2019 Jeep Renegade Limited 4x4Jil McIntosh Big changes are reportedly in store for everybodys favourite off-road brand, Jeep.The companys entire lineup is on track to get electrified by 2022, Jeep global president Christian Meunier revealed to Australias Car Advice at the debut of the 2020 Gladiator. This means in just a few years we can expect plug-in hybrid or battery-electric powertrains under the hoods of not just new products, but icons like the Wrangler as well.Its a lofty goal for the brand to complete in just two years, but its already got a start in the compact Hybrid Renegade.Jeeps also plans to expand its lineup into more on-road vehicles, according to reports from Auto Express, and has been confirmed to soon launch a rival to the extremely popular ultra-compact Suzuki Jimny.We want to make it more of a sustainable, iconic brand, not only an off-road brand, Meuniers said, which suggests this brand re-alignment rumour has legs. While its arguable Jeep is already an on-road brand, as probably less than half of owners actually take their vehicles out on the trails, a more road-friendly SUV would be a good move for Jeep.And a Jimny rival would do very well in North America, since Suzuki has decided not to bring the vehicle here thats a gap Jeep could potentially fill.With Jeeps new doctrine in mind, wed bet the vehicle could also be all-electric, making for the perfect little city car, especially for us Canadians that need a little more ground clearance for those particularly harsh winters.LISTEN: What do you get when you combine a cross-country electric vehicle road trip with a poignant love story? Mary Ann’s Electric Drive, that’s what. In this week’s episode of Plugged In, we chat with Harvey Soicher, a Vancouver man who tragically lost his soul mate 18 months ago but found some semblance of healing by embracing what he calls a ‘pioneer spirit’ to drive his Audi e-tron from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and back.
Origin: Jeep wants to electrify its whole lineup by 2022, says report
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Honda owner says company withheld stolen car’s location over subscription fee
2020 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T A (former) Honda owner in the Toronto area is expressing frustration with the automaker after it allegedly told him it knew where his stolen vehicle was but couldnt let him know since he hadnt paid for the companys optional tracking service.Layth Ablhd of Vaughan, Ontario has his 2019 Accord swiped from his driveway in the middle of the night, according to a Global News report.According to a neighbours security camera, it was taken around 5 a.m. Ablhd phoned the police, who contacted Honda Canada to see if the vehicle could be tracked. The representative said it could but not for free.Ablhd alleges the Honda rep on the other end of the phone said the companys tracking tech was showing him exactly where the car was during the call, but he could not disclose the location to Ablhd or the police officer, who had jumped on the call as well via speakerphone, because Ablhd was not subscribed to HondaLink, the companys emergency response system.The investigating officer asked to speak with the reps manager, who said the police would need to present a warrant if they wanted to know the location of the vehicle. Ablhd said he had not been informed of the optional service when he purchased his Accord, and that he would have bought it if hed known of it. Ablhd immediately signed up for the $148 subscription, and a few minutes later called the rep back, but they then said it was too late Honda was no longer getting a signal from the car.This customer did not have an active HondaLink subscription, which is required to locate the vehicle, clarified John Bordignon, a Honda Canada brand spokesperson. Without an active subscription, the police would have to present a warrant to activate the location services on the vehicle and no such warrant was provided.Contrary to what Ablhd and the officer were told on the phone, however, Bordignon says At no time was Honda or its HondaLink provider aware of the location of this vehicle.Honda Canada said it would reimburse Ablhd for the cost of the HondaLink
Origin: Honda owner says company withheld stolen car’s location over subscription fee
An electric Mustang coupe is inevitable, says Ford engineer
The electric Ford Mustang is coming, but nobody knows when, Motoring reports.According to Ron Heiser, chief engineer behind the new Mustang Mach-E utility, a non-SUV Mustang with battery power is an inevitability.I think if you look out in the future who knows what timeframe that is the market is eventually going to roll over to EVs, Heiser told Australias Motoring.The next-generation Mustang is rumoured to sit atop a modified Explorer SUV chassis, which will set up the vehicle with a hybrid option for the first time.While an electric Mustang is likely already in the works, it wont share that same platform. Luckily, Ford already has a new EV-capable platform in the form of the Mach-E. The Mustang Mach-E debuted riding on a modular platform set to underpin a few different electric vehicles of various sizes, with either front- or rear-wheel-drive. Its likely a modified version of this platform will underpin the future electric pony.The Mach-E took the name of the classic muscle car, but not all vehicles that ride on the platform will wear the Mustang badge.It doesnt need to have a Mustang name on it, but we chose the first vehicle on this platform to be a Mustang, said Heiser. We dont give them names any more, he laughed.The Mach-E is not based on Volkswagens MEB EV platform, but Ford will use that platform for two new Ford models for Europe.LISTEN: In this week’s episode, we talk about all the electrifying news coming out of the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show with Postmedia Driving senior writer David Booth, including Ford’s bold Mustang Mach-e SUV. And, of course, we get Booth’s take on Tesla’s Cybertruck. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: An electric Mustang coupe is inevitable, says Ford engineer
