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Runtime: 9:57
0:00 Foxconn To Sign EV Deal with Two Japanese Automakers
1:21 CATL Developing 2nd-Gen Sodium-Ion Batteries
2:15 Ford Stockpiling Car Parts Ahead of Tariffs
3:34 California HOV Lanes for EVs End in September
4:45 Former Waymo CEO Trashes Tesla’s Robotaxi
5:38 London Congestion Fee Reduces Pollution
6:15 BMW Integrates Huawei Tech into Vehicles in China
6:54 Autoline Poll Results
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
FOXCONN TO SIGN EV DEAL WITH TWO JAPANESE AUTOMAKERS
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone out there and it looks like the folks at Foxconn might be doing a little bit of extra celebrating. The chairman of the Taiwan-based manufacturer said it could sign deals with two Japanese automakers within the next two months to design and build electric vehicles. While the automakers weren’t revealed, Foxconn showed interest in buying a stake in Nissan as well as working jointly with Honda and Mitsubishi. It seemed like talks with Nissan had stalled out with the failed Honda, Nissan merger. However, with a brand-new CEO in charge of Nissan, there’s a lot of speculation it’s one of the two Japanese automakers that Foxconn will work with. Now, in terms of the vehicles it wants to launch, Foxconn previously proposed a full lineup, including a hatchback, SUVs, pickup truck and van. It’s unknown if these are the models it wants to build with the Japanese automakers, but they could be on sale before the end of the year. Foxconn says it wants to start production of one of the SUVs in North America in the fourth quarter. While it didn’t say where, it does have that big factory in Ohio where it used to make the Lordstown electric pickup.
CATL DEVELOPING 2ND-GEN SODIUM-ION BATTERIES
CATL saw its profits grow at their slowest rate in 6 years, but the world’s largest EV battery maker could combat that with continued expansion. It’s working on 4 new plants in China as well as manufacturing in Germany, Hungary, Spain and Indonesia. It also revealed that it’s developing a second-generation sodium-ion battery, which don’t have a ton of energy density, but do offer fast charging, good extreme weather performance, long life and they use fewer critical minerals. And because of that last point, CATL says once large-scale adoption is achieved, sodium-ion batteries will have a cost advantage even over LFP. However, it still expects LFP and NMC batteries to make up 60-70% of its shipments this year.
FORD STOCKPILING CAR PARTS AHEAD OF TARIFFS
President Trump is promising to impose 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and components from Mexico and Canada on April 2nd. So Ford is stockpiling as many parts as it can. Automotive News reports that Ford sent a memo to suppliers telling them it is strategically stockpiling components, except for any parts that are scheduled for engineering changes. And no doubt more automakers are doing the same thing. We think building up inventory ahead of the tariffs is a wise move, but it will only put off the pain for a short time, maybe a number of weeks at best. Automakers and suppliers in the U.S. are trying to figure out how to absorb the cost of the tariffs, but many suppliers are not in a financial position to do so. So that means the burden will largely fall on the car companies, who typically pass most of those costs onto their customers in the form of higher prices.
CALIFORNIA HOV LANES FOR EVs END IN SEPTEMBER
One of the ways that California incentivized sales of hybrids and EVs was providing them access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on highways, even if there was only one person in the car. Those HOV lanes are generally limited to vehicles with at least two occupants. And access to them is highly coveted on California’s famously congested freeways, because with less cars, those lanes typically move faster. Even the used car market can give you an idea of just how highly valued the HOV stickers are. Used cars with the sticker have sold for as much as $5,000 more than those without it. But like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The HOV sticker for hybrids was phased out years ago. And it expires for EVs in September. This is actually a federal program, not a California program, and the state could ask for an extension. But the political climate in the Trump Administration has been raining on EVs, and California could lose what has been an effective incentive to get people to buy electric vehicles.
FORMER WAYMO CEO TRASHES TESLA’S ROBOTAXI
Former Waymo CEO John Krafcik had some harsh words for Tesla’s robotaxi. In an interview with Germany’s Manager Magazine, he said a “serious” robotaxi would place sensors in optimal locations, like on the roof as well as the sides and corners of the vehicle. He also said the sensors should have cleaning and drying functions. Krafcik criticized the design of Tesla’s robotaxi as well saying its “low-slung coupe body design” will make it hard to get and out of for some people and not everyone will be able to use them comfortably. There seems to be a growing number of people willing to criticize Elon Musk and Tesla, so we think the company needs to be careful because the same people unwilling to purchase a Tesla, probably don’t want to use its robotaxi service either.
