HIGHLANDER HYBRID TOYOTA SUV TO BE BUILT IN INDIANA PLANT

Toyota, the world’s largest producer of gas-electric vehicles, plans to launch U.S. production of the hybrid version of its Highlander SUV at its Indiana assembly plant by 2020.

It will mark the first time a Toyota hybrid will be assembled in the U.S., though the Japanese manufacturer had previously considered building an American version of the Prius, the world’s most popular gas-electric model.

The announcement comes as Toyota gets ready to announce a broad electrification strategy that, among other things, will see it set up a new assembly plant in the U.S. to produce an all-new battery-electric vehicle. That project is part of a joint venture with Mazda, the smaller Japanese maker expected to sell its own versions of the new BEV.

“This investment is part of our long-term commitment to build more vehicles and components in the markets in which we sell them,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “This strategy is designed to better serve our customers and dealers, and positions our manufacturing operations to fulfill their needs well into the future.”

The latest announcement covers a series of investments, collectively totaling $373.8 million, at an array of Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing plants. That includes not only the Indiana plant assembling the Highlander but facilities in West Virginia, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee that will produce components and assemble the hybrid 2.5-liter powertrain.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander makes its debut and will also be the automaker's first-ever U.S.-built hybrid.

A sixth plant, located in Huntsville, Alabama, will be upgraded to produce engines that can be used on a variety of different vehicles based off the company’s new Toyota New Generation Architecture. That platform is used for the latest-generation Prius and will serve as the underpinning for a wide range of other Toyota models going forward.

In terms of jobs, the impact will be modest, Toyota said, creating just 50 new positions at the Alabama plant. But the investment should “help to ensure the stability” of the workforce at the other plants, according to a company statement.

Toyota has, until now, been reluctant to move hybrid production out of Japan. It hasn’t helped that demand for gas-electric models like the Prius has declined over the last couple years, driven downward, in part, due to the collapse of global oil prices. But overall demand for electrified vehicles has been increasing in recent months, and the numbers are expected to grow more rapidly in the coming years.

A key reason is that emissions and mileage mandates are becoming more stringent. Even if the Trump Administration, as it has signaled, rolls back the 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard phasing in between now and 2025, few expect the trend to reverse. Among other things, a large portion of the U.S. is now covered by the even stricter Zero-Emissions Vehicle, or ZEV, mandate, enacted by California.

Meanwhile, most key markets abroad are, if anything, planning even tougher mandates. Several countries have already announced plans to phase out the internal combustion engine entirely, while others, including Britain, France, Germany and China, India., have signaled their intent to go with similar rules.

Toyota has only just gotten serious about advanced battery power with the Prius Prime.

That has led a growing number of manufacturers to announce broad electrification plans. Volvo, for example, will offer only hybrids, plug-ins and pure BEV models on all new vehicles launched after 2018. BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and others now plan to offer some form of electrified drive option for all future models.

Though a pioneer in the use of battery power, Toyota has been reluctant to go much beyond conventional hybrids. It has all changed and after a joint venture with Mazda to produce pure electric models in the USA.  They have even entered into another Joint Venture with Mazda and Denso to develop EV's , safety features, batteries and more.

Everyone in the industry is moving quickly to develop EV's, batteries, and even battery recharging systems.

Every week we find all manufacturers moving forward with the future of electric vehicles.  Fuel cells are still being considered but the infrastructure has been a problem.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

BRADLEY HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

EDITED FROM SOURCES AND THEIR PRESS RELEASES

TOYOTA, MAZDA, DENSO JOIN FORCES FOR EV DEVELOPMENT

Toyota Motor Corp is setting up a new venture with Mazda Motor Corp. and Denso to develop electric vehicle technology for what has become a worldwide race to develop electric vehicles to meet demands for cleaner air.

On September 28, 2017 all three signed an agreement to jointly develop basic structural technologies for electric vehicles. The three companies have also decided to establish a new company consisting of selected engineers from the three companies to ensure the efficient implementation of the joint technological development projects.

As countries  around the world adopt increasingly stringent policies to help reduce greenhouse gases, new regulations that mandate a certain proportion of electric vehicle sales are beginning to emerge. Complying with these environmental regulations, while ensuring the sustainable growth of our companies, requires the development of a wide range of powertrains and technologies. All three companies regard electric vehicles (EVs) as a key technological field in this process alongside fuel cell vehicles.

