This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
FORD DOUBLES F-150 LIGHTNING PRODUCTION GOALS
Ford is seeing strong demand for the electric F-150 Lightning. It already has 120,000 reservations. And because of that demand, Ford is doubling the production target for the pickup. It now plans to build 80,000 annually by 2024, instead of 40,000 and will spend an additional $850 million to reach that goal. The second-generation Lightning is scheduled to come out in 2025, will be built on Ford’s new TE1 truck architecture and will have a production target of 160,000 units annually.
UNIQUE ROUNDABOUT GREATLY REDUCE ACCIDENTS
While it feels like some Americans will never figure out how to properly use a roundabout, they do improve safety by reducing the likelihood of a head-on or T-bone collision. And a study from the IIHS shows that converting to roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 47% in Carmel, Indiana, which has more of them than any other city in the U.S. But a particular type of roundabout, called a double-teardrop or wishbone, is especially good at reducing crashes that result in injury, like 84% good. This design squishes the circle at the center, which allows them to be used at locations where surface streets cross with a freeway or higher speed roads. It means you no longer have slow moving cars passing directly over a high speed road. One other interesting finding from the study is that multilane roundabouts saw an increase of non-injury crashes.
INDONESIA TARGETS POLLUTING MOTORCYCLES
A number of countries around the world have announced plans to get more electric vehicles on the roads and now Indonesia is the latest. But unlike other countries which are focusing on passenger cars, Indonesia is targeting motorcycles. That’s because, as of 2019, the country has 112 million motorcycles on its roads compared to just 15 million cars. So its launching a pilot program to convert gas-powered motorcycles to electric. By 2030, it wants 30 million electric motorcycles, including converted ones, along with 2.2 million electric cars on its roads. It also plans to convert public buses to electric and by 2050 its pledging to end all ICE vehicle sales.
SCHAEFFLER DEBUTS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
The supplier Schaeffler is showing off some of the technology it will be displaying at the upcoming Munich auto show. First up is its third-generation steer-by-wire system. It has triple redundant backups so it can be integrated with driver assistance systems or used for autonomous vehicles. Schaeffler says the technology is ready for small-volume production. Next up is its force-feedback handwheel actuator, which replaces a conventional steering wheel and steering column. It opens up space in the vehicle and allows the steering wheel to stow in the center console when in autonomous driving mode. It’s also able to suppress vibrations from the road and supports multiple steering gear ratios. The technology is modular and scalable so it can be used in any kind of vehicle. And lastly, Schaeffler will show off its rolling chassis, which is a modular, scalable platform. It features four corner modules that combine the wheel hub motor, suspension, an actuator for electromechanical steering and the brakes.
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA UPDATED
Volkswagen updated the Jetta for the 2022 model year. It gets a new engine, a 1.5L turbo that’s also available in the Taos crossover, which can be mated to a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. The GLI version of the Jetta keeps the same 2.0L engine from before. It can be matched to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The exterior styling has been refreshed with new bumpers and grille. The interior also gets an update and it now comes standard with VW’s digital cockpit that features an 8-inch driver display. The regular Jetta is available in four trims, including the new Sport trim, which replaces the R-Line model from the previous Jetta. The new Jetta arrives in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of the year.
SUBARU LAUNCHES REFRESHED FORESTER IN JAPAN
Subaru is launching the refreshed Forester in Japan right now, so it shouldn’t be long before it arrives in other parts of the world. The big change here is to the front fascia. The design of the headlamps, grille, lower air inlet and foglamps are all all-new. However, it doesn’t look like there’s much different, if anything at all, with the rear end or the interior. In Japan there’s two powertrain setups. One is a hybrid that pairs a 2.0L engine with an electric motor and the other is a sportier 1.8L turbo. The hybrid is also offered in Europe, while the U.S. gets a 2.5L engine. We’ll have to wait and see if there’s any changes to the powertrain lineup for those markets.
