AD #3574 – Musk Takes Political Risk; Aston Martin to Use Honda F1 Engines; EVs Get Driven Fewer Miles
May 24th, 2023 at 12:09pm
Listen to “AD #3574 – Musk Takes Political Risk; Aston Martin to Use Honda F1 Engines; EVs Get Driven Fewer Miles” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 11:47
0:00 Musk Takes Political Risk
0:53 Ford Will Keep AM Radios
1:50 Renault Consortium for Software Defined Vehicles
2:48 Aston Martin to Use Honda F1 Engines
4:14 EVs Get Driven Fewer Miles
5:09 BMW Reveals All-New 5 Series
7:56 Stallantis Expands V2X Communication
9:01 Meet the New Opel Corsa
10:01 VW Refreshes the Touareg
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MUSK TAKES POLITICAL RISK
Elon Musk is venturing into risky political waters. He’s going to host a live presentation tonight on Twitter with Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, as DeSantis officially announces his run to become president of the United States. Automotive executives in the US have never become publicly involved with any political party or candidate. They know that if they publicly endorse a candidate or a party, it will instantly turn the other side against them and their company. But Elon Musk is unlike any other automotive executive, and he’s obviously aware of the risks. And while Musk will not endorse DeSantis on tonight’s program, last year he said he would support DeSantis if he ran for president.
FORD WILL KEEP AM RADIOS
Ford is going to keep AM radios in its cars after all. Back in April, it said it would get rid of AM from both its EVs and ICE vehicles. Ford said owners could stream AM with apps instead. But yesterday on social media, CEO Jim Farley said the company will include AM radio in new models going forward and that Ford will offer a software update to owners who currently don’t have it. Farley said the company changed its mind after speaking with government officials who are concerned about getting broadcast warnings out during an emergency. They say AM is more reliable than streaming during an emergency. Last week, a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced a bill to force automakers to include AM radio, after Ford and seven other automakers said they will or have gotten rid of it.
RENAULT CONSORTIUM FOR SOFTWARE DEFINED VEHICLES
Legacy automakers are in a mad scramble to come up with their own software defined car, a concept pioneered by Tesla over a decade ago. That’s where almost every single function of a car is defined by software. Most of their SDVs, or software defined vehicles, will be out around 2025. And different automakers are taking different paths to get there. Some, like Ford, want to do it all in-house. But others, like Renault, are relying on a consortium of partners. Renault will have Google develop its operating system and digital twins. Qualcomm will develop its digital chassis and SOC, or system on a chip. And Valeo is going to supply the high-performance computer that will be the brains of the system. No doubt we’re going to see different approaches from different OEMs to come up with their own SDV.
ASTON MARTIN TO USE HONDA F1 ENGINES
Aston Martin is really on a roll. Last week Geely announced it was investing another $290 million into the company. Aston also announced it’s coming out with 8 new models over the next two years. And today it announced that Honda will be its engine supplier in Formula One starting with the 2026 season. Aston currently uses engines from Mercedes and the announcement came as a surprise because everyone thought that Honda was dropping out of F1 when the current regulations expire at the end of the 2025 season. But Formula One’s efforts at sustainability fit in with Honda’s corporate mission, and so that’s why it’s returning full force. Aston has surprised everyone in F1 this year, emerging as the second-best team in the series. First is Red Bull, which uses Honda engines. So, with Honda coming on board, Aston has set its sights on winning championships, not just scoring points.
EVs GET DRIVEN FEWER MILES
EV owners drive less than ICE owners. A new study from iSeeCars says the average 3-year old EV is driven 9,059 miles a year, compared to 12,758 miles for an ICE vehicle. That’s almost a third less. Not surprisingly, Teslas are driven the most, probably because they have longer range and a reliable Supercharger network that reduces range anxiety. If you take Tesla out, then the average drops to just 6,719 miles. The Porsche Taycan is the least driven EV at less than 5,000 miles per year. iSeeCars says EVs with higher ranges are used more but adding range will significantly increase prices at today’s battery costs.
