WEST VALLEY CITY — A man died in an auto-pedestrian crash early Sunday on I-215.
About 5:12 a.m., the man was struck by a vehicle at 3100 South on I-215 West in West Valley City. The vehicle was northbound and the man sustained fatal injuries, according to Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Michael Gordon.
Further details about the crash were not immediately available.
At the time of the crash, the right two lanes of I-215 were closed so police could investigate, but they were reopened by 6:14 a.m., according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Just when you thought the influx of Chinese car brands in Israel had peaked, Kalmobile surprises with two newcomers: Jacko and Omuda, both part of the Chery group. Positioned as "export brands", they promise cutting-edge technology and higher standards than Chery.
(credit: Manufacturer's Website)
Jacko and Omuda debut with crossover models, planning to expand to 5 models by 2025. Leading the pack is Jacko's J7, boasting off-road capabilities and a future plug-in variant.
Sized like a Hyundai Tucson, the J7 packs a supercharged 1.6-liter engine (195 hp) and an anticipated plug-in model offering up to 160 km of electric range. Inside, a 14.8-inch screen controls vehicle functions, complemented by safety features aiming for a 5-star rating.
(credit: Manufacturer's Website)
Following the J7, Jacko introduces the J8, a spacious 6-seater with plug-in capabilities. Omuda enters the scene in 2025 with the C9, a refined version of Chery's FX, also offering plug-in options.
(credit: Manufacturer's Website)
Jacko's J5, comparable to a Hyundai Kona, joins the lineup in Q2 2025, offering gasoline, hybrid, and electric variants. Omuda completes the roster with the C7 and C3 by year-end 2025, aligning with Jacko's offerings.
Both brands target the premium segment, challenging competitors with higher price points. Expect pricing above NIS 230,000, similar to Chery's premium offerings like the Link and Ko 01, reflecting the market's increasing appetite for upscale Chinese models.
There’s no denying how the best electric cars generate the most interest among consumers, but despite seeing a handful of new EVs slated to come out this year, my favorite vehicle at the New York Auto Show 2024 (NYIAS) wasn’t even an all-electric model. It was the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid SUV that blends the gasoline efficiency of a hybrid vehicle, but can tap into its all-electric power for a range up to 42 miles.
I’ve been spoiled by the potential long-term savings that EVs promise, like the Ford F150 Lightning that I test drove over a weekend. Going through the New York Auto Show also opened my eyes to the broader variety of vehicles we’re getting now with electric cars — like the performance styling of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or the crossover coupe design of the Polestar 4. However, I still have a lot of concerns about buying an all-electric vehicle.
That’s why I think that the Toyota RAV4 Prime is a more practical option for me, along with those who are thinking about all-electric models — but aren’t convinced yet that all-electric is the be-all and end-all solution. Then there are still the millions of drivers who still drive gasoline powered vehicles, including myself. That’s why I think the RAV4 Prime has what it takes to dip peoples’ toes into the benefits of EVs.
The potential of never having to pay for gas again
(Image credit: Toyota)
After speaking with family members, friends, and colleagues who own an EV, the one thing I often hear from them is the long term savings they’re getting by charging at home. That’s because filling up their EVs is nowhere as expensive as doing it with a gas-powered vehicle. Since the Toyota RAV4 Prime features an advanced gas/electric powertrain, you can theoretically rely on its all-electric power and never have to fill up on gas again.
Its 42 miles of EPA-estimated all-electric driving range pales in comparison to the 250+ mile range I see in other fully electric vehicles, but if your daily commute is less than that, I think it’s a huge incentive to rely on. I’m told it takes about 12 hours to fully charge the RAV4 Prime’s 18.1 kWh battery pack on a standard 120V outlet you have at home. That sounds like an awful long time, but if you’re getting home by 6:00 p.m. and leaving for your commute the following morning around 7:00 a.m., you’ll have a fully charged battery at your disposal.
Better for long distance traveling
(Image credit: Toyota)
Another reason why the RAV4 Prime is a more compelling option to bridge the gap between gas and all-electric is that it’s more convenient for long range traveling. More often than not, EV drivers have to be mindful about how much charge is left in the battery because it costs a lot more to use a charging station rather than doing it at home.
If you’re planning to do long distance driving, like a family road trip or vacation across the country, it’s more convenient to drive a plug-in hybrid like the RAV4 Prime because you won’t have to make as many (and longer) pitstops than an all-electric vehicle. For an SUV, the RAV4 Prime offers a fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 36 mpg highway — which easily beats what I get from my sedan.
Many new EV drivers get a rude awakening when they encounter their first long range trip because there are fewer charging stations nationwide, so part of the challenge is for them to plan their route based on those charging station locations.
Cheaper than the vast majority of EVs
(Image credit: Toyota)
And the last reason why I’m more likely to buy a plug-in hybrid than an all-electric one is because they’re much more affordable. On average, you’re looking at around $50,000 for an EV nowadays. Thankfully you have affordable options like the Tesla Model 3 that’s helping to drive the price down, but even the Ford F150 Lightning Lariat Edition I test drove costs in excess of $69,000.
There’s also the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for instance, which starts at $66,000. It shows that EVs by and large are still expensive to own, even though tax rebates can alleviate some of that burden. Either way, the vast majority of them are more than double what I paid for my sedan.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime starts at a slightly more temperate cost of $43,000. It doesn’t break the bank like these other $50,000+ priced EVs, so I think it serves as a bridge between traditional gas-powered vehicles and all-electric ones. Luckily you have additional options if the RAV4 Prime is still too much for your liking — such as the 2024 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid that starts at $34,000 or 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid for $$38,000.
What I’m ultimately getting at here is that these plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds by giving drivers who are unwilling to invest fully in an EV by giving them a small taste of what they hype is all about.
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Cars exit from the Baltimore Port after the cargo ship Dali ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., on Tuesday. Two people were pulled alive from the water, two bodies were recovered and four people were presumed dead. The men were working on the bridge at the time of the collision at 1:30 a.m. Kena Betancur/Getty Images
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
When the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by a cargo ship and collapsed, it was a shocking disaster that took the lives of six men working on the bridge at the time.
It also blocked off much of the port.
That raised alarm bells in the auto industry — because the Port of Baltimore handles more cars and light trucks than any other port in the U.S., and clearing the debris could take months.
Automakers were quick to emphasize that they were adapting. GM says it is rerouting deliveries. Stellantis is working on "contingency plans." Mercedes says it has options. Mazda says it has yet to finalize alternatives to this "vital" port. But it's not easy.
For the latest from member station WYPR in Baltimore head to wypr.org
Imported cars travel in special ships
That's because rerouting an imported vehicle is a lot more complicated than redirecting a shipping container. Not all ports are equally equipped to unload the vessels that carry vehicles — a special "roll-on roll-off," or ro-ro ship.
And once unloaded, vehicles need to be inspected for damage and often need to have accessories or electronics installed. There's important paperwork after a car comes off a ship before it can can go to a dealer.
That all happens at a port facility that's typically built right next to where the ships unload, and it's a big reason why the vessels can't be sent just anywhere — even if you can get them off the ship at another port, who's going to install the subwoofers and finalize the window sticker?
Still, companies have several options, even though these might cause delays.
Part of the Baltimore port can still accept vehicles
First, part of the Baltimore port that handles vehicles is still operational.
The Tradepoint Atlantic terminal is located at the mouth of the harbor, before the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Volkswagen and BMW operate there, and as a result, those two automakers expect no impacts from the disaster. On Wednesday, a ship with Volkswagens arrived and was able to dock like normal.
Tradepoint Atlantic says its operation is "well equipped to handle additional levels of [vehicle] cargo. Plans to accept redirected cargo are underway, including the ability to handle the increased capacity."
Unload cars at a different port and drive them to Baltimore
Second, automakers could unload vehicles from a ship at a different port altogether and then drive them to their Baltimore facilities for those crucial processing steps, like inspections and part installations.
The Port of New York and New Jersey says it would be able to take vehicles off a ship and put them immediately on a car carrier truck bound for Baltimore, three hours away.
"Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by this collapse," Bethann Rooney, port director, said in a statement, adding that the port "is proactively working with our industry partners to respond as needed and ensure supply chain continuity along the East Coast."
Those two options would also have a benefit for Baltimore as the city reels from the loss of a crucial bridge. They would allow at least some port jobs to continue, boosting the local economy, while the waterways are blocked.
Cars can also go to vehicle-focused ports farther away
As a third option, automakers could use a port farther afield, where they are already processing other vehicles.
For instance, Brunswick in Georgia is the second busiest port for vehicles after Baltimore — and Mercedes and Subaru, which import many vehicles through Baltimore, also have large processing operations there.
Officials at Brunswick say that the port has been contacted by companies as an interim solution while the Baltimore port is partially blocked, and that the port has unused capacity to process another 200,000 vehicles per year.
So that one port could absorb a significant chunk of the vehicles normally routed through Baltimore, which processed just shy of 850,000 vehicles last year. Other ports are also home to vehicle processing centers.
However, using a more distant port would mean a longer journey to dealerships. On the upside, because many vessels carrying vehicles make multiple stops up and down the East Coast, it might not require a detour at sea; that ro-ro ship would just unload more vehicles than originally planned at other ports, to make up for what it can't drop off at Baltimore.
Automakers and logistic companies could use a combination of strategies to address this shipping disruption.
Did new vehicles just get more expensive as the auto industry now must grapple with a partial closure of the busiest automotive port in the nation?
Part of the Port of Baltimore has been closed since Tuesday following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after a container ship struck it earlier that morning. As the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday, Detroit automakers, and others, have been working to reroute impacted goods through other ports, which could delay new car and auto parts shipments, adding costs to the carmakers.
So it begs the question: Will those costs trickle down to car buyers? The good news: Most experts said it is unlikely consumers will see a spike in the transaction prices for new vehicles in the near term. But longer term, it could get complicated.
"Several factors, including the length of the port’s closure and the capacity of alternate ports, are two key elements," Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com in Los Angeles, told the Detroit Free Press. "Additional variables include how much a given brand relies on Baltimore for both vehicle and supply chain shipments. For instance, it’s likely a brand like Subaru, which is prominent in Northeast markets, faces a bigger impact than Hyundai, which has manufacturing hubs in the Southeast and sells a larger percentage of vehicles in Western states like California."
Rising prices will depend on this
On Thursday, auto executives and "other shippers and supply chain" leaders were due to meet with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss ways to mitigate disruptions to the supply chain, John Bozzella, CEO of Alliance for Automotive Innovation, told NPR in an interview that morning.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is a trade and advocacy group that represents most carmakers. Bozzella said: "This is the No. 1 auto port in the entire United States so there will absolutely be some disruption when you have both import and export vehicles. But we don't know the extent of disruption because companies are working on ways to reroute things."
About 750,000 to 850,000 new vehicles go in and out of the port each year on haulers carrying about 1,000 cars each, auto industry experts said. Some parts, used in vehicle assembly, also pass through the port. This month, Mazda had the most imports through Baltimore by dollar value, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The "big question" is what impact this disruption will have on new vehicle pricing, he said.
"A lot of it will depend on the extent companies can find these workarounds and the extent this part of the Port of Baltimore will be disrupted. How long will that path into the port be closed? To what extent will the repair or rebuilding the bridge take?" Bozzella said. "We just don't know the extent yet. What we learned from the pandemic is that significant disruptions to the automotive supply chain can have an impact on the market."
Also learned from the pandemic were ways to mitigate supply chain disruptions, Bozzella said.
Is there a backup plan?
Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds.com, agreed that vehicle prices could rise from this disaster, as they did in the COVID-19 pandemic, but not nearly as severely this time.
"I don't expect anything even remotely similar to what we saw from the pandemic," Drury told the Detroit Free Press.
Average transaction prices rose by $8,000 from $39,000 in 2019 to over $47,000 in 2021, according to Guidehouse Insights in Detroit data.
"But the pandemic showed us how fragile the supply chain is and how lean most companies are running when it comes to parts," Drury told the Detroit Free Press. "The question is how much have we learned from that and has the industry truly had enough time to shift toward something more adaptable or are we still patching and plugging versus truly having a long-term fix or set of backup plans for supply chain disruptions?"
An example of the supply chain's fragility was the semiconductor chip shortage that came out of the pandemic and lasted nearly two years. It created a massive shortfall in inventory across all automakers, dragging down sales and automakers' profits until the industry recovered last year.
Hard to hike prices too high
Tyson Jominy, vice president of data and analytics at J.D. Power, expects it will be many months before that waterway reopens.
About 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a 948-foot container ship crashed into the bridge, causing a large part of it to collapse into the Patapsco River. Authorities are still conducting human recovery efforts before they can start the arduous task of removing all the debris from the river. The bodies of two of the six missing construction workers were found Wednesday afternoon.
Given the uncertainty around the port's closure, it is too soon to declare an impact on pricing, Jominy said. But he is skeptical that an automaker could hike prices much in today’s environment for two reasons.
"It is one port, so there are competitive ports where products are sent instead, which would take time and expense, but it’s not as if the entire Eastern Seaboard is down," Jominy told the Detroit Free Press. "That’s the nature of logistics. The people who do this, crisis is their business.”
Secondly, there are 1.7 million new vehicles on dealership lots across all brands right now giving automakers sufficient inventory, in the right segments, for at least two months of sales even if all production and imports halted, he said.
Also, the competition is fierce, Jominy said. The European automakers use the port the most to import vehicles, so if for example, Volkswagen doesn't get in enough Tiguan SUVs into the states, consumers have the option to buy Passat sedans, which are made in Tennessee. Or a consumer could go to a competitor SUV such as the GMC Terrain or Ford Escape, both also built in North America.
"So maybe consumers change their behavior a bit, but it is a competitive market and it’s a volume-driven industry and prices have fallen for the past nine months, so I don’t expect anyone to say, 'Hey I’m taking my prices up,' " Jominy said. "That would be a pretty difficult challenge ... to take pricing up in this environment.”
Problems at Baltimore 'modest' by comparison
Plus, rerouting goods usually does not lead to relevant price increases in overall logistic costs, said Patrick Lepperhoff, principal at Inverto, a global management consultancy that specializes in supply chain management. Lepperhoff said there will be some impact on lead times and operations, but the cost element to most automakers will be insignificant.
“Logistic costs for car prices are a minor portion of the overall spend, they only account for a low single-digit percentage of the overall costs," Lepperhoff said. "Therefore, even huge logistics disruptions, obviously, don’t have a relevant impact for (manufacturers) and their suppliers."
He said that while final car sales prices are not heavily affected by the logistics costs, other expenses such as production costs, raw materials and components are far more relevant to new car sticker prices.
Also, while the Port of Baltimore is a relatively large port, it is "by no means a dominant port," said Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst of transportation and mobility at Guidehouse Insights in Detroit.
He said about 3.1% of United States imports come through Baltimore whereas the port of Long Beach in California handles 20% of all imports and 40% of those from China, with a similar amount going through Los Angeles.
"Compared to the massive backups that occurred in Long Beach and Los Angeles in 2022, the issues at Baltimore will probably be quite modest," Abuelsamid said.
In addition, with interest rates and vehicle inventories much higher than they were two years ago, "there is less wiggle room to raise prices because affordability is already a challenge for consumers," he said.
Abuelsamid said the European brands will probably see the biggest impact from the disruption at the Port of Baltimore, but it will likely be short term as they move vehicle and parts unloading to other ports, particularly in the Southeast.
Higher sticker prices don't mean much
Earlier this year, the Detroit Free Press reported it would be the best year to buy a car since pre-COVID-19. But analysts warned at that time that most automakers would bump up the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) due to inflation, the higher costs of producing cars and the UAW contract — which will bleed over to the nonunion automakers, which had to raise wages or risk their workforce going union as well.
J.D. Power still expects automakers to gradually raise sticker prices by a total of about $1,000 over the next nine months, but it won't matter to car buyers, who will walk out the door with deep dealer discounts, Jominy said. That's because average transaction prices are expected to drop by $1,100 throughout this year due to higher inventories and bigger incentives to move the metal off dealers' lots.
"We’re producing about 600,000 excess units this year so inventory will rise and incentives will rise and those two elements are driving the price decrease," Jominy said, adding that the average transaction price for a new vehicle as of March 28 is $44,200, down 3.6% or $1,648 from the year-ago period.
White House monitors auto impact
Meanwhile, the White House said Thursday that the National Economic Council convened a meeting of the Biden-Harris administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force on Wednesday to discuss potential impacts on regional and national supply chains from the collapse of the bridge and partial closure of the Port of Baltimore.
The task force is made up of supply chain experts in the administration who can assess any bottlenecks in the supply chain and use federal resources to mitigate it.
"The White House and Federal agencies have engaged extensively with industry, ocean carriers, ports and labor unions to minimize disruptions as shipments are rerouted while the Port of Baltimore is closed to ship traffic," the White House said in a statement Thursday. "Members of the Task Force shared real-time analysis of sectors with significant activity through the Port of Baltimore, including automobiles, farm machinery, and agricultural products."
A spokesman for the UAW did not respond to a request for comment on whether the union was involved in meetings with the task force. But the White House said the task force will continue to coordinate federal efforts to assist impacted industries and monitor shipping activity at alternative ports.
Mini's made a big deal about going EV-only in the future, but it seems we aren't quite there yet. The new Mini Cooper S makes its North American debut with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, paired exclusively with an automatic transmission. Prices for the Cooper S will start below $35,000, with a less powerful — and less expensive — variant to follow.
The handsome four-door is set to replace Kia's current option in the segment, the Forte, when it reaches showrooms in the second half of the year. Pricing information to be released closer to that on-sale date.
K4 is a new name for the U.S. market, but it was previously used on a compact sedan Kia sold exclusively in China. The current Forte is sold outside the U.S. as a K3, but Kia recently introduced a separate compact sedan called the K3 aimed at developing markets, thus a new name was needed for the Forte's replacement.
At 185.4 inches long, the K4 is almost three inches longer than the Forte. This has resulted in extra space in the cabin, plus a decent 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space.
2025 Kia K4
At the front of the cabin, the dashboard sports a floating panel spanning nearly 30 inches and integrating digital screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment hub. The infotainment system supports and over-the-air updates, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard. Premium touches like a Harman Kardon audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, and a voice assistant will all be available.
Various electronic driver-assist features will also be offered, either as standard or available. The list includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear cross traffic warning, blind sport warning, active lane control, a surround-view camera, and much more.
Although Kia plans more than a dozen EVs by 2027, the K4 isn't powered by batteries. Kia confirmed two gas options: a standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder rated at 147 hp and an available 1.6-liter turbo-4 rated at 190 hp. The naturally aspirated engine comes with a CVT while the turbocharged engine comes with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard for both powertrains.
Last week, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association released data on new car registrations for February 2024. The European Union (“EU”) car market rose 10% last month to 883,608 units. Registrations in key markets including Germany, Spain, France and Italy rose 5.4%, 9.9%, 13% and 12.8%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. In the first two months of 2023, EU market vehicle registrations reached 1.7 million units, up 11.2% year over year. During the said timeframe, Germany, Italy and France recorded double-digit percentage growth of 11.8%, 11.7% and 11.2%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, registrations in Spain saw an increase of 8.7% in the first two months of the year.
On the news front, Italian-American automaker Stellantis’ STLA venture fund arm — Stellantis Ventures — made a strategic investment in SteerLight, a pioneering developer of cutting-edge Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. Germany-based auto giant Volkswagen AG VWAGY is also expanding its strategic partnerships and expediting its development efforts in the realm of automated and autonomous driving.
Recreational vehicle (RV) maker Winnebago Industries WGO posted second-quarter fiscal 2024 results, beating both sales and EPS estimates.
Commercial-duty transmission manufacturer Allison Transmission ALSN and China-based bus manufacturer expanded their presence in Rwanda, delivering transit buses equipped with Allison Torqmatic Series transmissions to Kigali. Also, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has selected Allison’s eGen Flex technology to be integrated into the U.S.-based bus manufacturer New Flyer’s electric hybrid buses.
Meanwhile, luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz MBGAF hit the headlines owing to recall issues.
While ALSN presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), VWAGY, STLA and MBGAF currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each. WGO carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Last Week’s Top Stories
Allison and Yutong Bus Co., Ltd. are bolstering their presence in Rwanda by introducing city transit buses equipped with Allison Torqmatic Series transmissions. This collaboration, in place for over a decade, recently saw Kigali, Rwanda's capital, upgrade its fleet with Allison-equipped buses. The decision was influenced by the satisfactory performance of Allison transmissions in existing Yutong buses since 2014. The Allison Torqmatic Series, known for its efficiency and reliability, was chosen for its ability to meet the demands of city buses. Additionally, Allison is expanding its service network in Rwanda, enhancing its global reach and commitment to customer support.
In another update, Allison and New Flyer announced a collaboration to bring Allison eGen Flex-equipped electric hybrid buses to New Orleans RTA, offering sustainable transport solutions. The selection aims to enhance emergency preparedness with reliable rechargeable energy storage capabilities, supporting RTA's mission for safe, efficient transit. eGen Flex allows buses to operate silently and emission-free in predefined areas, reducing environmental impact. The system enables up to 50% engine-off mode, conserving fuel and minimizing noise pollution.
Winnebago reported adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share for second-quarter fiscal 2024 (ended Feb 24, 2024), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 86 cents but plummeting 50.5% year over year. Revenues of $703.6 million outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $703 million. The top line, however, fell 18.8% year over year.Winnebago had cash and cash equivalents of $265.7 million as of Feb 24, 2024. Long-term debt (excluding current maturities) increased to $694.8 million from $592.4 million recorded on Aug 26, 2023. During the quarter, Winnebago completed a $350 million offering of convertible senior notes for refinancing maturing obligations due in 2025.
Winnebago also announced mid-cycle organic growth targets. It aims to generate net revenues between $4.5 billion and $5.0 billion, gross margin of 18-18.5%, and adjusted EBITDA margin in the band of 11-11.5%. The company targets to secure a North American RV market share exceeding 13% and a U.S. aluminum pontoon market share of 13% while striving for an organic non-RV revenue mix comprising 15% to 20% of total revenues. Free cash flow is anticipated to be within the range of $325 million to $375 million.
Stellantis made an investment in SteerLight, known for its LiDAR technology, distinguished by its use of silicon photonics. By combining a universal semiconductor material with the speed of photons, SteerLight's LiDAR can sense the surrounding environment in three dimensions with greater accuracy and precision than ever before. Moreover, it accomplishes this at a reduced production cost, making it more accessible for widespread adoption in the automotive industry. Stellantis' investment underscores the company’s commitment to automated driving. SteerLight's LiDAR technology aligns with STLA’s vision, promising to enable enhanced ADAS applications that can significantly improve driver safety and overall driving experience.
