Having gotten into foul trouble early, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson got a long rest in the third quarter of Monday’s Finals game. Without Brunson in the game, it was like the rest of the team ceased to exist. As a bandwagon Knicks fan it was hard to watch. A star player doesn’t do much for you on the sidelines, and it’s long felt like superstar designer Ralph Gilles hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do his best work at Chrysler in years. That’s maybe changing.
Some of the problems are structural, as in literally the platforms that Gilles and team have had to play with were not ideal for making new cars. The Morning Dump is nothing if not a venue to discuss the structures that dictate the cars we love or hate. BYD thinks it may have the bones in place to become the largest automaker by scale in five years. Maybe, but will that include selling cars people want? It’s long been BYD vs. Tesla, but lately it feels like BYD and Tesla vs. Reality, which might be what’s happening with that company’s robotaxis.
Have you ever gotten gas from Costco? If you hadn’t before, you’re statistically more likely to have done that in the last month thanks to the war in Iran.
The New Stellantis Platform Will Be A ‘Star’
If you look at the video above, on the left, is probably the affordable Chrysler Airflow or Airflow Cross (not to be confused with the Citroën C3 Aircross, which is another Stellantis product). That doesn’t look too bad. This is an early render, so I assume a more detailed and revised vehicle is coming, but it seems like it’s a step in the right direction.
Chrysler has been trying to offer a crossover for approximately 30 years, and the big holdup has been that Chrysler gets new guardians like Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (#justiceforauntviv). Brands, like children, need stability to thrive. It seems like the new STLA One platform has been developed to give various smaller brands a chance to make something a little more unique.
That’s good. Designer Ralph Giles, in addition to being almost universally liked and wearing the hell out of that turtleneck, has put his pen to a lot of great cars, including the Chrysler 300 and last gen-Viper. Lately, though, Stellantis has been sticking the various ex-DaimlerChryslerCerburusGameStopFiat brands with mediocre platforms that couldn’t take much more than a light redesign (ahem, Hornet). It’s kinda sucked, and it’s a sad debate as to whether this has been worse for brands like Chrysler, which has been starved of platforms, or Dodge, which has had to use them.
According to this Automotive News article, it sounds like STLA One is going to enable Chrysler to let Gilles be Gilles again:
STLA One will be a “star” in the global lineup as the automaker phases out its STLA Small and STLA Medium platforms, Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles said.
The platform will support gasoline and electrified powertrains in segments ranging from subcompacts to family-hauling midsize utility vehicles. It’s designed to reduce complexity, cut costs, shorten time to market and strengthen supplier stability.
“We are getting rid of our own boundaries that we were constraining ourselves in terms of segmentation, in terms of dimension,” Davide Mele, Stellantis’ chief product planning officer, said during the company’s May 21 investor day.
It’s definitely possible to rebadge or tweak cars and make them interesting, but after years of bad EV bets it sounds like we’re in for a long period of visual refreshes as an industry. Stellantis, at least, is getting a do-over. Also, I agree with this guy:
“I‘m a strong believer in Ralph Gilles,” said Stellantis National Dealer Council Chairman Sean Hogan. “I think he’s got a vision for this product, he’s got a vision for Chrysler, definitely, and what he touches seems to turn out really well for the brands, so I’m pretty optimistic with all these new vehicles coming. We need it.”
Chrysler dealers are probably desperate for anything, and it’s good fortune for them that Gilles usually produces cars that are sometimes the thing.
BYD Will Be The Biggest, Says Chairman, But Who Cares?
Current BYD CEO and my former chauffeur Wang Chaunfu was up on stage at the annual BYD meeting yesterday and he had a lot of things to say about the company, including that it’ll be bigger than everyone else (read: Toyota and Volkswagen) in five years.
Wang highlighted the robust growth of Chinese automakers in international markets, noting that BYD’s products – characterised by competitive pricing, advanced technology, and superior user experience – are currently outperforming many local competitors.
