Interesting Car/Truck Manufacturer News

[CobraBob]

Jeep Grand Cherokee L With New Limited Black Package​

Posted by autoview on 11 February 2022, 08:27 AM

The Windy City is getting a black out in the form of the new 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Limited Black Package, which will debut at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show Feb. 12-21 at McCormick Place. The Limited Black appearance package, now available for order, delivers legendary Jeep 4x4 capability with unique Gloss Black exterior accents and features.

"The first ever three-row Grand Cherokee answered the growing needs of our Jeep SUV customers who asked for more space, functionality and legendary 4x4 capability," said Jim Morrison, Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep Brand North America. "It's important for us to listen to our customer base and that includes unique options they want, and the new Limited Black Package gives the 2022 Grand Cherokee L a sleek, customized look that further distinguishes it from anything else on the road."

The Limited Black Package, with a U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,695, adds 20-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels, Gloss Black accents and badging, roof rails and a unique seven-slot grille to the already well-equipped Limited model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4 model comes standard with the class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system, which offers five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized four-wheel drive calibrations for any given driving scenario.

Standard exterior features include automatic high-beam headlamps, new premium LED fog lamps, power Gloss Black mirrors with a heating element, blind-spot indicator, memory and supplemental turn signals.










With premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out, the Limited model's sophisticated interior features standard Capri leather seats and several premium convenience features, including power eight-way driver seat with memory and power four-way driver/front-passenger lumbar adjuster with memory and heated steering wheel.

All Grand Cherokee L models deliver the most advanced, high-tech safety and security features in its class, with more than 110 innovative applications of technologies and ample standard content. The Grand Cherokee L also comes equipped with the award-winning Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Black Package is available for order at local Jeep dealers. The iconic fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – is known for its legendary 4x4 capability, superior on-road refinement, premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out, and now for 2022 an expanded lineup includes a two-row, a 4xe plug-in-hybrid model and three-row Grand Cherokee L model.

The all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee builds on its legacy as the most awarded SUV ever by introducing a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. The first-ever Grand Cherokee 4xe is set to deliver an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range, 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and a combined driving range of more than 470 miles (756 km).

 

[CobraBob]

Nissan debuts trio of 2022 Frontier concepts​

Posted by autoview on 10 February 2022, 08:30 AM

Far away from the surf breaks and volleyball courts, the Frontier team from San Diego- based Nissan Design America (NDA) is venturing to the heartland to display three unique concept trucks at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show. The three concepts – the Project 72X, Project Hardbody and Project Adventure – are all based on the 2022 Frontier mid-size pickup that NDA played a primary role in designing.

Customers have responded to this rugged design - the all-new Frontier is off to a highly successful start with strong initial sales and demand exceeding company expectations. Sales during the first three months of availability increased 115 percent over the prior year, with segment share up more than six points.

"People want to get out of the house, have adventures and do it in style, so timing of the adventure-ready 2022 Frontier couldn't have been better," said Michael Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. and Marketing and Sales. "These three new projects show the possibilities with the new Frontier in this important Chicagoland market."

While they are all based on the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab platform, the Project 72X, Project Hardbody and Project Adventure each address three different mid-size truck audiences and start with three different Frontier grade levels – S, SV and PRO-4X.
"Truck culture is now very broad – hard core off-roaders, overlanders, surfers and kayakers, environmentalists, fishing and hunting outdoor enthusiasts and more," said Hiren Patel, project lead designer, Nissan Design America, Inc. "The common ground is that they all use their trucks as canvases for personalization. We're offering three styles to show how they could modify their own new Frontier."

All three of the Frontier concept trucks combine readily available Nissan and aftermarket parts and accessories with custom-designed pieces and graphics.

Project 72X Frontier​

Based on the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab S 4x4 grade, Project 72X is a modern take on one of Nissan's most popular trucks, the Datsun 720. First introduced in fall 1979, the 720 eventually became the first vehicle assembled by Nissan in the United States when it rolled off the line of the new Smyrna (Tennessee) Vehicle Assembly Plant in 1983. Known as the "Lil Hustler," it was a bare-bones, affordable truck designed for fun and was advertised as ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

For the 2022 interpretation, the design team used gray exterior tones and graphics for a sense of modern, cool attitude – a look reinforced by the white-painted steel wheels, which are actually 2022 Frontier spare wheels, with PRO-4X tires. Other key modifications include a 2.5-inch lift kit with adjustable front upper suspension arms and a sport bar behind the cab.

2022 NISSAN FRONTIER PROJECT 72X

Project Hardbody​

Project Hardbody, as the name suggests, pays homage to one of the most iconic Nissan trucks ever, the Nissan D21 "Hardbody." It was the first truck design completed at NDA.

