Jay Latta’s Post

Tesla and Polestar Tesla is losing important clients in Germany, while Polestar had to reduce ambitions, but still has high hopes to become chic also among the avantgarde which up to now was affected to Tesla. These articles on Tesla https://lnkd.in/eEc5H_wT and Polestar https://lnkd.in/ewKFRpED have been published on the site of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung during the last days.   Tesla is missing out on the biggest share of the German car market, the biggest in Europe with 2,84 million new registrations 2023. Of these, 67 per cent were company or fleet cars. Already up to now, Tesla was far below average in this segment, with only 41 per cent in company or fleet car sales. Now the rental company Sixt and Europe’s biggest software company SAP have communicated that Tesla has been eliminated from their car park. This comes after the blow when 2023 the American rental company announced to eliminate 20.000 Tesla from their fleet and to write off 245 million Dollar – that is an average of 12.250 Dollar per car.   Tesla caused irritation with price reductions which also reduced the residual values of fleet cars. But there are other problems like an erratic delivery policy which can take fleet-car-managers by surprise, and in general a lack of cure for fleet customers. So Tesla has the margins to reduce prices, but at the moment, the more they reduce, the more company clients remain alienated.   Polestar has a different problem: The quotation on Nasdaq during Summer 2022 brought only 890 million Dollars, now they need another 1,3 billion Dollars to finance the business plan until 2025, when CEO Thomas Ingenlath promises break even. Prerequisites are not easy, with Polestar capitalizing actually 3,7 billion Dollars, after nearly 28 billion Dollars in June 2022. Long term sales targets have been reduced from 290.000 to 150/160.000. Main shareholder Volvo Cars, up to now with 48,9 per cent of Polestar, does not want to inject fresh capital, but now group headquarter Geely will take over.   Polestar, however, has many chances to recover. The delayed SUV Polestar 3, with outstanding design, will now come to the market, and the Crossover Polestar 4 should arrive during the second half of 2024. Both offer Scandinavian style and an attractive interior – something lacking inside Tesla. Thus, Polestar-CEO Ingenlath, an ex car designer, hopes to stem the downturn of the general electric car market in markets like Germany. 

eMobility Update 14.02.24 (just in german Language available) • Tesla Model Y Price Hike in Germany! The rollercoaster ride of Tesla prices continues: After a temporary reduction in January, we're now seeing another increase. The base price of the Model Y with rear-wheel drive has been raised by 2,000€ now standing at around 45,000€. 🇫🇷 France Pauses Affordable E-Car Leasing Program France temporarily suspends its successful leasing program for affordable electric cars after approving over 50,000 contracts - more than double the expected amount! A testament to the growing demand for eco-friendly mobility. • Maxus Euniq 6 Now Available in Germany! The Maxus Euniq 6 electric SUV is now available on the German market! With a powerful electric motor, generous range and attractive price, it's an exciting option for environmentally conscious drivers. 🇨🇭 Switzerland Plans More Fast Charging Parks on National Roads The Swiss Federal Roads Office is tendering for the construction of five fast charging hubs along national roads. A positive step for electromobility and a convenience for all electric vehicle drivers in Switzerland! • Carnival: China's Electric Car Races Past German "Stone Age" BMW At the Mainz Rose Monday parade, there was a humorous look at the race for technological leadership in the automotive industry. China's Xi Jinping joyfully led the way in an electric car, while the German "Stone Age" BMW lagged behind. #emobility #innovation #tesla #france #maxus #charging #infrastructure Source: https://lnkd.in/ezkrhgYU

My current subjective BEV ranking. There is a lot of discussion about Chinese BEVs, and rightly, because they are ahead on many points. Advanced software, many different battery variants, new customer functions already in the wide range of vehicles and all this at a reasonable price. Currently, only Tesla can follow suit, and technically we are not doing too badly in the USA with Lucid, Rivian, etc. Not to be forgotten in my view are the Koreans, especially Kia/Hyundai. 800V platform already standard, good equipment and prices, very efficient vehicles and good selection.   1. China (BYD, Geely, XPeng,...) 2. USA (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid,...) 3. Korea (Hyundai, Kia) 4. Europe (not specific) 5. India (not specific)   And as for new mobility, not to forget:   1. Singapore 2. Netherlands 3. USA (San Francisco)   How do you see it and what good examples can we still learn from?   #mobility #BEV #ranking https://lnkd.in/eFn-FEYW

