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Modelos de segmento B da FCA mudam para plataforma PSA antes do tempo

A FCA parou o desenvolvimento de cinco modelos de segmento B para que estes mudem para a plataforma CMP do Groupe PSA ainda antes da fusão estar terminada. “Caro fornecedor, queremos informá-lo, em nome da FCA Itália e FCA Polónia, que o projeto em relação à plataforma (para modelos) de segmento B da Fiat Chrysler foi interrompido devido a uma mudança tecnológica que ocorre. Por isso, pedimos-lhe que pare imediatamente toda a pesquisa, desenvolvimento e atividades de produção, de modo a evitar custos e despesas adicionais.”Foi este o conteúdo da carta que a FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) enviou no final de julho aos seus fornecedores, revelando a passagem esperada, ainda que prematura, para a plataforma CMP (Peugeot 208/2008, Opel Corsa/Mokka, Citroën C4, DS 3 Crossback) do Groupe PSA para os seus modelos de segmento B.Faz sentido. Afinal a FCA e o Groupe PSA vão fundir-se num novo gigante, batizado de Stellantis. Se o principal objetivo da fusão passa por obter economias de escala, mais vale começar a trabalhar mais cedo do que tarde para as obter.  Porém, a história não é assim tão simples. Acordo à parte O processo de fusão entre a FCA e a PSA só estará terminado no primeiro trimestre de 2021. Só após o facto consumado e serem uma entidade só, é que poderão beneficiar dos menores custos de desenvolvimento (partilhando plataformas e mecânicas), e do maior poder de negociação sobre os fornecedores (maiores volumes previstos, preços mais baixos).Até lá, a FCA e PSA continuam a ser concorrentes e têm de atuar como tal. Daí a previsão, até há pouco, que os modelos de segmento B em desenvolvimento pela FCA assentassem sobre uma plataforma interna do grupo italo-americano, com data de lançamento prevista a começar em 2022. Ora, isso significaria que uma mão cheia de modelos de segmento B, com um potencial de volume muito significativo, não contribuiriam para as economias de escala do novo e futuro gigante automóvel durante a próxima década. A Stellantis, após formada, continuaria a ter a este nível (segmento B) duas plataformas distintas em desenvolvimento/produção — um desperdício de recursos.Para evitar esse tipo de desperdício, a FCA e a PSA contornaram o problema firmando um acordo de colaboração paralelo, à margem da fusão, para o desenvolvimento e produção de veículos com base na plataforma CMP do Groupe PSA. Assim conseguem evitar problemas legais e questões relacionadas com práticas anti-concorrenciais. Tychy, a mais afetada A carta enviada pela FCA afeta, sobretudo, a sua fábrica de Tychy, na Polónia, que produz atualmente o Fiat 500 e o Lancia Ypsilon. Será esta fábrica uma das principais responsáveis pela produção dos novos modelos de segmento B da FCA.De acordo com alguns meios italianos, prevê-se que a produção em Tychy possa atingir até 400 mil unidades por ano, com os novos modelos a serem a mais importante parte desse volume. Agora, todos os trabalhos que já ocorriam foram parados para se iniciarem novos de adaptação da fábrica à plataforma CMP da PSA. Os cinco modelos de segmento B previstos De tudo o que se tem ouvido e lido por parte de responsáveis da FCA, estão previstos, pelo menos, cinco modelos de segmento B que transitarão, agora, para a plataforma CMP da PSA.São eles um novo Jeep, mais pequeno que o Renegade; um novo B-SUV para a Alfa Romeo; um novo Lancia, sucessor do Ypsilon e provavelmente com formato crossover; e dois novos Fiat, que passam por um 500 de cinco portas e a versão de produção do Centoventi que tomará o lugar do Panda.As declarações de Mike Manley, CEO da FCA, no final de outubro do ano passado, em que a Fiat abandonaria (progressivamente) o segmento A (que lidera), na procura de ainda mais volume e melhores margens, são assim confirmadas.

Déjà vu Inicialmente, a maior parte destes modelos tinha lançamento previsto no mercado durante 2022, mas a mudança de hardware vai empurrar os lançamentos mais para a frente.Uma situação que recorda aquela pela qual o Opel Corsa F, atualmente em comercialização, passou. Após a aquisição da Opel por parte do Groupe PSA, e com um novo Corsa praticamente pronto, mas com base GM, foi tomada a decisão de não o lançar.

O Groupe PSA, liderado por Carlos Tavares, decidiu passar o Corsa, um modelo de volumes significativos, para a plataforma CMP (estreada pelo DS 3 Crossback), de modo a evitar custos adicionais durante o ciclo de vida do utilitário, onde se inclui o pagamento de licenças pelo uso de tecnologia GM. Resultado: o lançamento foi adiado 18 meses para que essa “transferência” pudesse ser efetuada.

Será que o lançamento no mercado dos modelos de segmento B da FCA serão também adiados? Muito provavelmente. Se tivermos em consideração o que aconteceu com o Opel Corsa, só veremos os novos modelos de segmento B da FCA, já assentes sobre a plataforma francesa, chegar no final de 2023 ou mesmo em 2024.

Nessa altura, e já sob o signo da Stellantis, as estimativas dos seus responsáveis apontam para que em 2025 estejam a ser produzidos ao ano 2,6 milhões de veículos com base CMP. Font: RazãoAutomóvel

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Europa. Elétricos e SUV batem recordes de vendas no mês do regresso do Golf