"It is still unmistakable on the road as a pure, modern design, even today," said Patel. The "Hardbody" name came from its double-wall bed and aggressive stance and was a champion in on- and off-road in competitions and on the beaches of Southern California. Project Hardbody is built on a 2022 Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4. It features a 3-inch lift kit with adjustable upper control arms, overfenders from the current PRO-4X model, classic Hardbody block-style wheels designed and milled at NDA mounted with 33-inch tires, bed- mounted spare tire carrier, sport bar with modern 10-inch rectangular LED lights, blacked- out front end and door graphics with ‘80s-style shadow outlining.

2022 NISSAN FRONTIER PROJECT HARDBODY

Project Adventure​

The last of the three is Project Adventure, the NDA's take on the popular overlanding trend. Based on a 2022 Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X, Project Adventure features a 5-inch lift kit, 34- inch mud terrain tires, Yakima® bed rack system and Yakima® LoadWarrior roof basket, sky tent and Bluetooth® bed audio system by KICKER®. The special carbon fiber snorkel was designed and crafted by NDA.

A key feature of the Project Adventure is the custom body wrap depicting an atlas of the U.S., which makes the statement, This is a big country, why don't you take your Frontier somewhere?

"Nissan has more than 40-years of truck leadership in the United States, with more than four million Frontiers sold to date," said Colleran. "With the arrival of the all-new Frontier, the next chapter is now being written."

2022 NISSAN FRONTIER PROJECT ADVENTURE

 

[Weather Man]

Hyzon to supply hydrogen trucks to Swedish logistics group, Maserfrakt​

HYZN -8.27%Feb. 23, 2022 8:55 AM ET

• Hyzon Motors (NASDAQ:HYZN) has announced the signing of a vehicle supply agreement between MaserFrakt and Hyzon Motors Europe BV, Hyzon's joint venture with Holthausen Clean Technology Investment B.V.
• The collaboration marks a milestone in enabling emission-free long-haul transport in Sweden, as it is expected to bring the first hydrogen-powered heavy trucks in commercial operation to the country.
• Under the contract, Hyzon will supply two HyMax-250 fuel cell electric trucks, built on a 6x4 vehicle chassis.
• Through 98 kilograms of hydrogen stored onboard, the 64-ton trucks are expected to have a range of up to 680 kilometers.
• "Together with our customers we are constantly trying to find better and more sustainable transport solutions. We are confident that the collaboration with Hyzon Motors will pave the way for a greener future." said MaserFrakt CEO Per Bondemark.

 

[CobraBob]

2023 Ineos Grenadier Prototype Review: Maybe Think Twice About That Wrangler​

Who needs a Jeep if you have this off-road SUV?​

Angus MacKenzie WriterManufacturerPhotographer
Feb 23, 2022

Let's cut to the chase: The 2023 Ineos Grenadier might make anyone wanting a seriously off-road-capable family-sized 4x4 load lugger think twice about a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. We've only had a short off-road drive in a pre-production prototype, but it was enough to confirm the live-axle, coil-sprung Grenadier is a confident, comfortable plugger that, despite its obvious styling homage to the old Land Rover Defender, feels as solid and unstoppable as a Toyota Land Cruiser.

We've covered the Grenadier's origins here. Now let's talk in more detail about the vehicle itself.

Stacking It Up Against Wrangler Unlimited​

At 193.9 inches overall, including its rear-mounted spare tire, the body-on-frame Grenadier is 5.5 inches longer, 2.2 inches wider, and 6.4 inches taller than the Wrangler Unlimited. Its 115.0-inch wheelbase is 3.4 inches shorter than that of the Jeep, however. In Rubicon trim, the Jeep has better approach and departure angles—43.9 and 37.0 degrees versus 35.5 and 36.1. But the Grenadier's shorter wheelbase means its 28.2-degree breakover angle bests the Wrangler's 22.6-degree number.
The Grenadier's ground clearance is 10.4 inches, just 0.4 inch shy of the Unlimited Rubicon's, and it will wade through water 31.5 inches deep without the optional snorkel fitted.

The Grenadier is offered with a choice of BMW turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines—the gas-burning B58, which develops 281 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, and the B57 diesel, which grunts out 245 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The driveline mates a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with a Tremec two-speed high-low transfer case and permanent all-wheel drive with a lockable center differential. Lockers for the rear and front diffs will be available as options.
Wheels are six-lug pattern 17- or 18-inch pieces in either steel or aluminum, each of which can be fitted with either Bridgestone Dueler A/T or BFGoodrich KO2 tires sized 265/70R17 or 255/70R18. The Bridgestones were developed specifically for the Grenadier, while the BFGoodrich KO2s were chosen because of their proven reputation in the aftermarket as a high-capability off-road tire. No matter which combination you choose, you get generous sidewalls for off-road comfort, capability, and durability.

Looks Like A Defender, Except It Doesn't​

Despite design cues unsubtly cribbed from the old Defender—the headlights in the front fenders, the rounded shoulder on the body side, and the cutouts in the roof that echo the famous Land Rover "alpine light" windows—the Grenadier is quite different up close and personal. Proportionally, it's nothing like the old Landie; much wider and with the front wheels set further back in the body, the touchdown point of the A-pillar closer to the front axle centerline.

It's different in detail, too. The grille protrudes between the headlights, in part a legacy of the decision to use inline six-cylinder BMW engines instead of the originally planned four-cylinder units, and in part to package the heavy-duty cooling system. The front bumper extends further out from the bodywork to enable the car to meet modern pedestrian protection regulations. Access to the rear load space is via a rear door vertically split into two-thirds and one-third sections, similar to that on the 70-Series Toyota Land Cruiser wagon.

Deep swages in the doors aligned with the door handles—robust push-button types like those used on the old Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen—are for rubbing strips or an optional clip system Ineos insiders call the "Utility Belt." Along with clips installed under the rearmost side windows, it allows accessories to be affixed to the side of the vehicle. The cutouts in the roof are not windows, but rather recesses with a tube running through them that can be used to secure loads on the roof, or a canopy to the side of the car when parked.

Other neat details include a lockable storage unit that fits into the spare wheel, which is mounted on the larger of the two rear doors with its outside face closest to the car. A stout three-rung ladder, available as an option, can be fitted to the narrower of the rear doors to allow access to the roof.

Climb aboard, and you'll settle into Recaro seats trimmed in hard-wearing cloth or leather. The steering wheel is a simple two-spoke item, with thumb controls for audio and cruise control on either spoke. There's no instrument panel behind the wheel, just a small screen inset into the dash that shows all the major warning lights. The speedo, tach, and other readouts are on a configurable screen in the center of the dash. Different display configurations and functions are actuated via a rotary controller on the center console.

A vertical panel under the central air vent, styled to look like something from an aircraft, presents controls for the HVAC system that are all simple large buttons or rotary controls. Continuing the aircraft-cockpit theme is a roof panel that includes the off-road mode and diff-lock controls, as well as 10-amp switches for interior and exterior power outlets. Order the high-load wiring pack, and you get additional switches that handle 25- and 500-amp loads. Four exterior power outlets are situated in the lower forward corners of the roof cutouts.

Moving Through The Muck​

Our test car is a two-seat Utility model with the 281-hp gas-powered BMW straight-six under the hood. The engine fires up with typical BMW efficiency. Move the transfer case lever into low range, lock the diff, tug the BMW shifter into D, and point the nose at the gloopy black mud of the old disused coal mine.
It only takes a minute or two for the Grenadier to establish its off-road credentials. It grunts through the deep mud, eases down steep slopes, traverses tricky inclines, and walks across deep gutters with insouciant ease.

Although the B58 BMW engine doesn't have the same low-end torque as the diesel B57, there's no need to rush obstacles to maintain momentum—the good axle articulation helps keep the wheels in contact with terra firma, and the eight-speed automatic always seems to be in the right gear. Such is the traction and the sensitivity of the feedback through the chassis, the throttle can be used to deliver precise dollops of power and torque, exactly when needed.

The off-road ride is comfortable, with relatively little head-toss or jolting, courtesy of the variable-rate Eibach coil springs and massive shock absorbers. The steering—non-rack-and-pinion because of the live front axle—feels a little light and low-geared. Production cars will have a different steering tune, says chief engineer Oliver Schilpf.

A Global Competitor​

Overall, the Grenadier's off-road demeanor is more like that of a Land Cruiser than a Wrangler Unlimited, overlaid with a suppleness in the suspension that is reminiscent of the old, coil-sprung Defender. It seems an immensely capable off-road tool, analog rather than digital in its responses, despite its high-tech powertrain. The Ineos Grenadier has been developed from the outset as a global vehicle. Though production is scheduled to start in July, finalizing the additional certification requirements for the U.S. market means the car is not scheduled to arrive in North America until late in the fall. Pricing has not been confirmed, but the U.K. market suggests the two-seat Utility will be priced from about $65,000, and the Wagon from about $75,000.

 

[CobraBob]

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is a mini monster truck. High performance off-road pickup hits the trails next year​

By Gary Gastelu | Fox News

​

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is the best version yet of Ford's high performance pickup, but Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu says it may soon be even better.

Someone call Owen Grady, the Raptors are multiplying!

Ford has uncaged the all-new Ranger Raptor pickup, which goes on sale overseas this summer and will arrive in the U.S. in 2023 alongside the redesigned standard-issue Ranger that it's based on.

The midsize truck is designed for both rock crawling and high speed off-roading.

