Aurelia Butler

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    in Motor News

    Volkswagen's Killing Its Touch-Sensitive Steering-Wheel Controls. Goodbye and Good Riddance

    Volkswagen is replacing its touch-sensitive (haptic) steering-wheel control panel in favor of more user-friendly physical buttons. The news comes via LinkedIn post from CEO Thomas Schäfer who said the switch is happening following customer feedback and requests to revert to the old format. We reached out to Volkswagen and are waiting to find out which car is getting the new steering-wheel controls first, and when customers can expect the change.Volkswagen is listening to its customers’ complaints and, more important (we’re kidding), to ours, about haptic controls. Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, took to Linked In to make the announcement last week. “We are sharpening our portfolio and our design, plus creating a new simplicity in operating our vehicles,” said Schäfer. “For example, we are bringing back the push-button steering wheel! That’s what customers want from VW.” Finally. Something as small as steering-wheel controls may seem mundane, but the return to physical wheel controls is very welcome. We’ve long complained about ease-of-use issues with the haptic system. Case in point, editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga wrote in his review of the 2022 GTI about accidentally activating the heated steering wheel: “Start hustling the car and you’ll find your hands sweating, not because of the work, but because your palm accidentally switched on the heated steering wheel.” Ideally, reverting to physical buttons will allow spirited driving sans petri dish hands. Related StoriesAs of now, the $25,000 Taos is the only vehicle in Volkswagen’s North American lineup with physical buttons on the steering wheel. We have asked VW when customers should expect to start seeing physical buttons on the steering wheel again, and on which cars. We’ll let you know when we find out.Now if only Volkswagen will do something about the lack of volume knob and real climate controls . . . This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    in Bike

    Mahindra Electric Scooter Spied Testing – Next To Ather 450X

    While it couldn’t gain traction in ICE two-wheeler segment, the EV space presents entirely new possibilities for MahindraMahindra Electric Scooter SpiedA lot has been happening in electric two-wheeler segment, characterized by new product launches, booming sales and plethora of brands to choose from. Recently, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp marked its entry in this space with Vida electric scooter. Next on the list could be Mahindra that could start its innings with Peugeot Kisbee electric scooter.In international markets such as Europe, Peugeot Kisbee is a 50cc petrol powered scooter. Peugeot offers various other 50cc scooters in Europe such as Django, Tweet, Speedfight and Streetzone. In India, both the ICE version and electric version of Kisbee have been spotted on road tests. Peugeot could be working on a strategy similar to Suzuki that is expected to launch an electric scooter based on its popular Burgman Street 125cc scooter.Mahindra Electric Scooter SpiedCurrently, Peugeot does not sell an EV version of Kisbee in international markets. In EV space, Peugeot only has E-Ludix electric scooter. ICE-based Kisbee is powered by a 49.9 cc motor that generates 3.53 hp of peak power at 7,700 rpm and 3.2 Nm of max torque at 7,300 rpm. In Indian context, both petrol powered Kisbee and Kisbee electric scooter will have a unique value proposition.Peugeot Kisbee electric scooter was seen alongside Bounce Infinity E1 and Ather 450X. This is part of a benchmarking exercise. It is likely that Kisbee electric scooter is being assessed against one of the most affordable and one of the premium electric scooters in the country.Mahindra Electric Scooter SpiedIn terms of performance, Mahindra Electric Scooter Spied Kisbee EV is likely to have capabilities similar to Bounce Infinity E1. As Peugeot Kisbee is likely to be positioned as a premium offering, it could have hi-tech features similar to that of Ather 450X.As Peugeot already has E-Ludix in international markets, some of its features and hardware could be used for Kisbee electric scooter. E-Ludix has a 1.6 kWh, 48V lithium-ion removable battery pack. Range is 42 km and top speed is 45 kmph. The scooter has tubular steel chassis, mounted on a telescopic front fork and hydraulic rear shock absorber. Both ends have 14-inch wheels. The scooter is offered with front disc and rear drum brakes.Mahindra-Peugeot connectIt is to note that Mahindra had acquired a controlling 51% stake in Peugeot Motorcycles in January 2015. The deal was valued at 28 million Euros. As part of that engagement, Peugeot was working on some concepts based on Mahindra Mojo 300’s engines. These were showcased at 2019 EICMA. It is likely that further progress on these projects was halted due to the pandemic.Mahindra Scooter Spied testing with Ather 450XWith fuel prices at an all-time high, both ICE-based Kisbee and its EV version could get the customers’ attention. If Mahindra can arrive at a competitive price point, there’s likely to be significant demand for both ICE-based Kisbee and its EV version. These could be sold via existing Mojo dealerships or entirely new outlets could be opened.Image Source More

