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☆ EV batteries will have to be 50% lighter in future, Stellantis tech chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI) aims to develop lighter electric vehicle batteries, cutting weights in half to improve sustainability, the group's technology chief said on Friday. Ned Curic said current electric vehicle (EV) batteries were "just too heavy", making vehicles "not compatible" with sustainability purposes. "So what I have in mind and a very hard goal for my team by 2030 is to change the battery weight to at least 50% lighter battery," Curic said during the inauguration of the group's Battery Technology Center in Turin, Italy. "We will have to think about completely new materials, new chemistry, new way of replacing this heavy, heavy, heavy materials to something much lighter," he said. "We are consuming a lot of carbon-based energy in existing systems so moving to electric vehicle systems does allow for a lot more sustainable a future," he added.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Ned Curic, Curic, Stellantis, Giulio Piovaccari, Susan Fenton Organizations: FIAT, Los Angeles Auto Show, REUTERS, group's Battery Technology, Fiat, Peugeot, Battery Technology Center, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Turin, Italy, North America, Windsor , Canada

"Hybrid is a great alternative to a pure electric vehicle (and) it's an easier sell to a lot of customers." Interest in hybrids is rebounding as consumer demand for pure electrics has not accelerated as quickly as expected. Sales of pure electrics will claim about 37%, leaving combustion vehicles — including so-called “mild” hybrids — with a nearly 40% share. In addition to new pure electric models coming soon, "we are very bullish on hybrids going forward," a spokesperson said. Hyundai and sister brand Kia offer seven hybrid models, with Ford and Lincoln six.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tim Ghriskey, Ingalls, Snyder, ”, Sam Fiorani, Ford, Jim Farley, ” Farley, “, Stellantis, GlobalData, ” Stellantis, Andrew DiFeo, Augustine, Biden, “ I've, I've, Paul Lienert, Ben Klayman, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Toyota, Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Ford, Reuters, AutoForecast Solutions, P Global, General Motors, Chrysler Pacifica, U.S, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia, Lincoln, Chevrolet Corvette, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, America, New York, St, Jacksonville , FL, Detroit

☆ VinFast shares more than double to highest since market debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 22 (Reuters) - VinFast's shares more than doubled on Tuesday to the highest since Vietnamese electric vehicle maker's blowout Wall Street debut after Reuters reported that South Korea's Star Group Industrial plans to open factory in Vietnam. In the latest volatile session since its backdoor listing last week, VinFast's stock was last up 127% at $40.24, giving it a market capitalization of $95 billion. The stock traded as high as $46.98 earlier in the session. The stock was the second highest on trading website Stocktwits "Trending" list on Tuesday, suggesting it has attracted the interest of individual investors. About $428 million worth of VinFast's shares had been traded as of mid-day, compared to Tesla's (TSLA.O) turnover of over $17 billion.

Persons: Mike Blake, Black, Pham Nhat Vuong, Noel Randewich, David Evans Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Reuters, Korea's Star, Hyundai, SGI, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Vietnam

☆ Vietnam's EV firm skids for third straight US stock session after debut boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VinFast shares on Friday fell 23% to close at $15.40, slipping below its opening price of $22 on Tuesday, when it had surged up to $38.78. With about 99% of the firm controlled by founder Pham Nhat Vuong, the small amount of publicly available shares makes the stock prone to volatility. Just $45 million worth of its shares had been traded by late morning, compared with $29 billion worth of shares in Tesla (TSLA.O), according to Refinitiv data. "Founder Pham Nhat Vuong brought a portion of VinFast to the public markets because he may seek to further monetize his stake over time. That may be a material overhang for VinFast shares for some time to come," Benowitz said.

