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Runtime: 9:37
0:00 Tesla Launches New Model 3 In U.S.
0:56 VW & Toyota Lose Market Share in China
2:02 1st Driverless Semi-Truck for Scaled Deployment Debuts
2:47 Mercedes Intros New AI-Powered Virtual Assistant
4:11 Honda Unveils New EV Lineup
6:12 Xpeng To Start Producing eVTOLs Next Year
6:53 Hyundai Reveals New eVTOL
7:28 Kia Debuts New Modular Vehicle Lineup
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
TESLA LAUNCHES NEW MODEL 3 IN U.S.
The refreshed version of the Model 3, codenamed Highland, is now available in North America. Tesla is taking orders on its website and will begin deliveries this month or in February. The model features an updated design, a new backseat screen, ambient lighting and more. Like in Europe, the new Model 3 is only available in rear-wheel drive and dual motor versions. The rear-drive model starts just under $39,000 and has 272 miles of range, the same as before. While the dual motor starts just under $46,000 and has a range of 341 miles, 8 more than before. There’s no word yet if the new version qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
VW & TOYOTA LOSE MARKET SHARE IN CHINA
Volkswagen and Toyota are the two largest automakers in the world but they’re both losing ground in China. According to the China Passenger Car Association, the VW Group along with its joint venture partners, FAW and SAIC, had a combined 14.2% share of the market last year, that’s down from 14.8% in 2022. Meanwhile, Toyota and its joint venture partners, GAC and FAW, had a combined 7.9% share in 2023 down from 8.6% the year before. The automakers are losing market share to local Chinese automakers, mostly because they’re not as competitive in the EV segment. BYD for example saw its share surge from 8.8% in 2022 to 12.5% last year. And while VW and Toyota are still in the top ten when it comes to overall sales, neither of them are in the top ten in EV sales.
1ST DRIVERLESS SEMI-TRUCK FOR SCALED DEPLOYMENT DEBUTS
Autonomous trucking company Kodiak Robotics, which is based in the U.S., introduced what it claims is the world’s first driverless semi-truck that’s designed for scaled deployment. The truck features redundant safety hardware, including braking, steering and sensors, as well as the software needed for driving autonomously at scale. This is the sixth-gen version of the truck and Kodiak has been conducting real-world tests for the past five years, which includes 5,000 loads carried more than 2.5 million miles. The new truck will be used for Kodiak’s driverless operations that start sometime this year and will see it traveling between Dallas and Houston, Texas.
MERCEDES INTROS NEW AI-POWERED VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Mercedes introduced a new AI-powered virtual assistant for its vehicles, which it claims provides a more human-like interaction with the car. Called the MBUX Virtual Assistant, it runs on the automaker’s MB.OS and has four different “personality traits” which the driver can tailor themselves. The assistant can even offer suggestions ahead of time based on the situation, learned behavior of the user and generative AI. The system also features 3D graphics to visually communicate with the driver for navigation and route guidance. The new virtual assistant will first be available on vehicles based on its MMA platform, which includes the Concept CLA Class that was revealed last year and is making its North American premiere at CES.
HONDA UNVEILS NEW EV LINEUP
I think we know why Honda is considering investing up to $14 billion to build a second EV hub in North America. It announced that it will come out with an all-new EV lineup under the Honda 0 Series and revealed two new concepts, one of which will get a production version in 2026. That model will be based on the Saloon concept, which will first launch in North America, followed by Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Honda says the styling will remain close to the concept and, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a bit of an 80’s vibe from the design, which is topped off with gull-wing doors. I even think the front end looks a little bit like Kitt from Knight Rider. The other concept it showed off is called the Space-Hub. It’s a people mover that has more of a van shape and features a reconfigurable interior. We don’t know for sure yet if these models are based on a Honda-developed platform or where they will be built, but we do have some important details. The platform is a dedicated EV architecture that’s both software-defined and connected. Honda says it wants a lightweight, high-density battery that doesn’t have a huge capacity but still provides a sufficient range, which will allow it to have a lower floor that helps improve aerodynamics and gets the driver into a sportier seating position. The Honda 0 Series will also feature e-Axles as well as steer-by-wire, Level 2 and higher autonomous driving capability and a Honda-developed operating system that relies on AI and driver data. And lastly, Honda’s next-generation of EVs will feature a new Honda logo. The “H” is a little wider and fatter than the current logo and it’s actually closer to its first logo that it used from 1961 until 1969.
