Shortage of computer chips causes problems for auto industry
DETROIT โ A shortage of computer chips is causing problems for the auto industry. General Motors has warned that it is likely to lose around $2 billion this year as a result. READ: Why you should ask about โdestination feeโs before purchasing a new vehicleFor the auto industry the problem is a supply and demand issue created by manufacturing. Because of the issue many automakers are having to slow or stop production to put the chips in vehicles. Or, if itโs something like a powertrain where every vehicles got it 100 percent of your vehicles have that powertrain chip, then youโre basically stuck,โ he said.
Why you should ask about โdestination feeโs before purchasing a new vehicle
DETROIT โ When you buy a new car, there are usually a lot of fees you have to pay. Included in that fee is a destination fee, which is the charge for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership. He said Stellantis in particular has had destination charges go up. READ: What Stellantis means for jobs, future prospects in Metro DetroitโWhen assessing vehicle pricing, we do not look at any single element of the pricing equation. There is no requirement that a destination fee be included in advertising.
Will Apple be breaking into the auto industry? -- What we know
Speculation of an Apple car came in 2015 when the A123 Systems electric car battery company sued Apple Inc. for poaching some of its employees. Gartner auto analyst Mike Ramsey said the idea of Apple getting into the car business grabs attention. Nobody in the auto industry has ever made those kinds of profit margins. Industry headlines have recently included notions that Ford could possibly build the Apple Car, then Hyundai and now thereโs also Canadian auto supplier, Magna. Thatโs the kind of company that Apple likes to work with and the rest of their business,โ Abuelsamid said.
Big Three expected to have 100 electric vehicles on the road within 5 years
Ford Motor Company and GM have recently announced major plans and shown what they intend to do with electric vehicle manufacturing. But that doesnโt mean the internal combustion engine is going the way of the buggy whip. GM is ready to give the Hummer a new life as an electric SUV, Cadillac will build its luxury Lyriq SUV as an electric SUV and Ford is ready with the Mustang Mach-E and an electric F-150. Guidehouse Insights auto analyst Sam Abuelsamid said the Big Three are expected to have 100 new electric vehicle offerings in the next five years and 300 worldwide. This will change manufacturing considering it takes far fewer parts to make an electric vehicle.
Founder of GM electric truck partner quits amid allegations
FRANKFURT โ Shares in electric and hydrogen-powered truck startup Nikola plunged on Monday after the company's founder resigned amid allegations of fraud - just two weeks after signing a $2 billion partnership with General Motors. Under the partnership announced with GM, the Detroit-based automaker would take an 11% ownership stake in Nikola and would engineer and build Nikolaโs Badger hydrogen fuel cell and electric pickup truck. In exchange for the 10-year deal, GM was to get $2 billion worth of Nikolaโs newly issued common stock that will come in three increments through 2025. GM has been under pressure from Wall Street to more quickly exploit its electric vehicle technology, while the GM deal gave the startup added credibility, according to analysts. Under the deal, Nikola will be responsible for the sales and marketing of the Badger, built on GMโs new battery electric truck underpinnings and using GM fuel cell and battery technology.
General Motors makes $2 billion investment in electric car company working on trucks
DETROIT General Motors is making a massive pledge for the future of electronic vehicles, announcing a $2 billion investment in Nikola, an electric car company working on trucks. GM has the infrastructure for an electric truck, and so far, its planning two different brands. But the company is also hedging its bets in the electric vehicle space. GM has a truck platform that is perfectly suited for what Nikola needs, Abuelsamid said. Another unique note about Nikola: The company is working on hydrogen-powered electric trucks.