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Runtime: 13:30
0:00 Ford Q3 Earnings Disappointing
0:51 Ford Develops Electric Mid-Size Truck
1:30 Maruti-Suzuki’s Q3 Sales & Revenue Down
2:09 Xiaomi Sets Nurburgring Track Record
3:44 Kia Reveals Tasman Pickup Truck
4:36 Ram Introduces New RHO Sport Truck
7:16 Stellantis Unveils SEMA Concepts
9:07 Tesla Wants to Standardize Automotive Connectivity
9:49 Italy Plans to Cut Auto Support By $5 Billion
10:35 Geely Introduces 1st Vehicle with New PHEV Setup
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
FORD Q3 EARNINGS DISAPPOINTING
Well, let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Ford reported its third quarter earnings and the numbers are pretty disappointing. Sales barely budged at just over a million vehicles. Revenue inched up 2.4% to about $46 billion. But pre-tax profits dropped 37% to only $869 million, largely because of higher materials costs, warranties, and $1.2 billion in losses on electric vehicles. Its net profits also fell 25% to only $892 million. Wall Street didn’t like what it saw and Ford stock dropped 6% in pre-market trading.
FORD DEVELOPS ELECTRIC MID-SIZE TRUCK
But it wasn’t all bad news at Ford. Here are some of the highlights from the analyst call last night.
• Its California skunk works team has developed an electric mid-size pickup. Ford is confident it will match the cost of any Chinese pickup made in Mexico because 60% of the bill of materials on that truck has already been quoted.
• Paid subscription revenues by customers, mostly in Ford Pro, grew 30% in the quarter and have 50% gross margins.
• Also, the cost of manufacturing Mustang Mach-Es was cut by $5,000 over the last 24 months.
MARUTI-SUZUKI’S Q3 SALES & REVENUE DOWN
Now, over to India, which has really caught the attention of automakers because, with a population that’s now bigger than China’s, they expect it to turn into a massive sales opportunity. But it turns out that the growth in India really varies by segment. Maruti-Suzuki, which is the biggest automaker in India, just reported its third quarter sales and earnings and its sales fell 2% and revenue fell 17%. That’s because Maruti mainly makes small, entry level cars and that’s not what customers in India want right now, which is why the company is launching a mid-size SUV.
XIAOMI SETS NURBURGRING TRACK RECORD
Next up, China, where Xiaomi just set the track record at the Nurburgring for a 4-door electric sedan. Now, it wasn’t a production car, it was a prototype of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. But it will go into production soon with a price tag of $112,000. With 1,526 horsepower on tap from 3 electric motors, the SU7 Ultra lapped the Nurburgring in only 6 minutes and 46.8 seconds. That compares to 7 minutes and 7.5 seconds for Porsche’s Taycan and 7 minutes and 25.2 seconds for Tesla’s Model S Plaid. So, Xiaomi got a big improvement. We think one reason this prototype is so fast is that it has massive 17-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors, which the company’s CEO claims are the largest of any sports car. They’re half the weight of cast iron rotors and can withstand temperatures up to 1,300° Centigrade, or 2,372° Fahrenheit. But they’re also part of the reason the car costs $112,000.
KIA REVEALS TASMAN PICKUP TRUCK
Kia fully revealed its first-ever pickup truck, the Tasman. It will be offered as a single, dual and chassis cab along with four bed configurations. The truck will first launch in Korea, Australia, the Middle East and Africa and depending on the market it will come with either a 2.2L diesel or a 2.5L gas engine, which can be paired to an 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. AWD is available as well and some variants also feature a rear electronic locking differential. The interior is similar to what you might find in any modern Kia vehicle, including the displays combined into one big unit, but you can see designers tried to add in some rugged elements as well. The Tasman will start launching in the first half of next year.
