Auto_Evolution Online News – Page 3 – I wish I had more to offer

GM to Wind Down Chevy Equinox CAMI Production in Favor of New BrightDrop EV600

18 Jan 2021, 7:58 UTC ·
by

Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Industry

Although General Motors still has only one fully electric vehicle – the Chevrolet Bolt EV – to show for itself on the streets, it’s currently working hard to cover all the bases in the near future. Thus, things should be looking a lot more interesting around 2022.
45 photos

Before that happens, though, there’s the question of backing all the promises, from the mind-blowing GMC Hummer EV to the new Chevrolet Bolt EUV or the upcoming BET truck, with production locations. And, if the automaker wants to be successful everywhere, even the commercial business side needs a lot of cash.
General Motors is looking to cover that area, as well. Its autonomous unit, Cruise, has proposed the Origin for passenger rides, while the recently revealed BrightDrop EV600 should cover electric delivery van needs. And the company just pledged almost $800 million (one billion Canadian dollars) to make the latter a real contender in the logistics and parcel delivery sectors.
After it reaches a final agreement with Unifor and the pledged support from the authorities gets confirmed, GM is going to source the BrightDrop EV600 from the company’s CAMI manufacturing facility in Ingersoll, Ontario. The investment will be used to create Canada’s “first large-scale electric delivery vehicles manufacturing plant,” as it plans to deliver the first units of the BrightDrop EV600 sometime before the end of the year.
Of course, in order to adhere to the proposed timing, work on the transformation needs to kick off “immediately,” and while that’s great news for the local workforce, it also means that over the next two years the unit should wind down the current production of the third-generation Chevy Equinox compact crossover SUV.
Most likely, the Equinox won’t survive the CAMI transformation, but the model is probably safe – thanks to continued manufacturing in China, Mexico, and Argentina. Meanwhile, Canada has been the target of a sustained round of GM investments, supporting both product manufacturing, renewable energy generation, and the expansion of its Canadian Technology Center.

Editor's note:

Gallery includes both images of the BrightDrop EV600 and of the Chevrolet Equinox.

load
press release

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2020 Tesla Roadster Delayed Until 2022, Drivable Prototype Coming This Summer

29 Jan 2021, 13:37 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

Tesla gained worldwide acclaim for the first-generation Roadster, an EV unlike any other when it rolled out in 2008. Based on a Lotus chassis but quicker to 60 miles per hour than the Elise and Exige from that era, the open-top sports car will be succeeded in 2022.
7 photos
That’s a whole decade since the original stopped production, which is a heck of a long time by all accounts. What’s even more peculiar is that Elon Musk took the veils off the Roadster II in 2017, when he promised that deliveries would kick off by the end of 2020. Be that as it may, don’t forget the automotive industry didn’t know that a health crisis would backtrack things.
According to chief executive Musk Man, engineering will be completed by the end of 2021. Production starts next year, and a drivable release candidate is scheduled to arrive this summer in order to keep the hype going strong.
Previously nicknamed Model R, the all-new Roadster is available to reserve for quite a princely sum. Those who express interest in the tri-motor sports have to pony up a $50,000 deposit, representing a fourth of the base price of $200,000 before optional extras, taxes, and whatnot.
Scheduled to hit the Nürburgring for chassis and suspension calibration sometime this year, the Roadster II is described as “the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range, and performance.” At the time of writing, Tesla promises 1.9 seconds, 620 miles (998 kilometers) on a charge, and more than 250 miles per hour (402 kilometers per hour).
Capable of crossing the quarter-mile finish line in 8.8 seconds, the most extreme Tesla entitled to wear a license plate is a four-seat targa with a 200-kWh battery and similar bits and bobs to the Model S Plaid+. Speaking of the full-size sedan, the 2021 redesign loses the conventional steering wheel in favor of a stalkless yoke that was previewed by the Roadster in 2017.
click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

