Brexit remains a problem of JLR.
Timing is everything. Amid the Brexit disaster, Jaguar Land Rover is working with global software, mobility and telecoms companies to create a smart city hub in Ireland. If this ever comes about on the scale envisioned, it will allow real-world testing of connected technology where self-driving vehicles share the streets with cars, pedestrians and cyclists. The testbed will be in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area at Shannon Free Zone, Shannon, Co. Clare. The future of Irish trade, political sovereignty and access to the EU is dependent on the resolution of Brexit. Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer.
Brexit talks were stopped yet again today (Thursday) when head European Union negotiator Michel Barnier announced a member of his team tested positive for COVID-19. Significant gaps in the auto industry’s ability to plan still exist, with a lack of clarity on the nature of the UK-EU’s future relationship hampering the efforts of almost nine in 10 firms to prepare according to a trade group. A disastrous ‘no deal’ outcome, or failure to achieve workable deal for auto, would mean £47 billion hit to UK sector over next five years – on top of ongoing corona virus crisis costs, the auto industry claims. Ah, such is the price of failed ideologies grimly held by blind ideologues who ignore real consequences, economists and political scientists to their own detriment if not self destruction. (see AutoInformed – SMMT – Final Plea for Zero-Tariff Trade Deal As Brexit Negotiations Near End) Continue reading
GM Doubles Down on EVs in Bid to Win Global Race
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General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said today that the company will offer 30 all-electric models globally by mid-decade. Forty percent of the company’s U.S. entries will be battery electric vehicles by the end of 2025. Barra also announced an increase in GM’s financial commitment to EVs and AVs today to $27 billion through 2025 – up from the $20 billion planned before the onset of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of GM’s capital spending and product development team will be devoted to electric and electric-autonomous vehicle programs. (Cadillac LYRIC – Taking Back the Luxury EV Lead? Honda, GM Ink MoU on North American Alliance!)
“Climate change is real, and we want to be part of the solution by putting everyone in an electric vehicle,” said Barra. “We are transitioning to an all-electric portfolio from a position of strength and we’re focused on growth. We can accelerate our EV plans because we are rapidly building a competitive advantage in batteries, software, vehicle integration, manufacturing and customer experience.” Barra’s announcement is in line with President Biden as of 20 January 2021.
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM
GM is making EVs the core product lines of its future.
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