On today’s show… BMW reveals two vehicles that will premiere at next month’s Detroit auto show, Ford’s CEO confirms it’s developing a hybrid version of the F-150 and Continental is using the cloud to make vehicles safer and more efficient. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for December 18th, 2015.
VOLKSWAGEN TURNS TO A FAMILIAR FACE
Volkswagen has turned to a familiar face to help it compensate owners of diesel vehicles equipped with emission cheating software. The company has hired Kenneth Feinberg to address claims related to the scandal. He was the lawyer who handled GM’s ignition switch claims as well as claims from victims of 9/11 and the BP oil spill. Feinberg will set up a program for owners to seek compensation and that could be as many as 500,000 people. Stay tuned because we’ll have more about the VW scandal later in the show.
FORD ANNOUNCES A HYBRID F-150
Last week Ford announced it’s investing an additional $4.5 billion to develop hybrid and electric vehicles. By the end of the decade 40% of its nameplates will be electrified. And now we know that will include the F-150. CEO Mark Fields confirmed in an interview on NPR that the pick-up will have a hybrid variant by the end of the decade. As you may remember GM used to offer hybrid versions of the Sierra and Silverado but the company dropped those models because of poor sales.
BMW’S DETROIT AUTO SHOW PREMIERES
BMW will have two world premieres at the Detroit auto show next month. The new M2 Coupe will make its debut. It’s powered by a 3.0L in-line six-cylinder that cranks out 365 bHP and 343 lb-ft. of torque. It’s able to move from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds. The 2016 M2 goes on sale next spring. The X4 M40i will also be revealed at the show. It’s powered by a newly developed in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine which delivers 355 horsepower and can move from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds. The X4 M40i will hit dealer showrooms in February.
Still to come… we think we know what this camouflaged car is but do you?
CONTINENTAL HAS ITS HEAD IN THE CLOUD
Supplier company Continental has been using its electronic horizon technology, also called eHorizon, which uses certain data from a static map stored in the vehicle to help commercial vehicles reduce fuel consumption by about 3% since 2012. But now Continental is taking its eHorizon technology to the next level by connecting it to the cloud. The driver or other vehicle systems will be able to get fresh and accurate data for things like traffic lights, speed limits, construction or obstacles on the road. When paired with its 48-volt mild hybrid system, Continental says it will be able to reduce fuel consumption by an additional 3-4%, not to mention how much safer it is knowing what’s coming on the road ahead. As we said the other day, 48-volt systems could end up killing off high-voltage mild hybrids and here’s yet another way the system can be made even more efficient. Continental will be showcasing its dynamic eHorizon technology on public roads next month in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show.
THE MYSTERY MACHINE
Living and working in the suburbs of Detroit, it’s not uncommon to see a camouflaged vehicle roaming the streets. And while stopping to get lunch yesterday we spotted this car sitting in the parking lot of a Panera. We think we’ve got a pretty good idea what its identity is, but we’re not 100% sure. So, we’d like to know what you think it is? Just leave your guess in the comments section below and we’ll reveal the mystery car next week.
Coming up next, a look at whether management or a rogue employee is responsible for the VW scandal.
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VW SCANDAL
On Autoline This Week, the focus is all about the biggest issues facing the automotive industry. That’s because John invited his blue ribbon panel of auto analysts on the show to discuss those issues. VW’s diesel emission cheating scandal was by far and away the biggest story in the auto world this year. In the following clip, John and his panel share their thoughts on the scandal.
(Clip from ATW #1937 can only be viewed in the video version of today’s show.)
So what other issues does John and his panel see as potential game changers in the industry? You can watch that entire discussion right now on our website, Autoline.tv. to find out.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching, have a great weekend and join us again on Monday for the latest news in the global automotive industry.
