The next big EV race is a war, not a battle. As every Western automaker has rushed into the premium plug-in vehicle sector, it’s about damn time some serious trickle-down started to happen in North America. While the second-generation Chevrolet Bolt could establish an early foothold, a new Tesla is reportedly on the horizon, and it could be coming as soon as next year.
In addition, we learn of a group of people who wanted Ford Edges [Ed Note: If you’re as confused by this as I am, don’t worry. -DT], and see that it’s just been a shambolic time for automotive trim pieces, as several automakers have issued recalls for flying plastic. Welcome back to The Morning Dump, eh?
What’s Next For Tesla?
With the statement-piece Cybertruck now in production, it’s time for Tesla to focus its vehicle research and development priorities on other matters, some of which could arrive soon. Reuters reports that Tesla is fielding supplier bids for a next-generation vehicle expected to launch next year.
Tesla has told suppliers it wants to start production of a new mass market electric vehicle codenamed “Redwood” in mid-2025, according to four people familiar with the matter, with two of them describing the model as a compact crossover.
Hmm. Well, even though the Model Y fits the industry description of a compact crossover, the alleged codename floating around for the facelifted Model Y is Project Juniper. There’s a chance “Redwood” could sit below the Model Y and Model 3 in sizing, which means this might be the future entry-level electric vehicle Tesla’s been touting. Whether or not it will meet Elon Musk’s $25,000 target price for an entry-level car, or even 2025 deliveries, is yet to be seen. I mean, how much harder could this be to build than the Cybertruck? Speaking of cheap cars, Reuters has an idea on a potential benchmark.
Tesla in recent years tore down a Honda Civic, whose price starts at $23,950 in the United States, to study how to make cheaper cars, two separate sources said.
Mind you, “Redwood” might not just be one vehicle. According to Reuters, “The next-generation Tesla architecture, internally called “NV9X,” will include two or more models, said the two people and one of the initial sources.”
So, lots of information here and plenty still missing, but keep in mind this is still early-stage stuff and this is still Tesla. Plans change, delays happen, and there’s a nonzero chance the end result might not be what people are expecting. As ever, just use the rule of thumb of lowering your expectations. That way, you’ll either get the satisfaction of correctness or a pleasant surprise.
Triangles, Triangles, Triangles
Even though the big buzzword on the street these days is electrification, the rotary engine with its funny triangular rotors seems to be staging a comeback. Automotive News reports that Mazda has assembled a new team to work exclusively on rotary engines, with a particular focus on making them part of green systems:
Considering all the research and development Mazda put into the Wankel rotary, along with the existence of the rotary-equipped MX-30 R-EV extended range electric vehicle, this seems like a perfectly logical next step for Mazda. Just one wish: Could we have a production version of the Iconic SP concept car, pretty please?
Living On The Edge
We’ve heard of thieves stealing new vehicles from U.S. factories before, but now the trend appears to be leaking through the northern border. As reported by local news outlet Halton Hills Today, 14 Ford Edge crossovers were stolen from the factory in Oakville, Canada.
Overnight on Jan. 7 to 8, police say thieves cut a large hole in the exterior fence surrounding the property and stole 14 brand new Ford Edge vehicles valued at approximately $630,000.
Halton Police took carriage of the investigation, and through partnering with neighbouring police services, 12 of the 14 vehicles have been recovered throughout the GTA.
Police have also arrested five people in relation to this investigation.
So what lesson have we learned here? That’s right, Ford surprisingly still makes the Edge. It’s a fine, quiet, comfortable crossover with enough rear seat width to fit three child seats across, it’s just old. A massive new touchscreen in 2021 only went so far, and the standard two-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder engine feels underpowered, but the last Edge I drove was remarkably pleasant. Also, don’t steal cars.
It’s A Bad Week For Trim Pieces
On-the-fly weight reduction is generally frowned upon, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Recently, several automakers have issued recalls for parts that may fly off while underway, known to other motorists as the second-least fun reason to file a windshield claim, just behind some “Final Destination” shenanigans.
