Tag Archives: China

Automakers Suspend Operations, Change Equipment Due to Chip Shortage

April 21, 2021 admin

Ford is temporarily suspending production at its Kansas City assembly plant to deal with the shortage.

Automakers continue to search for ways to deal with the semiconductor chip shortage impacting the industry on a global scale.

Most companies cut back production and shift available chip inventory to high-profit vehicles like pickup trucks. Seemingly no automaker is immune to the problem, including pricey luxury and sports car makers. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and others all recently announced moves to deal with the shortage.

This week is not different with Daimler, Stellantis and Subaru reporting today they are taking new measures to account for current run of chip shortages, both in the U.S. and in other facilities around the world.

New announcements

Ford plans to extend the shutdowns at plants that build its F-150, Ford Transit, Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, Ford Edge/Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Mustang. The Kansas City Assembly Plant that builds its top-selling F-150 and Transit commercial van suspend operations for the weeks of May 3 and 10. It’s currently closed down.

GM is slowing production of its van at its Wentzville plant to deal with the chip shortage.

The Flat Rock, Michigan plant, which builds the Mustang, and Chicago plant that builds the Explorer and Aviator will also be down the first two weeks of next month. They’ve been down since the week of April 12, according to Automotive News.

The company plans to continue the reduced production of its Super Duty and medium-duty trucks at the Ohio Assembly Plant near Cleveland.

General Motors plans to move its Wentzville (Missouri) Assembly plant from three shifts to just two on a temporary basis starting the week of April 26. It’s cutting van production at the site. Production of its midsize pickups, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, are unaffected. The company just restarted operations at the facility last week after a two-week shutdown.

Other moves

In what may be the most novel approach to dealing with the issue thus far, Stellantis is using analog speedometers in some its Peugeot models instead of the digital ones they would normally come equipped with.

Daimler is cutting hours for 18,500 workers at two plants in Germany as it waits for more chips.

The move affects only the Peugeot 308, Reuters reported, which are built in France. The brand sold about 98,000 of the 308 model last year. The 308 is being phased out this fall in favor of a new vehicle. The company may reduce the price as a result of the less advanced speedo.

Daimler plans to reduce hours for 18,500 employees and idle production at its Bremen and Rastatt plants in Germany. Bremen builds the C-Class as well as the GLC, GLC Coupe and the all-electric EQC. The Rastatt plant produces the A-Class hybrid as well as the A-Class sedan, B-Class and GLA compact SUV.

Japanese automaker Subaru Corp. revealed plans to temporarily suspend production at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The closure will be in place until the end of April, according to officials. It will affect about 15,000 vehicles for North America, officials noted. The company builds the Ascent, Outback, Legacy and Impreza at the site.

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Genesis Goes Electric with Electrified G80 Sedan’s Debut in Shanghai

April 19, 2021 admin

Genesis is looking to make up some ground when it comes to electrification with the new Electrified G80.

The Genesis brand is determined to go from catch-up mode to leaving its competition behind. After an initial delay, it’s rolled out an assortment of new SUVs and its now getting into the battery-car game with the launch of the Electrified G80 at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The name of the Genesis Electrified G80 sedan might confuse some folks, making it sound like the automaker simply stuffed some batteries inside the conventional, gas-powered G8. However, the new model gets a major makeover to ensure it gets the range and other benefits offered by switching to battery power.

“Today is very special because it represents a variety of firsts for the Genesis brand, not only because this is Genesis’ very first appearance at Auto Shanghai, but also as the first time we are unveiling a new product outside of Korea,” said Jay Chang, Global head of the Genesis brand. “The Electrified G80, the perfect balance of athleticism and elegance, marks the beginning of our journey into the EV market, representing Genesis in the era of electrification.”

Filling in gaps in the product line-up

Genesis has been on a product roll in the last year or so, but an EV was a hole in the line-up — until now.

Genesis has been on a roll this past year, expanding its SUV line-up, updating initial sedans, including the gas-powered G80, and rolling out concepts like the all-electric Genesis X coupe revealed last month.

The one thing missing has been a production battery-electric vehicle, something the automaker has long signaled was in the works — though it also was known to be considering different options, including a crossover, a city car or, as it now turns out, a relatively conventional sedan.

There are some questions left to be answered, such as what platform the Electrified G80 rides on. Parent Hybrid Motor Group has developed the E-GMP architecture for use on products including the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

It’s not clear whether it also underpins the Genesis Electrified G80. But the luxury member of the family has clearly found a way to squeeze in plenty of batteries, claiming the BEV sedan will deliver as much as 500 km, or 310 miles, range using the global NEDC standard. That likely would drop to something at or under 250 miles using the U.S. EPA test cycle.

