AUTOGRAPHICS' June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 1

VOL 34, NO 1 www.AutomotiveReport.net June 2021 MonthlyMonthly News for News the Automotive for the Enthusiast Local working Automotive in the Repair Industry.

By the numbers AutoGraphicRetro Release: Publishing 35th Anniversary Company Edition As chip shortage Getting1121 a Airport look at Centerof the 1990Drive Ford Thunderbird• Suite - 10114 • Nashville,goes on,TN cars37214 what’s happening out there by check- are scarce and ing automotive repair prices are up industry stats and trends By Tom Krisher DETROIT — For the next few months, By John Yoswick Charlie Gilchrist figures his 11 car deal- erships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will The past 16 months have been unusual, sell just about every new vehicle they can to say the least, but to help you get a han- get from the factories — and at increased dle on what’s happening in and around the prices. industry, here’s our annual collection of In normal times, that would be cause for stats and trends impacting collision repair- joy. Not so much now. A global shortage ers. of computer chips has forced automakers Backlog still on the light side, but return- to slash production. The result has been ing far fewer vehicles on dealer lots, just as “This is the most backlog we have had the waning pandemic has fueled a pent- in nine months,” the owner of a multi- up consumer demand for cars, trucks and location collision repair business in the SUVs. suburbs of Philadelphia wrote in January, Given the robust customer demand, as the national scheduling backlog rose for dealers like Gilchrist could sell many the third consecutive quarter to an average more cars and trucks, if only they had of 1.6 weeks at the start of this year. But more. Even at elevated prices — the aver- that was still the lowest average for the age new-vehicle sales price tops $40,000, first quarter in any of the past four years, up nearly 10 percent in two years — cus- according to tracking by CRASH Network, tomer demand exceeds supply. leaving many shops uneasy. “It’s pretty evident when you pull onto “It’s on the edge, where we could add our lots that there’s not much selection,” staff, but we are seasonal here and want a said Gilchrist, whose lots carry brands little more backlog [before we] make that Shop Profile: ranging from and Ford to move,” a shop owner in rural Montana and Volkswagen. “Our (sales) vol- wrote. Crotts Garage & Collision Repair - 22 ume is falling because of the sheer lack of The survey results show that shops’ inventory. It will still fall during the next backlog of work in January had risen from two or three months.” just 1.3 weeks at the beginning of the The across-the-board surge in auto fourth quarter of 2020, but are still below prices contributed mightily to last month’s the 2.3 weeks of backlog that has been the jump in U.S. consumer prices, the gov- first quarter average since 2017. About ernment reported last month. A record 10 19 percent of shops reported they had no percent increase in used vehicle prices, backlog in January and could schedule new in fact, accounted for roughly one-third work immediately. That is an improvement of April’s overall rise in consumer prices from the previous quarter when 24 percent — the sharpest monthly increase in more of shops had no work scheduled ahead, and than a decade. far better still than the early weeks of the Ford expects to produce only half its pandemic last April, when 57 percent of normal number of vehicles from now shops had no backlog of work. through June. GM and others have re- Looking at the latest data by region, sorted to halting production of some cars the Southwest reported the least backlog, and smaller SUVs and diverting com- half of what was “normal” in recent years. puter chips to higher-profit pickup trucks Shops in New England and the Pacific and large SUVs. Leading automakers are Northwest had backlogs that are only about Rear View: warning of diminished earnings. 60 percent of the typical first quarter levels. - 38 The vehicle scarcity and the soaring The South, Midwest and Mountain regions 1949 Vollswagen Hebmuller prices can be traced to the eruption of the Continued on page 6 Continued on page 10

What’s Inside: Lease or purcahse when it comes to adding locations? - 4 Senator urges tough US rules barring gas-powered cars by 2035 - 21 Edmunds: The top off-road vehicles for 2021 - 8 Using voltage drop testing to diagnose a problem circuit - 26 Recalls: Compiled from AP, OEMs, EPA and NHTSA - 12 Police: California Tesla driver riding in backseat arrested - 30 Biden plan would pick winners, losers in move to green jobs -16 Racing Notes: Ex-NASCAR driver Eric McClure dies at 42 - 35 2 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

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4 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

AUTOGRAPHICS' Lease or purchase when it comes to adding locations? Monthly News for the Local Automotive Industry Monthly News for the Automotive Enthusiast AutoGraphic Publishing Company By John Yoswick play,” while larger MSOs consider “effi- working in the Automotive Repair Industry. ciency of capital” — what will get them a 1121 Airport Center Drive • Suite 101 • Nashville, TN 37214 Here’s a tip: Investors might be inter- greater financial return. VOL. 34, No. 1 • June 2021 ested in buying your shop’s real estate. “There’s no right or wrong,” said Chou, Gary Chou, executive vice president as long as someone purchasing considers of commercial real estate brokerage firm whether they would do better freeing up Editor Matthews Real Estate Investment Ser- that money to open additional shops. Barry L. Forkum vices, says that outside investors such as Will Johnston, chief corporate develop- real estate investment trusts (REITs) have ment officer for Service King, agreed that [email protected] recently begun to see collision shop prop- there’s not one definitive answer to the erties “as a legitimate investment product.” purchase-versus-lease question. “That’s helped push values of collision “It really depends on where you are in Publisher / Advertising Director properties up, because it basically increases your growth and how aggressively you’re the buyer pool overall,” Chou said. growing,” Johnston said. “You may decide Garnett Forkum Chou was speaking as part of a panel that your pace of growth is such you want discussion focused on issues related to to lease that property because you want to collision shop real estate, with topics that save capital to go after additional shops. IT & Art Director could be equally of interest to multi-shop But if you’re growing with brownfields operators (MSOs) and single-location col- and take-overs and will be adding a lot of Allen Forkum lision repairers. value to the facilities you take over or that The new interest among investors in you build, you may want to benefit from body shop real estate, for example, offers the value [in the property] you put in there Copy Editor another option for a shop owner who sells as the operator.” the business to a large MSO — which is The terms of any lease can be very Tom Williams unlikely to want to buy the real estate — important, Johnston said, particularly when and wants to cash out the property rather you decide to sell your business. than continue as landlord. “The lease you’re negotiating now might Contributors Much of the discussion centered around be the lease that you’re assigning over to a whether a collision repairer adding a shop buyer of your business later,” he said. “It John Yoswick, Steve McLinden location — whether a second or sixteenth will affect the valuation [of the business] — should purchase or lease the new loca- and certainly will affect the ease of getting Jay Hirsch, David Bry tion’s building and real estate. that deal done. Typically in an acquisi- Gary Chou said smaller MSOs often tion, it’s the third-party landlords that can Robert Bravender, Continued on page 20 view the purchased land as “a retirement Laura Catherine Koss

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AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report is published every month by AutoGraphic Publishing Company, Inc. Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any contents, graphic or editorial, without permission is prohibited. Member of Associated Press. AAR accepts no responsibility for opinions of writers or for claims made by advertisers. Views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publication. Direct comments and suggestions to: Editor Barry For- kum via mail 1121 Airport Center Drive, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37214 or email [email protected]. Delivery within the Dallas metroplex If you would like to be added to our email list, to be notified when our next issue is posted on-line go to our web-site and sign up. www.automotivereport.net We use: Collision Link, Repair Link, Parts Trader and offer price matching on select aftermarket parts For accounting questions, contact Garnett Forkum via email at Garnett@Auto- motiveReport.net or call. Business hours 7AM-7PM Mon thru Friday, 8AM-5PM Sat Rusty Wallis Volkswagen 12635 LBJ Freeway Garland, Texas 75041- www.rustywallisvw.com PHONE: (615) 391-3666 • FAX: (615) 391-3622 Good Old Fashioned Family Values June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 5

Ford CEO says US needs to regu- GM’s newest vehicle: Off-road, late automated driving systems self-driving rover for moon

By Tom Krisher “Blue Cruise,” its own partially auto- By AP Wire Service carry two astronauts at a time, accord- mated highway driving system that, like ing to Jeff Ryder, a GM vice president. DETROIT — The CEO of America’s Tesla’s Autopilot, keeps cars centered in CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — General A brief company video showed a large, second-largest auto company is calling for their lane and a safe distance behind traffic Motors is teaming up with Lockheed open rover speeding over lunar slopes, the federal government to set standards in front of them. With Blue Cruise, drivers Martin to produce the ultimate off-road, with more headlights in the distance. for fully or partially automated vehicles can take their hands off the steering wheel. self-driving, electric vehicles for the This is “just a glimpse of how we see to tighten the safety of electronic driving But unlike Autopilot, they will be moni- moon. the opportunity playing out,” Ryder said. systems. tored by a camera to make sure they are The project announced recently is still By operating autonomously when need- In urging federal regulation, Ford CEO paying attention. in the early stages and has yet to score ed, Shireman noted, the rovers can keep Jim Farley becomes the highest-profile “We’ve done the testing to feel comfort- any NASA money. But the goal is to astronauts safely away from dangerous auto executive to publicly recognize a able with this system and how it’s imple- design light yet rugged vehicles that will spots like the permanently shadowed cra- need to more closely monitor the emerg- mented,” Farley said. travel farther and faster than the lunar ters at the moon’s South Pole. Frozen ing technology, which is becoming more The CEO took an implicit jab at Tesla, rovers that carried w a t e r g a t h e r e d prevalent on America’s roadways just as saying that Ford does its own testing be- NASA’s Apollo Their initial rovers will be from these dark questions are being raised about the po- fore rolling out the technology. astronauts in the designed to carry two astro- corners could be tential risks to motorists. In limited areas, “We don’t want our customers to have early 1970s, the used for drinking, companies are beginning to deploy fully to do any testing,” he said. companies said. nauts at a time, according to growing plants and autonomous ride-hailing services. Drivers often have thwarted Tesla’s ef- “Mobility is real- Jeff Ryder, a GM vice presi- creating rocket fuel. Farley’s statements, in an interview forts to monitor them by detecting hands ly going to open dent. A u t o n o m y with The Associated Press, follow in- on the steering wheel. Earlier last month, up the moon for could also improve creased scrutiny by regulators of Tesla’s a man was arrested in California after an us,” said Kirk Shireman, a former NASA efficiency, with astronauts focused on partially automated officer spotted his manager who is now Lockheed Martin’s collecting rocks as a rover follows behind “Autopilot” driver- The CEO took an implicit Tesla on a freeway vice president for lunar exploration. like a puppy, he said. assist system, which jab at Tesla, saying that Ford with the man rid- The rovers used by the Apollo 15, 16 In a separate venture begun two years has been involved does its own testing before ing in the back seat and 17 moonwalkers ventured no more ago, Toyota partnered with the Japanese in a series of high- and no one behind than 4 1/2 miles (7.6 kilometers) from Space Agency to build a pressurized elec- profile crashes. rolling out the technology. the wheel. The man their landers. GM also helped design tric-powered lunar rover for astronauts. Tesla also is using told the AP that his those vehicles. They’re calling it the Lunar Cruiser. selected owners to test its “Full Self-Driv- car was fully autonomous and designed so NASA last year put out a call for indus- GM and Lockheed Martin’s vehicle ing” software on public roads. that he could ride in the back seat. try ideas on lunar rovers. The space agen- will be unpressurized, meaning that riders “Absolutely,” Farley said when asked That’s not true. Tesla has explicitly cy aims to return astronauts to the moon will need to wear spacesuits at all times. whether federal regulations are needed. told California regulators that both “Au- by 2024, a deadline set by the previous There’s room for both models, according “Today, the regulations are state-by- topilot” and “Full Self-Driving” are assist White House. to Shireman. (AP) • state,“ he said of fully autonomous vehi- systems and that drivers must be ready to Their initial rovers will be designed to cles. “They’re really oriented toward the intervene. development of the technology, not large- A message was left seeking comment scale deployment of the technology.” from Tesla, which has disbanded its media OF LEXINGTON He suggested that legislators and the relations department. National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- Farley’s stance on regulation is unique istration were moving too slowly. in the auto industry, which has generally “Time is of the essence,” Farley said, favored voluntary guidelines over regula- explaining that Argo AI, an autonomous tions. No federal regulations specifically vehicle company in which Ford is a ma- govern electronic driving systems, al- jor investor, is moving ahead quickly with though they do fall under safety standards technology that will let Ford start an au- that cover all vehicles. tonomous ride-hailing service. The industry’s biggest trade association, Argo, which is testing autonomous ve- the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, hicles with human backup drivers in six recently proposed voluntary guidelines for U.S. cities, expects to be ready for Ford to partially automated systems. The govern- offer ride-hailing without human drivers ment’s National Highway Traffic Safety sometime next year. In the Phoenix area, Administration has relied on voluntary Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo is already offering cooperation, taking a hands-off approach a limited fully autonomous ride service. so as not to discourage life-saving innova- And later this year, Ford will offer tions. (AP) •

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three estimating systems, including both “We charge 3 percent only if the cus- ... the numbers insurance-paid and customer-paid work, tomer received a check from the insurance as well as both DRP and non-DRP claims. company but deposited it and is then using The national average was 16.3 body labor a credit card to pay us,” a shop owner in Continued from page 1 Average body labor hours by state hours, down from 16.8 in 2018. Arizona said, a policy echoed by about 1 in are closest to pre-pandemic backlog lev- The average number of body labor hours Other state averages were 15.1 in Ala- 6 of the shops with credit card surcharges. els, at around 95 percent of “normal.” per estimate in 2019 ranged from a low bama and in Mississippi, 16.5 in Arkansas, More than half of shop PPP recipients Shops report success using invoicing sys- of 12.5 in North Dakota, to a high of 19.3 16.2 in Florida, 17.9 in Georgia, 16.3 in have loan forgiven tem in Massachusetts and 19.4 in Colorado, Kentucky, 14.8 in Louisiana, 16.7 in Mis- An industry survey by CRASH Network If business at your shop hasn’t fully according to data reported last fall by shop souri and in North Carolina, 16.4 in South in February found that among 272 colli- returned to pre-pandemic levels, the consultant and trainer Mike Anderson of Carolina, 15.2 in Tennessee, 17 in Texas, sion repair businesses that received a PPP slower pace might make this a great time Collision Advice in a “state of the indus- and 15.9 in Virginia. loan last year, 54 percent have had that loan to experiment with new systems that have forgiven, twice the percentage that said the potential to make your business more that last November. Another 38 percent profitable as the economy rebounds. still plan to apply for forgiveness or have One suggestion might be to experiment applied and not yet been given a decision. with a materials invoicing system, some- Fewer than two dozen said they do not plan thing that surprisingly most shops still to ask for forgiveness, and only one shop don’t use. Although an industry survey (in Illinois) reported that its application earlier this year found that about half of About 19 percent of shops was denied. shops sometimes use such a system, only More than 360 shops also reported one in five do so on every job. And the reported they had no backlog in where they stood last month in terms of other half of shops continue to rely solely the current second round of PPP loans this on the traditional multiplier method (dol- year. More than 1 in 4 (28 percent) said lars per refinish hour) to attempt to cover January and could schedule new they have applied for 2021 PPP loan, and their cost of paint and materials. another 10 percent said they plan to apply. While insurers have not universally work immediately. A fourth of the survey respondents said they warmed up to invoicing systems, the didn’t know or were undecided about their majority of shops who use them say company’s 2021 PPP loan plans or status. they are paid by the eight largest insur- Of those who applied in 2021, more than ers “always” or “most of the time” when two-thirds had been approved, and nearly they bill based on the charges calculated half (43 percent) have already received the by their invoicing system. About 52 per- try” webinar he conducted. It was the third Using limits, surcharges to curtail pro- funds. None said their application had been cent of shops said and Geico often year in a row those three states were at or cessing costs turned down. or always pay the cost of materials their near the bottom or top, respectively, of the With many shops looking to curtail More than 50 of the shops (15 percent) invoicing system calculates, even a higher state ranking. expenses, reducing the fees they are paying said they don’t qualify for a 2021 PPP loan percentage said that of the other six largest Anderson said the state-by-state numbers when accepting customer payment might because they didn’t experience at least a 25 U.S. insurers; more than 61 percent said he was sharing differ from that reported offer some opportunity. Among nearly 400 percent drop in revenue in any one quarter that of Progressive, and 65 percent said by some other industry sources because shops responding to survey questions last of 2020. About 12 percent of shops said that of USAA. they are based on final estimates from all summer about their customer payment they received a PPP loan last year, but did policies, virtually all (96 percent) said they not plan to apply for another, and 8 percent accept payment by credit card, and three- of shops said they didn’t — and won’t — quarters of those shops place no limit on apply either year. Help us show the industry ... the credit card transaction amount. About You can help CRASH Network gauge 5 percent of shops limit the credit card where the industry is on PPP loans and transaction to the amount of the custom- other issues by taking a four-minute survey er’s deductible, about 8 percent have a at: https://tinyurl.com/3yz8h3zm $1,000 limit on credit card transactions, Data confirms that pandemic driving pat- and about 9 percent have a $2,500 cap. terns have resulted in harder hits, more While it is illegal in fewer than a dozen totals states for a merchant to surcharge cus- Driving trend information in a report tomers paying by credit card as a way to issued earlier this year by Arity, the data How many of 24 “not-included” procedures do you bill for when you recoup some of the processing fees the analytics company owned by Allstate, have done them as part a repair? business pays, nearly 3 in 4 shops (72 offered a suggestion that harder hits and percent) said they do not do so. Many of total losses may have been up over the past How regularly do the largest auto insurers pay your shop for those the shops charging fees do so only under year even as claims counts, as reported by certain conditions, such as when the dollar CCC Information Services, were down 21 procedures? amount exceeds $500 or $1,000, or when percent for 2020. payment is made by phone rather than in Arity reviewed data on miles driven Find out why 88% of those participating in the “Who Pays for What?” person. from 24 million consumer apps, insur- surveys say it’s helping them improve their business. *Take the latest survey! ED PAYNE MOTORS www.crashnetwork.com/whopays 2101 E. Expressway 83 Weslaco, TX 78596 The quarterly “Who Pays” surveys are conducted by Collision Parts Direct: (956) 447-6387 Advice and… Fax: (956) 968-1851 www.paynedodgechrysler.com The weekly source Authentic Mopar® Parts. of collision repair news A foundation you can build on. and information you won’t Count on us to deliver Authentic Mopar Parts find anywhere else! Subscribe now! Go to: www.crashnetwork.com/report

*All individual shop responses remain confidential. One response per shop location. Shops that complete the CHECK OUT MOPARREPAIRCONNECTION.COM FOR survey and provide an email address will be sent the results, at no charge, once they are compiled. ©2021 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. RESOURCES, PROMOTIONS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION.

52382_GEN7_8th_AR.indd 1 1/15/21 12:07 PM June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 7

ance mobile telematics apps, and onboard New Ford models can get over-the-internet software updates devices to analyze where, when and how DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford says it is starting to send out over-the-internet software updates to some of its newer models as it Americans drove during the pandemic, moves to offer technology to match maker Tesla. comparing it to a model that (based on At present the updates are only available to about 100,000 owners of 2021 model year F-150s, Mustang Mach-Es and the upcoming 2019 data) predicted what mileage would Bronco, but Ford plans to spread the tech across its entire lineup as models are updated. It plans to make 33 million vehicles with the have been without a pandemic. It shows capability by 2028. that over the course of the year, miles The updates can fix software glitches in nearly all of the vehicles’ computers, and will be able to make recall repairs, offer new driven rebounded to very close to “normal” features and cut warranty claims, said Alex Purdy, the company’s connectivity business director. by the end of 2020. Ford says there are about 80 different computers in its most sophisticated vehicles that control everything from the infotainment But who is on the road has changed. center to brakes and transmission shifts. Arity says the one-fourth of drivers who Already Ford sent out an update to fix a lighting issue that drained batteries. Among the next updates will be a new version of increased their driving at the beginning Amazon Alexa that allows vehicles to communicate with the home assistant without use of a smartphone. Ford also will roll out of the pandemic are still driving about 34 touchscreen drawing software and simple games for the Mach-E electric SUV. percent more miles today, while the three- Purdy said software can identify potential problems in vehicles and fixes can be sent out if software can solve the problem. “That quarters of drivers who reduced their driv- fix can be done remotely, it doesn’t require you to go into a dealership,” he said. ing last April are still driving between 12 Vehicles equipped for Ford’s new “Blue Cruise” hands-free driver assist system will get the software needed to run it over the percent and 29 percent less now. internet, Ford said. Purdy said it won’t charge customers for the modems or require a subscription fee at present. But that could be Increases in vehicle speeds that empty coming for some features. roads allowed back in March and April “We certainly see room for subscriptions and packages that this software could enable,” Purdy said. (AP) • also hadn’t returned to pre-pandemic lev- els. Afternoon rush-hour speeds earlier this year remained 10 percent higher, and the prevalence of driving faster than 80 mph also increased about 15 percent in 2020. That would seem to make more harder hits and total losses likely. Mobile apps that provide crash detection data analyzed by Arity showed that the percentage of colli- sions involving a vehicle traveling at more than 70 mph increased about 50 percent during the pandemic.

You can help CRASH Network gauge where the industry is on PPP loans and other issues by taking a four-min- ute survey at: https:// tinyurl.com/3yz8h3zm

More recent data released by CCC con- firms that harder hits and total losses have risen. Nearly 42 percent of DRP repairs in 2020 were above $3,000.00 according to CCC data, up from just over 40 percent in 2019. More than 1 in 5 (20.5 percent) CERTIFIED PARTS SPECIALISTS appraised vehicles were declared total losses last year, more than a full percent- Roger Rowland 478-259-3845 [email protected] age point higher than the preceding year Ken Mills 478-259-3573 (and the seventh straight year of increased [email protected] total losses, rising from just 14 percent in Wesley Burchfield 478-259-4159 2013). Average total cost of repairs reached [email protected] $3,421 last year, up 5.4 percent from 2019. Darian Thompson 478-259-3926 Average body labor rates rose just 1.6 PARTS MANAGER SE REGIONAL SALES CONSULTANTS [email protected] Russell Brown Andy Stokes 478-259-3831 percent last year, according to CCC data, 478-259-3514 Tommy Scarborough 478-973-8954 [email protected] but the average number of parts per claim [email protected] tscarbourough@riversidefordnet Ted Siepman 478-259-3710 jumped to 11.1, up from 10.5 in 2019 (it PARTS ACCOUNTING [email protected] Gary Kinder David Stapp 478-957-0579 was just eight per claim in 2011 when 478-259-1845 [email protected] Cody Turner 478-269-1990 the trend of yearly increase in parts count [email protected] Fred Walker 478-957-1124 [email protected] • Zach Avery Josh Redick 478-259-6003 began). 478-259-4734 [email protected] Hank Millis 478-319-6071 [email protected] [email protected] John Burchfield 478-259-4199 John Yoswick, a freelance writer based TRAFFIC MANAGER [email protected] [email protected] Jim Howard John Hill 478-918-3906 in Portland, Ore., who has been writing 478-259-1875 about the automotive industry since 1988, [email protected] [email protected] is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Net- WAREHOUSE MANAGER Dylan Mercer 478-508-7439 work bulletin (www.CrashNetwork.com). Adam Fletcher [email protected] 1-800-637-4807 478-259-3288 He can be contacted by email at john@ [email protected] FAX ORDERS TOLL FREE 1-877-750-0590 CrashNetwork.com. 2089 Riverside Drive Macon, GA 31204 8 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

timated) and an adjustable air suspension helps the Edmunds: The top off-road 2021 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON Defender get where it needs to go. And in- It would be odd to leave the Jeep Wran- terior features such as heated seats, leather gler off a list of off-road vehicles. With upholstery, and even a refrigerated com- vehicles for 2021 standard four-wheel drive and features partment for drinks help it feel that much such as disconnecting sway bars to en- more special along the way. New for 2021 By AP Wire Service The Bronco also has removable doors and hance wheel articulation and pre-installed is a two-door version, the Defender 90, fenders to allow for an open-cockpit ex- connections for modifications like a winch that joins the four-door Defender 110. It’s no surprise that trucks and SUVs perience. There are even optional drain or off-road lights, there’s plenty of capa- Coming soon is an optional 518-horse- continue to dominate the U.S. vehicle plugs in the floor so you can more easily bility baked into the Wrangler Rubicon. power supercharged V8. Starting MSRP: market. But in a further move, automakers wash out the interior at the end of the day. Jeep is keeping the Wrangler fresh in $47,450 are increasingly building more SUVs and Expect to see the Bronco at dealerships in 2021 with two new versions. First up is 2021 RAM 1500 TRX trucks that are specifically designed for late 2021. Starting manufacturer’s sug- the Rubicon 392. The 392 refers to the Based on the standard Ram 1500 light- off-road driving. With special enhance- gested retail price: $30,000 (estimated) V8 that generates 470 horsepower, mak- duty pickup truck, the TRX uses the same ments to improve traction, ground clear- 2021 FORD F-150 RAPTOR ing it the most powerful factory Wran- engine as Dodge’s Charger and Challeng- ance and even visibility, these vehicles The Ford F-150 is completely rede- gler ever. And if a growling V8 isn’t your er Hellcats. It’s a supercharged 6.2-liter can climb over rocks or blast over sand signed for 2021, and style, there’s even a V8 that produces 702 horsepower and 645 dunes that would leave regular trucks or it features improved new plug-in hybrid lb-ft of torque. The devilishly powerful SUVs stuck, stranded or possibly broken. interior materials, With special enhancements Wrangler called the TRX is capable of sprinting from zero to Edmunds experts report on five ultra- refreshed design to improve traction, ground 4xe. It’s available 60 mph in fewer than 4 seconds, a metric capable off-roaders that are either already and upgraded tech- clearance and even visibil- in the Rubicon trim that any muscle-car owner could be proud on dealer lots or worth waiting for in the nology features. ity, these vehicles can climb and can go about 20 of. coming months. Along with those over rocks or blast over sand miles on all-electric More than just a horsepower monster, 2022 FORD BRONCO changes comes the dunes that would leave regu- power. Wrangler though, the TRX uses wide-body fend- After a long hiatus, the Bronco is back. latest version of the lar trucks or SUVs stuck, Rubicon starting ers, a 2-inch chassis lift, a reinforced steel off-road-focused This new Bronco stylistically pays hom- stranded or possibly broken. MSRP: $40,370 frame and 35-inch tires to considerably age to the 1960s original and adds more Ford Raptor. with destination boost its off-road prowess compared to a capability and technology. A direct rival to Notably, the new fees regular Ram 1500. Like the Ford Raptor, Jeep’s Wrangler, the new Bronco has rug- Raptor uses a coil-spring rear suspension 2021 LAND ROVER DEFENDER the TRX is capable of serious high-speed ged body-on-frame construction and stan- instead of the regular F-150’s leaf-spring We recommend taking a closer look desert travel. Starting MSRP: $71,890 dard four-wheel drive. It will be available design. This should improve off-road sta- at the recently reintroduced Land Rover EDMUNDS SAYS: in two-door and four-door body styles and bility and traction. For power, the Rap- Defender if you’re looking for a bit more If you’re looking to get dirty, there’s have plenty of available customizing ac- tor will have a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, luxury from your off-roader. Taking on no shortage of vehicles that’ll be happy cessories. good for around 500 hp. Additional en- off-road duties with a bit more finesse to help, and the current batch of available Ford will fit the Bronco with off-road hancements such as Fox monotube shocks than most rivals, the Defender has sleek off-roaders are some of the most capable assist features such as trail cameras to and available 37-inch tires mounted on styling, a wide range of available options, rigs ever built. The only real decision left more easily see obstacles, locking differ- lightweight wheels further boost the Rap- and a comfortable interior not often found to make after choosing which one is right entials to enhance traction, and skid plates tor’s dune-busting capability. It should hit in the most rugged of vehicles. for you is just how far off the beaten path and big tires to help it clamber over rocks. dealers this summer. MSRP: $60,000 (es- Hardware such as a low-range gearing you want to go. (AP) •

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plies recover. hope to reduce the interest paid on high The pandemic and chip shortage have inventories and keep discounts low. ... scarce and prices are up made rental cars scarcer, too, driving up “I do think we are on the verge of pos- prices dramatically and causing long waits sibly a different kind of paradigm for how Continued from page 1 trucks are now listed on websites, he said, as people start traveling again. Rental vehicles are distributed,” Krebs said. coronavirus 14 months ago. As the vi- for $68,000 to $70,000. companies have had trouble getting new Still, competition could thwart those rus spread, auto factories shut down for At the same time, he’s asking $13,995 cars because auto companies have di- plans once factories return to normal pro- a couple of months. With millions more for a 2011 Silverado crew cab with verted vehicles away from fleet buyers to duction. people working from home, demand for 178,000 miles on it, a far higher price than more profitable sales to consumers. High- Bazzy normally stocks 400-500 pick- laptops and monitors led semiconductor he would have thought even a few months er demand has sent some rental companies up trucks at his three Ford dealers but is makers to shift from autos to personal ago. to the used car market to find vehicles. down to around 100. He’s confident that electronics. Soon, though, a faster-than- “You sell high, you buy high,” said Whenever the car shortage ends, GM, he can keep customers happy if they order expected economic rebound boosted de- Smith, who frequently buys trucks for his Ford and others say they will change a truck and can get it in four weeks. But he mand for vehicles, and auto plants tried business. To get one now, he says, people business models away from having huge fears losing business to competing brands to restore full-scale production. Yet chip have to move quickly to put in bids with stocks. GM has considered regional dis- with a huge stock. makers couldn’t respond swiftly enough. dealers or owners. tribution centers that could send vehicles “If the guy across the street from me has With production slowed, dealer inven- “If you’re not on it,“ he said, “those to dealers in a matter of days. Ford’s CEO 300 (trucks) and my guy has to wait four tories shrank. Now, as the chip shortage things are gone.” Jim Farley has talked of quickly deliver- weeks,“ Bazzy said, “I’m going to lose has persisted, the shortage of new vehi- Given the lack of supply, nearly every- ing on factory orders. Both companies him.” (AP) • cles has worsened, and analysts foresee one expects new vehicle sales to fall soon. no return to normal before next year. That would mean fewer trade-ins, which Yet so far, automakers have been earn- would further tighten a low supply of used ing big profits even with a depleted inven- vehicles. For consumers who can wait, ALL DODGE tory, largely because many buyers have analysts say, it might be wise to delay CHRYSLER JEEP RAM been willing to pay more to get what they buying any vehicle until next year or even 2590 Range Park Drive want. With government stimulus checks beyond. Denham Springs, LA 70726 and tax refunds in hand, Americans An index that measures wholesale U.S. Parts Direct: (225) 298-8080 bought about 1.5 million new vehicles in used vehicle prices from auction house Toll Free: (800) 779-0794 Fax: (504) 664-7871 April. That’s an adjusted annual sales rate Manheim soared 53 percent in April from www.allstarautomotive.com of 18.5 million — the highest such rate a year ago, hitting a record high. Auto since 2005. dealers buy used vehicles at auctions; the “It’s like toilet paper was a year ago,” average price there hit nearly $18,000. In head-to-head testing, Mopar® Dealers mark up wholesale prices when Remanufactured Parts beat the said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst aftermarket, hands down. for Cox Automotive. “Everyone is rush- they sell to consumers. The average list Give us a call. We’ll show you the ing to buy a car.” price of a used car in April was just over results, and deliver the parts you Cox Automotive surveys suggest that $22,000, 14 percent higher than a year need, fast. 63 percent of potential buyers will stay ago. in the market even with higher prices and Dealers are now scrambling for used

2021 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. © CHECK OUT MOPARREPAIRCONNECTION.COM FOR RESOURCES, a meager selection of vehicles. With new cars, hoping to sell them to keep cash FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC. PROMOTIONS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION. vehicle prices jumping, the cost of popu- flowing through the summer as new ve- lar vehicles has become eye-opening. The hicle supplies dry up. Richard Bazzy, who average price of a new Chevrolet Silvera- runs four Ford and Lincoln dealerships in 43940_HR24_8th_AR.indd 1 1/15/21 1:49 PM do pickup, for example, is now just under suburban Pittsburgh, said he’s formed a Ancira Nissan . . . We Do It All! $51,000. team to buy used vehicles. NISSAN Even so, the supply of vehicles is dwin- “Every car dealer in the world is jam- PLATINUM dling. In April, the nation’s total new- ming the auctions right now trying to fill WHOLESALER vehicle inventory plummeted 42 percent their shelves because of the lack of new- from a year ago to 1.9 million. That’s car inventory,” he said. enough to supply only 33 days of sales at Bazzy said he’s hopeful that his busi- the current pace — 88 days fewer than a ness will manage OK with used sales, as year ago, according to Cox. At the same well as revenue from parts and service. time, discounts fell 5 percent from March But he wants all the used cars they acquire to April and 25 percent from a year ago to now to be sold by August, when he ex- an average of $3,239 per vehicle. pects the inventory of vehicles to start a Jeremy Smith is seeing the price in- return to normal. creases on both ends as he buys and Cox’s Krebs said it’s hard to predict sells pickup trucks for his utility trailer how long the chip shortage and tight sup- Ancira Nissan San Antonio, TX - www.anciranissanparts.com plies will last. Morgan Stanley analyst sales business near Buffalo, New York. Parts Direct (210) 558-5025 - (800) 508-1117 - Fax (210) 558-5027 In March, he bought a used diesel 2020 Adam Jonas cautioned investors not to Chevy Silverado crew cab with 21,000 expect extremely high auto prices beyond miles on it for $61,000. Comparable the end of this year as new-vehicle sup- Genuine Nissan Parts Phone: 877-870-8052 • 865-690-1970 • Fax: 865-291-2490

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Recalls NTSB: Tesla owner got into Compiled from AP, manufacturer, EPA and NHTSA news releases. driver’s seat before crash