Demonstração da recuperação que o mercado automóvel já iniciou, julho terminou com nova diminuição na queda nas vendas na Europa, mas também com um novo recorde de vendas entre os veículos eletrificados e SUV. Isto, ao mesmo tempo que o Volkswagen Golf recuperava a sua posição de modelo mais vendido no Velho Continente. Os dados são da consultora JATO Dynamics e dizem respeito ao desempenho da indústria automóvel na Europa a 27, durante o último mês de julho. Período em que o mercado registou, desde logo, o melhor resultado desde setembro de 2019, com um total de 1.278.521 viaturas novas transaccionadas. Ou seja, uma queda de apenas 4%, na análise mês a mês, desde 2019. “Tanto os consumidores privados, como as empresas, têm vindo a responder às melhores condições do mercado. Caso a situação continue, podemos começar a falar numa recuperação em ‘V’, na indústria automóvel europeia”, afirma Felipe Munoz, analista do mercado global na JATO Dynamics. No entanto e porque ainda permanecem enormes incertezas quanto ao real impacto da pandemia, a cautela continua a ser a palavra de ordem, com o mesmo especialista a recordar que “os volumes de vendas caíram cerca de 35% desde janeiro, para 6.37 milhões de veículos. Contudo, a procura registou números positivos em mercados como o Reino Unido, Dinamarca e França, assim como noutros mercados mais pequenos e médios.  Sendo que, muita da explicação para estas subidas, reside no cada vez maior apetite por automóveis ‘verdes’, assim como no interesse por propostas de valor. Ao mesmo tempo, a procura crescente parece favorecer os SUV, com uma oferta cada vez maior, inclusive, de versões eletrificadas”. Elétricos e eletrificados batem recordes Aliás e de acordo com os números reunidos pela consultora, julho foi também um mês em que a venda de automóveis elétricos e eletrificados, na Europa a 27, voltou a bater recordes, ao terminar com um total de 230.700 unidades vendidas. Tendo sido esta a primeira vez em que os consumidores europeus compraram mais de 200 mil veículos elétricos, num só mês. Consequência deste resultado, os veículos elétricos e eletrificados acabaram representando 18% do total de automóveis novos vendidos, isto depois de, em Julho de 2019, não terem passado dos 7,5%.Na separação por tipos de motorização, realce para o facto de metade dos mais de 230 mil unidades vendidas, serem híbridos, o que também representa uma subida de 89% na procura,  com as versões Mild Hybrid do Ford Puma e do Fiat 500 a contribuírem significativamente para este resultado.Logo a seguir, surgem os híbridos plug-in, ou PHEV, com um total de 55.800 unidades em julho, uma subida de 365% face ao mesmo mês de 2019, com novos modelos como o Ford Kuga, o Mercedes Classe A, o Volvo XC40 e o BMW Série 3 a dominarem as atenções. Finalmente, entre os 100% elétricos, um total de 53.200 unidades transaccionadas em julho, contra os 23.400 veículos elétricos novos vendidos no mês homólogo do ano passado, graças também a uma subida na oferta, dos então 28 modelos, para os atuais 38.Entre os modelos mais procurados nos mercados europeus, o Peugeot 209, Mini Electric, MG ZS, Porsche Taycan e Skoda Citigo, sendo de referir, igualmente, a queda de 76% da norte-americana Tesla, para apenas 1.050 unidades, devido aos problemas de expedição de veículos, dos EUA, para a Europa. SUV continuam em alta Igualmente em alta, continua a procura de SUV nos 27 mercados europeus, tendo este tipo de veículos registado, em julho, um novo recorde, com um peso de 42%, no número total de automóveis novos vendidos. Aliás, as 530.800 unidades transaccionadas, no mês passado, são, mesmo, o melhor resultado mensal registado, desde julho de 2019. Analisando por segmentos, descida (-6%), apenas, no número de SUV médios vendidos, ao passo que, nos restantes, a tendência foi de subida: +4% nos compactos; +14%, entre as propostas maiores e de luxo.Também a contribuir para estes crescimentos, o aumento da oferta elétrica e eletrificada neste domínio. Aliás, 48% de veículos eletrificados registados em julho, são SUV. Volkswagen Golf volta a liderar Entretanto e depois de ter perdido o primeiro lugar em junho, destaque, igualmente, para o regresso ao topo da classificação dos automóveis mais vendidos na Europa a 27, do Volkswagen Golf. O qual, depois da queda protagonizada ainda pela anterior geração, para um modesto sétimo posto, recuperou assim a liderança, ainda que não impedindo uma variação negativa. Em contraste, o desempenho comercial do Renault Clio, protagonista de uma subida de 26%, em julho, mesmo com 89% das vendas a serem da anterior geração.Além do Clio, também o Skoda Octavia, Peugeot 208, Renault Captur e Peugeot 2008 registaram, no passado mês, subidas de dois dígitos nas vendas, muito devido ao lançamento de nova gerações, sendo que, com subidas igualmente assinaláveis, terminaram, também, propostas como o Hyundai Kauai (+56%), BMW Série 3 (+59%), Mini Hatchback (+26%), Volvo XC40 (+66%), BMW X1 (+49%) e BMW Série 1 (+52%).Já com subidas de três dígitos, terminaram, o mês, o elétrico Renault Zoe (146%) e Kia Niro (111%).    Font: Turbo

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Your Next Ford Vehicle Might Autonomously Valet Park Itself

. . . in garages fitted with Bosch Automated Valet Parking.

Driving is fun, parking is not—especially if you drive a gigantic crew-cab pickup truck. Well, your 2021 Ford F-150 or other new Ford might valet park itself in the very near future (a Ford Escape experimental participant is pictured here), if you can find a parking structure outfitted with Bosch's infrastructure-based Automated Valet Parking system. We've sat in lots of cars that have valet parked themselves. Most have leaned on sensors, software, and computing power onboard the vehicle to perform this task. You drive into a structure, exit the vehicle, call up the car's smart-phone app or press a button on the key remote, and the vehicle senses its surroundings, drives at low speed through the structure, finds an open parking space, and pulls into it. When you hail its return, it reverses the procedure. This is a lot like level-five autonomy—with the hardware and software costs that portends—but in a confined space at ultra-low speeds, which lowers the liability concerns considerably.Bosch aims to accelerate adoption of such automated parking by pulling that sensing and communicating power out of the vehicle and instead building it into the parking structure. To demonstrate the system, Bosch has partnered with Ford and Bedrock, the largest property developer in the City of Detroit, to demonstrate the system in Bedrock's Assembly Garage in Corktown, near the site of Ford's new mobility innovation district, anchored by Michigan Central Station. The garage has a designated "drop-off zone" where a driver climbs out of the vehicle, opens an app, and orders the vehicle to park. The app pays the parking fee, communicates important vehicle parameters (primarily size and turning radius), and authorizes the garage infrastructure to take control of the vehicle. At this point an elaborate array of lidar sensors in the garage, networked with an onsite computer, track the movements of any vehicles moving through the garage, monitoring the area around each for any obstacles. It assumes electronic control of the vehicle's steering, transmission, acceleration, and braking via wi-fi connection to an embedded modem in the car. This "airport control tower" approach of monitoring and directing the movement of all vehicles in the structure sounds safer than entrusting myriad vehicles to autonomously park themselves without incident in a "dumb" (unconnected) structure.Such embedded modems and app controls have been installed in a fleet of Ford Escape test vehicles during the month-plus-long demonstration project, and all 2021 Ford F-150 trucks will come equipped with such a modem as standard equipment. Obviously the new F-150 also features all the necessary electronic controls needed to permit the Bosch infrastructure to direct the parking operation.What's in it for garage operators? By designating an area for the exclusive use of automated valet parking, alleviating the need to leave room for doors to open, means vehicles can be parked so close to one another as to permit a claimed 20-percent increase in the number of vehicles that can be parked. Obviously, it also enables prepaid and advance-reserved parking as well. By restricting the public to the drop-off area, there's less litter to pick up, less risk of theft and vandalism, and the amount of light or heat required in the garage is greatly reduced. These cost savings and revenue opportunities will help fund the up-front capital expense.Bosch also notes that, while this demo uses lidar sensors, it's working on a system that uses stereo-vision cameras instead, which provides the added benefit of security monitoring.There is no currently scheduled roll-out of Automated Valet Parking, but a great number of new vehicles are just an over-the-air software-push away from being able to implement this convenience feature as the parking garage infrastructure rolls out. Font: Motortrend

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Bentley's New Styling Specification Is Made for Fans of Carbon Fiber

  The kit is available on the Flying Spur, Continental GT, and Bentayga. As we've noted in previous reviews, the Flying Spur is the best Bentley sedan of the modern era thanks to its sumptuous interior and effortless acceleration. Now, a carbon fiber package promises to give the sedan even more road presence.The updates are subtle, but likely won't go unnoticed by discerning Bentley customers. The Styling Specification adds carbon fiber accents to the Flying Spur's front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. Bentley has performed a battery of tests to make sure the carbon fiber bits don't disturb the sedan's performance. The parts were also tested for durability to withstand curb strikes, wading, and poor roads. Bentley even paid close attention to the badging, giving the side sills a special three-dimensional electroformed emblem. Electroforming involves depositing metal onto an object through an electrochemical cell, discarding the object, and letting the metal formation remain as the final product. The Bentley badge is carefully placed on the side sills, and a special lacquer overcoat is applied so that no air bubbles form in the overcoat. The Bentley Flying Spur packs a forced-induction 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine that produces 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, both of which help the sedan achieve a top speed of 207 mph. A less potent, but still formidable, V-8 version is on the way.Along with the Flying Spur, the Styling Specification is also available on the Bentley Continental GT coupe and convertible and Bentayga crossover SUV. Bentley offers a host of other "Specifications," too, including the Touring Specification, Mood Lighting Specification, Smoker's Specification, and Diamond Knurling Specification. Font: MotorTrend

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The 2020 Tesla Model Y Proves How Far Behind The Rest Of The Auto Industry Still Is

My opinion of Tesla in recent years has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride. At first, I admired the company's fast, innovative electric cars; then I grew to hate CEO Elon Musk's constant Twitter shenanigans and nuclear takes on journalists and the media.

