#Hyundai Launches Handsome #IONIQ 5 EV

[Auto Styling News]

Just one look at the introduction photographs of Hyundai's IONIQ 5, and you'll instantly be taken by how startlingly handsome this vehicle is. 

The tiny slit in the front end that hides tiny, rectangular headlamps, the small upturned bumper, the complex wheel design, and the equally handsome rear pillars and tight, no-nonsense taillight design, all work together to give this electric SUV instant street credibility.

The breakthrough SUV is the first model the company has ever built to be exclusively electric. Its arrival marks the beginning of an entire series of all-new, all-electric vehicles. 

The company website gushes that it was created to "make waves with its unique, futuristic design, innovative, airy interior space, and ultra-fast charging battery."

The Korean carmaker days it is partnering with Electrify America to give buyers two years of complimentary access to the largest public fast-charging network in the US. The IONIQ 5 can be charged while on-the-go in as little as 30 minutes.

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

#KIA EV6 Will Run For 300+ Miles Per Charge, Says EPA

[Auto Styling News]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified a maximum all-electric range (AER) of 310 miles for the 2022 Kia EV6 when equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive. The all-electric range (AER) for the entire EV6 lineup was announced ahead of the EV6 going on sale in the first quarter of 2022.  More information about the certification is available at Fueleconomy.gov
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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

#Nissan Unveils Electric #Ariya SUV

[Auto Styling News]

The all-new 2023 Nissan Ariya electric crossover model is getting closer to its upcoming U.S. on-sale date with the opening of a special reservation portal, giving customers the opportunity to be one of the first to purchase the most advanced and connected Nissan vehicle ever.  

Four Nissan Ariya SUV models will initially be available for sale in late 2022.

The preliminary 2023 Ariya reservation model lineup, specifications and initial MSRP starts at $45,950 for the Venture+ front-wheel drive model. Pricing for additional Ariya models will be announced at a later date.

Additionally, the first 10,000 reservations made before Jan. 31, 2022 will qualify for a two year free EVgo membership plus $500 in charging credits upon purchase. That's worth up to an estimated 5,000 miles of EV driving for the Ariya Venture+.

The all-new Ariya is "the embodiment of the new Nissan," says Michael Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. and Marketing and Sales. "Ariya leverages our decade of expertise selling mass-market EVs, uniquely positioning Nissan and our dealers to deliver both a thrilling vehicle and outstanding ownership experience."

The company says the Ariya will be a cornerstone to the Nissan NEXT global transformation plan and is the first production model to represent the company’s new electrified brand identity.

Nissan has for years sold electric vehicles like the Leaf, but this SUV is taking this to the next level.

Visually, this crossover bears a scary similarity to several others hitting the market this year and next. The front end, at least, bears Nissan's signature styling, but the sides and rear could be mistaken for a Hyundai, or a KIA. Or the new electric Ford Mustang SUV.

Not that it's in any way unpleasant to look at, it's just that once a trend gets started, every car company copies it, endlessly.

Nissan has announced a target that more than 40 percent of its U.S. vehicle sales by 2030 will be fully electric, with even more to be electrified. 

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

#KIA Set to Reveal Electric EV9 SUV

[Auto Styling News]

Kia has revealed the first official images of the Kia Concept EV9, an all-electric SUV concept that they say "embodies the company’s commitment to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider."

Following the launch of EV6, the Kia Concept EV9 is a glimpse into the future direction of the all-electric SUV, combining progressive design, state-of-the-art tech, and an advanced all-electric powertrain in one package.

The first visuals of the concept SUV show a sleek, ultramodern exterior design, the schematics of which hint at a contemporary recreational treatment that’s brought to the fore by an upright stylistic stance that suggests movement and fluidity.

From above and the rear, the vehicle shows it is not afraid of angles, and sharp ones at that. Rear lights dance down the sides of the rear window, and the windows themselves look smaller than what would normally be on the production vehicle, reminding one of certain cheap and Dodge vehicles of the last decade that had some compromised visibility because of styling. But these are very sketchy and unclear renderings, so they may be misleading.

