AD #3363 – Cheap EVs Taking China by Storm; BMW USA Says It Won’t Charge for Heated Seats; Hau Thai Tang Leaving Ford
July 15th, 2022 at 11:53am
Listen to “AD #3363 – Cheap EVs Taking China by Storm; BMW USA Says It Won't Charge for Heated Seats; Hau Thai Tang Leaving Ford” on Spreaker.
Follow us on social media:
Runtime: 10:32
0:08 BMW USA Says It Won’t Charge for Heated Seats
1:04 EU Car Sales Lowest in 26 Years
1:26 Saudis Invest in Aston Martin
2:49 Hau Thai Tang Leaving Ford
3:45 GM Building Nationwide Charging Network
4:40 Fiat 500e Best Selling EV in EU
6:05 Toyota Drops Avalon, Replaced by Crown
7:19 Cheap EVs Take China by Storm
8:15 Hyundai N Goes Electric
Visit our sponsors to thank them for their support of Autoline Daily: Bridgestone, Intrepid Control Systems, MEDC and Schaeffler.
This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
BMW USA SAYS IT WON’T CHARGE FOR HEATED SEATS
BMW got hit by a global backlash over its plans to charge customers a monthly fee to use their heated seats or heated steering wheel. All over social media, people ridiculed the company. And BMW got the message. Or at least some parts of the company did. Yesterday, BMW of North America put out a statement assuring customers it was not going to charge them to heat their seats. But it did warn them that it’s starting a program called Functions On Demand, where it will charge a monthly fee to use things like remote engine starting and a dash cam. In the future, customers will be able to download other features. For a fee, of course. BMW says this is an aftersales strategy it’s using around the world and it will not affect options that customers chose when they bought their cars.
EU CAR SALES LOWEST IN 26 YEARS
Sales of new cars are weak all over the world, but they’re especially weak in Europe. Automakers sold 1 million vehicles there last month, but Reuters reports that’s the lowest they’ve been since 1996. Most automakers are reporting double digit drops with some of the biggest drops coming from Stellantis, Volkswagen, JLR and Volvo.
SAUDIS INVEST IN ASTON MARTIN
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund sure likes to invest in automotive luxury brands. It’s going to take a stake in Aston Martin, and has already invested in McLaren and Lucid. In fact, Lucid is supposedly going to build an assembly plant in Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, Aston got another offer that it turned down. That was from an Italian group called Investindustrial and the Chinese automaker Geely. But that investment would have made them the largest shareholders in Aston. So Aston’s chairman, billionaire Canadian Lawrence Stroll, who is the largest shareholder, shot down that proposal, saying it was a takeover in disguise. Besides, he still wants to be the big boss.
HAU THAI TANG LEAVING FORD
Yesterday we had some important personnel changes to report and today we’ve got another one. Hau Thai Tang is retiring from the Ford Motor Company at the age of 56 after 34 years with the company. He spent much of his career in product development and played a key role in working on some of Ford’s most iconic vehicles including the Mustang, Bronco, Maverick, Puma, Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. In his latest role as chief industrial platform officer, he bridged the gap between Ford’s two new business groups: Ford Blue, which handles all its ICE vehicles, and Ford Model e, which handles all the BEVs. Hau Thai Tang was our guest on Autoline multiple times and we’re going to sorely miss his insights into the industry. He’ll retire on October 1, but Ford has not named a replacement for him yet.
GM BUILDS NATIONWIDE EV CHARGING NETWORK
Critics of electric cars, and there sure are a lot of them, keep complaining that the public charging infrastructure simply isn’t ready for the EV revolution. So General Motors took a big step forward announcing it’s going to build out a nationwide network of fast chargers in the US. That includes 2,000 charging stalls that will be located at rest stops on major highways. They’re going into rest stops operated under the Pilot and Flying J brand names, and the chargers will be operated and maintained by EVgo. The chargers will be available for any car brand, but GM customers will get special benefits like discounts and exclusive reservations to use the chargers. GM says this shows how public and private entities can come together to build out the nation’s charging infrastructure.
FIAT 500e IS BEST SELLING EV IN EU
Guess what was the best selling electric car in Europe for the second quarter? You’re never going to guess this one. If you thought it was the Tesla Model Y or Model 3, join the club. That’s what we thought. But according to the website EU-EVs, which tracks sales of EVs in Europe, the best selling electric in the second quarter was the Fiat 500E. The Model Y was second and the Model 3 was way down the list in 20th place. I mean, who ever thought Fiat would be at the top of the list?
