Surprisingly, EVs are Easy to Care For Even During Long-Term Storage

Proper car care during this quarantine period for both traditional and hybrid electric vehicles is well-documented given that they’ve been around for quite some time. But what about battery electric vehicles? The imposed quarantine measures seen around the world due to COVID-19 will be the first test of how battery-powered vehicles will cope with long periods of non-use.

Ford’s “battery expert,” Bob Taenaka, senior technical leader, Battery and Cell System Development weighs in on how the battery reacts if EVs aren’t used or charged regularly.

Taenaka says, the most important thing is to make sure that the 12-volt battery (yes, EVs still have the traditional lead-acid battery) stays charged, and that the high-voltage battery has adequate charge—10 percent or more—to prevent it from potentially draining to zero percent.

If an EV has been plugged in or driven for at least 8 hours in a month, the 12-volt battery should be adequately charged.

For the larger traction battery, Taenaka recommends keeping it at a state of charge between 10 percent and 80 percent.

A high-voltage battery above 10 percent state of charge can go for more than six months without charging, but the 12-volt battery will drain much faster, especially when connected to the vehicle.

If there are no plans to drive the EV for longer than 30 days, it’s best to disconnect the negative terminal of the 12-volt battery. If the EV or plug-in hybrid can be plugged in, keeping it charged will also charge the 12-volt battery. If no charger is available, a 12-volt battery charger like those from CTEK can be used to keep it topped up.

Toyota Making Corolla-based SUV to Battle Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, Mazda CX-30

It looks like Toyota is shifting its crossover ambitions to high gear as yet another SUV is expected to battle the likes of the Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, and Mazda CX-30. Best news? It’s been spotted testing in Southeast Asia, increasing the chances of it actually reaching the Philippines.

Snapped in the middle of Bangkok traffic (see photo below) is the rumored Corolla Cross. Unlike the European Corolla Trek, which is basically a raised Corolla Wagon (see lead photo), this new SUV will come with its own unique sheet metal. Like the Corolla though, it will ride on the TNGA-C platform (the RAV4 rides on the TNGA-K platform). And if the recent dealer presentation leak is accurate, this new SUV will slot between the newly launched Yaris Cross and RAV4, likely replacing the niche market C-HR.

Not much is known about its powertrain, but the likely bet is that it’ll use the C-HR’s 1.8-liter 2ZR-FBE making 141 horsepower and 178 Nm of torque, or the 2.0-liter M20A-FKS engine found in the North American Corolla putting out 170 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque.

Again, if the dealer presentation leak is accurate, the production version will bow in 2021.

UPDATED: Kia PH to Open 6 Dealerships Starting Monday

UPDATE: The count is up to 7 open dealers (05/04).

Kia Philippines is preparing to re-open dealer operations once the government lifts the quarantine this May. The Ayala-owned Korean carmaker’s Philippine subsidiary is also putting in place measures that will ensure the health and safety of its employees, business partners, customers, and the general public.

“Kia Philippines completely supports our national government’s effort to stop the spread of the virus with the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine at critical locations until May 15, and with other areas placed under General Community Quarantine after April 30. Some dealers may resume operations but taking into account the adjustments needed to adhere to the ‘new normal’ of conducting business and person-to-person interaction,” said Manny Aligada, President of Kia Philippines.

The Kia Philippines’ Post-ECQ Dealer Preparation Guidelines involve a thorough checklist of what items and places should be cleaned, along with the type of cleaning agents and materials to be used. It covers procedures from the vehicles (display, test drive, and serviced) to the offices and customer and reception areas.

A 9-Step Guide to Facility Preparation was issued before allowing employees to report for work. This involved disinfecting all areas and maintaining regular sanitation practices, posting proper markings for physical distancing (about two meters), installing sanitizing and hand washing solutions at strategic locations, ensuring that all areas were properly ventilated, among other guidelines.

Moreover, Kia Philippines provided a 9-Step Guide for Employee Preparation which included assigning a Dealer Health and Safety representative to check on employees’ health with COVID-19 rapid test kits for administration to employees every two weeks, providing shuttle services or arrangement of car pools to avoid taking public transportation, subjecting each one to a thermal scan before entry and a ‘no mask, no entry policy,’ encouraging them to avoid handing out business cards or any material that may be a source of virus, among other regulations. The automaker will also be implementing flexible working hours, shifting or skeletal workforce and staggered break time schedules to keep the number of people in the office to a minimum.

Buying a Kia will still involve that personal touch, albeit with a few preventive measures. Customers who wish to view a unit of the vehicle they’re considering are advised to set an appointment with their Sales Consultant beforehand so as to avoid a large number of people in showroom at a given time. Once they arrive at the showroom, clients must be wearing a face mask, observe sanitation measures and physical distancing of two meters. For those who would like to test drive, all vehicles will be fully sanitized inside and out after each use and are guaranteed to be safe.

Even after the sale has been made, Kia still Promises to Care with its new normal way of after-sales operations by setting service appointments, observing physical distancing, wearing of personal protective gears by Service Advisors and personnel, and disinfection of all tools used and the vehicles before and after being serviced. All serviced vehicles will undergo the same quality inspection and test drive as needed but customers may expect delays as the dealership prioritizes health and safety in its operations.

Six (6) seven (7) Kia dealers in the Visayas and Mindanao will resume its operations starting May 04, 2020, from Mondays to Saturdays:

• Kia Dumaguete (8 AM to 5 PM)
• Kia Leyte (8 AM to 5 PM)
• Kia General Santos (8 AM to 5 PM)
• Kia Ozamiz (8 AM to 5 PM)
• Kia Cagayan de Oro (9 AM to 4 PM)
• Kia Iligan (9 AM to 4 PM)
• Kia Butuan (9 AM to 5 PM)

Toyota Motor PH Lets You Book Your Next Service Online

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is launching MyToyota PH this Monday, May 4, 2020. It is a digital tool that makes owning and maintaining a Toyota easier and more convenient for all customers.