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    in Motor News

    Catalytic Converter, Are You There? 'Virtual Lift' Camera Can Check

    ACV, an auto-auction specialist, has been selling its Virtual Lift tools for three years, but a new update fits well with our pandemic times.Machine learning updates in the Virtual Lift software make it possible to automatically spot missing catalytic converters, which have been a popular target for thieves for the past few years.Compared to 2019, catalytic converter thefts were up fourfold in 2020 and 13 times higher in 2021.Anyone worried about buying a used car that’s had its catalytic converter stolen might have started checking out listings with pictures taken from under the car. One provider of simplified undercarriage images is the Virtual Lift hardware and software package from ACV, which just updated the machine learning software so that it can confirm if catalytic converters are where they’re supposed to be.To use Virtual Lift, someone drives a vehicle over a small piece of proprietary hardware, which then generates a high-resolution, full-length image of the underside of the car. New detection algorithms in the software now check the image for the converters, and ACV claims the system has “extremely high accuracy.” The idea for car dealers is they can quickly drive a car they’re thinking of buying over the Virtual Lift and confirm they’ll be getting a complete car, not one that needs an expensive component replaced. The More You KnowWhen Virtual Lift was introduced three years ago, before the pandemic, catalytic converters were not even mentioned in the announcement. At the time, the benefits of Virtual Lift were more general, offering “high-resolution undercarriage reconstructions” that took less than a minute to capture. ACV said dealers and car sellers who used Virtual Lift would benefit from this kind of transparency, offering the digital reconstruction to be uploaded using the ACV app and then provided to potential buyers.ACV’s Virtual Lift technology is not new. ACV first introduced the undercarriage photography tool in 2019 but has been promoting Virtual Lift during the pandemic as a way for car shoppers to make sure they’re buying a car with a catalytic converter. It’s been a real worry these past few years. Converter thefts per month were four times higher in 2020 compared to 2019, according to a March 2021 study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). And the trend continued into 2021, according to the latest data, when catalytic converter thefts were 13 times higher than in 2019. The State Farm insurance company said it saw a 293 percent increase in catalytic converter theft in the year that ended June 30, 2021, compared to the 12-month period that ended a year earlier. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    Where to Get Legal Weed in Florida? Soon, at Your Local Circle K Gas Station