Then I drove a Model S, a Model X and a Model 3; the last one twice, actually, first a Standard Range, followed by a Performance model. I loved each one of them, mostly for what felt like cutting-edge technology, performance and a general sense of feeling different, the way Apple computers must have felt when they competed against the beige-box Windows PCs of the 1990s. Then, finally, I despised Tesla for inflicting owners with an innumerable amount of post-sales issues, including notoriously poor quality control.

I don’t know what’s worse between a paint job that peels off during the first winter, or door handles that refuse to operate properly during a cool Canadian morning; don't even get me started on the infamous panel gaps.

This year, Tesla is back with its most important car possibly ever: the Model Y. It's priced to sell in the ultra-important, ultra-popular, ultra-lucrative midsize crossover segment, smaller and cheaper than a Model X and without those problematic Falcon Doors. Unlike wild experiments like the forthcoming Cybertruck—if that even happens as-is—the Model Y is meant to be a major volume-seller, the car that keeps the bills paid. But it also needs to still be a Tesla, meaning fast, high-tech and a cut above all other EVs, long as you check expectations about quality at the normally-opening door.

Yet will the 2020 Tesla Model Y being plagued with build quality issues affect its desirability? Perhaps not. Because here’s the cold hard truth about Tesla: whether we like it or not, it’s still ahead of the curve. Way ahead. And the more I drive Tesla's cars, the sadder I feel about the rest of the auto industry.   2020 Tesla Model Y: By The NumbersBase Price (as Tested):  $43,690  ( $43,690  )Powertrain: Dual electric motor setup mounted on each axle, one permanent-magnet synchronous, one AC induction / 75 kWh batteryHorsepower: 384 hp (286 kilowatts)Torque: 376 lb-ft0-60 MPH:  4.7 secondsTop Speed: 136 mph (limited)Cargo Capacity: 68 cubic-feet rear with seats folded | 15 cubic-feet front (frunk)Quick Take: Still the most technological EV on sale, the most range in its class, the strangest EV on the market. Build quality remains an issue.But Y?The Model Y may share a platform and a lot of related parts with the Model 3, but it's poised to strike hard in a segment that’ll start boiling anytime between now and next year. As I write this, the Model Y’s only rivals are the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron. But come this fall, the Ford Mustang Mach-E could give the Y a run for its money. Nissan then plans on deploying the promising Ariya later in 2021, and finally, Cadillac will join the party with the Lyriq sometime in 2023.But why aren’t any of these models on the market yet? I’m asking the same question, which I’ll get back to in a bit. To take them all on, the Model Y (across all its trim levels) is powered by a 75-kWh battery pack powering two axle-mounted electric motors. The rear one, which is the car’s main source of propulsion, is Tesla’s own Permanent Magnet Switched Reluctance type, a fancy term to describe permanent magnets that are located within the rotor itself. These are, basically, more efficient than most electric motors currently on the market. The front motor is a more conventional induction-type layout—similar to what you get in a Chevrolet Bolt EV—providing high levels of torque at low speeds, but also more energy-hungry. This is why the Model Y is first and foremost rear-wheel-drive. The front motor kicks in only when you really need it. Total power output from this Dual Motor setup is rated at 286 kilowatts, or the equivalent of 384 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Tesla claims the entry-level Long-Range model (the one I tested) will hit zero to 60 mph in just under five seconds and that it will drive up to 310 miles on a single charge.Such specifications pulverize both the Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles) and Audi e-tron (204 miles). Only the upcoming Mach-E with the extended range package has a chance to compete against this Tesla. Perhaps more impressive is the Model Y’s 3,500-pound towing rating, which is a first in this category of vehicles. However, you do need to tick off a $1,000 Tow Hitch option to get it.Pricing for a 2020 Tesla Model Y kicks off at $43,690 USD (or $69,990 CAD) before applicable rebates, and will climb all the way to $53,690 USD for a much faster Performance model. Up here in Québec, where state-subsidized incentives are strong and EVs sell well, the Model Y is sadly not eligible for anything due to its high price tag.  (In case you’re curious: In Canada, EVs need to be under a starting MSRP of $55,000 CAD to receive any rebates, up to $13,000 in total. These incentives currently only apply to more affordable EVs like the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, Chevrolet Bolt EV and other similarly priced models.) Less 3 Than You’d Think It would be safe to assume that the Model Y is basically a slightly lifted hatchback version of a Model 3 sedan. That observation is only half right. While it does ride on the Model 3’s platform, the Model Y’s wheelbase was stretched by half an inch, leading to a 2.2-inch overall length difference. The Y is also 2.8 inches wider than the sedan on which it’s based. These dimensional changes, accompanied by the higher roofline and hatchback configuration, inevitably lead to a more spacious and practical cabin. Rear leg and headroom are no longer an issue like they can be in a Model 3, and total cargo space is rather spectacular, to say the least.For reference, when the rear seatbacks are folded down, the Model Y will engulf up to 68 cubic feet of your gear. Add to that an extra 15 cubes upfront due to the frunk and Tesla’s crossover beats both the Jag I-Pace (50 cu-ft) and the Audi e-tron (54 cu-ft) in cargo capacity. Even the Ford Mustang Mach-E can’t match this at 59.6 cu-ft rear / 4.8 cu-ft front. And while the Model Y is technically a five-seater, you can add a third row for a seven-seat interior. However, because the option costs $3,000, and that the seats themselves are tiny and eat up a fair amount of cargo space, I don’t recommend getting it.Except for what I just mentioned above, there aren’t many available options for a Model Y. Your choice of interior colors is limited to black or white. Tesla does include the standard Autopilot automated driving assistance technology, with the Full Self-Driving Capability feature remaining an $8,000 option. My tester didn’t have that one ticked off, which meant it had driver assist technology and not actual, fully autonomous driving. A reminder: no car has that. The FSD option includes some features supposedly coming down the road. It's your call if you have faith in that or not.  Come At Me, Muskbros Before I move onto my driving impressions, I will say that I was just as disappointed by this thing’s overall build quality as the Model 3’s. Among the manufacturing issues I noticed on my tester, which I obtained through the Turo ride-sharing app, was a passenger-side headlight that wasn’t properly aligned, a rear bumper that didn’t quite tuck in the same way on both sides of the car, a rear hatch that had a wider door-to-body gap on one side than the other, and some rubber moldings that felt they had been installed as afterthoughts. That the Model Y’s large center console is made out of cheap Dollarama-grade plastic is another huge letdown. Cabin noise was also very apparent during my drive, where squeaks and rattles kept disturbing the otherwise peaceful experience—it's all especially more noticeable with no engine to drown it out. The Model Y’s interior feels downright cheaply made, especially when you compare it to what the Germans or even the South-Koreans manufacture in this price bracket.Once strapped in, the now expected one-screen-controls-all setup stares at you robotically like HAL in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. In its defense, it’s a remarkably easy interface to comprehend. Granted, there is a learning curve, but the information isn’t cluttered like other systems, so it