Harvey Winters’ Post

This is another great reminder of the challenges for electric vehicles in the far-flung land of America. The Rivian is a top-notch vehicle carrying a breathtaking price tag. C&D drills in on the reality of why many EV owners are one and done after having similar experiences. And while the faithful will be quick to point out that 90 percent of trips are within spitting distance of home, the reality is that the 10 percent that are not come with a staggering burden that people simply do not have to endure with other better choices in the market (go and try to find a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid or Lexus TX Hybrid anywhere right now...at least one that is not at $5-10K over sticker). In this case, over six hours of incremental time and some eye-popping quick charger costs for an 1,100 mile trip. The other inconvenient truth is an article recently posted in the Detroit News on the fact quick-charger usage is now "finally" picking up, as is profitability. Meaning, the financial case for EV's being the better cost alternative to gasoline or hybrids beyond the sticker price is also diminishing as charge stations start pricing to costs with subsidies drying up. All of this to say, it is absolutely no shock that EV sales are decelerating as the as the market reality challenges are accelerating.

According to Ford Motor Company data, just 5% of its Q1 2024 US F-Series sales were made up of the Lighting (BEV) version. Consumers are either waiting for a #Cybertruck, or there is minimal interest in EVs from traditional V8-loving US light-truck pick-up drivers, the numbers suggest. 152,943 F-Series were sold in the US during Q1, of which just 7,743 were Lightning BEV versions. During the same period, Rivian managed 13,588 vehicle deliveries of its all-electric light-truck and is guiding for a production rate of 57,000 total vehicles during 2024. #Tesla, which began the first deliveries of the Cybertruck in Q4 2023, didn't give a split of its Cybertruck volumes, giving a figure of 17,027 for all modes other than the high-volume Y/3 delivered during Q1 2024, suggesting the figure is likely well below 10,000 given this data is global and includes both the Model S and X.

A bit VW in Europe, Ford is finding it hard to reduce prices. That's because its vehicles need massive batteries to overcome their poor efficiency. Aerodynamics eats over half the energy and the F150's CD 0.44 is a lot worse than Rivians 0.30. It is also wider and taller. So to get the same range it needs a 30% larger battery. With batteries being about half the cost of the car, that a 15% more expensive. Margins in the mass market are typically less than 10%. https://lnkd.in/ek3kRqst

The linked article about the growing popularity of hybrids is an astute analysis by one of the most knowledgeable auto writers in the business. Some additional insights. The author identifies Akio Toyoda as Toyota’s former chairman. Toyota still lists Toyoda as chairman, but he was forced out as CEO. The reason: He said consumers wouldn’t readily embrace electric vehicles and that hybrids would allow for a gradual acceptance. Toyoda clearly knew a lot more about the automotive industry than the legions of journalists who wrote hatchet jobs on him for warning that consumers wouldn’t readily accept EVs. “Toyota is a department store of all sorts of powertrains,” Toyoda told reporters at a dealer meeting in Las Vegas last year. “It’s not right for the department store to say, ‘This is the product you should buy.’” Therein is why Toyota is among the most profitable automakers in the world. Ford CEO Jim Farley has hopped on the hybrid bandwagon but reporters omit these relevant details: Ford in June recalled select 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick, and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair models equipped with 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines over an engine fire risk. The recall expanded and replaced another recall issued a year ago last July. Ford in June also recalled nearly 15,000 Fusion plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedans from the 2019 and 2020 model years because they may not start, lose power when driving, and be at risk of catching fire. Ford instructed owners not to charge their vehicles until the necessary repairs were made. The hybrid recalls are among the more than 100 safety recalls Ford has issued since January of last year, some for repairs done on previous recalls. Ford's Farley was paid $21 million in 2022, about four times what Toyota pays its CEO. In addition to being considerably more profitable, Toyota is a significantly bigger company. https://lnkd.in/gjC42t7D https://lnkd.in/gT-WFw-p https://lnkd.in/gYZfxMsi #ford #toyota #electricvehicles

Interest in EV trucks like the F150 Lightning is plummeting. According to a recent study, the interest in Ford's electric truck has dropped significantly. I'm not surprised, given the high price tag and "janky" charging experience. Furthermore, recent layoffs at the plant making these trucks raise concerns about Ford's commitment to the vehicle. With great substitutes like hybrids available in the market, it seems like the F150 Lightning is facing stiff competition. All these factors combined make for a "meh" response from potential buyers. https://lnkd.in/eXJuM_Kw

In the automotive industry, torque tools play a crucial role in ensuring fasteners are correctly tightened to provide safety to the customers, and a low recall risk for the manufacturer. In 2022, American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian voluntarily recalled 13,000 vehicles due to a loose fastener that could have led to problems whilst steering the vehicle. The fastener, which connected the front upper control arm and the steering knuckle, was deemed to have been insufficiently torqued during installation. If this fastener came loose, it could’ve led to wheel tilt, vibrations and critically, loss of steering control. We've compiled a list of examples of what can go wrong when torque procedures aren't followed correctly in a variety of industries. Take a look here 👇 https://buff.ly/3TTFKm0 #torque #automotive #Rivian #vehicle

The about-face comes after key dealers pushed GM to send them hybrids since demand for EVs hasn’t been as electric as expected, per the WSJ. Despite government incentives and automakers betting big on battery-powered cars… Many drivers are put off by EVs’ priciness and worried about the lack of charging stations. Though EV sales grew 52% last quarter from Q4 2022, per Cox Automotive, many carmakers slashed prices and cut EV production goals as unsold cars began collecting dust in dealer lots. Meanwhile, hybrids have been selling like hotcakes, helping GM’s competitor and the world’s biggest carmaker, Toyota, rake in record profits.

The automotive industry is going through some turbulent times. The combination of the UAW strike and transition to electric vehicles are putting a strain on the big 3 while everyone is still recovering from COVID shutdown supply-chain issues. Yet consumer demand for new and used vehicles continues to be very strong. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that when an extremely popular new model comes along - like a compact pickup truck with excellent fuel economy - demand outpaces production and something has to give. Meet the 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat hybrid. Ford Motor Company https://lnkd.in/gEMAXzDG

💥 When we say "greatest hits," we mean it literally! Check out the most-watched crash tests of 2023, and stay tuned for more exciting research, testing and news coming soon. Ratings for the tests seen here: 5. 2023 Rivian R1S; 40-mph updated moderate overlap test, rated marginal 4. 2023 Toyota Camry; 40-mph updated marginal overlap test, rated marginal 3. 2023 Ford Maverick; 37-mph updated side crash test, rated good 2. 2023 Volvo XC60; 37-mph updated side crash test, rated acceptable 1. 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander; 40-mph driver-side small overlap test, rated acceptable

We all know that EVs are burning through tires at a rate much faster than traditional ICE vehicles. It's the weight and torque that are primarily responsible for the quick deterioration of tires amongst EVs. To add to the problem, one vehicle setting in the Rivian R1 can actually accelerate the process. Tires are a big piece of the modern dealership, so TraXtion is happy to share a little bit of knowledge. #GoTraXtion #dealerships #fixedops #fixedoperations #tires #wheelalignment #driversafety #customerretention    Brad Kokesh Alexandra Mazzi Mike Gottschalk Scott Rea Lori Grospitz Kevin Lopez Ryan Hamilton Sandy Cerami Mike Vogel