Tesla’s Cybertruck nets 200,000 deposits, says Musk
Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said deposits taken on its Cybertruck have climbed to 200,000 even after two windows unexpectedly shattered in Thursdays big reveal.The electric-car maker has a history of unveiling future products to throngs of excited customers, taking deposits, and then delivering years later.Two years ago, Tesla showed off a Semi truck and a next-generation Roadster sports car, but neither vehicle is in production yet. This spring, Musk unveiled the Model Y crossover; that vehicle is slated to begin production next summer.The orders, an increase from a 146,000 figure that Musk announced in a Tweet on Saturday, underscores the hard-to-resist nature of announcing deposits, even when they are fully refundable and may never be converted into actual sales.Teslas reservation list has long been a source of intrigue for investors, analysts, journalists, fans and skeptics of the company, as its often used as a proxy for demand. Musks tweet breaks with the recent practice at Tesla, which has stopped giving reservation figures on its quarterly earnings calls, saying the metric wasnt relevant.We dont want to comment on the granularity of deposits again, people just read too much into those, Musk said on Teslas first-quarter earnings call in April, when asked about the Model Y.200k Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2019Teslas website allows customers to order the truck for a fully refundable US$100, and says they can complete their configuration as production nears in late 2021. Musk said in a tweet Saturday that 42 per cent had ordered the dual-motor option, which starts at US$49,900, while 41 per cent have ordered the US$69,900 triple-motor option, production of which is expected to begin in late 2022. Just 17 per cent ordered the single-motor version, which begins at US$39,900.The US$100 deposit for the Cybertruck is far cheaper than the US$1,000 that was required to reserve a Model 3 sedan.146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri 17% single motor Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2019Tesla never released an order or reservation figure for the Model Y. The company had US$665 million in customer deposits as of Sept. 30, according to a regulatory filing.In a demonstration of the truck’s toughness, long-time Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen whacked the Cybertrucks stainless steel door with a mallet, showing that it couldnt be dented. But when he threw a metallic ball at the driver side front window, it shattered.‘Too Hard’The crowd gasped. Oh my fing god, said Musk. Maybe that was a little too hard.So von Holzhausen tried a second, softer throw this time targeting the trucks rear window only to see that shatter as well.Franz throws steel ball at Cybertruck window right before launch. Guess we have some improvements to make before production haha. pic.twitter.com/eB0o4tlPoz Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2019It wasnt immediately clear who supplied the glass or if Tesla made what it called Armor Glass completely in-house. Tesla entered the glass technology business back in 2016, and has an internal group known as Tesla Glass.Musk said his team threw the same steel ball at the window several times before the event and didnt even scratch the glass. Late Friday, he tweeted out a short video of von Holzhausen that has been viewed more than 6 million times.LISTEN: What do car dealers think about electric vehicles? Are they keen to have them in their showrooms? We talk to Vancouver GM dealer Blair Upton about this and much more during this week’s episode of Plugged In. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: Tesla’s Cybertruck nets 200,000 deposits, says Musk
Tesla pick-up to be revealed on 21 November, Musk says
Tesla will unveil its long-awaited electric pick-up truck, dubbed Cybertruck, later this month, CEO Elon Musk has confirmed. Musk took to Twitter earlier today to post: “Cybertruck unveil on Nov 21 in LA near SpaceX Rocket factory”. He has linked the date to the original Blade Runner film, which lists the same date in the opening credits. The date also coincides with the Los Angeles motor show, which is likely to be intentional. Little is known about the pick-up beyond what Musk has alluded to in interviews and on Twitter. He’s claimed before that it will be similar in size to the class-leading Ford F-150, cost less than $50,000 (£38,900) and be more capable than any rival. Design-wise, everything seen so far has been purely speculative. Last month, Musk tweeted: “(The Cybertruck) doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen bouncing around the internet. It’s closer to an armoured personnel carrier from the future.” Pick-ups are still the biggest-selling vehicles in North America, so the move makes financial sense. Ford sold more than 900,000 F-Series trucks in 2018, making it the best-selling vehicle in the US. Ford plans to launch an electric version of the F-150 before 2022. Tesla’s expansion plans beyond the pick-up also include the Model Y crossover, which will be delivered to customers in the coming months, the new Roadster and the electric Semi
Origin: Tesla pick-up to be revealed on 21 November, Musk says
Peugeot board approves Fiat Chrysler merger plans, says report
PSA Peugeot Citroen Chief Executive Carlos Tavares delivers a speech during the presentation of the companys 2018 full year results, in Rueil Malmaison, west of Paris, Tuesday, February 26, 2019.Thibault Camus / Getty The board of French carmaker PSA Group has approved a plan to merge with Italian-American rival Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a combination that would create one of the worlds largest auto manufacturers, according to people familiar with the matter.The new board would be made up of 11 members, with six from the PSA side including Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, who will lead the new company. Fiat Chairman John Elkann would take the same role at the enlarged group.Fiat Chryslers directors are scheduled to meet later Wednesday to discuss the proposal, the people said. The plan authorized by PSAs board calls for negotiations of a binding memorandum of understanding that could last several weeks, said one of the people. A representative for PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, declined to comment. A Fiat spokesman wasnt immediately available to comment.A merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA, the No. 2 for car sales in Europe, would create a regional powerhouse to rival Volkswagen, with a stock-market value of about US$49 billion comparable to Japans Honda. The tie-up would also bring together two auto-making dynasties, the billionaire Agnelli clan in Italy and the Peugeot family of France.The merger plan comes several months after Fiat Chrysler and PSA explored a partnership on pooling investment to build cars in Europe, and following the collapse in June of negotiations between the Fiat and French competitor Renault SA.Automakers face tremendous pressure to pool their resources for platform development, manufacturing and purchasing as they battle through trade wars, a global slowdown and an expensive shift toward electrification and autonomous driving. Producers face the additional burden in Europe of new rules on emissions.Against this backdrop, the pace of dealmaking has picked up. Volkswagen in July said it will work with Ford on electric and self-driving car technology, while Toyota is strengthening ties with partners such as Subaru and Chinas BYD. The Indian conglomerate that owns Jaguar Land Rover has said its open to finding partners for the British automaker but isnt planning on selling the embattled unit.Tavares has sought to re-establish Peugeots foothold in the U.S., a market it exited in 1991. He set plans earlier this year for a return, with shipments starting from Europe or China in 2026.Fiat Chrysler is seen as a laggard in new technologies such as electrification and autonomy, which are expected to cost automakers billions of dollars over the next decade.The company has sought to secure its future with a larger partner for several years, dating back to late CEO Sergio Marchionnes failed courtship of General Motors. After being rebuffed by GM in 2015, rumors of talks with other automakers have swirled with varying
Origin: Peugeot board approves Fiat Chrysler merger plans, says report
Trump says he will strip California’s clean-car authority
President Donald Trump waves to the cheering crowd as he arrives for a rally, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes Barre, Pa.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump said he will revoke Californias authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from autos, confirming a widely-anticipated move that will escalate the ongoing dispute between his administration and California.Trump said on Twitter his administrations replacement efficiency standards, which are being finalized by federal agencies for cars after 2020, will lead to greater vehicle production by reducing the cost of new vehicles.Many more cars will be produced under the new and uniform standard, meaning significantly more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! Automakers should seize this opportunity because without this alternative to California, you will be out of business, Trump said in a tweet.Under Trumps plan, the Environmental Protection Agency will revoke the so-called waiver underpinning the states ability to set tailpipe greenhouse-gas emissions standards that are more stringent, as well as the states electric vehicle sales mandate. The Transportation Department meanwhile will assert that the California rules are preempted by federal fuel-economy standards administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.EPA and Transportation department representatives didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment.The Trump Administration is revoking California’s Federal Waiver on emissions in order to produce far less expensive cars for the consumer, while at the same time making the cars substantially SAFER. This will lead to more production because of this pricing and safety Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019The move is the Trump administrations opening salvo in whats sure to be a contentious battle over states rights and environmental policy between officials in California and Washington, with automakers caught in the middle. Predictable emissions and fuel economy standards are vital for automakers because as they plan production and model offerings several years in the future.The presidents decision to end Californias authority to set higher vehicle emission standards is bad for California and its bad for the country, said California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. Revoking Californias authority will lead not only to more pollution, it will cost consumers billions of dollars a year in increased fuel consumption.The move will shatter a nearly decade-long regulatory arrangement between NHTSA, EPA and the California Air Resources Board that has allowed