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Tag: Subaru

  • Subaru Shutting Japanese Plants in July Due to Semiconductor Shortage

    Subaru Shutting Japanese Plants in July Due to Semiconductor Shortage

    The semiconductor shortage continues to take a toll, with Subaru announcing it is temporarily shutting down plants in Japan in July.

    The COVID-19 pandemic helped spark a worldwide shortage in the semiconductor industry. While production was initially impacted as a result of lockdowns, the demand has been uncharacteristically high as people have bought laptops, tablets and gaming devices in record numbers.

    The auto industry has been hit particularly hard, with Ford, GM, BMW and Honda all being impacted. Subaru is now planning on closing plants its Japan Gunma plants in July, according to Reuters.

    “It is part of the production adjustment due to shortage of semiconductors,” Subaru spokesperson said.

    The plants will be shut down on July 16, although the company is also considering shutting down its Kosai and Sagara plants in Shizuoka, Japan. Should it go that route, those plants will be closed two and seven days respectively.

  • Consumer Reports: Tesla’s In-Vehicle Cameras a Privacy Concern

    Consumer Reports: Tesla’s In-Vehicle Cameras a Privacy Concern

    Consumer Reports has raised concerns about Tesla’s in-vehicle cameras, saying they represent a privacy concern.

    Vehicles are increasingly moving toward automation, and a big part of that is cameras that monitor the driver. In many cases, these are to measure the driver’s response and ensure they are paying attention to the road.

    While several automakers include monitoring cameras, Tesla’s approach is much different than its competitors. According to Consumer Reports, BMW, Ford, GM and Subaru’s cameras are all close-circuit systems. The cameras are used exclusively in-vehicle, and do not record or transmit their footage.

    In contrast, Tesla has admitted that its cameras both record and transmit video to the company, which it then studies and analyzes to improve its self-driving technology.

    If drivers enable the cabin camera, Tesla says it will capture and share a video clip of the moments before a crash or automatic emergency braking (AEB) activation to help the automaker “develop future safety features and software enhancements,” according to Tesla’s website. Tesla did not respond to CR’s emailed request for additional information about its in-car monitoring systems.

    Tesla’s actions raise concerns about who benefits most from its monitoring systems, especially since the company has a habit of quickly blaming the driver when an accident occurs while the vehicle’s Autopilot is engaged.

    “We have already seen Tesla blaming the driver for not paying attention immediately after news reports of a crash while a driver is using Autopilot,” said Kelly Funkhouser, CR’s program manager for vehicle interface testing. “Now, Tesla can use video footage to prove that a driver is distracted rather than addressing the reasons why the driver wasn’t paying attention in the first place.”

    There’s also concern that Tesla’s system could be used in the future for some yet-to-be-disclosed purpose.

    Ultimately, the questions about Tesla’s in-vehicle monitoring system make a case for greater consumer protection — and buying a competitor’s offering.

    “Advanced features in cars can bring consumers enormous benefits, but it’s important for our laws to make sure that automakers put people ahead of their bottom line. Automotive innovation must come hand-in-hand with strong and sensible consumer protections,” says William Wallace, manager of safety policy at CR.

  • Volvo Will Transition to All-Electric Lineup by 2030

    Volvo Will Transition to All-Electric Lineup by 2030

    Volvo has become the latest company to embrace an all-electric lineup, promising to achieve that goal by 2030.

    One company after another has committed to phasing out internal combustion engines. Subaru has committed to an all-electric lineup by the mid-2030s, Bentley by 2030, GM by 2035 for light-duty vehicles and Ford by 2030 for the EU market.

    Volvo has now committed to an all-electric lineup by 2030 and plans to phase out any remaining internal combustion models by then, including any remaining hybrids. The company is positioning its decision as an investment in the future, rather than hanging on to a dying business.

    “To remain successful, we need profitable growth. So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future – electric and online,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive. “We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment.”

    As a short-term goal, the company plans to transition to an electric and hybrid lineup by 2025, with its global sales split between the two categories.

    Volvo’s goal is one of the more ambitious among auto manufacturers, and will likely put additional pressure on its larger rivals.

  • GM Commits to All-Electric Light-Duty Vehicles By 2035

    GM Commits to All-Electric Light-Duty Vehicles By 2035

    GM has become the latest company to commit to an all-electric light-duty lineup by 2035, with the goal of being carbon neutral by 2040.

    Automakers around the globe are embracing electric vehicle (EV) technology, with everyone from Subaru to Bentley committing to phasing out fossil fuels. In the US, President Biden’s action to rejoin the Paris Agreement is placing a renewed emphasis on combating climate change. In addition, President Biden has committed to replacing the entire federal vehicle fleet with American-made EVs.

    Given the groundswell of support, it’s not surprising GM has now become the latest automaker to embrace EVs, vowing to sell only emissions-free, light-duty EVs by 2035.