XPENG TO START PRODUCING EVTOLs NEXT YEAR
Chinese automaker XPeng revealed that this giant, 6-wheeled eVTOL carrier and the aircraft itself will be going into production next year. Called the Land Aircraft Carrier, each set of wheels is attached to its own e-Axle. It also has room for 4-5 people and can recharge the eVTOL. The aircraft is fully electric and meant to be flown at low altitudes, either manually or autonomously. XPeng will start taking pre-orders for the combo starting in the fourth quarter of this year and could have a starting price around $140,000.
HYUNDAI REVEALS NEW EVTOL
Hyundai’s air mobility division Supernal also debuted a new eVTOL, called the S-A2 that should be pretty close to the aircraft it plans to launch in 2028. It has seating for 4 passengers, plus a pilot and features an all-electric powertrain that drives 8 tilting rotors. The craft is capable of cruising speeds of 120 MPH at about 1,500 feet and is meant to take 25- to 40-mile trips. Supernal says the next stage is to optimize the S-A2 for certification.
HYUNDAI DEBUTS NEW MODULAR VEHICLE LINEUP
Speaking of the Hyundai Group, Kia pulled the wraps off its PBV lineup, which stands for Platform Beyond Vehicle. These are vehicles that are designed specifically for commercial and fleet needs. They will feature interchangeable bodies, so you could go from a cargo van, to a truck, to a people mover and it wants you to be able to do this fast. With its Easy Swap technology, Kia says you should be able to turn the PBV into a taxi by day, to a delivery van at night, and a personal recreational vehicle on weekends. To enhance the ownership experience, it will offer a suite of fleet management tools that will improve over time and eventually take advantage of artificial intelligence. While Kia showed off a number of models, including the PV1, PV5 and 7, the PV5 will be the first to go into mass production sometime next year. I also saw no mention that these PBVs would be exclusively electric, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see ICE versions as well.
While that brings us to the end of this show. We’ll have more videos from CES posting throughout the day, so don’t miss that.
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New Tesla 3 does not carry a higher base price, but I have read that it is not eligible for any tax credit.
Mercedes-Benz: their latest models seem to be following the 80’s Japanese model of weird styling with lots of high-tech features of questionable usefulness.
Honda concepts: Interesting styling on the first one. I expect the production version will have more than just a few changes. The second one looks like the van version of the Cyber Truck. Not sure how many moms will line up to buy one.
The Xpeng Vtol: So, when you bury your 6-wheel drive expedition vehicle in the mud, you can simply fly home? Or, at least two of you can. This combo looks like it will carry a very high price tag and seems to be an answer to a question no one is asking.
The Kia modular vehicle: An interesting concept. If you went all in and bought all three bodies, it seems like the platform will wear out faster than the bodies. Based on the video of the 4-wheel maneuvers, I can’t see this being ICE-powered. An ICE on-board recharger could be a good option to offer for this EV.
Oh yeah. And Afeela: (yawn). Sony seems very half-hearted about getting into the car business. Updates to the first model and new infotainment features were the last item on the agenda at their CES press conference. This does not bode well. I predict Sony will not be in the car business very long. Honda doesn’t need the work and seems to only be an assembly partner. If you have money to burn and don’t care about servicing support after the sale, go buy a Faraday Future.
That Kia modular vehicle sounds like a recipe for a lot of added weight, a lot of rattles, and short lifetime, with all of the banging things together that shouldn’t bang together when changing bodies. Time will tell if it actually comes to pass.
GM Veteran,
I too question the Honda Minivan. With VW releasing the ID Buzz this year starting at $40K and it heavily relying on nostalgia of the past, I am not sure anyone would be interested in an odd looking van from Honda. The minivan market is kind of small, the BEV market of a minivan is smaller yet. I suspect that market will be dominated by the VW. I guess we will all find out.
Guess I need a before and after shot of the model 3 to see the refresh. Looked like the same car to me.
Hope Kodiak has all their ducks in a row, releasing AV before its truly ready has the ability to set the technology back by years. All it takes is one major crash and autonomous semi’s will be back to the drawing board and lose any credibility of public perception. GM has found out with Cruise. To think they have prepared for every possible scenario is a bit optimistic. Especially with something that large and heavy I wish them luck.
Still not sure how large the VTOL market will be. I have to wonder if while in AV mode if the sensors and cameras are capable of picking up something as thin as a power line or guide wire. I do like the concept of one folding up in the rear compartment area of the vehicle rather than trying to make a flying car. Make two things that do what they are supposed to do very well. Rather than one thing to do two things half ass.
