Some good news to end the week:
Category: Cars
GM to Drop Android Auto, CarPlay Support from Future EVs⇢
Jonathan Gitlin, writing at Ars about a huge mistake GM is about to make:
In surprising car news today, we’ve learned that General Motors is planning to drop support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from new electric vehicles it plans to launch in the next few years. The decision won’t affect any GM vehicles already on the market, nor will it apply to gasoline- or diesel-powered GM vehicles in the coming years—just EVs.
F-150 Lightning Prices Increase Again⇢
Ford’s raising the price of its F-150 Lightning pickup yet again — this time, by about $4,000 (via CNBC). The increase affects both the entry-level Pro model for business customers and the consumer-focused XLT trim with no added options, which now start at $55,974 and $63,474, respectively.
For comparison, the Pro work truck initially started at $39,974 when it launched back in April, but subsequent price hikes brought the price up to $46,974 in August and $51,974 in October. The base XLT, on the other hand, launched with a sticker price of $52,974 before that increased to $59,474 several months later.
Electric Truck Maker Rivian Announces Major Price Increase (Updated)⇢
Fred Lambert, writing at Electrek:
Rivian today announced several significant price increases for its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV that have resulted in the cost of many reservation holders’ configurations rising by more than $12,000. The price increases come as Rivian is trying to ramp production and make its electric vehicle profitable while adding lower component tiers that will arrive as early as 2024.
The news was sent to reservation holders via email yesterday. I first saw it via a series of tweets from Quinn Nelson. I’d encourage you to go read the thread, as in it, he outlines his communication with the company over the last several months.
Chevy Unveils Electric Silverado⇢
Andrew Hawkins, writing at The Verge:
At launch, the Silverado EV will be available in two configurations: an RST First Edition and a fleet-oriented Work Truck (WT) model. Both models will get more than 400 miles of range on a full charge (though that number still needs to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency).
The base model work truck will start at $39,900, while the fully loaded RST First Edition, named because it will be first off the assembly line in spring 2023, will sell for the suggested price of $105,000. Chevy says that after production ramps up, various versions of the truck will be available for $50,000–$80,000. The automaker is already taking reservations.
Ford Announces it will Double F-150 Lightning Production⇢
Ford’s all-electric pickup is due to start rolling off the factory floor later this year, and Jonathan Gitlin reports that big numbers are coming:
In response to nearly 200,000 reservations on its books, the Blue Oval has decided to increase annual production of the F-150 Lightning. It’s nearly doubling the original production plan at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, and will churn out 150,000 Lightnings a year to meet demand.
Waymo’s Self-Driving Cars Are Just Super Into This Street⇢
City traffic can get pretty congested, but hardly anyone would expect an endless stream of self-driving cars flocking to one quiet residential street. Except, that’s what’s happening to one dead-end street in San Francisco, according to a local KPIX report.
Amazing.
The BMW CE 04
I love how this new electric scooter looks, even if its press release is really weird.
Ford Unveils F-150 Lightning⇢
Sean O’Kane, writing at The Verge:
The most popular vehicle in the United States is going electric. Ford has revealed the F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of its popular pickup truck due out in 2022, and it’s aggressively priced for an EV. The base model with 230 miles of range starts at $39,974, while the extended range version starts in the mid-$50,000s and can go about 300 miles.
I really like this approach: taking a regular, super-popular vehicle and turning it into an EV is a reasonable approach. I fully anticipate that my Toyota Tacoma will be the last internal combustion vehicle I own.
Mint 1991 Toyota 4x4 For Sale For $44,900⇢
BRB, wrapping up my Tacoma and parking it for the next 25 years.
The GM EV1⇢
On this episode of Flashback, my podcast with Quinn Nelson:
Electric cars may seem like a 21st century phenomenon, but they are far from modern invention. Along the winding path to the present was the GM EV1, the first purpose-designed electric vehicle. It went on sale in 1996, but within a decade, General Motors had recalled and crushed almost all of them.
I mean, just look at this thing! It was the future, until GM got all murdery about things:
Upgrading My Truck for CarPlay
Last year, I bought a slightly-used Toyota Tacoma, fulfilling my destiny as a pickup owner in the southern United States. I instantly fell in love with it, but the Toyota-installed radio was garbage, so I started thinking about changing it out with something that would give me CarPlay.
My Tacoma is a 2015, so replacing the head unit wasn’t too bad. On most newer cars, the radio is so integrated into the dash and other controls, it’s just about impossible to swap it out. It, did, however, require quite a bit of wiring on my part: