Sandeep Kar

📰 News: 📰 🔔 --Big Shifts at Stellantis: Mamatha Chamarthi Moves On!-- 🚗👩‍💼 Mamatha Chamarthi, the powerhouse behind Stellantis' software business, has stepped down, joining a host of other high-profile executives exiting the automaker. Let's put some numbers on the table: 📈 --34 million--: This is the number of connected vehicles Stellantis plans to have on the road by 2030. 💰 --$22 billion--: This is the annual revenue Stellantis aims to generate from its software division by 2030. ✨ --6--: Including Chamarthi, six senior execs have left Stellantis in recent times. Big changes are afoot! Chamarthi’s career is nothing short of inspirational – from starting as a software programmer at Chrysler in 1996 to becoming the Chief Information Officer and finally excelling in her latest role at Stellantis. Her successor, Cristiani Campos, brings extensive business development experience and a strong financial background. What are your thoughts on these changes at Stellantis? Do you think it will impact their ambitious targets? 🤔 Join the conversation below and don’t forget to follow Bernier Group for more industry insights! 🚀 #Hospitality #Ecommerce #Retail #Commerce #Manufacturing #Logistics #Strategy #Innovation #Business #ArtificialIntelligence #AnniQ https://lnkd.in/epakUasn

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Chinese automakers 🚗, like BYD, are racing ahead of Ford and GM in cost and quality. Ford CEO Jim Farley sees them as a serious threat ⚠️, with their sleek designs and tech-packed EVs ⚡ offered at much lower prices 💰. Despite Ford's efforts to cut costs ✂️, Chinese firms benefit from cheaper labor and battery materials, creating a significant challenge for U.S. automakers globally 🌍. #EVRevolution #AutomotiveIndustry #ChineseEVs #FordVsBYD #CostEfficiency #TechInnovation #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #GlobalMarkets #Supplychain #SundayStats

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Fascinating, but sadly not surprising report from CDK Global about the sentiment towards #EVs from #Dealers in the US. In short, they are very pessimistic about them. They cite lots of reasons, but it's clear that there are still huge gaps in #EV knowledge, even among those that are supposed to make a living from selling them. It would be interesting to know what #OEMs in the States are doing by way of training to combat this negativity? Question is, if the people who are supposed to 'sell' these cars don't like them, is it any wonder that the people who visit the dealers to buy the cars are similarly unexcited? Even those who are really keen on going #electric are likely to be less keen, if faced with a #Salesperson who reels off a load of #evmyths and inaccuracies. I suspect a similar survey in the UK would be less downbeat, but there would still be a significant chunk of #salespeople who are 'misinformed' and therefore negative about EVs, even though they know by #2030 that's the only new cars they'll sell. I recognise this is a generalisation and some brand teams will be better than others, and some dealers will be more positive/successful than others, but as an industry, I think we still have a way to go to convince those on the front line that EVs are great for customers and their businesses! https://lnkd.in/eBXnxJBr

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This morning, I was joined by Brian Kingston from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA) and David C. Adams from the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) as we launched “Countdown to 2035” in Ottawa. These were my remarks: “As the Federal Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle aspirations start to meet market realities around the country, the Countdown to 2035 will provide valuable information and insights to consumers and public officials as to what is required, where and at what pace. The positive progression towards higher Zero Emissions Vehicle adoption that we are seeing in Canada is also starting to lay bare the stark realities of what consumers consider to be essential pre-conditions for them to make the transition to these vehicles and what constitutes a positive ownership experience once they have done so: affordability and an available and functioning charging infrastructure. Without those two key factors, consumers are very hesitant to make this change. And for those that have made the change, they define their ownership experience and with it their desire to re-purchase and remain in an EV as evidenced by a recently published survey of McKinsey. The data presented by Countdown to 2035 not only shows how woefully short we are falling in meeting those needs, but also how non-sensical and counterproductive recent decisions by some Provinces to curtail their purchase incentives are. The bottom line is Canadians need Federal and Provincial action for better, more reliable charging infrastructure and supports for purchasing Zero Emission Vehicles in every segment of the market.”

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Stellantis is the latest manufacturer to get in front of bad news (VW and Mercedes-Benz recently adjusted guidance), reducing its full year margin forecast and cash flow guidance ahead of earnings (expected late October) citing its challenges in North America. In good news for US dealers, Stellantis said #incentives would impact margin and most importantly, they would be shipping 200,000 fewer vehicles to North America in the back half of this year than previously forecast (up from 100,000 in their previous guidance).

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Volkswagen Group of America's finished vehicle logistics teams have united their US, Mexico and Canada divisions, under the umbrella of a 'Virtual Task Force' lead by Anu Goel, executive vice-president, Group After Sales & Service, Volkswagen Group. Now, Goel and the #FVL team are seeing results, not only in #efficiency and #capacity, but in millions of dollars' worth of working capital and transport savings. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e5j9D94m #FinishedVehicleLogistics #AutomotiveLogistics #Ports #Shipping Christopher Ludwig Anushka Dixit Marcus Williams Megan Kelly ilkhan Ozsevim Laura Gerard Richard Logan Riad Mannan

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📢 Looking for a deep-dive into the North American car sharing market? 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 Well, we've something very exiting in the pipeline for you: Our free, 50-page white paper on the topic of North American car sharing, is set to be released in late July. Did you know, that the market has more than 2.4 million registered car sharing users and tens of thousands of car sharing cars? There are more than 70 national operators and 20 vehicle brands in use. It is certainly one of the major car sharing centers in the world, along with Europe and East Asia. What's in it? 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 Who are the main operators in USA, Canada and Mexico? 🚗 What are the main business models? 📝 Brief profiles of key operators 🚐 Deep dives into niche models such as large vehicle sharing and condo car sharing 🔮 5 major market trends 🎙 Exclusive expert interviews with leading voices in the market In other words: It's your one-stop-shop with plenty of detail for your business development and market intelligence. Save your copy now, to be among the first readers: https://lnkd.in/e4DSZ-sh #carsharing #carshare #sharedmobility

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Here are some of the latest developments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry: New Models and Innovations: GMC Sierra EV: The upscale Denali Edition 1 is set for deliveries later this year, priced around $110,000. More affordable versions like the Elevation and AT4 will follow in 2025​ (Cars.com)​. Honda Prologue: Honda's first EV, based on the Chevrolet Blazer EV, offers up to 296 miles of range and starts at about $49,000​ (Cars.com)​. Kia EV9: A family-friendly three-row SUV with options ranging from 230 to 304 miles of range. Prices start around $56,000​ (Cars.com)​. Lotus Eletre: This luxury performance SUV offers up to 905 hp and features rapid DC fast charging capabilities​ (Cars.com)​. Longest Range EVs: Lucid Air Grand Touring leads with 516 miles of range, followed by the Chevy Silverado EV with 450 miles. Other notable mentions include the Tesla Model S and Rivian R1T with over 400 miles of range​ (Electrek)​. Market Trends and Sales: In 2023, global EV sales reached nearly 14 million, with China, Europe, and the US leading the market. The US saw a 40% increase in new electric car registrations compared to 2022, driven partly by incentives like the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit​ (IEA)​​. In Europe, electric car sales remained robust, with countries like Germany, France, and the UK showing significant growth despite the phase-out of some subsidies​ (IEA)​. Technological and Infrastructure Developments: The median range for EVs has increased to 270 miles, making them more practical for daily use. Charging infrastructure is also improving, with faster charging times becoming standard for newer models​ (Electrek)​. These trends indicate strong growth and continued innovation in the EV market, with more models offering better range and features at competitive prices. For detailed information, you can explore sources like Cars.com, Electrek, and the IEA's Global EV Outlook 2024.

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The ADAS Mirage: How Automakers and Media Hype Are Bullying Unsuspecting Buyers The automotive industry has aggressively marketed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as a revolutionary leap in vehicle safety. However, behind the hype, ADAS often proves more of a marketing gimmick than a genuine advancement. Worse, media hype plays a significant role in pushing this illusion, pressuring buyers into believing these systems are essential. ▪️The Reality Behind ADAS ADAS features, from lane-keeping assists to automatic emergency braking, are often prone to false alarms and unreliable performance. Lane-keeping systems can be overly sensitive, causing unnecessary corrections, while emergency braking might activate unexpectedly, creating dangerous situations. These inconsistencies often leave drivers frustrated and questioning the true safety benefits of ADAS. Take, for example, the cautious approach of the automaker with the iconic four rings. Unlike many others, this manufacturer has been relatively slow to introduce certain ADAS features across its lineup. This isn't due to a lack of technological capability but rather a recognition of the current limitations of these systems. The four rings brand has voiced concerns about the reliability and safety of ADAS in real-world driving conditions, particularly when it comes to fully trusting these systems on complex, unpredictable roads. Their cautious approach reflects a deeper understanding that the technology is not yet foolproof and may not live up to the marketing promises made by others in the industry. ▪️The Role of Media Hype Automotive media and marketing heavily influence public perception, but many outlets and influencers have become promoters for automakers. In exchange for perks or access, they produce glowing reviews that ignore ADAS's flaws. Their coverage is filled with buzzwords, giving consumers a false sense of security and pressuring them to pay extra for these features. ▪️Bullying the Unsuspecting Buyer Automakers and their media allies create a fear-based marketing environment, compelling consumers to believe ADAS is essential for safety. This tactic pressures buyers into spending more, despite the questionable value and reliability of these systems. Consider the case of T_ _ _a’s Autopilot, another highly marketed ADAS feature. While touted as a groundbreaking step towards fully autonomous driving, it has been linked to numerous accidents where drivers over-relied on the system, mistakenly believing it to be more capable than it actually is. Such incidents reveal the dangers of overselling ADAS capabilities, where the gap between marketing and reality can have serious, even fatal, consequences. 🌶️ ADAS is more about appearances than actual innovation. With unreliable results and overblown marketing, it’s time for consumers to demand transparency and real value from automakers instead of being swayed by flashy technology.

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Another day, another software recall; inconviencing a million customers and the thousands of dealers who they must visit to get a software fix, costing Stelantis millions of dollars. Another case where good telemetry and software update should have solved it without a problem. Another “tell” is that is was “customer reports” indicating that stelantis doesn’t have good enough telemetry to tell this was happening. See my two previous posts on software related recalls at https://lnkd.in/gZm82Rsx. Great software skills are as essential as great mechanical engineering and manufacturing for todays automotive products.

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🚗📉 Ford and GM's Q2 sales have slowed, reflecting broader industry challenges exacerbated by the recent CDK Global cyberattack. The incident disrupted dealer operations and highlighted the vulnerability of automotive supply chains to cyber threats. Despite these hurdles, Ford remains focused on its strategic goals and future growth.

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Stellantis CEO points out to investors that only 13% of new #connectedcar are activated for services. Investors expectations are cooled down. Expect more OEMs to start backpedaling on connected services profit projections. Consumer trust in how oem will use their data is falling off a cliff (<20%) and regulation is grinding away at business models that were poorly thought out in the first place. #privacymatters

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