David

Sharp Looking Ride!!!

Interesting another one bites the dust. Mercedes that had in 2021 said it would be an EV only company by 2030 has in their Q4 call stated they will not put an end date on ICE, and they are now aiming to have 50% of global sales as EV. Mercedes Benz ditches plan to sell only EVs by 2030 (msn.com) Mercedes-Benz Group 2023 results*: Cash generation at work | Mercedes-Benz Media

I will stand corrected as I see Ford CEO in Dec 15 2023 confirmed that they were moving forward with Google on the Qualcomm Android system in supporting the use of Android Auto and Apple Carplay system. I lumped Ford in with GM as a year earlier with the Qualcomm Announcement they said they would protect the data by not using the cell phone connectivity. I guess customers have spoken and Ford has changed back to replacing Sync in all their ICE and EV autos with the use of Android Auto and Apple Carplay. That I am very happy about. I tried to find the story I wrote about the Qualcomm Android Auto system where GM and Ford along with a few others had stated in moving to this system they would protect customers data by not allowing Android Auto / Apple Carplay and would use the software API SDK to create their own software interface. I did a quick search across the news stories but could not find that story. Yet THANK YOU, having found the news stories on Ford CEO in December 2023 stating they will stick with the ability to use it is GREAT and I am very happy for that as I think GM is making a BIG BIG BIG mistake. Yet it is a switch that they can flip back on. Hopefully Mary and team will get their act together and turn on the support for Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Lets correct one thing! HONDA DID NOT install their own hardware / software!!! They are using the same Android Auto Controller system that I have posted about here in other stories as GM. The difference is they took the full Android Software with Android Auto and Apple Carplay and customized the look to look like Honda, but just like Hyundai/Kia/Genesis which is using the same Snapdragon QUALCOMM Controller/Software stack, they took the safe route of making it Look Honda but a solid established auto system. GM FAILED here in that they want to control the Dollars, so they turned off the Android Auto / Apple Carplay and stores and created their own using the API SDK for the same hardware set. This is where they failed to test and truly deliver an experience on par to the Android Auto / Apple Carplay system that we all love. Ford and GM will fall behind as I feel those auto companies that bring out their auto system supporting what the public is used too and share the money with Google will win over trying to keep the 100% to themselves when they are so far behind in the software development system. GM is going to have a hard time keeping up with Google and the updates they do to the Android Auto system that supports both cell phone formats. Google and Apple are too far ahead I fear for GM or Ford to catch up. IMHO Honda is also failing in their conservative approach as people do not want to wait and the slower charge speed is not a good way to introduce your customers to EVs. GM on the other hand is also failing as they give maximum charging speed to Cadillac and much slower across their other product lines. Since charging speed at home and on the road are real valid concerns, GM can win sales by having the best charging speed available on ALL MODELS from ALL BRANDS.

Just saw a car carrier that was all Acura. 2 cars & 6 suvs. All white, black & blue. Terrible style imho

True, but it is not the terrible Tesla or Mercedes jelly bean look.

I thought that was a corvette concept? Is that really a Pontiac? Corvette

This car I really like, have to say that the style is striking for me. 'Apple of China' starts new venture with bold aspirations to take down Tesla: 'Starting late has its advantages' (thecooldown.com)

Kia has been hitting on all cylinders to use the ICE term from Style to content and quality. This I can see as a big hit for them and one that will get folks that have looked at the Tesla to look at the Kia. As one that has been following reliability, Kia is doing a great job in comparison to others.

I see this crewcab as their full size T10 & T7 pickup. This I could see as a future T5 compact pickup.

The long wheel base does rock. I can see it really taking off with solid-state batteries for a much longer range. Very cool

Front end looks like all the other Rivians, but they have R2 on the website and a 33 second video with the front end sneak peak before the big reveal. Rivian - R2 Today SuperCruise has been expanded to 750,000 miles from the original 400,000 miles. GM Expands Super Cruise Network to 750,000 Hands-Free Miles, Largest in North America

