Tag: FCA

As New Car Prices Soar, Tesla Model 3 Really Is An Affordable Alternative

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Cars Published on March 1st, 2019 | by Steve Hanley
As New Car Prices Soar, Tesla Model 3 Really Is An Affordable AlternativeTwitterLinkedInFacebookMarch 1st, 2019 by Steve Hanley

You hear it all the time. Teslas are for rich people, not ordinary folks. What a bunch of unadulterated crap. The truth is, a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range costs less to own than the average new car in America. That’s because the average new car isn’t a car at all — it’s a truck or an SUV. Manufacturers spend billions every year advertising trucks, trucks, and more trucks. SUVs are getting bigger all the time as people expect 8 passenger seating and enough cargo capacity for a long weekend of camping.
Think of the last time you watched television. What ads did you see? Slugfests between Ford and Chevy about whose trucks are bigger, beefier, tougher, or more rugged. Have you seen an ad from Ford of Chevy in the past two years that wasn’t for a pickup truck? Unsurprisingly, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have scaled back production of passenger cars as they shutter some factories and repurpose others to make more trucks and SUVs. Who says those are not for ordinary folks?

7 Million Americans Are Behind On Their Car LoansHere’s food for thought: Kelley Blue Book reports the average price of a midsize SUV in January was $38,744. The average price of a midsize sedan was $25,930. Carmakers aren’t stupid. If they can convince people to shell out nearly $13,000 more for an SUV than a sedan, they are going to do so. They say the public demands the larger, heavier, thirstier cars, but how much of that demand is driven by the gargantuan advertising budgets of the automakers?
Here’s really startling news: According to USA Today, the average car loan in America today is just a tick under $37,000 and costs the buyer $550 a month. And here’s the kicker: the average length of a loan has grown to 69 months, just a little less than 6 years. Some lenders are offering 84 month loans. Who even keeps a car that long anymore?
But wait, it gets worse. More than 7 million Americans are now at least three months delinquent on their auto loan payments, a benchmark that many lenders say is a strong indication that a recession is just around the corner. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, that’s a million more troubled car loans than there were in 2010.
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (SR) Costs Less Than Average New CarSo, just how affordable is a Tesla Model 3 SR compared to the rest of the new car market? Tesla follower extraordinaire Vincent has that information.
Still think Teslas are only for the rich? Think again. Not only is a Tesla a better built, safer car than the average new car, not only does it offer technology that is years ahead of the competition, but it also costs less to buy and operate. The financial wizards are wailing today that Tesla is circling the drain, demand has dried up, and Elon Musk is a loose cannon who must be reined in before he steers the company into a ditch.
But the truth is quite the opposite. Once people find out they can buy a Tesla for less than the price of an average new car, do it all online (no haggling), have it delivered directly to their home (no request from a commission-hungry salesman to add on this and that), and return it within 7 days (or 1,000 miles) with no questions asked for a full refund, demand will explode.
The genius of Elon Musk’s vision for electric cars is only now being fully revealed. This is the high-water mark for cars with internal combustion engines right now, today — er … 2017 was. After this, the only reduction in demand will be for cars with antiquated gasoline or diesel engines sold through traditional franchise dealers. Most people would rather have a root canal than shop for a new car. Tesla has swept all that worry and pain away with its new 100% online sales model.
There are three kinds of companies in the world — those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wonder what happened. Ford, GM, and Chrysler have just had their Kodak moment. They just don’t know it yet.
Photo by Tesla Shuttle

About the AuthorSteve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island and anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. His motto is, “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away!” You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.

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Piëch Mark Zero Is a 603-HP All-Electric Grand Tourer – Motor Trend

The picture I’ve seen of the very first Porsche booth at the 1949 Geneva motor show clearly shows Ferry Porsche (Ferdinand’s son) as well as the former’s sister, Louise Porsche. Louise wound up marrying Porsche’s lawyer and business partner, Anton Piëch. You may have heard of one of their sons—Ferdinand—the genius engineer behind things as… Continue reading Piëch Mark Zero Is a 603-HP All-Electric Grand Tourer – Motor Trend

Pininfarina’s $2 million electric ‘Battista’ hypercar is faster than a Formula 1 race car

Automobili Pininfarina, the automaker brand infused with Pininfarina design house DNA and owned by India’s Mahindra Group, revealed its first production car this week at the Geneva International Motor Show. And it’s an audacious inaugural effort. The Pininfarina Battista — a nod to design house founder Battista “Pinin” Farina — is an all-electric beast of… Continue reading Pininfarina’s $2 million electric ‘Battista’ hypercar is faster than a Formula 1 race car

Fiat Chrysler outlines big plans for electric Jeeps and Ram pickup trucks

Source: Jeep
2018 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk

Fiat Chrysler plans a major ramp-up of production for its two best-selling brands, Jeep and Ram, by adding a new assembly plant in Detroit as part of a $4.5 billion investment program announced last week.

