AD #2255 – Chevy Reveals New Silverado, SEC Scolds Tesla, General Motors Has Some ‘Splainin’ To Do
December 18th, 2017 at 12:07pm
Runtime: 7:26
0:29 BMW Dives into Solid State Batteries
1:00 SEC Scolds Tesla
2:25 Male Dominated Boards
3:17 Hey You, Stop Cheating!
3:56 Chevy Reveals New Silverado
5:30 GM Has Some ‘Splainin’ To Do
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On today’s show…Chevy shows off what the new Silverado looks like…BMW is the latest automaker to dive into solid state batteries…and there sure is something strange going on at General Motors. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the show for enthusiasts of the automotive industry.
BMW DIVES INTO SOLID STATE BATTERIES
Electric car proponents believe that solid state batteries could represent a breakthrough for BEVs. Earlier this year, Toyota revealed that it’s developing solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. And now it’s BMW’s turn. Reuters reports that BMW just formed a partnership with the U.S. battery company Solid Power, which makes solid state batteries, which should be safer, provide longer range and faster re-charging.
SEC SCOLDS TESLA
Uh-oh. We just learned that Tesla was under investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission due to the company “making false statements of material fact or failing to disclose material facts concerning the company’s Model 3 vehicle.” Tesla had to turn over a ton of documents including the names and credit card numbers of customers who pre-ordered the Model 3. The SEC didn’t take any action, and told Tesla that the investigation is closed. But it warned Tesla that it could come after it again. And the company is being criticized for not revealing the investigation to shareholders.
Don’t forget to join us on Autoline After Hours this Thursday for our annual Presents and Coal show, where we pick who in the auto industry has been naughty and nice this year. Join me and Gary Vasilash for some of the most fun there is in covering the automotive industry.
Chevy took the wraps off the new Silverado and we’ll show you what it looks like right after this.
MALE DOMINATED BOARDS
Automakers like to brag that women are an important part of their team, but some car companies do a better job than others of walking the talk. We took a look at how many women are on the boards of directors at different automakers and the differences are shocking. In Asia only Honda has any women on its board. In Europe most countries have a quota. In France the quota is for 40% women, but you can see Renault misses it by a mile and PSA is still off the mark. In Germany there’s a 30% quota but Daimler is still short of the goal. The problem with quotas is once a company hits the quota it declares victory and calls it a day. General Motors is the only automaker in the world that has a board of directors that is equally divided between men and women.
| Percentage of Female Board Members at Auto OEMs | |
|---|---|
| Toyota | 0 |
| Nissan | 0 |
| Hyundai | 0 |
| Kia | 0 |
| Honda | 14% |
| Renault | 16% |
| Ford | 23% |
| Daimler | 25% |
| FCA | 27% |
| BMW | 30% |
| Volkswagen | 30% |
| PSA | 33% |
| General Motors | 50% |
| Source: Company annual reports & websites | |
HEY YOU, STOP CHEATING!
To prevent European automakers from cheating on emission tests, the EU just agreed upon a new system for approving emissions, safety and other criteria before cars can be sold to the public. The EU’s member states will have to check at least one in every 40,000 newly registered vehicles and test at least 500 models of various ages every year. 20% of those checks will be emission tests and automakers have to provide the car’s software protocols. A formal vote still needs to be held, but if approved the deal would go into effect in late 2020.
CHEVY REVEALS NEW SILVERADO
Chevrolet revealed the 2019 Silverado which it says is all new from the ground up and will come with more engine and transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features. But since not much else was released, let’s take a look at the styling changes. We’ll start at the back, where the tailgate has a raised section with the name “Chevrolet” stamped into it and the taillights now have a “C” shape to them. A character line that starts just in front of and above the front door handle runs all the way into the bed and the fender flares are less squared off and now flow into the body work. You’ll also notice a small portion of the fender cuts into the headlamp assembly to separate the headlights from the turn signals. The grille and bumper are different from the current model, shown here on a Trailboss Silverado, which comes with the off-road equipment of the Z71 package and a 2-inch suspension lift, but we would not be surprised to see other designs for different trim levels. The new Silverado makes its official debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
What the heck is going on at General Motors? There’s something very weird over there and that is coming up next.
GM HAS SOME ‘SPLAININ’ TO DO
There’s something weird going on at General Motors. Two years ago Fiat-Chrysler fired a guy named Al Iacobelli, its chief labor negotiator. It happened just weeks before FCA was to settle a new union contract with the UAW. FCA never said anything about why it fired Iacobelli and then earlier this summer federal prosecutors charged Iacobelli with stealing over a million dollars in union training money. This is when it gets weird. Six months after FCA fired Iacobelli General Motors hired him. This was before the federal charges were filed against him. And yet when the charges became public GM would neither confirm nor deny that it hired him. Only last week did GM announce that it fired Iacobelli. And that leaves a lot of questions. Did FCA ever warn GM that Iacobelli was someone they shouldn’t hire? Did GM ever ask Iacobelli why FCA fired him? Why would GM neither confirm nor deny it hired Iacobelli, when it was known he was there? Doesn’t GM owe its shareholders an explanation why its UAW VEBA director Joe Ashton had to resign from GM’s board of directors? This is an ongoing investigation so that may explain why no one’s talking so far. But one thing’s for sure, General Motors, Fiat-Chrysler and the UAW sure have some ‘splainin’ to do.
