Liang Downey, MBA, MEng

"The grand reopening of the train station is the focal point of the past six years of work, but Ford’s broader mobility project, Michigan Central, has been building up momentum for the past year with the opening of Newlab. It’s a membership-based venture platform for startups with a focus on mobility, and the facility they’re in has a mix of offices, fabrication labs, and shared collaboration spaces where serendipitous collisions and idea sharing among entrepreneurs can spark new business ideas. Venture capitalists have offices on site to help these companies take form. As of June, 97 startups are operating out of Newlab, up from about 15 last spring, including many from out of state." Major props to Bill Ford and Ford Motor Company for the vision and commitment to not only rehabilitate this iconic Detroit landmark, but to establish the infrastructure to create the future of #mobility. #Ford #USManufacturing #FutureOfMobility #automobiles #automotive #cars #innovation #startups #VentureCapital #StartupEcosystem #PublicPrivatePartnerships #leadership

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While everyone is talking about Tesla’s Supercharge network, I’m watching General Motors. Last week GM’s CEO Mary Barra spoke at the Detroit Economic Club. She described EV adoption as a “once-in-a-generation type of transformation.” In this interview she discussed; - EV adoption challenges - Charging station partnerships - Charging infrastructure concerns - Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill funding GM views the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure in the US as a major challenge to mass EV adoption. Here's what they're doing about it; ​​- Investing $750M in charging infrastructure through various partnerships - Building 2,000 charging stalls nationwide with EVgo and Pilot Flying J   - Installing (with EVgo) an additional 3,250 stalls by 2025 (1,000+ already installed) - Installing 40,000 chargers at local dealers through the Dealer Community Charging Program While Tesla is dominant in the modern EV market, GM has been in the game for 20+ years -- they built the first mass-produced EV (the EV1) back in 1996. Expect to see GM continue to play an increasingly large role in charging infrastructure.

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🚗🚘⚡️🔋🪫Tesla's decision to disband its supercharger organization is unexpected. The supercharger has been pivotal in offering a holistic mobility solution: a vehicle, a power source, and software seamlessly navigating from point A to B. Unlike traditional manufacturers, Tesla's approach encompassed more than just the vehicle and repair stations. Removing charging makes their product less comprehensive and competitive, especially in new markets like Asia in my opinion. How will they address the mobility challenge from point A to B without investing in charging infrastructure? Interesting events to follow from product aspect 🧐🤔 https://lnkd.in/dSyEXd_M

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🚗 Big news from the auto industry and a huge step forward for electric vehicles (EVs)! VP Kamala Harris has just announced a thrilling $3 billion investment from the DOE to bolster EV component production. Here’s why this matters: American Axle & Manufacturing, a Michigan-based supplier, is set to utilize these funds to build a new facility in Detroit, bringing 1,300 new job opportunities to the community. The initiative is a key part of the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which allocates a whopping $7 billion towards expanding EV and battery production capabilities. 🔋 As someone who has closely followed the transformation of the automotive industry, this milestone resonates deeply. I remember a colleague consulting with an auto parts manufacturer years ago, where transitioning to EV was more a distant plan than an impending reality. Seeing such substantial government backing now solidifies the shift towards sustainable transport as a national priority. This development is poised to reduce reliance on foreign parts, reinforcing the US EV supply chain. It's an exciting time, but some critics fear it may spike inflation or increase taxpayer burdens. 🤔 What are your thoughts on this boost for EVs? Will the benefits outweigh potential economic downsides? Share your insights or stories about how shifts in industry standards have impacted your sector! #ElectricVehicles #SustainableEnergy #ManufacturingJobs #InflationReductionAct #EconomicDevelopment #JobCreation #USAutoIndustry https://lnkd.in/gwdbnUnV

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Chinese EV manufacturers face a new challenge in their pursuit of U.S. customers: a new House bill that would limit or ban the introduction of their connected vehicles. The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, comes as the trade war between the U.S. and China heightens in the aftermath of the Biden administration’s decision to quadruple import duties on Chinese electric vehicles to 100%. Chinese EV manufacturers haven’t yet made significant inroads into the U.S., as they have in Europe. The bill’s goal appears to curb manufacturers before they can flood the American market with smart, cheap cars. https://lnkd.in/gqQfyVvy

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Exciting day for the #EVIndustry in Illinois! Congrats to Rivian for doubling down and making a $1.5 billion dollar investment and committing to creating 550 EV Manufacturing Jobs! Illinois is poised for the clean energy transition and economy, excited to be working with manufacturers across the nation to drive economic development through the EV Manufacturing Industry. Hats off to the DCEO and Intersect Illinois team! Alyson Grady Lisa Clemmons Stott Dan Seals Lauren Gibson, AICP John Atkinson Kristin Richards Learn more about how Baker Tilly US is helping manufacturers take advantage of the #IRA to invest in expansion projects! #IRA #CleanEnergy #CEJA #RebuildIllinois #EVManufacturing

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The idea that adopting NACS (now more properly referred to as SAE J3400) was going to solve all the problems of public EV charging reliability was always far-fetched, and I was surprised at the time that so many people bought into it. Now that Tesla appears to be releasing its creation into the wild, reliability and interoperability issues may become more important than ever. Here's an excerpt from my article about interoperability specialist EcoG, based on an interview with CEO Joerg Heuer. You'll find the full article in the new issue of CHARGED Electric Vehicles Magazine.