BMW REVEALS ALL-NEW 5 SERIES
BMW revealed the all-new 5 Series sedan this morning. It’s longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model. The lines on this car are very crisp, meaning the edges of styling elements are well defined and end at sharp corners. Depending on the market, there will be a number of powertrains to choose from, including gas and diesel, which all come with 48-volt mild hybrid tech and are paired to an 8-speed auto, as well as plug-in hybrid and, for the first time, pure battery electric. Right now the EV, called the i5, is offered in two versions. There’s a rear-drive model that makes 340 horsepower and an AWD M performance model that makes 601 horsepower and will do 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. But there will also be a non-performance AWD i5 that comes out sometime next year. All feature an 81.2 kWh battery pack that provides roughly 500 to 580 kilometers or 310-360 miles of range for the rear-drive i5 and 455 to 516 kilometers or 280 to 320 miles of range for the performance version. They can handle a charging rate of up to 205 kW and can charge from 10-80% in 30 minutes. All versions of the new 5 Series get model-specific chassis tuning, but the performance i5 steps that up a notch with optional sport suspension and brakes as well as an active chassis control system. The interior of the new 5 Series blends a lot of different materials and textures together. And BMW says it focused on reducing the number of buttons and controls by baking more features into the latest generation of its iDrive operating system. Information is displayed on two large, digital screens on the dash that are combined under one piece of curved glass. This new electronic architecture also allows for expanded Level 2 autonomous driving. It will launch Highway Assistant in the U.S., Canada and Germany, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel at speeds up to 130 km/h or 85 MPH as well as change lanes, but it will only operate on barrier divided highways. BMW says the market launch of the new 5 Series starts this October.
STALLANTIS EXPANDS V2X COMMUNICATION
Stellantis is expanding its V2X or vehicle-to-everything communication in North America. Currently, more than 1.8 million Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles from 2018 and newer, can warn drivers about active emergency vehicles or other road hazards nearby through the vehicle’s Uconnect system. It’s now expanding that to include warnings about disabled vehicles, which don’t have to come from a Stellantis vehicle. An alert from the disabled vehicle, either activated manually by the driver or automatically by the vehicle, is transmitted to the Uconnect system to warn drivers. They get 15 to 20 seconds of advanced warning, which is about a quarter-mile at highway speeds. According to research published in the public health journal, Accident Analysis and Prevention, disabled vehicles contribute to a crash every seven minutes on average in the U.S. and kill or injure more than 40 people a day.
MEET THE NEW OPEL CORSA
The Opel Corsa is getting a refresh. Styling has been updated to fall more in line with the rest of the Opel family, including a new front end design, which includes a fresh lower fascia. A new, fully digital cockpit will be available, which combines two 10-inch displays that now run off of Qualcomm technology. The Corsa will be the first Opel to offer 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and, like most new Stellantis vehicles, range and performance improvements are being made to the all-electric version. It will have two drive options; either 100 kW or 136 horsepower or 115 kW or 156 horsepower. The less powerful version has an estimated 357 kilometers or 221 miles of range, while the other has 402 kilometers or roughly 250 miles of range.
VW REFRESHES THE TOUAREG
And speaking of refreshes, VW has a few updates for the Touareg. There’s small tweaks to the front and rear fascias as well as a new matrix LED lighting option. The suspension has been updated and now includes a sensor that can detect weight on the roof and make adjustments to improve driving stability. Lastly, VW’s Innovation Cockpit now comes standard on the Touareg. It goes on sale tomorrow with a starting price of just over 69,000 euros.
And that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for making Autoline a part of your day.
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Comments (22)
May 24th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
maybe musk is hoping this
will convince repubs to buy teslas EVs.
May 24th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Musk does indeed do some bizarre things at times and this would be one of them.
May 24th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
See little risk for Musk . Those pissed at him about twitter are the same that would never vote for a Republican anyway in 9 out of 10 cases.
May 24th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
I believe Elon Musk is not simply an Auto CEO.
He is a Techno King for multiple industries (Auto, Space, Technology, Drilling / Mining and Communications).
Tesla should stop changing their vehicles prices up and down due to market conditions. They should publish a set MSRP at the beginning of a model run and offer incentives and rebates like other OEMs. I believe this will make customers and prior purchasers more comfortable with their pricing structure and purchases. The price you would pay is based upon the date you make your commitment to purchase the vehicle including financing. If you back out to you might be subject to a small administrative fee.
May 24th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Dropping AM was really stupid in this day and age of electronics as it’s not like it saved anything like a radio delete in the 60’s would have
May 24th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Very strange how Ford can reactivate the AM radio with just a software up load. There is no hardware involved meaning it was already installed at the factory. Here in the New York area, we all listen to news radio WCBS 880 for traffic and weather every eight minutes. This station covers three states and beyond 24/7. I am sure other city metro areas have the same listening public and services. And it is free!
May 24th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Elon Musk….it’s official, just another Republicrazy. Anything to bring attention to himself.
May 24th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Stick to cars. You don’t have any insight with politics.
May 24th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
So, tiny little Aston Martin will come out with EIGHT new models in the next two years? Unless they count trim levels as models, I am not buying it. The last time this happened, it was at Lotus. That CEO lasted less than two years, was kicked out by the board and almost tanked the company. Aston updates should be interesting.
May 24th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
I like the physical input a vehicle requires to be driven,not really interested in giving those up. Never use my cruise control.
