The Future Is Electric: Ford to Announce Two New EV Platforms

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Following in the environmentally friendly footsteps of Tesla, GM, and Volkswagen, Ford will build two new electric vehicle platforms. Currently Ford makes the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and will release the F-150 Lightning in 2022. Ford hopes to make a name for itself in the EV category, as demand for electric vehicles continues to climb.

Ford Mustang Mach-E | David McNew via Getty Images

According to Reuters, Ford will announce on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 that it will develop two new electric vehicle platforms. One platform will be for cars and small SUVs, while the other will be dedicated to large SUVs and pickup trucks. 

Two EV platforms will increase EV possibilities

A Ford F-150 Lightning is parked outside at night.
F-150 Lightning | JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Having two EV platforms will allow Ford to manufacture a variety of electric vehicles. This should appeal to a range of car shoppers, who may want a bigger vehicle with electric capabilities. Shared platforms mean that Ford can use the same chassis, batteries and motors to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of electric vehicle shoppers.

Ford plans to manufacture nine all-electric cars and small to midsize SUVs, as well as three electric trucks, vans, and large SUVs. Ford began making the 2021 Mustang Mach-E this year, a crossover on its own dedicated electric platform. In addition to the Mach-E, the Mustang coupe could even get an electric update in the future. Ford plans on updating the Mustang Mach-E platform to accommodate new Ford and Lincoln electric SUVs.

The 2021 F-150 Lightning is Ford’s new electric pickup truck, due to be released in the spring of 2022. It will be redesigned in 2025 on a new electric vehicle platform. This platform will allow Ford to make electric versions of both the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.

Ford may also build a new electric midsize pickup on a platform from Rivian, an electric startup backed by Ford. Additionally, they recently announced a new electric vehicle battery initiative with South Korean battery supplier SK Innovation. 

Ford’s future is electric

The Ford F-150 debuts amidst flashing lights.
Ford F-150 Lightning | Bill Pugliano via Getty Images

RELATED: How Safe Is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E?

Ford has said that it will spend $22 billion on electric vehicle production by 2025. Although this is more than many car manufacturers have committed to electric vehicles, it is still behind GM and Volkswagen. No car company matches Tesla, which only produces electric vehicles. Ford’s two new EV platforms will help it catch up.

Ford is already planning on dominating the European EV market. It invested $1 billion in an electric vehicle manufacturing center in Cologne. By 2026 Ford says 100% of its passenger vehicles in Europe will be zero emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid. Ford also intends to be 100% electric in Europe by 2030.

Europe’s electric vehicle production is ahead of the U.S. because of the penalties that the European Union levies on car manufacturers which do not comply with limits on carbon dioxide emissions.

Other U.S. car companies are already making electric strides 

A white 2021 Tesla Model Y. The Model Y is currently the top-selling EV.
A Tesla Model Y | Zhe Ji via Getty Images

Volkswagen and GM each have two electric vehicle platforms, making it possible for them to release new electric vehicles and electric versions of their current lineups. They will be able to create even more EV’s by sharing key components with new designs. The Tesla Model Y is currently the best-selling electric vehicle in the U.S.

Ford’s EV platform announcement will be made at its Capital Markets Day, which investors can attend via webcast. In addition to the EV platform announcement, Ford will detail plans to grow its commercial-solutions business.

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These 10 Worst Used Cars Aren’t Worth Shortcutting the 2021 Microchip Shortage

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’ve looked at used vehicle values recently, then you’ll know that even older high-mileage examples currently sell for silly money. As a result, there are plenty of well-liked models you’ll want to avoid for the time being. While these are not bad cars by any means, the recent price inflation makes them terrible value. That’s why today, we’ll look at the top 10 worst used cars you’ll want to avoid in 2021.

The information for today’s list comes directly from a study conducted by iSeeCars. As part of this extensive study, iSeeCars evaluated the sale of over 1.2 million used vehicles in April.

Why are these the worst used cars to buy right now?

2021 Ram 1500 Limited | Stellantis

While this recent pricing surge seems quite ridiculous if you’re looking at buying a vehicle, there’s a very good reason behind it. According to Automotive News, an ongoing global microchip shortage has severely affected the production of brand-new vehicles.

In short, most automakers don’t have all of the necessary components to produce their normal output. Given how advanced brand-new cars can be, automakers need a considerable amount of microchips to produce them. Some automakers have gone as far as removing features from brand-new models to keep up with production.

The result is a massive shortage of new cars arriving at dealership lots across the nation. Since buyers can’t buy that shiny new car, they’re left to turn to the used car market. Given the scale of the problem, used car prices have seemingly shot up in recent times. Thanks to their new valuations, these excellent vehicles are now some of the worst used options money can buy.

Here are the 10 contenders you’ll want to avoid

An image of a table showcasing data highlighting the worst used cars to buy from a recent iSeeCars study.
Worst Used Cars Study | iSeeCars

RELATED: Best Used Pickup Trucks Under $10,000 – the Top Pick Comes From Japan

When looking at this iSeeCars list of the worst used cars to buy right now, a couple of things stand out. For starters, the average used car has increased by 16.8 percent, says iSeeCars. This marks a significant increase of $3,926 in just one year. This means that folks are paying top dollar for even older models with higher mileage.

Out of the 10 options listed above, four of them are pickup trucks, ranging from $35,000 to $42,000. What makes this especially interesting is the fact that most of these models carry significantly lower MSRP’s than that. As a result, these models are likely trading quite close to their original list price.

The most unsurprising spot on this list goes to the Chevrolet Corvette with a 33.9 percent price increase in one year. While this is significant for a sports car, you have to remember that production of the new mid-engined model has been extremely slow. As a result, anyone that gets their hands on a brand-new one flips it for over its list price.

