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Runtime: 9:37
0:00 Jaguar Ending ICE Vehicle Production in June
0:55 China EV Price War Heats Up
1:36 Lawyers Want $6 Billion From Tesla
2:27 2024 U.S. Car Sales Off to Good Start
3:36 Fastest EV Charger Opens in U.S.
4:29 Tesla Boosts Prices for Non-Tesla Owners at Superchargers
5:07 Mapping Roads Without GPS For Self-Driving Cars
6:33 How to Save AM Radio in EVs
8:04 Land Cruiser MPG Falls Short of Toyota’s Estimates
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
JAGUAR ENDING ICE PRODUCTION IN JUNE
Despite a slowdown in demand, Jaguar has put all its eggs in the EV basket and it looks like there’s no turning back now. The automaker is making the transition to an all-electric lineup and production of its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles ends in June. That first EV won’t be out until 2025, but JLR needs to start converting its plants now to make electrics, so it’s hoping to build up enough inventory so it has enough vehicles to give to dealers before that EV launches. That all-electric model is said to be a 4-door sedan with more power than any previous Jaguar, 430 miles or 700 kilometers of range and pricing around 100,000 pounds.
CHINA EV PRICE WAR HEATS UP
That EV price war in China continues to heat up. BYD slashed the price of the updated version of its electric SUV the Yuan Plus by over $2,000, which brings the starting price to a little over $16,500. A base model with that price features a 150 kW or 200 horsepower electric motor that drives the front wheels and a nearly 50 kWh LFP battery that provides up to 430 kilometers or 267 miles of range. The Yuan Plus is also sold in several other global markets as the Atto 3.
LAWYERS WANT $6 BILLION FROM TESLA
The lawyers who helped void Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package as too excessive, want a record legal fee from Tesla, which some might also consider excessive. Reuters reports the lawyers want $6 billion, payable in Tesla stock. They want the automaker to pay the fee because it benefited from the return of Musk’s pay package. Not surprisingly Elon blasted the lawyers and called the request “criminal” and said they did nothing but damage the EV maker. The judge overseeing the case will decide if the lawyers will get that fee. Musk was sued over his pay package in 2018 by a Tesla shareholder and in January, the Delaware judge voided his pay package.
2024 U.S. CAR SALES OFF TO GOOD START
With so many automakers in the U.S. reporting their new car sales on a quarterly basis, it can be hard to figure out how the market is doing on a monthly basis. But Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Subaru posted their February sales and the numbers are promising. Collectively they were up a solid 13%, though certain brands fared better than others. Kia and Acura saw sales fall, while Genesis was up more than 9%, Toyota was up more than 16%, and Honda shot up more than 32%. We should have a bit more information on this tomorrow, when a few more companies will report their sales. But if the numbers we’ve got are an indication of how things are going, then the market is off to a good start this year.
FASTEST EV CHARGER OPENS IN U.S.
EV charging startup, Gravity Mobility, which is backed by Google, opened the fastest EV chargers in the U.S. to the public in New York City. It installed 24, 500-kW chargers in Manhattan. The chargers are capable of providing 2,400 miles of range per hour or 200 miles in five minutes. Gravity plans to open more chargers across the U.S. and says it has the capacity to manufacture and deploy thousands of chargers per year, which are about the size of a carry-on suitcase. Right now, I don’t know of any passenger EVs in the U.S. that can charge at 500 kW, but some of the newest electrics with an 800-volt architecture have shown they’re capable of charging at that rate and we’ll start to see a lot more of those EVs in the coming years.
TESLA BOOSTS PRICES FOR NON-TESLA OWNERS AT SUPERCHARGERS
Tesla should be making a nice bit of revenue from all those automakers that signed up to use its Supercharger network in the U.S. Ford owners were the first to get access last week and they’re being charged roughly 30% more per kWh than Tesla owners. But that’s if someone just wants to roll up and plug in. They can also get a membership through Tesla that costs $13 a month and then they’ll be able to pay the same price per kWh at the Superchager as a Tesla owner. So that membership would be worth it even if you only charge a few times a month.
MAPPING ROADS WITHOUT GPS FOR SELF-DRIVING CARS
Autonomous cars have a lot of sensors to determine their location and surroundings, including GPS. But GPS doesn’t work in tunnels, in steep canyons or even under canopies. So a company called GPR, or Ground Positioning Radar, has a technology to get around that. It uses ground penetrating radar to map roads, just like a company like Google sends out cars to scan roads with cameras. The ground penetrating radar looks 10 feet deep, and the radar signal it generates is like a fingerprint–it’s completely unique. And that signal never changes, so you only have to scan a road once. Autonomous cars can use that radar map to determine exactly where they are. It’s very accurate, with 5-centimeter accuracy in the x-axis, and 10 centimeters in the y-axis. That’s 2 inches and 4 inches, respectively, whereas GPS accuracy is generally measured in meters or feet. GPR says it would cost $200 to add this to a car, though it expects costs to come down, because it uses very little energy and data. Though it has shown the tech to U.S. and German car companies, it says right now the most promising applications are for mining trucks and at ports.
