The next generation of the Genesis GV80 will be fully electric.

Scheduled for release in 2026, the next generation of the Genesis GV80 will be fully electric. Built on the eM platform with a range that could reach 800 km, it will also offer new driver assistance technologies. Genesis plans for a complete transition to electric vehicles by 2030.

The second generation GV80 is currently in development. It will be built on the company’s new electric platform, called eM. This architecture aims to evolve the company’s electric vehicles beyond current models such as the GV60 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The platform, initially used for the future Genesis GV90 EV, will provide increased modularity. This flexibility will allow its use in different vehicle categories and allow for batteries up to 113.2 kWh, offering an electric range of up to 800 km.

The report mentions the introduction of new driver assistance technologies, including autonomous emergency responses with a range 50% higher than that of the Ioniq 5. Additionally, it will enable level 3+ autonomous driving.

The prototype is scheduled for the first half of next year, with production planned for the second half of 2026. Therefore, the model is expected to be unveiled for the first time in early 2026.

Genesis intends to become fully electric by 2030, with all new models from 2025 being electric vehicles. The brand aims to be fully electric by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2035.

Ottawa wants to try to curb the epidemic of car theft in the country.

The Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, announced on Sunday the holding of a national summit in Ottawa on February 8th to combat car theft. This crime, which has become a plague across the country, has implications not only for Canadians but also strengthens criminal organizations by fueling their illegal activities, Minister LeBlanc emphasized during a press conference alongside four of his colleagues.

The announcement comes on the first day of a three-day federal cabinet retreat in Montreal (a major hub for car theft in Canada), focused on preparing for the parliamentary session. Topics discussed include the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, immigration policies, and the implications of the presidential election on Canada-US relations.

According to a report published last June, a car is stolen every six minutes in Canada. Auto theft rates have significantly increased in 2022, with a 50% increase in Quebec and a 48.3% increase in Ontario compared to the previous year, according to estimates from the automotive industry.

The Port of Montreal has become a hub for the export of stolen vehicles, most of which are destined for Africa and the Middle East. Criminals use various schemes to evade law enforcement, registering businesses as fronts to simulate shipments of goods.

Even elected officials are not spared by this scourge. Former Minister of Justice David Lametti had his official vehicle stolen twice. At the provincial level, Minister of International Relations and Francophonie Martine Biron was also a victim of car theft.

The summit proposed by Ottawa aims to identify short, medium, and long-term solutions to counter car theft. Minister LeBlanc emphasizes the importance of collaboration between local, provincial, and national jurisdictions to better coordinate collective efforts.

Minister LeBlanc expresses concern about the increasing violence associated with these car thefts. His Quebec counterpart, Minister François Bonnardel, welcomes the announcement and emphasizes that combating car theft is a priority for Quebec. Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez highlights the significant impact of the proliferation of these crimes.

More than 10 MILLION missed calls by Quebec car dealerships in 2023

Waiting on the phone has become a national sport and car dealerships are no exception to this rule. Last year, Quebec car dealers missed over 10 million calls. The service department alone is responsible for 60% of these missed calls. These numbers were compiled by Talksoon.

Economic Impact and Strategic Planning: Missed sales calls represent 18% of the total, but their economic cost is high. Mondays and Tuesdays, particularly Monday mornings, account for 45% of missed calls, highlighting the importance of strategic planning to meet demand.

Necessary Modernization: Voicemail is outdated; every missed call represents a potential business opportunity. Dealerships must understand the expectations of modern customers and adjust their communication methods.

Explosion of Canadian Car Sales in 2023: The Canadian automotive industry is experiencing exceptional growth, with an increase of 11.8% in 2023 driven by improved supply and pent-up demand. A strong 10.7% increase in December concludes 14 consecutive months of growth.

Unique Challenges in the Automotive Industry: Analysis of missed calls by Talksoon confirms seasonal trends, highlighting the strong demand for after-sales service. While the sales department records fewer missed calls, each call is crucial, underscoring the importance of a vigilant approach throughout the year.

Maximizing Business Opportunities: Ensuring the efficient capture and management of every customer call, whether for service or sales, is essential to maximize business opportunities and drive profitability.

Weekly Trends in Missed Calls: Peak days are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, accounting for 60% of missed calls. Monday mornings and lunchtime hours are crucial, and nearly 10% of calls are missed outside of normal business hours.

