AD #3015 – Citroen Unveils New C3 Aircross; BMW Delays iX Production; Infiniti Shares New QX60 Details
February 12th, 2021 at 11:56am
Listen to “AD #3015 – Citroen Unveils New C3 Aircross; BMW Delays iX Production; Infiniti Shares New QX60 Details” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 10:37
0:08 Biden Administration Tackles Chip Shortage
0:38 Europe Considers Semiconductor Foundry
1:29 BMW Delays iX Production
3:16 EVgo Adds Tesla Connectors to Charging Network
3:55 Citroen Unveils New C3 Aircross
4:35 Farley Calls On LG & SK To Reach Settlement
6:04 Infiniti Shares New QX60 Powertrain Details
6:55 Renault Adds R.S. Line to Captur
7:30 Lexus GX Impressions
8:48 Viewer Feedback on Chrysler’s Future
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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TACKLES CHIP SHORTAGE
The chip shortage that’s crippling global automotive production is getting serious. GM’s CEO Mary Barra warns the shortage will wipe out $2 billion in profits this year. Reuters reports the Biden Administration is in talks with car companies, chip makers, congressional leaders and allied countries to figure out ways to ramp up production. And President Biden will sign an executive order that will review the supply chains for critical supplies.
EUROPE CONSIDERS SEMICONDUCTOR FOUNDRY
Meanwhile, Europe is thinking about building its own semiconductor foundry. It’s thinking about making advanced 2 nanometer chips that will go into cars, 5G networks and supercomputers. The EU has a goal of producing one-fifth of the world’s microprocessors. But the money to do it could be a stumbling block. The EU is putting a 30-billion-euro war chest together, but TSMC, or the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which is the leading chip producer, is going to spend 28 billion dollars this year alone.
While this problem will get solved, it will not happen fast. Did you know it takes 6 months to make a microprocessor, from the very first step to the final product?
BMW DELAYS iX PRODUCTION
BMW is delaying production of its iX electric SUV. The company planned to start building the EV at its Dingolfing plant in Germany later this year but now iX Forums reports that production won’t kick off until March of 2022. It’s not known if the delay is due to the chip shortage or the pandemic but either way this isn’t good for BMW.
EVgo ADDS TESLA CONNECTORS TO CHARGING NETWORK
Tesla owners in the U.S. now have more options for charging locations. EVgo, the largest public fast-charging network in the country, announced its adding 600 integrated Tesla connectors at stations this year across the U.S. The locations will also be incorporated into Tesla’s navigation system. EVgo’s Tesla connectors are capable of providing 100 miles of range in 30 minutes. EVgo is now the only network that has all three fast charging standards, CHAdeMO, CCS and Tesla, without the need for an adaptor.
CITROEN UNVEILS NEW C3 AIRCROSS
Citroen appears to be trying to move the look of its C3 Aircross more upscale. At least, that’s how we’d describe the updated look of the crossover. Designers brought the lighting closer together, added an opening below the grille and increased the size of the lower air vent. But it’s really the combination of the new grille pattern and paint color that gives it a modern, upscale look. The interior sees a few changes as well. It features a new 9-inch center screen and center console as well as more storage spaces. The new C3 Aircross arrives at dealerships this June.
FARLEY CALLS ON LG & SK TO REACH SETTLEMENT
Ford CEO Jim Farley is calling on LG Chem and SK Innovation to reach a settlement over LG’s claims that SK stole EV battery trade secrets. On Wednesday, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in favor of LG and banned SK from importing certain lithium-ion battery components to the U.S. for 10 years with some exceptions. It permitted SK to import parts to its battery factory in Georgia to make packs for the electric F-150 and the Volkswagen ID.4. However, it can only supply Ford for four years and VW for two. After the ruling Farley tweeted “A voluntary settlement between these two suppliers is ultimately in the best interest of US manufacturers and workers.” LG and SK both declined to comment on Farley’s statement. The ITC says its ruling gives Ford and VW time to find another supplier but clearly Farley is concerned about the decision.
