Katie Purcell

This week we are joined by CAR’s Industry Analyst Elizabeth (Lisa) Krusemark PhD, who discusses Nissan and Tesla safety recalls and automakers unveiling new EV lineups. "The number of recalls for electric vehicles, ADAS, and OTA updates has nearly doubled in the last couple of years. As vehicle recalls become increasingly diverse and complex, it is even more important to provide consumers with clarity about the methods used to complete recall repairs." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gSJkabnV

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Jaguar reinvention Mk 4 coming up Will this one work? The first attempt (that I remember) was the very retro "-Type" early Ford era 1996-2001. The lineup went from 2 to 4 models but all were an unmitigated failure. Bad design and donor platforms got the blame. Ford had another go in the late noughties going back to 3 models (XF etc) with much more contemporary design (thanks Callum!) and homegrown platforms. But poor pricing / positioning remained problematic, and XF actually lost more money than X-Type (that was a closely held secret, even internally!). Old hat technology & lack of SUV's got the blame. Tata then had a go in the 2010's boosting the lineup to 7 models adding 3 SUVs to reinvented sedans with brand new platforms. But the strategy was an unimaginative "like the germans only better". (This was the height of the Speth era JLR hubris). Net result - even bigger losses The 4th attempt is very different to what went before... Will it work? I don't know! What do you think? Can Jaguar rise again? Should Jaguar rise again? What do you think went wrong before, and will this version fix it?

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📰 The EU’s new-car market returned to growth in April. Every powertrain recorded a positive result in what was a critical month for the industry. - Figures released by European Automobile Manufacturers'​ Association (ACEA) show registrations increased by 13.7% year on year in April. - A total of 913,995 units were delivered to customers across EU member states in the month. - This was driven by strong growth in the bloc’s big four markets, as well as impressive battery-electric vehicle (BEV) results from some smaller regions. Read the full analysis https://lnkd.in/gWWCQnpZ #EVs #BEVs #EU #EuropeNews #growth #economy #automotive

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It’s said that trust is earned when actions meet words. But when you’re looking for a new PR agency, how do you know who to trust? Maybe take a look at who some of the biggest names in the automotive supplier sector trust with their PR. For 32 years, top auto suppliers have trusted us to do what we say we’re going to do ... To be there when they need us. To tell them the truth, even when it’s hard for them to hear. To challenge their thinking and play the devil’s advocate. To give them strategic guidance drawn from our decades of experience. To help them deliver better results. Because they know better work and happier people come from a trusting relationship. So if you’re an automotive technology supplier looking for a PR firm you can trust, check us out. Or ask our current automotive clients, who have trusted us for an average of 15 years ... including one has trusted us for 32! Because we work hard to earn – and keep their trust. Day. After. Day.

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⚡SMMT Update Analysis: Back on Track for August 2024. Amongst VW & Volvo's plans to backpedal on EVs, the UK is back on track for meeting its 2024 ZEV mandate. Well, at least this month. Besides the usual and welcome diesel decline, petrol car sales fell to 51%. In both cases, they're an absolute and relative sales fall of 10% and 7% respectively. At the same rate of loss, their combined sales would fall to nearly 50% in 2025. It looks somewhat like a case of full petrol car sales migrating to plugless hybrids, which aligns with reports of a HEV migration across Europe and the US. Meanwhile, BEV sales for the month finally beat the 22% objective; though possibly at the expense of PHEVs, which fell by the largest proportion of any segment. The UK is still 4.8% behind reaching the annual sales target, so there's a great deal of catching up or strategising to do by January 2025. All this reflects the competing interests of customers who want more electrification; legacy auto industry lobbying; government net-zero policies; increasingly evidenced climate concerns; and the growing cost advantages of renewable energy over fossil fuels. We've now had a full month with a new UK government, but it's too early to tell if this is reviving sales of EVs, given that almost no new policies have been put in place. It's still going to be the case that the vast majority of EV sales will be 'fleet' sales, within which some private sales are hidden under Salary Sacrifice schemes. What it will be doing is giving manufacturers and customers more confidence in electrification. ⚡ Stay tuned for updates on Van sales and the increasingly important second-user EV market. 🚛 🔌 Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) #EV #car #sales

