#2019 Lexus Ls 500 F Review

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2019 Lexus LS 500 F Design, Release Date, Price

2019 Lexus LS 500 F Design, Release Date, Price

2019 Lexus LS 500 F Design, Release Date, Price– The latest age group of Lexus’s first sedan will soon put together updates and changes in every single section. Begin with the Lexus LS 2019, which is among the initial versions to be the new structure in the rear tire from the company aircraft pilots which can be at the moment beneath improvement. The business Lexus offers fantastic ideas for the…

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Lexus ES 300h, the hybrid of beautiful neighborhoods

Lexus ES 300h, the hybrid of beautiful neighborhoods

Lexus ES 300h, the hybrid of beautiful neighborhoods

REVIEW - Ship size, sparrow consumption, the Lexus ES 300h arises as an alternative to Germanic premiums. It remains to get used to its transmission by dimmer. The dashboard of a Mercedes does not seduce you? You are not satisfied with the ergonomics of a BMW ? And Audi seems a little dull? Try Lexus ! This Japanese label is Toyota's luxury brand . Nissan also owns his own, Infiniti, which he has tried in vain to impose in Europe. Honda has reserved its high-end Acura to the US market. Lexus, created thirty years ago, quickly acquired a good reputation across the Atlantic. His cars were immediately well finished, well equipped, soft and silent. Their aesthetic, on the other hand, has for a long time evoked that of the Mercedes of the previous generation. Lexus today have their own personality. The last ES 300h thus displays a nervous and original style, not devoid of elegance. The proportions of the car are harmonious and meet the traditional visual codes of the large sedan. Its lines have not been "overdriven", as is sometimes the case with some Japanese productions, especially at Toyota. No penalty or TVS for 12 quarters The great originality of the ES 300h however stands under its hood. No engines to the card or choice of various transmission on this model, as in the German camp. Or an endless list of options. The Lexus ES 300h is a unique proposition that can be summed up in the number 100. 100, per 100 grams of CO² emissions per kilometer, which corresponds to a consumption of 4.4 liters of gasoline per 100 km. A value that even small city cars have a hard time reaching. It is worth in France to this great Japanese no penalty, an exemption from the tax on company vehicles (TVS) for 12 quarters, and finally free registration in about half of the departments. These benefits were achieved with the help of a powerful electric motor. It helps the conventional "thermal" engine, which remains the main group, especially during the start-up phase. This hybrid system, invented for the Prius more than twenty years ago, is very efficient in the city, but not enough on the road, where the consumption becomes that of a traditional vehicle. This device is not a paragon of approval. Each acceleration or boost a little vigorous results in a runaway engine and a painful sensation of skating. The famous "airplane on takeoff" syndrome well known to all users of converter transmissions (CVT). It is better accepted by American drivers, more accustomed to moving at constant speed on their motorways. American-style interior The depreciation seems to be calibrated for them too. Soft enough, it can show signs of pumping if you force the pace. The F Sport version, equipped with an adaptive suspension, avoids this inconvenience. Otherwise, the ES 300h holds well and is comfortable. Special mention to the seats, real remedies for back pain, as well as the Executive version, richly equipped, but requiring an extra charge of more than 15 000 € compared to the basic version. The cockpit is large, especially at the rear, where it offers an available space almost identical to that of its big sister LS 500h. With less ostentatious references to certain aspects of Japanese culture, the interior is less confusing than that of the latter. The big buttons emerging from the cap overhanging the instrumentation and a large number of commands show again that the ES 300h is first designed for America. Otherwise, we are in a Lexus. The ride comfort (rims include a noise reduction device!) And the quality of materials, and their assembly, prove it. OUR OPINION Lexus hopes to sell 500 ES 300h in 2019 on the French market, which seems an ambitious goal. Only 36 LS 500h, it is true twice as expensive, found takers last year in France. According to the firm, sales to professionals should account for three-quarters of the volumes, with a business version (€ 47,990) intended for companies selected in 45% of cases. Maybe you will ride in Lexus ES 300h thanks to your boss? DATASHEET Engine Type: 4 cylinders in line 2 487 cm3 permanent magnet electric group Power: 178 hp at 5,700 rpm 120 hp (electric). Cumulative: 218 ch Torque: 221 Nm (petrol) & 244, 8 Nm (electric) Transmission: Traction, continuously variable electronic gearbox Dimensions (L / W / H): 4,975 × 1,865 × 1,445 mm Safe: 454 l Weight: 1,740 kg 0-100km / h: 8, 9 s Maximum speed: 180 km / h Consumption (Mixed EU): 4.4 l (correlated NEDC) CO² emissions: 100 g / km Price: from 47,490 to 62,990 €

Lexus ES 300h, the hybrid of beautiful neighborhoods

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2019 Lexus Ls 500 Concept, New Engine, Ratings, New Engine

2019 Lexus Ls 500 Concept, New Engine, Ratings, New Engine

The 2019 Lexus Ls 500 continues to offer top safety scores, remarkable space inside, and all-round versatility; it’s still one of the best small SUVs, and a good value for money.

2019 Lexus Ls 500 Rumors

The 2019 Lexus Ls 500 SUV is in its last year before a redesign, but thankfully not a rethink. It’s spacious, quiet, comfortable, and capable, mostly thanks to its standard all-wheel-drive system…

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2019 Lexus LS 460 Redesign, Price, Engine and Release Date

New Post has been published on https://www.autospecsreviews.com/2019-lexus-ls-460-redesign-price-engine-and-release-date/

2019 Lexus LS 460 Redesign, Price, Engine and Release Date

2019 Lexus LS 460 Redesign, Price, Engine and Release Date – 2019 Lexus LS will be the new luxury sedan automobile which is explained will contest with some other people great sedan car such as Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, as well as Jaguar XJ. To manage all those competitors, the business has made some changes and upgrades that may not let you down equally those who enjoy the luxurious sedan automobile and those that seek out the genuinely fantastic appearance and engine performance of a car.

2019 Lexus LS Redesign

Exterior

2019 Lexus LS Price

2019 Lexus LS Release Date

The exterior design in this particular vehicle is produced to become searched really appealing with the high-class design. Nonetheless, the depth changes and enhancements within the exterior on this automobile remain not identified for the reason that car continues to be the camouflage method after it is shown in the highway. This motor is famous include the 4-entrance visiting coupe design. The changes and changes in the exterior design will handle individual parts at the front and also back aspect. It is actually guaranteed how the modifications and variations from the exterior will not likely let you down people who have preferred this car.

Interior

2019 Lexus LS Interior

Inside the interior patterns, there will be some changes and enhancements that will invigorate the environment inside of the vehicle. You will see new technological innovation for the capabilities employed in this car. This is due to the corporation wishes to improve the comfort and also to relieve the two driver and passengers in operating the characteristics presented. Also, the cabin location also will likely be made with enhanced comfort seating both for driver and passengers. General, the changes, and changes inside this vehicle will entirely satisfy those who have picked the 2019 Lexus LS since their automobile.