INFINITI SHARES NEW QX60 POWERTRAIN DETAILS
It should come as little surprise that one of the biggest changes made to the Nissan Pathfinder is also making its way over to its cousin the Infiniti QX60. The automaker announced the SUV will no longer come with a CVT and will instead mate its 295 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Trying to read between the lines of Infiniti’s press release, we think customers must have complained about performance of the CVT from a standing start and while trying to merge or overtake traffic. We wonder as well if efficiency of the 9-speed rivals the CVT enough that it no longer warranted its use? We’ll know soon enough. The new QX60 arrives before the year is out.
RENAULT ADDS RS LINE TO CAPTUR
For the first time Renault is applying its sporty R.S. Line to the Captur. The model features a unique front bumper, grille pattern, rear diffuser, more heavily tinted windows, chrome accents, 18-inch wheels and special badging. The added sportiness on the interior comes in the form of red accents throughout, aluminum door sills and a carbon fiber look on the doors and dash. The Captur is available now and comes in gas, LPG and plug-in hybrid powertrain setups.
LEXUS GX IMPRESSIONS
We had the Lexus GX 460 come through the Autoline Garage and it felt like something of a throwback. While the base price starts around $53,000, the Luxury trim line that we drove was priced over $67,000. This is an old school, body-on-frame, V8 powered SUV. While it’s been updated and facelifted, the basic structure of the GX has been around for over a decade, and it shows it’s age. Instead of a big touch screen in the center of the dashboard, there are all kinds of buttons and switches on the console, on the center stack, on both sides of the steering wheel and on the steering wheel itself. The engine is extremely loud at startup and under light throttle. And the vehicle feels heavy and ponderous. But the GX also gets a lot of things right. It’s very comfortable and roomy. It comes extremely well equipped. The optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is exquisite. And it comes with a serious array of off-roading equipment. That’s a key reason why it’s the third best-selling vehicle in the Lexus lineup after the RX and NX.
VIEWER FEEDBACK ON CHRYSLER’S FUTURE
Yesterday Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares voiced his support for Chrysler, so we asked you what you’d do with the brand going forward? Viewers like rml695 and Matthew Douglas are kind of in the same boat as our thinking, that they hope/think Chrysler will get rebadged Peugeots. But there were several other common theories that people brought up. A lot of you think Chrysler can play in the premium/luxury space. Like MERKUR DRIVER who says, “I think Chrysler could rebadge the DS line and compete with Lincoln/Cadillac…” Then there’s viewers like Hashim Shaz and Lavante A who think the brand should stick to people movers. And a number of people voiced their support for the move to electrification. We really like what you all are bringing to the table and think Chrysler will be a mashup of a lot of these ideas: rebadged people movers that are more premium/luxurious with an eye towards moving to electrification.
But with that we wrap up this weeks’ worth of shows. Thanks for watching and I hope you have a great weekend.
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Comments (17)
February 12th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
The 300 is a real Chrysler, but it’s been around in nearly its same form for 16-17 years. Is the Alfa Giulia any good, other than poor reliability? That platform might be a good basis for a new 300.
February 12th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
So we need an executive order from the president to review supply chains for critical components. Pretty sure the manufacturers already know what items are critical and need a boost in production.
BMW is probably delaying the iX SUV because lack of interest. Seems lots of these new EVs are getting delayed and makes me wonder if they were just in too much of a rush to market or is the demand just not there?
February 12th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Isn’t the Lexus GX a gussied up 4-Runner?
February 12th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
I wonder what the whole story (or as Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story”) when describing with the chip shortage. Sure production was down in 2020 and 2021 is trying to ramp up, but come on, 2020 production didn’t ‘crater’ (just down 10 or 15%); did they shut down production for just a reduction. I can see a production slow-down, but why the crash? There’s got to be some details we’re not hearing about.
February 12th, 2021 at 2:30 pm
4) The chip manufacturers may have moved excess capacity to the consumer electronics industry. Consumer electronics were red hot in 2020 with everyone working and learning from home.
February 12th, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Oh goodie, get the federal government involved with a shortage in the private sector; that’ll help a lot!
As a former elected member of local county government, I can attest that having pretty much any level of government intervention in business operations results in delays, cost overruns, and ultimately litigation. I can see very little good coming from this.
February 12th, 2021 at 2:50 pm
5, Autoline mentioned that; however, you don’t just shut down completely (or why did they); I don’t know, but think it is curious, that almost across the board, there’s a chip shortage. I would have suspected a more limited shortage, not this major event.
