Volkswagen posts a big third quarter, Daimler gets into motorcycles and Chevy embraces technology and stuff. All that and more on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for October 31, 2014.
VOLKSWAGEN CONTINUES MAKING MONEY
Volkswagen posted its earnings for the third quarter and the company is continuing its dominance as a money making machine. The VW group sold over 2.4 million vehicles, a gain of 3% compared to last year. That helped push its total revenue to nearly 49 billion euros, up 4%. Its operating profit increased 16% coming in at 3.2 billion euros. And its net profit hit nearly 3 billion euros which is a whopping 55% gain. Even though Toyota outsold VW last quarter, the top brass at the German automaker can’t be losing too much sleep with results like this.
| Sales |
2.44 M |
+3.0% |
| Revenue |
€48.9 B |
+4.1% |
| Operating Profit |
€3.23 B |
+16.3% |
| Net Profit |
€2.97 B |
+55.6% |
AMG BUYS STAKE IN BIKE MAKER
And in other VW news, it owns Ducati, BMW makes its own bikes and now Daimler’s sports-car and performance brand, Mercedes-AMG just bought a 25% stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta. The two will collaborate in both marketing and sales, but AMG will also have access to the bike maker’s 3-cylinder engines in its superbikes. And with Volkswagen using a 2-cylinder Ducati engine to power its performance fuel-sipper, the XL Sport, we wonder if AMG could head in a similar direction?
JAGUAR NOW MAKING IN-HOUSE ENGINES
Throughout the year we’ve talked about Jaguar Land Rover’s new Ingenium engine line-up and now the automaker is celebrating the opening of a new plant in England where it will build those engines. The 500 million pound facility starts production next year. This is significant for the company because it now has its own modern engine plant and is building engines in-house for the first time in a generation.
CHINESE BRAND HEADED TOWARDS AUTONOMY
With some of the most congested streets in the world, China seems like one of the most logical places to have autonomous vehicles and now one of its own brand manufacturers is making its push towards the technology. Dongfeng just signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies, which is the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker. The first phase will be to develop mobile communication products and services, then to automotive networking programs, like V2V and V2X and finally to develop automated driving technology. This is the first Chinese automaker we’re aware of working toward autonomous driving, but it certainly won’t be the last.
#TECHNOLOGYANDSTUFF
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last few days, you’ve no doubt seen Chevrolet executive Rikk Wilde’s awkward presentation of a 2015 Chevy Colorado to World Series’ MVP, Madison Bumgarner. In which Wilde now famously said that the truck combines technology and stuff. What would normally be a PR nightmare has turned into a positive as Chevy has embraced the whole situation much like Lincoln has with the spoofs of Matthew McConaughey’s MKC commercials. Chevy even used the #technologyandstuff in a Tweet it put out about the new Colorado. And the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the presentation has garnered nearly $2.5 million in free publicity for the brand, which is 6-times more than had it been polished performance.
And in other PR fiasco news, coming up next, when being too frank lands you on the front page of a major newspaper.
AUTOLINE THIS WEEK
Public relations is the topic on Autoline This Week, that’s because our guest is Jason Vines, a former PR executive at Nissan, Ford and Chrysler. He also just authored a book called “What Did Jesus Drive? Crisis PR in Cars, Computers and Christianity.” In the following clip, Jason talks about how his frankness got him in trouble with Nissan’s Japanese executives.
(Clip about “hit with a stupid stick” can only be viewed in the video version of today’s show.)
Also joining John for that show is the Autoextremist Peter De Lorenzo and Tom Walsh from the Detroit Free Press. And as always you can watch that entire episode right now.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching and have a happy Halloween.
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Comments (44)
October 31st, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I am looking forward to seeing the new Range Rover Discovery Sport. What engine options will JLR make available in the Discovery Sport when it hits the US market?
October 31st, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Autoline this week: it was good to see and hear Peter D. again, Jason Vines was at his best and the show was really good.
