Auto Industry News: Four Wheeler Adventure Expo Recap, Sneak Peek at 2021 Ford Bronco, and Diesel Bros Ordered to Pay Up
Reality continues to feel like the first 45 minutes of a bad horror film as the coronavirus quickly puts life on hold. Thankfully, not all fun has been cancelled, as our friend Cody Sisson of the TrailChasers Podcast reports with his recap of the Four Wheeler Adventure Expo. Leaked photos of the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport promise some exciting new off-road rigs. And the Diesel Brothers find themselves slapped with an $850k fine for their coal-rolling ways.
Coronavirus Cancels Everything, Man
Unless you’ve been living under an incredibly sanitary rock, it’s impossible for you to be unaware of the recent coronavirus crisis. The global pandemic, at the time of writing, has infected 180,000+ people across 156 countries, killing 6,500 so far.
As a result of the virus, we’ve seen the CDC warn the public to avoid group gatherings of more than 10 people, resulting in the cancellation or rescheduling of major sporting and entertainment events like NCAA basketball and the SXSW film festival. The auto industry in particular has taken a nasty hit, with auto shows like Geneva and Beijing called off, and racing organizations like the NHRA, NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1 racing in front of empty stands or completely shutting down events.
(Click here for an up-to-date list of coronavirus racing cancellations.)
In addition to these upsets, we’re watching the auto industry prepare for the worst in real time. Morgan Stanley predicts that U.S. auto sales will drop 9% this year, while LMC Automotive expects a global decline of 4%. And with China, the nation that exports more than $34 billion in motor parts to the rest of the world, firmly in the eye of the COVID-19 storm, automakers are scrambling to prevent parts and accessories shortages. While China’s decision to limit and halt production was surely the best option to help contain the virus, it has had a seismic impact on global supply chains.
From CNBC: “General Motors identified a potential parts shortage and airlifted supplies for its North American truck production, according to United Auto Workers officials. A company spokesman declined to comment on specifics, but confirmed the plants producing the vehicles are operating normally. Fiat Chrysler has said it is seeking alternative suppliers. Others, like Toyota Motor and auto suppliers Dana and Aptiv have established teams, task forces and war rooms to closely monitor the COVID-19 epidemic.”
As statewide lockdowns, Wall Street volatility, and an overwhelmed healthcare system continue to evolve, this is likely just the start of a dismal economic forecast. On the bright side, the FDA is fast-tracking a new test that can screen patients substantially faster than existing options, and scientists and researchers started clinical trials for a vaccine.
We’ll keep you updated as this whole thing unfolds. In the meantime, Jenni Newman, editor of Cars.com, offers some sound advice: “If you were thinking about doing a repair to your car … perhaps it’s time to move that to the top of your list.”
Four Wheeler Adventure Expo a Success
The Four Wheeler Adventure Expo, a new event that celebrates off-roading, overlanding, and outdoor adventure, went off without a hitch earlier this month in Costa Mesa, California. We have special first-hand coverage of the event from Cody Sisson, host of the TrailChasers Podcast:
“For a first run at this type of show, it was a huge success. The Orange County Fairgrounds were the perfect place to hold the first Four Wheeler Magazine Adventure Expo and the event, held March 7-8, was more than just an off-road or overland event. It was designed to show how vehicles are the mechanism that gets you to the adventure at the end of the trail: hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, etc.
There were people and products from all different aspects of the outdoor lifestyle on-hand to showcase products, collaborate on efforts, and swap stories of that one time out in the forest. In this one place, you had the ability to quench your thirst for a multitude of outdoor activities—big or small, powered by fuel or electricity, held day or night, at a fast or relaxed pace.
The team from the Trailchasers Podcast was at the event with Icon Vehicle Dynamics, a presenting sponsor of the show. We had the opportunity to interview Sean Holman (MotorTrend), Jay Tilles (Banks Power), Brad Kowitz (Trail Recon), Ian Johnson (Big Tire Garage), Jason Demello (Demello Offroad), and Clay and Rochelle Croft (Expedition Overland), each of whom talked about the show from their perspective.
Part 1 of the TrailChasers’ coverage of the Four Wheeler Adventure Expo is available NOW wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen HERE.
However, the one consistent theme was how excited they were for the event to come back next year. And why wouldn’t they be? When you look at the landscape of vendors, as impressive as it was, you quickly realize that the ‘outdoor lifestyle’ encompasses even more than what we saw this weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year’s event expanded to boats, a scuba diving pool, a bungee jumping demo, and an indoor surfing pool. I mean—the possibilities are endless.
However the Four Wheeler and Lodestone Team decide to grow the event, it seems clear that the community will do whatever it takes to support it. If they can have this kind of success on a first try, in the midst of a major medical scare, then I don’t think anything can stop them going forward.”
Ford Bronco/Bronco Sport Leak Ahead of Debut
The cat is firmly out of the bag this time. No more camouflaged spy shots. These are some high-quality pics of the production-ready 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport.
Ahead of its official reveal (now postponed, due to the coronavirus), fans get a peek at three models: the two- and four-door variants of the Bronco and a crossover version dubbed the Bronco Sport.
Sporting a classic, boxy profile reminiscent of the OG Bronco, the updated design blends past and present in some fun ways. Round headlights give a vintage vibe, but LED rings keep the front end modern—as do the LED strips that point to a B-R-O-N-C-O nameplate in the grille. “Wide fender flares, off-road tires, Ford’s beadlock-capable wheels, and a beefy front bumper indicate to us that this is likely a similar trim to that of the Wrangler Rubicon,” speculates Car & Driver, who also expects a 2.3-liter turbo-four base engine with an optional 2.7-liter turbo V-6 to be on the menu.
Sharing its unibody platform with the 2020 Escape, the “Baby Bronco” cuts a nice figure. Less boxy than the full-size Bronco SUV, it still sports a shape that’s more rugged than your standard crossover. Rounded headlights, roof rails, and the B-R-O-N-C-O script round out the overall design.
In addition to an expected 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo base engine, customers should have the option of a 2.0-liter turbo four and a hybrid 2.5-liter inline-four. Optional AWD and some point-of-purchase off-road goodies should help inject a little more capability.
No word on Ford’s plans for the official reveal but we’ll keep you updated as details emerge.
Diesel Bros Slapped with $850k Fine for Polluting Utah Air
David “Heavy D” Sparks and “Diesel Dave” Kiley, along with their Discovery Channel Diesel Brothers’ co-stars Joshua Stuart and Keaton Hoskins find themselves in hot water this week. The Utah-based group, which repairs and customizes diesel pickup trucks, has been ordered to pay more than $850,000 in fines for violating the Clean Air Act by removing pollution control devices and bypassing emissions controls.
Additionally, it looks like the Diesel Brothers will be covering the plaintiffs’ attorney fees—a whopping $1.2 million—thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby.
“Illegally stripped-down and modified diesel trucks have no place on our roadways,” Dr. Brian Moench, president of the physicians’ organization, said in a prepared statement. “Any business that not only profits from doing that, but glorifies the plumes of pollution that their handiwork produces, should be held accountable, and that’s what this ruling does.”
In response, a lawyer for the Diesel Brothers told the Standard-Examiner they were disappointed the matter couldn’t be sorted behind closed doors, claiming the excess emissions from their trucks was just a “drop in the ocean” compared to emissions from the rest of the state.
For a full look at the 58-page ruling, click here. For more on the Diesel Brothers’ response, check out the video below.
