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Runtime: 9:49
0:00 Tesla to Build New Mass Market EV in 2025
1:18 China Blasts EU EV Probe
2:04 Apple’s EV Program Hanging on By a Thread
2:39 President Biden To Speak at UAW Conference Today
3:54 Cadillac Reveals New CT5-V & CT5-V Blackwing
5:26 Chevy Introduces Refreshed Equinox
6:18 VW Celebrates Golf’s 50th B-Day with New Model
7:30 Porsche Teases All-New Macan
7:51 Opel To Revive Frontera Name
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
TESLA TO BUILD NEW MASS MARKET EV IN 2025
Tesla has set a massive goal of selling 20 million vehicles a year by 2030 and the only way it’s going to get there is with more models and plants to build them. And a new model looks like it’s on track to launch next year. Reuters reports several suppliers were told by Tesla that it wants to start production of a new mass market car, likely a compact crossover, in 2025. Codenamed “Redwood” production is scheduled to start in June of next year, probably at its plant in Austin, Texas. Volume is forecast around 10,000 units a week, but initial production is expected to be slow before ramping up output in 2026. Many think the model could be Tesla’s $25,000 EV that takes advantage of its unboxed manufacturing process, which is where several sub-assemblies are pieced together to make the whole vehicle. The benefits include less humans required to put a car together, more efficient assembly, like being able to paint all the body panels separately, and the process doesn’t need as much floor space as conventional assembly.
CHINA BLASTS EU EV PROBE
China is laying the groundwork to retaliate against the EU’s probe into imported Chinese EVs. The EU launched the probe because it’s worried that cheaper Chinese EVs are benefiting too much from electric vehicle subsidies and making European brands less competitive. China’s ambassador to the EU said that currently, brands like BYD, Geely and SAIC are cooperating with the investigation, but still called the probe unfair. And said if China took the same approach as the EU that several European products would be subject to investigation. So, don’t be surprised to see China retaliate if the EU goes through with some sort of tariff on Chinese EVs.
APPLE’S EV PROGRAM HANGING ON BY A THREAD
It sounds like the fate of Apple’s long talked about car project is hanging on by a thread. The tech company has reportedly pumped an estimated $1 billion a year into the project, which originally started out as a fully autonomous vehicle that would come out in 2026. Now Bloomberg reports it’s pivoting to a vehicle that will still require the driver to pay attention and has a target launch in 2028. However, if this new direction doesn’t show any promise, leadership could decide to axe the program altogether.
PRESIDENT BIDEN TO SPEAK AT UAW CONFERENCE TODAY
President Biden is still trying to win over the UAW and earn an endorsement from the union for the 2024 election. The President will speak at the UAW’s annual conference in Washington DC today and reports speculate he could receive their endorsement. So far, the union, which traditionally supports Democrats, has withheld its endorsement of the President. UAW President Shawn Fain says he would like to see more support from the White House. But he’s also criticized former President Donald Trump and it would be pretty shocking for the UAW to endorse a Republican. Last year, Biden joined the picket lines in Michigan during the UAW strikes against the Detroit Three and he’s also backed the UAW’s efforts to organize non-union automakers. But the union would like to see the Administration do more to protect workers in the transition to electric vehicles.
In the second half of the show we have several new vehicles to look at and let’s start with two from General Motors.
CADILLAC REVEALS NEW CT5-V & CT5-V BLACKWING
Cadillac unveiled the new CT5-V and more powerful CT5-V Blackwing. Both feature updated exterior styling, including a redesigned front grille, fascia and lighting. New features include a 33-inch diagonal touchscreen, SuperCruise with driver attention assistant and Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Maps and Play. A Performance Data Recorder is also now available which features a lap analyzer tool, speed tips, and a live data screen that displays details of your lap time. And a new Performance in-vehicle app is offered which displays power, torque and boost in real-time. Engine options are a carryover from the previous models. The CT5-V is powered by a 3.0L twin turbo V6 engine, which produces 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the Blackwing is powered by a 6.2L supercharged V8 that cranks out 668 horses and 659 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a six-speed manual or the 10-speed auto and Cadillac says half of Blackwing buyers go for the manual. The CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing go into production this summer and pricing will be announced later.
