Auto Industry News: Integra Returns, GM & Ford Squabble, Audi Keeps It Weird, NHTSA Eyes Up Tesla and… Vaccines for Vegas??
Lots happening this week for the auto industry. From throwback debuts to vehicles-of-tomorrow, automakers continue to throw anything at the wall with the hopes that even if it doesn’t quite stick, it might just leave a trail of money in its slide. Meanwhile, GM & Ford continue to duke it out over who owns the word “Cruise,” while NHTSA turns up the heat on its investigation into Tesla Autopilot.
And, as news of rising COVID cases continues to dominate headlines, some event organizers are taking strict measures – including mandating vaccines for attendance. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the most recent to make the move, with many wondering if similar restrictions will fall into place for other large Vegas-based conventions on the schedule. Find more details below.
Acura Integra Returning in 2022
Acura announced plans to bring back the Integra in 2022.
The automaker shared the news during Monterey Car Week, noting the Integra will rejoin the Acura lineup as a compact premium car. The iconic nameplate will become an all-new model for 2023, with production slotted for 2022.
Details are sparse but speculation from Car and Driver is that the sporty hatchback will share its underpinnings with the Honda Civic – although with a “perkier” standard powertrain. The publication also places its bets on an available manual transmission and a potential Type S trim. Estimated pricing is around $35k for a base model and $45k for the cushier Type S.
“I’m thrilled to say Integra is returning to the Acura lineup with the same fun-to-drive spirit and DNA of the original, fulfilling our commitment to Precision Crafted Performance in every way – design, performance, and the overall driving experience,” said Jon Ikeda, Vice President and Acura Brand Officer.
Desire for Simpler Times?
It’s way too early to truly know what the response to the 2023 Integra will be. Acura certainly has high expectations, though fans seem to be sharing in Road & Track’s “cautious optimism” response, citing concern that the automaker may “overthink this.”
Indeed, while the Integra plays into the recent cultural obsession with recapturing the ‘90s, we know throwback vibes don’t always translate to a winning formula. It also would not be the first time an automaker over-egged the pudding, so to speak.
Toyota tried uncorking its own brand of nostalgia with the re-release of the Supra. With a legendary reputation, rabid fanbase, and twenty-year hiatus since the last model release, how could they not nail this debut, right?
Right??
Unfortunately, with a BMW Z4 platform, BMW B58 3.0L inline-six under the hood, and noticeably BMW-derivative interior, fans felt they were served, well, a BMW. More specifically, a BMW in a $50,000 Toyota suit that only served to accentuate its non-functioning air-intake vents and goofy nose. The automaker also added insult to injury by opting not to offer a manual transmission.
(What? It’s not like we’re still mad about it or anything…)
Regardless, it’s worth noting that sometimes nostalgia can pay off BIG – as Ford would be only too happy to tell you. The long-awaited Bronco’s continuous delays in production seem to have little effect on its eager customers.
We’re also happy to point out that bringing a few more sportscars into the very crowded SUV market right now can’t hurt. There’s no denying the growing demand for big and burly 4x4s. But the sea of sameness is growing a little stale.
Speaking of Acura …
The automaker also used Monterey Car Week to unveil its limited production 2022 NSX Type S. The high-performance version of another beloved ‘90s revival put more power, more torque, and more acceleration at the top of the to-do list. Under the NSX Type S hood lies Acura’s most powerful production drivetrain ever: an updated version of the supercar’s twin-turbocharged V6 and three-motor hybrid system that produces 600-horsepower and 492 lb.-ft. of torque.
Grumpier Old Men
GM and Ford remain locked in their silly tiff.
Last month, GM said it was suing Ford over its hands-free driving tech named Blue Cruise. GM claims the technology shares a too-similar name to its own hands-free tech, Super Cruise, as well as its autonomous car subsidiary, Cruise. Ford, however, refuses to take the move lying down. Early last week, the automaker said the suit was “without merit,” and announced plans to counter the lawsuit.
And counter it did, asking the US Patent and Trademark Office to rescind both of GM’s ‘Cruise’ and ‘Super Cruise’ trademark registrations. Why? Because Ford feels its Detroit neighbor never should have been granted registration in the first place. In its filing with the Patent Office, Ford said that GM “has nothing more than an aspiration to monopolize the word ‘cruise,’ removing it from common automotive industry nomenclature.”
Ford also argued that “any number of companies” use the term ‘cruise’ in connection with driver-assist technology.
GM is not buying the logic. It contends Super Cruise enjoyed a well-established market presence for nearly five years before Ford swooped in with its new tech. The automaker plans to “vigorously defend” its brands and protect its hard-earned market equity.
TL;DR, this semantic debate is gonna cost millions.
Audi Turns Heads With Another Bizarre Concept
Audi has never been one to shy away from a weird prototype. Remember this recent doozie of a dune buggy on steroids?
Or this terrifying-but-cool possibility from 20 years ago?
The German badge certainly loves to push the envelope, and continues to do so with its recently-unveiled skysphere. (Yes, Audi is also jumping on the confusing lower-case-proper-noun bandwagon.)