2019 Lexus LS Engine

2019 Lexus LS Engine

The less than the hood of 2019 Lexus LS is forecasted could be the 5.-liter engine capability along with the 2UR-GSE V8 engine device. This engine should be able to deliver strength approximately 467 hp. The driver, then, will likely be accomplished with the twenty-velocity inventive transmission method. For that hybrid version, the organization will supply the automobile using the 3.5-liter engine potential using the V6 engine unit in addition to the two electric motors. This engine can also be designed with the Li-On battery power, and CVT and 4-pace auto transmission process.

2019 Lexus LS Release Date and Price

2019 Lexus LS Redesign

The release date on this high-class sedan vehicle is forecasted will be around 2017. This car will be provided because of the 2019 season model automobile. The price that may be tagged to the auto is expected begins from $75.000 for the bottom price. Individuals who are considering the high-class sedan auto can make this automobile because the solution and may opt for 2019 Lexus LS as his or her preferred high-class sedan vehicle.

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2018-04-01 02 CAR now

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2019 Lexus LS 500 F Sport Review

2019 Lexus LS 500 F Sport Review

The 2019 Lexus LS 500 F Sport is a solid full-size luxury sedan with plenty of character to go around. It offers an incredibly smooth, quiet ride yet it can still hustle around corners with a quick twist into Sport or Sport+ mode. If you’re looking to save some money and still get a large luxury sedan with eye catching looks then the Lexus LS 500 line could be a great option.

Engine Specs:

Twin-…

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2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport Review – A Peculiar Development in Big Sedan Land

A big luxury sedan is sedate, ponderous, and numb. Insulation from everything outside the cockpit is paramount. Arriving refreshed and relaxed is the order of the day in this class of car. The little F-Sport badge on the tail of this 2019 Lexus LS 500 changes everything. While one can still chauffeur grandma to church […]

The post 2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport Review – A Peculiar Development in Big Sedan Land appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

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2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport Review – A Peculiar Development in Big Sedan Land

A big luxury sedan is sedate, ponderous, and numb. Insulation from everything outside the cockpit is paramount. Arriving refreshed and relaxed is the order of the day in this class of car. The little F-Sport badge on the tail of this 2019 Lexus LS 500 changes everything. While one can still chauffeur grandma to church […]

The post 2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport Review – A Peculiar Development in Big Sedan Land appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

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2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport Review – A Peculiar Development in Big Sedan Land

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2020 Lexus LS 500 F Price, Interior, Specs

2020 Lexus LS 500 F Price, Interior, Specs

2020 Lexus LS 500 F Price, Interior, Specs – Lexus’s managing sedan will come up with updates and changes in every section. Get started with the Lexus LS 2019, which is probably the initially models being the brand new structure of your rear tire in the manufacturer aircraft pilots which are at the moment undergrowth. The business Lexus appears to have excellent programs in the coming years.

Befo…

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2019 Lexus - LS Luxury Sedan - Luxury Sedan LS 500 Starting at $75,200* RWD $78,420* AWD $94,015* VEHICLE SHOWN Built on the platform of the high-performance LC coupe, the LS 500 features our first-ever twin-turbocharged engine and offers meticulous craftsmanship like three premium wood-trim designs so unique they can take up to four months and 32 steps to complete. 416 HORSEPOWER* 4.6 0–60 MPH (SEC)* 30 HWY MPG ESTIMATE* AMCI TESTING CERTIFIED CLAIMS FOR THE 2018 LS 500 F SPORT "Better Handling and Braking Performance than the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 AMG." AMCI TESTING CERTIFIED CLAIMS FOR THE 2018 LS 500 F SPORT "Better Cornering Performance — on Wet or Dry Pavement — than the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 AMG" AMCI TESTING CERTIFIED CLAIMS FOR THE 2018 LS 500 F SPORT "Better Slalom Performance — on Wet or Dry Pavement — than the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 AMG." AMCI TESTING CERTIFIED CLAIMS FOR THE 2018 LS 500 F SPORT "Better Evasive Action / Emergency Double Lane Change Performance — on Wet or Dry Pavement — than the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 AMG.*",etc Share this video: https://youtu.be/YnQ0tsFQzsg Enjoy watching & SUBSCRIBE HERE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMhOketEmykEIO36tdSMBmw?sub_confirmation=1 ⚠ Don’t miss next videos: Press the little bell 🔔 to get notifications.Thank you for your visit. You are welcome sharing and embed links for all our videos Watch more videos in the Playlists: Test Drive: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLakF4S-xdl20KTZbeRfH9Zyl0WF__ea3j&disable_polymer=true Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLakF4S-xdl22_qF8rrXrhuLyQK9nnfe1t&disable_polymer=true Interior & Exterior: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLakF4S-xdl201OmXkiES8W2NiC5oBaw-n&disable_polymer=true Any questions? We’re always happy to help. Leave your comment bellow We collect videos of famous brands: Audi, Bmw, Lamborghini, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Amg, Porsche, Opel, Bentley. Lotus, Landrover, Jaguar, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Mazda, Subaru, Acura, Infiniti, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Jeep, Dodge, Lincoln, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Kia, Genesis, Maybach, Mini... Like us on Facebook: https://ift.tt/2tk9ESQ Tweet to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarBay6?lang=en Follow us Pinterest https://ift.tt/2t9Iy1C Join our Tumblr: https://ift.tt/2tlafnp We are always happy to hear from you! Please share your feedback on our video in the comments or through our social media!

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Wheelspinning Our Way Through 2017

If 2017 was the year of President Trump everywhere else, in the automotive world, it seemed to be the year of Elon Musk. Again. Musk’s Tesla began 2017 with some 440,000 intenders each holding $1,000 deposit receipts for a new $35,000+ Model 3 with hopes they would start to get their cars by midyear.

Tesla ended 2017 with Musk now building anticipation for a new semi truck, apparently named “Semi,” which he says will have a 500-mile range and will begin deliveries in 2019, with a new Roadster model—actually a 2+2 targa grand touring car capable of 250 mph+ and 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds—arriving at dealers a year later.

Musk said Tesla delivered just 233 Model 3s by the end of the third quarter. When I asked Tesla public relations for an update on deliveries through, at least, mid-December, the response was to refer to Musk’s third-quarter analysts’ call held November 1. Tesla PR said the number of deliveries will be updated in the first quarter 2018 analysts’ call. So it goes.

In reality, 2017 was the year that traditional automakers ramped up their counter-assault on Tesla’s electric vehicles, with plans for everything from fuel cells and solid-state batteries to new ways to make the internal combustion engine cleaner and more efficient. Here’s how I saw the year in automobiles …

Fords with a future: CEO Mark Fields announces a $700-million investment in its Flat Rock, Michigan, plant to build a hybrid Mustang, a 300-plus mile EV SUV by 2020, and a hybrid-powered fully autonomous vehicle by 2021. Ford also will build hybrid versions of its F-150 pickup, and its Explorer-based Interceptor Police Utility vehicle and Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan. At the same time, Fields attempts to assuage President-elect Trump’s anti-North American Free Trade Agreement position by cancelling plans for a new Mexican assembly plant.

