FCA last year outlined plans to launch such a pickup – smaller than its current Ram 1500 model – by 2022. DETROIT: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV Chief Executive Mike Manley told Reuters on Tuesday he is open to partnerships to develop a new midsize pickup truck the automaker could sell in Latin America and other… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler looking at options to plug hole in its truck lineup – CEO
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Tesla To Release ‘Midrange’ Model 3 Sedan, Its Cheapest Car Yet
For most car buyers, the average Tesla may be more than a bit too pricey for comfort. But that could be changing, as the company’s CEO and co-founder, Elon Musk, announced Thursday that it is now taking orders for a more affordable version of the Model 3 sedan.
According to Business Insider, the “lower cost, midrange” Tesla Model 3 will be sold at $45,000, with federal and state tax rebates reducing the base cost to $35,000 for California buyers. In a Twitter post, Musk said that the “true cost of ownership” could be closer to $31,000 once gas savings are taken into account. Interested buyers can now choose the midrange version on Tesla’s newly updated Model 3 configurator, where it joins the existing high-performance and long-range battery versions.
The lower-priced Tesla Model 3’s base variant comes with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, and an estimated range of 260 miles per charge for its battery pack. This sets the new version apart from the performance and long-range editions, which both have dual-motor setups, all-wheel drive, and battery packs that allow the vehicle to last about 310 miles between full charges.
According to Mashable, the midrange Model 3 has an estimated 0-to-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph. The car is being offered in black, deep blue metallic, midnight silver metallic, red, and white, though all color options but the black version will cost an additional $1,500 to $2,500.
As noted by USA Today, the Model 3’s initial announcement last year put Tesla “on the radar of average car buyers,” as its usual price tag of around $55,000 made the car substantially more affordable than the Model S and the Model X, which could both set customers back by more than $100,000 for some of the higher-end trims. The publication speculated that the release of the new midrange Model 3, combined with Tesla’s steady improvements in quarterly production, could help the Palo Alto-based automaker become more competitive in a premium midsize sedan market that also includes cars from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz.
Despite the midrange Tesla Model 3’s lower price point, Business Insider wrote that the new version falls short of what Elon Musk had originally promised ahead of the car’s announcement. The publication pointed out that Musk previously teased a version that would cost $35,000 before tax incentives, or $10,000 less than the midrange edition’s base price. Likewise, Musk’s previous comments that the cheaper Model 3 will be shipping by the end of the year were also cited, as automotive industry analysts predicted last month that Tesla might not be able to make good on its promise of a late 2018 rollout.
A spokesman for Tesla told Business Insider that deliveries for the midrange Tesla Model 3 are expected to start in about four months from now.
Zoox changed boss
The startup Zoox has a new boss: Mrs. Aicha Evans. The US company Zoox develops autonomous driving at level 5 (full autonomy) and is the first company in Californiawho is allowed to offer a robot taxi service there as part of a government program. Until recently, the company was led by Tim Kentley-Klay, who co-founded… Continue reading Zoox changed boss
[The industry is crazy] An off-road scooter made with the engine of a snowmobile
YouTube channel Grind Hard Plumbing Co revealed on January 11 its new creation: an off-road scooter made with the motor of a Yamaha snowmobile. Both videographers have made unusual vehicles and customized their specialty. A video captures the exploits of this two-wheeler made of odds and ends. The motorcycle sector is known for its conversions… Continue reading [The industry is crazy] An off-road scooter made with the engine of a snowmobile
To win F1, Renault Sport Racing will expand its Viry-Châtillon plant
Renault’s motor racing subsidiary will expand its Viry-Châtillon (Essonne) plant, where its Formula 1 engines are developed, assembled and tested. This expansion will not lead to job creation. Established in Viry-Châtillon (Essonne) for about forty years, the factory where the Renault group designs, develops, assembles and tests its Formula 1 engines will be enlarged. […]Read… Continue reading To win F1, Renault Sport Racing will expand its Viry-Châtillon plant
Ford and IBM among quartet in Congo cobalt blockchain project
LONDON (Reuters) – Carmaker Ford (F.N), technology giant IBM (IBM.N), South Korean cathode maker LG Chem (051910.KS) and China’s Huayou Cobalt (603799.SS) have joined forces in the first blockchain project to monitor cobalt supplies from Democratic Republic of Congo. The logo is seen on the bonnet of a new Ford Aspire car during its launch… Continue reading Ford and IBM among quartet in Congo cobalt blockchain project
Ford looks to change minds with its first all-electric vehicle
Ford looks to change minds with its first all-electric vehicleDetroit — Ford Motor Co. is trailing plenty of competitors in the electric-vehicle market — and senior leaders at the Blue Oval said that might work in their favor when the company launches its first fully battery-powered vehicle next year.
“Our strategy is different,” Jim Farley, Ford president of global markets, said Tuesday at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit. “In a way we had the advantage of watching what happened the first time around. What customers have told us is 'Just give us the good stuff.'
“We're going to change a lot of people's minds.”
Ford global product chief Hau Thai-Tang went so far Tuesday as to say in a presentation to Wolfe Research that Ford's electric-vehicle business won't be a drain on profitability. Automakers have historically had trouble making money on EVs.
The automaker plans to launch in 2020 a battery-electric vehicle with a 300-mile-plus range. The vehicle is “Mustang-inspired.” Farley has said several times that essentially means it'll be a utility vehicle that goes fast.
The comments come days after Ford rolled out four all-new vehicles during the Detroit auto show, including the company's first-ever hybrid Explorer SUV. Ford is currently in the middle of a sweeping global restructuring as the Dearborn automaker readies for a new chapter in the automotive industry. Farley is responsible for several pieces of the changes.
Under CEO Jim Hackett, Ford's senior leadership is pushing to trim $25 billion in operating costs and spend $11 billion to shake up failing businesses in Europe, China and South America, and better position the automaker's North American business for continued profitability through the next decade.
Officials announced last week plans to revive its unprofitable European business by cutting salaried and hourly workers, ending production at plants in France and Germany, eliminating less-profitable vehicles like the C-Max from the lineup there, and possibly exiting a Russian joint venture.
Ford then on Tuesday announced it had entered an agreement with Germany's Volkswagen AG to partner on commercial vans and midsize pickup trucks to be sold outside of North America.The partnership is aimed at boosting Ford's European business, in part.
Meantime, the automaker enters 2019 with a full hopper of new vehicle announcements and launches planned. Ford's midsize Ranger returned to showrooms this month. The all-new Aviator is on the way. The automaker also plans to launch its redesigned Explorer, all-new Escape and new Super Duty this year ahead of continued launches in 2020, which will include the long-awaited Bronco.
ithibodeau@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Ian_Thibodeau
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Tesla is being ‘obsessively’ benchmarked by Cadillac ahead of their first EV
GM’s electrification approach by using Cadillac as its ‘lead electric brand’ is being heavily compared to Tesla’s and the company accepts that as it admits to being ‘obsessively’ benchmarking Tesla ahead of the launch of their first EV. Last week, GM announced that it is focusing the Cadillac brand on electric and last weekend, they unveiled images of… Continue reading Tesla is being ‘obsessively’ benchmarked by Cadillac ahead of their first EV
Nissan plans to file for damages against Ghosn: source
TOKYO (Reuters) – Nissan Motor Co Ltd plans to file a civil suit against ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn to claim damages resulting from the alleged misuse of company funds, a person with knowledge of the issue said, adding to the high-profile executive’s legal headaches. FILE PHOTO: Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance,… Continue reading Nissan plans to file for damages against Ghosn: source
UK car industry suffers double blow
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