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Comments (35)
December 18th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
The ‘mystery machine’ appears to be the new Cadillac coming (next); whether it be called the CT7 or CT8 that I can’t tell you. At least that is my guess.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Caddy would be my thoughts. Few use those type of wheels.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Ford , why? Why make another hybrid no one wants. just add it to the C-Max ,,Fusion, and Focus hybrids you can’t give away. Why are Auto companies continuing to make these things when all they do is cost them money? Your report that Fiat has to sell so many regular 500s to offset the cost of 1 500 E is just crazy. I know EPA regs are pushing this , but when they don’t sell how are they helping ? Money would be better spent light weighting and continuing to improve ICE IMO.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
There is little doubt in my mind the mystery car is a Cadillac. I would be surprised if it isn’t.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Why does Cadillac need another sedan? Is this some ELR sibling?
btw, I still haven’t spied a single new MX5 on the road.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
From the form factor and of course the tail lights, it’s definitely a Cadillac. But since while parked, it’s sitting beside an Audi A6, the size is telling me it might be an refreshed ATS.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
With regard to the VW scandal (and much of life in general), I apply the rule “Never attribute to malice that which can be readily explained by stupidity.”
With regard to the mystery car, I agree it has a air of Cadillac about it, but there’s something about those tail lights that make me think “Korea” as in the new flagship Genesis model.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Ford is probably preparing for the future, when gas goes back up to $4.00 a gallon, and beyond. I don’t quite understand the hybrid F150, though. The GM hybrid pickups didn’t sell, even though they worked well, and were being sold at a time when gas was not relatively “cheap,” as it is now.
December 18th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
The mystery car appears to be the new Cadillac CT6. It may a version with a powertrain that hasn’t been publicly debuted yet, hence the full camo treatment.
December 18th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Applying hybrid technology to a pickup truck (and full size SUV’s for that matter), makes more sense than small cars. The efficiency gains would be much more impactful overall, and the reductions in emissions will be exponentially greater. Corporations that buy trucks in quantity will be very interested in a hybrid that is reasonably priced and has proven durability. GM failed with their hybrids because they used the wrong technology and the cost was astronomical. A $35 – $40,000 pickup that gets 35-40 mpg will draw very strong interest.
December 18th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I will test drive a hybrid F150. GM’s big hybrids were a costly joke. Ford has a clue and 10 years later, the skills to make one that works.
Bob Wilson
December 18th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
The hybrid pickups should save a lot of gas, in stop and go use. The GM ones, and the hybrid Tahoe/Yukon hybrids got ~30% better mpg in city driving, even with “wrong technology,” but they cost too much. The Ford’s success will depend on the usual things, price premium, mpg, and gas prices when it hits the market.
Regarding the BMW X4, I like hatchbacks, but why an expensive, funny looking tall hatchback like the X4, “M” or otherwise? At least it looks better than the X6 (to me).
December 18th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
While sales seem to be doing well, I see a lot of people who are just not impressed with fuel economy of the F150. Military grade aluminum aside, maybe a mild hybrid version would pick up a few MPG’s and look a whole lot better.
December 18th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
11 Actually, checking back, I find that the hybrid Tahoe got much better EPA city mpg than the non-hybrid, 21 vs 14 mpg, but the pickups did only a little better.
December 18th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Takes too many miles to offset the higher initial cost of a hybrid Hybrid designing needs a lot of KISS
December 18th, 2015 at 2:10 pm
The GM Hybrids claim to fame was outstanding City fuel economy. The Highway numbers were the same as the non-hybrid trucks. The problem is that the technology was quite expensive, and so the Hybrid models were the most expensive trucks GM made. Not many people could rationalize the big jump in the sticker price for the relatively limited mileage benefit. The garish HYBRID stickers and funky looking wheels they came with didn’t help either. The final nail was their low reliability. GM ended up buying some back due to owner dissatisfaction over reliability.
Interestingly, the hybrid technology was developed with partners DaimlerChrysler and BMW. Chrysler used it for one year in the Chrysler Aspen SUV and I don’t recall BMW ever using it in a production vehicle. The technology was unique in that it mounted on the transmission, giving it very nice packaging qualities, but ultimately just didn’t present an appealing enough product to the public.
December 18th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Definitely a Cadillac. In addition to the tail lamps, trunk line and wheels, the exhaust cutouts are pretty characteristic of a Cadi.
One day, I’m gonna run into you on my lunch hour, Sean. Every now and then I’m picking something up from the Orielly’s Autoparts down at the other end of that strip mall.
December 18th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Another ugly Cadillac!
December 18th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
First guess – Cadillac. Vertical taillights, big rump of a bumper
But is Caddy due for yet another sedan?
Second thought – could this be the new Chrysler 300??? But no – because I am not sure they are for enough into development to have anything on the road AND Chrysler design actually builds some really great looking cars (I didn’t say high quality or reliable). Ralph Giles would not have signed off on this one!