    “General Motors is joining governments and companies around the globe working to establish a safer, greener and better world,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO. “We encourage others to follow suit and make a significant impact on our industry and on the economy as a whole.”

    The company has also committed to becoming carbon neutral in both its products and operations by 2040.

    “With this extraordinary step forward, GM is making it crystal clear that taking action to eliminate pollution from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 is an essential element of any automaker’s business plan,” said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. “EDF and GM have had some important differences in the past, but this is a new day in America — one where serious collaboration to achieve transportation electrification, science-based climate progress and equitably shared economic opportunity can move our nation forward.”

  • Massachusetts Set to Ban New Gasoline Vehicles by 2035

    Massachusetts Set to Ban New Gasoline Vehicles by 2035

    Massachusetts is joining California and New Jersey in its efforts to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

    California became the first state to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in September. New Jersey soon followed with a recommendation by its governor that the state implement a similar ban by 2035.

    Massachusetts has now taken a similar step, according to Car and Driver, implementing a ban nearly identical to California’s. The state’s goal is to achieve net-zero fossil-fuel emissions by 2050. Since 27% of emissions in the state come from passenger vehicles, the ban will be a big step toward that goal.

    The bans coincide with a number of major automakers setting the 2030s as their goal for exclusive electric vehicle (EV) production. Bentley announced its plans to build only EVs by 2030, Subaru has announced it will sell only EVs by the mid-2030s and numerous other manufacturers are accelerating their own transitions.

  • Elon Musk Open to Friendly Merger With Legacy Automaker

    Elon Musk Open to Friendly Merger With Legacy Automaker

    Elon Musk sat down with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner to discuss a range of subjects, including whether Tesla would acquire a legacy automaker.

    Once derided as a pipe dream with no real chance of widespread success, Tesla has risen to all-new heights in the auto industry. Its market capitalization far exceeds many legacy automakers. In addition, the entire industry is now pivoting to where Tesla currently is, with virtually every major automaker increasing their electric/hybrid production. Many, including Subaru and Bentley, have announced definitive plans to transition exclusively to electric/hybrid vehicles in the near future.

    The state of the industry has caused some speculation that Tesla might considering acquiring one of the legacy automakers, giving it access to a larger network of factories, dealerships and infrastructure. Döpfner addressed this directly in an interview with Musk Tuesday.

    “Is it a serious option to buy one of the incumbents, or one of the big car companies, for you?” Döpfner asked.

    “Well, I think we’re definitely not going to launch a hostile takeover,” Musk said. “So I suppose…if somebody said, ‘Hey, we think it would be a good idea to merge with Tesla,’ we certainly could have that conversation. But, you know, we don’t want it to be a hostile takeover sort of situation.”

    While it doesn’t appear there is any serious discussion or inquiry regarding such a merger, the fact that Tesla is open to such a proposal raises a world of possibilities, both for the automaker and the industry in general.

  • VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group has announced it is increasing its investment in future tech to a total of 73 billion euros ($86 billion) over the next five years.

    Automakers all over the world are investing heavily in hybrid and electric vehicles. GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing, Bentley announced its entire lineup would be electric by 2030 and Subaru has committed to selling only electric vehicles by the mid 2030s.

    VW had already committed 60 billion euros to future tech, but has now raised that to 73 billion euros.

    “As part of Volkswagen Group’s investment planning, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board today set the cornerstones for securing the Group’s future success. The transformation of the Group and its brands and the strategic focus on the core areas of mobility will be consistently implemented. Considering the enormous challenges we face in the coming years, our financial basis is very solid,” said Hans Dieter Pötsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group.

    “Having set the course for a battery-electric future in the Volkswagen Group early on, we are now a global leader with our electric platforms and a broad range of electric vehicles,” said Herbert Diess, Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group. “In the coming years, it will be crucial to also reach a leading position in car software in order to meet people’s needs for individual, sustainable and fully connected mobility in the future. To that end, we have doubled our digitalization spend.”

    The company’s increased investment should help it maintain its position as the world’s largest automaker.

  • Bentley Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2030

    Bentley Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2030

    Bentley is the latest automaker to commit to a fully electric lineup of cars by 2030, phasing out fossil fuels.

    Automakers have increasingly been moving toward hybrid and electric vehicles in lieu of fossil fuels. GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in factories in an effort to focus on electric vehicle manufacturing. Subaru announced in January that it would transition to electric vehicles by the mid-2030s. Ford has been increasing the number of electric vehicles it offers, including the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150. Now Bentley is joining the fray.

    “Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA – the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leaders,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors. “Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.

    “Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100 year old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”

    As part of their commitment, Bentley plans on being end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030. This will include not only its electrification plans, but also improving its manufacturing and operations, as well as working with its third-party suppliers.

  • Tesla Has Significant Battery Tech Advantage

    Tesla Has Significant Battery Tech Advantage

    Citing Cairn Energy Research Advisors, CNBC is reporting that Tesla has a significant advantage in electric battery technology.

