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7 major automakers to build open EV charging network

A new joint venture established by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis will build a new North American electric vehicle charging network on a scale designed to compete with Tesla's industry-benchmark Supercharger network. The 30,000-plus planned new chargers will accommodate both Tesla's almost-standard North American Charging System (NACS) and existing automakers' Combined Charging System (CCS) options, effectively guaranteeing compatibility with the vast majority of current and upcoming electric models — whether they're from one of the involved automakers or not.  "With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) and are expected to meet or exceed the spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program." Critically, the automakers involved will have a say in how the charging tech is implemented, guaranteeing that the hardware will play nicely with each automaker's in-house charging systems. Hyundai and Kia, for example, were hesitant to jump on board the Tesla NACS bandwagon earlier this year over concerns that the Supercharger network is insufficient for powering the two automakers' 800-volt charging systems; similar tech is used by Volkswagen and Porsche.  In addition to providing much-needed capacity and high-output charging for America's growing fleet of electric cars and trucks, the new network will integrate seamlessly with each automaker's in-app and in-vehicle features, rather than forcing customers to use third-party tools and payment systems, as is the case with some existing public charging infrastructure.  "The functions and services of the network will allow for seamless integration with participating automakersÂ’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology to further enhance the customer experience," the announcement said.

2024 Acura TLX with fewer trims and more equipment starts at $46,195

We'll start with the pricing for the revised 2024 Acura TLX, then recap the new math and what shoppers could get for the money. MSRPs for the sports sedan including the $1,195 destination charge, and the changes from 2023 launch pricing, are: TLX with Technology Package: $46,195 ($1,450) TLX A-Spec: $51,195 ($1,500) Type S: $58,195 ($1,750) There were eight trims on offer in 2023, a bit much for shoppers to parse and digest. Now there are three. The former TLX 2.0T entry-level trim is one of those biting the dust, resulting in an automatic $5,450 increase for a 2024 TLX compared to 2023 pricing at launch. A $500 price increase during 2023 means the real difference right now between a 2023 and a 2024 is $950. That TLX with Technology Package price pays for more standard equipment, Acura making its 12.3-inch all-digital display gauges factory fit across the board. The cluster presents two appearance choices here, a "Crafted" design that looks like two standard dials, and an "Advance" design that puts the tach and speedo on the periphery, filling the center with a speedo and various graphics for ADAS and infotainment. This trim also comes in front-wheel drive only, while the two trims above come standard with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The brand's Precision Cockpit touchpad infotainment controller carries over with a touchpad and a larger screen, 12.3 inches versus 10.3, and the processor running it is faster. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are now included, while the ambient lighting control is now accessed directly from the main menu rather than being buried in submenus. Today's difference between a 2023 and 2024 A-Spec is $1,000. Taken like-for-like, though, this trim is actually $880 less expensive. The 2023 TLX sat on 18-inch wheels as standard, Acura charging $1,880 for an optional set of 19-inch wheels in Glint Black. For 2024, the 19-inchers are standard, wearing Shark Gray instead of Glint Black. On top of all this, the A-Spec gets gloss black on its new, reshaped rear spoiler, and gloss black diffuser encasing new round tailpipes in place of the old square covers. Subtract that $500 bump from last year, the 2024 TLX Type S is $1,250 than a dealer inventory 2023 TLX Type S. The top trim adds a third gauge cluster design in Sport+ mode that features a big horizontal bar graph for the tach, which sounds similar to what’s in the Integra Type S.

Acura's GM-based electric crossover may be called ADX

Acura's version of Honda's General Motors-based electric crossover will inaugurate the ADX nameplate, according to a recent report. While nothing is official, the United States Patent and Trademark Office recently granted the Japanese company the rights to the name. Spotted by Car & Driver, the trademark application was filed by Honda on December 22, 2021, and approved three days later. Nothing suggests it's for a Honda, but a model called ADX would slot neatly into the Acura range, which also includes the MDX and the RDX. The filing asks more questions than it answers. What's an Acura ADX? One possibility is that the nameplate might appear on Acura's version of the Honda Prologue, which is due out for the 2024 model year. It will be based on a GM-designed platform, and it will be powered by the same Ultium battery technology found under the Cadillac Lyriq, among other EVs. We know it will spawn an Acura, too. It's important to note that nothing in the filing mentions an electric powertrain. Acura's range only includes two crossovers, which is far below the industry average (Lexus has five crossovers and SUVs; even Lincoln has four) so the ADX name could end up on a non-electric addition to the range. The line-up could grow in a number of directions and many of its dealers are asking for bigger and small people-movers. As we've said before, a patent or a trademark filing is not a guarantee that a feature or a nameplate will see the light that awaits at the end of a production line. Carmakers routinely protect their intellectual property to ensure that it doesn't end up in the hands of a rival. Although there's no such thing as an Acura ADX — at least not yet — the name falls in line with the company's naming system. Imagine the confusion that would ensue if, say, Lexus released a crossover called ADX that was aimed directly at the 355-horsepower Acura MDX Type S. Acura hasn't commented on the report, and it hasn't revealed what its Honda and General Motors-derived model will be called. Related video: