September 25th Throttle 🏎️💨

What’s up Throttle Heads? Welcome back to another edition. There has been some crazy car news since we were last with you so let’s get into it.

Biden Administration Bans All Cars With Chinese or Russian Tech

The Biden Administration has just declared war on Chinese car companies as they have essentially banned them from entering the United States essentially banning Chinese-made and designed vehicles from being sold in the US. While the rule has not yet been enacted, its focus would be on collecting data from vehicle occupants and American infrastructure. The rule would prohibit importing or selling systems designed or supplied by entities closely associated with China or Russia. If the rule is adapted it will go into effect for vehicles.

A second proposed rule would ban the import and sale of vehicles with automated driving hardware from China or Russia. This rule would go into effect for the 2030 model year or on January 1, 2029, for vehicles without a model year. Not only would this rule apply to all wheeled vehicles on public roads, but also those for agricultural use. It is unclear how this rule will affect Volvo which is owned by the Chinese industrial conglomerate Geely Holdings. Giana Raimondo, the Biden Administration’s commerce secretary told the New York Times the goal of this is to protect the American people from potential surveillance as foreign agencies could potentially collect data. The rule could potentially go into effect before Biden leaves office in January 2025. The Commerce Department is expected to announce a 30-day public comment period before the rule is adopted. However, it will likely go into effect as I believe many Americans, including myself, would support its adoption.

Ford Guarantees Production of Manuals and V8s Until The Feds Ban Them

Sadly, the muscle and pony car landscape has gotten pretty barren over the last couple of years. The only true muscle car left is the Ford Mustang and no electric versions as the Mustang Mach-E and Dodge Challenger Daytona do not count. In this sad landscape, a glimmer of hope has emerged. Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO has announced the brand is committed to the V8 engine and will sell it for as long as they are legally allowed to do so.

While states such as California and Massachusetts have adopted EV mandates for the model year 2035, there is still a heavy demand for V8 cars. The Mustang Dark House and its 5.0 liter V8 is a favorite among Throttle Heads and the raw power and feel of the car is something the Mach-E can only dream of having. Ford is also planning on keeping the manual transmissions around as long as people pick up a Mustang from the dealership lot with one. Ford is not the only company to continue building high-displacement engines. Aston Martin and Pagani are both continuing to build. While the market is trending toward EVs, I do think gas engines will stick around for enthusiasts in small volumes.

California Will Require Cars To Alert Speeding Drivers

California has had it with speeding drivers as they soon could join the European Union is requiring all new cars to alert drivers when they break the speed limit. This law aims to reduce traffic deaths across the state. Between 2017 and 2021, one-third of California’s California State Senate passed a law that would mandate the system to be implemented in 2032 and would notify a driver when they exceed a speed limit by 10 miles an hour.

Californians will surely find this law a nuisance and Californians such as myself know the actual speed limit is ten miles an hour over the posted speed limit. The law has good intentions and it will not arrive for close to eight years. This law is similar to a law implemented in the European Union this year requiring all cars to have passive limits that alert the driver audibly and visually. It is smart that California is waiting close to a decade to mandate it as the state can look to Europe to learn how to best implement the law.

Thor Industries Reveals A Plug-In-Hybrid RV Will 500 Miles of Range

An electric RV sounds like a bad idea as it would have a very limited range. However, Thor Industries, the parent company of Airstream, has come up with an eco-friendly solution to get you out of the hustle and bustle of the city to calm and serenity in the outdoors. The Thor Test Vehicle is a partnership between Thor and EV maker Barbinger which is the world’s first hybrid motorhome.

The camper contains a 140.0-kWh battery pack. The standard range is 150 miles from the battery back but the generator increases it to 500 miles. Thor has not revealed any specifications but they said it will have twice the torque of a standard diesel motorhome. This vehicle relies on what is known as a series hybrid similar to the Ram 1500 Ramcharger. Essentially, it contains a combustion engine that is not connected to the drive wheels and instead generates electricity to charge the battery pack. Just like the cyber truck, the Thor Test Vehicle contains a steer-by-wire system.