Follow us on social media:
Runtime: 9:31
0:00 Mercedes Kills Eyes-Off Driving Feature
1:15 1st Dark Factory Will Open by 2030
2:01 EV Sales Growth Expected to Slow
2:38 Audi Misses 2025 Sales Target
4:38 Honda Expects U.S. Sales Growth
5:24 Acura Gets 1st 2-Motor Hybrid
5:55 EVgo & Kroger Partner on Fast Charging
6:39 Ford Wants More Affordable Performance Vehicles
Visit our sponsors to thank them for their support of Autoline Daily: AlixPartners, CSP and Intrepid Control Systems.
This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
MERCEDES KILLS EYES-OFF DRIVING FEATURE
There was only one automaker that offered a Level 3 autonomous system in the U.S. but now there’s none. Mercedes is dropping the feature from its Drive Pilot system for future models because it didn’t think it offered much benefit to the customer. First available on the S-Class and EQS EV in 2023 it was the only certified hands-off and eyes-off driving system in the U.S. But it required special hardware, a $2,500 yearly subscription, reverts to Level 2 over 40 MPH and can only be used in certain parts of California and Nevada under ideal conditions. For example, the system only worked in the day, in good weather and with good lane markings. On top of that, it used lidar from Luminar, which is now bankrupt. So, instead Mercedes will rely on its new DRIVE ASSIST PRO system that it unveiled at CES, which is considered a Level 2++ system, doesn’t use any lidar, will offer city driving capability and launches in the U.S. later this year.
1ST DARK FACTORY WILL OPEN BY 2030
The first fully automated assembly plant will have cars running down the line by 2030. That’s according to a couple of analysts Automotive News spoke to, who say the capabilities of robots will continue to progress throughout the decade. Right now 12 of the world’s top 25 automakers are operating advanced robotic pilot projects, including humanoids, in their plants. They’re trying to solve things like installing the wire harness and interior components because those are the only production processes that aren’t normally fully automated. The analysts believe one of these so-called ‘dark’ factories, which are called that because you don’t need to turn the lights on for robots, will first be built by either a U.S. or Chinese automaker.
EV SALES GROWTH EXPECTED TO SLOW THIS YEAR
With the U.S. and Europe rolling back EV targets and an expected slowdown in car sales in China, sales of electric vehicles are expected to cool globally this year. Last year, automakers sold 20.7 million EVs and plug-in hybrids worldwide, up 20% from 2024. But Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is forecasting that growth of electrified vehicles will slow to 16% globally this year to just under 24 million units, mainly due to an expected 30% drop in electrified sales in the U.S.
AUDI MISSES 2025 SALES TARGET
And speaking of sales, Audi missed its target last year. The automaker delivered 1.6 million vehicles globally, down 3% from 2024. It was targeting sales between 1.65 and 1.75 million. But thanks to four straight months of year-over-year increases to close out the year, Audi is upbeat about turning things around this year. Audi was behind Mercedes last year which sold 1.8 million vehicles and BMW which sold 2.4 million. But Audi topped Mercedes in fully-electric sales, it sold more than 223,000 EVs, an increase of 36% while Mercedes sold under 169,000. However, both were well behind BMW which sold 442,000 BEVs globally in 2025.
HONDA EXPECTS U.S. SALES GROWTH IN 2026
Car sales are expected to decline this year in the U.S. but Honda believes it can boost its sales. Cox Automotive forecasts that automakers will sell 15.8 million vehicles this year, which is a decline of 2.4% compared to 2025. But Honda’s head of sales in the U.S. says he expects its sales, including Acura, to increase 4% to 1.5 million vehicles. The automaker’s inventory is currently tight, sitting at 30 days supply, because it’s still dealing with the Nexperia chip shortage. But Honda says it will overcome that by boosting production of more affordable gas-powered models. However, it didn’t reveal how many more vehicles it plans to build.
