This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
GM PLEDGES TO BOOST BLACK-OWNED MEDIA ADVERTISING
GM is holding true to its promise of spending more advertising dollars with Black-owned media. You may remember at the beginning of this month GM was called out for only spending about 1% of its roughly $3 billion a year advertising budget with diverse media outlets. So, GM met with some of these organizations to determine the best path forward, and says it will double spending to 2% this year, 4% next year and hopes to reach a goal of 8% by 2025. As we said earlier, GM is the first to be singled out, but Black-owned media companies promise it’s an issue they’ll raise with all major corporations.
SENATORS PROPOSE TO EXEMPT MORE SELF-DRIVING CARS
To help jump start the commercial use of self-driving vehicles in the U.S., two senators are proposing exemptions to allow more autonomous vehicles on public roads. The proposal would give NHTSA the power to exempt 15,000 self-driving vehicles per company from meeting safety standards meant for human drivers. The number would increase to 80,000 vehicles within three years. NHTSA currently is allowed to exempt 2,500 AVs per manufacturer. Automakers would be allowed to disable driving controls when the vehicles are operating fully autonomously. The senators argue the proposal will allow the U.S. to remain competitive in the global autonomous vehicle industry, and it will create jobs and billions in investment. The proposal would be an amendment of a $100 billion bill to boost funding for science and technology research and development.
ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS CONVERSION PROPOSED
And speaking of proposals in the U.S. Senate, two Democrat senators introduced legislation to invest $25 billion to convert the entire school bus fleet to electric. The money will also be used to improve the charging infrastructure for the buses and provide workforce training. Not only would this help improve the environment but studies have found that diesel emissions from school buses may contribute to respiratory illness in children, which is linked to poor academic performance.
Autoline supports the automotive industry….because the auto industry supports all of us. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out the auto industry leapt into action. General Motors and Ford made tens of thousands of ventilators. Toyota, Honda, FCA and Nissan made hundreds of thousands of face shields and masks. So did suppliers like Magna and Lear. And the list goes on and on. No other industry made this kind of commitment. And that’s why we’re proud to say that Autoline is an advocate for the automotive industry.
U.S. APRIL CAR SALES EXPECTED TO BE STRONG
Even though a chip shortage is crippling production, automakers might set a sales record this month in the U.S. market. Wards Intelligence is forecasting that the SAAR, or seasonally adjusted annual rate, could come in at 17.9 million, and maybe even higher. It says some customers are buying now because they’re worried that dealers will run out of inventory later. And they’ll take almost anything the dealer has. They’re buying passenger sedans when a CUV or SUV isn’t available. Even so, Wards says that low inventory levels will probably hurt sales in the months to come.
FORD LAUNCHES MUSTANG MACH-E GT & GT PERFORMANCE
Ford has already seen good sales results with the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and they’re about to get even better. It’s going to start taking orders for the GT and GT Performance versions of the EV this Wednesday, April 28th. Those models get unique features like a light up pony badge and a performance driving mode that’s tuned for better traction and stability on the race track. The Mach-E GT starts at $60-grand and the GT Performance is $65-grand, not including destination and before incentives. Deliveries kick off in the fall.
FIRST EDITION MACH-E CUSTOMERS GET FREE GIFT
Speaking of the Mach-E, customers that ordered the First Edition version are also getting this 3D printed pony sculpture to go along with it. They’re dyed to match the color of their car and even features a baseplate with the VIN number.
PORSCHE PLANS TO OPEN EV BATTERY PLANT
Another bit of EV news here. Porsche says it will build its own battery cell manufacturing plant in Germany. While Porsche will buy batteries from parent company Volkswagen, the new facility is going to focus on high-performance cells, which it wants to be at the forefront of developing. But this is also a move we’ll see more European automakers make, like Volkswagen, which is opening a number of battery cell manufacturing sites across Europe, to reduce their dependence on Asian suppliers.
