November 2021 – Repertoire Magazine
Volkswagen launches Car-Net® Carrier of Choice relationship with Verizon and T-Mobile
Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced its offering through wireless providers Verizon and T-Mobile in launching Carrier of Choice in late September. Volkswagen is the first automaker working with Verizon and T-Mobile to offer its U.S. customers the flexibility to choose from multiple wireless providers to enable Car-Net’s in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot through embedded technology.
VW owners and passengers can currently purchase unlimited data through Verizon or T-Mobile for their car via Car-Net Hotspot. Customers can visit carnet.vw.com or download the Car-Net mobile app to select their mobile wireless provider, verify their account and pair it with their existing Volkswagen Car-Net subscription in a matter of minutes.
“Carrier of Choice breaks down the barriers for connecting to Wi-Fi and meets customers where they are in their digital lifestyles,” said Frank Weith, director of Connected Services at Volkswagen of America. “As consumers start driving more in a post-pandemic world, it creates a window of opportunity for drivers to customize their content and stream reliably.”
Since its debut for the 2014 model year, Volkswagen Car-Net has allowed Volkswagen owners to get connected to their vehicles. For the 2020 model year, Car-Net moved into the next generation of integration, with an updated mobile app, a long list of no-charge services for five years available on most models, and new subscription options. The suite of connected car features – remote access, parking information, and more – is all at their fingertips via their iPhone or Android smartphone.
With the introduction of Carrier of Choice, drivers have increased flexibility to customize their own digital content through VW Car-Net and stream directly through phones, tablets and other personal devices.
Car-Net Hotspot allows passengers to access the internet with up to four connected devices simultaneously, including compatible tablets, smartphones, laptops, gaming devices, and more – at 4G LTE-enabled speed. Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile customers with an existing mobile data plan can simply add their Volkswagen vehicle as a new line item to their existing monthly bill; non-Verizon or T-Mobile customers can set up an unlimited plan for $20/month, plus any applicable taxes and fees.
Lincoln to debut electric vehicle in 2022
Lincoln announced it will debut its first global fully electric vehicle in 2022, the first step toward electrifying its entire portfolio of vehicles by the end of the decade. The new electric vehicle will debut as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary next year.
By mid-decade, Lincoln said it expects half of its global volume will be zero-emissions vehicles and plans to electrify its portfolio of vehicles by 2030. This is part of the company’s Ford+ plan and Ford Motor Company’s planned investment of more than $30 billion in electrification by 2025.
The company’s new rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive battery electric flexible architecture will enable Lincoln to deliver four new and distinct fully electric vehicles. The first fully electric Lincoln will join the plug-in hybrid Aviator and Corsair SUVs, as the brand shifts toward electrification.
Lincoln also plans to expand its portfolio of effortless and personalized experiences, using the Lincoln Way app to deliver an enhanced suite of connected services as it prepares for an electrified future.
GM outlines plan to address Chevy Bolt issues
General Motors outlined a comprehensive action plan in September “to ensure that customers can safely and confidently drive, charge, and park the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV.” The action plan includes both hardware and software remedies, some of which are in place with immediate effect.
“We’re grateful for the patience of owners and dealers as we work to advance solutions to this recall,” said Doug Parks, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Resuming battery module production is a first step and we’ll continue to work aggressively with LG to obtain additional battery supply. In addition, we’re optimistic a new advanced diagnostic software will provide more convenience for our customers.”
LG battery plants in Holland and Hazel Park, Michigan, have resumed production. In addition, LG is adding capacity to provide more cells to GM. As a result, replacement battery modules will begin shipping to dealers as soon as mid-October.
The root cause of the “rare circumstances” that could cause a battery fire is two manufacturing defects known as a torn anode and a folded separator, both of which need to be present in the same battery cell, the auto maker said in a release.
LG has implemented new manufacturing processes and has worked with GM to review and enhance its quality assurance programs to provide confidence in its batteries moving forward. LG will institute these new processes in other facilities that will provide cells to GM in the future.
GM said it will continue to prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build timeframes where GM believes battery defects appear to be clustered. The company has established a notification process that will inform affected customers when their replacement modules will be available.
The new batteries will include an extended battery 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty (or 8-year/160,000 km limited warranty in Canada).