By Tom Krisher The April 17 crash happened at 9:07 AUDI is recalling 40,993 2021 vehicles for the same rear axle issue detailed in the p.m. on Hammock Dunes Place, a two- Porsche recall below. DETROIT — Home security camera lane residential road in Spring, Texas. Both the 59-year-old owner and the BENTLEY Motors Inc. is recalling 206 2021 vehicles for the same rear axle issue footage shows that the owner of a Tesla 69-year-old passenger were killed. detailed in the Porsche recall below. got into the driver’s seat of the car shortly before a deadly crash in suburban Hous- The NTSB report said the car went off the road on a curve, drove over a curb, hit CHRYSLER (FCA) is recalling 2,721 2020 – 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles to ton, according to a government report. a drainage culvert, a raised manhole and a inspect and repair loose or missing side-curtain airbag fasteners. But the preliminary report on the crash tree. Chrysler is recalling 18,800 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles to inspect and replace that killed two men doesn’t explain the The crash damaged the high-voltage the transmission oil cooler hose. The original hose was incorrectly cured and could mystery of why authorities found no one lithium-ion battery, where the fire began. leak transmission fluid. behind the wheel of the car, which burst into flames after crashing about 550 feet Local authorities said one man was found in the front passenger seat, while is recalling 616,967 2016 – 2019 Explorer vehicles to repair (170 meters) from the owner’s home. Nor another was in the back. a condition that could allow the roof racks to loosen and detach from the vehicles. does it conclusively say whether Tesla’s “Autopilot” partially automated driver- The report didn’t say how fast the car was going, but Harris County Precinct Motors America is recalling 2,744 2022 Kia Carnival vehicles to replace the assist system was operating at the time of Four Constable Mark Herman said it was multi-port injection fuel rail, which could have been damaged when assembled. the crash, although it appears unlikely. The National Transportation Safety a high speed. He would not say if there was evidence anyone tampered with Tes- MERCEDES-BENZ USA is recalling 6,331 2021 GL series vehicles to repair a Board said it’s still investigating all as- la’s system to monitor the driver, which condition that could allow the air conditioner drain hose to leak into the passenger- pects of the crash. An onboard data stor- detects force from hands on the steering side foot well, which could damage electrical components. Dealers will repair and age device in the console, however, was wheel. The system will issue warnings and reroute the drain hose. destroyed by fire. A computer that records eventually shut the car down if it doesn’t Mercedes-Benz is recalling 17,800 2019 – 2021 G550 and AMG GLE 63 vehi- air bag and seat belt status as well as speed detect hands. But critics say Tesla’s sys- cles to replace the rear door latches. The original latch on certain of these vehicles and acceleration was damaged and is be- tem is easy to fool and can take as long as may fail to allow the doors to open or latch properly when closed. ing examined at an NTSB lab. a minute to shut down. Merced-Benz is recalling 342,366 2019 – 2021 CL and GL class vehicles. On The NTSB said it tested a different Consumer Reports said in April that it certain of these vehicles the rear view camera system may fail or fail to work at Tesla vehicle on the same road, and the was able to easily trick a Tesla into driv- times. Dealers will update the system software. Autopilot driver-assist system could not be fully used. Investigators could not get ing in Autopilot mode with no one at the wheel. NISSAN North America is recalling 14,054 2021 Rogue vehicles that may have the system’s automated steering system to The NTSB, which has no regulatory au- been assembled with missing bushings in the rear calipers. Missing bushings will work, but were able to use Traffic Aware thority and can only make recommenda- eventually result in a fluid leak. Dealers will replace the calipers as needed. Cruise Control. Autopilot needs both the cruise control tions, said it’s working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on PORSCHE Cars North America is recalling 1,568 2021 Cayenne vehicles to replace and the automatic steering to function. the probe. NHTSA has the power to make the lock nut on the rear axle trailing arm. Some of these lock nuts have reportedly Traffic Aware Cruise Control can keep the vehicle safety regulations. The federal broken. Dealers will insect and replace the nuts as needed. Certain Audi and Bent- car a safe distance from vehicles in front probe is running at the same time as a par- ley vehicles are also affected (see above). of it, while autosteer keeps it in its own lane. The report said the road also did allel investigation by local authorities, the not have lane lines. That could have have NTSB said. been why the automatic steering wouldn’t The Texas crash raised questions of work. whether Autopilot was working at the “The NTSB continues to collect data to time, and whether Tesla does enough to analyze the crash dynamics, postmortem make sure drivers are engaged. The com- toxicology test results, seat belt use, oc- pany says in owner manuals and on its Hyundai recalls over 390K vehicles for possible cupant egress and electric vehicle fires,” website that Autopilot is a driver-assist the agency said in its report. “All aspects system and drivers must be ready to take engine fires of the crash remain under investigation as action at any time. Earlier this year on Twitter, Tesla CEO DETROIT — Hyundai is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Cana- the NTSB determines the probable cause.” Elon Musk wrote that data logs “recov- da for two problems that can cause engine fires. In one recall, owners are being told to The agency says it intends to issue safe- ered so far” in the crashed show Autopilot park their vehicles outdoors until repairs are made. ty recommendations to prevent similar Continued on page 28 The largest recall covers more than 203,000 Santa Fe Sport SUVs from 2013 through crashes. 2015. Some are being recalled a second time. Brake fluid can leak into the anti-lock brake computer, causing an electrical short that can lead to fires. Owners should park outdoors and away from structures until the problem is fixed, according to documents Kia recalls vehicles a 2nd time, owners should posted recently by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Dealers will replace a fuse and replace the computer if necessary. Owners will be park outside notified in June. The brake computer problem has caused 18 fires in the U.S., but no injuries, accord- DETROIT — Kia is recalling more than 440,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. for a ing to documents. second time to fix a problem that can cause engine fires. And the automaker is telling Hyundai says the recall “enhances the remedy” from one issued in September of owners to park them outdoors and away from structures because fires could happen 2020. The company says it kept investigating after the September recall and found that when the engines aren’t running. replacing the fuse would reduce the safety risk. “Hyundai is conducting this new recall The recall covers certain Optima sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Sorento SUVs to ensure the safety of its customers,” the company said in a statement. from 2014 and 2015. The other recall covers nearly 187,000 2019 and 2020 Elantras, and 2019 through The same vehicles were recalled last year because brake fluid can leak into a control 2021 Konas and Velosters. All have 2-liter engines. computer, causing an electrical short. That can increase the risk of fire even when the The piston rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause engine vehicles are parked. damage, oil leaks and possible fires. Hyundai says the rings can be too hard and can be This time dealers will install a new fuse, inspect the computers, and replace them if chipped, scuffing the engine cylinder. The piston problem has caused five fires but no needed. Owners will get recall notification letters starting July 2. injuries, according to documents. Documents posted last month by U.S. safety regulators say the new fuse has a lower Dealers will inspect and replace the engine if necessary. They’ll also install piston amperage rating, mitigating the potential for fire. noise sensing software. Owners will be notified in late June. Kia says in the documents that it has customer complaints of six fires in Optimas Engine failure and fire problems at Hyundai and affiliated Korean automaker Kia and two in Sorentos involving “isolated melting.” One dealer reported melting in an have plagued the companies for more than five years, affecting the owners of more Optima that had the previous recall fix. There were no reports of injuries or crashes, it than 8 million vehicles. (AP) • said. (AP) • June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 13

Feds open probe of steering problems in Honda Accords Volkswageng

By AP Wire Service veered to the left. The owner wrote that they couldn’t control the car, and in a pan- of Clarksville DETROIT — The U.S. government’s ic, couldn’t stop before crossing several auto safety agency is investigating multi- lanes of traffic and hitting a building. The ple complaints about steering failures that driver and passenger were injured, wrote could affect more than 1.1 million Honda the owner, whose name was redacted from Accord sedans. the complaint. In documents posted recently, the Na- The person who petitioned for the in- tional Highway Traffic Safety Administra- vestigation, whose name also was redact- tion says it received 31 complaints about ed, wrote that their 2013 Accord suddenly the problem and Honda has 77 more. turns to the left or right without warning. Owners complained about a loss of steer- The person tested the car in a deserted ing control and the cars veering from their parking lot. “My vehicle repeatedly turned intended travel path. Two crashes and two 90 degrees of its own volition,” the person injuries were reported. wrote. “This ’behavior’ was replicated by The probe covers Accords from the Honda dealership mechanics.” 2013 through 2015 model years. The Mechanics couldn’t find a digital trou- agency opened the probe after getting ble code for the problem, so the car was a petition from an owner in October of not covered under a 2015 extended war- last year. It will investigate how often the ranty agreement for power steering col- DAILY DELIVERIES TO INDIANAPOLIS, CINCINNATI, EVANSVILLE & LEXINGTON problem happens, how many vehicles are umn failures, the petitioner wrote. affected, and the safety consequences of Jason Levine, executive director of the the problem. The probe could lead to a re- nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said peo- Parts Direct: call. ple need to know the government is mov- Honda said it’s cooperating with NHT- ing quickly when lives could be in danger. (812) 218-5281 SA and is doing its own review of the “With over 100 complaints into an incred- Fax: (812) 280-6391 ibly scary situation — suddenly losing case. The company says that any owner www.volkswagenofclarksville.com with a steering problem should take the the ability to steer your car while driving 406 E. Lewis & Clark Parkway Clarksville, IN 47129 car to a Honda dealership to see if repairs — we are glad to see NHTSA undertake are needed. a complete analysis of this hazardous situ- In a December 2018 complaint to NHT- ation to determine if a recall is necessary,” SA, an owner from San Bruno, California, he said. (AP) • wrote that they were driving a 2013 Ac- down a small hill when it suddenly

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The picture bottom left is the outside cover of the Ford press release kit received by AutoGraphic Publishing Co. in October of 1989. The picture below is the inside cover, featuring the 35th Anniversary Edition of the 1990 Ford Thunderbird. Inside the kit you would find a black and white photo of the 1990 Thun- derbird (page 19), Thunderbird model-year sales since birth (page 15) and every Thunderbird since 1955 (page 19). Along with a couple of write ups on the new Thunderbird and the 35th Anniverary Edition (page 18). June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 15

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my and to put us in a position to win the administration’s focus on promoting green Biden plan would pick winners, competition with China and the rest of the technology is important but will result in a world for the 21st century.“ substantial net loss of manufacturing jobs The infrastructure package would be by reducing production of domestic oil losers in move to green jobs paid for by higher corporate taxes. Lead- and gas, and in turn chemicals, while sub- ing business groups such as the Business sidizing wind and solar products whose By AP Wire Service divide from Republican lawmakers who Roundtable and U.S. Chamber of Com- production is dominated by Chinese and would rather the federal government focus merce have opposed raising the corporate European manufacturers.“ WASHINGTON — In Georgia, school more on the steel, concrete and asphalt of rate from 21 percent to 28 percent. But Some businesses insist the types of gov- bus-maker Blue Bird has visions of going conventional infrastructure projects. some of the companies that could benefit ernment investment in Biden’s plan are from selling a few hundred electric buses “He has an industrial policy -- which directly from the spending appear willing necessary. The major hurdle for moving annually to 15,000. In , Ford we’ve always had but never admitted,” to make that trade, and that complicates U.S. drivers away from internal combus- plans to produce an all-electric version of said Brett Smith, director of technology at the politics of the moment because there tion engines is the lack of charging sta- its F-150 pickup truck. the Center for Automotive Research. “Our are clear winners and clear losers, such as tions. Biden proposes $174 billion for Both companies are looking to Presi- industrial policy had been that low-cost the fossil fuel sector. electric vehicles, including funds to con- dent Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastruc- energy wins. He’s shifting that to carbon- Biden is openly saying government struct 500,000 charging stations by 2030. ture proposal to help transform the au- free energy is the industrial policy.” dollars should seed new opportunities for Their presence would help to overcome tomotive sector as electric vehicles shift drivers’ fears of being stranded in a pow- from a luxury niche to mainstream Amer- erless car, one of the challenges confront- ica. The plan reflects an effort by Biden to “The problem with industrial policy is that it ing Ford and General Motors as they seek accelerate certain sectors of the economy quickly becomes highly political,“ said Thomas to go electric. with the belief they’ll become the engines The Center for Automotive Research’s for growth in the decades to come. Duesterberg, a senior fellow at the conservative Smith stressed that automakers would like “You need someone to give you a real Hudson Institute. to command the same premium on their jumpstart,” Blue Bird CEO Phil Horlock stock that Tesla — a pioneer of electric ve- said. “This is actually changing the land- hicles — enjoys. But doing so requires the scape.” Biden said in a speech last month that businesses. It’s an effort to steer where government to shoulder some of the risk Biden visited Ford’s electric vehicle his proposed new tranche of government private investors direct their money and a to transition to a new infrastructure for plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday, spending is required to keep the U.S. response to other nations like China that powering vehicles. May 18, returning to an industrial state economy competitive and fair on top of have backed favored industries such as “You don’t sell the cars without the that contributed to his election victory and the coronavirus relief that’s already flow- electrical vehicles and semiconductors charging stations at this point,” Smith is the center of an auto sector that’ll likely ing. Besides infrastructure, Biden is ask- that could threaten America’s own pre- said. “It makes or breaks the technology.” need some government help to move away ing for another $1.8 trillion — putting eminence. Presidents have long relied on busi- from gas guzzlers. the combined total spending at roughly A White House official said that some nesses to push their messages to voters. The Democratic president wants the $4 trillion — to devote to education and businesses briefed on the infrastructure Biden’s predecessors Donald Trump and government to accept the risk of invest- families. proposal have also seen it as having the Barack Obama touted an Intel chip factory ing in a series of industries such as elec- Biden said his infrastructure plan is “an qualities of an industrial policy in which in Arizona as proof of economic gains, yet tric vehicles and semiconductors that he eight-year investment strategy to make government works in concert with com- the U.S. semiconductor industry declined believes will become the backbone of the sure working people of this country get panies. One element of Biden’s plan that relative to the rest of the world. Biden U.S. economy. It’s a sharp philosophical to share in the benefits of a rising econo- draws companies’ attention is the $50 proposes a $50 billion investment in semi- billion proposed for the Commerce De- conductor manufacturing and research, partment to monitor U.S. manufacturing one of the publicly bipartisan pieces of his capacity and fund investments to support infrastructure package. production of critical goods. The official, Intel’s chief government affairs offi- who spoke on the condition of anonymity cer, Jeff Rittener, said the company sup- to reveal internal discussions, said com- ports the investment, though it still wants panies interpret it as a new way of think- to know more details about the potential ing about supply chains when supplies of increases in corporate taxes. He warned computer chips, lumber and other goods that without the government investment are squeezed. the country would lose out to other global But the risks are that industrial policies competitors on what has become a build- can misspend dollars that would be better ing block of the modern economy. directed by the private sector. That can “Only 12 percent of worldwide semi- come at the expense of jobs as the initia- conductor manufacturing is done in the tives often go through a political prism in- U.S., whereas if you go back a number stead of an economic one. of years it used to be greater than 35 per- “The problem with industrial policy is cent,“ he said. “We anticipate, and studies that it quickly becomes highly political,“ have shown, that if nothing is done this said Thomas Duesterberg, a senior fellow percentage is going to drop further.” (AP) at the conservative Hudson Institute. ”The •

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Ford is betting that solid-state batteries will cut EV cost

By Tom Krisher Q: There has been a lot of talk about po- tential shortages of lithium, copper, nick- DETROIT — Ford has raised its stake el, other precious metals. Does solid-state in a manufacturer of solid-state batter- use fewer of those? ies — a move that its chief product and A: It depends on the chemistry. For most operations officer, Hau Thai-Tang, says companies, the cathode is about the same will strengthen the company’s effort to in- as what’s in lithium-ion. That doesn’t re- crease the range and reduce the costs of its ally change. It’s really the anode and the next generation of electric vehicles. electrolyte. Because you’re getting higher Ford, along with BMW, announced conductivity and higher energy density, so their investment in a $130 million fund- for the same power and range and energy, ing round for Solid Power, a Denver-area you would use less. That in itself will help, company that is developing sulfide solid- even if it was the same chemistry. But de- state battery technology. Thai-Tang says pending on which company you partner the technology should give Ford the flexi- with, they would have different chemis- bility to either shrink battery sizes to make tries, which will reduce dependencies on it less expensive to manufacture some ve- things like copper as well as cobalt, for hicles or keep the same size battery and example. achieve a greater range of distance in oth- ——— er models. Q: How far along is Solid Power in this Solid-state batteries, with their solid process? ion-conducting material instead of the liq- A: We think Solid Power is among the uid electrolyte found in most lithium-ion leaders because of their ability to scale up batteries, can store more energy. This ex- to a multi-layer cell, up to 20 amp-hour. pands the vehicles’ range from the same- This is something that we can actually use size battery or allows for smaller batteries, in an automobile. Beginning next year, which are typically lighter with a lower they’re targeting to give us as well as the risk of fire. other investor, BMW, a 100 amp-hour bat- At the same time, it’s harder to draw tery. That’s at the size we really can use Solid-state batteries, with their solid ion-conducting material instead of the liquid electrolyte found in most lithium-ion batteries, can store more energy. power from solid-state batteries than from for automotive applications. The other big nal combustion engines to drive the cost step in terms of cost, we think you have to lithium-ion batteries, said Sam Abuelsa- thing is, their chemistry can be built in down and improve the the range for our go to solid-state. mid, an analyst at Guidehouse Research. the same manufacturing process that we customers, making it safer. I think charg- ——— But the technology holds such promise, would invest in to build lithium-ion bat- ing infrastructure is probably the other Q: How much over the current battery he said, that whatever company perfects it teries. So this allows us to ease into that thing that would be the key for a faster rate chemistry might you save in cost if this first could command a competitive edge. new technology without having to rein- of adoption. comes to fruition? The Associated Press spoke recently vest in all of that capital equipment. ——— A: If you’re getting 25%-to-30% with Thai-Tang about the new chemistry ——— Q: Do you need solid state to reach cost improvement in energy density and you and what it could mean to speeding the Q: What time frame do you see for parity with internal combustion engines? can build it in the same process, you adoption of electric vehicles. The inter- switching to solid-state? A: We see further opportunities to drive would expect to see that level of cost view was edited for clarity and length. A: We think it’s realistic to target by the the cost down below $100 per kilowatt improvement versus today’s state of the ——— end of this decade if we continue to make with additional advances in lithium-ion art technology. (AP) • Q: Why are solid-state batteries so im- the progress we’re making. technology. To take the next incremental portant compared with the lithium-ion ——— batteries now used in electric vehicles? Q: How much farther could the vehicle A: Because of the promise of much go if you if you perfect solid-state? higher levels of energy density. For cus- A: You can either maintain the current tomers, that basically means they can range and use fewer batteries, or you can drive farther with the more range. So as give customers even more range within you get better energy and power density, the physical package of that battery size. the cells get smaller. That allows the vehi- We’re seeing roughly 25% to 30% im- cles to become lighter for the same range, provement in energy density. So we can as well as more space for people and their literally give that all to more range. Or we things instead of for batteries. And then, of could say 300 miles is optimal, and we course, cost. Being able to drive the cost- would just reduce the number of batteries per-kilowatt-hour down will speed up the and drive the cost down. And anywhere in adoption of battery electric vehicles. between those two bookends. ——— ——— Q. What’s the advantage over lithium- Q: So in the current package for a Mus- For all your parts needs, when you need them! Make sure ion batteries now? tang Mach-E electric SUV, say roughly your customers’ Fords are back on the road as soon as A: The big thing is going from a liquid 300 miles, you would be able to go around possible — call Helfman Ford for all your genuine Ford and electrolyte to a solid electrolyte; that gives 400 miles? Power Stroke parts. We have decades of experience and a you better conductivity. That’s the enabler A: Yes, you can get another 25% to huge inventory. We’ll help you keep your business rolling. for the power and energy. The challenge 30%. has always been, can you actually scale it ——— Parts: (281) 240-7628 - Toll Free: (800) 634-8008 up to where the format of the cell is large Q: Does this announcement mean there enough for automotive use? Then can you will be a much wider array of electric ve- [email protected] actually manufacture it at scale to hit the hicles coming? cost targets? A: Ford can lead the electric revolution ——— and accelerate the transition from inter- June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 19 20 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