Ford is recalling 1,889,110 Explorer SUVs from model years 2011 through 2019 because according to a NHTSA defect report, “An A-pillar exterior trim part that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.” No kidding. The fix? New A-pillar trims installed with both clips and adhesive. This should be a considerable quality of life upgrade for any Explorer driver experiencing A-pillar trim rattles, not to mention anyone fearful of being hit with a flying trim piece.
Oh, and Ford isn’t alone in its trim panel woes. Kia is recalling 101,049 2023 to 2024 Sportage crossovers and Carnival minivans for improperly installed roof moldings that may make a break for it at high speeds. Apparently, spontaneous roof trim panel release has happened hundreds of times on these vehicle, as per the safety investigation timeline.
Kia NA Safety Office updates data analysis across all data sources and identifies 492 unique incidents for 2023-2024MY Sportage: (dates of receipt: 5/23/2022—1/9/2024) and 365 unique incidents for 2022-2024MY Carnival (dates of receipt: 6/21/2021—1/8/2024)]. No crashes or injuries.
While both of these situations feel like Tim Robinson sketches, you’d expect major automakers to install good trim pieces that don’t fly off while you’re driving. Maybe it’s time to update that old, cliched bumper sticker that goes “All parts falling off this car are of the finest English workmanship,” don’t you think?
What I’m Listening To While Writing This
Spoiler alert, I’m driving a 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition this week, and there’s just something about a hot hatch that makes you want to throw on some DnB. Today, it’s Chase & Status with “Baddadan” featuring IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga, and Takura.
The Big Question
Recalls are often an unfortunate part of vehicle ownership, and when they require in-person fixes, quality of service may vary. The last time I had my 325i in for recall work, the process was quite good. I dropped it off, the local dealership called me a cab home, then collected me when the car was ready, and there wasn’t even a single “you might want to…” service upsell attempt during the entire process. However, not every dealership is like that. This morning I want to ask, how was your service experience the last time you took your car in for recall work?
(Photo credits: Tesla, Mazda, Ford)
I’ve actually never had a car in for recall work. Way back when I had my old hand me down Tacoma, I did get a recall notice for I think the spare tire mount rusting but I was busy and never got around to taking it in before I ended up selling the truck. The only other recall notice I ever got that I can remember was for my current Fiesta and it wasn’t for an actual issue, it was just about an inaccuracy in the owner’s manual and it was just a piece of paper that you were supposed to put in with the manual.
I want to see Tesla make a competitor to the BYD Seagull, except offer it in the USA. It is certainly within their capability to do so. If you want to get average Joe Sixpack to get into an EV, it needs to have at last 200 miles highway range and also be sufficiently inexpensive that the monthly payment is less than the cost of fueling/maintenance/repair for their 15-year-old clunker ICE. At least in cases where he has a place to charge it at home. A sufficiently small battery pack coupled with good Wh/mile consumption makes 110V outlets viable for charging the car. Even if such a car is made and doesn’t sell well initially, it’s one fuel price spike away from taking off…
Aptera may end up beating them to the punch on this…
I keep hoping that damn thing finally makes it to market. I wish they hadn’t wasted time on the solar panels that will be fairly useless in a lot of climates and has to have cost them a good amount of time to engineer that could have been spent getting it out the damn door. Plus, it would look better painted one color. They still seem to be refining prototypes and updating people, so I’m hoping it isn’t very long-game vaporware, though there’s no way I’m giving them a deposit.
“Spontaneous roof trim panel release has happened hundreds of times on these vehicles”
NHTSA: So, chances are like 1 out of a hundred?
Ford: I’d say more like one out of Million.
NHTSA: So you’re telling me there’s a chance!
Cue Crash Test Dummies outro…
VW has been a mixed bag for me. The one near my house is great and would shuttle me back to my home and pick me back up once my car was done being serviced, too. (until I found a wrench that was left underneath my hood).
