Rearview Mirror industry recap

Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 18, 2023

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After this post, Richard’s Review Mirror column will continue, albeit on a slightly less regular basis. It will also occasionally include stories on the classic car collecting hobby. 

GM TO INTEGRATE CHAT GPT IN ITS VEHICLES

GM states that the AI software could be used, for example, to explain certain vehicle functions (in lieu of reading the owner’s manual) or could help integrate functionality with other devices.

 

KIA INTRODUCES ITS LATEST EV, THE EV9

The new KIA EV is the first all-electric 3-row SUV to come to market. Details are scarce right now, but photos show a cavernous space with 2nd and 3rd row seats folded (keeping in mind that there is no ICE drivetrain to take up space).

 

RIVIAN WANTS TO UPDATE AMAZON TRUCK DEAL

Rivian had signed a deal with Amazon whereby the online retail giant had agreed to purchase 100% of Rivian’s commercial truck output. However, Amazon now states that it intends to purchase only 10,000 EV vans this year. Rivian wants to get out of the exclusivity clause so that it can sell trucks to other customers.

 

PORSCHE: FUTURE CAYENNES WILL BE BUILT WITHOUT AN ICE

Porsche announced that the next generation Cayenne will be available as a pure battery-electric EV, alongside ICE and hybrid options. It will launch in Europe in 2026 and in the U.S. in 2027.

 

NEW CAR PRICES RETURNING TO EARTH?

Consultancy firm LMC Automotive is projecting that as new vehicle supply improves and slowly returns to something closer to what it was, new car pricing will follow by dropping back to pre-pandemic levels.

 

LEXUS ANNOUNCES FIRST EV

The new model, the RZ450e, shares its platform with the Toyota bZ4x. It is on sale in the U.S. in limited quantities at present. Prices start around $60,000, and the spindle grille remains, even though this was a ripe opportunity to eliminate it.

 

VW STILL AIMING FOR “AFFORDABLE” EV WITHIN TWO YEARS

Vw is claiming to be shooting for what they call an affordable EV (€ 25,000, or $27,000) within two years. It would be sized below the existing VW ID.3 EV. A released VW illustration shows the name ID.2ALL.

 

NISSAN ARIYA EV SLOW TO RAMP UP

When Nissan launched its Ariya EV, the company had planned to produce close to 150,000 units a year. However, various manufacturing issues and parts delays have cast grave doubts on Nissan reaching that number. Current projections claim that the actual number will be “significantly below” 1000,000 units.

 

NHTSA UNDERREPORTING DISTRACTED DRIVING DEATHS?

NHTSA’s most recent numbers show that about 10% of all driving fatalities are related to distracted drivers. However, the National Distracted Driving Coalition claims that NHTSA’s methodology, which pre-dates extensive smartphone use, is outdated, and the true number is closer to 25% to 30%.

 

CARFAX REPORTS MUCH HIGHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS

You read that correctly. CarFax has the ability to track and record the number of stolen cats, and for 2022, they report as many as 153,000 were stolen. The top 5 vehicles which lost their converters is not a surprise: it’s the Ford F-150, Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V, and Ford Explorer. The SUVs are all on the list because they sit higher off the ground, making access easier. And the Prius is a frequent target because its cats have a higher mineral content.

 

PORSCHE TO REPRODUCE AIR-COOLED 911 MAGNESIUM CRANKCASES

Porsche announced that they will begin to manufacture replacement crankcases for ‘60s and ‘70s era 911s. Up until now, new replacements have not been available from any source. No word on pricing, but given the market values of these air-cooled cars in the collector car marketplace, Porsche can probably charge whatever they want and can expect to get it.

 

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Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 11, 2023

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TESLA CUTS PRICES ON THE S AND THE X

In what is its 5th price adjustment so far this year, Tesla dropped the prices on its two most expensive models, the Model S sedan and the Model X utility vehicle. The change affects U.S. market vehicles, with Model S prices cut by $5,000, and Model X prices by $10,000. The two vehicles comprise a very small percentage of Tesla’s sales in the States, with the less expensive Model 3 sedan and Model Y utility vehicle accounting for the bulk.