February 12th, 2021 at 3:23 pm
3) Lexus GX = Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in most other regions outside of US & Canada.
February 12th, 2021 at 4:18 pm
8 Thanks for info. GX and 4Runner are about the same size, but I see that the Lexus is substantially different, with a side hinged rear door rather than a lift gate, and other differences. Also, I found that if you pay extra for the Lexus, you pay extra forever, in the form of premium gas to get a few extra horsepower.
Does anyone know what ICs are in short supply? Are the proprietary ones, specific for the car business, or are most of them “commodity” devices like might be used in all of the game consoles and Chromebooks that are being sold?
As far as the government getting involved, I don’t see it either, unless certain trade wars could be disrupting supply, and they are being ramped down.
February 12th, 2021 at 4:22 pm
7 I saw somewhere that some of the IC fabs were being shut down, and moved to different countries. Knowing what it is like to just get one new piece of equipment running, I can imagine that it could take months to restart a fab if all of the equipment has been moved.
February 13th, 2021 at 5:16 am
10 – The plethora of current travel restrictions don’t help either – factory specialists who are needed to set up equipment are left marooned at base.
I’ve been following the installation and use of the Italian-made IDRA Gigapresses at Tesla in Shanghai and Berlin/Brandenburg (the latter will be easier) with that in mind.
Incidentally, Tesla has ordered something like eight [!] of them, if I recall correctly.
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CHIPS – As has been remarked upon, chip manufacturing isn’t a business that turns on a dime. Some manufacturers planned ahead, while it seems that most reduced their orders, which maybe led to a generalized swapping of production.
Long-term ancillary measures to support the highly knowledge- and capital-intensive chip business shouldn’t be abused as a palliative for this short-term drought.
I’m not an expert, but maybe (more expensive) hardware re-programmable chips (aka FPGAs) could be abused, given regulatory approval / waivers.
February 13th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
Off topic, but to people interested in things Elon, it’s interesting. The video is about unboxing and testing out the Starlink antenna and electronics. I hear more about it than most people, with the rumble of another rocket with about 60 satellites every couple weeks.
https://youtu.be/2-nQOIZ1IwY
February 14th, 2021 at 4:24 am
Thanks Kit. I’m seriously impressed, and have to admit they’re way ahead of my expectations.
Insofar as it points to the technical potential of an Elon-initiated team of very talented people turning his physics-grounded visions into reality, it’s worth following (let’s recall the proprietary chip in Tesla’s “autopilot” works, even though the smarts are still lagging).
Seriously – just the sat-to-sat comms by pretty low-power laser are a marvel. Designed, tested, built, and launched in no time. And the dish can’t be using all too much power either, given POE (power of Ethernet).
February 14th, 2021 at 6:01 am
I hope you’ll cover the High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) 320 motor and electronics announcement from BorgWarner. The “2024″ release date is a challenge but given advances in LiON batteries, this sounds worth a short article.
One caution, an EV needs to be “clean sheet” designed to optimize body and battery configuration. It isn’t clear from the number of mediocre EVs that the manufacturers are ready to change their design rules from ICE to EVs. It would be a shame to have this EV drivetrain in a body penalized by excessive weights and inferior battery system.
February 14th, 2021 at 10:45 am
Maybe the chip “shortage” is based on a drop in production and a move to consumer electronics or maybe in addition to this the manufacturer(s) found a new way to raise prices with a partially created shortage. A government partnership with manufacturers could be a way to bring chip production back to the US. Government could fund the cost and get paid back over a period of time at low interest creating a number of new high tech jobs in the US and bolstering our independence from offshore manufacturing.
February 14th, 2021 at 10:59 am
14 For some types of vehicles where battery packaging is easy, like front drive vans, the BorgWarner hardware could be used very effectively with existing platforms. With passenger cars, battery packaging is much better with EV-specific designs. I’d expect the BW hardware to be used in a number of vehicles, some much better than others as EVs.
February 15th, 2021 at 9:43 pm
I just caught up on a couple weeks of episodes while riding my training bike! Thank you for 17 miles of informative riding, Sean! Pro Tip — the Magna ad makes for a great short sprint!