Ford Louisville Assembly Plant May Face Temporary Shutdown Over Chip Shortage

29 Jan 2021, 16:57 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Industry

There was a time when automakers didn’t rely on OEMs for vital components that we take for granted nowadays. Suppliers are in charge of producing them, and that’s a recipe for plenty of issues.
20 photos
I’m not referring to substandard parts such as Takata’s airbags, but disruptions in the supply chain. At the present moment, the entire automotive industry is suffering from a global semiconductor shortage that could potentially shutter the Kentucky-based Louisville Assembly Plant.
Opened in 1955 and currently employing 4,100 people, the factory responsible for the Escape and Lincoln Corsair may go silent for two weeks, according to Ford Authority. The Blue Oval hasn’t confirmed this outcome and looking at the bigger picture, the automaker may not want to because that would send investors into a panic, and the stock would obviously drop.
In addition to Louisville, the Saarlouis production complex in Germany won’t assemble a single vehicle until February 19th. Coincidence or not, the Euro-spec Focus produced there features the same platform as the Escape and Corsair. Ford also makes the Bronco Sport on this vehicle architecture in Mexico, but the Hermosillo plant is operating without a single hiccup.
The biggest automaker in Detroit has also been affected by a shortage, but General Motors didn’t confirm if the Corvette factory in Bowling Green will stop making the mid-engine sports car over chips. Whatever the reason may be, Stingray production will be halted in the first week of February.
Turning our attention back to Ford, the Louisville-built Escape for the U.S. market can be yours from $24,885, excluding the destination charge. That price gets you front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder turbo. AWD demands a $1,500 upcharge and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is available on higher trims.
A plug-in hybrid isn’t available right now because Ford had to recall the Euro-spec Kuga PHEV over battery issues. Alas, the most fuel-efficient Escape available to purchase at the present moment is the SE Sport Hybrid. $28,265 excluding destination charge for 41 miles to the gallon (5.7 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle isn’t too bad at all, right?

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 Ford Bronco Deliveries to Start in June, 2022MY Production in December

14 Jan 2021, 15:01 UTC ·
by

Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Car Profile

The Blue Oval delivered a hard blow to Bronco fans late last year when the company announced first deliveries of the 2021 model year had to be postponed to sometime this summer because of supplier issues. Now, if the rumor mill is right, there’s a ray of sunshine on the horizon.
112 photos

Ever since it was presented in July 2020, the reinvented Bronco family has been one of the most heated debate subjects across the automotive industry. And Ford, just like many other automakers, has encountered a flurry of production issues caused by the global health and economic crises.
The enthusiast community would have liked it very much for trouble to circumvent the hotly anticipated 2-Door and 4-Door Broncos, but history usually doesn’t look back to acknowledge Internet wishes. Thus, Ford included the reinvented off-roader on the list of affected models – alongside the best-selling F-150, among others.
Things are already looking way better for the fourteenth generation, all-new 2021 F-150, which has kicked off deliveries alongside the Bronco Sport since late last year and even found time to garner a major accolade to bode well with its sales crown.
Now, according to a new report posted on the bronco6g.com forum, there’s a ray of hope for the 2021 Bronco as well. Better yet, there’s even some positive news about the 2022 model year of the adventurer, as well.
A timeline for the 2021 Bronco, which has leaked through a Ford web meeting, comes forward to put some firm dates on the most important milestone for the 2-Door and 4-Door versions (feel free to check all codes in the gallery above). For us, of paramount importance are just a couple of things.
Firstly, and seemingly following the guideline of the alleged start date of series production (May 3rd), the first deliveries of the 2021 Bronco should be expected in June. That’s still according to the new summer schedule, but at least it’s not late August.
More so, we also have the possible production start date for the 2022 model year Broncos, which is scheduled for December. That’s entirely logical since originally the 2021MY should have also started coming out the factory lines in December of 2021.

Editor's note:

Gallery includes photos of the 2021 Ford Bronco family.

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

Dacia Moves Sandero Production to Morocco, Other Models Remain European

14 Oct 2020, 11:09 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Industry

Because the Logan isn’t available throughout Europe, the Sandero is often referred to as the most affordable nameplate from Dacia’s roster. But very affordable cars present a few challenges, and the emphasis falls on costs.
1 photo
The Sandero is currently built in Mioveni, Romania and at two plants in Morocco, but the third generation of the subcompact hatchback will be produced exclusively in the North African kingdom. As you may have guessed from the intro, Dacia intends to focus on more profitable nameplates at the Romanian assembly plant.
A factory worker's wage is directly connected to the company's profit margin, the amount of money by which sales revenue exceeds the costs of a business. Morocco is, therefore, the best solution within Groupe Renault for the lower-priced Sandero whereas Europe is perfect for more expensive and more profitable models like the Sandero Stepway, Duster, and a slew of other models that may include an all-new crossover.
Nicknamed the Grand Duster, a seven-seat utility vehicle would definitely help the Romanian automaker’s business in the Old Continent. Expected to replace the Lodgy people carrier and the Dokker utility and passenger vans, the newcomer hasn’t been confirmed for production despite the increasing number of reports on it, including from French publication L'argus. Lest we forget, commercial director Francois Mariotte said three years ago that a three-row crossover “is not on the plan. You can forget it.”
We’re in the dark about the Spring as well, the first-ever EV from the Romanian automaker controlled by Renault since 1999. The newcomer will be revealed tomorrow, and in the first instance, everyone expects the Spring to be made in China alongside the Renault K-ZE on which it is based.
The problem with Chinese production, however, is that the European Union enforces a 10-percent tariff on imported cars. If the Spring were to be manufactured in the Old Continent, Dacia would profit from these circumstances by pocketing those percentage points or by cutting the price to attract more customers, especially those who didn't consider a Dacia before.

