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The TechMobility Podcast
The Trials of Infiniti, Ford Explorer's Iconic Journey, and the Perils of Abandoned Ships
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What if a storied luxury car brand is on the verge of losing its shine? Explore the trials of Infiniti, once a player with a 6% market share, now struggling with a mere 2.8%, leaving standalone dealerships in dire straits. I'll walk you through how Infiniti dealers face tough calls—whether to merge with Nissan franchises or cut their losses. As Nissan maneuvers through its own challenges and a competitive electric vehicle landscape, these decisions become even more critical.
Ever wondered how a vehicle becomes an icon? The Ford Explorer's journey from the Bronco II's successor in 1990 to a beloved midsize SUV is nothing short of fascinating. I share my personal connection to this iconic vehicle, wheeling back to my time as a young automotive journalist with the celebrated 1993 Eddie Bauer model. From design overhauls to technical leaps, we explore how the Explorer continues to capture the hearts of families and adventurers, evolving with every generation but staying true to its roots.
The sea carries not just cargo, but stories of abandonment and survival. Sanctions have led to a surge in abandoned ships, leaving thousands of seamen stranded. Through the murky waters of shadowy shipping operations, we uncover the human cost and complex ownership structures that evade accountability. As the autonomous vehicle industry recalibrates its dreams, with giants like Waymo and Tesla leading the charge, we question what the future holds for both mobility and maritime safety. Join me as we unravel these pressing issues shaping industries and lives.
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Speaker 2:I'm Ken Chester. I want to talk about a luxury brand that you don't hear a lot about these days, but it's still in business, even though just barely. And what I'm talking about is Infinity just barely. And what I'm talking about is Infiniti. And for those of you that may not remember or do not know, infiniti is the upscale brand of Nissan. I'm sure you've been watching the news. You've heard all about Nissan's current financial troubles, the challenges they're trying to right-size. Everything Seems that Infiniti's got a little bit more trouble than Nissan has and they're kind of taking things to the next level, and that Infinity's got a little bit more trouble than Nissan has and they're kind of taking things to the next level. And that is it's. How do I put this? Politely? It's so bad that Infinity, on a case by case basis, is letting US retailers co-locate with Nissan dealers drive to survive. Let me break this down for you.
Speaker 2:In 2019, infinity had 6% of the market they sold in 2019, and it's not a lot, but still, for a luxury brand, not bad. In 2019, they sold over 87, almost 88,000 vehicles, against total luxury sales in the luxury market of 1.4 million Last year. And we're just talking from January to September. For each year, same period. Last year, january to September, compared to 2019, infinity only sold 42,567. Here's the thing Luxury sales market is actually up by 30,000 units from 2019. Yet infinity sales dropped by almost half, actually more than half. It went from 6% to 2.8%. 2.8% it's rough, that is rough. So you're wondering right now, that kind of works out to the 197 infinity dealers, most of them stand alone dealers, meaning it's just their store. They're not co-located with anybody.
Speaker 2:24 vehicles a month. Put another way, in most car dealerships they expect one salesperson to sell that many. If you're in a Ford dealership, you better be selling two or three times that. Keep your job. Dealerships can't make any money at 24 units a month. Now you might also wonder okay, well, how many units? That doesn't sound too terrible. I mean, they're a luxury brand, you know, and they're not selling hundreds, you know millions of units.
Speaker 2:So what is the average vehicle new vehicle dealer, luxury dealer, now, luxury dealer selling in the United States? Well, I took a look at a report, the 2020 Automotive Dealer Benchmark Report, because I wanted to see. It's from an automotive dealership software company and they say on average, at least in 2020, the average luxury new car dealer is selling 163 vehicles a month, which means even at their heyday, at 6% of the market, they were still selling less than that. Now, in fairness, it kind of depends on the size of the market. It might be a little more, a little less, but on average an Infiniti was nowhere near average, and that was when things were good. To put it in the words of one of the dealers, they said if you're selling 24 new units a month, it's hard to pay the mortgage and the salaries. It's just so low volume that it's hard to make a go.
Speaker 2:So how are these dealers surviving? Well, first of all, they're all losing money, hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the size of the dealership. So they're saying, okay, you can co-locate, make the application co-locate. So what does that mean exactly? Well, it doesn't. It's actually not as generous as you would think, because infinity is still requiring separate floor space, separate entrance, a separate experience, although co-located dealerships. So even if a dealer wanted to co-locate say they had a nissan store, which I believe about 43 percent of infinity dealers have they would still have to spend money, and a lot of it, to make it palatable for the franchise to let them co-locate. Now, yes, you could save some money in the back office and some salaries and stuff.
Speaker 2:But I got to ask if you're like, if you are a infinity dealer in a medium-sized city, I don't know, like Des Moines maybe, or even Omaha Maybe, in your heyday you were selling 50, 60 units a month. Now you're selling maybe 15, 18 units a month. You're balancing that by selling used vehicles. You're selling used luxury vehicles. Trust me you are. It's the only way you can be in business.
Speaker 2:Does it make sense for you to spend additional money to co-locate with Nissan, as Nissan's having their own problems? I mean, yes, they're the same company but Nissan's having its own problems. Does that help you? I'm not sure and you're looking at the numbers. You might be looking at I don't know low six figures to construct or otherwise remodel part of your Nissan dealership to take Infiniti. Okay, is it worth it? Will I get that back? If they approve that I can do it in my market. Is it better to just give up and give the franchise back? That's a question and every Infiniti dealer is going to have to ask that question. Is it worth keeping the franchise and waiting for them to get product into the marketplace, which they're slowly starting to do. But the question is in this crowded marketplace, is it too little, too late?
Speaker 2:We talked at length about Nissan's problems and challenges because they led. They actually, excuse me, they actually defined the EV market 15 years ago with the Leaf. They're the first all-electric vehicle in the marketplace at scale. Somewhere between there and here they fell asleep at the switch. Their new EV, which is really wonderful, was delayed several times, partially because of COVID, partially because of supply chain problems. It's in the marketplace now, but it's not alone. There are a lot of good EVs out there right now vying for the public's attention, and more are coming. Maybe not as many as originally planned, but more are in the pipeline. Make no mistake they're coming.
Speaker 2:Let me ask you this Can you name me two Infinity models? I'm not even going to get picky. Name me two From any point during Infinity's history which, by the way, infinity goes back 30 years. They came out about the same time. Lexus did. Yeah, I bet you didn't know that, but they did. Can you name me? I'll settle for two. Name me two Infinity models right now, and more points if it's ones they're still selling. And because you couldn't? That's the problem. And right now they don't have a hybrid in their lineup right now.
Speaker 2:So those people who are looking for the benefits of a hybrid, which gives me the best of internal combustion engines and longer range because of the electric motor and this is where the industry is right now, which is why you're seeing EVs, pure EVs being delayed or canceled when they still can the question is will it be too little, too late for Infiniti? I've seen pictures in the trades of some of their new products and some of their prototypes that they're looking at and they're really sharp. But the question is how do you get a dealership body to hang with you when you have no product? Same kind of question I was asking about Chrysler and Dodge. Well, it's more acute here, because I think Chrysler and Dodge that's another story and I think they're kind of beyond the saving. Stellantis will tell you different, but I disagree. We're going to see what happens to Infiniti.
Speaker 2:There's some advantages for Nissan to keep Infiniti, but the question is will the dealers keep Infiniti? Even will they co-locate and save the brand and maintain the brand, as they say on TV? Stay tuned, we will see and I'll keep you abreast of what's going on. But yeah, it's not pretty. 43% of the network owns at least one Nissan store. Next up are my impressions of the 2025 Ford Explorer SUV. You are listening to the Tech Mobility Show.
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Speaker 2:Social media is the main place to be these days, and we are no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Facebook videos, from my latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary of a variety of mobility and technology-related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you. Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Facebook. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page. Social media is the place to be these days. We're no exception. I'm ken chester, the tech mobility show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly instagram videos, from the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you be sure to watch, like and follow us on Instagram. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar.