The renderings illustrate a highly conceptual cabin that has been honed to give the driver and passengers a light, flexible interior space. A stunning interactive ultra-wide display screen and a radical new take on the traditional steering wheel (which resembles the Tesla Plaid's half steering wheel) are just two of the standout interior features.

The Kia Concept EV9 preview images have been revealed ahead of AutoMobility LA, which starts next week. Kia will unveil its all-new electrifying take on the SUV form at 11:15 a.m. (PST) on November 17 at the LA Convention Center.

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

#KIA's Sculpted, Redesigned 2023 Sportage Set For Spring '22 Release

[Auto Styling News]

The renewal of KIA's lineup continues with the next generation of the Sportage SUV, the company's oldest nameplate. In North America, the model will debut as a 2023 when it does arrive next Spring.

As KIA’s longest running nameplate, which pioneered its segment, the Sportage undergoes its most significant change to date as the fifth generation is unveiled.

It was developed as part of the company's new global brand transformation, “Movement that Inspires."

Up front, the Sportage sports a new look that signifies a break with previous styling.

KIA says this "Opposites United” design philosophy "blends futuristic yet rugged design elements."

It has new, aggressive, boomerang-like headlights and running lights that are integrated into a grille that spans the entire width of the vehicle. (One wonders if the right lamp is designed to remind us of the letter K.)

The beltline is steep at the rear, which suggests there could be problems with rear three-quarter visibility. 

The back end is once again equipped with lights that extend the vehicle’s width and are similar to those of the Korean company's upcoming electric model, the EV6.

Overall, this smoothe and sculpted redesign will likely prove to be a hot seller for the Korean automaker. It follows design trends in the industry and considerably amps up its own brand styling.

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

#Canoo Inks Battery Deal With Panasonic

[Auto Styling News]

There was a time when many auto industry insiders were concerned that California-based EV startup Canoo was not going to make it. 

Last April, Hyundai withdrew from a previously signed deal to help develop Canoo's skateboard multi-purpose EV platform. No doubt this was a major hit for the start-up, but it refused to give up.

This week, Canoo announced it's signed an agreement with Panasonic to supply batteries for its curvaceous, yet box-like Lifestyle Vehicle. Canoo is also developing a Tesla Cybertruck-rivaling truck, MPV, delivery van, and a sedan, all from the same platform.

2023 is still the rather ambitious sale date for these vehicles, and the plants have not been built in which they will be produced.

Yet, it's easy to find yourself reading for them, and hoping they can make it go of it. If they do, Canoo who have brought an electric van to market before Volkswagen, which has promised a Boomer-pleasing, nostalgic electric van every year for the past 10 years. But that project always seems 5 to 10 years away.

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

Worldwide Magnesium Shortage Could Shut Down The Entire Auto Industry

[Auto Styling News]

Experts say the car shortage currently plaguing the United States and other countries could get much worse due to a magnesium shortage in China and across the globe.

An energy crisis in China, which involves the country shutting down factories to conserve power, has created a shortage of magnesium production from the country that supplies 85% of the world’s supply that is used to make many essential car parts, according to Jalopnik.

Magnesium is used in many aluminum alloys used to manufacture body panels, fuel tanks, brackets, brakes, axles, and other components of automobiles.
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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

Canadian EV Company Unveils 3,-Wheeler With 180-Mile Range

[Auto Styling News]

Toronto-based Daymak has launched an initial prototype of the Daymak Spiritus. The three-wheeled electric vehicle is one of the first models in the company’s premium Avvenire EV line, reports Electrek

The Avvenire line includes a wide range of EVs, from smaller electric bicycles to this three-wheeled EV and even a flying vehicle. It’s a huge leap forward for a company mostly associated with a vast selection of electric bicycles and scooters.

The Daymak Spiritus prototype the company unveiled is a light electric vehicle with a car-like look, at least from the front.

From any other angle, the three-wheeler - and two-seater - looks rather unique. Its single rear wheel gives it a tadpole tricycle design and creates an aerodynamic shape that plays a role in the Spritus’ 180-mile range rating. 

The three-wheel design also qualifies the vehicle, which will be priced just under $20,000 - as a motorcycle in nearly every jurisdiction, meaning it doesn’t have to conform to the same rigorous standards as passenger cars.

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

In Third Quarter, Tesla Delivers A Record Number Of EVs

[Auto Styling News]

Tesla says it has delivered a record number of electric cars in the third quarter, beating Wall Street estimates after CEO Elon Musk asked staff to "go super hardcore" to make a quarter-end delivery push.

Tesla has weathered the microchip shortage crisis better than rivals, with its overall deliveries surging 20% in the July to September period from its previous record in the second quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter-on-quarter gains.

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

Lucid Group Plans October Delivery Of Its First EV

[Auto Styling News]

Electric startup Lucid Group Inc. said Tuesday that it will start delivering luxury electric sedans with a Tesla-beating driving range in late October, posing a major new challenge to the market leader.

The company noted it has received more than 13,000 advance reservations for its Lucid Air model.

The California-based Lucid began production of the long-delayed Lucid Air vehicles at its Arizona factory this week, and said it plans to ramp plant's capacity up to 90,000 vehicles annually in the next two years - an ambitious goal, for sure.

The first Lucid Air will come at a hefty price tag, but many will believe the 1,000 hp performance, which takes it from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, earns every penny.

A high-end model, the Lucid Air Dream Edition, priced at $169,000, received an official U.S. government rating of a 520-mile driving range. That's 100 miles more than its closest rival, Tesla's Model S, which is priced at $89,990.  And the company says it will take a mere 20 minutes to charge a vehicle so that it will go 300 miles.

Lucid says cheaper models will follow, including the Lucid Pure, which will go for a mere $77,000.

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

Gov't Considers Raising Electric Car Tax Incentive, Except for Teslas

[Auto Styling News]

A new bill to reform the federal electric car tax incentive in the US has passed the US Senate Finance Committee, the Electrek blog reports.

It includes increasing the electric vehicle tax credit to up to $12,500, but it was expertly crafted to give $2,500 less to Tesla vehicle buyers, explicitly because Tesla factories do not employ union members of the United Auto Workers Union.

The main goal has been to lift the cap of 200,000 electric car deliveries per manufacturer, which has put Tesla and GM at a disadvantage simply for being early in producing electric vehicles.

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

#Chrysler Has "10-year Window" To Prove Itself, Says New Owners

[Auto Styling News]

Chrysler has 10 more years to prove itself as a viable brand, says it's new European Masters, Stellantis.

CEO Carlos Tavares says he's giving his brand execs a 10-year window to prove their worth. He says all 14 brands (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall) are being "given a chance."

“We’re giving each a chance, giving each a time window of 10 years and giving funding for 10 years to do a core model strategy. The CEOs need to be clear in brand promise, customers, targets and brand communications. If they succeed, great. Each brand is given the chance to do something different and appeal to customers.”

As you may or may not know, Chrysler currently has an anemic lineup of just two name plates, the Pacifica minivan, which comes both as a combustion engine and electric version as well as a stripped-down version they're calling the Voyager. 

They also have one car, the 300, which, while it has been updated several times, essentially is the same four-door sedan as when it was introduced in 2005.

If Tavares is honestly giving this brand a chance, he needs to seriously rethink the strategy of the previous owners, FCA.

To succeed, Chrysler will have to somehow developed a mini ute - the most popular vehicle in America right now, which is for some reason lacking in its lineup. It will also have to develop an electric strategy because many cars, if not most, in the 2030s will be electrified.

California is looking at going with a ban on all combustion engine car sales in the 2030s, as are several nations in Europe, such as Ireland and Germany.

Chrysler should look to other luxury car brands and see them as competitors once again. Clearly, the brand has lowered its standards and saw itself as a competitor to the likes of Ford and Chevy in the past few years. They need only look at Genesis to see how to build a highly successful luxury brand in this segment.
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Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

#Tesla Delivers 185,000 Cars In First Quarter, Beating Record Set In Fourth Quarter

[Auto Styling News]

In the first quarter, Tesla produced just over 180,000 vehicles and delivered nearly 185,000 vehicles, the company said in an SEC filing.

In the final quarter of 2020, Tesla made a record 180,570 deliveries.

