AD #1683 – Audi Targets Tesla, Big Data Finds Parking Spots, Tacoma’s Sales Strong
August 19th, 2015 at 11:53am
Runtime: 8:56
- Audi Targets Tesla
- Big Data Finds Parking Spots
- Tacoma’s Sales Strong
- Tech Interns Wanted
- You Said It!
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On today’s show…the Tacoma is going strong despite new competition from GM, how big data can help you find a parking spot and Audi teases a new SUV that’s aimed right at Tesla. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for August 19th, 2015.
AUDI TARGETS TESLA
Last week Audi announced that it’s partnering with LG Chem and Samsung SDI to develop a battery from cell modules provided by the two companies. The German automaker said it will be used in a pure electric SUV that will have a range of 500 kilometers or about 310 miles. At the time Audi didn’t reveal what vehicle it is but now we know. The company will show off the e-tron quattro concept at next month’s Frankfurt show. The SUV was designed from the ground up and its length is between a Q5 and a Q7. The SUV has a sleek sporty design and that’s not surprising because last year Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told Autoline that “Audi needs to make a performance zero emissions vehicle.” Audi plans to release the production version in 2018.
BIG DATA FINDS PARKING SPOTS
Finding a parking spot in a big city can be a hassle. That’s why INRIX, a company that uses data from connected cars and predictive technologies to gauge the flow of traffic, will begin using those same resources to help drivers find parking spots. John recently interviewed Mark Pendergrast, the Director of Product Management at INRIX, and he explained where they get their data and how they use it.
(The INRIX soundbite is only available in the video version of today’s show.)
You can watch that entire interview right now on our website or our YouTube channel.
And we’ll be back with more right after this.
THREE’S A CROWD
Sales of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are running strong, but they haven’t put a dent in sales of the Toyota Tacoma, whose sales are up nearly 20% this year. And with the new Tacoma about to hit the showrooms Toyota wants more manufacturing capacity. So it’s doing something that it has never done in the history of the company. Toyota is running its Mexican assembly plant on three shifts. Keep in mind that Toyota is a company that tries to avoid running overtime. It’s philosophy is to maximize the use of its people, not its manufacturing plants. And it wants plenty of time between shifts to do maintenance. But thanks to three shifts, Toyota expects to get 80,000 trucks a year out of its plant in Baja, with another 120,000 coming out of its plant in San Antonio, Texas. And that should keep it comfortably ahead of GM’s mid-size pickups.
TECH INTERNS WANTED
While training for repairing and maintaining hybrid and electric vehicles has gained some steam, there’s still a need for qualified technicians in that field. And like any job, an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door. The Automotive Career Development Center, or ACDC is looking for two auto students over 18 to assist at their shop and training center. Not only does the internship provide housing and meals, but it also includes study books to keep, access to a fleet of hybrid cars and on-the-job training. The only cost is getting yourself to Massachusetts. I first learned of ACDC and founder, Craig Van Batenburg when doing research for an Autoline Garage and I can say not only are these guys passionate about what they do, but they’re also very knowledgeable and have resources you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. If interested, send an email to Craig with a resume and 100 words as to why you want the internship.
Coming up next, John is back with You Said It!
And now it’s time for some of your feedback.
YOU SAID IT!
G.A.Branigan wants to know why the Lexus LX and GS have been fitted with that spindle grille. “Wow, the cow catcher from steam locomotives of old are back, and not even as nice looking. What were they thinking?”
They were thinking the public likes this look, and sure enough, last month Lexus outsold Mercedes, BMW and Audi in the US market.
TangoR34 wonders why Volkswagen did not say anything for 18 months about its cars being vulnerable to a hack attack. “I thought VW would have immediately performed security measures as soon as faults were discovered, whether they prevented the findings from going public or not?”
We all would have thought that. But both VW and FCA stuck their head in the sand and hoped no one would catch on to the fact that their cars are vulnerable. Now they’re paying for that with damaged reputations, and a mad scramble to find a fix.
Ron Paris says, “Hmmm, nice job Toyota on the Tacoma aero package, but did I see the front air dam separating from the bodywork as if it had may have already smacked the ground on an ascent?”
