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

March 12, 2023 RichardReina Rearview Mirror industry recap BMW, Electrify America, Ford, NHTSA, Tesla, VW

TESLA CUTS PRICES ON THE S AND THE X

In what is its 5^th 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

March 5, 2023 RichardReina Rearview Mirror industry recap AAA, Audi, Corvette, EU, Ford F-150 Lighhtning, JD Power, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, VW

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 4^th 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 3^rd 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 2^nd. The Model 3 was in first place the previous two years. The Mini Cooper Electric ranked 1^st among mass-market models, beating out the 2^nd 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.

Car Spotting: Winter 2020/2021 Edition

February 28, 2021 RichardReina Cars on the street Ford Mustang, Mercury Comet, VW

Just because a global pandemic has shut down almost all our car hobby-related group activities doesn’t mean that car owners aren’t taking their prized possessions out for solo spins. Shutdown or not, while many of us (your humble author included) salt away the collector machines every winter, there are many others who continue to pilot their cars during the colder months, as long as the roads are dry and the skies are clear.

Below are snaps of a few of the older vehicles I’ve spotted out and about these last few months, at least before the Northeast snows descended upon us. One car was spotted in a hardware store parking lot; another was dropping off an offspring at a sporting event; and a few were seen in the relatively balmy climate of Cape May NJ. In all cases, the vehicles were either moving under their own power or were legally parked, with license plates attached – these were not project-cars-in-waiting.

1965 MERCURY COMET

This 2-door hardtop was in the parking lot of my local Home Depot on a Sunday afternoon. While far from a show car (note the heavily worn paint on hood and roof), it’s obviously owned by an enthusiast, based on the wheels and the license plate. I trust that his planned hardware purchase will fit in the trunk or back seat. This is what you drive to the store when the ’49 woodie wagon is in the shop.

‘60s VW KARMANN GHIA

An end-of-year visit to Cape May rewarded me with a VW two-fer. This Karmann Ghia was parked downtown and gave the impression that it had recently been driven. While the paint was dull and the bumpers were rusty, there were no body issues from corrosion or collision, and with bumper overriders, wheel covers, lights, mirror, and antenna all accounted for, this Ghia was reasonably complete! Make special note of the undented NOSE. It fit the casual funky vibe of Cape May perfectly.

‘60s VW BUG

A few miles away from downtown Cape May is a United States Coast Guard Receiving Station, complete with barracks. Parked in front of one of the housing units was this Bug, with Texas plates if I recall correctly. The driver’s side running board was missing, and the bumpers didn’t look original, but like the Ghia, it looked like you could hop in it and take it for a day-long ride if you so desired. Was it driven up from Texas? I for one would not wager that it didn’t make its way up here in that manner.

1966 FORD MUSTANG

This Mustang was parked at my local gas station. The paint looked recent, and aside from what appear to be incorrect wheel covers, it looked bone stock. Maybe it had been dropped off for some service work. I think that these first-generation hardtops have aged well, and compared to the more expensive Mustang convertibles and fastbacks, continue to be affordable collector cars that make for an ideal way to enter the hobby.

‘70s VW TRANSPORTER

I’m no VW expert, but I believe that this vehicle is a 2^nd-generation Transporter (T2), produced from 1968 to 1979 (and if I’m wrong, the Vee-Dub air-cooled authorities will be sure to respond). I spotted this “bus” in the parking lot of a local playing field, as a parent was dropping off a child for sports practice. What a cool way to get shuttled to soccer! This one must be a camper; note the pop-up roof and the duct vent just aft of the driver’s door. It’s also wearing the ultimate VW bus accessory, a peace sign decal.

Three of the five vehicles I spotted were air-cooled Volkswagens. Are these cars, which lack liquid cooling systems, the ultimate winter collector car because they can’t freeze? What if you need heat inside? They’re notorious for lacking good interior heating systems (my dad’s ’57 Bug had no heater installed, and he kept blankets inside it for passengers). Perhaps it’s coincidence to see three of the same make, but it’s still a treat to stumble across the occasional old car on the road, especially in a season that has been devoid of normal car shows.

Car Spotting in Southern California

March 18, 2015March 18, 2015 RichardReina Cars on the street 1955 Chevrolet, Airstream, Cadillac convertible, California, Ford Econoline, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Porsche 914, Toyota Land Cruiser, VW

My wife and I just returned from a long weekend (5 day) trip to Los Angeles and its surrounding environs, primarily to visit her brother, whom we see all too infrequently. For me, it was another chance to immerse myself in southern California car culture. As a lifelong resident of the NY/NJ metro area, California has always been a car lover’s heaven. From my first visit here in 1977, through many subsequent business and personal trips, I have been in awe of “the land where cars don’t rust”. Walking down the street is analogous to attending an old car show back east. Car models which disappeared from my local streets eons ago have always seemed to be in plentiful supply in the Golden State.