While the company initially set an overseas sales target of 1.6 million vehicles for this year, Wang revealed that current trends suggest this figure will be surpassed. Emphasising a strategy of “long-termism,” Wang stressed the importance of localisation to ensure stable and sustainable growth, aiming for win-win outcomes in international markets.
Sure, but at what cost? While BYD has a large percentage of the domestic market, that market is still oversaturated with brands and older automakers like Geely are catching up in terms of offerings. As CNEVPost points out, shares of BYD have fallen 33% over the last year.
The era of China shoveling money and incentives into car companies is likely in the past, which means that BYD has to succeed as an exporter and a builder of cars in other countries in order to achieve the kind of margins it needs to continue to exist. If BYD becomes the biggest carmaker and can’t sell cars profitably, that’s not going to be sustainable over the long term.
Elon Musk’s Robotaxi Claims Haven’t Exactly Panned Out Yet
While people have spotted the eventual Tesla CyberCab out testing, the current robotaxi fleet is reportedly still just a bunch of Model Ys. And a “bunch” in that sentence is an overstatement as Bloomberg reports:
“We’ve already expanded our service area in Austin,” the chief executive officer said. Tesla was planning to grow further in the city and quickly spread to California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. “We’ll probably have autonomous ride-hailing in about half the population of the US by the end of the year.”
Almost a year later, Tesla has just 59 vehicles in its entire robotaxi fleet as of Tuesday, limited to three Texas cities.
Here’s another fun piece from the article:
Musk has blamed state and federal regulators for the slow rollout. But Tesla has faced few rules in Texas and it has moved slowly even in places where it has the green light. The company secured test permits in Arizona and Nevada last year but has yet to launch in those states.
State regulators in Texas are, in my long experience living there, like snow days in Corpus Christi. They exist, but if your argument relies on everyone believing they’re a threat you’re in trouble.
E’rbody At The Costco Getting Gassy
Take it from Adrian, Costco is kinda the best place to get gas. That’s hard for me to write because I want a sweet Shell deal or something in the future, but let’s be honest, if you’ve got a Costco near you that’s probably where you’re getting gas.
Here’s some data from Costco, via the Seattle Times, that shows how many of you are getting gas at Costco:
In the third fiscal quarter, which runs from mid-February to mid-May, Costco said its gas sales set successive records, with the final five weeks of the quarter being the highest in the company’s 50-year history.
Costco stations saw so much demand over that period that trucks had to deliver gas to the same locations multiple times a day, CEO Ron Vachris said during an earnings call last month. The lower prices drove many members to use Costco gas for the first time that quarter.
The Issaquah, Washington-based warehouse club typically offers gas prices up to 30 cents cheaper per gallon than other gas stations. Costco makes little profit on gas as a result — but, like its $4.99 rotisserie chicken or $1.50 hot dog combo, the low prices attract customers willing to purchase a Costco membership to access such discounts.
Damn, now I want a hot dog.
What I’m Listening To While Writing TMD
Would you believe that “Your Love” by English band The Outfield has been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube? It’s a bop, and also birthed one of my low-key favorite SNL sketches. You know I like my cars a little bit older.
The Big Question
Who is your favorite car designer?
Top photo: Chrysler
Favorite designer: Giovanni Michelotti
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Michelotti
“Your Love” by The Outfield always gets turned up in my car. The lyrics are just crazy, though. It’s basically, “Great news, my girlfriend’s out of town so I was thinking you’d come over and I’ll sex you repeatedly and then when my girlfriend comes back what we’ll do is we’ll keep quiet about that shit like it never happened. Just an idea I had, thought I’d give you a call.”
I always thought this was a song where people didn’t pay attention to the verses and only the chorus. A beautifully misunderstood song kind of like “Born in the USA” or “Pink Houses”.
I’m near a Costco fairly regularly and have a membership, but I don’t like waiting for gas. Also, I drive a rotary and premix. While I am fairly quick at the process, I can only imagine the scowls I would get from those behind me.
