Drew Dowdell

Kinda weird seeing William reviewing back then what would be my future truck.

25 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Rivian is probably the last EV start up that will make it.  I doubt Lucid makes it long term unless the Saudi's want to keep wasting money on it.  Fisker and anyone else moving forward is too late to the game, and won't be able to scale fast enough to be profitable.  To be profitable you either need to be making $250,000 cars or be selling a million cars a year.  

I think you're both right and wrong. Rivian will make it. I think Lucid will make it too as a pride project for the Saudis. Fisker might have just gotten a lifeline from Nissan, and I hope it works because the Ocean, in concept, is excellent.

I think this will be the last of the current wave of EV manufacturers that make it.  Then, there will be a long pause of around ten years while the market settles.  Then we'll start to see other manufacturers who can pluck stuff from the big manufacturer's parts bins and start making specialty vehicles like roadsters and other niche stuff. 

Fisker issued a stark warning yesterday that it might not be able to continue as a going concern after announcing $463.6 million in losses. Though building more than 10,000 of Fisker's initial model, the Ocean, the company was only able to deliver about 4,700 units in 2023. Fisker initially pursued a direct-to-consumer sales model, but just last month announced it would add dealerships alongside the existing distribution with 13 dealerships across the U.S. and Europe signed up so far. Fisker said its business plan was highly dependent on the success of the dealership model. Fisker aims to deliver 20,000 to 24,000 units in 2024.

CEO Henrik Fisker said, "2023 was a challenging year for Fisker, including delays with suppliers and other issues that prevented us from delivering the Ocean SUV as quickly as we had expected". Fisker additionally said it would be cutting 15% of its workforce and pursuing a partnership with another automaker for investment and joint product development.

This afternoon, a source close to the company revealed that Nissan is the sole manufacturer in "advanced talks" with Fisker.  While details of the deal are preliminary and not finalized, Nissan would invest more than $400 million into Fisker's truck platform, which the two companies would share. Nissan would build its own version of the EV truck at one of its U.S. Assembly plants. 

Nissan was one of the earliest entries in the EV space with its Nissan Leaf hatchback debuting in 2010 but had since failed to gain ground against upstarts like Tesla and industry giants like Hyundai.

The deal could close by the end of March.

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14 hours ago, David said:

@Drew Dowdell Did they say why the Silver Collar would not work with the adapter at charging Ford EVs?
 

Do they not have all the pins that support the slower charging in the NACS adapter?

The did not give a reason.  The color could simply be an indicator of the charging speed.

28 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I actually assumed it was more about extracting more money out of a vehicle/platform. Brand new vehicles will spike sales, even with an old engine. Then in a year or two they add a new engine to spike sales again. Rinse and repeat. 

That’s a side effect, but no. It’s harder to do both engine and vehicle platform at the same time than it is to have them alternate in cadence. 
 

but that’s kinda true of all major projects with large separate components.

Ultium is a sound concept but GM's execution has been terrible. I would equate it to Alfa's rollout of the Giorgio platform that went horribly, but if you think about it, it has parallels.

Have you not noticed that no manufacturer, not GM, not Toyota, not VW, ever rolls out a truly all-new car?   When a new platform comes out, they usually carry over powertrains or pluck a newer powertrain that has been running in some other vehicle for a few years. Then, once they're 2 years in, there is an engine'/transmission update.  You used to be able to set your watch to the "All new Camry with same engine" / 2 years later / "Camry gets all new engine" / 3 years later / "All new Camry with the same engine" cadence.   The reason for that is that it is incredibly difficult to set up a whole vehicle platform AND engine / transmission platform all at the same time. The latest "all-new" CR-V came out in 2022, but the engine platform dates back to 2014 when it debuted in a mid-cycle refresh of an overseas market Honda Fit.

And that is why the Alfa Romeo Giorgio platform had so many issues at the beginning.  The Giorgio, which debuted under the Giulia and later the Stelvio, was the first truly "all-new" vehicle we've had in decades. It was a new platform, on a new production line, with a new engine. The only off-the-shelf component in that car was the ZF 8-speed automatic. These days, Giorgio seems to be doing just fine as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L

Now take that task and multiply it by 10.  Not only did GM build a new platform, they built a new powertrain, and a new battery pack, and then they had to build the plants to build that battery pack, which they'd never done before. They called in LG for help, but it is still a massive undertaking.