... adding locations? GM: Software, new battery

Continued from page 4 be leasing it for on a triple net lease,” he parts will solve Bolt fire issue potentially really gum things up. Because said. “There can be some profitability that you can specifically take out of that pay- they’re not the ones about to make a big By Tom Krisher ules. It can cause a short in a cell, which ment to yourself that creates some favor- payday. They may very well see it as their can trigger a fire. Under the remedy, deal- chance to renegotiate items within the able tax opportunities for you.” DETROIT — Engineers at General Mo- ers can diagnose battery issues, and they’ll lease.” All that said, there are some risks tors have figured out how to fix a battery install diagnostic software that will warn Think carefully even about an arms- involved in purchasing the real estate, problem with the Chevrolet Bolt electric owners of any problems, spokesman Dan length lease you put in place with yourself Fisher noted: EPA risks if it is a brown- hatchback that caused five of them to Flores said. or an affiliate LLC, Johnston said, because field, zoning issues, easements, tying up catch fire. The company said it is not aware of any a buyer of your business may look at that too much wealth in the industry even if it’s The company says they developed di- fires in vehicles that got the interim fix. lease and “expect those same terms.” in two different asset classes. agnostic software to look for anomalies “We extensively validated the software Panelist Ben Hidalgo of Net Lease “Too many don’t weigh the potential in the batteries of 69,000 Bolts worldwide to detect potential battery issues and pro- Development agreed, suggesting that any- cost of all that,” he said. from the 2017 through 2019 model years. tect our customers,“ Flores said. one leasing commercial property to or He also cautioned that anything driving If problems are found, the company will Each Bolt has 288 battery cells, and en- from others find an attorney who under- up real estate values does not automatically replace faulty parts of the battery. gineers worked to analyze data from hun- stands leasing for a specific use. A colli- increase the lease payment a shop owner GM says owners of 2019 Bolts could dreds of thousands of cells, Flores said. sion repair business that has even just one who sells the business but retains the real get the software starting in April, and The recall came after the U.S. National poorly-crafted lease among its two or three estate can expect from the new shop opera- those who own 2017 and 2018 models can Highway Traffic Safety Administration or 10 locations can get “held hostage” to it, tors. That remains “contingent big-time” get it by the end of May. opened an investigation into the fires last particularly at the time you hope to sell the on the cash flow of the business, so a In November GM recalled the electric year. The agency said in documents that business. period of business retraction “devalues the vehicles after getting reports of the fires. the fires began under the rear seat while “Get a good attorney, not just a friend lease value” as well, Fisher said. Two people suffered smoke inhalation and the cars were parked and unattended. who does it,” Hidalgo said. “Don’t skimp Johnston said there is one set of circum- a house was set ablaze. Engineers determined the fires took on that. Get an expert in retail leasing, stances when it is often in your best inter- At first the company didn’t know what place in Bolts with battery cells made at to get a lease that will protect you long- est to purchase shop real estate: when your was causing the problem, but it deter- an LG Chem factory in Ochang, South term.” landlord on a property is considering sell- mined that batteries that caught fire were Korea, from May of 2016 to May of 2019. An attorney with sufficient leasing expe- ing to someone else. near a full charge. So as a temporary fix, Some 2019 Bolts and all 2020 and 2021 rience will know what’s been problematic “You might have had a cozy relationship owners and dealers were told to make versions have cells made at an LG Chem for other clients in the past, he said. with that landlord. It might even be some- software changes to limit charging to 90 plant in Holland, Michigan, and are not Dean Fisher, president of Driven one who sold you the business,” Johnston percent of a battery’s capacity. U.S. safety included in the recall. Brands’ collision group (which includes said. “But if they’re now flipping that real regulators said the cars should be parked Once the final recall repairs are made, CARSTAR and Maaco), also offered his estate, you have to consider whether the outdoors until the temporary fix was com- the Bolts’ full range will be restored. take on the purchase-versus-lease decision person buying that real estate is buying it pleted. Older Bolts can go about 238 miles (383 during the panel discussion. He said most because they want you there as a long-term GM traced the fires to what it called a kilometers) per charge. (AP) • of his company’s franchisees have fewer tenant, or if they are buying it because they rare manufacturing defect in battery mod- than 10 locations and tend to buy the real want to redevelop that property. It may be estate at most or all of their shops. advantageous to you to consider buying it “Most of them look at real estate as a if you think there’s a risk of losing what Dutch court orders Ghosen to repay salary form of the asset base that they’re build- is otherwise a very valuable operational ing, utilizing the business to pay for the asset. No one wants to have to go find AMSTERDAM — A Dutch court on ordered fugitive former Nissan chairman Car- asset base,” he said. “So they’ll typically another body shop and relocate a success- los Ghosn to repay nearly 5 million euros in salary to an Amsterdam-based alliance try to purchase the real estate as part of ful operation.” • between Nissan and Mitsubishi, and rejected his claim for millions in compensation for their retirement or sale model.” wrongful dismissal. He said real estate in this industry is John Yoswick, a freelance writer based The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from unique, often requiring many modifica- in Portland, Ore., who has been writing Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in tions to a property, lease-holder improve- about the automotive industry since 1988, compensation. ments that may make leasing less advanta- is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Net- The court in Amsterdam rejected his claims, saying he did not have a valid contract geous. work bulletin (www.CrashNetwork.com). with the company at the time. The salary he was ordered to repay covers payments made “When you purchase a piece of property, He can be contacted by email at john@ to him by the Dutch joint venture from April until November 2018. often that mortgage is less than you would CrashNetwork.com. The Dutch case stems from Nissan’s decision to fire Ghosn after he was accused of financial misconduct in Japan. The former high-flying automotive executive skipped bail in Tokyo in 2019 and fled to Lebanon, where he grew up. Ghosn, who was first arrested in November 2018, has said he is innocent of allega- tions in Japan that he under-reported his future income and committed a breach of trust by diverting Nissan money for his personal gain. He says the compensation was never decided on or received, and the Nissan payments were for legitimate business purposes. (AP) • GENUINE HONDA PARTS FREDY KIA • Free Overnight Delivery • Biggest Inventory • Dedicated Wholesale Team • of Genuine Kia Parts Wholesale Direct in South Texas! 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ing zero-emissions battery electric and hy- talks with the Biden administration, a co- Senator urges tough US rules bar- drogen fuel cell vehicles. alition of automakers said it wanted mile- “If the U.S. does not establish a robust age standards lower than those brokered ring gas-powered cars by 2035 policy that leads to zero emission vehicle by California. deployment, combined with appropriate Biden has said he wants stronger stan- incentives, we will be at risk of losing our dards to deal with the effects of climate By Hope Yen & Tom Krisher Under Carper’s proposal, the EPA automotive jobs and industry leadership to change, and in an address to Congress he would apply California’s 2019 frame- other nations, as well as enduring unnec- said the U.S. “can own the electric car WASHINGTON — A top Senate Dem- work agreement on emissions standards essary public health impacts from pollu- market.” His climate proposal, however, ocrat is urging U.S. anti-pollution stan- reached between Ford, Volkswagen, Hon- tion,” Carper wrote. does not detail the greenhouse gas reduc- dards that would follow a deal brokered da, BMW and Volvo. That deal would cut Carper’s push comes as the Biden ad- tions that his administration envisions for by California with five automakers and greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7 percent ministration takes steps to reverse former each sector of the economy. Biden’s top then set targets to end sales of new gaso- climate adviser, Gina McCarthy, appeared line-powered vehicles by 2035, a goal that to signal that deeper cuts in emissions reaches farther than President Joe Biden’s would have to come from sectors other climate plan. than the auto industry to reach the goals. In a letter sent late to the Environmen- Half of all new vehicles sold To increase sales of electric vehicles, tal Protection Agency, Delaware Sen. Tom the administration plans to spend $15 bil- Carper, who chairs the Senate Environ- would be electric by 2030, and lion to build a half-million charging sta- ment and Public Works Committee, says tions by 2030 as well as offer unspecified the administration must move forcefully sales of new gasoline-powered tax credits and rebates to cut the cost. in the auto sector to achieve Biden’s plan However, experts say it will be difficult of slashing America’s greenhouse gas passenger vehicles would be to replace the 279 million passenger vehi- emissions in half by 2030. cles now on U.S. roads — most of which Carper notes that the industry is already burn gasoline — with electric vehicles in moving in the direction of zero-emission banned by 2035. less than 15 years. The average U.S. ve- electric vehicles and that it’s critical to lay hicle is now nearly 12 years old, so they markers now to ensure that the U.S. posi- stay on the roads longer than in the past. tions itself as a top player in auto manu- per year from 2022 through 2026 and President Donald Trump’s bid to end Cali- And without an immediate change, the facturing over foreign competitors such as raise fuel economy requirements by a like fornia’s ability to set its own automobile number of gasoline-powered vehicles will China. amount. tailpipe pollution standards. That move continue to grow. IHS Markit predicts it “Strong policies in the United States After that, the administration would could pave the way for the U.S. to broker will be 284 million by 2025. will encourage those investments to be have to have much stricter standards to an industrywide deal that follows Califor- Each year, automakers sell about 17 made here,” Carper wrote in the letter to meet goals spelled out in Carper’s plan. nia’s agreement, although reaching such million new vehicles in the U.S., most of EPA Administrator Michael Regan, which Half of all new vehicles sold would be an agreement faces challenges. them running on gasoline. If every new was obtained by The Associated Press. He electric by 2030, and sales of new gaso- Most of the rest of the auto industry, vehicle sold were electric starting today, it cited likely U.S. gains in “research and de- line-powered passenger vehicles would for instance, opposed the California deal would take more than 16 years to replace velopment, manufacturing and ultimately be banned by 2035. Under the deal with and sided with Trump in rolling back the all the gasoline vehicles. (AP) • export opportunities in automotive tech- California, automakers would get credits standards to a 1.5 percent increase in fuel nology.” toward meeting the requirements for sell- economy per year through 2026. In early There is a difference, use Genuine GM PARTS. For example, front and rear engineered support kits for the 2019–20 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are designed to simplify what otherwise could be difficult work. These comprehensive assemblies are necessary for the repair of many front- and rear-end collisions and also help technicians achieve proper, safe, and time-saving repairs.

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Crotts Brothers Garage & Collision Repair

By Laura Catherine Koss

Crotts Brothers Garage & Collision Repair is located at 404 Eighth Street in Salem, Va., close to the larger city of Roa- noke. For those not familiar, Salem is near Interstate 81 with the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains to the West and the beau- tiful Shenandoah Valley to the East. For over 73 years Crotts Brothers has brought meaning to the phrase “family owned and operated.” With four genera- tions now actively engaged in running the day-to-day business operations, family provides the foundation upon which the garage’s success has been built. Crotts Garage & Collision Repair (above) is Crotts Brothers is currently owned and located at 404 Eighth Street in Salem, Va.. operated by Wendell G. “W.G.” Crotts, a lifelong resident, growing up on the banks At left, a picture of Crotts Garage in the late of the Roanoke River and graduating from 1940’s. Andrew Lewis High School in Salem. When one first enters the premises, the front wall of the office announces the Crotts Brother’s commitment to their com- larger bay doors was added to allow space munity, and probably one of the reasons for for taking on bigger trucks, but the real their longevity. The wall is a shrine to all value in the renovation came in the quality the local teams and organizations they’ve of the employee space with a new shower sponsored through the years. The numer- and kitchenette to alleviate some of the ous cheerleading squads, baseball teams, more practical issues that come with small little league divisions, and youth sporting business life. teams that carry the Crotts’ name in spon- At an unprecedented time in our world’s sorship are only the beginning of W.G.’s history, during which the closing of doors investment as a trusted provider of colli- has become a common business practice, sion repair to the Salem area The wall is bly feels like family, the kind of establish- pop places.” both as a consequence of and an attempt to also a reminder that you’re not just talking ment to which one employee used to bring It’s no wonder that Crotts Brothers has alleviate the threat posed by the pandemic, to one of the area’s professionals in colli- his Pomeranian to work everyday. This is seen such longevity with such a strong Crotts Brothers has seen their daily busi- sion repair, but to a loyal member of the a place where occasionally an employee sense of contribution pouring back into the ness operations turn into a “rollercoaster.” community. may be provided temporary transportation Crotts Brothers currently employs eight and accommodations in housing as well. people. Crotts says that personal ties have In questioning him about any other helped established his business as a strong- secrets to the success of the business, hold throughout the community. One W.G. leaned his elbows onto his knees and employee returned to Crotts after working clasped his hands to confide: in a big chain shop, saying that the smaller “I’ll tell you what I do. If I need any very community they have the pleasure of But they’ve weathered the storm and sur- shop provides more of an opportunity to hardware, I go to Hammer Head Hard- serving. vived. learn, and that he missed the camaraderie ware. If I need a prescription filled, I go to “Well, I try to take care of my guys,” Technological innovation and quick of the Crotts Brothers and the lower pres- Brooks Byrd Pharmacy. If I need my cars Crotts says. thinking aided their transition through this sure atmosphere. inspected I take them to Pillis Brothers. If In 2004 the garage underwent a new difficult time in the purchase of a couple of W.G.’s investment in his employees has I’ve got big trucks I take that to Certified addition that allowed the workplace to feel ozone machines, giving them new capac- created a work environment that inevita- Truck. I spend all my money in mom-and- even more like home. A new section with ity to provide a safe and reliable means of

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offering their trusted collision repair ser- throughout the crisis, adding pick up and that runs things. Then you make friends carrying on the legacy, still coming to work vices. They further adapted by implement- delivery options to their list of services as a with the janitor, and then the people who after having a double knee replacement a ing the new practice of wearing gloves and way to further ensure the safety of custom- get the food, because they run things.” few years ago. The future of the business S h e goes to his daughter Ashley, who o b v i o u s l y currently oversees everything from order- knows the ing parts and dealing with insurance com- potential of panies to handling receipts and billing, and her position then to his grandson who will become the and seems to fifth generation in the business. keep things The Crotts Brothers’ recognition in the running like community speaks to their longevity in a well-oiled the area, winning the Bronze Salem Small machine. Business of the Year two years ago, the N i c k Platinum Salem Small Business of the Year Crotts, W.G.’s last year, and being recently nominated at father, was the Chamber meeting for Small Business known for of the Year in the City of Salem. working from W.G.’s commitment to his business and 7 a.m. to 10 his community is reflected in his attitude, p.m., setting his favorite part of coming to work every a precedent day being: for a family “Just the fact that I’m here on Eighth of hard work- Street doing what I like to do, and you can ers who aren’t ask anybody here, I’m here everyday. If Crotts Garage & Collision Repair owner W.G. Crotts and his daughter Ashley Kass. afraid to put I’m in town, I’m here.” in a full day’s The result of W.G’s commitment is obvi- work. W.G ous, the bay doors on Eighth and Tennes- masks at all times when servicing cars and ers and accommodate them with further said that his father only missed a single see Street are filled with cars in for service wiping everything down in the cars, from convenience. day of work before his retirement. W.G. is and repair. • steering wheels to shifters, and trying to Crotts Brothers was started by Rex Crotts in September of 1948 with his son James. Crotts brothers has been maintained for almost 73 years through brothers and nephews buying out fathers, brothers, and uncles. W.G., the current owner, oversees day-to-day business operations, with his daughter Ashley Kass following in his footsteps as the fourth generation of Crotts mechanics and managers to run the busi- ness. Mary Crotts, W.G.’s mother, only recently left the office after working there since 1983 when her husband Nick bought the business from his brother James. Linda Miles, a devoted family friend, stepped in for Mary in February after being a secretary in the school systems for 28 years. Linda has now taken on the Ashley Kass and Linda Miles, Crotts’s responsibility of running the office. Linda Garage offices managers. explained that when her son graduated col- lege and was looking for a job in the school stay out of cars as much as possible. systems, she gave him some advice: They also recognized an opportunity to “The first thing you do is make friends respond to the community’s growing fear with the secretary, because she’s the one

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2 workers found dead in ALA. car dealership IRONDALE, Ala. — Two workers were found dead inside of a storage room at an American tells Japan court he Alabama car dealership, according to authorities. The discovery was made at around 1:30 p.m. at the automotive store in Irondale, city worked for Nissan’s interests police Sgt. Michael Mangina said. Investigators did not find any obvious signs of foul play, he added. The area was tested for carbon monoxide, but the results were negative, By Yuri Kageyama police said. The bodies were taken to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office to deter- unpaid money was ever decided upon. mine causes of death. Mangina said the men, who were working on computers at the Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades, business, were likely dead for a few hours before they were found. The investigation is TOKYO — An American lawyer on says he is innocent and the money was not ongoing. (AP) • trial in Japan on charges related to report- decided upon or paid. ing of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Testimony and documents presented Ghosn’s compensation asserted his inno- during the trial show Kelly sought ways to Nissan begins producing new Pathfinder cence, testifying he acted legally and in compensate Ghosn through possible post- Nissan’s best interests. retirement consultancy fees and a deal SMYRNA, Tenn. — Nissan has started producing its new Pathfinder at an assembly Greg Kelly, a former executive vice paying him not to leave for a rival compa- plant in Tennessee. A company news release says the first 2022 Pathfinder rolled off the president at Nissan Motor Co., told the To- ny, known as a “non-compete” agreement. assembly line last month at the facility in Smyrna with nearly 7,000 employees. kyo District Court he was worried Ghosn Prosecutors say they’re confident about The Pathfinder has been assembled at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant might job-hop after taking a big pay cut in their cases against both Ghosn and Kelly. since 2004. The engine for the SUV is assembled at the Nissan Decherd Powertrain 2010, when Japan began requiring disclo- During a recent hearing, Kelly said that Plant in Decherd, Tennessee. The Pathfinder will be available in dealer showrooms in sures of high executive pay. before the trial began he had never seen the U.S. and Canada starting this summer. (AP) • “He became a retention risk,” Kelly said detailed calculations of Ghosn’s poten- in response to questioning by his chief de- tial pay, which were handled by another fense lawyer, Yoichi Kitamura. Nissan executive who reported directly to Huffines HYunDAi “We were fortunate to have a CEO as Ghosn. talented as Carlos Ghosn,” he said. Kelly worked as a labor and environ- McKinneY Starting in 2010, Ghosn’s annual pay mental lawyer in the U.S. before join- Ask for Brydan Reid,Brian was cut by about half, or 1 billion yen ing Nissan in 1988. He testified that his Chadduck or Chris Ramos ($10 million). Company officials had wor- exchanges with the executive, Toshiaki [email protected] ried about potential public criticism since Ohnuma, tended to be short and superfi- [email protected] big executive paychecks are rare in Japan. cial because Ohnuma’s English was lim- [email protected] After the pay cut, Ghosn was making con- ited and Kelly doesn’t speak much Japa- siderably less than his counterparts at U.S. nese. and European automakers. Ohnuma took a plea bargain and testi- Ghosn and Kelly were arrested in late fied last year for the prosecution, outlining 2018. Ghosn was charged with underre- how he worked on Ghosn’s “unpaid com- Roy Allen, Parts Mgr. porting his compensation and with breach pensation.” If convicted, Kelly faces up to 469-525-4361 [email protected] of trust. But he fled to Lebanon while out 15 years in prison. The conviction rate in on bail. Kelly is facing charges of conspir- Japan is higher than 99 percent. A verdict Hyundai 469-525-4354 ing with Ghosn to underreport his pay. isn’t expected for months. (AP) • A key focus of the trial is whether the Hours: Mon. - fri. 7 AM to 7 PM; sat 8 AM to 5 PM • 1301 N. Central Expy. at White Ave. • McKinney, TX Huffines Kia McKinneY Ask for Brydan Reid,Brian Chadduck or Chris Ramos [email protected] [email protected] A REPAIR DONE TWICE [email protected] ISN’T REPEAT BUSINESS.

Genuine Kia Parts Roy Allen, Parts Mgr. 469-525-4361 [email protected] Wholesale Parts: 469-525-4354 MOPAR® STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS: Hours: Mon. - fri. 7 AM to 7 PM; sat 8 AM to 5 PM • 1201 N. Central Expy. at White Ave. • McKinney, TX GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME - EVERY TIME.

Only Mopar® steering and suspension parts are O.E. engineered to fit FCA US LLC brand vehicles right the first time – every time – and to perform to factory specifications for the road ahead. GENESIS OF MCKINNEY That’s the real value Mopar provides over aftermarket parts that can take up to 25 percent more time to install and can deliver unpredictable performance. Parts Department: Get it right the first time with Mopar and keep your customers Brydan Reid - [email protected] coming back for great service and the best parts. Brian Chadduck - [email protected] Chris Ramos - [email protected] JIM COGDILL CHRYSLER Order Hotline: (800) 756-1611 Wholesale Parts: DODGE JEEP RAM Local: (865) 690-1611 8544 Kingston Pike Fax: (865) 693-2964 Knoxville, TN 37919 469-525-4354 www.jimcogdilldodge.com Roy Allen, Parts Mgr. 469-525-4361 [email protected] Mon.–Fri. 7:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Sat. 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Hours: Mon. - fri. 7 AM to 7 PM; sat 8 AM to 5 PM • 1301 N. Central Expy. at White Ave. • McKinney, TX ©2021 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC.

42576_LR22_Q_AR.indd 1 10/23/19 8:23 AM June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 25

discounts and raise prices. GM’s average ries to more profitable consumer-electron- GM expect big 2021 profit, says sales price hit a record of $44,685, up 9 ics processors when auto plants closed percent from a year ago, according to Cox due to the coronavirus last year. The auto figures. factories came back faster than expected, it’s managing chip shortage Crosstown rival Ford Motor Co. said but the chip makers didn’t quickly switch the worsening chip shortage would cut its their factories back to automotive-grade By Tom Krisher pickup trucks and SUVs, and that brought production in half during the current quar- chips. Then a March fire wiped out much the higher income. ter. The situation will improve in the sec- of the chip production at a factory in Japan Detroit — General Motors’ first-quar- In the U.S., GM’s most profitable mar- ond half, but Ford still will see production that makes chips for vehicles. ter net income surged to $2.98 billion as ket, sales rose 4 percent from January fall 10 percent over original plans. That Barra said that after the chip short- strong U.S. consumer demand and higher through March compared with a year means Ford won’t be able to make up for age ends, GM will not return to a busi- prices offset production cuts brought on ago. However, the first-quarter sales of any lost production this year. ness model with huge dealer inventories. by a global shortage of computer chips. 639,406 vehicles was the second-lowest The company expects to lose factory Rather it will go to more of an order and Despite the shortage, GM stuck with level in the first quarter since 2015, and output of 1.1 million vehicles for the year, fast-delivery model, which would save on full-year pretax earnings guidance of $10 the figures were 4 percent below the same up from an earlier estimate of 200,000 to costs and keep the company from being billion to $11 billion issued earlier in the period in 2019, according to Cox automo- 400,000. caught with too many vehicles in a down- year and said earnings would be at the tive. Nearly all automakers are struggling turn. “We won’t over-build inventory,” high end of the range. Full-year net in- Still, demand was strong and inven- with the chip shortage, caused by semi- she said. (AP) • come is expected to be between $6.8 bil- tories were low, allowing GM to reduce conductor makers switching their facto- lion and $7.6 billion. The company pre- dicts a strong first half with a pretax profit of around $5.5 billion. GM executives wouldn’t give specifics on how much production they expect to lose to the chip shortage. But CEO Mary Barra said purchasing, manufacturing, engineering and sales teams are working to divert the chips from cars and smaller SUVs to full-size pickup trucks, big SUVs and new electric vehicles. “A lot of really good work is being done across our company to source semicon- 888-273-4922888-273-4922 // 228-539-7500228-539-7500 ductors, allocate them across our most in-demand and (factory) capacity-con- strained products,” she said. Direct:Direct: 228-539-5034228-539-5034 The company reiterated that the short- age would cost it $1.5 billion to $2 billion in earnings before taxes this year due to Largest Inventory of Genuine GM Parts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! lost production. GM has been forced to cut production of some smaller vehicles Servicing the entire Gulf Coast and More! with lower profit margins, such as the Our Service is second to none! Chevrolet Equinox SUV. “Is there an impact this year? Absolute- ly,“ Barra said on a conference call with reporters. “But the team keeps working to minimize it.” Of all the reasons to use Genuine Edward Jones Senior Equity Analyst GM Parts, you can add unbeatable Jeff Windau said GM appears to be man- value to the list. Because Turan-Foley aging the chip shortage well, but he would like to see more specifics on how many offers highly competitive pricing on all vehicles it won’t be able to produce. He Genuine GM Parts that make up a very said the company may have been trying BUMP large portion of the total collision parts to keep the focus off the shortage. “Some the COMPETITION! of the other peers have come out and ex- business. So call today! pressed significant production cuts in the Save Time, Save Money! second quarter, and obviously the stock prices have been punished for that,” Win- dau said. Barra said the worst impact of the short- age will take place in the current quarter, improving in the second half of the year. GM’s first-quarter profit increase was 12 times larger than the same period last year, when the start of the coronavirus pandemic forced automakers to shutter factories, limiting GM’s net income to $247 million. Shares of GM jumped 3.8 percent to $57.42. Excluding non-recurring items, GM made $2.25 per share from January through March, doubling Wall Street es- timates of $1.05. Revenue of $32.47 bil- 11123 Highway 49 North, Gulfport, MS 39503 www.turanfoley.com lion was below estimates of $33 billion according to FactSet. The Detroit automaker reported pretax income for the first quarter at $4.4 billion. During the quarter, the company said it was able to divert precious computer chips to higher-profit models such as full-size 26 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

Using voltage drop testing to Grand Caravan transmission slips, diagnose a problem circuit numerous DTCs set By ALLDATA Tech-Assist Team working limit is 0.10V-drop across low- current wires and switches. By ALLDATA Tech-Assist Team Voltage drop testing is a simple but effec- To test the power (+) side of a circuit for and foul the electrical circuits, which tive method of diagnosis to quickly locate voltage drop (Figure 1), follow these steps: can cause intermittent problems and high-resistance problems in a circuit. The 1. Connect the positive (+) test lead of a A 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan DTCs. The technician was further digital volt meter to the power source; DC voltage scale on a digital volt ohm (V6-3.8L) with 196,002 miles was advised to monitor the perimeter meter (DVOM) or digital multi-meter can 2. Connect the negative (-) test lead to brought to a shop that had rebuilt identification data (PID) values for be used to measure the voltage drop across the other end of the wire of the component; the input, transfer, output speed and a load, device, or conductor. 3. Operate the circuit and observe the the vehicle’s automatic transmission. Voltage drop is defined as the loss of meter voltage; and After the repairs, the transmission engine speed sensors to identify any voltage caused by the flow of current 4. The DVOM will display the differ- would intermittently slip in third and implausible data values. through resistance. Increased in resistance ence in voltage between the two points. fourth gears. The technician checked While monitoring the input speed equals increases in the voltage drop. To pinpoint the component or connec- the automatic transmission fluid (turbine) sensor and engine speed IMPORTANT NOTE: Whenever check- tion responsible for the voltage drop, move level and found that it was two quarts PIDs, the input speed exceeded ing voltage drop, current must be flowing the negative (-) test lead to the next compo- over-filled. After setting the fluid to engine speed. Because the engine in the circuit. nent or connection in the circuit and retest the correct level, the issue remained. speed should never exceed the turbine Each load device (or component) must at additional contact points as necessary. A quick scan revealed the following speed, the wiring at the transmission receive enough voltage to operate prop- Changes in the voltage drop reading will diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs): was closely inspected. The technician erly. The available voltage at a component indicate where an excessive voltage drop is found excessive oil in the connector, located. • P0733 GEAR RATIO ERROR should always be above that component’s so he also inspected the internal har- minimum required voltage specification. To test the ground side of the circuit (See IN third gear If not, a loose connection, corrosion, or figure), follow these steps: • P0734 GEAR RATIO ERROR ness. He found that multiple wires faulty power source is the problem. Open 1. Connect the negative (-) test lead to IN fourth gear were overheated and burnt. circuit problems such as broken or discon- the negative battery terminal; • P0792 COMPOUNDER SPEED After replacing the internal har- nected wires or connections can stop cur- 2. Connect the positive (+) test lead to RATIO ERROR ness, the DTCs were cleared and the rent flow. Even after fixing an open circuit, the ground terminal or wire at the compo- An ALLDATA Tech-Assist con- transmission was refilled to specifi- you should switch the circuit on again and nent being tested; sultant advised checking the har- cation. After taking the vehicle on a check for voltage drop. You won’t know 3. Operate the circuit and observe the ness connection at the transmission, lengthy test drive, no DTCs or slip- if the entire circuit is healthy until you are meter voltage; and because over-filling the oil capacity page problems were noted. • sure there is the correct amount of current 4. The DVOM will display the differ- can cause oil to wick past the seals flowing. ence in voltage between the two points. Although resistance-free connections, To pinpoint the component or connec- wires, and cables would be ideal, most of tion responsible for the voltage drop, move them will contain at least some voltage the negative (-) test lead to the next compo- drop. If your service manual does not list nent or connection in the circuit and retest acceptable voltage drop values, use the at additional points as necessary. Changes following specifications as ball-park maxi- in the voltage drop reading will indicate mum limits: where an excessive voltage drop is located. Parts • 0.00 V across a connection Remember, the voltage-drop test is one Southwest Department • 0.20 V across a wire or cable of the best ways to check for voltage being • 0.30 V across a switch lost along a wire or through a connection, Half Million Dollar Inventory of Genuine Kia Parts • 0.10 V at a ground switch or relay. Similar results cannot be Because most computer circuits oper- reliably obtained by continuity testing with Three Trucks – 2 Times Daily Dallas Fort Worth Metro Area ate way down in the milliamp range, they an ohmmeter or logic probe. Multi-strand Rock Bottom Prices! don’t tolerate voltage drop as well as other wires may test good for continuity (ohms), circuits do. Note that a milliamp is one- but due to the rise in resistance when cur- thousandth (0.001) of an amp. For com- rent flows, can have an excessive voltage Parts Direct: (214) 694-2870 puter-related circuits, the recommended drop. • Toll Free: (866) 204-6680 Fax: (214) 694-2890 www.southwestkia.com June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 27

Michigan and in Nevada, where Tesla cesses entity rather than a parts supplier. Arizona could become an elec- built a huge battery plant. “We’re trying to court these other busi- “These economic clusters typically nesses,” said Casa Grande Mayor Craig grow up organically over time as there’s McFarland, who anticipates more an- tric vehicle manufacturing hub demand,” Rogers added. nouncements over the next six months. UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries, “Between Nikola and Lucid, we think we By AP Wire Service up and running. a maker of aluminum bumper assemblies, can make this into a tech corridor.” After that, the big test will involve sup- sunroof guide rails and battery housings, The next few years could prove pivotal. PHOENIX — Can Lucid, Nikola and pliers and whether Arizona can attract announced in March that it would convert Camacho said his group already is in ElectraMeccanica turn Arizona into a ma- them in sizable numbers to transform the a Walgreens distribution facility in Flag- touch with various auto-parts companies, jor electric vehicle manufacturing hub? state into an auto manufacturing hub. staff into an auto-parts factory. though he didn’t disclose names. “We have the potential to become a mas- If Arizona follows in the footsteps of The company, which expects to bring “There are dozens of companies in sive global leader in emerging auto manu- Tennessee and other auto-rich states, a fa- 350 jobs to northern Arizona within five engineering and emerging automotive facturing,” Chris Camacho, president and miliar pattern could develop. years, specifically cited the need to be suppliers evaluating us at the moment,” CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic “You’ll see a whole bunch of different close to electric vehicle customers. he said, adding that more announcements Council, told The Arizona Republic. types of suppliers locate next to a plant,” Another company, Jomi Engineering of suppliers landing in Arizona will come It’s happened before. said Dale Rogers, a supply-chain pro- Group of Canada, has purchased a build- over the next year or so. (AP) • Nearly 40 years ago, the first fessor at Arizona State University who ing in central Casa Grande. Jomi is an en- rolled off an assembly line in Tennessee, has tracked similar patterns in his native gineering services and manufacturing pro- helping to turn a largely rural state with modest manufacturing aspirations into an automotive powerhouse. Tennessee now produces more than 800,000 cars and trucks annually and em- ploys around 123,000 people, with three major auto brands and more than 900 parts suppliers. The Republic reports that Arizona has LONG-LEWIS FORD commitments from three auto manufac- turers and has made significant headway over the past three years. of Hoover But unlike the three major manufactur- ers in Tennessee — Nissan, General Mo- Alabama’s Oldest Ford Dealer tors and Volkswagen — Arizona’s three vehicle producers are all startups, and they’re all engaged in electric-vehicles. Lucid has announced its Casa Grande Alabama’s most qualifi ed Ford Power Stroke Parts factory is complete and will begin produc- ing tens of thousands of electric cars this Department with over 160 years of combined Ford spring. Nikola Corp. is building a factory in nearby Coolidge where it will produce Parts Experience electric and hydrogen powered heavy trucks. ElectraMeccanica will start assembling • 5 Wholesale Reps • 6 Local Delivery Trucks three-wheeled, one-seat electric cars not much bigger than motorcycles at a plant • 3 Out-of-Town Delivery Trucks near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. • 19,000 Square Feet of Genuine Ford, The next big question is whether all the companies can get commercial production Motorcraft and Power Stroke Parts Strike ends at Volvo plant in Va. as tentative deal reached A strike at a Volvo plant in Virginia has ended following a tentative deal between the workers’ union and automaker. The UAW Volvo Truck Council said Friday that Volvo Truck workers will be scheduled to return to their regular shifts on Monday. Ray Curry, UAW secretary-treasurer and director of the UAW heavy truck department, said in a statement that the workers achieved “significant gains to- ward fair pay, benefits and job security protections.” The council said that details of the ten- tative agreement will be withheld until UAW members can be briefed prior to tak- ing a ratification vote in the coming days. North America says the five-year contract covers 2,900 workers at the plant in Dublin, Virginia. Hoover, Ala. • 877-234-5664 • 205-989-3000 • [email protected] It also would not release details pend- Monday thru Friday 7 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday 8 am to 2 pm ing the union’s ratification vote. (AP) • 28 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

... into driver’s seat before Crash victim had posted videos crash riding in Tesla on Autopilot

Continued from page 12 up inquiries into Teslas, dispatching teams By AP Wire Service Tesla, which has disbanded its pub- to three crashes. It has investigated 28 wasn’t turned on, and “Full Self-Driving” lic relations department, did not respond Tesla crashes in the past few years, but was not purchased for the vehicle in the LOS ANGELES — The driver of a Tes- to an email seeking comment. The com- thus far has relied on voluntary safety Texas crash. He didn’t answer reporters’ la involved in a fatal crash that California pany says in owner’s manuals and on compliance from auto and tech com- questions posed on Twitter. highway authorities said may have been its website that both Autopilot and “Full panies. At least three people have been In the past, NHTSA, has taken a hands- operating on Autopilot, posted social me- Self-Driving” are not fully autonomous killed in U.S. crashes in which Autopilot off approach to regulating partial and dia videos of himself riding in the vehicle and that drivers must pay attention and be was operating but neither the system nor fully automated systems for fear of hin- without his hands on the wheel or foot on ready to intervene at any time. the driver took action to avoid obstacles. dering development of promising new the pedal. Autopilot at times has had trouble deal- (AP) • features. The May 5 crash in Fontana, a city 50 ing with stationary objects and traffic But since March, the agency has stepped miles (80 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, crossing in front of Teslas. is also under investigation by the National In two Florida crashes, from 2016 and Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2019, cars with Autopilot in use drove be- The probe is the 29th case involving a neath crossing tractor-trailers, killing the Tesla that the federal agency has probed. men driving the Teslas. In a 2018 crash In the Fontana crash, a 35-year-old man in Mountain View, California, an Apple identified as Steven Michael Hendrickson engineer driving on Autopilot was killed was killed when his Tesla Model 3 struck when his Tesla struck a highway barrier. an overturned semi on a freeway about Tesla’s system, which uses cameras, ra- 2:30 a.m. dar and short-range sonar, also has trouble Hendrickson, a member of the South- handling stopped emergency vehicles. ern California chapter of a Tesla club, Teslas have struck several firetrucks and We have the stock, the staff and the delivery to get you had posted numerous photos and video on police vehicles that were stopped on free- social media of his white Model 3. One ways with their flashing emergency lights the parts you need as quickly as possible! video on his Instagram account showed on. him riding in the driver’s seat without his After the Florida and California fatal ALL STAR NISSAN hands on the wheel or foot on the pedal crashes, the National Transportation Safe- as the Tesla navigated freeway traffic. The ty Board recommended that Tesla develop Parts Direct: (225) 298-8080 video included the a stronger system Toll Free: (800) 779-0794 comment: “Best car- to ensure drivers pool buddy possible At least three people have are paying atten- www.allstarautomotive.com even takes the boring died in previous U.S. crash- tion, and that it traffic for me.” es involving Autopilot, limit use of Auto- A GoFundMe page pilot to highways set up to raise money which can keep a car cen- where it can work GENESIS OF PLANO for his funeral and tered in its lane and a safe effectively. Nei- memorial service distance behind vehicles in ther Tesla nor the says Hendrickson front of it. safety agency took GENESIS OF PLANO GENESIS PARTS: was survived by his action. 909 Coit Road 800-955-5388 • Direct 972-202-2200 wife and two chil- In a Feb. 1 let- Plano, TX dren. A message seeking comment from ter to the U.S. Department of Transporta- www.huffi nesgenesisplano.com his wife has not been returned. tion, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt “Every time we spoke to him, he would urged the department to enact regulations • 12 Delivery Trucks light up talking about his kids and loved governing driver-assist systems such as • Free Delivery to Texas, his Tesla,” Tesla Club-SoCal posted on In- Autopilot, as well as testing of autono- Oklahoma and Louisiana stagram. “He was truly an amazing human mous vehicles. NHTSA has relied mainly • Genuine Genesis Parts being and will be missed! on voluntary guidelines for the vehicles, Another man was seriously injured taking a hands-off approach so it won’t when the electric vehicle hit him as he was hinder development of new safety tech- Mon. - Fri. 7 to 7 helping the semi’s driver out of the wreck. nology. Saturday 8-5 The CHP announced that its prelimi- Sumwalt said that Tesla is using people nary investigation had determined that who have bought the cars to test “Full the Tesla’s partially automated driving Self-Driving” software on public roads system called Autopilot “was engaged” with limited oversight or reporting re- prior to the crash. The agency said it was quirements. Bill Gatton commenting on the Fontana crash because “Because NHTSA has put in place no of the “high level of interest” about Tesla requirements, manufacturers can oper- WHOLESALE crashes and because it was “an opportu- ate and test vehicles virtually anywhere, nity to remind the public that driving is a even if the location exceeds the AV (au- PARTS complex task that requires a driver’s full tonomous vehicle) control system’s limi- attention.” tations,” Sumwalt wrote. • Experienced-Knowledgeable Staff However, the agency walked back its He added: “Although Tesla includes a previous declaration. disclaimer that ’currently enabled features • Genuine OEM Parts “To clarify,” a new CHP statement said, require active driver supervision and do • PartsTrader PREMIER Supplier “There has not been a final determination not make the vehicle autonomous,’ NHT- made as to what driving mode the Tesla SA’s hands-off approach to oversight of was in or if it was a contributing factor to AV testing poses a potential risk to motor- 800-868-5874 Direct the crash.” ists and other road users.” At least three people have died in pre- NHTSA, which has authority to regu- 423-283-5349 Fax vious U.S. crashes involving Autopilot, late automated driving systems and seek which can keep a car centered in its lane recalls if necessary, seems to have devel- [email protected] and a safe distance behind vehicles in front oped a renewed interest in the systems Your Exclusive Tri-Cities Mazda and Acura Dealer of it. Tesla is allowing a limited number of since President Joe Biden took office. owners to test its self-driving system. (AP) • June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 29

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eventually shut the car down if it doesn’t The National Transportation Safety Police: California Tesla driver detect hands. But critics have said Tesla’s Board, which also investigates crashes, system is easy to fool and can take as long has recommended that NHTSA and Tesla as a minute to shut down. Consumer Re- limit the type of roads where Autopilot riding in backseat arrested ports said in April that it was able to trick can operate and that Tesla install a tougher a Tesla into driving in Autopilot mode driver monitoring system. By Tom Krisher “Autopilot” system, which can keep a car with no one at the wheel. Both agencies are investigating a Tes- centered in its lane and a safe distance be- In March, a Tesla official also told Cali- la crash in April near Houston in which DETROIT — A motorist was arrested hind vehicles in front of it. fornia regulators that “Full Self-Driving” two men were killed, and local authori- after an officer observed him in the back- But it’s likely that either Autopilot or was a driver-assist system that requires ties found no one in the driver’s seat. The seat of a Tesla traveling on a San Fran- Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” systems were monitoring by humans. In notes released NTSB said in a preliminary report t that it cisco Bay Area freeway, the California operating for the driver to be in the back by the state’s Department of Motor Ve- couldn’t get Autopilot to activate in a dif- Highway Patrol said. seat. Tesla is allowing a limited number of hicles, the company couldn’t say whether ferent Tesla vehicle on the same road. Param Sharma, 25, was arrested for al- owners to test its self-driving system, but Tesla’s technology would improve to “I definitely think that the increasing leged reckless driving and disobeying a it’s not clear if Sharma was one of them. A fully self driving by the end of the year, number of incidents is adding more fuel peace officer, the highway patrol said in a message was left seeking comment from contrary to statements made by company to the fire for NHTSA to do more,” Cum- statement. mings said. “I do think they are going to Multiple 911 calls reported a person be stronger about this.” seated in the backseat of a Tesla Model 3 Multiple 911 calls reported a person seated in The auto industry, except Tesla, already without anyone in the driver’s seat while does a good job of limiting where such the vehicle traveled on Interstate 80 across the backseat of a Tesla Model 3 without anyone systems can operate, and is moving to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. in the driver’s seat while the vehicle traveled on self-regulate, she said. Even Tesla seems A highway patrol motorcycle officer to be heading that way. It’s now installing spotted the Tesla, confirmed the solo oc- Interstate 80 .... driver-facing cameras on recent models, cupant was in the backseat, took action to she said. stop the car and saw the occupant move Sharma has been released from Alam- to the driver’s seat before the car stopped, Tesla. CEO Elon Musk. eda County’s Santa Rita Jail. said the statement from the highway pa- Tesla says on its website and in owners Missy Cummings, an electrical and The KTVU television station reported trol, known as CHP. manuals that both systems are not fully computer engineering professor at Duke that Sharma said in an interview that rid- “Prior to this arrest, members of the autonomous, and that drivers must be University who studies automated vehi- ing in the backseat isn’t dangerous and he public had captured video of someone re- ready to intervene at any time. But driv- cles, said Sharma is the only person she will continue to do so. sembling Sharma operating his vehicle in ers have repeatedly zoned out with Auto- knows of who has been accused by police Sharma’s comments suggest he is the same reckless manner, and the CHP’s pilot in use, resulting in at least three U.S. of misusing a partially automated driving among a number of Tesla drivers who rely Oakland Area had cited Sharma on April deaths when neither the system nor the system. too much on the company’s driving sys- 27 for similar behavior,” the statement driver stopped for obstacles in the road. The case, she said, increases pressure tems, Cummings said. said. Tesla has a system to monitor drivers on the National Highway Traffic Safety “It’s showing people the thought pro- The CHP said the incident remains un- to make sure they’re paying attention by Administration to regulate the systems. cess behind people who have way too der investigation. The statement did not detecting force from hands on the steering The administration has investigated 28 much trust in a very unproven technol- say whether officials determined whether wheel. Tesla crashes in the past few years but has ogy,“ she said. (AP) n the Tesla was operating on the company’s The system will issue warnings and yet to take any regulatory action.

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GM spending on Mexico electric vehicle plant

By AP Wire Service “As a global company that builds and sells products around the world, we will DETROIT — An announcement by take the appropriate steps to transition our Call Us For All Your General Motors that it would invest more manufacturing footprint moving forward than $1 billion at a Mexican factory that to suport our all-EV vision,” the company Power Stroke Diesel will build electric vehicles has angered the said in a statement. United Auto Workers union. GM has set a goal of switching all of Parts and Service! GM said in Spanish on its Mexican its new passenger vehicles from internal PD: (225) 298-8080 - (800) 779-0794 website that it would make the investment combustion to electricity by 2035. It has at its Ramos Arizpe plant, which will promised to roll out 30 new electric ve- Fax: (225) 298-8041 become its fifth factory to make battery- hicles globally by the end of 2025. powered vehicles. Three others are in the The Ramos Arizpe plant will get a new U.S., with another in Canada. paint shop that will start working in June, www.ALLSTARAUTOMOTIVE.com UAW Vice President Terry Dittes says as well as equipment to make it the com- in a statement that the investment comes pany’s fifth electric vehicle production as GM is asking the U.S. government to site. The plant will build EVs for differ- subsidize EV purchases. He calls the in- ent GM brands starting in 2023, and it will vestment a slap in the face to American build batteries, drive units and other EV workers and says GM vehicles sold in the components starting in the second half of U.S. should be made in the country, em- this year. GM would not identify what EV ploying Americans. models would be built at the plant. “Taxpayer money should not go to com- The factory will continue making the panies that utilize labor outside the U.S. Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer SUBARU AT DOMINION while benefiting from American govern- gas-powered SUVs for Mexico and ex- ment subsidies,” Dittes said. “This is not ports to more than 40 countries includ- SPECIALIZING IN MECHANICAL REPAIR PARTS the America any of us signed on for.” ing the U.S., GM said. The plant now has The company says in a statement that 5,600 workers, the company said. it’s committed to creating U.S. jobs and President Joe Biden plans to spend $15 is investing more than $9 billion in U.S. billion to build a half-million electric ve- electric vehicle factories, or battery plants hicle charging stations by 2030 as well as in a joint venture with LG Energy Solu- offer unspecified tax credits and rebates to tion. The plants would employ about cut the cost of the vehicles. (AP) • 9,000 people.

