Britain would suffer most if it lost free trade with European markets since 80 percent of vehicles assembled in the country are exported, mostly to the European Union. But for Germany the stakes are also high. In 2016, Britain was the largest single export market for German manufacturers, who sold 800,000 new cars there, or… Continue reading Automakers prepare for worst as Brexit looms – Automotive News Europe
Tag: Toyota
Smaller electric SUVs coming from Audi, Mercedes-Benz
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC
German luxury automakers Audi and Mercedes-Benz plan to be in the vanguard in launching new electric SUVs in 2019.
For the U.S, the long-awaited Audi e-tron quattro is slated to roll out by June, while the Mercedes-Benz EQC is planned to go on sale in early 2020.
Under intense sales pressure from Tesla, the stalwart German brands are not resting on their laurels.
READ MORE: Volkswagen details the foundation for 10 million electric vehicles
Both brands are planning to introduce smaller electric SUVs that could both end up at the Geneva auto show in March.
Mercedes is developing a smaller SUV based on an updated version of its B-class hatchback architecture. Called the EQB, the smaller electric model is expected to compete directly with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Lexus NX, according to a report in Autocar U.K..
CHECK OUT: It's a long(er) story? 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC scraps 200-mile range estimate
The EQB will be based on the new GLB SUV, which will include gas and plug-in hybrid models as well as the electric EQB.
It will be slightly larger than Mercedes' existing GLA SUV, as well as somewhat larger than the B-Class Electric Drive (or B250e) that was sold through 2017. The report says the car will have a range of up to 310 miles from a 60-kilowatt-hour battery.
DON'T MISS: Electric cars from Audi, Porsche: Explaining platform magic
The plug-in hybrid version is expected to have an electric range of 62 miles, backed up by a 2.0-liter gas engine driving the front wheels. The drive system will use an electric motor housed with the transmission to provide clean power to the front axle, and an electric motor on the rear axle to provide all-wheel drive.
In late 2020, Audi is planning to introduce an electric crossover that's a size smaller than the e-tron quattro, to compete with Tesla's upcoming Model Y small SUV. It's expected, based on various hints from the automaker's executives, to appear at the Geneva auto show and be one of the most “premium” vehicles based on Volkswagen's MEB modular electric-vehicle platform.
Toyota Hilux Takes Toughness to a Higher Level with Historic Dakar Victory
From Britain’s farms and construction sites, to frozen polar wastes, the Toyota Hilux has proved itself a trusted top performer whatever the environment. Now it has gone further in its world-conquering achievements by claiming Toyota’s first victory in the ultra-gruelling Dakar rally. Toyota Gazoo Racing’s modified Hilux led throughout 10 days and more than 3,000… Continue reading Toyota Hilux Takes Toughness to a Higher Level with Historic Dakar Victory
Toyota Prius Adds Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for 2019
New Toyota Prius available with intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i) for the first time The next step in the self-charging hybrid driving experience, providing added peace of mind and support for the driver New Prius also adopts fresh styling elements, new interior trims and enhanced equipment features Second generation Toyota Safety Sense provided as standard on… Continue reading Toyota Prius Adds Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for 2019
Tesla, Ford, Toyota: Manufacturers recall cars due to faulty airbags
An airbag is intended to prevent the passenger from banging his head on the dashboard in an accident – but some manufacturers have installed faulty airbags from Takata. They call thereforecars back. January 18, 2019, 11:45 am, Werner Pluta Interior of the Tesla Model S (symbol): dangerous passenger airbag (Image: Werner Pluta / Golem.de) Danger… Continue reading Tesla, Ford, Toyota: Manufacturers recall cars due to faulty airbags
Gripped by Ghosn crisis, Renault expects slight sales growth
PARIS (Reuters) – Renault (RENA.PA) expects to deliver sales growth in 2019, despite the imminent ouster of Chairman and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn and tension with alliance partner Nissan (7201.T). The logo of French car manufacturer Renault is seen at a dealership of the company in Illkirch-Graffenstaden near Strasbourg, France, January 10, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler… Continue reading Gripped by Ghosn crisis, Renault expects slight sales growth
Robomart: Food on wheels for Boston
Startup Robomart plans to use grocery stores in autonomous vehicles for the US city of Boston. Together with the grocery store “Stop and Shop”, Startup Robomart is planning an automated vehicle from this spring Boston to roll. It should contain food that can be bought away from the car. Stop Shop Robomart Autonomous Car as… Continue reading Robomart: Food on wheels for Boston
Tesla Model 3 is affecting Prius sales, admits Toyota – though still not convinced on EVs
Tesla’s Model 3 is stealing away sales from a surprising range of vehicles and Toyota is admitting to seeing an impact on Prius sales. As a premium car, you would think that it would more likely affect Lexus sales, but Toyota says “Tesla is creating an entirely new segment of vehicles.” Last year, Tesla revealed the top… Continue reading Tesla Model 3 is affecting Prius sales, admits Toyota – though still not convinced on EVs
Ford confirms future all-electric F-Series truck, holds details close
2019 Ford F-150
All-electric isn't just for cars anymore.