TOYOTA DROPS AVALON, REPLACED BY CROWN
Say goodbye to the Avalon and hello to the Crown. Toyota is dropping the Avalon nameplate, which first entered the U.S. market in 1994, and is replacing it with the Crown. The Crown name will probably sound familiar to a lot of you. It’s been around forever in Japan, and was sold in the U.S. from 1958 until 1972. The all-new version is built on the same platform as the current Avalon, which is the same as the Camry. But the Crown features a raised ride height, which helps blur the line between sedan and crossover. It will be sold in three trim levels and offer two hybrid powertrain setups. A 2.5L 4-cylinder paired with two electric motors is standard. The other is a 2.4L 4-cylinder mated to a front electric motor and a rear eAxle, which combines for 340 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard on both setups. While the exterior is wrapped in what Toyota calls “a bold new design” – and we’d love to know what you think – the interior is rather plain and is highlighted by a 12.3 inch display screen. Look for the all-new Crown to start hitting dealer lots in the U.S. later this year.
CHEAP EVS TAKE CHINA BY STORM
Wuling’s MINI EV has torn up the sales charts in China. And now more cheap EVs are on the way. Baojun, which is part of the GM-SAIC-Wuling partnership, is launching an updated version of the KiWi EV. You can think of this like an upscale version of the MINI EV. It has more power and a bigger battery pack and now comes with autonomous driving technology. The high-end version of this vehicle will sell for just under $15,000. And a company called Dayun is launching its own inexpensive EV, a small crossover, called the Yuehu. It features a 35 kW electric motor and 30 kWh battery, with 300 kilometers or roughly 185 miles of range, but that’s based on the very outdated NEDC test cycle. It starts at only $10,000.
HYUNDAI N GOES ELECTRIC
Just because it’s switching to electric doesn’t mean Hyundai is giving up on performance cars. The N brand is showing off a couple race cars that it’ll use as rolling test labs for future EVs. The first is a version of the IONIQ 6, but instead of 320 horsepower it has 576 and torque jumps from 446 pound feet to 545. Beyond that it has bigger brakes, a sportier suspension system and it’s even studying how to use regen braking to improve cornering and vehicle yaw. Now check out the N Vision 74 concept, which is inspired by the Pony Coupe Concept from 1974. Interestingly, this is a fuel cell EV. It features two electric motors that drive the rear wheels, which combine for 500 kW or 670 horsepower and a 4.2 kg hydrogen tank. It has a surprisingly large battery at 62.4 kWh. Most fuel cell EVs have a really small pack. For example the one in the Toyota Mirai is 1.6 kWh. Some of the technology here will make it into future performance EVs. A version of the all-electric IONIQ 5 N will hit global markets next year.
And that wraps up this week’s worth of shows. Have a great weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday.
Thanks to our partner for embedding Autoline Daily on its website: WardsAuto.com
Share
Permalink
Comments (35)
July 15th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Is it possible that the Fiat 500e is the only non-Tesla EV that is readily available? (I’m assuming that EVs are also limited by chip supply)
Also, it’s surprising that the new Crown is so stark inside. The old one was known for plush olde worlde options like window curtains and a front passenger seat that could turn into a footrest when the rear passenger reclined the back seat.
July 15th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Glad to see BMW got the message when it comes to pay to play accessories.
I really think having a national charging network that’s as extensive as current gas stations will only slightly improve EV adoption. Many folks like myself have no plans to own an EV without a home charger that’s at least a level 2. So go ahead GM, install more chargers, but don’t be surprised when it has marginal affects on sales.
July 15th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
The Fiat 500E: Well maybe non-trendy and inexpensive EVs will be bought in quantities when they are available.
July 15th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
@Kevin A – That’s not the case. There’s EVs available from the Volkswagen Group, Hyundai Group, Stellantis and more. Click the headline to that story in the transcript if you’d like to see more.
July 15th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
That was not my point. Apparently the “shock” was that the best selling EV was not a premium priced
EV.
July 15th, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Is the Fiat 500e now sold in Europe similar to the one formerly sold in the US, with about 90 miles of range?
July 15th, 2022 at 2:39 pm
another great week of autoline,thanks
July 15th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Some interesting data in those sales charts!
