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When I was in 8th grade, my class went to a Chinese exhibit at a Philadelphia museum. I distinctly remember the guide stating 1,006,000,000 people inhabited China; today, that number is estimated to be 1,400,000,000. Marketers from around the world tend to salivate over the potential number of Chinese consumers but, these days, Jeep is experiencing dry mouth as it plans to exit its manufacturing presence in the Celestial Empire.

Peripherally, this sounds like a bonehead move considering the Chinese LOVE American cars — that’s why Buick received a lifeline in 2009, right? Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares even said in 2020, “No global car company can afford not to be in the largest car market in the world.” However, like all good tales, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

The Chinese seemingly won’t be able to enjoy the Jeep Avenger 4×4’s charms.

According to Tavares, the increased “political influence” in doing business with partners in China is to blame. As such, the joint venture between Stellantis (FCA), the owner of the Jeep brand, and Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) will file for bankruptcy. This actually was preceded by news in July that FCA decided to end its joint venture with GAC, which itself was preceded by an announcement that FCA would raise its stake from 50 to 75%.

So, what gives? We know the bureaucracy of Chinese politics is an easy whipping boy, but what have Jeep sales have been like in China? After all, a “lifestyle” brand must have mass (and mass) appeal in a country with so many inhabitants. Let us examine Jeep sales in China: In 2017, sales were 204,976, which fell to almost 124,780 the following year. Another 72,9790 were sold in 2019, which fell to 40,659 for 2020, and then 50% of that for 2021. So far, for 2022, sales have been under 2,000.

During most of those years, we’ve had a global pandemic, so the business of producing vehicles — if not producing vehicles in the epicenter of the pandemic — has been a challenge. However, according to Bill Russo, a former Chrysler executive and consultant for Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility Ltd, the venture between FCA and GAC has not kept abreast of the Chinese market. “It had every right to be successful in a market that embraced sport-utility vehicles. But you can’t be running a 1980s business model when the 21st century has arrived.”

Jeep first arrived in Beijing in 1984 when Jeep’s then-owner, American Motors Corporation, became the first American brand to invest in a joint venture in China. Chinese regulations generally insist on joint ventures for sharing technology with local automakers (usually advantageous to only one side of the relationship), though Tesla is the only global automaker to produce cars in China without a joint venture.

Insiders feel this is the first of several joint ventures that will unravel over the next few years. Chee-Kiang Lim, managing director China at Detroit-based consultancy Urban Science, says, “We have to expect more JVs to unwind in the coming years” because Chinese automakers are more “confident that they have closed the gaps with or even surpassed their foreign partners.”

FCA suggests its business model would now be import-based, which also hints that FCA brands Peugeot and Citroen may also follow. This also will mean higher retail prices for FCA vehicles sold in China.

Of course, FCA will continue to support existing and future Jeep customers in China. 

Volkswagen has signed a multi-year partnership extension with the U.S. Soccer Federation. The partnership will maintain Volkswagen as the presenting partner of U.S. Soccer including its Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Youth National Teams and Extended National Teams. 

“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with U.S. Soccer,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We look forward to continuing to help grow this great sport in the U.S. and all over the world. Just as Volkswagen is the People’s Car, soccer is the People’s Sport—both represent accessible fun for everyone.”

Presenting partner logo on Volkswagen Atlas at Ticker Tape Parade in NYC honoring U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team on July 10, 2019 (Image courtesy of Volkswagen)

Volkswagen will continue to aid U.S. Soccer in its mission to become the preeminent sport in the United States through increased visibility, player and coach development, lifting up sustainability and participation initiatives and promoting greater fan engagement across the country. At the National level, Volkswagen branding will appear on the training and warmup tops of U.S. Soccer National teams, including the Women’s and Men’s National Teams, all Youth National Teams, and Extended National Teams.

As part of their efforts to create an inclusive environment in soccer for all, Volkswagen and U.S. Soccer will continue to feature the CHAMP Virtual Player Honoree at select matches. CHAMP, a Volkswagen custom robot, was developed to expand the reach, visibility, and impact of the existing U.S. Soccer player honoree program. With its telepresence technology, CHAMP allows young soccer fans experiencing hardships or unique circumstances the opportunity to participate as a player honoree virtually, bringing them closer to the game.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our strategic partnership with Volkswagen,” U.S. Soccer Chief Commercial Officer David Wright said. “VW has played an integral role in increasing accessibility to our sport and we look forward to continuing to work together as we drive forward to make soccer more fun, inclusive and ultimately, the preeminent sport in our country.”