The Ranger Raptor follows the same formula as the F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor with a widebody design and a high performance suspension system anchored by a set of Fox Live Valve dampers. The Fox shocks have position-sensitive damping, which allows them to combine maximum articulation with high speed stability, all while being able to prevent the truck from bottoming out on big jumps.

The Ranger Raptor rides on a beefed-up chassis with a unique suspension system.

The Raptor is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that should be rated around 400 hp when it reaches the U.S. The motor is equipped with an anti-lag technology derived from racing that keeps the turbos spooled up for three seconds after you let off the throttle, so they're ready to go when you floor it again.

A full-time four-wheel-drive system is standard and comes with a two-speed transfer case and both front and rear locking differentials for extreme rock crawling. It's connected to the engine via a 10-speed automatic transmission. A traction management system features seven settings for a variety of on and off-road situations and an active exhaust cranks up the volume in four steps from Quiet to Baja.

The Ranger's interior is thoroughly modernized and features a 12.4-inch portrait-oriented central display for the infotainment system, similar to that found in the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The Ranger Raptor's interior features a large central display.

Pricing for the Ranger Raptor hasn't been announced, but the larger F-150 Raptor starts at $70,370.
Gary Gastelu is FoxNews.com's Automotive Editor covering the car industry and racing @foxnewsautos.

 

[Weather Man]

Inside EVs

Ford Shows How It Is Going To Scale Up Its BEV Capacity To 600,000/Year​

Mark Kane - 2h ago
Follow

© InsideEVs

"That's just the beginning."​

Ford is in a process of unprecedented expansion of all-electric vehicle manufacturing capacity, which highly accelerated due to strong demand.
The current short-term target is to scale up the production to 600,000 all-electric vehicles globally by the end of 2023.
Ford CEO Jim Farley shared an interesting video about the process, stating that "The Ford team is unstoppable when we set our mind to something" and "That's just the beginning."
It really looks like the entire company is now focused on bringing electric vehicles out in volume.

Let's recall that Ford is focusing on its three initial battery-electric vehicles - the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford E-Transit and Ford F-150 Lightning.
The Mach-E volume is expected to reach over 200,000 annually by 2023 (globally), while the Ford F-150 Lightning is now expected to reach 160,000 annually (after doubling the target twice). On top of that comes the Ford E-Transit (produced separately in North America and Europe). The production in the US already started:

There will be more electric vehicles from Ford, but an introduction of some of them in the US was postponed to focus on scaling up the existing ones (like the Mach-E). Tesla has a similar approach to prioritize the expansion rather than add more models.

Nonetheless, new electric Fords are coming too. In Europe, Ford will launch at least one electric car, based on the Volkswagen MEB platform. The first model - a small crossover/SUV is expected in 2023.
The European electrification plan assumes 600,000 MEB-based EVs over six years, starting in 2023, which indicates 100,000 per year on average.
Together with EV production, Ford is investing in three new battery gigafactories in Tennessee and Kentucky.
It's really great to see that the company is finally fully onboard with electrification. If that's "just the beginning," then in the next few years there might be a pretty high wave of new Ford electric vehicles.

See also​

• Ford F-150 Lightning Vs Rivian R1T: Price, Range, Specs Compared
• Ford F-150 Lightning: Standard Vs Extended Range Battery

 

[CobraBob]

Ford CEO Jim Farley Busts Rumors Of New All-Electric Spinoff Brand​

The exec says he isn't spinning anything off, but EVs and combustion engine vehicles still must be treated very differently.​

Alisa PriddleWriterManufacturerPhotographer
Feb 24, 2022

Fighting off rumors, Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed there is no intention of spinning off its electric vehicle lineup of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup into a new business—nor any plan to shake off the traditional internal combustion engine vehicle side, either. Ford's chief instead discussed a new plan to handle the two increasingly different sides of the business in a virtual conference this week, calling for differentiation in talent that should bring about untapped earnings.

​

The denial of a spinoff comes after months of speculation that Ford was considering splitting up the business between combustion-engined model lines and its growing lineup of all-electric vehicles, like the Mach-E SUV and F-150 Lightning. The rumored benefit of such a dramatic proposal could have potentially boosted the value of the rapidly-growing EV side of the business, and perhaps offer the clean-slate opportunity investors love about Tesla—which was was valued at $1 trillion last year. Ford would like some more of that attention.

What a breakup would mean for the combustion side of the business is anyone's guess, considering Ford's shuttling of most of its small cars in favor of SUVs, and its market hold over trucks. It seems clear the EV side would be the favorite child in the divorce. Farley ended the speculation with a flat-out denial during a virtual Wolfe Research investor conference, though he does admit his thinking has changed.

The CEO is emphatic that EVs are different, their customers and expectations are different, as are their challenges and potential profitability. To that end, he wants new talent, thinking, engineering, advanced components, and procurement strategies. "You can't ask ICE people to do certain things. It takes too long," Farley said.

