The Chrysler Pacifica minivan brings a long history of refinement to a new height with the refreshed 2021 model. Loaded with more standard content including 14 new-as-standard safety features; available in all-wheel drive gasoline versions; offering a plug-in hybrid variant; and presenting an ultra-luxurious new Pinnacle trim, this is a minivan that can surely beckon families away from impractical SUV fixations.
Production of the new-for-2021 Chrysler Pacifica began in November 2020. The minivan sets a new standard, offering all-wheel-drive capability, utility-vehicle-inspired updates, new available interior FamCAM, new five-times faster Uconnect 5 with a 10.1-inch touchcreen, a new top-of-the-line Pinnacle model, unmatched levels of safety and security features and the segment’s first Plug-in Hybrid minivan. ~ Stellantis North America Media
From every indication, attracting new customers is just what this minivan has been doing with sales up 32 percent in last year’s third quarter over 2019, and up seven percent in the fourth quarter according to the automaker’s senior brand manager Mary Ann Capo, who met this past week virtually with RPM News Weekly and members of the New England Motor Press Association. No doubt the range of the Pacifica’s well-honed lineup has had a big part in the success with an entry-level Touring priced at just over $35 thousand while a top-of-the-line all-wheel drive Pinnacle checks in at $53,390. The hybrid Pinnacle, available with front-wheel drive only, knocks the price down to $50,845 while boosting fuel efficiency to an amazing 82 miles per gallon equivalent.
From its 1990s era start as a minivan concept that was clearly ahead of its time, the Pacifica has been on a curious journey that eventually began in the marketplace as a crossover for the 2004 model year. Unfortunately, that Daimler-Chrysler inspired progeny never quite reached its audience, and the nameplate was shelved for nearly a decade only to return in 2017 to its thwarted beginnings as a minivan.
Four years hence and the Pacifica fully gets due justice in its Pinnacle form, strutting onto centerstage with all the poise and purpose of a star deserving every bit of her celebrity. A quick rundown of some of its exclusive features is enough to make this New Englander swoon – fully automatic all-wheel drive, a new Uconnect 5.0 touchscreen infotainment interface with a 10.1-inch display and built in theater games, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FamCAM interior camera, USB A and C, LED lighting (standard), forward collision detection with pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Stow ’n Go seating, automatic high beams, LED tail lamp illumination that spans the width of the rear, and quilted leather seating with rear lumbar pillows. Front and rear seating is heated, front seats also get ventilation.
If you’re concerned about having ample convenient cubby storage space, well is eight cubic feet enough? If you include the third row seat tub, that’s what you get. And, then there’s the 140.5 cubic feet available to you when you stow the rear seats and open up the entire cargo area.
All photos courtesy of Stellantis North America Media
All trims are equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline. Output is rated at 287 horsepower in the gasoline only versions of the Pacifica, while the gasoline/electric hybrid earns a net rating of 260 horsepower. It might not win you any quarter-mile drags, but certainly enough power whether you’re behind the wheel of the 4521-pound front-wheel drive Touring or Touring L, 4883-pound all-wheel drive Pinnacle or any of the four 5010-pound PHEV trims.
Commentary by Peter Ciani, RPM News Weekly Co-Founder
A couple of months ago, the all-new Zero Emission Transportation Association launched as the first industry coalition of its kind focusing on the accelerated transition to EV transportation. Called ZETA for short, this new organization was created for the expressed purpose of advocating for national policies that will enable 100% electric vehicle sales in all segments by 2030. Its Founding Members comprise 28 electric vehicle related businesses.
In general, I’m not a huge fan of lobbyist groups. It irks me a bit that businesses and certain individuals are allowed to ‘cut the line’ so to speak, and pitch their ideas and agendas directly to politicians when the average Joe is stuck writing a letter to their representatives in hopes of hearing back.
No doubt you’re familiar with the concept. Lobbyists and lobbyist groups basically exist to ‘lawfully’ influence public officials in hopes of steering policy decisions their way. Every industry has lobbyists, from pharmaceutical, to real estate, to oil. Lobbyist groups have been in the background schmoozing politicians in the U.S since at least the 1800s.
As the world changes and companies change along with it, so does the face of lobbying. In the 1800s, railroad expansion was a big business, so as you’d imagine, the industry would lobby the government for subsidies to help it grow and expand. In the 1900s, there was tobacco. This once-mighty lobby has been slowly declining over the years as more and more people wake up to the realization that smoking might kill them.
