Nutson's Auto News Weekly Wrap-up July 23-29, 2023
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Here are Larry's picks among the past week's important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.Nutson's Auto News Weekly Wrap-up July 23-29, 2023.
* The sleeping giant is awakening! Seven of the world’s leading automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV – are creating a joint venture to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America, by making EV charging more convenient, accessible and reliable. The joint venture will include the development of a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emission driving even more attractive for millions of customers. The US presently has about 32,000 fast chargers. The first stations are expected to open in the United States in the summer of 2024 and in Canada at a later stage. Each charging location is expected to have 10 to 20 charging ports. The companies will jointly spend at least $1 billion to build the North American network.
* US DoE factoid of the week: DC fast charging accounted for 21.5% of all electric vehicle (EV) public charging ports in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1). DC fast charging allows for the rapid charging of EVs and refers to chargers that deliver direct current (DC) at power levels of 50 kilowatts or more. The availability of DC fast charging is critical to making long-distance EV travel practical and helps alleviate consumer concern over range and time spent charging when not at home. Level 2 (L2) charging, the most common type of public charging available, refers to charging using a 240-volt circuit like those found in homes for clothes dryers. Although much slower than DC fast charging, L2 chargers are becoming increasingly common at destinations like shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels, where vehicles are parked for extended periods of time. Level 1 (L1) charging is the slowest of all and uses a 120-volt circuit like those for standard household outlets. L1 chargers can be useful for long-term charging scenarios – such as at airports – but they represent less than 1% of all public chargers.
* As more US consumers turn to electric vehicles, questions of charger etiquette are cropping up at EV charging stations such as EV owners who park their EVs at chargers and return later long after charging is completed. "It's getting a little more tricky every day as more EVs are purchased and there aren't enough fast chargers," says Matt Bloom from AmpUp, an EV-charger software company.
* Automotive News reports Tesla is offering 84-month car loans due to the rise in interest rates. The company now includes seven-year loans as an option on its U.S. order pages, after previously offering loans as long as 72 months. In Canada, Tesla is offering 96-month (8 years) loans. Writer's comment: These lease terms are very long. However data shows EV drivers drive fewer miles per year compared to ICE-powered vehcile drivers, with a corresponding longer vehicle useful life span.
* An AP news story says steadily higher auto loan rates have elbowed many would-be buyers out of the market. A study by the New York Federal Reserve has found that 14% of applicants for auto loans were rejected over the past year--the highest since 2013. The average price paid for a new vehicle last month was nearly $48,000--about 25% above the pre-pandemic level. Average used vehicle prices have jumped even more: nearly $30,000-- 45% more than before the pandemic. Higher loan rates (from 4.5% in March 2022 to 7.3% in June) has made monthly payments unaffordable. The average monthly auto loan payment last month was $736, according to Jessica Caldwell of Edmunds.com.
* Entry-level EVs are critically important to the eventual pivot away from ICE-powered vehilces. AutoPacific research has revealed a few key things about EV pricing, including that there's actually a "sweet spot" that converts EV rejectors to EV acceptors. That golden number is $35,000. Auto Pacific found that 35% of surveyed nationwide consumers who would not consider buying a new EV, would in fact consider buying one if the MSRP is below $35,000. Data points to sticker shock remaining a top reason (41%) why some consumers are straight up saying "No" to EVs. https://www.autopacific.com
* The Wall Street Journal reports: As the popularity of electric vehicles grows, one big inconvenience for their owners remains: There just aren’t a lot of charging stations out there. It’s a problem that will take years to fully resolve. But meanwhile, some mobile charging options are emerging to help both consumers and companies that own fleets of electric cars or trucks. AAA is rolling out a new service for EVs -- portable gas-powered generators that create electricity for those stranded along the road. Massachusetts-based startup SparkCharge is trying a different approach, dispensing mobile charging vans and selling battery packs for fleets and rental car agencies.
* The Detroit News reports the Detroit Auto Show is back this September for its second annual fall exhibit. Detroit automakers say they will be bringing big things. Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV confirmed this week they will each unveil new vehicles for a total of six reveals during the show’s Media and Technology Days Sept. 13-14 — to be followed by public viewing days through Sept. 24. (Late news says Ford will unveil a new F-150 pickup) There will be an indoor track for EVs (dubbed the Powering Michigan EV Experience), indoor rides to experience Jeep, Fords, GMCs and others, and outdoor street rides as well. German brands (like BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche) and Japanese automakers (Honda, Subaru, Mazda) have quit the show to find other venues to sell their wares in a state where buyers are heavily biased toward the Detroit Three both for employment reasons and for financial incentives to buy a car (think friend and family discounts).
