Scout Motors will formaly unveil its new electric pickup and SUV on October 24. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Germany’s biggest union pledged to leave no idea unexplored, including a move to a four-day week, to counter Volkswagen management’s threat of closing its domestic plants. More at Reuters.
+ According to a study from Consumer Reports, the best buys in low-priced used cars currently include the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, 2019 Hyunai Elantra, and the 2016 Honda HR-V. More at Autoblog.
+ BMW engineer Stella Clarke says the automaker’s E Ink paint technology that allows a car to change its exterior color on the fly could be production-ready in three to five years. More at The Drive.
+ Aston Martin co-owner and executive chairman Lawrence Stroll says he hopes to secure Formula 1 guru Adrian Newey’s services and is “very excited” by the prospect, More at Racer.
+ The United Auto Workers announced that Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy, has agreed to recognize the union at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant. More at CBT News.
+ The former chairman and CEO of credit card giant Visa Inc., Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., 66, has joined the General Motors 13-member board of directors, the company announced. More at The Detroit News.
+ The state of California is close to passing a law requiring all new vehicles sold in the state to feature an audiovisual warning when the driver exceeds the speed limit by 10 mph. More at Motor Authority.
+ Volkswagen’s Scout Motors offroad EV divsion will formally unveil its new SUV and pickup on October 24, with production slated to begin in South Carolina sometime in 2026. More at Car and Driver.
+ Stellantis has named Bob Broderdorf, previously the senior vice president at Ram and head of sales at Dodge, to be the new head of Jeep North America, replacing Bill Peffer. More at World Auto Forum.
+ RFK Racing, co-owned by Jack Roush and Brad Keselowski, is reportedly close to adding a third NASCAR Cup charter and team entry for 2025 with Ryan Preece as the driver. More at Yardbarker.
Scout rendering courtesy of LARSONdesign on Instagram.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from September 2 here.
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Well, I thought that Scout Motors might’ve considered dialing its determination to come out with the Electrolux Scout back a bit. I haven’t met one person who is interested in an EV Scout. I find the interest about 60/40 for diesel power and 85% for a mechanical drivetrain. Myself I’d like to see a Cummins 3.3 V-6 under the hood and a complete ZF driveline. EV is wearing out its welcome in the Chinook Belt, especially when a cold front moves in and drops everything down to 27 below or colder. It’s time the builders listened to the consumers…
> technology that allows a car to change its exterior color on the fly
This should be very popular with criminals and adulterous spouses. I know that Millennials are reputed to be rife with ADHD but they oughta be able to pick a color and stick to it. Earl Scheib is turning over in his grave.
> Volkswagen’s Scout Motors offroad EV division
Everyone else has been shedding divisions and VW is creating a new one. And this while they’re struggling with selling enough cars to keep German plants open. That does not compute. From Reuters “The auto giant faces a vexing landscape of challenges including slowing demand for cars and particularly EVs”
> all new vehicles sold in the state to feature an audiovisual warning
I foresee lucrative sales of used Porsches and Mustangs. As goes CA, so goes the West Coast and Northeast. I believe there’s a law that says manufacturers must stock parts for a decade’s worth of cars. I say we amend that law to include _two_ decades worth of electronics or else there will be a lot of bricked cars.
By law, manufacturers must have replacement parts available for the period of the warranty. After that, you’re on your own, legally. There is no 10-year period.
Thank you for the correction. I am the victim of an urban myth.
However, I stand by my position that there should be a 20 year warranty on electronics. More and more manufacturers are moving switches with touchscreens and if that should go bad then many functions will be lost to them.
Myself, I am the victim of a bad screen on a 10 year old Subaru (apparently a common problem and not warrantied). I cannot use navigation, listen to music, monitor vehicle maintenance or fulfill several other needs.
Had I been driving a Tesla for example, I would not be able to control the headlights, transmission, door locks or heat/ac. And we know how pleasant Elon can be when you point to a flaw in his products.