Icon founder Jonathan Ward loves to hide modern technology beneath a layer of patina. He calls his blends of old and new Derelicts, and recently he brought what might be the most extreme car in the series to Jay Leno’s Garage.

It may look like a worn-out 1949 Mercury Coupe on the surface, but this ultimate sleeper has an electric powertrain cobbled together with Tesla tech. The Derelict Mercury broke cover in 2018, but this video provides a more detailed look at this creative build.

A pair of electric motors are mounted where the transmission used to be, retaining the stock rear-wheel-drive system. While some electric conversions of classic cars retain the stock transmission, Ward said this Mercury’s factory-installed 3-speed manual transmission was made superfluous by the dual motors’ combined 500 lb-ft of torque.

In the space vacated by the engine, you’ll find controllers, cooling hardware, and some of the Tesla battery modules (more are located over the rear axle) arranged like a classic V-8. Ward said he wanted a look that would appeal to old-school hot rodders, while also optimizing weight distribution. Together, the battery modules add up to 85 kwh of capacity, which Icon said in 2018 are good for 150-200 miles of range.

A cooling system based around a semi truck air conditioning compressor manages battery, motor, and controller temperatures, as well as the climate control. Like other Derelict builds, the Mercury has a custom chassis with modern suspension and brake components.

Paintwork is the same condition it was when the Mercury was purchased from a Southern California owner off Craigslist. This generation of Mercury was popular with car customizers, so many survivors have been chopped and sectioned into lead sleds. Ward retained the stock appearance, though, as both he and the car’s buyer found it appealing. The only styling changes are a lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels wearing the stock hubcaps.

Icon Derelict 1949 Mercury Coupe on Jay Leno’s Garage

Ward and Icon found some clever ways to maintain the old-school look. The stock fog lights were rebuilt with LED elements, and charge ports for CHAdeMO and Tesla Supercharger plugs were hidden behind the front license plate and in the location of the stock fuel filler, respectively. And while the interior’s leather upholstery is new, it was aged to match the rest of the car.

Icon has churned out several Derelict builds over the years, including a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL with the heart of a C6 Corvette ZR1, but they’ve all been gasoline-powered. The engineering behind the Mercury’s EV conversion, and Ward’s commitment to the Derelict theme, makes it stand out even among those other builds.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

This story is for you if:

  • You get angry seeing a hybrid or EV in the carpool lane while you’re stuck sitting in traffic.
  • You see electric cars as a government conspiracy against the oil industry.
  • You think electric cars are one step towards automated transportation and remove the fun of driving.

If any of those scenarios sounds like you, then we have something that will elicit a Nelson Muntz-style “Ha-ha!”

You see, the recently introduced GMC Hummer EV has been recalled due to an issue with its Magna high-voltage battery. “Water accumulation in the high voltage battery pack can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash,” reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In response, General Motors is recalling certain 2022-23 GMC Hummer EV Pickup and 2022 BrightDrop EV600 electric vehicles because improper urethane sealing of the high voltage battery pack enclosure may allow water to enter. The NHTSA says that 824 vehicles are potentially affected, with InsideEVs claiming the distribution is 735 Hummers and 89 BrightDrop vans, both of which are built on GM’s Ultium platform. Currently, only three vehicles have borne the brunt of this defect.

The NHTSA’s remedy? It’s actually currently under development. Letters notifying owners of the safety risk should be mailed by the end of November 2022, with follow-up correspondence being sent once the remedy is available.

If you own one of these vehicles, you are encouraged to contact EV Concierge at 1-833-HUMMER-EV, and be sure to give the code N222380031. Owners also may contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-88-327-4236 or visit www.nhtsa,gov.

The 2022 SEMA show is just around the corner and Acura on Wednesday previewed a trio of tuned 2023 Integras bound for the annual tuning fest in Las Vegas.

Previous Integra generations have been, and still are popular, among tuners, and Acura has sought to highlight the potential of the new 2023 model by partnering with top tuning talent to complete the builds. Those talents include Daijiro “Dai” Yoshihara, Sara Choi, and Coco Zurita.

2023 Acura Integra modified for 2022 SEMA show

Dai Yoshihara is professional racing driver and has competed in events such as Formula Drift and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. His Integra build was handled by California’s Evasive Motorsports and features a design inspired by modified Integras from the 1980s and ’90s.

Key modifications include an aero kit from EVS Tuning, 18-inch BBS REV7 forged alloys, a Whiteline adjustable suspension, Spoon intake and exhaust upgrades, Sparco seats with a harness, and an EVS Tuning carbon-fiber center console.

2023 Acura Integra modified for 2022 SEMA show

Sara Choi is a tuner from Hawaii, having started her career at just 15 years of age at a tuning company by the name of Sonic Motorsports. She worked with California’s Tony Star Performance on her build, which features a custom wide-body kit.

