• Tag Archives Automobiles

  • Gas Prices Keep Dropping as Christmas Nears

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    Gasoline prices in the U.S. are caught between an uptick in holiday travel and the fear of the impact of new variants of COVID-19, resulting in downward pressure on prices. 

    Los Angeles gas prices on 11-21-21
    The average price for gas in the U.S. is $3.30 per gallon. California averages $4.66 a gallon.

    GasBuddy.com, which tracks the price of gasoline nationally, reported the average price of a gallon of gasoline is now $3.30. It dropped by more than a half-cent earlier this week and is down 2.6 cents per gallon from last week. 

    The prices are down 11.5 cents per gallon from last month when prices peaked across the country ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday prior to the appearance of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is creating new turbulence throughout the economy. 

    Factors in the decline

    AAA noted in its weekly report on gasoline prices the demand for fuel increased as consumer confidence jumped heading into the holiday season. However, fears of the COVID-19 omicron variant’s economic impact may threaten future global oil consumption, AAA said. 

    President Joe Biden
    President Joe Biden noted gas prices have returned to pre-pandemic levels this week.

    “A recovering economy coupled with strong employment is leading to increased demand for gasoline,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “This demand increase should drive pump prices higher, but it’s been blunted by the wavering price of crude oil.”

    As a result, pump prices fell again last week as crude oil prices wobbled — neither rising steadily nor falling rapidly. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped three cents to $3.30, according to AAA. 

    According to recent data from the Energy Information Administration, or EIA, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 700,000 barrels to 218.6 million barrels last week, AAA said. 

    In addition, fluctuations in the price of crude oil put downward pressure on prices. Last week, crude prices crept above $70 per barrel and if oil prices continue to climb, pump prices will likely follow suit. 

    AAA gas chart 12-20-21

    Oil prices waver on news 

    Overall, crude prices declined last week due to growing market concerns that the omicron variant of COVID-19 will lead to a decrease in demand as governments around the globe increase measures to curb transmission rates. The EIA reported gasoline stocks are 14% lower than mid-December 2020. For this week, crude prices could drop further if omicron concerns carry on. 

    Meanwhile, President Joe Biden observed this week in 21 states the price of gasoline is the same now as it was at point in 2019 before gasoline prices sunk on heels of a global recession that followed the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Among the states with the largest declines in prices were Indiana and Michigan where prices dropped by six cents per gallon. In Ohio, Arizona, Illinois it dropped by a nickel per gallon and Florida and Colorado it was down four cents per gallon, according to AAA. 

    AAA said the most expensive gasoline was in California, which is generally the case, where it averaged $4.66 per gallon. Prices in Oregon and Nevada averaged $3.86 per gallon.


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  • Ford Recalls Nearly 185K F-150s

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    Ford announced it’s recalling almost 185,000 F-150 full-size pickups. The 2021 and 2022 model-year trucks are experiencing driveshaft problems that could cause it to fracture.

    All-new F-150
    Ford is recalling nearly 185,000 F-150 pickups from the 2021 and 2022 model years.

    The issue only affects certain F-150 Crew Cab 4×4 pickups, according to the filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The company’s began examining the issue since July.

    The truck’s underbody thermal/acoustic insulators can loosen over time. If they come in contact with the truck’s aluminum driveshaft, they can cause scoring or marks. If this goes on long enough, the heat generated each time can eventually crack the driveshaft.

    Potential results if the issue is not repaired

    “A fractured driveshaft may result in loss of motive power,” the report states, “unintended vehicle movement while the vehicle is in park if the parking brake is not applied, and may result in secondary damage to surrounding components.”

    Additionally, once fractured, the driveshaft could break loose and touch the ground, causing the driver to lose control of the pickup, potentially resulting in a crash. The company is unaware of any accidents or injuries caused by the problem.

    2021 Ford F-150 - at work site
    Some Ford F-150 pickups are facing issues with the aluminum driveshaft on the truck.

    Owners are advised to look for a “loose underbody insulator.” They should also listen for a rattling, clicking or clunking noise due to the loose insulator coming in contact with the driveshaft. The scoring or marking on the driveshaft described earlier may also be visible.