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will do the job now but maybe in the fu- shy of Ford’s V-8 engines. Ford’s big bet: Fans of F-150 ture. Perhaps the most surprising thing about “When electric takes off more than what the truck is its price, which Ford said is it is right now,“ he said, “I could see my- about equal to a comparably equipped will embrace electric self owning one, definitely.” gasoline F-150. With a federal tax credit Yet it may be difficult to persuade some of up to $7,500 still available on Ford By Tom Krisher ered vehicles of all sizes, said Ivan Drury, people to give up the big gas engines electric vehicles, the base price falls to a senior manager at Edmunds.com. they’re used to. around $32,500. That’s below the lowest- PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — “If you’re going to choose one vehicle “I like my V-8,” Anthony Lane, a priced gas F-150 with a crew cab, which On the outside, the electric version of in the industry that’s going to do it, this is 26-year-old plumber in the same devel- starts at roughly $37,000. Ford’s F-150 pickup looks much like its going to be the one,” Drury said. “I expect opment, said from the driver’s seat of his The Lightning has a front trunk with wildly popular gas-powered version. Yet this to be a home run, and I expect it to re- gleaming Chevrolet Silverado. plugs for power tools and lights at job or the resemblance is deceiving. With its new ally convert a lot of consumers’ minds.“ Aside from a charging port and a Light- camp sites. And if the electricity goes, out, battery-powered truck, Ford is making a At the same time, the electric truck, due ning decal, Ford’s new truck resembles it can run your house for up to three days, costly bet that buyers will embrace a ve- in showrooms by the middle of next year, a standard F-150. That was intentional. which Farley expects to be a big selling hicle that would help transform how the point. world drives. Competition for the Lightning is loom- Branded the F-150 Lightning, the pick- “It sounds good, but it’s not good for the type of ing. General Motors says it’s working up will be able to travel up to 300 miles on an electric Silverado. is de- per battery charge, thanks to a frame de- business I’m in,” said Jimmie Williams, owner of veloping an electric Ram. Tesla’s angu- signed to safely hold a huge lithium-ion a landscaping firm on Chicago’s South Side. He lar Cybertruck is due out this year. And battery that can power your house should startups , Nikola, the electricity go out. Going from zero to doesn’t think the battery will have enough range and have trucks in the 60 mph (97 kilometers per hour) will take to last the 12-14-hour days his crews sometimes works. just 4.5 seconds. All will face an inevitable obstacle in With a starting price near $40,000 (be- work maintaining about 700 properties. seeking buyers: brand loyalty. Pickup fore options), Ford has calculated that an drivers often stick with one company for electric version of America’s top-selling life. Sometimes, they choose a brand be- vehicle will appeal to the sorts of buyers comes at a time when American drivers Ford wants the Lightning to be perceived cause it’s been in the family for years, if who favor rugged pickup trucks prized for remain reluctant to jettison gas vehicles. as just as capable as gasoline versions, if not generations. strength and durability. If it succeeds, it Through April, automakers sold about not more so. “I’m not a Ford guy,” said Lane, the could speed the nation’s transition away 108,000 fully electric vehicles in the U.S. Even the base version of the electric plumber. “I drive Chevys my whole life.” from petroleum burners — a cornerstone Though that’s nearly twice the number F-150, with two rows of seats and a 230- Once General Motors comes out with of President Joe Biden’s broad effort to from the same period last year, EVs still mile estimated range per battery charge, an electric Silverado, though, Lane might fight climate change. account for only 2 percent of U.S. vehicle can haul up to a ton in its bed. A high- consider a change. “It’s a watershed moment to me,” Ford sales, according to Edmunds. end Lightning equipped with a longer- “I’ll probably stick with the gas,“ he CEO Jim Farley said of the electric truck, In addition to the Lightning, though, the range battery can tow an estimated 10,000 said. “But if they ever fully switch over to which was formally unveiled Wednesday, growing number of fully electric offerings pounds, matching many gas-powered electric, I’ll probably get the Chevy one.” May 18. “It’s a very important transition will help raise sales numbers. Automakers trucks, though falling about 3,000 pounds (AP) n for our industry.” now sell 18 electric models in the U.S.; For the Biden administration to pre- Drury expects 30 by year’s end. vail in its push for green energy-driven To be sure, Ford won’t stop building manufacturing, it will need to overcome gas-powered trucks for years. They re- resistance as well as skepticism. Crit- main an enormous cash cow. A study by Honda 385 ics fear the loss of auto industry jobs in the Boston Consulting Group found that a shift away from gasoline-fueled ve- the F-Series generates $42 billion in an- Daily Parts Delivery to West Tenn., Arkansas, & North Mississippi! hicles. Because EVs are much simpler, it nual U.S. revenue for the automaker — Large Inventory of Genuine Honda Parts takes fewer workers to build them. And more than such entire companies as Mc- bottlenecked supply chains could leave Donald’s, Nike or Netflix do. automakers short of computer chips and Initially, Ford expects Lightning cus- vehicle batteries, along with other parts, tomers to be mainly higher-income urban for months and perhaps years. and suburban residents who seldom go off That said, a vehicle like the Lightning road or use truck beds to haul anything is so critical to Biden’s policies that even heavy. But the company plans a commer- before its formal unveiling, he visited the cial version designed to make work more Ford plant in Michigan where it will be efficient. Ultimately, Farley expects sales built beginning next year. The president to be evenly balanced between work and even drove the truck on a test track. personal buyers. “This sucker’s quick,” he declared. But Ford may have a hard time selling For its part, Ford is taking a signifi- it to people who build houses, maintain cant risk by sinking so much capital into lawns or plow snow. an electric version of a pickup that com- “It sounds good, but it’s not good for mands a huge and loyal following. In a the type of business I’m in,” said Jimmie AutoNation Honda typical year, Ford sells about 900,000 F- Williams, owner of a landscaping firm on series trucks nationally. It has been Amer- Chicago’s South Side. He doesn’t think 4030 Hacks Cross ica’s top-selling vehicle for nearly four the battery will have enough range to last Memphis, TN 38125 decades. the 12-14-hour days his crews sometimes Knowledgeable, Experienced Parts Professionals Gas-powered F-150s are staples on job work maintaining about 700 properties. sites across the nation, where workers He’ll stick with his three gas-powered haul equipment and materials and often pickups, in part because he plows snow in Parts: (901)795-6326 don’t see a need for change. So it could be the winter, when cold weather can limit an years before Ford realizes a return on its EV’s range. (800) 238-3094 investment in an electric F-150. This year, Others aren’t ready now but might be Fax: (901) 367-4979 through April, the company has sold only convinced to switch in the future. 10,000 of its new gas-electric hybrid F- “Maybe when I’m retired,” quipped 150s — just over 6 percent of the F-150’s Steven Realy, a foreman for a subcontrac- total sales. tor at a housing development in Pittsfield Still, introducing a capable electric Township, Michigan. truck at a fairly reasonable price could Realy, 28, whose company uses diesel potentially produce the breakthrough that trucks to carry equipment and building draws many more people to battery-pow- materials, doesn’t think an electric truck Driven to Be the Best! 34 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021 Racing Notes Dethroning the King: Hendrick NASCAR returns to roots with set to become NASCAR’s best sleek new pony cars for 2022

By Dan Gelston terprises, founded by Lee Petty and last By Jenna Fryer ell beat 100-1 odds to win the Daytona owned by Richard, last competed in 2008. 500. DOVER, Del. — Hendrick Motorsports “I really tried not to think about it until CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chase Elliott, Spire Motorsports eyed the Next Gen has a mission to dethrone The King. this year,” the 71-year-old Hendrick said. Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin drove model and believed it would change the Just ask Kyle Larson. “This year when everybody started talk- their sporty new pony cars through the odds for smaller teams. Spire bought its Larson has spent mere months on ing about it, then I thought, man, this is in smoke and lights of the fog machines first charter to enter Cup competition be- the job driving for Rick Hendrick, and reach.” NASCAR used for its first fancy presenta- fore the 2019 season and now has three promptly learned how seriously the team With Elliott, Larson, Bowman and Wil- tion in more than a year. of the 36 guaranteed starting spots each owner took his passion for catching Petty liam Byron in the stable, the record is not The future of the sport is riding on the week in the 40-car field. Rick Ware Rac- Enterprises -- anchored, of course, for only within reach but Hendrick can put Next Gen car unveiled recently in a dark- ing owns three and a share of a fourth. years by Richard Petty -- on NASCAR’s Petty (196 of his record 200 wins were for ened Charlotte auditorium, where the Interest is so high that a bidding war en- career list for most wins by one organiza- Petty Enterprises) well behind in the rear- movers and shakers of NASCAR gathered sued last summer when three new teams tion in the Cup Series. view mirror. to get the first look at the new Chevrolet chased charters. When Spire bought its “He mentions it almost every time I feel “I just want to be the guy that ties them Camaro, Ford Mustang and Toyota Cam- first charter, it wasn’t an agency, not a race like I talk to him,” Larson said. and beats them,” Bowman said. “All four ry. team, and only bought it because no one Hendrick should feel real chatty these of us want to be that guy. It’s cool to put Never before had all of NASCAR’s else was interested. days after Alex Bowman won at Dover us one closer. I want to be the guy that gets stakeholders collaborated on one project BETTER COMPETITION and Hendrick swept the top four spots for those wins for Mr. H.” for the sake of the sport, all putting per- The Next Gen is supposed to make the the first time in team history. It moved NASCAR’s inner ownership circle sonal interests aside for the sake of com- racing better throughout the field based on HMS’ Cup wins total to 267, one shy of boasts a king, a captain (Roger Penske) petition, cost containment and manufac- changes to how the car is built. Petty’s mark of 268. and a coach (Joe Gibbs). At Hendrick, the turer relevance. The car is designed to give drivers Bowman has four career wins on that man who has called the shots since 1984 is “Chevrolet wants to have a competi- greater control and put an emphasis back scorecard and Larson added his first ear- simply Mr. H. tive car on track. But equally as much, we on race strategy, team personnel and ve- lier this season. The list is topped by Hall Larson drives the No. 5 for Hendrick, want to have a car that aligns itself with hicle setup. The symmetric body shape of Famer Jeff Gordon, who won 93 races the number he used when Hendrick Mo- something somebody can go buy on a significantly reduces side-force, which and four championships driving for Hen- torsports launched in 1984. Geoff Bodine showroom floor,” Elliott said. in theory should make the cars harder to drick. Jimmie Johnson had 83 wins and a drove the No. 5 to three victories in the City Chevrolet, the dealership that drive through corners — NASCAR’s cur- record-tying seven championships before 1984 season (seven overall). launched Hall of Fame team owner Rick rent car is offset, not symmetric. bolting for IndyCar. NASCAR Hall of “I think a few years back, I thought it Hendrick’s career, sat just three miles up The composite body is designed to Famer Terry Labonte added 12 wins. would be impossible,” Hendrick said. “If the road from the unveiling with a car lot minimize in-race damage that would oth- There are 20 names on the list. Five you had told me in 1984 that you’re go- full of street-legal Camaros. If the Next erwise affect handling and lead to further drivers have one win for Hendrick and ing to be here for this long or that you had Gen works, viewers will watch a race then incidents that could alter a race. And the Chase Elliott with 11 is the only other an opportunity to win all these races and head to their nearest dealership to buy a new, wider tires are designed to allow driver to crack double figures. Petty En- Continued on page 36 car. Goodyear to bring a softer compound to “That’s always been an important part improve passing and strategy options. of the sport, an important part of NAS- THE NEW LOOK CAR — ’Win on Sunday, sell on Mon- The look of the car puts the “stock back day.’ Now that we’ve got more relevance, in stock car,” noted NASCAR President anybody that wants to go buy a Mustang, Steve Phelps, who had promised to deliver it just resonates even more for them,“ said that to race fans. But the Next Gen also Mark Rushbrook, global director at Ford added modern upgrades that are found Performance Motorsports. on today’s street cars — rack-and-pinion Largest inventory in east Texas! NUTS AND BOLTS steering, independent rear suspension, Medium duty dealer, and powertrain The Next Gen was first proposed in bigger wheels and upgraded connectivity and mechanical specialists 2018 and initially scheduled to be on track to allow for an in-car camera in every ve- this season. It was postponed a year by the hicle. There is also the ability to adapt as Parts Direct: (903) 232-2531 pandemic and now won’t get on track un- technology changes. We specialize in Power Stroke Toll Free: (800) 278-9462 Diesel Engines, Transmissions, til next February when the season opens at That’s critical as NASCAR tries to lure Performance parts, Accessories and Daytona International Speedway. a new manufacturer to join Chevrolet, Fax: (903) 232-2580 any of your other genuine NASCAR didn’t want to delay the proj- Ford and Toyota. www.pegueshurstford.com Ford Parts needs. ect because it has so much hope tied into Dodge left the sport after the 2012 sea- the Next Gen car. But it was impossible son and Phelps has said new carmakers to maintain an on-track testing schedule would not be interested in joining until a during the early part of the pandemic and new car was designed. NASCAR ran into difficulties obtaining The Next Gen should make NASCAR the parts needed to complete the develop- appealing to other manufacturers particu- ment of the cars. larly as hybrid technology is explored. COST CONTAINMENT The new car, for now, will continue to use Call us for all There is no spending cap in NASCAR internal combustion, pushrod V8 engines 31 S. Alabama Ave. Monroeville Alabama 36460 your Genuine and the deep-pocketed teams win races produced by each of the three manufactur- because they have the resources that small ers. GM parts! teams do not. The Next Gen is designed But bringing in new competition was a to create parity and give the little guys a goal for all three of the current NASCAR A professional staff with years of parts fighting chance on the track. manufacturers. Single-source manufacturers will build “The more manufacturers that we can experience plus daily local delivery. Call the chassis, provide parts and supply the compete with on track, the better,” said Lee Motor Co. today. carbon composite bodies for the first time David Wilson, President of Toyota Rac- in NASCAR’s 73-year history. It means ing Development. “The entry point with (800) 239-2898 all the parts and pieces will come from the car that we’ve been racing is just too the same vendors and each team can have steep to entice a new manufacturer. We do Fax: (251)575-7916 . www.leemotorcompany.com only seven cars at a time instead of an un- believe that with Next Gen, the relevancy limited fleet. to an OEM, it’s a reset that there’s a much Although there have been 10 winners higher likelihood we could see another through 11 races this season, only one is OEM or two.” (AP) • from an underdog team: Michael McDow- June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 35