Quicker charging

The interior of the new electric G80 sedan features a slew of technology.

The powertrain also aims to address concerns about charging times. The Electrified G80’s drive system can flip from 400 to 800 volts, allowing it to plug into the latest public quick chargers. Using the newest 350 kilowatt systems it can go from a 10% to 80% state-of-charge in just 22 minutes, Genesis claims.

The Vehicle-to-Load, or V2L, system also lets a motorist tap energy stored in the battery to power electric tools or, if need be, appliances should a home suffer a power outage.

Genesis isn’t ready to reveal specifics about the motor drive system, though it does note the all-wheel-drive system has a “Disconnector Actuator” that lets it switch from AWD to just rear-wheel drive. That suggests there is a single motor mounted, most likely, on the rear axle.

In Sport Mode, the automaker claims, the Electrified G80 will launch from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds.

Lots of unanswered questions

While the battery model looks much like the conventional G80, it features a sealed version of the familiar Genesis Crest Grille. That reduces aero drag since there’s no need to send air to cool and feed a gas engine under the hood. The charging port is hidden within the grille’s upper right corner.

Inside, the automaker switched to sustainable materials, including fabrics made of PET from recycled soft drink bottles.

Calling electrification “one of the key strategies” for the brand, Genesis said the Electrified G80 will be followed by “additional EV models.” It also said it will share more information about the BEV and plans to bring it to North America “later this year.”

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Ford Makes Former Ambassador, Board Member Huntsman New Vice Chairman

April 15, 2021 admin

Jon Huntsman will remain on Ford’s board of directors as he moves into the vice chairman role.

Ford Motor Co. is giving one of its outside directors a new title, vice chairman.

Jon Huntsman, who is described as a “vital” member of Ford’s board of directors, joins the company in a senior advisory position, the company said. Company directors Wednesday approved the appointment of Huntsman as vice chair, Policy, effective May 3.

He will advise Jim Farley, Ford’s president and CEO, and Executive Chair Bill Ford as the company considers and implements strategic policy choices during a period of profound industry change, including the transition to zero-emission battery electric vehicles, the company’s statement on Huntsman’s new role said.

Huntsman will remain on Ford’s board of directors, the automaker said.

Tasks for new role

Bill Ford will use the counsel of Huntsman on a variety of issues going forward.

In his new role, Huntsman will work closely with company teams across a range of disciplines, especially Government Relations; the Office of the General Counsel; and Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. He will represent Ford with certain government officials and influencers in the United States and other countries around the world, Ford said.

“Global policy is hugely important to transforming Ford and unlocking great value for customers and all stakeholders,” said Farley.

“Jon’s background, insights and achievements are unrivaled — as an ambassador and trade representative, a state governor and a public-company executive.”

Farley added that Huntsman is highly regarded by government, NGO and business leaders worldwide, including on both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C.

Diplomatic experience

Ford CEO Jim Farley said Huntsman’s political experience will be invaluable to the automaker.

Huntsman was first elected to Ford’s board of directors in 2012, after serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China during the Obama administration.

He resigned in September 2017 to become U.S. ambassador to Russia under President Donald Trump, Huntsman returned to the Ford board of directors in October of 2020 and is standing for re-election at the annual shareholders meeting on May 13.

He also served as ambassador to Singapore in the early 1990s under Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. In a series of trade assignments, including two years as deputy U.S. trade representative under President George W. Bush, Huntsman negotiated dozens of trade and investment agreements in Asia Pacific and Africa.

Huntsman also was the Republican governor of Utah from January 2005 to August 2009. Earlier, he was an executive of Huntsman Corp., an innovative global chemicals company. Huntsman is also a member of the Chevron board of directors. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Politics.

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Bow. Wow! One-Bow Design Takes Mercedes EQS in an Entirely New Direction

March 27, 2021 admin

The new Mercedes-Benz EQS battery-electric sedan makes its formal debut April 15.

One thing’s for sure: there’ll be no mistaking the new Mercedes EQS sedan when it rolls down the street.

Think of the EQS as the all-electric alternative to the German automaker’s familiar S-Class flagship. But you clearly won’t confuse the two when it reaches showrooms in autumn. Some new battery-electric vehicles share the same design language as conventional, gas-powered products. With EQS, Mercedes goes off in an entirely new direction, one it’s been hinting at with concept vehicles like the 2019 Vision EQS.

