01/23/24 - Toyota Century: Ultra-Luxury Brand Above Lexus 🚗, Tesla finally releases FSD v12 - its last hope for self-driving 🤖

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: 

  • Toyota Creates Ultra-Luxury Century Brand Above Lexus

  • Baby Mercedes-Benz G-Class Will Be Electric Only

  • This Chinese Electric Sedan Is One Of The Cheapest Ways To Get Billionaire Doors

• 🏭 Industry trend: Automakers Beg Treasury To Relax Battery Sourcing Regulations And Make EVs Cheaper

• 🤖 Auto Tech: Tesla finally releases FSD v12 - its last hope for self-driving, Ford’s new 48-inch digital dashboard is a lot of Android for one car

• 🔧 Parts/upgrade: Nissan Patented This Cool Overland Conversion for the Frontier Pickup Truck

Toyota Creates Ultra-Luxury Century Brand Above Lexus (4 mins read)

The Toyota Century GRMN, personally specced by ex-president Akio Toyoda debuted at Tokyo Auto Salon. Priced around $220,000 fully specced, it positions Century above Lexus as Toyota's ultra-luxury brand for foreign markets. The SUV offers customization, with a standard version at $170,000. Features include a rail-less rear slide door, bespoke paintwork, and tuned suspension. The GRMN version might be offered as 'Morizo Edition' for around $220,000. Toyota plans to expand Century to Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Americas, emphasizing luxury and customization. Read more.

Baby Mercedes-Benz G-Class Will Be Electric Only (2 mins read)

The upcoming baby G-Class by Mercedes-Benz, set to launch in 2026, will exclusively feature an electric powertrain and won't utilize the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). The mini off-roader is expected to employ technologies similar to the full-size electric G-Wagon, boasting impressive off-roading capabilities. It will be developed by Mercedes' new specialist G division, competing against the Land Rover Defender 90 in the market. The larger EQG model is slated for release later this year, while the production of the current G-Class will cease in Q1 2024 for a facelift. Read more.

This Chinese Electric Sedan Is One Of The Cheapest Ways To Get Billionaire Doors (5 mins read)

The Dongfeng eπ 007, a Chinese midsize sedan, features unique vertical doors and offers various electric powertrains. Priced at 159,000 yuan (about $22k), it comes with three all-electric options, including an extended range model with a 1.5L gasoline generator. The entry-level EV has a 329-mile range, while the top model boasts dual motors, 400 kW output, and a 3.9-second 0-62 mph time. Optional billionaire doors cost around $3,100. Despite its impracticality, the sedan impresses with luxury features like a 15.6-inch infotainment screen and upmarket details. Read more.

Automakers Beg Treasury To Relax Battery Sourcing Regulations And Make EVs Cheaper (4 mins read)

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation urges the US Treasury Department to reconsider EV tax credit rules, aiming to ease the transition to electric vehicles. The current rules disqualify new EVs with components from certain countries, limiting the $7,500 tax credit. Eligible vehicles include Tesla Model Y, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1S, R1T, Chevy Bolt EV, and Tesla Model 3 Performance. The alliance proposes raising the threshold to 5% and extending the transition rule until 2027, citing challenges in tracking materials. Read more.

Tesla finally releases FSD v12, its last hope for self-driving (3 mins read)

Tesla releases the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta v12 update, a crucial step in achieving Elon Musk's self-driving vision. The update introduces end-to-end neural nets, replacing over 300k lines of explicit code. Neural nets power vehicle behaviors using AI, a departure from traditional coding. Musk aims to fulfill self-driving promises, and while some improvements are noted, concerns about system reliability persist. The slow rollout begins with early FSD Beta testers, and Tesla's success hinges on the effectiveness of v12 and neural nets in achieving autonomous driving. Read more.

Ford’s new 48-inch digital dashboard is a lot of Android for one car (10 mins read)

Ford's new in-car operating system features a 48-inch curved 4K display, built on Android Automotive OS. It emphasizes personalization, modularity, and 5G connectivity. The system recognizes drivers, adjusts settings, and allows customizable displays. The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is the first model with this system. Ford aims to compete with tech-forward rivals, offering video streaming, gaming, and web browsing while parked. It retains support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Read more.

Nissan Patented This Cool Overland Conversion for the Frontier Pickup Truck (3 mins read)

Nissan patents a potential conversion kit for the Frontier pickup, inspired by the Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Avalanche. The kit includes a removable roof, a cargo box with removable panels, and a bed-to-cab passthrough. The design features a soft-top panel for the cab, a rigid bed cap with removable panels, and a convenient passthrough. The patent suggests an open-air overlanding pickup, offering a unique and airy environment, making the Frontier stand out in its class. Whether Nissan will offer this as an option or create a special edition remains uncertain. Read more.