    Next steps

    Ford’s taken steps to resolve the problem during production by swapping the underbody thermal acoustic insulator for an under-carpet thermal patch at the two plants — Dearborn (MI) Truck and Kansas City (KS) Assembly — already.

    Dealers received the notice Tuesday, and owners will begin receiving notices in the mail shortly. They will be instructed to make an appointment with their dealer to have “positive attachment features adde to the underbody insulators.”

    They’ll also inspect the driveshaft for scoring or marks that may have already occurred. This will be done at no expense to the truck owner.

    As of Dec. 7, Ford received 27 reports of fractured aluminum driveshafts possibly related to sagging underbody insulators on the F-150s, the automaker said in an Automotive News report.


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  • Lotus Builds Its Final Elise, Exige and Evora Models

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    The final Lotus Elise, a Elise Sport 240 Final Edition, is one of 35,124 built over 26 years.

    Lotus built its last the last Elise, Exige and Evora sports cars today in Hethel, Norfolk, U.K. The end of production for the three sports cars comes as Lotus readies its assembly lines for the upcoming Emira, which is expected to roll off assembly lines in the spring.

    “We will miss them, but a bit like Christmas, once it’s over, the excitement for the next one starts to build,” said Russell Carr, design director, Lotus Cars, in a statement. “And that’s what’s happening now at Lotus with the Evija, Emira and forthcoming Type 132. 2022 is going to be a great year as a new Lotus generation swings into action.”

    End of an era

    During the cars’ 26-year run, 51,738 cars were built. Combined, they represent almost half of the total production of the 73-year history of Lotus. From 1996 to 2000, the first-generation Elise and Exige sports cars were built alongside the Lotus Esprit. But the company revamped its assembly operations when the Spirit ended production. Now, the current assembly lines will be dismantled and revamped, allowing for an addition 5,000 units of capacity.

    A Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition, the last of 10,497 units.

    The final cars will be a yellow Elise Sport 240 Final Edition, the last of 35,124 cars; a Heritage Racing Green Exige Cup 430 Final Edition, the last of 10,497; and a Dark Metallic Grey Evora GT430 Sport, the last of 6,117 built.

    The Evora is the only Lotus model currently sold in the United States, with a base price of $99,150. Its supercharged Toyota 3.5-liter V-6 makes 416 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission, or 332 lb-ft with the 6-speed automatic. 

    The final models of the Elise, Exige and Evora models will not be sold. They will be placed in Lotus’ heritage collection. 

    “(C)ustomers have given our ‘three Es’ true cult status — usually reserved for long-out-of-production classics,” said Matt Windle, managing director, Lotus Cars. “As we say farewell to the last few cars, we look forward to the Emira and Evija.”

    The 6,117th Lotus Evora is an Evora GT430 Sport.

    The end of production coincides with the recent death of Hazel Chapman, wife of Lotus co-founder Colin Chapman.

    What’s ahead for Lotus

    The three models are being replaced by the all-new Emira, its name derived from ancient languages meaning “commander” or “leader.” The car will be Lotus’ last gasoline-powered sports car, with a design inspired by the Evija. All future models are promised to be 100% electric powered. Like previous Lotus models, the Emira will employ lightweight construction and massive horsepower, with a bonded aluminum chassis that’s strong, yet lightweight.

    It will house one of two engines, the first being an AMG-tuned turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to a dual-clutch gearbox that sends 360 hp to the rear wheels. The other is a supercharged Toyota V-6 with either an automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. The AMG engine will not be offered with a manual.

    The Evija will hit 186 mph more than 3 seconds faster than the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport.

    The company is also planning to release the Evija, a new hypercar and its first electric model. Punching out nearly 2,000 hp through all four wheels, it promises a 0-186 mph time of 9 seconds, making it the quickest vehicle on the road. But expect to pay $2 million for the privilege.