The other day, however, I took my car to get a recall done at a dealership near my university and even though I had the appointment set two weeks prior they told me they didn’t have the required part two hours after sitting down in their lounge.
Took my Ram 2500 in for recall on the water pump. Got the hardsell on everything from an alignment, to wiper blades. They also warned of a leaking front crank seal (which they quoted at full price even though they had to take everything off to get to the water pump).
To add insult to injury, they didn’t actually do the water pump since they didn’t have the parts, even though they assured me that they did when I made the appointment. Took another six months to get the parts and then I had to go through the whole hardsell on unnecessary work again. Oh, and the front seal is not actually leaking, it’s the rear main that’s leaking and they missed that completely both times.
I’d rather get a prostate exam than go to that dealer.
Dealer was excellent. Gave me a loaner, kept me apprised without prompting, courteous, and the car was properly put back together and returned without a filthified interior. I know Toyota dealers get a bad rep, but that makes two that I had good experiences with (one purchase, one warranty). Actually, I could say the same about two Ford dealers, though I only ever went in for warranty/recall work once (ECU update). The EGR valve recall on the ST, I just did myself. Come to think of it, my only bad dealer experience was with purchasing at a Mazda dealer. That the car was one of my least favorite cars that I’ve owned is coincidence.
Last recall (Ford), they came to my house and reprogrammed whatever they needed to do in the driveway while I was at work. 10/10 would recommend.
Lmao who the fuck plans and executes a Ford Edge heist? If you’re going to do crime (mandatory “please don’t do crime”) at least do something cool. Stealing a bunch of penalty box crossovers is about as cool as your average youth pastor and about as exciting as watching paint dry while listening to golf on the radio.
I mean really? REALLY? Ford Edges? That’s the best you can do? It’s probably time to retire from “that life” early, go legit, and slowly die inside in a corporate office park. TPS reports are cooler than Ford Edge heists.
Counterpoint: they’re easier to move because they’re boring.
You can’t fence the Hope Diamond, you can’t pawn the English crown jewels, but you can flip a bunch of earrings you stole from a Zales storefront at the outlet mall.
This is a very good point
Nobody will ever expect us to hit the Edges.
We’ll be half way to almost the other side of Toronto before they catch on!
I am just shocked that Ford even noticed those Edges were missing. In my head I am imagining the cop chatting to the yard manager and saying “Didn’t there used to be some cars parked there?”, and the Ford guy shrugging “eh, I guess maybe?”
Tesla has, supposedly, named its small-mid-sized vehicle Redwood?
Redwood, as in the trees massive enough that you can cut holes in them and drive through them? As in the trees that are one of the largest single living trees in the world?
Just when I thought they couldn’t baffle me more.
I think you are placing too much on internal project code names. The other reference was to Juniper, so we got a tree theme going on. I don’t think the article was giving any indication that the actual product name would be redwood.
That said, that is kinda funny that the big things name goes on the little thing. Like “Little John” or “Tiny”.
Windows Vista was called Longhorn right up until the day before it was announced.
And that makes sense. A codename is supposed to distract or obfuscate the thing it is attached to, whether that’s a vehicle, a military mission, software, or whatever.
At which point the name moved to the other end of the animal and became Bullsh*t. 😉
That name always made me think of the Foghorn Leghorn cartoon character.
Maybe they mean Metasequoia glyptostroboides. It’s small-mid-sized for a redwood.
It’s just a project code/chassis name. Not much different than the Ford’s ‘Panther’ or ‘Fox’… or the original Model S project name.. Whitestar
You would have thought Tesla has enough cross customers without them making a “Compact Crossover,” what ever that is.
Of of course people get cross when you drive over them. And they make more noise if it is a “compact” instead of “super max” size!