Speaker 2:For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have just the one for you. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week, shorter than a full show. These bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if you're interested in a particular topic covered on the weekly radio show, from Apple Podcasts to iHeartRadio and many podcast platforms in between. We got you covered. Just enter Tech Mobility Topics in the search bar, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker 5:Welcome to the 90s and welcome to a way to explore new horizons, Introducing the new four-door Explorer from Ford. Explore more total room for people and cargo than any competitor. Explore its exclusive push-button four-wheel drive. Explore its aerodynamic design. Discover new four-door Explorer from Ford.
Speaker 2:Have you driven a Ford lately? Bet, it's been a while since you heard that commercial huh. Have you driven a Ford lately? The Ford Explorer back then 34 years in production. Hmm.
Speaker 2:And still a part of the fleet. For the last 34 years the Ford Explorer has been a staple in the automaker's lineup. It was the first five-door SUV produced by the Detroit Automaker. I know the commercial said four doors, but we count the hatch, it's five. Introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model to replace the awful Bronco II as Ford sought to balance off-road capability with family use of the vehicle, the Explorer underwent extensive design changes from its predecessor, though still retaining commonality with the body-on-frame Ranger pickup truck. As a result, the eventual vehicle that would become the Explorer grew from the compact dimensions of the Bronco II to become a midsize SUV, initially competing against the Jeep Cherokee and the Chevrolet S10 Blazer.
Speaker 2:Here's a fun fact for you I have professional history with the Ford Explorer. It was in fact it was a crazy purple 93 Ford Explorer, an Eddie Bauer trim, which was the first press pool car I received directly from the automaker for an extended period in order to form my impressions. I remember the phone call. Ford was the first and the first vehicle I got to review was a Ford Explorer. That way, and for those of you who know, I was a Sunday journalist for the Des Moines Register at that time when I got it, I'll never forget it 34,. Well, by that time it was 32 years ago. With the debut of the fourth generation Explorer in 2011, the Ford SUV moved from the body on frame underpinnings of the Ranger to the larger unibody structure on the D4 platform that was shared with the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKT both large wagons and I forgive you if you don't remember either one, because I argued that the Flex was a vehicle in search of a market, but they were nice-sized.
Speaker 2:The sixth generation of the Ford Explorer debuted in 2019, just ahead of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2020 model year production model now shares the rear-wheel drive base CD6 platform with the reintroduced Lincoln Aviator SUV. For the 2025 model year, the Explorer features a redesigned front fascia with a larger grille, revised sleeker headlights and taillights, and an updated interior with the addition of a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. They simplified things. They took the number of trim levels from 8 down to 4 for 2025. Levels from 8 down to 4 for 2025.
Speaker 2:Base power for the Explorer is provided by a 2.3 liter EcoBoost turbo gasoline four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and delivers 310 foot-pounds of torque. Outmarket models are equipped with the automaker's long-time workhorse the 3 liter EcoBoost turbo gasoline V6 motor that generates 400 horsepower and 415 foot-pounds of torque. Energy for both engines is communicated to the drive wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Intelligent four-wheel drive is an available option for both drivetrains. Epa fuel economy numbers for the four-cylinder are 20-city 20-highway. For rear-wheel drive, 20-city 27-high highway for all-wheel drive. For the V6, the numbers are 18 city, 25 highway for both rear and all-wheel drive models. Cargo capacity is 85.8 cubic feet. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for both engines.
Speaker 2:Here's what I liked about the vehicle. Over the years, the Ford Explorer has grown into the midsize three-row, seven-passenger crossover SUV that it is today. It offers an elevated outward view that is best for drivers. Despite its size, it's very easy to handle on the highway or around town. With the larger V6 engine, the Explorer is, without a doubt, an accomplished highway campaigner over long distances Solid, fast and responsive, ideal for the open expanses of the upper Midwest and well-suited for the needs and demands of the rural, small-town motorists. Like most Ford SUVs, the Explorer offers drivers six drive modes via its Terrain Management System that is designed to optimize handling and control regardless of weather or road condition.
