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February brought a slight change from our usual focus on horsepower, speed and performance as the club sponsored a very unique car in a very unique rally; the 4L-Trophy Rally. 

The 6,000 Km rally starts in Annecy, France on the 19th and is limited to participants between the ages of 18-28, and the only vehicle allowed in the rally is Renault's R4-L, hence the name and the rally's unique nature. If you've seen the movie "Romancing the Stone", you may recall the scene with Danny DeVito driving a 4-L through the Colombian jungle. That's what makes the 4-L such a good rally car, it can go practically anywhere, it's surprisingly comfortable, it's reliable, and it's durable, thanks to the simplicity of its design. The 4-L was the first car built in France that was marketed primarily to women due to its practicality, so it's fitting that the 4-L we sponsored, pictured in the side photo, is piloted by two 21-year old young ladies, Anna-Lou Le Bars and Camille LeBretton, and whose team is appropriately called "Les Nanas du Lac", or "The Lake Chicks" in English. We wish Les Nanas du Lac the best on their adventure in their adorable 4-L. 

Aside from being simply adorable, the 4-L morphed from its intended market into the ultimate utilitarian vehicle, quickly becoming one of the most popular vehicles in trades of all kinds before production ended in 1992, 31 years after it made its debut. Renault revived the 4-L in 2024 as an EV, but in our humble opinion it fails to capture the spirit and downright cuteness of the original. Maybe the fact that there are so many small SUVs available now makes it unremarkable, or maybe it's because it reminds us of the FIAT 500X  we drove in last Summer's European Rally, which we remarked at the time we liked so much because of its simplicity and comfort.

But Renault has revived it's R-5 also, as an EV. Now, that little number not only captures the spirit of the original but it's one of the cutest and coolest cars in the compact car segment and we can't wait to get our hands on one! As for Les Nanas du Lac and their adorable 4-L, you can follow them on Instagram using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/les_nanas_du_lac_/

Cheers!

The rumors about Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares being shown the door after his disastrous tenure at Stellantis have turned out to be true. John Elkann, Chairman of the Board of Stellantis, has temporarily taken over as CEO. Elkann is promising to repair strained relationships with dealers and industry partners, most of whom were clamoring for a change in leadership at the struggling auto maker. The new boss is also committed to rebuilding trust and confidence among the company's top executives, allowing their input and local expertise to shape strategy decisions. 

We can't say we're sad to see Tavares go as he was slowly destroying not only Dodge but the JEEP, Ram, and Alfa-Romeo brands as well, which have been in a tailspin, losing 24% market share in the past year alone. Tavares' solution to the slow-motion train wreck he caused was to sell off brands, because that must be the problem, an idea he started floating with Alfa-Romeo and Maserati. Just another example of a grossly overpaid CEO that doesn't understand that part of the reason you get paid all that money is to find solutions to problems like declining sales. Anyone can run a company that's riding a market wave, but like so many CEOs, he only wants to "manage" profitable companies, and as soon as the market wave is over, instead of finding solutions to problems they just get rid of the problem by selling off the brand. But finding the solutions to a problem is hard to do when the CEO is the problem. 

Thankfully, part of Elkann's plan is to bring back some of these brands' old managers and restore common sense. And with that will be the return to ICE-powered vehicles, including the Charger, which had originally been planned as an EV only. Fortunately, there are new plans which have been confirmed by Elkann that an ICE-powered version of the Charger is being developed at the time of this writing and will be arriving by mid-Summer 2025. 

With any luck we'll also get that gorgeous 600HP 'Cuda they've been teasing us with!

Cheers!

Recent trademark filings by Dodge are fueling rumors that the company will bring back the Plymouth Barracuda. The Barracuda, or the 'Cuda as it's known by muscle car enthusiasts, is one of the most iconic and rarest muscle cars ever made, with some original models selling for close to 7 digits. 

Trademark filings are no guarantee that the car will be built, but If the near-identical twin of the Challenger is brought back, it will most likely be under its sister brand, Dodge, as a special version of the new Charger. This would make sense as it's almost certain now that Dodge has backtracked on its original plans for the Charger, which was to be an all-electric vehicle. Like the rest of the industry, Dodge is "pivoting" and will almost certainly make an Internal Combustion Engine version of the new vehicle, possibly with a 700+ horsepower Hemi, well in keeping with the muscle car tradition.

Europe's most influential lawmaker group, the European People's Party (EPP), introduced an amendment to the EU's zero emissions mandate, set to take effect in 2035, that would keep the Internal Combustion Engine alive. Currently, car manufacturers will no longer be able to make or sell vehicles with Internal Combustion Engines in the EU by 2025 but the draft document introduced by the EPP calls for the EU to "revise the prohibition on combustion engines and to develop advanced combustion engine technology."