The wide body was designed by Choi and Walter Kim. It’s joined on Choi’s Integra by GReddy cooling systems under the hood, 19-inch Advan RSDF wheels, a Tein Suspension Flex Z coil-over suspension, and a Dogfight Race Pro steering wheel.

2023 Acura Integra modified for 2022 SEMA show

Coco Zurita is a BMX rider from Chile, and he looked to action sports for inspiration for his build, which was handled by California’s Autotuned. It features a coil-over suspension, carbon-fiber body panels, and a custom wrap designed by artist Andreas Wennevold.

Other modifications include an A’PEXi exhaust, a GReddy intercooler, 18-inch Kansei KNP wheels, Wilwood brakes, an Auto Tuned aero kit, and plenty of MOMO interior goodies.

This year’s SEMA show is scheduled for Nov. 1-4.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

NASCAR Cup Series
Xfinity 500
Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, October 30, 2:00 p.m. ET

Image courtesy of NASCAR Media

TV: NBC
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Dead On Tools 250
Martinsville Speedway
Saturday, October 29, 3:00 p.m. ET

TV: NBC
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM

Formula 1
Mexico City Grand Prix: FP1
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Friday, October 28, 1:55 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN News

Formula 1
Mexico City Grand Prix: FP2
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Friday, October 28, 4:55 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN News

Formula 1
Mexico City Grand Prix: FP3
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Saturday, October 29, 12:55 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN News

Formula 1
Mexico City Grand Prix: Qualifying
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Saturday, October 29, 3:55 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN News

Formula 1
Mexico City Grand Prix
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Sunday, October 30, 3:55 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

News and Notes:

Ticket information for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix have been released. Grandstand or general admission tickets can only be purchased as three-day passes and will include food and non-alcohol beverages. Premium tickets offer multi-day passes and include all-inclusive food and beverages. Ticket sales for the public begin on November 5, and American Express members get can tickets starting on November 3.

F1 cars will take to the streets of Las Vegas for a spectacular Saturday night race next season (Image courtesy of Formula 1)

I suspect that tickets for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix will be priced out of my tax bracket. This year was the inaugural Miami Grand Prix and The Sporting News broke down single race ticket prices from various ticket services:

TicketSmarter

  • Low: $771 (Campus pass general admission)
  • High: $18,900 (Paddock Club)

Ticketmaster

  • Low: $820 (Marina grandstand)
  • High: $13,996 (Start/Finish grandstand)

StubHub

  • Low: $570 (Campus pass general admission)
  • High: $29,338 (Fountain view grandstand)

Vivid Seats

  • Low: $580 (General admission)
  • High: $28,166 (Fountain view grandstand)

SeatGeek

  • Low: $553 (General admission)
  • High: $24,567 (Section L)

GameTime

  • Low: $829 (Family grandstand)
  • High: $4,074 (Start/Finish grandstand)

If Miami’s ticket prices foreshadow next season’s Las Vegas Grand Prix I will only be able to witness the race from my couch in Phoenix. That’s not a bad thing because I have a comfortable couch, but I’d like to see an F1 race in person without taking out a mortgage.

The Easybeats had a hit in America with “Friday on My Mind” in 1967. I first became aware of the song from David Bowie’s cover, but the original is solid. The band’s rhythm guitarist was George Young, the older brother of soon-to-be-famous Angus and Malcom Young of AC/DC, and George would go on to co-produce several of their early LPs. What does this have to do with cars? The below AutoHunter vehicles are on my mind for Friday.

1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertible
These are a curiosity to me. Initially part of a wave of “senior compacts” from General Motors, they eventually became proper mid-size vehicles in 1964. They featured a transaxle that was unique for a front-engined car at the time in Detroit. Pontiac even installed the 421 Super Duty in 11 or 12 of these cars, including some wagons, which is kinda crazy.

For 1963, Pontiac continued to offer the inline-four but replaced the Buick aluminum V8 with a new 326 (though it actually measured 336ci for 1963 only) with up to 280 horsepower. The one in this 1963 LeMans has been bored to 350ci (a size that Pontiac wouldn’t offer until 1968) and features several upgrades like a more radical camshaft from COMP Cams, forged JE Pistons and a Tri-Power intake. In some respects, this Poncho comes off as a prototype of the GTO that would come the following year after some subversive noodling from John DeLorean.