CHEVY INTRODUCES REFRESHED EQUINOX
Chevy also revealed the updated Equinox. It’s 2.3-inches wider than the outgoing model and each trim gets its own distinct fascia. A new ACTIV trim is also available for the first time that features more of an off-road look. The interior features an 11-inch driver display and a new 11.3-inch infotainment screen is offered as well, which is 30% larger than the display in the current model. It’s powered by a 1.5L turbo engine that produces 175 horsepower. Front-wheel drive models are paired with a CVT, while all-wheel drive versions are equipped with an 8-speed automatic. New active safety technology is also standard now. The new Equinox goes on sale sometime this year and pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.
VW CELEBRATES GOLF’S 50TH B-DAY WITH NEW MODEL
The Volkswagen Golf turns 50 years old this year and to celebrate, VW is introducing an updated version. The exterior styling has been refreshed with new LED lighting designs for both the front and rear. And for the first time, the VW logo in the front is illuminated. Inside, the Golf is equipped with a next-gen infotainment system which features a new voice assistant that’s integrated with ChatGPT. Other new technology includes a function that allows the vehicle to park itself while the driver sits in the car or, for the first time, owners can maneuver the Golf in and out of parking spaces with a smartphone, while they’re standing outside the vehicle. The new Golf will be offered with a wide range of powertrain options, including a 48-V mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines. VW didn’t reveal many details about the engines but it did say the PHEV will have an all-electric range of 100 kilometers or 62 miles and a total range of 1,000 kilometers or 620 miles. The new Golf will be available to order in just a few weeks.
PORSCHE TEASES ALL-NEW MACAN
I also wanted to give a quick reminder that the new Porsche Macan debuts tomorrow. It’s showing off a couple of design sketches ahead of the reveal and the lighting signatures look to have some inspiration from the Taycan, since the new Macan will also be offered as an all-electric model. No doubt we’ll have even more to talk about tomorrow or Friday.
OPEL TO REVIVE FRONTERA NAME
As for the last of the new models, Opel revealed that it’s reviving the Frontera name. It first used the name on an SUV that came out in 1991, but it ended production around 2004. However, it’s coming back for an all-new SUV that will be shown later this year. It will be the first model to wear Opel’s new logo and will have an all-electric version from the start. But we still have a few big questions, like will it use one of Stellantis’ new architectures and/or will it offer any ICE powertrains? We suspect it will have ICEs but we should find out more soon.
And be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow for a deep dive into fuel cells. We’ve got Charlie Freese, the executive director of global fuel cells at General Motors coming on the show. And if you’ve got fuel cell questions, leave them in the comments section, or send an email to viewermail@ autoline.tv
But that’s all for today’s show. Thanks for making Autoline a part of your day.
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Is there any chance that the regular Golf will return to the US market? Currently, the GTI and Golf R are the only ones sold in the US.
Apple realizing that the demand for EV and AV might not justify the enormous investment to get it launched.
Getting the UAW’s endorsement doesn’t mean the members will vote that way. Good luck Joe!
Equinox looks a lot more like the Blazer now. Not sure of the size difference but I still haven’t decided if having 4-5 vehicles that look almost identical but in XSM, S, M, L, XL is a good idea or not. I suppose if the design is really attractive maybe it makes sense and keep brand recognition in place. I never like it when Ford had the Escort, Tempo and Taurus look alike. But I never liked that design.
Nissan Frontier vs Opel Frontera mmm let me think?
The Equinox is getting 2.3 inches wider for a more “macho” look, probably without getting any wider inside, so it will have more drag and be a little less efficient. I guess that’s what the US market wants. Maybe replacing the 6-speed gearbox of the outgoing one with the CVT and 8-speed will make up for the extra drag. The 1.5t/CVT in the Malibu trails the mpg of the base 4 cylinder Accord, Camry, and Sonata, though, so must not be too great.
Dave, are you saying Nissan shouldn’t use a name so similar to one Opel used ~6 years earlier? Anyway, Frontera and Frontier are used on different continents, so it’s probably not much of an issue.
Hopefully Tesla will be successful with the entry level EV. For widespread adoption, one of the roadblocks is cost. A low cost EV is desperately needed as the industry works towards resolving other issues. The danger for Tesla is that the cheap Tesla could diminish the brand. Tesla is incorrectly viewed as a premium or near luxury brand and that is a part of its sales success. The model 3 was bad enough because it started to show that Tesla is barely comparable to mainstream brands. A cheap EV under the Tesla moniker could lift the veil that Tesla cars are not very luxurious at all, just 90s Fords dressed up with software and a $2 computer screen.