RAM INTRODUCES NEW RHO SPORT TRUCK
Ram is coming out with a new sport truck to replace the TRX. Called the RHO, it’s still an extremely capable truck, but instead of a Hellcat under the hood, it gets the High Output version of Stellantis’ twin-turbo straight-six Hurricane engine, which produces 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. The RHO will do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, but I found during a local drive that you really need to keep the RPMs up on this engine, otherwise the truck is not as responsive as you’d like it to be when you dip into the throttle. However, when that engine is singing, you can really rip. The highlight of the RHO’s unique, long-travel suspension system is a set of single-piece aluminum Bilstein adaptive shocks that feature nitrogen-charged remote reservoirs. The setup allows you to carry some decent speed over pretty rough terrain and I was surprised that Ram let us jump the truck as well. We were going anywhere between 35-50 MPH and the landings were pretty smooth. You probably wouldn’t want to do it all the time for the longevity of the truck, but it was still cool. Now I’ll toss it over to an interview I did with Brant Combs, the Director of Sales Operations, to finish up with pricing, packaging and accessory details.
STELLANTIS UNVEILS SEMA CONCEPTS
And here’s what that truck would pretty much look like. This is the Moparized version of the RHO that it’s taking to this year’s SEMA show. Although, it does take things a step further with a unique black and blue contrasting theme both inside and out. Ram will also have a Power Wagon concept version of the 2500 Heavy Duty truck. There’s a lot of unique and custom accessories on this truck as well, but the thing I think you’ll be most interested in is the new front lighting and fascia, which I would be shocked if it didn’t spread to production HD models. However, Stellantis’ big news for SEMA is the 1967 Plymouth GTX Electromod Concept. It tested the waters for an off-road EV kit with the Jeep CJ Surge Concept, now it’s looking at a sportier application for classic cars. Under the hood is a 335-horsepower drive module, inverter and one of the battery pack modules. The remaining three battery modules are mounted in the trunk and combine for 73 kWh. It also says the 400-volt system will produce 310 lb-ft of torque and about 250 miles of range. As I said Stellantis is still just testing the waters for offering a system like this, so let us know what you think in the comments. And one last note before we move on. These were the vehicles that it was supposed to show off last year, but Stellantis pulled out of several auto shows, including Chicago, LA and SEMA, which it claimed it needed to do because of the financial pressure it was put under by UAW strikes that occurred during last year’s contract negotiations.
TESLA WANTS TO STANDARDIZE AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTIVITY
Tesla already got the auto industry to adopt its NACS charger and now it’s about to set another standard for the auto industry. The EV maker put out a blog post urging the industry to adopt its Low Voltage Connector Standard or LVCS that it developed for the 48-volt architecture used for the Cybertruck. Tesla says it reduces the number of connector types to just 6 and they meet the power and signal requirements for over 90% of typical electrical device applications. Tesla is hoping to cut costs by getting the industry to adopt its connector, and we’re willing to bet that everybody will jump on board.
ITALY PLANS TO CUT AUTO SUPPORT BY $5 BILLION
It looks like Italy might be giving up on trying to get Stellantis to boost production in the country. The Italian government demanded that the automaker increase production in Italy to 1 million vehicles a year. But Stellantis will likely struggle to build half a million and has said it will need government support to increase production. But Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to cut aid for the auto industry by €4.6 billion or $5 billion and move that money over to Italy’s defense industry. The plan also cuts incentives for purchasing an EV. The budget proposal still needs to be approved by both houses of parliament by the end of December, so some changes could still be made.
GEELY INTRODUCES 1ST VEHICLE WITH NEW PHEV SETUP
Earlier this year, we reported about Geely developing a new PHEV setup that has a 1.5L engine with 46% thermodynamic efficiency, a world record for IC engines. And now the company is getting set to launch the first vehicle with that engine next week, the Galaxy Starship 7 SUV. In addition to the 110 horsepower or 82-kW engine, the plug-in hybrid setup also features two electric motors and two battery options, 19-kWh or 29-kWh. Its fuel economy is 2.62L/100km or 89 MPG and it has a total range of, are you ready for this, 2,390 kilometers or 1,485 miles.
But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for tuning in.