MAZDA SHAKES UP JV IN CHINA
Due to sales lagging behind other Japanese automakers, Mazda is shaking things up in China. It’s had a 50/50 joint venture with Changan in the country since 2012. But now it’s bringing in another Chinese automaker, FAW. The restructured unit, still called Changan Mazda Automobile, will see both Mazda and Changan own 47.5% of the JV, while FAW will take the remaining 5%. Mazda says the move will help optimize its business and management system to adapt to the needs of the Chinese market.
STELLANTIS & FOXCONN FINALIZE JV DEAL
Stellantis and Foxconn have finalized their partnership. They formed a joint venture, called Mobile Drive that will focus on developing smart cockpits. They’ll feature AI, next-gen infotainment and navigation, voice-assistance, payment services and OTA updates. These smart cockpits will first be used in Stellantis vehicles, but the idea is to expand to 3rd party vehicle manufacturers in the future.
But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks to anyone watching, listening or reading.
Share
Permalink
Comments (23)
August 24th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I love roundabouts. We’ve had them in our area for about that past 16 or so years, with more added every couple of years. And, yes, it seems there will always be those who either don’t ‘get’ them, are intimidated by them, or just plain don’t like them. But there’s no doubt they keep traffic flowing nicely (except for when the occasional roundabout newbie goes creeping through at a snails pace, braking at every point in the circle to let other cars in because they don’t realize they themselves have the right of way).
August 24th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I love roundabouts. I find that my fellow Michigan drivers still have more trouble with 4-way and 3-ways stops than they do with roundabouts. Multi-lane roundabouts are a bit trickier, and we have a single-laner near Romeo that has an EXTREMELY small diameter, especially given that it is supposed to be a truck route.
August 24th, 2021 at 12:41 pm
can’t beat roundabouts, except the terra state community college roundabout in fremont ohio this is the poster child of when not to do a roundabout, shear lunacy.
August 24th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
About the electric F150, it is nice to see demand outstripping supply. Tesla has had that problem for years.
August 24th, 2021 at 12:53 pm
A year ago, Ford was seen as being well behind GM in electrification. I think GM has a lot of good stuff coming in this arena, but Ford seems to have catapulted into the lead. The Mach-E is a hit and must be outselling the Bolt by now. The new Lightning will beat the Silverado to market and is priced and positioned to sell in much bigger volume. And the Maverick looks to be a hit while redefining what success looks like in the small pickup segment. Ford is giving Elon a lot more to think about right now than GM is.
August 24th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
I find the new Mazda partnership interesting. I bet there will come a day when Mazda and Changan disagree on a major new initiative, and FAW becomes the tie-breaker vote with their measly 5% ownership. I hope it works out for them. For their relatively tiny size, Mazda certainly adds a lot of interest to the automotive market in terms of engineering and styling.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
I got used to roundabouts, going in the clockwise direction, when in the UK for a year while in the Navy. I like them. I’ve gone through the ones in Carmel, IN a number of times, but mostly on the main north-south street, Keystone Parkway, and you don’t even know they are roundabouts. Farther north, US31 has some other semi-roundabouts which actually took a little getting used to, since they are not “normal,” but they work ok.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:10 pm
IMHO, the fact that Ford is having to up production of the Lightning, seems to suggest that more are opening up to BEVs and not just early adopters as some have said! It just seems that, if the product is good and the price is reachable and reasonably, even this new tech can find an audience.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
We’ll see if all of these no-commitment reservations for the Lightning actually turn into real sales. In any case, Ford seems best positioned to take advantage, if people actually want electric pickup trucks. Tesla will have the quirky thing electric truck market, but Ford will own the market for normal looking electric pickups, at least for a while. I don’t see how these upstarts have a chance.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:24 pm
Most of the people I see at R/C flying fields drive pickup trucks (though vans would work much better for them). Anyway, nearly all of these people would be able to charge an EV at home, and most rarely use their trucks for long trips. It will be interesting to see if some Lightnings start showing up.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
I like roundabouts too. Growing up in northern New Jersey, we had what must have been the mother of them all (we called them traffic circles back then) where the Franklin Turnpike crossed Route 17 in Ramsey. It’s long gone, replaced by an overpass, but I swear, you could have fit a football field in the middle. They’re a relative newcomer in Michigan, but they seem to work well except when the traffic is so heavy on one of the roads that the other one doesn’t get a break. Then you just have to be a little aggressive.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:49 pm
The city name is pronounced Carmel NOT Car-mel. We hear it all the time. It’s our way of telling the locals from the outsiders! LOL Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:52 pm
11 This is a case where Americans have adopted British word usage. They were roundabouts in the UK 50 years ago when I was there, but traffic circles in the US. Now, they seem to be called roundabouts everywhere in the US too.
