GM has had its work cut out for it, dealing with the Chevy Bolt. Previously GM had recalled all 2017-2019 Bolts due to a fire risk. There had been reports of Chevrolet Bolts spontaneously combusting and catching on fire. In fact, GM’s former recall included a warning that Bolt owners shouldn’t park their vehicles near a structure, due to the unanticipated fires that were occurring – even if the Bolt had already been serviced. Now GM has had to expand the Chevy Bolt recall to include every Bolt ever made – years 2017-2022. What’s going on and when will it be resolved?
2021 Chevy Bolt | Chevrolet
The problem with the Chevy Bolt
The problem with the Chevrolet Bolt seems to stem from its battery. The Bolt’s batteries are manufactured by LG, and GM is saying that these spontaneous fires are LG’s fault. According to Tech Crunch, an investigation by GM showed that there were defects in the LG batteries – some had a “torn anode tab and folded separator.”
GM is pretty upset about the battery problems, as one might imagine. In fact, they’re pursuing payment from LG in the estimated amount of $1 billion for losses related to the faulty batteries. With Bolts currently off the market, GM is left with no fully electric cars.
What can Bolt owners do to keep themselves safe
Chevy Bolt owners are understandably concerned about the latest recall, especially considering previous attempts to remedy the situation have failed. The NHTSA says that they are “aware of one fire with the interim remedy and three fires with the subsequent remedy.” So even if someone had already had their Bolt in for a repair, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re in the clear now.
Until this whole mess is sorted out, GM has some safety precautions for Bolt owners to put in place. They should continue to not park near a structure like a house or in a garage. Bolt owners also shouldn’t charge their vehicles overnight. Additionally, GM advises Bolt owners to “Set their vehicle to the 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (2017 and 2018 model years) or Target Charge Level mode (2019-2022 model years). If owners are unable to set their vehicles to the 90% state of charge limitation mode, or if they feel uncomfortable making the change, GM is asking owners to visit a local dealer immediately to have the change made.”
Another safety tip is to charge after every use and to not wait until a battery is almost empty (called deep discharge mode) before charging it again.
What does the latest recall mean for GM’s partnership with LG
This isn’t LG’s only battery issue. Hyundai ran into a problem with LG’s batteries recently, to the tune of roughly $850 million. So what does this mean for the GM and LG duo? They had plans to build a second battery plant in Tennessee, but it’s unclear whether they’ll still go through with this.
Obviously the latest Chevy Bolt recall isn’t good news for anyone. GM is facing a major loss, LG is losing credibility, and Bolt drivers are probably pretty nervous. Hopefully this whole thing can be remedied quickly and safely, before someone gets hurt.
A consumer visiting any used car dealer website sees that just about every car’s price almost hits the moon. The market’s genesis was before the chip shortage when auto companies were suffering poor sales due to Coronavirus. No one was buying, so the automakers decided they weren’t going to order any more semiconductors. Now that the chip shortage is steaming ahead, carmakers are at the back of the line.
Consumers looking to buy a car are setting their sights on the used market, which jacks up the prices. Because demand is so high, dealerships aren’t likely to negotiate. It’s a vicious pickle to be stuck in the middle of as a consumer, but thankfully there are a few ways to get around the prices.
Look for cars not selling
Fresh Auto Car Dealership | Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images
Dealership websites show when they posted each car. The more amount of time a car’s been up for sale, the more likely the dealership will offer a deal. It’s an old technique for buying a used auto but apparently can still make headway today. Dealerships are interested in turnover, so when a car’s been sitting on the lot for an extended period of time, it’s taking the place of another car the dealership could potentially get its hands on. While this is less effective today, the dealership may bend on the price if the car has been sitting for 30-60 days.
A good credit score can help with the loan
A businessman holds his smartphone showing a graph with the credit score | Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Auto buying isn’t always as simple as handing over some cash and receiving a title. Unfortunately buying a vehicle sometimes requires a loan, and with that comes an interest rate. An ideal credit score, which lands somewhere between 750-850, will net the best terms for an auto loan. A good credit score can help secure a low-interest rate, thus saving money down the road.