HOW TO SAVE AM RADIO IN EVs
Automakers want to dump AM radio from their electric cars because it’s too expensive to shield AM from all the electromagnetic interference generated by the electric motors and the inverter. But Joanna McLellan, who is an expert in EMI, or electromagnetic interference, says the automakers don’t know what they’re doing. She says that motors and inverters can be designed to minimize EMI fairly cheaply. And she says the reason they don’t know what they’re doing, because engineering schools don’t know how to teach it.
“That’s really difficult because as far as the educators are concerned, I’m a barbarian. I am saying that their baby is ugly, that the way that they teach circuit theory is teaching people how to fail, because of the way that they say that there’s this omnipotent ground out there. It works great at DC, but it doesn’t work above 100 kilohertz, and that is what has caused the black magic to occur.”
There’s a ton of good information in that interview. For example, Joanna McLellan says that as automakers begin using silicon carbide chips, it’s going to interfere with other radio spectrums, including the ones used by police, fire departments and ambulances. You can watch the full interview on our website and YouTube channel.
LAND CRUISER MPG FALLS SHORT OF TOYOTA’S ESTIMATES
The new Land Cruiser gets less fuel economy than Toyota anticipated. Last year, the company estimated that the combined fuel economy would be 27 MPG but the EPA rating came in at 23 MPG. That’s still significantly higher than the 14 MPG combined the previous Land Cruiser got. But It used to be powered by a 5.7L V8. The new model is a hybrid that features a turbocharged 2.4L inline four-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It cranks out 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque and is rated at 22 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The new Land Cruiser arrives at dealers in the U.S. this spring with a starting price of $57,445.
But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for tuning in.
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Friggin’ Lawyers … We could do without 99% of them. Worst kind of parasites on society.
Just curious, but how will an autonomous car handle construction zones? Seems like there are road construction zones no matter where you go if you travel very far.
I’ve been eyeballing that Jaguar XJ Portfolio edition for some time now. Looks like now I’ve got some additional incentive to pull the trigger on one.
I can’t even begin to enter the conversation on electromagnetics and whatnot concerning AM radio, but this just sounds like a very simple thing to fix. And do the automakers really think anyone is buying that excuse of it being “too costly to fix”? Please… They don’t seem to mind ratchetting up the cost of cars for all sorts of other reasons – justifiable and not.
It is a mistake for TESLA to charge more for non-tesla customers. That gives all the other EV competitors an instant advantage. 30% more is steep and paying for yet another subscription is a no go for people these days. Everyone is dumping subscription services left and right, or maybe Tesla is not paying attention to all those subscription services going bankrupt these days.
Now is the time for Electrify America or similar to start advertising that they are 30% cheaper than Tesla chargers and do not require a subscription service. Start hitting that message hard and Tesla, who thinks they will be the standard of the world, will be eliminated by the consumer via consumer choice.
Anyone else see the irony in the lawyers that sued Elon for his exorbitant bonus pay are asking for an exorbitant pay? I really hope the judge denies them any pay from Elon and sends them packing. Only a lawyer could dream up such a low-life scheme to get a pay day. They were probably chasing ambulances prior to this suit.
Anyone else tired of having to download an app for every aspect of purchasing anything anymore? Not only do I already have a Kroger card which gets me discounts on some things. Now they raise the price high on everything and I need to download an app to use instore coupons that take the price back to what it should be anyway. Now we need to get an app to schedule an electric charge and gets to a point where my phone is just packed with apps doing who knows what in the background. I’m really over it.
Would not surprise me that our educational institutes lack in teaching practical applications. As they say, those that Can, Do! Those that Can’t, Teach! Professors have a real good grasp on theory and not always as much when it comes to application.
Yeah I also want $6B. Give it to me, now.
Looks like Jaguar is betting the farm. Hope they know what they’re doing.
That’s sad that Tata is apparently getting ready to shut down Jaguar, when they have a nice turbo inline six used in some Land Rover products, which would be great in an updated XJ6.
Lambo2015.
Could not agree more. I totally loose interest in any ‘deals’ and ‘convenience’ whenever they are proffered by an app sign up, log in, or account creation. More information to remember, more chance of being hacked and stolen. I just don’t do it.
Remember the days when you would be talking to a customer service representative at a counter in person, and they didn’t excuse themselves mid conversation, ‘just a minute’, to answer the phone?
What has happened to courtesy, manners, attention to detail, conversational skills.
The digital world can be convenient and quick, but one severe limitation is the lack of the degree of freedom that human interaction provides.
I’ve only ever subscribed to one car option, SiriusXM, and may or may not renew in a couple months. They making it annoyingly difficult to renew at the price it should cost to begin with.
I have some apps that I use for convenience, and, essentially, free money. I get breakfast at McDonald’s and Wendy’s sometimes, and both make ordering more convenient, and you get “points” which amount to a 10-15% discount. I also use the Walmart app and web site which make things much more convenient, using curbside pickup. You don’t have to go in the store, and it’s much easier to search the web site for what you want, than walking through the store looking for things.
@MJB- My financial advisor had an XJ.
Based on his experience, my advice would be to stay away, despite any good deals you might get.