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Californian drivers appear to be losing some enthusiasm for Tesla. A California Auto Outlook report shows year-over-year Tesla registrations are down again in the state. The report, published on Monday by the California New Car Dealers Association, summarizes first-quarter vehicle registration figures statewide. The report said Tesla saw a 7.8% dip in sales in California in the first quarter, down from 54,265 in the last quarter of 2023 to 50,025 in Q1. The drop follows last quarter's 9.8% decline. Read more in Business Insider https://lnkd.in/exaHWtm5

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https://lnkd.in/gF8AYpXh CNBC is looking at the reasons for the EV sales 'slow down,' vs hybrids market, but in most cases, they missed the role of limited supply and the impact of regulation. From what I said in the interview, they only mentioned my point about the role of plug-in hybrids post-2035. I would be happy to hear your thoughts on it.

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Reposting for #EV Enthusiasts! We are a week away from starting our Automated & Electric Vehicles program in collaboration with Michigan University. What's in store? 1) Industry-focused curriculum: Electric Energy storage, Dynamics & Control of connected vehicles, Adversarial Machine learning, Integrated Mobility Systems, AV Testing & much more. For a detailed curriculum Click here- https://lnkd.in/dJy5EM38 2) Corporate Discounts: We have updated the discounts to 30% for corporate enrolments. Now enroll in the program at a nominal rate INR 1,68,000 instead of INR 2,40,000 3) Experiential Learning: Hands-on Format, assessments & capstone projects. #electricvehicle #batteries #automotive #electricandhybridvehicles Toyota Motor Corporation TATAMOTOR Mercedes-Benz India Honda Cars India Ltd HERO ELECTRIC VEHICLES PVT LTD #FutureMobility #mobility #evbatteries Electric Vehicles Toyota Kirloskar Motor Mahindra Last Mile Mobility #automobileindustry #auto #Batterymanagement #electricmobility #avtesting🌐🔌

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The value part is especially important. The recent volatility in gas prices may once again push folks toward at least considering EVs. But this alone won't be enough. Insurance premiums for EVs have to come down as well as the price of 'fixing' the vehicles when needed. Unless the automotive ecosystem can collectively solve this chicken-and-egg problem (we need more EVs on the road to enjoy scale economies and bring the price of insurance and repair down vs. EV adoption is slow because of high costs of insurance and repairs), many potential car buyers will continue to buy what they already know and are comfortable with, i.e., hybrids or ICEVs. #evtransition #automotiveindustry #roadtomassadoption

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Here's part 2 of the #RealizeLIVE recap! Tuesday's general sessions brought together the world of sustainable design, battery development and digital transformation to show how leaders and pioneers are transforming the world around us at speed. https://sie.ag/6CuRYj

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This essay explores the contrasting innovation cultures of the United States and #China, as discussed by Kai-Fu Lee in his interview with Lex Fridman. The #US excels in creating groundbreaking technologies, exemplified by Tesla's pioneering electric vehicles (#EV). In contrast, #China excels in adopting and enhancing these technologies, as seen in BYD's electric vehicles and its extensive high-speed rail network. The essay argues for integrating these complementary approaches, encouraging cross-border collaboration, open innovation, investment in R&D, adaptive regulatory frameworks, and a focus on sustainable innovation. This synergy can maximize global technological progress and address pressing global challenges effectively. SCCCI

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I am so thrilled we are able to share this latest episode of The Garage podcast by Sonatus with our good friend, Ray Cornyn, who is such an important figure at NXP Semiconductors and the industry. I really enjoyed this conversation with Ray and we touched on so many important topics about SDV....including Angry Birds, a new one for The Garage. I hope you enjoy it. #softwaredefinedvehicles #automotive #semiconductor #podcast.

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Tesla is not a car manufacturer. It was never envisioned to be one. Tesla is already leaving the stage of their global vanguard position to enter the next. The BEV is unstoppable already. EVs have a superior efficiency but cities will inevitably collapse on individual transport if ICE powered cars are just converted to EVs. BEVs will become so affordable that the revolution will eat its children. BEVs are not the solution, but the requirement for a solution. You will find youself still stuck in traffic, albeit you breath cleaner air. The only solution for individual mid range transport is autonomous robotaxis/pods/devices. Stephan Bianchi Sascha Pallenberg 潘賞世 James Carter https://lnkd.in/diHfyZCt

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News coverage in Automotive News featuring our most recent thought piece on #Batteries and the battery #Component #ValueChain in Europe and North America. How #EVs and the transition to EV can ultimately accelerate and regain momentum. https://lnkd.in/gxXMm74W

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NORMAL, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to announce an “expanded Illinois investment” at the Normal plant of electric vehicle maker Rivian on Thursday. The company recently announced it would begin building its more affordable R2 model in Illinois, a change from the original plan that would have built it at a new $5 billion factory in Georgia. Construction on the Georgia plant has been put on pause so Rivian can speed up deliveries of the R2, to meet demand for lower-cost EVs. (My take: Never going to happen.) The R2, expected to sell for around $45,000, can achieve over 300 miles of driving range on a single charge and will accelerate from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds, the company said. Rivian already employs around 8,000 people in Normal, where the company makes the R1S SUV, R1T pickup, and commercial delivery vans. At an event last month in Uptown Normal, Rivian’s vice president of operations in Normal, Tim Fallon, said additional hiring was expected to support the added production of R2. “We are currently projecting that as we finalize our plans that there will be additional team members needed,” Fallon said. When Rivian first came to Normal, it secured an agreement to receive $49.5 million in EDGE state tax credits if it met certain annual hiring and capital-investment thresholds over several years. But it’s unclear if Rivian ever received any of that assistance, which was announced during the Rauner administration.

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