I’d be more likely to believe in Mazda and the future of rotary engines if I could actually walk into a Mazda dealer right now and buy an MX-30 REV, but I can’t,because they launched a half baked full EV version thar predictably failed and then concluded it must mean Americans didn’t want it in any form
I bought a very early Scion FR-S. I think I bought it in May of 2012 as a 2013 model year. That think had a lot of TSBs. I’m pretty sure it was at the shop for a couple of days to address a bunch of the early ones, then again for the tail lights.
Then, of course, the engine ate its own guts and that took over a month at the dealer.
I have a Subaru with a death airbag for the front passenger. Subaru has been trying to get me in to repair this for years. It’s to the point where they’re sending me letters in various languages assuming I do not speak English. Just seems like a pain in the butt to bring it in (I never have a passenger in that seat).
Well, at least Subaru seems like they want to replace the airbag. We had an ’04 Accord that had the driver’s airbag replaced twice because Honda couldn’t track the replacements, but they never replaced the passenger bag because they couldn’t find any reference that the car had a passenger airbag in the manufacturing records (it most definitely did). Had to push Honda to do the airbag each time.
I had a Civic with a bad CVT. It took 5 trips to the dealer to get a diagnosis, and that was just by luck because a tech walked by while I was describing the symptoms to the service writer. He overheard and interrupted, telling the writer to order a transmission and book the service.
If not for that tech, there’s no telling how many more tries it would have taken. That was in the late 90’s. I’m sad to hear they haven’t improved.
The key is to have a good Service Advisor. Third only to having a good doctor and honest HVAC technician.
I have a doctor that blames every complaint on my weight.
I have an HVAC technician that wired the fan backwards on my ac compressor after a tuneup, causing a complete failure in the hottest week of the summer.
I’m par for the course with the service advisors I’ve dealt with.
So you had a 6th gen Civic HX coupe?
Absolutely. I tried so long to talk my wife into getting it with a manual transmission. Ironically, because of that car and it’s CVT she has become a three pedal purist since then.
In fairness to the thing, I used to get 44mpg when my company was paying me $0.60/mile and didn’t require much more than regular maintenance. Passed it on to a family member and it was stolen within months.
That car with a manual would be a dream!
It was the worst car I’ve ever driven in the snow. Even with snow tires it was terrible. I have no idea why.
When we owned this we worked pretty close to each other and would carpool sometimes. In snow or ice we’d leave the civic at home and take my 240sx. My S13 on snow tires was better in snow than the Civic.
That,,,, is quite remarkable. Had a 1993 Corolla that was great in the snow. Stark contrast to the S10 that would regularly get stuck on ice patches in the driveway with 1 rear wheel on totally dry ground.
It’s odd that some of these big companies with high-production models have those kinds of issues. I had to replace an O2 sensor on my ’06 Mazda3 and the dealer and OEM was of no help. Mazda apparently had three configurations of O2 sensors, but were only aware of two! CA market had 3, non-CA had only one or only NB or something that was different, while mine had two, a WB and a NB (IIRC and it was the WB that was bad). Ended up having to remove the part and call the manufacturer stamped on the sensor and give them the PN to get a replacement.
That is crazy
That can still possibly send shrapnel your way. Takata airbags have killed at least 27 and injured 400+ across different makes of cars. I’d be afraid to drive it depending on your climate (warmer and more humid climates degrade it faster).
My last recall was taking my 2003 Subaru Legacy to get the final part of that recall done in 2021. The dealer gave me a loaner 2021 Forester Sport for the few hours they had my car. They did a full inspection to see if they could sell me repairs, but they found nothing. This was in New England, and most Subarus of that vintage in the area have been sent to the scrapyard, so seeing a rust-free, leak-free car was a miracle. The car got nothing but praise.
The loaner Forester was a nice enough appliance, but wasn’t as good as the Legacy. The electric power steering feel was numb compared to excellent feel in my car, CVT was a lot less engaging than the manual in my car, and it was tall with less grippy tires and overall less fun than an old Legacy wagon.