Based on the success of the $75K Dollar Jaguar I-Pace, I am sure the $100K Pound EV Jaguar will be a roaring success. Hopefully they don’t make the interior look like a Ford Focus like the Jaguar I-Pace did.
Based on the Jaguar I-Pace sales in 22 & 23 being 1/4 the original 2019 level, going all EV is a great idea. Delay the introduction of the new model for a year or so. Brilliant.
I-Pace was always underwhelming for a “premium” brand, with a not-so-great interior and only 235 mile range, less than a Chevy Bolt that cost less than half as much. Now, after being on the market for 5 years, I-Pace has a lot of additional competition with more range and equal room for less money, like Kia EV6 and others. No wonder I-Pace sales are 1/4 what they once were.
Sean, in regard to GPR, you say that the signal never changes, but what about if an underground pipe has to be replaced beneath a road and all new aggregate and soil is replaced when they button up the pipe replacement, seems like the signal would be entirely different then. Or am I missing something about the process?
Jaguar really does not have much to loose by going EV, since their sells are next to none existent. If they could emulate Tesla with their Model S, or even Mercedes with their EQS, they would be happy! Unfortunately, I believe we are seeing two things about Jaguar, regarding their discontinued XJ, when you look at the I-Pace. One, that after all that time in development, the replacement XJ, as a major manufacturer, was nowhere near competitive to the startups. Second, they have put little to no investment in updating the I-Pace and keeping it current, their one EX, current with the competition. Think about it, after all that effort to be the first legacy OEM with a BEV SUV, using and bragging about using EV Motorsport in its development, the I-Pace sits waaay behind the Model X AND has been allowed to rot on the vine! Sad, really! The hope is, that under new management, an all new, clean sheet, ground up, purpose built EV platform, Jaguar will be able to right the ship and turn things around. If they can sell 10K a year with all four of their future EV models (two sedans and two SUVs [and maybe a convertible?!]), for between $125-150K, JLR/Tata may consider this move a success! I don’t think that is an unreasonable, unrealistic and unreachable endeavor on their part and is about what Rolls Royce and Bentley are doing, at about a quarter to one half the asking price.
I-Pace is way behind Model X in range, and access to the best charging system, but you can open the doors in most garages. Yeah, I-Pace has not been updated at all in 5 years, or very little.
Something Jaguar had at one time, was interiors closer to Rolls-Royce and Bentley than anything else that cost a third as much, but the last I looked at Jaguars, maybe a year ago, they were a lot more like Kia and Hyundai than like Rolls or Bentley. Actually, Palisade and Telluride may have nicer interiors than most current Jaguars. I don’t really think Jaguar should go all in on EVs just yet. They need to make a new, competitive luxurious sedan, and an F-type replacement, using that Land Rover six, and forget SUVs completely. That’s what Land Rover/Range Rover is for.
Kit- Yeah! I’m not sure why Jag would even consider building a SUV. With them already having the Rover’s means they either build another SUV that competes with the Rovers or they go more affordable which I don’t think is the direction they are looking for. Maybe they figure the Rovers will remain ICE a while longer and an EV SUV will not conflict with Rover for a few more years. It’s just confusing because in the US SUVs are hot but EVs are on a decline. Jaguar, unlike Cadillac will probably do better overseas so seems like they would build something to cater to that market. I’m just wondering if Caddy is rethinking their all-EV line-up yet. While Jag might be okay, I’m not sure Caddy will survive with an all EV offering. They say no new ICE’s and that means by 2030 caddy will be exclusively EV. Or they extend the life of the few ICE vehicles that will already be to the end of their lifecycle. I suppose they could scrape up some money for a refresh in the last hour if need be, but I hope it doesn’t put them in a bind in 5 years. To think by 2030 Caddy might only be selling as many vehicles as Jag with this game plan.
Kit– Speaking of interiors, it seems that that is one of the sore spots with Jaguar, since it has attempted to appeal to a wider, mainstream audience and compete directly with BMW, Mercedes and Audi. With their latest endeavors with the XE and XF, while the platforms had garnished praise (outside of the XE interior being too small), interior appointments had not lived up to the competition. IMHO, one way that Jaguar can set itself about from other automakers, especially with their next move being to seek out a higher paying audience, is to try to, while still showing themselves to be a technical leader, portraying as much of the classic luxury interior feel as possible! While others are going all massive touch screens and minimalist and the like, a morndern interpretation of classic luxury values (like Rolls Royce and Bentley) has appeal too! Something that incorporates touch screens and other modern materials as well, but not the plain Tesla interiors, but more regal then the outstanding interior of the Lucid Air. Not a Hyperscreen like the EQs, but not the tacted on double monitor cubicle look of the i5 and i7. When you look at the interiors of the Genesis G80 electrified, i5 and EQS, which one looks more inviting? To my eye, I would pick the G80 first, the EQS second and the i5 last. I am a bigger fan to BMW, but feel that the G80 is a better execution in this move to EVs. This, in my opinion, is an opportunity for Jaguar, to distinguish themselves from the pack.
@ArtG, Interesting… What sort of issues did your financial advisor have with his/her XJ?