On today’s show… the digital instrument cluster in the new Ford Explorer really caught our eye… Geely wants to revive Lotus by adding SUVs to its lineup… and Jeep is dipping its toes into subscription services. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the voice of the automotive industry.
JEEP TESTING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
We’ve seen a number of luxury brands launch subscription services but now a mainstream brand will offer it. Bloomberg reports, Jeep is partnering with Avis Budget to offer a three-month subscription service that will allow owners to swap out their Jeep for other FCA brand vehicles, as many as six times. In addition to that, Jeep is launching a three-month pilot program that will allow owners to rent out their vehicles through Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing start-up. Both programs launch next week in Boston and will be limited to the first 100 customers that register for each. Other brands have offered subscription services with mixed results but Jeep says it still wants to try it out to see if it works for the brand.
FORD PUTS 3D PRINTED PARTS IN PRODUCTION
3D printed components are finding their way into new areas and additive manufacturing company Carbon and Ford have teamed up to put 3D printed parts in production vehicles. They include a HVAC lever arm for the Ford Focus, an auxiliary plug for the F-150 Raptor and electric parking brake bracket on the Mustang GT500. All the parts had to pass Ford’s performance standards and withstand weathering tests.
And if you haven’t done so yet, check out our latest Autoline Spotlight from WardsAuto and Ally, which looks at whether dealers can sell financing and insurance without a dedicated F&I person. You can watch that discussion right now on our website or on our YouTube channel.
Hyundai’s Santa Cruz pickup is closer to reality. And we’ll have more about that, right after this.
HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ UPDATE
Mid-size pickup trucks was one of the best performing segments in the U.S. last year and it could soon be getting a little more crowded. We caught up with William Lee, the President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America and he said its R&D and production people are working on a business case for the Santa Cruz pickup, which it first showed in Detroit in 2015. Mr. Lee expects to get the green light very soon and if the decision is made, he’s sure it will be built in Alabama. Hyundai has been talking about the pickup for a while now. The head of design even said last month that the design had been all sketched out, but this is the first we’ve heard of it being built in the U.S. in Alabama.
And if you’d like to watch more of our Detroit auto show coverage, brought to you with help from Continental Structural Plastics, just look for it in the Autoline on the Road section of our website or on our YouTube channel.
MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS PRICING
The least expensive Mercedes you can buy in the U.S. is now the new A-Class. Including destination charges, it starts at just under $33,500. All-wheel drive tacks another 2-grand on top of that. The new A-Class will start hitting dealer showrooms soon.
CHARGE AS FAST AS FILLING A GAS TANK
Charge time is still a concern for some possible EV buyers, but a new startup, named GBatteries has a pretty bold claim: it can enable electric vehicles to charge as fast as it takes to fill up a tank of gas. It’s developed a self-contained adaptor that combines software algorithms or AI and electronics to speed up charging speeds. The best part is it can be used with current off-the-shelf lithium-ion batteries and existing fast charging stations. GBatteries says it’s able to charge a 60 kWh battery pack with 119-miles of range in 5-minutes. Now we’ll have to wait and see if it can deliver on those claims.
Coming up next, Ford’s slick digital display in the all-new Explorer.
LOTUS TO START MAKING SUVs
We’ve seen a number of luxury brands that used to exclusively make sports cars jump into the SUV segment due to customer demand. And now Lotus will follow suit. Reuters reports that Geely, which bought a majority stake in the British sports car maker in 2017, plans to start producing Lotus’s in China for the first time, including SUVs. Lotus currently builds its vehicles in England but wants to expand capacity to help revive the brand. The sports car maker sold just over 1,600 vehicles in 2018.
EXPLORER’S SLICK DIGITAL DISPLAY
Here’s something we think is kind of cool on the all-new Ford Explorer. It has an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that uses these slick 3D graphics when switching between drive modes. For example, if you rotate the selector knob over to the “Trail” setting there’s an animation of rocks coming together and then the screen morphs into a speedometer and tachometer with an altitude gauge. There’s even a topographical map as the background. There’s seven modes in all to choose from and each has its own unique animation and display.
And don’t forget to tune into Autoline After Hours this afternoon. Joining Gary Vasilash for a roundtable discussion is Frank Markus from Motor Trend, Joann Muller from Axios and Todd Lassa from Automobile magazine. The Detroit auto show is likely to be a hot topic but if you have any other questions, send them our way to [email protected] or message us on social media. That’s today at 3PM eastern time on our website, Autoline.tv.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (27)
January 17th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
If that quick charging system would be putting a half charge in the 60 kWh in 5 minutes, it would be charging at a rate of 360 kW, 1500 amps at 240 volts. I’ll believe it when I see it.
January 17th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Hyundai , how long does it take? It’s been 4 years since the concept that most people were favorable to. By the time you pull the trigger someone else will have filled that spot.
January 17th, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Sean, Lotus is going to “expand production” to add SUVs this expansion will be in China. Reading between the lines that reads ‘we will move production to China so we can cut the cost of production on all vehicles’.
