This is Autoline Daily reporting on the global automotive industry.
WLTP COSTLY FOR VW
Europe’s new fuel economy and test procedure, the WLTP, caused havoc last year for automakers because it takes 2 to 3 times longer to test vehicles than before, which delayed the release of a number of models. And it’s also costly. Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine reports that Volkswagen spent $4 billion last year to get its lineup to meet the new standards. But that’s a bit of poetic justice because the WLTP probably wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for VW, since the test was created in response to its diesel emission cheating scandal.
TESLA RAISES THE PRICE OF ITS CARS
Last week, Tesla said it was going to close most of its stores as a cost cutting move so it could lower the base price of the Model 3 to $35,000. Then it changed its mind. Now Tesla says it will close fewer stores and raise the price of its cars 3%, though the base Model 3 will still be $35,000. Tesla came under withering criticism after it announced the store closings and one of its most loyal investment firms dumped all its stock in the company.
WEEKEND RACE RESULTS
In racing over the weekend, Josef Newgarden won with his Chevrolet-powered Penske at the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. And in NASCAR, Kyle Busch drove his Toyota Camry to the win in Phoenix, Arizona.
GM REFILES ZORA TRADEMARK
General Motors just refiled to trademark the name Zora. Some believe GM will use the name on the new C8 Corvette, possibly for a high-performance version. Zora Arkus Duntov was a brilliant engineer who played a major role in the development of the Corvette. We want to thank Autoline viewer Will Slate who’s been keeping up to date on GM’s trademark filings with the Zora name.
WHY GM IS NOW MAKING MID-ENGINE CORVETTE A REALITY
And speaking of Corvette, if you didn’t catch Autoline After Hours last week, we had a great discussion about the upcoming mid-engine C8 Corvette. The car is nearly 60 years in the making and Don Sherman, a freelancer who knows a heckuva lot about it, shared why he thinks GM is pulling the trigger now on making it a reality.
(The AAH preview is only available in the video version of today’s show.)
For more info about the C8 Corvette, you can watch that episode right now on our website, Autoline.tv or you can find it on our YouTube channel.
PRODUCTION IN NORTH AMERICA EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Here’s a little bit of good news for auto workers in North America. While LMC Automotive is predicting light vehicle sales will be down 2% in the region, it’s expecting production to be up slightly this year. Last year imported SUV sales shot up 15% because there weren’t enough locally produced models to meet demand. But vehicles like the BMW X7, Chevy Blazer, Cadillac XT6, Kia Telluride, and Subaru Ascent will fill the gap that was created. Mid-size pickups will also play a role in the production increase. With the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator coming on line, sales in the segment are forecast to grow nearly 12% this year.
MAGNA’S INTEGRATED EDRIVE SYSTEM
From stop/start to 48 volt to pure electric, there are 42 different possible combinations of electrified powertrains. That’s according to the giant Tier 1 supplier Magna, which says it can supply 29 of them. One of Magna’s most interesting prototypes is a Tesla Model S with a modified powertrain. Magna gutted the Tesla’s factory powertrain and installed its own, including a different battery pack. On the front axle, they installed an integrated edrive system, with motor, inverter and gearbox. The peak power of the motor is 160 kilowatts, or about 214 horsepower, and delivers over 2,400 pound feet of torque. At the rear, they installed two asynchronous motors capable of delivering 320 kilowatts, or more than 400 horsepower, and over 4,800 pound feet. The two rear motors can operate independently, sending power to either rear wheel, or to both. Autoline Daily got the opportunity to test drive the car on a frozen lake in northern Sweden and the performance is, well, electrifying. The prototype can operate as a front wheel drive car, a rear drive car, or in all wheel drive. All Tesla’s have great handling and traction, but Magna’s prototype takes it to a new level. As a front drive car, the Tesla accelerates well, but understeers on the icy skid pad. In rear drive, it oversteers, of course, but with the two electric motors providing torque vectoring, you can drift it around the skid pad in total control. The electric motors react faster than a mechanical differential would. In all-wheel-drive the Tesla feels supremely stable and predictable and provides the driver with the kind of confidence you wouldn’t expect to encounter when driving in icy conditions. Magna’s prototype shows that the future of performance with electric cars will go beyond straight line acceleration. We’re going to get all-weather traction and handling like we’ve never experienced before.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (28)
March 11th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
I got to see the new Blazer in person (Epcot, Test Track pavilion in Disney). I looks better than I expected after seeing pictures (to me it looked a little snarky in the photos) but live looked better. The one that I saw was a Premier model and listed for 49 thousand dollars. While not a derivative of the Colorado, which is a shame, it did come from the XT5 (Cadillac) platform, which is at least competent. It may be what some people will be looking for, and, at least it has the 3.6 L that you can’t get in the Equinox.
March 11th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
The future is electric, everybody is starting to get it, Thanks Tesla , Tesla is right now kicking ass in Germany, its mod 3 are demolishing sales records in its class there,the German Big 3 are in panic mode, their entry level sales are in the dump.