The year was 2015, the Santa Cruz concept pickup was shown off at the LA auto show sporting a turbo diesel with 190 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Excitement was strong for Hyundai to bring a mid-size pickup to market. Yet folks' excitement started to wane when no truck came out in the preceding few years. It took Hyundai till 2021 to finally bring out an all-new Santa Cruz pickup. Now there are rumors of Hyundai bringing out an electric pickup. This has been confirmed based on two independent trademark filings. First was a filing for IONIQ T10 on December 27th, 2023 and confirmed by the governments trademark office on February 1st, 2024. Now we have discovered an additional filing that was also done on December 27th, 2023 for an IONIQ T7 that was confirmed on February 9th 2024. In looking at these details, it appears that these have been filed as follows: Automobiles; electric cars; parts and accessories for automobiles; hybrid cars; dump cars; buses; passenger cars; passenger cars for more than seven passengers; trucks; lorries; sports utility vehicles; motors for land vehicles; motorcycles Hyundai has an all-new e-LCV or Light Commercial Vehicle electric platform that they just recently signed an agreement with European based IVECO Group for building 1/2 ton to one-ton electric delivery vans. Hyundai has stated that the e-LCV platform could also be used for a large assortment of EVs including trucks. Hyundai went on a registration spree in summer of 2020 for IONIQ 1 to IONIQ 10 registering these 10 numbers and having it all confirmed as registered names by August 2021. The filings for two T-numbered IONIQ would tend to imply that a mid-size and full-size pickup truck could be headed to the North American Market. Recently Hyundai also registered these same two trademark names in Australia, we would also not be surprised if they were also registered in the European Union. So then could this be the future Hyundai Family of Trucks? Based on Hyundai's current EV motors, having a RWD truck with 300 to 500 horsepower or AWD with 600 to 1,000 horsepower is not too farfetched. What do you the reader think? Is Hyundai capable of entering the pickup truck market in both mid-size and full-size electrified trucks? View full article

Welcome @Michael Higgins

Talk about so much disappointment I have. I think it is time Stellantis did a hard look at how many brands they can actually handle and close down some. Maybe it is time to retire Chrysler to the history books. I remember when this came out in 2021. New Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell stokes new hope from dealers for comeback | Automotive News (autonews.com) I really have not seen much out of her and at this point, transfer the Chrysler minivan to Dodge, retire Chrysler.

Have to say I am actually very disappointed in Stellantis. Clearly they are overwhelmed with having so many brands that they cannot release an actual near product ready concept for the Chrysler brand. You might as well transfer the minivan to Dodge and close up Chrysler and let it die peacefully. I get concepts, but this is so far out there that if 1% actually gets to a real production product I would be surprised. Tired of pie in the sky concepts that never go anywhere, show us some concepts that actually have a chance of coming to market. Hell, the Chrysler Airflow was a better-looking EV and actually I can see it on the dealer lots for sale now over this. Very disappointed and just proves the current new Chrysler leader has no touch with reality or ability to get product into Chrysler. Deadman Walking "Chrysler"

This should be interesting, but I think your assessment is spot on in regard to what we will get. If it is totally something else, that would be a shock, I think. The teasers seem to imply leaning the direction of a rebadge E3008 imho.

Will be very weird if Stellantis does not join the Tesla Supercharger Station group. But then maybe they feel IONNA will be up to par by the time EVs get to that large use.

Agree, I am seeing some quality Photoshops that would be awesome to have here in the U.S. I love this guys work, as this would sell now if they had it I believe.

Cool, I do hope they stick with only Fast charging and nothing else. Another money stream for them. I wonder how long before Costco finally steps up and installs chargers? 🤔

Very excited for this as it would be a perfect replacement for my current Escalade ESV Platinum. 🤩

I have to say that Genesis in the U.S. is missing out on some lovely auto's that the brand carries in South Korea. They have a standard and Sport edition. Love the G70 Shooting Brake (Station Wagon) Genesis G70 Shooting Brake – Luxury Hatch-hinge | GENESIS Loving the Sport Edition in their green color. Configured up how I would like it. $61,170,000 Korean Won = $45,932.55 U.S. Dollars

Searching I find no other company doing what Tesla has done there. Very smart of them. I do wonder if most are just waiting to change over and drop CCS with only a couple companies not committing to NACS for this market in North America.

I knew EV myth believing was bad in the U.S. but to see it in so many European countries is surprising. Charged EVs | New survey finds myths and misinformation about EVs are deeply embedded - Charged EVs