That air dam is designed to be easily removed. Toyota says that with the air dam on, the approach angle for the Tacoma is 29 degrees. With the air dam off the approach angle is 32 degrees. That truck will go up and down the steepest hills. It truly has amazing off road capabilities.
Speaking of the Tacoma, BobD wants to know, “So is the Tacoma a completely new truck or just the 2004 design with a new face lift? How can they justify a $2,500 price bump in the base model?”
Since the Tacoma has a new body, a new interior, new V6 engine and new automatic transmission and a completely redesigned frame, Toyota says this is an all new truck. At the very least you can call it a significant refresh. And they can justify the price increase because for each of the last two years they’ve bumped the price up by a couple of grand and sales keep on going up.
Kit Gerhart has a related question. “Why do all pickup trucks have a “lift kit” appearance, even the smaller ones like Tacoma, including 2wd units sold in Florida?”
Because they sell those trucks primarily to young men who love the rugged, off-road look of those trucks. That’s the only reason.
And finally godzuky9 says, “I want to spend the day at Woodward with Jim Hall, I would learn a lot.”
Yes, you would. Jim is an encyclopedia of knowledge and his insights and background stories are why we are so pleased to have him come on the show.
Thanks for all your letters and comments, and please keep them coming. But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching, we’ll see you tomorrow.
Thanks to our partner for embedding Autoline Daily on its website: WardsAuto.com
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Comments (27)
August 19th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
I can feel the comments about to pour in about the high belt-line on that Audi E-Tron Quattro SUV concept sketch now.
But perhaps their thinking is that with all the cameras, sensors, radars and thing-a-ma-gigs they put on cars these days we have (almost) made blind spots a thing of the past.
Maybe we no longer ‘need’ the unobstructed 360-degree line of sight common to the likes of the low belt-line Subaru’s…
August 19th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
I have always assumed that another reason truck manufacturers have standardized on the “lift kit” ride height (regardless of how many wheels are driven) is that it’s cheaper for them to only have to make one type of suspension setup. I for one would have much preferred that my 2007 Nissan Frontier 2WD would have traded a couple of inches of ground clearance for a little cushier ride!
August 19th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
FYI from my frinds who work at a large Toyota dealership in regards to the Toyota Tacoma, after many years of replacing the frames on these trucks they are still at it and will continue will into the future.
August 19th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
I will keep my eyes open for a used 2016 Tacoma in a few years. Assuming someone else hasn’t offered a true compact truck or the Hyundai Urban Truck doesn’t grab my money.
A 2004 Tacoma (true compact truck) with the new 3.5 liter engine and other improvements would be my ideal truck.
August 19th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
I’m so glad that around here almost the only trucks you see are being driven by folks that, you know, use them for work that requires a truck. Somehow, people ‘that need to go to Home Depot on the weekend’* manage with their SUVs and sedans.
*I love that line
August 19th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
#3
Read the WIKI on it. Yes, Toyota is honoring a 15 year frame replacement warranty if there is a corrosion problem.
My 1999 was bought back in 2013. After almost 13 years of ownership (I was second owner), Toyota paid me back to within $1500 of what I paid originally.
The best $1500 Iever spent. I loved that truck.
August 19th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Still waiting for a regular cab RAM 700 to go on sale in the USA.
August 19th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
When the Colorado/Canyon hit the streets, and subsequently were tested, accolades for driving dynamics, general refinement, etc. were pretty much universal; any driving impressions on the new Tacoma yet? I’m sure it is a better truck than it replaces, just curious on how it would do in a head to head comparison. And then there’s the Frontier; guess we wait and see.
August 19th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
#5 HtG: Yes we do manage, with a CX-5 in my case. But I’m here to tell ya’ after driving 2 Frontiers and one Dakota (don’t get me started on that one!) for over 20 years in my work, it was damned hard to give up the sheer utility of a p/up. A two (or three) box design just does not cut it in many circumstances. And I NEVER considered myself a “truck guy”!