off deals that made it difficult to compete “You want the very best people,” Guth- Column: Guthrie paved the way, with full-time racers. rie said. “And there’s quite a few women That’s the case again this year. Simona working behind the scenes now. So much de Silvestro was the lone woman entered of racing is computer driven these days. still hoping more will follow in the 500 later this month, competing for Just look at Formula One races. Car ad- fledgling Paretta Autosport in an Indy-on- justments are being [made] for a race in By Paul Newberry second on the list of most career starts by ly package. Spain by people sitting behind a computer a female with 33 (which includes being At least that’s an improvement on last in England. It’s a whole different ball- All these years after her history making the first woman to compete in its biggest year’s pandemic-delayed race, when there game than it used to be.” run at the Indianapolis 500, Janet Guthrie event, the Daytona 500). were no female drivers for the first time in In the meantime, it’s important that we is still deluged with letters from around Just two women have qualified for a 20 years. never forget those who paved the way. the globe. Formula One race, the last in 1976. “I’m really delighted that Simona is Guthrie is at the top of that list. “I just got a piece of fan mail from Aus- “The talent is out there,” insisted Guth- entered in this year’s race. She’s a very Better late than never, she was select- tralia,” she said. “I’ve got a stack of fan rie, now 83. “But the pool of girls who capable driver,” Guthrie said. “But I can ed last year for the Indianapolis Motor mail about 3 feet high that I haven’t been have grown up racing go-karts and then tell you it’s nearly impossible to do well Speedway Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, able to respond to.” progressed to other forms of machinery is when you’re racing just one IndyCar race the pandemic prevented the usual induc- And how about the news that Academy relatively small.” a year, and it’s the most important race of tion ceremony from being held, so Guthrie Award-winning actress Hilary Swank is She contrasted that with the gains made the year. I’m hoping for the best. I really took part in a virtual event. She had hoped set to portray her in a movie! by women in equestrian events, another have my fingers crossed.” to attend this year’s ceremony in person, Swank called Guthrie “an incredible of the rare sports where the two genders De Silvestro’s team is owned by Beth but the ongoing pandemic and other issues true story about female empowerment compete on an equal playing field. Paretta and part of a drive by IndyCar forced her to back out. and going after your dreams,“ saying she “Forty years ago, that sport was domi- leader Roger Penske to create more op- Former driver Sarah Fisher will deliver “can’t wait to bring her inspiring life to nated by men at the Olympics. Now, it’s portunities for women and minorities in a a few remarks on Guthrie’s behalf. the screen.” dominated by women,” Guthrie said. “But variety of racing-related jobs. While Guthrie said “it kills me” not to “Very flattering,“ Guthrie responded. horseback riding has since time immemo- It’s an effort that’s long overdue. be in Indy this month, she at least has a “Obviously, she’s a great actress.” rial been the one way a young girl had so- “The talented women are out there,” ring that is presented to all Hall of Fame Swank certainly picked a worthy sub- cially acceptable access to power. I think Guthrie said. “It just depends on which inductees. ject. that’s part of why women have come to one finds the money to get it done.” “That ring is so beautiful,“ she said. As the first woman to race at the Indy dominate (equestrian) competition. She’s encouraged by progress being ”It’s my most treasured possession.“ 500, Guthrie’s is a life worth celebrating “We haven’t really quite reached that made in non-driver positions. Maybe it Janet Guthrie is a national treasure. and remembering, especially as a new point in the lower levels of autosport yet,” doesn’t create the same buzz as a woman Hilary Swank, you’ve got your work cut generation deals with the gender inequi- she said. “I hope it will be coming.” behind the wheel, but it’s an important out for you. (AP) • ties that continue to hinder female sports. There’s nothing to prevent women rac- step. When Guthrie read reports of the dis- ers from being just as successful as their parate facilities at the NCAA men’s and male counterparts, Guthrie has long main- women’s basketball tournaments, she had tained, if only they received an equal op- a familiar reaction for someone who en- portunity. Ex-NASCAR driver Eric McClure dies at 42 dured relentless scorn and ridicule break- “In most sports, the fact that men have ing into a male-dominated sport. big muscles and broad shoulders does ABINGDON, Va. — Former NASCAR driver Eric McClure died May 2, his family “I guess my first thought was, ’What make a difference,” she said. But that and the series said. He was 42. else is new?”’ she said, a resigned tone in doesn’t apply when behind the wheel of a No details were given about his death. McClure had posted on social media as re- her voice when speaking by phone from machine that can go more than 200 mph. cently as the day before. her home in Colorado. “On the other hand, “Like I used to say,” Guthrie chuckled, The Washington County sheriff’s office said McClure’s body was sent to Roanoke for I’m very glad that it’s in the headlines “I drove the car, I didn’t have to carry it.” an autopsy. again. Perhaps there will be some chang- She never got a full-time ride on the In- “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former driver and (team) owner Eric Mc- es.” dyCar circuit, competing in 11 races over Clure. NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Eric’s family and friends,” NAS- One thing hasn’t changed all that much a four-year period in the late 1970s. She CAR said in a statement. since Guthrie, an aerospace engineer and qualified three straight years for the Indy McClure was the nephew of former Cup team owner Larry McClure and spent the pilot-turned-race car driver, stunned the 500, finishing ninth in 1978 for her best majority of his career racing in the Xfinity Series. He made 288 career starts over 14 world by qualifying for one of the world’s showing. seasons with a career-best finish of eighth at Daytona in 2013. most famous events in 1977. While best known for her Indy exploits, He last raced in 2016. Women are still outliers in the sport of Guthrie had more experience in NAS- “The family of Eric Wayne McClure, former NASCAR driver, announces with great auto racing. CAR. Again, though, she never had a full- sorrow his passing on Sunday,” his family said in a statement. “They would like to thank Only a handful of females have raced time ride. The closest she got was in 1977, everyone for their prayers and support during this very difficult time.” regularly in the IndyCar series since Guth- when she took part in 19 of 30 races, fin- McClure’s career was cut short by health issues. He suffered at least two concussions rie’s breakthrough, most notably Danica ished in the top 10 four times, and wound in his career and the native of Chilhowie, Virginia, later said he was left with lingering Patrick. up 23rd in the season points standings headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light, bouts of depression and Patrick, now retired, is also the only Guthrie was the first of nine women to forgetfulness. woman to compete regularly on the NAS- race in the Indy 500, but she and most of McClure said in 2013 he had been diagnosed with acute renal failure, and in 2019 he CAR Cup circuit, where Guthrie still ranks those who followed were limited to one- said he was being treated for kidney failure in both kidneys. 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... set to become NASCAR’s best New SRX format will Continued from page 34 season in which Elliott accounted for the showcase driver skills championships, (I’d) kind of pinch my- only three wins for the entire organization. Elliott, though, delivered a champion- self because it’s just really hard to do.“ By Jenna Fryer oval car.“ ship to Hendrick last season and the mo- Hendrick’s drivers may have made suc- Evernham and Stewart modeled the cess look easy on the track, but the hard- mentum rolled into this year: Bowman CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The car will series after the popular but defunct Inter- ships have been as much a part of his has two wins, and Byron and Larson each definitely not be the star this summer in national Race of Champions that pitted story as the championships. have one. Bowman, who is expected to the Superstar Racing Experience, which drivers from multiple formulas in identi- Already a car dealer, Hendrick had a sign a multi-year contract extension, Lar- has been formated for drivers to showcase cally prepared cars at various tracks for 30 championship drag boat team under his son and Byron are under 30 years old. their skills using what series co-founder years. Stewart won its final championship belt when he launched with fewer than “I think we are set for a really good run Ray Evernham calls “old-school tools.” in 2006 and there hasn’t been a series like 20 full-time employees and a small shop. here for the next years, multiple years,” The good old steering wheel, gas pedal it since. He became a technical adviser for the Hendrick said. “I like where we are.” and brake pedal. Evernham and Stewart, both members Tom Cruise movie “Days of Thunder” At Dover, Hendrick joined Peter De- “With this format, you not only have of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, believed and was one of the four original owners Paolo Racing (1956 at Titusville and 1957 to be the fastest driver, but you’ve got to there was still an interest for a series that of the Charlotte Hornets. He battled a rare at North Wilkesboro) and Roush Fenway be the smartest driver, too,” added Tony featured cars that don’t rely on aerody- form of leukemia, pleaded guilty to mail Racing (2005 Homestead-Miami Speed- Stewart, who co-founded SRX and will namics and reward mechanical grip and fraud and was later pardoned by President way) as the only race teams to claim the also drive one of the cars this summer. driver skill. Stewart also thought he could Clinton. He was struck by more tragedy top four spots in a Cup race. SRX disclosed the format it will use find drivers who had stepped away from in 2004 when a plane owned by Hen- Now it’s almost time to catch The King recently to The Associated Press when full-time racing but still wanted to occa- drick Motorsports crashed. All 10 people -- but not without a tip of the feathered cap the all-star series launches this summer sionally compete. aboard were killed, including Hendrick’s to the one who set the standard. at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecti- He recruited nine other full-time driv- son, brother and twin nieces. “I’ll say this about Richard — nobody cut on June 12 for the first of six Saturday ers, among them: NASCAR Hall of Fam- Yet, he guided and grew his Hendrick in this sport has ever given as much as he night short-track races across the country. ers Bill Elliott and Bobby Labonte, India- Motorsports team into the dominant pro- has,” Hendrick said. “To see him on pit Each event will consist of two timed napolis 500 winners Helio Castroneves gram in NASCAR. road, see him signing every autograph. 15-minute heat races followed by a 100- and Tony Kanaan, Daytona 500 winner The lean years hit, and Johnson failed I’ve got one of his autographs when I lap feature at every track except Slinger Michael Waltrip, and Marco Andretti, the to win a race over his final three full sea- couldn’t get in the garage area through Speedway in Wisconsin, where the event pole-sitter for last year’s Indy 500. Local sons. Hendrick failed to advance a driver the fence at Martinsville. I know what that will be extended by 50 laps because the all-stars join the SRX regulars at the first into the championship round from 2017- feels like.” (AP) • track is only a quarter-mile oval. five races. 19, a stretch that included a woeful 2018 The first heat will be lined up by a ran- The series will air live on CBS and race dom draw and the second heat will be set at some of the most prolific short tracks in Tasca beats rain to take top NHRA Funny Car spot by inverting the finishing order from the the country, including first heat. The starting lineup for the fea- in Iowa — which calls itself ’The Sprint BAYTOWN, Texas — Funny Car points leader Bob Tasca III powered to the top spot ture will be set by the finishing order of Car Capital of the World’ — the Stewart- right before the rain came, taking the No. 1 qualifying position in the Mopar Express the second heat. owned in Ohio and Lu- Lane NHRA SpringNationals at . There will be unlimited attempts at a cas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Tasca had a 3.908-second run at 331.53 mph in a Ford Mustang, making one of the green-white-checkered finish to complete “This is going to be a challenge. These final runs during the second qualifying session before rain wiped out the rest of qualify- the race. There are a maximum 12 points are new, purpose-built racecars that none ing. to earn in each heat, and the race winner of us have driven before,“ Stewart said. “We knew we were going to have an advantage going into that last session because receives 25 points. “Every track is so different, and we don’t we saw the radar,” Tasca said. “To get an opportunity to put this car on the pole, it’s “It was very important to come up with know how abrasive the pavement tracks always better starting No. 1 than No. 16. We lost our mojo a little bit in Charlotte, but a format that would provide the best enter- are going to be and what kind of grip it’s great to come out here, run 331 (mph) and qualify No. 1, and we’ll see what we can tainment to our fans while rewarding the we’re going to have on the dirt tracks. do Sunday.” drivers for their performance. This for- Even for the local all-stars who have Steve Torrence took the top spot in Top Fuel and Dallas Glenn was the fastest in Pro mat will do that,” Evernham said. “Every turned thousands of laps at their particular Stock at the fifth event of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. driver has the same opportunity. They’re track, they’ll be doing it in a totally differ- Points leader Torrence had a 3.727 at 326.48. Coming off his first career win in just in a car that’s very different because it’s ent environment.” (AP) • his fourth career start, rookie Glenn ran a 6.549 at 210.01 in a Chevrolet Camaro. so universal. It’s a road-course car first, a (AP) • pretty good dirt car, and just an OK paved

LANDERS DODGE THE RIGHT FIT CHRYSLER JEEP RAM Gilliland rallies to win NASCAR truck race FOR THE PERFECT FINISH. 2701 Benton Road AUSTIN, Texas — Todd Gilliland powered through wet conditions early, then Bossier City, LA 71111 grabbed the lead late to pull away for his first NASCAR truck series victory of the sea- Check out MoparRepairConnection.com for resources, son at the Circuit of the Americas. Parts Direct: (318) 797-1236 promotions and technical information. Gilliland was in a four-car group that drew from the pack at the start of the final stage, Toll Free: (800) 259-4331 then overtook Sheldon Creed, Tyler Ankrum and Kaz Grala over the final laps. This was Fax: (318) 841-6220 his second career truck win and first since 2019. www.golanders.com “From the drop of the green flag, I was aggressive,” said Gilliland, who started fifth and overcame a penalty that briefly put him in the back of the field. “If you’ve got the PROTECT YOUR truck to do it ... you’ve got to get by people when you can.“ CUSTOMER’S Gilliland noted he just turned 21 a week earlier. INVESTMENT “It might be a fun night,” he said. WITH ORIGINAL The victory also marked the first of any kind for a NASCAR series race at the Circuit

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45160_COL10_6th_AR.indd 1 1/15/21 4:34 PM June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 37

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Rearview

and Dan pulled along side and motioned for the driver of the Hebmuller to pull over on the side of the road. When the driver got out of the Heb, Dan told him how beautiful the car was and that he never saw a VW like it. Dan knew it was VW by the wheel cover. After talking for a few minutes, Dan asked the owner if he ever thought of sell- ing the car. The owner said to Dan, “I’ll put your name on the list.” He then went into detail and told Dan what a 1949 Volkswa- gen Hebmuller is and the history behind it. Dan gave the owner of the Heb his con- tact information in Germany and also his home address and phone number in the United States. Over the next two years while Dan was still stationed in Germany, he and the owner would occasionally meet at the owners house where Dan would see the other cars in his “collection” and also learn more about air-cooled Volkswagens, the Hebmuller in particular. One day the owner called Dan while he was at his office on base and said, “I think I am ready to sell the Hebmuller, and you can have the car if you like the price. I can year Hitler gained ultimate power, Ganz believed the best way for Germany to get tell you really like the car and you are not 1949 was arrested by the Gestapo on false back on its feet was to put people back to buying it to sell.” charges of blackmail of the German auto work, and the building up of the auto indus- Dan bought the car and two years later VOLKSWAGEN industry. Soon after, Hitler commissioned try was one way to do this. The German when he was re-assigned to duty in the one of Ganz’s contemporaries, Dr. Ferdi- economy was destroyed by Hitler’s rise to United States, he had the VW shipped with HEBMULLER nand Porsche, to begin work on the car that power and starting the second World War. all his household items back to the United would become the Volkswagen Type 1. Hirst wanted the economy to rebound from States. By Jay Hirsch Josef Ganz’s name was removed from the the destruction brought upon the country As for the ride and performance, Dan VW’s creation story due to his Jewish heri- and to counter the understandable animos- will tell you those are two different words. The Volkswagen Hebmuller convertible tage. Ganz left Germany for Switzerland in ity created in Europe towards Hitler’s Ger- The ride is smooth, and being a small car was made in 1949. At the same time Volk- 1934. many. it’s easy to handle on curvy country roads. swagen also had Karmann make a four- In post-WWII Germany, British Army In 1949 it has been reported that Volk- On the highway the car is “no Porsche.” passenger convertible where the convert- Major Ivan Hirst of the Royal Electrical swagen ordered 2,000 two-seat convert- With its 69 cid/1.1 liter air-cooled engine ible top rested on top of the rear of the car. and Mechanical Engineers (REME) was ibles for Hebmuller to build. Production putting out 25 HP@3300 rpm and 5.8:1 The distinctive feature of the Hebmuller appointed to run Volkswagen. Major Hirst began in June 1949. On July 23, 1949, a compression, cruising at 45 mph is fine. was the top was hidden and rested out of the thought VW should have a two-seat sporty massive fire destroyed the entire factory. Dan has no desire to find out if the car can way where the rear seat was for two pas- car added to the Volkswagen model line- Before the fire, 689 Hebmuller two-seat do a reported top speed of 62 mph, “maybe sengers. This made for a smooth flowing up, to create new interest in VW as not just convertibles were made. downhill with a tail wind.” The owner of appearance of the Hebmuller convertible an ordinary means of transportation Fast forward to the mid-1990s. A young the car told Dan “40-45 mph is what you Volkswagen. The purpose of the convert- After the war, Hebmüller and Sohn, a army officer named Dan Arena was sta- want to drive at; this is not a Mercedes 300 ible was to draw excitement to Volkswagen coach building firm in Wuppertal, Ger- tioned in Germany. Being off duty on a SL.” in post-WWII Germany. Volkswagen was many, like most German companies of warm, spring Saturday, Dan and his wife The Hebmuller is 160 inches long, 60.5 soon called VW for short the time, lacked business. Hebmuller was went for a ride in the German country side inches wide, with a height of 61 inches. The making of the VW began in the Nazi founded in 1889 by Joseph Hebmuller in near Heidelberg. Approaching them from It rides on 5.00 x 16 tires and weighs in a Germany of Adolf Hitler, who wanted Ger- Wuppertal and built horse-drawn carriages. the opposite direction on the two-lane road 1,650 pounds and can hold 8.8 gallons of many to make an inexpensive car for the In 1919 it started building bodies for auto- was a car Dan had never seen. He made a fuel. general public. (Volkswagen is the German mobiles as the days of horse-drawn car- U-turn and began to follow the car, which The two-tone paint was common for term for “people’s car.”) Before the Volk- riages dwindled down. was doing about 25 mph. After following Hebmullers, and the rear fender skirts were swagen was proposed most cars made in In post-WWII Germany, Major Hirst for about a mile, the road got slightly wider one of the rare and few options. • Germany were expensive and aimed to the wealthy and upper middle class, unlike in the United States, where Henry Ford made his Model T and then the Model A for the common working person. One of the voices in Germany who wanted such a vehicle was that of Josef Ganz, a Jewish engineer and editor of a German automotive magazine. Ganz advocated endlessly for the development of a lightweight, inexpensive car, stream- lined for aerodynamics, independently suspended at all four wheels with swing axles in the rear, and powered by a rear- mounted, horizontal engine. Ganz even developed a prototype, which led to a pro- duction model, the Standard Superior, in 1933. This car was displayed at the 1933 Internationale Automobil Ausstellung/ International Mobility show, the Berlin Auto Show. Adolf Hitler, the new Chancel- lor of Germany, was at the show. During this time, the political climate in Germany was one of turbulence. With the rise of the Nazi party, anti-Semitism began to run rampant. In 1934, the same June 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 39

where she battled male skeptics to earn Roohani even now trains and inspires At Tehran garage, Iranian woman her car polishing certificate. other women to do the same despite the Armed with credentials, she set up shop obstacles. Her online videos include her in a small, rented space at a Tehran garage. hard at work polishing a vintage Chev- polishes cars and her dreams Customers flocked to at the area’s rolet Chevelle or smiling over the hood first female car detailer, snapping photos of a freshly detailed jet-black BMW, so By Mohammad Nasiri now make up over half of all college grad- and sharing footage on social media. Her smooth that a plastic cup slides down it. uates and a sizable part of the workforce. Instagram account and online persona as “I got excited the first time I saw (Roo- TEHRAN, Iran — It’s a men’s-only A farmer’s daughter, Roohani grew up Iran’s “Miss Detailer” grew. hani) because in Iran, with its limitations club in the tangle of auto repair shops on laboring on the land like most other chil- But her initial successes drew resent- for women, we are not usually trusted to the traffic-clogged streets of Iran’s capital, dren in Agh Mazar. But unlike her five ment from male colleagues — and at do such jobs,” said Farahnaz Deravi, one Tehran. Among them, workers toil in dim siblings, she had her eyes on her father’s times, even sabotage. of Roohani’s trainees. garages, welding and wrenching, fabricat- tractor, and developed an uncanny knack Some tainted her polishing pads with Interest in auto repair work has explod- ing and painting. for driving it at an early age. acid to burn the paint of her customers’ ed in Iran since former President Donald That’s until Maryam Roohani, 34, pops Even as she worked as a hairdresser cars, she recounted. Others tampered with Trump withdrew from Tehran’s landmark up from under a car’s hood at a mainte- and studied to become a makeup artist in her machines and tore up the costly pads nuclear deal with world powers and im- nance shop in northeastern Tehran, her Bojnurd, the provincial capital, a greater that she purchased with her life’s savings, posed biting sanctions. To preserve its for- dirt- and grease-stained uniform pulled eign currency, Iran banned the import of over black jeans and long hair tucked into “I got excited the first time I saw (Roohani) because in Iran, Asian and European-made cars, causing a baseball cap — which in her work, re- with its limitations for women, we are not usually trusted to prices of the vehicles to quadruple. Irani- places Iran’s compulsory Islamic heads- ans with the means to own expensive cars carf for women, or hijab. do such jobs,” said Farahnaz Deravi, cherish them more than ever and pay hefty Buffing a blue BMW sedan in the shop sums to maintain the status symbol. until it shines, she couldn’t be farther from passion pulled her in: applying finishes to she said. Complaints to the garage’s owner Although Roohani’s business is brisk, the farms of her childhood. In the rural, cars. went nowhere and without hard evidence, Iran’s economy is struggling with a series tribal village of Agh Mazar near Iran’s To the scorn of villagers and some fam- the police couldn’t help either. of mounting crises, including international northeastern border with Turkmenistan, ily members, she traded used cars for ex- Roohani wanted to cut and run after isolation and a raging pandemic. Roohani girls get married after hitting puberty and tra cash and dreamed of working as a car that. But her reputation had grabbed the now imagines her future as a professional devote their lives to raising children. polisher and detailer. Although relatives attention of a prominent Tehran auto shop, detailer abroad, and hopes to start her own “I have sort of broken taboos,” Roohani turned against her and cut off contact, her which suddenly offered her a job. For the business somewhere in Europe one day. said at the garage, where she carefully father had a more liberal attitude, support- past few years, she has lived out her dream “The Iranian ‘Miss Detailer’ must shine coats cars with attention-getting gleams ing her despite the pushback and letting as a professional car polisher, detailer and out there,” she said, smiling. (AP) n and scrapes sludge from their engines. “I her postpone marriage to pursue her love washer. faced opposition when I chose this path.” of polishing. The auto industry remains male-dom- There were no international car polish inated around the world, let alone in the training programs she could find in the Harahan, LA tradition-bound Islamic Republic. Still rolling wheat and barley fields of North PD: (504) 734-3590 Iranian women, especially in the cities, Khorasan province, nor elsewhere in the Fax: (504) 818-0997 have made inroads over the years. They country at the time. So she flew to Turkey, www.crescenttrucks.com

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26899_COL11_8th_AR.indd 1 1/15/21 1:06 PM 40 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report June 2021

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