The EPP's proposal is set to be discussed at an upcoming EU meeting in Portugal and has a very good chance of passing. Several EU countries including Germany, France and Italy, which are home to major auto manufacturers that have been working on reducing emissions from Internal Combustion Engine with alternative fuels have already been granted some exceptions beyond 2035 and it seems this proposal will ensure Internal Combustion Engines will be around for a long time.

Mercedes-Benz is joining the parade, or better put, the retreat of legacy car manufacturers, backtracking on its initial EV goals by increasing its investment in Internal Combustion Engine technology. 

Rather than pouring more money into a diminishing market, the company is channeling funds into research and development of ICE technology that will help it meet the EU's strict clean air standards without electrifying its entire model line, which the company had boasted would be achieved by 2030. 

Mercedes' boss, Ola Kaellenius, added that the new ICE technology would include drivetrains for hybrid models but emphasized that the new engines would maintain the highest level of technological advancement to avoid any potential stagnation of their combustion engine business. These remarks follow his previous statement to investors in February, where he indicated that Mercedes-Benz would continue to improve its combustion engine models due to the sluggish demand for electric vehicles. 

The automaker had aimed for a complete transition to all-electric sales by 2030, however, earlier this year, Kaellenius adjusted the forecast, predicting that only 50% of the company's sales would consist of electrified vehicles, including hybrids, by the decade's end.

Ford's best-selling F-truck series has reached its 14th generation, featuring a range of gas-powered trucks and as well as the all-electric F-150 Lightning EV and the PowerBoost Hybrid in 2021. Since the debut of the first F-trucks in 1948, Ford has continuously updated, refined, and improved the vehicles, as well as issued recalls, like other manufacturers.

The F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the US for decades with Ford selling over 41 million units. However, for those considering the purchase of an F-150 from the current generation that began in 2021, it's important to be aware of common issues reported by other owners.

These issues include malfunctioning navigation screens, awkward gear shifting, and even driveshaft fractures or separations. Some of these complaints have led to recalls, which the manufacturer has addressed at no cost, but others have persisted as expensive and frustrating issues. 

A particularly alarming issue with the F-150 has been the sudden loss of power while driving. This led to two recalls in 2021 and 2022 because some F-150s had heat and noise insulators underneath that could detach, damaging the aluminum driveshaft and potentially causing it to fracture. The NHTSA also reported that these driveshaft problems could result in a loss of vehicle control or cause the truck to roll away if parked without the parking brake engaged. These recalls potentially affected over 240,000 vehicles. Thankfully, the recall included a free inspection and repair of the driveshaft by dealers, as well as securing the underbody insulators properly.

Additionally, the loss of power was found to have another cause: owners reported broken rear axle hub bolts, often identified by unusual noises or during routine maintenance by mechanics who removed the wheels.

Despite the F-150's issues, it remains the best-selling vehicle in the US, and for good reason, despite the recalls, the F-150 has one of the longest life spans of any vehicle, testament to its overall build quality.

Aston Martin launched its newest model, the Valiant, a limited-edition V-12 coupe boasting less weight and a greater track focus than any model up to the Valkyrie.

The visual connection to the Valour is unmistakable, yet the Valiant sets itself apart with custom carbon fiber bodywork that not only reduces weight but also increases downforce, incorporating motorsport-inspired modifications reminiscent of Aston Martin's most notable track successes. 

Beneath the carbon fiber hood lies an enhanced 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine delivering 734 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a custom six-speed transaxle manual gearbox powering the rear wheels, it ranks as one of the most formidable V12-powered Aston Martins ever. True to its race track heritage, the company eschews conventional performance metrics like 0-60 mph times and top speed, focusing instead on the enhancements made to refine its handling capabilities.

While Aston Martin remains tight-lipped about the exact weight reduction, it assures that meticulous efforts have been made to centralize and manage the weight, enabling drivers to fully enjoy the car's capabilities on the track.

The Valiant's aerodynamic design isn't just about reducing weight; it's engineered for performance. The pronounced front splitter anchors the front wheels to the ground, and the expansive carbon fiber grille ensures the V12 engine remains cool. Sculpted fenders guide airflow over the carbon fiber aero discs adorning the 21-inch magnesium wheels, and vortex generators positioned before the rear wheels help to minimize turbulence.

Hurry to get your, if you can afford the two-million Dollar price tag, only 38 will be built.

By Emma Roth, a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

When faced with a repair bill that costs half of what you paid for your car, do you go through with the expensive repair, bring it to the junkyard, or sell it for parts? Finnish Tesla owner Tuomas Katainen decided to do something a little more extreme — but arguably a lot more satisfying — when faced with such a situation: he watched his car go up in flames, as noted in a report from Gizmodo.

Katainen handed his 2013 Tesla Model S over to Pommijätkät, a group of explosion experts on YouTube who loves to make things go “boom,” after he was quoted $22,600 for a battery replacement. “Well when I bought that Tesla, the first 1,500km [932 miles] were nice,” Katainen recounted. “Then, error codes hit.” After Katainen brought his Tesla to a mechanic, he found out that the only way to fix the car would be to replace the entire battery pack, which would cost him at least 20,000€, or around $22,600.