 

VW GROUP REPORTS PROFITABLE 2022

The VW Group, which includes Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and other makes, reported its 2022 global financial results. The combined marques sold just under 8.5 million vehicles, which included almost 600,000 EVs. Boosted by sales of higher-priced models, VW reported a net income of €16 billion ($17 billion), up 2.6% from the previous year.

 

6-12-48, WHICH DOES TESLA APPRECIATE?

During its Investor Day presentations earlier this month, Tesla announced that future vehicles, perhaps starting with the soon-to-be-released CyberTruck, will abandon 12V systems, which have been the industry standard since the 1950s (unless you drove a Beetle). The announcement included a plea to the rest of the industry to join Tesla in this switch, which may not be so far-fetched. A number of hybrids, including my 2023 Volvo V60, run on a combined 12V / 48V system.

 

NHTSA OPENS INVESTIGATION OVER TESLA STEERING WHEELS

Based on two reports it has received claiming that the steering wheels in Tesla Model Y vehicles became detached while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took the first step in launching a probe into the cause. According to NHTSA, both vehicles were missing the bolt which secures the wheel to the steering column.

 

FORD SURVEY COMPARES F-150 ICE AND F-150 LIGHTNING OWNERS

Ford recently surveyed F-150 pickup owners, asking how the trucks were used, and what type of vehicle was replaced by their new pickups. Lightning EV owners reported a higher percentage of usage for home improvement projects and for camping compared to F150 ICE owners. Over 50% of Lightning purchasers replaced a non-pickup, while that was true for only 1/3 of ICE F-150 buyers. In my opinion, these results squash any naysayers who may claim that the Lightning “isn’t as good as a real pickup truck” (not sure what’s not real about it). To Ford’s credit, the Lightning is capturing a large number of buyers who up until now may not have had a pickup on their shopping list.

 

REPORT: 3 EVs BECAME INOPERABLE DURING RECHARGING

Car & Driver magazine reported a discovery that in three separate cases, with three different EVs, the cars became inoperable during routine recharging. In all the incidents, the vehicles were being recharged at an Electrify America public charging station. It happened to an F-150 Lightning, a Chevrolet Bolt, and a Rivian R1T. Owners reported hearing a large boom (according to the story, possibly the sound of a circuit breaker tripping) after which the vehicles would not power up and needed to be towed. The details are too lengthy to get into here, but you can read the C&D story at this link.

 

AFTER CONTROVERSY, VW TO MAKE CARNET EMERGENCY SERVICE FREE

VW got some negative publicity recently, when a VW Atlas was carjacked with a child inside the vehicle. Law enforcement wanted to use the car’s vehicle tracking software, but the vendor was slow to respond to the request, replying that the owner’s subscription to the service wasn’t paid for. (The story ended happily with the child rescued unharmed.) In response to the pushback, VW will offer its Carnet service free for 5 years for 2020-2022 vehicles which are equipped with the software.

 

IRA IS INFLUENCING EUROPEAN CAR MAKERS’ DECISIONS

VW, which had previously announced plans for EV battery factories throughout Europe, is backpedaling. Executives with the German auto maker have realized that the IRA makes the idea of battery plants in the U.S. a much more attractive proposition, and VW is looking to the EU to possibly come out with its own version of the IRA. Expect similar stands from other European automobile manufacturers.

 

BMW REPORTS STRONG 2022 SALES AND PROFIT FIGURES

BMW released its 2022 financial results: while vehicle sales at 2.4 million units were down 4.8% compared to the previous year, other results were positive, with the company posting a profit of €18.5 billion ($19.8 billion) on revenue of €142 billion ($151.8 billion), respective increases of 49% and 28%.

 

Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 4, 2023

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AAA SURVEY SHOWS INCREASE IN FEAR OF AUTOMOTIVE AUTONOMY

For the last few years, the AAA (American Automobile Association) has been conducting an annual survey of consumer attitudes toward “automated driving”. The most recent survey, results of which were released last week, showed a marked increase in the percentage of drivers who are afraid of fully automated vehicles. The number jumped 13%, from 55% in 2022 to 68% this year. Yet many are supportive of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) in their cars, such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The AAA survey shows that there is confusion among drivers in distinguishing between ADAS-equipped vehicles and fully autonomous vehicles, leading to some level of mistrust in them.

