AD #2942 – GMC Hummer EV Unveiled; Tesla Rolls Out Full Self Driving Beta Update; Ford Shows Off 4th-Gen AV
October 21st, 2020 at 11:57am
Listen to “AD #2942 – GMC Hummer EV Unveiled; Tesla Rolls Out Full Self Driving Beta Update; Ford Shows Off 4th-Gen AV” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 10:04
0:07 China Could Hit 2019 Production & Sales Numbers
0:50 AutoNation Posts Record Profits
1:21 LG Chem Boosts Cylindrical Cell Production
2:49 Ford Shows Off 4th-Gen Self-Driving Vehicle
3:54 Tesla Rolls Out Full Self Driving Beta Update
4:28 GMC Hummer EV Unveiled
6:49 Manley Calls for EU Automaker Support
7:55 VW May Dump Brands to Raise Cash
8:39 Nissan Reveals Magnite Crossover
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CHINA COULD HIT 2019 PRODUCTION & SALES NUMBERS
China implemented drastic lockdown measures after the COVID outbreak but it got the virus under control and now its economy is opening again and doing much better than other countries. Because of that success, a government official said China may come close to reaching the same vehicle production and sales numbers it did last year. In 2019, the country built 25.7 million units and sold 25.8 million passenger and commercial vehicles. And another official said vehicle ownership in China could hit 280 million this year. For comparison, there were over 111 million registered vehicles in the U.S. as of 2018.
AUTONATION POSTS RECORD PROFITS
One of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy right now is with new car sales. They’re coming back stronger than expected. And to put an exclamation point on that, AutoNation, the largest dealer group in the country, just reported record third quarter profits. But it was mainly the result of aggressive cost cutting, such as slashing advertising and laying off employees. Revenue was actually down a bit for the quarter, but thanks to cost cutting its net profits were up 83%.
LG CHEM BOOSTS CYLINDRICAL CELL PRODUCTION
A lot of electrified models will be hitting the market over the next few years, which means we’re going to need a lot more batteries. So, to keep pace LG Chem announced its tripling production capacity for cylindrical cells, like those used by Tesla and is eyeing the U.S. and Europe for the expansion. Interestingly, the company also said it’s developing a new form factor for its cylindrical cells that would have five times more energy density and 6 times as much power, but it didn’t say how it achieved the gains. LG Chem posted record third quarter profits and is forecasting more growth from its battery sales in the fourth quarter.
FORD SHOWS OFF 4TH-GEN SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE
There’s been a lot of activity with autonomous vehicles lately. And now Ford and Argo AI have introduced their fourth-generation test vehicle. Unlike the previous generations which were modified Fusion Hybrids, the fourth-gen model is an Escape Hybrid. We wonder if that’s because Ford is dropping out of the sedan market? But the Escape model features new long-range Lidar with higher resolution, higher resolution cameras and improved radar sensors. Near-field cameras and short-range Lidar have been added to the front side of the vehicle, and a similar setup is equipped at the rear, which keeps track of what’s going on ahead, to the side and behind the vehicle. Engineers modified the Escape Hybrid’s battery with more battery cells to help power the self-driving system. The new model also features an improved sensor cleaning system, to keep them free of rain, dirt and other debris, so they can “see” properly. Ford is testing the autonomous vehicles throughout the U.S. in Austin, Detroit, Miami, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.
TESLA ROLLS OUT FULL SELF DRIVING BETA UPDATE
And in other autonomous news, Tesla rolled out its Full Self Driving Beta update to a limited number of owners. Elon Musk confirmed the update in a tweet and said the rollout will be extremely slow and cautious. Not many details about its capability are known at this point but Electrek reports that it’s expected to improve upon its Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control feature to include turns in intersections. Combined with its Navigate on Autopilot, vehicles would technically be able to drive on both main roads and the highway.
GMC HUMMER EV UNVEILED
General Motors officially unveiled the GMC Hummer EV last night, and while we’re going to get more details later today, here’s what we know for now.
• The launch edition is going to cost $112,595. The base version will start at just under eighty grand, but it will not be on sale until the spring of 2024.
• The launch edition has 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of about 3 seconds.
• The latest version of Super Cruise is available with automated lane changes when the driver selects the turn signal.
• Four-wheel steer will improve the handling and turning radius of this big truck.
• A large battery pack provides over 350 miles of driving range. And it’s also capable of 800-volt DC charging up to 350 kilowatts, which can provide 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging.
• It has massive ground clearance thanks to standard 35-inch tires, and if that’s not enough for you, it’ll fit up to 37-inch tires on the stock setup.
• And just to be on the safe side it has what they call Extract Mode that uses the adaptive air suspension to raise the vehicle another 6 inches.
• There are 18 video cameras that give you a lot of different ways to view the vehicle while driving, including front and rear views under the vehicle, which give a great look at the underbody protection.
• Crab Walk is a mode you can select to take advantage of the 4-wheel-steering to move the Hummer diagonally if you get caught in really tight off-road situations.
• And just to make sure your friends and neighbors stop and stare, the 6-bar grille lights up with a dramatic flair, and provides an animated light show that indicates when you’re approaching, walking away or while it’s charging up.
GM is going to provide us with more information later today and we’ll make sure you see it in tomorrow’s show.
MANLEY CALLS FOR EU AUTOMAKER SUPPORT
In the first half of the year, Europe produced 3.6 million fewer vehicles which cost automakers $118 billion because of shutdowns related to the coronavirus. And new vehicle registrations in the region are also expected to drop by 25% this year. But at the same time, Europe is moving ahead with stricter emission regulations and harsher penalties for automakers that miss targets. Because of this, FCA CEO Mike Manley is calling on the EU to support automakers transition to electric vehicles because he says COVID is the “biggest single risk ever to face our industry.” Manley says automakers have to invest even more to meet emission targets but they can’t do it alone. In order for EVs to become more common, he says all EU countries need to expand EV charging networks and offer incentives to purchase electric vehicles. You’ll probably remember that FCA has worked out a deal to buy carbon credits from Tesla so it can avoid big fines this year.
VW MAY DUMP BRANDS TO RAISE CASH
The future of several of Volkswagen’s brands are back in limbo again. Reuters reports the automaker is conducting a five-year review to determine what it will do with Bugatti, Ducati and Lamborghini. It’s even hosting talks with potential buyers for Ducati to see what it could get for the brand. But nothing is official yet. Sources say the review could result in partnerships, a restructuring of the brands or an outright sale. Here’s our Autoline Insight. We know VW has to somehow raise cash for its massive push into electrification, but it also just plunked down about $3.7 billion to buy out truck maker Navistar. And maybe one of these brands will be used to pay off that debt.
NISSAN REVEALS MAGNITE CROSSOVER
The red-hot compact crossover segment just got a little more crowded. Nissan unveiled the Magnite, which is a cross between the words magnetic and ignite. And one of the first things you might notice is, no V-motion grille. It’s more of hexagonal shape and a little less aggressive looking. But Nissan added some meanness back in there with thin LED lighting that features crisp lines. A similar hexagonal shape to the grille is reflected in the air vents of the cabin, which really stands out from the rest of the interior design that is otherwise rather simplistic. Under the hood is an all-new 1.0L turbocharged 3-cylinder that Nissan claims is one of the powerful engines in its class. The Magnite is scheduled to first launch in India early next year, followed by other markets after that.
Be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow when the industry expert and consultant Paul Eichenberg will be on the show, as well as Doron Levin from Seeking Alpha.
And with that we wrap up today’s show, thanks for watching and we’ll see you tomorrow.
