Chad Kirchner As we careen towards the end of November, we start the infamous LA Auto Show week. Auto shows aren’t what they used to be (unless it’s in Tokyo), and there are a few announcements ahead of the show. Today’s announcement is the “all-new” Nissan Rogue plug-in hybrid. And I have to ask, “What is going … Read more
When it comes to electrified vehicles, I’ve seen a litany of ways to describe them. Though essentially, there are five ways to describe an electrified vehicle (as long as you don’t include hydrogen). There’s a 48-volt mild hybrid (which isn’t a real hybrid), there’s a standard hybrid, there’s a plug-in hybrid, there’s a range-extended electric … Read more
Last week on the Decoder podcast, GM CEO Mary Barra stated that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would eventually be removed from the company’s internal combustion engine vehicles, along with its EVs. There was some backlash online. (Editor’s note: Wait, backlash on the internet?!?!) Today, the company clarified its timeline to The Verge. We are … Read more
(Editor’s note: This article first appeared on The Kirchner Report, our publisher’s newsletter devoted to covering the entire automotive industry.) When I announced the relaunch of this newsletter, some of the first people to sign up had General Motors email addresses. Over my decade or so of working in this business, I’ve had thousands of … Read more
There are fundamentally four types of vehicles out there that use a battery that isn’t just the 12-volt under the hood. There’s a traditional hybrid (which Toyota calls a self-charging hybrid), there’s a plug-in hybrid, there’s a range-extended EV (EREV), and there’s a full battery-electric vehicle. While I know this can be confusing to the … Read more
Automotive integration with large language models, collectively known as AI, is becoming a thing. It’s becoming a thing whether or not the consumer really wants the integration. But even if the consumer does want that integration, is it a swell idea to be integrating? While it can potentially make interactions with the infotainment system more … Read more
Earlier this week, Tesla unveiled its cheaper versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, and not many people were impressed. These aren’t the Model 2 some were expecting, and these definitely aren’t the $25,000 to $30,000 car that Tesla needs to compete with the updated Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt, and others. Tesla must be … Read more
Affordable EVs are getting interesting As automakers push electric vehicles into the mainstream, two familiar nameplates are defining what affordable electric mobility looks like next. The 2026 Nissan Leaf, now a fully reimagined crossover, aims for efficiency and range. The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, returning after a brief hiatus, leans on price and simplicity. Each delivers … Read more
As a resident of the State of Ohio, I’m not only allowed to criticize my government, but I’m required to. I believe that speaking truth to power is the least that I can do, and I intend to do so right now. As I reported recently, General Motors and Ford came up with a way … Read more
By now, you’ve probably heard that Tesla has finally debuted its “more affordable” Model 3 and Model Y variants. Referred to as Standards, these models have smaller batteries and a little less range. Additionally, there’s been some de-contenting to bring the price down. This de-contenting is more cynical than practical, and while some interesting things … Read more
