Coronavirus COVID-19 Automotive News

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In Coronavirus COVID-19 automotive news are Lincoln, Rivian, Ford, Tesla, GM, INFINITI and more.

Cancel, Delay, Delay, Delay

Lincoln has cancelled planes to build an SUV based on the Rivian platform.
Ford will delay the commercial launch of its autonomous vehicles by a year, to 2022. The pandemic may also delay new F-150 pickup hybrid, electric Mustang Mach-e and retro Broncos.

General Motors has delayed the premier of the Hummer EV that was supposed to be revealed on May 20. However the company still expect it to be released by fall 2021.

Tesla is delaying the Tesla Semi until 2021.

Try Some Fun Carigami

INFINITI, drawing from its Japanese heritage and dramatic designs, is releasing a collection of INFINITI “Carigami” models. As people around the world are encouraged to stay home in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, INFINITI customers, fans and families are encouraged to discover their artistic sides, as part of the Park It For Now (#ParkitforNow) campaign.

Combining two elements of INFINITI brand DNA, powerfully elegant design with Japanese inspired craftsmanship, the aim is to create Origami-like designs that can be downloaded and produced at home

A series of three different INFINITI models can be produced in 1:27 scale, replicating the design of the Q50, QX80, and the brand’s iconic FX crossover.

The project is part of the brand’s effort to encourage people to stay at home to contain the spread of COVID-19, by providing a free creative outlet for customers and fans.

All three models will be available for download at www.INFINITI.com

“In this unprecedented time where citizens of the world are doing their part to fight COVID-19 by staying at home, we wanted to develop something that will help ease the boredom, while having a bit of fun” said Phil York, General Manager of INFINITI Global Brand and Marketing. He continued, “Our hope is that lovers of cars and crafts alike, will enjoy Carigami.”

With a printer at home, some paper, a craft knife and glue, users can simply print the templates and assemble their own version of the popular vehicles.

The team who created the project embraced the playful spirit of the concept when producing content, including capturing a scaled-down “at home reveal” of the vehicles on a record turntable (in place of the typical design revolve). The aim is to inspire users who are seeking for a creative outlet as they practice social distancing at home.

Starting with the Q50, the QX80 and the FX Carigami model templates will be progressively available to download via www.infiniti.com/headlines/carigami. Users are encouraged to upload images of their efforts to social media with the hashtags #ParkitforNow #Carigami.

The “Driven to Assist” campaign will begin on Thursday, April 30 through Wednesday, May 6 at all 22 Larry H. Miller Dealerships locations in Utah, 13 LHM Megaplex Theatres, home of the NBA Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena and home of the MiLB Salt Lake Bees at Smith’s Ballpark.

Donations can be made between 2-6 p.m. each day (except Sunday, May 3) at drive-thru locations. The adjacent Park Place will be used for donation drop-offs at Vivint Smart Home Arena and the North Parking Lot for Smith’s Ballpark. LHM Group employees will provide on-site staffing with appropriate Utah Department of Health social distancing and sanitization practices, including the wearing of face masks.

Nationwide is on the Staying at Home Side

Nationwide announced today a plan to permanently transition to a hybrid operating model that comprises primarily working-from-office in four main corporate campuses and working-from-home in most other locations.

“We’ve been investing in our technological capabilities for years, and those investments really paid off when we needed to transition quickly to a 98 percent work-from-home model,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Our associates and our technology team have proven to us that we can serve our members and partners with extraordinary care with a large portion of our team working from home.”

The four main campus locations will include central Ohio (including downtown Columbus and Grandview Yard); Des Moines, Iowa; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and San Antonio, Texas. These locations were selected based on:

  • Current large concentration of associates;
  • Flexibility to serve members across time zones;
  • And, ongoing access to associate talent and subject matter expertise that will enable continued success.

“Our goal is to ensure that when a recovery comes, we’re prepared to win business with competitively priced solutions while enhancing our resiliency and operational efficiency,” continued Walker. “We’re technology-enabled, people-connected and mission-driven. I remain extremely optimistic about our future.”

The company plans to exit most buildings outside of the four designated campuses by November 1, 2020 and move associates in these locations to permanent remote-working status. Those locations include:

  • Gainesville, Fla.
  • Harleysville, Penn.
  • Raleigh, N.C.
  • Wausau, Wis.
  • Richmond, Va.

Exceptions include Nationwide Pet’s business operations in Brea, Calif., Nationwide’s New York City office, where the company’s management liability and specialty business is based, as well as Nationwide’s annuity distribution facility in Louisville, Ky. Exceptions may also include smaller offices and locations that are required by state plans or business need to have an office location to service members. Over the next several months, the company will finalize details, including technology and equipment needs, support mechanisms and telework agreements. Nationwide remains committed to its philanthropic efforts throughout the country.

