The Old Bait And Switch - 15 October 2024

FOLLOW UP: EU vs Chinese EVs
The European Commission has approved tariffs on Chinese EVs. There are a number of stories behind this:
• European Commission Approves Tariffs On Chinese EVS - Autocar (www.autocar.co...)
• EU Rejects Chna’s Proposal for €30,000 minimum price - electrive.com (www.electrive....)
• Why EU rejected China's compromise on EV tariffs - Automotive News Europe (europe.autonew...)
• JLR encourages further talks in plea to avoid EU-China tariff war - Autocar (www.autocar.co...)
• EU-China EV dispute: Beijing retaliates with levy on French brandy - Automotive News Europe (europe.autonew...)
FOLLOW UP: DIESELGATE - Winterkorn’s Trial Moved AGain
The trial for ex. Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, has been delayed due to his current ill health. A new timeline is being planned and will be announced in due course. Click this Automotive News Europe article for more (europe.autonew...) .
FOLLOW UP: FIAT 500E PRODUCTION PAUSED FOR LONGER
Fiat has announced that the current pause in production of the 500e will continue for longer, which the company claims is down to the low demand for EVs. Or is it the reduced demand for the 500e? To read more on this, click here for an Autocar article (www.autocar.co...) .
SEPTEMBER NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURES
SMMT has released the new car registration figures for September. The overall figures are still down significantly on the Before Times, pre-Covid. There has been a lot of things said and written about these which require more than surface level analysis that has occurred. EV numbers were once again good.
But the SMMT is leaning heavily into calling for Government assistance for Private consumers. Which rather counters all the claims that cost is not a driving factor in the growth of EVs not being as fast and large as many expected and hoped. If you wish to learn more, click this SMMT link here (www.smmt.co.uk...) . You can also see more on the industry’s calls for help, click this link from The Guardian (www.theguardia...) .
SEVERAL COMPANIES ISSUE PROFIT WARNINGS
In the past few weeks several car brands have issued warnings on their expected profits. Mercedes, Stellantis, Aston Martin, BMW and Volkswagen for a second time. More can be found on all of that by clicking this Reuters article link here (www.reuters.co...) .
CARLOS TAVARES TO STEP DOWN IN 2026
Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis with a penchant for cutting costs, is set to step down from the company in 2026. The job of finding a successor has begun. Also, it was announced that all brand futures would be considered and confirmed on two to three years, which leaves it a job for the new boss. The rest of the management structure is also going to be ‘shaken up’. For further reading, click this Autocar article link here (www.autocar.co...) .
STELLANTIS GET SPANISH MONEY FOR BATTERY FACTORY
The Spanish Government has given Stellantis and CATL a grant to build their battery factory in the country. Stellantis has yet to decide if they will build their next EV in Spain, but this may help. Click this Automotive News Europe article link here (europe.autonew...) .
NORTHVOLT SUBSIDIARY PLACED IN RECEIVERSHIP
Northvolt, the Swedish car battery maker, has put the subsidiary Ett Expansion AB into receivership following the cancellation of the expansion project they were controlling. To read more, click this Automotive News Europe article link here (europe.autonew...) .
BREMBO BUYS SUSPENSION SPECIALIST
Brembo, the brake maker, has agreed to buy Ohlins Racing for $405 million. This does seem like a sensible amalgamation as the parts are close to each other on the car. Click this Reuters article link to read more (www.reuters.co...) .
If you like what we do, on this show, and ...