It won’t be long before we see low price-point electric cars on the market in higher volume segments. Tesla is planning a smaller car, for example, but so is Volkswagen and other established OEMs.
Ramping up volumes on EVs is no stroll in the park, though. Just ask General Motors.
GM: We can’t produce EVs fast enough
To make matters worse, supply chains are generally rather stressed for all right now. There’s a lot to contend with, even before considering how supply chains need to be reconfigured for EVs.
Supply chain chaos – issues, causes and potential solutions
Keep an eye on China. The vehicle market is struggling to push on from its initial rebound from the Covid pandemic, with consumers reining in spending amid high levels of youth unemployment and rising economic uncertainty – with the property sector among the weakest sectors.
China sales fall slightly in July
Hyundai has had a tough time in China in recent years and is fixing its overcapacity issue.
Hyundai to sell another Chinese plant
It has been a good week for battery producer Northvolt, with news of a $1.2bn capital infusion.
Northvolt secures US$1.2bn for factory expansion
The second part of our look at future VW Group models was published this week, focusing on SEAT, Cupra and Škoda.
Volkswagen Group future models – Part Two
Here’s a good quote. “When I joined Apple, we had two subscription services – iCloud and Apple Music – and relatively low penetration for both. When I left, we had over a billion subscriptions from our customers. We know the playbook,” Ford Integrated Services head, Peter Stern. He certainly has plenty to go for at Ford.
Ford’s newest hire, ex-Apple Peter Stern
GlobalData analysis shows ASEAN Light Vehicle (LV) sales closed the first half of this year with growth of 1%.
GlobalData 2023 ASEAN sales forecast revised down
If you followed any of the BRICS summit news this week, you may have glimpsed the cars ferrying delegates and media around. A Chinese OEM was pleased as punch to do the honours.
GWM official BRICS 2023 vehicle provider
Finally, a good idea is a good idea forever, perhaps. Kia plans to relaunch battery-powered versions of the Ray small city car in its domestic market next month.
Have a nice weekend.
Dave Leggett, Editor, Just Auto