Like tobacco, the oil industry is facing the reality that its heyday may have already passed by. Not that oil is done by any means. While its spending may be down a bit for 2020, the oil and gas industry is still burning through a fair amount of cash when it comes to lobbying the government.
Which makes the ZETA announcement all the more important.
“For the first time in a generation, transportation is the leading emitter of U.S. carbon emissions,” noted ZETA Executive Director Joe Britton at the organization’s launch. “By embracing EVs, federal policymakers can help drive innovation, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and improve air quality and public health. ZETA’s formation recognizes a pivotal moment for national leadership and reflects the will of the growing clean transportation sector.”
ZETA will initially focus on these five key policy pillars:
1. Outcome-driven consumer EV incentives. Point-of-sale consumer incentives drive adoption, provide cost reductions, and achieve real results in pushing transportation electrification. In addition, incentivizing early retirements while encouraging EV adoption will speed the transition and meet the urgency of the moment.
2. Emissions / performance standards enabling full electrification by 2030. Emission targets are a key piece of protecting public health and sending the correct market signals to support and accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation.
3. Infrastructure investments. Strong federal charging infrastructure investments will drive the electric transportation transition and ensure that the United States is leading the way in a clean recovery where everyone is better off.
4. Domestic manufacturing. We should not only accelerate U.S. transportation electrification, but also work to ensure that we secure domestic economic growth and leadership in EV manufacturing. Federal policies must encourage job creation and economic activity across the entire EV supply chain and lifecycle, from critical materials to vehicles.
5. Federal leadership and cooperation with sub-national entities. Federal support should invest in research and development, provide an aligned vision for electrification, and ensure local leaders are empowered with the expertise and resources to support full vehicle electrification.
While auto manufacturing newcomers such as Tesla, Rivain, Lucid and Lordstown Motors are on the list of founding members, I can’t help but notice that none of the so-called ‘legacy’ auto manufacturers have signed on. I do hope that companies such as Volkswagen and GM, who have been outspoken about their EV futures, eventually join the group.
In that spirit, perhaps ZETA eventually will work toward revising outdated dealer franchise laws that have stifled newer automakers from bringing innovative business models into certain states.
ZETA Founding Members:
ABB
Albemarle Corporation
Arrival
ChargePoint
ConEdison
Copper Development Association, Inc.
Duke Energy
Edison International
Enel X
EVBox
EVgo
Ioneer
Li-Cycle
Lordstown Motors
Lucid Motors
Piedmont Lithium
PG&E Corporation
Proterra
Redwood Materials
Rivian
Siemens
Southern Company
SRP
Tesla
Vistra
Volta
Uber
WAVE
ZETA also plans to launch the ZETA Education Fund, an affiliated group focused on educating the public on the environmental and social benefits and opportunities associated with broad EV adoption.
For more information you can find the Zero Emission Transportation Association online at www.ZETA2030.org
Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis revels in the quietude of the all-new 2021 Kia K5 that he’s enjoyed as his current ride-of-the-week. If the name sounds unfamiliar to the Kia lineup, take heart that it’s the bold replacement for the retiring Optima mid-size sedan. In other automotive news, details emerge in the merger of two automaker giants to create the new 14-brand Dutch-based multinational Stellantis automotive company. But wait… there’s more, including the weekly Musk Minute update, additional space news from NASA and Virgin Galactic, and several tech breakthroughs of interest.
a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
All-new stronger, longer, wider and lower N3 platform
Efficient All-Turbocharged Engine Lineup
180-hp, 1.6-liter Turbo 4-cyl. Engine w/ 195 lb.-ft. of Torque Standard 8-speed Automatic Transmission 27 City / 37 Hwy / 31 Combined mpg
Optional All-Wheel Drive
Available 290-hp, 2.5-liter Turbo Engine w/ 311 lb.-ft. of Torque 8-speed “Wet” Dual-Clutch Transmission 24 City / 32 Hwy / 27 Combined mpg
Assembled in West Point, Georgia
Base MSRP ~ $23,590
As Driven ~ $28,400 incl. destination charge
“Representing one of the biggest leaps forward between generations in recent automotive history, the K5 celebrates this bold new chapter in Kia’s story with an equally bold name to emphasize the mid-size sedan’s revolutionary design, all-new safety and performance enhanced “N3” platform, turbocharged engines, available all-wheel drive, and high-impact technology.” ~ Kia
Tech Talk listeners can receive a discount on stylish, high quality face masks purchased from Needham, MA-based Rafi Nova. Just used the Code KOWSRADIO at checkout. Rafi Nova is a fair-trade and sustainable fashion brand. Find them at rafinova.com
I’m probably the only person in the automotive industry who geeks out about having a cargo van dropped at their door. Sure, I get to sample a lot of vehicles and I do enjoy driving them all, whether they’re flashy, sporty or a bit more utilitarian, but this week’s ride – the newly enhanced 2020 Ford Transit T150 Cargo Van – found my soft spot.