Toyota is putting up 90% of the capital for the new venture, EV C.A. Spirit Co. Ltd. Denso and Mazda will put 5% each. The new venture according to the team will be based in Nagoya, Toyota’s home base in Japan.

The venture will be staffed by selected engineers from the three companies to ensure the efficient implementation of the joint technological development projects, according to a statement released by Toyota.

This comes soon after the August announcement that Toyota agreed to take a 5% stake in Mazda and the two companies agreed to jointly develop  electric vehicle technologies and build a new assembly plant in the U.S. dedicated to produce electric vehicles.

Toyota and Mazda have agreed they will also set up a new, $1.6 billion assembly plant in the United States that will create up to 4,000 new jobs. Toyota already operates a broad network of factories in the U.S. Mazda years past with  another joint venture worked with Ford at an exceptional factory in Romulus, Michigan building alongside Mustangs.

 

Toyota President Akio Toyota and his Mazda counterpart Kogai announce their alliance, which is separate from this new JV with Denso.

“The greatest fruit of our partnership with Mazda is that we have found a new partner who truly loves cars,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda. “It has also sparked Toyota’s competitive spirit, increasing our sense of not wanting to be bested by Mazda.”

Mazda President and CEO Masamichi Kogai said, “Nothing would please me more than if, through this alliance, we can help to energize the auto industry and create more car fans by bringing together two competitive spirits to spur each other on, leading to innovations and fostering talent and leaders.”

Toyota has only just gotten serious about advanced battery power with the Prius Prime. It seems that all manufacturers and suppliers are setting up joint ventures to produce batteries that will be lighter and offer greater range.  We have seen five joint ventures set up to develop the “best” batteries and charging systems for today’s vehicles.  Many firms are developing charging systems to be part of the infrastructure needed to get the public asking for EV’s.

Their alliance will be far reaching and will see Toyota acquire a minimum 5% stake in Mazda. Mazda may also take a small position in Toyota for this venture.

Along with the new factory, they will expand an existing product partnership that has Mazda now supplying the bigger Japanese maker with a compact sedan for the North American market. Toyota will began producing a new “two-box van” for sale by Mazda in Japan.

“The industry pace of electrification has really picked up,” said Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, the man widely credited with the development of the popular Toyota Prius hybrid.

“As countries and regions around the world adopt increasingly stringent policies to help reduce greenhouse gases, new regulations that mandate a certain proportion of electric vehicle sales are beginning to emerge,” the statement said.

“Complying with these environmental regulations, while ensuring the sustainable growth of our companies, requires the development of a wide range of power trains and technologies. We regard electric vehicles as a key technological field in this process alongside fuel cell vehicles.”

The auto industry has been working to develop EV’s after authorities in China state that they are preparing to outlaw the gasoline engine by 2040. China’s move follows similar moves by Great Britain, India and France and others.

If it was not for Chinese and other countries stringent future present and future rules on internal combustion engine use we would not see all the manufacturers rushing to built the best EV’s and batteries.

The biggest problem world wide is getting the public to embrace EV’s.  Tessla, Chevy Bolt and Toyota are doing a good job. Audi, VW , Ford and others including Mercedes have some amazing vehicles presently.

The three companies in the Joint Venture see that  huge investments and time required to cover all markets and vehicle segments is a pressing issue for individual automakers when responding to the widely varying demand for vehicles around the world. China is catering to all manufacturers to build EV’s in their country.  In order to do so they are considering easing the business rules that required manufacturers to have joint ventures only with Chinese companies.

Mazda, Denso, and Toyota have decided to jointly develop basic structural technologies for EVs capable of covering a wide variety of vehicle segments and types to ensure flexible and rapid response to market trends. This agreement covers a diverse range of models, from minivehicles to passenger vehicles, SUVs, and light trucks, and aims to innovate the development process by combining the strengths of each company, including Mazda's bundled product planning and prowess in computer modeling-based development, Denso’s electronics technologies, and the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.

The press release states that the new company will engage in the following:

1. Research into the characteristics (common architecture*) that define optimum performance and functions of EVs from the standpoint of both individual components and the whole vehicle.