 

U.S. PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES IN 2021 REACHES 40-YEAR HIGH

In spite of more and more safety systems in modern automobiles, the number of pedestrians killed on roadways in 2021 was the highest it has been in 40 years. Additionally, the first six months of 2022 resulted in 3,434 pedestrian lives lost, a 5% increase from 2021. Highway traffic experts blame a number of factors, including more aggressive driving, heavier vehicles, and roadway and sidewalk infrastructure which favors vehicle speed over pedestrian safety.

 

F-150 LIGHTNING PRODUCTION TO RESUME MID-MARCH

The Ford Motor Company, having stopped all F-150 Lightning EV pickup production several weeks ago because of an unspecified battery issue, announced that Lightning production will resume on March 13, although the company has not as of yet stated any details about the problem or what was done to resolve it.

 

TESLA’S INVESTOR DAY MEETING LACKS ANY NEW PRODUCT INFO

Elon Musk and a team of executives held what they billed as an Investor Day meeting on March 1, announcing plans to cut costs, build a factory in Mexico, and streamline operations. However, those (i.e., Wall Street) who were hoping for big product news such as a new, lower-priced EV, or more details about the soon-to-be-released CyberTruck, were left disappointed, and the drop in stock value reflected that disappointment.

 

TESLA SHAREHOLDERS SUE COMPANY OVER FALSE FSD CLAIMS

FSD, or “Full Self-Driving”, is a Tesla option which costs up to $15,000 above the cost of the vehicle itself. A group of Tesla shareholders has sued the company, claiming that they were misled, both by the promise of “SAE Level 4” autonomous driving which in reality is Level 2, and by the failure of Tesla to reveal certain inherent dangers in FSD.

 

RIVIAN PINS HOPES ON 2023 AFTER REPORTING BIG LOSSES IN 2022

Rivian, the all-EV manufacturer which builds the R1T pickup and R1S sport utility, reported that it lost $1.7 billion in the 4th quarter of 2022, bringing calendar year ’22 losses to $6.8 billion. Yet the company hopes to produce 50,000 vehicles in 2023, which would be about twice its 2022 total. While the company claims that demand for its trucks remains strong, its primary objective for this year will be, like so many other auto manufacturers, to drive down costs. Down the road, Rivian plans to put up a new plant in GA to produce two smaller and presumably more affordable models, the R2T and R2S.

 

J. D. POWER EV SATISFACTION SURVEY: RIVIAN AND MINI ARE TOPS

The consulting firm J. D. Power has released its 3rd annual “Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study”. While the survey continued to segment vehicles into premium and mass-market segments, the ownership focus changed this year to first-time EV purchasers. In the premium segment, the Rivian R1T pickup came out on top, with the Tesla Model 3 in 2nd. The Model 3 was in first place the previous two years. The Mini Cooper Electric ranked 1st among mass-market models, beating out the 2nd place Kia EV6. The Kia Niro EV was on top the previous two years.

 

VW TO BUILD SCOUT PLANT IN SC

VW announced that it has chosen SC as the location for its new U.S. manufacturing plant, where the Scout EVs will be built. The company will invest $2 billion in the operation, which will bring around 4,000 jobs to the area. Production could begin in 2026, with VW hoping to churn out up to 200,000 Scout vehicles annually.

 

FOUR-DOOR CORVETTE MAY BE ON ITS WAY, ZORA SPINS IN GRAVE

Rumors continue to swirl that GM is planning to extend the Corvette as its own brand, coming out with a 4-door EV followed by a crossover EV, both named “Corvette”. Instead of sharing a platform with other GM EVs, these vehicles will use a platform unique to them, and tuned more for performance. Before you write your scathing letters to GM, know that the 2-door ICE Corvette is intended to continue, at least for now.

 

VINFAST DELIVERS FIRST U.S. VEHICLES, DROPS LEASE PRICE

Vietnamese EV maker Vinfast delivered its first 45 vehicles to U.S. customers last week. Further, the company announced a drop in its published lease price. The monthly number has decreased from $599 (in January) to $399 (on Monday) to $274 (via messages sent to those who paid a deposit). Initial deliveries are scheduled only in California for now.