@Autoline TV Team and other experts: two questions on “the new Model 3 is only available in rear-wheel drive and dual motor versions. The rear-drive model starts just under $39,000 and has 272 miles of range, the same as before. While the dual motor starts just under $46,000 and has a range of 341 miles, 8 more than before.”
1 are the dual motor versions also rear wheel drive or AWD?
2 why does the dual motor version have a much longer range? I would expect that more power consumption would result in a shorter range.
I keep wondering why crossovers haven’t caught the “soccer mom” stigma that hurts minivans so much. After all, CUVs are, by far, the vehicles of choice for soccer moms.
Supposedly the new Model 3 has better refinement than the old one, with better ride and less road noise. The operator interface is even worse, though, with the deletion of the turn signal stalk.
Maybe the Honda van is going after nostalgia for the GM “dust buster” vans of the ’90s. There is some similarity there.
Between the price, noise, and backlash the first time one crashes in a dense city killing people on the ground, I doubt if the human carrying electric multirotors will ever be much of a thing.
Wim, the dual motor 3 is AWD. The reason for the longer range is a bigger battery, ~84 vs ~61 kWh.
@Kit: thank you very much!
YW. No guarantees on the battery capacities shown; I found them in only one source, but the dual motor definitely has a bigger battery.
The autonomous semi??? I just didn’t know? Like Lambo said, a miss step can set the initiative back several years, if not back to the drawing board! While I understand that motivation for autonomous semis focus on the driver, with the intention of eliminating issues of operator error, as well as driver fatigue, but a number of the causes of collisions with semis are the result of actions of the drivers and pedestrians around the semi. I take it that the reasoning may be that the autonomous semi, and the human driver can only control the vehicle that they in control of. Yet, until all vehicles on the road are autonomous, you will never end the possibility/oopportunity for semi‘s to be involved in collisions with other, less experienced drivers of motor vehicles!
The Honda minivan EV concept is not moving the needle, for me at least. I find it hard to believe that many individuals will be in a hurry to be the first to own a lunar moon vehicle in their neighborhood! The ‘dust buster’ version, to me, looks like the boxy one, just with vacuum attachments on the front and rear! Well, I know most hate Ford’s decision of naming the Mach-E after the of the Mustang, but giving it a lot of the previous Mustang’s style has certainly made it more appealing.
I really don’t see much personal use for VTOLs by the average consumer. I mean, if we’re talking about a lack of charging infrastructure for EVs, where are you going to charge a VTOL?! Can you imagine trying to park/land one of those things at the local mall or shopping center?! Your trying to land, while someone else is trying to take off? Or someone going for the same spot close to the door as you? ‘I say that spot first fifty yards out!’ ‘But I got to the spot first!’ Or a bunch of VTOLs hovering around, look down at the ground for a spot, but not looking or noticing how close they are to other VTOLs and ‘wam’! What type of insurance will you need for a VTOL? I can see them for businesses, where they can either whisk leaders of industry to and from the airport or important events and get them in and out quickly, without all the fuse of a bigger helicopter! Or a news crew using it to get back-and-forth to breaking news quickly.
The Kia interchangeable delivery van/trunk concept seems like it may work, say, two separate businesses were looking to share the cost for one vehicle. For example, in a major metropolitan downtown city, where space is limited and parking is at a premium, two or three businesses may want to pool together for a vehicle they both, or all could use. Depending on what each business is, the fact that the vehicles platform was interchangeable, each business could had it changed to better fit their needs temporarily. They only problem would be if one business used it more then the others, for this shared vehicle.
Don’t you need space to store the spare bodies, and space to swap them out? OK, I’m a skeptic of body swapping, even if you don’t care how horribly rattly and wind noisy they are.
I mentioned this many years ago on ALD, I had the same idea for body swapping electric platforms like Kia. I was inspired by a childhood toy I had. The 1977 Tomy big loader construction set. So actually an old concept. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59df4aXb-o
That’s a cool toy. I never saw anything like that. I guess it’s way too recent for me, being 1994.
The body swap idea is definitely old. It takes the Nissan Pulsar NX rear hatch swap concept and amps it up. The swapable hatch concept didn’t really pan out for Nissan, but maybe it will pan out here as you are swapping a bit more of the body. Of course the Nissan was a rattle nightmare as this is likely to be also. For what it is worth, an old Pulsar NX with the station wagon shaped hatch is starting to be desirable on the market. All were sold with the sport back hatch and few opted for the wagon back to swap on. Mainly because where do you store either when not in use?