The production model adopts what the automaker calls a “one-bow” design. It takes the look of the coupe-like Mercedes CLS to extremes. The result could have rolled off the set of a sci-fi film. But there are practical benefits in terms of range and interior roominess, as well.

“We said we have to go further” than just packing batteries into a conventional looking product,” Steffen Kohl, Mercedes’ director of advanced exterior style, said during a media webinar. The EQS “carries the future of Mercedes-Benz,” he added, noting the “one-bow” language of the EQS will strongly influence other products to come from the new, all-electric Mercedes-EQ sub-brand.

Plenty of power and range

Robert Lesnik led the exterior design effort for Mercedes new EQS battery-electric sedan.

EQS rides on a skateboard-like platform, mimicking virtually all new battery-electric vehicles. Its batteries, motors and other key electrical components sit below the floorboards.

The automaker will reveal full powertrain details during a formal unveiling April 15. But EQS uses twin motors, one on each axle, drawing power from a 108 kilowatt-hour battery pack. That provides about 435 miles of range using the European WLTP test cycle. The EPA rating should come in somewhere about 350 miles, according to industry observers.

The layout moves the sedan’s wheels close to the vehicle’s corners. It also frees up space where a traditional gas or diesel engine would be mounted, providing significant flexibility to the Mercedes design team.

Shorter wheelbase, longer cabin

The cab-forward design features a short nose, the angled, one-piece aluminum clamshell hood rising aggressively to flow into a steeply raked windshield. Instead of a traditional, two- or three-box layout, the look is like that of a single bow line, explained Robert Lesnik, who led the exterior design effort.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS concept provided a framework for the company’s new electric luxury sedan.

“EQS will be the world’s best production car ever in terms of aerodynamics,” with a drag coefficient of 0.20 significantly better than even the sleekest of today’s supercars, he explained.

The effect “looks optically lower than it is,” Lesnik added.

The front end features a new grille with “abstracted, three-dimensional star pattern(s),” according to Mercedes. It’s framed by slit-like headlamps flowing into the front quarter panels.

“When people ask why we need a grille anymore,” Lesnik explains that it is “not an air intake. It’s a face.”

“Coming from the future”

The side panels lack the normal creases found on conventional Mercedes models, though the greenhouse does pinch in towards the trunk, giving the EQS a sense of muscularity.

The new EQS features Mercedes’ newly introduced Hyperscreen technology.

Around back, the most distinctive feature is a light band connecting what Mercedes calls “curved, 3D helix” taillamps.

From nose to tail, the new EQS measures 5.2 meters, or 204.7 inches. That’s about 3.5 inches shorter than the U.S. version of the latest Mercedes S-Class. But the electric sedan has more room for four passengers, its cabin pushed forward into what would normally be the engine compartment.

As distinctive as the exterior might be, the interior takes things even further, said Peter Balko, who oversaw development of the cabin. “We wanted our interior to be modern,” he explained, “as if coming from the future.”

Buyers will have numerous options

Buyers have several key options to choose from. The showpiece layout uses the new hyperscreen concept first shown on the latest S-Class. It features a seamless digital cluster running the entire width of the instrument panel. The organically shaped glass blends three different displays, starting with the digital gauge cluster, the touchscreen infotainment screen and a separate display for the front passenger.

The gauge cluster on the new EQS is configurable based on the wants of the driver.

EQS offers a digital gauge cluster and a large, free-floating, Tesla-like infotainment screen for those seeking a more conventional look. The space in front of the passenger can be outfitted with an assortment of different woods and fabrics and even a version of the Star Pattern grille.

The EQS will “touch almost all of your senses,” said Kohl. Among other things, the product development team has come up with three distinctive, user-programmable “soundscapes.”

Sounding off

While battery cars aren’t entirely silent, they are significantly quieter than vehicles with conventional internal combustion engines. Motorists can enjoy the lack of noise or they can opt for one of the soundscapes, “depending upon the emotions of the moment,” said lead sound engineer Thomas Kuppers.

Silver Waves is meant to be soft and soothing;
Vivid Flux is “shimming and explosive,” a bit “techie but (with) warmth,” said Kuppers; and
Roaring Pulse is “pretty raw, with “the growl of thunder,” especially under aggressive driving.

“We haven’t finished yet,” Kuppers added, noting that, “There will be new soundscapes over the life of the vehicle that we will download through over-the-air updates.”

The new EQS will borrow from the conventional S-Class by also appealing to the sense of smell, Mercedes officials noted. The new BEV will have the ability to inject scents into the cabin, including some designed specifically for the new model.

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GM Grows Board of Directors’ Diversity with New Whitman, Tatum

March 25, 2021 admin

Meg Whitman, a technology leader and former head of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, will join the General Motors Board of Directors.

What was already the most diverse board of directors in the automotive industry just go a little more so, General Motors Co. expanding its board, adding Meg Whitman and Mark Tatum to fill the spots.

The move grows GM’s board from 12 to 13 members. Adding Whitman, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in California and CEO of Quibi Holdings LLC, a media startup, results in women filling seven of the posts on the board. It makes GM the only automaker where women comprise a majority of the board.

Tatum, who is of Asian and African-American heritage, is the National Basketball Association’s deputy commissioner and chief operating officer. Diversity within the company has been a priority for Chairman and CEO Mary Barra since her appointment in 2013.

Diversity is a strength

GM quickly pointed out that the diversity of the company’s newly expanded board isn’t just limited to gender or ethnic background.

Diversity has been a theme during Mary Barra’s tenure as GM’s Chairman and CEO.

The company’s 12 independent directors have senior leadership and board experience in information technology, digital commerce, retail, higher education, investment management, international affairs, defense, transportation, cybersecurity, and pharmaceuticals, among others.

“Our diverse Board of Directors is a competitive advantage for GM as we work to deliver a better, safer and more sustainable world,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Mark and Meg will bring unique experiences to the Board, especially in technology, brand building and customer experience that will help us drive value for shareholders and other GM stakeholders now and into the future.”

Diversity is a focus in the company’s executive ranks as well. Barra’s overseen a significant shift of women into higher level roles at the company during her tenure. Some of those include Dhivya Suryadevara as Chief Financial Officer, the first-ever woman to hold the job, and Alicia Bolder Davis as the Head of Global Manufacturing.

Others include Ann Cathcart Chaplin, corporate secretary and deputy general counsel; Margaret Curry, vice president, Tax and chief tax officer; Julia Steyn, head of urban mobility and Maven; Kimberly Brycz as senior vice president, Global Human Resources; and Pamela Fletcher, vice president, Global Electric Vehicle Programs. Both Boler Davis and Suryadevara left the company for other opportunities in the last 18 months.

Results are showing

Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the National Basketball Association, will join the General Motors Board of Directors.

The push to diversify, at least by gender, is beginning to get noticed. GM was the top ranked company in the U.S. on the Gender Equality Global Report & Ranking for 2021. It was No. 5 globally, with a score of 71%, up from No. 11 and a score of 68% last year. GM was the only automaker in the Top 100.

Researchers noted GM achieved gender balance at the board level (at the time the report was issued, there were six women on GM’s board). Additionally, women represent 20% of the executive team, 32.2% of senior management and 21.8% of the workforce.

“They offer a living wage and flexible work arrangements to their employees. General Motors is the only company in the U.S. and globally that publishes a mean, unadjusted gender pay gap of less than 3% in all pay bands, and they have a strategy to close the gender pay gap. General Motors also publishes all eight of Equileap’s recommended policies that promote gender equality,” the report noted.

It is compiled by Equileap, a data research firm, which researched 3,702 companies based on 19 gender equality criteria, including gender balance from the board to the workforce, as well as the pay gap and policies relating to parental leave and sexual harassment. The average score for the Top 100 companies globally was 64 percent, an increase of 2 percentage points from last year.

Other automakers making moves

Alexandra Ford English has been nominated for the Ford Motor Co. board of directors.

GM’s top domestic rival, Ford Motor Co., currently has three women on its board of directors and nominated a fourth, Alexandra Ford English, daughter of current Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., who is virtually assured of election to the board later this year.

Ford English, 33, recently accepted another board position that elevated her profile. She took on the role as Ford Motor Co.’s representative to the Rivian board of directors. Ford Motor owns an equity stake in the EV maker. She’s held roles in corporate strategy at companies like Tory Burch and Gap Inc. as well as the automaker, which she joined in 2017.

The company’s global workforce is 28% female and 20% of its leadership comprises women. Some of it is top officers include Joy Falotico, president, The Lincoln Motor Co.; Lisa Drake, chief operating officer, North America; Suzy Deering, chief marketing officer; Dianne Craig, president, International Markets Group; Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer; Cathy O’Callaghan, vice president, Controller; and Kiersten Robinson, chief people and employee experiences officer.

