Tag Archives: Executives

NHTSA Opens Investigation into Tesla Gaming Software

December 22, 2021 admin

Patton plays games driving Model 3 — Journalist Vince Patton demonstrates its possible to play video games while driving his Tesla Model 3.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) it is investigating 580,000 Tesla vehicles sold since 2017 that allow those seated up front to play games on the infotainment touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed with agency earlier this month by Vince Patton, a retired journalist from Portland, Oregon.

The formal safety investigation, which was announced Wednesday, covers 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles. NHTSA opened the investigation “based on reports that Tesla gameplay functionality, which is visible on the front center touchscreen from the driver’s seat, is enabled even when the vehicle is being driven.”

Tesla made the software more dangerous

The 2021 Tesla Model S gets an all-new interior, a yoke-style steering wheel and the updated software being investigated by NHTSA.

The feature, known as “Passenger Play,” increases the risk of a crash. Since December 2020, the feature can be used while driving. Prior to that, it could only be used when the vehicle was in Park. The agency said that it is evaluating aspects of the feature, including how frequently it’s used and when.

NHTSA is concerned about distracted driving, an increasing risk as automakers bring increased online connectivity to infotainment touchscreens. Distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths in 2019, all of them preventable.

While Passenger Play does have a warning stating the game is meant solely for passengers. Although it asks for confirmation that the player is a passenger and not the driver, there is nothing preventing the driver from playing while driving.

Other Tesla safety issues

Consumer Reports criticized the performance of Tesla’s latest version of Autopilot.

It’s not NHTSA’s only Tesla safety investigation, nor Tesla’s only safety issue.

In August, the agency opened a formal safety investigation of 765,000 Teslas equipped with its Autopilot driver-assistance system after 11 crashes involving parked emergency vehicles killed one person and injured 17. The inquiry covers 2014-2021 Models S, X, Y and 3.

In October, Tesla had to roll back full self-driving, or FSD, with Musk revealing that the company is “seeing some issues with 10.3, so rolling back to 10.2 temporarily.”

And in November, Tesla issued a recall for 11,704 vehicles sold in the U.S. since 2017. The recall covers Model S, X, 3 and Y vehicles and came about as a result of an over-the-air firmware update of the automaker’s “Full Self-Driving Beta,” its advanced driver assistance system.

The company identified a software communication error that could cause the forward-collision warning or automatic emergency brake system to falsely activate, possibly leading to a rear-end collision.

Other OEM infotainment issues

2022 Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic black daytime — The new Mercedes-Benz EQS was recalled after it was found that its MBUX system allowed television and internet to be displayed while driving

Other automakers are far more concerned over distracted driving than Tesla. On November 29, Mercedes-Benz recalled 227 vehicles in the U.S. after the company discovered that its MBUX infotainment system allowed television and internet to be displayed while driving.

The recall affected 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 models. Mercedes-Benz has already corrected the problem, and no deaths or injuries seem to have resulted from the problem.

Musk pays billions to satisfy tax bill

In other Tesla news, Reuters is reporting that Tesla CEO Elon Musk sold 10% of his own company stock, 13.5 million shares, 8.06 million of which were sold to pay taxes. The billionaire said he is paying more than $11 billion in taxes this year.

“California used to be the land of opportunity and now it is … becoming more so the land of sort of overregulation, overlitigation, overtaxation,” Musk told Reuters, adding his combined federal and state tax rate tops 50 percent.

The tax bill may explain why Musk recently relocated Tesla’s headquarters to Austin, Texas from Palo Alto, California.

But taxes aren’t Musk’s only concern.

The company has submitted all the documentation required to get its factory approved near Berlin, Germany. Approval of Tesla’s newest manufacturing facility has been delayed by environmental concerns and red tape due to Tesla’s decision to add a battery factory to the site. That has delayed the approval process. It remains unclear when the new plant is expected to open.

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What Does Santa Drive?

December 21, 2021 admin

Sure, you might think that dear old Santa Claus is just some jolly gift giver. But look closer, and it’s hard not to be impressed.

This is a guy who runs a major distribution operation at the North Pole, a privately held enterprise that procures goods year ‘round, listens to customers and fulfills their requests in one short night. And you thought Amazon Prime was quick? Yeah, right.

And just try parallel parking eight reindeer and a sleigh without any automated driver assist systems. Good luck.

But it begs the question, what does this much beloved, highly placed, international executive drive? No one really knows, but here are some possibilities.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer - by castle — The new Grand Wagoneer is powered by a 6.4-liter V-8 putting out 471 horsepower, making it a great daily driver

Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Given Santa’s advancing years, his comfort is a priority. But there’s work to be done, so ol’ Saint Nick needs a lot of utility and the ability to go anywhere at any time no matter what the weather. Few vehicles do it as well as the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, especially on unimproved roads.

Santa values the Grand Wagoneer’s Quadra-Drive II with active low range, rear electronic limited slip differential, terrain management system, its 48:1 crawl ratio, and ability to ford up to 24 inches of water yet tow 10,000 pounds. Yet its cabin possesses artisan-levels of craftsmanship, something unexpected yet welcome.

But it’s more than capability or its opulent interior. This is one high-tech sled, with a full 45 inches of video screens on the instrument panel. And having such a large vehicle at the North Pole is comforting when driving in bleak weather and Rudolph is playing reindeer games.

Ford F-150 hybrid powering Texas home 2020 — The Ford F-150 Hybrid is good source of power should it go out at the North Pole.

Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid: Eight reindeer eating lots of Reindeer Chow leads to a lot of — ahem — mess to clean up. A pickup makes for the perfect polar workhorse, especially the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid.

Its twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.5-liter overhead-cam V-6 mated to an electric motor that generates 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque and returns an EPA-rated of 24 mpg. And it can tow 12,700 pounds, enough to haul a trailer with all eight reindeer and their chow. It also boasts an integrated generator, with 7.2 kilowatts of power, enough to help power key appliances when the power goes out.

And when Santa needs his truck to be his office, there’s a 400-watt outlet for running office equipment, and a center armrest that converts to a flat work surface, with a storage bin beneath it large to hang file folders. And the front seats fold flat to create a bed that’s perfect for the quick nap away from Mrs. Claus. Ho, ho, ho.

The new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid can travel up to 30 miles in electric-only mode, and carry a whole pack of elves.

Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: When you need to move a mess of elves, few vehicles can handle it with the aplomb of the 2022 Chrysler. Sure, Santa needs a minivan to schlep his staff, and the Pacifica proves the ideal solution. There’s more legroom than many full-size SUVs, and abundant cargo space.

To keep them all occupied, there’s Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and for 2022, Amazon Fire TV streaming for rear-seat passengers. Powering the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is the corporate 3.6-liter double-overhead cam V-6, albeit modified for hybrid duties, working in concert with two electric motors to deliver 260 horsepower to the front wheels.

It run 33 miles solely on electric power, enough to quickly pop across town. And the EPA says that you can save $800 annually in fuel costs compared to the standard Pacifica minivan.

Mrs. Claus loves the Genesis GV80’s understated opulence

Genesis GV80: The lavish GV80 is an all-new model for Genesis, one that guarantees Santa’s other half will be wearing the latest in bold automotive fashion, and enjoy the latest in seamless technology including all-wheel drive.

Mrs. Claus loves the extensive suite of driver-assistance safety features and helpful technology such as the head-up display and a huge 14.5-inch touchscreen. The quilted leather upholstery, and rear seats that adjust with heated and cooled cushions seem positively lavish.

And when it comes to indulgence, the same can be said of its performance, thanks to its 375-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. It’s a sweet ride for the missus.

Mercedes-Maybach S 680: A night on the town calls for a righteous ride, one that’s appropriate of Santa’s station. Is there another executive shuttle to match the technology, ability and finely crafted interior of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class? The Maybach trim level turns up the luxury to 11, while retaining the sort of convenience features essential to older drivers.

When all the gifts have been delivered, and every stocking stuffed, Santa enjoys a good rip behind the wheel of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

One such feature, Night View Assist Plus, ensures the driver doesn’t hit any wildlife. ANd its quilted leather and hushed ambience, makes every ride a special occasion. And let’s not forget its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12; it propels this massive Merc to 60 in just 4.4 seconds. And considering how much Santa has given others, this bit of indulgence is worth it.

Mazda MX-5 Miata: The stockings are stuffed, the presents placed under the tree, and now it’s Miller time. Even Santa needs to let his hair down to enjoy a few ho, ho, hos in warm weather.

You can almost see him zipping around Palm Springs in the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s a modern-day classic with great looks, light weight and crisp handling.

Nikola Paying $125M to Settle with SEC

December 21, 2021 admin

Nikola Corp. agreed to pay $125 million to settle civil charges levied against the company by the Securities and Exchange Commission claiming it defrauded investors by making false claims about its vehicles.

Nikola CEO Trevor Milton t-shirt — Nikola’s settlement with the SEC still holds the company accountable for statements made by founder Trevor Milton.

The deal is separate from the civil and criminal charges against Trevor Milton, the company’s founder and now-former Chairman. In fact, the company’s agreed to cooperate with any current investigation and litigation, however, it didn’t admit or deny the SEC’s findings in the settlement.

The agency contends the company misled investors about the capabilities of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles, suggesting they were further along in development than they were. The focal point being a video of its Nikola One appearing to be driving under its own power, when it was actually rolling down a slight decline.

The video became the centerpiece of a report by short-selling research firm Hindenburg Research claiming Nikola was based on “intricate fraud built on dozen of lies” perpetrated by Milton. That quickly triggered an SEC probe and led to the decision by Milton to resign on Sept. 21.

Nikola agreed to pay the $125 million in five installments over two years. The first payment comes by the end of this year, with the remainder being paid in semi-annual installments in 2022 and 2023. The company previously disclosed Nov. 4, 2021 it took a $125 million reserve in its third quarter earnings to account for the expected settlement.

Nikola Motor Chairman Trevor Milton — Nikola Motor’s former Chairman Trevor Milton is facing civil and criminal charges in court.

Milton not off the hook

Nikola “is responsible both for Milton’s allegedly misleading statements and for other alleged deceptions, all of which falsely portrayed the true state of the company’s business and technology,” said Gurbir Grewal, the SEC’s enforcement director, in a statement.

Milton saw civil and criminal charges filed against in July, claiming he used social media to repeatedly mislead investors about the company’s technology, netting “tens of millions of dollars” in the process. Milton’s repeatedly denied wrongdoing and is in the midst of a court battle.

Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said during a press conference in late July, Milton deliberately set out to deceive what she described as “retail investors” by making claims he knew were false about Nikola products.

While Nikola’s settled up with the SEC, it’s now focused on its former leader.

Nikola Tre Class 8 semi — The company’s attempting to move on from the problems. In fact, it delivered its first battery-electric Tre Class 8 rigs last week.

“The company has taken action to seek reimbursement from its founder, Trevor Milton, for costs and damages in connection with the government and regulatory investigations,” the company said in a release.

Moving forward

“We are pleased to bring this chapter to a close as the company has now resolved all government investigations,” the company said in a statement.

“We will continue to execute on our strategy and vision to deliver on our business plan, including delivering trucks to customers, expanding our manufacturing facilities and our sales and service network, and building out our hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem including hydrogen production, distribution and dispensing stations.”

This is already happening as it delivered the first Nikola Tre battery-electric pilot trucks to Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI), a Southern California’s port trucking company, to expedite zero-emission transportation solutions at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The company is engaged in a four-truck pilot program with the trucking company, involving two battery electric trucks with a range of 350 miles and two fuel cell-electric trucks with a range of 500 miles. If the vehicle trials go well and TTSI obtains government funding, the company will provide 30 BEVs in 2022, and 70 FCEVs are anticipated to start in 2023.

First Look: 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge

October 28, 2021 admin

Who would have thought you could make the Rolls-Royce Ghost look so sinister?

Rolls-Royce revealed a new addition to the Rolls-Royce Ghost line-up in Miami Thursday — the Black Badge — during a North America dealer meeting that saw about 100 retailers meet with the automaker’s top executives.

The automaker revealed the new model to dealers at the Mad nightclub in the hip and trendy Wynnewood section of Miami, and will do the same for customers later this week.

“We just felt this was very Black Badge,” said Richard Carter, director of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It’s very, noir; It’s very alternative; and that’s the essence of Black Badge.”

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expands a line-up that began with the Wraith coupe, followed by the Phantom sedan in 2016, the Dawn cabriolet in 2017 and the Cullinan SUV in 2019. The murdered-out Black Badge models now account for more than 27% of Rolls-Royce sales worldwide, including 40% of Cullinan sales.

The darker side of opulence

To realize the Ghost Black Badge’s menacing demeanor, the company uses 100 pounds of the industry’s darkest black paint. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille are darkened using a chrome electrolyte applied during chrome plating. The new model wears exclusive 21-inch wheels with as many as 44 layers of carbon fiber.

The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in more that 44,000 different hues, although most Black Badge customers choose black.

As you’d expect, interior components are darkened including air vents and the wood veneer, along with Black Badge badging and other unique interior touches, although clients are free to specify any number of colors and trim to be used on the car’s interior.

Engineers also contributed, fitting larger air springs to alleviate body roll during assertive cornering. There’s also roughly 29 additional horsepower and a revised transmission to make the Black Badge a bit more athletic. They also reduced brake pedal travel.

A quick turn behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes revealed a car that can be driven more aggressively than your average Ghost. Grip is impressive while cornering, staying firmly planted despite some noticeable body roll. Body motions never become excessive, and rebound over bumps is very well controlled. Yet its agility doesn’t come at the expense of the brand’s legendary comfort.

An idea born in Beverly Hills

The idea of Black Badge occurred in 2014 in Beverly Hills.

“This whole notion of the alter ego of Rolls Royce, the slightly noir, naughty, edgy side of Rolls Royce is something that we were thinking about. We were looking at ways and means of lowering the age profile of our brand,” Carter said.

The Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy also receive the Black Badge treatment.

At the time, the brand had one model, the Phantom, and an average buyer’s age of 57. “We were selling one model to a dying set of customers, and there was no future in that,” he said.

At the time, the company was about to release the first-generation Ghost, followed by its two-door spinoff, the Wraith, both of which would attract younger buyers. But the company needed more. They were searching for an idea, but hadn’t settled on anything yet.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was waiting for a car to pick him up at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills when a murdered-out Phantom Coupe pulled up. Ötvös was stunned, and asked the owner why he modified his Phantom.

“He told me over the weekend, that he wants to be a different kind of character,” Ötvös said. “For some of the week, he is friendly and nice. But over the weekend, he wants to be something different. He enjoyed playing a different role; how he was dressed, looked and talked.”

A couple weeks later, Ötvös had similar experiences particularly in the United States, particularly in California. This led to the creation of Black Badge at a time where murdered-out cars weren’t mainstream.

A surprising success

The Ghost Black Badge is revealed for the first time at the Mad nightclub in Miami.

Initially, executives expected Black Badge models to have a 10%-15% take rate. But they were mistaken. It turned out to be a stunning success, with a far higher take rate. Currently, Black Badge represents 40% of Cullinan sales. Black Badge, along with new models like Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, have brought the average Rolls-Royce buyer’s age down to 43, quite a large drop in a little less than a decade.

“We are even younger than Mini as a brand in the BMW Group,” Ötvös said, who then explained that the type of wealthy car buyer has changed.

“When you look into ultra-high net worth individuals, those people who are our target group worldwide, they became younger and younger over time because the way to generate wealth is very, very different from what it used to be 15-to-20 years ago.”

Rolls-Royce sees its Black Badge line as one that appeals to iconoclasts, a type of buyer that the brand has always attracted, particularly during the pre-World War II years, when all coachwork was custom built.

“Black Badge was the most instrumental piece we had in an all-new brand strategy to massively decrease the average age and illuminate the brand in a significant way,” Ötvös said.

Mission accomplished.

UAW Sells Scandal-Plagued Northern Michigan Property for $1.1 Million

August 2, 2021 admin

The United Auto Workers netted $1.1 million from the sale of the property located adjacent to the UAW’s Black Lake educational center, which figured prominently in the recent scandal, leading to prison sentences for two former UAW presidents.

UAW Dennis Williams — The UAW sold the “cabin” built for expelled former President Dennis William on its Black Lake property in northern Michigan.

The lakefront property near Onaway, Michigan includes the 1,900-square foot residence that was supposed to the part-time retirement home of former UAW President Dennis Williams, who was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the scandal after he pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.

The $1.1 million earned from the sales of the home will go into the UAW’s general fund, UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said in an email to TheDetroitBureau.com.

Home approved during UAW convention

The union’s Constitutional Convention in 2018 rubber-stamped a motion to build the retirement cottage for Williams without any dissent or discussion from the convention floor, which was tightly controlled by Williams’ allies.

The UAW sold the property as part of the deal struck with federal prosecutors.

The resolution authorizing construction of the “cabin” relied on the precedent set when the UAW’s 2002 Constitutional Convention, authorizing construction of a house at Black Lake for UAW President Steven Yokich, who was retiring after seven years as the union’s leader.

“In tribute to his tireless efforts to invest in and expand the educational and recreational opportunities available to UAW leaders at the great facility, the cottage shall be available for his use whenever he visits the center, for the use of others when he isn’t visiting the center, and for the display of special memorabilia of his choosing,” according to the resolution included in a book on the proceedings from the union’s convention in Las Vegas.

Golf course and “cabin” almost sold earlier

former UAW President Ron Gettelfinger — Former UAW Ron Gettelfinger tried to sell the Black Lake golf course in 2010.

Yokich, who also directed to construction of a new championship-style golf course at Black Lake, died two months after leaving office but the resolution authorizing construction of a house remained while the property the UAW acquired at Yokich’s direction remained vacant.

Ron Gettelfinger, who was the UAW’s president from 2002 to 2010, tried unsuccessfully to sell the golf course and to minimize the cost of operating Black Lake during a deep recession that decimated the UAW’s membership rolls.

Gettelfinger, who was quite familiar with the center’s financial problems declined to have any kind of house built for him and his successor, Bob King, simply used a cabin at Black Lake that had been used by other former UAW officers such as Doug Fraser, according to people familiar with Black Lake’s operations.

Black Lake is a special place to the UAW as iconic leader Walter Reuther is buried there.

Williams took an interest in the Black Lake project while serving as the UAW’s Secretary-Treasurer from 2010 to 2014. He managed to shore up the center’s finances with help from the UAW’s strike fund and as his term as UAW president ended, he began talking up with aides and colleagues he idea of building a new home the property owned by the UAW adjacent to Black Lake even though federal investigators were already probing the conduct of UAW officials.

Black Lake special for UAW

Black Lake holds a special place in union lore. It was planned by Water Reuther, who led the UAW in the years after World War II. Reuther died in 1970 in plane crash when he was on his way north to inspect its construction. He is now buried at Black Lake, where hundreds of union members go each year for conferences and meetings.

As the scandal continued to unfold, the Williams retirement home at Black Lake became emblematic of the corruption among the UAW top officers that has now led to prison sentences for a dozen former officers and officials.

Williams, like former UAW president Gary Jones, also has been expelled from the union.

The UAW put the cottage up for sale last year but the pandemic and questions about an easement and a possible federal claim to the property delayed the move. All of the issues, including the potential for forfeiture to the U.S. government have been resolved, union officials said. “This sale rights a wrong from the past, and I want each and every one of you to know that we continue to implement ethics reforms throughout the organization,” new President Ray Curry wrote in a note to members last week.

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Jeep Plugs In — Brand Expecting Plug Models to Generate 70% of its Sales

July 15, 2021 admin

Slowly, carefully, the driver eases his Jeep Wrangler forward, its big wheels grabbing a purchase on the boulder blocking its way. The nose now pointing up at a seemingly impossible angle, the SUV quickly scrambles to the top of the craggy hill, offering a commanding view of Texas Hill Country.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a massive hit for the off-road brand. The entire 2021 allotment is sold out already.

Jeep fans likely would say it’s all in a day’s driving off-road with a Wrangler. But what’s particularly notable about the excursion is the fact the SUV is doing it all in near silence. That’s because it’s the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the brand’s first electrified model.

Since it was launched this past April, the plug-in hybrid 4xe has caught on like a California wildfire, accounting for more than 20% of total Wrangler sales — a figure limited only by available production. Jeep’s U.S. brand boss Jim Morrison said dealers have now ordered every one of the plug-in hybrids the brand can build for the rest of the year.

A plug for every purse and purpose

The Wrangler 4xe may be the first plug-based model in the Jeep line-up, but it won’t be last — nor will it be alone for long. By mid-decade there will be a 4xe version of every model in Jeep’s product portfolio, global CEO Christian Meunier said during a webinar earlier this week. About the same time, Jeep will offer a full battery-electric vehicle in every single product segment it competes in, he added.

A 4xe version of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee will debut late this year, Jeep officials confirmed, with a plug-in option coming soon for the new Compass model introduced this week at the Chicago Auto Show.

“Electrification is the big opportunity for Jeep,” said Meunier. While the automaker will have to comply with increasingly stringent emissions and fuel efficiency standards, it plans to get out ahead of the regulators because it believes there will be growing consumer demand. “It’s an opportunity to make our products even more capable.”

Instant torque

The Grand Cherokee will be the next plug-in offered by Jeep with more to follow.

The Wrangler 4xe puts out 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. But even those seemingly impressive numbers tell only part of the story. The SUV’s two electric motors deliver virtually all of their rock-crawling torque the moment they start turning, quickly earning the plug-in a reputation for being especially capable off-road.

The electric drive system allows a motorist to shut off the Wrangler’s gas engine entirely, operating in near silence when driving off-road. On pavement, the SUV can manage up to 21 miles in electric-only mode, while also boosting mileage when its 4-cylinder gas engine fires up.

Since the 4xe’s launch, “We’re seeing customers who wouldn’t have considered a Wrangler because it was politically incorrect” (and often derided by environmentalists as a gas guzzler), said Morrison during an interview in Chicago. But now, the SUV is winning over eco-friendly converts. And Jeep officials are betting they’ll gain even more traction as they add more PHEVs and, eventually, BEVs to the brand.

An important anniversary

Meunier formally estimates that plug-based products will account for 70% of Jeep’s global sales by 2025. “And I think 70% is on the low side,” he added during this week’s webinar.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 with Xtreme Recon package also makes its appearance at the Chicago Auto Show this week.

The transformation comes at a significant time for the brand. It is celebrating its 80^th anniversary July 15, and it is in the midst of one of the most aggressive product campaigns in its history. Along with the Compass, it brought to Chicago the new Wrangler Rubicon Recon model. It is launching the next generation Grand Cherokee, and the first 3-row Grand Cherokee L. There’s also the high-line Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models coming later this year.

While Jeep was an early SUV pioneer, it missed a number of opportunities, Morrison conceded, by not expanding its line-up nearly as fast as key competitors such as Ford or Toyota. And that gave an opportunity to upstarts like Subaru, as well.

Now, brand officials are confident they’ve left few open niches. If anything, however, going electric will create even more options, said Mark Allen, the director of Jeep exterior design.

A new design paradigm

Pure electric vehicles, in particular, offer “exciting” possibilities,” said Allen, since their batteries and motors are moved under the load floor. That essentially eliminates the need for a conventional engine compartment.

“I see us able to open up (the design) of a vehicle in ways we can’t now,” added Allen, highlighting sketches of some radically different Jeep designs that could come to market in the decade ahead.

There will be “plenty of new opportunities for Jeep,” echoed Morrison. As it goes electric, it will give the brand a chance to enhance the off-road capabilities it is best known for, while adding on-road comfort and features it couldn’t offer with conventional, gas and diesel-powered products.

Chipmaker Chief Says Automakers Won’t Get Full Demand Met Until Q3

May 3, 2021 admin

Mark Liu, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., said his company will begin sending chips to U.S. automakers by the end of June. (Photo credit: 60 Minutes)

Last week, Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed what some already predicted: the semiconductor shortage is getting worse, not better and the second quarter will be the low point.

Ford and scores of other automakers have been robbing Peter to pay Paul when it comes to those precious semiconductor chips for months now. However, Ford and its Detroit rival, General Motors, are particularly hard hit, especially when it comes to its highly profitable trucks.

However, one of the protagonists in this ongoing techno-drama offered a ray of sunshine Sunday, then pulled the clouds back over it.

Mark Liu, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., one of the major suppliers of chips in the world, told CBS’ 60 Minutes the company was scrambling to squeeze out all it can from its existing production network.

Not the end, just the beginning

More importantly, it expects to begin producing enough chips to start sending some to automakers by the end of June. However, it will only be the “minimum requirement” needed by automakers. In short: the summer is still going to be bad.

President Joe Biden is pushing for funding to accelerate the production of semiconductors in the U.S. for this year.

“Today, we think we are two months ahead, that we can catch up the minimum requirement of our customers, before the end of June,” he told the television news magazine. However, he was clear that meant that chips would start to come, not end the shortage.

“There’s a time lag. In car chips particularly, the supply chain is long and complex. The supply takes about seven to eight months,” Liu added.

It’s reportedly about that time that Renesas Electronics Corp. expects to be back up to full production levels at its Japanese plant that was shut down for a month after a fire swept through the facility, forcing it to cease operations.

Renesas is another top supplier of chips to the auto industry. It recently completed its repairs and began limited production April 10. Shipments will begin sometime in the next two weeks. The facility produces chips for Ford, Toyota and others. It will not begin sending full shipments until basically the end of the second quarter.

Automakers, like Ford and GM, are still extending the amount of time assembly plants are shut down.

Waiting to rebound

In the meantime, automakers are simply waiting, hoping to get enough chips to churn out a few more vehicles. Ford is stockpiling nearly done pickup trucks so that it can finish production once its chip supply is replenished.

Last week, several automakers laid out their plans to idle several production facilities due to the shortage. Today, GM extended the shutdown at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas and CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Additionally it is slowing production at its Lansing Grand River site.

Ford earlier today revealed plans for production cuts at its assembly plants in Cologne and Saarlouis. German automaker Volkswagen officials supported the assertion made by Farley last week that second quarter production was going to be volatile.

“I think the situation will remain tense,” Ralf Brandstaetter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and member of the carmaker’s management board, told German news agency dpa. The company’s lost about 100,000 vehicles due to the shortage, Automotive News reported.

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SEC Investigating VW Due to the “Voltswagen” Stunt

April 30, 2021 admin

The “Voltswagen” April Fool’s Day prank has led to an investigation by the SEC.

What started out as a “humorous” advertising and marketing ploy could land German automaker Volkswagen in serious trouble with the federal government.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is apparently looking into VW’s “Voltswagen” marketing stunt to determine if it hurt company stock prices and may have broken any U.S. securities laws, according to German news outlet Der Spiegel.

The incident in question dates back to March 29. As a sort of early April Fool’s Day prank (and marketing ploy), VW “accidentally” released a rough draft of a press release declaring the company was going to change its name to “Voltswagen” as part of a larger effort to promote its ever-growing line-up of electric vehicles (EVs).

This action was picked up by the worldwide automotive press and on March 30 VW issued an official press release to several news outlets, including the Associated Press, confirming the leaked statement from the day before.

This action resulted in VW’s stock price going up. At one point it was 12.5% above its price before the whole incident.

SEC looking at jump in stock price

VW of America President Scott Keogh took responsibility for the poorly received April Fools’ prank that wasn’t on April 1.

This is what caught the attention of the SEC, taking what many considered a fairly unfunny publicity ruse to a possible federal offense.

After the April Fool’s stunt failed in the eyes of the media and the public, VW issued a press statement saying the releases were actually part of a larger tradition in which companies often issue prank statements.

This one just meant to also focus the world’s attention on VW’s growing EV portfolio.

But public statements that affect stock prices usually don’t get an “April Fools” immunity. An SEC investigation could result in charges against the company.

Several news organizations, including The New York Times and Reuters, have asked for a comment from VW. So far, the company has declined to issue one.

Just one of many VW legal scandals

This is not the first time VW has gotten into trouble for the way it conducts its business.

Oh those wacky Germans!! As quickly as it got here, VW took it away: Voltswagen is the company that never was.

In October 2015, as Volkswagen struggled to deal with its diesel emissions scandal, new data raised questions about whether the automaker properly reported death and injury claims to U.S. regulators during the past decade.

A study by the financial advisory firm Stout Risius Ross Inc., found that Volkswagen of America reported nine times fewer deaths and injuries than the average of the 11 largest automakers operating in the U.S. market. Significantly, VW reported less than half as many incidents as either Fiat Chrysler or Honda, both of which have been fined for underreporting their own death and injury data.

Back in September 2015, the EPA accused the German maker of using a so-called “defeat devices,” software designed to fool government emissions tests, on a variety of luxury models from the Audi and Porsche brands. The feds charged VW took steps to cover up excess emissions on 482,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. during a 7-year period.

The end result was VW paying billions of dollars in fines to various governments around the world. The company also faced numerous consumer lawsuits that further cost the company money.

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As Americans Take to the Road Again, Gasoline Could Be in Short Supply This Summer

April 28, 2021 admin

Motorists could be seeing signs like this across the U.S. as companies struggle to find tanker drivers.

First came the shortages of masks and hand sanitizer, then tissues and toilet paper. Scarcity became reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, as widespread vaccination frees up millions of Americans to take long-delayed summer vacations, a new shortage is cropping up: a lack of gasoline.

There’s plenty of petroleum at the nation’s refineries, in fact. The real issue is a shortage of drivers to get it to the pump.

Ironically, many tank truck drivers were let go when the pandemic first struck and millions of Americans went into lockdown. Now, up to 25% of U.S. tankers are sitting idle with no one to put behind the wheel.

Pandemic’s petro-rollercoaster

U.S. roadways went eerily silent as much of the country was idled at this time last year. In major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, traffic fell by as much as 80%, according to tracking service Tom Tom. There was such a glut of petroleum that oil tankers often sat at sea, waiting to empty their loads.

The potential gas shortages are not an issue of overall supply as refineries are operating without issue.

That sent gas prices tumbling, some U.S. service stations charging less than a dollar a gallon in spring 2020. Demand has been rising since then and the typical U.S. motorist is paying $2.88 a gallon for regular unleaded today, according to AAA.

But there’s growing concern that prices could surge even more sharply, especially if the country starts to experience gasoline shortages should there not be enough drivers found to get fuel to where it’s needed.

“Trucking’s driver shortage already exceeds 50,000 drivers,” the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), an industry trade group, reported on its website. And that’s only part of the problem, it adds. “The trucking industry’s workforce shortage is not confined to drivers alone. Trucking companies also require dispatchers and back office staff. Trained mechanics are also in short supply. Tank truck operations face further critical shortages of registered inspectors and design-certified engineers who can inspect and repair cargo tank truck trailers.”

Driver shortage grows worse

In recent years, there’s been a growing shortage of truck drivers, in general. The work is demanding, the pay often marginal, especially for those operating their own rigs.

This could be an increasingly less familiar sight as demand for gasoline increases this summer.

Complicating matters, not everyone licensed to haul an 18-wheeler can operate a tank truck. Beyond the basic commercial license, a driver needs to get additional certification considering the dangerous loads they’ll be hauling.

Then, early last year, a new federal registry debuted. It identified drivers who have had issues with alcohol or drugs. As many as 60,000 of them are no longer available as a result.

Tanker fleet operators struggled with the lack of business last year and are now trying to cope with the driver shortage. When lockdown began and demand for gas plunged, “We were even hauling boxes for Amazon just to keep our drivers busy,” Holly McCormick, vice president in charge of driver recruitment and retention at Oklahoma tanker company, told CNN. “A lot of drivers didn’t want to do the safety protocols. We’re also working with an aging work force. Many said ‘I might as well take it as a cue to retire.’”

Even in normal times, driver turnover can run 50% annually. It hit 70% during the depths of the COVID crisis, Brad Fulton, director of research and analytics at Stay Metrics, told the network.

Spot shortages

Traffic levels are on the rise, especially as more Americans receive vaccinations and look to travel again on vacation.

Schools that train new drivers simply can’t keep up, according to industry insiders. And there are additional roadblocks in the licensing process, argues the NTTC which, in a report on the shortage, said steps are essential for “speeding and easing the CDL (commercial driver’s) licensing process.”

