JANUARY 6, 2016

Ford. Toyota is adopting SmartDeviceLink, Ford’s open-source smartphone app interface software; automotive suppliers QNX Software Systems and UIEvolution also are adopting the technology, with plans to integrate it into their products. The Japanese adopting something from a U.S. automaker? Who knew?

GM, Lyft. Editor-In-Chief's Note: General Motors and Lyft today announced a long-term strategic alliance to create an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the U.S. GM will invest $500 million in Lyft to help the company continue the rapid growth of its successful ridesharing service. In addition, GM will hold a seat on the company’s board of directors. Yes, the times they are a changin' but, WTF? $500 million for what exactly? Yet another example of a Detroit car company desperately grasping at a "future of transportation" straw, hoping something good comes out of it. This is one of Dan "I'm the next chairman just watch me" Ammann's deals. What a bunch of Bush League Bullshit. -PMD

(VW images)
This is the VW BUDD-e, the first VW based on the VW Group's new Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) designed for plug-in electric vehicles. Introduced at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show CES) in Las Vegas this week, the BUDD-e has a 101 kWh battery that enables up to 373 miles of pure electric range. VW PR minions say that the BUDD-e is "a zero-emissions, avant-garde time machine" utilizing new interfaces that signal next-generation display and ergonomic concepts including touch and gesture control. Volkswagen says that the BUDD-e is more thoroughly connected with its surroundings than any car before it. "An integral automotive component in the Internet of Things (IoT)," according to VW, BUDD-e is capable of seamlessly communicating with your Smart Home or office. "Featuring next-generation infotainment technologies and offering an advanced new method of operation and information processing, BUDD-e turns travel into a fully interactive, intuitive experience," according to the manufacturer. Editor-In-Chief's Note: As I said late last year, the only way that VW has a shot at reviving its image is to be bold and take chances by bringing out innovative products to the market. The BUDD-e is definitely a step in the right direction. Possible production? 2019. -PMD

(Toyota Images)
Okay, so an auto show broke out at the CES. Here are two offerings from Toyota. The first is the Toyota FCV Plus concept vehicle, which, according to Toyota PR minions, "demonstrates Toyota’s vision of a connected, sustainable hydrogen society." Showcasing the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond just the automotive industry, the FCV Plus is capable generating electricity directly from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle and thus operating as a stable source of electric power for use at home or on the go.

(Toyota Images)
The FCV is interesting, but not as interesting as the KIKAI concept. The KIKAI - meaning “machine” - brings the machinery of the vehicle out from beneath the body and makes an open display of its beauty. We love it.

(GM/Chevrolet)
This is the new Chevrolet Bolt all-electric vehicle, or, as we like to call it - the Bolt LG - because LG had an extensive hand in its development, although you'd be hard pressed to discern that now given GM's media push, which avoids mentioning LG at all costs. The Bolt design was apparently tweaked to fit with GM's new investment in Lyft. Chevrolet PR minions say that "as Chevrolet’s first ground-up, long-range electric vehicle the 2017 Bolt EV offered designers unprecedented freedom, resulting in a vehicle that crosses boundaries and challenges expectations in the electric vehicle (EV) segment." And that Chevrolet is "fulfilling its promise to offer a long-range, affordable electric vehicle for the masses." The Bolt EV, which will go into production by the end of 2016, will offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience, according to GM. “It was less than a year ago that we revealed the Bolt EV concept and promised to deliver a long-range electric vehicle attainable by the masses,” GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said. “The Bolt EV is capable of using the latest mobile app technology to enable car sharing, advanced GPS routing and gamification, all designed to enhance the ownership experience now and into the future.” Editor-In-Chief's Note: It's put-up or shut-up time for GM when it comes to electrics and extended-range hybrids. The Bolt makes a lot of promises and sounds great on paper, but if GM falls short on any of them they will be - and should be - rightfully slammed. The Bolt better be good and it better perform as advertised, or else. And the next-gen Volt is an impressive piece but if GM can't get enough people to buy them, what difference does it all make? -PMD

(GM/Chevrolet)
Chevrolet has introduced the new 2017 Cruze Hatchback. It offers 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. With the rear seat folded, cargo space expands to 42 cubic feet. Why did they do this ahead of its formal debut at the North American International Auto Show? Because it will get lost in the shuffle down at Cobo Hall. It will be available in the fall of 2016.

(Audi)
Yet another before-the-Detroit-Auto-Show-intro, this is the 2017 Audi A4. According to Audi PR minions, "Sharpened design, excellent driving dynamics, benchmark technology, and available quattro® all-wheel drive are just some of the highlights of the all-new Audi A4, on sale Spring 2016." Two things of note: It uses lightweight aluminum-hybrid construction to help achieve significant weight savings, according to Audi, and the redeveloped 2.0 TFSI® engine generates 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

(KIA)
Kia is another automaker trying to make hay before the Detroit Auto Show by teasing its Telluride concept. Kia PR minions are working overtime already saying that the Telluride, "pushes the boundaries of technology and luxury with unique in-cabin health-and-wellness technology." Well, okay then. The concept also highlights Kia’s first use of 3D-printed components, "which add a distinct, modern design element to the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel," according to the Korean auto manufacturer.

(FCA)
A new dual exterior stripe design will be available on the 2016 Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models. The dual, SRT Hellcat-exclusive, full-length carbon-fiber pattern stripes "provide a customized-from-the-factory look," according to FCA PR minions. The stripes have a U.S. MSRP of $995 and dealers will begin taking orders for the package in January. In addition, ordering for the much sought-after Plum Crazy exterior paint, which was scheduled to end in December 2015, will be extended through January.

(VW)
This is the Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept. Based on the second-generation Tiguan, it utilizes VW's new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) vehicle architecture. A plug-in hybrid, the Tiguan GTE Active Concept uses two electric motors and a gasoline engine, which can supply all four wheels with power, employing new 4MOTION Active Control drive programs, either automatically or at the push of a button. The plug-in hybrid system has 148-horsepower, allowing it to travel up to 20 miles in zero-emissions electric mode. Editor-In-Chief's Note: We couldn't be more bored with this so-called "concept" if we tried. Uninspired and relentlessly uninteresting, if this is how VW is going to capture U.S. consumers' hearts and minds going forward, it's going to be a long, ugly journey. -PMD

How has the Ford F-150 changed since 1986? See below.

Shinola. The company that touts its watches and other goods as being "Built in Detroit" and that relentlessly portrays itself as a booster of American manufacturing has been forced to alter its claims about the origins of its watch parts as federal regulators take aim at the resurgent U.S. watchmaking industry over “Made in USA” marketing. After Detroit Free Press inquiries last week, and after Shinola has consistently made statements that components of its highly precise watch movements are all made in Switzerland, the company revised its consumer disclosure section on its website to add that the components are also from Thailand. The company said that about one-third of the watch movement components come from the Asian country. But, that didn't stop the company from insisting that it's still right. “This is building. For us, it’s not assembling,” Shinola President Jacques Panis told the Free Press last week during a tour of the factory line inside the company’s Detroit headquarters. “These folks are highly trained, and for us to say that they’re assembling something is not accurate in our mind.” As the Free Press reported this morning in a front page story, "Such fine distinctions in language matter to a company that has invested great time and money marketing a rebirth in domestic manufacturing centered in Detroit." And it's a bunch of Bush League Bullshit too. This isn't the first time that a company has tried to take advantage of the whole "rebirth of Detroit" thing. And it won't be the last, unfortunately. (12/16) Editor-In-Chief's Note: Want to know the insider skinny on the watch business? Check out this week's Reader Mail. -PMD

Sergio Marchionne. Editor-In-Chief's Note: The carpetbagging mercenary/flim-flam artist is at it again, this time insisting that it would be a good idea for Alfa Romeo to return to Formula 1, according to a Reuters report. WTF? Now even if it did happen - which is only a remote possibility, at best - an "Alfa Romeo" racer in F1 would simply be a badge-engineered Ferrari F1 machine, such is the pathetic state of the international racing series. Ferrari is already committed to supplying three non-factory teams with engines next season - Swiss-based Sauber, the new American-owned Haas F1 Team and the Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso (although Toro Rosso will use a 2015 spec engine), so spending all that cash generated from selling Jeeps on another two F1 cars would be incremental spending, in Sergio's eyes. But true to form, Sergio just couldn't help himself from launching a bombastic, bullshit comment saying, "It's incredible how the Alfa marque remains in people's hearts. For that very reason we are thinking about bringing it back, as our competitor, to racing, to Formula One. It's important for Alfa to return." A longtime AE reader, Mark W., had this to say about Marchionne's latest fanciful boast concerning Alfa's place in the automotive world: "In the words of Jerry Seinfeld 'Who are these people ?!?!?' Yes it is ‘incredible’ Sergio… it’s incredible that anyone even knows what Alfa is anymore thanks to the dereliction of duty FIAT has sullied upon the Alfa brand over the last 30+ years." The High-Octane Truth, indeed. Marchionne has been beating the Alfa drum to no avail for so long now that he is simply devoid of even a shred of credibility. He has broken every promise to the dealers, missed every target for the relaunch of the brand and yet he still insists it will be on par with Audi in the U.S. market by 2018. As if. With each new utterance about the golden promise of Alfa, Marchionne looks more and more foolish and that's really saying something, especially since he has compiled quite a dossier of stupidity ever since he was gifted Chrysler by the Obama administration. Continuing to tout the long-faded brand is nothing but an affront to the reality of where Alfa Romeo is and where it's going, which is nowhere good - and fast. -PMD (12/16)

Check out the latest episode of The High-Octane Truth on AutoextremistTV below. -WG

WELCOME TO THE "U."
Well, some of you knew this day had to come. After exhaustive and admittedly dangerous, double-secret research, paying off disgruntled moles buried deep in the administration, even resorting to taking a sweatshirt supplier and his wife to a blowout bash (who knew anyone could drink that much Knob Creek?), we have finally gained access - albeit surreptitiously - to the rarest collegiate apparel in the world. Yes, that's right, the one, the only, "The U." No, not that "U" - we're talking about Unctuous Prick University here, that shadowy institution of higher manipulation that dumped such dubious luminaries as Dan "Captain Queeg" Akerson, Juergen "$36 billion-to-0 in Just Eight Years" Schrempp and of course, Sergio "I'm the Greatest Of All Time" Marchionne on the automotive world. Operating out of an undisclosed location in upstate New York (even the locals don't know it exists), Unctuous Prick University is single-handedly responsible for unleashing some of the most egregiously nefarious executives and yes - unctuous pricks - on this business that the auto industry has ever seen. These carpetbagging mercenaries, interlopers and unmitigated hacks have specialized in malicious shit-disturbing, bombastic boorishness and willful disregard for everyone and everything in their path, leaving a legacy of mind-numbing hubris and egomaniacal rancor the likes of which this industry will never forget. With that in mind then, and knowing full well that some of you out there will recoil at even the thought of wearing the colors of UPU, we're going ahead with this offering anyway, because heretofore you had to be a graduate to get your hands on one. That's right, you can now wear your very own heavy cotton blend Unctuous Prick University sweatshirt - available in black with white - to wear proudly, flaunt in executive meetings and confound strangers wherever you go. $60.00, including shipping. (Available by special order only; please allow four weeks for delivery. Checks only, please. Autoextremist Inc., P.O. Box 13, Birmingham, MI 48012)