Auto Industry News: Goodwood Climbs, Crashes, & Debuts, Right-to-Repair Drama and Tense Union Contract Talks
Get ready for a wild ride through the latest automotive news highlights from the past week. We’ll take you back to the exhilarating 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where speed demons and car enthusiasts converged for a jaw-dropping display of power and precision. But it’s not all about thrilling events; we’ll also delve into the ongoing debate surrounding the Right-to-Repair pact, exploring the clash between automakers, independent repair shops, and aftermarket trade groups. Plus, an unexpected twist on the path to profitability for San Francisco’s self-driving startups, and an update on the high-stakes union contract talks kicking off in Detroit.
Goodwood Festival of Speed Recap
Tis the season for automotive happenings, and our friends across the pond just wrapped up their top dog event. As one of the U.K.’s premier automotive gatherings, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is no ordinary car show. It draws more than 200,000 people and spans four full days, featuring ride-and-drives, concerts, exhibitions, new model debuts, a full rally stage and drifting arena – and of course, a traditional hill climb.
Climbs & Crashes
The timed uphill race has become an international proving grounds for new and innovative vehicles, and this year was no different. Big names in fast cars didn’t just pull the covers off their exotic beasts, they flung them up the 1.16-mile course at full speed.
A V10 McLaren Solus GT won the 2023 shootout with a blistering official time of 45.34 seconds. Driven by German racer Marvin Kirchhofer, the supercar set the third-fastest time for a production car ever at the course.
Right behind it was Hoonigan’s Subaru GL “Family Huckster,” driven by Travis Pastrana in 46.37 seconds. Rounding out third, fourth, and fifth place were a McLaren-Cosworth M26, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, and Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, respectively.
Clearly, drivers like to push the limits at Goodwood… and a few pushed it a bit too far. Four different vehicles crashed during this year’s running, some in quite spectacular fashion.
The most noteworthy was probably the Hyundai RN22e, an all-electric prototype that went barreling into the hay bales on opening day of the festival. After the explosion of sticks and straw settled, it became clear that driver and passenger were unharmed. However, the same could not be said for the RN22e. The 1-of-2 prototype had its entire front end smashed in, with a few important-looking bits strewn about the blast radius.
Three more crashes occurred during Sunday’s packed racing schedule. (Saturday’s running was canceled due to high winds.) A 1990 Leyton House CG901 designed by famed F1 designer Adrian Newey hit the hay bales after experiencing a presumed mechanical failure, while a Porsche 911 GT1 and McLaren F1 GTR both suffered damage after their drivers lost control.
Big Debuts
In addition to all the automotive flexing, Goodwood attendees enjoyed plenty of exciting vehicle debuts and announcements. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Maserati debuted two new special editions to mark the end of an era. The new Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima both feature the brand’s departing 572-hp twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8. Maserati plans to be all-electric by 2030.
- Fellow Italian automaker Lamborghini debuted its all-new SC63 Hypercar (pictured above). Also fitted with a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8, the bright green Lambo is set for endurance racing from 2024, battling for outright victory at Daytona, Le Mans, Sebring, and more.
- A big reveal came from Hyundai, who despite its embarrassing hill climb crash, impressed crowds by unveiling the Ioniq 5 N. The automaker’s N division really turned up the voltage on the popular little EV, which produces 600+ hp and catapults 0-60 in a little over 3 seconds.
- Ford pulled the covers off its Mustang Mach-E Rally, a dirt-tuned electric SUV set to go on sale this fall.
- Speaking of off-road upgrades, INEOS debuted the pickup truck version of its vintage Land Rover-looking Grenadier 4×4. Dubbed the “Quartermaster,” the rugged workhorse features a ladder-frame chassis, solid axles, multi-link suspension, standard center locking diff and two-speed transfer case. It’s powered by a BMW-sourced 282-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine.
- Aston Martin also went retro, showing off a throwback-looking 705-hp V12 coupe with six-speed manual gearbox to celebrate its 110th anniversary. Priced at more than $1 million a pop, the limited-run “Valour” is already sold out.
Did You Know…?