VOLVO S90 PLUG-IN HYBRID IMPRESSIONS
We recently slid into the driver’s seat of the plug-in hybrid version of the Volvo S90 sedan. It’s powered by a 2.0L super and turbocharged engine that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain also includes an 87-horsepower electric motor and an 11.6 kWh battery, which provides 23 miles of all-electric range in optimum conditions. Combined, the setup cranks out 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft. of torque. And when we finally got a chance to put our foot into it, we were surprised by how much get-up-and-go it has. But that’s in a straight line. Don’t try and put this thing through a corner with too much speed cause all that weight just wants to push you right out of the turn. While the electric range is not significant, it was enough for most of our everyday driving. Like the exterior design, the interior is elegantly done with leather wrapped seats and steering wheel and the wood trim along the doors enhances it even more. It’s also minimalistic thanks to its large 12.3-inch touchscreen, which controls most of the functions. It’s pretty easy to navigate and you can also use the steering wheel buttons or voice control to select functions. The S90 plug-in starts at just over $61,000, including destination charges but the one we drove included about another $10,000 in options.
And be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours later this week, when we’ll be learning about Arrival, the electric commercial vehicle startup based out of the UK. Hyundai and Kia invested more than $100 million into the company and will also develop vehicles off of its platform. So join us this Thursday for some of the best insider discussions in the industry.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching.
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Comments (19)
April 26th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
John, glad to see that spot your team developed advocating for the auto industry in light of their unmatched Covid response among other manufacturing segments!
April 26th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
Id say that school busses are perfect candidates for EV application. Fairly low round trip miles and plenty of time to re-charge. I would think they could easily get by on a fairly small battery as most don’t need more than 100 mile range.
Living in close proximity to the Motor City we are keenly aware of the chip shortage and the various assembly plants shutting down. However I really wonder if the rest of the country is as aware as we are? Its not like it has been breaking news. So are people really running out to buy cars for fear of not having a great selection in the coming months or is it more about using the recent stimulus checks and tax returns?
Most EVs seem to be in that 60K range and for that reason I’m out.
April 26th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
I just read a Car and Driver review of a VW ID.4, and they were not impressed. It struck their writers as an attempt to make an electric CR-V/RAV4, with similar dimensions, cabin space, and, uh, performance. Part of what people buy EVs for is performance, but the ID.4 didn’t deliver it, with the same 7.6 second 0-60 time as a CRV. Also, apparently the controls are seriously crappy, like a Tesla Model 3 or Y. The VW was quiet and comfortable, though.
I’d rather the regulators not get in too much of a hurry putting underdeveloped autonomous vehicles on the road. I ride motorcycles, and if an EV sometimes can’t see an 18 wheeler, it’s a little scary to consider how well they might not see a motorcycle.
April 26th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
2) I’m not certain a 100 mile range is sufficient for a bus. The many stop/starts would drain the battery quicker, plus use of lights and heater. Winter weather would also reduce distance at least 30% or more. Drivers usually pick up kids in the morning and then after school. Many drivers take the bus home with them inbetween hours so charging would not be possible. Doubling the range might work.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
I wonder if the senators wanting to put autonomous vehicles on the road don’t have some skin in the game or are recieving contributions.
These vehicles are prime for quarries and amusement park situations but not on the public roads. I sure would like to see the track record of the test runs of taxis performed in cities before jumping the gun.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:11 pm
“They’re buying passenger sedans when a CUV or SUV isn’t available.”
There’s some irony for you there. I’m looking at you, Ford.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:13 pm
#3). I agree that there is a lot of emphasis on the rot rod performance of EV’s, which is very exciting to see, hear and read about (I see you Mustang Mach-E GT! Wink, wink!). Yet, the thing is, most people won’t use them that way and one of their biggest competition, outside of other EV’s, will be the best selling CUV/crossovers on the road today. I read that C&D ID 4 story too and while the interior appointments were regrettable (which is per for the course against its Model 3 and Y), the thought that rest of it matched the CR-V and the Rav4, VW may see that as a win. The hurdle that the ID 4 has to then get over is the big price point that it has over those two! A nicely equipped CR-V puts you in the high 20K ball park, with a fully equipped model in the low 30′s. With government incentives, a base ID 4 STARTS in the low 30K and the add-ons will move the needle considerably. Some may be willing to pay that if it had a zero to 60 time of about 3 seconds, but I think some may be hit with sticker shock. Personally, I’d rather have a Mustang Mach-E X4 for that kind of money, then the ID 4.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
4 The starting and stopping makes good use of the regen braking, but electrically heating a bus in the winter would take a huge amount of power. Maybe they could use gas or kerosene heaters, like were used in VW Beetles and Corvairs. Either that, or just not bother with heat. There was little heat in school buses when I rode them in the 1950s and 1960s.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Interesting comments about the possible electrified school buses. In rural areas, routes can approach that 100 mile threshold fairly commonly. As far as the regenerative braking contribution to battery capacity, regen is most efficient over prolonged slowing. Accelerating to 40 – 50 mph repeatedly and then stopping will recapture at best 70% of the accelerative losses. I would think a mild-hybrid or serial hybrid application would be far more usable.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