I know. I just got so used to being contacted for the first two years or so of the recall – when they told me I was in danger and also told me they had no parts available to fix the danger. By the time they had parts, I didn’t care to see them. I just switch the passenger airbag off.
This is my short commute and dog transport vehicle. It doesn’t really see highway use. It’s an older Outback with a manual transmission, but the underside is still good despite being a New England car its entire life. I can’t really get rid of it because I will not buy a CVT. When this and my Forester need replacement, we’ll be leaving the Subaru family.
“Overnight on Jan. 7 to 8, police say thieves cut a large hole in the exterior fence surrounding the property and stole 14 brand new Ford Edge vehicles valued at approximately $630,000.”
I think the real story is that Ford is high on their own supply (or lack thereof). $45K, average, per Edge? Excuse me while I laugh harder.
It happened in Canada. In US dollars that would be about $33,500 each.
Well Canada’s one dollar coin is called the Loonie.
The last recall we had to deal with was during our few months of ’05 BMW 325i ownership, for the airbags. They didn’t try to upsell anything, but they kept the car for an entire weekend. They gave my wife an X1 as a loaner, which she hated, especially since they made it sound like if it came back with even the slightest sign of wear and tear, she as on the hook for it. Just absolute assholes about it. It sat in the garage all weekend, and then she tiptoed it back to the dealership to pick up her car.
Back when I had my 2012 CC I took it in to have the airbag replaced under the Takata recall. I think I just waited there for them to finish it. As soon as I started the car, the check engine light came on. The dealership was about to close but they scanned my car and found the issue was related to the intake. Fortunately that issue had a TSB out, so repairs were at no cost to me. They even gave me a loaner to use till the next day. Pretty easy.
“…the last time you took your car in for recall work?”
I haven’t. I am pleased to report I’ve never received a recall notice from American Microcar, Austin, H-M Vehicles, International, KV, SAAB, or Volvo Car BV of the Netherlands, which accounts for everything currently in the fleet. I’m hoping my luck will continue to hold after the Triumph I just purchased arrives in a few weeks.
A Honda Civic screwed together by British Leyland… Yeah, you’re going to need all the luck you can get.
It’s a first-generation Honda Ballade screwed together by British Leyland. From what I hear, finding parts would be considerably easier if it were a Civic.
Before I got to wrench on one I assumed it was just a knock-down kit that Triumph put together. Then I went to visit the Triumph Sports Six Club in Lubenham and they set me straight. I was quite surprised that so many things were redesigned by Triumph and that they fully embrace it as a real Triumph.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fsPDXs5MYkTmESF7A
Here’s a photo I found of our little party at a pub in Coventry.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xKjLhw9FKY53b3Nq6
Not from where I’m standing:
“In North America the Ballade nameplate was never used, the model instead being sold as the Civic Sedan.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Ballade
I read that, too, but they’re not the same car, at least not for the first-generation Ballade. For example, on the Ballade and Acclaim there’s a crease that runs the entire length of the body at the height of the door handles and through the middle of the fuel filler door:
https://live.staticflickr.com/7084/7375850208_c4af65bd9c_b.jpg
On the Civic Sedan the corresponding crease is much higher, clearing the door handles and the fuel filler door:
https://cdn.nettiauto.com/live/9176530/Honda-Civic-74a3480e75ba05ce-large.jpg
None of those panels are interchangeable. Also note the bulge above each headlight that runs the length of the hood on the Civic but not the Acclaim/Ballade, so those are different as well. There’s also a slight kink at the lower rear of the rear door glass on the Civic Sedan but not on the Acclaim and Ballade, so that’s out, too.
I’ve been in touch with a guy who has an Acclaim here in the US and who is himself in contact with the handful of other owners over here. He’s already warned me that although there are some interchangeable items, there are a lot of things that are somewhat similar but not interchangeable.
Weird.
With all that wouldn’t you really rather have a Civic?