* We were extended an invitation by Hyundai to attend this past week's global in-person reveal of the all-new Santa Fe in, where else but, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Check back on The Auto Channel after August 10 when the embargo is lifted that allows publshing more specifics. Meanwhile, Hyundai did release some advance information earlier this month which you can see here. https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2023/07/17/1299723-2024-hyundai-santa-fe-first-look.html
* The Auto Channel, among other media, report the Chevy Bolt, the least expensive, long-range EV sold in the United States, will not die at the end of this year after all, but live on with new batteries and new software. During the recent Q2 call with analysts, GM Chief Executive Mary Barra executed a 180 on the earlier decision to phase out Bolt production to make room at a GM assembly plant north of Detroit for production of electric trucks. GM did not say when a new Bolt sporting Ultium batteries and more sophisticated software will hit showrooms.
* Volvo unveiled its new EX30 small SUV in New York City. Expected to be in dealers next summer, EPA mileage rating is 275 miles driving range--based on using all 100% of the battery charge.. Battery charging from 10% to 80% is said to take about 25 minutes. 0-60 mph acceleration in a quick 3.4 seconds...not for the inexperienced driver. MSRP is $34,950 plus shipping. It will be produced in China.
* Another fire has engulfed another car-carrying cargo ship, with one crew member killed and several others injured. An electric car battery was the suspected source of the blaze, according to a Dutch Coast Guard spokesperson. Smoke is still pouring off the Panamanian-registered Fremantle Highway while water is being poured onto it by rescue ships. The incident is happening 17 miles west of the Dutch island of Ameland. Reuters reports the 652-foot ship was carrying 2857 cars, including BMWs and Mercedes, from Germany to Egypt, nearly 500 of them electric.
* Tesla used in-car software to persuade drivers they had more driving range than they could likely achieve, and then created a team of employees to suppress customer complaints and visits to Tesla’s overloaded service centers, Reuters correspondents Steve Stecklow and Norihiko Shirouzu disclosed. Members of that team would bang on a xylophone to celebrate a cancelled service appointment, sources said. Musk did not respond to Reuters questions. It’s not clear what the fallout from these revelations will be. Range matters in the EV business. Tesla’s dominance in the EV market depends, in part, on its claims that its vehicles deliver driving range superior to most competitors.
* More than sidewalks are needed to create a walkable city, writes Melissa Lee, a principal at the consultancy Public Works Partners. Lee explores the multiple benefits of strategies such as closing off some streets to encourage a variety of services and activities, as well as how city officials can overcome obstacles to achieve greater walkability. Read more here. The many benefits of more walkable streets - American City and County
* Mackinac Island, Michigan is celebrating 125 years of banning automobiles on the island with special events. According to Mackinac State Historic Parks, the celebration started on Friday, July 21 with a "re-banning" of automobiles on the island. They were originally banned in 1898. They'll use an 1886 Benz Motorwagen, which is a vehicle similar to the one that got the ban started, to do the re-banning.
* Mazda is recalling certain Mazda3 and CX-3 vehicles for defective rearview cameras. The rearview camera image may not display properly, according to a July 14 recall report. The recall affects 227,335 vehicles in the US.
* Among Ford recalls this week are more than 870,000 F-150 pickups for unexpected activation of the electric-operating parking brake. The recall covers F-150 pickups from the 2021-23 model years that are equipped with a single exhaust system.
* With Steve Torrence’s victory at Pacific Raceways, Toyota Gazoo Racing North America has achieved a milestone in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series competition – 200 event wins. Toyota has participated in NHRA, the largest auto racing organization in the world, since the 2002 with the first Toyota Celica Funny Car. Jerry Toliver delivered the first win for Toyota in March 2004 at the Winternationals at Pomona Dragway. Since then, Toyota has earned hundreds of victories across NHRA’s two nitro divisions – Top Fuel and Funny Car. Toyota has been an official partner with NHRA for nearly a decade – holding the Official Car of the NHRA title since 2014.
* Toyota just got its 600th NASCAR victory. Denny Hamlin's win in the Pocono Raceway Highpoint.com 400 driving his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota Camry also gave Hamlin his 50th career win. A year ago Hamlin also had a first place finish at Pocono but his win was thrown out bt NASCAR for aerodynamic violations.
Stay safe. Be Well.