A week ago, I had the incredibly capable Ford Super Duty F-250 Tremor to drive, and a few weeks before that I was carving up the backroads of New Hampshire in a Toyota Supra. I’d like to say that the 2020 Transit Cargo Van is sort of like the Supra. It’s a two-seater and it has a turbocharged 6-cylinder… Okay, maybe not.
Back when I was a kid with little-to-no money, my daily driver was a beat-up 1983 Ford Econoline cargo van. It was a bit ugly, but it had a 3-speed manual transmission and an absolutely bullet-proof 300 cubic inch straight six engine. So, while I wasn’t the coolest guy on the block, I did have a very handy, super reliable vehicle that actually wasn’t that bad on gas – all things considered.
In fact, I still have that Ford van to this day, almost 25-years later and although it has sat for a decade or two, it still will start and move under its own power. These days it serves as a movable storage bin more than a van, but I will admit after driving the Transit for the last few days I’m feeling a bit nostalgic and thinking about getting the ole Ford back to operational. Maybe just for dump runs and such.
Clearly, there really isn’t much in common between the Transit and my trusty 80s Econoline E-100 van that boasted two seatbelts as its notable safety equipment. Nevertheless, the Transit has stirred things up and, more than anything, made me think about my future.
While I don’t consider myself a ‘van life’ guy, I’d love to have a reliable cruiser to eventually tour the U.S.A. A van like the Transit fits that bill. I could consider a small RV, but I like the subtle, more incognito appearance of the Cargo Van and would want to customize it myself.
But before I get too far ahead of the business at hand, here’s what’s new with the Transit.
For 2020, the Ford Transit gets a host of standard and available safety feature upgrades along with several key mechanical and styling updates as well.
OUTSIDE:
2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van
All 2020 Transit models include updated grille designs. Passenger and Cargo models feature a new three-bar grille, while the cutaway and chassis cab models get a more open mesh style for maximum cooling. New premium high-intensity discharge headlights with signature LED surrounds are available as is a power side door on cargo models. Automatic Rain-Sensing wipers are now standard.
Our test vehicle came equipped with the Exterior Upgrade package, which gives it a less utilitarian appearance, adding a chrome grille surround and chrome-trimmed headlamps.
The Transit is available in Cargo Van, Crew, Passenger Van (XL, XLT), Cutaway and Chassis Cab versions, and as you might imagine it can be ordered in a wide-range, or should I say dizzying-range of configurations.
Besides offering three different roof heights (low, medium, and high) there are also three different body lengths (regular, long and extended). Fleet buyers can also choose various window and seating arrangements.
2020 Ford Transit
You really have to know what you are looking for when spec-ing out a Transit. For example, all models can be ordered with either roof option, but you can’t get a low or medium roof model with the extended wheelbase. Conversely, you can’t get the high roof model with the regular wheelbase, and so on. I don’t want to bore you with a ton of different variations – believe me, there are a lot of them.
Cargo, Crew & Passenger van configurations from the 2020 Transit Packaging Guide
You can also choose your Transit’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Passenger Van GVWR Payload packages range from 8,550 GVWR to 10,360 GVWR, but again these choices are dictated by roof height and chassis length. Naturally, Cutaway and Chassis Cab Models offer a higher 11,000 GVWR.
2020 Ford Transit Cargo Space with optional Load Area Protection Package – $395
Cargo volume on the extended wheelbase Cargo Van tops out at 487.3 cubic feet. Maximum towing tops out at 6,400-lbs in the Passenger Van and 6,800-lbs in the Cargo van, but then the Transit is more of a hauler than a tow vehicle. If you have a large family and a large boat, you should probably head over to the Ford Expedition build page.