MAXMORE Monday: Happy new year to everyone! Starting the year with interesting news - The American car manufacturer #TESLA has had to cede its leading position in the global market for electric vehicles to its Chinese competitor #BYD. In the fourth quarter of 2023, TESLA delivered 484,507 cars - an increase of eleven percent compared to the same period last year. However, this was not enough to defend the top position. Chinese car manufacturer BYD sold 526,409 vehicles in the same period, according to figures released earlier this week. Overtaking competitors is often unexpected - but you can prepare yourself. If you want our experts to take a look into your portfolio for further optimizations, let us know! Write a email to Info@maxmore.asia or our technical experts in Europe at ag@maxmore.eu. Source: https://lnkd.in/d9J3EMQG

For the first time in ten years, Tesla is back at the auto show IAA MOBILITY. This is the result of Elon Musk's new strategy. The presentation area of the U.S. manufacturer at the industry trade fair, which starts next week in Munich, is small. Tesla has rented a small stand in Hall A2, plus an exhibition area of 200 square meters at Königsplatz in the city center. But the real news is that Tesla is coming at all. For years, Tesla has stayed away from most European auto shows. The last time Tesla was at the IAA was in 2013 - then still in Frankfurt - to promote the Model S luxury sedan in Germany. While Tesla confirms it will attend this year's IAA, it does not reveal officially why the company is coming to Munich. Most manufacturers use the trade shows to show their models for the coming years. But Tesla has hardly anything to offer here. Spectacular novelties like the Tesla #Cybertruck or the #Roadster have long been presented, a new small car is still in the early stages. But: A refreshed version of the mass-produced #Model3 is about to be launched - the so-called "Project #Highland"… Full Handelsblatt story with Thomas Jahn below.

The Tesla Cybertruck is not a "show car", claims Elon Musk. But do ordinary pickup truck users have the money to afford such an unusual vehicle? Or will it be a luxury vehicle for extroverted and wealthy wannabe cowboys from the city? During the handover of the first Cybertrucks to customers, Musk did not say one word about the price. Was it because he didn't want to risk any boos from the audience? Four years ago, he presented the entry-level version at a price of 39,900 dollars. And earned respect because it seemed low for a pickup truck. That is no longer the case. The entry-level version starts at around 60,000 dollars and won't be available until 2025. That is around 20,000 dollars more. The Cybertruck flagship, the "Cyberbeast", starts at just under 100,000 dollars. Pickup trucks are normally a lucrative market niche for US manufacturers due to their utility and their price. At Tesla, they have a lot of utility, but are more a show car in terms of price, even if Musk claims otherwise. Nevertheless, he probably won't have any demand problems. But one may wonder whether he is not violating Tesla's mission "to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy". The resources would have been better spent on mass market models such as the Model 3 or the future Model 2. But that is a matter of opinion. https://lnkd.in/gMFdafW3

Companies fail primarily because of unsubstantiated assumptions about the future of their market. Have a look at two examples. AUDI AG CEO of Gernot Döllner (quotes): "We will all drive electric. This is the way. That is technologically clear". "If we want to achieve the climate gaols there is no alternative to a broad transition to electromobility." "There is no market relevant to Audi in which combustion engine cars will continue to run indefinitely". The speed of the transformation might fluctuate here and there, but the big the big trend is towards electromobility. Döllners assumption, in our understanding, is a rare voice of reason at legacy automakers. BMW: Now compare this to the future-assumptions of BMW's CEO Oliver Zipse that a full global transition to electric is not possible and will not happen. Who's going to be right? https://lnkd.in/efze8qFc