Mary Barra adds “chairman” to her title: General Motors’ board elects its first female CEO to become its first female chairman, as well. Through much of its 109-year history, GM has assigned those titles to separate executives.

U.S. auto sales hits another record: Automakers report January 5 that they sold 17.54 million cars and light trucks in 2016, topping 2015, the previous record year, by 56,211 units. While car sales clearly have peaked, we’ll finish off calendar year ’17 at a still-healthy 17.1 million, according to AutoTrader’s mid-December estimate.

North American International Auto Show highlights: The 2017 Detroit Auto Show featured the new Kia Stinger, Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Toyota Camry, Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept (the next Altima), Honda Odyssey, Infiniti QX50 concept, Chevrolet Traverse, Lexus LS, and Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept (a modern EV Microbus). Sergio Marchionne reveals in his annual Detroit show press conference that the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will share the new longitudinal engine platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Ford shows nothing of significance.

EPA says Fiat Chrysler’s diesel Jeeps and Rams violate the Clean Air Act with defeat devices: Just prior to President Trump taking office, the Environmental Protection Agency announces it’s investigating Fiat Chrysler for alleged fuel economy/emissions test cheating devices on its Jeep and Ram EcoDiesel engines. Fiat Chrysler in May announces it has a software fix to solve the problem.

GM and Honda announce a fuel cell deal: In late January, General Motors and Honda announce a joint venture to design and develop a next-generation, compact fuel cell stack. They plan to build these fuel cell stacks together at a GM plant in Brownstown Township, Michigan, that assembles battery packs for the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt by 2021.

Geneva International Motor Show Highlights: The new McLaren 720S was the show’s runaway hit, though Robert Cumberford also singles out the Fittipaldi EF7 by Pininfarina. Automobile staff also like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Mercedes-AMG Concept GT, Volkswagen Arteon, Range Rover Velar, Alpine A110, Volvo XC60, and Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e.

GM sells Opel/Vauxhall to PSA Peugeot Citroen for $2.3 billion: The world’s third-largest automaker runs from one of the world’s largest markets¬—the European Union, collectively, is about as large as the U.S. market in millions of annual sales. It’s also a very tough market, with strict regulations, loose enforcement (see, German-brand diesels), and relatively strong unions that make it hard to move assembly plants to former Soviet satellite countries with lower labor costs. In the end, though, it may have been Brexit that pushed the sale over the line. GM’s Vauxhall was stronger in the United Kingdom than was Opel on the Continent.

Trump rescinds the Obama administration 2025 CAFE standard: Automakers selling cars and trucks in the U.S. were required to reach a 54.5-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard under an agreement reached with the Obama administration in 2010, shortly after the GM and Chrysler loan guarantee bailouts. But the standard always was subject to a “mid-term review” that could pull back the standards. The new Trump administration jumps ahead of that review with an executive order. For automakers, it will offer relief from having to reach the 54.5-mpg CAFE number. However, automakers already were well on their way in engineering new powertrains and lighter, more aerodynamic (and CAFE standard “footprint” measurements) bodies. We’re not likely to see much pullback from those plans, so most automakers will probably be close to meeting the ’25 standard, if a few years late, anyway. What’s more, Trump’s executive order does nothing to the California Mandate requiring a certain percentage of zero-emissions vehicles sold there and in 16 other, mostly coastal states. The California Zero Emissions Mandate already is responsible for cars like the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf, as well as Tesla’s relative success.

Trump wants to tear up NAFTA and place a tariff on Mexican-built autos: After the U.S. auto sales peaks of 2015 and 2016, there’s no shortage of auto manufacturing capacity. As I reported in late March, Trump’s plan to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement would not push automakers to build new, $1-billion+ factories in the United States (although Volvo, for one, already plans its first assembly plant here). The president specifically attacks Ford for moving Focus production from Michigan to Mexico in 2018, though it’s adding more profitable Ranger pickup and Bronco sport/utility production in its place in Michigan. Ford has since rescinded its plans for a new Mexican plant, and instead will move Focus production to China. President Trump has yet to act on rescinding U.S. participation in NAFTA.

Tesla’s market cap exceeds GM’s and Ford’s: Tesla’s market capitalization first passes Ford Motor Company’s, then in April, General Motors’. Tesla stock has since settled into the low $300s-per-share range, while GM stock has rallied to top the disruptive EV automaker’s cap, again. As of December 21, Tesla was worth about $55.1 billion to GM’s $60.1 billion. Wall Street bulls have defended Tesla’s stock value as a sign of an all-electric future. Tesla will be well positioned to lead that future, the bulls say, though as it continues to lose money and have problems getting Model 3 production up to speed, more and more bears are popping up in the analysts’ community.

Tesla loses $397 million in the first quarter: The losses are worse than analysts’ expectations, but by early June, stock values start to rise again.

Ford fires Fields: Ford Motor Company CEO Mark Fields, a corporate veteran credited for turning around Mazda (which Ford formerly controlled) in the late 1990s, is fired allegedly for lagging on electric car development. The real reason is Ford’s lagging stock value, a bigger concern for William Clay Ford and his relatives, who control the company with 40 percent of its stock. Fields’ replacement is Jim Hackett, hired away from the office furniture company, Steelcase.

GM shareholders reject a dual-class stock proposal: Greenlight Capital wants to split GM stock into two classes [not unlike Ford’s Class B stock] in order to cash in some value out of the automaker. To those of us far from Wall Street it seems the sort of action that would put GM in the same position it was in 12 years ago, when an economic downturn or a change in automotive tastes due to something like a spike in oil prices could lead to serious cash shortage. At GM’s annual meeting in June, shareholders roundly reject Greenlight’s proposal.

BMW 2 Series to lose manual option?: In June, a BMW executive in Germany was quoted indicating that the company would stop importing manual transmission 2 Series models to the U.S. The uproar that caused in the purist-enthusiasts’ community resulted in a clarification. If BMW stops selling stick shift 2 Series models here, it won’t be until the car’s next generation, expected to be the 2020 model year (now less than two years away). Automobile magazine’s Four Seasons ‘17 M2 came with just one option; the dual-clutch seven-speed automatic, because, BMW said, customer demand for the manual created a shortage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next 2 Series came only with a DCT, which is handy for Level III or IV autonomous features. And the upcoming X2 “sport/activity vehicle” almost certainly will not be offered with a three-pedal layout.

