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Runtime: 11:21
0:00 Nio, Microsoft Invest in Nuclear Fusion
1:05 GM May Miss EV Sales Target
2:17 Hyundai-Kia Settle Class-Action Theft Lawsuit
3:15 Pitfalls with Battery Recycling
3:57 VW Wants PHEV For U.S. Market
5:16 Aston Martin to Launch 8 New Models
5:57 Silverado EV Gets 450 Mile Range
6:59 Toyota Tacoma Gets Hybrid
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
NIO, MICROSOFT INVEST IN NUCLEAR FUSION
Is nuclear fusion coming a lot sooner than we thought? Last week Microsoft committed to buying electricity from a US startup called Hel-ion, which is supposed to fire up a nuclear fusion reactor in 2028. And then earlier today, Chinese EV startup Nio announced it’s investing in a fusion company, also called Neo, though it’s spelled with an “e” not an “i.” That company is 50% owned by the provincial government in Anhui province in eastern China. Nio, the car company, and its investment arm, will own 30%. Nuclear fusion could go a long way to slashing carbon emissions. It produces carbon-free electricity with very little radioactivity with a half-life that’s measured in milliseconds. Contrast that to nuclear fission, which is what we use today. The waste from it is radioactive for millions of years.
GM MAY MISS EV SALES TARGET
Last year, General Motors said it secured the raw materials it needs to hit its goal of producing 1 million EVs in North America by 2025. But AutoForecast Solutions says GM is going to fall well short of that goal and will likely produce fewer than 600,000 EVs because it won’t be able to ramp up battery production in time to meet that target. GM is currently producing batteries in Ohio, next year it will open a second plant in Tennessee and in 2025 it will add a third battery plant in Lansing, Michigan. GM says those three facilities will have the capacity to produce 135 GWh, enough to build 1.35 million EVs a year. But AutoForecast says those plants will likely only reach 58-GWh by 2025, which is enough for 550,000 EVs. AutoForecast expects GM to produce 76,000 EVs in North America this year and 328,000 in 2024. Even so, GM says it’s still committed to its original target.
HYUNDAI-KIA SETTLE CLASS-ACTION THEFT LAWSUIT
Hyundai and Kia’s decision to not install engine immobilizers in millions of older models is going to be a costly one. The automakers are settling a consumer class action lawsuit that will cost them $200 million. The money will go towards owners who had their vehicles stolen and reimburse them for insurance increases related to the thefts. The automakers are also facing a lawsuit from insurance companies, who estimate that the thefts could cost them as much as $600 million. The companies were hit with a wave of thefts after videos on social media showed how to easily start cars without a key, since they lack the immobilizer. Nearly nine million older Hyundai and Kia’s do not have the device. The automakers issued a software fix earlier this year but it won’t cover all models. For those it can’t update, they’ll compensate owners who buy an anti-theft device.
PITFALLS WITH BATTERY RECYCLING
Uh-oh. Maybe LFP batteries aren’t such a good idea. Or even cell-to-pack battery packaging. Cell-to-pack makes it a lot harder to recycle batteries, and LFP isn’t nearly as profitable to recycle as batteries with nickel, manganese or cobalt. Those are some of the things we learned on yesterday’s Autoline After Hours with David Klanecky. He’s the CEO of Cirba Solutions, a company that’s already recycling EV batteries profitably. If you want to get up to speed quickly with what’s really going on with battery recycling, I highly recommend that you watch that show. You’ll learn more about battery recycling than most other people know.
VW WANTS PHEV FOR U.S. MARKET
While Volkswagen is committed to converting its lineup to electric vehicles, it’s considering adding a plug-in hybrid in the U.S. to help with the transition. The head of the VW Group in America, Pablo Di Si, told Automotive News that he’s considering bringing at least one PHEV to the American market because the charging network in the U.S. is still lagging. The VW Group already sells one plug-in in the U.S., the Audi Q5 e, which is built in Mexico. Di Si said that he would like to add a similar vehicle to the VW brand’s lineup. The Audi features a 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 17.9-kWh battery, which provides 23 miles of all-electric driving. Di Si did not say what vehicle could get the plug-in but Automotive News speculates that it would likely be the Tiguan or Atlas since crossovers account for 90% of VW’s sales in the U.S.