    But that’s just the start of a line of new Lotus EVs that will include the Type 132 electric crossover, recently teased at the 2021 Gangzhou Auto Show as well as on YouTube. It’s also slated to be released in the Spring. The company is also planning to release the Type 131, the first of Lotus’s three new electric sports cars.

    Group Lotus is owned by Chinese automaker Geely, which bought the British automaker in 2017, and Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate, which owns the remaining 49 percent. 


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  • NHTSA Opens Investigation into Tesla Gaming Software

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    Patton plays games driving Model 3
    Journalist Vince Patton demonstrates its possible to play video games while driving his Tesla Model 3.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) it is investigating 580,000 Tesla vehicles sold since 2017 that allow those seated up front to play games on the infotainment touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion.

    The investigation stems from a complaint filed with agency earlier this month by Vince Patton, a retired journalist from Portland, Oregon.

    The formal safety investigation, which was announced Wednesday, covers 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles. NHTSA opened the investigation “based on reports that Tesla gameplay functionality, which is visible on the front center touchscreen from the driver’s seat, is enabled even when the vehicle is being driven.”

    Tesla made the software more dangerous

    The 2021 Tesla Model S gets an all-new interior, a yoke-style steering wheel and the updated software being investigated by NHTSA.

    The feature, known as “Passenger Play,” increases the risk of a crash. Since December 2020, the feature can be used while driving. Prior to that, it could only be used when the vehicle was in Park. The agency said that it is evaluating aspects of the feature, including how frequently it’s used and when.

    NHTSA is concerned about distracted driving, an increasing risk as automakers bring increased online connectivity to infotainment touchscreens. Distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths in 2019, all of them preventable. 

    While Passenger Play does have a warning stating the game is meant solely for passengers. Although it asks for confirmation that the player is a passenger and not the driver, there is nothing preventing the driver from playing while driving.

    Other Tesla safety issues

    Consumer Reports criticized the performance of Tesla’s latest version of Autopilot.

    It’s not NHTSA’s only Tesla safety investigation, nor Tesla’s only safety issue.

    In August, the agency opened a formal safety investigation of 765,000 Teslas equipped with its Autopilot driver-assistance system after 11 crashes involving parked emergency vehicles killed one person and injured 17. The inquiry covers 2014-2021 Models S, X, Y and 3. 

    In October, Tesla had to roll back full self-driving, or FSD, with Musk revealing that the company is “seeing some issues with 10.3, so rolling back to 10.2 temporarily.” 

    And in November, Tesla issued a recall for 11,704 vehicles sold in the U.S. since 2017. The recall covers Model S, X, 3 and Y vehicles and came about as a result of an over-the-air firmware update of the automaker’s “Full Self-Driving Beta,” its advanced driver assistance system.

    The company identified a software communication error that could cause the forward-collision warning or automatic emergency brake system to falsely activate, possibly leading to a rear-end collision.

    Other OEM infotainment issues

    2022 Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic black daytime
    The new Mercedes-Benz EQS was recalled after it was found that its MBUX system allowed television and internet to be displayed while driving

    Other automakers are far more concerned over distracted driving than Tesla. On November 29, Mercedes-Benz recalled 227 vehicles in the U.S. after the company discovered that its MBUX infotainment system allowed television and internet to be displayed while driving.

    The recall affected 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 models. Mercedes-Benz has already corrected the problem, and no deaths or injuries seem to have resulted from the problem.

    Musk pays billions to satisfy tax bill

    In other Tesla news, Reuters is reporting that Tesla CEO Elon Musk sold 10% of his own company stock, 13.5 million shares, 8.06 million of which were sold to pay taxes. The billionaire said he is paying more than $11 billion in taxes this year. 

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk
    Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed California over its tax policy.

    “California used to be the land of opportunity and now it is … becoming more so the land of sort of overregulation, overlitigation, overtaxation,” Musk told Reuters, adding his combined federal and state tax rate tops 50 percent.

    The tax bill may explain why Musk recently relocated Tesla’s headquarters to Austin, Texas from Palo Alto, California.

    But taxes aren’t Musk’s only concern.