May 24th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Regarding the miles driven by BEVs, I’d be interested in a comparison of Taycan vs. Panamera miles. I simply believe Porsche vehicles aren’t driven as many miles per year than mass market vehicles. And then compare MachE miles to either Edge or Escape miles.
May 24th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
I think Hosting DeSantis’s announcement isn’t as risky as endorsing him. Which Musk should avoid just like all other CEO’s. Anytime an actor, singer entertainer, CEO spouts off about their political position they tread into very muddy water. Most all politicians are corrupt, and it’s a lose lose situation to endorse any of them. He can privately support whomever he likes but as a CEO he represents the companies he leads. Best case you can alienate at least half your audience picking a side and not like he is going to influence any to change political views. If the current state of affairs isnt enough to wake people up, who Elon or anyone else is for isnt going to sway people.
6 My concern with Ford being able to just reactivate AM with a software update means. It will work but have horrible EV motor interference. Which is why they wanted to drop it in the first place. So I suspect those Mach-e and Lightning owners to be expecting some radio shielding or filing many complaints. My guess is Ford is counting on not many EV owners using the AM radio and not complaining about the white noise if they do.
May 24th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
I doubt that Honda continuing in F1 has anything to do with Formula One’s efforts at sustainability fitting in with Honda’s corporate mission and everything to do with them winning the constructors championship with Red Bull for the last two years, when Red Bull was having their asses kicked by Mercedes Honda engines were blamed for their poor performance and then when they started winning again Honda was credited with that success.
May 24th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
5-Jim Haines
Like you Jim Hainesw, when I heard Ford is going to keep putting AM on their new car radios, I thought that to be a smart move as compare to GM who announced they would remove them. AM is perfect for talk shows, long distance broadcast and most of all, emergency broadcast.
May 24th, 2023 at 9:18 pm
Regarding Musk and DeSantis, I would not be surprised if it’s to gain republican support for EVs. Many republicans have been vocal about the Biden administration’s spending and tax incentives associated with the IRA. Many times, when the new administration is from an opposing party, they undo a number of the things there old admin have put in place. Also, with the dealer association lobbyists, fighting direct sells of EVs in many states, should DeSantis be the next president, or vice president, he would have a powerful friend in a very high place!
May 24th, 2023 at 9:27 pm
In know it’s the Aston Martin, but why would they race Honda engines? It’s always said that OEMs learn by racing and my assumption was that they would be using their products, right?! What does Aston learn, by winning with Honda engines??? Here, Honda has two teams racing their engines, so, win or lose, Honda may be the actual winner!
May 24th, 2023 at 9:52 pm
BMW’s new 5-Series….you mean to tell me that BMW CAN put a ‘prettier’ face on their modern production vehicles?! As good as it is to see the new 5-Series, which I’m sure the ICE version will be incredible, I am disappointed appointed by the i5. The 12 year Model S has to beat on power and range, along with the fresh out the box Lucid Air! That said, outside of those things, the i5, like the EQE, not being the best in those areas will not matter to their customers!
May 25th, 2023 at 7:37 am
16 My guess is Aston Martin doesn’t care about learning anything from the expensive endeavor of developing an ICE race engine. They are likely looking toward EV propulsion and using Honda to just compete in the meantime.
15 Thats a good point and could be the ulterior motive for Elon. However, I do believe he personally leans republican, and DeSantis is an easier pill to swallow than Trump. But getting some support from the right to buy EVs and maybe help with the direct sales model could be the long game. No doubt he has been snubbed by Biden in his speeches on EVs where he praises GM and doesn’t even mention Tesla.
May 25th, 2023 at 7:57 am
Musk has permanently lost me as a once-likely customer, for if we get home charging at my condo. People in his position should stay out of politics, period.
With current attitudes about EVs, Tesla will probably lose more than they will gain. The hard core right wingers and culture warriors I know have no interest in EVs, and I doubt that Elon’s sucking up to culture warrior in chief will change that much.
May 25th, 2023 at 10:14 am
Fi\or those bitching about musk allowing Desantis to announce on twitter . It is a platform , therefore any candidate can do so and I believe there are rules in place to ensure that . That is why if a candidate has a TV show they have to discontinue it as the networks would HAVE to give EQUAL time to all other candidates.
I keep wondering when people will wake up about this climate hysteria. One of the 1st people to realize the cashcow it was is Al Gore. So while he was whipping everyone into a frenzy about a climate apocolypse he was using 19,241KW per month 34 times the average household . one year of his useage was equal to 21 years in the average home . Only 5.7% of that useage was generated by solar panels. As he was telling people about the ocean’s rising he was buying beachfront property, Do you really think if he was concerned he’d have done that. You’re being scammed . So while they tell you to get rid of your car they fly in private jets burning more fuel than you use in a year.
May 25th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
19 I doubt Elon will miss your purchase.
May 25th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
19 I doubt Elon will miss your purchase.