For the city that never sleeps, the annual New York Auto Show seemed a little tired this year. The Engine Block sifts through the slim pickings to highlight a few new and noteworthy models. Plus, we take a closer look at the automotive supply chain since the devastating bridge collapse in Baltimore, and provide an update on EV startup Fisker’s bankruptcy woes. And speaking of EVs, a few recent studies indicate they might not be as low maintenance as first advertised…
All that and more in this week’s Auto Industry News.
Limited Sights to See in New York
Fresh on the heels of the Easter Jeep Safari, another seasonal tradition kicked off this past holiday weekend: the New York International Auto Show.
Now in its 124th year, the event rolled into Manhattan’s Javits Center with all the aplomb of… well, a 124-year-old auto show.
Look, we know this event format is a bit of a dying art. But after the sleepy showing in Chicago, we were hoping for a little more excitement in the Big Apple. Aside from Korean sister brands Hyundai/Kia and their luxury division Genesis, the show’s barometer mostly read: “Meh.”
That doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything noteworthy to report on, though.
Check out a few debuts that caught our eye, even if it’s just because they were wearing a fresh change of clothes.
2025 Kia K4
Making an early debut, Kia’s new compact sedan turned more than a few heads – not only for its striking looks, but also the news of an upcoming five-door hatchback version.
With sharp lines, beveled edges, and an eye-catching headlight design, the K4 falls into lockstep with the brand’s new and updated offerings like the Kia EV9, K5, and Telluride. Its small footprint is what allows it to stand out, despite coming in a few inches larger than the Forte it is set to replace.
The chiseled styling carries over inside, where one large touchscreen dominates the dash and serves as both instrument cluster and infotainment center. Passengers gain a little elbow room over the outgoing Forte, but must pay for it in trunk space. The base engine stays the same – a 147-hp 2.0L four-cylinder – but buyers will now have the option to upgrade to a 190-hp turbo 1.6-liter four if they opt for the top GT-Line Turbo trim.
No word on the hatchback version’s specs, but we imagine it won’t deviate too far from its K4 sibling.
Genesis Magma Concepts
Already a serious contender in the modern luxury segment, Genesis announced its plans to establish a performance-focused “satellite” brand. The evidence came in the form of three bright orange concept vehicles inspired by last year’s NYIAS concept offering: the GV80 Coupe.
Serving as the vision for the production GV80 Coupe Luxury Sport SUV, which launched last November, the GV80 Magma Concept aimed to add some sporty spice to the existing model by serving up three powerful engines – including a 409-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with a 48-volt electric supercharger.
This year’s concept debuts follow the performance lead, but in a few different directions.
The GV60 Magma is expected to launch first. It builds upon Genesis’s new electric luxury SUV of the same name, injecting a little more athleticism into the coupe-like silhouette with wider fenders, bigger grilles, and plenty of aerodynamic details. Performance details are still hush, but whispers say to expect dual motors producing horsepower in the 600 range.
Next on the debut menu was the G80 Magma Special, an enhanced version of the G80 mid-size luxury sedan. Featuring improved driving performance, it will be sold exclusively in the Middle East.
Last was the X Gran Berlinetta concept. Created for the Gran Turismo video games, the ultra-sleek concept features a hybrid race-spec drivetrain good for 1071 horsepower and 986 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Hyundai’s compact hauler sees a mild refresh for the 2025 model year, along with an interesting new off-road trim.
The styling updates are minor but effective, with a new grille, bumper, DRLs, and wheel design waking up the Santa Cruz’s exterior. Inside, we’re happy to see a new panoramic curved screen grace the dash, as well as some fresh hard control knobs for easier (and safer) use.
The XRT trim wears its own unique bumper, designed to improve approach angle and sport an overall more menacing look. Hyundai added front tow hooks to bump up capability, as well as large all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels designed to look like wrenches. The model’s existing powertrains carry over, a standard 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an optional 281-hp 2.5-liter turbo. The latter gains an all-new tow mode for 2025 to the Limited trim and upcoming XRT.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The compact Hyundai Tucson SUV also showed off a fresh face and revised interior in New York.
The exterior updates are not unlike the Santa Cruz, focusing mainly on the grille, front and rear bumpers, and DRL design. New alloy wheels in a geometric pattern complement the revised front end, while a new large touchscreen modernizes the cabin. Like the Santa Cruz, it’s a panoramic curved display featuring two 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass.
The Tucson also sees more physical buttons and switches replace touchscreen controls, but that doesn’t mean Hyundai slept on the convenience tech upgrades.
The infotainment center’s interface looks and performs better; wireless connectivity is now standard on every model; a biometric scanner on the dash allows users to start the car via fingerprint; and a special driver-selectable “Baby Mode” helps reduce the sharpness of initial acceleration, smoothing out driver inputs for a gentler acceleration feeling for passengers. On the safety side, new driver-assistance tech adds Forward Attention Warning to keep drivers’ attention focused squarely on the road.
Did you know…?