    The company has submitted all the documentation required to get its factory approved near Berlin, Germany. Approval of Tesla’s newest manufacturing facility has been delayed by environmental concerns and red tape due to Tesla’s decision to add a battery factory to the site. That has delayed the approval process. It remains unclear when the new plant is expected to open.


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  • First Look: 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge

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    Who would have thought you could make the Rolls-Royce Ghost look so sinister?

    Rolls-Royce revealed a new addition to the Rolls-Royce Ghost line-up in Miami Thursday — the Black Badge — during a North America dealer meeting that saw about 100 retailers meet with the automaker’s top executives. 

    The automaker revealed the new model to dealers at the Mad nightclub in the hip and trendy Wynnewood section of Miami, and will do the same for customers later this week.

    “We just felt this was very Black Badge,” said Richard Carter, director of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It’s very, noir; It’s very alternative; and that’s the essence of Black Badge.”

    The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expands a line-up that began with the Wraith coupe, followed by the Phantom sedan in 2016, the Dawn cabriolet in 2017 and the Cullinan SUV in 2019. The murdered-out Black Badge models now account for more than 27% of Rolls-Royce sales worldwide, including 40% of Cullinan sales.

    The darker side of opulence

    To realize the Ghost Black Badge’s menacing demeanor, the company uses 100 pounds of the industry’s darkest black paint. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille are darkened using a chrome electrolyte applied during chrome plating. The new model wears exclusive 21-inch wheels with as many as 44 layers of carbon fiber.

    The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in more that 44,000 different hues, although most Black Badge customers choose black.

    As you’d expect, interior components are darkened including air vents and the wood veneer, along with Black Badge badging and other unique interior touches, although clients are free to specify any number of colors and trim to be used on the car’s interior.

    Engineers also contributed, fitting larger air springs to alleviate body roll during assertive cornering. There’s also roughly 29 additional horsepower and a revised transmission to make the Black Badge a bit more athletic. They also reduced brake pedal travel.

    A quick turn behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes revealed a car that can be driven more aggressively than your average Ghost. Grip is impressive while cornering, staying firmly planted despite some noticeable body roll. Body motions never become excessive, and rebound over bumps is very well controlled. Yet its agility doesn’t come at the expense of the brand’s legendary comfort.

    An idea born in Beverly Hills

    The idea of Black Badge occurred in 2014 in Beverly Hills.

    “This whole notion of the alter ego of Rolls Royce, the slightly noir, naughty, edgy side of Rolls Royce is something that we were thinking about. We were looking at ways and means of lowering the age profile of our brand,” Carter said.

    The Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy also receive the Black Badge treatment.

    At the time, the brand had one model, the Phantom, and an average buyer’s age of 57. “We were selling one model to a dying set of customers, and there was no future in that,” he said.

    At the time, the company was about to release the first-generation Ghost, followed by its two-door spinoff, the Wraith, both of which would attract younger buyers. But the company needed more. They were searching for an idea, but hadn’t settled on anything yet.

    Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was waiting for a car to pick him up at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills when a murdered-out Phantom Coupe pulled up. Ötvös was stunned, and asked the owner why he modified his Phantom.

    “He told me over the weekend, that he wants to be a different kind of character,” Ötvös said. “For some of the week, he is friendly and nice. But over the weekend, he wants to be something different. He enjoyed playing a different role; how he was dressed, looked and talked.” 

    A couple weeks later, Ötvös had similar experiences particularly in the United States, particularly in California. This led to the creation of Black Badge at a time where murdered-out cars weren’t mainstream.

    A surprising success

    The Ghost Black Badge is revealed for the first time at the Mad nightclub in Miami.

    Initially, executives expected Black Badge models to have a 10%-15% take rate. But they were mistaken. It turned out to be a stunning success, with a far higher take rate. Currently, Black Badge represents 40% of Cullinan sales. Black Badge, along with new models like Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, have brought the average Rolls-Royce buyer’s age down to 43, quite a large drop in a little less than a decade. 