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 BMW M3 Starts Production, Coming in Spring Next Year

4 Nov 2020, 9:09 UTC ·
by

Daniel Patrascu

Home > News > Car Profile

It’s been nearly two months since German carmaker BMW pulled the wraps off the new variants of the M3 and M, and production has already started at the Bavarian facility in Munich. Granted, just for the M3 for now, as the M4’s assembly was relocated to Dingolfing, and so far we’ve heard nothing from there.
161 photos
The Munich factory is the same place where the entire 3 Series is made, and whereas most of the cars in the family are already on the roads, the M3 (and M4) won’t arrive in customer hands sooner that March 2021.
“We are very pleased to be producing the new BMW M3 at our parent plant going forward,” said in a statement announcing the start of production Plant Director Robert Engelhorn. “It’s such an iconic car and has many fans among our team at the plant, me included.”
These two new generation high-performance cars are powered by the same six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo, which can be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission, something that is according to BMW a “unique option in the segment.” An optional 8-speed M Steptronic transmission is also available.
Depending on the variant of car chosen (aside from the regular guises, there are also Competition models, as usual when it comes to Bimmers) power is rated between 480 and 510 hp, while torque tops at 650 Nm.
The powerplant and all the other hardware fitted inside the new M3 allows it to reach 62 mph in 4.2 seconds (3.9 for the Competition) – these exact same figures apply to the M4 and its Competition sibling.
Most importantly, as of the summer of 2021, both the M3 and the M4 will be offered with an all-wheel-drive system, something the two Bimmers have never been gifted with before.
Pricing for the M3 has not yet been announced by the Germans.

load
press release

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Production Start Date Pushed Back One Week

3 Dec 2020, 21:53 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette was expected to start production on the week of December 7th, but two major dealers beg to differ. According to Kerbeck and MacMulkin, the TPW has been moved to December 14th.
7 photos

Both dealers have updated their customer order pages today, showing that 2021 orders have progressed to Status 3300. In other words, the orders are scheduled for production. Kerbeck also has a car scheduled for January 4th, a Silver Flare Metallic 3LT Convertible with a sticker price of $100,000.
While on the subject of pricing, the 2021 Corvette soldiers on at $59,995 for the coupe and $67,495 for the hard-topped convertible. Two new color options have been added to the exterior palette, starting with the $995 Red Mist Metallic Tincoat pictured in the gallery. The Silver Flare Metallic mentioned earlier replaces Blade Silver Metallic and doesn’t cost extra.
The biggest change, however, is the Z51 Performance Package. 2021 Corvette customers will have to pony up $995 more than before, which isn’t too bad when you think about it. Chevrolet has also spun off the FE2-code Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension into a standalone option priced at $995.
Based on the order guide for the 2021 model year, the LT2 small-block V8 features the same ratings as before. 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (629 Nm) of torque for the Stingray are more than plentiful, and you can expect a little extra if you opt for the performance exhaust included in the Z51 package.
When it comes to customization, the golden bowtie is much obliged to sell you full-length dual racing stripes in a variety of colors for $995. Stinger two-tone stripes are also available, and they add $500 to the retail price.
Last but certainly not least, Chevrolet decided to treat all three trim levels to improved connectivity in the guise of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bear in mind, however, that two infotainment options are offered.
There are three differences to speak of between the IOS and IOT systems, with the latter bringing enhanced voice recognition, additional memory for in-vehicle apps, and connected navigation. Given that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support turn-by-turn navigation, these differences are not that big of a deal.

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Production to Start Next Week

11 Dec 2020, 19:05 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

As of Friday morning, fewer than 240 units of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette are left to be assembled. Considering that Bowling Green averages 180 cars per two shifts, the final example will roll off the assembly line on Monday.
7 photos