POWERTRAIN:
Engine options for the Transit have been reduced to an optional 310-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with start-stop technology (as in our tester) and the standard E-85 compatible, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter PFDI V6. PFDI stands for port-fuel / direct-injection and features two injectors per cylinder for increased overall performance.
The 2020 order guide makes no mention of the 3.7-liter V6 and the 3.2-liter I5 diesel from 2019 so, it’s safe to assume that those engines have been retired. Curiously, Ford does mention that the 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo I4 Diesel is discontinued, but I’m not sure that engine actually ever made it into production anyway.
Ford doesn’t provide Fuel economy ratings for the Transit Cargo but our cargo-less cargo van averaged around 18-mpg in mixed driving.
Both V6 engines now come paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, plus the Transit now gives you the choice of rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. A first for any Ford cargo van.
Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD Badge
Our test model included all-wheel-drive and although I would have loved to have tried it out in the snow, as luck would have it the weather hit high-sixty-degree temperatures for the entire week I drove the Transit. (Did I mention it also rained most of the week that I had the Toyota Supra?)
So how does this combination handle? Well, pretty good for a big cargo van. The new electric-assist power steering is light at low speeds and firm on the highway, exactly what you’d want in a vehicle of this size.
I wasn’t looking to hit the twisty back roads, but in my area there are quite a few so, it’s unavoidable. On the mountain roads, the Transit isn’t as lumbering as you’d expect. To be clear, I drove an unloaded low roof model, other versions may feel a bit heavier. I would have enjoyed pushing the envelope a little in the twisties, but unless your name is Sabine Schmitz you might want to leave the Ford Transit Nurburgring track records to the pros.
The acceleration with the turbocharged V6 / 10-speed combo is smooth and not laggy, but as I said, I had nothing big or heavy to move, so I didn’t test it while it was loaded up.
The V6 start-stop system works pretty well. I know a lot of people don’t like having start-stop in their passenger cars because of the way it operates, but if you are a fleet manager with hundreds or even thousands of vans you might appreciate the small bit of fuel savings it adds.
Another simple but clever feature is the fuel door. I’ve never noticed it before on the Transit, but you cannot open the fuel door unless the driver side door is open. This is especially good for fleet owners seeing as the Transit can hold up to 31-gallons of gas with the optional fuel tank and might be a tempting target for fuel thieves.
New 16-inch heavy-duty steel wheels and a heavy-duty front axle configuration round out the Transit’s exterior updates.
The Heavy Duty Front Axle Features 16-inch Steel wheels with Silver Center Caps
INSIDE:
The Transit features an updated interior for 2020. This includes a new dashboard with a revised center stack and a high-mounted touchscreen that doesn’t look like it was stolen out of a Fiesta, like in the outgoing model.
The new design also features a better layout for improved ergonomics, reconfigured heating and cooling vents, additional storage, and more cup holders (of course).
Interior Cubby Holes
Speaking of storage, one notable feature of the new layout is the way the Transit makes use of the space on top of the dashboard itself. Besides acting as a storage bin it now has two power ports, making the space a great, out-of-the-way spot to charge your phone.
Handy out of the way spot to store and charge your phone.
The seat fabric has also been improved for 2020. Our test vehicle included the optional heated leather seats, which work wonderfully. It gets so cold here, I very rarely have to turn the heated seats down in a vehicle. In the Transit I did.
Optional 10-way Ebony Leather Seats
The leather seats are comfortable, but in this application, I think I’d rather have the cloth seats, especially since they can be ordered with a heated option. Leather heated seats are fine but cloth heated seats are the best in my humble opinion.
Optional front swivel seats are now available,too. Ford says this was an option that RV customers have been asking for.
The Transit Cargo offers standard seating for two, but if need be, you can now upgrade to the Transit Crew model with 5-passenger seating. This configuration adds a 3-passenger rear bench seat in the cargo area.
The Transit Passenger Van starts with standard 10-passenger seating, while long-wheelbase versions include seating for 12 and the extended wheelbase version can be ordered with 14 or 15-passenger seating. Oddly, it’s cheaper to get the standard 15-passenger setup on the extended version, but for $340, Ford will take one seat away for you.
Although seating choices are limited when using the online configurator, like everything else on the Transit, seating arrangements can be custom tailored for your application. This is something you have to discuss with your dealer.
Beyond interior seating, the safety and infotainment updates are where the 2020 Ford Transit really sees an improvement.
The optional 6.5-inch center display from last year has been replaced with an optional 8-inch touchscreen that’s mounted higher and more forward than the older setup, making it easier to operate. One thing I’ve never liked on the older Ford models was the set-back layout of the touchscreen. You always had to turn your hand in a weird way, or use your thumb to use it. Thankfully, as we’ve seen in the newer Ford models such as the redesigned Escape and Explorer, those days are gone.
The new 8-inch touchscreen includes Ford’s SYNC 3 operating system that online reviewers seemed to pan as being a bit “drab” or bland. Personally, I find it well laid out and easy to operate, and even as the rest of the Ford fleet starts upgrading to SYNC 4, I think this system works fine in this application. It doesn’t need to be overly flashy.
SYNC 3 Android Auto
SYNC 3 Waze
The Transit also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Transit. As a bonus, this works with the new upper dash-mounted USB port, so you can plug in your phone and stash it out of the way in this handy storage area.
SAFETY:
While ‘Side Wind Assist’ and Hill Start assist were the most notable driver-assist features for 2019 Transit, the 2020 Transit gets a major upgrade in both standard and available safety features.
Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety features are now standard on the Transit. This includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, PostCollison Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, and Lane-Keeping System and Forward Collision Warning.
Beyond the standard safety features, optional Ford Co-Pilot360 Technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information with Cross-traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage, and a Front and Rear Split-View Camera.
The optional Reverse Sensing System comes standard on the Passenger Van XLT. For $295 it’s a no-brainer. At this price Ford ought to make it a standard feature across the board. Like the RSS, Blind Spot Information is also a great feature to have on a windowless configuration like ours, I’d recommend it.
Our tester also included the optional Enhanced Active Park Assist, an $895 option. If you’re not familiar, Active Park Assist can help steer your vehicle into a parking space, this works in both parallel and perpendicular parking spots. Normally a feature that you’d expect to find in higher-end cars, it’s well-suited for a big vehicle with limited visibility.
Enhanced Active Park Assist
Other interior tech upgrades include a standard FordPass Connect modem with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and connectivity. For fleet managers, FordPass connect also provides data to support telematics and data services for things like vehicle location, speed, idle time, fuel, vehicle diagnostics, and maintenance alerts.
New standard Smart Acceleration Truncation is another fuel-saving trick for fleet buyers, this system limits the engine torque when the van is empty, or carrying a light load.
Practically speaking, for business owners as well as large families there’s certainly a lot to like about 2020 Transit. The safety upgrades alone should make it appealing, especially if you’re uncomfortable driving such a large vehicle.
For me, I patiently await the day when I can retire to take on my own van adventure. Who knows maybe I’ll be able to do it gas-free since Ford recently announced that they plan on investing $100 million in their Kansas City assembly plant to start production of an E-Transit all-electric version. Look for more about the new eTransit at the Ford website or tune in to RPM’s EV Power Podcast. I’m sure we’ll be digging into the details soon.
Transit Key Facts:
Starting 2020 MSRP:
Cargo: $34,510
Crew Van: $36,720
Passenger: $40,180
Price as Tested: $49,575 (w/ dest. & delivery charges)
For Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis, it has been a productive week spent rummaging through a study from iseecars.com on the best time of year to purchase a used car. For obvious reasons, this study gives no points to the best time being the day after your trusty old battle wagon decides it’s the end of the long and winding road you’ve travelled together. Other automotive news included in the discussion this week includes an update on Ford Bronco production delays and a feature on a very tech-minded solar-powered vehicle. Also, Elon Musk gets his weekly minute, but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets his dying wish. Listen in to find out what that is – and more.
a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
Tech Talk listeners can receive a discount on stylish, high quality face masks purchased from Needham, MA-based Rafi Nova. Just used the Code KOWSRADIO at checkout. Rafi Nova is a fair-trade and sustainable fashion brand. Find them at rafinova.com
If you’re not familiar with the term ‘white label’, Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it simply as, “a product that is made by one company but sold by another company using their own name.”
White label products can be found in most food and retail stores, typically with products like generic food items or electronics. For example, a TV sold at Walmart may be the same as a TV that’s sold on Amazon, just under a different brand name. Basically, it’s the same TV on the inside, but on the outside vendors may add their own menus or finishing touches.
