Trump Slams Auto Execs as 'Foolish' After They Bucked His Emissions Rollback
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denounced auto executives said to be considering bucking his administration’s proposed rollback of emissions standards, calling the business leaders “foolish,” reports Politico. “My proposal to the politically correct Automobile Companies would lower the average price of a car to consumers by more than $3000, while at the same time making the cars substantially safer,” Trump said in a tweet, claiming that his proposed rollback would make engines run smoother and that there would be “very little impact on the environment.” Trump appeared to be referring to reports that his proposal to scrap former President Barack Obama’s remaining signature climate change rules, which dictated auto emissions, is threatened by automakers’ plans to adhere to the stronger regulations anyway. Honda, Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW have already signed on, with the Times reporting that German automaker Mercedes-Benz and one of the companies summoned by Trump also plan to join. Read more here.
Kids Are Dying in Cars at an Alarming Rate. NHTSA is Tweeting to Raise Awareness.
The numbers are sickening: 10 children dead in 20 days. They were little girls and boys who died in hot cars just in the last few weeks, a growing crisis that's perplexing in part because experts say the deaths are both unintentional and preventable. According to USA Today, some automakers have deployed technological solutions, but making them standard on all new vehicles appears to depend on a divided Congress rather than regulators. On Tuesday, the federal regulator charged with overseeing the auto industry took action – of sorts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a “Tweetup,” inviting the public to spread the word over Twitter on the dangers of heatstroke: “We’re turning up the volume on heatstroke prevention. Tweet with us for the next 12 hours on the dangers of heatstroke. #Heatstrokekills #CheckForBaby.” Read more here.
Audi to Slot High-Powered RS 6 Avant Wagon in U.S. Lineup
A spokesman for Audi of America said customers interested in the Avant can sign up now, and that the brand will offer preordering for deliveries in 2020, reports Automotive News. In what might be considered a bold product move given market trends, Audi is bringing its high-powered estate wagon, the RS 6 Avant, to North America in the later half of 2020. The redesigned wagon boasts a 591-hp twin-turbo-powered V-8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, producing 590 pounds-feet of torque. When it arrives, it will join the A4 Allroad as the only wagons in Audi's U.S. lineup. "Throughout our 25-year RS history, the Audi RS 6 Avant is one of our absolute icons with a large global fan base," Oliver Hoffmann, managing director of Audi Sport GmbH, said in a written statement. "We will also be offering the RS 6 Avant in North America for the very first time. As such, we will be tapping into a new market with huge potential and generating further growth." Read more here.
Hyundai Teases Concept EV for Frankfurt
Hyundai offered a peek of a new concept car that will hint at its future electric-vehicle design when the wraps come off at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Sept. 10, reports Automotive News. The angular concept, shown in a teaser image, is inspired by looking back at the company's design in the 1970s, Hyundai said in a statement Wednesday. The concept vehicle is called the "45" with the number in angular brackets --『45』. "The new concept accentuates the forward-driven design direction while exploring the evolution of Hyundai's 'sensuous sportiness' design language," the company said. "The fully-electric concept car will act as a symbolic milestone for Hyundai's future EV design." Hyundai is rumored to be working on a new dedicated EV platform that can accommodate larger vehicles than the current platform shared by the Ioniq compact and Kona subcompact, both of which offer hybrid and gasoline-only powertrains in addition to pure-EV options. Read more here.
Mercedes-Benz Launching Electric Delivery Van Early Next Year
Mercedes-Benz EQV comes in several variants and they’ll be available starting in early 2020, reports The Detroit Bureau. With sales of its diesel-powered vans declining, Mercedes-Benz will begin sales the EQV, an all-electric van early in 2020, company officials revealed. The technical highlights for the new EQV include a range of 405 kilometers or about 240 miles and the rapid charging of the high-voltage battery from 10 to 80% in less than an hour. The Mercedes-Benz EQV also offers more comfort in the interior and unparalleled flexibility. Customers can also choose between two different wheelbases, according to Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “Our MPVs meet the highest standards in terms of functionality and variability. The EQV also does not compromise in this respect. It offers comfortable handling, dynamic electro-aesthetics, intuitive operation and generous space – and all locally emissions-free,” Breitschwerdt said. Read more here.
TradeRev Expands U.S. Footprint, Launches in Kansas City and Minneapolis
TradeRev, a digital platform that facilitates live, dealer-to-dealer vehicle auctions, announces its entrance into two new U.S. markets – Kansas City and Minneapolis. A team of highly-trained, customer-focused TradeRev representatives in each market will help dealers fully integrate TradeRev’s innovative mobile app, including its AI-driven image capturing tool H-Vision℠, into their dealership’s inventory buying and selling process. By leveraging KAR Auction Services Inc.’s full suite of ancillary service capabilities, TradeRev customers in Kansas City and Minneapolis have an expanded coast-to-coast marketplace. They can now access TradeRev’s industry-leading technology, including its H-Vision feature that fully automates condition report visualization, enabling them to:
-
Launch auctions anytime, anywhere: Dealers can launch live, 45-minute auctions from mobile devices and watch as live bids come in from across the country.
-
Sell more cars: Dealers can get bids even before the retail deal is done. Giving consumers near real-time trade-in value and transparency helps dealers more quickly make a sale.
-
Flat-fee transportation: Facilitated in partnership with KAR’s business unit CarsArrive Network, flat-fee transportation gives TradeRev buyers access to trade-in markets across the nation.
For dealers in Kansas City and Minneapolis, TradeRev is free and, with an accelerated registration process, dealers can register and start transacting in as little as 10 minutes. Dealers can sign up here or learn more at TradeRev.com.
Around the Web
Netflix's Hyperdrive is American Ninja Warrior for Cars [Wired]
The Original "Bullitt" Mustang is Headed to Auction [Road and Track]
2020 Honda Civic Si Gets More Aggressive Looks, Safety Tech [Autoblog]
Bugatti Channels Early '90s Supercar Swag in New $8.9M Auto [Bloomberg]
