Auto Industry News: Toyota and Subaru Make Buzzy Debuts, New York Makes Green Pledge, and Keystone Makes BIG Plans

It’s been a big week for vehicle debuts, with both the Toyota Tundra and Subaru WRX unveiling generational changes. New York jumps on the zero-emissions bandwagon, saying it will ban all gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035. And, in the aftermarket, Keystone Automotive announced its plans to return to Grapevine, Texas, for the 2022 BIG Show. Scroll down for details on that, as well as some SEMA updates.

All that and more in this week’s Auto Industry News.

Meet the All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra

After several months of playing peek-a-boo, Toyota finally pulled the covers off the new Toyota Tundra. Revealed Sunday evening, September 19, in an online debut, the new Tundra shows off a ruggedly fresh exterior and more than a few new bells and whistles. Beauty isn’t only skin deep here, though, because it’s what’s underneath the hood, the sheet metal, and the chassis that should really excite Toyota lovers.

The 2022 Tundra sports an all-new high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame, aluminum-reinforced composite bed, and fully redesigned multi-link rear suspension. The automaker says the developments give the stout new Tundra an impressive maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds and a max payload capacity of 1,940 pounds.

Two powertrains are on the menu. A new, highly efficient twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine produces up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque. When paired with a specially-engineered bell-housing motor system called the i-FORCE MAX, however, drivers enjoy a combined performance output of 437 horsepower and a whopping 583 lb.-ft. of torque. Both configurations will be mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The interior sees an overhaul as well. Toyota turned up the volume on creature comforts, adding an available panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sunshade, heated steering wheel, and more. A host of new tech features are found throughout Tundra as well, such as towing aids, off-road enhancements, an all-new multimedia system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates.

Two different four-door layouts are available, as well as various bed lengths including a 5.5-foot bed, 6.5-foot bed and an 8.1-foot bed.

Subaru Debuts All-New 2022 WRX

Subaru recently unveiled its fifth-gen 2022 WRX. Dubbed by the automaker as a “rally legend for the next generation,” the zippy sport compact boasts a 271-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine, paired to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. For the first time, the WRX rides on the Subaru Global Platform, designed to improve safety and dynamics while also reducing noise and vibration.

Subaru kept comfort and style front of mind with this one, too, outfitting the WRX with Recaro performance front seats for added support and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with a matte-gray finish. There’s a 60/40 split-fold rear seat with 12.5 cubic feet of storage space, so the car can easily take on both passengers and cargo simultaneously. Sadly, fans still won’t see a hatchback style on the WRX – despite clamoring for one since Subaru discontinued it with the 2015 model change, citing “slow sales.”

On the tech end, Subaru outfitted the WRX with a pretty comprehensive modern tool kit. Drivers can feel a little safer with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which monitors traffic movement, pre-collision braking, and lane assist. Passengers, on the other hand, can sit back and enjoy the car’s giant 11.6-inch Subaru STARLINK Multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The manufacturer is going all-in with the rally vibe, complete with an epic video that would make Michael Bay proud. Check it out below.

Are all the bells, whistles, and performance handling enough to impress drivers?

Well, that depends who you ask. Initial reviews seem to take issue with the design language, which seems to bear a bit too strong of a resemblance to the crossover side of the family. The black cladding, hexagonal wheel arch surrounds, “bulky haunches” on the rear fenders, and Crosstrek-Reminiscent orange paint seem to be the features topping the gripes list.

As one disappointed commenter said: “I can’t believe [Subaru] looked at the GTI/Golf R – their only competition in the US – and decided making the car appear as cheap as possible was a good plan. Unpainted black plastic all over the damn car. Wow.”

Twitter wasn’t shy with its dislikes either. (When is it ever?) Though, we have to say the one describing the new WRX as “cosplaying a Civic” did have us chuckling.

Regardless, we’re not here to judge, just observe. And, despite the groaning over exterior styling, WRX lovers still seem intrigued by the new engine and chassis improvements. The changes should afford tighter handling and more immediate – and accurate – changes in direction. The new touchscreen is a welcome site, too, considering the WRX’s interior was lagging on updates. Depending how you feel about modern tech, you’ll either be happy or bummed to learn there are still plenty of analog options on the instrument panel.

No word on pricing yet, but the new WRX should hit dealerships in early 2022.

NY Bans Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales by 2035

Up until now, California probably had the most aggressive auto emissions reduction plan and regulatory rules. Now, it looks like New York is stepping up to the plate.

In fact, the Empire state used measures like California’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule as a template for its new efforts. Just after Labor Day weekend, as part of Climate Week 2021, newly instated Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to reduce emissions and air pollution from the transportation sector. Hochul signed a bill into law that sets a goal for all new passenger cars and trucks sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035.

Alongside the legislation is a proposed additional regulation on truck pollution, which intends to accelerate zero-emission truck sales. Governor Hochul believes the addendum will improve the state’s air quality, especially in places heavily affected by transportation-related pollution. Overall, the goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

Even with the backing of the Governor, New York’s got quite a bit of work cut out for itself.

As of 2020, less than 1% of registered vehicles in the state were electric vehicles. Like the rest of the country, challenges range from convincing motorists to trade out their ICE engines to building necessary EV infrastructure. Indeed, installing charging stations in strategic places – like along the state’s major highways – will be key to adoption. (Anyone who’s ever made the nearly 370-mile drive from Lower Manhattan to Buffalo knows that severe range anxiety would certainly be a concern when driving on a single-charge EV battery.)

Installing charging stations in places like Westchester County or further upstate into places like the Hudson Valley probably won’t be that challenging. While they’re densely populated areas, squeezing in a charging station in the parking lot of a supermarket or a large box store wouldn’t be a tough sell.

Further upstate, there’s still plenty of room to spread out. But trying to find areas to install charging stations in an already crowded places like Manhattan or Brooklyn? Well, that could pose significant logistical headaches. It’s also worth noting that the Big Apple’s infrastructure has already been taxed by major weather events. The state revealed a glaring need for updates in its other eco-conscious transit modes like the subway and elevated trains.

Plus, the ongoing chip shortage could spell trouble for a larger state with a massive metropolitan population suddenly looking to ramp up its EV ownership. Some projections are estimating the chip deficit will drag on well into next year.

Reaction seems to be across the spectrum.

Online responses concern everything from the lack of a solid power infrastructure to the toxicity of EV batteries to to the performance of EVs in Manhattan gridlock. Some people feel the mandate is too aggressive, while others argue 2035 will be too late.

One online commenter brings up an interesting point about out-of-state competition too, joking: “In other breaking news, car dealers in New Jersey could be heard cheering from across the GW bridge.”

Jokes aside, it does raise an interesting point. In the Northeast, where state borders crisscross, and many major cities are as little as 30 minutes apart, there’s a very real chance of those uninterested in making the switch looking elsewhere to buy their gas-powered rides. That means, the state will probably resort to drafting up a new use tax, to charge residents for bringing in a car from out-of-state. These fees would be in addition to sales taxes. While the strategy is already used in California, something tells us New Yorkers might be a little more vocal about their feelings regarding more taxes…

The plan could be a particularly tough sell for those outside larger metro areas since, as Engadget reports, the law also calls for off–road vehicles and equipment to be emissions-free by 2035. Currently, the Governor’s instructing multiple state agencies to draw up a strategy for the changeover by the end of 2022.

On the other side of the world, China is having the opposite problem.

Last week, China’s Industry and Information Technology Minister Xiao Yaqing said the country is maxed out on EV manufacturers. The government is urging automakers to consolidate. In fact, Reuters quoted the Minister as saying the country had “too many” EVs. The country saw some heavy growth in the EV category recently, with automakers like Nio Inc, Xpeng Inc, and BYD Co Ltd churning out electric rides to meet the country’s pollution reduction goals. The current microchip shortage seems to be the driving motivator behind pressing the pause button.

Keystone Plans for 2022 BIG Show

While the pandemic keeps throwing up hurdles, organizers are moving forward with some of the year’s biggest shows.

Keystone Automotive Operations recently announced its plans to return to Grapevine, Texas, for the 2022 BIG Show. The show takes place at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on March 25-26, 2022, and features a virtual event shortly after, running April 4-9. The 2022 show marks Keystone’s second time out in the hybrid format, as it hosted the 2021 BIG Show with a similar setup, part in-person and part virtual.

The Keystone BIG Show brings the top suppliers and manufacturers in the specialty automotive parts and accessories industry together in one place for the best trade show, outside SEMA. Head over here for more information: https://www.keystonebigshow.com/

Multiple organizations groups in the aftermarket world are determined to resuming in-person shows, but how vendors respond looks like it will continue to vary. For example, BOSS Audio Systems and Kicker announced last week their decision to cancel appearances at SEMA. They cited COVID-19 and concerns for the health and safety of staff as reasoning.

Meanwhile, big dogs like the New York International Auto Show completely pulled the plug just weeks before kicking off their own show. NYIAS cited a combination of concerns over the delta variant and logistical difficulties stemming from New York City’s COVID restrictions. Detroit is trying its hand at “reimagination” for its own buzzy auto show. The usual North American International Auto Show will be minimized and pushed outside, moving from the TCF Center to the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. The new event is called Motor Bella and starts tomorrow, September 21, 2021.

Industry Mulls Biden’s Vaccine Mandate

Speaking of restrictions and protocols, President Biden’s new vaccine mandate for employers is a new challenge for the auto industry. In his Sept. 9 address, the President introduced a new rule, mandating employers with more than 100 workers to require vaccinations or weekly negative tests.

The legislation drew mixed reactions from employers in the auto industry. Some, like Ford Motor Co., said it’s encouraging all eligible employees to get the shot,. A statement on GM’s website is a little more open-ended, saying it encourages employees to get vaccinated “as soon as the vaccine becomes available to them based on CDC and state guidelines.” The automaker did recently say it was requiring all salaried employees to disclose their vaccination status.

Toyota issued a similarly non-committal statement saying it is “supportive of following the recommendations of the CDC and other health experts.”

UAW president Ray Curry, however, has taken some umbrage with the idea.

In a recent interview with Wards Auto, Curry said the UAW’s overall policy has been “to respect members’ right to privacy and their concerns about individual medical conditions as well as religious beliefs.”

Interestingly, none of the union’s current contracts with its 700 employers requires vaccination for other diseases like polio.

In short, Curry’s statements indicate he encourages workers to get the vaccinate, but he believes a mandate infringes on personal rights. More recently, Curry said the UAW will require employers including the Big 3 to negotiate the COVID vaccination mandate with the government. Curry told Wards Auto that even contract changes such as increasing health insurance co-pays and deductibles for unvaccinated employees – a measure recently announced by Delta Airlines – would require changes to collective bargaining agreements.

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 tune in Friday for the next round of Competition Corner. From off-road to drag strip, we collected a long list of can’t miss events for October.