French and Italian-U.S. auto giants Renault and Fiat Chrysler are set to announce talks on an alliance, with a view to a potential merger, informed sources said this week.Marco Bertorello / AFP/Getty Images PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have agreed to combine to create the worlds fourth-biggest carmaker, as the manufacturers prepare to shoulder the costly investments in new technologies transforming the industry.In the biggest auto tie-up since Daimlers ill-fated purchase of Chrysler in 1998, the French and Italo-American carmakers will each own half of the enlarged business.The new company, with global sales of 8.7 million vehicles, will be run by PSA Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, with Fiat Chairman John Elkann holding the same role.The transaction would forge a regional powerhouse to rival Germanys Volkswagen and, with a market value of about US$47 billion, surpassing Ford. It will take as long as 15 months to complete, pending approvals by shareholders of both companies and by regulators, the carmakers estimated.Like executives across the industry, Tavares and Elkann are responding to growing pressure to pool resources for product development, manufacturing and purchasing in the face of trade wars and an expensive shift toward electric and self-driving technology.(Indeed, industry sources said that in the future, the new company plans to move “more than two-thirds” of production to “just two platforms, with 3 million cars per year on a compact/midsize platform and 2.6 million on a small platform,” reports Automotive News. “The smaller platform will be PSA’s CMP architecture and larger cars will be on the group’s EMP2 (while) Ram pickups and larger Jeep models will continue to use FCA underpinnings.” —Ed.)The challenges of our industry are really, really significant, Tavares, 61, told reporters on a call Wednesday. The green deal, autonomous vehicles, connectivity and all those topics need significant resources, strengths, skills and expertise.In an era when size is becoming ever more important, the deal will turn the two mid-sized carmakers into a global heavyweight, with a stable of popular brands and annual vehicle sales surpassing General Motors. The combination will give Peugeot-maker PSA a long-sought presence in North America and should help Fiat gain ground in developing low-emission technology, where its lagged rivals. Yet the new company will still be heavily reliant on Europes sluggish and saturated auto market, and poorly positioned in China, the worlds largest country for car sales.The companies are aiming to extract 3.7 billion euros in annual synergies from the deal, without closing any plants, unchanged from the target they announced when they disclosed their merger discussions. Chinas Dongfeng Motor Corp., which owns 12 per cent of PSA, will see its stake in the combined company decline to 4.5 per cent as a result of the deal and the sale of a portion of its holding to the French carmaker.Dongfengs stake in PSA has attracted attention because of the possibility it could interfere with U.S. regulatory approval. U.S. economic adviser Larry Kudlow said last month the Trump administration would review the proposed merger because the deal would give the Chinese carmaker a stake in the combined
Origin: Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot confirm merger into one US$46-billion automaker
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Tesla driver distracted by dog in car blames Autopilot after smashing into police
A Tesla Model 3 driver was checking on his dog in the back seat when his car, on Autopilot mode, smashed into two parked cars, according to a police report out of Connecticut.The incident happened on the states I-95 highway early morning Saturday, December 7.According to a post by the Connecticut State Police department, one of the vehicles the Tesla struck was a police car pulled over to the side of the road, assisting a separate vehicle accident.Both of the patrol cars assisting with the other accident had their lights flashing, and a flare was set up, so it should have been pretty easy for somebody to see them. Unless, of course, youre relying on your car to drive itself while youre turned around checking on your dog in the back seat, which is exactly what happened.The driver of the Model 3 was issued a misdemeanor summons for Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment, but luckily nobody nor any animal was seriously injured in the accident.The CSP issued a warning to remind motorists that although a number of vehicles have some automated capabilities, there are no vehicles currently on sale that are fully automated or self-driving.Tesla has not commented on the incident, and the investigation has not revealed whether or not the Model 3s brakes were applied prior to the collision, by either the driver or
Origin: Tesla driver distracted by dog in car blames Autopilot after smashing into police
Watch: Tesla Cybertruck rolls into intersection, knocking over traffic sign
New video of the Tesla Cybertruck concept driving around L.A. Saturday night, reportedly with Elon Musk himself at the wheel, shows the prototype has quite a bit of body roll through corners, more than youd expect for a vehicle weighed down by a floor full of batteries. Maybe chalk it up to the suspension design on the demonstration vehicle not being quite finalized?The video, of Musk leaving high-end Japanese restaurant Nobu in the Cybertruck, was posted by celebrity blog TMZ, and ends with the truck clipping a pylon or traffic sign as it rolls through a red light.While many have speculated Musk either didnt hear the clunk of the strike, or didnt care, we figure its much more likely Musk did it on purpose as a faux PR gaffe to draw media attention to the truck, since nothing Musk does ever happens by accident.Whos driving @ElonMusk or the Auto-Pilot?$TSLA pic.twitter.com/xvmyHPG8Ol GuruLeaks (@Guruleaks1) December 8, 2019UPDATE: It’s being reported the truck did not technically run a red light, as there is no traffic signal specifically facing that restaurant exit; and that the sign the truck knocked over is a “Right turns only” warning sign.Later on in the night, the Cybertruck was also seen driving down a California highway.In video from YouTube user Roberto Cruz, the truck cruises down the 405 South, a main public highway. We mention the public highway part because, as a prototype, the vehicle and its manufacturer plates only technically clear its use for testing purposes, and were not quite sure a night out at Nobu and a drive back on the 405 counts, there.The Cybertrucks tires are wider than the body, something also not allowed for new vehicles. Plus it lacks physical rearview mirrors, as you couldve guessed from Musk hitting that pylon.So, a whole bunch of no-nos from the CEO and his wild Blade Runner truck. But, once again, it was likely done to make us journalists take notice, and write a bunch of articles about it. Pretty clever for a guy that breaks the windows of his own truck and knocks over traffic
Origin: Watch: Tesla Cybertruck rolls into intersection, knocking over traffic sign
These companies will convert your classic into an EV
The electrification of the automobile seems, to many, to be simply unstoppable, but as battery technology advances, styling looks like its going in reverse.We struggle to think of modern vehicles in general wed call pretty, but todays electric vehicle (EVs) are arguably the most homely of the bunch.Theres also something very sterile about new cars they dont have a character or a tactile feel to them. For the most part, theyre recyclable appliances, discarded after theyve outlived their use.Luckily, theres a new solution to these issues: classic car EV conversions. A classic car has a character and a feel when you sit behind the steering wheel whether its a fully restored stunner or a clapped-out heap, it has a story to tell. When converted to electric power, it brings all the benefits of looking and feeling good to a world where you no longer need to burn fuel. But just because youve converted your classic to be more environmentally friendly doesnt mean everybody is going to think youre a hero.In fact, the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA), a group dedicated to the preservation and protection of vintage vehicles, recently declared once your vehicle has been converted to electric, it doesnt comply with the FIVA definition of a historic vehicle, nor does it support the goal of preserving historic vehicles and their related culture. So, take that into account before shopping for electric powertrains.If you dont care about FIVA, though, here are ten companies that will convert your classic car into an EV.Electra Meccanica’s 356 eRoadsterRange: 250 kilometresPeak torque: 644 lb.-ft.Price: $124,900Based in Vancouver, B.C., Electra Meccanica is an electric offshoot of parent company Intermeccanica, which has been making Porsche replicas since the 70s. In the last few years, its turned to electrifying its replicas to make them into stylish West Coast cruisers even more hippie than their predecessors.Voitures Extravert’s Porsche 911Range: 321 kilometresPeak torque: 672 lb.-ft.Price: $450,000Not only will these guys convert your Porsche 911 to electric, but theyll restore it for you too. Voitures Extravert has said it won’t touch 1960s Porsches. However, it will backdate your 70s or 80s Porsche to look like its from the 60s, with a few added modern conveniences to boot and in the boot.Lunaz’s Jaguar XK120Range: N/APeak torque: 516 lb.-ft.Price: $594,790Named after the daughter of the companys founder, upstart Lunaz converts vintage British luxury vehicles into electrically-powered beasts. Its first project was a 1953 Jaguar XK120 that was meticulously disassembled and 3D-scanned in order to properly fit the companys bespoke drivetrain.That drivetrain, by the way, makes 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Next up is a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, but for now, interested customers will have to settle for the 350,000 ($594,790) Jag.Jaguar’s 2020 E-Type Zero EVRange: 275 kilometresPeak output: 295 hpPrice: N/AJaguar itself will build you an electric version of its classic E-Type, dubbed the E-Type Zero. Famously driven by Prince Harry at his wedding, the classic conversion mixes great looks with perfect reliability (yes, despite the brands reputation).This is one of the best EV conversions available as its completely reversible. Plus the electric drivetrain weighs the same as the original, so it retains the same weight distribution.Zero Labs’ Ford BroncoRange: 305 kilometresPeak torque: 277 lb.-ft.Price: $265,000If sports cars arent really your thing, perhaps a classic truck is more to your liking. The Bronco is a bona fide classic, but it was never really known for its powerful drivetrain. That can change thanks to Zero Labs, which will install an electric motor good for 440 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque in the 44, a 500-per-cent improvement! Add a 305-kilometre range and youre good for a few hours of off-road fun.Charge’s Ford MustangRange: 200 kilometresPeak torque: 885 lb.