Volvo goes all-electrified by 2019: The misleading headline at Volvo’s own website reads, “Volvo goes all-electric,” but the copy underneath says that by ’19, all Volvos will have an electric motor. While the hyperbole led The Cult of Elon to believe they had won their revolution, at Volvo, this entails everything from pure battery-EV to plug-in hybrid to 48-volt. For sure, the 48-volt revolution is coming, with that technology aiding stop/start systems and in some cases limited EV driving while accommodating the expansion of elaborate infotainment systems. In any event, Volvo’s announcement spurred similar claims later in the year from rival premium automakers.

Nissan launches ProPilot Assist in its all-new, 2018 Leaf: The automated cruise control will start and stop in rush hour traffic, but you still have to keep your hands on the steering wheel, which gently helps you around curves. The new Nissan Leaf’s range is now 150 miles on a full charge, still 78 miles short of the Chevy Bolt’s stated range.

Cadillac launches Super Cruise: Is Cadillac in the autonomy lead? Yes, I think it is, even if Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have slightly more capable systems in the works. As part of Super Cruise’s safety redundancy, GM mapped 180,000 miles of U.S. roads. You must take the wheel of the Cadillac CT6 to change lanes, but otherwise it’s even easier than two-fingertip steering on long, boring Interstates.

Toyota and Mazda announce joint-venture U.S. assembly plant: Likely to be built somewhere in the UAW-bereft Southeast, the joint venture also will help struggling Mazda get into electrified powertrains. Let’s hope it leads to a future for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota 86, as their Fiat and Subaru deals are not likely to have sequels.

Mazda announces Skyactive X engine technology: Mazda will equip its next 3, coming in 2019, with a compression ignition gasoline powered engine said to nearly equal a similar-sized four-cylinder turbodiesel, and match it for CO2 emissions.

Fiat Chrysler ‘confirms’ it has not been approached by Great Wall Motors: The late-summer denial that a Chinese automaker was looking to buy Fiat Chrysler comes in the middle of a year in which CEO Sergio Marchionne is pretty transparent about his desire to find a dance partner. In my Motor City Blogman column, I note that Jeep and Ram are the two brands that would attract such a partner, and that if Marchionne expected value to be paid for the rest of the brands, the company might have to go it alone for a while longer.

IAA Frankfurt motor show highlights: The Honda Urban EV concept, Mercedes-AMG Project One, a roadgoing F1 car driven onto the stage by Lewis Hamilton (who would soon win his fourth World Driver’s Championship), Renault Symbioz concept, a modern rolling living room, Ferrari Portofino, Hyundai Kona, Kia Proceed concept, and according to Robert Cumberford, the new Borgward Isabella and something called the Aspark Owl.

Delphi splits in two: We don’t often cover Tier One suppliers, but it’s worth noting that this former GM parts division this year split into two companies. Delphi Technology continues to work on updating and improving powertrains, mostly the internal combustion engine, while Aptiv covers autonomy and connectivity. While I often write about automakers’ latest autonomous technology breakthroughs, much of the advances are coming from companies like Aptiv, Continental, Bosch, etc.

GM will launch ‘at least’ 20 new battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles by 2023: While no one has figured out how to make money on BEVs or fuel cells yet, this announcement spurs on GM’s already soaring share prices. The first two new EVs will arrive by mid-2019 and will be based on the current Chevy Bolt, while the new models after that will be off a new electric/fuel cell platform, including what looks to be the C8 Corvette E-ray.

Tokyo Motor Show highlights: The Honda EV Coupe concept, Mazda Vision Coupe concept, Mazda Kai concept (next Mazda3), Subaru Viviz Performance concept (next WRX/STI), Daihatsu DN Compagno concept, and the Toyota TJ Cruiser. In time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Toyota also displays a new Century limousine and a Tokyo cab, replacing models first designed for the 1964 Olympics that raised the city out of its postwar doldrums.

Tesla loses record $619 million in the third quarter: The cost of developing the much-awaited Tesla Model 3 and its production facility no doubt contributed to all this red ink. CEO Elon Musk says Tesla delivered just 233 of its mass-market EVs as of the end of the quarter, and says ramp-up of production to 5,000 per month now is delayed to the end of the first quarter of 2018—originally, this was the goal for the end of the year.

Peugeot-Citroen launches car-sharing service ahead of return to the U.S.: Free2Move is launched as an aggregation app for Car2Go and Zipcar in Seattle. The app will help PSA relearn the U.S. market ahead of its planned return selling cars here, says North American chief Larry Dominique. PSA will sell one of it from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 http://ift.tt/2BXQdmE via IFTTT

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2018-03-31 23 CAR now

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#NYIAS: So, What's A $300k Range Rover SV Coupe REALLY Like? BEST Real-life Snaps HERE!

#NYIAS: An Italian Stallion — Maserati Launches An All-new 590 HP Machine, The Levante Trofeo

#NYIAS: Agent 001 DETAILS The All-new Lamborghini Urus In These REAL-LIFE Pics, Is It Blowing YOUR Doors Off?

#NYIAS: Mercedes Drops In With The AMG C 63 - Is 500HP Enough To Lead The German Pack?

#NYIAS: Jeep Goes All Out With Factory Performance Parts - Are You Ready To Load It Up At The Dealer?

Autoblog

Tesla says Model X involved in fatal crash was on Autopilot

Terrifying video shows cyclist’s view of head-on collision

VW storing around 300,000 diesels at 37 facilities around U.S.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. midsize crossovers and SUVs: How they compare on paper

Junkyard Gem: 1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 9C1 Police Car

Car Throttle

7 Hilariously Mad Racing Hacks That Were All The Work Of One Man

Audi RS3 Vs BMW M2 Vs Mercedes-AMG A45: What's The Best 'Junior' Posh Performance Car?

10 Awesome Cars Added To The Car Throttle Garage In March

Should Car Enthusiasts Still Hate The Chrysler Crossfire?

E30 M3 And Tsukuba Part Of GT Sport's Latest Update

Electrek

Tesla confirms Autopilot was activated during fatal crash under investigation after reviewing data logs

Electrek Podcast: Tesla solar roof back into focus, big week for self-driving cars, Model 3 production, and more

Green Deals: WORX WG719 Electric Lawn Mower $152 shipped (Reg. $200), more

Self-driving Chevy Bolt EV test car gets a ticket for not yielding to pedestrian, GM contests

Major automakers team up to launch electric vehicle marketing effort in the Northeast

Inside EVs

Norway Eyes Electric Aircraft As Next Form Of Electric Transport

Lincoln Confirms 2019 Launch Of Aviator PHEV, Will Look Like Concept

UPDATE: Tesla Says Autopilot Was Activated During Fatal Tesla Model X Crash

BYD Sold Over 8,000 Plug-In Electric Cars In China In February

Subaru Re-Invents EV Testing By Simulating Actual Road Conditions

Jalopnik

Formula E Won't Have To Swap Cars Mid-Race Next Season

Make Flying Slightly Less Terrible With Our Readers' Favorite Travel Pillow

Tesla Says Autopilot Was On Before Fatal Model X Crash, But That Driver Didn’t Abide Warnings

U.S. Labor Agency Files Amended Complaint Against Tesla For Alleged Worker Rights Violations

Once Again It’s The Car Time

Motortrend

2019 Bentley Bentayga V-8 First Drive

Refreshing or Revolting: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Auto Showdown: 2019 Nissan Altima vs. 2018 Honda Accord

McLaren 570S Spider Track Pack Loses 73 Pounds

Jaguar Will Probably Kill off the F-Type R

Reddit Cars

2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range (Car and Driver Review)

What stories do you guys have of doing stupid shit in cars from the good old days?