The Hyundai Group brands didn’t just dominate the debuts at NYIAS, they also took top honors during the award ceremony. Kia’s new EV9 took home the award for 2024 World Car of the Year as well as for World Electric Vehicle. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N picked up World Performance Car, outperforming 16 other go-fast models.
Automakers Look For New Harbor
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in the early morning hours of March 26 after a devastating containership collision, tragically killing six construction workers and shutting down one of the busiest ports on America’s East Coast. The complicated process of removing the wreckage began this past weekend, as officials continue to determine the economic impact of a major harbor closing down.
Spare capacity at nearby ports should lessen the chances of a national supply chain crisis. However, the impact to Maryland’s dockworkers and local economy could be significant, as thousands of jobs depend on port activity.
Another area of concern is the possible effect on the automotive industry. The Port of Baltimore is one of the largest vehicle-handling locations in the U.S., with more than 750,000 vehicles going through the port in 2022. For automakers, simply switching to another port isn’t an easy task.
As NPR explains, not all ports are equally equipped to unload the unique vessels that carry vehicles. Additionally, the vehicles require inspection and installation services after they are unloaded. These services take place at specially-built port facilities typically located right next to where the ships unload their cargo. Not every port has this feature.
Some automakers, like Volkswagen and BMW, expect no interruptions since their receiving facilities are located at the Tradepoint Atlantic terminal, a part of the Baltimore port that remains accessible. Other companies are finding alternatives, including sending their shipments to vehicle-handling ports that are farther away (like Georgia) or to non-vehicle-handling ports which can then accommodate driving the cargo down to Baltimore for processing (like New Jersey).
Economists and logistics experts believe that with various shipment strategies under consideration and recent increases in inventory levels, the likelihood of significant spikes in new vehicle prices is minimal.
In Case You Missed It
Volvo produced its last diesel vehicle this past week, an XC90 SUV at its Torslanda plant. The Swedish automaker is phasing out the technology – along with all combustion-powered engines – as it transitions to an all-electric lineup. Volvo aims to be EV-only by 2030.
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What Else You Need To Know This Week
Here are a few headlines we’re keeping an eye on and think you should too.
Bad News (and Reviews) for Fisker
When it rains it pours, and EV brand Fisker is caught in a hurricane without so much as a poncho. The company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and, now that negotiations for partnership with a large automaker fell through, it’s pulling out all the stops to avoid a crash-and-burn ending.
In addition to a six-week production pause, the California-based automaker is now slashing the price of its Ocean lineup by anywhere from $14,000-$24,000 depending on trim level. According to a Fisker press release, the price cuts will “strategically position Ocean to be a more affordable and compelling EV choice, competitively available to EV buyers.” But with everyone from Consumer Reports, to Edmunds, to popular YouTube influencer Marques Brownlee delivering harsh reviews of the vehicle, we’re not sure a fire sale will be enough to convince buyers.
Additionally, last week the New York Stock Exchange halted trading in Fisker’s stock and delisted the company, citing “abnormally low” price levels. At the time of suspension, the startup’s shares were trading at a mere $0.09.
Nissan’s Future Profit Plans, Possible New Xterra?
Nissan, the company that Fisker was reportedly hoping to partner with, announced its new global business plan last week. The company said it will launch 30 new vehicle models over the next three years, aiming to increase sales by 1 million vehicles by 2027.
Sixteen of the new models with be electrified, sporting a mix of electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid technologies. Nissan is aiming for a similar combination to make up 60% of its global sales by the end of the decade. In the short term, however, it expects internal combustion models to make up about 60% of sales by 2027.
In the teaser video Nissan released to illustrate its new strategy, the silhouette of a familiar-looking boxy SUV can be seen rolling through the frame. Could an Xterra revival be part of the plan? We certainly hope so.
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Spoiler: EVs Still Need Regular Maintenance, Specifically Tires
A CDK Global survey released earlier this month indicates electric vehicles might not be quite as low maintenance as some shoppers may think they are.
According to the study, titled “The EV Ownership Lifestyle,” nearly half of EV owners (45%) brought their vehicles in for service within the first six months of ownership, despite the recommendation of a year. This number was higher for non-Tesla owners (49%) than Tesla owners (39%).
Interestingly, in another CDK Global study from the service department’s perspective, nearly four out of five respondents (79%) said they expect to generate more revenue over the next two years with the introduction of EVs, not less. While software issues are expected to top the list of service requests, tire maintenance is a major motivator to schedule an appointment.
Greater weight combined with higher torque results in a vehicle that requires more tire rotations, and wears through rubber faster than a standard ICE ride. In fact, a recent J.D. Power study shows that EV owners are having less satisfaction with the durability of their tires. The sentiment tracks with some recent news reports showing unhappy EV owners replacing their tires after much less than the expected 30,000-40,000 miles – some as little as 6,000 miles.
While dealership salespeople will need to work on closing the education gap, it seems the service department will reap the benefits in the meantime.
The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Wednesday for a breakdown of the top aftermarket performance trends for 2024. Then, on Friday, don’t miss our list of the best used diesel trucks for daily driving.