The early Teslas were utter rubbish (some would argue they aren't much better today). Worse than anything GM is experiencing at the moment.  GM, for all its faults, at least had the wisdom to stop production so the issues could be addressed instead of pushing out sub-par beta-test products like Tesla did.  Keep in mind that the earliest Tesla Model-Ses are now 12 years old, one year OLDER than my Avalanche.

I've been in a battery presentation for Ultium, and I do believe that GM is on the right track.  Their modular design makes it easy to future-proof the design for new chemistries as they become available.  They'll get there, they're further ahead on the curve than Tesla was 12 years ago simply because, unlike Tesla, they can make a door that shuts properly.

Owners of Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning vehicles have nearly doubled their charging location options overnight with 15,000+ new chargers added to the Ford BlueOval Charge Network.  Last May, Ford announced they signed an agreement with Tesla for Ford EVs to gain access to Tesla Supercharger locations.  Currently, the access is limited to just the two retail EVs that Ford sells and not the commercially oriented Ford e-Transit van.  A Ford representative indicated that a future announcement for e-Transit drivers could be coming.

In addition to access to the Tesla network, Ford will begin transitioning its EVs to use the new Tesla-designed NACS plug that is backward compatible with the existing Tesla design. Ford vehicles already built and sold with the CCS plug are eligible for a complimentary NACS to CCS adapter from Ford.  Owners may register their VIN to receive their adapter in the Ford Pass app or at ford.com/FastChargingAdapter. Owners are allowed one free adapter per VIN.

Charging a Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning takes just two steps.  Plug the adapter into the vehicle and plug the Supercharger cable into the plug in a simple Plug-to-Charge process.  Drivers are charged for their session directly through the BlueOval network with whatever payment method is already set up.

While 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers are available for Ford drivers' use, not every Tesla charger is compatible. Tesla Superchargers that have peak rates of 250+ kilowatts (kW) and an all-black charge cord and handle are compatible with Ford EVs.  L2 Destination chargers and 150kW stations with a silver collar on the charge plug are not compatible.

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18 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Total waste of time and money to develop this.  There is no Hydrogen network and people aren't ever going to buy Hydrogen power cars.  The only case a Hydrogen fuel cell may work is on class 8 semi trucks in a fleet operator where the home base could have a hydrogen refueling area or a sea port or shipping port where the trucks only run in that port and you can refuel in the same port.  And in either case, Honda isn't Freightliner.

Right on all points, though Honda is working on a version of this for semi-trucks.

The only reason companies are pursuing this right now is because there are federal research grants for it.  It may be a waste of money if a hydrogen vehicle is the goal, but it should provide some R&D dollars for all of the components south of the fuel-cell stack..... which is all usable in EVs. 

The speed at which Honda could swap out the H2 containment and the fuel-cell stack to replace it with some batteries with real range is probably measured in weeks if it wasn't designed with that in mind in the first place.  Tada! CR-V EV! 

There is one very important distinction with the battery; this is the first Hydrogen Fuel Cell that offers regenerative braking.

Honda unveiled the first hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in vehicle today on their website.  The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV has a total EPA-rated range of 270 miles and a battery-operated range of 29 miles.   Only available in front-wheel drive, the powertrain offers 174 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Honda has reworked the suspension setup with tuned dampers and springs.  The fuel-cell stack has an estimated 92.2 kW production capacity feeding from 4.3 kg of stored hydrogen.  Drivers can charge the battery with Level-2 charging or visit a hydrogen filling station for fast fill-ups. 

Offered only in a well-equipped Touring trim, the CR-V e:FCEV receives unique styling to identify it as a fuel-cell model and includes a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, power-adjustable heated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, handsfree access power tailgate, parking sensors and sustainable materials including bio-based leather seat upholstery.

The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV also offers a 1,500-watt, 110-volt power supply to power small appliances, power tools, and camping equipment. 