Technology and stuff: they might even embrace this (to print or internet advertising); use “Technology and stuff” with an asterisk above the word “stuff”, then explain just what that stuff is. Great tag line (because as lame as it might have originally sounded, a lot of ‘gearheads’ knew just about what he was trying to say). As John mentioned in Autoline After Hours, make lemonade out of lemons.
October 31st, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Hey John,I just finished watching Autoline this Week.Great show.It was good to see Peter D and Jason once again,and the show was very informative.The only thing I really missed was Petern and Jason’s ‘colorful’ language.To me,that keeps it real.
October 31st, 2014 at 1:47 pm
That’s impressive for Autoline to have Vines on, being so critical of Firestone’s role in the Ford Explorer episode.
——
Huawei is pronounced wah-way, I believe
October 31st, 2014 at 1:50 pm
I love that Chevy guy struggling in front of the cameras. Who can’t empathise with that sinking feeling and those hot flashes?
October 31st, 2014 at 2:55 pm
@ HtG: Yeah,he was in a spot for sure,yet he gave a better catch phrase for chevy then their advertising dept came up with.”Technology and stuff”,that is just awesome and it will catch on for those of us who are into our trucks…..and stuff,lol.
October 31st, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Woah. Had to check the date… PDL.
October 31st, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Wasn’t that actually “Technology and sh..tuff”?
October 31st, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Kit, I believe that if you analyze the video closer, you will hear that the word ‘stuff’ is clearly enunciated. 42 seconds into the clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw1gc5dGXPk
October 31st, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Technology and shtuff, like what? tires, a motor, a transmission a couple of seats and lots of glass and plastic shtuff. This guy gets paid the big bucks so he can get on national TV and say “Technology and shtuff” LOL!
October 31st, 2014 at 4:31 pm
So why is it so funny?
Because no one but the engineers knows what’s going on with these things?
#technologyandstuff
October 31st, 2014 at 4:37 pm
So when the technology fails, the stuff stops working?
October 31st, 2014 at 4:56 pm
8, Yeah, stuff was clearly enunciated. The story would have gotten even more publicity if it hadn’t been.
On an unrelated note, I’ll get to watch an F1 race this weekend. It’s going to be on the NBC broadcast channel.
October 31st, 2014 at 7:15 pm
I’ll tell you what was uncomfortable was listening to that Chevy guy huffing and puffing to get out a complete sentence. I thought Darth Vader was doing the presentation. I was worried the guy was going to have a heart attack. Two words “gastric bypass” This man needs to lose a lot of weight fast before he really has one.
October 31st, 2014 at 7:51 pm
One of these days I’m going to rationalize buying a Honda S2000.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4685258054.html
But I haven’t figured it out yet
#stuff
October 31st, 2014 at 8:06 pm
John
I just watched “after hours” and wanted to make an observation on the Lincoln program. I think you’re right in that they’re looking at China (as opposed to the N.A. market) while pursuing this, and although I doubt that anyone will admit as much, I think their initial target is Buick not Cadillac. They need a noticeably superior “luxury” brand in China and Ford will never be that. It’s a bit like VW, in that there primary brand may be VW, but they make their money on Audi.
cheers
November 1st, 2014 at 5:07 am
I would also put Lincoln on par with Buick (currently) though I know their aspirations are to compete with Cadillac and the other luxury makers. They’ve got a long way to go (to get back to their former glory).
Yep, F1 on NBC, Saturday for qualifying and Sunday for the race. COTA (Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, TX) sure is a pretty track, and the weather looks like it is going to cooperate (as well). The Mercedes are fast again (both had a glitch with their shifting, hydraulics, in practice but are expected to be fixed) and the other cars (which are a second behind them/per lap all are bunched within a second of each other). Only 18 cars this race as two teams ran out of money (as reported on Autoline Daily earlier in the week); they will also miss Brazil but might make the finale in Abu Dhabi.
November 1st, 2014 at 9:44 am
Formula 1 Rat Pile
Bernie says, “get rid of these engines[hybrid power units] because they don’t do anything for anyone,” he said. “They are not Formula 1.”
Take that Toto! Happy now Mr. Ghosn?
