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Runtime: 10:05
0:00 U.S. Could Ban Chinese Connected Cars
1:19 Toyota Turning to BYD for New PHEVs
2:24 BYD Considers 2nd European Plant
3:18 Ford Backing Off EV Plans in Europe
5:06 Chevy Ending Malibu Production
5:52 Honda Wants to Reduce Motorcycle Emissions
6:25 Ram About to Offer Fuel Cell Heavy-Duty Trucks
6:54 Bentley Dropping 12-Cylinder for PHEV V8
7:42 Genesis Builds Luxury Dog Crate
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
U.S. COULD BAN CHINESE CONNECTED CARS
The U.S. is considering banning Chinese connected vehicles or imposing restrictions on them. Back in February, the Biden Administration launched an investigation into whether Chinese vehicles pose a national security risk. The Commerce Department is currently going through public comments related to that probe and the Commerce Secretary says it could lead to a ban of Chinese connected vehicles or restrictions. The White House is concerned about all the data and information these vehicles and their cameras and sensors collect on Americans and the U.S. infrastructure. But automakers aren’t completely on board with a ban or restrictions. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a lobbying group that represents most major automakers in the U.S., says companies are taking steps to mitigate the risks associated with using Chinese designed systems. It also says that these systems or parts of them can’t be easily swapped with another supplier. The South Korean government also voiced concerns that a ban could put “significant burdens on the industry.” As of now, there’s no timeline on when a decision will be made.
TOYOTA MIGHT HAVE A HYBRID PROBLEM IN CHINA
Toyota might have a hybrid problem in China. The automaker’s willingness to stick to a more methodical approach to electrification has paid off really well as EV demand has slowed and sales of hybrids have picked up. But in China, hybrids don’t qualify for a green license and they get less sales subsidies than BEVs or PHEVs. What’s more, the plug-in hybrids Toyota does offer in China haven’t had much sales success, according to CarNewsChina. So, now reports say Toyota will come out with two or three new models in the next two or three years in China that are based on a plug-in hybrid platform from BYD. The setup combines a 1.5L turbocharged engine with several different battery sizes that offer all the way up to 200 kilometers or 124 miles of range on the Chinese cycle as well as electric motors that drive both the front and rear wheels. Toyota already has an EV joint venture with BYD, so it was probably comfortable expanding its partnership into PHEVs as well.
BYD CONSIDERS 2ND EUROPEAN PLANT
Speaking of BYD, it’s thinking about expanding even more into Europe and says it could be a leader there by the end of the decade. Late last year it announced it would build an EV plant in Hungary and now it says it’s considering a second plant in Europe by 2025. It didn’t say where it’s looking to build it, but BYD will have a few interested countries. Both France and Italy have said they would welcome BYD. While officials, including the President of the European Commission, who as recently as yesterday said the EU needs to take steps to prevent Chinese EV imports from flooding the market, the EU seems more than happy to let Chinese automakers build plants in the region because of all the jobs they’ll bring. And that’s got to be one reason why BYD says it’s confident it can become an EV leader in Europe by 2030.
FORD BACKING OFF EV PLANS IN EUROPE
Ford isn’t just walking back its EV plans in the U.S., it’s also doing the same in Europe. Three years ago it said it would go all-electric in the region by the end of the decade, but the company’s head of passenger cars in Europe says it will offer hybrids and plug-in hybrids after then as long as it sees strong enough demand for them. Ford is making the EV switch in Europe a little bit faster than the U.S. It already has the E-Transit, Mach-E and Lightning on sale there, just like the U.S., but it also has the electric Transit Custom, it’s launching the Explorer EV, the Puma EV comes out later this year and it will introduce an all-new electric in June. However, hybrids will help Ford manage its way to 100% electrification.