Persons: Mike Blake, VinFast, Pham Nhat Vuong, Jason Benowitz, Benowitz, Nikola, Medha Singh, Noel Randewich, Arun Koyyur, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Nasdaq, U.S, Reuters, Roosevelt Investment Group, Faraday, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Tesla, Vietnam, VinFast, Bengaluru, Oakland, California

☆ Vietnam's EV firm skids for third session after debut boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The loss-making company was last valued at $32.4 billion, compared to $85 billion in its Wall Street debut on Tuesday. With about 99% of the firm controlled by founder Pham Nhat Vuong, the small amount of publicly available shares makes the stock prone to volatility. Just $28 million worth of its shares had been traded by late morning, compared to $13 billion worth of shares in Tesla (TSLA.O), according to Refinitiv data. That may be a material overhang for VinFast shares for some time to come," Benowitz said. Shares of Vietnam's largest conglomerate and VinFast parent Vingroup (VIC.HM) closed down 7% in Ho Chi Minh trading.

Persons: Mike Blake, Pham Nhat Vuong, Jason Benowitz, Benowitz, Nikola, Medha Singh, Noel Randewich, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Nasdaq, U.S, Reuters, Roosevelt Investment Group, Faraday, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Tesla, Vietnam, VinFast, Ho Chi, Bengaluru

☆ Vietnam’s Tesla charges itself up for a big fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VinFast (VFS.O) shares leapt 270% on Tuesday following the group’s $27 billion merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). It catapults the enterprise’s value to $90 billion, a grand outcome only possible because Vuong and related entities still own 99% of the Tesla (TSLA.O) wannabe. The pop values the unprofitable Vietnamese company at 142 times its sales in 2022, some 16 times Tesla’s multiple. VinFast has pushed back plans to operate its $4 billion plant in North Carolina by a year to 2025. Ultimately, VinFast is heavily reliant on Vuong who is betting big on electric vehicles.

Persons: Mike Blake, Pham Nhat Vuong, Rivian, VinFast, topline, David Mansfield, Reuters Breakingviews, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Tesla, Elon Musk’s, P Global Mobility, Nasdaq, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, North Carolina, Vingroup

A few hours before its Nasdaq debut, VinFast more than doubled its value in premarket trading involving less than 4% of its shares. Nikola now commands a market value of $1.4 billion, versus $13.9 billion before listing while Lucid has a current market value of $15.5 billion, versus $24 billion during its 2021 SPAC deal. It is still unclear how many of the company shares will trade on Tuesday and at what price. VinFast's founder, Vietnam's richest man Pham Nhat Vuong, pledged $2.5 billion in April to bolster the EV maker, including $1 billion from his personal fortune. He is the beneficial owner of 99% of the ordinary shares of the EV maker after the merger.

Persons: Mike Blake, Black Spade, Nikola Corp, Nikola, Lucid, Rivian, Pham Nhat Vuong, VinFast, Phuong Nguyen, Yantoultra, Jaiveer Singh, Francesco Guarascio Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Nasdaq, Nikola, Tesla Inc, Rivian Automotive Inc, VinFast, P Global Mobility, Investors, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, HANOI, Dealogic, North Carolina, Vietnam, United States

☆ Vietnamese EV maker VinFast gets go ahead for Nasdaq SPAC listing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Phuong Nguyen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shareholders of Hong Kong-based Black Spade Acquisition (BSAQ.A), a blank-check company, voted on Thursday to approve the merger with VinFast. VinFast, in a joint statement with Black Spade, said it would list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol VFS "on or around August 15". It leaves VinFast's existing shareholders, including parent company Vingroup and Vuong, Vietnam's richest man, with 99% of shares in the company. "The voting results today are a vote of confidence in VinFast from Black Spade shareholders," VinFast's global head Thuy Le said in the statement. Black Spade was founded by the private investment arm of Lawrence Ho, son of the late gambling mogul Stanley Ho.

Persons: Mike Blake, VinFast, Black Spade, Pham Nhat Vuong, Thuy Le, Nikola Corp, EVs, VinFast's, Vuong, Lawrence Ho, Stanley Ho, Phuong Nguyen, Kirsten Donovan, Susan Fenton Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, U.S, Nasdaq, of Hong, VinFast, Black, Black Spade, Faraday, Nikola, Vingroup, Tesla, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, HANOI, of Hong Kong, VinFast, North Carolina, Black, United States, Haiphong, Vietnam

REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - The United States should extend electric vehicle tax credit benefits to Vietnam if it wants to encourage a landmark investment from the country in U.S.-based manufacturing, the head of the main U.S. business lobby for Southeast Asia said. Rules included in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on Chinese EV battery supply chains currently only benefit countries that have free trade agreements with Washington - a list that excludes Vietnam. VinFast responded to President Joe Biden's call for electric vehicles to be manufactured in the United States, Osius told Reuters in an interview on Thursday, "Now they will have some asks. They will want to be part of the EV supply chain and they won't want to be discriminated against in favor of other EV producers." The United States signed a deal in March with Japan on critical minerals that ensures Japanese cars will benefit from the tax credit.

Persons: Mike Blake, Ted Osius, VinFast, Joe Biden's, Osius, EVs, Biden, Donald Trump, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, David Shepardson, Don Durfee, Diane Craft Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, EV, Washington, VinFast, U.S, U.S ., ASEAN Business Council, Reuters, United, EU, Economic, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, United States, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, North Carolina, Japan, Britain, New Delhi, China, Washington, Indonesia, Asia, Pacific

☆ White House says Toyota 'fully committed' to electrifying auto fleet
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] A Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept electric car is displayed during the press day at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 17, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoWASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - White House senior adviser John Podesta said Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) is "fully committed" to electric vehicles after he met recently with senior company officials. Podesta told Reuters reporters and editors in a roundtable meeting on Tuesday the Japanese automaker "had been the laggard" but was now committed to electric vehicles. "I think they're going to stick with plug-in hybrids for a while, maybe longer than some of the other companies but they're fully now committed under their new leadership to electrification," he said. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mazda to appoint former North America head Moro as next CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Daniel Leussink | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Masahiro Moro, President and CEO of Mazda North America, speaks at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California U.S. November 29, 2017. Moro, 62, currently a director and senior managing executive officer, had previously served as the head of the automaker's North America operations. Current President and CEO Akira Marumoto, who took up his role in 2018, will step down from his posts at that time, Mazda added. Mazda also nominated Jeff Guyton, 56, senior managing executive officer and its current North America head, as chief financial officer and assistant to the president pending the June approval of the shareholders and board. ($1 = 132.9600 yen)Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Kim Coghill and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Volkswagen announces five-year $193 billion investment plan as electrification gathers pace
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People look at the Volkswagen id buzz electric car during the press day at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, November 17, 2022. Volkswagen on Tuesday announced plans to invest 180 billion euros ($192.6 billion) between 2023 and 2027, with more than two thirds targeting "electrification and digitalization." The BEV expansion was driven by a 68% spike in China, while the company also completed the landmark electrification of its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. However, overall delivery numbers declined by 7% to 8.3 million vehicles in 2022 and the automotive division's net cash flows decreased to 4.8 billion euros from 8.6 billion euros in 2021. Volkswagen Group CFO & COO Arno Antlitz said the strong financial position should enable the company to "continue investing in electrification and digitalization" even in a "challenging economic environment."

☆ Nissan raises global EV targets; to boost U.S. input
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nissan now aims to have electrified vehicles - which include its advanced hybrid e-power cars - make up over 55% of global sales by fiscal 2030, up from a previous goal of 50%, it said. The EV mix will increase to 44% by fiscal 2026 from an earlier target of 40%, Nissan said. REUTERS/Mike BlakeThe automaker plans 27 new electrified vehicles by that year, 19 of which will be all-battery EVs, it said in a statement. That compared with its previous plan of 23 electrified vehicles including 15 all-battery EVs. Nissan is confident it will be in compliance with the Act due to the localisation of battery production starting from 2026.