The automaker also announced its most significant commitment yet to adding electric vehicles to its lineup, starting with at least four new Jeep plug-in hybrids. That's a significant move for the automaker. Former CEO Sergio Marchionne was so skeptical of battery powertrain technology that he once asked potential customers not to buy its first all-electric model, the Fiat 500e, because the company expected to lose more than $10,000 on every vehicle it sold.

The likelihood is that it will be difficult to make money, even with the new electric models Fiat Chrysler is planning. Between regulators and the competition, the company has no choice, industry analysts say. The challenge will be to come up with battery-based models that can turn on consumers even when gas is cheap.

America is falling back in love with trucks and SUVs, and that's causing big changes at big car companies
10:38 AM ET Tue, 5 Feb 2019 | 04:45

New opportunities

As part of last week's announcement, Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley said the investments will allow the carmaker to pursue new opportunities, “including at least four plug-in hybrid vehicles and the flexibility to produce fully battery-electric vehicles.”

That part of the announcement wasn't entirely unexpected. While the late Marchionne, Manley's predecessor, was clearly a battery-car skeptic, he had come to accept that Fiat Chrysler would have to follow the lead of its competitors — as well as the push from regulators for more energy efficient cars, especially in key markets like the U.S., Europe and China. During the company's investor day event last June, Marchionne revealed plans for a number of new battery-based models. These include high-end “halo” vehicles such as the planned Alfa Romeo 8C, a plug-in hybrid supercar.

Future Jeeps

But the new announcement “gives more clarity to what they've previously said,” according to Sam Abuelsamid, a senior analyst with research firm Navigant.

For one thing, Manley is making it clear that Fiat Chrysler will design future products to use a broad range of powertrains, from gas and diesel engines to mild, “conventional” and plug-in hybrids, as well as pure battery-electric drivetrains.

“Basically, every (future) Jeep they build will have a plug-in hybrid option,” said Abuelsamid, “and they're designing them to accommodate full electric, as well.”

Marchionne's attention last year seemed focused on China, now the world's largest market for plug-based vehicles. Driving that surge is the so-called new energy vehicle rule enacted in late 2017. It provides significant incentives to manufacturers and consumers to build and buy plug models.

Opportunities in US

But last week's news suggests that Fiat Chrysler is now starting to see more opportunities in the U.S., as well as other markets. If nothing else, said Abuelsamid, it has recognized that the competition will be driving the push to electrify as much as regulators.

Ford, for example, revealed plans in January to build an all-electric version of its F-150, the best-selling competitor to Fiat Chrysler's Ram 1500. And General Motors is considering all-electric versions of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. A number of mainstream competitors are also working up plug-in hybrid and all-electric SUVs.

At the high end, meanwhile, BMW has developed a new “architecture,” or platform, that will underpin virtually all future models, including sedans, coupes and SUVs that can accommodate all possible types of engines.

“As they move Jeep up-market, in order to stay competitive in that segment, they need, at the least, plug-in hybrids and there's increasing likelihood they'll need battery-electric versions, too,” said Abuelsamid.

Mild hybrids

The challenge will be to come up with battery drive systems that can appeal to Jeep and Ram buyers, some of the market's most traditional customers. But both of those Fiat Chrysler brands have shown it can be done, said Stephanie Brinley, principle auto analyst with IHS Markit, with the latest versions of the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500.

They are offered with optional “mild” hybrid drivetrains using small battery-electric assist technology to not only improve fuel economy but also to boost performance and enhance on- and off-road driving capabilities.

With future models, “They could come to market with products that are differentiated from what (other) companies are offering by enhancing the capabilities” of Jeep and Ram models.

The Asahi Shimbun | Getty Images
2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is displayed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 15, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.

Turning profits

Perhaps the bigger challenge, however, will be finding a way to turn a profit on future electrified models. While Tesla managed to claw into the black during the last half of 2018, CEO Elon Musk warned of a probable loss during the first quarter and automakers have traditionally gone into the red — often, deeply into the red — with their battery-based models.

The equation has been improving, Manley said, as battery costs tumble. Even so, he cautioned that Fiat Chrysler expects it can recover only 60 percent of the incremental cost for electrified powertrain technology. Buyers simply aren't willing to pay a premium.

That's why the automaker is expected to continue playing things cautiously as it decides just how fast to roll out the new electrified powertrain options it is developing.