LONDON CONGESTION FEE REDUCES POLLUTION
London says its fee on vehicles that pollute too much is paying off. In 2019, the city established the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone, which charges vehicles that don’t meet emission standards about $16 to drive in the area. The zone has since expanded twice and now covers about 9 million people. And the city just released a report that nitrogen oxides, which form smog, and PM2.5, which are tiny particles that can irritate the lungs, are down by almost a third compared to before the Low Emission Zones were put in place.
BMW INTEGRATES HUAWEI TECH INTO VEHICLES IN CHINA
BMW announced that it signed a deal with Chinese tech giant Huawei to integrate its Harmony operating system into its vehicles in China starting next year. This will allow owners to connect their vehicle to devices in their home as well. And the two companies will also develop apps and functions based on Huawei’s technology. This is somewhat of a big deal for Huawei because several countries including the U.S., UK, Canada and Germany, have banned or restricted Huawei from their 5G networks. So, its become something of a point of pride for consumers in China to buy and support Huawei products.
AUTOLINE POLL RESULTS
We’ve got the results of last Friday’s poll. We wanted to know what kind of feedback you’d give to automakers, who are trying to figure out whether they should use touchscreens or buttons and knobs, or a combination of the two. 20% of you, or one out of five said you really don’t like screens at all. Only 13% said you prefer to use screens. And 63% said you wanted a combination of the two. 4% of you chose none of the above, and posted your feedback in the comments section.
Grantlauzon5237 said, “As an Uber EATS driver I absolutely prefer physical interactions. You can place your finger on a button without pressing it. It’s a very different story when using a screen on a bumpy road.”
Crimsomblue had a really good suggestion. “They should blindfold people to test functions of cars. They should be able to engage in functions of the car and provide feedback.”
Brad-sb1dk is for screens, but not just by themselves. He said, “Screen with voice control. Autonomous vehicles are the future…operation controls will largely be reduced to climate and entertainment.”
Over 1,900 of you participated in the poll and posted over 200 comments on our website and YouTube channel. And I’d suggest to any product planning people who are in the audience take a look at what got posted because there’s some pretty good feedback.
But that’s a wrap for today’s show. Thanks for tuning in.
Thanks to our partner for embedding Autoline Daily on its website: WardsAuto.com
I am shocked that Waymo did not throw shade on Tesla for using vision only systems. The non-use of lidar is enough to scare me away from ever trying a Tesla Robotaxi.
Here is a video that shows why I would be scared to death about the “vision only” system from Tesla that gets fooled by a wile coyote style trick:
https://youtu.be/IQJL3htsDyQ?si=UXibdQk6W9IqO4q_&t=549
“There seems to be a growing number of people willing to criticize Elon Musk and Tesla, so we think the company needs to be careful because the same people unwilling to purchase a Tesla, probably don’t want to use its robotaxi service either.”
Was Autoline funded by USAID? You take every opportunity to spin a negative tale about Tesla since Elon got involved in US politics. (A US government, let’s not forget, that was actively working to put his companies out of business). For example, how many stories have you published about the decline in Tesla sales this year? How many have also mentioned that their best selling models were each getting a refresh? Sales decline on the most popular cars on the planet–which every buyer knows is about to be updated? Noooo, you don’t say. Come on Autoline team, you all have a body of work that is so much better than the elementary editorializing on evil Elon. Elon has done Sandy Munro’s show TWICE, each packed with automotive insight Tesla has learned that he volunteers FOR FREE, yet Elon is the bad guy in our world? Get real.
Interesting video
I believe that Tesla is making a HUGE mistake with the current model of the Robotaxi! Tesla should have used a MPV (Multiple Purpose Vehicle) Nissan NV 200 or a dressed down version of the Ford Supervan size vehicle for the Robotaxi. This size vehicle could be used to carry both people and their luggage to airports and around town. In a commercial configuration carry cargo for deliveries with an Optimum Robot as an assistant to deliver packages to curbside, porches, and small businesses. The New Model Y with a squared off rear quarter and rear side sliding passenger doors would probably achieve this MPV goal and make Robotaxi easy to get in and out of for patrons. Tesla could have used older Model 3′ and Y’s updated with Robotaxi technology to achieve the same desired test fleet before committing huge financial resources for a production line of Robotaxi’s
So where do we buy a a self driving Waymo car?
