| If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.  VW confirms a camper version of the ID. Buzz, BrightDrop opens its first dealership, and we try out the Tesla Model S Plaid. But first:  This week Fiat-Chrysler parent company Stellantis gave the world a closer look at an EV that could challenge the Ford Mustang Mach-E in a few years. The Chrysler Airflow concept appeared again at the automaker's Software Day event, during which Stellantis outlined plans to shift to connected services in its vehicles in the coming years, including autonomous driving capabilities and e-commerce.  The production version of the Airflow could be based on the STLA Medium platform. The automaker has previously outlined plans to launch four EV platforms differentiated by size, with the STLA Medium platform believed to be destined for the electric crossover. Stellantis has previously indicated that the STLA Medium platform would offer up to 440 miles of range, while the more compact STLA Small platform would serve up to 300 miles of range.  Production of the Rivian R1T started just a short time ago, and the SUV is next. Speaking of new EV models, production of the Rivian R1T pickup began just a few weeks ago, with the start-up managing to beat a number of competitors, including Tesla, to market. Needless to say, it's been a busy autumn for Rivian, which has delivered the first examples of the electric truck to owners, and still plans to begin production of the R1S sport utility in the few weeks that are left in 2021. This week we got an up-close look at the R1T on the tarmac of an airport in SoCal, including its optional $5000 slide-out Camp Kitchen, and all the other equipment that the truck will offer once production hits its stride. And we got to drive it, too. Read on and find out just how Rivian sees its role in the EV world.    Toyota has been labeled something of a skeptic when it comes to electric vehicles, even though it was a hybrid pioneer. To be sure, the automaker has appeared to abruptly reverse course over the past year and a half with plans to field EV models in the US and elsewhere, revealing the bZ4X in near-production form just weeks ago ahead of a 2022 launch. But its longer-term plans for an electric future have still been described largely as conservative and cautious when it comes to battery-electric models. A few days ago the automaker rolled out a long-term forecast, along with plans to go ZEV-only by the year 2035 in one specific market. But the plan still comes with plenty of asterisks.
 GM's BrightDrop EV brand may not be a household name yet, but this week it marked a milestone with the opening of its first dealership in the US, just weeks after the start of low-volume production of its EV600 van. So despite years of talk among EV start-ups about "disrupting" legacy automakers' sales and service models, it was GM's wholly owned subsidiary that has begun production of electric vans meant for last-mile service.   Spread the word: If you know someone interested in staying on top of the rapidly growing EV segment, feel free to pass this newsletter along.
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Friday, December 10, 2021
Will the Chrysler Airflow challenge the Mustang Mach-E?
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