    “We are even younger than Mini as a brand in the BMW Group,” Ötvös said, who then explained that the type of wealthy car buyer has changed. 

    “When you look into ultra-high net worth individuals, those people who are our target group worldwide, they became younger and younger over time because the way to generate wealth is very, very different from what it used to be 15-to-20 years ago.”

    Rolls-Royce sees its Black Badge line as one that appeals to iconoclasts, a type of buyer that the brand has always attracted, particularly during the pre-World War II years, when all coachwork was custom built.

    “Black Badge was the most instrumental piece we had in an all-new brand strategy to massively decrease the average age and illuminate the brand in a significant way,” Ötvös said. 

    Mission accomplished.


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  • First Look: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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    The new Mitsubishi Outlander already has proven to be one of the most important products the long-struggling automaker has launched in its bid to become relevant to U.S. motorists again. Now, Mitsubishi is hoping to gain even more traction with the upcoming launch of a plug-in hybrid version.

    2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Hero Image
    The gas-powered 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander made its debut in February.

    The Japanese automaker claims it will yield more range than the old Outlander PHEV, at an estimated 87 km, or nearly 55 miles, per charge — though that’s using the global WLTP test cycle and will likely come down once the American version is tested by the EPA.

    “With low (carbon dioxide) emissions and environmental impact from manufacturing and use,” said Takao Kato, MMC’s president and CEO, “the all-new Outlander PHEV model can be considered the best solution for carbon neutrality today.”

    Updated, upgraded drivetrain

    The Outlander was first introduced in 2001 and, with the fourth generation, it has become a core part of the brand, accounting for about 20% of its global volume. The first plug-in hybrid version was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. It produced a combined 197 horsepower by pairing a 2.0-liter inline-4 gas engine with twin 60-kilowatt electric motors drawing power from a 12 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

    The new Outlander PHEV gets numerous powertrain upgrades, though the automaker isn’t releasing hard specs yet. In a statement announcing the new vehicle it said the plug-in gets “an increase of around 40% in the output of the front and rear motors and drive battery.” The lithium-ion pack, it did note, jumps to 20 kWh. The gas engine, added a spokesman, is a “slightly updated” version of the old PHEV’s 2.4-liter package.

    Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV charging port 2022
    The new Outlander plug-in hybrid will arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2022.

    Mitsubishi also revealed, “The power drive unit for the front motor is newly equipped with a booster function which bolsters driving force by raising the supply of voltage to the front motor while simultaneously improving electricity consumption by raising the efficiency of the generator.”

    Third row added

    The automaker also took steps to downsize some of the hardware, notably the rear motor and control unit. As a result, the new plug-in will gain room for a third row yielding space for seven occupants.

    The drive system now will allow One-Pedal Driving, as well, a feature that effectively allows motorists to minimize the need to jump from throttle to brake when driving in light to moderate traffic. That feature was found to be extremely popular with EV owners, according to the recent J.D. Power Technology Experience Index.

    With only modest tweaks, the plug-in adopts the same exterior and interior design as the gas-powered Outlander. The overall strategy is based on a concept dubbed “I-Fu-Do-Do,” which means “authentic” and “majestic” in Japanese.

    New design

    Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV badge 2022
    The new Outlander PHEV is expected to travel more than 55 miles in electric-only mode.

    The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander adopted a new styling language called “Dynamic Shield.” Up front, it features a more upright nose with a pinched, dual-level grille and stacked headlamps. From the side, the SUV features a more deeply sculpted silhouette with a bit of a floating roof element.

    The automaker clearly wanted to give the new Outlander a more solid and robust look, with such touches as 20-inch wheels and tires and what it calls the Hexagon Guard rear end.

    The new SUV grew larger in virtually all dimensions, the width expanding by 2 inches. That means the cabin of the new Outlander is both wider and more spacious than the outgoing model, Mitsubishi adopting more upscale materials and features like tri-zone climate controls, real aluminum panels and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

    The gas-powered Outlander is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 that bumped up power by 8.9 percent. At the same time, it reduced fuel consumption by 2.6 percent.

