Kristen Balasia

https://lnkd.in/gjbx_K6r Osterman says this strategy should give the group the flexibility to respond to issues such as the current slowing BEV demand by consumers who are turning to hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.   He also said the group are successfully tackling bloated U.S. inventories and are confident of a healthy start to 2025. Osterman adds: “That should give us a lot of confidence to be able to launch into 2025 in a much more healthy way.” Stellantis Ward Automotive #EV #ICE #Automotive #Hybrid   China is pivoting on Hybrid Automotive - https://lnkd.in/gfDUcMhA

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Immerse Yourself in the Future of Automotive Technology I discovered many years ago that #AutoTechDetroit is the foundational conference for automotive technology, connected vehicles, mobility, and retailing – This year June 5-6, at the Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi MI - no one related in any way to this sector should miss it. https://lnkd.in/g4MZstHR Created and masterminded by the car folks at WardsAuto (100-year history as a driving force in automotive) and Informa, AutoTech: Detroit brings together over 3,000 (that’s thousand) industry leaders from around the world, for two days of incredibly new and informative presentations and immersive B2B networking. For example, I can tell you (because I was there) it’s a fact that connected car and mobility discussions started here, many years ago, way before they were even discussed (let alone buzzwords) anywhere else – this is about as forward-thinking and cutting edge automotive you can get. I’m very privileged and delighted to say that I’ll be moderating a fireside chat panel on the evolving automotive retailing sector, “Shifting Gears – New Business Models for the Automotive Experience,” ( Wednesday, June 5  3:40pm) with industry leaders - Scott Kunes from Kunes Auto and RV Group, and Greg Moran from Zoomcar. We will be tackling the big topics – ·       How can the industry reimagine business models centered on consumer experiences, long-term partnerships, and the entire vehicle lifecycle? ·       What potential conflicts and opportunities arise as OEMs and dealer networks transition from product-centric to service-centric models? ·       What complexities do dealerships face with software updates for EVs, and how can they be addressed? Thank you Lisa Brailsford, Alexa Madden, Lewis Powers, and the entire Informa and WardsAuto team for once again putting on this mega think tank for the automotive industry (and allowing me to be a small part of it!). No one who needs to know “what’s coming down the road” in automotive technology should miss this event – I look forward to seeing you there! #AutoTechDetroit #automotive #automotivetechnology #connnectedcar #EVs #newcarsales #automotiveretailing #Driveitaway #DWAY

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Riddle me this, what do EVs and all of these wonderful mobility choices people will increasingly have access to have in common? One answer - chips, lots of chips. In the ongoing debate surrounding EV sales, range anxiety as charging infrastructure scales, etc., I feel another answer to that question is often lost. Jobs, lots of jobs. This push in the US to connected, autonomous, shared and eletricfied mobility is resulting in investment in new manufacturing facilities, data centers, infrastructure and investment in pathways to prosperity that give people different learning and training opportunities to find rewarding, stable careers in manufacturing. As conversation around the US economy continues and the debate continues around whether or not people will buy EVs (which data shows they are), don’t lose sight of the other chapter in this story like the one below - US Manufacturing Competitiveness and the jobs and economic propensity that decades of empirical evidence shows results when countries, states, counties and communities invest in vibrant, advanced manufacturing.

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DETROIT (AP) — Facing competition from automakers with lower costs, Ford Motor Co. is shifting its electric vehicle strategy and now will focus on making two new electric pickup trucks and a new commercial van. The company says all will cost less, have longer range and be profitable before taxes within a year of reaching showrooms. Ford, which is losing millions on its current EVs, gave few details about the new products. But it said production of its next generation full-size electric pickup truck in Tennessee will be delayed 18 months, until 2027. The company also says it won’t build fully electric three-row SUVs due to high battery costs, but instead will focus on making those vehicles as gas-electric hybrids. The other new pickup will be mid-sized, based on new underpinnings developed by a small team in California. It also will go on sale in 2027. Production of the unspecified van will start at an assembly plant west of Cleveland in 2026.

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It seems that everyone these days is talking about how to keep up with super-fast, super-low-cost companies in the Chinese auto industry. Drawing on insights from this year's AlixPartners Global Automotive Outlook, my colleagues Mark Wakefield and David Steinert wrote this guest commentary for Automotive News that actually spells out a roadmap--what we at AlixPartners call "a modern operating model for the modern auto industry." Reach out if you'd like to hear more about it. https://lnkd.in/gxBeR82Z #Chinaauto #operatingmodels #automotive

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Yesterday’s Automotive Logistics Media article discusses the latest annual study by Plante Moran. The study ranks OEMs based on their commercial relationship with suppliers, through perceived trust, timely communication, mutual profit opportunity, assistance and a reduction in friction in communications. If you are looking to achieve a better relationship with suppliers, SupplyOn has one of the best-in-class supply chain collaboration platforms to create optional communication and collaboration with your suppliers. PM me to schedule a needs analysis. 