The Kai concept holds Mazda’s internal combustion future

Someone Just Paid $22,750 for an 18-Year Old Civic

This Original-Owner 1968 Shelby G.T. 500KR Never Sees a Trailer

Sunday Times Driving

Lotto winner rewards himself with new car… but it’s not what you might expect

The Clarkson Review: 2018 Kia Stinger GT S

Tesla owners facing extended wait for repairs

Rapist taxi driver John Worboys to remain in prison after release decision overturned

Top tips to deal with your driving nerves this bank holiday weekend

The Car Connection

2018 Lexus ES

2018 Lexus LX

2018 Lexus LC

2018 Lexus LS 500

2018 Lexus GS

The CarGurus Blog

Recap: Here’s What We Saw at the New York Auto Show

CarGurus Now Lets Shoppers Search for Carsby Engine Sound

Top Headlines From March 24 – 30

Automotive Easter Eggs: Cars with Hidden Surprises

5 Things We’re Looking Forward to at NYIAS

The Torque Report

BMW to launch ‘Access by BMW’ subscription service

Honda to idle Accord production for almost two weeks

Jaguar XE SVR isn’t in the cards

Lincoln Aviator will look almost identical to the concept

Cadillac will release a new vehicle every six months by 2022

The Truth About Cars

Mid-size Refresh: 2019 Kia Optima

Bark’s Bites: New York’s Greatest Misses

Toyota Discovers Bigger Pistons Aren’t Better, Issues Camry Recall

EPA Readies Rollback of Fuel Efficiency Regulations

Amid Stock Slide, Tesla Issues Largest Recall to Date

[eddiejpoplar]

Wheelspinning Our Way Through 2017

If 2017 was the year of President Trump everywhere else, in the automotive world, it seemed to be the year of Elon Musk. Again. Musk’s Tesla began 2017 with some 440,000 intenders each holding $1,000 deposit receipts for a new $35,000+ Model 3 with hopes they would start to get their cars by midyear.

Tesla ended 2017 with Musk now building anticipation for a new semi truck, apparently named “Semi,” which he says will have a 500-mile range and will begin deliveries in 2019, with a new Roadster model—actually a 2+2 targa grand touring car capable of 250 mph+ and 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds—arriving at dealers a year later.

Musk said Tesla delivered just 233 Model 3s by the end of the third quarter. When I asked Tesla public relations for an update on deliveries through, at least, mid-December, the response was to refer to Musk’s third-quarter analysts’ call held November 1. Tesla PR said the number of deliveries will be updated in the first quarter 2018 analysts’ call. So it goes.

In reality, 2017 was the year that traditional automakers ramped up their counter-assault on Tesla’s electric vehicles, with plans for everything from fuel cells and solid-state batteries to new ways to make the internal combustion engine cleaner and more efficient. Here’s how I saw the year in automobiles …

Fords with a future: CEO Mark Fields announces a $700-million investment in its Flat Rock, Michigan, plant to build a hybrid Mustang, a 300-plus mile EV SUV by 2020, and a hybrid-powered fully autonomous vehicle by 2021. Ford also will build hybrid versions of its F-150 pickup, and its Explorer-based Interceptor Police Utility vehicle and Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan. At the same time, Fields attempts to assuage President-elect Trump’s anti-North American Free Trade Agreement position by cancelling plans for a new Mexican assembly plant.

Mary Barra adds “chairman” to her title: General Motors’ board elects its first female CEO to become its first female chairman, as well. Through much of its 109-year history, GM has assigned those titles to separate executives.

U.S. auto sales hits another record: Automakers report January 5 that they sold 17.54 million cars and light trucks in 2016, topping 2015, the previous record year, by 56,211 units. While car sales clearly have peaked, we’ll finish off calendar year ’17 at a still-healthy 17.1 million, according to AutoTrader’s mid-December estimate.

North American International Auto Show highlights: The 2017 Detroit Auto Show featured the new Kia Stinger, Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Toyota Camry, Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept (the next Altima), Honda Odyssey, Infiniti QX50 concept, Chevrolet Traverse, Lexus LS, and Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept (a modern EV Microbus). Sergio Marchionne reveals in his annual Detroit show press conference that the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will share the new longitudinal engine platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Ford shows nothing of significance.

EPA says Fiat Chrysler’s diesel Jeeps and Rams violate the Clean Air Act with defeat devices: Just prior to President Trump taking office, the Environmental Protection Agency announces it’s investigating Fiat Chrysler for alleged fuel economy/emissions test cheating devices on its Jeep and Ram EcoDiesel engines. Fiat Chrysler in May announces it has a software fix to solve the problem.

GM and Honda announce a fuel cell deal: In late January, General Motors and Honda announce a joint venture to design and develop a next-generation, compact fuel cell stack. They plan to build these fuel cell stacks together at a GM plant in Brownstown Township, Michigan, that assembles battery packs for the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt by 2021.

Geneva International Motor Show Highlights: The new McLaren 720S was the show’s runaway hit, though Robert Cumberford also singles out the Fittipaldi EF7 by Pininfarina. Automobile staff also like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Mercedes-AMG Concept GT, Volkswagen Arteon, Range Rover Velar, Alpine A110, Volvo XC60, and Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e.

GM sells Opel/Vauxhall to PSA Peugeot Citroen for $2.3 billion: The world’s third-largest automaker runs from one of the world’s largest markets¬—the European Union, collectively, is about as large as the U.S. market in millions of annual sales. It’s also a very tough market, with strict regulations, loose enforcement (see, German-brand diesels), and relatively strong unions that make it hard to move assembly plants to former Soviet satellite countries with lower labor costs. In the end, though, it may have been Brexit that pushed the sale over the line. GM’s Vauxhall was stronger in the United Kingdom than was Opel on the Continent.

Trump rescinds the Obama administration 2025 CAFE standard: Automakers selling cars and trucks in the U.S. were required to reach a 54.5-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard under an agreement reached with the Obama administration in 2010, shortly after the GM and Chrysler loan guarantee bailouts. But the standard always was subject to a “mid-term review” that could pull back the standards. The new Trump administration jumps ahead of that review with an executive order. For automakers, it will offer relief from having to reach the 54.5-mpg CAFE number. However, automakers already were well on their way in engineering new powertrains and lighter, more aerodynamic (and CAFE standard “footprint” measurements) bodies. We’re not likely to see much pullback from those plans, so most automakers will probably be close to meeting the ’25 standard, if a few years late, anyway. What’s more, Trump’s executive order does nothing to the California Mandate requiring a certain percentage of zero-emissions vehicles sold there and in 16 other, mostly coastal states. The California Zero Emissions Mandate already is responsible for cars like the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf, as well as Tesla’s relative success.

Trump wants to tear up NAFTA and place a tariff on Mexican-built autos: After the U.S. auto sales peaks of 2015 and 2016, there’s no shortage of auto manufacturing capacity. As I reported in late March, Trump’s plan to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement would not push automakers to build new, $1-billion+ factories in the United States (although Volvo, for one, already plans its first assembly plant here). The president specifically attacks Ford for moving Focus production from Michigan to Mexico in 2018, though it’s adding more profitable Ranger pickup and Bronco sport/utility production in its place in Michigan. Ford has since rescinded its plans for a new Mexican plant, and instead will move Focus production to China. President Trump has yet to act on rescinding U.S. participation in NAFTA.

Tesla’s market cap exceeds GM’s and Ford’s: Tesla’s market capitalization first passes Ford Motor Company’s, then in April, General Motors’. Tesla stock has since settled into the low $300s-per-share range, while GM stock has rallied to top the disruptive EV automaker’s cap, again. As of December 21, Tesla was worth about $55.1 billion to GM’s $60.1 billion. Wall Street bulls have defended Tesla’s stock value as a sign of an all-electric future. Tesla will be well positioned to lead that future, the bulls say, though as it continues to lose money and have problems getting Model 3 production up to speed, more and more bears are popping up in the analysts’ community.

Tesla loses $397 million in the first quarter: The losses are worse than analysts’ expectations, but by early June, stock values start to rise again.

Ford fires Fields: Ford Motor Company CEO Mark Fields, a corporate veteran credited for turning around Mazda (which Ford formerly controlled) in the late 1990s, is fired allegedly for lagging on electric car development. The real reason is Ford’s lagging stock value, a bigger concern for William Clay Ford and his relatives, who control the company with 40 percent of its stock. Fields’ replacement is Jim Hackett, hired away from the office furniture company, Steelcase.

GM shareholders reject a dual-class stock proposal: Greenlight Capital wants to split GM stock into two classes [not unlike Ford’s Class B stock] in order to cash in some value out of the automaker. To those of us far from Wall Street it seems the sort of action that would put GM in the same position it was in 12 years ago, when an economic downturn or a change in automotive tastes due to something like a spike in oil prices could lead to serious cash shortage. At GM’s annual meeting in June, shareholders roundly reject Greenlight’s proposal.

BMW 2 Series to lose manual option?: In June, a BMW executive in Germany was quoted indicating that the company would stop importing manual transmission 2 Series models to the U.S. The uproar that caused in the purist-enthusiasts’ community resulted in a clarification. If BMW stops selling stick shift 2 Series models here, it won’t be until the car’s next generation, expected to be the 2020 model year (now less than two years away). Automobile magazine’s Four Seasons ‘17 M2 came with just one option; the dual-clutch seven-speed automatic, because, BMW said, customer demand for the manual created a shortage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next 2 Series came only with a DCT, which is handy for Level III or IV autonomous features. And the upcoming X2 “sport/activity vehicle” almost certainly will not be offered with a three-pedal layout.

Volvo goes all-electrified by 2019: The misleading headline at Volvo’s own website reads, “Volvo goes all-electric,” but the copy underneath says that by ’19, all Volvos will have an electric motor. While the hyperbole led The Cult of Elon to believe they had won their revolution, at Volvo, this entails everything from pure battery-EV to plug-in hybrid to 48-volt. For sure, the 48-volt revolution is coming, with that technology aiding stop/start systems and in some cases limited EV driving while accommodating the expansion of elaborate infotainment systems. In any event, Volvo’s announcement spurred similar claims later in the year from rival premium automakers.

Nissan launches ProPilot Assist in its all-new, 2018 Leaf: The automated cruise control will start and stop in rush hour traffic, but you still have to keep your hands on the steering wheel, which gently helps you around curves. The new Nissan Leaf’s range is now 150 miles on a full charge, still 78 miles short of the Chevy Bolt’s stated range.

Cadillac launches Super Cruise: Is Cadillac in the autonomy lead? Yes, I think it is, even if Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have slightly more capable systems in the works. As part of Super Cruise’s safety redundancy, GM mapped 180,000 miles of U.S. roads. You must take the wheel of the Cadillac CT6 to change lanes, but otherwise it’s even easier than two-fingertip steering on long, boring Interstates.

Toyota and Mazda announce joint-venture U.S. assembly plant: Likely to be built somewhere in the UAW-bereft Southeast, the joint venture also will help struggling Mazda get into electrified powertrains. Let’s hope it leads to a future for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota 86, as their Fiat and Subaru deals are not likely to have sequels.

Mazda announces Skyactive X engine technology: Mazda will equip its next 3, coming in 2019, with a compression ignition gasoline powered engine said to nearly equal a similar-sized four-cylinder turbodiesel, and match it for CO2 emissions.

Fiat Chrysler ‘confirms’ it has not been approached by Great Wall Motors: The late-summer denial that a Chinese automaker was looking to buy Fiat Chrysler comes in the middle of a year in which CEO Sergio Marchionne is pretty transparent about his desire to find a dance partner. In my Motor City Blogman column, I note that Jeep and Ram are the two brands that would attract such a partner, and that if Marchionne expected value to be paid for the rest of the brands, the company might have to go it alone for a while longer.

IAA Frankfurt motor show highlights: The Honda Urban EV concept, Mercedes-AMG Project One, a roadgoing F1 car driven onto the stage by Lewis Hamilton (who would soon win his fourth World Driver’s Championship), Renault Symbioz concept, a modern rolling living room, Ferrari Portofino, Hyundai Kona, Kia Proceed concept, and according to Robert Cumberford, the new Borgward Isabella and something called the Aspark Owl.

Delphi splits in two: We don’t often cover Tier One suppliers, but it’s worth noting that this former GM parts division this year split into two companies. Delphi Technology continues to work on updating and improving powertrains, mostly the internal combustion engine, while Aptiv covers autonomy and connectivity. While I often write about automakers’ latest autonomous technology breakthroughs, much of the advances are coming from companies like Aptiv, Continental, Bosch, etc.

GM will launch ‘at least’ 20 new battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles by 2023: While no one has figured out how to make money on BEVs or fuel cells yet, this announcement spurs on GM’s already soaring share prices. The first two new EVs will arrive by mid-2019 and will be based on the current Chevy Bolt, while the new models after that will be off a new electric/fuel cell platform, including what looks to be the C8 Corvette E-ray.

Tokyo Motor Show highlights: The Honda EV Coupe concept, Mazda Vision Coupe concept, Mazda Kai concept (next Mazda3), Subaru Viviz Performance concept (next WRX/STI), Daihatsu DN Compagno concept, and the Toyota TJ Cruiser. In time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Toyota also displays a new Century limousine and a Tokyo cab, replacing models first designed for the 1964 Olympics that raised the city out of its postwar doldrums.

Tesla loses record $619 million in the third quarter: The cost of developing the much-awaited Tesla Model 3 and its production facility no doubt contributed to all this red ink. CEO Elon Musk says Tesla delivered just 233 of its mass-market EVs as of the end of the quarter, and says ramp-up of production to 5,000 per month now is delayed to the end of the first quarter of 2018—originally, this was the goal for the end of the year.

Peugeot-Citroen launches car-sharing service ahead of return to the U.S.: Free2Move is launched as an aggregation app for Car2Go and Zipcar in Seattle. The app will help PSA relearn the U.S. market ahead of its planned return selling cars here, says North American chief Larry Dominique. PSA will sell one of it from Performance Junk Blogger 6 http://ift.tt/2BXQdmE via IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

Wheelspinning Our Way Through 2017

If 2017 was the year of President Trump everywhere else, in the automotive world, it seemed to be the year of Elon Musk. Again. Musk’s Tesla began 2017 with some 440,000 intenders each holding $1,000 deposit receipts for a new $35,000+ Model 3 with hopes they would start to get their cars by midyear.

Tesla ended 2017 with Musk now building anticipation for a new semi truck, apparently named “Semi,” which he says will have a 500-mile range and will begin deliveries in 2019, with a new Roadster model—actually a 2+2 targa grand touring car capable of 250 mph+ and 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds—arriving at dealers a year later.

Musk said Tesla delivered just 233 Model 3s by the end of the third quarter. When I asked Tesla public relations for an update on deliveries through, at least, mid-December, the response was to refer to Musk’s third-quarter analysts’ call held November 1. Tesla PR said the number of deliveries will be updated in the first quarter 2018 analysts’ call. So it goes.

In reality, 2017 was the year that traditional automakers ramped up their counter-assault on Tesla’s electric vehicles, with plans for everything from fuel cells and solid-state batteries to new ways to make the internal combustion engine cleaner and more efficient. Here’s how I saw the year in automobiles …

Fords with a future: CEO Mark Fields announces a $700-million investment in its Flat Rock, Michigan, plant to build a hybrid Mustang, a 300-plus mile EV SUV by 2020, and a hybrid-powered fully autonomous vehicle by 2021. Ford also will build hybrid versions of its F-150 pickup, and its Explorer-based Interceptor Police Utility vehicle and Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan. At the same time, Fields attempts to assuage President-elect Trump’s anti-North American Free Trade Agreement position by cancelling plans for a new Mexican assembly plant.

Mary Barra adds “chairman” to her title: General Motors’ board elects its first female CEO to become its first female chairman, as well. Through much of its 109-year history, GM has assigned those titles to separate executives.

U.S. auto sales hits another record: Automakers report January 5 that they sold 17.54 million cars and light trucks in 2016, topping 2015, the previous record year, by 56,211 units. While car sales clearly have peaked, we’ll finish off calendar year ’17 at a still-healthy 17.1 million, according to AutoTrader’s mid-December estimate.

North American International Auto Show highlights: The 2017 Detroit Auto Show featured the new Kia Stinger, Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Toyota Camry, Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept (the next Altima), Honda Odyssey, Infiniti QX50 concept, Chevrolet Traverse, Lexus LS, and Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept (a modern EV Microbus). Sergio Marchionne reveals in his annual Detroit show press conference that the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will share the new longitudinal engine platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Ford shows nothing of significance.

EPA says Fiat Chrysler’s diesel Jeeps and Rams violate the Clean Air Act with defeat devices: Just prior to President Trump taking office, the Environmental Protection Agency announces it’s investigating Fiat Chrysler for alleged fuel economy/emissions test cheating devices on its Jeep and Ram EcoDiesel engines. Fiat Chrysler in May announces it has a software fix to solve the problem.

GM and Honda announce a fuel cell deal: In late January, General Motors and Honda announce a joint venture to design and develop a next-generation, compact fuel cell stack. They plan to build these fuel cell stacks together at a GM plant in Brownstown Township, Michigan, that assembles battery packs for the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt by 2021.

Geneva International Motor Show Highlights: The new McLaren 720S was the show’s runaway hit, though Robert Cumberford also singles out the Fittipaldi EF7 by Pininfarina. Automobile staff also like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Mercedes-AMG Concept GT, Volkswagen Arteon, Range Rover Velar, Alpine A110, Volvo XC60, and Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e.

GM sells Opel/Vauxhall to PSA Peugeot Citroen for $2.3 billion: The world’s third-largest automaker runs from one of the world’s largest markets¬—the European Union, collectively, is about as large as the U.S. market in millions of annual sales. It’s also a very tough market, with strict regulations, loose enforcement (see, German-brand diesels), and relatively strong unions that make it hard to move assembly plants to former Soviet satellite countries with lower labor costs. In the end, though, it may have been Brexit that pushed the sale over the line. GM’s Vauxhall was stronger in the United Kingdom than was Opel on the Continent.

Trump rescinds the Obama administration 2025 CAFE standard: Automakers selling cars and trucks in the U.S. were required to reach a 54.5-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard under an agreement reached with the Obama administration in 2010, shortly after the GM and Chrysler loan guarantee bailouts. But the standard always was subject to a “mid-term review” that could pull back the standards. The new Trump administration jumps ahead of that review with an executive order. For automakers, it will offer relief from having to reach the 54.5-mpg CAFE number. However, automakers already were well on their way in engineering new powertrains and lighter, more aerodynamic (and CAFE standard “footprint” measurements) bodies. We’re not likely to see much pullback from those plans, so most automakers will probably be close to meeting the ’25 standard, if a few years late, anyway. What’s more, Trump’s executive order does nothing to the California Mandate requiring a certain percentage of zero-emissions vehicles sold there and in 16 other, mostly coastal states. The California Zero Emissions Mandate already is responsible for cars like the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf, as well as Tesla’s relative success.

Trump wants to tear up NAFTA and place a tariff on Mexican-built autos: After the U.S. auto sales peaks of 2015 and 2016, there’s no shortage of auto manufacturing capacity. As I reported in late March, Trump’s plan to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement would not push automakers to build new, $1-billion+ factories in the United States (although Volvo, for one, already plans its first assembly plant here). The president specifically attacks Ford for moving Focus production from Michigan to Mexico in 2018, though it’s adding more profitable Ranger pickup and Bronco sport/utility production in its place in Michigan. Ford has since rescinded its plans for a new Mexican plant, and instead will move Focus production to China. President Trump has yet to act on rescinding U.S. participation in NAFTA.

