Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: ‘I think Apple can do it’

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-1.42 Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: 'I think Apple can do it'

Benjamin Mayo

- 2 hours ago

@bzamayo

AAPL Company Apple Car Tech Industry Comments (2)

Rumors of Apple Car (codename 'Project Titan') continue to swirl and there's plenty time left for Apple to solidify or change its plans, given the expected launch of the new automobile is still five years away. However, that isn't stopping car company executives weighing in on the rumors. Whilst GM execs diss the idea of Apple investing in an electric car as a 'gigantic money pit', an executive from Ford seems enthused by the prospect. In an interview with Trusted Reviews,  Don Butler, Executive Director for Ford Connected Vehicles, said that they welcome competition and thinks technology companies can pull it off.

"We welcome others joining. We welcome the activity that's in the space. We think it's exciting. It's actually changed that we are embracing," said Butler, speaking to TrustedReviews at the CES 2016 tradeshow in Las Vegas. "So I think Apple can do it. I think Google can do it."

Watch the full interview in the video after the break …

Regarding autonomy, the Ford exec believes that the industry will reach Level 4 autonomous driving. This means that cars will be able to drive themselves in well-mapped areas in well-mapped conditions, i.e. main roads, highways and cities. He also suggests that companies like Apple or Google could partner with companies like Ford to speed up innovation in the car sector. Today, Ford is a close partner in Apple's CarPlay system, promising to bring integrations to cars in 2016.

Ford seems to be bullish on the adoption of the technology and the integration with technology companies. However, Dave Anderson, a representative from automotive integration at Nvidia was not as convinced regarding Apple's entrance. He warned that the process of making cars is arduous and involved, claiming both Apple and Google have a lot more learning to do before they can release their own successful electric vehicles.

It is likely that Apple's presence in the vehicles industry has grown since it made an appearance at a global car conference in November, leading executives to consider the proposition more seriously. Last week, Elon Musk described Apple's electric car efforts as an 'open secret', claiming it could be compelling. The tangible Apple Car will remain a mystery for the foreseeable future, however.

Source: Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: 'I think Apple can do it'

BMW Sold 20,000 Plug-In Electric Cars In U.S.

BMW i3 sales in U.S. – December 2015

2016 BMW i3 Shadow Sport Edition

BMW plug-in car sales in the U.S. are gaining momentum as three models – the i3, i8 and X5 xDrive40e (X5 PHV) helps to keep EV sales going strong.

Through the end of 2015, the i3 has attracted 17,116 buyers all-time in the US (6,092 in 2014 and 11,024 in its first full year of availability in 2015). The i3 is available in an -electric and also a range-extended version (REx) with gasoline engine backup.

Interesting is that i3 accounts for a high 4.5% of all BMW car sales (excluding light trucks) for 2015.

As for the BMW i8, in the 17 months it has been offered, a total of 2,820 sales have been realized in the US, which is an exceptional result considering the base i8 starts north of $130,000. December's surge to 656 also surprised us quite a bit; 2016 could be a very good year for BMW's plug-in super car.

BMW i8 sales in U.S. – December 2015

In the best months of 2015, the BMW i brand exceeded 9% share of all BMW cars sold in the U.S. (excluding lights trucks).

BMW i3 + i8 sales in U.S. – December 2015

For the last three months, there's been the BMW X5 xDrive40e available and despite its typically European low all-electric range, X5 PHV has already noted 892 sales with a 607 unit surge in December.

BMW X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW X5 xDrive40e

The X5 is classified as a light truck, so we compared total sales of all three models in relation to all BMW brand sales (cars and light trucks).

December was a peak month with 2,685 plug-in deliveries, good for a 7.8% total share. That's 10 times more than the industry average.

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW ended the year 2015 with 20,000 plug-ins on the roads in U.S. Most of them are i3s.

2016 looks to be BMW's best by far, as the (apparently) strong selling X5 PHV will be on sale for the full year, joining the i3 and i8.   Additionally, the 330e and 740e will also be added to the lineup halfway through, with the electrified 5 series coming on board sometime thereafter.

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW i8

Source: BMW Sold 20,000 Plug-In Electric Cars In U.S.

Best Plug-In Electric Car Deals For January 2016

2 hours ago by Mark Kane

Chevrolet Spark EV

Two 2015, and four 2016 plug-in electric cars were listed by CarsDirect as worthy to consider in January due to attractive offers.

The Chevrolet Spark EV remains the king of lease deals with average monthly cost over 39 months at $139 ($1 up compared to December when the 2015 model year was listed).

Then we see Fiat 500e (2015) at $225 (no change), Ford C-Max Energi (2015) at $237 (down from $246 in December), Volkswagen e-Golf (2016) at $244 (also down from $259).

Chevrolet Volt (2016) stands at $299 without change, as long as you are currently a non-GM owner.

And there is a Nissan LEAF on the list this time (instead of the BMW i3) with highlighted financing:

"You won't see it advertised on Nissan's website, but there's a 0% APR finance offer for 72 months plus a $3,500 bonus on all versions of the 2016 LEAF (including the new 107-mile version with 30 kWh battery). If you opt to lease, there are up to $9,300 in discounts available, with the largest amounts on the entry-level S model."

