Carmakers Will Report Impressive Profits, But War Ruins Short-term Prospects. “We remain bullish for a multi-year auto cycle but now see the group is in limbo until a Russian/Ukraine conflict resolution emerges” Europe’s automakers will report strong profits for the first quarter in coming weeks, but the euphoria for 2022 based on vain hopes the […]
Archive | Industry Analysis 2022
Electric Car Strengths Must Be Embraced, Otherwise The Revolution Will Stumble
Electric Car Strengths Must Be Embraced, Otherwise The Revolution Will Stumble. “EU rules favor heavier electric cars and encourage manufacturers to produce electric tanks, The electric car revolution will succeed when its advantages are exploited and its limitations avoided. Unfortunately, the reverse is happening because electric cars excel at short distances and are poor on […]
Ukraine War Adds To Auto Industry Gloom As Sales Forecasts Slashed Again
Ukraine War Adds To Auto Industry Gloom As Sales Forecasts Slashed Again. “We still anticipate selling rates to improve over the course of 2022 but now at a slower rate than forecast last month” 2022 was supposed to herald a return to normality for car sales in Western Europe and consign to history the dark […]
Renault’s Russia Crisis Might Finally Force Nissan Alliance Action
Renault’s Russia Crisis Might Finally Force Nissan Alliance Action. “Renault is reversing out of Russia, with a €2.2 billion dent in its bonnet” If Renault is forced to hand its Russian assets back to the Putin government this wouldn’t necessarily be a crippling financial blow, but it badly needs to find a partner for an […]
Electric Car Tests – range claims vs range outcomes
Electric Car Fire Risk Looks Exaggerated, But More Data Required
Electric Car Fire Risk Looks Exaggerated, But More Data Required. “At this time, any comments on the cause are speculative and of course will be subject to investigation” The fire risk from electric cars appears to be less than for conventional vehicles, although Americans awaiting their new Volkswagen’s to be delivered from Europe could be […]
Kia EV6 Threatens, Tesla, Volkswagen European Electric Car Leadership
Kia EV6 Threatens, Tesla, Volkswagen European Electric Car Leadership. “electric car owners suffer not only the highest average number of faults, but also the highest rate of cars breaking down or failing to start” Kia of Korea and its affiliate Hyundai are launching more impressive all-electric cars to provide a formidable challenge to market leaders […]
Ambitious Electric Car Sales Targets May Fall Short And Reprieve ICE Power
Ambitious Electric Car Sales Targets May Fall Short And Reprieve ICE Power. “Half a trillion dollars are at risk. It is estimated that over $500 billion has been committed by automakers on BEVs and batteries over the next 5 to 10 years” Automakers have over-estimated the market for electric vehicles and will waste millions as […]
BMW Profits Still Look Strong Despite Forecast Cut; Electric Plans Questioned
BMW Profits Still Look Strong Despite Forecast Cut; Electric Plans Questioned. “BMW’s technology-open powertrain strategy remains a drag, and implies a higher risk of sunk cost medium-term”. BMW’s profit outlook is still strong despite cutting its target for 2022 but is seen as lagging behind its German opposition not to mention Tesla, while its electric […]
XC40 Marks Volvo’s Initial Response In The Race To Be All-Electric By 2030
XC40 Marks Volvo’s Initial Response In The Race To Be All-Electric By 2030. “The XC40 will appeal to Volvo’s traditional market, while the Polestar is an emerging brand with a much sportier profile” Volvo Car’s ambition to go all-electric by 2030 was looking a bit threadbare with only one model available but plans which emerged […]