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- đź”® The Future of Cars? Hybrids, EV Dominance, and the Death of the V8
đź”® The Future of Cars? Hybrids, EV Dominance, and the Death of the V8
TL;DR
Lexus dropped a hybrid SUV that’s part luxury yacht, part off-road beast—perfect for the apocalypse, if you can afford it. Toyota’s still holding onto gas engines like it's 2005, while BMW and Mercedes are getting wrecked in China by cheaper EVs. GM sold more EVs than gas cars in China for the first time, but BYD is still running the show. Stellantis is drowning in unsold Jeeps, and Jeep fans are sobbing over losing the V8. Finally, Honda’s teasing EV manual transmissions for the purists—because why not?
This Digest
🤿 Lexus LX700h: A Waterproof-Tank with Hybrid Muscle
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Lexus is pushing boundaries with its new LX700h hybrid SUV. This posh, off-road beast merges luxury and ruggedness with serious power, impressive tech, and a waterproof hybrid system that screams, "Bring on the flood."
Horsepower on steroids: The LX700h packs a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 and a parallel hybrid system for a whopping 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque—much higher than its cousin, the Tundra.
Waterproof wonders: Its hybrid system is fortified for water crossings up to 27.5 inches, with a waterproof battery and a special tray for electric components.
Off-road tech: Front, rear, and center differential locks, mud tires, and even air suspension adjustments make this the ultimate luxe off-roader.
Modern touches: A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, fast wireless charging, and external power capabilities up to 2,400 watts make this ride tech-savvy too.
Coming soon: Expect this luxury tank on U.S. roads early next year. No price yet, but it's bound to cost a pretty penny—more than the LX600's $93,915 starting price.
⚡ Toyota’s EV-Only Shift Could Cost Jobs
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Akio Toyoda is sounding the alarm—going all-electric could put millions out of work in Japan. Let's break down the corporate tension here with some wit.
The shift to an EV-only future might leave a lot of Toyota’s engine-focused workers in the dust, according to chairman Akio Toyoda. Despite the green revolution, there’s some reluctance on Team Gasoline.
So, Toyota still loves gasoline?
Yep, Toyoda's like, “EVs are cool and all, but what about all my engine tech people?” He’s advocating for a multi-pathway strategy (a little bit of everything: EVs, hybrids, and good ol' gasoline) so nobody's job gets cut.
Isn’t this a bit... regressive?
Not in Toyoda's mind! With EV sales slowing globally, his cautious approach might just make Toyota the tortoise in this race—and hey, who says the tortoise doesn’t win?
📉 BMW and Mercedes Hit a China Slump
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Luxury icons struggle in China—where demand is drying up faster than a deleted email from Elon Musk.
Third-quarter sales for BMW and Mercedes took a nosedive, especially in China, where local brands are eating their lunch. Let’s just say, it’s not the best time to be selling European luxury.
How bad is it?
Well, BMW’s sales are down 13%, Mercedes dropped 3%, and both took a beating in China. Turns out, people are more into affordable EVs these days than splurging on high-end imports.
But, EVs are the future, right?
Funny you should ask—Mercedes’ EV sales are actually down 31%. BMW’s are up, though, but even that couldn’t save them from the overall decline. Looks like local Chinese brands are pulling ahead with their cheaper options.
🔋 GM’s EVs Pull Ahead in China
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GM just hit a milestone in China—more electric vehicles sold than gas-powered cars for the first time. The shift is real, but they’re still struggling to keep pace with Chinese EV giants.
Turning tides: GM sold more EVs and hybrids than gas cars in China for the first time, with electrified models making up 53% of sales in Q3 2024.
Growth in numbers: Their NEV sales surged 60.7% from last year, totaling over 224,000 units delivered.
The Wuling effect: SAIC-GM-Wuling joint ventures made up 77% of their sales, with their compact EVs leading the charge.
Trouble ahead: Despite EV success, overall sales dropped 21% year-over-year as gas cars continue to lose popularity.
BYD’s dominance: GM’s rivals like BYD are breaking records, selling over 400,000 NEVs in September alone, making it a tough market for anyone else.
🛠Stellantis’ Rocky Road to Recovery
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Stellantis, home to Jeep and Dodge, is having a tough year. They’ve hit the rocks with plummeting sales, angry dealers, and major inventory issues, but new tech might save the day.
Sales slump city
Stellantis’ profits dropped by nearly half in 2024, and its stock price took a nosedive. Dealers in North America are stuck with inventory they can’t move, especially high-priced Jeeps and Rams, and they aren’t happy about it.
Dealer drama
Dealers fired off an open letter, accusing Stellantis of ignoring their warnings and driving the company into trouble. The UAW union isn’t helping either, with threats of strikes looming on the horizon.
Fingers crossed for new tech
Stellantis does have some cool new tech on the way, like flexible platforms that can handle EVs, hybrids, and gas cars. But for now, they’re in survival mode, and the next year is going to be crucial.
🎱 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Bye-Bye V8
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Jeep’s phasing out its beloved V8 engine for the Grand Cherokee L, and not everyone’s happy about it. But with only 4% of buyers opting for the V8, it looks like it’s time to say goodbye.
Less power, more sense
Jeep’s decision to remove the V8 from its lineup might make some fans cry, but it’s hard to justify keeping it when so few customers wanted it. The V6 will have to do, with its 293 hp and 6,200-lb towing capacity.
Looking forward
While the V8 is gone, the future might bring hybrid options to the Grand Cherokee L, following the trend with other models. Jeep’s adapting, but fans of raw power will have to look elsewhere.
🪵 Honda’s Synthetic Stick Shift for EVs
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Honda’s planning something for the purists: a synthetic manual transmission for electric vehicles. Could this be the future of driving, or just a gimmick?
Driving purists, rejoice!
Honda’s synthetic manual promises to bring back the joy of shifting gears in an EV, even if it’s all an illusion. Simulated gear changes? Check. A clutch pedal? Yep. Real mechanical feedback? Not so much.
Toyota did it first
Honda’s not the first to try this out—Toyota had a similar concept—but with more automakers jumping on board, there’s a chance the synthetic stick shift could become a real option in the EV world.
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