January 17th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
The video that went along with the GBattery segment is suspect… It shows a charging cord the diameter of a 14/3 extension cord. I don’t think they are going to be pushing 1000+ amps through that cord.
I’m also not sure where the Ford Explorer Instrument Panel video came from. If Ford provided, they certainly didn’t help their cause by showing the fuel economy average of 4 mpg.
January 17th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
You’ve seen a number of luxury brands launch subscription services only to discontinue them a few years later. Is FCA looking for a way to lose money or just plain stupid? I cant imagine many Jeep owners willing to rent out their vehicle for someone to go get it buried in the mud somewhere. Folks that buy especially the Wrangler do not buy them as just a mode of transportation and have more pride in ownership than other vehicles. I do not see this working well for FCA.
January 17th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
A lot of car companies may be leaving the UK, depending on how Brexit sorts out. If loads of parts from continental Europe are delayed hours going through customs on the way to the UK, I don’t see how mainstream companies can operate in the UK.
https://www.dw.com/en/brexit-vote-defeat-increases-no-deal-fears-for-uk-car-industry/a-47101527
January 17th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
With the FCA subscription, maybe you could get a Challenger Demon to take to the drag strip Saturday, and a Wrangler to go rock crawling on Sunday.
January 17th, 2019 at 1:31 pm
5 minutes and 119 miles and game over for internal combustion engines….
Porsche I think has a 20 minute 80 percent charge and if true thats game over for ICE vehicles as well.
Instant torque and possible ease of construction and service intervals..
We the enthusiasts are all in fir tesla model 3 like performance…
Even so…a 280 mile range and we are all good.
Next few years should be revoltutionary.
January 17th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
8 Until charge stations are as common as gas stations, EV range is 400+ miles, and you can get 400 miles of charge in 10 minutes, ICE vehicles will be around. They will be around for many years to come.
January 17th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
I wouldn’t get giddy yet at that fast charge claim until they say how bad it reduces the battery lifespan. From what I’ve read constant fast charging significantly reduces the battery life. and unless the cost of the battery and the labor to replace them are really cheap I still don’t think it will be attractive.
January 17th, 2019 at 2:19 pm
When it comes to EVs people need to consider TCI or Total Costs Involved. What looks attractive on it’s face becomes less so when all factors are included. Diesels ,fall into this as well. People rave about the mileage , but don’t consider the added cost of fuel and maintenance and parts to keep a diesel running at peak performance.
January 17th, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Some talk of the simplicity of EV’s and the subsequent demise of ICE but if you ever saw what is involved with the construction and assembly of the battery pack, it certainly can give you some perspective as to the complexity envolved. There are some U-tubes on the assembly/disassembly and it is quite eye opening. And then there continues the “not ready for prime time” range and charging inadequacies, that are being worked on, but still lack competitiveness (with ICE).
January 17th, 2019 at 2:42 pm
1 Stranger things have happened. I would be more worried about its effect on battery life, as questioned in 10. but even if their claim is not reached 100%, I sure would be thrilled if they can do 50% (ie charge it in 10 vs 5 mins), this is still a huge game changer.
2 This reminds me of many other automakers, with the only exception of Tesla, who missed the boat on EVs. It may be too late to jump in once the half million Model 3s are sold in the US and more millions in China. You don’t just need to have the right product, it is needed at the right time, which is YESTERDAY and not in 2022.
3 Nothing wrong with cost reduction. Developed nations should focus on high tech high paying jobs and not just oldie manufacturing any third world nation can do.
5 Probably both.
(I agree with you as to the disastrous conclusion of FCAs subscription. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and they will see thew failures of the other makers similar services and cancel it)
7 Or maybe you could get a Dodge Dart to take your hot date to the Opera and a Dodge Ram for the next day to do your rounds fixing the plumbing.
8 While I am the exact opposite of a clean pure EV owner (I drive two Merc diesels) I am also looking forward to continue seeing the amazing changes in this rapidly changing Auto Industry. EVs ARE the future whether some like it or ate it.
8, 9 China first of all has made it its policy, have more charging stations than we have gas stations, and heavily favor EVs in their huge big cities. Others will soon follow.
11. It’s called the Life Cycle Cost, LLC, but regardless what it is called, I can guarantee you that practically NOBODY buys pure EVs to save any $. Even though many can reap HUGE savings if they have long commutes and can charge at work or at home. Some may buy them because they are Envirofanatics and do not want to pollute, but the vast majority are ADDICTED to their INCREDIBLE performance, the instant torque and giant-slayer acceleration. Even Top Gear, which hates EVs with a passion, had a test pitting the most powerful Porsches vs a Tesla S and the S beat the living daylights out of it.
Every passing year will show more EVs on the roads and fewer horses and Buggies or Gas and diesel dinosaurs. It may take 50 years to wipe the last one from daily use (as it did with he horse and buggy), but it will eventually happen.
I repeat, EVs are the future whether we like it or not.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:00 pm
10,13 Even charging in 30 minutes seems to greatly reduce battery lifetime. I get about 2 years use from batteries I use for R/C airplanes. I’m abusing them in other ways too, though, discharging them quickly, and probably charging them more “fully” than would be done with a car.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:14 pm
The Jeep lineup shown (two pictures) are 2017s (discontinued Patriot, a JK Wrangler, older FE Cherokee, and previous Compass). The 2019s are out now!
Some good points made by Chuck on the real EV complexity. I had a small roll in the thermal testing of the late 1990s Chrysler TEV and EPIC electric minivans. They used NiCads and NiMH batteries that needed a pretty complex cooling system. Had to cool the motor and the batteries and provide passenger heat from that with some interesting valving. Still had to have coolant that didn’t freeze.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
13: The Dart was discontinued after 2016. The RAM is no longer a Dodge.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
16 I’m fully aware of both. I was obviously being sarcastic suggesting using the Dart for the Opera. A 300 would be a far better choice.
My next door neighbor is an almost blind widow who cannot drive, but has frequent visits by her relatives, one drives a red Prius III and the other, a young woman, a grey Dart. you can be sure the Prius looks much better. I remember Sergio on 60 mins talking about the Dart, while he did not mention it by name, he said that he could afford to screw up one new model launch, but not two. One was the Dart for sure. I don’t know if all these Fiats and Alfas count too.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:37 pm
14 My experience with rechargeable batteries are limited to home appliances such as my e-toothbrush I have bee using 15 years now and a hair-beard trimmer. My toothbrush is the second one I had to buy, the batteries are enclosed and cannot be replaced, you have to boy a brand new e-toothbrush. I did not like that. I use it 4 to 6 mins a day (2 min each time) and the first one lasted about 8 years. The hair trimmer I bought it 2 years ago ( a huge bargain, only $15 or so at bed bath and beyond) and it replaced one that plugged in which had no battery, which I bought in.. 1985 or so. the toothbrush sits on a stand and gets charged by induction.
January 17th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
I do not buy that, overall, EVs are more complex than gas or diesel cars, they have far fewer systems, entire complex systems do not even exist in the EV such as radiator and its piping, or the exhaust, but also the motor of an EV has 20% the parts the motor of a Golf has.
Another interesting stat (ala the numbers thrown at us by Gary in AAH) is 445 or so, this is the number of EV makers in China (!!!). I bet less than 10% will survive, despite the millions of EVs sold and to be sold there.
January 17th, 2019 at 4:22 pm
An EV has way more magnets than an ICE car.
On a more serious note, if a vehicle, or anything else, is reliable, its complexity doesn’t matter, as long as the initial cost is competitive. A Prius or other hybrid is much more complex, as far as electronics, than an ICE car, but Priuses are very reliable, which is what matters. Unlike in the 1950s, cooling system problems are quite rare on today’s cars, and exhaust systems often last the life of the car. My friend’s cheap Sunfire has run more than 240K miles and is still running fine, with about $600 in total repairs since new, maybe $800 if you count batteries. Will EVs do that well? The Sunfire has had about 50 oil changes over that time, which an EV wouldn’t need, but still? I probably won’t be around long enough to really know about the longevity of large numbers of EVs, and their batteries, as they age in years and miles, but today’s ICE cars, even cheap ones, do very well.
Along those lines, a former BMW motorcycle dealer I knew bashed the Honda 750 four when it came out, because of all of those extra parts that a BMW of the time didn’t have. It turned out that, even those early Honda 750s were very reliable, probably as reliable as a BMW of the time.
January 17th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
18 Your tooth brush and hair trimmer probably have NiMH batteries. That’s what my Norelco shaver has.
Beyond the, admittedly abused batteries for model airplanes, my experience with lithium batteries has been mixed. I’ve had them die in laptop computers after 3-4 years, but the battery in my Mac laptop is still good after about 8 years.
January 17th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
The should reinstate the Dodge name for Dodge trucks.
January 17th, 2019 at 5:59 pm
22, I’d agree with you on Dodge re-instating the name if Ram hadn’t nearly surpassed Chevrolet for number in trucks sold. Ram has seemed to have integrated well; its probably us old guys waning nostalgic, missing the Dodge name.
January 17th, 2019 at 6:11 pm
I still sometimes call FCA trucks Dodge, even though they have officially been Ram for years. Maybe it’s because I have a Dodge Caravan.
January 17th, 2019 at 6:58 pm
23 Ram could overtake Chevy in big pickup sales, if a lot of people read the scathing Car and Driver review of the new Silverado in their comparison test. It will be interesting to see what others, like CR say when they test the new trucks. C and D liked the powertrain of the Chevy, but not much else.
January 18th, 2019 at 6:52 am
In regards to the complexity of battery assembly and engineering, here is a video of the disassembly of the Chevy Bolt battery. The video is very long, over an hour, but is very well done. So if you are interested, here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssU2mjiNi_Q
January 18th, 2019 at 8:37 am
26 Interesting. I didn’t watch all of it, but enough to get the general idea of how the battery is assembled.