Analysis of Missed Calls by Department: In-depth analysis reveals that calls to the service department mainly concern appointment requests. It is crucial to revolutionize customer interaction to maximize opportunities, recognizing the need for personal contact despite the rise of online appointment scheduling. In conclusion, dealerships must be proactive in adapting their strategies to meet seasonal demands, improve department efficiency, and capitalize on each missed call as a business development opportunity.

Source: Talksoon

The first photos of the production Audi Q9

Photographs reveal a prototype of the potential Audi Q9 SUV, indicating potential competition for the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Rumors surrounding the Q9 have been circulating for some time, and recent trademark filings by Audi seem to support these speculations. Jeff Mannering, an executive at Audi Australia, also hinted at the possibility of the Q9 in a recent interview with Car Sales, published on January 9th. Sources claim that Audi dealerships in the US have been informed of the arrival of a large-sized SUV around 2025, suggesting that the Q9 could debut as a 2026 model.

The photographed prototype features split headlights and a similar grille to recent Audi prototypes, such as the upcoming Q5 and the new electric vehicle, the Q6 E-Tron. Although the interior is not clearly visible, a three-row configuration with seven seats is expected.

The open grille and visible exhaust tip suggest an internal combustion hybrid powertrain. This consistency with Audi’s naming strategy, where electric vehicles adopt even numbers while others retain odd numbers, strengthens the likelihood of the Q9 being a hybrid.

By 2026, Audi plans to become exclusively electric, gradually phasing out internal combustion engines. Sources also mention Audi’s expansion into other segments, with a possible release of a rugged SUV to compete with the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Additionally, the brand may explore the minivan market with an electric model based on the 2022 Urbansphere concept, initially designed for China and surpassing the current Q7 by 17 inches.

With information from Motor Authority.

Job cuts at Ford’s F-150 Lightning factory

Ford is eliminating two out of three production teams at its F-150 electric plant, forcing 1,400 people to retire or move to another factory in the Detroit area.

Sales are sharply declining.
Ford Motor Co. announced on Friday that it is cutting two-thirds of the jobs at its Michigan plant that assembles the F-150 Lightning, thus slowing down production of this electric pickup. In April, Ford will force 1,400 people to retire or move to other facilities as the plant transitions to a single daily shift, the automaker said.

A quarter of work reduced since October.
Since October, the site has been operating on a two-shift, three-team model, with a rotating team of workers on temporary layoffs. Ford said that 700 people, about half of the affected workers, will be transferred to the nearby Michigan Assembly Plant, where a third shift will be added to increase production of the Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup. These 700 people will join 900 new hires for a total of 1,600 workers on the new third shift. The other downsized F-150 Lightning workers will be reassigned to roles within the surrounding Rouge Complex or other factories in the Detroit area, or they can retire with an incentive program created as part of the company’s new UAW contract, Ford said.

Setting new goals.
This decision aligns with a reported decrease in Lightning production last month by Automotive News. Ford informed suppliers that it would halve planned F-150 Lightning production this year due to a “shift in market demand,” going from an average weekly rate of 3,200 pickups to 1,600. However, the automaker hopes to continue increasing sales and improving profitability this year.

Slower progress for everyone.
The cutbacks have also disrupted suppliers who invested millions of dollars in tooling and equipment to meet the automakers’ plans. Ford has postponed about $12 billion in electric vehicle investments and pushed back some production targets. The company said it was reducing production of certain Mustang Mach-E models and delaying the opening of one of two planned battery plants in Kentucky with its partner SK. Ford noted that sales continue to grow but at a slower pace than expected.

Here is the Volkswagen Tayron.

The replacement of the seven-seater Volkswagen Tiguan by the Tayron will begin in 2025.
– This new model was revealed in legal documents filed in China.
– The Tayron will be equipped with mild-hybrid powertrains.
– Tayron versions sold in North America will be manufactured in Mexico.

Documents filed by Volkswagen in China reveal that the future Tayron SUV will replace the current seven-seater Tiguan in various global markets, including North America. This new three-row SUV will be marketed worldwide starting in 2025, under the name Tayron in Europe and Tiguan L Pro in China.