-ft.Price: $509,820Sporting Eleanor body kits, the Mustangs turned out by this British firm take muscle in a different direction. Underneath the reproduction 1967 Stang body sits dual electric motors, capable of providing 402 horsepower and 885 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels.While it looks vintage, theres really nothing vintage about it, especially in terms of performance. Zero-to-100-km/h happens in just 3.1 seconds, and youll get 200 km out of a full charge all for 300,000 (CAD$509,820).Garage Italia’s Icon-E Fiat 500Range: N/APeak torque: N/APrice: N/AIf being environmentally friendly is all about reducing your footprint, there isnt a much smaller shoe than the Fiat 500. Garage Italia is a firm based in Italy dedicated to the preservation of the style and history of motor vehicles, so it only seems fitting it would build a future-proof EV Fiat 500 Jolly.Details such as battery size, range, or price are not available, but it doesnt really matter in a piece of history like this. The only indication re:
Origin: These companies will convert your classic into an EV
Ford gets into aftermarket off-road parts with ARB kit for Ranger
Ford Performance and ARB 4×4 Accessories are teaming up to develop components for Ford off-road enthusiasts. The all-new winch-capable front bumper for Ford Ranger is the first component from the collaboration, bringing even greater capability to the adventure-ready Ranger.Ford Most pickup truck owners have modified their whip in some manner. Be it a simple tonneau cover or an extensive lift kit, there is no shortage of aftermarket gear to buy for ones 44.Ford is seeking to cash in on the long-running trend, teaming up with ARB 44 Accessories to develop kit for the midsize Ranger. Kicking off the collaboration is the stout front bumper you see here, one capable of accepting a winch and other off-road goodies.Designed specifically for Ranger, the all-new front bumper complements the trucks rugged lines despite turning up at the corners like a villains evil smile. It is finished in a powder coat and is built from welded sheet steel up to 3/16ths of an inch thick. Attaching to the truck using existing chassis mounting points, it continues to incorporate the full suite of Ford CoPilot360 driving aids and safety nannies.That latter point is a big deal, given that the Blue Oval has spent untold gazillions developing and marketing those features. According to Ford, its the only aftermarket steel bumper available for Ranger that meets regulatory crash test standards and can be installed on any North American Ranger configuration (the new ones, at least it probably wont fit Uncle Alvins rusty 2009 XLT).The trend of OEMs partnering with an aftermarket company is rapidly gaining steam. Chevy is currently playing house with AEV to build the Colorado ZR2 Bison, another midsize truck with acres of off-road cred. Jeep and Ram have also introduced expansive (and expensive) catalogs of rugged kit for the Wrangler, Gladiator and their line of pickup trucks.Its the latter point that impacts the company bottom line, as the cost of these accessories can often be worked into the vehicles selling price. Rather than pay $1,495 for the bumper, a dealer would be more than glad to tack $20 a month onto your payment. This also has the effect of raising the trucks average transaction price, an investor-pleasing metric.Aftermarket gear is a huge business, estimated to be a multi-billion dollar industry with plenty of room for growth. Next week, the worlds leading aftermarket companies will descend on Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, an annual soire in which hundreds of vendors show and display their wares. By teaming up with an OEM, companies like ARB and AEV are getting ahead of the game and assuring themselves a piece of a pie that is, with the likes of Jeep and Ford selling their own gear, being sliced into increasingly slim pieces. View this post on Instagram Feeding the long faced animal that isn’t mine and other jobs. Even made a beetle bank. A post shared by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1) on Oct 27, 2019 at 6:33am PDTOf course, little of this would be necessary if Ford would simply grow a pair and import the tremendous Ranger Raptor to our market. While the Blue Oval is quick to point out the diesel engine fitted to these trucks in other markets wont play in Peoria, one cannot logically assert the company which literally invented the assembly line cant figure out how to fit a set of Fox dampers and a wider track onto a North American Ranger.Hey, by all appearances, Jeremy Clarkson has one. Endorsements dont get much heartier than
Origin: Ford gets into aftermarket off-road parts with ARB kit for Ranger
U.S. Democratic senator reveals US$462-billion program to get Americans into EVs
