Photo by John Berg

Ali Rizvi from McKinsey gave WAJ members and guests a glimpse into the software-defined vehicle that is the near-future of the auto industry.

Photo by John Berg

Ali predicted automakers will move into a new collaborative era with suppliers working with each other to create cars built around their software.

Photo by Jon Rosner

Ali explained that the proliferation of ECUs and software in the modern automobile is driving a change in vehicle architecture; the example he gave was Rivian shrinking the number of ECUs in its EVs from 17 to 7.

Photo by Jon Rosner

The evening veered from a presentation to a robust discussion of the issues surrounding a software-defined vehicle, including safety and security.

Photo by Jon Rosner

Ali engaged the attendees from the beginning by defining himself as a car guy. “I love cars,” he said, but shares an equal passion about software.

Photo by Jon Rosner

The software-defined vehicle of the near future will have layers, Ali said, with a business model on top of the software layer that promises to become the prime revenue driver for automakers.

Photo by Jon Rosner

Brennan Hoban from McKinsey introduced the speaker. She noted that McKinsey’s Center for Future Mobility is a resource available to journalists looking into the future of the automobile.

The Academy of Art University Auto Museum on Van Ness Boulevard in San Francisco is putting the vast majority of its collection up for auction—106 vehicles, all at no reserve--- on February 15.

In an e-mail conversation, the museum’s curator has told WAJ that University President Dr. Elisa Stephens is on the record as saying she wants to re-curate and add to the museum in the future.

The Museum was founded by former University President Richard A. Stephens, with acquisitions of historic vehicles beginning in the 1990s.  At its peak, Forbes Magazine reported the museum owned 250 cars, worth an estimated $70 million.  At least 69 vehicles have been sold at auction in the last few years.

The Museum has been a longtime friend of our organization. Some members may remember an evening there in 2019, followed by dinner as the guest of Mecum Auctions when the Academy was in the early stages what was expected to be a targeted divestiture of its pre-World War II exhibits.

The February auction appears to include the remainder of those vehicles, but also includes cars built as recently as the year 2000.

The success of any re-curation efforts will depend, in some degree, to the money raised at the February 15th auction.

Information and assets, including where to request high-resolution photography or media passes, can be found at this site:

https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/events/event/The%20Academy%20of%20Art%20University%20Collection%20

WAJ members were given a sneak preview of Lucid’s long-awaited SUV, the Gravity at Lucid Studios.  The 7-seat all electric Gravity carries over two popular attributes from Lucid's Air sedan:  Enormous power and a range estimated at over 440 miles. 

WAJ members Maurice Liang and Michael Kahn check out the Gravity’s curved, OLED display and customization options.

- Photo courtesy of Doug Berman

After years of development work, Lucid Senior VP of Design and Brand, Derek Jenkins, stands in front of the Gravity, which he calls a “no compromise vehicle.”

- Photo courtesy of Doug Berman

WAJ members Heather Durham and Alex Stack enjoy the view from the “front seats.”  When not used for storage, the Gravity’s frunk can be used for cushioned seating — perfect for “hood-gating,” watching a sunset, or a summer drive-in movie, if you can still find one.

- Photo courtesy of Doug Berman

Lucid Senior VP of Design and Brand, Derek Jenkins and WAJ member Jon Rosner examine the rear hatch details.

- Photo courtesy of Alex Stack

Exterior night image of Lucid Motors Studio in Newark CA.

- Photo courtesy of Alex Stack

Pre production model of the Lucid Gravity, on display at the Lucid Studios in Newark CA.

- Photo courtesy of Alex Stack

Read the full press release here.  All images courtesy Maurice Liang.

Journalists & Digital Creators from around Northern California have traveled to Santa Cruz to evaluate and vote on the Best of the Bay. Feel free to follow along on social media by searching the following hash tags - #WAJBestoftheBay #WAJBestoftheBay2024 #BestoftheBay

Autotech Science Fair - October 17th in Silicon Valley

On October 17th, global carmakers and automotive vendors sit side-by-side with tech companies, mobility investors, and startups to discover new technology at the Science Fair through exhibits, parking lot demos, and highly-selective MatchMaker introductions in Silicon Valley.

Technologies demos include AV and AI to SDV, UX, and mechatronics, plus 100s more – get your Expo Pass today:

https://autotech.cventevents.com/scifair24 - (free pass with code “WAJ”)

The board of directors of WAJ is pleased to invite our WAJ members and Industry partners to join us for the 2024 Best of the Bay media evaluation and drive.  This year's Bay Area’s premier auto writer’s event will take place in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA, a 30-minute drive south of the San Jose International Airport, October 14-16, 2024. 