A white-label cola beverage may be packaged in several different looking generic cans. photo: wikipedia
This concept has never really made it into the automobile manufacturing world, but collaborations are quite common – a recent example being the Toyota Supra and the BMW Z4. Here are two companies, each wanting to build their own halo sports car. However, sports cars aren’t exactly high-volume sales leaders, so in this case, Toyota and BMW came together to share development costs, thus creating two different variants on the same platform.
Without collaboration, these models would never have made it to production because, as you might expect, creating a car is hard; packaging and certifying a powertrain is even harder. That’s probably the reason why there haven’t been any new automakers over the last 80-years or so – no successful ones anyway – other than Tesla.
But, more and more we’re seeing new EV (electric vehicle) startup companies coming out of the blue to show off prototypes or, quite often, digital renders of prototypes. These prototypes range from 3-wheel city cars to heavy-duty pick-up trucks and even motorcycles. Unfortunately, without piles of cash to engineer a car from the ground up, it’s not going to be easy for these new automakers to get any traction.
Given the flexibility of modern electric powertrains, is there a way, as we usher in this new age of the electric vehicle, to mitigate one of the major cost barriers that automotive startups face when attempting to enter the market?
Enter the skateboard – an electric vehicle platform originally imagined by GM’s Hy-Wire concept in 2002, but first brought to market by Tesla starting with the Model S and carrying over to other Tesla products including the Model X, Model 3, and Model Y.
Technically speaking the skateboard isn’t exactly a new thing, if you go back to earlier days of the automobile, Volkswagen built their entire empire from the Beetle and its simplistic platform chassis, or pan as it is commonly known.
This allowed VW to inexpensively spawn off all sorts of variants, from the Transporter bus to the Karman Ghia and although technologically speaking it is light years away from the old VW pans, Tesla’s skateboard has shown that this type of arrangement is ideal for modern electric drivetrains. New startups have certainly learned from Tesla’s experience in this space.
But, new startups aren’t the only ones looking to prosper in the EV market. You may not be familiar with the name Magna International, but there’s a good chance you own a vehicle that was built by them.
Magna Steyr, a division of the Canadian-based automotive supplier Magna International, has been engineering and building cars for various manufacturers for decades. From the European version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee to the iconic Mercedes G-Class and new Toyota Supra / BMW Z4 platform mates, Magna Steyr was key to getting these vehicles built.
Mercedes G-Class Production Line photo: Magna Int.
Now it seems this cornerstone in the automotive world, a company with roots going back to the 1800s, is looking toward the future with its own EV production.
Of course, Magna is no stranger to the electric vehicle. Among its numerous endeavors, the company has provided powertrain development for the Ford Focus Electric and showcased their own MILA (Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto) plugin hybrid powertrain platform at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
Magna’s MILA powertrain platform was designed to be configured as either all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas, or plugin hybrid utilizing a system similar to the one used in the current Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The 2009 MILA and subsequent MILA concepts don’t appear to have made it into production, but the company has always made clear its intention to design and build a platform that can be used by various automakers as a “shortcut” to EV production.
In 2018, Magna announced a joint plan with the BAIC Group in China to co-develop a “smart electric vehicle architecture”, and as a contracted manufacturer the company has started building BAIC Group’s ARCFOX a-T BEV crossover at Magna’s Zhenjiang joint venture contract manufacturing facility. The plant is the company’s first ‘complete’ vehicle manufacturing facility outside of Europe.
BAIC Group’s ArcFox a-T All-Electric Crossover SUV
Since 2018 Magna has also produced Jaguar’s I-Pace electric vehicle at their main production facility in Graz, Austria.
While you might not be familiar with Magna, there’s a good chance that you have heard of Sony. Sure, Sony is known for producing a wide variety of electronic devices, but they are not a car company, nor have they ever hinted about the idea of building and selling a car. Yet, Sony surprised everyone at the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas with the debut of the Sony Vision-S concept car.
Sony Vision-S Concept photos: Sony
Sony was (and still is) a bit vague about the possibility of the Vision-S becoming a reality, but what stands out is that they’re working on the vehicle with Magna.
Considering that Magna also builds concept cars, one could imagine that the Vision-S is just another attention-getting show car and that would be the end of it. But, a few weeks later Sony released a video called ‘Back At The Engineering Facility In Graz’.