doesn’t take too much time to figure out where everything is. The screen also reacts quickly to your commands, the navigation map is clear and intuitive to use, and the overall interface is clean and attractive. I do feel Tesla’s latest vehicles deserve some physical controls, like mirror and steering wheel adjustments, or audio commands. Cycling through the screen to find them can at times be distracting, especially while driving.I did however enjoy how the car’s dashcam switches on the moment you hunk the horn. It’s a handy feature that allows you to grab some footage of the douchebag who just scraped off your front bumper. Forward visibility is excellent due to the absence of, well, a dashboard. So is overall comfort, especially up front where the seats provide ample lateral and back support. The rear seats are spacious, too, and offer ample head clearance for a big guy like me, but the seatbacks themselves are hard. You also sit upright back there. It is however possible to recline the seats, but they’re just never as comfortable as the ones upfront. The Model Y’s glass roof—which doesn’t open—gives way to a well-lit, airy cabin. On The Road When I say that Tesla is ahead of the competition, I don’t mean that it’s the first to market a 300-mile electric compact crossover. Or because it pioneered over-the-air software updates, an in-house fast-charging network or its own sales model that other car brands are just beginning to copy.No, Tesla is ahead of the curve due to the way it drives and how utterly efficient its drivetrains are compared to other EVs out there. Driving the Model Y captures Tesla’s technological dominance by the way it performs and manages its range. Although the industry now offers a wide choice of compelling EVs, I remain impressed by how smooth and instant Tesla’s motors feel.Unsurprisingly, the Model Y will launch itself out of the hole as fast as the best sports cars, but it’s the precision of its throttle pedal that’s truly astonishing. One simply needs to feather it for the vehicle to get up and go swiftly. It’s the kind of tactility that instantly infuses the driver with utmost confidence and control.  Releasing that pedal also unleashes Tesla’s excellent regenerative braking technology. While competing brands offer the possibility to modulate the recuperation system’s resistance, Tesla proves once more that two well-preconfigured settings suffice.About the Tesla Supercharger network: I didn’t really need to use it given the amount of range the Model Y has at its disposal. But it is handy if your area isn’t fitted with an established public charging grid. Where I live, there’s a public charger on every street corner, so Superchargers are kind of irrelevant. But it will allow you to grab 158 miles of range within only 15 minutes, so there’s that.That said, not having to rely on a charger was another realization that hit me hard as I blasted this compact crossover into highway onramps at speeds that would make a Porsche Macan Turbo blush: range anxiety is officially a thing of the past, folks. Battery technology is evolving so rapidly that we’ll soon get way more range than we actually need from an overnight charge. It’s a reality, that’s a lot closer than we think.Anyway, back to the driving experience. The Model Y, even in its most basic form, is fast, smooth and efficient. But that’s all expected from a Tesla. What I wasn’t ready for was how well it handles. Modern electric cars, generally speaking, all handle well due to the heavy battery pack that’s located down beneath their floor. This allows for an ultra-low center of gravity and near-perfect weight distribution. But up until now, the driving dynamics of most EVs, except perhaps the Jaguar I-Pace—an EV I once drove on a track like a bat out of hell—or the Porsche Taycan all feel a bit stale. The Model Y has a playful, tail-happy feel when it’s pushed hard to its limits. The Dual Motor setup somehow always prioritizes the rear motor, even though its original purpose was to be efficient and not performance-enhancing. Yet, it’s still willing to party.What I mean is that there’s actual rotation happening back there, which allows the Model Y to wag its tail if you really commit upon corner exit. Yet, it’s all very easy to correct. The steering is as precise as a Playstation controller, the levels of grip are immense, and the front wheels instantly kick in to provide the required amount of grip. It all happens so effortlessly that even an inexperienced driver will find the confidence necessary to throw this thing hard into a corner without fear of understeering into a ditch. The Verdict At this point, you’re probably wondering if the Tesla Model Y is worth your money. I’m going to say that yes, on many levels, this thing is worth every penny, even if it’s expensive. But you also need to know what you’re getting into when buying a Tesla. I say this because, in my immediate orbit, I know two Tesla Model 3 owners who are victims of bad paint, and Tesla is currently doing nothing to help them. Imagine the frustration of paying nearly 50 grand for a luxury sport sedan only to see it shed its skin the following spring.I do hear, however, that Tesla’s aftersales service is improving, and that appointments with service rangers—essentially Tesla repair people who come straight to your home—are made quickly and without too much hassle. I hear they even fix panel gaps. But don’t expect Lexus levels of craftsmanship, here. Tesla still has a lot of homework to do in this regard. But the truth of the matter is that nobody, and I mean nobody, currently sells something that directly competes against a Model Y. And that’s a little worrying for the rest of the auto industry. The phrase "Tesla-killer" or "Tesla-fighter" has been common in headlines about legacy automakers and startups alike; still, no one has come at this king yet.Perhaps Ford has a chance with the Mach-E. At least, on paper, it seems like a viable contender. But could it be too little too late? I mean, Tesla sold over 160,000 Model 3s in the US alone last year. Can this oddball Mustang be any sort of a volume-seller the way the Model Y is destined to be? I find that unlikely. But if anything, it’s only the start of things to come. When Nissan unveiled the Ariya electric crossover last month, I remember saying “finally, something innovative from Nissan!” for the first time in years, but then I was highly disappointed by its release date of late 2021 on our market. And don’t get me started on the Cadillac Lyriq. After months of shoving down our throats that its “innovative” Ultium battery would be the Android answer to Tesla’s Apple, GM unveiled an odd-looking concept car with unofficial range numbers and no actual specifications. Worse even was when Cadillac said all we’d only see the damn thing in the flesh in three years. Three years, GM. Really?You see, what the entire auto industry needs to understand with its EV promises and shady concept cars is that Tesla is here now. Tesla is selling. And Tesla is ahead. And the more it waits before releasing its products, the harder it’ll be for them to take on what was not long ago just a little California startup. Font: The Drive

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Audi desenvolve sistema de carregamento de veículos elétricos

A Audi está apostada em desenvolver o carregamento bidirecional, que permite aos veículos elétricos armazenar energia e utilizá-la depois nas suas casas quando for necessário.

A Audi começou a trabalhar no carregamento bidirecional, o que permitirá que os seus veículos elétricos atuem como uma extensão da rede elétrica. A tecnologia foi desenvolvida pela Audi e pelo Hager Group, sendo testada no SUV Audi E-tron.

A tecnologia permite, assim, que os carros elétricos recebam, não apenas, eletricidade de espaços domésticos, por meio de “wall chargers”, como também a armazenem e até devolvam.

A Audi disse que esse sistema seria particularmente útil para clientes que possuem painéis solares, com o carro a ser capaz de armazenar eletricidade gerada em casa, enquanto o sol está a brilhar, e devolvê-la quando não está.

