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Nissan is in trouble
Jordan Greer
August 15, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! Today, we delve into Nissan’s problems, Citroën's bittersweet farewell to the Australian market after a century-long presence, and explore the controversial trend of automakers like BMW offering car features via subscription. As always, if you enjoy our daily automotive adventures, don’t forget to share SpeedBites with your fellow car enthusiasts.
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Nissan's U.S. dealerships are struggling, with profitability hitting a 15-year low and almost 40% of the 1,071 dealers losing money due to a lack of hybrid options and an oversaturated market, resulting in a 70% drop in average net profit in the first half of 2024. In an attempt to bolster sales, Nissan plans to introduce its e-Power series hybrid system and a plug-in hybrid model, while also aiming to increase its retail market share from 5.4% in 2023 to 6.2% by the end of the fiscal year, though dealers remain skeptical of these goals.
Citroën, the longest continuously-running automotive brand in Australia, has announced it will cease new car sales in the country from 1 November 2024 due to years of poor sales performance, including a 35% drop in the first half of 2024. Despite efforts to move stock through significant discounts and a focus on premium models, the French car brand, imported and sold by Inchcape, has seen a 94% collapse in sales since its peak in 2007, leading to its decision to exit the Australian market.
Automakers, particularly BMW, have been criticized for offering microtransactions for features already installed in their vehicles, such as the Adaptive M Suspension, which was advertised for a monthly fee in Slovenia. These features, available through the ConnectedDrive store, have been part of the vehicles since 2020, and while they can be purchased outright in some markets like the US, others require a subscription model, leading to controversy over the perceived 'nickel-and-diming' approach.
The Ford Motor Company has issued three recalls and two do-not-drive warnings for vehicles fitted with non-desiccated airbag inflators from Takata. The second warning affects approximately 765,600 vehicles, with nearly 374,300 of these sold in the US.
Leaked press photos of the BMW M5 Touring, a wagon version of the M5 super sedan, have sparked mixed reactions among car enthusiasts, with some appreciating the new design and others critiquing its weight and slower speed compared to the previous M5 Competition. While official specs are yet to be released, it is expected that the M5 Touring will feature the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, 14.8 kWh battery pack, and combined output of 717 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque as the M5 sedan.
MOTORSPORT
The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who retired in 2023 following a career-ending crash, was arrested for DWI, careless driving, and reckless driving after being pulled over for speeding in Iredell County. He was released after three hours, had his license revoked for 30 days, and is due to appear in court on September 19, with his blood-alcohol level at the time of the arrest reported to be 0.17%, over twice the legal limit in North Carolina.
Mercedes-AMG has launched the "Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship," an esports series running on Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo 7, and iRacing platforms. The inaugural year, dubbed "Season Zero," will feature three stages of events involving the Mercedes-AMG GT3, with the top three drivers in the championship receiving exclusive prizes from Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed a link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased online abuse towards officials, leading to a change in the definition of 'misconduct' in the International Sporting Code to better support racing stewards. Sulayem used Instagram to voice his support for FIA stewards and urged them to discipline negative comments, stating that the FIA will not tolerate any form of abuse within the sport.
Porsche, after holding discussions with Red Bull about a potential partnership for the 2026 F1 power unit regulations, has ruled out returning to F1, with motorsport vice president Thomas Laudenbach stating that the company is focusing on its existing motorsport programmes. Despite the breakdown of the deal, which would have seen Porsche become a 50 percent owner of the Red Bull team, Porsche remains active in several major racing categories, including IMSA, WEC, GT, and Formula E, where it recently won the drivers' championship.
CURIOSITIES
Toyota Brazil has partnered with local armoring companies Avallon, Carbon, Evolution Blindagens, and Parvi Blindados to offer armor upgrades for both new and used Toyota models, including the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross SUV, the Hilux pickup, and the SW4 (Fortuner) SUV. The armoring, which includes reinforced bodywork and thicker windows, is designed to withstand attacks from small firearms and other weapons, and comes with a 5-year warranty on installation services and a 5- or 10-year warranty on materials.
The article discusses the challenges faced by tall individuals, like Shaquille O'Neal, in fitting into standard-sized cars, particularly mid-engine models. To overcome this, O'Neal purchased two Lamborghini Gallardos, had them cut in half, and then combined to create a custom extended-wheelbase Gallardo, which he later sold to another tall NBA player, Amar'e Stoudemire.
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