Honda will only offer the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV as a lease for drivers in Southern California beginning later in 2025. 

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30 minutes ago, David said:

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 or 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'm just happy to have a sedan as a possibility.

Documents have leaked out on The Korean Car Blog that suggests the next-generation EV platform that the Hyundai Motor Group is working on will make its Kia debut under an all-electric Kia Stinger replacement called the EV8.  Code named "GT1" like the trim of the gas-powered Stinger, the new vehicle will ride on the new "eM" platform that will eventually replace the current E-GMP platform used under the Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, and Genesis GV60. Interestingly, Kia may combine the K8, the Korea-only successor to the Kia Cadenza, and Stinger into a single model line, making this new vehicle larger than the sport-sized Stinger.  The rumors of the Kia Stinger switching to all-electric go all the way back to 2017, when the car was first released.

Arriving in late 2025, the specifications indicate a battery capacity of 113.2 kWh, roughly a 600 horsepower maximum output with dual motors in the top trim, and a targeted range of 430 - 500 miles on the European WLTP test, so approximately 400 - 450 miles using the EPA test. Lower trim models with rear-wheel drive would have roughly 218 horsepower, while a mid-range all-wheel drive model could be offered with 435 horsepower. For reference, that 113.2 kWh capacity is larger than the 99.8 kWh capacity of the Kia EV9.  The Kia EV9's range is rated by the EPA at 300 miles, impressive for a 3-row crossover, so we feel that the larger battery in a sedan would easily reach the 400-mile estimate.

The HMG eM platform will debut on the Genesis GV90 in 2025, and we will likely see an announcement later this year. Other models will include a next-gen Genesis GV80 SUV, and we would expect a new Genesis G80 sedan as well. 

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They would be foolish not to

2 minutes ago, Michael Higgins said:

Sad to see it go, but here’s to a new gen of Chrysler product!  Fingers crossed this comes to market 80% close to concept form (tho that interior would be nicer if it was more Lucid Air-esque)

I don't see any of that interior making it into production. I don't think the windscreen would make it through crash testing unless it's made of transparent aluminum.

The Lucid Air is a whole different level of driving. Acceleration that you can feel in your cheeks.... upper or lower.

10 minutes ago, Michael Higgins said:

Haters will hate but this looks great! For a company who have the unique opportunity of a fresh start following years and years of neglect from their parent companies, this is a refreshing take on a sleek, modern, electric sedan in a world so full of staid crossovers.

This design language will likely be the influence for their first BEV in 2025, even if it turns out to be a crossover it’ll stand out from the crowd and set a new bar for Chryslers of the future 👏 

True. Chrysler has very little design baggage left.  We know the 300 look is getting left behind.

2 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

Tech aside, that was just "meh" in the design department. Most of it will never the light of day in the real world IMO.

Yeah, and tech aside, Chrysler needs a near production-ready concept. Apparently, some production EV will be shown this year, and the NY Autoshow is just a few weeks away, but I think Stellantis pulled out of that show too. I'd have to check.

Well, I whiffed that one. 
 

I think my idea was better though.

This morning, Chrysler released information on the 2024 Chrysler Halcyon concept. The concept highlights a host of future technologies that Chrysler and Stellantis are working on. Halcyon combines three complementary technologies, STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive to achieve "Harmony in Motion" and features a new lithium-sulfur battery technology that promise a 60% lower carbon footprint than the best-in-class batteries available on the market today.

The highly streamlined sedan, built on the STLA-Large platform, is optimized for range and efficiency. A functional front air blade and side aero blades direct airflow around the vehicle to improve aerodynamic performance. Side mirrors have been replaced with slim, blade-like camera pods, while autonomous entry eliminates the need for door handles. The windscreen extends forwards, towards the edges of the front end, elongating the cockpit and giving the driver and passenger a sweeping view of the road. Active Aero technology includes a sliding rear aero diffuser made from lightweight composite materials, a rear spoiler, and an active air suspension.

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept has several modes to connect with the driver and passengers.