In the video, the Vision-S arrives back at the Magna facility being cheered on by employees and is shown taking a few laps around the area. The description reads: “After CES 2020, the prototype model was transported from Las Vegas to the development center in Graz, Austria, where joint development efforts are underway together with partner companies such as Magna Steyr to prepare the prototype for test drives on public roads during FY2020.”
Which brings up the question: Why would Sony go through the trouble of engineering a vehicle for “testing on public roads” if they have no intention of building it? This certainly is curious.
Meanwhile, also at CES, Fisker, Inc. (another nascent electric vehicle manufacturer) unveiled their upcoming all-electric Fisker Ocean crossover.
Fisker Ocean Crossover Concept photo: Fisker
You might remember the name Fisker from the ill-fated Fisker Automotive company started by renowned automotive designer Henrik Fisker. Fisker Automotive hit the rocks when their battery supplier A123 filed for bankruptcy, leaving their sole vehicle, the Fisker Karma without a battery supplier.
This led to Fisker Automotive’s bankruptcy in late 2013 and most of the company assets were eventually sold off to the Chinese company Wanxiang. Wanxiang renamed the company Karma and relaunched the Fisker Karma as the Karma Revero. Henrik Fisker however retained the name Fisker for his latest endeavor.
Karma Revero photo: Karma Automotive
Like Sony’s Vision-S, the Fisker Ocean rides on a chassis built with Magna. But unlike Sony, Fisker and Magna have actually confirmed that the Ocean will be heading into production.
This brings us back to white labeling. Can the idea work in automotive production?
Here we have two companies, Fisker a new electric vehicle startup with no production facilities of their own, and Sony is a billion-dollar, multi-industrial company that builds lots of things, just not cars.
Two vehicles from two different companies, both potentially sharing an assembly line, parts, and basic chassis engineering. This would be the ideal situation for a company like Magna Steyr, not only could they charge for engineering services, but they’d also bring in revenue from production as well as supplying parts.
On the surface, who would know if the Sony Vision-S is the same car underneath as the Fisker Ocean (or any other Magna engineered EV model that comes along), and who would care?
Like the aforementioned Toyota Supra and BMW Z4, both cars have their own charms, purpose, and fanbase, but both are engineered and built together on a single assembly line at Magna Steyr.
Perhaps the concept is more of a cross between white labeling and collaboration. Whatever you call it, the idea remains the same, many different companies buying the same platform from Magna. This simplification could make it much cheaper and easier for new companies to engineer and introduce a vehicle in a relatively short amount of time.
That’s probably not something Ford, Chevrolet, or any of the other legacy companies want to hear. Looking back, they unfortunately underestimated Tesla and the future of EVs. Now they are racing to catch up and capture some of the ever-growing EV market share. But, what happens if they suddenly have a dozen or so ‘Teslas’ nipping at their heels? It’s probably not going to work out well for them.
That’s not a far fetched idea. Wards Auto recently reported that Magna Steyr president Frank Klein announced that they are currently looking for a manufacturing site in North America. Klein went on to say that the facility will be leaning toward battery-electric vehicles and would need contracts to build BEVs with at least two different companies. He also said they are in “serious talks” with potential customers.
“Magna Steyr wants to be the one-stop-shop for BEVs, contracted by automakers to assemble them in high volume or low volume.” ~ Wards Auto
Magna Steyr Factory Graz, Austria
With the Fisker Ocean set to begin production at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria in late 2022, it’s unclear whether the Ocean eventually will be built in North America, too, although it would certainly make sense.
So the question remains, what companies are they in serious talks with? Sony? Perhaps another EV startup? Or maybe, a legacy automaker looking to cut costs on development and production?
In any case, it’s going to be interesting to see if this white-label / consolidation approach to auto manufacturing catches on. And why not? It will save companies a lot of engineering costs and maybe bring down future electric vehicle prices, besides, does the average car buyer really care about what platform lies under the carpet? I doubt it.
Tesla fans like to talk about how Tesla will destroy the legacy auto industry. Well, there may be a hint of truth in that. After all, without Tesla would there even be such a push by startup and legacy manufacturers to build EVs? At the very least, it’s safe to assume that without Tesla there would be no legacy auto companies with 200+ mile-range EVs on the market.
However, if the electric vehicle revolution does manage to kill off the mainstream automakers, perhaps the decline of the ‘old guard’ will not come from Tesla entirely. Maybe it also comes at the hands of a company that has supplied the very same manufacturers since the 1920s – Magna.
a weekly feature on 