I need the address so my Full Self Driving car, a 2019 Tesla Model 3 can drive me there hands free.
Where do we go to buy a Dan O’Dowd self driving car?
So where is the LIDAR store so I can make my 2017 BMW i3-REx into a self-driving car? JC Whitney?
MERKUR DRIVER – impressive video, thank you for sharing
The Tesla robotaxis need to be very small, to limit collateral damage when they crash, which will be often, based on the information shown in the video MERKUR linked.
Former Waymo CEO trashes his competitor’s robotaxi. Who cares? He’s obviously biased.
I have no dog in this fight, and would appreciate a robotaxi IF its fares are HALF of what Taxis and Ubers (little difference between the two) charge.
As for the TESLA robotaxi, it does not look appropriate for the job. An EFFICIENT design would look like a London Cab, boxy with a ton of room for passengers and cargo, not a tiny silly high mpg science project that looks like a sporty car with little interior volume.
I imagine that if the bitter and envious Herr Krafcic were competent at his job, he would be the current Waymo CEO rather than the former. Meanwhile one of Musk’s other ventures, that he runs in his spare time, is currently rescuing astronauts that Boeing left stranded on the ISS.
Maybe Krafcic can go to VW and use his skills to cut the time it takes them to hit bankruptcy in half.
Bob Wilson,
Not JC Witney, but you can add a vision system autopilot system to a suprising amount of cars that never had it from the factory. Online reviews are pretty good for this system. Best part about it is no monthly charges. Just install and you are on your way. Here is the link:
https://comma.ai/
I rarely use either Uber or taxis, but my experience with Uber has been very good, much better than taxis, at least in east central Florida. I never have to wait longer than about 5 minutes for an Uber to arrive.
SpaceX is doing a very good job of running itself, as Elon is busy firing forest rangers and public health workers. I hear, and sometimes see about a launch a week. Most are StarLink, but some, like the Crew Dragon and others are for NASA, or other government and private customers.
One benefit of a robo taxi is that you don’t have to worry about the driver killing or assaulting you or your loved ones. Or someone posing as your uber driver with the same results. Both things have happened to many poor young ladies.
It’s easy to know if someone is posing as your Uber driver, since the app shows the make, model, and year of the vehicle and tag number. Yeah, it could be a lot riskier for a hot young girl (or guy) than for 78 year old me, as long as I don’t don’t wear a conspicuously expensive watch or something. I don’t know how good their driver screening is.
Yeah, I think the ladies get careless or in a hurry and don’t properly verify the uber before getting in,.That or they get talked into it by the driver who says they won’t have to wait. It’s unfortunate.
Robotaxi EVs, if they are optimally designed, should be very different than privately owned EVs.
RTs operate in urban environments at low speeds most of the time, and short ranges.
More important, RTs are identical vehicles in a fleet, and it is much easier for them to have interchangeable AND smaller batteries.
This makes them much, much more efficient, lighter weight, cheaper to build and operate.
I would not give them a range more than 150 miles, or 100 winter miles at least.
When their charge drops below some % (10-20) ,they would go to the nearest depot and get a fully charged battery in less than 5 mins, if they are designed right.
Little of the above is doable with privately owned EVs. Interchangeable batteries are ok only if you lease the battery, not own it.
THe speeds of Robotaxis do not need to be higher than the speed limit, which makes the necessary motor smaller and the fuel used lower too.
All of this makes for a ‘design spiral’ which results in a more and more efficient final iteration of the RT design.
Regulus,
It is a city use only type of vehicle. I am sure, given the cost, the Tesla Robotaxi is likely using a very low powered motor and smaller battery. I am certain it will be restricted to speeds under 60MPH which will put it on city streets only. There are reasons for this. The biggest reason is that as a passenger, you do not want 0-60 sprints in under 2 seconds in a vehicle that you have zero control over. That tends to scare people which is why roller coasters are fun. So you want a very slow acceleration rate(0-60 in 15 seconds) so as to not scare the passengers. This means you can get away with very small motors. The small motor and slow acceleration means that power consumption will be low giving them more than adequate range for a days work without the need for a huge battery. Another reason for restricting it to city streets is that the environment is more controlled versus the less controlled rural areas. Also the lower speeds favors the accident avoidance features and makes them more secure versus the high speed and unpredictability of rural roads and interstates.