CHEVY ENDING MALIBU PRODUCTION TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW BOLT
Chevrolet is axing the last remaining sedan in its line up in the U.S. Yesterday, General Motors announced that it’s ending the production of the Chevy Malibu later this year, which is built at its Fairfax plant in Kansas. The automaker is investing $390 million to re-tool the plant to build the next-gen Chevy Bolt. Fairfax also builds the Cadillac XT4, which will be idled in early 2025 for upgrades so it can resume production of both the XT4 and the Bolt in late 2025. Last year, Chevy sold 130,000 Malibu’s, which was up 14% but through the first quarter of this year, sales of the sedan are down 12.5%.
HONDA WANTS TO REDUCE MOTORCYCLE EMISSIONS IN INDIA
If you haven’t already taken notice, India is quickly becoming an automotive hot-spot. There’s been a lot of announcements and expansion recently and now Honda’s joining the party. But instead of going after the 4-wheeled market, it just opened a new R&D facility in India to cut carbon emissions of motorcycles, which is still one of the most popular forms of transportation in the country. Honda will also work on incorporation software and other connected services into the motorcycles and power products.
RAM ABOUT TO OFFER FUEL CELL HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS
Stellantis is planning to offer fuel cell powered Ram heavy-duty pickups in the U.S. and Europe. The head of the automaker’s fuel cell program says a hydrogen-powered Ram 5500 for North America will be made in Mexico and the one for Europe has already started low-volume production in Poland. Stellantis is aiming to sell 100,000 a year globally by the end of the decade and it believes the fuel cell powered trucks will gradually replace its diesel lineup.
BENTLEY DROPPING 12-CYLINDER FOR PHEV V8
Both Aston Martin and Ferrari are coming out with new V12 models, but another high-end brand is lopping cylinders off its top engine choice. Bentley announced it’s about to retire its 6.0L W12 engine and that it will also end production of models with its 4.0L twin-turbo V8 for the UK, Europe and Middle East. The 12 cylinder, and likely some of those twin-turbo V8s, are being replaced by a new plug-in hybrid V8 that makes about 740 horsepower and offers up to 80 kilometers or 50 miles of range. There’s not a lot of detail right now, but Bentley says it will also be the most dynamic, most responsive and most efficient system in its history.
GENESIS BUILDS LUXURY DOG CAR CRATE
Genesis is showing off a new accessory for dog owners that allows them to pamper their furry friends. It’s a module that fits into the trunk of an electrified GV70 and features a Genesis branded heated dog cushion, a built-in shower, a hair dryer, a Bluetooth audio system, a pull-out ramp and 230V sockets. Genesis also created a personalized dog collar and safety harness to keep the dog safe while the car is being driven. As of now, Genesis doesn’t plan to sell the dog accessory but it will show it to the public at several of its studios in the UK.
That brings us to the end of today’s show. But don’t forget to tune into Autoline After Hours at 3PM EST today because this ought to be a good one. After Hours co-founder and the Autoextremist himself Peter DeLorenzo is back and we’ll be recreating his Brand Image Meter, which is Peter’s no-holds-barred assessment of most of the brands currently doing business in the auto industry. Tanya Gazdik from MediaPost will also be on the show. So, don’t miss out.
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Kit Gerhart says
I’m not surprised the Chevy is dropping the Malibu. There have been no updates or refreshes in years. I find it sad that none of the former Big Three will be selling even one mainstream car, The only cars from those companies will be Mustang, Corvette, CT4 and CT5.
Ford has dropped, or will soon be dropping all of their hybrids, except F150 and Maverick, unless I’m forgetting something. Escape is going away, and they have announced that they will drop the Explorer hybrid. Maybe there’s a hybrid version of the new, Chinese Nautilus. Do they plan to add some hybrids to replace them, maybe Bronco Sport?
MERKUR DRIVER says
Kit,
Sadly, if you want a sedan, you are mainly looking at non-US based OEMs. The move by GM is not surprising as they are chasing profit and there are higher profits in SUVs. Also, the Malibu is on the ancient E2 platform. It is likely being phased out due to future regulations that it will no longer comply with. It is likely too expensive to update for the limited projected sales volume/profit.