Except this time, it was different. Perhaps because we stayed in a more concentrated and wealthy area (West Hollywood and Beverly Hills), the number of old daily drivers (informally defined by me as cars and trucks between 15 and 30 years old) was low. What stood out more was the incredible number of high-end cars. I’m not speaking of Mercedes Benzes, which were as common as Toyotas and Hondas are at home. I’m referring to Rolls Royces (3 while sitting in one restaurant), Ferraris (so common that people don’t turn their heads), Teslas (easily a dozen+ per day), BMW i8s, and Audi R8s. Topping this list was a Bugatti Veyron being driven down Sunset Blvd. Although I’ve seen the car at car shows, this was the first time I saw one moving under its own power on a public thoroughfare.

On Sunday, we drove to the charming shore town of Ventura (memorialized in the song “Ventura Highway” by America). As it was a weekend, I had the opportunity to see vehicles which likely were taken out for cruising. Parked on the street were a Ford Econoline COE (cab-over-engine) pickup, a Porsche 914, and a 1968 Cadillac convertible. Cruising the streets were two ’55 Chevrolets, several VW bugs (kids, these were the original Beetles with rear-mounted air-cooled engines), and a Toyota Land Cruiser which, in spite of its original-looking CA plate, disproved my idea that these things don’t suffer from the tin worm out here.

Porsche 914 in Ventura CA

**1968 Cadillac convertible in Ventura CA**

'60s era VW Beetle in Ventura CA — **’60s era VW Beetle in Ventura CA**

'70s era VW Beetle in Ventura CA — **’70s era VW Beetle in Ventura CA**

**A quite rusty Toyota Land Cruiser in Ventura CA**

There were other cars to be found, although opportunities to photograph them were slim as we always seemed to be in a vehicle and on the go ourselves. Around the corner from my brother-in-law’s apartment was this gorgeous Airstream trailer, patiently waiting until it was time to hit the road again. One block from there was a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Its paint was shot but its sheet metal looked solid. It caught my eye because I had just seen one sell in Atlantic City less than a month ago. And on Catalina Island was a VW Transporter, almost as rusty as the Toyota. I guess living near the ocean will eventually take its toll, even here.

While there were other vehicles of interest to be seen, there was no chance to photograph them all. Alas, the long weekend came to an end all too quickly. I’m back home in NJ, where the weatherman is predicting several inches of snow for the first day of spring! Hmm, need to plan that return visit to L.A.

**Airstream trailer in West Hollywood, CA**

**Jeep Grand Wagoneer in West Hollywood, CA**

**VW Transporter on Catalina Island CA**

Dad’s 1957 Volkswagen Beetle

February 21, 2015February 21, 2015 RichardReina Family cars Beetle, Volkswagen, VW

Difficult as it may be to believe, but there was a time when most American families had only one car. In the years immediately after World War II, as America became prosperous again, plenty of new cars were being manufactured and sold, and roadways were being built to drive these cars to and from the expanding suburbs. Yet the “traditional” family model remained: dad worked, mom stayed home to take care of house and children, and one automobile sufficed. This was reality for many baby boomers growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was no different for me.

In my family, by the late 1960s, all three children were in school, which was close enough for us to walk. Mom had started to work part-time in the evenings, and Dad was steadily employed in Manhattan, commuting via bus, ferry, and subway. While the Corvair did the job as the family carry-all, my father decided that he could afford a second vehicle. Did we need another set of wheels? Not really. Certainly because he always liked small cars, and possibly because he had been born in Germany, he got a Volkswagen, a 1957 Beetle sedan.

**The 1957 VW. Note the antenna, hub caps, and whitewalls.**

As the resident car nut, I loved the idea of another car. There was also the pride I felt in an ability to distinguish one year VW from the next. At a time when we were still used to sweeping styling changes every year from the American car makers, Volkswagen actually bragged that they did not subscribe to annual redesigns. So for most drivers, all these Beetles looked alike. Yet I knew my father’s car was older. The one-piece oval rear window and tiny tail lights were all dead giveaways, and no prompting was needed for me to point these things out to anyone within earshot.

It was a treat to go for rides. I enjoyed watching my dad work the shifter and clutch, although I had no interest in trying to understand the mechanics behind such maneuvers. The VW had no heater, so winter rides were always accompanied by the warning to “bring a blanket”. It didn’t stop me from wanting to go.

The '57 Beetle from the rear. Note the blue & gold NY plates. Both photos taken in our backyard on Staten Island. — **The Beetle from the rear. Note the blue & gold NY plates. Both photos taken in our backyard on Staten Island.**

Alas, after almost exactly a year, Dad sold the VW. He never said why. Perhaps his practical side woke up to the realization that we really did not need two cars, at least not yet. For years afterward, my father continued to brag about that Beetle, repeating the line that he “bought it for $275, and sold it for $275”.

Pretty good deal. Wish I had it today.

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