We’ll be based at the coastal Dream Inn steps from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  In addition to road time, there will be great meals as well as photo and video opportunities.  Attendance and manufacturer participation will be limited.  We’ll be seeking a one-to-one driver to car ratio, so there will be seat time all day, every day. 

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

One of the premier automotive events of the year is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Expect to see WAJ members taking in the cars and Pacific Ocean views.

On May 10 th , fellow automotive journalist and former WAJ president Tom Lankard succumbed to a lung illness. He is survived by his loving wife Ann Job, who also served on the WAJ board. Western Automotive Journalists played a supporting role in connecting two automotive journalists I fondly recall when the two announced their relationship and upcoming marriage during one of our events - they were as enraptured as teenagers. Tom’s writing included magazines and newspapers and Ann’s career as the Associated Press automotive reviewer. And both were elected to serve on the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury.

-- Brian Douglas, President Emeritus

(Read More)

1. Hyundai hydrogen powered trucks refueling at the world’s first hydrogen truck stop. Using hydrogen fuel for cargo work at the Port of Oakland is expected to pay huge dividends in pollution reduction in what is now a diesel dominated location.

2. WAJ members get a “behind the scenes” tour of the world’s first hydrogen truck stop, serving the port of Oakland. “Hydrogen is on the cusp of commercialization with heavy duty trucks,” CTE's Jamie Levin told WAJ members.

3. Matt Miyasato, First Element's Chief Public Policy & Programs Officer tells WAJ members that this hydrogen truck stop is “the first of many.”

4. In addition to the cab-over Hyundai fuel cell trucks that will be the first users of the station, fuel cell trucks from Nikola and Peterbilt (with a Cummins fuel cell) were at the launch event.  30 Hyundai trucks will use the True Zero refueling station and operate at the Port of Oakland. “We believe in hydrogen,” a Hyundai spokesperson told WAJ. “This is a down payment on the future.” 

Photos by Alex Stack / @smackerama

WAJ members were treated to a private tour of Electrify America's flagship charging station in San Francisco in February 2024. The tour featured Michael Rosenblatt, EA's new vice president of technology, walking WAJ attendees through the 20-charger indoor charging station on Harrison Street in San Francisco. Rosenblatt explained that the station was the company's first-of-its-kind indoor charging station, equipped with 20 DC fast chargers, two customer lounge areas, a conference room, vending machines and 24/7 security. When we were there on an early afternoon at the end of February, the chargers appeared to be in almost constant use.

Rosenblatt said San Francisco was chosen for this flagship station because of its high adoption rate of EVs and relative lack of charging facilities in many multi-unit residences. The electricity delivered to the station is 100% renewable, based on EA's Solar Glow 1 solar facility. EA has more than 250 stations with more than 1,090 chargers in California and more than 900 stations and 4,000 chargers in North America. Former SF colleague Octoavio Navarro, who now is in charge of technology, product and multicultural communications for EA, arranged the meeting.

Photos 1 & 2 - Cars charging at the new, flagship charging station

Photo 3 - Heather Durham interviewing Michael Rosenblatt, EA VP of Technology

Photo 4 - John and Sam Rosner interviewing a EA customer

WAJ Members attended the the preview of Nvidia’s latest chips. Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Hoang says they’ll enhance machine learning, and will help spread AI over multiple disciplines, including, of course, transportation.

Nvidia VP of Automotive Enterprise Worldwide Field Ops was one of the execs available to WAJ members. Vehicles to be displayed at GTC24, and presumably, which will benefit from the new chips, included the new Volvo EX90, Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class, Polestar 3, WeRide Robobus and Nuro R3 autonomous delivery vehicle.

As the floor space devoted to them at GTC24 suggests, vehicles, and autonomous driving in particular, are a huge market for Nvidia.

Photos by Heather Durham / @svtags

1. The GT4 in Race Livery, on display for WAJ Members at the Z-Garage in San Jose.

2. Nissan’s Dean Case and Z-Garage proprietor and California’s top Z-enthusiast Rob Fuller hosted WAJ for the GT4 preview.

3. Nissan Racing’s Greg Nelson shows off Nissan’s Nismo GT4, Nissan’s “Race car that’s for sale to the public.” Speeding ticket payments not included.

All images courtesy of Doug Berman