    Cannabis company Green Thumb Industries has partnered with Circle K to test out marijuana pop-up shops in a small number of gas stations in Florida next year.Only medical marijuana users will be able to purchase the weed, given the state’s current rules. More than 700,000 people in Florida have a medical marijuana license.The benefit of buying your medicine at the gas station is the same as why you might buy snacks there: convenience, said Green Thumb’s CEO.Legalization things are afoot at the Circle K. Starting sometime in 2023, a small number of Circle K gas stations in Florida—around 10 of them, to be precise—will partner with legal cannabis retailer Green Thumb Industries on in-store weed products. No need to meet a guy around back after the store is closed.Florida ManIn states where cannabis sales are legal, sales often have to be conducted in standalone, regulated shops. The new Rise Express stores that Green Thumb will open in some gas stations will be like a smaller version of these storefronts, offering flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and vapes. Only customers with a medical card will be able to buy marijuana at these Circle Ks because Florida currently only allows medical marijuana, not recreational. that some local jurisdictions in Florida have decriminalized weed and reduced the penalties for people found to have small amounts of the drug, under 20 grams. More than 700,000 people in Florida are active medical marijuana cardholders.”The new Rise Express model [makes] it easier and more efficient for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their everyday routine when stopping by their local convenience store,” he said. High Times notesGreen Thumb currently operates a small number of retail stores and said that it could expand the number of its Rise Express dispensaries since Circle K runs around 600 stores in Florida. The weed will be grown at Green Thumb’s cultivation facility in Ocala, which will be operational by the end of this year. Green Thumb has been selling weed in Florida since 2018 and has an existing cultivation and processing facility in Homestead. Green Thumb CEO Ben Kovler said in a statement that the main benefit of selling weed at Circle K gas stations is simply convenience. Circle K has more than 7000 stores in 47 states in the U.S., including many in places where marijuana is legal.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    in Electric Cars

    Mahindra Electric Pickup Truck Render – Based On New Design Language

    The new family of Mahindra electric vehicles are based on a modular architecture and is estimated to have a driving range of over 400 kmsMahindra Electric Pickup Truck RenderBetween clearing up huge order backlogs of XUV700, ensuring the newly launched Scorpio N gets off on its feet smoothly, and tackling the chip shortage, Mahindra has its plate pretty much full. However, hectic day-to-day affairs doesn’t deter a big company from actively working on defining its future strategy.The Indian UV specialist took a step into a new era when they unveiled 5 new electric vehicles earlier this year. While Mahindra has been dabbling with EVs for several years now, the 5 new products could be considered as the first serious attempt to make a dent in the fast growing global EV segment.New Mahindra Electric Pickup Truck RenderThese five new Mahindra electric cars usher in the brand’s future design identity which is being redefined under the new leadership of Pratap Bose. The vehicles are designed by Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) and have global aspirations.Though none of them are electric pickups, Rushlane’s design specialist Pratyush Rout has created a digital render based on the same design language. If it ever enters production, the vehicle will be made in India and eventually be sold in the domestic market, the primary target market will be North America where electric pickup trucks are gaining traction briskly.Mahindra Electric Pickup Truck RenderThe confident-looking Mahindra electric pickup seems like it has got what it takes to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the popular medium-sized pickups in the USA. Mahindra has finally decided to ditch the contentious Jeep-derived seven-slot grille design as it seeks to establish authenticity. Moreover, being EVs, the future Mahindras don’t really need a large air-intake area at the front.New design languageThe prominent LED lighting signature, new ‘M’ badge, high ground clearance, off-road tyres and a traditional double-cab profile render the truck an appealing road presence. Interiors and specifications will likely be similar to the new age Mahindra BEVs..These new Mahindra electric cars are likely to take advantage of the company’s recent partnership with Volkswagen which allows usage of certain critical components from the German carmaker’s MEB electric platform. This move will keep the development costs low and lead time short, giving Mahindra a competitive edge over rivals like Rivian R1T.The electric SUVs are currently being developed by Mahindra. Of the five, it is the Mahindra XUV700 Electric which is expected to be launched first. These five new Mahindra electric SUVs are expected to make their India debut at the 2023 Auto Expo in Jan next year. More

