Category Archives: news analysis

GM: Virtual EV Specialists Available for Free Consult

The online program offers a space (screen?) for real conversations about EVs. EV Live will also help prepare GM dealers, employees, fleet and commercial customers, utilities and third-party collaborators for the all-electric future that virtually all automakers and some policy people think is coming. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan

Center for Automotive Research data show that Ford is only one maker in the crowd as automakers invest billions in north American EV and battery manufacturing facilities. For almost two decades, the CAR Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) has tracked announced automotive manufacturing investments In North America. The ACP Book of Deals investment database shows the sector’s commitment to the transformation. According to data collected for the Book of Deals, in 2021, automakers announced $36 billion of investments to build facilities dedicated to manufacturing EVs and batteries. In the first five months of 2022, automakers announced $24 billion in EV-related investments, almost double the investments announced by the same time last year. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IMSA LMDh: Cadillac and Porsche Testing Together

This is where Porsche comes in. The sessions at Sebring International Raceway were the first collaborative LMDh test as Cadillac was joined by Porsche on the track. The cooperation between the OEs during the development of the spec hybrid system will contribute to the success of the broader program, according to GM sports car program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tilt! Stellantis and GAC to Stop Jeep China JV

Stellantis and GAC will proceed to an “orderly termination of local Jeep production, while Stellantis will recognize a non-cash impairment charge of approximately €297 million in first half 2022 results.” Continue reading

Posted in marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis Startup Awards Honor Technology, Innovations

Since the creation of Stellantis in January 2021, the Company has engaged with hundreds of startups and signed more than 40 contracts. Stellantis’ top executives, including Chief Technology Officer Ned Curic, presented each of the finalists with a customized non-fungible token (NFT) trophy. Created by the Stellantis Design Studio, the NFT is an artistic interpretation of intertwined hands expressing the concept that in turbulent times, ideas prevail. Continue reading

Posted in engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Demand Greater than Supply during June in US

“The shortage of microchips continues to limit vehicle production, but it’s not the only hurdle. Numerous other supply chain disruptions have limited OEM production, and many OEMs continue to nearly complete their vehicles and park them while they await chips. Unfortunately, these supply chain issues will continue to limit new-vehicle production, inventory and sales levels for the rest of the year,” said Patrick Manzi, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association.   Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Stellantis Startup Ventures Coming

Stellantis, the mega-merger of  FCA and PSA,  claims it will be “the industry champion in the fight against climate change, reaching carbon net zero emissions by 2038.” The revised and sweeping and difficult plan as presented is aspirational and similar to other global automaker’s plans as the deadly effects of climate change continue to worsen. Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer, will share the Company’s latest strategic moves.  Continue reading

Posted in global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Mercedes-Benz and Unions Agree on EV Production Plans

This means that the Works Council and the powerful IG Metall union, which represents the industrial sector in Europe’s largest economy, supports how the factories are being allocated. The production portfolio already includes six all-electric Mercedes-EQ models. These are being bult at six locations on three continents. Continue reading

Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Automaker Profits Post-Covid Hiding Supplier Weakness

The continued trend delivers a “complex backdrop for an industry committing $526 billion through 2026,” AlixPartners’ analysis finds, to fund the shift to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The transition, now taking place amid a weakening economic outlook, could cost automakers and suppliers $70 billion if not effectively managed, the analysis finds. There are several implications for consumers here – not all of them benign. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, financial results, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Europe Says Valencia Will Make Next Gen EVs

In the problematic world of labor relations, Ford is also moving ahead on the $2 billion conversion of its Cologne, Germany, operations to begin producing electric passenger vehicles starting in 2023. Continue reading

Posted in global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EV Consideration is Up but Skepticism is a Challenge

AutoInformed notes once again that Republican Party opposition to the Build Back Better Bill, which has substantial funding for charging stations needed to help automakers sell EVs, is yet another puzzling position reversal for a party that is now against supporting business? Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Motor, Michelin MoU to Develop Tires for Premium EVs

It appears a prime motivator of the new research is on tire performance to accommodate the increases in vehicle weight that will occur as automakers rush to convert or spawn EVs in the utility vehicle and luxury segments, which generally speaking are larger and less efficient than their counterparts in the more modestly priced car segments. As the size, weight and range of EVs continue to increase, so do the demands placed on the tires. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Safety Performance of Advanced Vehicle Technologies Murky

The set of crashes, which automakers and operators reported to NHTSA from the time the SGO was issued last June, are clearly important. They provide NHTSA with direct information about crashes that occur with vehicles that have various levels of automated driving systems deployed at least 30 seconds before a crash occurred. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Europe’s Diesel Addiction Continues Starting with Germany

This was “in a depressed market that is suffering not only from supply issues, but perhaps starting to feel the beginnings of a consumer slowdown, although that is thought to be a relatively minor part of the problem as the order backlog remains significant,” the respected LMC Automotive* consultancy said today. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Defense Expands into Global Markets

GM Defense uses commercial technologies to develop products to aid the fighting of wars. GM Defense can scale to nearly any level of production while providing its military customers access to maintenance and support on a global scale. Continue reading

Posted in mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment