Interesting Car/Truck Manufacturer News

[Weather Man]

Magna’s 48-Volt hybrid transmission makes debut on Stellantis models​

MGA +2.65%Oct. 26, 2022 7:35 AM ET

• Magna's (NYSE:MGA) 48-Volt hybrid transmission has made its market debut on Stellantis' (NYSE:STLA) Jeep Renegade, Compass e-Hybrid, Fiat 500 X and Tipo models as part of a multi-program agreement.
• The 48V hybrid transmission, produced at Magna's Slovakia facility, is said to achieve stringent CO2 targets and offer improved driving dynamics due to electric torque vectoring and traction support. It provides a maximum torque of 320 Nm and torque-split technology to optimize the efficiencies of the combustion engine and the e-motor.
• Further 48V hybrid transmissions are expected to be adopted in additional future Stellantis (STLA) models.

 

[Weather Man]

Ford offers severance packages to white-collar ‘underperformers’ - WSJ​

Oct. 31, 2022 6:43 AM ETFord Motor Company (F)By: Kevin P. Curran, SA News Editor7 Comments

Justin Sullivan

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) has offered severance packages to a number of white-collar workers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
An internal email reviewed by the paper indicated that significant changes in policies for salaried employees is driving the headcount reduction. The workers offered the packages had been “deemed underperformers” by the automaker. The criteria was described by the outlet as targeting workers with 8 or more years tenure and had demonstrated “a pattern of declining performance.”
Ford shares slipped 0.9% in early pre-market trading.

 

[Weather Man]

Ford slashes prices of Mustang Mach-E in China​

Oct. 31, 2022 5:42 AM ETFord Motor Company (F)TSLABy: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor4 Comments

fredrocko/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Ford (NYSE:F) has slashed the price of its Mustang Mach-E models in China by as much as RMB 28K, CnEVPost reported on Monday.
• According to an announcement from the company's China EV division, the entire Ford Mustang Mach-E lineup will undergo a price adjustment starting Oct. 31, 2022.
• The Mach-E, which comes in four versions, will be priced between RMB 249,900 to RMB 369,900, down from the previous range of RMB 275,900 to RMB 389,900.
• The price adjustments come after Tesla (TSLA) also cut prices in the country. The Mach-E is a competitor to Tesla's Model Y.
• Tesla (TSLA) lowered prices of its Model 3 and Model Y range in China with the entry-level cost going down from RMB 316,900 to RMB 288,900.

 

[Weather Man]

Stellantis’ China joint venture to file for bankruptcy​

STLA +0.15%Oct. 31, 2022 6:13 AM ET1 Comment

• The shareholders of the GAC-FCA Joint Venture, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. and Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) will file for bankruptcy to reverse its dwindling sales in the country.
• An unprofitable joint venture that made and distributed the Jeep brand in China would continue to provide services to existing and future Jeep brand customers in China.
• Stellantis had booked a noncash impairment charge of equivalent to almost $300M in its first-half results as a result of ending the JV.
• The JV was first formed in 2010 in a 50-50 split between GAC and Fiat SpA. Fiat became part of Stellantis following a merger with the French PSA Group.

 

[Weather Man]

Looks like multiple state dealer organizations are going to sue Ford over their new invest in EV or else plan. State franchise laws vary, so remains to be seen what will happen.

 

[Weather Man]

Ford selects Rockwell to drive EV program​

Nov. 17, 2022 5:43 AM ETFord Motor Company (F), ROKBy: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor1 Comment

fredrocko/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Ford Motor (NYSE:F) has chosen Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) to advance its EV program.
• Rockwell (ROK) will serve as vehicle operations primary controls and solutions provider for Ford's (F) next three EV assembly sites. Its products and services will be utilized across the automaker's production complexes located in Oakville, Canada; Blue Oval City, Tennessee; and Avon Lake, Ohio.
• Ford Motor (F) U.S. sales fell 10% in October, with EV sales up 120%

 

[Weather Man]

Jalopnik
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GM Dealers Have Been Quietly Repairing Teslas For Over a Year​

Story by Lawrence Hodge • 58m ago

Tesla owners in need of repairs might have something to reluctantly rejoice. Speaking at GM’s Investor Day 2022, GM President Mark Reuss might have surprised some when he revealed that a small number of GM dealers have been doing repairs on thousands of Teslas for over a year. Since 2021, GM dealers across the country have repaired 11,180 Teslas in total.