The EV side needs key people who can build an imbedded architecture, create sophisticated components and software, and people who can scale up that side of the business to bring down cost. A secure supply of raw materials such as lithium, rare earths and nickel is also vital. Farley wants to do all of that without interrupting the combustion-side of the business, so that overlapping development programs don't have to share all of the same workers. The result should be better quality products across the portfolio.

Farley did concede that Ford's ICE side is in need of revitalization, regardless of the company's EV plans. He adds that Ford has room to improve quality while managing to reduce complexity, waste and structural cost. Both sides of the business are under-earning, Farley says. Reaching out and finding the right talent is the plan to fix that.

The exec appreciates Ford's legacy expertise like the ability to run a body and paint shop, conduct grueling testing and manage supply chain logistics—it's all experience newcomers like Rivian would love to have, he points out. But, "One size doesn't fit all anymore," Farley quipped regarding Ford's production and assembly approach so far.

Ford is just getting started, Farley says, adding he is not the kind of CEO who will say he has it all figured out. But he has a new way of thinking now, and considering this was an investor call, he promises Ford is a still long way from the peak earnings he's expecting.

 

[Weather Man]

KAR Auction Services rallies on offloading ADESA U.S. Physical Auction business to Carvana for $2.2B​

KAR +1.03%Now!

• KAR Auction Services (NYSE:KAR) surged 55.4% higher after hours on announcing that Carvana will acquire the company's ADESA U.S. physical auction business in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.2B.
• It includes all auction sales, operations and staff at 56 ADESA U.S. vehicle logistics centers and exclusive use of the ADESA.com marketplace in the U.S.
• Under the agreement, KAR will serve as a technology partner to Carvana, supporting the ADESA.com digital marketplace and the Simulcast and Simulcast+ technology.
• Transaction proceeds will be utilized to reduce KAR's corporate debt.
• "This transaction will allow us to focus our investments and energy on those higher growth, higher margin digital marketplaces and on delivering the most strategic solutions to our customers," CEO Peter Kelly commented.
• KAR will continue to operate its OPENLANE platform that supports 40+ private label programs representing ~80% of North America's off-lease inventory.
• The transaction will reduce the company's 2022 Adj. EBITDA by ~$100M on an annual basis - net of the contribution from the commercial agreement entered into with Carvana as part of this transaction.
• It will lead to higher revenue and Adj. EBITDA growth rates, as well as higher gross profit and Adj. EBITDA margins.
• Transaction is expected to close in Q2, with the 30-day waiting period under the HSR Act having expired on Feb.23.

 

[Weather Man]

ETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling nearly a quarter-million heavy duty pickup trucks in the U.S. because the drive shafts can fracture and cause a loss of power.

The recall covers certain F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups from the 2017 through 2022 model years. The trucks have gasoline engines and aluminum drive shafts.

Ford says in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that heat and noise insulators below the body can loosen, and touch the drive shaft. The shaft can fracture, causing a power loss, or loss of control if it hits the ground.

 

[Weather Man]

Toyota suspends production at all plants in Japan due to potential supplier cyberattack​

TM +1.73%Feb. 28, 2022 8:39 AM ET

• Toyota (NYSE:TM) announced that it is suspending production at all 28 lines of its 14 plants in Japan beginning on Tuesday due to what the Japanese automaker called a "system malfunction."
• A key domestic supplier suspect the Toyota issue may be a cyberattack because its own system could not communicate properly with Toyota or monitor production. There are separate reports of issues with other suppliers.
• It is unclear when the Toyota problem will be fixed and the timeline for production to resume.
• Toyota (TM) and other automakers are already struggling with shortages of computer chips and other parts due to disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic.
• Shares of Toyota fell 1.55% in premarket action in the U.S.

 

[Weather Man]

The Drive

Stellantis CEO Says Suppliers Need to Brace for Huge EV Costs​

By Hazel Southwell, The Drive - 10h ago

© Provided by The Drive

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has made his stance on electric vehicles known from the start. Chief among his concerns has always been how expensive they are to build, and he reiterated that during an earnings call just last week. He added that OEM suppliers would be going through a "very nice Darwinian transition" to absorb the costs as well, throwing more cold water on what most agree is the future of personal transportation. Of course, he's looking at huge dollar figures seeing as Stellantis encompasses 14 brands in total.

Tavares' apprehensive outlook hasn't really slowed down Stellantis' transition. It is something he won't leave alone, however, as he revisits warnings about manufacturing costs almost any time he's in front of a microphone.

This time, Tavares made it clear that he believes not just OEMs but suppliers to them will be sharing the increased cost burden. "In this transformation of the industry, it's not only about the OEMs, it's also about the supplier base and, as you know, there is significant competition in the supplier base and that is going to be also a very nice Darwinian transition period for our suppliers as much as it is for the OEMs. It means that we are in the same boat, we are in the same transformation."

