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Well, the party’s over. The Western European passenger vehicles selling rate (SAAR) fell from 13.1 million units annually in December to 10.7 million units/year in January 2023, according to the latest analysis published by the respected LMC consultancy.* LMC noted that the 2022 year‐end had a stronger selling rate in part due to legislation changes pulling forward sales. However, in monthly registration terms, January 2023 was up 9.8% year‐on‐year (YoY), at 810k units.
“Vehicle supply constraints continues to persist into 2023 for West European countries as the demand for vehicles still outweighs supply. However, our forecast assumes that the production bottlenecks will ease during 2023, resulting in YoY growth in registrations for the year. That said, the market is expected to remain some way down on 2019 levels. From a macroeconomic point of view, West European countries are experiencing recessionary conditions, with higher prices and interest rates squeezing real household incomes. Although a clear downside risk to the outlook comes in the form of a more pronounced macroeconomic decline, order backlogs provide some cushion to this,” LMC said.
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Michigan Chemistry – Ford to Spend $3.5B on LFP Battery Plant
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Ford Motor (NYSE: F) announced today a badly kept secret that it is investing $3.5 billion to build the first automaker-backed lithium-iron-phosphate battery (LFP) plant in Michigan or the US. The plant – called BlueOval Battery Park Michigan – will employ 2500 people when production of batteries begins in 2026. The LFP plant will add ~35 gigawatt hours (GWh) of LFP battery capacity. Ford will have the option expand battery capacity the plant, which will be part of a wholly-owned Ford subsidiary.
“Ford’s $3.5 billion investment creating 2,500 good-paying jobs in Marshall building electric vehicle batteries will build on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s generational investment by an American icon will uplift local families, small businesses, and the entire community and help our state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification. Let’s continue bringing the supply chain of electric vehicles, chips, and batteries home while creating thousands of good-paying jobs and revitalizing every region of our state. Since I took office, we’ve secured over 30,000 auto jobs and landed multiple electric vehicle and chip-making factories. We’re on the move, so let’s keep our foot on the accelerator.” Continue reading →