 

FISKER OCEAN EV DELIVERIES TO BEGIN THIS YEAR

Fisker announced plans to begin deliveries of their Ocean EV in 2023. The Ocean, which was shown in prototype form at the 2020 CES and then in final form at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show, has obviously been in the works for some time. The company claims that the base model, the Ocean Sport, will start as low as $37,499. Fisker, relying on Magna as a manufacturing partner, plans to build 42,000 units of the Ocean this year.

 

USPS TO PURCHASE FORD EV VANS

The U.S. Postal Service announced that it will buy over 9,000 Ford E-Transit vehicles, and will install 14,000 charging stations at its post office facilities across the country. Deliveries of the Ford E-vans will begin later this year. To fulfill a shorter-term need, the USPS will also be buying the same number of Ram ProMaster ICE vehicles. No word on whether consumers would have access to the chargers (“let me drop off this package for mailing and top up the F-150 Lightning while I’m there”). Now that I think about it, allowing customer access to these chargers could put the USPS back in the black….

 

AUDI AND POLESTAR SAY ‘NO’ TO EV PRICE CUTS

After Tesla slashed its prices, giving rise to concerns of an all-out price war, Ford cut its EV prices, but GM and VW said they would not follow suit. Now other companies have also spoken up. Jens Puttfarcken, the head of Audi Europe, said that Audi will adjust prices only when it is right for Audi to do so. And Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath told analysts that Polestar will not play the price game, as it plans to stay in the luxury EV segment and will not chase volume like mass-market manufacturers.

 

EU POSTPONES ICE BAN AFTER “NEIN” FROM GERMANY

The EU had scheduled a vote on approving a new law effectively banning the sale of ICE cars after 2035, but that vote has now been put on hold. Germany wants the EU to consider allowing the use of synthetic fuels; it’s suspected that Germany, a country well-vested in automotive manufacturing, wants to afford some protection for its legacy auto makers. Italy, which had earlier declared it would not support the total ban of ICE vehicles, also supports the use of renewable fuels.

 

AM RADIO GOING THE WAY OF THE DODO BIRD?

Many new vehicles are being produced without an AM radio. The trend has been growing for years among EVs, and now, even some hybrids and ICE cars lack AM radio. (My 2023 Volvo V60, which is a mild hybrid, has no AM radio, and frankly, I miss it. For up-to-date traffic and weather reports in the NY Metro area, AM radio was the best.) Concern is increasing, though, among some government officials who believe that access to an AM signal is a necessity during national emergencies. There is some rumbling that Congress may take action, and either request or insist that car makers include AM radio in their infotainment systems.

 

 

Richard’s Rearview Mirror – Auto industry recap, week ending Feb. 25 2023

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NJ IS LATEST STATE TRYING TO GO “ALL EV”

New Jersey government officials announced plans to phase out the sale of ICE vehicles, setting a target date of 2035. Governor Phil Murphy signed executive orders which will begin the process for the state to follow the framework as drawn up by California. NJ follows similar moves by Vermont, Oregon, New York, and other states.

 

FERRARI BUILDS 4-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLE, ENZO SPINS IN GRAVE

The long-awaited Purosangue was revealed by Ferrari last week, and the Italian automaker refuses to call the high-ground-clearance, four-door, hatchback vehicle an “SUV”. Pricing was also announced, with the vehicle starting at $398,000. If you want one and haven’t ordered yet, be prepared to wait. The Purosangue (no, we don’t know how to pronounce it) is sold out for the next two years.

 

TOYOTA TO BUILD ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN KY BY 2025?

A report from Nikkei Asia claimed that Toyota will begin building mid- and full-sized EV SUVs at its existing Kentucky plant, with production slated to start as early as the summer of 2025, ramping up to an eventual goal of 10,000 such EVs a month. Toyota, one of the world’s largest car companies, has been a leader in hybrids (witness the Prius) but has lagged behind its competitors with pure EVs. A spokesperson for Toyota Motor denied any such announcement and added that the company has not finalized plans for U.S.-based EV production.