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    in Bike

    350cc Motorcycle Sales Sep 2022 – Classic, Hunter, Meteor, CB350

    350cc motorcycles sales stood at 72,438 units and gained 181.76% YoY over 25,709 units sold in September 2021Image – Auto Moto Show350cc space is largely crowded with modern-retro and classic motorcycles in India. Not that it is a bad thing. Classic bikes are to die for. There is one brand that absolutely dominates this space. That brand is Royal Enfield and out of the 7 on this list, 5 are from Royal Enfield stables.The most surprising development in 350cc space in September 2022 is the short-lived popularity of Meteor 350. When August 2022 sales were analysed, Hunter was neck-and-neck with Classic with just 796 units short to claim the top spot. Last month, Classic 350 clawed back precious market share and pulled far ahead of Hunter with an astounding 10,453 units lead.350cc Motorcycles Sales September 2022Funny how two almost identical motorcycles split opinion, huh? That’s due to the fettling and fine-tuning that Royal Enfield has done to change the characteristics of practically similar bikes. Classic 350 takes the throne with 27,571 units sold last month and doubled its sales YoY over the same time period last year. Volume growth stood at 13,820 units YoY and 8,578 units MoM.Classic 350 had 38.06% of the 350cc segment last month, up from 30.64% a month before. With 17,118 units sold, Hunter 350 witnessed a drop in sales of 5.93% MoM over 18,197 units sold in August 2022 with volume loss standing at 1,079 units. Hunter’s market share dropped to 23.63% from 29.36% a month before.350cc Motorcycles Sales September 2022In 3rd place we have Meteor 350 which managed to appeal to 10,840 buyers last month over 6,184 buyers in the same time a year ago. Meteor 350 registered 75.29% YoY with a volume gain of 4,656 units YoY. After Meteor, we have the OG Bullet which stands tall even in 2022. With a new generation on the horizon, Royal Enfield will breathe new life into the aging Bullet 350. Test mules are spotted multiple times and a launch is imminent. With 8,755 sold, Bullet has stood the test of time and proven its mettle.It registered 315% YoY growth over 2,107 units sold in September 2021 and 14.93% MoM growth over 7,618 units sold in August 2022. Volume gain stood at 6,648 units YoY and 1,137 units MoM. Even today, Bullet commands a 12.09% market share, which is slightly down from 12.29% a month before.Honda CB350 Shows Positive GrowthLast Royal Enfield product on this list is Electra 350 which managed to push out 4,174 units. It registered 521.13% YoY growth and a mere 1.71% MoM growth. Volume growth stood at 3,502 units YoY and 70 units MoM. Honda CB 350 managed to sell 3,980 units and registered 32.89% YoY growth and 7.16% MoM growth. Volume gain stood at 985 units YoY and 266 units MoM.Classic Legends (Jawa & Yezdi) set off as arch-rival for Royal Enfield, but have not managed to pull off sales close to the latter’s magnitude. With 2,813 units sold, the company registered 17.21% YoY growth and a 10.95% drop in sales MoM. In total, 350cc motorcycles segment sold 72,438 units and gained 181.76% YoY over 25,709 units sold in September 2021 and 16.86% MoM over 61,988 units sold in August 2022. Volume gain stood at 46,729 units YoY and 10,450 units MoM. More

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    2023 Kia Niro EV Still Starts at $40K but Loses $7500 Federal Tax Credit

    The second-generation 2023 Kia Niro EV has a base price of $40,745, which is only $360 more than its predecessor.Unlike the first generation, the new electric Niro isn’t eligible for the $7500 federal EV tax credit due to new government legislation.Joining the base-level Wind trim is a $45,745 Wave model; both go on sale this month and will be sold in all 50 states.With a starting price of $40,745, the redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV is just $360 more expensive than the outgoing model. That’s the good news. The bad news is the electric Niro is no longer eligible for the $7500 EV tax credit from the U.S. government. The Niro EV lost its rebate as a result of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which makes any EVs built outside of North America ineligible for federal tax credits. This means that other electric vehicles that Kia assembles overseas, such as the new EV6, also are not eligible. The same goes for other automakers, too.Along with the entry-level Wind, the Niro EV lineup includes the fancier Wave model that has a starting price of $45,745. Regardless of the trim level, every version has a 201-hp electric motor that powers the front wheels. Its one-size-fits-all battery pack has an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles, and we saw 210 miles on our 75-mph highway range test.More on the Niro EVThe 2023 Niro EV is scheduled to reach U.S. dealerships sometime this month. Unlike the first generation, the new electric will be sold in all 50 states.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    TVS Motor Prices Oct 2022 – Apache, Jupiter, Raider, NTORQ, Ronin