Speaker 2:And right here, two words, just two words. Fog lights. You know I gotta have them. Love my fog lights. Thank you, ford. Wide opening doors introduce passengers to a roomy cabin with convenient hand grips in the B pillar to facilitate entry and exit. In the upper trim levels the second row of captain's chairs are heated and feature a fore-aft adjustment to optimize legroom for those in the third row seat. Second row passengers also enjoy separate climate control with dual USB ports for second and third row passengers. The 50-50 split third row seat also features a power folding feature. There's even additional cargo space under the cargo area floor.
Speaker 2:Here's what I didn't like about the vehicle. The Ford Explorer has what I call the typical trade-off of the conventional three-row SUV. You gotta choose between people or cargo. You gotta choose between people or cargo. You can't set off in a cross-country with seven people in an associated cargo because there's no room to do both An industry problem that only has been resolved by a few SUVs that are not full-size in the marketplace. There's no hand grips in the A-pillar to facilitate entry and exit from the front seats.
Speaker 2:The infotainment system had me wondering, and it's a question when is many choices too much? I was overwhelmed and then I thought the ride quality was over-firm. When the drive mode was set to normal, the view of the rear-view camera was so distorted that I refused to use it. Much less trust it was so distorted that I refused to use it. Much less trust it. Ford's hand-free driving isn't really, since it requires my attention to the road. So what's the point? And while there's no spare tire, you can rest easy as the Explorer comes equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Zero run-flat tires which will allow you to travel up to 50 miles should the tires lose pressure completely. So here's the bottom line.
Speaker 2:The 2025 Ford Explorer has certainly kept up with the times and then some. While it bemoaned the lack of a hybrid powertrain choice, the Explorer will fit the bill for many a household, provided you don't need to haul seven people and their luggage any distance. The base manufacturer suggested retail price for the 2025 Ford Explorer start from $39,755 for the active model up to $54,260 for the ST. Destination charges add $1,595. Msrp is tested.
Speaker 2:I drove a 2025 Ford Explorer explorer platinum all-wheel drive with equipment group 600a in the optional ultimate package. Total cost of the options came to four thousand six hundred fifteen dollars. Total msrp, including option and destination charges, came to $59,865, which honestly puts this vehicle right in the sweet spot in the middle of midsize SUVs. It's not horrifically expensive, but you know it's not the most. It's not the least expensive either. So I think it's fair and honestly for what you get for the money, and consider that it's Americanmade it's made in Chicago Heights where all explorers are made you know it's value for the money and I mean it's been part of the lineup for 34 years. Obviously Ford's doing something right and seeing how it's evolved, improved, gotten bigger and still very much easy to drive and enjoyable. Yeah, I think I'd opt for the larger engine and I'd get over using it as a seven passenger. I'd use it as a five passenger and have the space. There are hundreds of sailors on commercial ships right now that have been abandoned at sea.
Speaker 2:This is a Tech Mobility Show. Do you listen to podcasts? Seems that most people do. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. If you've missed any of our weekly episodes on the radio, our podcast is a great way to listen. You can find the Tech Mobility Podcast just about anywhere. You can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us from Apple Podcasts, iheart Radio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter the Tech Mobility Podcast in the search bar. Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place to be. We're no exception. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility, technology news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out.
Speaker 2:Geopolitical turmoil and sanctions against companies and countries around the world have resulted in some black market and out-of-the-box thinking by those looking to get around these restrictions, usually impacting commodities, namely crude oil. Various state actors and shadowy types have pressed into service a fleet of old and dilapidated commercial ships and hired crews to run them, called shadow crews. These same shadowy types are hard to pin down when they decide to walk away from the commitments they made, leaving these shadow crews stranded. And the problem is getting worse. This is Topic B, as usual, you know.
Speaker 2:I want to give you some context. So, as of mid-November of last year and this is according to the logistics report from the Wall Street Journal a record, 282 ships carrying more than 4,000 seamen have been abandoned by their owners, and that was in 2024,. According to the International Transport Workers Union, or ITF, they're a labor union In 2023, that number was 132. And before the pandemic, that number was 40. 40 ships before 2020, 132 last year I'm sorry in 2023. And then last year through I'm sorry in 2023, and then last year through November, 282. So what's going on? If you're Russia, if you're Iran, if you're Venezuela and you're trying to buy and sell crude oil which has been sanctioned by the United States and other countries, you can't sell it through normal channels. You can't sell it through normal channels.