I think anyone would be pretty frustrated at that point, considering that the base price for a new 2013 Tesla Model S started at $57,400, later increasing to $59,900 when the car first came out. Even a standard used model currently goes for around $30,000 at the lowest. That’s probably why Katainen picked up the Tesla from the shop and told the mechanic that he’s going to “explode the whole car away.”

For context, these cars come with an eight-year (or up to 150,000 miles) battery and drive unit warranty, but the warranties on older models are starting to expire, revealing the potential cost behind a full battery replacement. 

In September, Electrek reported on a Tesla owner in need of a battery replacement on a Model S that was no longer under warranty. As noted in the report, he was quoted $22,500 from Tesla, but ended up getting a repair for $5,000 from a third-party shop. Katainen’s quote was also from Tesla, and it’s unclear whether he had access to an alternative repair service.

Either way, the group behind Pommijätkät strapped 30kg (66 pounds) of dynamite to the car and parked it in an old quarry in Jaala, Finland. Even Elon Musk was there — well, at least in spirit. A crash test dummy outfitted with a helmet, thick winter jacket, and a picture of Musk’s face was dropped in by helicopter and then stuffed in the driver’s seat.

Katainen triggers the explosion from inside a nearby bunker, and Tesla erupts in a ball of fire, with what seems like thousands of pieces scattering throughout the snowy landscape. The group picks up whatever was left of the car, which amounts to just a pile of scraps. When asked whether he’s ever had this much fun behind the wheel of a Tesla, Katainen replies, “No, never enjoyed this much with Tesla!”

Wait times are among the key reasons service customers avoid dealers, reports J.D. Power.

Dealers who want to boost their service department profits need to provide fast, courteous service or risk losing their customers to aftermarket providers, according to the just-released J.D. Power U.S. Aftermarket Service Index Study results.

While dealers’ services are still in demand, survey respondents rated aftermarket services higher than in previous years. The major satisfaction levels for aftermarket services include full-service maintenance and repair, which saw the greatest improvement (+12 points on a 1,000-point scale). That was followed by tire replacement (+5) and quick oil change (+4) 

Franchise dealers have advantages over aftermarket service providers – from superior facilities and manufacturer-trained technicians to (original equipment) parts, loaner cars and mobile service,” says Leonard Martin, J.D. Power’s director of Automotive Retail. However, to keep business, “they must do a better job of communicating the service value proposition while providing an exceptional service experience.”

Although the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study found that overall dealer service satisfaction improved five points to 851 (on a 1,000-point scale), parts and labor shortages contributed to long wait times.

“It’s encouraging to see an improvement in service satisfaction, but, unfortunately, the capacity and wait time issues have gotten progressively worse since the pandemic and show no immediate signs of easing up,” says Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power. 

“Excluding Tesla owners, the service experience for BEV owners is underwhelming. As sales of BEVs continue to grow and the industry moves out of the early-adopter phase, the typical owner will not be as willing to tolerate a less-than-stellar service and ownership experience.”

Adding to the concern that franchised dealers’ services are threatened by aftermarket services is the lack of trust among non-Tesla owners, specifically in areas involving complex repairs and guidance, J.D. Power says. Overall, dealer trust among non-Tesla BEV owners is 5.62 (on a 7-point scale) but jumps to 6.00 among gas-powered vehicle owners and 5.74 among plug-in hybrid (PHEV) owners.

Still, consumers find franchised dealerships are more trustworthy than aftermarket facilities in some areas. For example, ratings by dealership customers for the use of technology to make service more efficient average 6.09 (on a 7-point scale), 

Here are some key sticking points J.D. Power offers service directors and dealers who want to smooth their roads to profitability:

• Appointment wait times for mass-market vehicles continue to increase: On average, owners of mass-market vehicles wait 5.2 days for an appointment at the dealer, up from 4.8 days in 2023, while owners of premium vehicles wait 5.4 days—slightly better than a year ago. Wait times in both segments are still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
   
• Customers want prompt service appointments: Longer wait times at dealers drive more customers to aftermarket service facilities. Among customers in the mass-market segment, 35% now choose aftermarket service because of the ability to be seen right away, surpassing lower costs (34%) as a reason for choosing such service. Notable, too, is that 55% of customers select aftermarket service due to the convenience of locations.
   
• Photo/video documentation for recommended repairs: One area some franchise dealers excel at is providing photo or video documentation during multipoint inspections. Fewer than one-fourth (23%) of aftermarket facility customers receive any accompanying photo or video documentation. While doing so is more time-consuming for service staff, providing photo/video evidence of recommended repairs has a significant payoff, especially for tire replacement providers. Of the customers who receive an MPI with photo/video, 51% have the recommended work done. Without photo/video, only 24% of customers who receive an MPI have the job done.
  
  Source: J.D. Power