January 2021

GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes for electric vehicles



(January 28, 2021) DETROIT — General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International RH Series. Navistar's FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes. Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. The power cubes are compact and easy to package and can be used in a wide range of applications, including marine, earth-moving and mining equipment, locomotives and power generators.

2022 M5 CS sedan — Quickest, most powerful BMW production car ever



(January 28, 2021) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.  — BMW has announced the quickest and most powerful production BMW car ever, the 2022 M5 CS Sedan. Available only for the 2022 model year, the new limited production super sedan builds on the immensely capable M5, itself recently updated for model year 2021, by delivering more power, greater performance, lighter weight and exclusive interior appointments making the new M5 CS truly a one-of-a-kind vehicle in its class.

Mecum answers the January call in Florida — Auction sales top $141 million


1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

(January 27, 2021) WALWORTH, Wis.  — All eyes looked to Mecum Auctions in Florida to carry the torch for the January collector car auction action with hopes that the company would kick off 2021 with positive news and successful sales. Not only did Mecum answer the call, it delivered the message with $141.2 million in sales and an overall sell-through rate of 90% in January. For 10 straight days at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla., Mecum put on a spectacle of automotive entertainment, sending 2,030 collector cars home with new buyers for a whopping 89% sell-through of the total number of cars offered.

Perrymobile was a rationless World War II era alternative car



By Robert D. Cunningham
The Old Motor

(January 26, 2021) For a time in 1944, when World War II gasoline rations were just two gallons per week, many automobile owners drained the precious fluid from their tanks, filled the engine cylinders with oil, and put their cars up on blocks. However, a few fortunate owners of obsolete electric-powered and steam-powered cars pressed their relics back into service. And one clever Los Angeles inventor demonstrated what he claimed was a greatly improved version of the steam-powered motor that any mechanic.

Lighter, faster, further — Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced composites project



(January 27, 2021) WHITLEY, U.K. — Jaguar Land Rover is preparing for future electric vehicles with advanced lightweight composite research that will help deliver increased range, greater performance and a more dynamic drive. The Tucana project is a four year program to make the United Kingdom a world leader in low-carbon technology by accelerating mainstream use of electric vehicles and making vehicles lighter to both decrease tailpipe emissions and reduce energy consumption of electrified powertrains.

Post World War II Plymouth



The Plymouth P15 began production immediately after World War II and was built virtually unchanged from 1946 through 1948, as the low-priced nameplate in the Chrysler Corp. lineup. It was offered in Deluxe and Special Deluxe trim, with manual transmission and an inline 3.6 liter 6 cylinder engine as the only available powertrain.  The P15 Plymouth is a large car by today's standards measuring nearly 197 inches in length with a 117-inch wheelbase. In 1946 a Plymouth DeLuxe sedan sold for $1,124. This example was found in Falkland, N.C.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

BMW Motorrad realigns strategy for product launches



(January 26, 2021) MUNICH — New live and digital formats will increasingly take the place of traditional trade fair appearances at BMW Motorrad in the future. In particular, this means that the traditional commitments at the two leading motor shows EICMA in Milan and Intermot in Cologne, which were previously organized centrally by BMW Motorrad, will no longer apply.



Mitsubishi unveils testing footage of all-new Outlander



(January 26, 2021) TOKYO — Mitsubishi has released a video of the all-new Outlander undergoing final tuning and testing. The all-new Outlander will make its global debut on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. and introduce the company’s latest Super All-Wheel Control system. Coupled with the company’s pioneering all-wheel drive technology, the flagship SUV provides driver confidence and security in all weather and road conditions.

Volvo Safety Sunday returns with $2 million worth of cars on the line



(January 26, 2021) MAHWAH, N.J. — Volvo Car USA is bringing back the popular Volvo Safety Sunday campaign, encouraging fans to root for safety during football’s biggest game — the Super Bowl — and a chance to win their dream car. As part of this year’s Volvo Safety Sunday: A Million More, the Swedish luxury carmaker is doubling down on safety by pledging to give away up to $2 million worth of cars should a safety be scored during the game on Feb. 7.