August 24th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
12 Yeah, it’s CAR-mole in Indiana, like Peru is Pee-Rue, and Chili Chie-Lie.
August 24th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
I haven’t had to deal with many roundabouts , but when I went Detroit in 2003 I encountered something called the Michigan Left. It made sense but was very unnerving coming from somewhere that never had anything like it.
August 24th, 2021 at 2:28 pm
The single lane roundabouts work quite well, the dual or multiple work but are somewhat more intimidating.
I think Ford should get ready to expand their electric 150 but wait until demand proves itself; as Kit mentioned, they have reservations but aren’t locked in buyers. The BEV market is set to be quite full in the next couple vehicle cycles.
August 24th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
9 a good friend of mine was an early convert to the lightening,and got on the list early. He currently has a ice truck,which he never really uses to haul anything other than a few bicycles so for him,will probably work out well.
August 24th, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Hopefully roundabouts are part of drivers education as I still encounter many people that stop before entering with no one around. and even stop within the circle when another car approaches. But still better than a 4-way stop where drivers also don’t know how to manage who has the right-a-way.
Even Ford seems a bit hesitant on 120K reservations, upping production only to 80K when the second gen will be out a year later with 160K capacity. What I think it really shows, is although there is decent interest, That interest may be limited and not sustainable. Will orders keep coming in or will they die off once they fill 120K?
August 24th, 2021 at 4:45 pm
18) I have a reservation for a lightning but I probably will not use it. After I got on the configurator and specified it the way I wanted to basically match what I had in ICE form, the lightning was $10,000 more expensive, had less range and huge recharge times. I could not use it to tow on trips because I would be charging too frequently. It is a no go for me. Not too sure how many current reservation holders have done the math or if they are letting the buzz of the truck still cloud the financial reality of the lightning.
August 24th, 2021 at 6:35 pm
#14, Yeah I guess there are odd local pronunciations everywhere. Here in Michigan we say MY-lan for Milan and sa-LEEN for Saline,even though its name is a reference to salt wells that used to be there. I got into a friendly argument with a relative a few years ago over Mackinac vs Mackinaw. We pronounce both of them as Mackinaw. He pointed out that no one drives a “Cadillaw “
August 25th, 2021 at 12:30 am
20 Interesting that you mention “MY-lan” Michigan. I don’t know if you are familiar with it, but the film “Hoosiers” is loosely based on small town Milan, pronounced MY-lun Indiana high school winning the state basketball tournament in 1954. I was only 8 years old, but remember hearing about it as a big thing when it happened.
August 25th, 2021 at 8:20 am
19 I imagine many people do not do the math or really think about how differently owning a EV will be from a ICE. Which is why 18-20% of EV owners switch back to an ICE after owning a EV.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ev-owners-switch-gas-power-study/
Having a home charger is key and people are told they can charge using 120V in any garage outlet and sure they can, but not at the short recharge times that manufacturers advertise using a 240V fast charger.
August 25th, 2021 at 11:39 am
22 You get about 4 miles per hour of charging with a standard 120v outlet. That would work for a lot of commuters, but would be very limiting.