Suppliers fuming over shift towards in-house production of hybrid and EV parts
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily
Not too long ago, most automakers saw no reason to produce components like electric motors for hybrids or electric vehicle batteries in-house. That’s what outside suppliers were for. This decision was largely based on cost. For major automakers, producing parts for hybrids and EVs on a small scale simply did not make financial sense. Now, as both the hybrid and electric markets have evolved and display a promising outlook for future growth, automakers have gradually shifted towards in-house production of vital hybrid and EV components. Unsurprisingly, this move has made some suppliers less than happy.
In particular, Remy International Inc., makers of electric motors for hybrid and EV applications, has lost several contracts as its potential customers have been entering into the electric motor business themselves. Remy chief executive officer John Weber worked up plans to produce electric motors a long time ago. His plans should have put Remy in the position to lead the industry in electric motor production, but the company’s fate now rests in the hands of automakers.
The big companies such as Toyota and Nissan have turned to in-house production of nearly all components for advanced vehicles. Even General Motors, a long time Remy customer, will eventually bring electric motor production in-house. As you can bet, companies like Remy are displeased at the situation. Remy CEO John Weber told Automotive News:
Does it annoy me that GM’s going down this path? It annoys the hell out of me. Especially given how much they’ve crawled around our plants and gone through our supply base. The strategy driving it is: ‘We need to own this technology,’ and that doesn’t make sense. Under that argument, they should also get into windshield wiper motors and window motors because they’re also part of the vehicle experience. They buy fuel injectors and tires from different people, and yet they’re part of the driving experience. My prediction is that GM is going to spend a billion dollars and there’s going to be blood all over the floor while they try to figure it out. And in five years, somebody smart is going to say, ‘Why are you doing all this?’ And then they’ll outsource it.
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Farewell, Naruse-San: A Tribute to Toyota’s Fallen Test Driving Legend
It seems like only yesterday that Hiromu Naruse was showing me the highlights of his latest creation, the MRS hybrid sports concept. That was six years ago. I can still remember his quiet voice and those piercing eyes that made you hang on every word he said.
All-new 2010 BMW 5 Series sold out
For individuals looking to purchase a 2010 BMW 5 Series will have to wait longer than expected. The 5 Series sedan has been a huge success for BMW, who now reports that the model is sold out.
Customers who are ordering the new mid-sized executive car will have to wait an additional three – four months for delivery. The car is expected to make up as much as 17% of BMW sales in the United States.
Although the car shares 70% of its parts and technology with the more costly 7 Series, the 5 Series costs $25,600 less than the flagship model. The new 5 Series has a starting trade price of $44,550 in the U.S. In the UK, the 5 Series saloon starts from £28,155 for the entry-level 520d SE, as appose to the starting price of a 7 Series at £55,385.
BMW dealerships and owners looking to sell their 2010 5 Series’ are likely to add an extra premium, on top of the OTR price.
Top Gear’s new reasonably-priced car is… the Kia C’eed?
Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Kia
Get your torrents warmed up! The new season of Top Gear finally airs tomorrow night in the UK (don’t even get us started on why BBC America is still running something like season 7 right now), and the boys are unveiling an all-new reasonably-priced car.
The old Chevrolet Lacetti has been sent of off to the scrap heap and it looks like Richard Hammond gets the honor of pulling the sheet of the new car. Someone snapped a pic during rehearsals this week, and we’ve got some clues as to what the new star car might be.
The best guess appears to be the compact Kia C’eed, a decent-looking little hatch that’s not available in North America. The general shape and the lights seem to be a pretty good match, as are the wheels. We still don’t know who this week’s celebrity hotshoe will be, but we’ll be checking it as soon as we can. A tip of the hat to Rudy!
[Source: VW Vortex]
Top Gear’s new reasonably-priced car is… the Kia C’eed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan
Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge
2008 Dodge Caravan R/T concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Is a “macho” minivan even possible? Toyota’s exploring the “Swagger Wagon” angle with the Sienna SE, and Dodge is apparently going to try and find out with a new variant of the Grand Caravan. Minivans are generally not aspirational vehicles; people buy them because they need the utility. Of course, that’s not a bad thing – people haulers were created for a reason.
However, Dodge is going to try and spread the appeal beyond kiddie-schlepping moms to attract more men into the fold. A “sportier-looking” front end paired with a black-and-grey interior doesn’t seem like it’d be enough to swing much of the male demographic. After all, how sporty can you make a big box without a total redesign?
The new model will reportedly draw from the Caravan R/T concept that was quietly displayed at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and it could debut within a few months. The Chrysler minivans have a lot to offer in terms of packaging, but their interiors leave much to be desired. If Chrysler substantially upgrades the look and feel there, its vans could land a few body blows in the battle against the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. But adding a hood scoop and big wheels? Not the answer.
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Spy Shots: New Peugeot 508 sedan caught undisguised?
Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot
Peugeot’s new executive-class sedan has spotted getting ready for a likely photoshoot in Madrid, wearing nothing but a car cover. Given the timing, we’re guessing the new 508 sedan will get its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September and then go on sale late this year or in early 2011.
The 508 will likely share most of its underpinnings with the Citroen C5 and be powered by range of engines, starting with a gasoline 1.6-liter inline-four,and topping out with a 3.0-liter 240-horsepower diesel V6. The 508 is also expected to be available with Peugeot’s new Hybrid4 through-the-road hybrid system.
This uses an internal combustion engine with a conventional transmission at the front wheels and an electric motor and battery for the rear axle. It’s mechanically simpler than power-split systems like those from Toyota, and it offers on-demand all-wheel-drive.
[Source: Autoblog.IT, 1Minutocoches]
Spy Shots: New Peugeot 508 sedan caught undisguised? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hyundai Verna Transform launched in India
Hyundai Motor India has launched the facelifted Verna termed ‘Transform’. The company calls it as ‘Dynamic by DNA’ luxury sedan. The Verna Transform has only cosmetic changes and there is no change in the technical specification what so ever.
The cosmetic changes in the Verna Transform are – new headlamps, radiator grill and bumper. The rear also gets some cosmetic changes and so do the interiors. Two petrol and three diesel variants are available with the top end diesel variant having automatic transmission option.
The Hyundai Verna Transform is priced in the range of Rs 6.55 to 7.50 lakh for the petrol and Rs 7.87 to 9.21 lakh for the diesel variants.
On the occasion of the launch, H W Park, MD & CEO, HMIL, said, “The Verna Transform is all set to boost Hyundai’s already superior line-up of products in India by raising the benchmark in the sedan segment, even further. The car’s distinctive sporty styling and dynamic features complement the refined power and thrilling performance that the Verna brand stands for. We are confident that the new Verna will prove to be very popular with car enthusiasts and will transform ownership into a thrilling experience. “
