Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe says batteries will be the next big problem in the auto industry supply chain, and the shortage could go on for decades. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Kia reports that the EV9, its Telluride-sized electric SUV with 300 miles of range and a $50,000 price tag, is being fast-tracked for production and will appear by late 2023. More at Motor Trend.
+ Deposed Nissan-Renault chief executive Carlos Ghosn, who fled to Beirut to escape criminal prosecution in Japan, now faces five arrest warrants from a French magistrate. More at The Drive.
+ Multiple states are reporting an increase in car thefts in 2022, led by an 88 percent rise in Washington, with Ford and Chevy full-size pickups the most popular targets. More at Car and Driver.
+ Veteran Southern California race driver Ted Prappas, who drove for Norm Turley’s P.I.G. CART IndyCar team and finished 16th in the 1992 Indy 500, has passed away at 66. More at Racer.
+ Mazda has pledged to launch its MX-30 electric crossover with rotary-engine range extender in the USA and Canada before the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2023. More at MotorIllustrated.
+ Chevrolet Corvette producion at the General Motors Bowling Green, Kentucky, plant will be temporarily halted next week due to a parts shortage not related to semiconductors. More at The Detroit News.
+ Aston Martin’s product lineup will be fully electrified by 2030 with a mix of plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains, with its first EV arriving in 2025, the company announced. More at Motor Authority.
+ BrightDrop driver Stephen Marlin achieved a Guinness World Records title for greatest distance traveled on a single charge by an electric delivery van at 260 miles. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe says the next big problem in the industry supply chain be batteries and the shortage could go on for decades, dwarfing the microchip crisis. More at Autoblog.
+ NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch says his ride for next year with Joe Gibbs Racing is uncertain with sponsor M&M’s leaving at the end of the season and no replacement in sight. More at ESPN.
Photo courtesy of Rivian.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 22 here.
The ugly truth is finally starting to come out. EV’s can’t totally replace ICE vehicles yet. I can see a balance of both, but the infrastructure problems as well as the batteries will keep them from completely taking over at the rushed timeline so many want.
This is hardly news. Getting enough lithium to powr phones and similar has been an issue for a decade. And you need huge amounts more for electrikity cars. A thought bubble that I suspect will go away soon.