Thursday, November 18, 2021

2021 LA Auto Show Video: Subaru of America President/CEO Tom Doll


Tom Doll, President & CEO, Subaru of America discusses car sales impacted by the pandemic and semi-conductor shortage along with Solterra, Subaru's entry into the electric vehicle market, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Click here to watch interview.

2021 LA Auto Show Video: Hyundai SEVEN Concept, Ioniq 5 Electric Vehicles


Miles Johnson, Senior Manager, Quality, Service and Technology Public Relations at Hyundai Motor America discusses the SEVEN Concept and Ioniq 5, which goes on sale in Dcember, along with the EV market from the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Click here to watch video.


2021 LA Auto Show Video: Nissan Ariya Joins Leaf In EV Space


Simon Kinderknecht, 
Planner - Electric Vehicle Marketing & Sales Strategy at Nissan Motor Corporation Murfreesboro, Tennessee discusses the Nissan Ariya and Leaf EVs along with the electric vehicle market and trends at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

Fisker Ocean EV Coming At the End of 2022

The all-electric Fisker Ocean Sport with a 250-mile range is priced from $37,499 (before federal and state tax credits and incentives). The all-wheel-drive Fisker Ocean Ultra with a 340 mile range is priced at $49,999, the all-wheel-drive Fisker Ocean Extreme with a range of over 350 miles is priced at $68,999. The first 5,000 vehicles produced will be Fisker Ocean One, also priced at $68,999. Key features include California Mode, for a near-convertible SUV experience and Fisker’s SolarSky roof, available on the Fisker Ocean Extreme and Fisker Ocean One that can add up to 2,000 miles annually depending on the sunshine. The Fisker Ocean has a 17.1-inch central high-resolution Revolve screen that rotates from a default portrait Control Mode, effective when driving, to a landscape Hollywood Mode, available when the vehicle is parked. The Fisker Ocean will be available to purchase at the end of 2022, and customers can reserve a vehicle for a $250 deposit today. The Fisker Ocean is being manufactured by Magna-Steyr at a carbon-neutral factory in Graz, Austria. 

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is powered by a 493 horsepower 4.0 liter six-cylinder boxer engine mated to a standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Kia Concept EV9

The Kia Concept EV9, measuring 194 inches in length, 81 inches in width, 70 inches in height and has a wheelbase of 122 inches, is an all-electric SUV delivers driving range of up to 300 miles. It also features next-generation ultra-fast charging technology with a 350-kW charger that allows its battery electric powertrain to replenish energy from 10% to 80% in 20-30 minutes. The Concept EV9 has an all-encompassing DLO panoramic sky roof and an interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display.

2023 Subaru Solterra EV Coming Mid-2022

The 2023 Subaru Solterra, the brand's first-ever all-electric all-wheel drive SUV with an estimated range of more than 220 miles, has 8.3 inches of ground clearance and 215 horsepower from front and rear electric motors, for both off-road and city driving. Solterra is capable of charging up to 80-percent of total battery capacity in under an hour. Like other Subaru SUVs, Solterra is equipped with X-MODE® offering increased performance in low-friction and off-road conditions. The all-new model features Grip Control that incorporates Hill Ascent and Descent Assist. Solterra is equipped with an all-new multimedia system with an available 12.3-in touchscreen. The all-new Solterra will go on sale mid-2022.

Hyundai SEVEN Concept Joins IONIQ Brand

The Hyundai SEVEN, the new sport utility electric vehicle concept for the IONIQ brand, is engineered to achieve a target range of over 300 miles and with a 350-kW charger, SEVEN is capable of charging from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 20 minutes. SEVEN concept is built upon Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform, a dedicated BEV architecture that has a long wheelbase and flat platform floor enables a completely new class of vehicle that offers new experiences for customers.

2022 Nissan Rogue Starts At $27,875 This Winter

The 2022 Nissan Rogue adds an all-new 201 horsepower 1.5-liter variable compression turbo engine and all-new transmission for the 2022 model year. Rogue S FWD starts at $27,875 (including $1,175 destination and handling). The 2022 Rogue will be available this Winter.


2023 Nissan Ariya Starts At $45,950 Next Fall

2023 Nissan Ariya, shown as a concept in 2019, will initially be available in four models, each equipped with a liquid-cooled 87 kWh lithium-ion battery (usable battery capacity), CCS quick charge port, available ProPILOT Assist 2.03, wireless Apple CarPlay® and wired Android Auto, a lounge-like  interior and Nissan Safety Shield® 360. Additional models will be available at a later date. Initial pricing starts at $45,950 for the Ariya Venture+ front-wheel drive model with deliveries beginning next Fall, first for front-wheel drive models, followed by all-wheel drive models in late Fall at more than 890 select Nissan U.S. dealers.

