Cybertruck Delays Mean Competitors GM, Ford Will Be First With Truck EVs

[Auto Styling News]

When Tesla first introduced its Cybertruck electric pickup prototype in November 2019, it was described as a vehicle similar to one in the films "Mad Max" and "Blade Runner." CEO Elon Musk said the development of the Cybertruck was influenced by the amphibious Lotus Esprit S1 that was featured in the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me."

The prototype impressed so many people that five days after introduction on Nov. 24, 2019, Musk said the company had received 187,000 orders for the electric vehicle.  After numerous delays due to COVID, it may finally come to market next year. As The Street reports, it will have competition from Ford, Stallantis/Chrysler,  and even GM:

"General Motors will have its say in the SUV/crossover market as it in July 2022 unveiled plans for its new electric version of the Chevy Blazer, which has been a popular internal combustion engine model for many years, since it first went on sale in 1969."

"The new Chevy Blazer EV will feature four models: the 1LT starting at $44,995; 2LT at $47,595; the RS starting at $51,995 and the SS priced at $65,995. The automaker will also feature a Police Pursuit Vehicle, automaker said in a statement when it unveiled the models."
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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

Ford, GM, Make Deal To Charge EVs at Tesla Charging Stations

[Auto Styling News]

Ford and GM electric vehicles on the road today, like Ford's 2024 F-150 Lightning, above, will be getting EV adapters that will allow them to use Tesla Superchargers, and future electric cars from the two companies will reportedly be fitted with Tesla chargers at the factories.

On a Twitter Space, General Motors’ CEO Mary Barra reportedly followed Ford’s CEO Jim Farley in their move to collaborate with Tesla to integrate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector design into its EVs beginning in 2025.

The partnership also includes the ability for GM EV drivers to charge at a growing number of Tesla Superchargers (currently 12,000), throughout North America. Observers say Tesla will rap up building charging stations to keep up with the increased demand. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that  the "Tesla (now NACS) design, [is] fundamentally better in every way for consumers," and "Worth mentioning that Tesla is supplying the adapter & other hardware to car companies at zero profit.' Musk lamented the fact that the Europen Union rejected his overtures, according to its Transportation Mjnister, “a committee decided the standard years ago” which elicited an online  comment, Sigh, from Musk.

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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

GM, Ford See Profits Tank As Microchip Shortage Affects Production Of New Vehicles

[Auto Styling News]

The Wall Street Journal reports that the worldwide microchip shortage is taking a toll on profits at two major care manufacturers hoping to cash in on the newfound popularity of electric vehicles. 

The two largest U.S. auto makers reported steep drops in third-quarter profit as the computer-chip shortage dented factory output, and each said the problem would leave dealership lots nearly bare well into 2022.

Executives from General Motors Co. and rival Ford Motor Co. said the supply-chain disruptions should slowly improve in the fourth quarter and throughout next year, although strong car demand will make it difficult to restock dealership lots.

The Journal reports that GM says its net profit dropped 40% in the third quarter, while Ford reported a 23% decline in net income compared with the same year-ago quarter.

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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

#Buick Avista Concept Named N. American Concept Of The Year [Auto Styling News]

The Buick Avista has been awarded the 2016 Concept Car of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the 2016 North American Concept Vehicle Awards at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan.

The awards recognize the vehicle that makes the strongest impact in terms of automotive design, engineering and market responsiveness. According to Buick, the Avista is both an indicator of Buick’s future design direction and a celebration of its design heritage.

"The design process of the Avista brought the team together to unite around a future direction for the brand and the great teamwork and enthusiasm it generated," said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Buick Global Design. "While looking to the future, we also wanted to honor the rich heritage of Buick by integrating timeless design cues in this beautifully progressive concept vehicle."

Judges praised the Avista’s futuristic interior and intuitive design, and Detroit Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan said the vehicle "cements Buick's surprising status as one of the auto industry's most intriguing brands."

The aggressive stance of the Avista is immediately apparent. The wide grille features Chrysler-like wings and Mercedes-like mesh background that are no doubt titanium (at least on the concept) and the boomerang headlamps are striking. Buick says both the grille and headlamps forecast future design elements.

© General Motors

It will be great if the low stance and small greenhouse remain in the final model (if indeed this goes to production) because it's incredibly sporty.

In this coupe style, especially in the rear pillar window, rear pillar, and the entire rear of the car, one can squint and see the Honda civic, but that styling seems more elegantly wrought here. The rear lamps are large and luxurious, as must be said of the deep, rich "Dark Sapphire Jewel" color on this concept.

The exterior boasts titanium and carbon-fiber accents that make for optimal durability. The sleek design reinforces the balance of beauty and precision during the driving experience.

Following its introduction at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the Avista also received the EyesOn Design Excellence Award and was named “Best Future Concept” by Detroit News readers. It should be noted that the concept was wildly popular when released earlier this year. A good sign that GM may be motivated to bring something like this to market in the coming years.

Pinterest contest picks Buick Encore colors

Mashable highlights a contest by Buick to pick the interior and exterior colors for its newly redesigned 2013 Encore luxury car:

Following a call from nine influential design, fashion and food bloggers to create Pinterest boards speaking to their personal style and passions, the company unveiled the winning pinner on Wednesday night at the New York Auto Show.

The "Pinterest to Dashboard" contest is a part of an effort to connect with a younger audience and show a different, more playful side of the brand.

The top collection came from a Pennsylvania-based bed and breakfast owner Michael Wurm Jr. — who has nearly four million followers on Pinterest. His boards, which featured sea foam-colored tones and beach scenes, were picked as the inspiration for new color palates, textures and design features in the existing car.

Perhaps coincidentally, the colors fall within the family history of Buick, reminiscent of the sea foam blue/green shades prevalent in the late 1950s and early 1960s (and even later eras) especially the sea foam blue interior. (see examples below.) It's even possible that this color was even original to Buicks of a bygone era, and they pulled out the color sticks to match it.

While ostensibly the contest sought to reconnect (or connect for the first time) with younger drivers, this may actually help reconnect with OLDER drivers, especially former Buick owners who want to recapture that '60s look and feel that Buick somehow lost over the past few decades.

It would actually go beyond the "interesting" into "awesome" territory if each interior was to be completely customizable to each customer's taste. Of course all cars are, up to a point, but what if the palate was wide and extremely varied? A truly bespoke Buick like this would be a major boost for the Buick division - taking it from ho-hum luxury to bespoke luxury on a Bentley level. Imagine what that would do for the brand.

A quick note on the styling of the vehicle itself, the word "handsome" comes to mind. While surely a small vehicle, the front proportions seem well rounded and properly sized, although some will squint and see a larger version of the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

1978 Buick Skylark:

 

 1962 Buick Invicta station wagon:

  1954 Buick Skylark:

2013 GMC Acadia haunted by Saturn's Ghost

The folks over at the Car & Driver blog should be commended for their sharp eyes.

Someone there noticed that the 2013 GMC Acadia, debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, bears a startling similarity to the 2008 Saturn Outlook. One could truly say it's a dead-on copy.

Leaving aside the question of why GMC still exists as a brand, it seems that GM has frugally raided the parts bin - so much so, it's an exact replica of the dead car company's former crossover vehicle. (Acadia above, Outlook below, in the photo.)

While we applaud C&D for their sharp eyes as well as GM's frugality in these tough times, alas, we don't believe the new Acadia will sell as well as even the lackluster Saturns, but hey, you've got to give them props for trying something ... new. Well, maybe not.