Weekly roundup: Apple Car shelved, hybrids gain traction, new EV superchargers and supercars

Earlier this week: Apple’s car project was shelved due to various challenges, leaving the fate of 2,000 jobs in limbo. Consumer Reports’ latest vehicle ratings favor electrification, with hybrids and plug-ins leading the pack. Ford introduces a free adapter granting its EV owners access to Tesla’s Superchargers. Tesla plans ambitious, next-gen Roadster. Meanwhile, China’s BYD is set to challenge luxury sports car brands with its new electric “supercar,” the U9. Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week in automotive industry news.

1. Behind the Apple car’s timely demise

It appears that the long but poorly concealed Apple car project, a constant source of speculation among tech and auto enthusiasts alike for many years, has finally come to an end, drowned beneath the ever-intensifying wave of engineering, safety, and profitability issues facing high-tech vehicles in today’s market. According to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday, February 28, Apple executives have informed staff members the project is being canceled, leaving the future of the roughly 2,000 jobs involved with the vehicle’s development up in the air. Read More

2. Hybrids shine in Consumer Reports’ annual top automobile picks

Consumer Reports (CR) has revealed its much-anticipated annual Top 10 List for the best new cars, trucks, and SUVs. There appears to be a strong preference for hybrid and electric vehicles among this year’s top choices. The 2023 lineup shows a clear trend towards electrification. It includes one electric vehicle (EV), three hybrids, and three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). “This year is all about plug-in hybrids,” Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ senior director of auto testing, told USA TODAY. “You don’t really have to compromise. “It can be the best of both worlds for a lot of people.” Read More

3. Ford launches Supercharger adapters available for free until June 30

Ford has become the first automaker to give its electric vehicle customers access to Tesla’s Superchargers by launching its new, and temporarily free, charging adapter. In a post on its media website, the automaker today announced that owners of the F-150 Lightning pickup and Mustang Mach-E sedan would be the first non-Tesla drivers able to access the Supercharger network, thanks to the launch of a brand new adapter compatible with the North American Charging Standard (NACS). With over 15,000 outlets, Tesla continues to operate the most stations out of any charging brand in the U.S. Read More

4. Elon Musk unveils ambitious plans for next Tesla Roadster

Elon Musk recently unveiled ambitious plans for Tesla’s next all-electric supercar, the Roadster, set to launch later this year. This announcement revealed a unique partnership between SpaceX and Tesla, aiming to push the boundaries of automotive technology. Tesla unveiled the Roadster at the 2017 Tesla Semi event, positioning it as the brand’s flagship model that embodies its dedication to leading the electric revolution in the automotive industry. Despite initial plans for a 2020 release, the Roadster’s arrival has faced delays, with Musk citing the vehicle’s enhanced design goals as the cause for postponement. Read More

5. New BYD luxury electric ‘supercar’ to rival Ferrari

China-based car manufacturer BYD has revealed new details and a launch timeline for its new premium electric “supercar,” the U9, which it claims can compete with luxury sports models from brands like Ferrari in terms of speed. BYD luxury brand Yangwang will launch the performance-focused model this summer with a starting price of $233,424. The subsidiary has two other electric vehicles in its lineup, the U8 SUV and the still-unreleased U7 sedan. The U9 was teased during the company’s U8 showcase in January 2023, at which time it said the starting price would be above $145,340. Read More

6. How the dealer-OEM relationship affects customer experience — Andy Guelcher | Mohawk Chevrolet

On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Andy Guelcher, president of Mohawk Chevrolet and chairman of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council (CNDC). Guelcher has played a critical role in representing Chevy retailers’ interests as General Motors navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he discusses his insights into the current experiences and challenges of the brand’s franchisees and what CNDC is doing to help dealers achieve success in today’s industry landscape. Watch Here

7. Automotive market forecast: trends, challenges, and opportunities in 2024 — Charlie Chesbrough | Cox Automotive

On this episode of CBT Now, host Shyann Malone is joined by Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive. Chesbrough has been a guiding voice for dealers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing crucial insights into the automotive market’s current and future dynamics. Now, he discusses the car industry’s experiences in January and what they suggest about the months ahead. Watch Here

8. High prices, interest rates no match for digitally savvy dealerships – Matt VanDyke | Shift Digital

The auto industry has seen high interest rates and vehicle prices, but that’s not stopping deals from being made at the dealership. On today’s edition of Inside Automotive, we’re diving into a Digital Shopper Study from Shift Digital that focused on The Good, The Bad, and The Worthy Signs for Automotive Retailing In 2024. Matt VanDyke, President of Shift Digital, is here to break it all down for us. Watch Here 

9. How dealers are navigating interest rates on their quest for acquisitions — Willie Beck | Bel Air Partners

On this episode of CBT Now, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Willie Beck, co-managing partner at Bel Air Partners. Beck has guided many dealers through the buy/sell market, providing crucial insights into the elements buyers are searching for in a potential acquisition. Now, he shares updates on the market’s current status and offers his predictions for the next year of M&A activity. Watch Here

10. Maximizing dealership visibility: Greg Gifford shares key SEO strategies

Establishing a robust online presence is vital for businesses, and dealerships are no exception. In the latest episode of Inside Automotive, Greg Gifford, the Chief Operating Officer of SearchLab, joins us. Gifford dives deep into SEO for dealerships and an interesting Google Business Profile study. Watch Here