AD #1688 – Oshkosh Wins Army Deal, Ford Ranger Headed to MI, Consumers Don’t Use Tech Gizmos
August 26th, 2015 at 11:53am
Runtime: 8:18
- Oshkosh Wins Army Vehicle Deal
- Consumers Don’t Use Tech Gizmos
- Ford Ranger Headed to Michigan
- Honda Shows BR-V in Indonesia
- Honda Teases Frankfurt Concept
- You Said It!
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On today’s show… automakers are wasting billions on in-car technology, Honda introduces a new crossover and Ford is resurrecting the Ranger in North America. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for August 26th, 2015.
OSHKOSH B-GOSH
Ever since it entered service in 1983 the Humvee became an iconic military vehicle recognized the world over. But it was never designed to deal with RPG’s and IED’s and the humvee has outlived its usefulness. That’s why the U.S. Army just awarded a $30 billion deal to Oshkosh to build a next generation replacement, called the JLTV or joint light tactical vehicle. Oshkosh beat out Lockheed Martin and AM General, which makes the current Humvee. The JLTV could be in production until 2040, with 55,000 vehicles being built. That would translate into a total cost of $545,000 per vehicle. Oshkosh says the JLTV “is proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an MRAP-class vehicle, and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer.” It’s powered by a Banks 866T V8 Diesel engine based on Duramax architecture.
CONSUMERS DON’T USE TECH GIZMOS
Automakers are loading cars up with all sorts of new technology these days but do consumers actually want all those gizmos? Not according to a new survey from JD Power. In its 2015 DRIVE report, researchers found that at least 20% of owners never used half of the technologies that were measured. The five features most common “never used” features were: in-vehicle concierge, mobile routers, automatic parking systems, head-up display, and built-in apps. JD Power also found that a number of customers don’t want Android Auto or Apple CarPlay or in-vehicle voice texting in their next vehicle. That’s because most owners prefer using their smartphone or tablet. The report says more can be done at dealerships to explain the technologies but the bottom line is, automakers are spending billions on features customers don’t have any interest in using.
| Most Common “Never Used” Features | |
|---|---|
| In-Vehicle Concierge | 43% |
| Mobile Routers | 38% |
| Automatic Parking Systems | 35% |
| HUD | 33% |
| Built-In Apps | 32% |
You’ve heard of the CR-V and the HR-V, but how about the BR-V? We’ll be back with more right after this.
FORD RANGER BACK TO MICHIGAN
Earlier this year, Ford announced it’s pulling Focus and C-MAX production out of its Michigan Assembly Plant. It was speculated that the company would build its small global CUV the EcoSport at the plant. But it’s being reported that the company will start manufacturing the Ranger there in 2018. The return of the pick-up, which the company stopped making in North America in 2011, is part of the company’s negotiations with the UAW. Ford currently sells a different version globally which is actually smaller than the Chevy Colorado. The global Ranger is an inch shorter in length and 2-inches in width than GM’s pick-up.
HONDA ADDS ANOTHER “V” TO LINEUP
Honda already makes the CR-V and HR-V and now it’s adding another “V” to its lineup. Meet the BR-V that just debuted at the Indonesian auto show. Like some of its other recent reveals, Honda has injected some more energetic styling into the BR-V with multiple long swooping lines down the side and large C-shaped wedges in the lower front fascia. The 7-passenger CUV is powered by 1.5L engine that can be mated to either a new 6-speed manual transmission or CVT. The BR-V will first hit the Indonesian market in early 2016, then followed by other countries, but it hasn’t said which ones yet.
HONDA TEASES FRANKFURT CONCEPT
And speaking of Honda and auto shows, the automaker will have a new concept to show off in Frankfurt that was jointly developed by its motorcycle and automobile design teams in Japan. Here’s an image Honda released of what it’s calling Project 2&4, and if you’re like us, you’re not quite sure what the hell you’re looking at. We think it could be half the vehicle from an overhead view. But Honda says the cabin-less structure will have the freedom of a motorcycle with the maneuverability of a car and will be powered by a modified version of its RC213V race bike. It’s going to be interesting to see what gets revealed.
And now it’s time for some of your feedback.
In the aftermath of the terrible accident that cost Justin Wilson his life in last Sunday’s Indy Car race, we sure got a great response about whether or not open cockpit race cars should offer more protection for the driver.