ASTON MARTIN TO LAUNCH 8 NEW MODELS
Yesterday we reported that Chinese automaker Geely is investing $300 million into Aston Martin. Today, Aston announced it will launch 8 new models over the next two years. That includes replacements for the DB11, Vantage and DBS and the convertible versions of those cars, as well as a new flagship for the brand. All those models will be front engined. But it will also launch a new mid-engine hybrid sports car with Formula One technology. Aston’s first EV will debut in 2025 and it’ll provide more details about it at the end of next month.
SILVERADO EV GETS 450 MILE RANGE
Chevy squeezed more range out of the commercial or Work Truck version of the upcoming all-electric Silverado. Engineers were originally targeting at least 400 miles of range, but it revealed the actual EPA-estimate is now set at 450 miles. Chevy didn’t reveal battery size, but it’s likely the same 200+ kWh pack that’s in the Hummer EV. The Silverado Work Truck will be capable of charging at 350 kW, which also suggests it will have the big battery because the Hummer EV is the only current Ulitum-based EV that has that charging capability. And that’s thanks to its two 400-volt battery packs, which bumps the system to 800 volts and allows for that charging speed. This version of the Silverado EV will launch this spring. Another Work Truck model with 350 miles of range will follow soon after that. But production of the first models for retail customers won’t start until the fall.
TOYOTA TACOMA GETS HYBRID
Speaking of new trucks, Toyota officially revealed the new Tacoma. And it shows the fan forum that was able to sleuth through Toyota’s website earlier this month and possibly get their hands on a picture of a new Tacoma, did get the real-deal. The exact same picture is used in the official press release. Anyway, now let’s get to the good stuff. It’s based on the same platform as the Tundra and Sequoia, which Toyota used as a chance to tie in some family resemblance. The frame is more rigid than the outgoing truck, which will help with off-road ability and allows for a new coil rear suspension setup for some models that helps with ride and handling. But there’s still leaf-springs available as well. The suspension has actually been tuned for each grade of the new Tacoma and buyers can get everything from slightly upgraded TRD-tuned shocks, to Bilsteins, to ARB and all the way up to FOX’s 3-way adjustable system with remote reservoirs. And there’s a sway bar disconnect, too. Now let’s move to the powertrain. Under the hood is a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. In non-hybrid form, the standard output is 228 horsepower, but there’s also a version that makes 278 horsepower. These can be paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the higher output version also has a 6-speed manual option that makes 9 less horsepower. The hybrid integrates an electric motor into the 8-speed auto that boosts output to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Power can be sent to the rear wheels or all four. Rear drive models feature a limited-slip diff and 4-wheel drive tacks on a two-speed transfer case. There’s also a full-time 4WD system with a center locking diff available as well. And more off-road focused models switch out the auto locking diff for an electronic one. The Tacoma is capable of towing up to 6,500 pounds and max payload now comes in at 1,709 pounds. The interior looks pretty rugged with blocky elements that stack on top of each other to form a layered look. An 8-inch screen comes standard but most of the pictures show the new, larger 14-inch display. A couple other highlights that were kind of hard to work into the rest of the story include optional power outlets in the bed and upgraded 4-wheel disc brakes, which can also be upgraded themselves both front and rear. Non-hybrid versions of the new Tacoma go on sale in the U.S. later this year, while the hybrid arrives early next year.
But that brings us to the end of this show and the end of this week. Thanks for joining us and I hope you have a great weekend.
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Seamus and Sean McElroy cover the latest news in the automotive industry for Autoline Daily.