    The electric vehicle pioneer is facing more and more competition from startups and established rivals. Rivian has made headlines as a more traditional-looking electric vehicle manufacturer, while Ford has also had its fair share of news for an all-electric Mustang Mach-E and upcoming F-150. GM, Toyota, Subaru and others are all planning to roll out all-electric lineups, with Subaru committed to producing only electric vehicles by the mid-2030s.

    According to Sam Jaffe, managing director of Cairn Energy Research Advisors, despite the competition, Tesla still has a major advantage in the battery tech it uses. While most automakers use battery packs that have pouch or prismatic cells, “Tesla is the only automaker to use cylindrical battery cells in its battery packs.” In the last four years, the cost of cylindrical cell battery packs has dropped over $100 per kilowatt hour (kWh), hitting $158.27 per kWh last year. In contrast, the cost of the competition’s battery packs is still running over $200 per kWh.

    While a difference of less than $50 per kWh may not seem like a lot, as manufacturers ramp up production and begin mass-producing electric vehicles, that expense will add up quickly. In addition, Jaffa says Tesla also has an advantage not only in its more advanced cylindrical battery cells, but also in its battery management system.

    “Tesla has really revolutionized that part of the battery pack and made it much more sophisticated, and it gives them the competitive advantage,” said Jaffe, according to CNBC.

  • Subaru Will Sell Only Electric Vehicles By Mid-2030s

    Subaru Will Sell Only Electric Vehicles By Mid-2030s

    Reuters is reporting that Subaru has set the first half of the 2030s as its target for making the switch to electric vehicles.

    The announcement is a bold move for the company that prides itself on producing quality, all-wheel-drive vehicles that are popular with active, outdoors consumers. Subaru has a long-term goal of a carbon-free society, and eliminating fossil fuel vehicles from its lineup will go a long way toward achieving it.

    As a mid-term goal, the company plans to have at least 40% of its lineup be either electric or hybrid by 2030, with all models being electric-powered within a few years of that.

    “Subaru’s strong commitment and dedication toward car-manufacturing that we have cultivated throughout our history remain unchanged,” President Tomomi Nakamura said in a statement seen by Reuters.

    With Subaru’s well-established reputation for safety, quality and reliability, the move to electric vehicles should provide a significant boost to the market in general.

  • Subaru Recall: 2013 Outback Steering Column Issues

    Last month, car manufacturer Subaru issued a recall for 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles, which could have a serious (and potentially deadly) flaw. Subaru and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the recall for all 2013 Outback and Legacy cars manufactured from February 15, 2012 to June 15, 2012.

    The cars in question have steering column shafts that were not press-fitted sufficiently. The defect could cause the inner and outer shafts of their steering column assemblies to disengage from each other. If that were to happen, drivers would immediately lose the ability to steer their car, quite obviously increasing the likelihood of a car crash.

    The recall has already begun, with Subaru issuing new steering column assembly replacements to those drivers affected. For those drivers who have not yet had their car’s steering column assembly replaced, Subaru recommends not (ever) adjusting the tilt/telescopic position of the steering wheel while driving. Also, drivers should take care to make sure their car’s steering wheel actually turns the vehicle’s front wheels before driving.

  • Share The Story Of Your First Car With Subaru

    Hopefully all of us remember our first car, if not, you may have some better stories to tell than the rest of us. Either way, thinking about your first ride usually brings back some interesting memories. And for many, it occupies a special place in our hearts…. no matter how much of a P.O.S it was. Subaru is hoping you’ll share those memories and invite others to share them too.

    Alan Bethke, Director of Marketing Communications at Subaru North America explains some about their new site, FirstCarStory.Com:

    “Everyone loved their first car, no matter how bad, beat up, or borrowed. That first car became a new chapter in life or a ticket to freedom and first car stories are often the most memorable stories we have,”

    “The First Car Story campaign provides a creative outlet for reliving those unique, funny, unforgettable car experiences anyone who had a first car can relate to.”

    Basically, Subaru has designed software that lets you recreate your first car, and bring it to life with key words and phases that you input. The finished product is an animated experience of your first car and a particular adventure you had in it. You can share the experience with friends via Twitter, email, or Facebook.

    Bethke elaborates on the ‘first car’ experience and how it ties to current Subaru models and brand promotion:

    “First car stories are really about loving a car and how it helped you live your life. The crux is that first cars are rarely dream cars; most didn’t last and some even let their owners down,”

    “At Subaru we know the importance of having a car you can rely on, one that helps you lead a better, fuller life. The all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza is the best, ‘first new car’ choice. What better way to launch Impreza than to tap into those first car emotions by introducing it as the love that really lasts.”

    So obviously, it is a marketing ploy, but I think Subaru hit on something powerful with this one. Nothing can fuel an impulse buy like nostalgic feelings from the past. I don’t really understand how that can translates into me buying a new Impreza, unless the Impreza is somehow a modern day remanufactured version of a Mercury Topaz.

    I’m willing to go as high as five hundred bucks! Thank you Subaru.