FamilyGuy said, “Given today’s available tech, perhaps open cockpit racers could have sensor controlled ‘instant’ partial or full enclosure to deflect incoming debris.” Interesting idea. Automakers have looked at sensors that would trigger airbag deployments nanoseconds before any collision takes place. So it’s a proactive, not reactive system. Thanks for that suggestion.
HtG wrote in to say, “For all the structure built up around the drivers today, we already cannot see the drivers. The addition of a thick debris shield, open at the top for cooling and escape, would seem simple. Maybe it’s more complicated though.” Sounds simple enough to me, too. You’d think that a tall, but aerodynamic windshield could do the trick.
But Lisk reminds us that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. “There are so many cons to the closed cockpit such as visibility, ventilation, extraction, and fire. I don’t think the current cars could have a canopy ‘scabbed’ on. I think this would have to be involved in the design and engineering process.” Yep, you’re right, it would have to be designed in from the very beginning.
Marshall says, “I’m all for the safety of a closed cockpit. All you see now anyway is a helmet bobbing around in the car. A closed cockpit would also I believe help to reduce driver fatigue.”
Bob D has an interesting solution. “It would seem like a thin longitudinal tapered fin could be added in front of the cockpit that could deflect debris and encroachment without interfering with the driver’s visibility and is another place to promote sponsors.” I like that out of the box thinking!
GM Veteran points out that there’s another sport which already dealt with this problem. “Perhaps F1 should visit with the folks behind the technologies used in unlimited hydroplane racing. They have used fighter-jet style cockpit covers for more than a decade, prompted by driver injuries. Very similar to auto racing and with many of the same risks. They may have some answers to the good points raised here.” Superb suggestion!
I wish we could have addressed all your letters and comments, because there were a lot more of them. But with that we’re going to wrap up today’s report. Thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (32)
August 26th, 2015 at 12:09 pm
$545,000 for the JLTV. Must come with five hammers and three toilet seats.
August 26th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
All the gizmos that OEs are spend $$ on translate into increased cost for the consumer…. Lets cut the crap nobody wants and trim the fat in the price of a new car..
August 26th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Today you reported that MANY customer are not using the new gizmos on their new cars.
From personal experience, I’m sure that’s because the delivering dealer (salesman) does not clearly explain how/why to use them.
August 26th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Announcing the award simply means the “challenge” comes next. Still, looks like a better solution based upon our last (and current?) wars.
I don’t know if part of the award but they have a series hybrid option where the diesel drives a generator and power goes to the traction motors. The advantage is a significant amount of electrical power that can be used for other purposes.
Bob Wilson, Huntsville, AL
August 26th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
When so many people are buying their car off the dealer lot, it doesn’t surprise me that many don’t use the gizmos. It was the dealer that ordered them from the OE, and that OE also created packages of options to spread out the cost of developing the gizmo. The economics and our impatience push us into buying more.
Also, dark grey cars; did I forget to mention that?
August 26th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Does a lessee even care about taking care of the gizmos in 5 years when they’re obsolete and braking? Nnnnope
August 26th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Unnecessary functionality is not unique to automobiles. Have a look at the manual that came with your home theater receiver or go through all the features of Microsoft Excel. Maybe there’s some guy at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena who is using this stuff but it’s not me!
August 26th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Regarding the Ford Ranger. I’ll be one of the first to buy one if they are the same size as the last one they made. I bought a new Mazda Pick-up back in 99, essentially the same as a Ranger.
I bought it because of several reason’s but one was because it would fit in my garage and provided the utility I needed as a homeowner, not a contractor that would need a full size pick-up.
The New F150′s are just too big for my needs.
I hope they produce the Ranger for sale in the US soon.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
It’s not just the obscure tech that’s not being used. I like using cruise control but find almost no one else is using it. Speeds vary all over the map. And that’s a technology almost all vehicles have now.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Doesn’t surprise me about the in-car tech. But automakers shouldn’t worry about it. Without a doubt, that stat is at least doubled when analyzing smart phone utilization (maybe even triple).
How many people really make use of more than 50% of their smartphone’s capabilities? Especially when new features are being added with every upgrade. Even though I text, shoot photos, email, watch YouTube, check LinkedIn and oh yeah, use it to talk to other human beings every now and again, I’m likely on that list of under-utilizers myself.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
#7 Good Point! I see the same thing and I think active CC would be a big help. When the vehicle adjusts the speed down to match the vehicle ahead leaving a proper distance and back up to a set limit, I think people would use it more.
This could save fuel too if more cars dropped into a train like formation.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
On the Ford Ranger, I wonder how much aluminum it will use? It will be an interesting marketing contradiction if it is mostly steel like their Global Ranger. I also wonder if they will offer a diesel to keep up with the GM twins.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:45 pm
The ford ranger announcement is no surprise,or at least it shouldn’t be.All of the full size pickups are just to damn big,and a lot of people are looking to the midsizes to bring it to a more realistic investment that will fit into the normal size garage.I also believe that some compact pickups will re-emerge in the next few years.
August 26th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
7 Cruise control is one of my few “must have” features, along with a heater and A/C, though I don’t need power windows or locks, or AT.
August 26th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
The Ranger should sell like crazy, if it is priced fairly. The old one sold fairly well, even at the end, while being so crude it made a Tacoma seem luxurious. I assume the new Ranger will be much improved.
Will the new army jeep be made by the company that makes overalls, or is there another Oshkosh?
August 26th, 2015 at 2:10 pm
13.
There are two different OshKoshes.
I too was puzzled the first time I heard of the automotive OshKosh years ago. I could’nt shake the image of toddler’s clothing.
August 26th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Oshkosh makes extreme heavy duty trucks. Lots of snow plows and most of the fire equipment at airports. I believe they have a reputation for being quick over short distances, able to get to the scene of localized emergencies quicker than most equipment.
August 26th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Despite the new replacement for the hummer,it will not withstand a direct hit with the all to common rpg.It ain’t gonna happen.It might protect them better against small IED’s,and small arms fire,but it will not protect against an armor piercing 12.7mm round,( 51 cal-russian).
August 26th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
Question for YOUSAIDIT:
Once upon a time sports cars had bright, colorful interior options. Why are current “sport cars” only offering all black interior “coal bins”? They’re hot, show dirt, and feel cramped!
August 26th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
Once upon a time, not only sports cars, but station wagons and sedans had bright, colorful interiors. I miss that.
August 26th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
I tend to agree with MJB and others. Put all the tech stuff in there and people will use the features they want to. It’s like in phones, where there are thousands of apps but most people only use a few, like 6 IIRC. I personally never used features like voice recorder or facetime on my iphone until it was necessary.
August 26th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
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I tend to agree with MJB and others. Put all the tech stuff in there and people will use the features they want to. It’s like in phones, where there are thousands of apps but most people only use a few, like 6 IIRC. I personally never used features like voice recorder or facetime on my iphone until it was necessary.
August 26th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
sorry about that
August 26th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
We are told that “Consumers Don’t Use Tech Gizmos,” yet the on-screen statistics clearly show that over half do.
August 26th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
As long as it is really cheap to put in the extra crap, they had might as well do it. I use more of the capability of my (non-i) smart phone than a lot of people I know, but still, a small percentage of what it can do. What’s facetime?
August 26th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Ok, I sort of know what facetime is. It must be an Apple thing, because I think there is a pre-loaded facetime app on my Mac.
August 26th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Just an Apple video conference app, like Skype. It worked well, pretty sharp images.
August 27th, 2015 at 8:27 am
17 & 18
At the risk of starting a rant, I must chime in here because I whole hartedly agree with Kurt on the black interiors. I know a lot of people love them. But for me, triple-black interiors (where even the headliner is black) feel like being inside a closed coffin. Like death is crouching in all around me. I need life, vibrance, warmth…
Not to mention, all-black can actually ‘hide’ a lot of the detail and nuance of an interior. You just don’t get the visual depth with an all-black interior as you do with one that’s got contrasting colors, hues, tones, etc.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:37 am
Awesome!
**I am reaching for my wallet**
Will this be the small Ranger Sean described? If so, I think, FORD may get some of my Benjamins in the future.
August 27th, 2015 at 10:28 am
26.
…And I honestly don’t think you are alone. I think many consumers would jump at a smaller (normal) sized pick-up.
Though I don’t expect the sales number to be quite what they once were 15+ years ago, due to the increase in the number of people turning to rentals (property) vs. buying. There are less people making runs to Home Depot for lumber, drywall, auger rentals and dishwashers.
August 27th, 2015 at 11:43 am
The new van I ordered gives you many Henry Ford interior colors…..anything you want as long as it’s black.That sux,but what can you do…
August 27th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
#19…I like your black interior term ‘coal bin’. And to think that dealers bring in cars with black exterior and then top it off with a black interior. Our two Ford vehicles,an Escape and an Explorer have interiors in beige or what Ford calls ‘stone’. We had to order them as 90% of what they stock is black interior.