 

[Weather Man]

Ferrari sees high demand for its first SUV​

RACE -0.18%Nov. 29, 2022 1:28 PM ET9 Comments

Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) has temporarily stopped taking orders for its Purosangue SUV with sky-high demand pushing the waiting list out for the $400K vehicle two years for delivery.
Ferrari (RACE) unveiled the gas-powered 12-cylinder Purosangue earlier in the year with a pledge to keep the model's sales below 20% of total group shipments over the car's life-cycle to retain a degree of exclusivity. The Purosangue is the first four-door, four-seat, four-wheel-drive vehicle in the automaker's long storied history.
Ferrari (RACE) unveiled the 12-cylinder Purosangue with an eye on wealthy drivers not ready to go all-electric. It is part of Ferrari's slow rollout of electrifying its portfolio. During Ferrari's investor day, executives said the first fully electric Ferrari is not expected until 2025. The Italian luxury sports car manufacturer expects to be 80% electrified by 2030.
Ferrari (RACE) has been one of the best performing auto manufacturer stocks in 2022 with its 16.6% drop comparing favorably to most of the sector.

 

[Weather Man]

Emerson to provide automation solutions for KOHYGEN’s hydrogen initiative​

EMR -0.34%Dec. 01, 2022 9:36 AM ET

• Emerson (NYSE:EMR) said Thursday that Korea Hydrogen Green Energy Network has selected the company as an automation solutions provider for its hydrogen refueling stations across South Korea.
• “We’re committed to building smart, safe hydrogen refueling infrastructure by leveraging IT-based integrated operations, using large capacity, high-efficiency charging systems and, most importantly, strengthening design safety standards,” said KyungSil Lee, KOHYGEN’s chief executive officer. “Emerson is helping us secure abundant clean energy for Korea and the world,” Lee added.
• The JeonjuPyeonghwa Hydrogen Refueling Station is the first of 35 high-capacity gas and liquid hydrogen refueling stations KOHYGEN plans to construct across Korea by 2025.
• Emerson and KOHYGEN are collaborating on technical standards for future commercial refueling stations and similar projects, as KOHYGEN plans to expand its hydrogen supply platform to service hydrogen-powered aircraft, ships and other diverse forms of transportation.

 

[Weather Man]

Hyundai Motor America reports sales growth of 43% in November​

Dec. 01, 2022 9:18 AM ET

• Hyundai Motor America (OTCPK:HYMTF) reported total November sales growth of 43% Y/Y to 63,305 units vs. 7% growth to 60,604 units in October.
• Retail sales rose 28% Y/Y to 56,592 units.
• Fleet sales remained at 1.4% of total volume for the year.
• his was a record November retail sales month led by Elantra HEV (+733%), Kona EV (+113%), Venue (+57%), Santa Cruz (+44%), Santa Fe HEV (+43%), Tucson (+33%) and Tucson HEV (+18%). Hyundai eco-friendly vehicle sales of 7,550 represented 13% of retail and a 39% Y/Y increase.
• "This was a terrific November for sales and especially our line-up of eco-friendly vehicles," said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Despite economic headwinds, we were still able to record an all-time retail and total sales record in November. Overall sales, specifically the Tucson and Santa Fe brands, continue to perform well and I'm excited to see how we finish the year."

 

[kazman]

Corporations will be the death of all nations.

 

[Weather Man]

Stellantis plans to unveil electric concepts at CES in January​

STLA +0.64%Dec. 01, 2022 2:19 PM ET1 Comment

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) CEO Carlos Tavares is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at CES in January.
The automaker said the keynote address will include the global unveils of the Ram 1500 Revolution Battery Electric Vehicle Concept and the Peugeot Inception Concept.
STLA called the Ram Revolution BEV Concept a visionary roadmap and a glimpse into the future, showing how the leading truck brand will once again redefine the pickup truck segment. Stellantis (STLA) execs have already previewed that the Ram 1500 EV truck will have a range of about 500 miles with battery packs offering 159 to 200 kilowatt-hours. The electric Ram 1500 is also expected to be fast-charging, offer a fast 0-to-60 mph time, and feature tech ahead of EV truck rivals.
The Peugeot Inception Concept will showcase how the brand plans to take advantage of the next generation of cockpit platforms to re-invent the whole automobile experience. The brand is looking to stand out out by taking advantage of a new BEV-by-design platform.

