01/19/24 - Huawei gets more serious about cars 🏭, 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Giving People What They Want 🚗, How Cold Weather Impact on EV Range Revealed ⚡

GM. Rev up your day with the latest automotive news and insights delivered to your inbox in our exclusive newsletter! What we cover in today’s edition:

• 🚗 Car reveal/review: 

  • 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Giving People What They Want

  • Jeep teases its first EV, the Wagoneer S, coming this fall

  • McLaren Replaces Unpopular GT With New GTS

• 🏭 Industry trend: Huawei gets more serious about cars, Your next BMW might be built from robot workers

• ⚡ EV: Research Shows How Much Range Different Electric Cars Lose When The Weather Gets Cold

• 💡 Tips: What Options To Specify For Aftermarket Warranties

• 😄 Fun read: Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix Is Caught Up In The Country’s First Ever Corruption Scandal

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid: Giving the People What They Want (4 mins read)

The 2025 Honda Civic hybrid, available as a hatchback and sedan, will use a version of Honda's fourth-gen two-motor hybrid system. It may feature a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, providing 204hp and 247lb-ft of torque. Both versions launch in summer 2025. Other upcoming launches include Prologue and ZDX electric SUVs in 2024. A new Acura crossover and mid-cycle refresh for MDX are also coming this year. Read more.

Jeep teases its first EV, the Wagoneer S, coming this fall (3 mins read)

Jeep's first all-electric model, the Wagoneer S, is set to debut in the US this fall. Boasting 600 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and a 400-mile range, it combines speed with all-terrain capabilities. Production begins this year, followed by global launches. The rugged Recon EV, inspired by the Wrangler, will follow shortly after. Jeep plans an all-electric Wrangler in 2028 and an electric Grand Cherokee in 2027. Read more.

McLaren Replaces Unpopular GT With New GTS (5 mins read)

McLaren unveils the GTS, replacing the GT. With 626hp, 0-60mph in 3.1s, and a focus on luxury, it features a carbon-fiber chassis providing 570 liters of storage. Weighing 1520kg, it's the lightest in its GT sector, ensuring excellent handling. The 4.0L twin-turbo engine offers Comfort, Sport, and Track modes. New exterior options, colors, and alloy wheels are available. Standard warranties include three-year unlimited mileage and paint, with a ten-year anti-perforation warranty. Read more.

Huawei sets up new smart car company in Shenzhen, China as it gets more serious about autos (5 mins read)

Huawei establishes a smart car unit with an initial capital of $140.5 million. The focus is on manufacturing and selling intelligent car systems. Huawei entered the EV race in 2021, launching its first EV and unveiling two more in 2023. The new unit aims to enhance digital platforms and automotive systems. Huawei's smart cars contribute to China's competitive auto market, with a major backer, Changan, partnering for smart car systems. The company competes with Xiaomi in the EV sector and promotes smart features like HarmonyOS for Automotive. Read more.

Your next BMW might be built from robot workers (2 mins read)

BMW teams up with Figure to deploy general-purpose humanoid robots at its Spartanburg, SC plant. These robots aim to automate manufacturing tasks, enhancing productivity and safety. The deployment starts with a small quantity and may expand over 12-24 months. The partnership explores the potential of general-purpose robotics in automotive production, targeting tasks that are difficult, unsafe, or tedious. The exact number of robots and specific tasks remain undisclosed. Read more.

Research Shows How Much Range Different Electric Cars Lose When The Weather Gets Cold (8 mins read)

Recurrent's analysis reveals EV range reduction in freezing weather. The 2020-2021 Hyundai Kona Electric impresses with a 34% range drop at 32°F, achieving 84% of EPA range (216 miles). Contrastingly, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 experiences a 45% drop, reaching 165 miles. Among 4,576 Tesla Model 3 Long Range models, range at freezing is half of EPA estimated range, showing a 24% real-world range drop in winter. This emphasizes the impact of cold weather on EVs, indicating a need for improved charging infrastructure. Read more.

What Options To Specify When Looking At Aftermarket Warranties (4 mins read)

This guide offers insights into key decisions when selecting an aftermarket warranty, focusing on Warrantywise's coverage levels. It details optional add-ons, covering mechanical and electrical parts, labor rates, and specific components like airbags, air conditioning, MOT failures, and multimedia. Read more.

Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix Is Caught Up In The Country’s First Ever Corruption Scandal (3 mins read)

Singapore's Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, resigns and faces corruption charges, accused of accepting around $119,000 in bribes from Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng, linked to Formula 1's Grand Prix. Iswaran, who resigned on January 18, denies the 27 charges. Despite the scandal, Singapore asserts that the September 2024 Grand Prix will proceed as planned. Read more.