@Lambo: or maybe the financial risks of putting AVs in the market are the deterrent.
@Cadillac CT5-V: I like the new look! The engine of the CT5-V Blackwing is mighty, but the 360 HP of the 3.0L V6 of the CT5-V is disappointing for a performance car. My six year old ordinary Mercedes E400 sedan has a 329 HP 3.0 L engine, not much less.
Kit,same here in Canada GTI and R models only,plus the last 2 door was 2017. Had a few gti’s in my past,fun cars.
Those new black wing Cadillacs are nice,
I’m a little surprised Tesla is looking to Texas to build their lower cost EV. Though I find it reassuring that the feel they can build this vehicle in the US and do so at a profit! I would have thought they may have turned to Mexico, with its lower labor costs, to build their least expensive Tesla. IMHO, this is the vehicle that has the most pressure for Tesla to get their quality control issues in check. While it might be their least expensive vehicle, for its size, the ICE vehicles it will compete against, it may still come as a premium to them. Yet, with it being available to even more customers, not having perceived quality competitive to ICE vehicles in its class, could turn an even larger potential audience away from the brand and EVs too! I also believe that range should be in the 300 mile range to start, yet I’m sure 0-to-60 times will be a priority! If Tesla can deliver on the price, banish their preceived quality woes and nail the range (and maybe put a Plaid version on the road soon after), perhaps the naysayers may finally be put to rest?!
One of favorite cars to drive was my CTSV and I would love to own a CT5-V Blackwing. I’m guessing the price difference between the V and the Blackwing-V will be significant or I can’t imagine why anyone would buy the V version.
Wim- Yeah! I think reality has set in that we are much further away than expected when it comes to AVs. The technology is amazing and capable of doing a lot in certain environments. However, all the previous unknowns and variables are starting to surface and as you point out the legal ramifications of launching it prior to working those bugs out could be very expensive. With the recent cold snap and adverse weather people can’t help but wonder how well a self-driving car is going to behave when the cameras are iced over the lines on the road are nonexistent or covered in snow. Much like EVs the AV technology has its use, and that use is much smaller than originally imagined. Remaining within the confines of nice weather and well-maintained roads they appear to manage reasonably well. Get outside normal operation and all the weird stuff that can happen on the road and they probably won’t know what to do until that scenario has played out and coding been written to handle such a situation like the recent pedestrian that was struck and thrown into the path of the AV.
Not many companies can afford to use self-driving trucks that must stay put when adverse weather hits and they likely won’t have able bodied drivers on stand-by to fill in at a moment’s notice. So, it could become a thing in the south, southwest but will likely be years from working in the Midwest. If Apple can write software to support AV and do it well, they can license that software and probably make more than building their own car. Car production is a huge and difficult business to launch successfully. Apple probably smart to walk away.
Fain seems a little tone deaf when it comes to optics. Holding out the UAW endorsement like its a really valuable prize just shows he has been drinking the Kool Aid for far too long. Biden truly is the most union positive President ever to hold office and Fain should have endorsed him right after he walked the picket line. There is a limited amount Biden can do to help guarantee that EV jobs will be union jobs. Fain seems confused between the companies he wields a stranglehold on and the federal government. The government doesn’t really need him or the UAW. None of that will matter though if Trump gets elected. Right after he pulls the US out of the Paris Climate Accord he will reverse anything he can on EVs. So, the UAW can just keep their ICE-building members for as long as the industry survives. Don’t forget, its a world market. It will be tough to make money building two distinct powertrains in the future (ICE for Trumpmerica and EV for the rest of the world) when automakers in other countries will be making only EVs. Believe it or not, I think the US automakers would prefer another Biden term to another Trump presidency. His flip flopping policies will only cost them additional huge sums of money.
Ratti’s Rides (YouTube reviewer) did a nice video on the new Equinox. I believe the extra width was well worth it; this is a spacious Cross over. If interested, here’s a link (23 minutes long, so be warned): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4nyzdrGOaU
@Lambo: I trust that AVs will be better than the many sleepy drunk drivers on their phone who cause 40,000 death per year but that is not how it works. First there will be the stifling litigation around who is at fault when the unavoidable accidents happen: OEM, suppliers, driver, owner, insurance company? Additionally, we humans tend to be asymmetrical: one nuclear power accident happened in the U.S. without a single fatality almost half a century ago and there have been no other fatalities in the U.S. because of civilian nuclear power. Still, many people believe nuclear power is dangerous. Imagine the reaction by the public if tens deaths are caused by AVs even if overall the numbers of deaths would go down by a much higher number.