Tesla’s market cap exceeds GM’s and Ford’s: Tesla’s market capitalization first passes Ford Motor Company’s, then in April, General Motors’. Tesla stock has since settled into the low $300s-per-share range, while GM stock has rallied to top the disruptive EV automaker’s cap, again. As of December 21, Tesla was worth about $55.1 billion to GM’s $60.1 billion. Wall Street bulls have defended Tesla’s stock value as a sign of an all-electric future. Tesla will be well positioned to lead that future, the bulls say, though as it continues to lose money and have problems getting Model 3 production up to speed, more and more bears are popping up in the analysts’ community.

Tesla loses $397 million in the first quarter: The losses are worse than analysts’ expectations, but by early June, stock values start to rise again.

Ford fires Fields: Ford Motor Company CEO Mark Fields, a corporate veteran credited for turning around Mazda (which Ford formerly controlled) in the late 1990s, is fired allegedly for lagging on electric car development. The real reason is Ford’s lagging stock value, a bigger concern for William Clay Ford and his relatives, who control the company with 40 percent of its stock. Fields’ replacement is Jim Hackett, hired away from the office furniture company, Steelcase.

GM shareholders reject a dual-class stock proposal: Greenlight Capital wants to split GM stock into two classes [not unlike Ford’s Class B stock] in order to cash in some value out of the automaker. To those of us far from Wall Street it seems the sort of action that would put GM in the same position it was in 12 years ago, when an economic downturn or a change in automotive tastes due to something like a spike in oil prices could lead to serious cash shortage. At GM’s annual meeting in June, shareholders roundly reject Greenlight’s proposal.

BMW 2 Series to lose manual option?: In June, a BMW executive in Germany was quoted indicating that the company would stop importing manual transmission 2 Series models to the U.S. The uproar that caused in the purist-enthusiasts’ community resulted in a clarification. If BMW stops selling stick shift 2 Series models here, it won’t be until the car’s next generation, expected to be the 2020 model year (now less than two years away). Automobile magazine’s Four Seasons ‘17 M2 came with just one option; the dual-clutch seven-speed automatic, because, BMW said, customer demand for the manual created a shortage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next 2 Series came only with a DCT, which is handy for Level III or IV autonomous features. And the upcoming X2 “sport/activity vehicle” almost certainly will not be offered with a three-pedal layout.

Volvo goes all-electrified by 2019: The misleading headline at Volvo’s own website reads, “Volvo goes all-electric,” but the copy underneath says that by ’19, all Volvos will have an electric motor. While the hyperbole led The Cult of Elon to believe they had won their revolution, at Volvo, this entails everything from pure battery-EV to plug-in hybrid to 48-volt. For sure, the 48-volt revolution is coming, with that technology aiding stop/start systems and in some cases limited EV driving while accommodating the expansion of elaborate infotainment systems. In any event, Volvo’s announcement spurred similar claims later in the year from rival premium automakers.

Nissan launches ProPilot Assist in its all-new, 2018 Leaf: The automated cruise control will start and stop in rush hour traffic, but you still have to keep your hands on the steering wheel, which gently helps you around curves. The new Nissan Leaf’s range is now 150 miles on a full charge, still 78 miles short of the Chevy Bolt’s stated range.

Cadillac launches Super Cruise: Is Cadillac in the autonomy lead? Yes, I think it is, even if Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have slightly more capable systems in the works. As part of Super Cruise’s safety redundancy, GM mapped 180,000 miles of U.S. roads. You must take the wheel of the Cadillac CT6 to change lanes, but otherwise it’s even easier than two-fingertip steering on long, boring Interstates.

Toyota and Mazda announce joint-venture U.S. assembly plant: Likely to be built somewhere in the UAW-bereft Southeast, the joint venture also will help struggling Mazda get into electrified powertrains. Let’s hope it leads to a future for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota 86, as their Fiat and Subaru deals are not likely to have sequels.

Mazda announces Skyactive X engine technology: Mazda will equip its next 3, coming in 2019, with a compression ignition gasoline powered engine said to nearly equal a similar-sized four-cylinder turbodiesel, and match it for CO2 emissions.

Fiat Chrysler ‘confirms’ it has not been approached by Great Wall Motors: The late-summer denial that a Chinese automaker was looking to buy Fiat Chrysler comes in the middle of a year in which CEO Sergio Marchionne is pretty transparent about his desire to find a dance partner. In my Motor City Blogman column, I note that Jeep and Ram are the two brands that would attract such a partner, and that if Marchionne expected value to be paid for the rest of the brands, the company might have to go it alone for a while longer.

IAA Frankfurt motor show highlights: The Honda Urban EV concept, Mercedes-AMG Project One, a roadgoing F1 car driven onto the stage by Lewis Hamilton (who would soon win his fourth World Driver’s Championship), Renault Symbioz concept, a modern rolling living room, Ferrari Portofino, Hyundai Kona, Kia Proceed concept, and according to Robert Cumberford, the new Borgward Isabella and something called the Aspark Owl.

Delphi splits in two: We don’t often cover Tier One suppliers, but it’s worth noting that this former GM parts division this year split into two companies. Delphi Technology continues to work on updating and improving powertrains, mostly the internal combustion engine, while Aptiv covers autonomy and connectivity. While I often write about automakers’ latest autonomous technology breakthroughs, much of the advances are coming from companies like Aptiv, Continental, Bosch, etc.

GM will launch ‘at least’ 20 new battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles by 2023: While no one has figured out how to make money on BEVs or fuel cells yet, this announcement spurs on GM’s already soaring share prices. The first two new EVs will arrive by mid-2019 and will be based on the current Chevy Bolt, while the new models after that will be off a new electric/fuel cell platform, including what looks to be the C8 Corvette E-ray.

Tokyo Motor Show highlights: The Honda EV Coupe concept, Mazda Vision Coupe concept, Mazda Kai concept (next Mazda3), Subaru Viviz Performance concept (next WRX/STI), Daihatsu DN Compagno concept, and the Toyota TJ Cruiser. In time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Toyota also displays a new Century limousine and a Tokyo cab, replacing models first designed for the 1964 Olympics that raised the city out of its postwar doldrums.

Tesla loses record $619 million in the third quarter: The cost of developing the much-awaited Tesla Model 3 and its production facility no doubt contributed to all this red ink. CEO Elon Musk says Tesla delivered just 233 of its mass-market EVs as of the end of the quarter, and says ramp-up of production to 5,000 per month now is delayed to the end of the first quarter of 2018—originally, this was the goal for the end of the year.

Peugeot-Citroen launches car-sharing service ahead of return to the U.S.: Free2Move is launched as an aggregation app for Car2Go and Zipcar in Seattle. The app will help PSA relearn the U.S. market ahead of its planned return selling cars here, says North American chief Larry Dominique. PSA will sell one of it from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 http://ift.tt/2BXQdmE via IFTTT