Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Wrap-up August 18-24, 2024
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Here are Larry's top story picks from this past week's important to you, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive news nuggets.
Nutson's Auto News Wrap-up Week Of August 18-24, 2024
- EV pivot. Wall Street Journal reports Ford Motor is canceling plans for a large electric sport-utility vehicle and expects to take $1.9 billion in related special charges and write-downs, as automakers continue adjusting their EV plans because of softer-than-expected demand. Ford this spring said it would delay plans for an electric three-row SUV by two years to a 2027 release date. Now the company said it is scrapping the model altogether, citing tough pricing pressure as automakers resort to aggressive discounts to move their EVs. The company also pushed back the launch of a new electric pickup truck by one year, until 2027. GM, VW, Mercedes and other automakers have also walked-back their pace of new EVs that were ahead of consumer's willingness to switch to EVs. Full story HERE
- Digital Confusion.Are vehicle owners becoming overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality? The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study suggest that could be the case.
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- US DoE factoid of the week. Household vehicles were driven an average of 64.6 minutes on a typical day in 2022 (including all trips made that day) and parked for the remainder of the time (95%). Drivers in all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) averaged between 61 minutes and 68 minutes per day with the longest driving time of 67.6 minutes for those in MSAs with 1-3 million people. Household vehicles being parked for 95% of a 24-hour day offers a good opportunity for EV charging.
- Cars talk to each other.The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an ambitious plan to deploy new, interconnected safety technology in cars and on roadways across the country between now and 2036. Vehicle-to-everything or "V2X" technology employs the real-time transfer of data between vehicles, stationary infrastructure, personal smart devices and more. That data can be used to create safety alerts for drivers, enable advanced vehicle safety features that prevent crashes and improve traffic flows. More detail in this story.HERE
- EV range extender.South Korea’s top automaker Hyundai Motor Group may be developing a next-generation powertrain, known as a range extender, for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles amid an industry view that the current electric vehicle sales slowdown or EV chasm could be protracted. The automotive group, which owns Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., has begun a project to develop a fuel-based auxiliary power unit that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) by running an electric generator that charges the vehicle’s battery. The EREV powertrain appear intended for an electric pickup, the Santa Fe and the GV70. Full story HERE
- Fewer Teens Want to Drive. The percentage of 19-year-olds with a driver’s license dropped steadily from 87.3% in 1983 to 68.7% in 2022, according to most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration. Young drivers point to high prices for cars and insurance, combined with other viable options, from public transportation, to personal mobility devices, to rides from Mom and Dad. Generation Z’s share of new and used car sales both dropped. More details
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- Shifting EV charging demand. The gap in access to fast-charging stations for electric vehicles is beginning to close in the US with 9,000 sites now available to the public -- up 9% in the second quarter -- but having enough stations to keep up with the number of EVs on the road may not be enough. Companies continue to scale deployments to meet demand and are getting creative to alleviate congestion. Electrify America is testing a strategy that involves turning off chargers when the vehicle is 85% full, while others may embrace dynamic pricing models.
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- Horses be gone. Brussels is warming up to the electric carriage. The city’s last horse-drawn carriage operator says business is good since making the switch, placing the Belgian capital in the vanguard of a global change. The electric carriage is designed to look like an early model of an electric vehicle developed in the 1800s by the inventor Robert Anderson. In June, Brussels became the first European capital to offer daily tours on electric carriages.
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- The Buzz is slowly arriving. Volkswagen of America, Inc., announced pricing and the EPA-estimated range for the ID. Buzz, the electric reincarnation of the iconic Microbus which debuts in American VW Dealers later this year. Pricing for ID. Buzz models will start with the Pro S at an MSRP of $59,995, Pro S Plus at $63,495, and the launch-only 1st Edition at $65,495. At 100% charge, rear-wheel-drive models will offer 234 miles of EPA-estimated range and 4Motion all-wheel-drive models will offer 231 miles of EPA-estimated range. The ID.Buzz was first shown as a concept car revealed at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Production for Europe started about one year ago where the ID. Buzz is offered as both a commercial van and a passenger van.
