On today’s show… Volkswagen’s diesel woes continue… China reveals when its EV sales targets go into effect… and Chevy celebrates 100 years of its pick-up trucks. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the show for enthusiasts of the automotive industry.
CHINA SETS EV SALES GOALS
China announced sales quotas for electric and plug-in hybrid cars and it’s giving the auto industry a bit of a break. Originally the rules were going to go in effect next year but the government is delaying them an extra year. Automakers will receive credits for selling those types of vehicles. By 2019, the credits must be equivalent to 10% of an automaker’s annual sales and that figure jumps to 12% in 2020. A single vehicle can be worth multiple credits depending on its range and performance, so that 12% figure will likely translate to around 4% of actual vehicle sales. Any carmakers that sells 30,000 or more vehicles a year must comply with the rules. If they don’t meet the target they can buy credits from another OEM or they’ll be fined. China is aiming to have EVs and plug-in hybrids account for a fifth of all car sales by 2025.
VW’S DIESEL WOES CONTINUE
Volkswagen set aside nearly $27 billion to help pay for its diesel scandal in the U.S. Part of that was to help pay for retrofitting nearly half a million vehicles that were equipped with emissions cheating software. But the fix is harder and taking longer than the company anticipated. Because of that, VW is setting aside another $3 billion to fix the engines, which pushes its scandal cost to nearly $30 billion in the U.S. And Bloomberg reports that will put a big dent in its third quarter numbers. Analysts estimated around 4.5 billion euros in earnings for the company but that charge will drop it by more than half.
HONDA TEASES EV SPORTS CAR
Remember Honda’s little Urban EV Concept that debuted in Frankfurt? Now the automaker is teasing an EV sports car ahead of the Tokyo show that’s based on the same platform. Few details are available, but Honda says it combines EV performance with artificial intelligence and a friendly front fascia. The Tokyo Motor Show kicks off in late October.
Still to come… Hyundai introduces the new Accent.
HYUNDAI REVEALS THE NEW ACCENT
The Hyundai Accent is really taking it on the chin. Through the first 8 months of the year, sales are down nearly a third in the U.S. So the new model, which Hyundai just introduced at the Orange County Auto Show, couldn’t have come at better time. As you can see, it adopts the company’s signature grille and it features a character line that runs the length of the car. It’s also slightly wider and longer than the previous model. The interior has also been updated and comes standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch screen is also available. Underneath the hood, the Accent features an updated, 1.6L four-cylinder engine with direct injection, that’s mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The new powertrain improves fuel economy by 7%. The 2018 Accent hits dealerships in the U.S. this fall.
CHEVY CELEBRATES TRUCK CENTENNIAL
Chevrolet is celebrating 100 years of trucks over the next 100 days and as part of the festivities the brand revealed special Centennial Editions of the Silverado and Colorado. The trucks feature design elements inspired by older models, like unique Centennial Blue paint, exclusive heritage bowtie emblems and 100 year badges inspired by colors and design cues found on early Chevrolet Trucks. I would hope the heritage emblems make it to the aftermarket because that’s the coolest bowtie I’ve seen in awhile. The Centennial Silverado hits dealers next month and the Colorado follows in November.
CHEVY RENAMES MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS
And speaking of the Silverado, Chevrolet just announced that all Class 4 and 5 trucks will now be branded Silverado. The medium-duty vehicles will first see the new name late next year. Chevy did not give a reason for the switch, but I’ve got to believe it’s got something to do with how it advertises Silverado sales.
Coming up next, why travelling in autonomous drones could become a normal part of everyday travel.
TRAVELING IN AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT
Earlier this week, a German company called Volocopter, staged the first public test of a drone taxi, or what’s officially called a Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft or VTOL for short. While it might seem like pie in the sky thinking, there are many people that believe these vehicles could become a normal part of transportation, including our panel on Autoline This Week. In the following clip, they discuss why we’re starting to see so much activity in this industry.
(Clip from ATW #2129 can only be viewed in the video version of today’s show.)
To learn more about VTOL aircraft, you can watch that entire episode right now on our website, Autoline.tv or just look for it on our YouTube channel.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
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Comments (14)
September 29th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Cool badge, Chevy (pickup); I’m old enough to remember the initial iterations on the older trucks (as a child).
September 29th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
As per the Autoline clip; 47% of miles traveled will be replaced by drone aircraft by 2030 (this, to reduce surface congestion). First, I don’t believe those figures will pan out and secondly, if replacing 47% ground traffic, what is that going to do to air traffic, and don’t forget if you are in that 60 mile radius of the airport, the incessant noise may just drive you crazy.
September 29th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Ahhh,the VW diesel scandal,the gift that keeps on giving.