For Q2 of 2022, when you look at the manufacturers, Tesla’s changing competitive picture becomes even more clear. Share of the EV market:
1) VW Group 24.2%
2) Stellantis 17.5%
3) Hyundai Kia 12.3%
4) BMW 8.6%
5) Tesla 8.5%
6) Renault Niss 8.2%
7) Merc Benz 7.7%
8) Geely 4.4%
9) SAIC 3.4%
10) Ford 1.9%
July 15th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
8 It’s interesting that Stellantis is so high, as they have no EVs in the US. They must be selling a lot in Europe and China.
July 15th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
8,9 or does that list include plug-in hybrides, not just EVs?
July 15th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Isn’t Hyundai the most interesting automaker in the world!!! The diversity of their product offerings in terms of style, performance and function is amazing.
July 15th, 2022 at 5:57 pm
The Fiat 500e has been in the top 10 electric cars in Europe virtually since it launched. It hits the spot there by being a familiar brand and design, but offering an ideal solution as a city car in congested European cities.
July 15th, 2022 at 7:17 pm
For those so inclined (I’m inclined but can’t afford it); prices announced for the C8 ZO6: starting at 106,395 (including destination) for the 1LZ coupe, 115,595 for the 2LZ coupe, 120,245 for the 3LZ coupe, 113,895 for the 1LZ HTC (convertible), 122,595 for the 2LZ HTC and 127,245 for the 3LZ HTC.
July 15th, 2022 at 8:49 pm
11 I think many, or most dealers can’t take orders. If my local dealer could, I’d be inclined to order one, if I could at MSRP. You could almost definitely drive it 6 months or a year and sell it at a profit.
July 16th, 2022 at 3:53 am
12, Dealer orders begin 7/28 but most dealers already have waiting lists and allocations haven’t been announced or at least haven’t been revealed to the general public. I think GM reevaluated the market and bumped prices higher than expected (I was thinking a starting price at around 90k) but for the ultimate Vette, still a bargain. ZO7, carbon fiber wheels and trim prices were also announced but I don’t recall them off hand.
July 16th, 2022 at 5:16 am
Corvette Conti link to the ZO6 pricing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_POXnFqGnM
Pretty short and to the point.
July 16th, 2022 at 8:13 am
13 Yeah, I think the dealer where I bought my Corvette started a waiting list for Z06s a few years ago, and I’m not on it.
14 It will be interesting to see what is standard on the Z06 that is not on the regular Corvette. It will probably sort out that the Z06 is a ~$35K engine option. Will the Z06 be in the “build and price” on the Chevy web site on 7/28?
July 16th, 2022 at 8:42 am
15, Build and price on-line; I don’t know but there aren’t too many options (but the one’s offered are all high dollar). I think a fully loaded top of the line 3LZ should be approx. 165k.
July 16th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Would be worthwhile if Autoline After Hours addressed the auto industry’s obsession with making car services subscription only. Is their goal a subscription-only sales model for eventually the entire vehicle?
July 16th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
I see that the 2LZ is $9200 more than the 1LZ, while the 2LT is only $7000 more than the 1LT. I wonder if the “1″ and “2″ equipment is different in the LT and LZ, or if they just think it’s worth more in the faster car.
July 16th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
17 I suspect car companies will quickly realize that the “subscription” thing is a big turn-off to a lot of people, and they will abandon it, except for cases where you are paying for something beyond what is part of the car, like satellite radio.
July 17th, 2022 at 9:24 am
More pricing info on ZO6. A lot of fluff up until 4:50 (so forward, you won’t miss much). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOp6YRq25PQ
It’s Corvette Conti (again) gets miscellaneous at about 13:30.
And note there’s going to be a gas guzzler tax but that is to be determined at this point.
July 17th, 2022 at 1:06 pm
20 The gas guzzler tax is highly discriminatory, not applying to minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
July 18th, 2022 at 2:03 am
When charging time is improved to 5 to 10 minutes like buying gasoline how do you expect the general public to buy them. Also how do owners in the cities that street park, plug their vehicles in over night?
July 18th, 2022 at 6:31 am
22, When they get charging time down to 5 to 10 minutes, they won’t have to charge on the street overnight. But this is probably an eventuality; not a given at this time. Other considerations: do these 5 to 10 minutes get your charge to 80% or 100%; this another thing that we won’t know till batteries mature in the future. And this also goes back to the argument (discussion) about longer trips and having to charge for those same 5 or 10 minutes; does this get you to 80 or 100 percent. If you in an ICE and on a long trip, you certainly don’t put in less than a full tank.