Fiat Chrysler open to mergers but rules out Maserati sale

GENEVA (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler (FCA) is open to pursuing alliances and merger opportunities if they make sense but a sale of its luxury brand Maserati is not an option, Chief Executive Mike Manley said in Geneva on Tuesday. FILE PHOTO: The Maserati logo is seen during the first press day of the Paris auto… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler open to mergers but rules out Maserati sale

UPDATE 1-Fiat Chrysler open to mergers but rules out Maserati sale

GENEVA (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler (FCA) is open to pursuing alliances and merger opportunities if they make sense but a sale of its luxury brand Maserati is not an option, Chief Executive Mike Manley said in Geneva on Tuesday. FILE PHOTO: A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sign is seen at the U.S. headquarters in Auburn… Continue reading UPDATE 1-Fiat Chrysler open to mergers but rules out Maserati sale

Pininifarina Battista – The World’s First Pure Electric Luxury Hyper GT Revealed

Pininifarina Battista – The World's First Pure Electric Luxury Hyper GT Revealed

Pininfarina Battista arrives in 2020 as the most powerful road-legal car ever designed and built in Italy
1,900 hp/ 2,300 Nm torque with zero emissions thrusts Battista to 100 km/h in less than two seconds yet is capable of 450 kms on one charge with a 120 kWh Li-ion battery pack
Paolo Pininfarina says “Battista realises a dream” as his family name adorns the first in a future range of beautiful, innovative, zero-emissions electric cars
Evocative design meets unprecedented performance as Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke presents the first car to make the world love electric vehicles
Battista's all-electric powertrain delivers performance unachievable with an ICE powertrain, and an access-all-city-areas ability for future zero emissions zones
PURA design philosophy – Purity, Beauty, Rarity – encapsulates Pininfarina car designs as Automobili Pininfarina Design Director Luca Borgogno channels their spirit into Battista
No more than 150 Battistas will be individually hand-crafted at the Pininfarina SpA atelier in Turin, Italy.
Nearly 90 years of legendary Pininfarina cars referenced in three Battista specifications, united by elegant design and as beautiful as the promise of extreme performance
World-class engineers and designers recruited and team up with leading technology and design partners to deliver a unique performance car
Automobili Pininfarina's sustainability vision highlighted by Battista as an inspiration for EV desirability at the pinnacle of performance and luxury cars
“Race-to-Road” technology transfer is secured through partnership with Mahindra Racing and expert advice from Nick Heidfeld, Peter Tutzer and Rene Wollmann

GENEVA – 20:30 CET, 04 MARCH 2019 A revolution in automotive performance, design and technical collaboration is revealed with the Pininfarina Battista, the world’s first luxury electric hyper performance GT. Delivering on a long-held Pininfarina family dream and a new target of zero emissions with extreme power, the Battista is the first solely Pininfarina-badged car and delivers unprecedented performance. tThe trio of beautiful Battista design models presented as part of the hypercar’s World Premiere in Geneva represent a new pinnacle of desirability for electric cars, stylishly resolving the paradox of beauty and performance in a pure, elegant and timeless Italian design.

When it arrives in 2020, the Battista will be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy and it will deliver a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sports car featuring internal combustion engine technology. Faster than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0 -100 km/h sub-two second sprint, and with 1,900 hp and 2,300 Nm torque on tap, the Battista will combine extreme engineering and technology in a zero emissions package.

The year 2020 is also the 90th anniversary of the legendary Pininfarina SpA design house, which has taken the design brief for the Battista and produced a classic Pininfarina: an elegant form that seamlessly integrates the car’s innovative engineering solutions to deliver unprecedented performance. It is the same design principle of form and function in harmony as seen in classic Pininfarina cars reaching back to the Cisitalia 202 of 1947 and through more than 100 Ferraris, the most recent of which was launched this decade.

The Pininfarina Battista's place in automotive history is defined by its name. It is the first in a range of purely electric, zero-emissions, luxury cars solely branded Pininfarina, delivering on a long-held family dream that has been carried by founder, Battista, his son Sergio, and his grandson, the current Pininfarina SpA Chairman, Paolo.

Never before has a new brand and its first car been launched with such an emotive past, relevance for the present, and potential for the future – the Battista embodies timeless design as a piece of art.

Automobili Pininfarina CEO, Michael Perschke: “This is the most authentic and exciting automotive story imaginable. The Battista is the hypercar of the future, inspired by a legendary past. It combines true inspiration and innovation in its technical achievement and emotional appeal. Electrification unlocks the door to a new level of performance and a zero-emissions future, whilst a passion and respect for automotive history will define how this landmark car looks and feels. We aim for the Battista to be a future classic and automotive icon, writing its own page in automotive history books.”

