AD #2963 – VW Dropping Passat From U.S. Market; Rivian Eyes Smaller EVs for Europe & China; Subaru Reveals New BRZ

This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.

BMW SHIFTS ENGINE PRODUCTION OUT OF GERMANY
It seems like we start every show these days with news on electric vehicles, or how automakers are stepping away from piston engines. Well, today is no different. BMW announced it’s moving all IC engine production out of Germany as part of a 400-million-euro investment to retool its plant in Munich to build BEVs. That plant currently makes 4, 6, 8 and 12-cylinder engines but they’re moving to plants in Austria and the UK. The last engines in Munich will roll off the line in 2024. And by the end of 2022, BMW says each of its plants in Germany will produce at least one fully electric vehicle.

DAIMLER & GEELY DEVELOPING MODULAR HYBRID ENGINES
But as BMW backs away from piston engines, Reuters reports that Daimler and Geely are developing next-generation combustion engines for hybrids. The modular engine will be built in both Europe and China.

VW DROPS PASSAT TO MAKE ROOM FOR ID.5
Volkswagen is ramping up its electrification plans in the U.S. Ward Auto reports the automaker will build another ID model alongside the ID.4 crossover in Chattanooga, TN. It will be a production version of the ID Crozz Coupe concept that will be badged as the ID.5. It will come in both single and dual motor setups. While production is slated to start in 2022, the first examples of the ID.4 and ID.5 will come from VW’s plant in Germany. To make room for the ID.5 in Chattanooga, Volkswagen will stop making the Passat there and it will no longer be offered in the U.S. market. The Atlas is also made in that plant, but it’s sticking around for now.

RIVIAN EYES SMALLER EVs FOR EUROPE & CHINA
And EV startup Rivian decided it’s not just going to make full-size electric trucks and SUVs. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe tells Reuters they’re going to make smaller EVs for Europe and China. He also says Rivian could build vehicles in those regions at some point but that it’s still “a ways off.” Rivian will start selling its SUV in Europe in 2022 and China will soon follow after that.

F-150 HYBRID WILL APPEAL TO CONTRACTORS
Will pickup buyers be interested in a hybrid this time around? GM tried with a dual mode hybrid back in 2006 but it was a flop. But Ford will offer a strong hybrid as an option in the U.S. market with the 2021 F-150. One thing that customers will like is the torque: 570 pound feet–the highest in Ford’s lineup, even more than the diesel. It has 700 miles of driving range and can tow 12,500 pounds. What will really appeal to contractors is that it comes standard with a 2.4 kilowatt power outlet in the bed for running electric tools. For $750 you can get a 7.2 kilowatt power outlet, which could run 28 refrigerators at the same time. Ford calls this Pro Power and it comes with four 110 volt outlets, two of which are in the cab, and you get one 240 outlet. That sure beats hauling a portable generator in the back of the bed. Ford says the hybrid is rated at 24 miles-to-the-gallon, but in a brief 35 mile test drive we only got 22 MPG and that was in ideal conditions. But we need more seat time before passing any final judgement on this. We also have a lot more information about the all-new F-150 and we’ll be bringing that to you in the days to come.

NEW SUBARU BRZ BREAKS COVER
Subaru pulled the wraps off the new BRZ sports car. With a smaller grille opening and more body color on the fascia, the hood seems to cascade over the front of the vehicle. Large air vents were added behind the front tires and the spoiler has been integrated into the rear, rather than hovering above the decklid. The license plate holder moved down to the rear bumper, which allowed for new taillight assemblies and a different treatment around the exhaust. The interior also sees some big changes. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster is flanked by an 8-inch center display screen. The dash features a layered look as well and there’s no longer a hump over the center air vents. Under the hood is a new 2.4L BOXER engine, which replaces a 2.0L unit. It makes 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s a jump of 23 horsepower and 28 lb-ft of torque. Despite the larger engine, the new BRZ weighs about the same as the outgoing model thanks to aluminum being used for the hood, front fenders and roof. Power is routed through either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic that features a new Sport mode, which allows for faster downshifts and throttle blipping. The new BRZ will go on sale in fall of next year.

NEW MERCEDES MAYBACH S-CLASS DRIPPING WITH DECADENCE
We showed you the all new Mercedes-Benz S-Class a couple of months ago. Here’s the top of the line Maybach version. The car is dripping with decadence. Mercedes is positioning this as a car to be driven by chauffeurs. It has a 7-inch longer wheelbase for more rear seat room and the rear seat has a heater for your shoulders and neck and even has a massager for your calves. That optional two-tone paint job is actually done by hand and takes a week to do. We can’t wait to learn how much they’ll charge for that. There’s a long list of fascinating features on this car that you can read about by clicking on the link in today’s show notes or in the description box. But one thing you will not find is any mention of what kind of internal combustion engine is in the Maybach. Mercedes mentions that it is a mild hybrid, but there is no mention of displacement or power. Sure looks like Mercedes is trying to distance itself from ICEs as fast as it can.

Some automotive suppliers have grown so big they’re actually bigger than a number of car companies. And in many cases they have more expertise in BEVs and autonomous technology than automakers. Magna is one of those suppliers. So how much of the industry can suppliers take over? That’ll be one of the topics we tackle on Autoline After Hours this afternoon. Don Walker, the CEO who helped build Magna into the powerhouse it is today is our guest for the show. Mike Colias from the Wall Street Journal will also be on the show, so join John and Gary when we go live at 3 pm eastern time.

HONDA N-ONE HITTING JAPANESE DEALERSHIPS
Honda’s got another cute little kei car that’s hitting dealerships in Japan right now. The N-ONE features boxy, yet playful styling. Under the hood is a 660cc engine, the max for a kei car, which comes naturally aspirated or turbocharged. Power is sent through either a CVT or 6-speed manual and front or all-wheel drive. Despite pricing starting below $14,000, the N-ONE comes standard with Honda suite of driver assistance technology, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist.

GM LAUNCHING ONSTAR INSURANCE
Last year, Tesla launched its own insurance service because Elon Musk said owners were being ripped off by insurance companies. Now General Motors is doing the same thing. It will offer car insurance through OnStar called OnStar Insurance. Owners who opt in will have their driving monitored through the on-board telematics system and the data collected from that will be used to determine their insurance rates. So if you’re a lead foot you won’t save much but if you obey all the traffic laws and are a safe driver, you’re going to save money. Currently, insurance companies have to base claims on all the customers it insures, which can lead to higher costs for everyone. OnStar Insurance will initially be offered to GM employees in Arizona this year and then roll out to the general public in early 2021.

But that’s a wrap for today and we’ll see you again tomorrow.