All of the electric vehicles it produced  in this first quarter were Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossover SUVs, and it didn't produce any of its more expensive Model S sedans and Model X SUVs.

It delivered just 2,020 Model S and Model X vehicles from inventory, however representing just 1% of its total deliveries. 

In a statement, Tesla wrote that with "new equipment installed and tested in Q1" the company is now "in the early stages of ramping production" for updated versions of the S and X.

The company says they are encouraged by the strong reception of the Model Y in China and are quickly progressing to full production capacity.  

The new Model S and Model X have also been exceptionally well received, with the new equipment installed and tested in Q1 and we are in the early stages of ramping production.

(More here.)

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

SEC Launches Investigation Into EV Maker Lordstown Motors

[Auto Styling News]

The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked Lordstown Motors for more details about claims that the EV start-up deceived financiers about its development to date. 

Lordstown Motors, which is backed by General Motors, stated last Wednesday that it is complying with the investigation and its board of directors has created a special  committee to evaluate the claims.

The claims came last Friday from short-selling company Hindenburg Research study, which divulged in addition to the report that it had taken a brief position in Lordstown Motors. 

The company formerly launched a report about hydrogen trucking start-up Nikola that likewise caused probes from the SEC and the Department of Justice.

Hindenburg declared in the report that a few of the EV start-up’s largest preorders were made by business that do not appear to actually have the cash needed to acquire huge batches of Lordstown Motors’ electrical pickup, each of which will begin at around $50,000. 

In January, this blog reported that the company had claimed to have received more than 100,000 non-binding production reservations from commercial fleets for its forthcoming Endurance all-electric pickup truck

Hindenburg asserts that Lordstown Motors deceived the general public, financiers, and the federal government about the development it has made up until now on its first model.

More details here.

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

#Canoo EV Manufacturer Introduces Pickup Truck

[Auto Styling News]

Electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo (Nasdaq: GOEV), has debuted its fully-electric pickup truck during the Motor Press Guild’s Virtual Media Day. 

The production version of the pickup will open for pre-orders in the second quarter of 2022, with deliveries beginning in 2023.

“We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives,” said Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman, Canoo. “Our pickup truck is as strong as the toughest trucks out there and is designed to be exponentially more productive. This truck works for you. We made accessories for people who use trucks – on the job, weekends, adventure. You name it, we did it because it’s your platform and she’s bad to the bone.

Canoo’s pickup truck was built with several unique features to help customers do more with their vehicles:

Pull-out Bed Extension: The pickup truck bed is six feet long and can extend to a fully enclosed eight feet, allowing big items such as a 4 by 8 ft sheet of plywood to easily fit inside. The pull-handle bed extension also helps with loading and unloading the truck. The extension also serves as a license plate holder. When the bed is extended, a second layer of tailgate doors can be swiveled out. The bed extension also houses a secondary lamp, containing all tail lamp functions, so the truck can be driven while the bed space is maximized.

Fold Down Worktable + Cargo Storage: To offer the greatest customer utility, the pickup features a front cargo storage area that can hold tools or gear, also includes a fold down worktable with electrical outlets. The workstation table is extendable to allow customers to have maximized work surface on the go, in addition to providing an area to put on gear before heading out exploring.

Flip-Down Side Tables: Both sides of the vehicle house a flip down table in two expandable depths. Built into the side panel of the truck bed, the flip-down side table becomes a workbench with multi-functional power sources in close proximity.

Side Step + Storage: On the side of the vehicle there is a hidden step to allow quick and easy access to the truck bed. Underneath the step is a flexible storage area for items including: a first-aid kit, cooler for snacks and drinks, lockable laptop storage and more. This space efficient feature is only possible due to Canoo’s ultra flat platform.

Modular Bed with Space Dividers: The truck bed is modular with the use of Canoo’s space divider system designed to keep items separate and secure. The bed wall also incorporates modular wheel chocks to secure bikes and configurable tie downs for ladders, large equipment and other materials.

Multi-Accessory Charge Port: The pickup truck can double as a powerplant with exportable power accessible on all sides of the vehicle. Power can last all day for tools and devices, which only has a 10% impact on vehicle range.