The ingredients for success reach further than statistics and history. A group of automotive experts, the like of which have never been assembled before for the launch of a new car company, are working for Automobili Pininfarina and partnering with Pininfarina SpA and an enviable list of technology specialists headed by the likes of Rimac and Pirelli. The result is that the Battista will arrive next year having been developed through the expertise and inspiration of a team that have been integral to the launches of cars such as the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, Ferrari Sergio, Lamborghini Urus, McLaren P1, Mercedes AMG-Project One, Pagani Zonda and Porsche Mission E.

The resulting hypercar will appeal to the world's automotive connoisseurs from a technical and aesthetic standpoint, and also because of its rarity. No more than 150 Battistas will be hand-crafted in Italy and allocated equally between the regions of North America, Europe and Middle East/Asia. Exceptional customer service will be delivered through some of the world’s best luxury car retail specialists, from Los Angeles to London to Tokyo. Plans are in place for the opportunity to fully personalise each car at Pininfarina SpA's Cambiano headquarters.

The Battista will set new standards in performance and desirability for an electric car. It will be the first poster car for the EV-generation and the halo model for a range of luxury electric cars from Automobili Pininfarina. It is more than simply a new car reveal, but a pivotal moment in time for the new automotive environment: the first zero-emissions, Italian luxury car.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: PININFARINA BATTISTA

All data shown are target estimations and subject to confirmation by manufacturer.

PERFORMANCE

Range
450 km

Acceleration 0-100 km/h
Under 2.0 secs.

Acceleration 0-300 km/h
Under 12.0 secs

Power output
Up to 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)

Max. torque
Up to 2,300 Nm

Top speed
Over 350 km/h

Drive
All-wheel-drive with torque vectoring function

Drive modes
5 different drive modes

Brakes

Type
Carbon-ceramic 6-piston front and rear, 390 mm front / 390 mm rear

Tyres

Supplier
Pirelli Tyre SpA

Type
Bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyre (mounted on a 21-inch rim in an exclusive new design for the Battista show cars)

Body

Structure
Full-carbon fibre monocoque with carbon fibre body panels Aluminium crash structure front and rear

Battery Pack

Layout
T-shaped battery pack in centre tunnel and behind seats

Supplier
Rimac Automobili

Battery energy
120 kWh

Charging

Charging technology
DC fast charging capability

THE PININFARINA BATTISTA: AN INTRODUCTION

The Battista seeks to break new ground in the history of automotive when it arrives in 2020. Named after Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, who founded the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company in 1930, the all-electric hyper GT will be designed and hand-built in very limited numbers at Pininfarina SpA under the watchful eye of Paolo Pininfarina, Battista’s grandson and current Pininfarina SpA Chairman. The Battista, appropriately enough, will be the most powerful road-legal car ever designed and produced in Italy.

A carbon fibre monocoque chassis and visually stunning carbon fibre body provide the foundation and visual definition for the extreme levels of technology and functional, elegant driver-focused design solutions at the heart of the hypercar.

The result will be staggering performance for a road car: power and torque of 1,900 hp and 2,300 Nm, providing acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than two seconds (faster than a current Formula 1 car), 300 km/h in less than 12 seconds and the ability to achieve a top speed of up to 350 km/h. All with a potential zero-emissions range of up to 450 kilometres and an extreme focus on drivability.

The weight distribution of the T-shaped 120 kWh battery pack is configured to optimise the Battista’s dynamic potential, with four motors independently distributing torque and power to each wheel, delivering all the benefits of modern torque vectoring. Cooling circuits and systems are based around five radiators.

Whilst the car's electronic brain serves up a thrilling new experience in dynamic driving, its braking system offers the back-up to that performance. Massive, carbon-ceramic 6-piston brakes (390 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear) provide fade-free deceleration and hugely effective brake regeneration to the battery will be engineered into the system. The active rear wing features an air brake function.

The Battista’s suspension is tuned specifically to deliver a thrilling, engaging and yet comfortable dynamic experience. The driver will be able to electronically adjust the dynamic experience through multiple modes tuned to a range of driving scenarios and will also be able to tailor the noise the 1,900 hp car makes – the Battista’s on-board sound programme will focus on using vehicle hardware to generate acoustic entertainment, rather than generate artificial sounds.

Inspired by, and paying homage to, famous Pininfarina designs such as the Cisitalia 202, Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale, Ferrari Modulo, and Sintesi concept cars – each ahead of its time and instantly influential when presented – the Battista will feature classic Pininfarina design cues and a unique blend of beauty and technological innovation in perfect balance. Battista owners are guaranteed..

U.S. auto sales fall in February on weak SUV demand

(Reuters) – Automakers on Friday reported a decline in U.S. light vehicle sales for February as demand for SUVs slows after years of rapid growth, pointing to a drop in overall sales in 2019. FILE PHOTO: A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sign is seen at the U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. May 25,… Continue reading U.S. auto sales fall in February on weak SUV demand