    Pricing TBD

    Many of the features from the current model are expected to carry over into the PHEV, though Mitsubishi hasn’t provided specific details. The gas model offers Hill Descent Control and Trailer Stability Assist. A Multiview camera system helps drivers see what’s around the vehicle, whether on-road or off. Other features for the new Mitsubishi Outlander include a power-operated panoramic roof and an electrically operated tailgate that can be opened with a kick of the foot under the rear bumper.

    Pricing for the gas model starts at $25,795 — plus $1,195 in delivery fees. Pricing for the PHEV is expected to run higher, though the numbers won’t be released until closer to sales launch. That holds for a variety of other specs, including U.S. range, power and performance.

    “Sales will commence in Japan on Dec. 16, followed by Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2022 and North America in the second half of 2022,” Mitsubishi said in a statement. While it did not offer specifics, that would suggest that the Outlander PHEV will be marketed as a 2023 model in the U.S.


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  • Ford Reports $1.8B Profit for Q3, Beats Estimates

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    Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor Co. reported net income of $1.8 billion, or 45 cents per share, and adjusted earnings of $3 billion for the third quarter of 2021. 

    Ford CEO Farley Sept 2021
    Ford CEO Jim Farley still believes the company is “spring loaded” for success, especially after the strong third quarter.

    The company’s revenue for the period was $35.7 billion, which was down slightly — like the rest of the quarter’s numbers — from the same quarter last year. However, they’re better than the analysts’ consensus estimate expecting 27 cents per share and revenue of $32.7 billion.

    Those numbers are also an improvement compared with the Q2 results, which were expected to be the worst results for the year due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage.

    Ford officials claim Ford +, the plan aimed at making the automaker a leaner, meaner, more innovative profit-making machine, is taking root and the profitable third quarter results reflect those nearly yearlong efforts to implement it.

    “This is the most exciting Ford lineup I’ve seen, but what matters is that customers love our new products and services – and we’re just getting started,” said President and CEO Jim Farley. “The trajectory of our business gives us huge confidence in Ford+, and we’re obsessively turning the plan’s promise into reality.” 

    More positive numbers

    Kansas City Assembly Plant
    Ford officials confirmed the worst of it is over for the company when it comes to the semiconductor shortage.

    Ford’s adjusted EBIT was $3 billion, with an adjusted EBIT margin of 8.4 percent. Third-quarter cash flow from operations was $7 billion and adjusted free cash flow was $7.7 billion, both up considerably from the second quarter largely because of the higher wholesales and profitability. The company ended Q3 with $31.5 billion of cash and $47.4 billion in total liquidity. 

    The company’s results were strong enough that officials increased its guidance for full-year 2021 adjusted EBIT to between $10.5 billion and $11.5 billion. 

    Some of the improvement comes from the increased availability of semiconductor supplies, the company noted, adding its regional product shipments increased 67% from its second quarter results. The result was an increase in EBIT margin to 10.1% — higher than the 8% benchmark set by the Ford+ program for 2023.

    Ford said it remains what Farley calls “spring loaded” for growth in North America as semiconductor volumes increase, with a 50% sequential increase in orders — to more than 100,000 — for vehicles already on the market, excluding those for the all-new Bronco. 

    More investment as part of the plan

    BlueOvalSK Battery Park exterior rendering
    Ford expects to invest $40 billion to $45 billion in strategic capital expenditures between 2020 and 2025.

    Farley said the Ford+ plan combines foundational strengths and evolving new capabilities to create superior experiences for customers — and profitable growth for Ford — in electric vehicles, commercial vehicles and services, connected services and autonomy/mobility. 

    According to CFO John Lawler, the company expects to invest $40 billion to $45 billion in strategic capital expenditures between 2020 and 2025 — including one-half of the more than $30 billion it plans to devote exclusively to BEVs during that same period. 

    Those investments are highlighted by the move to build a new F-Series truck plant just outside Memphis, Tennessee as well as a EV battery production plant in a complex it’s calling Blue Oval City, plus two more battery assembly sites in Kentucky in partnership with SK Innovation in a venture called BlueOval SK. 