2. Verification of component installation and vehicle performance realized by the characteristics  achieved in item 1)

3. Examination of the optimum concept for each car classification with regard to each component and each type of vehicle realized by achieving items 1) and 2)

*Common architecture is the basic product design concept for realizing required product performance by distributing those requirements among structural components. Under the concept of a common architecture, the basic structure of each component can be commonized, thereby transcending differences in vehicle class and power. By organizing component characteristics, various products can be developed and produced through the same process.

Through this joint technological development project, by dedicating an equal amount of development resources, ensuring efficient development processes, and taking advantage of existing production facilities, Mazda and Toyota intend to focus their resources on fundamental vehicle values to enable the creation of appealing EVs that embody the unique identities of each brand and avoid the commoditization of EVs.

The companies also aim to create a business structure that is open to participation by other automakers and suppliers.

Outline of New Company

Name	EV C.A. Spirit Co., Ltd.
Location	Midland Square 37F, Meieki 4-7-1, Nakamura, Nagoya
Capital	10 million yen (equity participation = Toyota: 90%, Mazda: 5%, Denso: 5%)
Directors	President: Shigeki Terashi Director: Kiyotaka Ise Director: Toshiyuki Mizushima Auditor: Tatsuro Ueda
Employees	At establishment: approximately 40
Website	http://www.ev-cas.co.jp   (will be live on middle of October)
Contact address	info@ev-cas.co.jp   (will be available on October 1)

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

BRADLEY HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

EDITED FROM PRESS RELEASES AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Lyft and Ford work together on Self-Driving vehicles

Ford in last week of September 2017 made a significant step toward bringing self-driving vehicles to the masses thanks to a new partnership with Lyft that will help both companies progress toward a more affordable, dependable and accessible transportation future. Amazing to us since GM owns a large piece of Lyft.  We understand Ford will cooperate with others the same way they are working with Lyft.

“We know the technology has the potential to have a profound impact, but it’s time to look beyond the potential and talk about how it can be applied in helpful ways to create a viable business,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford’s vice president for autonomous vehicles and electrification.

Ford appears to be doubling down on its push toward autonomous vehicles with a Wednesday announcement of a partnership with Lyft, the nation’s second largest ride-hailing service. Together, the companies aim to create a fleet of self-driving cars that will provide taxi service in major urban areas by 2021.

The companies hope that when you open the Lyft app during a period of high demand, Ford and Lyft software will need to be capable of quickly dispatching a self-driving vehicle so that you can get to your destination as quickly and as safely as possible.

Partnering with Lyft makes sense for Ford. Lyft  has expertise in transportation flow within cities, and an established customer network. Ford brings its already considerable knowledge of autonomous vehicle technology and, obviously, large-scale manufacturing.

There is no doubt self-driving vehicles will have an impact on how people and goods will move more efficiently in the future. But the magnitude of that impact — and how quickly self-driving vehicles can benefit society — will largely depend on businesses, government and the public working together.

Ford continues making progress on developing self-driving technology — including the self-driving vehicle  Argo AI’s virtual driver system . Ford is  building  the infrastructure and systems necessary to make it easy for people to use our service.

Lyft has a network of customers, growing demand for rides and strong knowledge of transportation flow within cities. Ford has experience with autonomous vehicle technology development and large scale manufacturing. Both companies have fleet management and big data experience. Their combined capabilities can effectively share information to help make the best decisions for the future.

Ford says they are working on building a service based around actual people’s needs and wants. A high priority on safety and dependability so customers will trust the experience that Ford’s self-driving technology will one day enable.

As Ford builds their technology platform they will deploy human-driven vehicles on Lyft’s network. This will allow Ford  to test our platform interface to ensure compatibility with Lyft’s customer-facing platform — the one you currently see whenever you open the Lyft app. The goal is that customers using Lyft won’t notice any difference in their experience.

Ford will connect  self-driving test vehicles to Lyft’s network. When ready, Ford will  have self-driving cars operating alongside Lyft’s current community of drivers to help accommodate times of significant consumer demand to ensure that transportation remains timely and affordable.

REPORTED FROM NUMEROUS PRESS RELEASES

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

VOLVO ACQUIRES LUXE VALET AND CONCIERGE SERVICE

2018 SHELBY RAPTOR INTRODUCED IN LAS VEGAS

American SHELBY has reintroduced its popular Shelby Raptor, beginning with a limited number of2018 model year trucks that will be available through its North American dealers. With an incredible 610+ foot pounds of torque, the super truck is based on the newest generation Ford F-150 Raptor. Only 500 total 2018 Shelby Raptors will be available through the dealer network.

“At Shelby American, performance has been our business for over 50 years,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “During the past two years,we’ve added several new vehicles to our lineup in direct response to customer demand, including a trio of purpose-built trucks. The Shelby Raptor builds on our rich heritage with trucks, giving enthusiasts even more ways to have high horsepower fun.”

Introduced for the 2016 model year, F-150 Raptor is a major departure from the last incarnation of the truck. The stock 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes 450 horsepower and 510 foot pounds of torque; it is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base truck comes with standard all-wheel drive, which features a locking center differential and an auto-shift to the rear wheels depending on the chosen drive mode.

“While the Raptor is an amazing truck right from Ford, we reimagined it for those who asked Shelby for an even more extreme version,” said Gary Patterson, Shelby American President. “The Shelby Raptor is harder edged, with more grunt and handling capability. We added adjustable shocks so the driver can even tailor their ride. This truck was designed and tested for those who seek maximum adventure both on and off the road.”

The Shelby Raptor has 525+ horsepower and an incredible 610+ foot pounds of torque. Shelby American also installs a new two stage shock system, bigger wheels and tires, upgraded interior and handsome exterior  elements. The result is a stylish, custom appearance backed up with serious off-road credentials at an estimated MSRP of US$117,460, including the truck (average Raptor price is $68,165). Those with a 2017 model Raptor can send it to Shelby via a dealer for conversion at $49,295.

“Over the past year, we worked with key partners, including Ford Motor Company, to develop a Shelby version of the truck,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief Test Driver. “After rigorous testing and development, we built a handful of 2017 versions that quietly hit dealer showrooms. Now we’re ready to offer the truck for the 2018 model year.”

Now in production, the Shelby Raptor will be available nationwide with each truck registered in the official Shelby Registry. For more information about Shelby American and the company’s vehicle line, visit www.Shelby.com.

EDITED FROM  PRESS RELEASE ...PHOTOS FROM SHELBY

WILL UPDATE ONCE TEAM HAS TESTED NEW RAPTOR

BRUCE HUBBARD
BONNIE LYNCH
BRADLEY HUBBARD
AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

2017 Urbana Edition adds to the FIAT 500 lineup

• 2017 Fiat 500X Urbana Edition offers a unique, urban look with Miron (Metallic Iron) black-painted exterior and interior elements with copper accents
• Available in four colors: Grigio Graphite (Graphite Gray), Blue Sky Metallic, Bianco Gelato (White Clear Coat) and Nero Cinema (Black Clear Coat)
• 500X Urbana Edition starts at $24,195 U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
• 500X Urbana Edition will be available in FIAT studios this fall
• Italian-designed, fun-to-drive 2017 Fiat 500X lineup starts at $19,995 U.S. MSRP and is available in three models – Pop, Trekking and Lounge
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• The FIAT brand announced  in September  the addition of the Urbana Edition to its Italian-designed, fun-to-drive Fiat 500X lineup, offering customers yet another way to showcase their personality with their FIAT vehicle.
  
  “The Fiat 500X combines iconic Italian style with functionality, performance and all-wheel-drive confidence,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “The new Fiat 500X Urbana Edition takes our top-selling Trekking trim, best known for its rugged exterior and interior appearance, and adds unique content with black and copper accents to create a fresh new personality option for our customers.”
  
  Based on the Fiat 500X Trekking model, the 500X Urbana Edition features Miron black-painted mirror caps, door handles, tail-lamp surrounds, liftgate bezel, fascias, and sill moldings with copper-accented 500X logo. The 18-inch matte black and Miron wheels are also accented with a copper center cap. In addition, black side roof rails and dark headlamp surrounds add to the 500X Urbana Edition’s head-turning appearance.
  
  Inside, the 500X Urbana Edition features unique seats with black Castiglio chevron-patterned fabric and copper embroidered 500 logos, a black textured instrument panel with a copper 500 logo, a black-painted center console, and Miron-painted radio and vent bezels.
  