I think what will turn it all around for sedans is a breathtaking interior/exterior design. Something that evokes emotion and make a buyer look to that over a more practical box shaped vehicle. Current sedans are either very plain/boring or extremely over styled to the point of ridiculousness. So, you either chose a boring sedan with limited practicality or a boring SUV with practicality. If whatever you buy is going to be boring, then you might as well make it practical. A real shame.
Lambo2015 says
I think GM should have been working on a Malibu replacement that offered a hybrid powertrain and obviously updated design. To completely abandon the sedan market seems like a mistake to me. Even with the 12% drop they are still selling 115,000 units a year and that’s an old design. A refresh with updated hybrid powertrain to compete with the Camry might be just the ticket if EV mandates get pushed back as I suspect they will. If they went real old school and offered it in a 2dr, 4dr, and wagon they might find a real interest. I wouldn’t make a convertible though as the cell phone has pretty much killed that option. I real hot sporty 2 door could resurrect the Chevelle nameplate even. But hey what do I know.
Wim van Acker says
@MERKUR: as you mentioned mainly foreign automakers have nice sedans. Genisys, the new Toyota Camry looks great, BMW 5 and 7, the new Mercedes E and the S class.
Mercedes made a leap forward with their design in two generations: two generations ago I found them unattractive (still I had two of those subsequently because they were very good drivers), the previous one was looking better albeit not a stunner (I currently have a E400 of that body style and it is an excellent daily driver and travel car) and the current, recently launched, E Class looks very sharp.
BMW has only made beautifully designed sedans for the past 45 years. They have reached an amazing level of evolutionary tasteful design over the past seven model generations of the 7 series. The only one I thought was not nice was the E38 from the mid 1990s.
Kit Gerhart says
Lambo, there was a Malibu hybrid for a few years of the current generation. I checked it out before buying my 2018 Camry hybrid. While doing pretty well, the Malibu didn’t get quite the MPG of the Camry.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=38936&id=39339
Also, the Malibu hybrid lost trunk space to the battery, and only ~1/3 of the back seat would fold down for cargo to pass through. The recent Camry hybrids have the battery under the rear seat cushion, so no truck space is lost, and the entire rear seat back folds, for carrying long, and fairly wide cargo.
Recent BMW 5 and 7 series have avoided the uglies that have afflicted other BMWs, like 4 series.
Kit Gerhart says
As far as “practicality” of SUVs, it depends on what you use it for. A Camry or Accord is completely practical for the way a lot of people use vehicles. The trunk will carry as many groceries as most people get at a time. Also, getting 25-30% better mpg than a heavier, tall vehicle with a similar powertrain constitutes practicality, at least to me.
XA351GT says
Manufacturers not covering all segments in the market is risky to me. Not everybody wants or needs a Truck SUV or CUV . There are some out there ( raises hand) that want a car . When manufacturers that you usually buy from abandon the segment buyers abandon the manufacturer ( raises hand again) . As some of you know I recently bought a Toyota. Did I buy it because I’m a loyal Toyota customer ? No it’s only the 2nd non US company built car I have ever bought . I mostly have owned Fords . But what does Ford have to offer me in a car ? Just a Mustang and as much as I’d love to have one I can’t afford the one I’d be happy with ( no turbo 4 for me) . So the last 2 of 3 cars I’ve bought have been Subaru’s ( Yes the GR86 I bought is a Subaru in reality ) .
Wim van Acker says
@Kit, practicality of sedans: I can easily transport 8 feet long lumber in my E Class sedan (rear seats down, front passenger seat flat) while it barely fits in my Jeep Wrangler 4 door.
Lambo2015 says
Kit- Sounds like the past hybrid malibu was a retrofit. Cramming the battery and equipment into an already designed vehicle that wasn’t intended for the change. A fresh slate design would avoid those pitfalls and provide a proper hybrid offering from GM.
Dropping completely out of the sedan market just opens the door for imports to dominate the segment. Seems like a mistake especially if gas prices double before EVs take over.