It’s a seller’s market
Used cars sit on the sales lot at Frank Bent’s Wholesale Motors | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
All of this shakeup means it’s a seller’s market. Dealerships are offering money for their previous customers’ cars, which means they’re hard-up for inventory. In the current climate, a consumer has a good chance of getting more money for their car, than they would under normal circumstances. When auto inventories are back on track and prices have leveled, a consumer may not be able to get as much money.
Be flexible with time and choices
Used cars sit on the sales lot at Autometrics Quality Used Cars | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
This surge in market prices will calm down eventually, so until then anyone who already has a car can sit comfortably and wait. For those who don’t have a car, it’s important to be flexible. If looking for a sports car, consider one a few years older, or a brand that’s not in high demand. While looking for a sedan like a Honda Civic, consider something less popular like a Hyundai Elantra. If the consumer absolutely cannot wait, then compromises must be made.
Remember, this chip shortage will probably end within the next 18 months, according to Time. With this in mind, and in this market, the best way to save money on a car purchase is abstinence. But if it cannot wait, then improve that credit score, and save for a bigger down payment, and make compromises.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/car-dealership-1200x729-1.jpg7291200Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-08-25 14:00:002021-08-25 14:26:41This is How Consumers Beat High Vehicle Prices
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line ($31,555-$50,725)
Awards: Family Car of the Year by Cars.com
Pros: It offers up tremendous size and tech for a resonable sum
Cons: The V6 isn’t much of an upgrade over the base 2.0-liter engine
If you’re looking for a three-row SUV to drive a large family around, you’ve got more options today than ever before. As a result, these SUVs need to bring more to the table than just a cheap price tag if they want to stand out. To aid in this effort, Volkswagen has doubled down on the largest vehicle it currently sells in the U.S., the Atlas. Aside from offering an ample amount of space, you can have plenty of tech and safety features without breaking the bank.
The specific model I’ve been driving over the last week is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line. As its lengthy name suggests, this SUV boasts the sporty R-Line pack, which gives us improved aesthetics as well as a larger V6 engine under its hood. Since this version has all the bells and whistles, it has a $51,715 as-tested price to match.
How large is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6?
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
If size is what you’re after, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 has tons of it. Coming in at 198 in long, 78 in wide, and 70 in high, it is one of the largest contenders in its segment, beating out the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and the Toyota Highlander. As a result, the Atlas falls right in between a mid-size and a full-size SUV. Regardless, its enormous proportions give it tons of presence on the road. Couple that with a curb weight of over 4,600-lb, and you’ve got a daily driver that looks big and bulky because it is.
From a styling perspective, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 has come a long way since its pre-facelift model. For starters, the front end left behind its boxy beginnings in favor of a sleeker front grille, headlights, and bumper. Keep in mind that my tester featured the R-Line pack, which gets you redesigned bumpers, exterior trim, and excellent 21-inch wheels. The rest of the bodywork is the same across all trim levels, meaning that you’ll get those sporty flared wheel arches regardless of how much you spend.
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offers up three rows and a footprint to match
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
While having a large SUV is great from an aesthetics perspective, the real benefit becomes apparent once you step inside the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6. In total, you’re getting 20.6 cu ft of cargo space behind the third row, 55.5 cu ft with the third row folded down, and 96.8 cu ft with all of the seats laying flat. For a bit of context, this is more space than you get in a Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, and the Toyota Highlander. The added benefit here is that you can get this level of space in the entry-level Atlas as well, no need to upgrade for that.
However, you will need to upgrade for items such as the upgraded audio, leather seats with heating and cooling, and the three-spoke R-Line steering wheel. For the most part, the interior layout makes sense, is easy to operate, and looks decently sharp. However, there is no denying the abundance of the plastic trim in this cabin. While the layout is nice, nothing inside of the Atlas screams high-quality. While these plastics are fin in the entry-level trim, they’re a bit harder to swallow at $51,000.
What standard tech does the Atlas offer?
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
When sitting inside of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6, the first thing you’ll notice is VW’s Digital Cockpit. While you can certainly have the Atlas with traditional analog gauges, I wouldn’t if your budget allows. That’s because this digital instrument cluster is excellent. Not only is it highly configurable, but it also displays all of its information on a crisp screen with dynamic colors. Aside from being a very luxury-oriented feature, it modernizes the Atlas’ cabin.
In the center of the dash, you’ll find a standard eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Additionally, you get a wireless charger for your phone in this SEL Premium trim. The Fender audio system is also an optional extra and works well, especially considering how much area it needs to cover in the interior.
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 is surprisingly light on its feet
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
Given how large and heavy the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line is, you would expect it to be a bit of a slouch in the corners. While it isn’t a GTI by any means, the Atlas manages to be surprisingly light on its feet. For starters, its steering is completely numb, not communicating any sensations from the road. However, the benefit is that the steering itself is very light, making this large SUV quite maneuverable.
If you throw the Atlas into a corner at speed, there is surprisingly little body roll to report. Additionally, it seems eager to change direction without much drama or understeer. All in all, the Atlas lacks the sloppy and lazy driving dynamics some of its competitors suffer from. If you’re wondering why it’s likely because this Atlas shares its architecture with smaller sporty models such as the GTI, albeit scaled up.
Despite this agility, the Atlas’ suspension remained quite refined during normal driving scenarios, offering a reasonable amount of comfort. However, the main drawback comes in wind and road noise, both of which were painfully present during my time with the Atlas.
How much power does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 have?
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
As its name suggests, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 I’ve been testing features the largest engine option available. It’s a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that pushes out 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. My tester also came equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is an upgrade over the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, which pushes out 235 hp and 258 lb-ft.
If I had to point out the most underwhelming part of the Atlas, it would have to be its engine. It’s not that it’s rough, underpowered, or loud. Instead, it’s that I don’t feel it is a massive upgrade over the base four-cylinder engine. Look at the torque figures listed above, and you’ll notice that they’re quite close. However, the V6 develops its peak torque figure at 2,750 rpm, far later than the four-cylinder at 1,600 rpm. As a result, the smaller engine feels just as punchy around town.
Despite feeling relatively similar, the smaller engine offers up greater fuel efficiency, at 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, than the V6’s 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway figures.
There’s plenty of standard safety tech onboard
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
If you’re looking at a base 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, you’re not missing out in terms of standard tech. That’s because you get a forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, bling-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. If you want more safety tech, you can option lane-keeping assist, dynamic road sign display, high beam control, and a parking steering assistant. As a result, you can option the Atlas to meet your daily driving needs precisely.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 expensive to maintain?
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
According to a study conducted by CarEdge, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas won’t break the bank during a 10-year period. That’s because you’ll pay an estimated $7,856 during that time. According to CarEdge, this beats the average by $1,024, meaning you shouldn’t get any expensive surprises during your time with the Atlas. In total, CarEdge estimates that there is a 22.80 percent change the Atlas will need a major repair during its first 10 years on the road.
How does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 stack up?
2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line
After spending a week with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium R-Line, it’s easy to appreciate its size, comfort, and tech features. However, my main takeaway is that you don’t need all of the bells and whistles to get the best out of this SUV. That’s because all of its best attributes come standard. As a result, if you’re looking at an Atlas, I’d steer you away from a fully loaded one at $51,715 and more toward a mid-tier trim with the base 2.0-liter engine.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas an expert rating of 7.1 out of 10
The MotorBiscuit editors gave the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Although it’s clearly a Volkswagen, the Atlas sets it apart from the rest with a utilitarian and sporty look. We liked its engaging driving experience and potent V6 engine, however, it could use better fuel economy ratings. Nonetheless, the Atlas serves its purpose well as a three-row family hauler.
Ford has launched two new electric vehicle platforms that are shaking up the automotive industry in a major way. The Ford F-150 Lightning and Ford Mustang Mach-E have shocked consumers. Orders are piling up, and demand is sky-high. Ford is suffering from the global semiconductor chip shortage, yet even more consumers want the Lightning. Here are four reasons why the Ford F-150 Lightning is worth the wait as Ford deals with production issues.