Ford Group Vice President for Marketing and Sales Jim Farley confirmed that the company will build an all-electric version of its top-selling F-Series pickup. “We're going to be electrifying the F-Series—battery electric and hybrid,” he said at a presentation at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference in Detroit on Wednesday, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.
The company is racing announcements from Tesla and Michigan-based startup automaker Rivian, which are each expected to introduce their own electric pickups in 2021. Rivian showed its R1T to the public at the LA auto show in November. Tesla has not yet revealed even a concept of its promised pickup.
DON'T MISS: Ford to electrify most SUVs, promises to pass Toyota in hybrids
Ford Chairman Bill Ford alluded to an electric F-Series possibility months ago. In a statement last September, he said, “When it comes to building the best trucks in the world, we never rest. Whether they're gas, diesel, hybrid—or when the time comes fully-electric—we will ensure they power the world in a sustainable way.” It now looks like that time may be coming closer.
This is the first time that a Ford executive has confirmed in front of a large group of financial analysts representing Ford's investors that the company plans to build a fully electric version of the truck.
As the best-selling individual vehicle in America, racking up more than 909,000 sales in 2018, no vehicle could do more than the F-Series to usher electric cars from sales to early adopters into the garages of mainstream buyers, especially if it arrives in the highest-volume half-ton model, the F-150.
The company did not reveal timing for the electric truck. “We are constantly looking at new ways to better serve our truck customers, from materials to features, to propulsion systems,” said company spokesman Mike Levine. “We are not specifying timing. We don't have any other details to share at this time.”
CHECK OUT: Ford F-150 Hybrid Pickup Truck By 2020 Reconfirmed, But Diesel Too? (2015)
One of the vehicle's chief rivals, however, the Rivian R1T, is expected to debut with up to 400 miles of range, fast charging capability at 160 kilowatts—and a $70,000 price tag. To sell in significant numbers, an electric F-Series would have to be competitive with those specs.
Ford is also planning to build a 300-mile off-road-capable electric crossover SUV in 2020, but it has revealed few other details about that vehicle either.
While the timing and other details remain to be answered about an all-electric F-Series, there's one electrified F-150 that's better-defined at this point: the F-150 Hybrid. Ford confirmed last year that it will also build a hybrid version of the F-150 in 2020 with a power take-off to run tools or camping equipment. Look for more details about that one soon.
Electric Ford F-Series, Lincoln crossover, Tesla charger, Chinese minivan: Today’s Car News
2018 Ford F-150
Ford plans to build an all-electric F-series truck. Lincoln's making electric “elegant.” Tesla has released a new portable Level 2 home charger. And Chinese automaker GAC showed a U.S.-designed concept at the Detroit auto show. All this and more on Green Car Reports.
At a meeting with investors following the Detroit auto show Ford Global Vice President for Marketing and Sales Jim Farley said, “We're going to electrify the F-Series,” specifying, “battery electric and hybrid,” in a presentation to investors.
The company's Lincoln luxury division, meanwhile, announced that it plans to build its own more “elegant” version of Ford's upcoming high-performance 300-mile electric SUV—the one Ford says it may no longer call the Mach 1 in deference to classic Mustang enthusiasts. If Lincoln is already working on its luxury version, it would arrive as soon as a year after the Ford.
Tesla released a new portable home wall charger that's half as fast as its hard-wired chargers but can easily be unplugged from the wall to bring along on trips or move to a new location.
At the Detroit auto show, Chinese automaker GAC showed an electric minivan that could be the first car it imports to the U.S. in 2020. The company is already working on setting up its own dealer network.
Fans of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid may be interested to see spy shots of the redesigned Highlander expected to go on sale later this year as a 2020 model.
Finally, several automakers are rolling out payment relief programs for federal works who are furloughed or working without pay.
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