Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrap-up Week Ending January 29, 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. Weekly Auto News Wrap-up Week Ending January 29, 2023* The 2023 Cars.com Affordability Report lists the best value new cars. The best value cars, small SUVs, small pickups and EVs are ranked in order of the median price for the trim that includes all must-have features (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a blind spot monitor, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning) standard or available. Have a look here: https://www.cars.com/articles/2023-cars-com-affordability-report-best-value-cars-461158/ TACH SAYS Cars Too Expensive
*Reuters reports about 19% of all cars sold in California last year were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), accounting for 40% of all ZEV sales including hybrid vehicles in the United States, data showed. United States President Joe Biden has called for 50% of all new vehicle sales by 2030 to be EVs or plug-in hybrids (PHEV).
* U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Joe Manchin introduced legislation that would immediately impose battery sourcing requirements on electric vehicles to qualify for $7,500 tax credits. Manchin wants to plug loopholes automakers are currently using to collect up to $7,500 in federal EV subsidies for vehicles that do not meet domestic content requirements for batteries established in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasury Department missed a Jan. 1 deadline to deliver rules governing the domestic content requirements. So until March, buyers of some vehicles that may not qualify are getting full $7,500 purchase subsidies. Manchin wants to claw back those subsidies retroactive to Jan. 1. Who would return money if the legislation gets enacted – Automakers? Battery makers? The buyer? It’s not clear. Sources told Automotive News that Manchin’s proposal doesn’t have bipartisan support.
* U.S. DoE factoid of the week: Due to the rise in electricity generated from wind and solar, 20% of electricity net generation in the U.S. came from renewable sources in 2021. Electricity generated from wind surpassed hydroelectric in 2019 as the predominant renewable source. Electricity generated from solar began a steep rise beginning in 2012 and quadruped between 2015 and 2021. Wood, waste, and geothermal sources of electricity have been stable over the years, while hydroelectric generation has varied from year to year. With the transportation sector shifting toward greater reliance on electric vehicles, the use of electricity generated from renewable sources is critical for reducing emissions associated with electric vehicle operation.
* Bloomberg reports the emphasis on zero-emission cars has frustrated public transportation advocates, who say that the US needs to focus on greener alternatives to driving. “There is no way to meet our climate targets without a huge investment in public transportation,” Keya Chatterjee, executive director of the US Climate Action Network, said. “US cities don’t need electric cars, they need less cars,” Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport, said in a statement
* The Detroit Free Press reports Ford Motor Co. has sent letters offering a $2,500 deal to frustrated customers tired of waiting for certain high-end Bronco SUVs that are on order but delayed because of the ongoing global supply chain disruption. The letters, which landed in mailboxes mid-month, told Bronco customers they may take no action and continue to wait or accept a $2,500 rebate to change a 2023 Wildtrak order to an Outer Banks, Big Bend or Badlands series without a molded-in colored hardtop, Sasquatch package or Lux package that allows for more extreme adventure driving. Customers may also choose to apply the $2,500 rebate to a Ford Escape, Bronco Sport, Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Ranger or F-150 pickup truck. Supplies of these vehicles are healthy and they're available to take home.
* Despite an intention to move to all-electric powertrains for consumer vehicles by 2035, General Motors plans to inject $918 million into four plants that are producing primarily V-8, gas-powered engines in Michigan, Ohio and New York. The move to keep gas-powered SUVs and full-size pickups in production suggests United Auto Workers members "will remain a vital part of GM's future," UAW President Ray Curry says.
* In past months in the Detroit area there has been a rash of new vehicle thefts right from the productiion plants. Dodge Chargers and Challengers, Ford Mustangs and F-150 Raptor pickups have been stolen. Well things have changed. Nine individuals have been caught and arrested while trying to steal a Ram pickup from a shipping yard for the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. The thieves struck a police car and rammed an exit and entry gate as they tried to flee the secured lot but were unable to get out.
* Joe White writing for Reuters reports steep U.S. government tariffs are keeping most Chinese automakers out of the world’s second-largest market. But vehicles made in China are finding their way to North America, mainly through General Motors’ distribution channels, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. GM plans to add a new Chinese-built model, the Buick Envista compact SUV, to its U.S. lineup later this year. S&P Global’s Joe Langley said production of the Envista for the United States could shift to South Korea to avoid 25% U.S. tariffs. The tariffs have not stopped GM from selling its Buick Envision SUV in the U.S. market. Last year, 36,407 Made -in-China vehicles were imported to the United States, of which 25,871 were Buick Envisions. The rest were imported by Chinese automaker Geely’s Polestar and Volvo brands, according to S&P Global.
* Stellantis is recalling 76,000 Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans due to an electrical problem that could result in the vehicle stalling unexpectedly. The recall covers 2017 to 2023 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans.
* Ford is recalling nearly 383,000 SUVs in the U.S. because the touch screen may not display a camera image when backing up. The recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators, and some 2020 to 2022 Lincoln Corsairs equipped with 360-degree cameras.
* Revamped IMSA regulations have created a top GTP class of cars featuring hybrid engines that will be eligible to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche have made for a nine-car class in this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Entries by Andretto, Penske and Rahal will make for serious competition.
* Defending Rolex 24 at Daytona and series champions – Acura and Meyer Shank Racing – got their 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season off to a strong start, with driver Tom Blomqvist putting together a last-lap “flyer” in qualifying aboard his electrified Acura ARX-06 to claim the pole for this weekend’s 61st running of the 24-hour endurance race at Daytona International Speedway.
* The driver lineup for the Garage 56 entry at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans has been announced and it features three participants with a wide array of success in multiple motor sport disciplines. Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller and Jenson Button will share the driver’s seat for the 100th running of the legendary race. The driver roster was revealed during a press conference before the start of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
* Jay Leno is reportedly recovering from a motorcycle accident last week that left him with several broken bones just months after he sustained serious burns in a fire that broke out in his Los Angeles garage. Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the comedian and talk show host revealed that he was knocked off his motorcycle Jan. 17 in an incident that left him with a broken collarbone, two broken ribs and two cracked kneecaps.
Stay safe. Be Well.