That seems like a strange assessment of the supplier-OEM market, where the Darwinism would be in manufacturer selection of who sells them stuff, surely. But Tavares went on to say that EVs are 50 percent more expensive to produce than internal combustion cars, calling the increased cost the "big gorilla in the room."
Not that Stellantis doesn't have the margins for that. Hardly struggling, the colossal brand-chimera made a $15.2 billion profit in 2021, nearly three times what the Fiat-Chrysler Alliance had managed in 2020. As Automotive News reports, Stellantis' income rose by 85 percent to $12.8 billion in North America alone. Not only that, but UAW members got a record profit-sharing payout of more than $14,000.

 

[CobraBob]

Lucid Air Production Estimates Deflated by Supply Chain Woes​

The automaker is cutting plans to build 20,000 of its all-electric Air sedans this year down to around 14,000 cars.​

Justin Westbrook - Writer
Mar 1, 2022

The production outlook for the 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year, Lucid's Air all-electric sedan, has been reduced to an estimated output of between 12,000 and 14,000 deliveries this year, down from the initial outlook of 20,000 cars. Supply chain constraints are cited as the latest issue for the new automaker, following a recall announced last week affecting 203 of the vehicles delivered so far, and initial delays launching production last fall.

Lucid's Updated 2022 Outlook​

In a statement to investors, Lucid Group announced today that its "2.85M square foot expansion of the Casa Grande, Arizona manufacturing facility is on track," as well as plans to build a new manufacturing facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Lucid cited supply chain constraints and quality assurance for its updated outlook of 2022 Lucid Air production "to a range of 12,000 to 14,000 vehicles." Original announced outlook was optimistically set at 20,000 for 2022, with a scale up to 35,000 cars planned to be produced in 2023. Today's announcement made no mention of the impact on next year's outlook.

More Than 300 Lucid Air EVs Delivered So Far​

Early delays on the Lucid Air were said to be in the name of delivering the best quality fit and finish for Lucid customers, and the recent recall affecting 203 of its cars is said to be an issue with a supplier-provided component that's already been fixed on future cars, which is likely related to the supplier issues causing today's announced setback. The company release also mentioned production of 125 cars in the fourth quarter of 2021, and overall output of more than 400 new Air sedans, with more than 300 deliveries to customers so far.

And 25,000 Lucid Air Reservations​

Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson also shared that the company was "thrilled to have been awarded the 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year," that customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive so far, and that he is "more confident than ever that [Lucid is] building a quality foundation on which we can scale this business." The company also reported around "25,000 customer reservations" in the release. The company counts these as a "potential sales" value of more than $2 billion.
Sean O'Kane at Bloomberg reports the company has postponed the planned launch of its second vehicle, an SUV, to 2024: "Lucid Motors delays launch of electric Gravity SUV to first half of 2024 to 'help ensure it meets our commitment to high quality standards. '" Bloomberg reports that shares of Lucid fell 12 percent in post-market trading Monday evening to a price of $25.50, which is down 24 percent from the year's start.

 

[Weather Man]

ISBON, Portugal (AP) — A large cargo vessel carrying cars from Germany to the United States sank Tuesday in the mid-Atlantic, 13 days after a fire broke out on board, the ship’s manager and the Portuguese navy said.

 

[Weather Man]

The Drive

GM Dumps Lordstown Motors Stock as Electric Truck Startup Bleeds Cash​

By Hazel Southwell, The Drive - 1h ago

It's not news that Lordstown Motors is in big financial trouble. After Lordstown posted a fresh raft of losses on Monday, though, General Motors confirmed that it has sold $7.5 million worth of shares it held in the hopeful electric truck company. But a bailout from Foxconn looks set to keep Lordstown afloat, even before the startup's factory sale.

Lordstown purchased its only factory from GM after it pulled the plug on running its own operations there. Reportedly, the sale was for just $20 million and GM's share purchase was to help Lordstown find the funds for it. Ever since, Lordstown has been embroiled in chaos, and GM's investment has represented about five percent of Lordstown's overall value.
GM spokesperson Jim Cain told the Detroit Free Press that the shares got sold at the end of last year, on the open market. "We were a small investor in the company, the goal was to help facilitate the sale of the plant and the restart of production," Cain explained.

Lordstown's severe financial woes have led it to pursue a buyout of its factory from iPhone maker Foxconn, which is moving into the EV space to make models for Fisker at Lordstown's Ohio plant. According to the Detroit Free Press report, Foxconn has already paid Lordstown $200 million of the factory sale's potential $230 million value, even though it has yet to close the deal.