• Prepare Mode uses an AI Virtual Assistant to help prepare the driver for the day. Using advanced STLA Brain and SmartCockpit technology, an Intelligent Cabin Comfort feature analyzes weather conditions and uses personalized preferences to set HVAC levels remotely. Predictive navigation, one of the concept’s many predictive interaction features, syncs with the driver’s calendar to prepare the vehicle for real-time traffic and navigation routing, staying one step ahead and eliminating unneeded driver inputs.
• Welcome Mode uses biometric identification to greet the driver as they approach. LED illumination animates with a personalized exterior sound to provide a sense of connection. The functional Chrysler wing logos indicate the vehicle's charge status.
• Entry Mode allows the driver to be the “key” to unlocking the concept, as facial biometrics allow safe and secure, hands-free vehicle entry and start-up, with doors unlocking and opening autonomously. Biometric functions can also detect if the driver is carrying a package or backpack and intuitively retract the next-gen Stow ‘n Go seats to create storage space. Air suspension assists with ingress by lifting the low-profile vehicle as the driver enters the cockpit, with the concept always at the right entry height.
• Pre-drive Mode brings to life a customized experience, with personalized vehicle cymatics – sound and vibrations mirrored through visuals – helping to create the mood of the vehicle. As the vehicle wakes up and welcomes the driver, it can share a calming or energetic sound based on driver presets. Different sound frequencies prompt corresponding product shapes on the console screen — calming frequencies align with a more dispersed particle pattern on the console screen, while more spirited sound frequencies generated during drive modes create energetic particle patterns that provide the driver with a real-world connection to the vehicle’s performance status. Ambient interior lighting and sounds also adjust to driver inputs and complement the cabin environment.
• Drive Mode delivers a dynamic, personalized driving experience. Drivers can sit back, relax and allow the Chrysler Halcyon Concept to take control while the STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving features, such as Stargazing Mode or take the wheel, and controls for an exciting, connected-to-the road experience.
  • STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving features that eliminate the stress of traffic using predictive navigation. The steering wheel and pedals retract, and the dimmable glass canopy and windshield can turn opaque for privacy and to create an immersive space, such as a Stargazing Mode in which seats morph into a laid-back position while the augmented-reality windshield HUD projects information on stars and constellations.
  • Occupants can also watch movies and play games, and the adaptive environment features a media system that chooses audio and content based on the driver’s personal preferences and history. The augmented-reality HUD includes a Memory Landmark feature that pins points of interest and previously visited locations during the drive, with landmark pins selectable and shareable.
  • Drivers who want to own the controls can use voice recognition to deploy the steering wheel and experience pure dynamic driving excitement in a low-profile vehicle that is one with the road. Customized EV drive modes enhance the driving experience with selectable levels of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) support, and holographic elements in the HUD blend seamlessly into the real world for both navigation and gamification. The concept can gamify travel through mountainous ranges by identifying certain landmarks or marking best lap times.
• Exit Mode, with Automated Parking features and automatic transformation of seats and ride height to accommodate vehicle egress. Smart exterior lighting enables vehicle-to-pedestrian communication, with indicator lighting such as blinkers or stopping displayed on the ground through near-field projection to aid in pedestrian safety. A send-off is communicated on the console screen and complemented through animated lighting and sounds.

Powering the concept is a breakthrough battery technology from Lyten.  The 800-volt lithium-sulfur EV batteries do not use nickel, cobalt, or manganese and have an estimated 60% lower carbon footprint than batteries currently on the market. Drivers would be able to recharge the Halcyon while driving using Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer technology to take on energy while traveling over specially equipped, dedicated road lanes. The batteries also feature a lighter weight for the same energy density.

The 2024 Chrysler Halcyon Concept is the latest in a series of concepts by Chrysler showcasing its move to an all-electric-vehicle future. The first Chrysler EV will launch in 2025.

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6 minutes ago, David said:

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.

Less of a rebadge and more of a cousin. The Peugeot has some angles on it where the Halcyon has curves. 

I think the Ram and the 500e will be the only electric vehicles in their portfolio for the next year. It gives them time to react

Tomorrow morning, Chrysler will unveil the Chrysler Halcyon Concept EV on their website. The Halcyon is an evolution from the Chrysler Airflow Concept shown in 2022. Chrysler has teased various vague images over the last few weeks, showing an updated logo and some various, undefined body lines with little else in the way of clues. Two things that stand out from the teaser images are the shape of the back glass and the full-width tail lamps.