August 19th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Am I the only one that sees a huge similarity from yesterdays Kia Sportage and the Audi in todays show. Sure the fascias and some of the body lines are different but the overall shape and beltline look like designers are using a paint by number outline. jmho.
August 19th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
If Toyota stays true to the production philosophy as explained in the book The Machine That Changed The World they should have no problem with a 3rd shift. Personally I like the design of the Colorado / Canyon better.
August 19th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Personally the best full-sized suv was the 1977 Chevy Caprice Wagon. Room, power,maneuverable and tow capacity with style and comfort at a reasonable price.
August 19th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
9 I had a pickup for a while, and didn’t see much utility in it. There wasn’t that much stuff I wanted to transport exposed to the weather, and that I didn’t mind having stolen. I find a hatchback, wagon, or van to have a lot more utility.
I’ve heard people say they had a pickup so they could save delivery charges for appliances, etc. That sounds like a lot of truck triving, for the amount you save in delivery charges. My washing machine is 30 years old, and my range is 51. Both work properly.
August 19th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Fightin’ words, right there.
August 19th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
The Tacoma will continue to offer a regular cab. One of those, lowered 3 inches, might look pretty good, for a pickup truck.
August 19th, 2015 at 3:17 pm
As much as I loved my pickups,that is done now.My new van will serve me well,carry just about anything I need or want to,all enclosed with no muss,no fuss,and no more tonneau covers to deal with,and bed liners etc.BTW,my dealer just called this morning,my van will be here around the 2nd of next month.It’s in Wyoming now,shipped form the pprt in Maryland.I think the car carrier will wait for the others to bring in a full load,just my guess.
August 19th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Good call on “The Automotive Career Development Center” and Craig Van Batenburg. They also offer video and web-based training for those who want to learn about hybrids but don’t have the time to study full-time.
I’ve used one of their recorded Web-training sessions and found it fully met my needs. Then if something came up, I could send them my questions and get a reasonable answer in a day or so.
He also maintains a lookup of past graduates so when someone is stuck, we send him to find someone who can do more than spell hybrid. We like independent shops because they do it for love . . . at a fair price.
Bob Wilson
August 19th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
17 Interesting, regarding the internships. I assume that so far, nearly all service on hybrids and EV’s is done by dealers, but as they get older, and off warranty, that will change. I don’t plan to keep my current Prius to the end of its life, but if I did, I would want people at independent shops to be able to work on it.
August 19th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
In the trade magazines, they did an article on shops servicing hybrids and electric vehicles. Most of the independent shops were in the west, one was run by a woman technician, and the biggest concern was not finding customers, it is finding technicians.
August 19th, 2015 at 7:45 pm
19 I’m a little surprised they have customers. I guess the batteries are starting to die in those early Insights and Priuses.
August 19th, 2015 at 8:09 pm
Anyone have a sense on how the hybrids are aging? A specific issue?
August 19th, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Mine is 5 years old, and is aging well so far. The only problem has been clunky feeling steering, from a bad u-joint between the steering wheel and steering gear.
August 20th, 2015 at 8:20 am
HtG maybe a better question is how are the hybrids holding value compared to a conventional vehicle? I just dont see man people wanting to pick up a 6+ year old Prius or Volt at least not without getting a new battery pack in the deal.
August 20th, 2015 at 9:19 am
I looked up the value of a 2010 Prius on KBB, and it is worth about half the price of a new one. I’d rather (and did) buy a new one, but they seem to hold value as well as most cars.
August 20th, 2015 at 10:34 am
#12, The Family Truckster!!
The whole time we owned our Dodge van, there was only one item I wanted to haul that didn’t fit in the cavernous interior, in fact, it would have fit if we could have gotten it in the door. In that instance, we borrowed a truck. I bet truck usage percentages are probably similar to what we hear for off road vehicle usage with only a small percentage ever using its capability, but people will buy what they like.
August 20th, 2015 at 11:31 am
25 I dont this to be a fact but I believe Texas does account for the highest level of truck sales in the US. I think its more of a cultural thing rather than need for a truck.
August 20th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
15 – Tacoma dropped the regular cab in 2014. Only the extended and double cabs are offered now.