There's a further $250 million hole in Lordstown's long-term viability, after the Foxconn money. CEO Dan Ninivaggi said during an earnings call that it's one of "the most challenging situations I've seen." He then reassured Wall Street analysts that the company currently had funds to operate into 2023, including building 3,000 of its Endurance electric pickups by next year's end.

While Lordstown has built a handful of prototype Endurance trucks, they've yet to perform as intended. The first road-going prototype caught fire 10 minutes into its initial test drive, while another--which Lordstown entered in a Baja race--was retired after 40 miles due to unexpectedly huge battery consumption. These problems are but a few that Lordstown has faced, many of which were highlighted by short-seller Hindenburg Research, who also claimed the company faked orders for its Endurance pickup.

 

[Weather Man]

Benzinga

Ford Reveals Pricing For Its F-150 Lightning Charge Station Pro​

Rachit Vats - 7h ago

© Provided by BenzingaFord Reveals Pricing For Its F-150 Lightning Charge Station Pro
Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) on Monday revealed pricing for its bi-directional home charging station that will power the legacy automaker’s soon-to-be-launched electric truck F-150 Lightning.

What Happened: Ford’s Charge Station Pro is available for $1,310 for a high-powered charging station that offers an 80-amp charging feature.
In comparison, Enphase Energy Inc’s (NASDAQ: ENPH) subsidiary ClipperCreek’s 80-amp charging station is more expensive at $2,195 and does not feature bi-directional charging capability.

Bi-directional charging stations are capable of charging two ways, allowing EV owners to pull power from the grid to charge the battery or use it as a backup to power their home or business with specific loads.

F-150 Lightning customers who order the extended range battery pack (131 kWh usable) will receive a complementary Charge Station Pro. Customers opting for the standard range (98kWh) would however have to buy the charging service.
Designed for Ford Lightning and its other electric vehicles, the charging station will also work with all J1772 plugs, the company said.

The automaker is offering a three-year limited warranty on the charging station. InsideEVs first reported the development. Ford did not respond to an email from Benzinga sent outside of business hours, seeking a comment.
See Also: Ford Nearly Doubles F-150 Lightning Production Target, To Open Order Bank This Thursday For Reservation Holders

Why It Matters: Unlike Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), which is rolling out its own fast-charging network called the Supercharger network, Ford has partnered with Electrify America, Sunrun Inc (NASDAQ: RUN) and Ionity for the needs of its charging network.

Ford has built its own home EV-charging wall box for Lightning, with the ability to charge the electric truck 15% charge to 100% in eight hours.
The company's Charge Station Pro delivers Level 2 capability at home, unlike Tesla’s DC fast chargers, which have Level 3 capability and are faster.
The Lightning is expected to begin selling in spring this year.
Price Action: Ford shares closed 1.5% lower at $17.5 a share on Monday.
Photo: Courtesy of Ford

 

[Weather Man]

Bloomberg

Ford Tells Partners It’s Suspending Operations in Russia​

David Welch and Richard Clough - 1h ago
© Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co. said it’s suspending operations in Russia, joining companies across the world in pulling back following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The automaker told its joint-venture partners that it’s halting work immediately, according to a statement Tuesday. Ford had already been winding down its Russian operations, which today consist of commercial van manufacturing and Russian sales through a minority interest in the Sollers Ford joint venture, the company said.
“We at Ford are deeply concerned about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the safety of the Ukrainian people,” Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said on Twitter. The company, which doesn’t have significant operations in Ukraine, plans to make a donation to the Global Giving Ukraine Relief Fund.

With the decision, Ford joins a growing group of companies that are leaving Russia or pausing operations, including General Motors Co. and Harley-Davidson Inc. Huge oil producers BP Plc and Shell Plc, along with prominent players in other sectors, such as Apple Inc., made similar moves.

Ford’s business in Russia is small and has been downsized over the past three years. There were just 22,000 of its vehicles -- including Ford-branded automobiles produced by an unconsolidated affiliate -- sold there last year, according to regulatory filings.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker had said in 2019 it was closing three factories in Russia, pulling out of a car market where it was once a pioneer as part of a broader overhaul of its money-losing European operations. That decision was made as an economic slowdown and western sanctions dimmed the outlook for what many automakers had long seen as a key growth market.