    Other projects mentioned, included: the closed-loop battery recycling facility with Redwood Materials, the construction of the new BEV production facility in Germany and the new joint venture slated to build E-Transit battery-electric commercial vans in Turkey.

    “What’s certain is that we’re going to keep investing smartly and heavily in Ford+ – customer-facing technology and always-on relationships, connectivity, and EVs – on top of a foundation that’s broad and deep,” said Lawler. “We believe the long-term value creation from these investments will be substantial.” 


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  • Hertz Expands EV Rental Pool with New Uber Pact

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    Rental car giant Hertz inked deals with Uber and Carvana designed to expand the renter pool for its expanding fleet of EVs and make it easier to divest vehicles it no longer needs.

    Hertz Tesla EV rental one
    Hertz plans to buy 100,000 Teslas for its rental fleet in 2022.

    Hertz and Uber fashioned an agreement allowing Uber drivers to rent Teslas starting Nov. 1. The rental car company plans to make 50,000 of the 100,000 Teslas it’s planning to purchase next year, available to Uber drivers by 2023.

    Drivers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington, D.C. will get first crack at the program, which is expected to available nationwide sometime next year. One of the complaints about Uber and ride-hailing services in general is they are a drain on the environment — this should help change that, officials believe.

    “Climate change is an urgent global challenge we must all tackle together, and now is the time to drive a green recovery from the pandemic,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a release. “This combines the power of Tesla, Hertz and Uber to help accelerate the transition to zero-emissions mobility. We look forward to seeing more EVs on the road right away.”

    In with the new

    Dara Khosrowshahi
    Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the deal with Hertz is a win-win for all involved, including drivers.

    Earlier this week, Hertz announced plans to buy 100,000 new Teslas next year to expand its EV rental program. By 2023, half of those could be in use by Tesla drivers across the country. Research shows that when rideshare drivers go electric, they realize 3 to 4 times greater emissions savings than average car owners.

    “Today’s partnership with Uber is another major step forward in Hertz becoming an essential component of the modern mobility ecosystem and executing on our commitment to being an environmentally forward company,” said Mark Fields, Hertz interim CEO. “We are creating the new Hertz and charting a dynamic, new course for the future of travel, mobility and the auto industry.”

    Uber called the deal “a win-win for drivers who rent.” Through the rental program they can increase their earnings and cut the impact on the environment at the same time. Drivers save on gas and have a chance at higher earnings potential due to Uber’s Green Future Program, which provides incentives — such as $1 more per trip up to $4,000 annually — for drivers to transition from gas-powered vehicles to EVs. They’ll also have access to the Tesla Supercharger network and to Uber’s exclusive EVgo discounts.

    Hertz location 2021
    Hertz is working with Carvana to make divesting older vehicles more efficient.

    According to Uber, Tesla rentals will start out at $334 a week and fall to $299 or lower as the program expands. This includes insurance and maintenance and is the best deal available in the market today for drivers looking to rent a Tesla. For the initial launch period, Hertz requires that drivers have at least a 4.7-star rating and have completed at least 150 trips to be eligible. 

    Out with the old

    Meanwhile, Hertz and Carvana just completed a pilot program where the rental car company used Carvana’s network to sell vehicles no longer needed for its rental fleet.

    The deal permits Hertz to use Carvana’s “online transaction technology and logistics network to expand vehicle disposition channels” to sell its vehicles. Previously, the company used auctions, partnerships with dealers and its own Hertz Car Sales locations to move these vehicles on to their next owners. 

    While it has 68 of its own sales locations, using Carvana will expedite the process of selling the vehicles, making the process more efficient.

    “Our new partnership with Carvana will help Hertz provide a tech-enabled and scalable channel through the lifecycle of our fleet,” Fields said. “This is another step toward the new Hertz – combining our brand strength and global fleet expertise with new technology and innovations to chart a dynamic, new course for the future of travel, mobility and the auto industry.”

    The deals come just two days after the tie-up with Tesla. Since emerging from bankruptcy in July, the company’s made several big announcements including the addition of former Ford CEO Fields signed on earlier this month.


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  • Geneva Motor Show Delayed until 2023

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    The Geneva Motor Show for 2022 has been cancelled, organizers blaming the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Koenigsegg Regera Geneva 2020
    Officially cancelled in 2020, the Geneva Auto Show still went on, albeit virtually.

    The event was originally scheduled to take place next February. The move came despite shows in Chicago and Detroit occurring in recent months, although the New York International Auto Show elected to cancel its 2021 event scheduled for late August.

    “We have pushed very hard and tried everything to reactivate the Geneva International Motor Show in 2022,” said Maurice Turrettini, president of the Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, which organizes the event. 

    “Despite all our efforts, we have to face the facts and the reality: the pandemic situation is not under control and presents itself as a big threat for a large indoor event like GIMS. But we see this decision as a postponement, rather than a cancellation. I am confident that the Geneva International Motor Show will come back stronger than ever in 2023.”


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  • Check Out the Latest Edition of TheDetroitBureau’s Headlight News Podcast

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    TheDetroitBureau.com covers the top stories occurring in the auto industry in the latest edition of the Headlight News podcast. The weekly roundup includes news, features, reviews and more. 

    2022 Acura RDX - PMC Edition with NSX
    Acura’s giving its popular RDX compact ute a midcycle refresh for 2022.

    This week’s episode features Publisher Paul A. Eisenstein talking about three big new product debuts: the Acura RDX, Ford Expedition and Toyota Tundra — the last two taking place at the first-ever Motor Bella in metro Detroit. Other stories in the podcast include:

    • Ford also confirmed the arrival of the Bronco Raptor model in 2022;
    • Jeep became the latest brand to cut production due to the chip shortage; 
    • AlixPartners updated its earlier estimates for how much the auto industry will lose to the shortage to $210 billion — almost double what it forecast May;
    • GM announced its plans to replace the batteries in its Bolt EV and EUV models after working with the battery maker, LG Chem, to resolve a problem that caused about a dozen vehicle fires; and
    • Tesla’s in the news — again — this time because transportation officials in San Francisco expressed concerns about its Full Self-Driving program. They are concerned that current issues with its Autopilot semi-autonomous driving technology and the name “Full Self-Driving” will create an unsafe environment.

    Executive Editor Joe Szczesny has the top story this week with the announcement that Mike Manley is leaving Stellantis to become CEO at auto retailing giant AutoNation. Manley, who was tabbed to replace the late Sergio Marchionne to head up then Fiat Chrysler, continues his streak of working with executives with big personalities. 

    FCA CEO Mike Manley head shot
    Former FCA Chief Exec Mike Manley is leaving Stellantis to take over as CEO at AutoNation.

    Contributing Editor Larry Printz uses the words “bargain” and “Jaguar” in the same sentence while reviewing the 2021 Jaguar XF. Now the only four-door sedan available in the leaping cat’s line-up, it gets a price cut in concert with an updated interior. The combination makes it a fine competitor for German brands in the segment.

    Managing Editor Mike Strong says the week ahead will be heavily focused on product. We’ll take with bespoke SUV maker Ineos Automotive EVP Greg Clark to talk about the brand’s first offering, the Grenadier, as well as its plans for the North American market. That’ll be followed by an update about GM’s BrightDrop electric commercial vehicle subsidiary, the world premiere of the Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as the September sales report on Friday.

    Printz returns to tell us about the founding of Lincoln in 1917 — as an aircraft company. It later switched to vehicles with the 1921 Model L. The first Jeep prototype by the American Bantam Car Co. is delivered in 1940 — called the Blitz Buggy. The government shifted contract to Willys — Bantam builds the trailer. In 1948, the Honda Motor Co. is founded, building motorcycles. It builds its first car in 1963. Check out more at on the podcast.

    Find out more by listening to TheDetroitBureau’s latest edition of the Headlight News podcast by clicking here. And look for a new episode every Monday! 


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