In this week's news, Mach-E volume beats Mustang, Buick overhauls the Enclave, Fiat is the latest to announce an all-EV timeline, semiconductor shortages strike again, Tesla prices increase, and a new Sportage is coming this week.
Buick revealed a mildly refreshed version of the Enclave for 2022. The three-row large crossover gets a bigger grille and sharp new LED accents lights. The headlights have moved midway down the new bumper. Inside are a new steering wheel and a reworked center console with electric shift. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard as is a driver assistance pack with emergency braking, lane keep warning, blind sport alert, parking sensors and other driver tech features. Avenir models add a new light-coloured interior with quilted seat perforations and Buick says more soft-touch materials have been added inside.
Buick revealed a mildly refreshed version of the Enclave for 2022. The three-row large crossover gets a bigger grille and sharp new LED accents lights. The headlights have moved midway down the new bumper. Inside are a new steering wheel and a reworked center console with electric shift. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard as is a driver assistance pack with emergency braking, lane keep warning, blind sport alert, parking sensors and other driver tech features. Avenir models add a new light-coloured interior with quilted seat perforations and Buick says more soft-touch materials have been added inside.
Ford said last week that this year’s production of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover has surpassed the gas-powered Mustang. Sales in North America still favour the coupe, but the EV is quickly catching up as the automaker scrambles to meet demand. Ford said that US inventory of the gas Mustang is down to 23 days, less than half of usual (due to chip shortages) making it possible the EV could outsell the car later in the year.
Fiat announced last week that the brand was going entirely electric by 2030 and turning their HQ’s rooftop test track into a garden. The efforts to electrify will start from 2025 (the Euro-only 500 is already only an EV). We expect any new products to be crucial for the long-term futures of the brand, as Fiat is currently only selling the 500X compact crossover in Canada at this time.
Jaguar announced that it is dropping the four-pot and V6 versions of the F-Type coupe and convertible for 2022. A new V8 model called P450 joins the party with 444 hp from a detuned version of the 575 hp 5.0-litre supercharged engine in the returning F-Type R. Rear-drive and AWD will be offered and both will offer a Quiet Start feature that fires up the engine with less auditory enthusiasm for early-morning getaways. An R-Dynamic trim will also be offered, and pricing is expected to be lower than the entry point for the previous V6. If it sounds familiar, this model was already part of the lineup in Europe.
Kia will be revealing an all-new Sportage small crossover later this week. So far, the brand has teased the new styling that looks to take inspiration from the EV6 electric model’s Opposites United design language. The teaser also reveals a new interior that has a massive bezel-free screen that wraps across the dashboard in front of the driver.
Nissan has delayed the Ariya electric crossover, the automaker said late last week. The ongoing semiconductor shortage has put a damper on the launch and so instead of mid-year, it’s now set to arrive in the winter for Japan. With that delay, expect sales in Europe and North America to follow by at least two months.
Stellantis Windsor Assembly will close again for two weeks over a lack of semiconductors. The minivan plant had just begun partial shifts last week for the first time since March but will pause Pacifica and Grand Caravan production once again the weeks of June 7 and 14.
Tesla’s Elon Musk announced that the price of the company’s vehicles is increasing once again. Tesla has increased prices around a half-dozen times so far this year with the CEO citing “major supply chain price pressure.” Automakers typically set a price once for the model year (not including promotions and incentives), so this is an unusual move. Tesla also removed lumbar adjustment from the front passenger seat of Model 3 and Y with Musk saying customers weren’t using the feature.
Keyword: Weekly News Roundup: Mach-E Overtakes Mustang, Buick Refreshes, Kia, Nissan, Tesla News, More