Russia has not been a big market for American automakers. GM sold just 3,000 vehicles, mostly Cadillac luxury SUVs, there.
While scrutinizing weak-performing operations, GM had shut down its plant in St. Petersburg in 2015 and kept only a small retail operation selling expensive models. At the time, Ford tried to boost its operations there, only to see sanctions and an economic slowdown hurt vehicle sales.
(Updates with CEO tweet, additional details beginning in third paragraph.)
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

 

[Weather Man]

Ford planning reorganization around EV, ICE as separate businesses- Reuters​

F -4.90%Mar. 02, 2022 2:25 AM ET10 Comments

• Ford (NYSE:F) on Wednesday plans to announce an organizational overhaul under which its electric and internal combustion engine businesses will be operated separately in a move designed to allow the electric vehicle business to maximize profits, according to a Reuters report.
• The EV and ICE units will remain under the car maker's corporate umbrella, similar to how it runs its Ford Pro commercial division, the authors note.
• The company will also appoint executives to lead each unit, which will have separate names, the authors say.
• The idea is for Ford to eventually report separate financial results for the EV and ICE businesses, one of the sources said.
• Ford spokesman T.R. Reid declined to comment on the report. "We're focused on carrying out our Ford+ plan to transform the company and thrive in this new era of electric and connected vehicles," he said.
• In response to reports Ford was weighing a full spinoff of its EV business, Chief Executive Jim Farley last week said the company had no plans to spin off either its EV or ICE businesses.

 

[CobraBob]

Dodge Wants Its Electric Muscle Car Loud, Says the Sound Is "Shocking"​

An electric Dodge performance car needs to be more than fast—it needs to sound fast.​

Alisa Priddle - Writer
Mar 1, 2022

For Dodge, making an electric muscle car came with an interesting challenge: How do you make it sound like a muscle car when the performance comes from (nearly) silent electric motors?

Dodge will soon show its first electric muscle car concept, a powerful and quick car that will go on sale in 2024 and is designed to appease a loyal fan base of Charger and Challenger muscle machines. So, the automaker needs to answer that noise question sooner rather than later, though the electric Dodge that is coming "is just so brilliant that it is shocking," Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in Amsterdam. His remarks were made at a group interview ahead of his presentation of Dare Forward 2030, a long-range strategic plan for the automaker that extends to 2030. Stellantis was created a year ago by merging Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group.

Donuts And Burnouts In An EV​

Tavares said he asked Dodge brand chief Tim Kuniskis six months ago how to keep muscle-loving Dodge customers satisfied with EVs. Kuniskis answered with market research that shows customers in their 30s are open to making donuts and burnouts using electric power. But about that noise issue—replacing the throaty growl of a powerful gas engine. Dodge engineers have created a sound that Tavares said he can only describe as "shocking"—yes, he used the word yet again.

And now the team is looking at how to make their audio creation even louder and more powerful sounding to appeal to Millennial buyers.

Chrysler Is Emotional Pillar​

Tavares said the strategic vision is to invest in all the American brands, including Chrysler which now consists of minivans and the Chrysler 300 sedan. "Chrysler is one of the emotional pillars of the former FCA. It is important for us to give this grounded brand a future and an opportunity to rebound," Tavares said. The CEO says he has had many discussions about the next models for Chrysler "and they are gorgeous."

The first electric vehicle for Chrysler is expected to be based on the Chrysler Airflow concept shown at the 2022 CES. There will be a bit of a wait: Chrysler won't have its first EV for sale until 2025. We will see the first Dodge EV concept soon, followed by a plug-in hybrid (cousin to the Alfa Romeo Tonale and expected to be called the Dodge Hornet), and we are promised a third significant new vehicle for the brand.

 

[Weather Man]

Why did Rivian Automotive stock drop today?​

RIVN -12.98%Mar. 02, 2022 3:33 PM ET3 Comments
Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) fell sharply after the electric vehicle maker increased prices of its vehicles by about 20% due to inflationary pressures and higher component costs. The price hikes for some configurations are over $10K and apply to people with reservations on the books.
Analysts have warned that the new higher pricing level could impact future demand for Rivian (RIVN) models and reset sales expectations, although it should help with margins.
Shares of RIVN plunged 12.84% and traded as low as $53.30 vs. the 52-week trading range of $50.00 to $179.47.

 

[Weather Man]

Hyundai increases battery-electric sales target​

Mar. 03, 2022 7:03 AM ET
Nomura kept a Buy rating after taking the CEO Investor Day event held by Hyundai Motor Company (OTCPK:HYMOF) earlier in the week.
Analyst Angela Hong and team identified key points from the presentation including that the company's updated 2030 BEV sales target which is seen as increasingly aggressive over the one disclosed in late 2020, long-term margin guidance and the new vision from the Japanese automaker in software capabilities.
"Hyundai's 2030 BEV sales target at 36% of global sales is roughly double the previously announced figure. At the 2020 CEO Investor Day, Hyundai had announced its BEV sales target at 18% of global sales by 2030. However, the company now expects BEV sales to record a 33% CAGR in 2021-30 and expects BEVs to constitute 36% of global sales by 2030. We are positive on the increased targets, although they are still relatively conservative vs peers (e.g., Ford and BMW aim to fill up to 40-50% of their global sales with BEVs by 2030)."
Ealier this week: Hyundai U.S. retail sales up 19% in February.