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An important article from Automotive News on the perspective of Suppliers in the EV transition and what it takes to change strategies. The battle for talent in automotive/transportation is crucial so that we can have the best and brightest minds solving the mobility needs of the next generation. Changing strategies and adapting to customer needs may sound easy, but has many flow-down effects in the automotive industry and affect suppliers particularly as there are 5-6x the amount of employees at suppliers within automotive/transportation. https://lnkd.in/gnWY4mic

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At Enterprise Mobility, our founding philosophy is rooted in listening to customers and tailoring solutions to their needs. Learn more in this article about the long-term relationships that help move our partners forward. #EnterpriseMobility #IWork4EM

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DETROIT — Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has unexpectedly resigned from the automaker amid increasingly “different views” between the executive and the board of directors, the company said Sunday. The world’s fourth-largest carmaker said its board accepted Tavares’ resignation on Sunday. His departure is effective immediately. Jeep-maker Stellantis said its process to appoint a new CEO is “well under way” and that it expects to conclude the search during the first half of next year. Until then, the company said it will establish a new interim executive committee led by chairman John Elkann. “Stellantis’ success since its creation has been rooted in a perfect alignment between the reference shareholders, the Board and the CEO. However, in recent weeks different views have emerged which have resulted in the Board and the CEO coming to today’s decision,” Henri de Castries, Stellantis’ senior independent director, said in a release. A Stellantis spokesman declined to disclose any additional information regarding the resignation. Tavares’ resignation comes less than two months after the company announced he would retire at the end of his contract in early 2026. At the time, Stellantis said it planned to name a a replacement by the fourth quarter of next year.Tavares has led Stellantis since its creation through a 2021 merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Groupe, where he had been board chair since 2014. The longtime automotive veteran — a prodigy of former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn — was widely heralded in recent years for spearheading the merger and making Stellantis one of the world’s most profitable automakers. But this year, the company’s financial results have severely underperformed expectations amid mismanagement of the U.S. market — its prime cash generator — with a lack of investment in new or updated products, historically high prices and extreme cost-cutting measures. The company, which also owns brands such as Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler and Peugeot, lowered its annual guidance targets in September, a month ahead of the automaker reporting a 27% decline in third-quarter net revenues. Stellantis’ sales also have struggled this year. Most recently, the company reported a roughly 20% decline in year-over-year global vehicles sold during the third quarter. That included extending a yearslong free fall during in the U.S. despite Tavares’ attempts to correct what he has called “arrogant” mistakes. U.S.-traded shares of the company are off roughly 43% in 2024. Tavares made cost-cutting a critical mission for Stellantis, including a self-reported 8.4 billion euros ($9 billion) in reductions from the merger. The cost-saving measures have included reshaping the company’s supply chain and operations, as well as reducing head counts in the U.S. and increasing work in lower-cost countries such as Brazil and Mexico

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When Colleen Hau calls you and asks you to help her and Alisyn Malek stealth-launch a program to connect technical industry talent with startups the only answer is "What do you need and by when?" I couldn't be more proud to see how fast everyone involved moved to test this program and then scale it up when our stealth launch blew our expectations out of the water with nearly 300 registrations. Now we officially have the Gretchen Whitmer stamp of approval. I can't wait to be a small part of bringing this state-wide, and hopefully to more industries. Michigan is filled with talent, infrastructure, and people like Colleen and Alisyn working to create the ecosystem we all wished we had early on in our entrepreneurial and corporate journeys. So if you're startup curious, or have ever wanted to start your own company, but didn't know where to begin join us here https://lnkd.in/gN7rujKz. #puremichigan #mobility #startups #ecosystem #innovation

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Lessons learned as I reflect back on my one year anniversary at Navistar Inc 💡 Goals are good if you want to win once. Systems are best if you want to win repeatedly. Although goals are essential and necessary for clarity and getting us started, they won't solve lingering pain points or bridge gaps. Focusing on developing/improving systems and processes is the secret sauce to long-term success. Ultimately, we don't rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our systems. 💡Don't worry about changing people's mindset. Focus on changing the mechanics within the system and by default it will yield the desired outcomes. This is particularly relevant for #Diversity, #Equity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging initiatives post the Supreme Court's repeal of Affirmative Action. DEI isn't a marketing stunt. DEI isn't a handout, DEI isn't about lowering standards. DEI is about embracing, unifying and leveraging our diversity to perform at the highest levels of creativity and innovation while in a welcoming and inclusive environment where EVERYONE can thrive and be their authentic self. 💡 No one succeeds alone. Giving credit to others doesn't undermine you. It's actually a sign of your confidence and humility. Transitioning from tackling projects to shaping strategic priorities. It's been an incredible journey from intern to full-time employee! Photo credit: Camarri Lane #RidewithNavistar #DEI

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Wade Phillips, John Stoner and I delve into the issue of productivity in auto factories for both Europe and North America in the September 2024 Seraph Automotive Industry webcast. Discover why auto factories, particularly those manufacturing EVs, are underutilized and unprofitable in the United States and globally. CNBC continues the discussion in the post below. #automotive #manufacturing #supplychain #inflation #Recession

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Automotive sector is under pressure, impacting both OEMs and component suppliers. The pressure is expected to persist in the upcoming quarters as well and globally OEMs are focusing on cost optimization, leading to pricing pressures on ITES and Engineering Services providers. Despite this, investments in key segments like SDVs, Hybrid technologies, ICE efficiency programs etc. are expected to continue with some optimizations in alignment with long-term strategic roadmaps. It's time for service providers to incentivize their automotive clients and support them in the transformation journey. It is one of the key industry verticals and will certainly bounce back stronger. #AutomotiveIndustry #Challenges #GlobalTrends

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Business Is Driven By Tech Innovation, Not Commodity Pricing: says Vikram Handa Epsilon Advanced Materials https://lnkd.in/gKKdR46M The pressure to enhance the energy density, efficiency, and performance of cathode and anode materials while maintaining cost-effectiveness is ever-present. Acknowledging this challenge, Vikram Handa, MD, EAM, said, 'It's important to understand that our business is driven by technological innovation, not by commodity pricing.' Epsilon Advanced Conductors USA Mobility Outlook #electricmobility

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