De acordo com a Audi, “o carregamento bidirecional em casa – também conhecido como Vehicle to Home (V2H) – tem um grande potencial para reduzir os custos de eletricidade do proprietário e aumentar a estabilidade da rede”.

Mais à frente, numa fase de expansão da tecnologia, “em combinação com uma unidade de armazenamento doméstico, será possível obter uma quase completa independência energética e aumentar a segurança do fornecimento em caso de ‘blackout’”, explica a empresa.

Tecnologia já testada por outras marcas

A Audi não é a primeira empresa a investigar esta tecnologia. Em 2017, a Nissan testou um esquema semelhante na Dinamarca, permitindo que os seus clientes da frota de veículos elétricos comprassem um carregador para ligar o veículo à rede, extraindo daí energia para o alimentar, e depois “vendê-la” de volta quando o carro não estivesse em uso.

Mais tarde, a Nissan expandiu esse serviço para o Reino Unido. A empresa japonesa continua a desenvolver a tecnologia e pretende que a sua produção seja uma realidade num futuro próximo.

Da mesma forma, a Renault adaptou uma frota do seu elétrico Zoe para o carregamento de veículos em rede, em 2019, introduzindo um total de 15 unidades na Europa.

Ao contrário do sistema anterior da Nissan, que exigia a instalação de uma unidade de armazenamento de energia nas casas dos proprietários dos veículos elétricos, os Zoe têm unidades de armazenamento de energia instaladas a bordo.

Na rede de testes da Audi, o E-tron opera com uma DC wallbox, com capacidade de carga até 12kW, além de uma unidade de armazenamento doméstico com capacidade de 9kW. Devido ao nível de tensão DC na rede geral, a Audi alega que a conexão entre o sistema elétrico doméstico e o E-tron não exige um inversor, tornando-o bastante eficiente.

No entanto, alguns especialistas expressaram já a sua preocupação com a viabilidade de tais sistemas.

Um estudo de 2018 da Universidade do Havai conclui que o carregamento de um veículo elétrico na rede elétrico, acelera a degeneração da bateria. Font: Turbo

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Most New BMW Models are Apple CarKey Compatible

BMW just gave Apple users another reason to consider one of its cars.

Most BMWs built after July 1, 2020, will offer compatibility with Apple's newly introduced CarKey phone-as-key tech. The feature was announced this week at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference. BMW sits at the vanguard of Apple CarKey's breakout in the auto industry, which sees Near-Field Communication (NFC)-based phone-as-key protocols built into the electronics giant's iOS smartphone operating system and allows iPhones running the latest software to lock, unlock, and start user-registered vehicles.

A 2021 BMW 5 Series sedan demonstrated the CarKey feature at Apple's big event. The technological display inadvertently highlighted the digital key's limitations as much as its benefits. How so? Well, the holy grail of phone-as-key tech would be the ability to keep your phone in your pocket while entering a vehicle, à la today's proximity key fobs that allow drivers to lock, unlock, and start their car without ever needing to grasp the physical key itself. In its current form, CarKey (or as BMW dubs it, "BMW Digital Key for the iPhone") must be brought within 1.5 inches of the driver's side door handle to lock or unlock the vehicle. To start the car, a user must place the phone on the center console's wireless charging pad. Both actions, you might notice, require the user to physically grasp the phone.

It seems BMW and Apple wanted to get the digital key tech out into the marketplace as soon as possible, and thus were forced to rely on today's Digital Key Specification 2.0 for Near-Field Communication (NFC) protocol to make that happen. In its announcement of Digital Key for iPhone, BMW admits NFC Specification 2.0 was just released in May and that a next-generation setup using Ultra Wideband tech is already being developed. UWB tech, as we covered earlier this year at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, is both more secure than NFC and allows the phone to stay in one's pocket, relying on accurate location tracking to determine when a user (and the phone) is close enough to unlock or lock the doors and start the car—all the while ensuring users' hands remain free of bulky phones or keys.

The good news is that BMW Digital Key for iPhone offers some neat innovations to the typical car key formula. A "key"—essentially a pairing between a phone and a vehicle—is stored in Apple's Wallet app (where Apple Pay credit card info and items such as airline boarding passes are kept) and is secured by your phone's lock screen. That means Face ID facial recognition and Touch ID fingerprint scanning can be used to ensure no ordinary jabroni can run off with your phone and enter or drive off with your car. (An "Express Mode" enables the use of the phone as a key without requiring the iPhone to be unlocked prior to use.) BMW and Apple also worked with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to determine and set "global standards" for its digital key function, further helping minimize development clutter among other automakers that will surely want to roll out Apple CarKey-friendly tech, too.

Cooler still, Apple CarKey allows users to share their digital car keys with friends via iMessage. BMW's setup even affords vehicle owners the opportunity to share their car's digital key with up to five other users and includes "a configurable car access option for young drivers, which restricts top speed, horsepower, maximum radio volume, and more." Worried about your iPhone going dead and being unable to get into your BMW? That scenario is covered by Digital Key for iPhone's ability to register users' phones for up to five hours after a low-battery shut-off. The BMW Digital Key is also compatible with Apple Watch, presumably meaning one needn't pull out their phone to lock or unlock the car. Instead, Apple Watch wearers should be able to place their wrist-worn tech near there car's door to gain access.

BMW customers interested in the CarKey feature should know that they'll need an iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, or SE with the upcoming iOS 13.6 software update (Digital Key will be included with iOS 14 more widely). Want to use your Apple Watch? Better have an Apple Watch 5, the latest model, with WatchOS 6.2.8. Once you have your Apple arsenal sorted, you'll want to shop these BMW models (those that are sold in the U.S., that is) that are compatible with Digital Key for iPhone:

BMW 1 Series (not available in the U.S. )

BMW 2 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 4 Series

BMW 5 Series and M5

BMW 6 Series (no longer available in the U.S. )

BMW 8 Series and M8

BMW X5 and X5 M

BMW X6 and X6 M

BMW X7

BMW Z4

Font: MotorTrend

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Franco-American Family: Fiat-Chrysler/Peugeot-Citroën Merger Still on Track

The deal should be finalized in early 2021.

Uncertainty may abound these days, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) shareholders were reassured at their annual meeting that the proposed merger with PSA Group remains on track to be finalized by the end of the first quarter of 2021. PSA Group shareholders were given the same message at their annual meeting this week, as well.

After a year of planning, FCA and PSA announced their plans for a 50-50 merger on December 18, 2019. The news followed many years of efforts by FCA's former head, Sergio Marchionne, to merge the Italian-American company with another automaker. Doing so would achieve the scale he believed was necessary to be successful in an industry reliant on the development of expensive technology to transition to a lineup of electric and autonomous vehicles.

The merged PSA-FCA—no new name has been released—will be the fourth-largest automaker by volume in the world. Both companies date back more than a century and bring a number of automotive brands with them including Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Peugeot, Citroen, DS, and Vauxhall-Opel. The expectation is some of them will have to go away; the stable is too full.

FCA chief executive officer (CEO) Mike Manley said work to complete the merger has continued at pace, despite a pandemic, to meet the goal of finalizing the merger by the end of the first quarter of 2021. The new entity will have a more balanced global footprint and the financial flexibility to invest in new technology. Its global scale for purchasing and $4.2 billion in synergies between the two companies will result in huge efficiencies and capabilities, Manley said during the general shareholder meeting. The new company will have the attributes to be a successful leader in a new world.

