This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
WAYMO EXPANDS AUTONOMOUS RIDE-HAILING SERVICE
Waymo is expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service to San Francisco. But it will only be available to select “trusted tester” customers, who can sign up for the program through the Waymo One app. The service is similar to the one it launched in Phoenix, Arizona in 2017 and the fleet will use modified Jaguar I-Pace’s to give the rides. But Waymo did not say how many vehicles it will use. Backup human drivers will be on board for safety reasons but at some point the rides will be run without them.
HOW TOYOTA WEATHERED THE CHIP SHORTAGE
Toyota seems to have weathered the chip shortage better than most automakers and we have an idea why. First, when plants shut down last year due to the coronavirus, Toyota made sure it kept in touch with suppliers about its manufacturing plans. Also in the 1990’s when it was developing the Prius, Toyota built its own battery and electronics plants as well as a facility to make semiconductor chips. So, it was already making its own chips. And lastly, when a fire took out a good portion of chip maker Renesas’ plant in Japan, Toyota jumped in with its engineering divisions to help by duplicating drawings of damaged equipment and then made that equipment from scratch. We wouldn’t be surprised if that helped with its procurement of chips. Here’s an interesting fact. Modern vehicles can use as many as 1,000 semiconductor chips. So, it’s no wonder manufacturers run out of them so fast.
RAM REFRESHES THE PROMASTER VAN
Ram updated the ProMaster van. It’s available in 18 configurations, including two roof heights, three wheelbases and four lengths. Underneath the hood is a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that’s mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission, which replaces a 6-speed unit. The van is capable of towing up to 6,910 pounds and has a payload of 4,680 pounds. It comes standard with a number of new safety technologies and its available with new advanced driver assistance features. The new ProMaster will be available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of the year. The company also revealed that an electric version of the ProMaster is coming in 2023 but didn’t share any other details.
EUROPE GETS NEW, SPORTIER FOCUS ST
I’m sure I’m not the only American that was sad to see the performance ST versions of the Focus and Fiesta go away. But our friends across the pond can now get behind the wheel of an even sportier version of the all-new 4th generation Focus ST. Called the ST Edition, it features Ford Performance-tuned coil-over shocks, lighter 19-inch wheels, electronic limited slip differential and a 50% increase in spring rate over the standard ST. And to make sure customers get the most out of the car, Ford provides an adjustment guide to tune the coil-overs to a number of conditions. And while no changes were made to the powertrain, it does have a few unique touches inside and out. The Focus ST Edition is available to order in select European markets, including the UK where it’s priced at nearly 36,000 pounds or the equivalent of $49,000.
ACURA HINTS AT ELECTRIC NSX
And something else that made me sad was the announcement that the Acura NSX will be going away. Albeit with the exciting Type S version. But it’s only mostly dead. Speaking to The Drive, Acura VP and Brand Officer Jon Ikeda said, “If you notice, we make an NSX when there’s something we want to say. The first-gen was gas. Second-gen was a hybrid. There’s gonna be another one.” Asked if it would be electric, Ikeda smiled and did not comment further. So, we think it’s safe to say the next NSX will be electric.
CADILLAC TO RACE IN IMSA & WEC IN 2023
Cadillac revealed it’s going to compete in the LMDh category in both the IMSA and WEC racing series starting in 2023. It only provided this one picture of the hybrid race car, which is based on a Dallara chassis and will feature a specified hybrid system, but a unique combustion engine. Its first race will be the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
And we’ll finish off the show with some electric vehicle news.
MAZDA READY TO INTRODUCE MX-30 TO U.S.
Mazda is gearing up to introduce its first EV in the U.S., the MX-30. It hits dealerships this fall with a starting price of $34,645, however it will only be available in California at first. The range is also disappointing compared to other new electric vehicles. Its 35.5 kWh battery only provides 100 miles of range. It also features an 80.9 kW electric motor.
PORSCHE UPDATES THE TAYCAN
Porsche updated the Taycan for the 2022 model year. Most notably, it added an electric freewheel function that reduces drag by decoupling the electric motors in more scenarios. Porsche says this increases real-world range, but it’s not re-homologating the car, so its advertised range is not going to change. The automaker improved the Taycan’s thermal management and charging functions. The battery can now be heated to a higher temperature which means fast charging is available sooner and at a higher level, which helps reduce charge time. The Taycan is now available with remote park assist that allows the owner to remotely control the vehicle with a smartphone. Android Auto is integrated into the infotainment system for the first time, along with Apple CarPlay which was already available. And 65 more paint colors are available for the EV, including this eye-catching pink. The new Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo hit dealerships in the U.S. this fall.
OPEL INTRODUCES NEW EV BASED ON THE CITROEN AMI
And lastly, Opel introduced this tiny electric called the Rocks-e. If it looks somewhat familiar that’s because it’s based on the Citroen Ami. The car is designed for urban driving. Its equipped with a small 5.5 kWh battery which provides 75 kilometers or 46 miles based on the WLTP cycle. And the two-seater is just under 8 feet long. It also features doors that open in the opposite direction, which gives it even more of a unique look. The Opel Rocks-e will first be available this fall in Germany and will roll out to other markets sometime next year.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching.
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Comments (22)
August 25th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
About chip shortage, Tesla ported their software to what chips were available. This begs the question of board changes for a different chip.
August 25th, 2021 at 1:30 pm
In the Ram ProMaster van story, the drive configuration was not mentioned. These Ram vans have been front wheel drive up till now. I assume this is continuing, which gives them a unique proposition in snowy climates versus the RWD competition from Ford, M-B and GM. When they launch the EV version, it will be interesting to see what drive options they offer.