Falotico, Drake and Deering have all moved into their roles in the last 12 months with the first two moving from other jobs within the company. Deering arrived at the automaker in January from eBay, where she was global chief marketing officer. She actually took over for Falotico, who now focuses solely on running Lincoln.

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Lexus Reveals Limited-Run 2022 IS 500 F Sport Performance

March 19, 2021 admin

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition - on track

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition is a fully loaded version of the new, V-8-powered sedan.

The name is long. The order list is short. We got a first look at the new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance model barely a month ago. Now, the Japanese luxury brand is adding a special Limited Edition package of which just 500 will be produced.

For those who like the idea of having unique features — like the personalized number plate on the center console — the good news is that all 500 of the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition models will be earmarked “exclusively for North America.”

“Standing apart from the standard IS 500, the 2022 IS 500 Launch Edition interior builds upon Takumi craftsmanship with elevated interior materials, including sporty two-tone Black & Gray Ultrasuede trimmed front and rear seats, door accents, and center console,” Lexus said in a statement.

Other special features include silver ash wood details on the otherwise leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as updates to the instrument cluster. Now, when you’re sedan wakes up, the version of the IS spinning on the digital display will be a Launch Edition “to further set this model apart from the standard IS 500,” Lexus explained.

Taking the green flag

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition clocks some track time alongside a race version of the new sports sedan.

The Launch Edition made its debut Friday evening in Sebring, just hours before the start of the annual 12-hour race there. It’s an appropriate venue.

The IS has played a significant role for Lexus, helping adding a little adrenaline to its image of solid but stodgy design and performance. The first Lexus F model was an upgraded IS launched in 2008 and featured a 416-horsepower V-8.

When the prior-generation Lexus IS debuted, some fans feared the automaker was taking a step back. replacing the V-8 with a respectable but nowhere near as impressive 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 311 hp. For 2022, the IS 350 jumped to 350 hp and 311 lb-ft. A nice increase, but still nowhere near past F Sport numbers.

Lexus had a surprise in store

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition - number plate

Each 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition will feature a unique number plate, with only 500 of the sedans to be produced.

It turns out the brand was only holding the big news in reserve. Last month, it said it would “dial up the sports sedan formula to eleven,” with the debut of the new IS F Sport. It marked the return of the V-8, punching out a hefty 472 hp, or 122 more than the turbo-6 in the 2021 IS F Sport Performance edition.

And this is just a hint of what’s to come from the brand. Lexus last month said this is “the first model in the new Lexus F Sport Performance line.” It appears the marque is getting ready to take direct aim against the likes of Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance gains only 143 pounds when compared with the IS 350 F Sport. So, the boost in performance should be notable. Lexus claims the Performance model will hit 60 in 4.5 seconds, a full 1.1 seconds quicker than the IS 350.

Beyond 0-60

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition - interior

The cabin of the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition features a number of unique details, also including the ash wood-finished steering wheel.

Straight line acceleration is just part part of the picture. To handle the curves, the IS 500 Performance model comes standard with the Dynamic Handling Package now available as an option on the IS 350 F Sport. That includes an adaptive suspension and Torsen limited-slip differential. The chassis also gets a new Yamaha rear performance damper.

To scrub off speed, the Performance model’s brakes are upgraded, as well, with larger 14-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rotors in the rear.

Visually, the IS 500’s hood has been raised by nearly 2 inches and gets more distinctive character lines in Performance trim. The front bumper and fenders also have been stretched to handle the big V-8. There’s also a new, rear diffuser framing the sedan’s quad exhaust, dark chrome window trim, and a black rear lip spoiler.

The top model comes with exclusive 19-inch split-10-spoke Enkei alloy wheels that shave about 6 pounds off total vehicle weight.

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition - on track rear

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 marks just the first of what will be a line-up of F-Sport Performance models.

More to come

Going forward, all Lexus Performance models will feature unique black badging to distinguish them from standard F models.

Inside, look for similar black badging on the heated leather steering wheel and door sill plates. And the gauge cluster will feature unique animation.

Like other IS models, the IS 500 Performance and Performance Launch Edition models will get a number of upgrades to the Lexus advanced driver assistance technology. Among other things, the Forward Collision Warning system now will have greater range and will be able to detect a potential head-on collision when turning left.