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Comments (35)
October 21st, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Sean, I noticed what appeared to be “teslamotors.com/detroit2015″ stamped onto that cylindrical battery cell in the video. Tried going to that website, but got nothing. Can you give us any intel on that?
October 21st, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Tesla recently reduces prices and improved performance across their product lines. Sandy Munro has reported how Tesla manufacturing has speed and agility to innovate that reduces costs. For example, the Model 3 rear needed ~200 parts had in the Model Y rear became two castings and now a single casting. This suggests the Q3 profits will exceed ‘Wall Street’ expectations.
As for LG Chem improving their products, they only needed to see the Tesla battery day presentation on the 4680 cells and manufacturing. They have to innovate or Tesla will take their customers.
October 21st, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Only 111 million vehicles registered in the US? My quick query came up with 273 million in 2018, which seems more in line with figures I have seen in the past.
October 21st, 2020 at 12:52 pm
As I recall, AutoNation was put together by Wayne Huizenga and a couple of buddies who all pitched in $5 million to kick it off. They originally were going to consolidate the used car business by taking the CarMax model as far as they could go with it. In fact, numerous trips to Atlanta to the CarMax dealership there were undertaken to gather data.
I don’t know if that was all bullshit, or they concluded it wasn’t viable, but what they actually did was start buying up independent new car dealerships for little or no cash, just stock in AutoNation. In classic corporate fashion, they built a new car franchise empire for, as I like say, three magic beans and a cow.
All on the promises of the magic of Wayne Huizenga, Waste Management, and Blockbuster.
How do I know this? I was there.
October 21st, 2020 at 12:56 pm
The new Hummer doesn’t appear to be built like the old Hummer. So what is it really? A Silverado with batteries?
October 21st, 2020 at 1:03 pm
The Hummer looks like the Rivian R1T.
Crab Crawl similar to tank turn.
Did GM make a secret deal, after Rivian’s Ford deal fell thru?
October 21st, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Just what the world is clamoring for, a $112,500 Hummer “designer truck” for the wealthy. I don’t get it.
October 21st, 2020 at 1:05 pm
I hope the best for GM and the $113K Hummer. To me it is not worth it. Not with that cheap Pontiac Fiero inspired interior. I own a Fiero as a toy and that interior on the Hummer was instantly recognizable, and not in a good way.
The stuff like crab walking and lifting the suspension is neat, but does not justify a $113K price to me. If I was into off-roading seriously, I would just get a Bronco as the smaller size is extremely advantageous off road.
October 21st, 2020 at 1:12 pm
Manley’s request seems to highlight the unrealistic expectations or tighter emission regulations.
1) The government lays out a tight emissions.
2) Automakers are essentially forced to start making EVs. or pay fines.
3) Not enough people are buying the EVs
4) Automakers ask Gov for assistance with EV incentives, and more charging stations.
5) Tax dollars get used to force a product that few consumers want.
6) Auto prices go up on ICE vehicles to help cover loss by building EVs.
7) So everyone pays more to force a product that all stems from government regulations.
Sure clean air is important but seems that autos are an easy target when many other contributors could share in the pain. The biggest contributor is the increase of vehicles. Light vehicles are way more efficient than 1990 but we have 33% more vehicles so even though emissions are down per vehicle, Co2 emissions are up. The root cause of the problem is population growth and not much mass transit.
October 21st, 2020 at 1:20 pm
2 Tesla Cybertrucks for the price of 1 Hummer? Greater range too?
October 21st, 2020 at 1:24 pm
… is it just me or does the front end of the new Hummer look a lot like the front end of the new uber-Jeep?
October 21st, 2020 at 1:58 pm
10 2 cybtrucks for the price of one base ‘hummer’ BEV but 3 for the $113k described today.
And how come that you could give us all these specs but when the battery was discussed, you only said it is ‘large’? Don’t you know how large? 100 KWH? 130? less than 100?