Nationwide swiftly moved to a work-from-home posture in mid-March to preserve associate health and well-being and with the intent of flattening the COVID-19 curve. The company has maintained strong operational and customer service levels throughout that time.

Fyusion 3D for Selling More Cars

Fyusion, which enables the creation of beautiful 3D images with deep AI understanding, today announced a free version of its enterprise-class 3D automotive imaging solution, to help auto dealers sell cars to customers who are unable to visit their dealerships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 Fyusion, which enables the creation of beautiful 3D images with deep AI understanding, today announced a free version of its enterprise-class 3D automotive imaging solution, to help auto dealers sell cars to customers who are unable to visit their dealerships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fyusion Auto 3D Direct enables dealers to quickly and easily create a 3D image of a car, allowing customers to engage with that image to evaluate all dimensions of the vehicle, inside and out. Dealers can add tags to the image to highlight features with closeup photos, audio and video.

With one click, dealers can save the image and share it directly with customers via text, email or messaging apps. Customers get an immersive, 3D view of the vehicle that is the closest experience to the dealer showroom available.

CarAdvise & USAA Contactless

CarAdvise announced today that it has been selected as USAA’s automotive maintenance solution provider for the company’s 13 million member base. The partnership gives USAA members access to savings at over 20,000 service locations nationwide, including many No Contact Car Care™ facilities where CarAdvise’s digital technology is enabled to mitigate human interaction in this time of social distancing due to COVID-19.

CarAdvise is an additional solution that USAA will provide to its members to further enhance its best-in-class offerings. With 93% of members being digitally active in 2018, an online maintenance solution is a natural extension based upon user demand and behavior. With CarAdvise, members can browse services, view shops, compare prices, schedule service, approve work and pay all from the palm of their hand – if necessary without ever having to interact face-to-face with another person. Receipts are also provided electronically, eliminating another step typically requiring human touch.///

To ensure the safety of both car shoppers and auto dealers, Carsforsale.com’s new Virtual Shopping communication system highlights contactless buying options like Video Walkarounds, At Home Test Drives, and Driveway Delivery to ensure seamless and safe buying connections in the wake of COVID-19.

Contactless shopping options will be visibly highlighted on both Carsforsale.com inventory listings as well as on nearly 20,000 Dealer Websites powered by Cars For Sale to celebrate the supportive measures auto dealers are taking to serve their customers’ needs and prioritize safety.

-The latest Strategy Analytics assessment of the market for automotive electronics systems finds that overall demand will plunge at least 8% in 2020, with falls of up to 15% over 2019 levels possible if recovery does not begin soon. The Strategy Analytics Powertrain, Body, Safety & Chassis Service (PBCS) service report, “Automotive System Demand 2018 to 2027: COVID-19 Dictates the Short-Term, But Market Fundamentals Remain Sound” predicts that growth will return, driven by demand for electrified vehicles with advanced safety (ADAS) and automation features, but that 2020 will be a very tough year for automotive suppliers.

In its baseline scenario, Strategy Analytics finds that a total of at least $78 billion of potential orders to Tier One suppliers for automotive electronics systems will been lost through to 2026. This is despite a predicted boost to electric vehicle demand. Any forthcoming incentives to re-start the car market across the globe are expected to focus on these cleaner models.

“How automotive suppliers fare in the coming months will heavily depend on their product line-ups,” noted Ian Riches, Vice President for the Global Automotive Practice (GAP). “Those who are strong in electrification and ADAS technologies will have a much less painful time than those who are not”.

“There will be regional differences too”, he added. “Recovery in South Korea and China is looking firmer than in many other major automotive centers at the moment. Automakers and suppliers which are well-entrenched in these regions could thus find themselves in a relatively strong position compared to their global competitors. This could potentially fuel an acquisition-hunt later this year.”

Facedrive for Foodies Too

Facedrive Inc. (“Facedrive”) (TSXV: FD), the first Canadian peer-to-peer, eco-friendly and socially responsible ride-sharing network, is pleased to announce the launch of Facedrive Foods, an initiative to connect residents and local restaurant businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Menu options available for delivery through the Facedrive Foods platform will generally be comprised of healthy, nutritious and sustainably sourced meal options offered by like-minded restaurant businesses with consumers’ wellness in mind. With a large portion of Facedrive’s user base consisting of high school, college and university students, Facedrive believes it has a responsibility to adopt a scrupulous approach towards selecting vendors and menu options.