Certainly not. I live for this sort of thing. That’s why I took my time looking for one with a Triomatic instead of a five-speed despite my fondness for manuals in general and the clear superiority of the Acclaim’s manual in particular.
Cool. Well good luck. If your Triumph is anything like the Rover built Acura Sterlings I remember of the late 80s you may need all the luck you can get.
Oh, I remember the Sterlings. I like to think they were built after some of the bugs had been worked out of the Honda/BL/Rover Group collaboration. I’m going back earlier than that. What could possibly go wrong?
Pretty safe bet that Triumph is not going to recall the Acclaim.
Just as well, because all of the nearby Triumph dealerships seem to be focused on motorcycles anyway.
Mazda, just stop. Stop throwing money at the Wankel. You have never ‘solved’ the rotary in a way that is reliable and emissions compliant. Move. On.
I appreciate that you think the rotary would make you interesting, but I feel like we are missing out on possible good Mazda vehicles because you’re wasting the limited resources of a small car manufacturer on spinning doritos.
A couple of quick ideas that will help sales more than reviving an oil-burning engine with a reputation for eating its own seals :
I’m not really sure what Mazda’s deal is. Toyota wanted an inline 6 cylinder for the Supra, but didn’t want to invest in one. Mazda went out and invested in an inline 6. Mazda built a diesel and then it died a quietly after VW poisoned the diesel well. next up is surely a nuclear reactor.
Yeah, that’s another odd one. I love I6s, but it seems a strange time for them to dump so much money into one for a (so far) a single vehicle, particularly a large SUV, when the typical buyer isn’t going to know the difference or care. Even trying to offer it down the line will be difficult for the very reason I6s largely went away in the first place in trade for a V6: packaging (there were other reasons, as well, but that’s the one that’s pertinent). It would be awesome if they could package that into an “R”X-7 successor kind of thing, but that’s just daydreaming.
For the diesel, I think the problem was passing US emissions without after treatment (something the typical buyer is not going to want to deal with replenishing). Funny thing about that is I knew something fishy had to be going on with VW when they got their diesels US certified and Mazda couldn’t. I thought there was no way VW’s engineers could accomplish what Mazda’s could not and, sure enough, they were cheating the test.
I know. I’ve seen great reviews of their I6 in the CX90. I’d love to see that in a sports / Gt car – or even a smaller (~2.5l) version stuffed into a Miata. Make it the Mazdaspeed version.
Yeah, it would be more like a modern Austin-Healey 100 to 3000. If they made it a fastback coupe, I’d actually buy one (though, I would have bought the regular Miata if it was offered the same way besides that very limited number of NBs for the JDM).
It wasn’t the VW scandal that killed Mazda’s diesel.
“The saga of the Mazda diesel for the U.S. has me perplexed, though. Why didn’t Mazda use Volkswagen’s Dieselgate as an excuse to cancel the long-promised program? It has become legend that Mazda engineers scratched their collective heads over the way VW was able to achieve the combo of good performance and high—often best-in-segment—fuel efficiency out of its diesels, all while meeting stringent U.S. emissions standards. Mazda wanted its diesel to hit the market with all the Zoom Zoom of its other models, and it would only do so honestly.
The official answer is that the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Skyactiv-D AWD is a low-volume, high-profit-margin SUV that will help push the brand upmarket, somewhere between mainstream commodity marques and premium brands like Acura. Available only in the top-spec Signature trim, which by the way is quite nice, the Skyactiv-D’s base price is $4,110 north of the Signature with the gas turbo four”
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2019-maxda-cx-5-diesel-skyactiv-d-review-specs-price/
The REAL real answer is found in the very last sentence. Skyactiv D delivered too little for too much.
I dunno about where you live but here in California diesel tends to run about a buck a gallon more than regular so even with the slight increase in mileage you ended up paying more, not less. The added expenses of DEF and other diesel specific maintainence costs killed the diesel dream for us cheap bastards. Which sucks. I once had big dreams of making my own free doughnut and french fry scented biodiesel.
