Short Torque

Startups, old-line automakers aim to take a bite out of Tesla

In a renovated old cash register factory in suburban Detroit, 300 engineers are toiling away on an all-electric pickup truck and an SUV that they hope can take on Tesla. All of them work for Rivian, which on Monday will unveil the two vehicles ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is among a growing line of startups and established automakers looking to enter the fully electric vehicle market. The influx of vehicles that run solely on batteries almost certainly will pull buyers from the current leader, Tesla, which likely is set to deliver over 300,000 vehicles worldwide this year.

Byton brings concept electric SUV to LA Auto Show in the US

The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show kicked off on Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center with Chinese automaker Byton bringing its new concept SUVs to the 10-day event. Over 1,000 vehicles will be on display at the show, including more than 60 debut vehicles from dozens of automakers. The debut vehicles include the 2020 Porsche 911 sports car, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade SUV and the redesigned Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback.

Toyota US chief says car sales are close to bottoming out

Toyota's top US executive says car sales nationwide have nearly bottomed out and his company will keep making them despite a dramatic shift to trucks and SUVs. US CEO Jim Lentz told the Detroit Economic Club Wednesday that car sales fell below 30 percent of sales last month, and he thinks that's close to the bottom. While Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are canceling many car models, Lentz doesn't see that happening with Toyota. Consumers are still buying more than 4 million compact, midsize and near-luxury cars each year, he said. "There's no way I'm going to walk away from that," Lentz said.

Foton Daimler partners with Wellong Etown to upgrade road transport

Sino-German truck maker Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co is partnering with China's logistics company Wellong Etown as part of its efforts to facilitate the upgrade of road transportation in the country, according to a deal signed on Nov 28 in Beijing. The collaboration, which is expected to start in Shangqiu, Henan province, will increase the efficiency of transportation and improve the welfare of truck drivers thanks to Wellong Etown's vast logistics network and its management know-how. Foton Daimler is producing 2,000 tailor-made trucks for the company. Statistics show that China has 15 million trucks, which are tasked with transporting 70 percent of the country's shipments on its roads.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 12/10/2018 page19)