November 1st, 2014 at 10:26 am
17, What does Bernie want, V6 turbos without the hybrid stuff, or something else?
I never saw much point in hybridizing F1. It is complex and expensive enough without that, and I doubt that using this technology in F1 will contribute much to building a better Prius.
November 1st, 2014 at 10:35 am
He’s mostly concerned with the noise. These power units sound like vacuum cleaners. It’s kind of amusing though, listening to folks in F1 talk down to us serfs about how they are leading edge of hybrid technology. Hellooooo, the LMP1 cars in LeMans racing are developing at least three different systems. (yes,I think Audi uses a flywheel developed years ago at Williams)
If anyone wants to read about what’s happening at Austin this weekend, I recommend this piece by James Allen. Oh yes, there’s also a race Sunday, which will certainly last to at least the first turn.
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/11/its-time-to-act-f1-team-bosses-feel-the-squeeze-as-money-frustrations-boil-over/
November 1st, 2014 at 10:47 am
19, Thanks for the link. Interesting.
November 1st, 2014 at 10:49 am
Bernie has been pretty clear what he wants from engines. That glorius noise. I’d love them to go back to the 3.0 L NA V8 and v12s . Those sounded awesome like a proper race car should and I believe that is pretty much what Bernie said. They need to sound good that is a big part of the F1 experience.
November 1st, 2014 at 10:58 am
21 Ah, but you must learn to think like the F1 cult. Exhaust noise is inefficiency. And please don’t be so rude as to point out that the LeMans prototypes make a bit of noise.
Enjoy the bath, Honda
November 1st, 2014 at 11:35 am
I guess I’m not as much of a fan of noise as many people. I’ve heard the NA V10′s and V8′s “in person,” and while the high pitch scream from the high revs is impressive, I’m certainly glad I had ear plugs to preserve what’s left of my hearing.
I haven’t heard the current F1 engines, but I suspect I’d like the sound ok, even though they are lower pitch, and much less loud than the NA engines with more cylinders. I always liked the sound of the turbo Offys at Indy. The were low pitch, and not extremely loud, but they certainly sounded “powerful.”
Of course, I’m one of those seemingly rare people who ride motorcycles, and like them quiet.
November 1st, 2014 at 11:52 am
Kit , no my preference is for the V8 & V12s of the 70s era. They didn’t rev like a motorcycle on steroids but gave a lovely howl. Want decrease the revs have them go back to real valve springs .
November 1st, 2014 at 12:14 pm
24, Were the 70′s F1 V8′s similar to the Cosworth V8′s used in Indy cars for a while?
November 1st, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I don’t know to be honest. I don’t think so as the Indy cars may have been turbo cars. Here is a youtube link if I don’t screw it up of that DFV Cosworth sound. You may want to skip ahead to about the 6 minute mark ,but the whole video is good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoxIG5SUkUk
November 1st, 2014 at 2:02 pm
25, I found that the Cosworth engines that dominated Indy Car from the late 70s to late 80s were, in fact, based on the Cosworth F1 engines. They were NA at that time.
November 1st, 2014 at 3:07 pm
24 that is a great idea XA, valve springs to limit revs. It might even be road relevent.
November 1st, 2014 at 4:14 pm
The rules also limit revs, but using valve springs should lower cost, at least if they mandate steel, rather than titanium springs. Yeah, engines with valve springs are a lot more road relevant.
November 1st, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Some of the numbers they gave for the DFV was at the end of it’s service in F1 was turning about 11,000 revs and 510or so HP out of 3.0L or 183 cubes . Not bad, not like the hyper power units of today but high horse power and technology doesn’t always equal better racing. I know F1 wants to be at the top of the tech charts ,but what good is it if only 2 or 3 cars have a legitimate chance to win every week? I know I’m a dinosaur but I’d like to see driver’s talent shine as much as the performance of his car. Has anyone seen Vettel’s drive of Gerhard Berger’s old Ferrari? Funny listening to a 4 time champ say it was the 1st time in his career driving a actual manual transmission in a race car
November 1st, 2014 at 5:19 pm
so much of that HP is there to overcome drag from the aero. If you look at the Jags that were winning LeMans in the 50′s, they weren’t making much more than 200hp while going near 200mph.