Manley said leadership at the two companies have an excellent rapport on a personal level. FCA chairman John Elkann will chair the new group, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares will lead the new company, and Manley will have a senior role, potentially chief operating officer.

Additionally, Manley added the required investigation by the European Union anti-trust regulators is not expected to delay the merger and the proposed new company has already received anti-trust approvals by the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. Font: MotorTrend

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Ford. Serviços conectados passam a ser gratuitos

Até aqui disponíveis na forma de uma assinatura experimental, disponibilizada aos proprietários de veículos novos, por um período de apenas dois anos, os novos serviços para veículos conectados, propostos com a aplicação FordPass para smartphones, acabam de tornar-se gratuitos.

A decisão foi anunciada, através de comunicado, pela própria Ford, libertando, assim, os proprietários de um encargo que, após os dois anos de experiência, gratuitos, rondava os 600€, ao longo da vida útil do veículos.

Com a app FordPass, os proprietários de veículos Ford novos, podem controlar e monitorizar as principais funções dos seus veículos, a partir dos respectivos smartphones. Ou até mesmo, trancar e destrancar as portas.

Entre as notificações e alertas disponíveis, surge, por exemplo, uma possível baixa pressão nos pneus ou problemas com os faróis. Sendo que, através da app FordPass, o condutor pode também receber a localização exacta do veículo.

A app fornece ainda apoio em caso de avaria, nomeadamente, enviando informações da localização e diagnóstico do veículo ao serviço de assistência em viagem. Assim como oferecendo aos condutores a possibilidade de ver onde se encontra o seu serviço de assistência, e com que rapidez irá ao seu encontro.

No caso dos veículos elétricos, a app não só disponibiliza informações ao nível da bateria e autonomia de condução elétrica, como ajuda a beneficiar de tarifas de electricidade mais económicas, graças ao agendamento do carregamento do veículo. Isto, além de fornecer a localização dos postos de carregamento em redor. Font: Turbo

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2021 Ford F-150 Revealed: A Smarter, Stronger Half-Ton Truck

It's here. The next generation of America's best-selling vehicle, the 2021 Ford F-150, has been officially unveiled—and though it might look pretty similar to the 2020 truck, there's a ton of new technology and capabilities packed under that aluminum skin. We already knew that the newest half-ton truck would be more capable than its predecessor, but the Blue Oval focused on more than just payload and towing capacity.

While those are key areas for the F-150, without a doubt, the real news comes with how said performance is delivered to and maximized by the driver. Think of innovative tools that have never been available on a pickup before, top-tier gadgets that wouldn't look out of place in a foreign luxury car.

And finally, think of an hybrid powertrain that provides more grunt than any other truck in its segment. If you've been watching the livestream reveal, you can continue to do so below, and keep reading for all the details. This is everything you need to know about the 2021 F-150.

The Design

With this being a new generation, the 2021 model year F-150 is freshly redesigned with even more truck-ish attributes in mind. Its front fascia is bolder than in years prior thanks to its angular signature brows that feature LED lighting in higher trims. Each headlight's main element is bisected by a horizontal line with projectors below and atop it and, unlike the outgoing generation, the grille doesn't protrude into the headlamp design.

Speaking of the grille—there are 11 different design options that vary from trim to trim. It doesn't get much more customizable than that, at least on pickups.

The F-150's beltline has been tucked in while the wheels have been pulled out three-quarters of an inch, giving a stance that's wider and, inherently, more aggressive. This is compounded by tires that are larger in diameter than previous generations. In case you were curious, this isn't the year that trucks start shrinking. 

The Cabin

These design updates carry on to the interior where a swath of noticeable reworking has taken place. An 8.0-inch infotainment screen is standard—so long, tiny 4.2-inch—as is Ford's new SYNC4 operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Customers who want an even bigger screen can tick the box for a 12.0-inch display that's actually standard on high-level XLT series and up, which nicely complements the digital dashboard that's capable of showing essentially any info you can dream of.

As we spotted back in April, the F-150—like its Ram counterpart—has gone all-in on screens, though it has retained a host of physical buttons as well. Alas, not all is lost.

There are plenty of interior features that stand out on the 2021 F-150, all of which are geared to make the cabin an even more livable and, of course, workable space. The stowaway shifter we spotted earlier in the year has indeed reached production, allowing for the center console to fold out and create a totally flat work surface. If you're having a hard time picturing it, imagine a mobile desk that easily accommodates a laptop, clipboard, or blueprint. 

Or, it can act as a nightstand for King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models spec'd with the new Max Recline Seats that lean back nearly 180 degrees—they're adjustable sleeper seats, in other words.

The Powertrains

Leading the charge for the F-150's 14th generation is the PowerBoost hybrid variant that's available from the bottom of the half-ton lineup all the way to the top. It utilizes the familiar 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine, albeit with a 35-kilowatt electric motor that conjures up an additional 47 horsepower.

There's no plug-in option available as Ford will skip that step in favor of a fully electric F-150 in due time; instead, the PowerBoost utilizes regenerative braking to recover power to its 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The electric power source is nestled in between the frame rails and beneath the load floor so as to not compromise in-cabin space.

Ford hasn't announced performance specs for the 2021 F-150 PowerBoost, though it claims to target at least 12,000 pounds of towing capacity with best-in-class horsepower and torque. For reference, the non-hybrid 3.5-liter EcoBoost currently makes 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in its standard form.

The PowerBoost model is also projected to travel 700 miles on a single tank of fuel, totaling approximately 23 mpg combined given the tank's 30.6-gallon capacity.

The familiar EcoBoost options will also be available with the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter turbo V6s returning for the next generation. Also sticking around is the 5.0-liter V8, with the 3.0-liter PowerStroke diesel V6 rounding out the list of optional engines. XL-trim F-150s will come standard with a naturally aspirated, 3.3-liter V6 while each power plant is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Work Tech

Productivity is at the forefront of the F-150's ethos, and that's clear in virtually every facet. The truck's SYNC4 operating system is capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates that can be performed when it's most convenient for the driver,  keeping navigation data current and even adding new features without ever visiting a dealer. Likewise, the infotainment display can monitor everything on the truck from towing intel to individual zone lighting controls and more. Perhaps the niftiest functionality of the center stack screen is its ability to keep tabs on the Pro Power Onboard generator.

The previously rumored piece of work equipment comes in three tiers of power: 2.0-kilowatt for optional gas engines, 2.4-kilowatt as standard on PowerBoost hybrid models and a 7.2-kilowatt system that's exclusively available on PowerBoost F-150s. In its most modest form, the Pro Power Onboard system can host the perfect tailgate setup with enough juice for an electric heater, TV, portable speakers, mini-fridge, and a blender. The most powerful version, on the other hand, can supply enough electricity for a 120-volt plasma cutter, 120V TiG welder, chop saw, 1.5-hp air compressor, angle grinder, and a work light all at the same time.

Owners can simply plug into the provided 120V outlets situated at the back of the bed, where you'll also find the all-new tailgate workbench. It hosts an assortment of features like tie-down locations, C-clamp pockets, and an available flat Tailgate Work Surface with rulers, a mobile device holder, pencil holder and cupholder.

