This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
PORSCHE INVESTIGATED OVER GASOLINE ENGINE EMISSIONS
Porsche is under investigation for using illegal software and hardware to cheat on emissions regulations. And this time it involves gasoline engines. Last year, Porsche was fined over $600 million for cheating on diesel engines. Authorities are looking at engines made from 2008 through 2013 that were used in the 911 and Panamera. Here’s our Autoline Insight. Maybe Porsche will get off a little easier this time around because it was Porsche that actually alerted the authorities that something was wrong. That’s kind of like turning yourself into the police after committing a crime. And the courts tend to go a little easier if you turn yourself in.
SATO WINS INDY 500
Honda went to the Indianapolis 500 loaded for bear. Not only did it win the race, with Takuma Sato taking his second win at the 500, Honda took the first four positions and eight of the top ten. In fact, Chevrolet powered cars were never in contention for the win.
C8 CORVETTE TAKES TOP SPOT IN IMSA RACE
But Chevrolet got some consolation with the C8 Corvette taking its fourth win in a row at IMSA’s Sports Car Championship race at the Virginia International Raceway. It takes good luck, fortunate timing and perfect teamwork to win in that series, but winning four in a row shows that the C8 is one super competitive car.
HAMLIN & HARVICK WIN AT DOVER OVER WEEKEND
In NASCAR, Denny Hamiln powered his Toyota Camry to win Saturday’s race at the Dover International Speedway, while Kevin Harvick took the win on Sunday in his Ford Mustang.
CORNING LOOKS TO DOUBLE AUTO BUSINESS
You’re about to see a lot more Corning glass inside your car, your truck or your utility vehicle. The company has been involved in automotive for over 100 years and by 2023 expects to double its business in this industry. Almost all new concepts feature curved display screens and Corning sees that as a big growth area. It’s automotive-grade Gorilla glass can be cold-formed for these kinds of applications and since September of last year, Chinese customers have been able to buy an example of Corning’s work in GAC’s Aion LX SUV. But one complaint I always see about display screens is that they get washed out by the sun. So, we often see those little hats that automakers put over them to block sun out. But Corning is working on anti-reflective coatings so that even if a screen is in direct sunlight the driver would still be able to see the necessary readouts. Lastly, the company is expanding into gas particulate filters. It uses ceramic substrates or that honeycomb mesh you see when you look into a catalytic converter, to neutralize pollutants and filter particulates. Right now, Corning says it generates about $15 of revenue per car that its technologies are used in. But with these new areas of business it thinks it can up that to $100 per car.
RIVIAN FOCUSES ON INTERIOR LUXURY
Tesla is clearly the leader in EVs, but we’re starting to see other EV makers attack its weaknesses. Rivian’s director of crafted quality says that it’s “benchmarking the greatest” luxury interiors, like Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Lincoln to “ensure our new vehicles are truly world-class.” To do that, Rivian will use rich textures, quality materials, develop solid-feeling controls and even draw on sounds generated from moving parts and the user interface. Tesla has always been knocked for its interiors and so we’ve seen Lucid and now Rivian say the interior is one of their main focuses.
CONTINENTAL DEVELOPS BLIND-SPOT WARNING FOR TRUCKS
It can be difficult for commercial truck drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians in their blind spot while making a right turn. That’s why the supplier Continental has developed a retrofit system to help truck drivers and protect road users. Called RightViu, it uses a radar system to detect whether a cyclist or pedestrian is in a blind spot and warns the driver through audio and visual warnings on the A-Pillar if someone is in their path. Continental says the system can be connected to other warning systems in the vehicle and thanks to its flexible design, it can be adapted to any vehicle model.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER TESTING NEW ALUMINUM RECYCLING METHOD
Jaguar Land Rover is testing out a new recycling method that it says helps reduce carbon emissions. It takes aluminum waste from cans, bottle tops and end of life vehicles and upcycles them into car parts. For those of you who don’t know what upcycling is, it’s repurposing old materials while maintaining some of their original characteristics. In Jaguar Land Rover’s case, it’s using old aluminum parts and mixing it with a lower amount of primary aluminum to form a new, prototype alloy that’s comparable in grade and quality to what the automaker currently uses. Not only does it pass strength and quality test standards, it reduces CO2 emissions from aluminum production by up to 26%.
FORD INTRODUCES POP-UP ROOF FOR TRANSIT CUSTOM
The Covid-related lockdowns have triggered a boom in products related to outdoor activities. Sales of bicycles, motorcycles and motor homes are going through the roof. And just in time to take advantage of all that, Ford of Europe is coming out with a pop-up roof for the Transit Custom van. It was developed with Westfalia, the company that helped make Volkswagen vans famous for their pop-up roofs. Ford also makes a version with a permanent tall roof, but the pop-up means the van can fit in more garages.
PEUGEOT CELEBRATES 210TH ANNIVERSARY
Automakers such as Ford, Fiat, BMW, Daimler and General Motors have celebrated their 100th anniversaries. Pretty impressive. Very few companies survive for 100 years. But they ain’t got nothin’ on Peugeot. On September 26, it’s going to celebrate its 210th anniversary. That’s right, Peugeot was founded in 1810 when it started making hoops for women’s skirts which was all the rage then. It started making cars in 1889 and is still going strong today.