1984 Maserati Biturbo
I remember these cars when new. They were not common, but they helped carry the Maserati brand during its lean years. A memory I have is going to the Philadelphia Auto Show and being amazed how cramped the interior was. My dad had a soft spot for the Quattroporte from the 1970s, and the Biturbo shared similar styling in more compact form, though he never gravitated to these. Probably a good thing since he wasn’t so much a “car guy” as much as a guy with a passing interest in cars, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have tolerated its quirks.

According to this webpage, 4,577 Biturbos were exported between 1983-85, so it stands to reason why sightings were infrequent, but how many of those featured the five-speed manual like this 1984 Biturbo? It features the twin-turbo 2.5-liter V6 with 182 horsepower, which was quite good in the era. The seller claims to have owned the burgundy Italian for 30 years, with the odometer currently showing 42,000 miles. If there is such thing as a car with brio during the Malaise era (though technically the guy who coined the term cuts it off at 1983), this one has it in spades.

1978 Chrysler Newport
These were everywhere, and then time took over. Like General Motors, I think the Chrysler Corporation grew the styling of its large cars nicely throughout the decade. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mopar fans preferred the styling of these to the original 1969s, which come off as somewhat massive and bulky in comparison. Nineteen seventy-eight also was the last year for the C-body until Chrysler’s R-body carried the full-size torch for the corporation thanks to clever packaging of the midsize B-body platform.

This 1978 Chrysler Newport features the big-block 400 four-barrel hooked to (what else?) a TorqueFlite automatic. Nothing’s quite outstanding about it other than it being one of the last of the behemoths, which goes a long way to my eyes. A nicely integrated RetroSound audio system helps make cruising more contemporary in case you prefer Fall Out Boy over Frampton. Sometimes you find cars like these painted in primer and modified to resemble an urban assault vehicle, but I hope the winner of this AutoHunter auction respects its condition as it sits.

1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport
Before there was a GTO, there was the 409. The Beach Boys made it legit for the general public, though Chevrolet didn’t need the help because no one had more dealerships or more customers. For 1964, the 409 was available in three tunes of horsepower: 340, 400, and 425. Both the latter two featured solid lifters and mostly differed by carburetion, with the 425-horse version featuring dual-quads. Though available in any full-size Chevy, most 409s seem to have been installed in Super Sports versus the racier (read: cheaper and lighter) Biscayne and Bel Air. Many folks think of the Super Sport as a performance model, but from 1962-68 it was a trim level or package as the 230 six was available for most years.

This 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport includes the M20 wide-ratio four-speed, which actually was an option over the standard three-speed manual on the column. Manual steering and brakes makes this Chevy somewhat tough to handle in certain conditions and somewhat unusual considering the Super Sport was the top trim level. Overall, this is a very legit piece of early muscle, a worthy competitor to the GTO before the Chevelle SS 396 reached regular production status in 1966.

The Mercury brand has had its ups and downs from its inception in 1939 to its bitter demise in 2011, but its greatest mark on the automotive world arguably would be the 1949-51 models. As Mercury’s first postwar series, Mercury bodies were shared with Lincoln, but it didn’t suffer from the bloated appearance of most of the upside-down bathtub cars (perhaps Hudson was the other). Plus, the Merc from this era became the quintessential lead sled in the burgeoning hot rod scene.

For all those reasons, this 1951 Mercury Monterey for sale on ClassicCars.com by a Montana broker is the Pick of the Day. (Click the link to view the listing)

1951 Mercury Monterey Custom

If you need another reason, then consider this: this custom Mercury has Gene Winfield’s fingerprints all over it. Says the seller, a cousin of the owner, “This Merc was my cousin Teddy’s pride and joy. His good friend Gene Winfield built it for him. [It even] has its own website: GotItMerc.com”. It’s appeared in magazines like Kustoms Illustrated (twice!), Car Kulture DeLuxe, and Custom Rodder.

1951 Mercury Monterey Custom

Of course, this Mercury has all the usual modifications that make a lead sled Merc what it is, such as chopped roof, channeled and flared body, frenched headlights, custom grille and narrowed bumpers. Power comes from a Joe Reath-built 403 Oldsmobile small-block that is bored, balanced and cammed, with a TH400 automatic putting it all in motion. Frame and suspension are from a 1978 Oldsmobile sans air-bag conversion. Inside, you’ll find conveniences like gray leather interior with blue inlays, AM/FM Secret Sound radio, air conditioning, and power steering and brakes. The icing on the cake is a Winfield fade paint job.

Seller adds, “The car is showing some age on the paint. It had supposedly been sold to a collector but that never really happened, and it took two years to get the car back, and it had not been pampered like it should have.” Car is currently properly stored in Carson City, Nevada with the former owner’s son, the nephew of the seller.