Integrated Overhead + Bed Perimeter Lighting: The third break light doubles as an overhead light to see inside the cargo bed at night. The vehicle is also equipped with perimeter lighting on all sides of the bed wall for added visibility.

Roof Rack: The pickup truck has optional roof racks in variable sizes for added cargo storage. The roof rack is easily accessible from the flatbed or via the sidestep.

Camper Shell: The pickup truck has been designed to accommodate a variety of camper shells to fit as many uses as possible.

The pickup truck is the third vehicle that will be based on the company’s proprietary multipurpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. 

Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible. 

Traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers and mechanical steering columns that protrude into the vehicle and take up space. By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, Canoo’s thin platform ("skateboard") with no need for an engine compartment, allows the company to offer a flatbed size comparable to America’s bestselling pickup truck on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to maneuver and more convenient to drive and park in any terrain.

Canoo designed its pickup truck to be the most cab-forward and space efficient on the market, with massive cargo capacity on the smallest footprint possible. Thanks to the flexible platform and steer-by-wire, the passenger compartment was able to be shifted forward to maximize driver visibility. Canoo’s designers gave the pickup added stance and durability with increased wheel spats to support larger wheels, which provides improved stability and gives it a rugged profile. Advanced lighting technology provides adaptive safety, and the company’s iconic signature headlights and taillights serve as core brand identifiers without the need for a logo. Beyond just storage, the front surface of the vehicle has been extended to better protect the headlights and windscreen.

The bumpers are designed for maximum functionality and durability with integrated tow hooks and metal skid plates on both the front and rear. The vehicle's fog lamps are also integrated seamlessly into the bumper design to offer the driver additional visibility and safety. Lined with trim and materials selected for durability, the extended cab vehicle has two seats in the front with a customizable rear compartment that can accommodate two additional seats or support additional purpose-built use-case configurability.

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

Audi's New E-Tron GT Looks Gorgeous [Auto Styling News]

[Auto Styling News]

Audi just unveiled its latest production vehicle, and it looks pretty stunning. 

The Audi e-tron GT is a battery-powered, all-electric sports car, with—in top-performing $140,000 RS guise—motors on the front and rear axles capable of producing 637 horsepower. 

This provides the sporty four-door with the ability to accelerate from zero to 60 m.p.h. in about three seconds. If you’re not quite so aggressive with the go pedal, it should also be able to eke out well over 200 miles of range on a charge.

Expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) lineup—which currently consists of the pedestrian-looking e-tron SUV—is a top priority for Audi, which for years has staked out a position as a forward-thinking luxury brand, quick to embrace new forms and tech. 

“Fifty years ago, Audi was nothing compared to our main competitors Mercedes and BMW,” says Marc Lichte, the brand’s global design director. “And the reason why Audi became successful was that Audi made some really bold and progressive decisions.” 

For Lichte, these include universal implementation of the marque’s Quattro four-wheel-drive system, its use of lightweight aluminum in the underpinnings of its cars, and its abidance of advanced aerodynamics, as in the radical Audi 5000 of the 1980s.

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

As Stellantis Takes Over Chrysler, Can the Storied Name Be Saved? (Yes! Here's how!)

[Auto Styling News] 

Stellantis is the new owner of Chrysler. And very likely its last one.

The new brand name (created by marketers from the Latin word "stello," meaning, "to brighten with stars") consists of a mish-mash 14 Italian, French, German, British, and American automakers including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, and Vauxhall.

The newly minted brand name takes over this month from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) a company that oversaw extremely weak US sales not only for Chrysler, but for FIAT, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo. FCA Group acquired Chrysler in 2014.

Chrysler Corporation was of course founded as an American company in 1925 by Walter Chrysler from the remains of the Maxwell Motor Company. In 1998, it was acquired by Daimler-Benz, and the holding company was renamed DaimlerChrysler. 

The German-American union was not a happy one, with many differences coming to the surface about the direction of the company. In short, it was a really bad fit.

After Daimler divested Chrysler in 2007, the company briefly existed as Chrysler LLC (2007–2009) and Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2014) before merging in 2014 with the Italian holding company Fiat S.p.A. and becoming a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Chrysler has clearly fallen on hard times. It has two nameplates, the aging 300 sedan (first introduced in 2005) and the Pacifica van (it has an electric version of the van and a stripped-down model now using the iconic Voyager name, but these are just badge-engineering exercises. They have two.)

That's really sad for several reasons, not least is which that company has a recent history of innovation and large, exciting lineups. Lee Iacocca revived the company from bankruptcy and (paid back government loans - early!) with the K-Car line. In the 1990s, the company had success after success with exciting concept cars that they brought to market. Among them was the PT Cruiser, which sold in the millions.

The 300, back in the day, was also a huge hit. The Crossfire fired imaginations, and the LHS was a gorgeous car that made it to production as a beautiful vehicle, part of the "cab-forward" design style that captured America's imagination. They introduced many new nameplates that sold well in that era.

The company could use a dose of the spirit of the '90s and early 2000s right about now - a spirit that showed many concepts taken to the market, a daring can-do spirit that showed it was a bold car designer, not just a retread, recycling old nameplates on boring vehicles, as they are now.

The once-luxury brand has no top-of-the-line "halo car," no SUVs, no mini-Utes (the hottest vehicle type on the market) and no sports cars for middle aged men to buy during their mid-life crises.

Last year sales were anemic. It sold around 110,500 vehicles, about one-third its volume in 2015, according to company figures.

Fiat, a maker of small cars reintroduced to the US in 2011, also saw a sharp drop-off in sales.

Experts believe there is a consolidation of the new car conglomerate's 14 brands coming, and that doesn't bode well for Chrysler.  One news site suggested that Chrysler was already dead (as a name, anyway) when their sign was replaced with the Stellantis one at their storied Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters.

Regardless of when it happens, it almost seems inevitable that the brand is going to fade away, unless someone in the new company's Amsterdam, Holland headquarters decides to revive it in a BIG WAY.

It's not hard to see how it could regain its footing. It must launch a solid, stylish luxury SUV. It must launch a dependable mini-UTE that actually stands out from its many vanilla competitors, and it must launch a hot sports car that captures imaginations.

That's a tall order, since new vehicles take 2-5 years to produce through the traditional  auto design pipeline. But these are not ordinary times, and innovation is called for if Chrysler hopes to survive to see its 100th birthday.

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

#KIA Set To Pull "Sedona" Name In 2022, Replaced With Handsome #Carnival Model

[Auto Styling News] 

The 2021 Kia Sedona will be the last vehicle of that name, internet sources are revealing. In 2022, the vehicle will get an entirely new design, and take on the name used already overseas, Carnival. (Sorry, Arizona!)

Now KIA has to pray that Carnival Cruise Lines does not have a major disease outbreak on board one of its ships, or other disaster in the coming years that will associate the name with something bad, or even tragic. 

Photos obtained from the Sedona forum blog end the Korean Car Blog (and posted here) show an incredibly handsome new vehicle with a much longer wheelbase and an updated front fascia.

What's really interesting is that we know from the Korean model (currently on the road there as a 2021 model) exactly what next year's Carnival will look like here in North America.

The handsome grill work, surrounded by chrome is a zigzag pattern, surrounds LED daytime running lights that are visibly much smaller than the current Sedona.

A single character line runs the length of the car, with bold wheel arches and sharp lines giving a more modern, sculpted appearance. 

A key design highlight of the 2022 KIA Carnival will be the new ‘island roof’ design, with blacked-out A- and B-pillars beneath a body-colored roof. An eye-catching new C-pillar signature design also stands out, with a chrome fin bearing a subtle diamond pattern.

The rear features a wide, distinctive new look, accentuated by a full-width light bar. Another element of its SUV-inspired design is the metallic lower skid plate, further affording a more robust appearance.

In South Korea, they also currently enjoy a "Hi Limousine" model that comes with a large luxurious chair in the second row, and with curtains in all the rear and side windows, accepting the passenger and driver window up front. 

This is supposed to be the ultimate luxury model, which it's a safe bet that it will not come to America, because, to the casual observer, it resembles very strongly a hearse. Sales would not likely be very good for that reason.

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

New Fleet-Focused Electric Truck, #Lordstown Endurance, Garners 100k Pre-Orders

[Auto Styling News] 

Lordstown Motors Corp., an emerging producer of electric light duty trucks focused on the commercial fleet market, says it has received more than 100,000 non-binding production reservations from commercial fleets for its Lordstown Endurance all-electric pickup truck, with an average order size of nearly 600 vehicles per fleet.

“Receiving 100,000 pre-orders from commercial fleets for a truck like the Endurance is unprecedented in automotive history,” said Steve Burns, CEO of Lordstown Motors. “Adding in the interest we have from federal, state, municipal and military fleets on top of that, I think you can see why we feel that we are about to revolutionize the pickup truck industry.”

The Lordstown Endurance is a full-size, all-electric pickup that has a range of 250 miles, the equivalent of 600hp and can tow up to 7,500lbs. After successful prototype and Alpha builds, Lordstown is now building the first Beta Endurance vehicles and is on track for start of production in September of this year. The initial Endurance is a crew cab configuration with medium bed length, priced at $45,000 after federal rebate.

Lordstown Motors, an Ohio-based original equipment manufacturer of light duty fleet vehicles, was founded by CEO Steve Burns with the purpose of transforming Ohio's Mahoning Valley and Lordstown, Ohio, into the epicenter of electric-vehicle manufacturing. 

The company owns the 785 acre, 6.2 million square foot Lordstown Assembly Plant where it plans to build the Lordstown Endurance, believed to be the world's first full-size, all-electric pickup truck designed to serve the commercial fleet market. 

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

Tesla (Nearly) Meets Its 2020 Goal Of 500k Teslas Built And Delivered

[Auto Styling News]

 

In 2020, Tesla Motors says it produced and delivered half a million vehicles, in line with its 2020 goals, according to a company news release.

Well, almost. An actual spreadsheet included in the very same news release, shown below, indicate 499,550 delivered, with actually more than a half-million cars built last year. Company officials say that when all the data from 2020 is in, they may very well have reach the "500,000 delivered" goal, as well.

In addition, the release says Model Y production in Shanghai has begun, with deliveries expected to begin shortly.

For such a young company, it is quite an achievement. And CEO Elon Musk is thrilled with the result, tweeting,

"So proud of the Tesla team for achieving this major milestone! At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of surviving at all."

It was a vindication for Musk, who, in a 2014 interview, below, rather audaciously (at the time) predicted the company would be able to produce 500,000 vehicles by the end of 2020.

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

#Kia Motors Wins Design Awards for K5 and Sorento Models [Auto Styling News]

[Auto Styling News] 

The Kia Optima was already a very good looking car. But the Korean car company's latest incarnation of the Optima, the 2021 K5, is winning some prestigious awards for great design

In fact, Kia Motors has earned two design prizes for its latest models, as the new third-generation Kia K5 sedan and fourth-generation Kia Sorento SUV won accolades in the Transportation category of the annual GOOD DESIGN Awards.

This is the latest in a string of design awards for Kia in recent years, with previous generations of both the Sorento and K5 also earning GOOD DESIGN Awards in 2015. The Telluride and Soul have also received prizes from the organization.

Kia’s third-generation K5 is one of the e brand's most powerful mid-size sedans to-date, offering drivers an inspired and technology-packed alternative to traditional rivals. 

Its exterior design is characterized by Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger nose’ grille and ‘heart beat’ daytime running lights, while its interior layout conveys a futuristic and high-tech appearance, aided by its 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

The all-new Kia Sorento redefines the successful design of previous generations of the SUV, while incorporating elegant and sophisticated new styling elements, with sharper lines, high-tech details and elongated exterior proportions. 

I also features the ‘tiger-nose’ grille, displaying a wider shape which organically wraps around the integrated headlamps on each side, gives the new model a confident and mature presence. 

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the GOOD DESIGN Awards program is one of the oldest design competitions in the world. Every year, the program selects a list of products and industry leaders in design and manufacturing that have chartered new directions for innovation and pushed the envelope for competitive products in the world marketplace.

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