Runtime: 7:02
0:26 Audi Shows Off Passenger Drone
1:11 CARB Supports Achates Engine
2:42 Camry Is Killing Accord
3:25 VW Predicts Diesel Resurgence
5:16 Bentayga PHEV Beats 2021 CO2 Standard
5:57 VW Shows Off Another BEV Concept
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On today’s show…out in the marketplace the new Toyota Camry is killing the Honda Accord…yet another automaker gets interested in passenger drones…and the Bentley Bentayga plug-in handily beats the toughest emissions standards. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the show for enthusiasts of the automotive industry.
AUDI SHOWS OFF PASSENGER DRONE
Earlier in the week we mentioned that Porsche is interested in developing passenger drones. And now Audi, along with ItalDesign and Airbus, revealed their vision of a passenger drone. Called the Pop.Up Next, it’s an electric, autonomous vehicle that can seat two people. But unlike other VTOL aircraft we’ve seen, this is a modular vehicle. The cabin has been designed to attach to the aircraft or to a car. So once a flight is complete, the cabin can lock into a car chassis to finish the trip on the ground. Daimler and Geely are the two other automakers who have invested in passenger drones, and so the race is on.
CARB SUPPORTS ACHATES ENGINE
The California Air Resources Board is giving a $7 million grant to put an Achates diesel engine in a Class 8 truck with the goal of achieving a 90% reduction in NOx emissions and a 15-20% improvement in fuel efficiency. It will also emit 10% less CO2 than what the federal standard for CO2 emissions will be in 2027.
Speaking of Achates, we’ll have David Johnson, the CEO of the company on Autoline After Hours tomorrow when we go live at 3pm eastern time. He’ll be bringing a Ford F-150 with the engine with him into the studio. And we’ll get to the bottom of a lot of questions, like, when are we going to see a major OEM announce it’s going to make this engine? If you’ve got questions shoot an email to viewermail@autoline.tv Then join Gary Vasilash and me for some of the best insights as to where this industry is headed.
The Accord and Camry are engaged in a battle royale, but so far, the battle is very one sided and we’ll tell you about that right after this.
CAMRY IS KILLING ACCORD
The Honda Accord beat out the Toyota Camry to win the North American Car of the Year Award. But out there in the marketplace car buyers are voting the other way. Over the last three months, sales of the Honda Accord have dropped 22%, while sales of the Toyota Camry are up more than 21%. The inventory numbers really tell the story, too. Toyota dealers only have a 44 days supply of Camrys but Honda dealers have a 105 days supply of Accords. Toyota has been more aggressive with discounting cars and selling them to fleets. But it sure is surprising to see that sales of the all-new, award winning Accord are off so much.
CAMRY VS ACCORD, DEC-FEB | ||
---|---|---|
Honda Accord | 59,545 | -22.5% |
Toyota Camry | 98,834 | +21.6% |
Source: WardsAuto |
VW PREDICTS DIESEL RESURGENCE
One of the weird stories to come out of the Geneva auto show is that Volkswagen is predicting that the diesel engine will make a comeback in Europe. Yes, Volkswagen, the company that almost single handedly killed the diesel market by cheating on emission standards. Well that was then. Now, Matthias Mueller, the CEO of VW, says people will go back to buying diesels because they drive so well and because they emit lower levels of CO2 than gasoline engines. Meanwhile, in the U.S. market, sales of diesel engines continue to climb even though the overall market is slowing down. In fact, just to put it into perspective, Ram sold more diesel pickups last month, over 7,200, than all the electric cars sold put together, about 6,500 of them.
Speaking of CO2 emissions standards, the EU really tightens them up in 2021, but Bentley is way ahead of the game. That’s coming up next.
BENTAYGA PHEV BEATS 2021 CO2 STANDARD
Europe has very stringent CO2 standards for cars. By 2021 they can only emit 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer. But the Bentley Bentayga plug-in hybrid beats that by a mile. Even with a V6 gasoline engine, Its hybrid system only emits 75 grams based on the New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC. That’s the equivalent of 57 miles to the gallon. The Bentayga also comes with its own home charging port, designed by renowned French designer Phillipe Stark. Ooh-la-la, it looks tres chic!
VW SHOWS OFF ANOTHER BEV CONCEPT
Volkswagen keeps expanding its lineup of electric cars under the I.D. brand. The latest is this concept called the I.D. VIZZION. It’s powered by a 111-kWh lithium-ion battery, that’s expected to deliver a range of 413 miles based on the European driving cycle. It features artificial intelligence and Level 5 autonomy that’s controlled by voice or gesture controls. Because of that it doesn’t have a steering wheel or pedals. It’s also equipped with biometrics that are used to open doors and adjust settings for occupants. The company plans to introduce a production version in 2022 but we bet it comes with a steering wheel.
And that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis.