Chicago Car Guy Larry Nutson's Auto News Weekly Wrap-up July 30-Aug 6, 2023
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Here are Larry's picks among the past week's important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.Nutson's Auto News Weekly Wrap-up July 30-August 5, 2023;
* US gasoline prices are rising, somewhat surprisingly say experts. The national average for gas stood at about $3.78 a gallon this week--about 25 cents higher than that seen one month ago, according to AAA. Global supply production cuts and the summer's extreme heat impact on refineries are two reasons for the increase.
* Automotive News reports a strong economy and improving stockpiles helped push light-vehicle deliveries up 15 percent to some 1.3 million in July, from depressed levels a year earlier, GlobalData said. Many auto brands saw double-digit increses from last July's depressed levels. Toyota/Lexus, Ford/Lincoln, Hyundai/Kia/Genesis and Honda/Acura all saw significant sales increases in spite of US economics.
* CDK Global reports: After the tumultuous past few years of tight supply and ongoing demand, a common assumption was that more inventory would be a boon when it finally arrived at dealers. But in their latest survey of car buyers, it was clear that having more options on the lot didn’t help, and in fact, their Ease of Purchase score saw its largest month-to-month drop to date. Only 79% of buyers in July found the purchase process easy, the lowest score since their survey started in July 2022. More people found the car they wanted in stock (50%) than they have recorded these past 12 months, up from 45% in June and from 40% a year ago. One in five buyers (20%) still ordered the car they wanted from the factory but the number of in-transit (meaning, vehicle is built and being shipped) buyers fell to 22% from 28% in June.
* The NHTSA is proposing new CAFE fuel economy requirements so the fleet average would be increased to 43.5 mpg. Presently the CAFE requirement is 36.75 mpg. NHTSA said its new standards for the 2027-32 model years would require a 2 percent per year improvement in fuel efficiency for cars and a 4 percent per year improvement for light trucks. The agency is also proposing new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for 2030-2035 rising 10% per year. An auto industry trade group has said this new CAFE requirement will require a huge increase in EV sales. Estimates are an increase in EV sales to 67% of total. Currently annual EV sales are at 7% of total. Note: EPA is being criticized for setting standards that only can be met by electric vehicles, even though, they are precluded from requiring the use of specific vehicle technology.
* General Motors has launched a consumer education program Hands Free, Eyes On,” to encourage consumer confidence in the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of GM’s larger commitment to the safe deployment of these technologies, like Super Cruise. To avoid concern and confusion about the benefits of ADAS as they become more widely available, GM intends to give consumers more information so that they are informed, excited and confident in the technology. The “Hands Free, Eyes On" program is designed to explain the current state of ADAS — from active safety to hands-free features like Super Cruise — available to customers, all of which require the driver's constant attention to the road, versus fully autonomous driving which does not require driver intervention. Writer comment: Hallelujah! It's about time automakers did this.
* In New York state, drivers who have received multiple speed-camera violations would be ordered to install aftermarket speed limiters on their vehicles under a state bill proposed by two legislators. The limiting device, once installed, would prevent vehicles from traveling no more than 5 mph above the posted speed limit. The devices would have to be installed in cars caught six or more times by an automated speed camera. BTW: GPS technology allows speed limiters to adjust according to a vehicle’s location. A 2017 report by the National Transportation Safety Board suggested seeking ways to “incentivize” car manufacturers and buyers to install such systems in new vehicles.
* The new California Privacy Protection Agency, created under a 2020 ballot initiative, said it will initiate a review of the privacy practices of connected automobiles. The agency will examine the growing amalgamation of data collected by smart vehicles and whether the business practices of the companies collecting that data comply with state law. Similar efforts have been in practice in Europe and China. This report comes to us from the Wall Street Journal.
* Mazda will discontinue the MX-30 EV for the U.S. market following the 2023 model year. Mazda's current U.S. electrification efforts are focused on large platform PHEVs, such as the first-ever 2024 CX-90 PHEV and upcoming CX-70 PHEV, as well as introducing CX-50 Hybrid into their lineup to address the specific needs of the U.S. market. Writer comment: Given the lack of widepread charging network, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain is a good choice for someone who wants to reduce their personal carbon footprint by moving away from a traditional pure ICE-powered car but is not afforded by their living arrangements to drive a battery electric vehicle that requires at-home battery charging for the best user experience.
* But then there's this. Mazda announced on June 22, 2023 that it resumed mass production of rotary engines for a new variant of the MX-30 compact crossover. The engine serves as a generator for the MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This PHEV employs the rotary engine in a series-hybrid layout to generate electricity to replenish the vehicle’s 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery, which when fully charged, can provide up to 85 km (31 miles) of driving range on Europe’s Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle. Mazda has yet to say whether the vehicle will be offered in North America. Writer comment: With the long timeline possibly stretching to the end of this decade to intall the EV DCFC charging infrastructure, a PHEV is the best choice for those wanting to reduce their personal carbon footprint in the near term.
* The US Postal Service is expanding its fleet of electric delivery vehicles with over 9,000 EVs from Ford. The USPS has established contracts to purchase 9,250 EVs from Ford. The postal service also plans to install 14,000 charging stations across the country to power its electrified fleet. Last year, the USPS only planned to make 10% of its next-generation vehicles electric, with the other 90% being gas-powered. Public backlash led the organization to up the ante to over 40% of its new vehicles — around 34,000 EVs. The USPS announced in December that it would use $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase its use of EVs. Reuters also reported that the postal service will buy 66,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2028, and their whole fleet will be electric after 2026.
* Toyota pulled the sheet off the new Land Cruiser. It's smaller and narrower. Available in three grades: Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and the limited run Land Cruiser First Edition. Seating for up to five. Its turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain produces 326 horsepower. Available in spring 2024. Pricing will start in the mid-$50,000 range. Writter comment: We applaude Toyota for making the new Land Cruiser smaller. Bigger is not always better.
* NACTOY announced it is rebranding its Car of the Year announcement at the Detroit Auto Show in September; once known as the Semifinalists round, the initial winnowing of the full list of eligible vehicles will now be known as “The Best of 2024.” Subsequent announcements will follow the typical NACTOY format, with finalists announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16 and winners announced at a standalone NACTOY event on January 4, 2024.
* Another "park it outside" alert. Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 92,000 vehicles in the U.S. to park them outside because an electronic controller in an oil pump can overheat and cause fires. The recalls cover certain 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Palisades, as well some 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona vehicles. Affected Kias include the 2023 Soul and Sportage as well as some 2023 and 2024 Seltos vehicles.
* From The Detroit Bureau we read Hyundai Motor Group has been sued in a federal class-action complaint by owners of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60 EVs for alleged problems with the charging port overheating during Level 2 charge sessions. According to Hyundai Motor Group, a Level 2 charger can enable a complete charge for its electric vehicles in five to seven hours. Owners implicated in the lawsuit, however, assert that the Level 2 charger overheats in as little as 30 minutes of charging due to a flaw in the charge connection itself. Owners claim the charger becomes too hot to touch. When that occurs, the charging rate drastically drops to 28 amps, far lower than its advertised 48-amp maximum. In some cases, charging halts.
* General Motors is recalling nearly 900 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators that could explode and hurl shrapnel in a crash. The recall covers certain Chevrolet Camaro, Sonic and Volt vehicles as well as the Buick Verano, all from the 2013 model year. Some 2013 Chevrolet Trax versions in Canada also are included.
* Ford Performance revealed the all-new Mustang Dark Horse R, offering the most demanding track enthusiasts a turn-key race car ready to compete in the all-new Mustang Challenge spec racing series, just for Mustang Dark Horse R and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The Mustang Dark Horse R powered by a new, fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is the third Dark Horse-based racing derivative to be unveiled this summer, joining its place alongside the Mustang GT3 and Mustang GT4.
* NASCAR announced the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The three-person group – the 14th since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 – consists of Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and Donnie Allison. In addition, Janet Guthrie was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. The Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
* Francois Castaing, engineering ace behind Chrysler's 1990s hits, has died at age 78. Castaing developed the concept at Chrysler of platform teams and tore down silos between key departments such as vehicle engineering, design, purchasing and manufacturing. Castaing engineered the Dodge Viper and helped take Jeep from a niche off-road brand to a major market presence. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2010.
Stay safe. Be Well.