Another name for North America

The name used for North America will be announced closer to the introduction of this model. The documents show that this model will be powered by a range of four-cylinder powertrains and 48-volt batteries, developing either 184 horsepower or 217 horsepower in their Chinese market version. The use of this technology would be made possible by the Tayron’s use of the new MQB-EVO platform, already present in the new European Passat and regular-length Tiguan.

A plug-in hybrid in the plans

Speaking of powertrains, plug-in hybrid versions of the future SUV are planned, but it is still too early to know if they will arrive in our market or if they will remain exclusive to Europe and Asia. Although the Tayron will retain the same wheelbase as the current three-row Tiguan, it will be longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor.

Similar to the Tiguan

Unsurprisingly, since it replaces the long-wheelbase Tiguan, the Volkswagen Tayron will look almost identical to the new, latest-generation Tiguan unveiled in Europe in September, except for its elongated profile. For now, we still don’t know exactly when this 2025 model will make its official debut in North America or how it will be priced, but the manufacturer has confirmed that the Tayron will be manufactured in Germany, China, and Mexico, from where vehicles destined for the United States and Canada will come. Expect more details on the North American variant of this new SUV in the months to come.

Honda 0 Series: one day, Honda will eventually electrify itself.

We hesitated. We juggled. We even handed off all the dirty work to a rival. But now Honda’s management has made a decision: its future will indeed be electric, starting officially somewhere in 2026, and it will be inspired by a concept vehicle called the “0 Series,” which is an appropriate name given Honda’s current progress in its electric shift.

For now, we have two concept vehicles to feast our eyes on. They were presented at CES in Las Vegas in early January. They are the Saloon and the Space-Hub. Both concepts are sleek monospace vehicles with an extremely aerodynamic front portion and a seemingly knife-cut rear portion.

Honda has also unveiled a new version of its logo, the letter H, which is rounded to resemble a zero, and which will, if we understand correctly, become a sub-brand under which its future electric vehicles will be grouped.

There are still many unanswered questions about Honda’s electrification strategy, but we know it will be based on five clear principles.

Firstly, Honda hopes that the aesthetics of its vehicles will produce a “resonance” among its customers, probably a feeling of positive familiarity among brand enthusiasts. Secondly, Honda wants to fully invest in advanced driver assistance, up to the point of fully autonomous driving, to ensure maximum safety for occupants.

Inside the vehicle, Honda hopes to create a sense of “space,” perhaps in the sense of a “safe space,” where people will feel comfortable, safe, and connected to their environment. Honda also emphasizes the importance of the Internet of Things and connected technologies here.

Finally, Honda wants to ensure that its future vehicles have one of the best energy efficiencies on the market. It must be said that there is a gap to fill in this regard, as only Mercedes-Benz seems to care about this detail to date. However, for Honda, this efficiency must not detract from the pleasure of driving and “being one with the vehicle.”

If all of this sounds rather abstract or generic to you, know that you are not alone in thinking so.

Mazda is adopting Tesla’s NACS charging station.

Mazda is adding its voice to that of several manufacturers who have already announced that they will adopt the NACS charging standard. Even though Mazda only has one electric model on the road, it is joining the group. Without being mean, its MX-30 will definitely need a reliable and fast charging network due to its low range.

In the meantime, Mazda is ensuring that it is at least compatible with the rest of North America by adopting the NACS (North American Charging Standard), which is widely accepted by most other North American manufacturers.

This standard was popularized by Tesla, the American car manufacturer who initially went solo by establishing its own charging standards. This strategic decision for the North American subsidiary of the manufacturer will allow owners of Mazda electric vehicles – let’s not forget the recent plug-in hybrid CX-90, in addition to the all-electric MX-30 – to access over 15,000 charging stations in Tesla’s supercharger network.

Hopefully, Mazda’s future electric vehicles will offer greater range, even though Tesla’s current network currently makes life easier for road users in Canada and the United States.

With information from Motor Illustrated

Lamborghini has surpassed 10,000 sales in 2023.

The Sant’Agatha firm had a good year in 2023, selling over 10,000 cars worldwide, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This impressive success is the company’s third consecutive record for the Italian luxury car manufacturer. Lamborghini sold 10,112 units in 2023 compared to 9,233 in 2022.