Dark horse: Frua
Also, does BYD need to build cars that people *want*? With the worldwide economy being what it is, perhaps a company that desires to grow should focus on the vehicles that people need and can afford.
Having seen the BYD Seal, and Tesla model3, I could verifiably say that I would want the BYD over the Tesla – even if I discounted Tesla’s toxic CEO and prices were the same.
My favourite designer is Adrian Clarke. Second comes Patrick Le Quément with whom I was able to interact in an obscure design website.
The Chrysler 300, especially the 2nd gen, is the best looking car to ever wear the badge in my opinion. They’ve had good cars before, but man that design is just timeless.
I pass a Costco almost every day I drive to work ~0730, and I can confirm the gas lines are always occupied. The lines aren’t always long, but they’re constant. God help you if you want to get gas in the afternoon, you’re gonna be waiting a bit.
That 300 design is aging like fine wine. Love whenever I see one.
I still look every time I see one. Also I’ve noticed that most are in good shape. I don’t recall seeing many that are clapped out, and that makes me happy.
Saw one today and gave an appreciative nod.
This is what people want to hear. They’ll make the cars in the markets that’ll buy them rather than export direct from China.
It’ll be interesting, but there’s definitely a reckoning for domestic product/brands as smaller ones suffer and either are pruned or absorbed.
They are already introducing the Dolphin G as something specifically tailored to European tastes.
Hyundai started being a credible player in Europe after the Getz and (especially) the Mk1 i30, two cars which were designed specifically with European tastes in mind.
Ket’s see.
“Who is your favorite car designer?”
Bruno Sacco
or
Georgetto Giugiaro
Hmm, Costco is 30ish minutes away, so we’ll say it would cost me a gallon of gas to get there and back. I use premium and paid $4.80 a gallon last time I filled up, about 13 gallons. If Costco cost $0.30 less per gallon, that would be $3.90 less to fill the tank, but I would have used $4.50 of gas to get there and back. It might be worth it if I was in the area to begin with, but I rarely am, and also, saving $4.00 isn’t worth sitting in line for 20 minutes.
Costco is 3 miles from my house and I rarely buy gas anywhere else. My local store just added a whole bunch more pumps, and the wait is rarely more than 5 minutes.
Can anyone fill up at Costco, or just members? With it just being me and my wife, I haven’t had a need for a membership, I only have the experience of going with friends.
I’m a single guy. I save ~$5 on every fill up, and that’s enough to more than pay for the annual membership. If you’re filling 2 vehicles regularly, the membership is cheaper than free. And there are plenty of savings to be had inside the store for small households.
….I think you might be me
Stop stealing my socks!
Don’t worry, wi’ll get some more of the Puma ones next trip.
Members only. Gotta scan your card at the pump.
Members only at the gas pumps, too. We’ve more than made a membership work, in a household of two people.
The small household is just one factor. The biggest is that it’s 30 minutes away and there just isn’t that much there that I want, other than the occasional larger purchase, like tires. Beyond that, they have some good stuff, but I just don’t need it enough to drive that far.
Like Eggsalad, my Costco added pumps so things are much smoother now, but at one point my girlfriend at the time saw the line and said “I’d literally pay more not to sit in that line.”
She was wrong about a lot of stuff, but she was dead-on there.
TBQ: gotta give it up for the original, Harley Earl.
Much love to Raymond Loewy and Brooks Stevens, though automobiles were just a part of their respective design portfolios.
I like my car designers cranky. Adrian of course! He’s the only one I’ve personally interacted with, even if only on the internet.
However, as honorable mentions I’ll um… mention some that made some of my favorite cars earlier:
Manabu Konaka – designer of the fifth gen Honda Prelude.
Mimi Vandermolen – Designer of the Ford Probe. I always liked that car and even though it was ambitious and people rioted about replacing the Mustang, on its own it was a great little sports coupe! I actually got to drive one when I was learning to drive and fell in love. Less interestingly, Mimi also worked on the Taurus which was important but also boring.