RDX WILL BE ACURA’S 1ST 2-MOTOR HYBRID
And speaking of Honda, the automaker revealed that the next-gen version of the Acura RDX will be the brand’s first model to feature a two-motor hybrid powertrain. The new model is still in development and will launch in the next couple of years. While Acura didn’t reveal when, AutoForecast Solutions reports production is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2028. And production of the current RDX, which is built in Ohio, will be suspended later this year due to a parts shortage.
KROGER ADDING FAST CHARGING FROM EVGO
One of the largest grocery store chains in the U.S. is going to install thousands of EV fast chargers in parking lots. Kroger, and its affiliated stores, are partnering with EVgo to install at least 150 fast charging stalls a year at locations throughout the U.S. Select stores will have up to 16 stalls, which can deliver up to 350 kW. The first site is already operational in Salt Lake City, Utah and more will be added in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Washington and other states. EVgo currently has 4,600 stalls in operation in the U.S. and it plans to expand to more than 15,000 by the end of 2029.
FORD WANTS MORE AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCE VEHICLES
The Mustang GTD is basically a street-legal version of the Mustang GT3 track car, but it costs about $330,000. So, Ford is taking some of what it learned from those cars and is putting it in a more affordable package. Building on the Mustang Dark Horse, the company is launching a new version, called the Dark Horse SC. Instead of a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 under the hood, it’s powered by the automaker’s supercharged 5.2L V8, which is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It also comes with Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber wheels, magne-ride suspension, a new hood and decklid and a number of other aerodynamic upgrades. While Ford didn’t reveal any pricing, the Dark Horse SC seems like a replacement to the Shelby GT500, which ranged in price from about $80,000 to $130,000. The company is also trying to do a similar thing with off-road affordability. The new Bronco RTR comes standard with 33-inch tires and a lifted suspension, but there’s also the option for a Fox dual reservoir setup. The idea is to have that off-road performance, but below the price of a Bronco Raptor, which starts just below $90,000.
And don’t forget to tune into Autoline After Hours today. We’ll kick things off at 3PM EST on our website and YouTube channel. But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for tuning in.
Thanks to our partner for embedding Autoline Daily on its website: WardsAuto.com
I remember researching that Mercedes eyes off system pre-launch and seeing all the restrictions. At that time I thought, who is going to see the value in this with these restrictions? Those restrictions back then seemed awfully limiting and thus no real broad mass market appeal. I figured someone would and pay for it though and maybe Mercedes would improve on it and release something better down the line. It turns out that apparently nobody really saw the value and instead of improving they just replaced it with a more traditional eyes on the road approach.
I still don’t see the value in these systems. I have found with these systems that lane keeping and radar based cruise does everything a driver would want. Taking that to the next level is taking the driver out of the equation which is not what a driver wants. As Kit stated in the comments yesterday, get an Uber account if you want someone or something else driving you to a destination.
I’m surprised Acura didn’t already have a hybrid RDX. It’s basically a fancy version of CR-V which has offered a hybrid powertrain for a few years.
Every time these segments on AV are brought up I just cringe inside as I cannot believe the amount of coverage they still get. Sure self driving works in a geofenced area within certain cities that tend to have impeccable weather conditions most of the time. I don’t believe any of them exceed 35mph nor should they. I mean it’s an amusement ride in development placed on public streets. We are so far from this being a practical tool used nationwide it’s silly that we even talk about it. It’s as boring as talking about battery chemistry developments. Sorry Sean and John but I for one would love just one show without any info about the Chinese car market or manufactures and no EV or AV stories. It’s been like beating a dead horse for the last 5 years.
Lambo,
As you know, Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio just got hit with snow and more importantly ice. If we all relied on AVs to get places, we would be sheltering in place. It would be horrible to shelter in place at the workplace. Even worse trying to shelter in place in an AV that can no longer proceed on the road. There is no AV prepared for those road conditions and the computing power required to do that would be staggering. Yet everyone with a meat computer in our heads can navigate those conditions with acceptable results and minimal incident.
THANK YOU Lambo2015 !