Porsche Taycan GTS Sedan, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo Arrive In Q2 Of 2022

The Porsche Taycan GTS sedan and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo with a total power output of 590 horsepower with Launch Control, slots between the 462 horsepower Taycan 4S and the 670 horsepower Taycan Turbo. The Taycan GTS sedan and GTS Sport Turismo feature the same permanent magnet single-speed front motor, larger permanent magnet rear motor with a diameter of 245 mm and an active length of 210 mm, and two-speed rear transmission. The Taycan GTS comes standard with the 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus with high charging speeds of up to 270 kW so it can charge from 5 to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes. Both Taycan GTS models are available to order now and U.S. deliveries will start in Q2 of 2022. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

VinFast VF e35 and VF e36 Coming To U.S. By End Of 2022

VinFast, a Vietnamese-based electric vehicle company that started in 2017, introduces the Pininfarina-designed VF e35 (left) and VF e36 SUV (right) EV models at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. According to its website, VinFast opened its fully digital automotive manufacturing complex in 2017 on Cat Hai Island, Vietnam and will have its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles.

Michael Lohscheller, the Global CEO of VinFast, a former Volkswagen and Opel executive, says "VinFast believes in The Future of Mobility, a future where smart vehicles are highly personalized technologies for life that combine eco-friendliness with maximum safety and outstanding driver experiences.” Vinfast will begin taking orders in the U.S. market for its electric VF e35 sedan and e36 SUV in the first half of 2022 and expects to begin delivering them by the end of the year from the 60 U.S. showrooms they expect to open next year. VinFast will offer a 10-year warranty to encourage consumers to switch to EVs.

VinFast's parent company, Vingroup, formerly known as Technocom Corporation, was founded in 1993 in Ukraine. In the early 2000s, Vingroup started in Vietnam with two key brands: Vincom and Vinpearl. In January 2012, Vinpearl JSC merged with Vincom JSC to form Vingroup Joint Stock Company. 

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Coming In Spring 2022

2022 Land Rover Range Rover, the fifth generation Range Rover, available in SE and Autobiography models, will be powered by a V8 or mild hybrid inline-six with a 434 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain (available at 2023 model year) with an all-electric range of 62 miles with a fully charged battery (based on manufacturer's range estimate) and a pure-electric Range Rover will join the line-up in 2024, coming in a choice of four, five or seven-seat interiors available across standard and long wheelbase body designs. Priced from $105,350 (including $1,350 destination and delivery) in the U.S., the new Range Rover is available to order now, with deliveries beginning Spring 2022. 

Mazda CX-50 Coming in Early 2022

The first-ever Mazda CX-50, a completely new model, at launch will be powered by either the Skyactiv-G 2.5 naturally aspirated engine or Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. In the coming years, the CX-50 will also be offered with electrified powertrains, including a traditional hybrid model. CX-50 is the first Mazda vehicle to be built at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama, with production beginning in January 2022.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Rivian Automotive, Inc Goes Public At $78 A Share

Rivian Automotive, Inc. (ticker RIVN) became a publicly traded company today at a price of $78 a share and is trading well above its IPO price. The gross proceeds from the offering to Rivian, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Rivian, are expected to be approximately $11.9 billion, excluding any exercise of the underwriters’ 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 22,950,000 shares of Class A common stock at the initial public offering price.

The Rivian R1T 5-seater all-electric truck, measures 217.1 inches in length on a 135.8 inch wheelbase, has an EPA estimated range of 314 miles with a starting price of $67,500 and up to 11,000 lb. towing capacity. In January 2022, an R1T with a 400+ mile range will be available, and there will be an R1T with a 250+ mile range.

The Rivian R1S 7-seater all-electric truck, measuring 200.8 inches on a 121.1 inch wheelbase, delivers an EPA estimated 316 miles with a starting price of $70,000, up to 7,700 lb. towing capacity and a 0-60 mph time as quick as 3 seconds. The R1S can drive through 3+ feet of water, rock crawl at a 100% grade and traverse just about any terrain with 14.9 inches of ground clearance. Driver+ has 11 cameras, 5 radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and 360º field of vision. After launch, news of a 250+ mile and longer range R1S, with seven seats.

Click to watch Rivian interview from the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

2022 Acura MDX Type S High Performance SUV Coming In December

The 2022 Acura MDX Type S high-performance 3-row SUV is powered by an all-new 355 horsepower 24-valve, DOHC 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with standard torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ and an Adaptive Damper System paired with air suspension. A 12.3-inch Acura Precision Cockpit™ all-digital instrument display is standard along with the True Touchpad Interface™ paired with a 12.3-inch ultra-wide HD center display. The 2022 MDX Type S will begin arriving at Acura dealers nationwide this December with pricing starting in the high-$60,000 range.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra Starts At $37,645 Next Month

The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is powered by either the standard 389 horsepower i-FORCE 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 engine or an available 437 horsepower  i-FORCE MAX Powertrain with both engines mated to a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence featuring a sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic and TOW/HAUL driving modes. Tundra has up to a 12,000-pound maximum towing capacity. The 2022 Tundra 4x2 SR Double Cab 6.5-ft. bed i-FORCE has a starting price of $37,645 (including $1,695 destination charge). The 2022 Toyota Tundra will be offered in two four-door options: Double Cab and CrewMax. Double Cab models will be offered with the choice of a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-foot bed. CrewMax models will be offered with either a 5.5-foot bed or a new 6.5-foot bed. The 2022 Toyota Tundra will go on sale at dealerships starting next month.