September 29th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Re: volocopter—”Blade Runner”, the movie, had one, 35 yrs ago. a little more sophisticated,tho
September 29th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Autonomous Drones seem like a great idea. Especially in areas like L.A where the population of the county alone exceeds the population of 43 states. Just wonder if they plan to have them fly over existing highways to put some sort of order to the chaos or will they allow them to fly the most efficient way from A-B crisscrossing everywhere?
Having lived in Hollywood and experienced the frequent use of Helo’s it can be an adjustment. Wonder if people are prepared for the level of buzzing that hundreds of drones will cause.
September 29th, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Unless these drones are going to skirt the FAAs rules, there is no way these drones will be up and running by 2030. Currently, it takes 10-15 years to certify new aircraft (i.e. HondaJet). Granted these will be simpler and may have a quicker development cycle, but 2030 is only 12 years away and to replace 47% of ground traffic by then seems an impossibility.
Also, unless the U.S. gives the current radar systems a major upgrade, adding hundreds of thousands of drones into the airspace is going to be a nightmare for air traffic controllers.
September 29th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
#2 Chuck I’m with you it wont replace 47% of traffic by 2030. Not even close. Take a city like L.A. which has horribly congested highways. It can take an hour to go 10 miles across town. Once you remove some of the vehicles on the highways they start moving as they should and then, people they thought would use VTOL can actually get where they are going by driving. Not sure what that balance is but I’m sure its not 47%. Also it will depend on the cost and what people will spend to save a few minutes.
It does seem like a great way for every hospital to have a life-flight service though.
September 29th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Hyundai need to concentrate on it’s CUV and SUV vehicles. The exterior styling of the Tucson, Santa Fe Sport and Santa Fe are very attractive.
My criticism is of the interior items which I would like to see improve. First, the Rear HVAC vents on the Santa Fe Sport should be moved from the “B” pillars to the rear of the center console. Second, simplify the drivers instrument cluster and get rid of those deep dish pods around the speedo and tech. Use a similar layout like the one found in KIA products. Thirdly, move the vanity mirror light off the ceiling and onto the front visors as is found in most other vehicles. Finally add the 3.3 liter engine found in the Santa Fe to the Santa Fe Sport as an optional performance package to the Santa Fe Sport.
I have been comparing the Acura RDX to the Santa Fe Sport. For the price of a RDX Base you can get a well equipped Santa Fe Sport which also has Apple Carplay and Android Auto which Acura does not offer with a longer warranty!
If a representative from Hyundai / Kia or even Acura would like to contact me regarding my suggestions just let John McElroy know. He knows how to get a hold of me.
September 29th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Having just taken delivery of a 2017 Suburban 4WD to replace an ’81 we used for many years, I was struck by how high the bodies are jacked up relative to the suspension. That shows quite markedly in the shot of the older (70′s ?) pick-up and the latest Silverado pick-up. I am 6’2″ and I still don’t like the idea of having to stretch or stand on the step getting out never mind pulling yourself up to get in. Too bad there is not an option to lower the body which would make them handle better also. Wonder if the RWD ones are jacked up as much. Funny thing too that in ’81 Silverado was the term used for the highest trim level for the truck
September 29th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I can just imagine the thousands of midairs, and resulting fires from smashed lithium batteries with millions of electric rotorcraft over the cities. Also, unless a lot of wind, solar, and nuclear power comes on line quickly, greenhouse gas emissions will increase many times over, with these flying machines getting about 5 mpg equivalent.
September 29th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
9 A friend recently replaced his 2001 Silverado with a new 2wd F150. He generally likes the performance, ride, etc. of the new truck, but like your Suburban, it has a “lift kit” standard, for no reason. He doesn’t like that. It must be to make them more “macho,” but it is disgusting trend, IMHO.
September 29th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Yeh, that’s what we need, people that can’t even handle driving a car without rear ending their fellow motorists flying aircraft, because flying is so much easier than driving. I think your panel is either delusional or smoking their lunch, or both. And if your answer is that computers will handle it all and make it safe, think back to last time you had to reboot your computer because it wouldn’t work right. Yep, that’s what I want, computers controlling aircraft above me, because what could go wrong?!
October 2nd, 2017 at 8:09 am
#12 Autonomous Drone Taxi means without a pilot. So yea as scary as it sounds to be flown by computer. Seems less scary than handing over the controls to the general public.
I could see it coming to market but you cant put even a quarter of the kind of traffic that’s on our roads into the air.
Good to have dreamers tho.
October 2nd, 2017 at 8:41 am
#9 I have a 2-wheel drive 2015 Silverado that came all jacked up from Chevy. I had a drop kit installed that lowered it 2″ in front and 4″ in the rear. Handles better, loads easier and yes the plastic air dam and rear mud flaps regularly scrap on driveway aprons.