automakers to satisfy fuel economy and efficiency standards administered by each agency with a single fleet of vehicles that can be sold nationwide. The Trump administration in August 2018 proposed stripping Californias authority as part of its broader plan to slash federal emissions and fuel-economy requirements enacted by the Obama administration.The plan initially recommended capping requirements after 2020 at a 37 mile-per-gallon fleet average, instead of rising each year to roughly 50 mpg. U.S. officials have since signaled that the final rule may require small annual improvements, but at levels far less than required under the current standards. Separating the attack on Californias authority allows that piece of the rule to proceed while federal agencies continue to finalize the new replacement requirements.CARB announced in July an accord with the Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen on tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions regulations.The carmakers agreed with the states clean-air regulator to boost the fuel efficiency of autos sold in the U.S through 2026, defying the Trump administrations proposal to ease the Obama administrations standards. Earlier this month, Trumps Justice Department opened an antitrust probe into the
Origin: Trump says he will strip California’s clean-car authority
EVs need paying and charging conformity, says top charger maker
The adoption of common charging and payment standards is a vital step towards the widespread take-up of EVs, according to one of the biggest makers of charging points. Swiss-based technology firm ABB supplies equipment to a number of charging networks worldwide, including Ionity, which recently opened its first 350kW rapid-charging station in the UK. Tarak Mehta, the boss of ABB’s electrification division, said working towards common charging standards is “a role we take very seriously”. Mehta said that although he understands the reasons for car firms wanting to gain an edge with their own systems and infrastructure projects, this complicates the situation. “With the nature of politics, the way the automotive OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) feel about themselves lends itself to not having too many common standards,” said Mehta. “The infrastructure is proportional to the (number of) standards, so one standard versus two has a substantial impact on the cost of infrastructure you need in any one geography. “On the commercial vehicle side, we see a far more collaborative evolution. On the automotive side, let’s put it this way: it’s a bit more challenging. The good news is that, so far, in any one geography, we’re down to one or two standards, and that’s probably good enough.” Although there has been a move towards a common charging plug design, EV owners still face the need to sign up with several companies in order to use a variety of charging points. “The biggest issue (on the payment side) is data,” said Mehta. “Convergence could happen very quickly if there was an agreed data-sharing model, because a lot of data that comes with EV charging has value. Getting that data shared is a bigger issue than getting credit cards working (across different accounts) and having it standardised might take some regulatory
Origin: EVs need paying and charging conformity, says top charger maker
Autocar confidential: Citroen says comfort is crucial, Fiat won’t downsize and more
As we flick through our notes this week, we learn why Fiat won’t make a Renault Twizy rival, why the new Evoque will attract more buyers than its predecessor, and more. Fiat stays full-sized Despite its expertise in small cars, Fiat will not make a quadricycle-based city car such as the Renault Twizy or Seat Minimo (pictured), according to boss Olivier François. “They answer a need because 16-year-olds can drive them,” he said, “but they won’t help (EU) CO2 (fleet) targets as quadricycles aren’t counted. Evoque has room for improvement Some 60% OF Evoque customers are conquests from other brands, but Land Rover marketing boss Anthony Bradbury reckons that figure will rise even higher with the second-generation version. Referencing the old model’s shortage of space, he said: “That was one reason the car was rejected by some, so now that’s been addressed, this gives us another chance in conquest audience.” Citroen’s lounging around Citroen boss Linda Jackson believes the impending rise of autonomous systems will reward the firm’s key focus on comfort. “There aren’t many manufacturers talking primarily about comfort, and if we’re going to be spending more time in our cars, it has to be friendly and comfortable,” she
Origin: Autocar confidential: Citroen says comfort is crucial, Fiat won’t downsize and more
VW says no base to claims it wants a stake in Tesla
Herbert Diess, CEO of German car giant Volkswagen (VW), attends the companys annual general meeting on May 14, 2019 in Berlin.John MacDougall / Getty Volkswagen is denying reports that its CEO, Herbert Diess, is looking to acquire a stake in electric carmaker Tesla.German business publication Manager Magazin said August 22 that Diess would go in right away if he could on an investment in Tesla, quoting inside info relayed to its reporters via a high-level VW manager.But VW spokespeople told Reuters that the speculation about buying a stake in Tesla made by Manager Magazin is without merit.The magazines report suggested Diess was most interested in the California companys software developers, but that the families that own most of VW, the Piechs and Porsches, likely wouldnt approve of any sort of investment; and that buying Tesla outright for US$30 billion simply wasnt
Origin: VW says no base to claims it wants a stake in Tesla
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