And that brings us to the end of today’s report. Thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (31)
December 18th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
I like the new silverado styling. But…..GM needs some serious updating to their engine options.Ford is kicking their ass in that dept.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
#1 Fords “ecoboost” engines beat Chevy’s pushrod V8 in complexity, but not in much else. CR got nearly identical acceleration, and gas mileage with an F-150 2.7 turbo, and a Silverado 1500 with a 5.3 V8.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Is there any explanation as to what this means?
“making false statements of material fact or failing to disclose material facts concerning the company’s Model 3 vehicle.”
December 18th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
I think the new Chevrolet pickup is going to have to grow on me; it’s not ugly, just proportioned oddly in my eye. Design sometimes does evolve into liking so I’ll just wait and see. I do like the rounded wheel wells but not crazy about the character line on the front fender.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
From the stories I’ve heard on today’s show it seems Tesla has more explaining to do (than GM); GM’s probably still in some sort of investigating phase (cause the bigger the company, the slower the internal reactions). Hopefully when they do explain, all will be clear.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
I don’t like the looks of any of today’s pickups. They are all too big, and the “macho” styling is a turn off. to me. I liked the looks of second generation Dakota, and second generation S-10. Of big pickups, the late 1990′s-early 2000′s F-150 was my favorite.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
I recognize this will be a subjective comment, but am curious how other people see it…
I like the less square wheel openings on the new Silverado, but greatly dislike the front fender/front door character line that starts level on the fender, then angles down as it transitions to the front door. Other Chevys have such a goofy character lines, but none are goofier than Nissan. I can’t image the “Professional Grade” GMC will share this goofy design, but I could be wrong as Chevys and GMCs have shared door sheet metal as long as I can remember (if not always).
In terms of full-size truck styling, I personally rated the 2017 models asRam first, followed by Chevy, with Ford a distant 3rd (Toyota and Nissan are either too ugly or too much of an amalgam of the Big 3 to be rated). As I look to 2019, I still rated the present Ram as #1 and the Ford moves into a strong #2 position. I’ll wait to see the Chevy in person before forming a view of how far it lags the Ram and Ford. Who knows, GMC may rate well.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
That’s great that GM’s board is diversified at least gender-wise. However I think that having quotas doesn’t always mean the best person gets the job. I’m actually surprised GMs is 50% when I doubt their workforce is split that evenly.
Its actually sad that in this day and age that quotas are needed to insure inclusion.
Like the new Colorado design!! Now offer it with a small V8 and I have no need for a full size.
December 18th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Any of the pickup trucks look better to me than the Toyota Prius, those cars are just butt ugly just slightly better the Pontiac Astek was.
December 18th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
3) My interpretation of the comment is when the reservations were made, Tesla failed to mention that folks that ordered high end cars would get their cars quicker than those that ordered the base version ($35,000) of the car. Those willing to spend the most money get their cars first, not the order in which the reservation was made.
3) My interpretation of the comment is when the reservations were made, Tesla failed to mention that folks that ordered high end cars would get their cars quicker than those that ordered the base version ($35,000) of the car. Those willing to spend the most money get their cars first, not the order in which the reservation was made.
Because of employees rights, FCA could not have told GM the reasons for the firing of Iacobelli. Unless GM hired him after the charges against him were made public, I’m sure GM saw this as an opportunity to pick up a skilled and experienced UAW negotiator. I’m sure when the hired Iggy Lopez as a contract supplier negotiator in the 00s (?) they had no idea of the mans evil past with his former employers.
December 18th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
#1 GA; Not to get into a Ford GM debate but exactly how is Ford kicking GMs ass? I think its just different strategies with similar results. Ford is turbo happy and putting it on everything. Going to smaller displacement for fuel economy while GM stays true to naturally aspirated engines and less complexity. With very similar results with the exception of the largest HP offerings.
Comparing both V6 offerings Fords gets 5 less Hp and 40 lbs of TQ for a gain of 1 MPG.
Small V8s Ford has 40 more HP 17 more lbs TQ but gets 1 less MPG. So thats pretty equal.
Then compare GMs big V8 to Ford Big V6 turbo. GM gets 45 more HP but 10 lbs less TQ but Ford gets 3-4 more MPG.
However I believe GM figured that many truck owners would prefer the simple naturally aspirated engine over a turbo engine.
So as Ford continues to claim to have the best resale truck on the market. DO you suppose they will in a few short years? Not sure many people will pay the same for a Turbo V6 with 80k on it as they will for a V8 with 80k. So its more about preference and not engine technology.
