Autonomous Cars Face Hurdles; They Will Succeed, But When? “In the cities where all the software, mapping and knowledge is completed, and that number of cities increases, then you can have an AV of your own” The automotive industry is spending fortunes developing autonomous vehicles with no payback in sight, while the technology required to […]
Paris Auto Show – Significant Launches Led By BMW. “This attempt with DS to challenge the German premium brands does look an uphill struggle” It was the car show that much of the industry avoided, but it still attracted many significant new launches, from trend setting electric vehicles to the inevitable slew of new SUVs, […]
JLR Brexit Bluster Camouflages Underlying Profit Problems. “However JLR has issues beyond Brexit and a best case scenario – one in which the U.K. remains in the customs union – will not answer the fundamental questions surrounding the profitability of the company” Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was all over the media in Britain saying a […]
Audi Delays E-tron Launch As Investors Ponder Stadler Crisis. Diess, The Outsider, Will Be Stronger. “It’s very hard to see what happens next because of the strange organisational structure of VW” Audi said it has postponed the August 30 launch of its all-electric e-tron following the arrest of CEO Rupert Stadler in connection with the […]
Could Electrified Roads Be Battery Cars Silver Bullet? “If you electrify the highways, manufacturers can use smaller batteries and it takes away range anxiety” The dream is that Sweden’s electrified road, which can recharge electric vehicles as they speed overhead, could be the magic bullet that shoots down the two biggest barriers to electric cars […]
Production Hiccup Undermines Tesla, But Will It Survive? “Tesla will learn from its mistakes fast and I’m pretty sure Elon Musk will succeed in fixing this Model 3 production problem” “a classic case of a new entrant taking the risk and creating the initial market, only to be caught by the entrenched incumbents” Tesla Inc’s […]
Angst Vanishes As China Hints At Lower Auto Tariffs. “China Targets Detroit, Hits Tesla and BMW Instead” President Trump’s intervention in the China/U.S. trade dispute led to much initial angst amongst auto investors, but this turned around after China President Xi JinPing hinted that a new deal to cut import tariffs on cars might be […]
BMW Steady Outlook Pleases Some Investors, Irks Others. Decision To Slow Electric Model Development Seen As Questionable. “BMW has opted for a modified platform strategy rather than the dedicated strategy of both its German peers” “It’s an excellent company. But when it comes to creating an auto sector equity story, its excellence is actually a […]
VW’s Mueller Talks About Diesel Renaissance At Geneva Show. “Diesel will see a renaissance in the not too distant future” Volkswagen wins the prize for the bravest statement at the Geneva Car Show with its declaration that diesel’s day is not yet done. Ford’s call for more clarity at the show about post-Brexit conditions comes […]
German Carmakers Under Pressure As Diesel Bans Allowed. Expect More German, The Other European Cities To Pursue Bans. Mild Hybrids Will Fill The Gap. “The negative implications for the auto industry are stark and wide-ranging” German manufacturers face a huge financial hurdle as a court allowed the banning of diesel cars in city centres. Manufacturers had hoped diesel […]
