AD #2589 – Enterprise Tests Subscription Service, Ferrari Posts Strong Earnings, CR Rates Infotainment Systems

This is Autoline Daily reporting on the global automotive industry.

Before we get started with today’s show, what’s in a name?! Autoline host John McElroy has been receiving quite a few comments on how he pronounces Tesla. To see what John’s college linguistics class taught him, click the link in the description below.

ENTERPRISE TESTS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
You know… we’ve seen a number of automakers, mostly luxury brands, launch subscription services and now Enterprise, the rental company, is going to experiment with it. Called Subscribe by Enterprise, it costs $1,500 a month plus a $250 enrollment fee, which allows users to swap vehicle four times a month from a fleet of 20 vehicles. It includes damage and liability insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. It’s currently only available in Minnesota, Missouri and Nevada. Automakers have had mixed results with subscription services, so it will be interesting to see if Enterprise will have any better luck.

FERRARI POSTS STRONG EARNINGS
Ferrari isn’t doing so hot in Formula One so far this year. But it’s a runaway winner from a financial standpoint. It sold 2,600 cars in the first quarter, up an impressive 23%. Though sales increased all over the world, they were up nearly 80% in China, partly because Ferrari hustled to deliver as many cars as it could before China ratchets up its emission standards this year. The company generated 940 million euros in revenue up 13%, and posted a net profit of 180 million euro, up 22%. The rest of the year could be very strong. Ferrari just introduced the F8 Tributo and will unveil four more models before the year is over.

CR RATES INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS
Who has the best infotainment systems in cars? Consumer Reports just rated them, and it says Tesla tops them all, followed by BMW’s iDrive, Genesis and its Genesis Display, Ford and Lincoln’s Sync 3, and FCA’s U-Connect. At the bottom of the list are Alfa Romeo, Mazda, Acura, Honda and Lexus. That touchpad in every Lexus was rated absolutely the worst. CR says that infotainment systems with buttons and knobs for frequently used operations like volume and tuning score far better than system with touch controls.

FORD HELPS IMPROVE NEW DESIGN PROCESS
You may remember a story from earlier this year about Ford using a new VR, 3D design tool, called Gravity Sketch. After several months of testing out the technology, the automaker is helping to improve the process. The new Co-Creation feature allows a designer to transfer to another designer’s point of view within the virtual reality space to see from his or her perspective. And it’s a great way to train other designers in Gravity Sketch. As of now the Gravity Sketch technology is being used in five global design studios for both interior and exterior.

PORSCHE PUTS 911 SPEEDSTER INTO PRODUCTION
After being presented as a concept model, Porsche announced it will put the 911 Speedster into production. Only 1,948 will be made. One of its distinguishing features is a double-bubble cover for the convertible top, which is made from a single piece of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. Other unique design elements include shortened window frames with lowered cowl top panels, smaller side windows and a new front spoiler lip. It borrows the carbon fiber hood and wings from the 911 R, front apron from the GT3 and the rear spoiler and apron from the GT3 Touring. Under the hood is a 4.0L naturally aspirated 6-cylinder boxer engine with just over 500-horsepower. Mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, the 911 Speedster can do 0 to 100 km/h in 4-seconds. Orders are open now and price starts at a little over $300,000 in Germany.

DAIMLER APPLIES 3D PRINTING TO MANUFACTURING LINE
More and more automakers are experimenting with 3D printing in the manufacturing process. Not only can parts be made lighter, it also has the potential to reduce cost. That’s why Daimler has teamed up with Premium AEROTEC, a company that makes 3D printed parts for Airbus planes, and EOS, a company that makes 3D printers. They’ve launched a pilot project called NextGenAM, to create a next-gen digitalized manufacturing line that’s able to 3D print aluminum components for automotive and aerospace applications. It’s already capable of making parts to series-production quality standards and Daimler is producing replacement brackets for diesel engine trucks. The companies say that manufacturing costs can be reduced by 50% compared with existing 3D printing systems. The next step for Daimler is to see if the process is able to meet requirements for the stringent industry standard VDA 6.3.

We’ve got a great Autoline After Hours coming up later this week. Joining John and Gary is Ryan Eustice, who’s the senior VP of automated driving at the Toyota Research Institute. He’ll be bringing its TRI-P4 prototype to the studio, which is a modified Lexus LS equipped with self-driving technology. So to get the inside scoop on Toyota’s autonomous efforts, make sure you mark your calendars for 3PM eastern time this Thursday.

But that wraps up today’s report, thanks for watching and we’ll see you again tomorrow.