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Runtime: 9:05
0:31 Top Vehicle Platforms In 2018
1:39 Jaguar’s Diesel Problem
2:20 Commercial Vehicles Powered by Supercapacitors
3:41 Toyota Reveals New Corolla Sedan
4:28 Toyota Cuts Camry Production
5:01 Chevy Unveils New Models in China
6:14 Schaeffler In Transition
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On today’s show…we’ll highlight which automaker’s platforms have produced the most vehicles in 2018…Toyota reveals the new Corolla sedan…and a logistics company in Singapore unveils electric commercial vehicles powered by supercapacitors. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the voice of the automotive industry.
TOP VEHICLE PLATFORMS IN 2018
An automaker’s vehicle platform will typically spawn several different models and can you guess what the top platforms are in terms of production? AutoForecast Solutions reports that Volkswagen’s MQB A1 platform has produced nearly 2.7 million vehicles globally in 2018. The MQB platform has several different designations and A1 refers to vehicles like the Golf and Jetta. Next on the list is Honda’s GSP platform, which features the Civic and CR-V. GM’s new Delta 2 platform has produced nearly 2 million vehicles. The Cruze, Volt and Equinox all ride on the platform. And Toyota occupies the 4th and 5th spots with its MC and 330N platforms. MC has vehicles like the Corolla, Prius and RAV4, while the N platform features several Lexus vehicles and the Toyota Crown, which is sold in Japan. AutoForecast predicts there will be some big changes in the platform leaders by 2025 and we’ll highlight those next week.
| 2018 TOP 5 GLOBAL PLATFORMS | |
|---|---|
| MQB A1 (VW) | 2,690,227 |
| GSP (HONDA) | 2,355,513 |
| DELTA 2 (GM) | 1,906,068 |
| MC (TOYOTA) | 1,538,710 |
| 330 N (TOYOTA) | 1,493,559 |
| Source: AutoForecast Solutions | |
JAGUAR’S DIESEL PROBLEM
Jaguar is running into big problems with diesels, and it has nothing to do with cheating on emissions. Nearly 90% of the cars that Jaguar sells in Europe are equipped with diesel engines, at a time when many European customers are turning away from the engine. As a result, Moody’s just cut Jaguar’s bond rating three levels below investment grade. That’s going to make it more expensive for Jaguar to borrow money, just as it has to invest heavily in electric vehicles. Even though Jaguar just started selling the electric I-Pace, sales of that vehicle are very unlikely to make up for the fall-off in the sales of diesels.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES POWERED BY SUPERCAPACITORS
A logistics company based in Singapore may be the first to use commercial electric vehicles that have supercapacitors, not just batteries. The logistics company is called Avevai and the supercapacitors are made by a company called e-Synergy, which is also based in Singapore. The supercapacitors are infused with graphene and are said to provide 40% greater range than light commercial vehicles that rely solely on batteries. Supercapacitors can charge and discharge electricity far faster than batteries, but have typically lacked in energy density. Avevai says it has an electric truck that offers a 185-mile range and can be recharged in 2 hours with a Level III fast charger. And it claims the batteries can operate efficiently in ambient temperatures as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit all the way down to 40 below.
Still to come…the drop in passenger car sales forces Toyota to cut production of the Camry.
TOYOTA REVEALS NEW COROLLA SEDAN
Earlier this year, Toyota revealed the new hatchback version of the Corolla and now it just took the wraps off the new sedan. Its styling has been updated and while the wheelbase is the same as the outgoing model, its height has been slightly reduced, the front overhang was shortened and the rear overhang was slightly extended. An updated version of the 1.8L engine from the previous model carries over but it’s also available with a new 2.0L four-cylinder. The engines can be mated to a six-speed manual or a CVT. A hybrid version will also be available for the first time in the U.S. But details about that model will be revealed at the LA Auto Show in a couple of weeks. The new Corolla will arrive at dealerships in the U.S. in the spring of 2019.
TOYOTA CUTS CAMRY PRODUCTION
But it’s entering a tough market with consumers ditching passenger cars in favor of trucks and SUVs. Sales of the Corolla are down 11% so far this year and the Camry is down 6% as well. And that’s why Bloomberg reports the company is cutting back on Camry production but it didn’t reveal by how much. Toyota, Nissan and Honda say they’re still bullish on passenger cars but it seems they’re just putting on a brave face, and it shows they need to start making adjustments to the drastic change in consumer tastes.
CHEVY UNVEILS NEW MODELS IN CHINA
The switch from sedans to utility vehicles is not just in the U.S., it’s a global phenomenon and that’s why Chevrolet introduced a new SUV concept at the Guangzhou auto show. Styling is very similar to the new Blazer, but it’s actually bigger with a third row and individual seating for up to 6. Chevy calls it the FNR-CarryAll, which is a throwback name to the 1935 Suburban Carryall. And speaking of throwback names, it’s also going to revive the Monza nameplate for a new midsize sedan. It’s kind of funny how China is now getting several vehicle names that were once popular in the U.S. You may also remember it currently sells a Chevrolet Cavalier in the country as well.
Coming up next, how a traditional supplier is making the transition to electrification, autonomy and mobility.
SCHAEFFLER IN TRANSITION
Schaeffler is a traditional auto supplier that makes parts for engines, transmissions and chassis. But now electrification, mobility and autonomy is forcing the company to transition away from traditional components. On Autoline This Week, we’re joined by Jeff Hemphill, the Chief Technology Officer of Schaeffler Group USA, and he talked about the types of new technology it’s developing and why he believes the company is in a unique position to deliver those products compared to its competition.
(The ATW preview is only available in the video version of today’s show.)
That whole discussion is available to watch right now on our website or you can find it on our YouTube channel.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and we’ll see you right back here again on Monday.
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John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis.
