This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.

UAW & DETROIT 3 MAKE NEW CONTRACT OFFERS
We’re exactly one week away from the contract expiring between the UAW and the Detroit three automakers. Reuters reports that the UAW made a counter offer to Ford, whose original offer it called a slap in the face. However, we don’t have any details of the counter offer at this time. But we should see some action from GM and Stellantis very soon. Remember the UAW recently filed unfair labor charges against those two companies for refusing to bargain in good faith. But GM confirmed that it is meeting with the union today and it’s expected to make a contract offer for workers. And Stellantis says it will make an offer before the end of the week. It should be interesting. So far the UAW has spectacularly rejected anything the automakers have done. And if it continues to get what it thinks are lowball offers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the UAW use the Detroit auto show, which kicks off a day before the contract expires, to announce some sort of strike.

STELLANTIS PARTNERS WITH ARAMCO TO TEST EFUELS
Toyota isn’t the only automaker that’s pushing for a mixed powertrain approach to reducing vehicle emissions. Stellantis, along with oil giant Aramco, tested the automaker’s current and existing engine lineup and found a good amount could run on low-carbon eFuel without any modification. That includes 24 engine families sold since 2014, representing 28 million vehicles. It says if all those vehicles ran on eFuel, it could reduce up to 400 million tons of CO2 in Europe between 2025 and 2050.

TOYOTA DEVELOPS RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEM
But speaking of Toyota and its mixed powertrain approach, it’s come up with a way to help expand the infrastructure for fuel cells. Toyota, along with hydrogen and fuel cell provider FuelCell Energy, developed what they call a ‘Tri-gen system,’ which produces renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water from biogas. They’ve already built one of these mini power generation systems at the Port of Long Beach in California and will use the hydrogen to power both its light- and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles. Toyota says a station like this could be duplicated in many parts of the world.

VOLVO INVESTS IN STARTUP TO BECOME MORE VERTICALLY INTEGRATED
Volvo says it wants to be more vertically integrated as it shifts to electric, so it’s investing in Leadrive, a Chinese electronics startup that makes power modules with silicon carbide chips, which improve the efficiency of EV propulsion systems. On top of investing in drivetrain optimization as well as battery production, Volvo is also developing more components in-house, including electric motors, inverters and battery management software.

TOYOTA LAUNCHES SUV VERSION OF ITS CENTURY MODEL
Toyota introduced an SUV version of its Century luxury sedan that it sells in Japan and other global markets. The sedan, which first debuted in 1967, will still be sold alongside the new model. And like the sedan, the SUV is designed to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle. The Century SUV is powered by an updated 3.5L V6 plug-in hybrid that’s mated to a CVT. But it’s fuel economy and power numbers were not revealed. And as you might expect from a vehicle that’s meant to be driven by a chauffeur, the rear seats fully recline and it features more insulation to make the interior quieter. The new Century will be exclusive, Toyota only expects to sell 30 a month. And the price reflects that as well with a $170,000 price tag.

TESLA’S MEXICO PRODUCTION COULD BE DELAYED
Tesla could start production at its plant in Mexico later than expected. According to Mexican newspaper Reforma, the EV maker is aiming to potentially start production at the yet-to-be built factory in 2026 or 2027. It cites several Chinese suppliers who say they are delaying opening their own operations to support Tesla’s new plant. While Tesla hasn’t announced when it will start production, Reuters previously reported production would start in 2025. So if this report is true, that means production will be delayed by a year or two.

TESLA BUILDS TWO MILLIONTH VEHICLE IN SHANGHAI
Meanwhile, the production lines at Tesla’s Shanghai plant are running smoothly. The company announced that the two millionth vehicle rolled off its assembly line yesterday. The factory first started producing vehicles in December 2019. It took 30 months for the plant to build its first million vehicles but it only took 13 months for it to build the next million.

BENTLEY’S $31,000 SOUND SYSTEM
It always amazes me what the super wealthy are able to spend on something as simple as a sound system. An optional audio setup for the Bentley Batur will set owners back 25,000 pounds or over $31,000 at today’s exchange rate. It’s a 20-speaker system that took 10,000 hours to develop and even incorporates 3D printing. Although a system like this is less shocking if you know that the Batur is a hand-built model by Bentley’s coachbuilt division Mulliner that’s limited to 18 examples and costs about $2 million.

HONDA ADOPTS TESLA’S CHARGING PLUG
Well this is not too surprising. Honda announced that it reached an agreement with Tesla to use its NACS charging port on all of its EVs that it comes out with in North America from 2025 onward. The EVs that Honda is launching with GM before 2025 will have the CCS plug, but will be compatible with a NACS adaptor.

FORD REVEALS RALLY VERSION OF MUSTANG MACH-E
Ford is expanding the Mustang Mach-E lineup and just introduced a rally version of the electric vehicle. It features a battery with 91-kWh of usable capacity that’s expected to deliver 250 miles of range. Ford is targeting 480 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from its two motors. The suspension has been raised 20 millimeters compared to the Mach-E GT and is equipped with specially tuned springs, MagneRide shocks, 19-inch wheels and Brembo brakes. The Rally has unique accents compared to other versions of the Mach-E, including two racing stripes on the hood, a rear spoiler and extra protection from off-road debris. It also features a new Rally Drive Mode which improves control and handling while off-roading. The Mustang Mach-E Rally goes on sale in early 2024 in the U.S. and will start around $65,000.

But that brings us to the end of this show. Thanks for tuning in and don’t forget to check out Autoline After Hours later today.