Bill to Undo Relaxed EPA Tailpipe Emissions Rule Fails in Senate
A bill that would prohibit the EPA from enforcing its finalized rule on tailpipe emissions failed to reach a 60-vote threshold in the Senate on Thursday. The bill was introduced by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, on March 23, just days after the EPA finalized its rule for light-duty vehicles with the 2027-32 model years. The bill was co-sponsored by 17 Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. The bill was voted down 52-46, reports Automotive News. The EPA's final rule was a compromise with the auto industry that adopts a less aggressive pace for limiting tailpipe emissions than the agency's previous proposal. "First, the Biden Administration tried to bribe Americans to buy EVs, and now they're trying to mandate that we all do — years before we have a supply chain that we can rely on," Manchin said in a statement following the bill's introduction. "While I do not oppose electric vehicles in the marketplace, I am completely against the federal government telling us what type of car or truck American families can buy." Click here for the full story.
Automakers Hope for a Cut as Two-Way EV Charging Becomes Real
Automakers from General Motors to Volvo Cars alongside utilities and charging app operators are calculating their financial cut as EVs that allow their owners to sell power back to grids become a more realistic prospect. Bidirectional, or vehicle-to-grid (V2G), charging lets EV owners charge at overnight off-peak rates then sell power back to grids at a profit during peak hours. For short periods, a million EVs could provide as much power as a large nuclear power plant, says Nick Woolley, CEO of UK software firm ev.energy, which is working on V2G technology with Siemens, Nissan, Volkswagen and others. For many years V2G remained largely theoretical, as the Nissan Leaf was the sole EV capable of it, reports Reuters. That has begun to change with the help of smart electricity meters, artificial intelligence, and modelling by innovative energy companies. And most major automakers, including Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, Renault, and Toyota are expected to launch V2G capable models over the coming years. Click here for the full story.
Nissan Hopes New Product, Marketing Juice U.S. Sales
Nissan told retailers this week it expects revived product and marketing to propel U.S. sales more than 20 percent in fiscal 2024. "The message is the car is the star," said a retailer who attended one of three regional meetings in Orlando, Fla., Boston, and Dallas. Nissan is "looking at product driving them out of the woods," said the dealer. They said executives shared details of the redesigned Murano crossover and Armada SUV scheduled to arrive in December. The next-gen Murano, described by one dealer as more luxurious than sporty, will ride on a revised version of Nissan's D platform. Powered by a four-cylinder turbo engine. The new Murano adopts Nissan's updated grille and has a wide Porsche-like rear. A retailer described the large crossover as resembling the Acura MDX. According to Automotive News, Nissan will lean in on luxury with the next version of its flagship Armada SUV. The model will be bigger with redesigned headlights and taillights. An all-new interior will include upgraded finishes and large screens. "It's going to have a ton of technology," a dealer said, noting the SUV will feature a turbocharged six-cylinder. Click here for the full story.
The Charge Toward EVs Falters
Many dealers likely won’t be surprised to learn U.S. sales of electric vehicles continue to slow, according to Cox Automotive. Although some headlines ballyhoo the annual EV sales growth in the U.S. market, that rate has slowed considerably. Yes, Q1 sales rose 2.6 percent year-over-year but fell 15.2 percent compared to Q4 2023, reports Cox. “Look at these EVs,” one salesperson at a Tucson-area Kia store, who asked to remain anonymous, tells WardsAuto as he waves at a lineup of electric models. “We can’t move them, even with zero percent financing.” Industry analysts say falling prices, increased incentives and, yes, financing breaks have kept EV sales volume afloat. Cox reports a 9 percent decrease in average new EV transaction prices during Q1. That $55,167 price was down roughly 13.5 percent year-over-year. It’s sobering to read that the lower price didn't translate into higher sales volumes. Dealers struggling to move the EV metal are stymied by slashed prices, higher incentives and increased leasing, reports Cox. One reason leasing has increased – Cox reports more than a quarter of EVs were leased during Q1, more than double the 2023 level – is the lure of the $7,500 IRA incentive. Click here for the full story.
How AI is Driving Transparency in the Vehicle Pricing Process
In today’s dynamic market, vehicle pricing is everchanging with vehicle condition, location, color and even added features like heated seats impacting the price tag on dealer lots. For dealers, offering accurate prices on vehicles that reflect their condition is critical and the key to success in today’s market, reports CBT News. For dealers, there are a few simple but critical steps to stay ahead of the curve with more accurate and transparent inspection and evaluations. Dealerships today are increasingly incorporating AI to fuel dealership success by improving customer experience, sales processes, vehicle inspections and operational efficiency. Dealers who want to remain ahead of the curve need to consider how to incorporate AI and machine learning tools into their daily processes. From the customer service perspective, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can revolutionize dealerships interacting quickly and efficiently with customers and offering vehicle recommendations. When it comes to vehicle inspection, this technology is just as valuable. The technology available to dealers today leverages millions of data points on vehicles, including vehicle sensors, internal systems, external databases, and historical records, and applies advanced analytic techniques to provide insights that inform preventive maintenance practices. Click here for the full story.
Around the Web Inside World of Volvo, the Automaker's Shrine to Sustainability [Automotive News]Own the Icon, a Futuristic Electric Yacht By BMW Fit for a Bond Villain [Carscoops]California's EV and PHEV Market Is Growing, with Help from the State [Car and Driver]Ferrari Keeps Combustion Alive and Roaring with Hydrogen Engine Plans [Jalopnik]