Lexus won’t reveal pricing until closer to the on-sale date of the Performance and Launch Edition models next autumn. The current, 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport starts at $42,900. Expect to see the number jump for the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport, especially if you’re considering either the Performance or Launch Edition models.

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GM Inks New Deal with Innovative EV Battery Maker

March 11, 2021 admin

GM’s next-gen lithium metal batteries, the expected energy density increase may mean higher range in a similarly sized pack or comparable range in a smaller pack.

General Motors continued its charge to develop better batteries, announcing its partnership with lithium metal battery startup SolidEnergy Systems.

The company, also known as SES, is working on technology that would reduce the size of EV batteries while increasing driving range of the vehicle they’re used in. GM officials have long discussed the need to reduce battery costs, another factor in the production of electrified vehicles is weight.

Batteries are heavy and developing and using a smaller battery equates to weight savings, helping to further expand the improved range afforded by the batteries SES and GM are working to create.

Lighter, farther, cheaper

GM says its lithium metal battery with a protected anode offers the Big Three of EVs: affordability, high performance and energy density. The initial prototype batteries have already completed 150,000 simulated test miles at research and development labs at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, demonstrating real-world potential, the company revealed.

GM announced a joint development agreement with lithium metal battery innovator SolidEnergy Systems.

The automaker isn’t just working with SES to bring lithium-metal batteries to fruition, but several other companies as well. However, it does have a history with SES, investing in the company six years ago through its GM Ventures arm.

This new deal is the next step in that collaboration, and as part of that progression, GM and SES plan to build a manufacturing prototyping line in Woburn, Massachusetts, for a high-capacity, pre-production battery by 2023.

Results mean EVs for all

“Affordability and range are two major barriers to mass EV adoption,” said GM President Mark Reuss.

GM’s prototype lithium metal batteries were developed at the company’s research and development labs in Warren, Michigan.

“With this next-generation Ultium chemistry, we believe we’re on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation improvement in energy density and cost. There’s even more room to improve in both categories, and we intend to innovate faster than any other company in this space.”

The goal is to incorporate these smaller, more powerful and less expensive batteries as part of the Ultium Platform that will be the basis for a slew of new EVs coming from the auto company. The first of those, the GMC Hummer hits the road this year.

GM is working to complete its $2.3 billion plant to build the Ultium batteries in partnership with South Korea’s LG Chem. The pair is setting up shop in Lordstown, Ohio. Officials recently revealed two more plants could be in the works. The first would be near GM’s plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

The company is investing $2 billion at that facility to prepare it to produce Cadillac’s first-ever all-electric model, the Lyriq. GM is investing $27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles with plans to have 30 EV models available around the world by the end of 2025. The company declared it would end production of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035.

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First Look: 2022 Kia Carnival

February 23, 2021 admin

Kia is looking to shake things up in a “staid” segment with its new minivan, the 2022 Carnival.

Farewell Sedona. Kia officially unveiled the replacement for its familiar minivan today, festively dubbing it the Kia Carnival.

The decision to drop the Sedona nameplate for the 2022 model year has been rumored for many months and reflects the South Korean carmaker’s desire to use similar nameplates worldwide. It took the same approach last year, using a makeover to rename the old Optima sedan the new K5.

There’s more to the move, however. Kia is pushing the brand upmarket. And, as we have already seen with the K5 and the Telluride SUV, that quickly becomes apparent when you get a close look at the new Carnival. It not only gets a new look but plenty of features that push it well into “premium” territory,” a far cry from Kia’s familiar image.

“The Kia Carnival is here to disrupt a staid segment and proves once again what is possible when conventions are shattered,” said Sean Yoon, the president and CEO of Kia Motors North America. “With its SUV-like character, our new multi-purpose vehicle delivers a combination of premium design, intelligent packaging, and an abundance of innovation in safety and technology. For these reasons, the Carnival is the first vehicle to proudly wear our all-new Kia badge and is a bold signal of things to come.”

A more rugged, SUV-like design

Kia keeps with its push to get some global consistency with its vehicle names changing the Sedona to the Carnival.

The new look is decidedly more boxy than that of the old Kia Sedona, with a larger, more upright take on the brand’s familiar “tiger nose” grille, framed by slit-like headlamps. The hood is more horizontal, with creases intended to imply power. The roofline and side windows take on a more ute-like appearance, though the 2022 Kia Carnival retains the twin sliding doors that minivan buyers love.

A rear skid plate and a choice of 17- and 19-inch wheels add to the more aggressive look of the new people mover.

The cabin is where the new Carnival really stands out when compared to the outgoing Sedona line, with more upscale materials and details, like the chrome dash running the length of the instrument panel.

Carnival will be offered with both 7- and 8-passenger configurations, with the optional center buckets able to slide and recline. The “Slide-Flex” system in the 8-passenger model allows a variety of different configurations, and the front passenger seat can be converted into a table.

Segment-leading passenger and cargo space

The new Carnival offers plenty of room as well as all of the technological creature comforts expected in minivans these days.

Functionality remains a critical purchase consideration for MPV buyers and Kia claims the new Carnival delivers best-in-class interior space of 168.2 cubic feet, as well as segment best cargo room of as much as 145.1 cf with the second and third rows folded down.

Technology matters, as well, and the new Kia Carnival boasts twin displays, including a 12.3-inch recongfigurable gauge cluster. The basic touchscreen infotainment display measures 8 inches but upgrades to 12.3 inch with navigation. Bluetooth is built in, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all models. Wireless versions are available with the dual rear screen entertainment package. Wireless charging and built-in WiFi also are offered. And there are up to nine USB ports and an optional 110-volt outlet in the cabin.

There’s a rear occupant alert system using ultrasonic sensors designed to alert parents and caregivers if a child or pet remains in the second or third rows after the vehicle is shut off and doors locked. It can notify them in several ways, including sending an alert by text message.

The Passenger Talk system acts like an intercom to make it easier for occupants up front to chat with those in the rear. And a camera also lets parents keep an eye on children in back. It even uses night vision to let it work in the dark.

Plenty of safety gear

The new Carnival offers more cargo space than any of its competitors in the segment.

As one would expect of a modern minivan, the 2022 Carnival is loaded with airbags and more advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, and parking collisions avoidance.

Under the hood, all versions of the new Kia minivan use a 3.5-liter V-6 pushing out 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel-drive is not available. The minivan features one of the segment’s better tow ratings, at a max 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival is expected to reach U.S. showrooms during the second quarter. Pricing will be released closer to then. The outgoing Kia Sedona currently starts at $30,400.

The new Carnival will be facing some tough competition, including new or recently updated offerings from the minivan segment leaders, the Chrysler Pacifica, the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. The minivan segment has been shrinking for more than a decade but all of the key players are hoping to rebuild momentum with more rugged designs and the addition of new tech and safety features.

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Is Ford Making an All-Electric Mustang? Maybe

January 21, 2021 admin

Could the next-gen Ford Mustang coupe come only as a battery-electric model?

Ford Motor Co.’s gotten such an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, it’s rumored to be making the next-generation of the sports car a fully electric offering as well.

According to AutoForecast Solutions, the automaker will not build the next version of the pony car until 2028. The reason for the delay? It needs to be redesigned on a battery-electric platform. Further, it’s expected to be the only powertrain for the new Mustang.

“… the gas-fueled burble of the V-8 is replaced with the shocking acceleration of an electric motor when the standard Mustang becomes an EV in just a few years,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasts, in the company’s podcast on Jan. 18.

(New Mustang Mach-E is just the first step in “electrification” for Ford.)

The early success of the Mustang Mach-E suggests that an all-electric version of the sports car could be well received by aficionados.

Fiorani’s podcast was followed by a report by Autoline Detroit Tuesday, recounting the AFS report about the next version of the Mustang. Although it isn’t out of the question for the Mustang to get an electric powertrain, for it to be the only offering is a bit surprising.

Many have suggested some form of electrification, such as a small electric motor to add some more power and torque has certainly been bandied about. Several other sports cars have move to the hybrid set up to boost performance.

It should be noted that in 2017 the automaker killed a $1.6 billion investment in Mexico, redirecting $700 million of that to expand the Flat Rock plant. Ford would add a new body shop at the site to handle two unnamed battery-electric vehicles, officials said at the time, although it was suggested that one would be a hybrid.

The site currently produces just the Mustang, which until recently included the Shelby GT350 and GT350R models. Those two vehicles have been discontinued, with the GT500 living on and now the Mach 1 making a comeback later this year. Ford officials have not responded to TheDetroitBureau.com at the time of publication.

Ford officials have long maintained that electrification was part of the company’s future, not its sole focus, unlike its rival, General Motors, which has been dealing with some electrification rumors lately too. Last week, reports resurfaced that an all-electric Chevrolet Corvette was in the works, but following in Ford’s footsteps.