I went “modern” a few years back,and ditched my manual transmission,and switched to a nice automatic. That’s about all I need. All this automated driving assist doesn’t interest me in the least. I like getting behind the wheel and driving.
Merv,
I sold my last manual trasmission car, a Porsche Cayman about a year ago. I kind of miss it, but in my olf age, not much.
@Driver Assist Systems: I have always been in the “Not-For-Me” camp but our recent drive from Detroit to Dallas and back two weeks later has changed my mind.
Our son moved from Detroit to Dallas six weeks ago. While he was taking care of his business and his move we took care of his dog. Before Christmas we drove his dog and his house plants to Dallas. Since we had so much luggage we rented an SUV, a Mercedes GLS 450. We used the adaptive cruise control including lane keeping but also passing. Although I don’t like it that you have to touch the steering wheel every minute after a red light pops up with red hands on the steering wheel I admit that we were less tired at the end of the day. We could also drive 700 miles on the first day of each leg of the trip and were not as tired as we usually are. So although I can’t say I have become a fan I acknowledge that our minds and bodies apparently liked the driver-assistance.
Wim I fully support the driving assist features and can agree that my ram truck that has active cruise lane assist is very comfortable to take on a long trip. Even tho I typically turn the lane assist off. But even the adaptive cruise does cause me some concern at times as I wonder if it’s actually going to brake when traffic is slowing. So far it always does but there is a big difference from driving assist features and self driving. As everyone here knows like Merkur pointed out. It’s just not feasible in many areas and with many conditions. So why we keep hearing about self driving? Idk to me. Let me know when you got a system that I can use from Michigan to Florida in February when I can take a nap the whole way. If not it’s driving assist features and nothing more. Just various levels and a huge liability to any manufacturer that claims it’s self driving.
Lambo, as you allude, if it won’t drive me from Indiana to Florida while I sleep, what’s the point? What’s the point of lane keeping if I have to touch the steering wheel every few seconds? While I use cruise control a lot, I use adaptive only rarely, like when a multilane road narrows to one lane in a construction area, and I can’t pass or be passed.
Though I understand what Lambo is talking about, there are AVs driving around here in Atlanta, with Waymo/Uber and Lyft/May Mobility, so the AV progression info is relevant to me, and my next vehicle will probably be EV, so the developments there are also helpful, but I understand how some may be tired of hearing about it daily. I’m not much interested in China or what’s going on there, but I see why it would be included since that’s where much of the technology is coming from.
During CES or the autoshows, I also see why these topics would be accentuated, since that is the “cutting edge” new news, but on the normal daily shows it would be nice to hear about other topics than the “dead horse”.
While I personally enjoy keeping up with the topics some are tired of, it is better to stay balanced. Back when there was excessive NASCAR and auto racing news on here; I really wasn’t interested in that, but watched anyway for the good stuff. Overall, Autoline’s reporting is always on top of new developments, but it seems the content used to be more varied and creative. Maybe on slow news days, bring up old car topics, have some of your contacts talk about behind the car-scenes, or have some of those “can anyone guess what this old vehicle is” segments. I guess I could even sit through some car racing info.
While I’m with others in wishing there was more non-AV, non-EV, non-China news, what else is there? Does Hyundai have a new 2 liter turbo four in the works? Does Nissan have a new CVT? Other than sales numbers, political affects on the industry, and an occasional introduction of a new “special performance” version of a product, there doesn’t seem to be that much news about gas vehicles. I’d like to know more about the upcoming 6th generation Chevy small block V8, though.
I agree with the decision to discontinue most racing coverage here. I follow F1, but can, and do get information elsewhere. Still, occasional news, like progress of the new Cadillac F1 team, doesn’t seem out of place here.
Something interesting would be a review of ALD predictions(insights as they call them) from say 5 years ago and how they panned out. I think ALD has been correct on some and wrong on many. ALD however has more in the correct column than the average auto journalist does. The average auto journalist seems to be mostly wrong with 1 or 2 predictions coming true at best case. It would definitely show why ALD is the premier information source due to their closer industry connections than other sources of information.