The Safety Features

Last but not least, the 2021 F-150 will allegedly be the safest F-Series ever with 10 new driver-assist features. There's more tech baked into every model available, as the base XL receives Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlights and auto on/off headlights.

Higher trims, meanwhile, can be optioned with Active Driver Assist—a feature that enables hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of roads throughout the United States and Canada. The F-150 is the only truck on the market to offer such a package, and it utilizes driver-facing cameras to monitor head position and eye gaze, ensuring that whoever's behind the wheel keeps their attention on the road ahead.

Active Driver Assist will be available in the summer of 2021, though trucks bought before then can receive an OTA update that installs the tech via the internet.

The Bottom Line

Ford has yet to announce pricing for the 2021 F-150, and it's anyone's guess how much the take-home cost will swell for the new generation. Expect an uptick across the board regardless, with the top trims commanding an even more astronomical dollar amount than the outgoing models. This might be the first time we see an $80,000 half-ton pickup from the factory, but only time will tell if the new F-150 Limited reaches that new territory. Font: TheDrive

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Volkswagen Nivus. Variante Coupé do T-Roc oficialmente apresentada

Depois da confirmação de que não se trata de um modelo apenas para as Américas, mas que também desembarcará na Europa, a Volkswagen acaba de apresentar, de forma oficial, o seu mais recente SUV, a que deu o nome de Nivus. E que, nada mais é, que a variante Coupé do já famoso Volkswagen T-Cross.

Tudo começou com um desenho, e a garantia de que seria um novo crossover, não apenas construído, como também comercializado, apenas no mercado brasileiro.

Desenvolvido, efectivamente, pela Volkswagen Brasil, a verdade é que não demorou muito para que surgisse a notícia de que o novo Volkswagen Nivus não se limitaria ao território brasileiro, mas chegaria, igualmente, à Europa.

A justificar tal decisão, não somente a boa receptividade que o modelo conseguiu, devido ao seu posicionamento, mas também e principalmente, o facto de recorrer, em grande parte, aos mesmo recursos técnicos do T-Roc. A começar, pela mesma plataforma MQB-A0 que serve de base a este modelo.

Apresentado, de forma oficial, esta quinta-feira, o Nivus não esconde a influência do T-Roc, também, na estética exterior. Ainda que, optando por uma grelha frontal ligeiramente diferente, assim como por ópticas mais rasgadas.

Observado de perfil, o Volkswagen Nivus destaca-se não apenas pelas jantes de dimensões generosas, como também e principalmente, pela forma como o tejadilho desce, a partir dos pilares C, à imagem de um SUV Coupé. Com a carroçaria a terminar, de resto, num plano mais arrebitado, do qual fazem igualmente parte novos farolins.

Interior decalcado do T-Roc… e do Polo

Já no interior do habitáculo, uma semelhança ainda maior, quer com o T-Roc, quer com o Polo, ainda que e segundo avança a Volkswagen, o Nivus não deixe de ter também algumas novidades, das quais a mais importante será mesmo o novo sistema de infotainment Volkswagen Play, do qual faz parte um generoso ecrã HD de 10,1″, desenhado pela Volkswagen Brasil para a família de veículos que tem por base a plataforma modular MQB-A0. E que, acrescente-se, é 100% compatível, tanto com Apple CarPLay, como com Android Auto.

Quanto a motores, o Nivus recorre à já conhecida família de propulsores de três e quatro cilindros da Volkswagen, a começar no 1.0 TSI de 115 cv, e a terminar no 1.5 TSI de 150 cv. Tudo apontando, igualmente, para que possam vir a existir uma opção Diesel, muito provavelmente, traduzida no 1.6 TDI de 115 cv, além de uma versão a Gás Natural Comprimido, ou GNC.

Para 2021?…

Dúvidas, para já, apenas quanto ao início de comercialização do Volkswagen Nivus na Europa, sendo que não deverá passar da primeira metade de 2021.

O mesmo se passa, relativamente à possibilidade de lançamento de versões mais desportivas, deste SUV Coupé que é o Volkswagen Nivus. Algo que, tratando-se de uma proposta mais passional, o mais certo é que estejam igualmente já previstas… Font: Turbo

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GM plans to ramp up plants with dealers running low on pickups

DETROIT -- General Motors' North American assembly plants have overcome initial parts-supply challenges and will boost production next week.

Three U.S. factories building mid- and full-size pickups will operate on three shifts starting June 1, the automaker said in a statement Thursday. GM has been running just one shift at the facilities and was unable to increase output this week because supply of parts from Mexico was constrained.

GM said three other factories that build crossovers in the U.S. and Canada will move to two shifts, from one. Five of its assembly plants will still operate on one shift.

Chevrolet and GMC dealers have been running low on inventory of GM’s redesigned Silverado and Sierra models, which are among the most lucrative in the company’s lineup. Mike Jackson, the CEO of AutoNation Inc., said in a Bloomberg Television interview this month that the largest U.S. new-car retailer was eager to rebuild its stock of Silverado.

“If they can restart the pickup truck plants first, I’ll be standing here in line saying ‘send me all you can get,’” Jackson said. Font: AutoNews

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De A a Z. Nissan recorre ao abecedário para mostrar o que aí vem

Após um dia de notícias difíceis para a marca nipónica, uma boa notícia: a Nissan acaba de confirmar, através de um pequeno vídeo e ao estilo do Abecedário, não apenas que o desportivo 370Z vai, mesmo, ter sucessor, como também todos os modelos novos, que o fabricante se prepara para lançar, nos próximos tempos.

Depois da conferência de imprensa que veio confirmar o momento difícil que a marca nipónica atravessa, e que obrigará a uma profunda reestruturação da operação a nível mundial, a Nissan aproveitou para divulgar os primeiros teaser dos modelos que, também já confirmados, deverão começar a surgir, nos próximos tempos, à luz do dia. A começar, pelo sucessor do desportivo 370Z.

Baptizado, pelo menos para já, com o nome de 400Z, o sucessor do 370Z mostra-se, agora e pela primeira vez, desvendando a sua silhueta, marcada por linhas muito fluídas e esguias, para terminar numa traseira sem qualquer indicação de spoiler. Sendo que, das novidades, faz igualmente parte uma frente mergulhante, a cair sobre aquilo que parece ser uma generosa grelha frontal, lateralizada por ópticas de assinatura luminosa renovada. E que não deixam de fazer lembrar, um pouco, o Jaguar F-Type…

No entanto, as novidades trazidas por estes teaser, não se ficam pelo sucessor do 370Z, mas continuam naquele que deverá ser também o primeiro SUV elétrico da Nissan, para já conhecido como Ariya, e que reterá grande parte das linhas desvendadas com o concept. E que, garante a Nissan, exibirá “potência e prazer de condução, capazes de o fazer rivalizar com muitos desportivos premium”.

Igualmente “anunciado”, é o SUV Armada, a variante norte-americana do Patrol, e que, na próxima geração, deverá receber muitas das especificações estéticas e técnicas, precisamente, da evolução 2020 do Patrol comercializado no Médio Oriente. Acrescido, segundo é possível perceber na imagem, de novas luzes diurnas em LED e tipo Boomerang.