March 11th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
The Magna Tesla is amazing, but what does Tesla think of using their car for Magna to develop a complete power system for maybe other makers to use? Or, will Tesla buy the Magna motors and controls? Fascinating!
March 11th, 2019 at 1:07 pm
@rey, maybe some day but for now electric is still a tiny part of the market. Where I live I wouldn’t consider one, just doesn’t make any sense.
March 11th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Tesla certainly has buyer interest at present, but I think it’s less about it being an EV and more about it being a very talked about performance car. It’s a side issue that it’s an EV. If it was the main point, other more affordable EVs would be selling better too as Tesla sales rise. Not happening in major numbers.
The Tesla relies on being an EV for its performance; not for its popularity.
March 11th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
3 I think Magna’s Tesla car is a sales tool they hope to use with the German manufacturers. Want Tesla popularity and even better performance? Put our system in your car and be instantly competitive.
From the early EV offerings from the European manufacturers, it’s apparent they have too far to go to get something competitive into the market in a couple of years. They need help.
March 11th, 2019 at 1:31 pm
I don’t see the point of Magna’s putting their powertrain in a Tesla, which already has the best electric powertrain on the planet. If they want to sell electric powertrains, why don’t they approach someone who needs help with such things, like almost everyone except Tesla.
Here is something really cool to do with a Model S.
https://autoweek.com/article/geneva-motor-show/tesla-model-s3-station-wagon-rolls-geneva-motor-show?utm_source=DailyDrive20190311&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=image-center&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awdailydrive
March 11th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
4 EVs are the FUTURE but as usual you have no clue whatsoever. Tesla had an EPIC 2018, by far the most successful US automaker, BY FAR. Now it can sell the Model 3 in Europe and will even MAKE it in CHina, and CHina is the BIGGEST EV market in the world so far, twice the second biggest US market. I know that all this important info goes in one year and out the other, but I am writing it for the benefit of the others here as well.
March 11th, 2019 at 2:05 pm
2 Already in 2018 in the US market it killed the BMW 3 series.
A few years ago, (pre-Tesla) everybody and his mother-in-law were making “3 Series Killers”, all of which failed.
TOday every day a new maker is trying to make a “Tesla Model 3 Killer”, amateurs like Chinese Geely-Volvo-Polestar, and they will all fail as well.
March 11th, 2019 at 2:07 pm
6 only VW Group, with VW-Audi and Porsche attacking differenrt segments of the EV Market, are making a serious effort, including superchargers etc. VW group is investing 68 Billions on this. AND if they are able to make an affordable EV below the Model 3 in price, they got it made.
March 11th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
7. Seems to be a favorite of custom coach builders now: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1115120_ares-announces-its-own-tesla-model-s-shooting-brake-conversion
Probably a few others.
March 11th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
@8 Like I said maybe they are or maybe something else is around the corner. I unlike you don’t pretend to know every thing, or so you can understand. I UNLIke yOu don’T pretEND to know everything and I”M not in my parent’S basement trying to LOOk important.
March 11th, 2019 at 2:52 pm
For what do the acronyms EPIC, FUTURE, FAR, AND, BY, BIGGEST, and MAKE represent? I can figure it out for BMW, VW, and EV.
March 11th, 2019 at 3:08 pm
7 Seen it before. Didn’t I post a link for it here? The S already has a design that can take much more cargo in the back than a sedan, being of a coupish-hatchish design like the first Panamera, and originally one could get a 6th and 7th seat for the back (now they have dropped that option).
13 Don’t know if you just pretend or you really believe that EPIC etc are acronyms? As I have OFTEN said, this editor does not allow us to use anything, no underline, no bold, and no italics, SO I use uppercase for EMPHASIS. If you don’t like it, tell the site to update so we can use the above three other ways to emphasize.
March 11th, 2019 at 3:22 pm
Re the Tesla flip-flop in the US market, lots to think about. Its first decision to close all the stores, not sure if they did their homework and considered all consequences.
Now they retreat and will close very few stores, but slapped 3% on all its models except the base Model 3.
Sales from S and X are much lower than the 3 to make a big difference, and much of the expensive demand for the 3 has already been satisfied with the huge sales of Q4 2018 and more modest ones in early 2019.
If that investment firm who sold all its Tesla shares after the first announcement was able to influence Tesla decision making, it is not something I have seen with investment firms that put (and lost) their $ with GM and Chrysler over so many decades.
In any case, the US is not just one (the second biggest, and maybe on its way to become the third biggest, after Europe) market for Tesla.
March 11th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Larry, there are no morons among the ALD viewership. We don’t need caps for emphasis (emphasis is only needed when the writer thinks he or she is sharper than the reader).
March 11th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
15 PS Typo, I meant to type at the end, the US is “now”, not “not” just one.
March 11th, 2019 at 3:27 pm
16 spare me. I totally disagree with the utter strawman “emphasis is only needed when the writer thinks he or she is sharper than the reader”. This is just your own opinion, which I have never heard before BTW.
you claim. It has nothing to do with morons. Many are just uninformed. I use emphasis with everybody, make sure I have their ATTENTION. And in case anybody brings this up, in my case, uppercase has nothing to do with being angry or shouting or whatever, as others claim.
