AD #2553 – Tesla Introduces the Model Y, RNG Could Save The Piston Engine, New Lime Green Ford Mustang

This is Autoline Daily reporting on the global automotive industry.

TESLA’S LINEUP IS S3XY
And the big news of the day is, of course, Tesla’s introduction of the Model Y, a crossover derived from the Model 3. It looks a lot like the 3, but the styling seems to fit the proportions of this vehicle better and I think it’s the best-looking Tesla yet. The Y is powered by either one or two electric motors and performance and range vary by trim level. The Standard Range version can drive an EPA-estimated 230 miles on a single charge and can do 0-60 MPH in 5.9 seconds. Move up to the Long Range rear-wheel drive version and it has an estimated 300 miles of range and hit 60 in 5.5 seconds. Put all-wheel drive on it and performance comes down to 4.8 seconds for 0 to 60 and range dips to 280 miles. And lastly the Performance version has the same 280 miles of range, but can do 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. Other highlights include a 15-inch display screen and seating for up to 7 people. Tesla says the three higher-end version will be available in the fall of next year, while the Standard model, which starts at $39,000 will go on sale in the spring of 2021.

TOYOTA INVESTS MORE IN THE U.S.
Toyota is going to invest nearly $750 million at five of its plants in the U.S. to build more engines and electrified vehicles. Hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Lexus ES will be built at its Kentucky plant for the first time. By 2021, Toyota will invest nearly $13 billion in the U.S., which is up from $10 billion the company initially pledged in 2017.

BMW & DAIMLER COULD PARTNER ON EVs TOO
Over the past year, Daimler and BMW have partnered up on a number of projects. Recently, they signed a deal to develop autonomous technology together and they’re also combining their mobility services into one company. And now reports out of Germany say that Daimler and BMW are in talks to jointly develop platforms for electric vehicles, a move that could save nearly $8 billion for each automaker.

VW FACES MORE DIESEL PUNISHMENT
Volkswagen is facing more punishment over its diesel emission cheating scandal. The automaker and its former CEO, Martin Winterkorn, are being sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for “massive fraud” against its investors. Regulators say the company should have notified them sooner about the scandal. They also claim VW issued more than $13 billion in bonds and securities in the U.S. from April 2014 to May 2015, at a time when its management knew about the illegal software in its diesel engines. Volkswagen says the lawsuit is “legally and factually flawed” and will fight it vigorously.

RNG COULD SAVE THE PISTON ENGINE
They call it RNG or renewable natural gas, and it could potentially be the fuel that saves the piston engine. Renewable natural gas is made from garbage. It uses methane gas from landfills, and purifies that into natural gas that can be used to heat homes or power cars and trucks. It can be used in existing gas pipelines all across the country and it costs the same as regular natural gas. Since methane is a greenhouse gas that’s 25 times more harmful than CO2, RNG could be the cleanest fuel available. In fact, it’s not just carbon neutral, it’s not zero emissions, it actually has a negative CO2 rating. Vehicles that run on RNG are actually more helpful than electric cars in fighting global warming, even electrics powered by solar or wind electricity.

MAHINDRA WANTS TO SELL PASS. VAN IN U.S.
Indian automaker Mahindra is once again talking about selling passenger vehicles in the U.S. Over a decade ago, the company said it would introduce a pickup and SUV, but it eventually scrapped those plans. It does sell tractors in the U.S. and last year it opened a factory in the Detroit area to build its Roxor off-roader, but that vehicle isn’t street legal. The Detroit News reports that Mahindra is eyeing the American market and is considering introducing a small minivan one day. The company acknowledges it isn’t ready to bring a vehicle to the U.S. at the moment but it hopes the Roxor can be the vehicle that changes the perception of the brand.

FORD VANS GET MORE SPORTY
Ford has had success with offering sporty versions of many of its vehicles, some you might not expect, and now it’s taking that performance inspiration to its European vans. It’s mostly just a cosmetic upgrade with twin stripes down the front and rear, body-color bumpers and larger wheels and tires. But the Transit Custom Sport also features a new 2.0L diesel engine with 9% more power and full body kit. It goes on sale in the middle of the year, but the other two are on sale now.

LIME GREEN ON STEROIDS
And speaking of Ford, it’s coming out with a new paint color for the 2020 Mustang, called Grabber Lime that was inspired by a vintage Mustang color from the 1970’s. The amount of variation in brightness of this color, depending on the angle, is quite amazing. Ford calls it Lime Green on steroids. The 2020 Mustang goes on sale this fall.

But that’s it for today. Have a safe and happy St. Patty’s Day and we’ll be back here again on Monday.