 

[Weather Man]

Slowing SUV sales offset rising EV demand for Ford​

Dec. 02, 2022 9:52 AM ETFord Motor Company (F)TSLABy: Kevin P. Curran, SA News Editor7 Comments

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images News

Overall Ford (NYSE:F) auto sales slipped against tough 2021 comparisons as strong EV sales were counterbalanced by declining SUV and truck sales.
The Michigan-based auto manufacturer reported sales of 146,364 vehicles for the month of November, led by 81,210 trucks sold. Still, those figures represented a 7.8% drop in overall sales and 1.2% decline in truck sales specifically from the prior year. SUV sales decelerated the most significantly, falling 15% from 2021 despite noted popularity for Bronco, Expedition, and Lincoln models.
Those declines offset rapid acceleration in EV sales, which grew 102.6% from November 2021 to 6,255 in the month.
“Ford’s sales of electric vehicles expanded at approximately twice the rate of the overall electric vehicle segment in November as Ford prepares to increase production next year to meet U.S. demand,” the company said. “Ford electric vehicles sales were up 103% for the month compared to a year ago, making Ford America’s second best-selling brand and manufacturer of electric vehicles behind Tesla (TSLA).”
Andrew Frick, Vice President for Sales, Distribution & Trucks at Ford Blue, added that retail order trends remain encouraging into 2023.
“Strong order demand continues with overall retail orders for ’23MY vehicles up 104 percent compared to a year ago, driven by Super Duty and Maverick,” he said. “Super Duty took in a record 152,000 total orders since order banks opened October 27th.”

 

[Weather Man]

I wonder how many bad cells are allowed before they have to drop the pack and service.

Everything truck stop related is gonna have to spend bigtime money for the electrical service needed to recharge these things. Now add on hydrogen infrastructure and owning a truck stop will not be for the faint of heart, not to mention they will have to repair 3 different refueling systems. Crazy.


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Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own​

Story by Rob Stumpf • Yesterday 12:08 PM

It's official: the first electric Tesla Semi has been delivered to PepsiCo and Frito-Lay. Tesla held a delivery event Thursday in Sparks, Nevada, to commemorate the event, complete with a load of snacks carried by one of the Semis. Even though I wasn’t there in person, the show still gave me something to chew on.

Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own© via Tesla
During the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Semi is rated for 500 miles of range with a fully loaded trailer, which meant that the battery pack inside the truck would have to be absolutely ginormous. How big, exactly, is unknown; however, Musk took to Twitter early Friday morning to reveal roughly how efficient the truck is, which helps me make estimations about capacity and weight.

Based on those efficiency numbers, a bit of napkin math shows just how large the battery pack might be. A rating of 1.7 kilowatt-hours per mile equates to a pack size of around 850 kWh, or around 8.5 times the size of a Tesla Model S Plaid's battery.

Multiple sources claim the 100-kWh battery pack you'll find in a Model S weighs around 1,300 pounds. While it's unclear how much the Tesla Semi weighs without a trailer, the truck's battery pack alone could weigh as much as 11,000 pounds—a figure that can quickly eat into a loaded Class 8 truck's maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds. For comparison, the GMC Hummer EV weighs 9,000 pounds, and an unladen semi-truck can weigh as much as 25,000 pounds, according to JD Power.
Now, it's important to note that the total weight of the battery pack could vary depending on the type of cells used in production as well as the number of components in a battery pack. Still, a rough weight of 11,000 pounds for the pack alone shows just how heavy battery-powered vehicles can be.
Tesla believes it can further increase the efficiency of the Semi, according to Musk. At 1.6 kWh per mile, the Semi would be able to travel around 530 miles with a full load, and at a potential 1.5 kWh-per-mile rating, that would mean 566 miles on a full charge. It's unclear if the efficiency optimizations would be delivered via an over-the-air update or through future hardware improvements.

 

[SID297]

I wonder how many bad cells are allowed before they have to drop the pack and service.

Everything truck stop related is gonna have to spend bigtime money for the electrical service needed to recharge these things. Now add on hydrogen infrastructure and owning a truck stop will not be for the faint of heart, not to mention they will have to repair 3 different refueling systems. Crazy.


The Drive
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Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own​

Story by Rob Stumpf • Yesterday 12:08 PM

It's official: the first electric Tesla Semi has been delivered to PepsiCo and Frito-Lay. Tesla held a delivery event Thursday in Sparks, Nevada, to commemorate the event, complete with a load of snacks carried by one of the Semis. Even though I wasn’t there in person, the show still gave me something to chew on.

Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own© via Tesla
During the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Semi is rated for 500 miles of range with a fully loaded trailer, which meant that the battery pack inside the truck would have to be absolutely ginormous. How big, exactly, is unknown; however, Musk took to Twitter early Friday morning to reveal roughly how efficient the truck is, which helps me make estimations about capacity and weight.

Based on those efficiency numbers, a bit of napkin math shows just how large the battery pack might be. A rating of 1.7 kilowatt-hours per mile equates to a pack size of around 850 kWh, or around 8.5 times the size of a Tesla Model S Plaid's battery.

Multiple sources claim the 100-kWh battery pack you'll find in a Model S weighs around 1,300 pounds. While it's unclear how much the Tesla Semi weighs without a trailer, the truck's battery pack alone could weigh as much as 11,000 pounds—a figure that can quickly eat into a loaded Class 8 truck's maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds. For comparison, the GMC Hummer EV weighs 9,000 pounds, and an unladen semi-truck can weigh as much as 25,000 pounds, according to JD Power.
Now, it's important to note that the total weight of the battery pack could vary depending on the type of cells used in production as well as the number of components in a battery pack. Still, a rough weight of 11,000 pounds for the pack alone shows just how heavy battery-powered vehicles can be.
Tesla believes it can further increase the efficiency of the Semi, according to Musk. At 1.6 kWh per mile, the Semi would be able to travel around 530 miles with a full load, and at a potential 1.5 kWh-per-mile rating, that would mean 566 miles on a full charge. It's unclear if the efficiency optimizations would be delivered via an over-the-air update or through future hardware improvements.

The energy density just isn't there.

 

[Weather Man]

The energy density just isn't there.

The Japanese really want to do hydrogen, if they are forced to sell Green madness. The range and fill-up experience mimic gas and diesel. Will be interesting to watch the stupidity of Green play out in real time.

 

[Weather Man]

I think a lot of Ford dealers in flyover country are going to be terminated. So, now it depends on how the other OEM's roll with their dealer networks.
http://www.benzinga.com/

Benzinga
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Jim Farley Drops Subtle Comparison To Tesla — As 64% Ford Dealers Join EV Sales Program​

Story by Shanthi Rexaline • 2h ago

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) has charted for itself an ambitious electric vehicle transition plan and it appears that Blue Oval has enlisted the support of a majority of its dealers for its Model e EV program.

Jim Farley Drops Subtle Comparison To Tesla — As 64% Ford Dealers Join EV Sales Program© Provided by Benzinga

What Happened: About 1,920 Ford dealers have enrolled for the Model e program that runs through the years 2024 to 2026, CEO Jim Farley said at the Automotive News World Congress, reported The Detroit News.


This would mean about 64% of Ford’s 3,000 dealers in the franchised network in the U.S. have given their nod to be part of the company’s electrification drive. Ford will reportedly provide another opportunity in 2025 for those who haven’t enrolled yet so that they can join the next drive in 2027.

Of these 1,659 have opted for the highest level, the “certified elite” program, which will provide them with full sales and service capabilities and involve a higher level of investment. About 261 dealers preferred the “certified” program, an option that allows them full-service capability but limits the number of EVs they can sell. Investment to be made by these dealers is relatively less.
See Also: Best Electric Vehicle Stocks

Farley said even though the largest luxury brand in the U.S. didn’t bet on the franchise system, Ford has opted for the dealer council process. He was apparently referring to Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), which vouches by the direct-selling model. Ford is currently the number two EV maker in the U.S., although it has a lot of catching-up to do with market leader Tesla. The Ford CEO also suggested that the company is shooting for enough Model e dealers so that they were adequately spread out to serve customers who are first-time EV buyers.

Commenting on the data, Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives reportedly said, “A vote of confidence from the dealer network is huge for Farley & Co. on EVs.”
Why It’s Important: Farley discussed this concept of certification when he met with the company’s dealers in Las Vegas in mid-September. The company closed the extended enrolment deadline on Friday.

Given the high investment needed to secure certification, some dealers and the unions they represent have expressed concerns about the spending and how they can recoup their investments.

 

[VegasMichael]

I wonder how many bad cells are allowed before they have to drop the pack and service.

Everything truck stop related is gonna have to spend bigtime money for the electrical service needed to recharge these things. Now add on hydrogen infrastructure and owning a truck stop will not be for the faint of heart, not to mention they will have to repair 3 different refueling systems. Crazy.