 

2023 DODGE HORNET PRICING ANNOUNCED

Stellantis revealed the price structure for its upcoming Hornet CUV. (The Hornet name, by the way, goes all the way back to the 1951 Hudson Hornet, and was recycled for the 1970-1976 AMC Hornet.) Including a destination charge of $1,595, the least expensive trim level, the GT, will start at $31,590, and the top-of-the-heap R/T Plus will set you back $46,490. The Hornet shares its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale; Tonale prices are expected to range several hundred dollars above the Hornet’s. The new Dodge will begin sales this spring.

 

TESLA SHIFTS GEARS ON BATTERY PRODUCTION LOCATION

The Brandenburg Germany Economy Ministry said that Tesla has changed its mind regarding EV battery production in Germany, and will move production to the U.S. because of more favorable tax incentives, available via the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). The Reuters article further stated that Tesla has been moving more slowly than expected in ramping up battery production at its existing Fremont, CA and Austin, TX factories.

 

EU JAN. ’23 SALES RESULTS BY POWERTRAIN: ICE, BEV, HEV, & PHEV

Alphabet soup! First: ICE = internal combustion engine; BEV = battery electric vehicle; HEV = hybrid electric vehicle; PHEV = plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Looking at passenger car sales for the entire European Union for the month of January 2023, based on drivetrain, ICE vehicles were highest at 37.9%, followed by HEV at 26.0%, diesel (!?!) at 15.9%, BEV at 9.5%, and PHEV at 7.1%.  When we add the 3 “electric” numbers together, the total, 42.6%, outpaces the ICE cars.

 

STELLANTIS BUILDS BIG EXPENSIVE TRUCKS, MAKES LOTS OF MONEY

Stellantis, the global parent company of American brands Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep, reported 2022 pre-tax margins for its North American operations of 16.4%. This is almost twice what Ford reported for North America, and it’s 6% higher than what GM’s North American operations achieved. This result even exceeded Mercedes-Benz’s global pre-tax margins. There is no doubt that Americans’ appetite for large and expensive trucks and SUVs, of which the Stellantis brands sell plenty, helped fuel this result.

 

RAM REV EV PICKUP ORDER WINDOW: A 5-DAY OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE

It took only five days for Ram to stop taking deposits from customers interested in the new REV EV pickup truck. Ram did not state how many $100 deposits it accepted, nor has any final pricing info been made public. The Ram REV is not scheduled to begin production until late in 2024.

 

MERCEDES-BENZ IS LATEST CAR MAKER TO INSTALL GOOGLE

Mercedes-Benz announced that it has entered into an agreement with Google whereby Google will power the in-car navigation experience, and will also allow passengers access to YouTube under certain safe circumstances, such as when the vehicle is stationary. The German luxury car maker joins a list of other manufacturers including GM, Renault, and Volvo, all of whom have embedded Google within their vehicles. The trend is being closely watched by other auto brands –  some car makers are “giving up” software oversight and are instead turning to companies seen as having greater expertise, such as Google. Pundits have opined that whoever manages that software will have powerful access to personal data which can be used to marketing advantages.

 

AN EV YOU NEVER HEARD OF (MAYBE) BEGINS PRODUCTION NEXT MONTH (MAYBE)

Faraday Future (be honest, you’ve heard of them?) announced a production start date of March 30, 2023, for its FF 91 EV. There is one caveat, though, as stated on the company’s website: “… assuming timely receipt of funds from the Company’s investors….”  Their website is accepting preorders with a $1,500 deposit, but also includes the disclaimer that “… you understand and agree that placing this preorder does not guarantee receipt of an FF 91 or a specific delivery date.” If and when something changes, I’ll try to remember the company name post an update.

 

NEW VEHICLE SALES EXPECTED TO SHOW IMPROVEMENTS THIS MONTH

Early projections are showing that U.S. light-duty vehicle sales for February 2023 will show a 7% improvement compared to February 2022. Analysts attribute some of that improvement to stepped-up production, although the same report acknowledged that supply will still fail to fulfill demand. Rising prices are not scaring away customers, either: the average new-vehicle transaction price is expected to clock in at over $46,000.