Speaker 2:You use these ships, which very often are underneath the radar and they're raggedy and they break down and they're dangerous. You got to wonder about a crew who would sign on to go to work for them, because if the folks decide to just walk away, there's no recourse for these crews. And in fact, it talked about one particular crew. The name of the ship is the Great Sunny Cargo Ship. They've been stuck at sea off the coast of China for over a year, stuck out there, unpaid, often hungry, after the vessel's shadowy owner stopped paying the bills. That's 11 men out there on that ship To the point where they had to collect rainwater fish off the bow to try to get food.
Speaker 2:What usually happens each of these ships have transponders and these folks that are trying to operate underneath the radar will occasionally turn the transponders off so you don't know really what they're going. And they're taking cargo that is not legal and transferring it to other ships and making these deals out at sea. So they don't come in. And if they do come in and they get stranded because you know the owner decides not to pay, then all the officials can do is impound the ship, meaning that wherever they end up, these sailors are stuck. They can't get home, can't get paid, and either you try to get away but they won't let you because they want the ship to be somebody to watch after the ship. If it's unsafe, they can't let it sail. Because they can't let it sail, the sailor's got to stay with it until either somebody pays the fees or something. So they're stuck, seriously stuck, and in the case of this one crew stuck off the coast.
Speaker 2:This is the dark side of sanctions. This is the dark side when bad state actors and other nefarious actors are trying to get around the sanctions People suffer Again. Through November, the number was 282 of these old, dilapidated, creaky cargo ships which really pose a danger to regular navigation. If you think about it, you got 282 of them out there. And I'm not talking about little dinghies, I'm talking about commercial cargo ships big puppies they're called old and poorly serviced vessels used to skirt sanctions on Russian, iranian and Venezuelan oil and other cargos.
Speaker 2:The problem is that these vessels are often managed or owned through complex structures, making it difficult for regulators to determine who controls them. You know shell companies and offshore companies and companies in. You know some offshore island somewhere. You know the Cayman Islands, for example. Yeah, now, the company that owned this particular, the Grand Sunny, is called. Let me read the name of the company, and this is part of the problem. The registered owner of that particular ship is a company called Thousand Star International. It's based in Hong Kong. It doesn't have an office. It doesn't have a website. It's corporate filings name a corporate services firm in Hong Kong. As it doesn't have an office, it doesn't have a website, it's corporate filings name a corporate services firm in Hong Kong. As a representative, the services firm told the Wall Street Journal it had no contact information for the owner, but provided a name of a middleman who had brought the shipping company in as a client. And gee shocker, the middleman didn't respond to requests for comment by the journal.
Speaker 2:In the case of the Grand Sunny, this crew, who's stranded, spends a day trying to maintain the increasingly squalid ship. Can you imagine One year? A year of neglect means that much of the equipment doesn't work properly. There's no heat, no air conditioning. The ship is old and dirty and not a place to be stuck for extended period. How old do you think that ship is? It was built in 2004.
Speaker 2:But they design them typically as bulk ships. But they can put like tanks in them. You know, to haul oil and it wasn't designed to do that. So you can only imagine that the safety and any sort of fire suppression equipment doesn't exist. So there's that. And then what happens if these ships sink, run aground, hit another ship because it drifted out into the lane. Nobody knew it was there. Yeah, there's a whole bunch of problems with this that have absolutely nothing to do with the cargo that they're carrying, which they shouldn't be carrying anyway. And you can't prosecute anybody because you can't find anybody to prosecute Because the folks on the ship, just run in the ship. They don't own it. Because they don't own it, they're not the one responsible, yet they're responsible for the safety of the ship relative to protecting it from everybody else, but nobody can protect them.
Speaker 2:282 ships, 4,000 seamen around the world, a number of them out there in the Middle East, out there in the Far East, trying to run cargo that they're not supposed to run, between countries that have been sanctioned, both companies it's been sanctioned, that Sell the oil, companies have been sanctioned and countries have been sanctioned to buy the oil. And these, these are the pawns In the middle of all of this, because it's transportation, and here at Tech Mobility, we talk about all kinds of transportation, including the soft underbelly of the, the steadiness of stuff like this, because it needs to be talked about, because these are real people. So do you stay and maintain the ship against your will, hoping you might get paid, or you just quit and try to get home best you can, if they'll let you, if they'll let you, because to dock a boat you've got to pay a fee, which is why they've been out there and not docked. The figure rose sharply when supply chains became sniled during the pandemic and again when Western sanctions were imposed on Russia. Interest in 2022.
Speaker 2:The Grand Sunny that we're talking about, which was built in 04, is a 100 meter long bulk carrier. Such vessels were usually used to carry coal grains or other bulk cargo of coastal routes to smaller ports. However, they can also carry steel tanks of oil products that can be transferred between vessels at sea using deck cranes, assuming they don't have an accident where it gets spilled, catches fire or worse, because if these are poorly maintained, then there's no safety to speak of, and it's only a miracle that some major accident hasn't happened already. But they're literally, literally, literally, an accident waiting to happen. Are robo-taxis dead? This is the Last man Standing a list.
Speaker 2:We are the Tech Mobility Show. To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings of the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobilityshow. That's techmobilityshow. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobility dot show. Did you know that TechMobility has a YouTube channel? Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the TechMobility show. Each week I upload a few short videos of some of the hot topics that I cover during my weekly radio program. I've designed these videos to be informative and entertaining. It's another way to keep up on current mobility and technology news and information. Be sure to watch, like and subscribe to my channel that's the Tech Mobility Show on YouTube. Check it out.
Speaker 3:Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms for meetings, webinars and staying connected? Look no further than AONmeetingscom, the all-in-one browser-based platform that does it all. With AONmeetings, you can effortlessly communicate with clients, host virtual meetings and webinars and stay in touch with family and friends all in one place and for one price. Here's the best part you can enjoy a 30-day free trial. It's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity. Aonmeetingscom, where innovation meets connection. Get started today and revolutionize the way you communicate.
Speaker 2:Social media is the place to be these days, and we're no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Instagram videos From the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology-related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you. Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Instagram. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar.
Speaker 2:With cruise automation, closing up shop, general motors is thrown in the towel on self, on the self-driving robo taxi concept. And they say for real this time. The automaker estimates the move will save over a billion dollars a year and, despite the challenges that still remain with getting a self-driving vehicle to navigate busy city streets, there's several players that are still actively involved. You can believe this. This is topic C. You thought it was just Uber, waymo and Cruise, right? Well, there's more and we're going to talk about that in a minute. Here's the thing that's kind of got me. That I thought was kind of interesting as gm's reason, ford's reason. What they had said is that they were shutting down robo taxis to develop more sophisticated driver assistance systems. That's what gm said. That. That's what Ford said when they shuttered their self-driving project with Volkswagen called Argo. Hyundai spent $900 million to keep its emotional self-driving unit afloat until May, and then they shifted their focus away from short-term commercialization plans, meaning robo-taxis. And that was 18 months after Ford and Volkswagen took the hit and shuttered Argo.
Speaker 2:So what's going on? This was all supposed to happen back in 2018. Robo-taxis were supposed to be the thing that would introduce the driving public to automated self-driving vehicles. They thought that by using a taxi first to shuttle people plural from point A to point B, you could ease the public into the acceptance of self-driving vehicles while performing a service. Well, that didn't go over so well in most of the cases. Gm had Maven Didn't happen. Ford had Argo Didn't happen. Ford had Argo Didn't happen. Hyundai had Motional Didn't happen. Other companies that were involved, like Uber, got out of it entirely. Excuse me, didn't happen. Why? Money, complexity it is tougher to navigate city streets autonomously, with all the variables that you could introduce going one mile on a city street.