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Are UK electric vehicle sales on track to meet the rising ZEV Mandate targets? Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that BEV sales surpassed the 22% mandate for the first time in August, making up 22.6% of new car sales. However, while this is a positive step, overall BEV sales in 2024 remain below the target. What more could be done to ensure next year’s threshold, set to increase to 25%, is met? #ElectricVehicles #BEV #ZeroEmissions #ZEVMandate #Sustainability #GreenTransport #UKAutomotive https://lnkd.in/erEZ_hR6

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A bit of a mixed bag for electric commercial vehicles. eVans down year on year (similar fate to passenger cars) But….good news….😁😁😁 eBuses (>45% growth) and eTrucks (>50% growth) are up, with 🇩🇪 Germany leading the way in Europe. EO Charging #etruck #ebus #zeroemission #cleanair #fleetmanagement #electricvehicles

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Lightfoot named as headline sponsor of Brake UK Fleet Champions Awards 🏆 Lightfoot, the new headline sponsor of Brake’s UK Fleet Champions Awards, says that there has never been a more important time to champion the causes of safety and decarbonisation. Brake’s UK Fleet Champions Awards celebrate fleet organisations dedicated to reducing road injuries, preventing fatalities, and also reducing pollution caused by their vehicles. While Brake has been at the forefront of road safety, the number of incidents on UK roads resulting in deaths and serious injuries is still far too high, Lightfoot believes, while the debate and confusion around decarbonisation and electric vehicles means some fleets are unsure what to do next. As a result, says Paul Hollick, Managing Director at Lightfoot, the shortlisted fleets in road safety charity Brake’s UK Fleet Champions Awards can play a pivotal role in showing other businesses how to be safer and less polluting. “It’s a great honour for Lightfoot to take up the headline sponsorship of the UK Fleet Champions Awards, because we are entering a period of time where more needs to be done,” said Hollick... Click to Continue Reading - https://lnkd.in/e26RhBMa #RoadSafety #FleetChampions #BrakeAwards #Decarbonisation #Lightfoot #FleetManagement #SustainableTransport #RoadSafetyAwards #CorporateResponsibility #GreenFleet #ZeroEmissions #VehicleSafety #Sustainability #EnvironmentalImpact #FleetSafety #UKTransport #CleanTransport #FleetInnovation #SafetyFirst #TransportAwards

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🚀 Exploring the All-New Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) 🚀 The Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid represents a significant evolution in pick-up design, blending petrol and electric power to deliver both efficiency and capability. And here’s some exciting news: when it launches, the Ranger PHEV will be available in three models – XLT, Wildtrak, and the return of the Stormtrak! 🔋 Electric Range With up to 27 miles on electric power alone, the Ranger PHEV is perfect for urban commutes and low-emission zones. How might this feature impact day-to-day operations for businesses and individuals? 💪 Powerful Performance Combining a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with a 75 kW electric motor, it delivers 279 PS and 680 Nm of torque. How does this level of performance compare to traditional diesel pickups in terms of versatility and reliability? 🚚 Capability Without Compromise Maintaining a 3,500 kg towing capacity and 1,000 kg payload, it challenges perceptions that eco-conscious vehicles lack utility. Could this balance of power and efficiency reshape expectations for hybrid pickups? 🌍 Environmental Impact With multiple EV driving modes, it offers customisable fuel efficiency. What role could vehicles like this play in reducing emissions for businesses and individuals alike? 💡 What Do You Think? Can hybrid technology provide a viable alternative to diesel for both commercial and personal use? Which model – XLT, Wildtrak, or the returning Stormtrak – excites you the most? #FordRangerPHEV #HybridVehicles #SustainableDriving #FutureOfPickups #StormtrakReturns #EVInnovation