Bidenomics have already cost UAW members huge sums of money in the form of staggering real inflation and high interest rate costs from historic deficit spending, a big part of why they needed excessive increases in pay and benefits in the last contract.
Merv, I had a ’98 GTI VR6. It was a fun car, but had reliability issues.
It’s funny how people talk about high interest rates when I paid twice today’s rates in the 1980s. OK, I’m old.
Chuck, I’ll check that video. Is the Equinox getting wider inside, not just outside for styling purposes? If so, it makes sense.
I’d like a CT5 with a basic, non-supercharged 6.2 like in a base C8, but I guess they want to go “techy” with the turbo quad cam V6, and “extreme” with the SC 6.2.
I played the Equinox video Chuck G. linked, and the vehicle looked nice, but 19 and 20 inch wheels for the mid trim RS. Why? Do they like bad ride, road noise, and easily damaged wheels? A vehicle like that should have 16 or 17, or 15 inch wheels.
I just read a story in Car and Driver about the least expensive Tesla. Much of it covered the same ground as the report in ALD. The end of the article, though, added that Tesla, according to Reuters, will be looking to add their proposed robtaxi after the production of the “Model 2” begins production in Texas, using its hardware. Yet, I ask again about the viability of this robtaxi, for it seems to look to save money by simply removing the driver from the equation. With cabs/taxi/Uber/Lift drivers already making so little, how is there a business case for this? Especially, since Tesla’s FSD and Auto Pilot cost $15K and $10K apiece, then you add the cost of the least expensive Tesla and your already at the $50K+ mark for the vehicle alone! With cab and taxis of old using older models, or established vehicles for their services and using parts that are readily available to replace frequently worn items, to control repair costs, I just don’t see how a robtaxi, built from new expensive tech, is a viable business case?!
…unless Tesla plans to use this as an additional revenue stream, like the charger station network?
GM Vet- I’m not sure if you listened to the show the other day where even the head of Toyota suspects that EVs will peak at a 30% take rate of global sales. Short of a mega-breakthrough in battery technology they just don’t work well for all applications. People need to understand they are a great supplement but not a full replacement as they are being touted. I can see many households buying an EV and keeping an ICE because between the two vehicles they can support all their driving needs. Maybe in many smaller more dense countries EVs will work great and maybe even replace the ICE completely but in the US, it will require a much better battery and a much better charging network. I’m not sure how much road tripping you’ve done but I have driven from East coast to West coast a few times and in areas like Nebraska, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, the Nebraska’s there are sections where its sketchy to make it to the nearest gas station let alone finding a charger. Those folks are not going to be on the EV bandwagon anytime soon. As for the chances of Trump pulling the incentives on EVs. Maybe, but many people would be fine with that as why are we using tax dollars to prop up a product. If it’s so great it should sell itself and not need incentives. People will naturally buy a better product. Personally, the money spent on that is drops in the bucket, of so much other waste that goes on.
Kit- Just as you paid twice the current interest rates 30 years ago. I locked my mortgage rate in just 4 years ago at 1/3 of what todays rates are. The payment of a 300K house at 2.3% is the same payment today as a 194K house at 6%. So the buying power has hugely gone down while home prices have gone up dramatically.
EVs, at least Teslas will work for road trips, if you aren’t in a hurry. A friend has made 3 round trips from Seattle to central Indiana in a Model S. It adds a day to that trip, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
Mortgage rates are now about where the were in 2002, in the “normal” range. Yes, they were historically low from around 2010 until the recovery from the worst of covid.
Kit, I agree with you on the size of the Equinox’s wheels; 16’s or 17’s would be far more than adequate and provide a better ride. Afterall it is a crossover so it should at least ‘fake’ being able to run a dirt road or two.
I wonder what the smallest wheels are that will fit on the Equinox. 18s are the smallest that will fit my Highlander, which is what I have, with P235/65R18 tires. The higher trim Highlanders have 20s, purely for the way they look.
S-10 Blazer had 235/70R15 tires. That would be about right for the Equinox, or maybe a size narrower.