Oh well. I suppose I could pick up an ancient clapped out MB 220D and live life in the slow lane. Off to CL.
Yeah, this was the stupid engine that killed NSU. It’s interesting in an academic sense—like most unconventional archaic engines, though I prefer the original rotary for ultimate ridiculousness—and to a few obsessive weirdos who enjoy pain, but to the mainstream customers that they actually need to appeal to in order to stay in business, it’s just an unreliable fuel and oil hog with a short lifespan if they are even aware of it at all. One of the things the rotary nuts harp on about is the sound, but as it looks like they want to use them as range extender generators (which would have to be the case with CAFE and emissions standards being what they are), that sound would be an unwelcome droning at a constant rpm or narrow rpm range that they would need to insulate to not annoy anyone else.
Who is still messing with range extenders? Volt’s been off the market for five years. Fisker… well… poor Fisker. BMW i3s are so old an unloved that David Tracy has one. In a world full of EVs and Hybrids, Mazda tries to bring back an intermediate step we’ve already moved past.
Sometimes I feel like Mazda doesn’t believe market trends until they lose significant amounts of their own money ignoring them.
Love the DT comment! Yeah, maybe it’s cheaper than a parallel setup? I don’t know, it seems like it’s all down to trying to come up with any reason they can to bring back the rotary only 50 people would actually buy. If they used the rotary in a parallel hybrid setup, it wouldn’t be as easy to run it at an ideal rpm, plus they would have to call it a hybrid in that case instead of an “EV with a range extender” even though all that really is is a series hybrid.
Re: why Mazda doesnt focus on ev developmemt…
I’ve read a huge reason Japanese automakers have been pushing hydrogen as a major environmental answer attempted to be sold by Japanese auto makers marketing and their leaders is bc Japan is an island and the Japanese battery manufacturing although ranked 6th in the world is fucking pathetic vs. China. (17 GWh vs. 558 GWh), so China is producing +32 times as many batteries as Japan*.
So… IF Japanese auto makers were to shift their focus to evs it would leave them hopelessly reliant on China which (not surprisingly) is not a position Japan or Japanese Auto makers are interested in.
*In fact the Entire rest of the world’s battery production is fucking pathetic vs. China’s, the US is in 2nd place producing 44 GWh (again vs. China’s 558 GWh), so China is producing +12 times as many batteries as are produced in the US.
Receipt: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/mapped-ev-battery-manufacturing-capacity-by-region/
Mazda has always amazed me, much like Subaru, in having the ability and experience to build some amazing cars and settling for safe bets.
They have a similar focus on a silly engine. At least Subaru has been selling their H motors while Mazda just keeps rolling out Wankel concepts followed by the occasional production vehicle that serves only to undermine their reputation.
RX-8 owners sued Mazda over the lack of power in the Renesis engine. Those were the customers willing to buy an RX8. Hardcore Mazda lovers that they annoyed to the point of a class action lawsuit.
The Wankel is a weapon that Mazda hands to the marketplace every so often. The marketplace uses that weapon to chop down Mazda’s reputation.
If Mazda built something the size of a new RX but put that straight 6 in it with a stick shift they could probably wipe the floor with the Supra and compete nicely with the new Z, Mustang, etc..
“RX-8 owners sued Mazda over the lack of power in the Renesis engine.”
Mazda should have responded with a LS swap recall.
Besides the small package, what is the advantage of Wankel supposed to be again?
Because my takeaway from years of reading about them is that they suck gas, require a lot of maintenance, and aren’t very reliable.
You listed the advantages in your own comment.
Joking aside, I think the only real advantage is that they’re just interesting motors, they have less moving parts than a typical motor which brings its own downsides. A bridgeported rotary at idle though sounds pretty epic so there’s that.
Light, small, fewer moving parts. It’s easier to let them rev higher because they have no valve train. They can sound cool and if you go crazy with them they can shoot monster fireballs out of their exhausts.
