- What Do You Mean? -- GM told investors that it will save over $1 billion for each plant it converts to all-electric vehicles. But the maths is a bit suspect: that saving comes from not having to invest in new stamping, body assembly and paint facilities. These are exactly the same parts of the factory that would be re-used by an internal combustion engine model. So all GM is really saying is that it is better to convert a plant than bulldoze it and build a new one somewhere else (assuming there is no endemic workplace culture). But isn’t that kind of obvious?
- Friends Will Be Friends -- VW CEO Diess invited Elon Musk to address top managers at the German firm and show them what they were up against, and Musk agreed. Musk told the enraptured throng that Tesla was an amazing problem-solving culture created in his own image. They probably all clapped. Are we on our way to a new, happier, world where top executives exhort their rivals to attempt to outdo them in the spirit of ultimate competition? Or does Musk have an underlying reason for sprinkling his magic dust over VW… like, convincing Europeans that his company isn’t a threat?
- Make Some Noise -- AMG’s technical chief doesn’t think that artificial engine noises are the way to go for all-electric cars, fearing the creation of a pastiche. He still wants to give a nod to the internal combustion engine experience by incorporating vibration. Remember when polyphonic ringtones used to cost several pounds to download (looking at you, Crazy Frog fans)? Yet now everyone has their phones set to silent. Will there be a time when the whole discussion appears academic?
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 6th May 2018
The end of Tesla technology leadership, rumoured UK 2040 range requirements and PSA’s retail strategy. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 30th […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 29th April 2018
Volvo’s electric car claims, dangerous (self) driving, rising fleet CO2 levels in Europe and Innoviz’s big win. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 22nd April 2018
PSA restructuring strategy, Tesla’s tolerance of failure, Porsche diversification and Waymo just wants to drive cars, not make them. Please enjoy our auto industry and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 15th April 2018
Uber’s strategy, Tesla manufacturing, Ford macroeconomic strategy and PSA’s electrification plan. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 9th April to 15th April. […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 8th April 2018
Trade wars, Tesla volumes, driver assistance super-sleuths and PSA’s secret agenda to mitigate Brexit. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 2nd April […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 1st April 2018
Tesla’s privacy policy, VW’s diesel guarantee, self-driving companies that are smarter than the rest and ride hailing market dominance Please enjoy our auto industry and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 25th March 2018
PSA on course for 2021 CO2 targets, BMW would love to sell you an electric car… from 2020 onwards, Ford and Mahindra’s cooperation and a […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 18th March 2018
VW’s electric vehicle volume forecast, white label autonomous cars from Magna and Ford’s not-so-noteworthy product plans… What else happened in the automotive and mobility sectors? […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 11th March 2018
Autonomous technology as a commodity, industrial assets that keep on going and marginal gains in electric vehicles… What else happened in the automotive and mobility […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 4th March 2018
Car sharing without fleet operators, Audi A6 with 48V technology, OEMs react to EU CO2 targets and Waymo driverless technology … What else happened in […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 25th February 2018
Tesla Semi truck total cost of ownership, blockchain in cars, electric delivery vehicles and implications of electric cars for Big Oil … What else happened […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 18th February 2018
The Renault-Nissan alliance, public perception of internal combustion engines and electrifying sports cars … What else happened in the automotive and mobility sectors? Please enjoy […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 11th February 2018
Aston Martin’s way of working, electric vehicle supply shortages, the advent of seamless door-to-door mobility and self-driving partnerships … What else happened in the automotive […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 4th February 2018
Autonomous vehicles in court, the next step for internal combustion engines and carmakers crying foul of CO2 targets… What else happened in the automotive and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 28th January 2018
FCA’s revival, Opel’s restructuring, Elon Musk’s performance incentives and new battery technologies… What else happened in the automotive and mobility sectors? Please enjoy our auto […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 21st January 2018
Electric car converts, high resolution vehicle radar, and business class seating coming to a Transit van near you… What else happened in the automotive and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 14th January 2018
German OEMs showing off, Ford’s autonomous vision, Toyota autonomous partnerships, and solid state battery costs… What else happened in the automotive and mobility sectors? Please […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 7th January 2018
Tesla’s crisis, financing for AVs, Toyota’s diesel strategy, Aurora’s collaborations and ICO-funded disruptive start-ups… What else happened in the automotive and mobility sectors? Please enjoy […]Read More