That’s all we’ve got for you today, but we’ll be right back here again tomorrow with more automotive news.
August 24th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Hummm, “hoops for women’s skirts” sounds like a solution for college students who don’t maintain social distancing. A nearby college town is closing their bars at 5 PM after students mobbed the bars.
August 24th, 2020 at 12:53 pm
If GM can win like this with the new C8 Vette, Cadillac Lyriq will do do the same to Tesla, and with a less expensive price.
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/08/cadillac-lyriq-combines-technology-and-luxury-to-awaken-the-senses-video/
August 24th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
So which companies have not cheated on emissions? Seems that list is getting to be smaller than the ones that have.
August 24th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Peugeot may have been around over 200 years but they have yet to build a good looking car. I remember the old Fuego and man was that thing ugly. Tied with the Aztek.
August 24th, 2020 at 1:27 pm
4 FYI the Fuego was a Renault, not a Peugeot.
August 24th, 2020 at 1:34 pm
I always like the Peugeot 504 wagon, but never would have bought one in the US, given the very sparse dealer network, and maybe suspect reliability.
August 24th, 2020 at 1:48 pm
6. Actually, the 505 is the one I was thinking of, that was produced into the early ’90s.
August 24th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Corvette wins, Yeah against 3 other cars in it’s class. GTLM is dying. 5 cars in a class is hardly a race especially when one team is factory supported to the teeth.
August 24th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Correction 6 cars in the class and only 20 in total. A far cry from when there were 3 to 4 classes and 40 + cars running each race.
August 24th, 2020 at 2:49 pm
4. Peugeot had some very good looking cars, they just never brought any of them to the US. Look up 504 coupe or RCZ for example
August 24th, 2020 at 3:00 pm
I often wondered if the TESLA vertical Integration model is what yields the lack of luxury features in their interior. They don’t have the resources to develop luxury features.
For instance, I can order a Ford Explorer with 35 way adjustable seats that are heated/cooled/ and have massage functions. In a TESLA I can get heated seats that have the comfort of a stone table. it just is not my definition of Luxury.
August 24th, 2020 at 3:16 pm
11. Yeah, some people consider that the Tesla Model S competes with the Benz S-Class. I don’t see it at all, at least the interior.
August 24th, 2020 at 3:41 pm
2 HAHAHAHA!!!! I am sure Musk is already losing several seconds of much needed sleep every night, because of….. your Lyriq.
Talk about TERMINALLY DElusional.
I DARE YOU TO SHORT TESLA, JOE. But I am 99.99% you have NO CLUE what “SHORT” a stock means.
PUT YOUR $ WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS, Delusional and clueless one.
August 24th, 2020 at 3:42 pm
2 ANd some people, like Joe here, believe the Earth is flat, and the moon is made of blue cheese. SHould we encourage them by repeating their nonsense?
August 24th, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I meant 11, 12, not 2, in my last post.
August 24th, 2020 at 4:01 pm
14,15. As one who worships both Tesla and Mercedes, you should realize that the Model S is not even close to an S-Class, as far as pure luxury. The Tesla is more an electric competitor with Porsche Panamera, oriented toward sporty driving, and a hatchback, rather than a sedan.
August 24th, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Audi,Bentley,Lamborghini and Lincoln to “ensure our new vehicles are truly world class” the new Lincolns are truly beautiful, great looking cars and sport utility,s
August 24th, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Wow – Peugeot got started in Women’s skirt hoops? Did not know that. I think the oldest US company may be Navistar that can trace it’s origins to Cyrus McCormick’s reaper in 1831.
August 24th, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Studebaker got their start in 1852, with horse drawn vehicles, but they only survived to 1966.
August 24th, 2020 at 7:06 pm
13 And how much Tesla stock do you own? You remind me President Chump in that you often spout off about things you pretend to be an expert in but don’t have the experience to know what you are talking about. Tell us all about company stock that you don’t own one share of.
August 24th, 2020 at 7:13 pm
I remember when in 1966 Huntley/Brinkley came on and said a US auto manufacturer had failed. While only 14 years old, I really felt for those who lost jobs. My dad worked for GMC trucks in Pontiac and we knew how cyclical the industry could be.
August 24th, 2020 at 7:31 pm
13
When you don’t like someone’s responses, you make sophomoric comments which makes you look like a fool.
August 24th, 2020 at 9:12 pm
19, Kit, Studebaker stopped building cars in 1966, but they did not go out of business. They had other businesses, like STP and Gravely. Eventually they merged with Worthington to form Studebaker -Worthington. That eventually got folded into McGraw Edison and the Studebaker name disappeared. I think McGraw Edison has been acquired by someone else. A little bit of useless trivia.
August 24th, 2020 at 9:30 pm
18, you are probably right when it comes to companies that have produced cars or trucks, but there are many older companies, such as DuPont, Jim Beam, and Ames.
August 24th, 2020 at 11:07 pm
23 I kind of remember some of that, living 90 miles from South Bend. I knew there was some connection with STP and Gravely, and I think importing of Mercedes-Benz at one time.