These might be the worst used cars to buy, but they’re the best to sell

A red 2021 Chevy Silverado pickup truck driving on a dirt road
2021 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss | Chevrolet

While it might be a horrible time to buy any of these used cars, it’s a fantastic time to sell one if you own any of these models. If you were on the fence about trading any of these new vehicles to upgrade, now is the time to do it. This is because once the shortage clears and production ramps back up, people will likely begin to dump their high-mileage machines in exchange for some brand-new metal.

The post These 10 Worst Used Cars Aren’t Worth Shortcutting the 2021 Microchip Shortage appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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US May Recall Porsche Taycan: Here’s Why

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Porsche’s Taycan is considered the brand’s flagship. It has also been selling well. But now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the Taycan suddenly losing power. And this could be happening to 12,000 of the electric cars. Now, a US recall may be in the offing.

The complaints cover both 2020 and 2021 Taycan models

2020 Porsche Taycan 4S | Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

So far the NHTSA has nine complaints it has received. Its Office of Defects Investigation says the complaints cover both 2020 and 2021 Taycan models. It says these complaints all allege “a loss of motive power while in motion at any speed without warning to the driver.” 

The ODI is the arm of the NHTSA that does the investigation leading up to a recall. It is not saying a Taycan recall is imminent. But it determines whether a recall is warranted based on its investigative work. 

So far all of the complaints have been in the US

An image of a Black Porsche Taycan parked outdoors in one of the worst car colors for resale.
Porsche Taycan | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

Porsche has sold 6,555 Taycan models in the US and 1,146 in Canada. The nine complaints the NHTSA has received all originated in the US. It is not saying how long the investigation will last or if it will actually recall Taycan EVs.

While the NHTSA isn’t giving details about the investigation, Automotive News says the problem centers around the conventional 12-volt battery and not the electric power system. When the conventional battery loses its charge it “may deactivate the entire electrical system and prevent the vehicle from operating.”

The high voltage battery is where the drive power for the Taycan comes from. But the rest of the components in the car are powered by a 12-volt battery. Porsche says it uses this method of powering the other systems for parts commonality with other Porsche cars and also to eliminate the need to shield high-voltage wiring for everything powered this way. 

Some Taycan owners receive a warning but others don’t

interior of Porsche Taycan
A steering wheel and digital dashboard of a Porsche Taycan | Wolfram Schroll/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some drivers experience an electrical system error warning. But this only occurs after the Taycan has stalled. Others don’t receive an error message at all. 

At this stage, the investigation could go either way. If the NHTSA finds that the issue warrants a recall then that is the next step. Otherwise, if it finds there to not be anything wrong then it will close the investigation. 

RELATED: The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Will Change Your Mind About EVs

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Check out Nico Rosberg Driving the Koenigsegg Regera

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Koenigsegg Regera is a sweet new hypercar/megacar that has been getting a lot of attention lately. It was meant to turn heads regardless of the distinction. The Regera is technologically advanced, fast, and checks all of the boxes. That’s probably why former Formula 1 driver, Nico Rosberg, drove it around in Monaco last weekend.

How much does a Koenigsegg Regera cost?

A Koenigsegg Regera on the track | Jonathan NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Koenigsegg says the Regera “is specifically designed to be a luxury Megacar alternative to Koenigsegg’s traditional extreme, lightweight, race-like road cars.” It offers a twin-turbo V8 combustion engine with three electric motors capable of 1500 horsepower.

The Regera has some new technology for the powertrain called Koenigsegg Direct Drive. This removes the need for a traditional gearbox which makes the car lighter and more efficient overall.

The Koenigsegg Regera is estimated to start at around $1.9 million but will likely be far over that by the time it is in the driveway. With only 80 vehicles made at the Ängelholm, Sweden, factory, you can expect to have a hard time finding this vehicle on the market.

Nico Rosberg took the Regera around Monaco

RELATED: What is the Fastest Porsche? | 0-60 Times by Model

Nico Rosberg drove the Regera around while in town for the Monaco Grand Prix, and it did not disappoint. This car was 1/1, so it is the only Regera made with these specifications. Koenigsegg fully made it out of carbon fiber. This hypercar hybrid gets 1,797 horsepower (1340 Kilowatts).

It can go from 0-248 miles per hour (400 km/h) in 22.8 seconds. This was a new world record. It can get from 0-62 miles per hour (100km/h) in 2.8 seconds. Because of the Koenigsegg Direct Drive, the car is quicker (and lighter) due to the lack of traditional transmission.

While driving it around, Rosberg had a few things to say about it. Mostly, he exclaimed “unbelievable” about 10 times. “You still feel amazing power. More power than the LaFerrari and just spectacular to drive,” Rosberg noted in the above video.

RELATED: Florida Man Used $3.9M PPP Loan To Buy Lamborghini

The Koenigsegg brand has generally not been street-legal in the U.S. The brand does not meet certain standards to make it legal to drive. At the same time, it seems that Koenigsegg is exempt from certain stipulations due to the size of the brand.

Koenigsegg did not respond about the future legality of the brand in the U.S. by the time of publishing. Since Koenigsegg created 80 of these cars, one or two might make it to the states. One vehicle that is legal to drive in the U.S. is the Agera RS.

According to Koenigsegg itself, “The Agera RS is the ultimate in road and track versatility. It offers the most extreme performance available today and yet is fully road legal, complying with safety standards and other necessary homologation requirements worldwide.” That’s not a bad tradeoff, except that the brand made only 25.

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