Tag Archives: usa

NEWS

Toyota GR Supra 2.0 is officially dead

Unable to enjoy its second anniversary, the sales of the Toyota GR Supra sports car with a four-cylinder inline 2.0-liter engine for the United States market have been terminated this month.

In a press release, Toyota USA confirmed that the 2025 GR Supra model will only be available with a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six cylinder engine producing 382 hp and 499 Nm of torque.

Fortunately, buyers can still acquire the GR Supra 2025 with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.

 

 

Toyota introduced the GR Supra with a 2.0-liter turbocharged heart (255 hp/400 Nm) in 2022 as a more affordable option, but this move was seen as not aiding in improving the already sluggish sales performance.

Throughout 2023, Toyota only managed to sell a total of 2,652 units of the GR Supra (manual and automatic models combined).

 

 

Returning to the GR Supra 2025, Toyota offers nearly identical features to the 2024 model, such as leather/Alcantara-trimmed sports seats or the option of grey leather, an 8.8-inch touch screen, wireless device charging, and a 500-watt JBL audio system with 12 speakers.

All models come equipped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, TRAC grip control, Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Warning, Vehicle Stability Control, Automatic High Beams, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and traditional Cruise Control.

The automatic transmission model also includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) function.

 

 

The selling price has increased from US$56,495 (RM266,487) last year to US$57,345 (RM270,496), while the 3.0 Premium model now priced at $60,495 (RM285,355).

Based on a brief internet search, the Toyota GR Supra 2.0-liter is still available in the Japanese market, but only with an automatic transmission.

Those desiring a manual gearbox must opt for the inline-six cylinder version of the GR Supra.

Toyota GR Supra 2025

NEWS

Nearly half of EV owners in the US want to switch back to ICE cars – study

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Several years ago, vehicle manufacturers presented their plans to transition their model lineups to electric vehicles (EVs). Some even set dates for phasing out the production of oil-based vehicles (diesel and petrol).

However, many are now reassessing the future. Sales are dwindling, customer interest is waning, and now nearly half of EV owners in America are considering switching back to petrol. What is happening?

According to a study by McKinsey & Co.’s 2024 Mobility Consumer Pulse, they found that 46 percent of EV owners in the United States want to revert back to petrol due to inadequate charging infrastructure.

This figure is significantly higher than the global average of 29 percent who want to switch back to fossil fuels. 35 percent of global respondents said public charging networks are not good enough.

34 percent said the ownership costs of EVs are still very high, and 32 percent said EVs heavily impact their long-distance driving habits. As of May, the U.S. had 183,000 EV public chargers, but it is still insufficient.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 allocated a $5 billion grant to build fast chargers, but the implementation is taking too long.

Other reasons given by owners for switching back to petrol include the inability to charge at home (24 percent), concerns about charging (21 percent), and the need for charging mobility (16 percent).

Only 13 percent said they dislike the driving experience. Some drivers prefer combustion engine vehicles, such as 18 percent in the U.S. and 28 percent in Germany.

Interestingly, Americans are not the largest group considering a switch back to petrol, but Australia, with 49 percent of EV owners. On the other hand, Japan has the lowest percentage, with only 13 percent of EV owners willing to revert to petrol.

Other countries with low percentages include Italy (15 percent), France (18 percent), Germany (24 percent), and China (28 percent).

NEWS

Volvo S60 is no longer on sale in US, to make way for all-new EX90

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THE Volvo S60 in America has become a quiet alternative to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Now, this executive sedan has reached the end of its life.

Volvo has confirmed that sales of the S60 will be discontinued in the United States (US) after 24 years, spanning three generations.

“After five years Volvo Cars is ending production of the S60 sedan in Ridgeville, South Carolina at the end of June 2024 for the US and some other markets to focus on the all-new EX90,” a Volvo spokesperson told Motor1.

The third-generation Volvo S60 was introduced as a 2019 model and manufactured in the South Carolina facility.

Several variants were offered throughout production, from the base T5 version with 252hp to the high-performance Polestar Engineered model.

Compared to its competitors, Volvo S60 sales have been relatively lackluster in the US. Its sales have never exceeded 20,000 units per year, averaging around 10,000 to 12,000 units annually.

In comparison, BMW and Mercedes each sold 33,000 units of the 3-Series and C-Class respectively last year.

At the same time, the discontinuation of the Volvo S60 is expected to pave the way for more profits for Volvo when they introduce the EX90 later.

The EX90 is Volvo’s first fully electric (EV) three-row SUV, equipped with a 111kWh battery delivering 496hp and a driving range of up to 480km.