After Studebaker quit building cars in South Bend, Avanti IIs were built in one of the Studebaker buildings for a while, and later, Tire Rack used one of the buildings. I don’t know what is left of the South Bend buildings, if anything. I haven’t been up there in probably 30 years.
Regarding Studebaker cars, my uncle had a 1960 Lark wagon, with a V8, 3 speed on the column, and overdrive. It had its good points. It was fairly quick, and got 18 mpg on the highway, good for the time. It was not a very good car, though. It rattled everywhere, lots of engine noise entered the cabin, and the vinyl seats had tears within 10K miles. Even my parents’ 1961 Dodge Lancer, a Valiant near-clone was luxurious in comparison. Based on that car, it’s not surprising that Studebaker didn’t make it.
August 24th, 2020 at 11:32 pm
25 that was a fun read thanks
August 25th, 2020 at 1:54 am
https://www.autonews.com/video/autonews-now-tesla-model-3-holds-value-better-rivals-study-shows
Maybe you should listen to this, Joe, before you short TSLA and buy… GM (LOL!!!!)
August 25th, 2020 at 1:59 am
20 I am pretty sure I own a TON of shares of TSLA through my investing and retirement MUTUAL FUNDS, which total close to $10 million US.
If it makes any difference, I NEVER buy individual stocks for 20 years now. Hoe many times do I have to repeat it, silly OSTRICH? Keep DENYING the obvious, fool. go buy GM and Ford stock instead, if this is what turns you on, clueless one.
August 25th, 2020 at 3:27 am
20 And IF all my mutual funds did not own even ONE single share of TSLA, would this change the 100% TRUTH of ANYThing I said, silly person?
NO it would NOT. And now pay CAREFUL ATTENTION and try to understand the FACTS:
Tesla
DOMINATES
BY FAR
THe fast growing WORLD
Pure Battery Electric Vehicle Market.
Maybe it would do you good if you copied the above 100 times, with good penmanship, and brought it to your first grade teacher. You would make her day.
August 25th, 2020 at 6:17 am
BTW a far more appropriate comparison of the Model S is with the Porsche PANAMERA. The model S looks very similar in styling and also in performance vs luxury tradeoff with the Panamera than the S class
August 25th, 2020 at 7:54 am
26 Glad you enjoyed it
August 25th, 2020 at 7:59 am
30 Yes, that’s exactly what I said in #16.
August 25th, 2020 at 8:25 am
Why does it seem like I’m reading a kids coloring book when I read posts from a certAIn PErsON that evErY post is TESla GooD GM BaD, YOU all FooLS, Joe should SHOrT STock, I WEAlthY and at my SUMMer home so You are IDioTS. WhY mUST I RepEAT myself? Oh CAUSe you DONT READ my dribble.. You Should, Me VERY smart Man. YOU should KNOW cause I tELL you ALL the time. ANd don’t have an OPINion that is Different OR I wiLL tell YOU how DUmb YOU aRe.
August 25th, 2020 at 8:29 am
14/15
You certainly have used all the words today. Absolutely none of them change the fact that TESLA interiors have the luxury of a 90s Nissan Maxima. That is the subject of today. When the subject is stock price or resale value we will discuss those topics.
August 25th, 2020 at 8:44 am
https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/teslas-musk-hints-battery-capacity-jump-ahead-industry-event?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200825&utm_content=hero-headline
No day is a good day for Tesla Deniers and Haters, as the DOMINANT BEV maker increases its world dominance in the pure electric market.
Never satisfied with all its laurels, it goes ONWARDS AND UPWARDS. a 50% Jump in Battery density in just 3-4 years?
(Hope Joe and ZIggy don’t choke on their salt-infested wheaties ,or cornflakes as it may be)!
August 25th, 2020 at 8:46 am
https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/tesla-model-3-winner-used-car-market?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200825&utm_content=article8-image
ANd the good news (or the bad news for the deniers and the haters) keeps coming. The Model 3 retains its value better, also in the EUropean market.
August 25th, 2020 at 8:58 am
33/34
Amen
August 25th, 2020 at 9:17 am
33, very well done Lambo!
August 25th, 2020 at 9:34 am
A big question regarding residual value of EVs, is what happens in 8 years when the batteries are off warranty, and a few years after that when the batteries start failing in large numbers. The price of batteries, and the status of the battery “rebuilding” business, availability of batteries from wrecks, etc. will have a lot of bearing on value of used EVs with a lot of miles, and especially, years.
August 25th, 2020 at 10:38 am
I consider it a badge of honor to be insulted by Larry D. because we all know what the D really stands for. Hey Larry, tell us again how rich you are and how many homes you own and how smart you are, I don’t think we have heard it in the last 5 minutes and we are all waiting for more words of wisdom from you. And while you are at it, go ahead and deny again that you are a paid TESLA plant who purposely calls attention to yourself so that you get the maximum exposure for TESLA. And keep those cute insulting nicknames coming like your hero Agent Orange does, we are all waiting for your next reply (not).
August 25th, 2020 at 12:37 pm
@33 +++ @40 +++