Exciting news from AUDI AG! #CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed #Audi's commitment to phasing out ALL combustion engine models in 2033 ⚡⚡⚡ He remains undeterred by recent declines in interest for #electric #vehicles, stating, "The current reluctance to adopt electric models in #Europe and North America is temporary. We remain confident that the #future is electric." Since assuming the role of CEO in September, Döllner has been driving Audi's focus on #electricvehicles, sharpening the product #strategy and reinforcing the brand's slogan "Vorsprung durch Technik". With over three decades of experience in the #Volkswagen Group, Döllner is dedicated to strengthening the Audi brand in the global market. Key priorities include streamlining the product strategy, launching new models on the #Porsche-developed electric vehicle platform (#PPE), and building a focused and less complex portfolio by 2030. This strategic direction underscores Audi's commitment to #innovation and #sustainability in the automotive industry. Source: https://lnkd.in/eZVZESDB #emobility #charging #ev #bev #phev #aufladen #laden #wallbox #esmp #elektromobilität

Detroit understands only very little of the Car Market   After the surprise that the Head of Ford in Germany left for Volkswagen, this was the comment on the printed newspaper of 7th of June and on the internet at https://lnkd.in/eg3NS2sZ   The scenario around the once important German participation of Ford is actually best described as a shambles. Ford wanted a European strategy which pointed towards a fast change towards battery electric cars. But for some technical reasons which are still difficult to understand, the market start of the electrical Ford Explorer built in Cologne has been delayed for almost one year. Now, two days after the start of production in grand series, the German Ford Boss Martin Sander left the company, rejoining Volkswagen Group.   Due to the delay, the new electric cars by Ford now start during a slack market, and on top of this, Ford in Europe stands now without a leader. In general, it was right to change the structure of the models offered in Europa, from a full range towards offering a selected number of cars in important segments. But for this reason, at this moment Ford is not flexible enough to react to changing demand between cars with internal combustion engine and electric models. At this point it is also little help that Ford started to reposition its brand, with American flair and an image linked to outdoor – as this effort is still in its beginnings.   The Detroit headquarters of Ford could now be tempted to cut and delete, or at some point to withdraw completely. Such instincts come from the arrogance of the past. But Detroit is not the navel of the motorcar world anymore, and the USA are by far no more the most important market. Last year, the market for passenger cars, with 3,1 million new registrations, was barely any bigger than the German one with 2,8 million new registrations – because beyond the market for passenger cars there is the segment of Pick-ups and Offroaders, since many years protected by high tariff walls.   So it does not help, if now Detroit finance managers intended to show how the car business works. The opposite applies: Car producers from Detroit are not competitive outside their local niche, and they are still less able to see through long term market stratregies.

■ EMobility Update■ 1️⃣ Fiat unveils five electric concept cars, providing a glimpse into its electric future. These concepts are set to hit the market as production models by 2027, all built on Stellantis' multi-energy platform. Stay tuned for the reveal of the first model, possibly the E-city car Pandina, promising to be larger than the current Panda! 2️⃣ Mercedes-Benz puts a hold on its EQE SUS plans for China. Despite the ambition for a sedan-SUV blend, the complexity and cost seem to have deterred the project. Nonetheless, Mercedes assures its commitment to the Chinese market with its existing range of nine electric vehicles. 3️⃣ BYD showcases new electric models at the Geneva Motor Show, including its first plug-in hybrid for Europe. While this hybrid will be selectively available, BYD's presence at the show marks its second appearance in Europe following the IAA Mobility in Munich. 4️⃣ Ford halts deliveries of the 2024 F-150 Lightning due to quality control issues. Despite being available for order since September 2023, deliveries of the new model have been paused for unspecified quality concerns. 5️⃣ Hyundai shifts gears towards electrification under its N performance label, discontinuing production of combustion engine N models for Europe. The focus now shifts to electric vehicles, starting with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, as the brand prepares to electrify its lineup. #emobility #electricfuture #automotiveinnovation #greendriving https://lnkd.in/eiMResAh