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I am unable to watch ALD. When I click on the video, it directs me to YouTube and requires a logon. Is anyone else experiencing this?
I watch it later on the youtube app. For this time period I read the transcript. I like the transcript as the dynamic links to the source articles is really slick
Drew, it works for me, but I’m probably always logged into google. I normally just read the transcript, though.
One of the best vehicles I have owned was a 1987 Kia Besta Van, which I first saw at Expo 86 in Vancouver in the Korean building and said I will buy one when it comes out which it did in April of 1987 just over 350 came to Canada at the time and sold out in days. Manage to get one in red. Was a little quirky having VW stamped on the seat belt. This was when KIA was a truck company only supplying military trucks for the Korean forces so saying that it is their first pickup brings many questions??? Perhaps if one only says they only sell warmed over Hyundai’s then??
Drew I found if you click in the lower RH corner it will try and open the video on You Tube but if you click almost anywhere else it will just play.
89 MPG and 1485 mile range would be nice. Have to wonder how it drives.
I appreciate all of the innovation happening in the EV space, but I am not a fan of restomodding high performance vehicles from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s with EV technology. The Plymouth in today’s article should have a growling exhaust and loping idle. Its what the car was and reflected the times it was built in. There are plenty of crate motor options for cars like this and they are probably much cheaper than this setup.
GM Vet- I kind of agree and if an aftermarket provider starts offering EV packages that can be tossed into anything. I hope the speed shops pump new life into Kit cars. Fiberglass bodies that are one of a kind or at least limited production with an EV powertrain. Could be very interesting and bring back some creativity. I wouldn’t even be too critical of an A/C Cobra kit with an EV powertrain. Although side pipes are part of the design and seem a bit contradictory in that application. But a Kit car is just that, anything you want it to be. I like the original muscle cars to have that V8 power under the hood even if it’s a modern-day LS engine. Its not always just about speed or HP. As you said its about the era and how that car reflected the times.
A little off-topic, but has anyone seen and read info on the new VW IDBuzz minivan? I am sure Autoline will cover it soon, but I saw some stats yesterday that amazed me, and point to the ongoing reason VW does not do well in North America.
The van will have a base price of $61,000 and change when it goes on sale in the next few months. It looks like a modern version of the VW Bus. Price-wise, it starts where the most expensive minivans from competitors top out (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle at $61,900).
Most shocking is the range: 230 miles. On a minivan that families will use for weekend trips and family vacations? VW just doesn’t get it. By contrast, GM now offers nine different EV models across its four brands. All of them provide range of more than 300 miles, with some well north of 400 miles.
And to top it all off, the VW will not qualify for any federal incentive since they are built in Germany with batteries sourced in Europe. So, this is an expensive retro-styled Mommobile, best suited to grocery runs and carting kids around town. They will be better off renting another brand of minivan or SUV for their family vacations. For all of the money VW allocated to their EV initiatives, their results are incredibly underwhelming, and their disappointing sales are the result.
I to am not a huge fan of modern EV vehicles because they are mostly boring SUV’s, HOWEVER, that 1967 GTX looks terrific with the modern touches like the wheels, headlights and front/rear spoilers. Yet it retains the classic exterior/interior lines. The major drawback of having a ‘classic’ vehicle is consistent reliability. Nothing worse than trying to fire it up after a winter of sitting to go to a car show or cruise and have it not start or break a belt or hose on the way, thus ruining the day. I think there would be a huge market for classic cars that fire right up and can safely take you around with probably more torque and power than the original. To me the classic car appeal is mostly the exterior/interior styling. Well done Stellantis on this one.
I guess I’m old fashioned, but I like seeing 50 year old cars at shows with original powertrains. In the case of a ’67 GTX, that would be a 440 wedge or 426 hemi, not electric motors. Also, I like seeing flathead V8s, not Chevy 350s in ’32 Fords.
The last time I had a hose or belt fail was about 50 years ago. If you have a 50 year old car with original belts and hoses, you should probably replace them, and with today’s parts, should be good for another 40 years.