Living in Toledo the home of the Wrangler and a long history with Jeep and being so close to Detroit and having lots of family members that have worked for the Detroit three or suppliers there has been very few imports bought in the family. However, that’s changing as my son just bought a 2024 Toyota Highlander XLE hybrid. Got rid of his Ford Escape which was much smaller but he gets better gas mileage and a third row.
Kevin A says
Gm has some existing tech sharing deals with Honda, so I don’t see why they didn’t update the Malibu by using the Honda Accord Hybrid as a base. I also agree that offering the ‘GM Accord’ in more or different body styles would help. Wagon, more formal sedan, shortened to make a coupe, whatever. Honda can’t justify it, but GM might be able to.
Kit Gerhart says
Wim, that’s cool that the front seat of your E-Class folds flat. It didn’t in my Camry.
Lambo, I think the first Camry hybrids had the battery in the trunk, and no fold down back seat. I know the first gen Fusion hybrids were that way. The Malibu hybrid powertrain was based on the Volt powertrain and worked pretty well. They needed better battery packaging, though.
Kit Gerhart says
XA351GT, a friend has a 4 cyl turbo Mustang and likes it, but it is a manual, no longer sold, at least in the US. Anyway, your car is much different, and much more a fun to drive sports car than any Mustang, regardless of how fast some versions of Mustang would be.
Kevin, yeah, having a Chevy “Accord hybrid,” or even an actual Accord hybrid in various body styles would be great. Actually, the powertrain in the last Malibu hybrids was competitive, both in performance and mpg, and could have been improved. GM says they are going to reintroduce hybrids. We’ll see how that goes. I hope they are serious.
Doug says
Just like cruze. Cant sell 100000 and cancel the car. Honda and Toyota never cancel their sedans that get people into the market. 130000 sedan car sales is huge considering poorly updated and cheaply made. The car was a grear price point. Bolt is smaller. And do they sell 100000? And what in gm sells over 100000 regularly? Cars and plants all at different standards. I thought maybe this was a ploy to get around union costs for malibu plant but retooling for a lower volume electric puts more financial strain and electrics cost every automobile manufacturer money except tesla it seems?
ChuckGrenci says
I agree that why would you cancel a vehicle that sells over 100,000/yr., when it would be ripe for a hybrid, already in production (std ICE) and has brand recognition.
Also, just watch the AAH with Peter Delorenzo; maybe it’s just me, but I thought that just about everything Peter said, was spot-on. It is a funny automotive world that we live in today (that’s my take, not Peter’s, though maybe he shares that same view).
Kit Gerhart says
GM is following Ford’s “lead” in getting out of the car business. Ford sold 166,000 Fusions in 2019, the last full model year of production, and 110,000 in the short 2020 model year.
I, too watched AAH. Yeah, I thought Peter was right on with about everything. I found it interesting that he, and the other AAH people are enthralled with Genesis, but didn’t mention that their sales are dismal, less than half that of Cadillac, but with more models. Maybe Genesis needs an Escalade-like vehicle.
Did they mention Nissan on AAH? If so, I must have been asleep for a while.
Kit Gerhart says
One thing I strongly disagree with Peter about, is making Corvette a “brand.” That would be like if Porsche called their SUVs “911 Cayenne” and “911 Macan.”
Mark Tilton says
In the 70s, Fiat was dreaming of selling 100,000 cars in a year in the America. Now GM sold that in just the Malibu and threw it away. I have always said that if Ford or GM would just build just above average cars US buyers would accept and buy American. If they would just try alittle harder —–Please—–
Kit Gerhart says
They need another hour of AAH with Peter. I listened again, and there was no mention of Nissan, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, VW, and some others. It would especially be interesting to know what Peter would say about Nissan.
JWH says
Peter does a weekly newsletter – AutoExtremist.com – http://www.autoextremist.com/;jsessionid=37C72C039B7E2EF1A49AFFEA45EE9238.v5-web002