ANyway I am very dissapointed that the wheels are only 36″. I was ready to give my $113k to Mary Barra but I thought we’d get at least 44″ wheels.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:17 pm
who do you call when your electric goes dead AAA?
October 21st, 2020 at 2:19 pm
12. ‘Disappointed’ is spelled with one ‘s’, Mr. spelling corrector.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:22 pm
12 I think the said 200 kWh in the video Chuck G. linked yesterday.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:34 pm
14 very good, i am flattered that you read my posts.
15 That would make sense. I wonder how much this toy weighs (not just the battery, the whole Rhinoceros. Did I spell it right, Artg?
October 21st, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Transportation is responsible for 28-30% of greenhouse emissions in the US and EU. In Europe, 72% of that 30% is road transport, and 60.7% of that 72% is cars. Here’s an article on how it breaks out.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20190313STO31218/co2-emissions-from-cars-facts-and-figures-infographics
The bottom line is that vehicles get a lot of the attention, maybe too much, regarding greenhouse emissions. As more wind and solar generation is in place, EVs can cut the emissions a lot. Of course, private vehicle emissions in the US would be cut almost in half, if the vehicle mix were like in most of the rest of the world. One thing EVs clearly do, is get the smog producing emissions out of the cities, which is part of why CA and European cities incentivize EVs.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:40 pm
So how many sleepless nights should Elon Musk devote to calculating the number of Tesla sales he will lose to the “Hummer” BEV?
(hint: the correct answer is zero for both above)
October 21st, 2020 at 2:40 pm
I would consider a Hummer if it is amphibious, if not then that is a real deal breaker
October 21st, 2020 at 2:44 pm
I think the Hummer will fly much better if the wheels are 38DD”. I speak from experience on this.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:49 pm
This thing of rating torque for EVs using “at the wheel” numbers, after the gear reduction, is idiotic. Using that system, my 1989 Caravan would have about 2280 lb-ft of torque, 180 peak torque of the engine, times 3.29 first gear ratio, times 3.85 final drive ratio.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:52 pm
17 in some parts of EUrope there has been a major shift of electricity production from coal and nukes to renewables, wind and solar, esp in Germany after they closed down their nuke plants, which obviously means that BEVs there will not ony reduce pollution in city centers but overall as well.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:54 pm
8 MERKUR DRIVER
Quote “I own a Fiero as a toy and that interior on the Hummer was instantly recognizable, and not in a good way.”
Two cheers for the Fiero. (Alas, it never merited three, though the potential was there.)
Somehow, that toy design DNA has been preserved over generations and still enters far too many vehicles, from the Hummer to the Corvette (sad but so).
It makes too many US cars look very cheap on world markets, and I find it paradoxical that the damage is so often done in the overtly plasticky details.
The latest Ford Mustang has sells relatively well in Asia and Europe, with the traditional V8 versions proving popular.
It’s not a coincidence it was designed as a toy for grownups rather than a serious vehicle for kids.
October 21st, 2020 at 2:54 pm
21 it is consistent with GM’s original rating of the VOLT at 230 MPG. Not MPGe, mind you, MPG. And with a straight face.
October 21st, 2020 at 3:06 pm
23 Corvette interiors have gotten better over the years, with the C7 being substantially “nicer” than earlier generations. I haven’t seen a C8, to know how it looks, but most reviews are positive.
That Hummer seems to be all about bragging rights, with the 4 wheel steering, about two feet of adjustable hydraulic lift, and the rest. It, presumably, will have exceptional off-road capability, as long as its huge size doesn’t get in the way, but no one will use that capability. You’d need to bring your own generator to charge it if you wanted to drive the really challenging off-road trails.
October 21st, 2020 at 3:08 pm
This Hummer (and the previous H2 and H3) are to the original and real Hummer H1 as the “new Beetle” was to the original VW Beetle.
October 21st, 2020 at 3:12 pm
#7
Think of it as a damning indictment of the severe income inequality in America today.