Speaker 2:However, not everybody's thrown in the towel. Let's talk about Waymo, for example. Waymo has been in it to win it now for 16 years. Waymo is the first. They started in 2009 with a little bitty car that they drove around their campus at speeds no better than 25 miles an hour, and that's where they started. Right now, they're in the lead. They've commercialized the industry with approximately and this is right now, by the way 650 robo taxis on the road right now in three major markets in the United States, and it's gathering momentum. While crews and other competitors have wilted away, waymo will tell you that they cover autonomously, every single week, over 100,000 miles autonomously in these three communities.
Speaker 2:What finally got GM to throw in the towel this time? You might remember, back towards the end of 2003, they had a serious crash that injured a pedestrian. Problem is Cruz was not honest with California transportation authorities and they found out about it and yanked their license and said we'll reconsider you getting your license back, but we need you to do this, this, this and this. Gm took a really hard look at the money they were spending and, bear in mind, they bought Cruise Automation for over a billion dollars. Gm didn't. That was not organic. Gm bought that technology, bought that company, bought that staff, and now they're walking away from it.
Speaker 2:Although there had been a year long effort to regroup, gm executives decided to limit their losses and abandon the robo taxi business. And I mentioned Ford. Volkswagen put a pin in Volkswagen because we're going to come back to that. Volkswagen ended their joint venture with Ford but did not throw the concept away entirely, which is interesting, by the way. Here's something else GM said that I thought was really interesting.
Speaker 2:By the way, I'm quoting from Automotive News and kind of talking industry publication. What GM told Automotive News is they were halting efforts to develop robo-taxis and this next part really throws me, instead focusing on personally owned autonomous vehicles. Stop right there. The reason why they went to robo-taxis in the first place was developing personally owned autonomous vehicles was incredibly hard, harder than even the robo-taxis, which is why everybody went robo-taxi. So, gm, what do you know and how much more money are you willing to spend that you're not sharing right now? Yes, gm has Super Cruise and every automaker. Ford has Copilot, nissan has ProPilot, tesla has Autopilot.
Speaker 2:None of these are fully autonomous. None of them. Most of them requires you have one hand on the wheel. The Tesla's doesn't, but you need to be prepared to take over. If the computer decides it's got a problem it can't resolve, then it's going to default to you, and I've always had a problem with that because the computer's expecting you to make that decision in seconds. When the computer's making decisions like that in nanoseconds, and by the time you figure out that you need to get re-engaged to whatever problem, the computer has determined that it can't deal with it, it may already be too late. At 60 miles an hour, you cover the length of a football field in roughly a couple of seconds Every second. You cover 300 yards every second at 60 miles an hour. How long would it take you in a Tesla in semi-autonomous mode where you're not? Oh, tesla tells you you need to be paying attention, but you're not paying attention and a commuter suddenly decides or lets you know there's a problem. How much time does it give you? They don't say Probably a lot less time than you're going to need. So who's left? Who's left standing? Let me run down the list.
Speaker 2:Tesla they introduced here in the last year both a cyber cab and a robo van Waymo. They've been doing this for seven years, starting in Phoenix, san Francisco and now Los Angeles County. Maymobility, which is backed by Toyota they just removed their human safety drivers, although not yet commercial. Baidu, which is China largest robo-taxi company, and they're moving to Hong Kong to offer their services. Volkswagen get this now they're using their new IDBuzz electrical vehicle as a global robo-taxi platform and they plan to start commercial service next year. And then, finally, mobileye. Mobileye's not directly offering services, they're working with the folks that are, so they're offering the technology to do it, not necessarily going to be in business themselves. And these are the major players. There's a few others that are kind of here, there and everywhere, but these are the major players that are still in it. Still in it to when it's still looking to expand. We've come to the end of our program. Please join me again next time, right here. This has been the Tech Mobility Show.
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Speaker 2:For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have just the one for you. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week, shorter than a full show. These bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if you're interested in a particular topic covered on the weekly radio show. From Apple Podcasts to iHeartRadio and many podcast platforms in between, we got you covered. Just enter Tech Mobility Topics in the search bar. Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place to be where, no exception Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the TechMobility show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility technology news, news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out. To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings at the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobilityshow. That's techmobilityshow. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobilityshow.
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