- Trump and EV credits. Reuters reports Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said that if elected he would consider ending a $7,500 tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases and that he would be open to naming Tesla CEO Elon Musk to a cabinet or advisory role. "Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing," Trump told Reuters in an interview after a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania, when asked about the EV credit. Editorial comment: We disagree. The $7,500 EV tax credit in combination with leasing an EV is the smart way to go. When leasing, the tax credit applies to every EV model and is not limited by personal income. HERE
- Pebble Beach.
For the first time in history a Preservation Class car, AKA an unrestored barn-find, has won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. A 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports once owned by King Leopold of Belgium, something of a gentleman racer, and a car supposedly raced by unspecified legends of motorsports, according to Pebble Beach organizers, has driven off with the Crystal Trophee. It proudly carried its many battle scars earned through a life well-lived. The owner is Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland. Read more : HERE
- The Quail. A 1937 Delahaye Type 135 was announced as the “Best of Show” winner at the 2024 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Owned by Sam and Emily Mann, the winning vehicle was inducted into the prestigious Rolex Circle of Champions on the pristine greens of The Quail Golf Club. The 1937 Delahaye Type 135 was originally constructed as an open-wheel race car to challenge contenders from Mercedes and other European marques. The vehicle’s revolutionary 12-cylinder engine was capable of 240 horsepower, and is believed by Delahaye Club historian Andre Vaucourt to be the car driven by Renee Dreyfus in the Prix du Million, 1938 Pau Grand Prix and Cork Grand Prix. It was later sold to Marius Franay to have new sports car coachwork built on the racer chassis, completely enclosing all of its original racing mechanicals. Following its completion, the vehicle later went on to win the “Prix du Honneur” at the 1947 Paris Salon.
- New ideas. Also at the 2024 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, groundbreaking automotive technology and design were also on display, as the event served as the site for 21 vehicle unveils and demonstrations from the world’s preeminent automotive manufacturers and designers. Global debuts of the Lamborghini Temerario, Maserati GT2 Stradale, Rimac Nevera R, Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept, Acura Performance EV Concept and Integra Type S HRC Prototype, Hennessey F5 Stealth Series, Rolls Royce Phantom Scintilla, Automobili Pininfarina B95 Gotham and Battista Targamerica, Pagani Utopia Roadster, Porsche Sonderwunsch 993 Speedster, RUF Rodeo, GuntherWerks GWR, Touring Superleggera Veloce12, Karma Automotive Ivara, Meyers Manx 3-Cylinder Radial Engine and the KALMAR Automotive 9x9 were all highlights of the show, along with North American debuts of the Bugatti Tourbillion and Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda and T.33 Spider.
- Big loss. Ford’s 1979 Probe I Ghia concept car, displayed at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as part of the Wedge Shaped Concept Cars & Prototypes class, burned in its trailer while leaving the world-famous auto show. Story and photos HERE
- Don Garlits. The Simeone Museum in Philadelphia has selected "Big Daddy" Don Garlits as the 2024 Spirit of Competition Award Honoree to recognize his revolutionary contributions to drag racing and motorsports. This in-person event will be packed with thrilling stories, stunning cars, and the chance to celebrate with the man himself. The event is Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. HERE
- Ferrari Fashion. Ferrari started creating luxury cars in the 1940s as a way for its founder, Enzo Ferrari, to finance his racing passion. Ferrari is more than just a car company — it’s a lifestyle according to John Elkann, CEO of Exor, the parent company of Ferrari. Ferrari's apparel and branded clothing is widening the brand's appeal. Read the story :
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- Ford recall. Ford is recalling approximately 85,000 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles because the engines may fail prematurely and possibly result in a fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the recall is for vehicles with model years 2020 to 2022 and have 3.3L hybrid or gas engines.
- BMW recall. BMW is recalling 720,796 vehicles in the U.S. over concerns of a short circuit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. An improperly sealed electrical water pump connector could be exposed to water and short circuit. The NHTSA said certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles; 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i and 328xi vehicles; 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e vehicles; 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive and 328xi Gran Turismo vehicles; 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i and X3 xDrive28i vehicles; 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i vehicles; and 2015-2016 428xi vehicles are among those subject to the recall.
Stay safe. Be Well.