go to stores so that more potential customers can get into the vehicles and test drive them. Westbrook said that many of the reservation holders have not come to the point in the buying journey where they have to decide between opting for the company’s somewhat controversial battery leasing program, or buying their vehicle outright. When asked about the reception that reservation holders had to the battery leasing option, Westbrook said, “We’ve seen sort of growing acceptance and interest in the option”. During the presentation at the L.A. Auto Show, Westbrook noted that VinFast recently took an order for 2.500 vehicles from the car subscription company Autonomy, which generally deals only in Teslas. New warranty and service options
VinFast’s goal is to make the transition to battery-electric as barrier free as possible for new customers, Westbrook said. And to that end, the company announced more details of its bumper-to-bumper warranty, offering an industry-leading 10-year and 200.000 km of coverage and a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty that the company says is designed to offer EV customers peace of mind as they transition to electric driving. The company also announced a mobile service that will come to customers or offer rideshare options if customers get stranded. “I would say that when it comes to quality, people have expectations, and we have to meet them”, Westbrook said. “We do understand that when you purchase car over here and our service point is over there, you may not want to come to us. So we can help you, right? And that’s part of our model. It’s not being forced into something. We realize that’s what you want as a customer”. +++
+++ Automakers have warned us stricter emissions regulations could accelerate the demise of small cars equipped with combustion engines. The Euro 7 standard has a proposed start date of July 1, 2025. According to an estimation made by the European Commission, it will increase the asking price of a new car by €90 to €150. This revised proposal projects a significant reduction of costs as the initial proposal estimated a bump in the price of €304. €150 or even €304 wouldn’t be such a deal-breaker, but VOLKSWAGEN boss Thomas Schäfer cautions the reality is completely different. He believes something like a subcompact hatchback will be €3,000 to €5,000 more expensive, which would effectively kill the car by making it unaffordable to the people shopping in this segment. Aside from adding a mild-hybrid system, the company’s boss told at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show that automakers will also have to comply with stricter safety regulations that will require installing pricy tech. He went on to say the engineers need a couple of weeks to figure out whether it’s worth investing in small ICE-powered cars: “At the moment, we have engineers evaluating what that means. But if that is true (the expected impact of EU7 on the price of cars, red.), we definitely won’t invest anymore and we’ll just keep the plan to electrify as quickly as possible”. The beginning of the end for small petrol-fuelled cars has already been signalled by Ford with the announcement it recently made about discontinuing the Fiesta in 2023. It was a huge blow to Blue Oval fans considering the B-segment model has been around for nearly 50 years and multiple generations. The Polo is about the same age as the Fiesta, and both have catered to enthusiasts with multiple hot hatch versions. Stellantis will go EV-only in Europe by the end of the decade, effectively meaning conventionally powered models like the Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa and Citroën C3 will be discontinued by 2030 or even sooner. Schäfer confirmed that the GTI and R badges will live on for Volkswagen in the electric era, but GTX might not. To date, Volkswagen has used a new GTX badge for four-wheel-drive performance versions of its electric cars, on the Volkswagen ID 4 GTX and the Volkswagen ID 5 GTX. However, Schäfer said that it would be “crazy to let them die and slip away”, in reference to the future of the GTI and Volkswagen Golf names in the electric era. Schäfer hinted that the GTX badge wouldn’t be one used by the brand long-term, with GTI and R remaining the performance badges in the range. “GTX as an idea is en route for EVs”, he said. “If in the future we’ll need it, we’ll see. We might not need it. But GTI and R, yes. With a strong brand, you need to spend less getting it out there”. On GTI, Schäfer said: “GTI with Golf was always legendary. We will carry on. We need substance to it, with performance. We’re working on a performance model with EV to carry GTI forward”. On R, he said it would remain for all-paw performance flagships. This suggests that GTI could be used for two-wheel-drive performance EVs and R for four-wheel drive ones. Neither GTI nor R has yet been used on an electric car. +++