SteerLight’s focus on silicon photonics-based LiDAR technology represents a significant step forward in the advancement of automotive sensing systems. By leveraging Stellantis Ventures' investment and expertise, SteerLight aims to accelerate the development and deployment of its LiDAR technology, paving the way for the next generation of vehicles equipped with advanced safety features and autonomous capabilities.
Mercedes is recalling around 116,000 vehicles because of a loose 48-volt ground connection beneath the front passenger seat, which increases the risk of fire due to potential overheating. Per the National High Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) filing, Mercedes-AMG GLE53 and GLE63 from the model year 2021-2024, GLS63 from the model year 2021-2023, Mercedes-Benz GLE350 from the model year 2023-2024 and GLE450 from the model year 2020-2024 will be affected by the recall. Other vehicles that are included in the recall, according to NHTSA, are Mercedes-Benz GLE580 from model year 2020-2023, GLS450 from model year 2019-2023, GLS580 from model year 2020-2023 and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 from model year 2021-2023.
Last month, the automaker recalled more than 105,000 GLE and GLS vehicles due to defective transmission. In the same month, it recalled around 32,000 vehicles with defective fuses. The German automaker recently recalled another 250,000 vehicles with defective fuses. Per NHTSA, MBGAF recalled 478,175 vehicles last year in the United States. It recalled more than 23.7 million vehicles in total from all the manufacturers.
Volkswagen is deepening its partnership with Mobileyein the domain of automated driving. Through their combined efforts, both companies will introduce new automated driving features to series production. Mobileye will provide its SuperVision and Chauffeur platforms to enable partially and highly automated driving features. In the coming years, Volkswagen’s Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche brands will utilize these technologies to integrate new premium-oriented driving features into their respective model ranges, encompassing various powertrain configurations.
Mobileye will enhance VWAGY's Level 2 driving capabilities, enabling hands-off steering while requiring driver attentiveness. The collaboration extends to Level 3 features, where driving assistance assumes control under specified conditions, relieving drivers from continuous monitoring. Mobileye's production-ready features will integrate into Volkswagen's premium software architecture, spanning Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche vehicles.
Price Performance
The following table shows the price movement of some of the major auto players over the last week and six-month period.
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What's Next in the Auto Space?
Industry watchers will keep a tab on auto biggies releasing first-quarter 2024 U.S. vehicle delivery data.
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BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese electric vehicle makers are showcasing their latest models, including a flying car, as they take on global rivals at the Bangkok International Motor Show.
Companies like BYD, XPeng and Great Wall Motors are quickly growing their sales in Thailand, challenging longstanding market leaders like Toyota, Isuzu and Ford, as they expand exports across the globe.
And Thailand, one of the biggest markets in Southeast Asia, a region of more than 600 million people, has made developing its EV market a priority.
Tesla launched sales in late 2022, offering its popular Model 3 and Model Y at prices aimed at competing with rivals like China’s BYD.
BYD, or Build Your Dreams, displayed a wide range of its EV lineup, including its Dolphin, a pure EV that it says runs 490 kilometers (about 300 miles) on a single charge and is priced at 859,999 Thai baht ($23,700).
At the higher end of the spectrum is the Seal, promising 580 kilometers (about 360 miles) on a charge and costing nearly 1.6 million baht (about $44,000).
BYD sold 30,650 EVs in Thailand last year, followed by 12,777 sold by Neta, a brand of Chinese electric vehicle maker Hozon Auto, which is based in eastern China's Zhejiang province. They were trailed by Tesla, British brand MG and Chinese car maker Great Wall Motor.
Also at the show: VinFast, a Vietnamese newcomer that says it plans to expand sales of its EVs to 50 countries by the end of this year. It is building or planning factories in the U.S., India and Indonesia.
Neta has announced plans to begin assembling EVs in Thailand, and Great Wall Motor bought a former General Motors plant in Rayong, south of Bangkok, as a base for its expansion into Southeast Asia.
Thailand's market for EVs accounted for just 0.5% of all EV sales globally, but nearly 60% of EV sales in Southeast Asia in 2022, ahead of both Vietnam and Indonesia, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research.
Thailand is already an auto manufacturing hub, with strong sales especially of pickups that are widely used for taxi services, hauling equipment for people running food stalls and carrying farmers' crops to markets.
The roads are jammed with a wide array of models, with a strong presence of Toyotas, Hondas, Isuzus, Fords, Nissans and Mercedes-Benz. There's also a hefty share of luxury models such as Porsches and Maseratis.
A nationwide network of charging stations is expanding quickly, but most vehicles on the roads are still gasoline, diesel and LPG-fueled vehicles.
XPeng, a start-up based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, is another newcomer to an already overcrowded market back home. But Paramee Thingcharoen, its chief marketing officer, said the company saw plenty of opportunity and was testing the waters.
“We target the premium segment, however, in the very high tech products that we have to offer. We’re pretty confident that we have a wide space to enter the market with that positioning, and we’re not quite worried about the competition,” she said.
XPeng was displaying its XPeng AeroHT Voyager X2, a flying concept car.
The flying car can be flown in China but was only on display in Bangkok since the company does not have a license to fly it in Thailand, Paramee said.
“We believe the future mobility is not limited to only on wheels,” she said. “It can be a unicorn you can ride on in the future. It’s unlimited.”
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Associated Press writers Aniruddha Ghosal and Jerry Harmer contributed.
Genesis showed the GV60 Magma concept at an event ahead of the New York auto show.
A production version isn't far away and is expected to lead the charge for a slew of high-performance Magma vehicles.
Genesis said it plans to launch a Magma model for every vehicle in its existing lineup.
Along with the lavish Neolun concept, Genesis announced plans to launch a performance-focused subbrand tonight, revealing the GV60 Magma concept during an event ahead of the New York auto show. The Korean luxury brand said the sporty GV60 variant is very close to production and will hit the road soon, possibly becoming the first production vehicle under the Magma banner.
The GV60 Magma concept is derived from the brand's first EV, which shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. The GV60's two siblings have already spawned performance models, the Ioniq 5 N and EV6 GT, with the former reaching U.S. customers for the first time later this year. Although Genesis provided no technical details on the GV60 Magma, we wouldn't be surprised to see it share components with the 576-hp EV6 GT or the 641-hp Ioniq 5 N.
Genesis
What Genesis did reveal was the striking design, which builds off the GV60's squat, aggressive proportions with beefy wheel arches—each with a pair of vents—and a spiky rear wing. The front bumper is also revised with a larger intake to help cool the battery, motor, and brakes, while the rear gains a substantial diffuser. Unusual fins sprout from the roof and direct air to the rear wing, while the Magma concept rides on eye-catching 21-inch wheels with an aero-disc design. While Genesis didn't provide images, the cabin is said to pack bucket seats and nappa and suede leather upholstery with orange stitching.
Along with the GV60 Magma, Genesis showed off a series of other vehicles that are considered part of the Magma program. First up was the GV80 Coupe concept, which debuted ahead of last year's New York auto show and was the first appearance for the vivid Magma paint color. A production version was revealed in November with a slightly toned-down look, but we wouldn't be shocked to see a GV80 Coupe Magma arrive in the near future.
There was also the G80 Magma Special, a sporty version of the company's mid-size luxury sedan that is being offered exclusively in the Middle East. Lastly was the X Gran Berlinetta concept, a slinky coupe created for the Gran Turismo video game and unveiled last December.
Genesis says that it plans to create a "high-performance" Magma model for every vehicle in its current lineup, which consists of the G70, G80, and G90 sedans along with the GV70 and GV80 crossovers and GV60 EV.
We're curious to see the level of performance the Magma variants deliver, especially since the brand has signed six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx as a brand partner. He was present at the event and spoke glowingly of driving a version of the GV60 Magma concept.
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
