July 2021

Production of BMW fully electric iX begins today



(July 2, 2021) DINGOLFING, Germany —  Standard production of the fully-electric BMW iX began today in Dingolfing. The plant in Lower Bavaria now produces vehicles with all drive train variants, i.e. combustion-engine vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fully-electric models, on a single line. Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production: “The launch of the BMW iX marks another milestone in our expansion of electrification and demonstrates our production network's successful transformation towards electromobility and digitalization.”
 

Fleet of Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell trucks surpass 1 million kilometers



(July 2, 2021) SEOUL — Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility’s fleet of XCIENT fuel cell trucks has collectively exceeded one million kilometers of driving in only 11 months of service in Switzerland. During that time, the fleet has reduced CO2 emissions by over an estimated 630 tons, compared to diesel-powered vehicles. Since hitting Swiss roads last October, the fleet of now 46 hydrogen fuel cell trucks have been able to reach this milestone in the service of 25 Swiss companies in logistics, distribution and supermarket fulfillment.

GMC Hummer EV pickup celebrates Independence Day with ‘Watts to Freedom’



(July 2, 2021) DETROIT — The 2022 GMC Hummer EV combines American ingenuity with revolutionary performance that puts drivers in the middle of every moment. The ultimate expression of that performance will be offered in Hummer EV’s own launch control mode, known as Watts to Freedom. This driver-selectable feature channels the propulsion system’s tremendous power into acceleration bursts including reaching 0-60 mph in approximately 3 seconds.



Mini Vision Urbanaut — The virtual vision becomes a tangible reality



(July 2, 2021) MUNICH, Germany — With the presentation of the Mini Vision Urbanaut virtual vision vehicle in November 2020, the Mini brand revealed an all-new interpretation of mobility through an innovative vision of space. And now the BMW Group is set to unveil a physical model of the vehicle which will allow audiences to engage more extensively with the spatial concept and sustainable materials at work. The model had its world premiere on Thursday at the DLD Summer conference in Munich.



Mustang popularity continued in 1969



1969 was a good year for the popular Ford Mustang — which underwent some major restyling — with nearly 300,000 units sold. It came in coupe, convertible and fastback formats with the base engine a 200 cubic inch six cylinder. The base V-8 was a 302 cubic inch two barrel V-8. Six factory performance V-8 engines were available. This example was found languishing in Utah.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

Porsche introduces Cayenne Turbo GT with 631 horsepower



(July 1, 2021) ATLANTA — Porsche is introducing a new high-performance variant at the top of the Cayenne model range — the new Cayenne Turbo GT combines phenomenal performance with a high degree of utility. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine develops 631 hp, 90 hp more than the Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Torque also increases from 567 to 626 lb-ft. As a result, the Cayenne Turbo GT can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, complete the quarter-mile sprint in 11.6 seconds and achieve a top track speed of 186 mph, making it the quickest, and fastest production Cayenne ever offered by Porsche. 



Ford's Kansas City plant produces one millionth Transit van



(July 1, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo.  ­— Ford and the UAW workers at Kansas City Assembly Plant celebrate producing one million Transit vans in North America since production began in 2014. Ford Transit is America’s best-selling van, and Ford has been the commercial van leader for 42 years. Kansas City Assembly Plant will also produce Ford’s first all-electric van, the E-Transit, coming later this year.