Ford announced plans in 2017 to invest $700 million in its Flat Rock, Michigan, plant, which currently builds only the Mustang, to build electric vehicles.

(Ford axes $1.6B Mexico plant for $700M Michigan upgrade.)

While General Motors insiders never really downplayed reports about the potential electrification of the ‘Vette, including a fully electric model. However, last week there were reports that the bowtie brand was considering an electric Corvette crossover like the Mustang Mach-E because of the warm reception it’s getting.

The flames were fanned during CES2021 when GM officials talked about offering a variety of new electric vehicles between now and 2030. Earlier reports centered on a 1,000-horsepower monster dubbed the Corvette Zora, named after the creator of the original car. The move to create an all-electric crossover would check off two “rumor” boxes, if you will: an all-electric model and the creation of a separate Corvette sub-brand.

The downside, of course, is that Corvette loyalists would shun it immediately. It’s been barely a year since the eighth-generation Corvette – the C8 to fans – made its debut, marking the switch to a mid-engine layout, the most radical shift for the sports car in its nearly seven decades on the market.

Several senior members of the Corvette team have hinted at plans in conversations with TheDetroitBureau.com, among other things indicating the new car’s platform could allow space for a battery pack.

(Could an all-electric Corvette crossover be in the works?)

Several purported timetables have emerged indicating Chevrolet is working on hybrid or plug-in versions of the sports car. But when directly asked about the opportunity of a hybrid model, GM President Mark Reuss has responded on several occasions with the company’s new mantra, that it is “on a path to an all-electric future.

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Stellantis Enjoys Warm Welcome from European Investors

January 18, 2021 admin

Stellantis Chairman John Elkann is meeting with the media tomorrow to talk about the company’s future.

Not every merger involving an automaker these days involves a blank-check company. The newly minted tie-up between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and Peugeot S.A. was finalized over the weekend and the resulting company, Stellantis N.V., is enjoying a warm welcome.

At least on the stock market.

The new company’s stock trades on three exchanges and it finished the day on the Paris exchange up nearly 7%, closing at €13.14. It also jumped up 7.7% on the Milan exchange.

The New York Stock Exchange, the third exchange it’s traded on, was not open today due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

(Chrysler is no more as Stellantis comes to life.)

CEO Carlos Tavares has a lot on his corporate plate now that the merger is complete.

The $52 billion merger of near equals creates a massive enterprise with operations on six continents, employs about 400,000 people, sells – at least for the time being – 14 vehicle brands and sells 8.1 million vehicles annually, making it the fourth-largest automaker in the world behind Volkswagen, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

With all of those possibilities, it’s going to take a press conference Tuesday to start revealing what Stellantis will look like now that’s it’s a living, breathing entity. What brands will stay? How many workers will keep their jobs?

People are nervous because the CEO of the new enterprise, Carlos Tavares, has a history of being fearless when it comes to eliminating unprofitable operations and processes in the pursuit of corporate profit. One need only look at how what he did with former General Motors’ subsidiary Opel. A money-loser for a decade, he had it in the black in one year.

(FCA CEO Manley gets new assignment following Stellantis merger.)

“Stellantis faces a mixed outlook as U.S. stimulus plans may buoy Chrysler vs. a more uncertain outlook for Peugeot in Europe,” Michael Dean, BI automotive analyst told Bloomberg. “Former PSA CEO Carlos Tavares takes the helm and, similar to his handling of PSA’s takeover of Opel in 2017, we anticipate a new strategy in the first 100 days of his stewardship. All regions face a difficult 1H amid continued lockdowns.”

Quirky name aside, investors gave Stellantis a warm welcome when it began trading Monday.

The two companies have worked to allay fears of major cutbacks in France and Italy. While top managers have outlined plans to trim costs by $6 billion following the merger, they insist they will be able to do that without closing any plants. They have outlined 40% of those cost savings coming from purchasing, 40% from combining product development efforts, and 20% from marketing and other operations.

However, it’s unclear how Tavares plans to tackle other issues such as improving the company’s performance in China, the world’s largest automotive market, and bolstering its electrification efforts, especially in the aforementioned China as well as in the U.S. Just addressing those two issues are likely to require billions of dollars and euros. Some of plans for these things and more may get touched on Tuesday, Marco Santino, a partner at consulting firm Oliver Wyman, told Reuters.

(Fiat Chrysler and PSA not exactly a “merger of equals.”)

“He has proven to be the kind of person who prefers action to words, so I don’t think he will make loud statements or try to over-sell targets,” he said.

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