- 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 7th March 2021
Volvo’s careful switch to online sales; Stellantis is betting on a future PHEV ban in rich world markets; and VW plans to keep PHEV and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 28th February 2021
Nudging customers towards electric vehicles; cheap and highly efficient engines; and battery swapping through trickle up economics. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 21st February 2021
Series hybrid gets its big break; battery swapping: the impossible dream; and Ford’s hidden plant closure announcement. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 14th February 2021
Autonomous cars powered by fossil fuels; GM thinks about crossing the Atlantic; and Jaguar Land Rover’s new plan. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 7th February 2021
Steer clear of early Teslas says Musk; bright ideas that depend on infrastructure; and can suppliers afford to wait to become carbon neutral? Please enjoy […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 31st January 2021
Renault and Nissan’s lost ground; Tesla’s rigid manufacturing process; and Mini takes a step back on personalisation? Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 24th January 2021
VW’s electric platform short shelf life; Rivian’s mystery cash hoard; and a breakthrough for battery swapping? Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 17th January 2021
GM disrupts the disruptors; Sony’s mystery car project keeps going and Renault makes a bold move step towards the future. Please enjoy our auto industry […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 10th January 2021
New logos and just about nothing else noteworthy. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 4th January to 10th January 2021. A PDF […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — three weeks ending 3rd January 2021
Let’s start the New Year off slowly by getting up to speed with what happened in the last few weeks. Please enjoy our auto industry […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 13th December 2020
Electric vehicle companies raising and spending mega-bucks; OEMs trying to drum up business for fuel cells; and thinking about the long term for ICE. Please […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 6th December 2020
BMW bets on simulated racing over the real thing; Uber calls time on in-house self-driving vehicles; and Daimler is no longer as keen on start-ups. […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 29th November 2020
Volvo elbows out dealers; VW wastes time on internal politics; and Nissan Note is the way forward. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 22nd November 2020
GM’s statement of electric car intent; a potential investment bubble for robots; and a very sensible powertrain joint venture. Please enjoy our auto industry and […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 15th November 2020
Electric cars with odd names; further thinning of the self-driving herd; and auto executives need better data. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 8th November 2020
Bentley’s path to electric cars; VW’s carefully chosen words; and Nio’s upgradeable battery packs. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 2nd November […]Read More
Auto Industry Briefing — week ending 1st November 2020
GM’s DIY electric cars; Daimler’s contingency planning; and the product mix conundrum. Please enjoy our auto industry and mobility briefing for 26th October to 1st […]Read More
Ford partners with Volvo to reduce CO2 fleet emissions
Interesting news from the European union today that Ford will use Volvo’s fleet CO2 performance to offset overruns, caused primarily by problems with the Kuga […]Read More