Is it just me, or does the Kia Tasman pickup look like a life size Lego toy pickup?
I wonder when Ford will allow us to see, at least a concept, of their midsize pickup? Motor trend said that they plan to put it on the market in 2027, so I guessing we might see it in 2026?
I can’t warm to the restomods either, and also think original V8s should provide the music – with some notable exceptions, like the Pontiac Fiero. But that’s almost a modern car to me 🙂
wmb, regarding your previous comment about the EV transition, I think (like Lambo frequently writes) the transition will clearly happen over many years, and we can’t yet say if going to 100% combustion-free road vehicles makes sense. If we need say 10-15% ICEs, that could cost-effectively be done with bioethanol.
It’s about how we get there, and not becoming completely dependent on China’s one-party regime for inputs along the way.
About the Geely Starship 7, I’ve been wondering when (if ever) we’d see Chinese companies’ recent record-setting engines actually appear. While 49% under ideal conditions is very impressive, it’s useful to recall that ICEs’ gasoline-slurping vary greatly dependent on load and rpms, so 15% does happen too.
That’s why I’m very curious about a really good hybrid’s potential. Buzzy little high-revving engines don’t cut it, even though they’re cheaper to build.
I’ve always been skeptical of series hybrids, but with ICEs of 49% efficiency, even over limited operating conditions, and electric motors (and generators) of 98% efficiency, even under ideal conditions, series hybrids could potentially have good efficiency.
GM-Vet I agree that VW has just lost their way. Maybe current leadership forgot their claim to fame was the car built for everyone. A cheaper than cheap air-cooled beetle. The car started production in the 30s but wasn’t brought to the US until 1949. And only 2 were sold in 1949. However, by 1966 thru 1973 they were selling 300,000+ each year because the base price was about $1600 while the average car price was $3700. With that success they transferred that concept to the microbus and sold over 220,000 every year from 1968-1973 with a base price @ $2500. They sold like hotcakes not because they were a stellar vehicle. Certainly not because of their great performance ride or handling. To be honest they sucked in most every category other than cheap and efficient.
So I get that VW no longer wants to be known for crappy cars that are nothing more than cheap and efficient. However bringing back a retro style with premium pricing seems like the wrong direction as Ford learned with their T-bird rebirth and GM with the retro styled pick-up the SS. The nostalgia can inspire some buyers to gravitate toward a design but if the price is luxury range, they will likely just buy a luxury vehicle. The fond memories are not going to be enough to cause most people to be foolish with their money.
VW should have targeted a 30-35K price tag with a retro design and they would likely have done well. At this 60+ price the ID Buzz will probably become the ID flop
Going upmarket (at least with their prices) worked a long time for the VAG group. There’s some more data about the Geely Starship 7 over at carnewschina.com, quote:
The declared trims by the Chinese MIIT are equipped with 19.09 kWh and 28.94 kWh battery packs, with a corresponding pure electric cruising range of 101 km and 150 km, respectively; and the comprehensive fuel consumption is 4.85L/100km and 4.88L/100km, respectively. The corresponding curb weight is 1724 kg and 1790 kg.
Unquote. 4.9 l/100km is 48 mpg. Now to know what their definition of ‘comprehensive’ is, ie. what mix of IC and (plugin) electric power.
Lambo, while I agree that VW will have limited success with the ID.Buzz at it’s price, it has been many decades since VW was primarily a producer of “cheap” cars. When the Golf/Rabbit essentially replaced the air cooled Beetle in the mid 1970s, it was a “premium” small car, significantly more expensive than Corollas and Civics of the time. Their attempts as “Americanizing” have been less than successful, though, starting with the worse-than-German cars from the Westmoreland plant in the late ’70s. Now, their most “mainstream” product in the US, Atlas, generally ranks near the bottom in reviews.
I have had several VWs, most recently a pre-scandal TDI Jetta wagon. All of the VWs that would interest me, except the GTI, have been discontinued in the US market.