The Drive
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Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own​

Story by Rob Stumpf • Yesterday 12:08 PM

It's official: the first electric Tesla Semi has been delivered to PepsiCo and Frito-Lay. Tesla held a delivery event Thursday in Sparks, Nevada, to commemorate the event, complete with a load of snacks carried by one of the Semis. Even though I wasn’t there in person, the show still gave me something to chew on.

Tesla Semi’s Enormous Battery Might Weigh 11,000 Pounds on Its Own© via Tesla
During the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Semi is rated for 500 miles of range with a fully loaded trailer, which meant that the battery pack inside the truck would have to be absolutely ginormous. How big, exactly, is unknown; however, Musk took to Twitter early Friday morning to reveal roughly how efficient the truck is, which helps me make estimations about capacity and weight.

Based on those efficiency numbers, a bit of napkin math shows just how large the battery pack might be. A rating of 1.7 kilowatt-hours per mile equates to a pack size of around 850 kWh, or around 8.5 times the size of a Tesla Model S Plaid's battery.

Multiple sources claim the 100-kWh battery pack you'll find in a Model S weighs around 1,300 pounds. While it's unclear how much the Tesla Semi weighs without a trailer, the truck's battery pack alone could weigh as much as 11,000 pounds—a figure that can quickly eat into a loaded Class 8 truck's maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds. For comparison, the GMC Hummer EV weighs 9,000 pounds, and an unladen semi-truck can weigh as much as 25,000 pounds, according to JD Power.
Now, it's important to note that the total weight of the battery pack could vary depending on the type of cells used in production as well as the number of components in a battery pack. Still, a rough weight of 11,000 pounds for the pack alone shows just how heavy battery-powered vehicles can be.
Tesla believes it can further increase the efficiency of the Semi, according to Musk. At 1.6 kWh per mile, the Semi would be able to travel around 530 miles with a full load, and at a potential 1.5 kWh-per-mile rating, that would mean 566 miles on a full charge. It's unclear if the efficiency optimizations would be delivered via an over-the-air update or through future hardware improvements.

If they remake the movie Duel using one of these I'm gonna lose it.

 

[Weather Man]

The OEM/Dealer relationship is changing.

General Motors CEO planning for conservative 2023, push into EVs to continue​

GM -2.51%Dec. 06, 2022 11:53 AM ET5 Comments

General Motors (NYSE:GM) CEO Mary Barra said on Tuesday that supply chain issues are improving every quarter, but these challenges are expected to linger in 2023. She added that the auto maker will continue to push forward with its focus on EVs, part of what she characterized as "one of the most significant transformations in the last hundred years."
"We are planning for a fairly conservative 2023," the head of GM told CNBC, although she added that "we're still seeing a pretty strong consumer."
"What we are seeing is strong pricing and low incentives," she noted, while also warning that "a lot is going to depend on what happens with the economy."
Barra predicted that EV adoption is expected to approach 20% of the U.S. industry sales in 2025. As part of this, she said five GM assembly plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico will be building only EVs to achieve company's goal of selling only electric passenger vehicles by 2035.
The company's future line-up includes a full-sized truck, heavy duty trucks, Chevy Siller Silvero and Hummer SUVs.
The company is also revamping its business model by giving the customers an option to purchase vehicle online to cut selling costs, Barra said.
Over a period of one year, GM shares have plunged around 36%.
Looking at the industry as a whole, SA contributor Harrison Schwartz says that General Motors is making much more significant long-term electric vehicle investments than Ford (F) and is now outpacing Tesla (TSLA) in terms of Capex-to-sales. As such, he says GM might "beat Tesla to an electric vehicle future."

 

[Weather Man]

I like it.
https://www.motortrend.com/
| AUTO SHOWS

New Hurricane I-6 Now Available as HurriCrate Crate Engines Capable of 1,000 HP​

Your wish that the Hurricane I-6 would be offered as a stupendously powerful crate engine is granted.​

Justin BannerWriterJustin BannerPhotographer
Nov 1, 2022

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If you happen to remember reading our deep dive into the twin-turbo Hurricane I-6 engine and how it seriously upgrades the formerly V-8-only Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, you'll probably remember our prediction about a potential crate motor version:

"Setting aside fever dreams of modified examples delivering 1,000 hp, you can bet Stellantis' own performance gurus—SRT engineers—are going to try their darndest to squeeze every last pony from these new sixes. We certainly can't wait to see it." Well, it didn't take long for Stellantis' Direct Connection factory upgrade program to make the "HurriCrate I-6" available as a crate offering. Well, actually, three crate engines—including one "1,000-plus-hp" version.