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference with other Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on October 22, 2019.Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / Getty The U.S. Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, is moving Democrats climate talk to where the rubber meets the road, proposing a US$462-billion trade-in program to get millions of Americans out of climate-damaging gas vehicles and into electric or hybrid cars over the next decade.Schumers rebate proposal late Thursday joins a mix of trillion- and multi-trillion-dollar programs that Democratic presidential candidates have outlined to urgently cut oil, gas and coal emissions, as climate change weighs as an issue in the 2020 campaigns.Schumer said the proposal to bring clean cars to all of America would be a key part of climate legislation by Senate Democrats. The injection of government-supported spending for electric cars could position the U.S. to lead the world in clean auto manufacturing, he said.The New York Democrats plan would give American car buyers thousands of dollars each to trade in gas-burning cars for U.S.-assembled electric, hybrid or hydrogen cell cars. Lower-income households, and buyers of cars with American-made parts, would get extra credits.About US$45 billion would go to boost availability of charging stations and other electric car infrastructure. And US$17 billion would help automakers increase their production of electric cars, batteries and parts.He didnt outline how he would pay for the plan.Its the opposite direction of President Donald Trump, who has sought to boost U.S. oil and gas production, eliminate tax credits for electric cars, and has mocked electric cars outright. Some Republican lawmakers call the credits an unfair subsidy for what they depict as well-off electric vehicle owners.Schumer, who contends the scheme would create tens of thousands of jobs, pledged to introduce his clean-car program in Senate legislation should Democrats win control there next year.Climate change has become an issue in 2020 campaigns as never before in the United States. Even as polls show climate falling below other issues in terms of priority, an AP-NORC poll conducted earlier this year found that most Americans link worsening extreme weather to man-made global warming. Democrats are more likely than others to consider climate issues a high priority for the
Origin: U.S. Democratic senator reveals US$462-billion program to get Americans into EVs
Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
Not one, but two companies this month unveiled something electric car enthusiasts have been asking for for a long time electric crate motors that can be pretty easily swapped into whatever gasoline-powered vehicle theyll physically fit into. Batteries not included.According to Autoblog, upstart Electric GT (EGT), led by Eric Hutchison, plans to soon offer both a single- and dual-motor EV conversion kit.Both can be bolted onto manual transmissions, and many motor mounts and plate adapters for various gearboxes have already been developed; the company can custom-design adapters, too.The company first gained popularity (or notoriety) for swapping an electric drivetrain into a Ferrari 308, swapping out the cars old 2.9-litre V8 which made 280 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque for three AC51 HPEVS electric motors making a total 465 hp and 330 lb.-ft. View this post on Instagram Perfectioneering. 44 Drop in Crate Motor revisions for the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40. well and a few other cool 44’s. Bark if you like it and Share it if you ❤️ it! . . . . #bronco #fj #fj40 #efj #electric4x4 #rivian #toyotaFJ #fjcruiser #ev4x4 #classic4x4 #motorswap #offroadev #offroading #lsswap #montereycarweek #thequail electeicswap #goodidea #goodservice #thequail #montereycarweek #plugplayev #electriccratemotor A post shared by Electric GT (@electricgte) on Aug 22, 2019 at 8:33pm PDTThe new e-crate motor is shaped like a classic V8 motor, except its about 5 inches longer than most classic Chevy or Ford small-blocks. The single-motor kit makes 140 hp and 240 lb.-ft.; while dual-motors make 240 hp and 340 lb.-ft.Swindon Powertrain in the U.K. is also throwing its hat into the e-crate ring, and will offer a smaller, more European-style motor.Swindons motor is a more conventional transverse design for front-wheel-drive cars or small mid-engine cars. It weighs a more Chapman-esque 70 kg and makes a respectable 110 horsepower. Dimensions are 600 mm wide by 440 mm deep by as little as 280 mm tall, meaning it will fit almost anywhere, including under the hood of a Mini.Its worth noting if you convert your classic car to electric power, though, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), the global organization dedicated to preserving older vehicles, recently announced it will consider your car or any vintage EV-converted car desecrated.The group regularly lobbies governments around the world for classic car owners rights; but in their eyes, your EV-converted antique aint a classic car any more, so youll be on your
Origin: Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
Gaze into the Aquamarine blue of this Emory Outlaw Porsche Speedster
The gearheads at Emory Motorsports have created another stunner in the Porsche Outlaw scene.For all you Porsche nerds out there, youll know the companys Speedsters were made between 1954 and 1958, replaced by the Convertible D in 1959. This custom car represents a fictional 1959-1/2 Transitional model.The car started out as a rusted hulk, with a roof so badly damaged that Rod Emory and his team decided to ditch it entirely. The client for the vehicle was fully on board with a Speedster look, so Emory Motorsports obliged, hand-forming the aluminum tonneau cover and headrest fairing. In the trunk is a classic Porsche flat-four, but now displacing 2.4-litres and making 205 horsepower thanks to Weber 48 IDA carburetors and MSD twin-plug ignition. The engine drives the rear wheels only thanks to a lightweight four-speed gearbox. The suspension has also been heavily revised with a 901-style independent rear setup, as well as adjustable Koni dampers and upgraded sway bars. Brake rotors and calipers borrow heavily from the 911, and the 15-by-5-inch wheels with Dunlop SP 5000 tires stick it to the ground.To finish it all off, the car is painted in a period-correct Aquamarine Metallic paint, with a beautiful contrasting red