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The #automotiveindustry is undergoing significant change. The UK's drive towards #NetZero and focus on #sustainability is influencing all levels of the motor industry, already being felt by the #aftermarket as pressure to get more EVs on the road is weighed up against the skills gap in EV trained technicians. Our CCO, Marc Russell wrote for Aftermarket Magazine this month talking about how sustainability can, and should, be seen as an opportunity for businesses in auto repair. He says, "The skills gap presents an opportunity for mechanics. Garages can position themselves at the forefront of this expanding market, incentivising mechanics by offering to subsidise the cost of their EV training." Read the full article in this link to the digital magazine below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eYi2fcuW #thoughtleadership #electricvehicles

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After a rough year marred by negative news about how easy its cars were to steal, South Korean automaker Hyundai and its sister brand Kia have been recovering from their negative reputation and moving towards their greater goals of automotive innovation. So far this year, its parent company, Hyundai Motor Corp., has announced plans for revolutionary extended-range electric vehicle technology, developed an electric car that can keep up with contemporary, expensive sports cars, and even the Kia brand has announced the development of an EV that aims for a price tag of less than $30,000. Hyundai is even working with other manufacturers to help advance its work. Recently, it announced that it signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with American competitor General Motors to help advance the development of key automotive technologies. However, given President-elect Trump's anticipated upcoming political actions, experts say the company should prepare for a situation that might affect its bottom line.

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UK BEV market share remains above 20% for third month in a row - ElectricDrives 🇬🇧 UK sales of fully-electric cars (BEVs) are remaining strong throughout the autumn, according to figures from New AutoMotive’s latest UK Electric Car Count, covering sales across the month of October. 📈 27,946 fully-electric passenger cars were registered in October, accounting for 20.82% of total car market share. That’s nearly identical to September’s 20.79% figure, but down on August’s impressive record of 23.07%. 🔋The figures highlight that the car industry as a whole is on track to meet increasing ZEV sales mandates, while also disproving the myth that #EV sales are in decline. #electricvehicles https://lnkd.in/eZWUaeTd

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🚗🏆 Some interesting automotive news today. The finalists for the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year Awards have been announced. Nine vehicles are vying for three prestigious titles showcasing innovation and performance across the board. This year's finalists include a mix of rugged trucks, modern hybrids, and even a nostalgic 1960s-inspired minivan! Notably, seven of the contenders feature electric propulsion, underscoring the industry's shift toward sustainability. Here are the finalists: **2025 North American Car of the Year:** - Honda Civic Hybrid - Kia K4 - Toyota Camry **2025 North American Truck of the Year:** - Ford Ranger - Ram 1500 - Toyota Tacoma **2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year:** - Chevrolet Equinox EV - Hyundai Santa Fe - Volkswagen ID. Buzz A panel of 50 automotive journalists, will determine the winners, to be announced in January. As a nonprofit centered on cars and car donation, we confess we're curious to see which vehicles take home the titles! (photo: Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB) 🏅 #cars #innovation #design #performance #awards

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It’s a Marathon not a Sprint – In Automotive there are gateways and timelines and targets, KPIs that keep us energised (if they are good) or those that feel like they are intended to beat you (if they are poor). This week we’d like to share what we do and how we survive the perpetual marathon that Product Development might feel like. Celebrate the small wins! And this week is just that for us… we were part of a clients “Drive Event” (a real-world evaluation of the product, acting as the end user) in this case to a pre-launch vehicle evaluation of Software Reliability on the public road in a true “day-in-the-life”. #validation No DTCs! No Perceivable faults! Launch ready reliability has been achieved….It can happen and it does when you persevere. We have in this project built a unique tool-chain which has kept the team honest, focused and ultimately accountable for delivery! We can do the same for you. Need a safe set of hands, those that understand the battle of launch and can deliver software through complex supply chains let us know. #Software, #SystemsEngineering, #Reliability, #Realworld, #Launch #Validation. #Sisyphus, #PowerofPi Follow-us for more content, and to see what we get up to!

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