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Yes, there’s a truck performance war under way. The Ford Bronco is due to be unveiled tonight. Consider: Jeep has just electronically introduced its new Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, powered by a 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) V8 engine that delivers a claimed 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. This means a 0-60 mph elapsed time in less than 5 seconds. Continue reading
In a sweeping recall that covers 308,000 vehicles, Volvo Cars USA is recalling defective seat belts from model years 2008-2015. The steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash. Volvo has known about the problem with the Autoliv supplied cable since 2016, but had trouble determining the cause it said in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (SZ: 300750) and Honda (TYO: 7267)have signed an agreement for a “comprehensive strategic alliance on new energy vehicle batteries to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote the popularization of electrified vehicles.” Honda has acquired ~1% of CATL shares through CATL’s non-public issuance of stocks. This makes Honda a leading strategic partner of CATL.
The companies said the agreement will enable them to begin discussions on a broad range of areas including joint development, stable supply, and the recycling and reuse of batteries. Honda is spreading the risk and costs and hedging its bets on battery electric vehicles, the development of which is threatened by the ongoing Covid crisis that has already cost automotive companies billions of dollars. A key byproduct of EVS is autonomous vehicles – which may not justify the investment required for a decade or more. Continue reading
Toyota is also providing its patents and expertise to vacuum press manufacturer Mikado Technos, which has incorporated its own technologies to develop and manufacture a stamping-type plating machine for sale through Kanematsu.
As the world swelters and arctic fires burn uncontrolled, Toyota Motor Corporation is reducing CO2. Toyota is using the world’s first stamping-type plating technology that has a polymer membrane (solid electrolyte membrane), through which metal ions can pass, to apply plating only to areas requiring it. The technology is used in the plating process for forming copper, nickel, and other metal coatings on substrates during the manufacturing of electronic parts.
This new stamping-type plating machine eliminates the need of a dipping process where parts to be plated are completely immersed in multiple baths of plating solution, which is required in the most common plating processes at present. As a result, waste solution can be dramatically reduced to about one-thirtieth and CO2 emissions to about one-third, which contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact. The technology also reduces plating time and the process footprint.
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The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has carryover pricing – the same as the introductory model – with MSRP starting at $59,995 for the coupe and $67,495 for the convertible. Both models include destination freight charge.
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Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Postmates Inc. say they have reached an agreement where Uber will acquire Postmates for approximately $2.65 billion in an all-stock transaction. The Postmates transaction brings together Uber’s global Rides and Eats platform with Postmates’ delivery business in the U.S. Postmates is roughly the same as Uber Eats, with different geographic areas and customers.
Postmates does business with small- and medium-sized restaurants, particularly local favorites that draw customers to the Postmates brand. Postmates has been an early pioneer of “delivery-as-a-service,” which complements Uber’s growing survival efforts in the delivery of groceries, essentials, and other goods.
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Sudden stalling caused by a software defect.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling more than 266,000 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V hybrid vehicles originally not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the Denso inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to suddenly stall while being driven.
With this safety defect, power steering and braking will not be affected. However, a hybrid system that shuts down without entering a fail-safe mode could result in the vehicle losing motive power while driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
China is clearly moving forward on being a dominant player in high technology and emergent digital technologies.
Xpeng Motors has begun nation-wide delivery of its new P7 smart EV sports sedan to customers. The “super-long range” sports sedan Xpeng P7, a pure EV, is the company’s second production model at ~$32,400 – $49,200.The P7 is available through Xpeng’s growing 190-store sales and service network, including 99 experience centers, 64 service centers and 27 sales outlets in 57 cities in China.
The P7 claims cutting-edge autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle technology. On paper it’s formidable. P7 arrives as the Trump Administration is being outflanked in a trade war that Trump started and is losing.
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The Rent-A-Ride platform will be continuously expanded.