December 18th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
#9 A Prius is a great looking car! No, I’m not serious. People buy them because of how the work, not how they look. The same was the case with Aztec. I knew a couple people who bought them, but they were the first to admit that they bought them because they were a good value, and being basically a minivan, except for the hinged doors, had good utility.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
#12 I know an owner of an Aztec. The vehicle had a lot of nice features. The tent specifically designed for it which with the rear seats down provides a good sleeping space and it had a cooler in the center console and many other cool features. Too bad they didn’t spend as much time on the exterior design.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
The Actec’s exterior styling was compromised by the minivan underpinnings which yielded a high cowl with no room for larger SUV-like tires. The rest of the shape was distinctive, but never could be great because of those underpinnings.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
You know, after looking at an Azteck, it wouldn’t have taken much to un-uglify it; move those turn signal light down, move the headlamps up and raise the tail lights up to the hatch (maybe make them a bit more horizontal to lower the rear look). As GM has done in the past; they just rushed the final product out as good-enough (it wasn’t).
December 18th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
When are we going to hear more news about the five passenger Honda Pilot. I have been working with my local Acura Dealer but the RDX just does not have the tech that the Jeep Cherokee Limited has. Acura shame on you no Apple Carplay no Android Auto! It is Winter Time and who wants to put a new vehicle on the road to be eaten up by snow plows and salt chips!
December 18th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
I’m not enamored with the Silverado front fender to door character line either. I also think the small part of the front fender that wraps into the light area looks like horse blinkers!
December 18th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
I like the look of the new Silverado. Looks ‘skinnier’ than the old rounded version. Like it’s lost some fat. That’s good for pickups, probably better than actually getting lighter.
As far as engine’s go, if I can get the needed performance from a regularly aspirated engine and not lose too much fuel economy, count me in. I am pleased that Aston Martin agrees with me.
December 18th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
They need to make a standard cab “step side” version of the Silverado, with a manual transmission.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
@ # 11,Lambo: I am still a big fan of the pushrod engine. Now,what I was referring to was engine choices.I the silverado you have the 4.3L/5.3L/and the 6.2L. I am of course referring to the 1/2 ton line.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:24 pm
The 4.3 would work fine in the ljght weight, basic truck I s?describe in #19.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
#9 – The Prius looks a lot better in the lights of a gas pump.
December 19th, 2017 at 8:52 am
I didn’t like the look of the Chevy at first, but its already growing on me. I think the only bad part is those front wrap-around points under the headlights. They should either get rid of those or extend them farther towards the grill. I didn’t like the character lines, but now I see them looking muscular and giving the trapezoidal rugged wheel well look without the odd shaped actual wheel well openings (which don’t match the shape of the round wheels). I also like the look of the bumper steps better; the original ones looked like a after-thought holes in the bumper. These look more like intentional integrated steps. I also like how big the rear window looks. I’ll have to see it in person, but it may be growing on me to the #2 spot after RAM and before Ford.
December 19th, 2017 at 9:19 am
#20 G.A. What other engine choices would you like to see? Within the 1/2 ton line Ford offers a non-turbo V6 and V8 two Turbo V6′s. GM offers one V6 and two V8′s. So Ford only offers one more engine choice than GM and with the big push to lower complexity having multiple engines that overlap in power seems unnecessary.
In fact I think GM could even drop the V6 from their line-up. It gets the exact same MPG as their 5.3L V8 but has @ 70 less HP and TQ. So other than maybe being able to offer a cheaper entry price I’m not sure why they offer the V6.
Honestly I think Ford only offers 4 engines to drive home the turbo advantage. They have a naturally aspirated V6 & V8 and a turbo V6 & V8 and both turbo engines get more TQ and better MPG.
December 19th, 2017 at 9:23 am
#24 Opps Correction.. Didn’t mean to say Turbo V8 but their large V6 Turbo does have 70 more Lbs of TQ and MPG advantage over the V8.
December 19th, 2017 at 9:58 am
In CR’s tests, which are closer to “real world” than the EPA cycles, a Chevy with the 5.3 gets the same mpg as the Ford 2.7 turbo. The trucks tested were the biggest, heaviest ones, “crew cab,” with 4wd.
I suspect someone who drives “gently” might do better with the Ford turbo, but most people probably would not.
As far as the 4.3 in the Chevy, it is mainly for people who want to minimize the purchase price. It would probably get a little better real world city mpg than the V8, but not much better.
December 19th, 2017 at 10:47 am
What is the reason for not centering the shark-fin antenna on truck cabs? And why are they placed at the leading edge while sedans usually have them centered at the trailing edge of the cabin roof.
December 19th, 2017 at 11:35 am
#27 My guess would be to avoid damage with ladder racks light bars and other roof top add on items. I have seen guys load lumber or ladders in the bed and lean them up on and against the back of the cab.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… I LOVE the side character lines on the new Silverado. The old Silverado was too plain. Not so fond of the tail-end or the front grill, especially the headlight treatments. Must be in competition with Ford on weird headlights.
Not sure if the V6 in the Silverado is the same one in the Colorado, but the one in the Colorado is great and gets good fuel economy (25 mpg mixed driving).
December 19th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
The V6 in the Silverado is 3/4 of a pushrod V8. The V6 in the Colorado is a completely different overhead cam, 4 valve/cylinder engine.
December 20th, 2017 at 1:34 am
John, you have some “SPLAININ” to do. Mellinnals and under will have no clue what you’re talking about. “LUCY”