Origin: Gaze into the Aquamarine blue of this Emory Outlaw Porsche Speedster
Volvo and Geely to merge engine production efforts into new company
The 2019 Volvo XC60Volvo Volvo Cars and Chinas Geely plan to merge their engine operations into a standalone company, a step the Swedish automaker says will cut costs as it shifts to a fully electrified lineup.The combined unit would supply two million diesel and gasoline-powered engines, compared with the 600,000 Volvo produces today, giving the two companies more scale to reduce material costs.It could also supply other car manufacturers, though none have expressed interest yet, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said, save for Geely-owned Lotus sports cars.Global automakers are walking a financial tightrope as they spend billions to develop electric vehicles that IHS Markit forecasts will grow from 2 per cent to 12 per cent of new-car production by 2030. At the same time, slowing sales, trade wars and tightening emissions regulations in China and Europe are pinching profits. Forming a standalone supplier will free up Volvo to focus on electric powertrains and platforms in-house without starving its internal combustion engine business of resources, Samuelsson said.Its not like the combustion engine is going to be a growing business, he said in a phone interview. The right thing to do is to consolidate and seek synergies. And the earlier you do that, the stronger you will be.Volvo said no jobs will be eliminated in forming the new supplier, which will employ about 3,000 Volvo workers and 5,000 from Geely, including people in engineering, procurement, manufacturing, information technology and
Origin: Volvo and Geely to merge engine production efforts into new company
Anti-trust probe opened into automakers that sided with California over Trump
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Tupelo Regional Airport, November 26, 2018 in Tupelo, Mississippi.Drew Angerer / Getty Images The Trump administration has launched a multi-pronged legal assault on an agreement California struck with four carmakers in defiance of the presidents plan to ease national standards on tailpipe emissions.Lawyers from the Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency on Friday sent a letter to Californias top air-pollution regulator, urging the state to abandon its pact with the automakers and warning that actions to carry out the agreement appear to be unlawful and invalid.Separately, the Justice Department has opened an antitrust probe into the deal, in which four automakers agreed on compromise tailpipe emissions requirements with California. The administration is also preparing to formally strip Californias authority to set auto efficiency regulations that are tougher than the federal governments, according to people familiar with the matter.The actions amount to a significant escalation of the conflict between the Trump administration and Sacramento over environmental protections. It comes as automakers have urged the administration to moderate its rollback of emissions levels, arguing that a battle with California over the states regulatory powers would leave the industry with uncertainty over the critical standards for years.Automakers want to avoid splitting the market with two different standards a federal mileage requirement in most states versus more stringent rules in more than a dozen states that adhere to Californias standards and account for more than a third of U.S. auto sales.After talks with California and the Trump administration faltered, the California Air Resources Board announced in July an accord with the Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen on tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions regulations.The carmakers had agreed with Californias clean-air regulator to boost the fuel efficiency of autos sold in the U.S through 2026, defying a Trump administration proposal to ease mileage requirements enacted during the Obama administration.Ford and Honda said they would cooperate with the Justice Department, while VW said it was in regular contact with U.S. authorities on a number of matters. BMW of North America said it looked forward to responding to the Department of Justice to explain the planned CARB framework agreement and its benefits to consumers and the environment.In one of the letters seen by Bloomberg, the Justice Department wrote it was concerned that the California agreement may violate federal antitrust laws, noting that the department hadnt reached any conclusions on the matter. The department proposed a meeting to gather additional information about the emissions agreement and communications between the companies about the pact.In the letter sent to CARB on Friday, lawyers for the EPA and DOT said that Californias plans overstep the states authority by intruding on the federal governments power to set fuel economy and tailpipe emission standards.We recognize Californias disagreements with the federal governments policy proposals in this area, but those policy disagreements cannot justify CARBs pursuit of a regulatory approach that would violate federal law, they said.California officials insisted they wouldnt be cowed. California stands up to bullies and will keep fighting for stronger clean car protections that protect the health and safety of our children and families, Governor Gavin Newsom said in an emailed
Origin: Anti-trust probe opened into automakers that sided with California over Trump
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