With currently 89 participating rental partners in seven countries, Rent-A-Ride is the largest motorcycle rental platform in Europe. By year end, BMW Motorrad aims to expand it to include more than 100 rental partners in 12 countries. By consistently expanding the rental partners and participating countries, the goal for 2021 is to become the worldwide leader in this segment of motorcycle rental.
At www.rentaride.com customers can reserve a virtually new BMW motorcycle and, if necessary, rider equipment with just a few clicks, to go on a ride with friends or to take a bike out for a thorough test ride. The motorcycles are explained in detail by on site at BMW Motorrad partners and handed over in a relaxed atmosphere. If a long distance journey is currently too hazardous for you, you can rent your dream bike from Rent-A-Ride in a flexible and uncomplicated way and go on a motorcycle discovery tour.
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As a nation founded on a proposition that is simple to state but challenging to live by and fulfill, this Fourth of July sees us examining ourselves and our leadership against what Jefferson believed was innately possible as a gift from our creator.
Few nations or kingdoms have been blessed at their origin with such a profound and explicit pledge that believes in equality and when properly governed that the goodness of people will emerge.
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Take the pin away from children. Now.
The Boy Scouts of America are recalling Cub Scout activity pins due to violation of the federal lead content ban – recall 20-144 . The pins are made in China according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The pin’s face and shaft contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
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A socially responsible car presented in a socially responsible way to socially responsible government leaders.
The New 500 made its institutional debut at the Palazzo del Quirinale, where Fiat Chrysler Automobiles full-electric car was presented to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, by John Elkann, Chairman of FCA. FCA Management then traveled to Palazzo Chigi to present the New 500 to Giuseppe Conte, the Italian Prime Minister.
The New 500 BEV was created, designed and engineered in Turin. “Just another shining example of the creativity and innovation of which the company and the city – where Fiat was founded over 120 years ago – are proud,” FCA said. Continue reading
BMW of North America announced today 1 July Q2 2020 sales results for the BMW and MINI brands in the U.S. For the sales period ending June 30, 2020, BMW brand sales totaled 50,957 vehicles, a decrease of 39.3% vs the 83,976 vehicles sold in the same time last year. MINI brand sales totaled 5,288 vehicles, a decrease of 41.5% vs the 9,044 vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2019.
Since the onset of the global pandemic in the U.S. in mid-March, BMW has instituted several measures to sell and service vehicles across the U.S. While the situation has differed greatly from state-to-state, at many locations, BMW has accelerated its use of digital sales practices, allowing customers to move further down the path to purchase online before visiting a store, and enabled virtual transactions so that purchases may be completed digitally and vehicles delivered. Dealers are also offering “invisible” service where vehicles in need of service or maintenance are picked up and dropped off without interaction.
Ford Motor Company Q2 overall sales were down -33.3% at 433,869. Ford brand sales at 412,588 dropped -34%. Ford car at 40653 sank -61%. Ford truck at 278,891was off -22.2%. Lincoln brand at 21,281 dropped -18%. Shutdowns and shelter-in-place restrictions had the largest impact on fleet sales in Q2. Daily rental was down -94%, while commercial was off -78% from production shutdowns – commercial performance did improve sequentially through the quarter Ford claimed. Continue reading
Trucks are leading the recovery.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that it delivered 492,489 vehicles in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about -34% compared to a year ago. However, GM said demand outpaced supply in the latter half of the quarter.
“While the industry experienced significant declines due to the outbreak of COVID-19, full-size pickup truck sales performed exceptionally well, and overall sales showed signs of recovery, especially deliveries to retail customers,” GM claimed.
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District of Columbia,15 States to Completely Wipe Out Toxic Diesel Fumes By 2050 in New MOU
“One of our primary goals was to position Windsor among the first cities in North America to pioneer the efficient use of electric buses,” said Chinese company BYD.
Today, 15 states and the District of Columbia announced a joint memorandum of understanding so that 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050, with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.
While trucks and buses only account for 4% of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for ~25% of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the sweeping reform are large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). Continue reading →