Source: CarsDirect

Tags: CarsDirect, chevrolet spark ev, chevrolet volt, deals, featured, Fiat 500E, Ford C-Max Energi, lease deals, Nissan Leaf, volkswagen e-golf

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Source: Best Plug-In Electric Car Deals For January 2016

MarketReportsOnline: Electric Vehicles Market Forecasts To 2018

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Source: MarketReportsOnline: Electric Vehicles Market Forecasts To 2018

Germany ready to make 2B euro bet on electric vehicles

Germany wants to have a million electric vehicles buzzing down the Autobahn by 2020, and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel believes the country could stoke demand for greener driving by investing 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) into the segment, according to Reuters citing a German newspaper.

Gabriel's plan would disburse the massive amount of cash to support EVs in three ways. First, buyers would receive a government subsidy when they purchase an applicable vehicle, but the minister didn't specify an exactly how much that would be. He would also invest the money in building more charging stations and get the government to use more EVs.

A recent estimate suggested there were about 50,000 EVs in Germany at the end of 2015, which put the country significantly off pace for its million-car goal. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been outspoken about encouraging people to drive green, and she seemed close to supporting government subsidies for EVs last summer. However, nothing has been ve ry successful at spurring plug-in vehicle sales there as of yet. For the last few years, we've heard rumors that the government would boost EV incentives in the past, so we take this latest discussion with the requisite grains of salt.

Government subsidies have worked to boost EV sales in other parts of the world. Norway, especially, found huge success by offering buyers incentives, and once there was enough momentum of people buying green vehicles, the country backed off the enticements. The right programs could let Germany follow the same path, if it decides to actually follow through this time.

Source: Germany ready to make 2B euro bet on electric vehicles

Industry, government seek ways to boost electric vehicle sales

During his news conference with journalists at the North American International Auto Show Monday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne was asked whether he expected to lose money on the plug-in, hybrid version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which will be built at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

"Hell, no," Marchionne said. "We are not expecting to lose money on the plug-in, especially when plug-in hybrids are expected to become such a big piece of the portfolio going forward. Setting a bad example with the minivan is going to be bad news for the rest of the business."

While Marchionne has said that the entire FCA product line would be electrified by 2023, his blunt response suggested the Pacifica hybrid's pricing would ensure the carmaker at least breaks even on sales of a vehicle based on technology that is not only more expensive to develop than gasoline-based powertrains but has been largely shunned by car buyers.

"The cost associated with that plug-in minivan is not inconsequential," he said. 

Both U.S. and Canadian governments have pushed manufacturers to build electric and hybrid cars as a way of meeting increasingly stringent fuel economy standards. Consumers, however, have not embraced these vehicles.

Canadian sales of plug-in hybrids peaked in 2012 with 25,101 units and have steadily fallen ever since, said Toronto-based auto industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers. Of the record-breaking 1.9 million new vehicles sold last year, sales of hybrids were expected to total between 17,000 and 18,000 units, he added. "It's abysmal."

Falling gasoline prices are only one reason for declining demand, said DesRosiers. Sales continue to be hampered by prices that can be thousands of dollars higher than those of comparable gasoline vehicles as well as range anxiety — the fear a vehicle will run out of battery power before occupants have reached their destination.

Even Ontario government subsidies that offer  rebates of up to $8,500 toward the purchase or leasing of eligible electric and hybrid vehicles aren't spurring demand, he added.

"The government's strategy is a failed strategy."

According to Ontario government statistics, there are 5,400 electric vehicles registered in the province.

The low numbers have prompted the province to "update" its rebate program as well as announce plans to spend $20 million on the installation of hundreds of electric-vehicle charging stations within and between urban centres, said Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid.

"We're investing in charging stations across the province … to increase the level of comfort in Ontario consumers (about) buying hybrids, in particular buying straight electric vehicles," Duguid said on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show. "Once that infrastructure is in place, there's very little reason for consumers not to move towards hybrids. We also have a very aggressive rebate system in Ontario where we provide significant rebates for consumers that buy electric vehicles."

But the public's tepid response to the five-year-old rebate program has prompted a review as well as discussions with the auto industry on how to change a seemingly entrenched automotive culture, he added.

"That's one of the questions as the sector gathers here in Detroit globally that auto executives and government officials are working together to try to tackle," Duguid said. "The fact of the matter is consumers do drive the auto sector. So, we have to work together to change the culture of auto consumers so they feel more comfortable going into hybrids in Ontario."

Carmakers are improving battery technology to the point where consumers will soon gravitate toward electric vehicles, said Jeff Reaume, general sales manager at Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC in LaSalle.

General Motors used the Detroit event to unveil the 2017 Chevy Bolt, which promises 320 km of range on a single charge. "That's going to be a game-changer," said Reaume. "As the markets change, as gas prices change I think there will be more of a demand."

DesRosiers suggested that the best way to reduce emissions is a "carrot-and-stick-approach" to get older vehicles off the road. Governments could increase licence renewal fees on older vehicles while offering incentives to buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles, he said.

"The government should target consumers, not the manufacturers."

gmacaluso@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarmacaluso

Source: Industry, government seek ways to boost electric vehicle sales

Acura NSX Is Polished and Speedy Sports Car Luxury

January 12, 2016

GM's Reuss: Lyft Deal Opens Markets for Vehicles

56:58 - Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development at General Motors, talks with Matt Miller about new technological developments in the automaker's 2017 models, the benefits of the company's $500 million investment in Lyft, and how electric vehicles are helping to bring about a dramatic change in China's auto market. He speaks from the North American International Auto Show on "Bloomberg Markets." (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Acura NSX Is Polished and Speedy Sports Car Luxury