August 25th, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Is Mazda price before tax incentives?
Cadillac race car looks wicked
August 25th, 2021 at 1:39 pm
There would be an Acura NSX in my stable, except for one thing… the hybrid powertrain. A pure sports car should either deliver the pure visceral sound of an ICE (flat plane preferred if properly balanced) or the gratifying instantaneous torque of a BEV (I’m not going to drive it cross country). But a hybrid sports car is a hermaphrodite, carrying the weight inefficiency of two half-hearted powertrains.
Before everyone shoots me for dis’ing hybrids, I fully support hybrids (and have joyfully owned two) as everyday vehicles… just, not for my sports car.
August 25th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
No price given for the Opel Rocks-e? With such a minimalistic short range box, I would hope its under 10K.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
4 Ferrari does hybrid road cars, and today’s F1 cars are hybrids, so I guess Honda felt a “modern” exotic should be a hybrid. While I like hybrids too, my current sports car is a non-hybrid with 3 pedals.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
2 An advantage of the Promaster I hear mentioned, is that the floor is much lower than with the Transit or Sprinter. With an electric van, FWD probably wouldn’t offer a lot of advantage in that regard.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:38 pm
I think the little Opel has a purpose. Maybe a two seater hatch with another 25 miles of range would be a great city car that the public could learn how EV’s could be better suited in their future. Yeah, a $10K price tag would be a good asking price.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Unfortunately, the Opel doesn’t go very fast, maybe 30 tops. But it recharges in only 3.5 hours using a standard outlet.
As is, like the Mazda, it doesn’t make the grade.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:51 pm
A $40k Ford Focus without any more power? No thank you.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
That Mazda MX-30 electric mileage is incredible. Not ! Toyota just kill it. And use the money elsewhere.
August 25th, 2021 at 4:07 pm
9 Yeah, sounds pricey, but that probably includes VAT. The US market Focus ST started at about $25K, a good value for a fun to drive, but practical car. That is one of the real losses of Ford getting out of the car business in the US.
August 25th, 2021 at 5:52 pm
The 2018 Focus RS with 350hp and all wheel drive was less than $40k
August 25th, 2021 at 5:52 pm
The 2018 Focus RS with 350hp and all wheel drive was less than $40k
August 25th, 2021 at 9:32 pm
Here is why Toyota kept production when other manufacturers had a better way of dealing with “just in time?” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-fukushima-anniversary-toyota-in/how-toyota-thrives-when-the-chips-are-down-idUSKBN2B1005
August 25th, 2021 at 10:33 pm
14 It was less than $40K in the US, land of low taxes, but was near $50K converted in Europe with VAT.
August 26th, 2021 at 2:59 am
While it was undoubtedly smart of Toyota to stockpile long-leadtime, essential components, their cutting of global production by 40% in September is a sign of exceptional duress.
Also, I’d very much appreciate details about the Bolt recall – who at gm is handling communications? It would be good if the new EVs could be introduced without being sucked into the maelstrom of legacy uncertainty.
I remember Porsche once put their unconventional colors front and center on the autoshow circuit. An advanced modern paint shop (made in either Germany or Italy) can cost several hundred million Euros.
August 26th, 2021 at 8:20 am
Having worked in a paint facility for many years, multiple color options is an expensive endeavor. Lots of these paints can be anywhere from $75 to a color Lexus uses at $2000 a gallon. So either a production paint line has a dedicated feed that supplies paint from the mixing room to the robots that do the painting or they have to change the color in that line often times daily. They don’t purge the entire line into waste but they insert a pig. Which is like those cylinder like ear plugs to wipe the line clean and prep for a color change. However there is still some waste so when added up a few ounces each week over a whole year it can be expensive.
A single assembly plant paint shop can typically dedicate a line for each color but at the facility I worked at which was a supplier we painted for at least 5 different manufacturers and around 20 different vehicles with all the color options each vehicle has. So if each vehicle has at least 5 color options we painted 100 different colors. A GM white isn’t the same as a Ford white. So even similar colors could be slightly different enough to require a different paint.
This was all high volume production vehicles so a manufacturer like Porsche can certainly afford to waste some paint in order to be able to offer any color a consumer wants. Even if they waste $100 worth of paint I’m sure the special order color scheme is an option that more than covers that cost.
August 26th, 2021 at 8:27 am
18-cont This can also be much more manageable by Porsche if they do all the painted components in-house. Most vehicles have many parts that are painted by suppliers from fascias, mirrors, door handles, rocker panels, even hatch-backs can be painted outside and would require their paint shops to also paint the special order colors. That could be a logistical nightmare for anyone running high volume. I know the special runs of Mary Kay pink alone was often times a struggle. Making sure everything matched for a small run of vehicles. So doing a single car would get very expensive unless done at a single paint shop.
August 26th, 2021 at 9:15 am
18,19 I just watched a video about Porsche’s “paint to sample,” and it’s a ~$12K option, so they can afford to waste a little paint. I assume they would do those orders in a paint shop like a good body shop might have, where every paint job they do is likely to be a different color from the previous one.
August 26th, 2021 at 10:40 am
20 I wonder if Porsche paints all special orders like a standard base white or just primer and then paints the cars after assembly. But to do it properly inside door jams and under trunk and hoods it would easily be a 12K paint job. So I doubt that.
They must be painting them prior to assembly. It would be interesting to see how they are managing this. If they are almost hand built it would be much easier to do than a vehicle running down an assembly line.
August 26th, 2021 at 10:50 am
Those interested in having a clue where Detroit VS Chinese Auto is headed, go Google Sandy Munros latest rant in Munro Live.