The automaker recently revealed the first of three prototypes slotted for the coming months, under the skysphere brand name. The electric, two-door convertible boasts self-driving technology and a unique variable wheelbase that expands by 10 inches from end-to-end.
At the simple push of a button, drivers can alternate between two driving experiences. Sport mode serves up an engaging driving experience, including a 623-hp electric motor and a battery pack that can take you 0-60 in 4.0 seconds, while Grand Touring mode literally creates more legroom by extending the wheelbase. It also activates Level 4 self-driving capability — a still-in-development level of autonomous technology that requires no human interaction.
As Car and Driver points out, “Even the interior transforms, the steering wheel and pedals coming out of the bulkhead as the passenger seat moves rearward and the driver’s portion of the dash comes forward to serve as an instrument panel. Yes, it’s an actual transformer.”
The other two models, the Audi grandsphere and urbansphere are slotted for release next year.
CES 2022 Requires Proof of Vaccination for Attendance
While it’s still summer, plenty of event planners are already looking ahead to the New Year. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) — host of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — made headlines last week with its new attendance requirements. CTA said its annual show in Las Vegas, scheduled for Jan. 5-8, 2022, will require all attendees to be vaccinated. Those unable to attend can tune into a digital event, mirroring most of the in-person happenings. CTA also said it will explore the option of positive antibody tests as a possible alternative requirement for entry, but it has yet to make a final decision.
While CES focuses primarily on exciting new nerdy tech, there is a very real convergence of aftermarket enthusiasm. The 2020 show offered many automotive-related products, like a tri-camera rearview mirror from Aston Martin and an LED-activated sun visor from Bosch, as well as wild new concept cars like the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR. For 2021, GM’s own Mary Barra led the keynote address and rolled out a handful of announcements – including a new logo, an all-electric commercial delivery van (the EV600), and an all-electric Silverado.
Understandably, automotive enthusiasts and industry professionals are wondering if similar restrictions will come down the pipeline for other Vegas-based events. For example, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), SEMA, and RV Dealers Network (RVDA) all have big, buzzy conventions planned over the next six months. While none announced any plans to enforce vaccine proof, all are taking a slightly different approach to safety around in-person gatherings.
How Other Shows Plan to React
NADA scheduled its show for March 11-13, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Right now, the plan is to be in-person, with the possibility of a virtual workshop component. NADA CEO Mike Stanton said he plans to let “data and the expertise of the CDC” drive decisions around mask mandates and other COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, SEMA hits the strip much sooner: Nov. 2-5. By all accounts, the event looks to be proceeding as usual. Last week, the state of Nevada announced it would allow large events organizers to forego mask requirements if they required attendees to show proof of vaccinations. So far, however, SEMA has no plans to do so. A disclaimer on the event’s website does say by visiting the show, attendees “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19” and agree not to hold event organizers or any of its affiliates liable for illness.
Shortly after SEMA, the RV market heats up at the Paris Las Vegas Nov. 8-12, with the annual RVDA Convention/Expo. Similarly, the event schedule looks to be taking place as normal, with organizers saying they will “defer to the venue” regarding any restrictions.
Our best guess moving forward…
The approach likely will vary depending on the state or region of the country, since — let’s face it — every governor has had their own response to fluctuating COVID cases since early last year. On the East Coast, one recent casualty was the New York Auto Show. Initially scheduled for Aug. 20-29, organizers pulled the plug on the show earlier this month after concerns about rising Delta variant cases in the greater NYC metro area, much to the disappointment of attendees who had booked hotel rooms and were coming in from all over the country.
NHTSA Investigating Multiple Tesla Autopilot Crashes
Early last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it was opening crash investigations on Tesla’s autopilot system. The probe comes after 11 different Tesla crashes — all of them involving parked emergency vehicles. The accidents led to 17 injuries and one fatality.
“Most incidents took place after dark and the crash scenes encountered included scene control measures such as first responder vehicle lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board, and road cones,” NHTSA documentation reads. “The involved subject vehicles were all confirmed to have been engaged in either Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control during the approach to the crashes.”
What’s curious is that these crashes aren’t the first instances of Tesla autopilot-related incidences. Still, it’s showing a change in NHTSA’s stance on the matter. In April 2021, two people were killed in Texas involving Tesla’s autopilot system. A handful of fatal accidents occurred leading up to that incident. But, until the latest investigation, the agency hadn’t concluded there was a defect in the autopilot function.
With the latest inquiry, NHTSA’s zeroing in on Tesla’s Model Y, Model X, Model S, and Model 3 cars. If the study moves ahead, more than 760,000 models from these lines face possible recall.
Complicating these investigations is how Tesla’s autopilot is pitched to drivers.
In the Model X owner’s manual, for example, the automaker stresses drivers need to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road — even with Autopilot engaged. So, whether or not the function is deemed faulty will probably also depend on whether the drivers in each case were following Tesla’s manual to the letter.
Even with Tesla’s growing popularity, it’s safe to say things are still a work in progress. The Autopilot investigation is the newest in a string of complaints over the years, so we’re not sure it’ll be the last. The automaker’s faced inquiries because of vehicles catching fire, sudden accelerations, and suspension issues as well.
The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Friday for the next round-up of can’t-miss Competition Corner events!