Also, the small packaging of the engine itself doesn’t make as big a difference as you’d think since the accessories bolted to it are still the same size. It just makes alternators and ac compressors look huge. Also, it’s pretty popular to add rotors to Wankels – which can undo the packaging benefit.
I guess that’s one benefit to them. You can add rotors. If you have an inline 4, you’re not going to convert it to an I6. With a Wankel, you can add a third rotor and bolt on 50% more displacement. I’m oversimplifying, but it can and has been done. I think Rob Dahm may be running a 4 rotor engine. I also think there were some JDM mazdas (Cosmo?) that came from the factory with 3 rotor engines.
The down side is that they have no valve train, so the ‘opening’ and ‘closing’ is determined by the position of the ports in the housing. This leads to some or a lot of oil consumption depending on the ports. Some owners run pre-mixed oil/gas as if it were a 2 stroke. This isn’t awesome for emissions.
The Cosmo (at least some years) did indeed come with a 3 rotor Wankle engine. Several years ago I saw a 3rd gen rx7 with a 3 rotor (Cosmo sourced) Wankle
The “Redwood” is probably just the refresh of the Y. Because if that doesn’t happen within a few years, it’ll be more like Deadwood, amiright?
The surprising thing is not that Ford still makes the Edge (or that anyone still buys them), but that 14 of them are valued at $630,000. That’s about $45,000 a car! Who the heck would pay that for an Edge? Those must be Canadian dollars cited which would be a US equivalent of $33,300 per Edge. Better, but still not great.
The current model year Ford Edge has a starting MSRP of $38,485 + $1,495 destination charge, making $39,980 the cheapest you can get one new. The model with heated seats (my minimum spec) costs $41,160.
I remember the days when this same generation started below $30k.
Amazing. My sister-in-law picked up a new Edge three years ago for right around $28k. Must have been some incentives offered.
Parts flying off of new cars? Hey, Ford *is* becoming more like Tesla!
As for the last recall, it went fine. They needed the car for nearly 8 hours so they gave me a loaner and I picked it up the next day. They did want the loaner back same day, but by the time they finished I would not have made it to the dealership through rush hour before they closed, so I told them they’d have to wait.
It did take quite a few months from the recall letter before they actually had parts available, though.
Last recall I dealt with was the whole airbag debacle, my Mustang was easy enough to handle but it took forever for them to actually do the work.
My favorite recall was in my old Chevy work truck, like 2017 or so, for the brake pedal that could come loose. Mine actually went to the floor one day because the nut holding it on had walked off, luckily I rolled it into a parking lot and I wasn’t needing to make an emergency stop. I found out it had been under recall but as a fleet vehicle nobody told me.. yeah some hell was raised about that.
My Mustang had an airbag recall too. Car was maybe a year old? Certainly less that 3 anyways. Dropped it off on my way to go golfing, got it after the round. No upsells but maybe I got an oil change since I was already there.
Our company Explorer lost it’s passenger A-pillar cover last year, along with the rubber seal that was under it. neither used any adhesive. Kia has been good about my recalls, no upselling.
I’ll be first in line yelling “Shut up and take my money! if Mazda ever builds the RX-vision coupe (or the Vison coupe, or the Iconic coupe or whatever the next electric motor / flying Dorito range extender coupe is going to be called) as long as it’s not a freaking SUV.
https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/refreshing-or-revolting-rx-vision-vs-vision-coupe.jpg?fit=around%7C875:492
GTA in the GTA.
Came here for this.
“Whether or not it will meet Elon Musk’s $25,000 target price for an entry-level car, or even 2025 deliveries, is yet to be seen.”
Are you seriously asking this question?
Yeah. Don’t hold your breath.
Robotaxi FSD release coming in 2 weeks.
I suspect that, no, this was not a serious question.
The whole tone of that section seemed oddly referential to me. Does anyone really think Tesla is a year away from releasing a new product that Elon hasn’t been tweeting is just about to drop for the past 10 years?