October 21st, 2020 at 3:44 pm
#5, The Hummer is unibody on chassis. You can think similar to Avalanche (but not really; it doesn’t have a separate cab and bed).
#6, Crab crawl doesn’t function like tank turn; it can four wheel steer to decrease turn radius or drive sideways (think sidewinder rattlesnake).
#7, Yes it is a designer truck for the wealthy (even the upcoming models are going to be pricey) but so was the Tesla model S.
#8, I doubt the interior is going to be cheap looking; the new Escalade and the upcoming refresh Silverado have moved up, and mentioned, the C8 is top notch.
#12, The tires are 35″ with space for 37′s; no modifications needed for fit.
October 21st, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Love that Hummer.
October 21st, 2020 at 4:30 pm
12 Again not sure where you get your ridiculously wrong numbers but the fully loaded Cyber truck is stated to have an MSRP of $69,900 with three motors and the 2.9 0-60 times. So no where near 3 Teslas for the price of a Hummer. Only the base model with a single motor RWD only and towing capacity cut to 7500lbs and 0-60 up around the 6.5 seconds is said to be $39,900 but typical of Elon he will say that was assuming the Tax credits which they no longer qualify for which means the Tesla truck will likely be more like $47,000 which yes is still a little more than half the price of the base Hummer said to be 80k. I would be willing to bet we will never see a Cybertruck under 50K its first year or two.
On the Hummer interior all I saw was a white dash that will certainly change for production. That would have such horrible glare on the inside of the windshield.. Dashboards are almost always dark for a reason.
October 21st, 2020 at 4:39 pm
30 When I was checking out Corvettes before ordering my LT1, I sat in an LT3 with a red dash, and there was a quite visible reflection. A very light color, like white would be even worse. I wouldn’t have considered an LT3 anyway, because it was at least $10K more, for stuff I didn’t care about anyway.
October 22nd, 2020 at 6:31 am
From a review of a LOSER (see why below) Volvo BEV in TTAC:
“While the XC40 Recharge comes in below its larger European counterparts on price, and often by a fairly narrow margin, its maximum range is an EPA-estimated 208 miles.
That places it within striking distance of the bigger electrics manufactured by Audi or Jaguar.
BUT Tesla will happily sell customers a Model Y boasting 326 miles of range for about $10,000 less than the XC40.
(Now you understand why the VOlvo is a LOSER, and as a LOSER in SALES ALSO, it is SUBSIDIZED by you and especially ME, the Taxpayer, thanks to the CORRUPT and STUPID legislators in your COngress.)
“The only downside is that the American brand’s sales success has already exhausted its allotted federal tax credits, meaning you’ll get more money from the government if you buy something Swedish-Chinese.”
Even with the OUTRAGEOUS $7,500 tax credit down the drain for the Geely-VOlvo, the TESLA is $2,500 cheaper, AND has about 50% MORE RANGE.
Losers… I can;t wait until VOlvo goes broke, but with Geely’s deep pockets, this may not happen soon.
October 22nd, 2020 at 6:35 am
5, 6, 11 all correct comments. I doubt I ever agreed with KevinA before. SHould I be worried?
This idiotic so-called Hummer BEV does not look ONE BIT like a Hummer. IT looks more like something from RIvian or even Jeep, as you said above.
By coincidence, the fat pig BEV from Ford also shares little with Mustang Mach 1 except its name.
Because of the above and because of the reason the idiots who will buy this faker Hummer, I propose to change its name to the “COMPENSATOR”. And there is more than one or two things that it will compensate these idiots for
October 22nd, 2020 at 10:43 am
33 The “fat pig BEV from Ford” shares little with a Mustang Mach 1, but it shares a lot with the Tesla Model Y, which you worship. The dimensions are nearly identical, and the shape similar.
October 22nd, 2020 at 11:56 am
34) coincidentally, “fat pig” was the last square I need for Larry D bingo. So there is that.