With so many pre-orders rolling in for Rolls-Royce’s new Spectre EV, the ultraluxury brand said it will impose a lifetime ban on any buyers who try to flip the vehicle for profit. The new model, set to arrive later this year, costs about $450,000.
A New, Old Right to Repair Deal
Last week, automakers and repair shops agreed to update a 2014 memorandum of understanding regarding automotive right to repair. In the new(ish) agreement, automakers commit to providing independent repair facilities with the same diagnostic and repair information that they make available to their authorized dealer networks.
Insisting that “competition is alive and well in the auto repair industry,” OEMs argue this agreement will ensure consumers have significant power-of-choice when it comes time to service their vehicles.
Advocates of more comprehensive right-to-repair legislation remain skeptical. And that includes folks inside the industry.
Still Not Convinced
Bill Hanvey, president of Auto Care Association – the largest US trade group for independent repair shops and aftermarket parts suppliers – said his organization wasn’t even consulted for the new pact. In a press release, the association called the deal “a thinly veiled attempt to confuse lawmakers and drivers,” and detailed where it falls short.
For example, says ACA, the agreement is non-binding, meaning there is no way to force OEM participation or to enforce OEM compliance. Additionally, the agreement does not cover all automakers, and there is no requirement for new OEMs to join.
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, which serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, was also left out of the conversation. Like the ACA, it argues the agreement does not go far enough on addressing right-to-repair concerns or protecting consumer rights.
In the days since the new deal was announced, more trade groups have come out against it including the Tire Industry Association, Auto Care Alliance, and SEMA. The CAR Coalition went so far as to call it “lip service and regurgitated platitudes.”
It is perhaps not a coincidence that the new agreement cropped up right before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet will hold a hearing on the Right to Repair. Additionally, the ink is still wet on the letter NHTSA sent to two dozen major automakers instructing them to disregard a new Massachusetts right-to-repair law, citing telematics-related safety concerns.
The controversy over who owns your car data – and therefore who can rightfully access it – has been waging for nearly a decade. As vehicles grow more tech-heavy, and the industry attempts to make decisions without consulting all the players, it appears the debate will continue to wage on for some time.
In Case You Missed It…
Speaking of long-held debates, the push for self-driving cars just took an interesting turn. The California Public Utilities Commission surprised everyone last week by delaying its vote on whether or not to allow Waymo and Cruise to charge for 24/7 robotaxi rides in San Francisco.
The committee was expected to grant its approval, despite loud protests from many city officials regarding the current state of self-driving operations in the Bay Area. No reason was given for the delay, but speculation is that Cruise and Waymo did not provide the CPUC with enough data on an array of incidents involving wayward robotaxis. The vote’s new date is August 10.
Tension in Detroit
Contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers union and the big three American automakers kicked off last week and the vibes are… tense, to say the least.
Forgoing the usual ceremonial handshake that kicks off contract talks, UAW president Shawn Fain instead chose to visit with rank-and-file members in a series of meet-and-greets. “I’ll shake hands with the CEOs when they come to the table with a deal that reflects the needs of the workers who make this industry run,” he said.
The newly elected leader ran on a campaign of change, promising an end to top-down rule and a harder line during contract negotiations. His rhetoric has been aggressive, and automakers are likely preparing for some big demands and contentious meetings.
In a Facebook Live broadcast this week, Fain encouraged members to think about how far they’re willing to go to win the contract they deserve. He also reiterated his stance that “the strike target is the Big 3.”
According to Automotive News, analysts predict the union will abandon traditional pattern bargaining and instead target each of the Detroit 3 with a strike. “The hope of striking at all three would be to pressure all and reach a deal with the most accommodating company,” Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan told the publication. He anticipates at least a 10% upfront wage increase as part of any potential deal.
What Else You Need To Know…
A potential strike is also looming at UPS, where contract negotiations pertaining to roughly 340,000 workers have continued to break down. The Teamsters made it clear if no agreement was made by July 31, then they would strike – an action predicted to cause massive disruptions to delivery options and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.
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 this week for some useful travel advice. On Wednesday, we tackle tips on how to properly pack a roof rack and Friday we dive into all-things-awkward about overlanding travel, namely where and how to handle hygiene issues.