☆ Electric-vehicle startup Fisker will begin delivering its flagship SUV this year — see the $37,500 Ocean
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Fisker reiterated plans on Monday to begin shipping its flagship electric vehicle in 2023. The Ocean SUV will start at $37,499 and offer up to 350 miles in more expensive trims, Fisker says. The 2023 Fisker Ocean. The 2023 Fisker Ocean. The 2023 Fisker Ocean.

☆ Fisker confirms Ocean EV deliveries will begin this spring, on track to build over 40,000 in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( John Rosevear | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Henrik Fisker stands with the Fisker Ocean electric vehicle after it was unveiled at the Manhattan Beach Pier ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show and AutoMobilityLA on November 16, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California. Electric vehicle startup Fisker said Monday that it spent less money in 2022 than expected, and that it remains on track to begin deliveries of its Ocean SUV this spring and to build more than 40,000 vehicles in 2023. "These results reinforce our expectation that, at the time of launch, the Fisker Ocean will have the longest range of any SUV/Crossover priced below $70,000," he said. Fisker expects to complete the testing needed for regulatory approval of the Ocean next month, and to ramp up production – and begin deliveries -- in the second quarter. Fisker spent a total of $702 million in 2022, a bit below its guidance range of $715 million to $790 million.

☆ Nissan, Renault to invest $600 million to make 6 new models in India
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike BlakeTOKYO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) and Renault SA (RENA.PA) said on Monday they would invest $600 million to make six new models in India, one of three markets in which the two automakers plan to coordinate closely in a revamped alliance announced last week. Two models would be electric vehicles (EVs), the companies' first in India; the others would be sports utility vehicles. Unlike Nissan, Renault does not have a significant presence China, the United States and Japan, raising the stakes for its success in India. Industry-wide sales in India surged 23% last year to 4.4 million vehicles, overtaking the Japanese market, according to S&P Global Mobility. The Chennai plant can produce about 500,000 vehicles a year, but last year Renault sold only 87,000 in India and Nissan 35,000.

☆ Vietnamese EV maker VinFast says job cuts won't derail plans to start U.S. production
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We still plan to start the trial production in 2024 as originally planned," Le said. The annual production capacity of the plant is 150,000 electric vehicles, according to the company's release. The next markets VinFast plans to target will be in Europe, namely Germany, France and the Netherlands, said the CEO. However, VinFast vehicles do not currently qualify for the $7,500 tax credit in the U.S. because they are not built in the country, but are built in Vietnam. "I believe that in the long run [we are] going to concentrate the manufacturing of electric vehicles as well as the key components of electric vehicles in the U.S.," Le added.

☆ Nissan to buy up to 15% stake in Renault EV unit under reshaped alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike BlakePARIS, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Nissan (7201.T) and Renault (RENA.PA) on Monday unveiled details of their redesigned alliance, with the Japanese car maker committing to buy a stake of up to 15% in Renault's electric vehicles unit Ampere. The alliance junior partner Mitsubishi Motors (7211.T) will also consider investing in Ampere, the companies said in a statement. Renault will transfer 28.4% of Nissan shares into a French trust, making the two more equal partners in the alliance. Sources close to the matter said the agreement aimed to make the alliance freer and more balanced for the next 15 years. When it does sell, "Nissan would benefit from a right of first offer, to its or the benefit of a designated third party."

☆ Geely's EV brand Zeekr aims to double sales in 2023, expand in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Joseph White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/LAS VEGAS, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr aims to double sales in 2023 to about 140,000 vehicles and plans to expand sales in Europe, Chief Executive Andy An told Reuters on Thursday. Zeekr, a brand created by Chinese automaker Geely (0175.HK), sold 72,000 vehicles in 2022, mostly in China. A second Zeekr model, the 009, will go into production this month. Later this year, Zeekr plans to begin selling vehicles there with assisted driving systems engineered with Mobileye (MBLY.O), he added. An said Zeekr plans to build vehicles for Waymo in China, but U.S. production is a possibility, "depending on the market situation."