  The Urbana Edition package is available for $845 on both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive 2017 500X Trekking models, which start at $23,350 and $25,250 U.S. MSRP, respectively, excluding destination. Other options and packages may be added to the 500X Urbana Edition, including:
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• Advanced Safety Package ($1,295; featuring auto high-beam headlamps, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection systems, Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus, ParkSense Rear Park Assist and rain-sensitive windshield wipers)
• Popular Equipment Package ($995; includes Parkview rear backup camera and automatic temperature control air conditioning with dual-zone controls)
• Dual-pane panoramic sunroof and Beats premium audio system ($995)
• Uconnect 6.5 with navigation ($875)
• Cold Weather Package ($450)

We have driven many of Fiat’s fine 500 models since first introduced.  They keep getting better thanks to superb engineering and design.

Look forward to test driving the new 500X Urbana Edition. Will certainly report on the vehicle after our week of testing.

Bruce Hubbard

Bradley Hubbard

Bonnie Lynch

2017 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC CONCEPT

Volkswagen’s showed off a T-Roc concept in 2014, The 2017 Concept is superb and compliments the new Touareg, Atlas and now.

The small crossover helps the company fill one of the fastest-growing niches in the American market. It will debut in Europe this fall with an American debut coming next year for less than $25,000 to start.

“The T-Roc sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment,” said Herbert Diess, chairman of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen brand continues. “With its functionality, dynamic handling and technology, the T-Roc embodies all good Volkswagen qualities and will further boost our SUV campaign.”

The T-Roc will be joined by a compact version called the T-Cross. While it’s important for VW to add more utility vehicle to its line-up, it’s not the vehicle that stands out as much as its unusual name, which was done for effect.

“The ‘T’ refers to the car’s successful front runners, the Tiguan and Touareg, whose SUV DNA and strengths have been transferred to the new model – the high seating position, the robust qualities of the body and running gear and the all-wheel drive system that is included as standard for the top engines,” said Frank Welsch, member of the Board of Management responsible for Development, in a statement.

“The ‘Roc’ in the name has been derived from the English ‘Rock’, which stands for the positioning of the T-Roc as a crossover that combines the dominance of an SUV with the agility of a compact hatchback model and the dynamism of the compact class.

“This car really rocks the segment – sometimes louder and sometimes more subdued, according to its specific options and color combination. A new Volkswagen which takes the brand and its owners into the next decade of mobility.”

While starting in Europe, the plan calls for the vehicle to spread to other markets. VW officials note that Nearly 80% of compact SUVs are currently being sold in Europe and China. This type of SUV is also gaining in importance in Brazil, India, Russia and the U.S. The automaker expected that during the next 10 years the annual global sales volume will grow from around 6.4 million units today to around 10.6 million units.

The new T-Roc isn’t exactly revolutionary in its exterior design. In fact, it borrows from the aforementioned Tiguan, which it sits immediately below in the portfolio. It brings authentic off-road elements into harmony with dynamism and urban style. The T-Prime Concept GTE presented in 2016 already offers a foretaste of another new SUV with this design DNA, according to VW.

Volkswagen describes the exterior styling as “confident and expressive,” which is code for “It looks enough like the Tiguan that you know it’s a VW, but it’s not a mini-me of the Tiguan.”

Its got a nice wide stance that indicates competency on the road, but a softer more refined gentle curve along the C-pillar conveys a bit luxury and panache. It’s a slick exterior package that will separate it from others in the segment while saying “I’m a Volkswagen.”

On the lower-most level are the exhaust pipe trims towards the sides – which come in chrome in the ‘Style’ and ‘Sport’ models – and a diffuser in the middle. However, you can’t have an SUV without having a decent engine as well as all-wheel drive. Well, the T-Roc comes with VW’s 4Motion as an option and it comes with six engine choices as well: three gas, three diesel.

The three gas engines put out just under 115 horsepower, 150 hp and 190 hp respectively. They are mated to six- and seven-speed transmissions. In conjunction with the 150-hp engines, buyers can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive as well as an automatically shifting dual clutch gearbox (7-speed DSG). The 150-hp gas engine is equipped with Active Cylinder Management, which automatically deactivates two cylinders at highway speeds. The two 190-hp engines are equipped with 7-speed DSG and 4Motion as standard.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BRADLEY HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

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