Presente no vídeo, está também a próxima geração da pick-up Navara, a qual se anuncia revista nas dimensões -- ao que tudo indica, maiores -, além de significativamente diferente do modelo actual, assim como o irmão-gémeo do Juke, conhecido como Kicks. E que, ao contrário dos restantes, já se encontra em comercialização, nos mercados do sudoeste asiático, levantando, por isso, a questão: o que faz aqui?…

Num vídeo em que os vários modelos surgem identificados pela primeira letra do seu nome, destaque ainda para aquela que é a primeira imagem, de perfil, do próximo Qashqai, assim como do X-Trail. Este último, já melhor conhecido, uma vez que imagens do modelo acabaram por surgir, inadvertidamente, na Internet…

A terminar, o primeiro relance, também, do próximo Pathfinder, SUV que, em tempos, já foi comercializado em Portugal, e que agora surge com um visual a prometer imagem mais agressiva, assim como de dois modelos-mistério, descritos apenas pela letra ‘M’ e ‘N’. No primeiro caso, uma proposta que parece ser um pequeno crossover, um pouco mais pequeno que o Kicks, ao passo que o segundo, uma espécie de Micra, que poderá ser um dos novos elétricos que a Nissan já prometeu. Font: Turbo

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Miami Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium Will Soon Be a Drive-In Movie Theater

Drive-in movies have become the go-to for film fans as the coronavirus pandemic has forced everyone out of traditional theaters. And while the old-school experience might not be for everyone, those who enjoy watching a flick from the comfort of their car can thank the Miami Dolphins for its recent, and admittedly neat solution. The Hard Rock Stadium, the team's home field and the site for last year's Super Bowl LIV, will become a new-age drive-in theater complete with giant screens and in-car food deliveries.

The team will repurpose four enormous displays that were installed during a recent renovation to feature historic Dolphins games, classic films, concerts, and may even be used for virtual commencement ceremonies and other events. Food and beverage will be available with online ordering and can be delivered to the cars on the stadium floor. Hard Rock can hold over 65,000 fans, but only 230 vehicles will be able to park on the venue's floor, parked in several rows facing the screens. It’s unclear how the logistics of getting people in and out will work, or if there will be limitations on the size and type of vehicle that will be allowed in the venue, but it’s hard to imagine that being parked behind a bro-dozer will make for a good viewing experience.

The Dolphins are preparing for an upcoming NFL season that will look dramatically different than it did before, and the only thing team representatives have said, for sure, is that there will definitely be a season this year. To help get things rolling, the team has released plans to host just 15,000 fans in the stadium for games, but it'll have to pass muster with the league and local government officials. The good news is that Hard Rock Stadium is the first public facility to earn a Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accreditation, which involves meeting a set of standards for cleaning, disinfecting, and working to prevent infectious diseases.

We don’t have a full schedule of the drive-in events yet, but the team says that the calendar would be available in the next few weeks. If you’re in the area and want to find out more, check the stadium’s site here.

Font: TheDrive

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VW pumps another $2.3B into EV bet

BEIJING -- Volkswagen Group agreed to invest 2.1 billion euros ($2.33 billion) in two separate Chinese electric vehicle players.

VW said it will invest 1 billion euros to take a 50 percent stake in the state-owned parent of Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group, also raising its stake in an existing EV joint venture with JAC to 75 percent from 50 percent.

VW will gain full management control of the JV, said Stephan Wollenstein, the company's China CEO.

The joint venture will launch five more electric models by 2025 and establish an EV factory in Hefei, VW said.

The automaker aims to sell 1.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) -- including full- electric cars as well as plug-in-hybrid and fuel cell vehicles -- a year in China by 2025.

The production of EVs based on the MEB platform will start at the JAC-VW venture in 2023, Wollenstein told a media briefing on Friday.

In a separate transaction, VW said it will pay 1.1 billion euros to acquire 26.5 percent of Guoxuan High-tech, a maker of electric vehicle batteries, becoming its biggest shareholder.

VW said Guoxuan, based in Hefei like JAC, will supply batteries to its EV models in China.

The deals come as global rivals such as EV maker Tesla seek to make inroads in the Chinese car market. Tesla last year became the first foreign automaker to wholly own a car plant in China.

China has set a target of 25 percent of 2025 annual vehicle sales to be made up of NEVs. More than 25 million vehicles were sold in China last year.

Friday's moves also make VW the latest foreign automaker to increase ownership of operations in China since the government started to relax rules in 2018, with BMW quick to take control of its main local venture.

VW also has ventures with state-owned China FAW Group and SAIC Motor. Font: AutoNews

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Tesla Slashes Thousands From Prices of Model 3, Model S, and Model X

The Model Y's price remains unchanged.

It's no secret that Teslas are expensive, with some of the higher-end models ringing in past six figures. Starting this week, though, most Tesla vehicles are a little more affordable. As seen on its consumer website, Tesla reduced prices on the Model 3, Model S, and Model X by thousands of dollars.

Prices for the Model S drop a whopping $5,000. This stands for both the Long Range Plus and the Performance trims. The former now starts at $76,190, while the latter costs $96,190.

Model X prices also plummet by $5,000. The Long Range Plus trim now stickers for $81,190 and the Performance model goes for $101,190.

Tesla isn't forgetting about its entry-level Model 3 sedan, either. It's business as usual for the $36,200 base model, but the entry-level Tesla witnesses a price reduction of $2,000 on other trims, including the Standard Range Plus, Long Range, and Performance. Prices for the 3's crossover sibling, the Model Y, remain unchanged.

Of course, there's a catch to all these price cuts. As Reuters first reported, Tesla is ending free Supercharger service for new customers of the Model S and Model X. The news surely comes as a blow to Tesla drivers who like to rack up the miles. Also, keep in mind that federal tax credits on Tesla vehicles have ended as the automaker has long surpassed 200,000 EV sales.

There are a host of Tesla vehicles still in the queue, in case the current lineup doesn't pique your interests. The first deliveries of the Semi are due to take place in 2021. The insanely quick Tesla Roadster is also on the way, although an exact launch date remains unclear. And the last we heard, Tesla will start building its wild Cybertruck in late 2021. Font: MotorTrend

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Salão Automóvel de Genebra 2020 cancelado. Culpa é do coronavírus

Rebentou a bomba em Genebra! A organização do Salão Automóvel de Genebra acaba de anunciar, a cerca de uma semana do arranque do evento deste ano, o seu cancelamento. Também aqui, devido à epidemia de Coronavírus.

O anúncio do cancelamento do Salão Automóvel de Genebra 2020, acontece depois da Suíça ter assinalado o primeiro caso de Coronavírus no país e na sequência da decisão do governo suíço, de proibir concentrações ou eventos envolvendo mais de mil pessoas. Isto, devido à epidemia de COVID-19 que começa a alastrar na Europa.

De referir ainda que a decisão do Executivo suíço, que acaba por afectar o Salão Automóvel de Genebra, o qual sofre assim as repercussões da chegada do Coronavírus à Europa, tem efeitos imediatos e mantém-se em vigor, para já, até dia 15 de março.

Recorde-se que o Salão Automóvel de Genebra de 2020 tinha previsto abrir as portas ao público dentro de uma semana, mais precisamente no dia 5 de Março, mantendo-se em atividade até dia 15 de Março.  

Recorde-se que a edição deste ano do Salão de Genebra já havia sofrido um primeiro embate, com a desistência da participação de construtores automóveis como a Peugeot, Citroën e Opel (Grupo PSA), Ford, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru e Volvo. Font: Turbo