☆ Automakers, South Korea urge U.S. to tap commercial EV tax credit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rivian Automotive (RIVN.O), Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia Corp (000270.KS) among others want the administration to let consumer vehicle leasing qualify for the commercial EV tax credit that could reduce monthly lease payments. South Korea also asked Treasury not to impose any budget restrictions on commercial vehicle tax credits through 2025. The commercial credit does not have the same sourcing or pricing restrictions but has an "incremental cost" eligibility test that might prove complex. Some automakers want Treasury to make it easier to ensure most commercial light-duty vehicles qualify for $7,500 tax credits. Tesla (TSLA.O)said commercial credits "should apply exclusively for commercial end-users" and the consumer tax credit "should apply exclusively for individual end-users."

☆ EV maker Fisker faces liquidity questions after short-seller claims its cash is "tied up"
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( John Rosevear | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Henrik Fisker stands with the Fisker Ocean electric vehicle after it was unveiled at the Manhattan Beach Pier ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show and AutoMobilityLA on November 16, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California. Electric vehicle startup Fisker is facing new liquidity questions after a short seller report Thursday claimed the company's funds are "tied up." According to the report, much of Fisker's cash balance is tied up via bank guarantees on behalf of Magna International , the auto parts giant that began building Fisker's Ocean SUV under contract last month. "Fisker Inc. does not have a bank guarantee with Magna, and Fisker owns the intellectual property for the Fisker Ocean platform," Fisker said in a statement after the U.S. markets closed on Thursday. With a potential downturn looming, Fisker's cash hoard has provided some comfort to its investors.

[1/2] Hyundai displays the new Ioniq 6 vehicle at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 17, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoSEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has signed an agreement to source electric vehicle (EV) batteries in North America from battery maker SK On, the companies said on Tuesday. "We expect the stable supply of EV batteries from SK On will also enable us to contribute to emissions reduction and meet climate goals in the market," Hyundai said in a statement. South Korea's trade ministry said on Tuesday that Hyundai Motor was considering building EVs at its existing factories in the United States to qualify for U.S. federal EV tax credits. Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Joyce Lee; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Hyundai's best years in the U.S. are set to be tested by the Inflation Reduction Act
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"I think what Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have done is they've really compressed that time frame. Sales of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have risen roughly 61% since 2010 to more than 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. last year. LMC forecasts Hyundai's sales of all-electric vehicles are expected to represent 9.2% of the U.S. EV market this year. While sales are expected to grow that percentage is seen as the company's peak until at least 2024 or 2025, when the new Georgia plant is set to come online. Munoz said the new Georgia plant is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles annually, with the potential to reach 500,000 in the future.

☆ Rivian’s CEO created buzzy, outdoorsy EVs. Now big automakers are coming after it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Even now, as the company’s assembly lines have started churning out its electric vehicles, success still isn’t assured. The 39-year-old is running the car company he founded, building electric vehicles he helped engineer and design. Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesEver since he was a child growing up in Melbourne, Florida, Scaringe wanted to start his own car company. At the time, the idea of starting a car company seemed very farfetched. Robert Joseph "RJ" Scaringe, Rivian's founder and CEO, said he had wanted to start a car company since he was a child.

☆ Meet 8 new cars from the LA Auto Show, where the electric future is rolling out to the public
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Andrew Moseman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

After a three-year pandemic hiatus, the in-person version of the Los Angeles Auto Show has returned. The show featured a slew of electrified vehicles and the presence of charging companies. As the show opens to the public, take a look at the best of what's new. This article is part of the Ride Along series, a collection of stories recapping some of the biggest auto shows around the country. But in Los Angeles, automakers preparing for a seismic shift talked up their electric futures.

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