 

VW AND AUDI TALK UP POSSIBLE U.S. PLANT ADDITIONS

A German industry publication reported that VW will build a dedicated U.S. factory for its new Scout brand. VW had earlier announced that it would launch the new brand in 2026. Scout, a takeoff on the old International Scout, would be designed and manufactured in U.S., VW had added at the time.

Meanwhile, Audi’s CEO, Markus Deusmann, said in a recent interview that Audi might consider a U.S. plant, a possibility driven by the financial advantages of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Audi brand, owned by VW, has never manufactured vehicles here, while VW currently has a U.S. factory in TN and opened its first U.S. plant in PA in the 1970s.

 

IRA LOOPHOLE SAVES NON-U.S. MADE EVs, FOR NOW

Until the final rules for the Inflation Reduction Act are completed, which is expected to happen next month, customers who lease their EVs will be eligible for the Act’s tax incentives. The U.S. Treasury considers a “lease” to be a “commercial transaction”, moving it into the “eligible” column. While it’s not known if or when this will change, the European and Asian makers of EVs who have been arguing for a rules change are breathing a (temporary) sigh of relief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard’s Rearview Mirror – Auto industry recap, week ending Feb. 18 2023

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This week is the start of something new at Richard’s Car Blog: the introduction of a weekly “Rearview Mirror” column focusing on the auto industry. Gathering news items of interest from various sources, the post will provide a succinct summary of the week’s highlights. Whether the reader is an industry veteran, is interested in the car business, or wants to know about the latest trends, my new weekly report provides a quick and easy way to digest the week’s happenings. Future Rearview Mirror columns may expand to include collector cars. Stay tuned as we take this new approach for a ride!

 

CHRYSLER SAYS GOODBYE TO THE 300

Autoblog posted an interview held with Chrysler’s CEO, Christine Fuell, during which she acknowledged that the 300 sedan, launched in 2005, will go out of production later this year. At that point, the solitary vehicle in Chrysler showrooms will be the Pacifica minivan, and that won’t change until 2025, when the first in what she states will be a series of new EVs will launch. She further stated that some of these EVs will be in market segments new to the brand.

 

A SUBARU WITH IN INLINE 4?

Subaru, a brand which has been slow to embrace electrification, announced that a hybrid Forester should hit the market within the next year. Subaru shares some technology with Toyota (the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 twins and the Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra EVs), so it’s no surprise to read that this upcoming hybrid might share its drivetrain with the Toyota RAV4 Prime. If true, that will plant an inline-4 cylinder ICE in the Forester, and by my reckoning, it would be the first Subie since the 360 with an engine that is NOT horizontally-opposed.

 

HAVE A HYUNDAI? GET A FREE STEERING WHEEL LOCK

Thefts of Hyundais and Kias have been way up, after a video was posted online showing how easy it was to steal the cars. It turned out that the affected vehicles did NOT have a transponder chip in the ignition key (and it was news to me that this was not a Federally-mandated requirement). The problem got so bad that a few insurance companies refused to insure the cars. Hyundai announced this week that they are launching a free software upgrade to remedy the issue. A total of 8.3 million Hyundais and Kias are affected. One hiccup: the new software works on most, but not all of the affected cars. Until that is rectified, Hyundai will reimburse owners who purchase a steering wheel lock. No word yet if a video has been released showing how to remove one.

 

NOT SO FAST, VINFAST

VinFast is the Vietnamese EV manufacturer with big plans to sell their cars in the U.S. market. (Photos of Vinfast’s EV lineup at the 2022 NY Auto Show can be found at my blog post here.) The initial shipment of cars has arrived, and they were due to begin sales in late 2022, but the launch has been delayed numerous times. The company is blaming the latest delay on a change in the posted driving range, which must be certified by the U.S. EPA. The company also cut their U.S. staff headcount by about 80. Vinfast claims to have a number of deposits from U.S. customers, but there is still no word as to when the vehicles will go on sale.

 

NEW FORD EV BATTERY PLANT COMING

The Ford Motor Company announced that they will build an EV battery plant in Michigan, investing $3.5 billion and creating 2,500 jobs in the process. The plant will be operated in conjunction with Ford’s Chinese partner CATL, and Ford was quick to point out that they, Ford, will have 100% ownership, but use CATL’s technology and equipment within the plant. One goal is to find ways to reduce battery costs which will of course also reduce the price of EVs.