As the world is on a standstill due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, TMP is quick to recognize the changing needs of its customers for after-sales service. Toyota owners can now book their service appointments safely anytime, anywhere.

Toyota owners will also have access to the tool’s key features straight from their mobile phones. Inquiries are made easier as customers can directly send messages to their dealers about their booked appointment. The tool also has reminders which is sent 24 hours and an hour prior to their appointment. Job items and service cost estimates are also easily available in the tool.

To use the tool, Toyota owners can create a MyToyotaPH account and register their Toyota vehicles. After this, they can immediately start setting up an appointment by selecting their preferred dealers. The tool can also be added to their mobile device’s home screen through the browser’s settings for easier access.

The tool will be available starting May 4, 2020 to dealers that will be open according to each area’s respective quarantine periods. All Toyota dealers nationwide will be available for service booking after the quarantine period.

Furthermore, Toyota dealerships will now be accommodating confirmed service appointments only to ensure everyone’s safety by effectively promoting social distancing.

Order These Easy-to-Clean Floor Mats from the Comfort of Your Own Home

Looking for great, easy-to-clean all-weather floor mats on your car? Well, now you can order them in the comfort of your own home. WeatherTech Philippines is offering free shipping of their products within Metro Manila during the period of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Ordering one is simple. First, check the availability of stock for your vehicle model by filling up this Google Form.

Once you receive an Order Confirmation, you will receive instructions on how to pay for your WeatherTech floor mat.

After WeatherTech has received payment confirmation, they will schedule delivery of your WeatherTech floor mat. Deliveries are only done twice a week: Wednesdays (for orders received Saturday to Tuesday), and Saturdays (for orders received Wednesday to Friday).

Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA, WeatherTech floor mats are made of a patented High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) material allowing for a rigid core for strength while offering surface friction to the carpet, as well as tactile feel to the surface.

Advanced surfacing creates channels that carry fluids and debris to a lower reservoir with further channeling to help minimize fluid movement while driving. Once fluids become trapped in the reservoir, away from shoes and clothing, they are easily removed from over the door sill. When cleaning is required, it can be done with simple soap and water. It can even be cleaned with popular disinfectant sprays such as Lysol as well.

Lamborghini to Re-Start Production on May 4, Launch New Car on May 7

After weeks of establishing safety protocols, Automobili Lamborghini is set to resume producing super sports cars and SUVs at its Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy factory on May 4. Immediately following the restart is an online introduction of a new model.

“We continue to nurture the dreams of our fans and customers, and on May 7, through a virtual launch, we will present a new car in order to complete our model range,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The resumption of Lamborghini’s auto manufacturing operations comes as a result of the Italian government easing lockdown restrictions in the country.

Lamborghini on March 13 suspended manufacturing and other company activities as Italy implemented measures to contain COVID-19. During the weeks it was not producing cars, Lamborghini repurposed some of its departments to make medical protection masks and visors for St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, and established a partnership with SIARE Engineering International Group for co-engineering and manufacturing breathing simulators.

The preparation for the company’s May 4 reopening involved discussions between Lamborghini officials and trade unions as they formulate measures governing the procedures for returning to work and the equipment to be used in order to ensure the maximum safety of Lamborghini’s workforce. Established safety protocols begin with a comprehensive educational campaign.

“We are ready to restart with great energy, but also with strict protocols for safeguarding what is most precious to us—the safety of our people. This priority is why we were the first Italian automotive company to close, and it continues to be our guiding principle for a well-reasoned and safe recovery because we still have not won the battle against COVID-19,” Domenicali said.

He noted Lamborghini will constantly monitor the pandemic’s situation in the country and will adjust its protocols according to guidelines which the Italian government and that of the Emilia-Romagna region may set.

“We closed the first quarter of 2020 despite the situation with very positive results. From these results we want to secure our swift return to a leadership position, delivering our vehicles once again as soon as our dealers around the world reopen for business,” Domenicali said.

Ford Family Joins Tesla-Rival Rivian's Board

Ford is cementing its relationship with EV startup Rivian with the announcement that Alexandra Ford English will join the latter’s board of directors effective immediately.

Daughter of Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, English is also the director of Corporate Strategy for Ford—responsible for the company’s enterprise strategy and connectivity and digital network strategy.

“Alexandra and I share a deep passion for mobility and electrification, and her connection to Ford’s long family role in transportation is something special. I am looking forward to working closely with her and the perspective that she will bring to the Board,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO.

Ford made an initial equity investment of USD 500 million in Rivian in April 2019, and an additional equity investment in December. Moreover, Ford has announced plans to develop vehicles using the Tesla rival’s flexible skateboard platform. The first vehicle was supposed to have been premium brand Lincoln’s first EV, but citing economic complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, those plans have since been canceled.

“Our strategic partnership with Rivian plays an important role in the future of fully networked battery electric vehicles,” said Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO. “With Alexandra’s experience in mobility and self-driving services, she will bring a unique perspective to Rivian’s board during this transformational time in our industry.”

English joined Ford Motor Company in 2017. Prior to joining the corporate strategy team, she was a member of the Ford Autonomous Vehicle LLC team and a member of the City Solutions team. Before joining Ford, she was responsible for managing profit and loss operations for customer-centric businesses in the merchandising divisions of Tory Burch in New York and Gap Inc. in San Francisco.