What we can expect is that the Halcyon will be a two-row crossover, and it will sit on the Stellantis STLA platform. We also already know that since the merger, Stellantis planned on moving most of the U.S. brands to PSA platforms. With that in hand, we can look around at the Stellantis portfolio.

The first obvious platform mate is the upcoming Jeep Wagoneer S. This two-row crossover features a low-slung design that is sleek by Jeep standards.  Sitting on the STLA-Large platform, it has a targeted 400-mile range and 600 horsepower.

While the Wagoneer S is sleek for a Jeep, the teaser images appear to show a crossover with a coupe-like roofline. For that, we can look across the pond to France and see what Chrysler's new step-sibling Peugeot is doing.

This is the Peugeot E 3008, an all-electric crossover that sits on a version of the STLA-Medium platform.

The max range of the E3008 is 435 miles on the WLTP testing protocol, which is generally more ambitious than the EPA rating scale. All-wheel drive models can produce 320 horsepower and a 5.2 second 0-60 sprint.  We think these specs and roof line would suit Chrysler just fine.  However, we don't think the Peugeot E3008's interior will carry over as it is probably too avant-garde for American tastes.

In Peugeot's home turf, the E3008 is priced at 37,730 € or about $39,900 for the base model and 42,140 € or $45,250 for the GT model.  If you knew nothing else except that Chrysler was coming out with a two-row electric crossover, you could probably pick those prices and win The Price is Right.

What it will come down to is size. We think that the most likely answer will be a Chrysler-styled version of the Peugeot E 3008. We will see how right we are tomorrow morning.

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52 minutes ago, David said:

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? 🤔

Yeah, I think all Fast-Charging is the goal.  Besides, they need that for their Canoo delivery vehicles.  I see this announcement as tied to that one. They're not just being altruistic, they want an EV delivery fleet and need to build the network to charge it.  Doing it this way means they'll get tax credits and customers.

16 hours ago, David said:

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

Because I'm an old geezer who misses the Roadmaster, I'd want a G90 Estate.

Starting in 2025 with select EVs, Stellantis vehicles in North America will begin using the SAE J3400 charging connector, more commonly known as NACS.  The NACS connector is an evolution of the Tesla plug and is backward compatible. Stellantis was the last large holdout to adopt NACS and this move effectively completes the commitment from all companies to switch to the new standard. An adapter will be made available for owners of vehicles equipped with a CCS port. (At the time of this writing, the only CCS equipped vehicle offered in the US by Stellantis is the Fiat 500e).

Stellantis is one of the seven auto makers that have joined forces to build IONNA, a new charging network to rival Tesla's.  IONNA aims to build 30,000 charge points across North America by 2030. IONNA charge points will be equipped with both CCS and NACS plugs, with the first stations opening later this year.

What is missing from this release is any mention of Tesla Supercharger network access for Stellantis-brand vehicle owners. We've reached out to Stellantis for clarification and will report back.

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Electric vehicle infrastructure news has been booming in the last few weeks and months.  Last week, Choice Hotels announced they would be rolling out EV charging at most of their properties following similar announcements by Marriott and Hilton back in September, in December Pilot / Flying J and General Motors Partnership opened their first 17 High-Speed Charging Locations, and IONNA, a charging network founded by seven auto manufacturers, commenced operations earlier this month.

In a recent press release about store remodels, Walmart announced they would be building a charging network of their own, beginning with 650 stores slated for remodeling in 2024 and another 150 new stores due to be built this year. Walmart's goal is to introduce coast-to-coast charging at thousands of locations across the US over the next five years.  As of April 2023, Walmart has 1,300 fast charging stations at 280 Walmart and Sam's Club locations nationwide.

While the hardware vendor has not been announced, Walmart will own and manage its charging infrastructure, with customers paying for charging sessions through the Walmart app.

In July 2022, Walmart announced that it was purchasing 4,500 Canoo Electric Delivery Vans for its stores.

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