“It was appraised at $180,000 after completion and now is being sold at a fraction of that figure.” That price is $80,000. The Merc has a clear California title and is being represented by the estate of the owner.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

All treats (well, maybe a few tricks) this weekend with car shows. While we can’t mention every single show happening this weekend, we’ve picked a few to highlight, and are sharing some sites to find shows closer to you, including all those Halloween events. If you are involved in a local show coming up, please feel free to leave a comment about it!

Image courtesy of Gateway Classic Cars

Gateway Classic Cars: Caffeine and Chrome- Truck or Treat
October 29, Nationwide, 21 locations

Gateway Classic Cars offers Caffeine and Chrome on the last Saturday of every month, but the October one is themed for Halloween! You can attend any of the 21 locations this Saturday to participate. View the list of locations here.

The House that Newman/Haas Racing Built- Sotheby’s Auction
October 29, Lincolnshire, IL

This one is for the racing fans. For the first time, the artifacts of Haas’ success are being offered to the public. Featuring over 40 cars and Haas memorabilia, you can own a piece of history. Or, at least, catch a glimpse of it before others buy it.

SEMA 2022
November 1-4, Las Vegas, NV

Image courtesy of SEMA

The 2022 SEMA show begins on Tuesday, so we count that close enough to this weekend for you to prepare. If you haven’t already registered to attend, learn more here. What’s great about SEMA is that it’s the best combination of a car show and a trade show. There will be over 70 education sessions you can attend for free.

Fall 2022 Car Show & Concours d’Lemons
October 29, Texarkana, AR

I’m booking my flight to Texarkana immediately, because this is the first Halloween Concours d’Lemons I’ve come across. Hosted by the Four States Auto Museum, come out to this show and decorate your car for Halloween.

Nothing highlighted from your region? Be sure to check out these resources for all variety of car events, especially those trunk-or-treats:

Hemmings event calendar

CarCruiseFinder.com

Since August, Dodge has announced special “Last Call” models for 2023 before the brand goes EV on us. Now, the Auburn Hills-by-way-of-Highland-Park automotive company has just announced that Dodge has opened up ordering for 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger Last Call models.

If you visit DodgeGarage.com, you can use the new Dodge Horsepower Locator online tool to find dealers authorized to order your favorite Last Call Dodge. You can search by ZIP code, model, special-edition and trim level. The Dodge Horsepower Locator also tracks dealership allocations (not inventory), which gives you the ability to see all 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger models still available for ordering from a respective dealership.

“Dodge has been building special-edition muscle cars for the last decade, and we have yet to find an allocation methodology that satisfies everyone. Our new ‘Last Call’ Horsepower Locator isn’t going to satisfy everyone either, but it’s our attempt to take the mystery out of it,” says Dodge brand chief executive officer, Tim Kuniskis. “We’re making the process as transparent as possible, giving enthusiasts the power to search for each 2023 model and trim level allocated to each dealer. Our enthusiasts will have every opportunity to locate the Dodge ‘Last Call’ model they desire.”

So how is that allocation derived? The top 500 dealerships in Challenger and Charger sales qualify, with the top 200 dealers receiving 12 of the special-edition models, the top 201-300 receiving 10 and the top 301-500 receiving six.

In case you have forgotten which 2023 Last Call Dodges have been announced thus far, here’s a list:

The new Dodge Horsepower Locator, available at DodgeGarage.com, allows enthusiasts to easily search all Dodge dealerships by zip code, model, special-edition model and trim level for 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicle order availability.

The seventh and final Last Call model, which was slated to be announced at the SEMA show next week, will instead be announced at a later date. Supply chain issues? Don’t want to disrupt the upcoming election? We can only speculate.

When you order from a dealer with the specified allocation, your Last Call order will be confirmed within 30 days via email, followed by updates to keep you abreast of your car’s production status.

Additionally, Dodge will be expanding the reach of its SRT Jailbreak models, with all 2023 Challenger and Charger SRT models (save Last Call special-editions and Super Stock) being designated Jailbreak models. This includes SRT Hellcats, meaning interested parties can built their own quasi-bespoke SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye Challengers and Chargers. Previously, only Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebodies were the sole Jailbreak models.

The new Dodge Horsepower Locator, available at DodgeGarage.com, allows enthusiasts to easily search all Dodge dealerships by zip code, model, special-edition model and trim level for 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicle order availability.

And, in even more news, Dodge will be bringing back three “heritage” colors that include B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green, plus the more modern Destroyer Grey.

All this got ya excited? Then let’s hope you can afford your favorite because this is gonna get pricey! Keep in mind that the below prices are simply MSRPs and do not include $1,595 in destination and fees.