There have already been reports of spot shortages hitting vacation centers like Florida and Arizona during the recent spring break, according to the Oil Price Information Service.

Experts say these could become more widespread during the summer months as more Americans start to travel again — especially with the CDC revising outdoor mask guidelines for those who’ve been fully vaccinated.

The real concern is that even a brief shortage at a handful of stations could cause the same sort of panic that occurred last year when supplies of toilet paper fell short, shoppers lining up at groceries and big box outlets like Costco, snapping up every roll they could find.

If everyone suddenly decides they need a full tank of gas at all times it could strain supplies. It also could lead to long lines of cars waiting to fuel up — bringing back echoes of the gas shortages America faced in the 1970 oil shocks. Except, this time, there’s a plentiful supply of both petroleum, but a shortage of the trucks needed to get fuel where it’s needed.

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Fiat Joins Electric Van Fray with New E-Ducato

April 22, 2021 admin

Fiat is getting into the electric van market with the new E-Ducato, and partnering with global logistics giant DHL.

It’s not just the light duty arena seeing a substantive increase in battery-electric offerings as the crowded commercial van market just got another competitor: the Fiat E-Ducato.

Stellantis, Fiat’s parent company, told the world it would move quickly to become competitive in the electric vehicle market once the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Group PSA was complete. The deal was done at the end of 2020, and they’re making good on that promise.

The new E-Ducato steps into a very crowded field facing competition like the Mercedes e-Sprinter, Rivan’s new all-electric delivery van, GM’s BrightDrop offering and the king of the segment, Ford and its E-Transit model.

But it’s not just the big names looking to make inroads in the segment, Fiat’s competing with fringe players like Silicon Valley’s Canoo, Ohio’s Workhorse Group and the even smaller Arrival, which uses “microfactories,” ditching the traditional assembly line approach vehicle manufacturing.

The newest player

Fiat’s new E-Ducato starts at about $50,500, which puts it on par with most of its competition.

Ever-intensifying competition aside, the new E-Ducato is available right here — if here is Europe — and right now. It’s assembled at Fiat’s Atessa, Italy plant, although the electric powertrain will be install at the Mirafiori facility in Turin. No word on if or when a ProMaster version comes to the U.S., although the company did say other variants would follow.

Fiat says it’s comparable to a diesel in its performance levels. The motor puts out 122 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, which should be plenty to get around town. Additionally, it can add another 62 miles of range in less than 30 minutes, Stellantis officials noted.

The E-Ducato offers two different battery options — 47 kWh and 79 kWh, best-in-class for installed electrical capacity. It offers four types of charging modes, although only three are available now. With a 47-kWh battery, it travels up to 145 miles. With a 79-kWh battery, it enjoys a range of about 230 miles.

“For the E-Ducato, we started from the idea of creating not only a ‘green’ vehicle, but also a complete mobility solution, characterized by versatility, reliability, efficiency and sustainability (at both an environmental and an economic level),” said Eric Laforge, head of the Fiat Professional brand, who’s leading charge into large electric vans.

Amazon and Rivian are expanding the use of the EV maker’s electric delivery van.

“In short, a working tool to build up your business while respecting the precepts of ecology, a model ready for every mission, uncompromisingly aiming to be the benchmark in the market and to be equipped with the same capabilities as vehicles with internal combustion engines. Its 400 configurations mean it can meet the needs of all professional operators, from freight fleets and construction companies to artisans and municipal service providers.”

Following a familiar path

Like many of the other competitors in the segment, Fiat’s got a real-world partner: DHL. The global delivery giant signed on to help build a better van five years ago, but the relationship intensified when the E-Ducato hit the drawing board.

Unsurprisingly, it will purchase E-Ducatos as part its commitment to electrify most of its last-mile delivery vehicles by 2030, and 60% of its overall fleet electrified. “This means I’m looking for something like 14,000 vehicles we’re gonna buy,” said Alberto Nobis, CEO of DHL Express Europe during the press conference. “We had an opportunity to build this vehicle to our specifications.”

A pre-production version of the BrightDrop EV600 van being tested by FedEx.

It’s unclear if Nobis was committing to buying 14,000 E-Ducatos or simply that many electrified vehicles. However, the partnership between DHL and Stellantis shows the importance of catering to the market.

Similarly Rivan worked with Amazon, which is also a major investor in the company, to create the electric vans it’s currently testing in several cities across the U.S.

Arrival and Workhorse are both working with UPS, GM is partnering with FedEx on its BrightDrop vehicles. Ford and Daimler haven’t announced formal partnerships yet, but they are the two largest players in the segment so getting input likely isn’t a problem.

The new E-Ducato starts at just under $50,500, which puts in the same league as the aforementioned E-Transit which starts at about $45,000.

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OffRoadTrucksXtreme.com – The Track Day Specialists