 

IS THAT A MACH-E IN A TESLA SUPERCHARGER SPOT?

Tesla, which might be almost as famous for its nationwide network of superchargers as it is for its outspoken CEO tremendous EV sales, reached an agreement with the Federal Government to open that network to EVs other than Teslas. The plan is that by the end of 2024, about 3,500 highway-based superchargers, plus an additional 4,000 slower chargers found at non-highway locations, will be able to be used by drivers of non-Tesla EVs. Tesla in turn will become eligible for some of that $7.5 billion which the Feds have earmarked to build up the EV infrastructure in this country. Those funds are there thanks to the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act).

 

NEW TESLA MODEL 3 COMING?

Tesla’s China factory will temporarily halt production of the Model 3 while certain vehicle upgrades are made. Tesla has been mum as to how extensive these upgrades might be, and whether they will include any exterior styling changes. The factory is expected to reopen by the end of February.

 

FORD FORCED TO STOP LIGHTNING

Ford this week issued a combined “stop-build” and “stop-ship” order for the F-150 Lightning EV pickup trucks while a potential battery issue is investigated. The batteries are sourced from South Korean manufacturer SK On. The order did not include a “stop sale”, so it does not affect any vehicles already at Ford dealerships. Ford is trying to ramp up production to meet what continues to be strong demand for its EV pickup. The company has not stated when Lightning production might resume.

 

WILL A FRENCH CAR AGAIN BE AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.?

The French car company Renault is reportedly in discussions with U.S. retail giant AutoNation to import Renault/Alpine sports cars. Renault has a long history with the Alpine name, and it was a storied model for them for many decades. Recently, Alpine was relaunched in Europe as its own brand, and the company wants to expand its availability. Renault acknowledged that given its long absence from the U.S. market, any such attempt will not be easy, but AutoNation, with 300 retail locations nationwide, could be one shortcut to putting French cars in front of Americans again.

Quick side story: to the best of my knowledge, Renault Alpine cars were never officially sold here. If they were, it would have been in extremely limited quantities. One of the few times I ever laid eyes on an Alpine in the metal was around 1979, when I worked at Autosport. The dealer has just signed up to take on the DeLorean franchise, and since no DeLoreans existed yet, the company sent a Renault Alpine to the dealer instead. Huh? Well, the Alpine had a few things in common with John Z’s upcoming dream: two seats, a rear engine, and power from Volvo’s PRV (Peugeot/Renault/Volvo) V-6. How I desperately wanted to drive that Alpine, but of course, was not given permission.

 

VW’S ID EV BORROWS BACK A FAMILIAR NAME

Volkswagen’s automotive EV lineup has featured model names all beginning with ID, as in ID.4 and ID.Buzz. One upcoming vehicle, the ID.2, is going through some changes before launch. The company, recognizing the legacy value in its iconic Golf name, has renamed the car the ID.Golf. Further, the ID.2’s futuristic styling has been completely canned. The refreshed styling comes courtesy of Andreas Mindt, the new styling chief. It’s been said that the revamp gives the ID.Golf an appearance evocative of previous generation Golfs.

 

STICKER SHOCK RELIEF FINALLY COMING?

Kelly Blue Book, which keeps track of these things, reported that new vehicle prices in the U.S. dropped ever so slightly from December 2022 to January 2023. While 0.6% does not sound like a lot, at an average transaction price of $50,000, that amounts to a $300 savings. Of greater interest to consumers weary of shady dealer practices, the average ADM (Additional Dealer Markup) dropped to ‘only’ $310 compared to $900 in January 2022.

 

TESLA RECALLS CARS FOR FSD FIX

The NHTSA pushed Tesla into recalling 362,000 vehicles in order to modify their FSD (Full Self Driving) software. Tesla did get NHTSA to agree to allow this to be done via an OTA (over the air) update, avoiding the necessity of owners driving to Tesla service centers. NHTSA required the recall after concluding that the FSD mode did not always obey posted speed limits, and did not always correctly slow or stop at intersections.