BMW’s Production Neue Klasse EVs to Have Bi-Directional Charging
After last year’s well-received Neue Klasse sedan, BMW continued its concept series with the introduction of the Neue Klasse X. This thinly disguised teaser hints at the next-gen iX3 electric crossover, slated for release in late 2025. Beyond showcasing the aesthetics of BMW’s upcoming electric cars, it also offers a glimpse into the array of technologies accompanying them, including the ability to use the cars as batteries. The next generation of the automaker’s cars under the Neue Klasse concept will feature bidirectional charging capabilities, reports Carscoops. This means they can both charge the vehicle and serve as a power source for other devices. BMW categorizes this technology into three segments: vehicle to home, vehicle to grid, and vehicle to load. “With the Neue Klasse, we are introducing bidirectional charging, which we have already tested extensively,” said BMW CEO Oliver Zipse. “Our customers can feed electrical energy stored in the vehicle back into their own house, electrical devices like your e-bike or the public power grid. This lowers electricity costs and helps stabilize networks.” Click here for the full story.
Hyundai, Genesis, Kia Take Center Stage at New York Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show once served as a dazzling showcase for automakers to give their luxury portfolios, redesigned vehicles, and new concepts the bright lights of Broadway treatment. But as at the Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago shows, automaker participation has declined and the lights have dimmed on the spectacle that once tugged for attention from the media, the public, auto industry VIPs and the international press. Not so much for the brands of the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis will be center stage at the 2024 New York auto show, and they are determined to take the industry spotlight, reports Automotive News. That should be no surprise. The three brands have been dominating headlines with new products, announcements, and awards in New York for the past two years. Their presence at this year's show reflects their steady growth in popularity among U.S. consumers. All three brands are drawing more attention to their crossovers. In February, Hyundai Motor America, which includes Hyundai and Genesis, saw light-truck sales rise 10 percent. Kia America's light trucks were up 6.2 percent. Click here for the full story.
Nissan Signs EV Partnerships Just Ahead of New Midterm Plan
Ahead of Nissan's much-anticipated midterm business plan, the Japanese carmaker is teaming with a new group of partners to bolster its struggling electric vehicle strategy. The latest ally is Mitsubishi Corp., the trading company flagship of the Mitsubishi Group, which will work with Nissan on EV charging infrastructure and autonomous driving, reports Automotive News. The tie-up with Mitsubishi comes on the heels of Nissan's agreement with erstwhile rival Honda to explore joint purchasing and development in electric cars. Press reports have also signaled the possibility of a deal for Nissan to collaborate with troubled U.S. EV startup Fisker on production and investment. Under the Mitsubishi Corp. collaboration announced March 18, Japan's No. 2 carmaker and Mitsubishi Corp. will work on technologies that harness renewable energies and focus on new mobility businesses for areas of Japan dealing with driver shortages and declining populations. Details of the collaboration are still to be hammered out. The partners aim to leverage Nissan Motor Co.'s expertise in EVs and autonomous driving and build on Mitsubishi Corp.'s energy management technologies. Click here for the full story.
Driving Efficiency in Dealership Service Operations — Tom Druzynski | West Herr Automotive Group
Efficiency is everything when it comes to dealership service operations, with customer satisfaction often contingent upon the speed of their appointment. However, in a constantly evolving industry, the needs of a fixed-ops department are subject to frequent change, making it difficult to consistently meet wait time goals. On this episode of CBT News Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Tom Druzynski, director of service operations at West Herr Automotive Group. A veteran technician and fixed-ops manager, Druzynski shares his insights into the latest technological innovations and best practices driving service efficiency and improving customer satisfaction. Time is a critical resource in automotive service operations. Managing time efficiently and ensuring technicians have the tools and environment to work effectively are central to productivity and profitability in service departments. Service operations have largely transitioned from paper to electronic systems, allowing dealerships to utilize technologies such as video multi-point inspections, which allow technicians to walk car owners through a diagnosis from the comfort of their homes. These innovations showcase the evolving nature of service operations and the importance of staying current with technological advancements. Click here for the full story.
From Mom-and-Pop Car Lot to Major Dealership Group
Car Pros began 31 years ago as a small mom-and-pop used-car lot south of Seattle. It’s now a megadealer operation. Together, CEO Matthew Phillips and his parents and dealership co-founders, Ken and Robin Phillips, have built that shop into a dealership group with more than 700 employees and nine stores representing Kia, Hyundai, Honda, BMW and Mini in Western Washington and Southern California. Car Pros collectively sells more than 25,000 cars per year with annual sales of over $1 billion. It currently ranks as the top Kia U.S. retailer, having sold more than 175,000 new vehicles for the South Korean brand since 2001 Phillips draws from his finance background and organizational psychology studies to form a management style that is both performance-driven yet empathic to customers and employees alike. His business has won an award for diversity efforts. In a WardsAuto interview, Phillips talks about what makes his organization tick. Click here for the full interview.
Around the Web
Aston Martin Names Bentley's Adrian Hallmark as Next CEO [Reuters]
What to Know About Biden’s New Clean Cars Regulation [The New York Times]
2024 Porsche Cayenne Review: The Do-It-All Machine [Autoblog]
Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Is The Cheapest Lease Deal in America Right Now [Jalopnik]