July 18th, 2022 at 7:09 am
#8 – I’ve added the link to the original article as percentages can often mislead. Here are the quantity, percentage, and manufacturer:
24963(10%) VOLKSWAGEN
21164(8.5%) TESLA
15897(6.4%) BMW
15459(6.2%) AUDI
15320(6.2%) KIA
15309(6.1%) HYUNDAI
13467(5.4%) MERCEDES-BENZ
12645(5.1%) FIAT
11987(4.8%) PEUGEOT
11282(4.5%) RENAULT
11245(4.5%) SKODA
9040(3.6%) OPEL
7735(3.1%) MG
6724(2.7%) CITROEN
6345(2.5%) POLESTAR
5616(2.3%) SMART
5491(2.2%) MINI
4710(1.9%) FORD
July 18th, 2022 at 7:32 am
Even if a 10 minute charge gets you 80% you can still drive cross country without stopping over night to get another 300 miles. Also what about rural America, yes half the country is rural even some of parts of upstate New York, it is not unusual to drive 400 miles in one day on errands. Just let the market decide what is best, not the government, sort of like in the early 1900′s when the ICE won out.
July 18th, 2022 at 8:01 am
23 I’m used to getting 400 to near 600 miles with my 5 minutes of “charging.” We are a long way from that with EVs, and may never get there.
A novel idea would be for people not to need to drive so much, whether in EVs or ICErs. What about mixed neighborhoods, where you can go shopping, go to a restaurant, go to work, etc. by walking a short distance, not driving a few miles? Things are still that way in some parts of the word, but such mixed neighborhoods are rare in the US.
July 18th, 2022 at 8:14 am
25 About 17% of the US population is rural.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?name_desc=true
July 18th, 2022 at 8:30 am
9 I answered my question by seeing the list from the link, and posted by Bob W. Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, and Fiat sell a sizable number of EVs in Europe.
8 vs 24 The lists look a lot different when you show company as in #8, vs brand, as in #24. VW Group includes VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Porsche and others, adding up to a lot of EVs sold in Europe.
July 18th, 2022 at 8:50 am
So people! I want your opinion. When your driving especially on a trip and you roll into a gas station and all the pumps are occupied. Which happens occasionally. Its irritating but worse case you wait 5 minutes for a pump to open up.. Or you may have the option to cross the street and get gas at a different station. So worse case you waited a few minutes for a pump and took 5 minutes to fill up.
How are you going to feel when your recharge takes 40 minutes you get off the Hwy to see a line of 5-6 vehicles waiting to use the 3 charges that are also the only ones around within the range you have left? Knowing you may need to wait anywhere from 40 minutes to 4 hours before you can even start to charge.. The car would be for sale the next day if its me.
So beyond that my point is even if we install as many charging stations as we have gas pumps. It wont be enough. During peak times we occasionally have stations where every pump is filled with fill ups that take less than 5 minutes.
A station with 12 pumps for 4 hours of the day will service 576 vehicles. If it takes an EV 40 min to fully charge. (which is optimistic) 12 chargers will only fill up 32 vehicles in those 4 hours.
So instead of 12 gas pumps you need 240 charging stations to service 576 vehicles in those 4 hours. Oh and since they don’t typically have the same range you need those 240 chargers spaced more frequently than gas stations are.. Maybe you start to see that EVs are not a great long trip vehicle, especially if everyone has them. The amount of chargers needed is huge.
July 18th, 2022 at 10:07 am
29 In a few days, I will be seeing a friend who is make his second trip from Seattle to central Indiana in a Model S. A year ago, he didn’t mind the extra time added to the trip, and he ran into some interesting people at the charging stations during the trip. He didn’t need to wait for access to chargers during the trip. I’ll see how it went a year later, and if he is still liking an EV for long road trips.
As far as waiting for a gas pump, I haven’t had that happen in years along the interstate, but waited briefly two days ago in Muncie, Indiana. The reason was that the station was about 15 cents/gallon cheaper than the other stations in the area.
July 18th, 2022 at 11:43 am
Yeah there probably isn’t much of a problem yet in most of the country but I have seen videos of long lines in California for a charger station.
July 18th, 2022 at 11:51 am
33 Yeah, it appears that too many people in CA without home charging have bought EVs.
July 18th, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Mixed neighborhoods are cities. And people are moving out. Need I say more.