I like the Vandermolen mention. First, the Taurus interior beat the ever loving crap out of every other American car interior of the time. And the Probe is highly underrated in general.
I had a 93 GT. A bit of torque steer but it actually handled pretty good on cloverleafs. Tires were pricey and IIRC I chewed through a transmission fairly early. Eventually small stuff like window motors going out earned it the nickname “The Probe-lem”
Fun car though for sure.
TBQ: Newey.
I mean, yes, his portfolio is almost entirely racing cars but still.
Race cars are cars too. And Newey is the right answer.
Larry Shinoda
“The Big Question
Who is your favorite car designer?”
Phil Zak.
Franco Sbarro, because of reasons.
He also started my favorite local pizza joint.
Swiss pizza???
Not cars, but the (formerly?) unloved Pierre Terblanche-designed Ducatis are the only modern bikes I still lust for.
There are … dozens of us.
The MH900e, imho, is a work of art.
I loved the organic feel of the Terblanche SS, and the svelte look of the 749/999. (the “iconic” 916 felt far too derivative of the Honda NR750).
They’re far from “modern” being 20 years since the last 999 and 19 years since Terblanche left Ducati.
It was only after I’d owned it for nearly 25 years that I learned that my 907ie was designed by Massimo Tamburini, and I thought that was pretty cool.
Tamburini’s designs outside of Ducati catch my eye more, between the MVAgusta F4 and the Bimota Tesi 1D
But it’s really hard to ignore the impact to the motorcycle world with the release of the Ducati Monster, but that was Galluzzi I think.
Sadly, getting to the nearest Costco would require a 100 mile drive for me.
But E10 unleaded was $3.85/gallon nearby yesterday.
I’m also 100+ miles from a Costco (I think they’re building one now though that’s about 50 miles away? Still too far to bother going there).
Unfortunately gas here is about $4.40.
Björn Envall.
Chris Bangle, purely because of the Bangle Butt controversy.
If we’re actually being serious, Alec Issigonis. Cause he gave us the Mini.
Edit: Oh crap, we were supposed to say Adrian, weren’t we?
I’m surprised to see that Costco has such an effect elsewhere. Here in Canada, the cost savings would be eaten by the fuel it takes me to get there, as I have 3 gas stations within 3km of my house, and the closest Costco gas is like 30km away at the other end of the city.
I also don’t think I’ve ever seen it more than $0.03/L cheaper than other stations. Prices can fluctuate as much as $0.20/L across the greater Ottawa area, though.
I’ve driven autocross at a Viper event with Ralph G, so he almost has to be my answer.
(Flame suit on)
Costco hot dogs are terrible. Sam’s hot dogs are MUCH better.
Somebody take this guy’s membership.
I have to agree Costco US has a tendency to use pencil-thin backyard BBQ reject franks, but last week I had the pleasure of a Canadian Costco dog and man. That thing was perfect. The tradeoff is worse pizza though.
The long lines at Costco gas stations can be a bit unfortunate, and getting in and out of the parking lot can be dicey. But I’ve found that going to the furthest left pump and using their longer fuel hoses to reach around means I usually only have to wait for one person to finish fueling instead of 3 or 4. ‘
Also, Elon Musk’s obviously insane claims not coming to fruition for the 18th time? Whaaaaaat? This cannot be. When will people stop giving this guy airtime? Nothing he says is real; it’s all lies.
All the Costco hoses can reach around.
oh, that did not come out right
Works for me!
Man, Costco is a better deal than I realized!
Ron Hill designed the second-generation Corvair. I took a class he was teaching nearly 25 years ago; at the time he was driving a BMW E36 318ti hatch, so weird car bona fides confirmed, and an easy answer to TBQ.
It’s patently absurd that Chrysler hasn’t been selling massaged Citroens and DSs. Stellantis acts much more like Cerberus did than as a car company
QOTD: Sergio Pininfarina. So many absolutely stunning designs, and not just red cars…