The Urus SUV remained the top-selling model, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total production in Sant’Agata. With 6,087 units sold worldwide, the Urus maintains its position as the leader. Significant updates, including as a plug-in hybrid, are planned in the coming months, solidifying its iconic status.

2024 marks a major transition for Lamborghini. The V10-powered Hurácan, the second best-selling model in 2023, will be replaced by a new mid-engined car with a hybrid V8. This change will also signal the complete electrification of the Lamborghini range, a significant advancement in the luxury automotive industry.

Only 63 Lamborghinis with V12 engines were delivered in 2023, marking the end of the Aventador. However, the new Revuelto V12 hybrid will take over and enter series production this year. Lamborghini aims to produce hybrid cars in series production until the end of 2026, confirming its growth and innovation ambitions.

In 2023, the most impressive sales performance was recorded in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, totaling 3,987 cars sold in the region. America closely follows with 3,465 units, and the Asia-Pacific region welcomes 2,660 Lamborghini cars.

Hyundai Mobis claims that we will soon be able to move around in a vehicle like a crab.

Would you like to drive your vehicle like a crab? Until now reserved for exceptional vehicles, such as the electric GMC Hummer, this mode of movement could soon become the hallmark of widely available vehicles. This is what Hyundai Mobis suggests with the Mobion system presented at CES 2024 in Las Vegas last week.

Mobion is the name of a new generation of Hyundai Mobis’ “e-Corner” system, the supplier of the Hyundai Group. Designed for electric vehicles (EVs), this full-wheel steering system allows all four wheels to rotate 90 degrees to perform parallel, lateral, and even oblique movements, like a crab walking on sand.

This new version of e-Corner also allows for 180-degree turns and even “zero turn,” where the front wheels turn inward and the rear wheels turn outward to perform a 360-degree turn at idle. This function would allow the driver, for example, to change direction in a narrow space using very little space.

Hyundai Mobis uses the term “motion technology” to describe Mobion, combining the name “Mobis” with the English term “on” (in motion).

This system allows a vehicle to move in all these ways because all four wheels are controlled individually. The e-Corner system, responsible for translating these dynamic movements into reality, uses four key technologies, starting with four in-wheel motors used to propel the vehicle. Hyundai Mobis calls this the “In-wheel” system.

“The In-wheel technology consists of placing four small motors inside each wheel, as opposed to the single drive motor commonly used in electric vehicles,” explains Vice President Lee Young-Kook, head of Hyundai Mobis’ electrification laboratory. “This configuration allows each wheel to generate its own energy independently.” With this system, each in-wheel motor seamlessly integrates braking, steering, and suspension functions.

The Mobion system also stands out for its sensor and lamp systems used for autonomous driving. Three LiDAR devices, which use light for detection and distance estimation, serve as sensors for autonomous driving maneuvers. Two short-range LiDARs are placed near the left and right headlights, while a third, long-range LiDAR is installed in the center of the vehicle at the front. The supplier claims that this configuration is “particularly useful for lateral movements and effective recognition of nearby objects, especially during maneuvers such as diagonal lane changes.”

In addition to that, there is an “exterior lighting indicator” and other display functions. For example, an LED fixed to the front bumper transmits information to a short-range LiDAR to detect pedestrians. Thus, when the vehicle is at an intersection, the LED can indicate, for example, the direction in which a pedestrian is crossing the street. A detection system integrated into the rear bumper also informs the driver of the presence of pedestrians.

At CES, Mobis also presented a new ground projection function. Integrated into the e-Corner system, this 360-degree ground arrow projection informs people around the vehicle of the driver’s direction. When pedestrians are detected nearby, Mobion can even project strips of light on the ground representing a safe pedestrian crossing!

“Together, Mobis has created Mobion to showcase our products and key capabilities,” said Vice President Lee Seung-Hwan, head of advanced engineering at Hyundai Mobis.

To illustrate the possibilities of this system to the CES audience, Hyundai Mobis had a large demonstration track in its booth, where a Hyundai Ioniq 5 prototype equipped with the Mobion system performed an elegant automotive ballet to the delight of the onlookers.

The supplier also produced the video featuring New Zealand hip-hop dancer Kirsten Dodgen from ReQuest, demonstrating the various maneuvers made possible by the Mobion system, such as the “zero turn,” sideways movement, pivot turns, and diagonal movement.

Photo: Hyundai Mobis