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Runtime: 10:42
0:00 South Korea Developing Its Own Battery Material Supplies
1:00 Ultra Fast Charging LFP Batteries
1:39 JLR Testing Recycled Batteries
2:07 Toyota Drops the Name PRIME from Its PHEVs
2:38 Audi-SAIC EV Launching Next Year
3:03 Used EV Sales Growing Fast
4:09 Legacy Auto Losing Talent to Outdated Practices
5:02 Mercedes Trying to Make Cars More Appealing to Chinese Consumers
5:44 Stellantis Launching Leapmotor EVs in Europe
6:21 Voyager Name Returns Again, Again
7:33 Ford Updates Hands-Free Driving System
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SOUTH KOREA DEVELOPING ITS OWN BATTERY MATERIAL SUPPLIES
China dominates the market for the raw materials needed to make EV batteries, so South Korea is trying to do something about that. The Korean Ministry of Trade launched an initiative to develop lithium iron phosphate or LFP battery tech in the country. As part of that, Hyundai and Kia are kicking off a 4-year project to make cathode material for LFP batteries with Hyundai’s own steel manufacturing division and EcoPro BM, a South Korean company that specializes in battery cathode materials. We think it’s a pretty smart move because Hyundai Steel will be used to produce high-purity fine iron powder that EcoPro BM will then take to make cathode material for LFP batteries. They’re targeting batteries with better fast charging performance, especially in cold weather.
ULTRA FAST CHARGING LFP BATTERIES
And SAIC-GM and CATL are showing that ultra-fast-charing LFP batteries are possible. They’ll be the first to launch an LFP battery with 6C charging capability, which they say can add over 200 kilometers or 124 miles of range in just 5 minutes. Gasgoo reports that the new battery will be used in an upgraded version of GM’s Ultium platform in China that will have a high-voltage battery architecture capable of 900-volts. But as we said before, there’s not a lot of charging stations right now that can put out that kind of power.
JLR TESTING RECYCLED BATTERIES
And in one more bit of battery news, JLR is testing the possibility of using recycled batteries. It’s working with British recycling firm Altilium on a pilot project to demonstrate that recycled battery production is possible at scale. Over the next year they’ll test using recycled cathode active material from used Jaguar I-Paces to make batteries to try out in new EVs from JLR.
TOYOTA DROPS THE NAME PRIME FROM PHEVs
Looks like Toyota had an issue with its plug-in hybrid vehicles being called Prime. People probably had little idea that Prime means they’re plug-ins. So, Toyota is changing their names from Prius and RAV4 Prime to Prius and RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid for the 2025 model year and will also slap a PHEV badge on the back of them. With sales of plug-in hybrids picking up it will be a good thing if Toyota can pick up some more awareness of its products.
AUDI-SAIC EV LAUNCHING NEXT YEAR
Audi’s first EV from its new partnership with SAIC will launch in China next year. It’s reportedly a mid-size electric that won’t use Audi’s 4-ring logo when it officially debuts in November. Audi and SAIC plan to launch nine models by the end of the decade, which will be a needed boost because Audi only sold a little more than 30,000 vehicles in China last year.
USED EV SALES UP SHARPLY
Sales of EVs in the U.S. market are not where everyone thought they would be, but they are growing faster than any other segment. Cox Automotive reports that EV sales in the third quarter were up 8% year over year and set a record of more than 338,000 vehicles. But the real big gainer was used EVs. They were up 69% in Q3 with sales of 78,000 units. And a key reason used EVs are selling strong is that the average price is just under $36,000 which is almost the same as for ICE used vehicles. It’s an indication consumers clearly become interested in EVs when the price is more affordable.
LEGACY AUTO LOSING TOP TALENT TO OUTDATED PRACTICES
Traditional automakers are struggling to catch up to the startups when it comes to developing software defined vehicles. And a key reason could be their hiring practices. According to a new study from Josh Bersin Company, an HR and hiring research firm, the auto industry is lagging behind other industries when it comes to bringing in software talent because of outdated hiring practices. The report says automakers are slow at hiring new workers, developing internal talent and they need to move away from promoting workers based on tenure in favor of how skilled they are. A good source could be partnering with universities to find new, young talent. But if they don’t build up a skilled software workforce in the next five to ten years, the study says automakers will struggle to stay competitive.
MERCEDES TRYING TO MAKE ITS CARS MORE APPEALING TO CHINESE CONSUMERS
And to help address that issue, Mercedes-Benz CEO, Ola Kallenius, and other company executives, are traveling to China to look for tech partners. The automaker is hoping to offset its sales slump in the country by offering technology that’s appealing to Chinese consumers. Next year, Mercedes is launching its first E on its new electric architecture, the CLA, and it’s looking for Chinese tech partners to provide things like maps and in-car entertainment for the model. China is an important market for the company, accounting for more than a third of its sales. And it hopes that partnering with Chinese tech partners can make it more competitive.
STELLANTIS LAUNCHING LEAPMOTOR EVs IN EUROPE
And while Mercedes is hoping Chinese partners can help boost sales in China, Stellantis is teaming up with Chinese companies to increase sales in Europe. Earlier this year, it formed a joint venture with Leapmotor, to sell and produce its EVs in Europe. And the first models, the T03 and C10, are now being shipped to Europe from China, which are undergoing final checks before heading to dealers. The companies also announced that production of the T03 will kick off in Poland by the end of the year, which will help them avoid Europe’s new tariffs on imported Chinese EVs.
VOYAGER NAME RETURNS AGAIN, AGAIN
The Voyager is making a return to the U.S. again, again. The minivan was first introduced in 1984 under the Plymouth brand but it was axed when Plymouth was discontinued in 2000. The Voyager was then revived as a Chrysler for the 2020 model year but it became a fleet only option in 2022. However, it’s making its comeback again as an entry-level model for Chrysler’s retail lineup. But even though it calls it entry-level, the 2025 Voyager starts just over $41,000 including destination charges, which is slightly more than the base 2024 Pacifica. The Voyager comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Stow n’ Go seating for the second and third rows, power sliding doors, heated seats and steering wheel and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Voyager’s powertrain is the same as the non-hybrid version of the Pacifica; a 3.6L V6, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Orders for the new Voyager are now open and it will arrive at dealerships in the U.S. in the fourth quarter.
FORD UPDATES BLUECRUISE
Ford is rolling out the latest version of its hands-free driving system. Called BlueCruise 1.4, Ford says it will stay engaged in hands-free mode an average of eight-times longer than the original version and five times longer than version 1.2. Users may notice the new version makes speed adjustments more smoothly in curves and has greater in-lane stability. Ford says these updates provide a more natural driving experience. The new version will be available in select BlueCruise-equipped 2025 Ford and Lincoln models from the factory. And a software update for select models will be made available in the future as well.
And be sure to tune into Autoline After Hours later today. We’ll have car critics Mark Phelan, Henry Payne and Greg Migliore on the show to share their unfiltered opinions on today’s cars, trucks and SUVs. Join the action at 3PM EST on our website or YouTube channel.
But that wraps up today’s report, thanks for tuning in.
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It sounds like they are just re-naming the bottom trim level Pacifica as Voyager. The bad thing, is that it will have vinyl seats, rather than more desirable cloth like the previous Voyager and bottom trim Pacifica.
Makes sense to drop the name prime from the Prius and RAV4 and call them what they are PHEV I never did get why they were called Prime. Wonder if they are going increase the build number of these? I’m sure they would be a big seller.
Tavaris is scrambling to save his job. I don’t think offering a base Voyager minivan is going to do it especially if its priced more than the base Pacifica. Soon we’ll hear you can get Charger Challenger and 300 models again.
Just read an article about current hiring practices and while legacy automakers are likely losing out on hiring good candidates due to the old practices that can involve 3 interviews and weeks for a decision. Tesla has a very long hiring process too. Maybe decisions are made quicker though. The article I read said 2 out of 6 employers have had to fire Gen Z employees. 1 in 7 have decided to not even consider a Gen Z with their next opening. They site lack of professional communication skills, high expectations and low ambition. If Covid did anything it certainly allowed people to prioritize their life. It seems to have taken some of that mentality away that we work for a life and replaced it with a larger emphasis on life and work just pays the bills. Hey no one on their deathbed ever said, “Man I wish I would have spent more time in the office”. Good or bad things have changed.
The Voyager costs too much, higher MSRP than a base Sienna. Of course, what you’d actually pay for the Chrysler would be lower than for a Sienna, since Toyota seems to be artificially limiting production.
I had a voyager early 80’s, some transmission issues which did get sorted over time. Worked well for our 4 children,and first vehicle I ever owned with a/c
Merv, my ’89 Caravan didn’t have any transmission trouble, but it had a 5-speed manual.
All these Gen Z people that have been working from home is an issue for productivity for the car companies; its same for the chemical industry. Even before Covid; people were allowed to work from home; you think they are working ? I’ve seen it too many times despite what some company management says. We used to call the work from home people for an answer in a meeting: one; his wife said he was cutting the grass; another was at a movie.
Yes, I wish auto companies would offer base level vehicles that are more affordable to people. I have been a Chrysler mechanic since 1982. If I remember correctly Kit, your 1989 minivan is a 1989 turbo 2.5 with a 5 speed transmission,a very rare vehicle. I owned a 1989 Dodge Shadow ES with the same powertrain. Even my 2019 Jeep Cherokee with a 2.0 turbo engine with FWD was $30000.00 when I bought it new. I wish car companies would offer a basic vehicle like the Dodge Shadow, Dodge Neon,or even the Dodge Dart was that I owned. Blue collar people like me can barely afford a new vehicle these days.
I found from Chrysler years ago that 405 ’89 Caravan SE vans like mine had the 2.5 turbo manual. They didn’t say how many of other trim levels or Voyagers had that powertrain, but there wouldn’t have been many.
There was a long standing “Chrysler automatic transmission issue” plaguing many of those Voyagers,Caravans, and others with that transmission. This was greatly overblown. Most auto manufacturers at the time had put their transmission shift control solenoids inside the trans housing, which helped their longevity, but made it really difficult and expensive to repair if it failed. Chrysler went the other direction, and had an external shift solenoid. They may have failed a little more frequently being exposed, but were cheap and easy to fix. I had one giving me trouble, and replaced it with a new $30 solenoid, easy as dropping the pan for a trans fluid/filter change (which I did at the same time). The real problem was that as soon as a Chrysler with a trans issue showed up at a shop, they would say it needs the transmission rebuilt. The shop would change the cheap solenoid and charge the customer for a new or rebuilt transmission. Thousands of dollars later, people had the perception that Chrysler had “bad transmissions”.