This article was written by Michael Strong for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (04.27.22) – There has been much speculation about how Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter will impact the EV company. Are the top executives ready to be more involved? What will happen to the share price? Is the proposed split still a go?

Well, the impact is already being seen on one front as one competitor deleted his Twitter account: Henrik Fisker.

Now helming his second vehicle company, Fisker and Musk have a history together — most of it unpleasant. For that reason, Fisker seemingly decided to get out (of Twitter) when the gettin’ was good.

“Please follow me on IG from now on if you want updates. Thanks.” Fisker had about 86,000 followers at the time he cut his account. In contrast, Musk has more than 84 million. If you search for Henrik Fisker on Twitter now, you’ll just get an error message.

However, it appears to be clearly a personal issue, which may not be much of a surprise given the two are definitely not friends, as the Fisker Inc. Twitter account is alive and well.

We ain’t friends

The two haven’t been kind to one another throughout the years. Fisker worked for Musk at Tesla in the early days, playing a role in the design of the Model S in 2007 before he departed to start his own eponymous company that made hybrids with an eye toward going all electric.

The first vehicle was the Fisker Karma, a hybrid sports car, which received a warm reception for its looks, despite its lofty price take of more than $100k. However, Musk was less than kind in his assessment of the vehicle — and the designer — at the time.

“The fundamental problem with Henrik Fisker — he is a designer or stylist … he thinks the reason we don’t have electric cars is for lack of styling,” Musk said at the time. “This is not the reason. It’s fundamentally a technology problem. 

“At the same time, you need to make it look good and feel good, because otherwise you’re going to have an impaired product. But just making something look like an electric car does not make it an electric car.”

As for the car itself, he told Automobile Magazine back then, “It’s a mediocre product at a high price. The car looks very big, and yet it has no trunk space and is very cramped inside, particularly in the rear seats.”

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This article was written by Paul A. Eisenstein for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (04.26.22) – General Motors will begin electrifying the Chevrolet Corvette next year, GM President Mark Reuss announced Monday, confirming previous reports by TheDetroitBureau.com.

The two-seater often referred to as “America’s sports car” will go through several steps, starting with a hybridized version and then an all-electric model, the automaker indicated. While the news immediately generated buzz in automotive circles it was not unexpected, the automaker previously laying out plans to go 100% battery electric by 2035.

“We will have an electrified Corvette next year,” Reuss said during an appearance on CNBC. “It’s coming very quick.”

Separately, GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra tweeted, “Electrified Corvette. That’s it. That’s the tweet.”

The Corvette, which is approaching its 70th anniversary, has gone through a number of changes in recent years. The latest version, known to aficionados as the “C8,” or eighth-generation Corvette, made the switch from a traditional front-engine to mid-engine layout.

Prepping for this moment

At the time of the sports car’s launch in 2019, several senior members of the Corvette team told TheDetroitBureau.com they had built into the program the ability to electrify the new model. At the time, they declined to say whether that meant a conventional hybrid, a plug-in version or an all-electric model.

Sources suggest the first electrified version due out next year will be some form of hybrid, spy photographers capturing what appear to be test “mules” several times during the last several years. In terms of nomenclature, it could pick up the ZR1 badge, though a new designation referencing its hybridized drivetrain could be adopted.

A 100% electric Corvette will follow, it now has become clear — though that leaves open a number of questions. For one thing: will the BEV model use the existing ‘Vette platform or share one of the new “Ultium” architectures GM is developing for the rest of the line-up.

Also unclear is how many motors would be used in an all-electric model. All but certainly, there would be a minimum of two — which would create the first-ever all-wheel-drive version of the Corvette. But GM’s Ultium system provides the ability to use three motors — as are found in the new GMC Hummer, and potentially even four.

What’s clear is the all-electric Corvette’s battery pack would be mounted below the two-seater’s load floor, helping drop what is already an extremely low center of gravity. Add to that the all-wheel-drive system and the ability to torque vector. That’s a way of shifting extra power to the outside wheels while cornering to enhance high-speed handling.

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ELKHART, IN (04.25.22) – ASA Electronics has hired Rachel West as the Marketing Director for ASA Electronics after Monica Pletcher’s retirement. In this role, West will manage the marketing team and handle strategic planning, digital marketing, and brand management. She brings 12 years of combined education and experience in the RV industry.

“We are thrilled to have Rachel with us. Her leadership and drive for continued improvement are exactly what we were looking for in a Marketing Director. She’s a breath of fresh air,” stated Brent Barrow, President of ASA Electronics.

“I’m excited to work for a company with such a great reputation amongst its employees and partners,” commented Rachel West. “ASA Electronics has an innovative product offering and a diverse customer base, providing our team with the opportunity to work with many different industries and audiences.”

Rachel’s first goals are to put her focus and efforts toward customers and clients.

“We want to continue supporting them and providing them with the assets and details they and their customers need to feel confident in our product.”

Visit asaelectronics.com for more.

PHOENIX, AZ (04.22.22) – MTX Audio, of the MiTek Electronics and Communications Group, is announcing that their all-new audio kits and components for the Polaris RZR Pro XP platform of vehicles are now in stock and shipping. Kits are compatible with 2020 and newer machines and install in existing factory locations.

The kits consist of four main packages that will work on Ride Command and non- Ride Command vehicles alike and will offer different levels of audio experience from the basic three speaker package to a complete five speaker system. The Ride Command kits feature a direct plug and play harness that connects into the vehicles system allowing full functionality right through the display screen while the non-Ride Command systems come with our AWMC3 full function media receiver as a source.

Additionally, there are two OE add-on kits available. The first allows a customer to add the PROXP-20- SW and MUD600-1 amplifier to an existing OE front two speaker system and the second option allows the addition of a pair of our MUD65PL rear speakers to an OE two or three speaker system. All kits come complete with direct-fit hardware and plug-n-play harnesses for a frustration-free installation.

The separate front component speakers and subwoofer enclosure is also available outside of a kit package for customers looking for the individual parts. The PROXP-20-FS component speaker system features our new ground up designed 6 ½” speaker pod that mounts in the factory location beneath the dash combined with a high output, soft dome tweeter that mounts on the top of the dash.

The PROXP-20-SW subwoofer enclosure features our high output 10-inch subwoofer in a high mounted, ported design that installs in the passenger side dash area. The enclosure is intended to be coupled with the MUD600-1 mono-block amplifier and features a front firing design to maximize bass output.

“The feedback and excitement over our new Polaris RZR Pro XP kit has been amazing.” said Director of Sales and Marketing, Jason Fickas. “Dealers and customers alike have expressed how much they have been looking forward to an audio solution for this platform and we’re happy to finally be able to deliver it.”

Be sure to follow us on social media or check out our website for more details as they develop.

Visit mtxaudio.com for more.

This article was written by Jonathon Ramsey for autoblog.com

BIRMINGHAM, MI (04.21.22) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration might be devoted to ensuring drivers aren’t distracted while on the go, but automakers are growing just as inclined to ensure you’re never not distracted when you’re stopped. Looks like Ford will be the next automaker to load its infotainment system with games, after Tesla launched its Arcade mode last year and the Mercedes-Benz EQS options list included a game bundle.

Darren Palmer, Ford’s VP of global EV programs, posted a video to LinkedIn with the caption, “Some cute little games now on the F-150 Lightning. Proving a hit with my kids in final testing …” We’ll assume it’s his kid’s hand in the video using the volume knob to weave some Ford model — perhaps the Mustang Mach-E — through traffic on a four-lane road. We’ll also assume that since Palmer wrote “games,” there will be more than one available in the system. 

This game appears to have all the basics of a good time-waster: simple control, simple objective, easy enough for a kid to play and enjoy, task-oriented just enough for an adult to play and save a sliver of attention for whatever that adult is waiting for. And there’s a secondary game (for us, anyway) of “ID the Traffic.” We spotted a Mustang GT500, an F-150, and a GT. We really wouldn’t mind a Frogger version of this, either. 

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This article was written by Larry Printz for TheDetroitBureau.com

Winter is staging one last stand before the onslaught of spring and its promise of warmer weather. However, with climbing temperatures comes the impetus to drive topless. Who are we to argue?

But convertibles can be pricey; however, we’re offering up five of the least-expensive new convertibles you can buy. Surprisingly, all are iconic, which may explain their continued popularity. Best of all, all cost far less than $45,927 — the average price of a new vehicle in March. This means you’ll have a whole mess of fun without breaking the bank.

Note that prices do not include destination charge, options and taxes.

5. Ford Mustang: $32,705

After nearly six decades of continuous production, this sporty stallion mixes American moxie with European lines buffed to a modern sheen. Its turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine develops 310 horsepower to the rear wheels, more than the Mustang’s base V-8 developed 10 years ago.

A 6-speed manual is standard, a 10-speed automatic is optional. Best of all, all Mustangs eventually become collectibles, although you’ll have to wait. In the meantime, imagine the fun you’ll have. No wonder it remains the world’s most popular sport coupe.

4. Chevrolet Camaro: $32,695

The Mustang’s chief rival remains a compelling competitor, thanks to its outlandishly fun wardrobe that elicits longing glances from children disguised as adults. Yet it’s the car’s chassis that brings the greatest satisfaction. Its combination of cornering ability without a bone-jarring ride will surprise you.

But the Camaro comes with caveats. Its 275-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission make for a quick ride, although the base Mustang has more ponies. And visibility is far from great with the top up, which is another reason to keep it stowed.

3. Jeep Wrangler: $29,995

Any convertible will get you to the beach, but this is the only one that can transport you across it with its doors and top removed and its windshield folded. And it’s the only droptop listed that carries five adults, can ford rivers, and easily cut through the worst winter weather thanks to four-wheel drive. Try that in a Miata.

Keep in mind that this money buys you the two-door Jeep, not the four-door Unlimited. Power is good from its 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 paired with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, just don’t expect a smooth quiet ride on paved roads.

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