Corvette Blogger understands that “2021 models should have already started assembly as it takes a little over two shifts to fully build one car,” and this information matches the order tracking of two major dealerships. According to Kerbeck and MacMulkin, December 14th is listed as the TPW (tentative production week) of the first examples for the 2021 model year.
As ever, the Stingray soldiers on with a small-block V8 that packs 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque as standard. The Z51 Performance Package adds 5 horsepower and pound-feet to the tally, but this option costs $995 more expensive than before. Chevrolet has also hiked up the price for the RPO code E60 front lift, now listed at $1,995 as opposed to $1,495.
For some reason or another, the black trident-spoke wheels are priced $200 higher even though nothing has changed in terms of design or specs. Believe it or not, the engine cover will set you back $525 when specified in red, which means that DIY is the way to go if you don't want to be ripped off.
On the upside, customers are now offered Magnetic Selective Ride Control as a $1,895 option that doesn’t require the Z51 Performance Package. Silver Flare and Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat are also new for the 2021 model year, along with a selection of full-length racing stripes and Stinger graphics.
Excluding the $1,095 destination charge, the Stingray can be had from $58,900 for the 1LT Coupe or $66,400 for the 1LT Convertible. At the other end of the spectrum, the 3LT retails at $70,850 and $77,850, respectively.
“What about the Z06?” Well, there’s no Z06 for the time being. Postponed to the 2022 model year, the go-faster version is rumored with up to three wing options, carbon-fiber wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 super-sticky summer rubber. As for what’s hiding under the hood, prepare to be amazed by a 5.5-liter FPC V8 capable of 600 horsepower at the very least.

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 Ram TRX Inexplicably Falls on Driver’s Side on the Assembly Line

2021 Ram TRX Inexplicably Falls on Driver's Side on the Assembly Line

31 Dec 2020, 12:05 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > U-turn

If you thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, take a look at this picture. For some reason or another, an example of the Ram TRX has somehow fallen on the driver’s side on the assembly line in Sterling Heights.
97 photos
Posted on Instagram by Sinister Lifestyle, this predicament doesn’t come with an explanation from the original poster. The most obvious culprits would be a hardware issue or human error, but we should also consider a more comical scenario. More to the point, the poor TRX may have fainted after hearing how much Jeep is charging for the Wrangler Rubicon 392.
Whatever happened, it’s worth highlighting that mess-ups aren’t exclusive to FCA. Instagram user “k1tcat_707” explains that “we had a robot that broke and dropped five cars, but I work for General Motors so I don’t know.”
In production since December 17th, the most powerful light-duty truck of them all starts at $71,690 or $13,555 more than the Ford F-150 Raptor with the crew cab. The Launch Edition, which is limited to 702 examples as a reference to the engine’s horsepower, has sold out at $90,265 per unit.
Exclusively offered as a crew cab with a short bed, the TRX takes its mojo from a Hellcat V8. The 6.2-liter HEMI-powered super truck rocks an IHI supercharger, an eight-speed automatic transmission, Bilstein adaptive shock absorbers, a reinforced frame, as well as more than 13 inches (330 mm) of travel front and aft.
Capable of 118 miles per hour (190 kilometers per hour) and up to 32 inches (812 mm) of water fording, the TRX also knows how to do workhorse stuff. Be that as it may, towing and payload capacities aren’t exactly on par with less powerful specifications of the Ram 1500 at 8,100 and 1,310 pounds, respectively (3,674 kg and 594 kg).
“The most technologically advanced pickup ever” according to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, this bad boy can be improved with more than 100 factory-engineered performance parts and accessories. Mopar add-ons include the RamBar, a bed-mounted carrier for the spare tire, beadlock-capable wheel rings, auxiliary off-road lights, and off-road rock rails.
click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Also Replaces Mustang GT Performance Package 2

15 Oct 2020, 16:39 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

The Blue Oval isn’t messing around for the 2021 model year as far as the Mustang is concerned. We’ve lost the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R over the introduction of the Mach 1, but there’s a third casualty we didn’t know about until now.
16 photos

Muscle Cars & Trucks reports that Ford has discontinued the GT Performance Package 2 as well, citing the 2021 Mustang order guide. At $6,500 over the GT with the six-speed manual or $45,575 per the U.S. configurator, it’s also pretty good value and a whole lot more affordable than the Mach 1.
I’m not going to bore you with the visual changes but go through the go-faster upgrades, starting with the super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber shoes. Other highlights include the strut tower brace and K-brace, better cooling, dampers and stability control with track-focused calibration, six-piston Brembos up front, better springs, and a beefier sway bar.
Losing the Performance Package 2 also means that the Mustang doesn’t have a direct competitor for the Chevrolet Camaro SS with the 1LE option, currently priced at $45,495. The Mach 1, by comparison, costs over $50k.
Essentially a crossover between the Bullitt and GT350 versions, the $52,915 pony will arrive in U.S. showrooms next year with 480 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque (570 Nm) as a limited edition. “Limited” may refer to the period it’ll be in production, not the number of units, because the S650 Mustang is coming in 2022 as a 2023 model.
After a 17-year absence, the Mach 1 returns as the pinnacle of Coyote performance all across the world. As opposed to the Shelby GT350, this fellow is sold in “53 countries around the globe” according to the Ford Motor Company.
“This is one of those special Mustangs that truly brings a smile to the faces of our owners, enthusiasts and fans – including me – so there’s never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too,” said head honcho Jim Farley.

click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.