Now, after wasting all this time of mine and of others who read your posts, do you have a useful, interesting contribution to make to the discussion other than to play the hall monitor?
March 11th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
It didn’t sound very good to me that Tesla would close most of their stores. Many people like to trade what they have, rather than sell it themselves, and in many or most states, you pay sales tax on the difference, so you don’t need to get as much for your old car as if you sell it outright. Also, I suspect most people still like to test drive a car, and to check out the interior, etc. before buying. The “money back guarantee” is not a good alternative, as it would be difficult, or impossible to get your sales tax back in most states.
Maybe Elon should consider offering dealership franchises is states that don’t allow direct sales. Penske might be a good candidate.
March 11th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
@7 – Kit, I can understand the desire of Magna to make a demonstration vehicle that exposes people to the greater potential of Magna’s technology. As nearly anything “Tesla” garners media and competitive interest, I view Magna’s vehicle choice as a method that their end.
From a more practical perspective, a subset of Magna’s technology may have nearer term benefit in a full size truck 4×4 application. As GM and Amazon hedge their truck EV bet with Rivian, the larger work truck market won’t tolerate its limited range when used in heavy cargo load situations. The potential solution will be a hybrid 4×4 where one axle runs via ICE power and the other axle runs via battery/electric power.
March 11th, 2019 at 4:05 pm
@19 – I completely agree. Although there are many on-line sources of vehicle reviews and self-labeled expert recommendations, some things are too subjective or too personal to leave to chance. And at $30-70,000 for a new vehicle (more for a Tesla), most customers will want to assess the seat comfort, interior and cargo space, quality of materials/fit, etc for themselves.
March 11th, 2019 at 4:15 pm
20) You are correct. For the truck market on the whole, hybrid is the correct solution for now. At least until battery technology improves. Far too much battery mass is required to do the same job as a current Silverado in terms of long distance towing/hauling.
The rivian BEV is great for those who can get by with the capability of a Honda Ridgeline. For those that need the towing and hauling power of a Silverado, they will be better served with a hybrid electric. Like the P2 system in the Dodge or better yet, a P3 system. The P4 systems that Magna showed would likely be hard to package in the front end of a truck(the only available location for a electric secondary axle).
March 11th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
#4 posted, “Where I live I wouldn’t consider one …” and that makes perfect sense especially in many areas between the Rockies and Mississippi river.
There are strings of fast DC chargers, Tesla SuperChargers, along the Interstates around vast areas lacking any significant EV charging. The web site PlugShare can easily show where the chargers are and EV owner comments describe how well they work. Sad to say, the dealers have chargers but often derated and locked up at night.
I am trading in a 640 mi range, 2017 Prius Prime on a 220 mi, standard range, Model 3 even though the 274 mi segment between Tulsa OK and Little Rock AR seems too far. Happily, there is a ShorePower.com station midway in Ozark AR. In a two hour rest stop at the truck stop, we’ll get enough charge to bridge the gap. But we also have a graph of mph vs range and can adjust speed to bridge the gap.
An EV is not for everyone but it does offer opportunities for road adventures.
March 11th, 2019 at 6:36 pm
I just drove 1200 miles in less than 18 hours (I-74 from MI to FL). Three fuels stops with 1/3 of the trip in wintry conditions. I suspect such a trip will take much more time in a Tesla.
March 11th, 2019 at 7:48 pm
24 It sounds like your mode of highway driving is similar to mine, for my 1100 mile trips between IN and FL. I only need two fuel stops, though.
March 11th, 2019 at 8:01 pm
Here’s an ideal application for electric trucks. Make deliveries by day, and charge it overnight.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90229460/your-ups-deliveries-may-soon-arrive-in-electric-trucks
March 11th, 2019 at 9:15 pm
I do just 2 stops as well… start with a full tank, finish empty… but technically that’s 3 tanks.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:20 pm
I grew up in an era when some roads didn’t have banks and cars had difficulty going much over 60 mph and no seat belts. Yes, I’ve done ‘road warrior’ trips but then I go married. Girl parts work differently and they are not sympathetic to peeing in a bottle. But the relatively slower block time is real.
The first 220 mi segment in the Model 3 takes 3 hours @70 mph and then you add about 0.5 hour, for the next ~150 miles. Due to charge taper, you only partially charge for each subsequent segment.
For the rest of the trip, you do 2 hour, 150 mi segments @70 mph with 0.5 hour charging. The block-to-block speed will be 150 miles/2.5 hours ~= 60 mph block-to-block speed … and arrive with a happy wife and dogs.
Did I mention that Autopilot is my co-driver. Unlike when I was younger and my brothers and I could swap drivers while moving, Autopilot takes a lot of stress off so I won’t be nearly as tired when I get there.