The Ford F-150 Lightning: America’s most shocking pickup truck
Ford shocked the world when it unveiled its first fully electric pickup truck. In the pickup truck’s unveil, the company calls the F-150 Lightning “the smartest, most innovative F-150 we’ve ever built”. The company also called it “the next chapter of Ford F-series”. The Ford F-150 Lightning will carry the blue oval legacy of excellence into the future.
Here is a list of four reasons why the Ford F-150 Lightning is worth the wait:
Onboard power reinvents the modern truck bed.
The frunk is enormous.
The infotainment system is huge.
The Ford F-150 Lightning doubles as a generator
1. Onboard power reinvents the modern truck bed.
Ford F-150 Lightning truck bed | Ford
The Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t the average workhorse. It doesn’t just haul tools. It powers them. The F-150 Lightning XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trims can deliver power to tools and appliances from their frunk and trunk beds.
The Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t the first Ford truck to offer mobile-generator capabilities, but it does it best. It takes onboard power to the next level. The 9.6-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard system can power everything you need, whether you’re in charge of bringing the tools to the worksite or the party to the backyard. Lightning models that offer this package come with 11 different outlets to plug devices, tools, and more into.
2. The frunk is enormous
The Ford F-150 Lightning frunk | Ford
Frunks are usually reserved for high-end sports cars or supercars that store powertrains in the back of vehicles. The Ford F-150 Lightning’s powertrain is below the vehicle, leaving extra space in the frunk. Ford decided to make the F-150 Lightning’s frunk offer 14 feet of storage space.
The frunk is capable of holding 400 pounds. It can produce 2.4 kilowatts of power and has two USB outlets and four outlets. Ford called the Mega Power Frunk “the most useful innovation since the truck bed”. It isn’t entirely necessary, but it’s another unique feature that makes the F-150 Lightning so incredible.
3. The infotainment system is huge
The Ford F-150 Lightning touchscreen infotainment system | Ford
The Ford F-150 Lightning’s infotainment system is an advanced EV infotainment system that is perfectly proportioned for a truck. F-150 Lightning models either include a huge 12-inch display or a gigantic 15.5-inch display. The huge tablet-like infotainment system displays much more than just radio stations and basic settings.
The F-150 Lightning infotainment system is so advanced that it can even display real-time specs related to the vehicle’s battery. It also controls all the vehicle’s many features and modes. Ford took one of the weak points for pickups and made it a competitor so advanced that its infotainment system rivals Teslas.
4.The Ford F-150 Lightning doubles as a generator
Electric vehicles have long been criticized for not holding enough power to be practical. The electric truck subverts the narrative that EVs are weak and proves that Ford EVs are still built Ford tough. They are so Ford tough that they can actually power your home in the event of a power outage.
The Backup Power feature turns the Ford F-150 Lightning’s huge battery pack into a backup generator for your home. This process can all be done through the wall charger. The Backup Power feature is able to provide 9.6 kilowatts of energy, which Ford believes is enough to temporarily power the average home electrical system for up to 10 days if rationed.
The F-150 Lightning is worth getting in line for
The Ford F-150 Lightning | Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
According to Car and Driver, there is a huge demand for the Ford F-150 Lightning. So far, that demand is only projected to increase over time as America patiently waits on the Lightning to hit the streets. Ford is experiencing semiconductor woes along with the rest of the automotive industry.
The Ford F-150 Lighting is ultimately worth waiting on despite unprecedented production issues. It may take some time to arrive but let’s face it, if we really want the Lightning, most of us will wait until Ford is able to open the flood gates. Ford expects to finish production on Lightning models in Spring 2022 but semiconductor chip availability is a huge factor in when the vehicles get finished. With a starting price of $39,999, the Lightning may be too good a deal to pass up, no matter how long it takes to deliver.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ford-F-150-Lightning-1024x552-1.jpg5521024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-08-25 12:45:002021-08-25 12:55:564 Reasons Why the Ford F-150 Lightning Is Worth the Wait