So yah, I agree – Caddy. If they keep clicking their AutoCad mouse maybe something will sell
December 18th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
I laugh out loud when I see Ford’s use of the term “military grade aluminum” in their advertising, as if there is something special about the grade they are using since the military uses it too. Hey Ford, lots of companies use the same grade of aluminum as the military, it ain’t no big deal and it certainly wasn’t developed just for the military, there isn’t anything special about it other than it is aluminum. I’m actually surprised GM hasn’t mocked Ford in their commercials by saying GM steel is “military grade” as I am sure the military probably uses the same type in lots of their vehicles. You make me laugh Ford, but for all the wrong reasons.
December 18th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
VW scandal? Boys put on your big boy shorts and leave the panties to the women! The VW engineers should get an award for being so inventive!
December 18th, 2015 at 8:24 pm
I did not look to the wheels, but I saw
maybe an expertly disguised Continental.
December 18th, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Isn’t military grade aluminum the same as beer can grade aluminum, not that there is anything wrong with that?
December 18th, 2015 at 10:45 pm
21 Those who directed the engineers to do what they did should be in prison.
December 19th, 2015 at 6:07 am
24 Let’s see if the prosecutors can flip the engineers that did the dirty work, then work their way up to the big feed trough. Notice how carefully vw uses the word ‘errors’ to describe what happened. Very lawyerly. (MaryAnn Keller wasn’t buying the idea that it was a few engineers)
23 Military grade aluminum sounds good during football commercials when all those tough guys are sucking back their Miller Lites.
December 19th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Military-grade is just a marketing tool; it is similar to marine-grade when the manufacturer is building boats. There are many alloys of aluminum, knowing which is being used is probably a proprietary item that isn’t shared opening. While the merits of aluminum versus steel make for a lively discussion, both have their pluses and minuses.
December 19th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Not exactly ‘park assist’ as we know it now,but just might surprise ya’ll:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/QilY00dCof8
December 19th, 2015 at 6:51 pm
I guess the opposite of military grade is civilian grade, as the opposite of professional grade is amateur grade. It’s amazing what marketeers come up with.
December 19th, 2015 at 7:39 pm
There is a term abbreviated BS that covers it all.
December 19th, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Well from my experience,the ‘military grade’ aluminum om my helicopters wasn’t anything special,neither was the ‘military grade’ armor we had.Marketing for the ignorant.
December 20th, 2015 at 11:04 am
That BS is for ‘ballistic service’ right? Our product performs out of this world; sorry, couldn’t resist (and yeah, I know, I’m no comedian).
Military and civilian aircraft aluminum is of a specific grade but it is not un-obtainium, just of certain alloys (and probably more expensive than the ‘pedestrian’ alloys).
December 20th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
“Ballistic service” means something now,but not in my day.Our best armor for us crew,and used to protect the ‘vitals’ of our aircraft were heavy,and didn’t stop squat.Nowadays they really have some damn good protection,at a lighter weight.We just had the weight,lol.
December 20th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Steel armor is kind of heavy, for flying machines. I suspect they now use Kevlar composite, or something like that. Just guessing.
December 20th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
The armor for our ‘chicken plates’ was steel,covered in some sort of material laminated to it.Heavy,and pretty much useless.The armor in our aircraft was of course thicker,but could easily be penetrated by ak47′s,and the rpd’s,both are just 30cal,but they were armor piercing.The 12.7mm,14.5′s,23mm’s were all armor piercing.The 37mm,and the 57mm’s that we flew against were like the ack ack you see in WWII movies.The worst was in 71 they started using the shoulder fired Strella7′s.Infared seekers,and damned accurate.All pretty sportin in an aircraft not much bigger then a VW bug.
December 28th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
It turned out that the Ecoboost engine tech did not result in the MPG boost that they (and the public) were hoping for. Think of the even lower stats if the 150 was not lightweighted…Ford has yet to add in an advanced transmission. Would a full hybrid not cost too much, undermine the Alu weight loss gains and fail in towing heavy loads? If hybrid offered a big gain in idle/traffic mpg and a power boost to cut engine size further but the result would have to be a real world significant jump in fuel economy not 3-5%. Its surprising that regen braking is not on trucks anyway considering their weight and the benefit of smaller batteries or boosted start-stop