    TVS October price hike doesn’t apply to any of its 180cc+ motorcycles and its electric scooter, iQubeTVS ApacheThe Chennai-based 2W and 3W manufacturer has registered solid growth when it comes to domestic sales. But with increase in raw material costs, price increase has been inevitable. In October, the company hiked the prices that affect both scooters and motorcycles, except for a handful of products.This is unlike the minor price hike that a few Yamaha motorcycles recently got. TVS Sport Kick Start model saw a price hike of 3,920 and Electric Start model got a price hike of 1,600. Sport is TVS’ least expensive product. Star City Plus saw an even heftier hike of 4,785 for Drum variant and 4,145 for Disc variant. Sport model now starts from 64,040 and Star City Plus from 74,990.TVS Price Hike Oct 2022 – MotorcyclesRadeon is another strong contender in 110cc space. Base model doesn’t get any hike. Digi Drum and Digi Disc variant prices got hiked by 2,448 and 3,448 respectively. Radeon prices still start from 59,925. Raider 125 Drum variant price is hiked by 1,400 and Disc variant by 4,400. TVS Raider 125 recently got a 5” cluster with Smart Xonnect Bluetooth system that is priced at 99,990.Apache RTR 160 2V saw a price hike of 6,050 and 6,550 for Drum and Disc variants. Recently added Bluetooth variant is priced at 1,24,590. RTR 160 4V prices now start from 1,21,790 which used to start from 1,19,378. Price hike for Drum variant is 2,412, Disc variant is 3,805, BT variant is 4,389 and Special Edition variant is 4,515.TVS Motorcycle Prices Oct 2022From this point on, we step into TVS’ higher end of motorcycle spectrum. Surprisingly, TVS hasn’t fettled with the prices of any of these motorcycles. Apache RTR 180 was recently updated and is priced at 1,30,590 since launch. Apache RTR 200 4V prices start from 1,39,690 and are carried over as is.TVS’ cross-genre product Ronin prices started from Rs. 1,49,000 and are carried over as is along with Apache RR 310 prices which start from Rs. 2,65,000. Highest price hike among motorcycles is for Apache RTR 160 2V Disc variant which stood at 6,550 and accounted for 5.71% increment.TVS Price Hike Oct 2022 – ScootersStarting with Scooty Pep Plus, Gloss variant received a 2,950 hike, Pink variant received a 4,850 hike and Matte variant saw a hike of 2,950. In effect, Scooty Pep Plus prices now start from Rs. 63,284 over 60,334 before the price hike. TVS Zest has Gloss and Matte variants and both of them got a price hike of 4,620. Zest prices now start from 71,636.TVS Scooter Prices Oct 2022TVS Jupiter recently saw solid growth in sales. Jupiter 110 prices now start from 69,990. Price hike for Sheet metal Wheel is 1,419, STD variant is 2,100, ZX variant is 2,900, ZX Disc is 3,100 and Smart Xonnect is 2,900. Jupiter 125 saw a steeper price hike of 4,650 for Drum, 4,750 for Alloy, and 4,550 for Disc variants. Jupiter 125 range now starts from 82,825.TVS’ sporty NTORQ saw relatively less price hike. Drum variant saw 2,850, Alloy variant saw 4,750, Disc variant saw 2,850, Race Edition saw 3,300, Super Squad Edition saw 2,850, Race XP saw 2,850 and lastly, XT variant saw a price hike of 2,900. NTORQ prices now start from 79,956 over 77,106 before price hike. In contrast, iQube electric scooter prices have been retained as is. More