Listen to “AD #3007 – Future EV Production Details; Ford and Google Form Partnership; Cadillac Reveals Blackwing Sedans” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 10:51
0:07 Future EV Production Details
0:59 Auto Supplier Stock Performs Well
1:31 Ford & Google Form Partnership
2:14 Toyota Launches Online Buying
4:22 GM Names New Head of Labor Relations
4:36 Cadillac Reveals Blackwing Sedans
7:48 Lynk & Co Shows Off Zero EV Interior
8:42 Porsche Issues Stop-Sale on Used Vehicles
9:32 CSP Improves Battery Pack Clamping
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
NEW EVs GOING INTO PRODUCTION SOON
We start out today with a ton of future EV product news. Autoforecast Solutions says Bollinger will start making its B1 in October, followed by the B2 in November in Oak Park, Michigan. And it’s Deliver-E starts going down the line in March of next year. Now, over to General Motors, which will start making the Bolt EUV this March and the BrightDrop EV600 this September. The Cadillac Celestiq, the handbuilt electric luxury sedan goes into production in August of 2023. Interestingly, the EV600 and Celestiq, will be built at GM’s Warren Tech Center just outside Detroit. And then in March of 2024 GM will start assembling a full size electric SUV for Acura in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
AUTO SUPPLIER STOCK PERFORMS WELL
It was a good day on Wall Street for traditional auto suppliers yesterday. Cooper Standard, which makes things like brake lines and fuel lines, was up nearly 10%. Tenneco, which owns brands such as Monroe shocks, was up over 5%. Visteon, which makes cockpit electronics, was up by about the same amount. Adient, which makes car seats, was up over 4%. And Gentherm, which makes heaters and coolers for seats, was also up 4%.
| Company | Current Price | $ Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Standard | $33.47 | +$2.96 | +9.7% |
| Tenneco | $10.65 | +$0.55 | +5.4% |
| Visteon | $134.14 | +$6.66 | +5.2% |
| Adient | $33.79 | +$1.50 | +4.6% |
| Gentherm | $63.89 | +$2.63 | +4.3% |
FORD & GOOGLE SIGN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
Ford signed a six-year partnership with Google. Later this year, Ford will begin using Google Cloud to leverage its artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics. This will accelerate Ford’s digital transformation, modernize operations and power its connected vehicle technologies. In 2023, all Ford and Lincoln vehicles will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in. The two companies are also forming a new collaborative group called Team Upshift which will work on projects ranging from developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle, to creating new ownership offers based on data.
TOYOTA LAUNCHES ONLINE CAR BUYING
Due in part to COVID, more automakers are allowing customers to purchase vehicles online and now Toyota is the latest. Its SmartPath retail experience allows car buyers to lease, finance or purchase a new vehicle online without having to step into a dealership. Customers can also start the buying process online, save their progress and pick up where they left off at the dealer. SmartPath is currently available in a limited number of markets through 50 dealerships, with 50 more being added this spring and more will be added throughout 2021. This service is also available to Lexus customers but it’s called Monogram instead of SmartPath.
GM NAMES NEW HEAD OF LABOR RELATIONS
GM named a new head of labor relations for North America yesterday. Doneen McDowell, who’s been with the company since 1997, is replacing Scott Sandefurm who is retiring from the company later this year.
CADILLAC REVEALS BLACKWING SEDANS
And in other GM news, Cadillac’s Blackwing V models finally made their debut yesterday. Some of the unique styling bits include a front underwing, rocker extensions and rear diffuser, which can all be had in carbon fiber, as well as wider fenders with air outlets on the back side to let out heat. Every grille element on the front fascia is open to not only feed the additional radiators and coolers that are needed but also the powerful engines lurking underneath the hood of the CT4- and CT5-V Blackwing. The 4 comes with a twin-turbo 3.6L V6 that makes 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque that will move the car from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds with the optional 10-speed automatic transmission. A TREMEC 6-speed manual comes standard in both models, which also features pedals that are optimised for heel and toe shifting. The CT5-V Blackwing features a 668 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 that makes 659 lb-ft of torque and moves the sedan from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds with the automatic. Those hulking engines aren’t the only thing that need a lot of fresh air, so do the brakes. Both models get Brembo 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers, while the CT5-V Blackwing will also have a carbon ceramic brake option. Cadillac is equipping the cars with its 4th generation Magnetic Ride Control suspensions system featuring new accelerometers and inertial sensors that allow it to react 4 times faster than the previous system. The interior will come in base, mid- and high-level choices but all feature seats with enough bolstering to keep your butt firmly planted as well as a sporty steering wheel and 12-inch customizable instrument cluster. Now let’s talk price. The CT4-V Blackwing starts just under $60,000 while the CT5-V Blackwing is about $85,000. Both include destination charges and look for examples to start hitting dealerships this summer.
There’s a lot more to these cars than we can cover here. So we invite you to join us for Autoline After Hours when our special guest will be Tony Roma, Cadillac’s chief engineer for the V-Series Blackwing. Could this be the last high performance piston engine car GM ever develops? Let’s find out this Thursday when we go live at 3 pm eastern time.
LYNK & CO REVEALS ZERO EV INTERIOR
We’ve been following the story of Lynk & Co.’s first EV, the Zero since it was unveiled in September of last year. The brand is owned by Geely and the Zero rides on Geely’s new Sustainable Experience Architecture. One of the things that has always stood out to us is the styling, which is like a mix between the Jaguar I-PACE and Lucid Air. Now, we’re getting our first look at the interior. A large 15.4-inch center display screen dominates the space, followed by a long, thin horizontal digital instrument cluster. Add in a sporty steering wheel and it’s look is not that far off from Lynk & Co.’s other vehicles. The biggest departure is a wild ambient lighting system that shows through decorative patterns on the dash and front doors. The Zero is planned to hit the Chinese market in the fourth quarter of this year.
PORSCHE ISSUES STOP-SALE ON USED VEHICLES
Automakers sometimes have to issue stop-sales on vehicles. That means there’s something wrong with them and they can’t be sold. It usually happens with a new car that doesn’t have the bugs worked out. But Porsche is going back in time with a stop-sale involving models built between 2012 and 2016 with the Sport Chrono Package. You hear right, these are used cars that can’t be sold because in the Sport driving mode they emit more nitrogen oxide than they’re allowed to. And this is not just one model. The 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne and Panamera are all affected. What’s more, these cars will all need software updates, but Porsche still doesn’t have a fix, even though the stop-sale was issued in November of last year.
CSP IMPROVES BATTERY PACK CLAMPING
The race is on to cut the cost of making batteries for electric cars. And while all the focus seems to be on coming up with new chemistries, or taking cobalt out of the cathodes, there are other simpler improvements that can also play a role. Continental Structural Plastics came up with a patented clip for battery packs that replaces bolts. CSP, as it’s usually called, has nothing to do with the German supplier company Continental. It’s owned by the Japanese company Teijin, which specializes in high performance materials like carbon fiber. The clips offer several advantages. You don’t need to drill holes for bolts. They spread out the clamping load over the flange more evenly. And they just snap into place. So they reduce assembly time, cost and complexity. And we’re probably going to see a lot of little improvements like this as the auto industry gets better and better at making electric cars.
But that’s a wrap for this show. Thank you for watching.
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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.