When Motorsport Magazine asked Gordon Murray to prescribe how F1 cars might be remade, one thing he said was take off the front and rear wings and put a wing shape under the car so that cars could follow each other closely.
Boy, I’d love to see F1 drivers control a clutch and H pattern gear box, no traction controls. I can’t stand it that a computer is braking the rear end of today’s “F1″ car. What is that?!!!
November 1st, 2014 at 6:51 pm
30, They significantly widened the gap between the teams with the new engine rules. Mercedes did a much better job than the others. Can Renault and Ferrari do much catching up next year, or do the rules even allow major changes?
November 1st, 2014 at 6:56 pm
33, And then, there will be Honda. It will be interesting to see how they do.
November 1st, 2014 at 7:28 pm
32 I think every time F1 introduces a new construction formula, somebody will be ahead. That’s normal. What been different this year is the engine freeze, wherein each power unit manufacturer had to submit a reference unit from which there could not be any alteration during the season except for safety reasons. So Ferrari has been unnaturally hamstrung in redesigning their motor. Renault too. Ferrari didn’t exactly make a worse motor, it’s that they chose to make a smaller less powerful motor, reasoning that a more slippery chassis would give them an advantage overall (maybe from being more fuel efficient?). Next year there is some accounting argeybargey that limits changes to the motors to ’49%’. There’s a lot more detail here, Kit, but I don’t have the heart to go through it. It’s so sad that the core of F1 which is engineering competition, has been stymied by the teams waving their magic ‘cost saving wand.’
November 2nd, 2014 at 6:34 am
Okay here is a wild idea. Who wouldn’t like to a new series running a 5.0L engine in a open wheel chassis that looked like the old F5000 cars but with all the modern safety innovations? Limit revs to 10,000 no driver aids of any kind. Modern “steel brakes ” I’d even say make them the same spec as the brake packages sold for the new muscle cars of today. The idea would be to use as much of the available street derived parts as possible , but still make the cars as safe as possible.
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:05 am
XA, have you got an opinion on tire profiles? F1 is talking again about going to low profile ones. Pat Symonds of Williams was saying that the current fat tires let them get away with a lot, and they’d have to do lots of suspension work to make the change.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:02 am
27, Department of corrections:
The 2.65 liter Cosworth DFX that won the Indy 500 from 1978-1987 was turbocharged. The Ilmor-Chevy engine replaced the DFX as the dominant engine for Cart/Indy racing for a few years starting in 1988.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:04 am
26, Thanks for the link. That was cool, but why did they need ether to get it started?
November 2nd, 2014 at 12:02 pm
More ‘stuff’ on “technology and stuff”. See the link: http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/Chevrolet-Makes-Most-Of-Executives-Gaffes/350259779641/Comcast/Today_in_Video/?cid=hero_sf_TIV
November 2nd, 2014 at 1:06 pm
“Technology and stuff”….it’s simple,direct,and to the point without long boring droning on about said “stuff”.I love it…
November 2nd, 2014 at 4:52 pm
HtG Again I’m stuck in the 70s I always liked the big and littles they ran back then. Those rear tires were huge for being on a 13 ” rim. The fronts were 13″ rims ,but shorter and more narrow than the rears. It gave the cars a great stance. Todays cars look like 4WDs with the tires being so close in size.
Kit , yeah it probably was. Apparently it was the initial start up for that engine. I’m guessing to get that amount of horsepower from small displacement that they are running a really high compression ratio possibly as high as 15:1
November 2nd, 2014 at 10:10 pm
41, I don’t know what fuel they used in F1 at that time, but if it was methanol, they could use pretty high compression.
As far as getting power, rpm is the way you get it. If you can get the same torque at higher rpm, you get more hp. 200 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm does the same thing as 100 lb-ft at 11000 rpm. You just need different gearing to use it.
November 3rd, 2014 at 7:32 am
Kit , what I remember reading it was a super octane exotic blends.