7 C and D’s ID.4 was the 2wd version. The 4wd with the extra motor would be quicker, but would cost some range.
It will be interesting to see how the VW sells, but for its price, you can get an Acura version of the CR-V, called RDX. I don’t know how much “better” the RDX is than the CR-V, but it’s a little quicker, though much thirstier, with premium recommended to boot.
April 26th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
9 Actually, a non-mild hybrid might be good for school buses, at least as an interim technology. A hybrid Camry or Accord gets almost twice the mph of non-hybrid 4 cylinder versions in CR’s rather severe “city” test, with lots of stops. A bus with a smaller diesel than they now use, and with a scaled up version of the Toyota or Honda hybrid systems should almost double the mpg of a bus.
April 26th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
I’d be damned if Id let some outside interest influence who i used to in my business. If it were me I’d remove all of my advertising from those companies hat i was doing business with .What they are doing to GM amounts to extortion. Use these businesses or else. If you want my business then compete for it , earn it. All we hear about is equal this or that. How is this equal? Stacking the deck is hardly equal in my eyes. I don’t care who owns a business , if you want mine then you’d better be willing to do what is required to get it.
April 26th, 2021 at 2:10 pm
It’s not a VIN number – it’s a VIN.
April 26th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Go woke go broke
April 26th, 2021 at 3:25 pm
13. Is it MLB, or MLB baseball?
April 27th, 2021 at 8:54 am
15 Now for a little latin.
Is it A.M/P.M or “Ante Meridiem” and “Post Meridiem”.
E.g. or “Exempli Gratia”, which means “Example given”.
Etc. is short for “et cetera”, which means “and other things”.
But to answer 13 and 15 its just VIN and MLB.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:25 am
Apparently to qualify for the AV exception, you have to show that your driverless car is as safe as any other car on the road today. So what exactly is the point of this technology if it can only be as safe as an average car driven by a human on the road today? Weren’t we promised that AV tech would reduce traffic incidents because they could react/adapt to situations faster then humans could?
This will not have the intended effect of advancing AV. It will regress acceptance of AV tech substantially with every single report of an AV crash from these average ability driving cars.
April 27th, 2021 at 10:23 am
16 Actually, I’ve heard the MLB Baseball is correct, because MLB is an organization, rather than being a “free standing” abbreviation/acronym like VIN. Still, to me, MLB, NFL, and NBA don’t need the name of the sport mentioned along with the abbreviation for the organization.
17 If true autonomous driving becomes as safe as human driving, even if not safer, it would still provide the benefit of allowing you to sleep during your commute, and cheaper hired rides, since drivers wouldn’t be needed. It wouldn’t be so good for the millions of taxi/uber/lyft drivers, though.
April 27th, 2021 at 10:55 am
17 Ive said it here before but AV runs a huge risk of not being accepted if its rolled out too early. If they cannot develop the system to be almost perfect it could become considered dangerous and never accepted.
People can and have accepted human error. Accident happen! We are not so willing to accept the same failure rates with technology. So AVs will need to preform better than humans by a long shot. Releasing it early or not completely developed runs the risk of ruining its reputation and even if they can get it to be very reliable and robust it will be too late and no one will trust the technology.
Remember how much computers used to crash and lock up for no reason? They rarely do now but yet they still have the reputation and fear that makes people even reluctant of this Av technology from their early experiences with a home computer. It could take years to repair the damage they may do today.