TWC Podcast #180: This Is Going to Be a Tough Transition
By The Watt Car Staff — July 18, 2024
When you consider companies like Ford and GM are struggling in their shift from ICE to EV, just imagine how rough things could get for the smaller companies as they go all-in. We check out production numbers for the likes of Audi and Jaguar, while also discussing VinFast factory delays, how a U.S. drone law could affect BYD’s move to the states, the Democrats and Republicans targeting the same auto workers, and what Tesla’s robotaxi delay really means.
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SHOW NOTES
Rimac Nevera (and other cars) vs. RC car: https://youtu.be/WvG-3yiR6zs?si=9YI1VPJl91yGhZqt
Ford Capri: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61556439/2024-ford-capri-adds-two-doors-electric-power/
Tesla announces long-range RWD configuration of Model 3: https://insideevs.com/news/726384/tesla-model3-long-range-rwd/
BYD investing $1 billion to build plant in Turkey to circumvent EU tariffs: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-byd-open-electric-car-132817470.html
VinFast delays North Carolina factory until 2028: https://insideevs.com/news/726556/vinfast-north-carolina-delay-2028/
Audi considering closing Brussels plant that builds Q8 e-tron: https://electrek.co/2024/07/10/volkswagens-ev-troubles-deepen-possible-audi-plant-closure/
Jaguar kills off all ICE models except F-Pace in transition to EV future: https://www.motor1.com/news/726576/jaguar-discontinues-six-models/
GM backpedals on one million EVs by end of 2025 target: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/15/gms-2025-ev-production-capacity-target-in-doubt-after-barra-comments.html
Biden admin giving away more than $1 billion to entice automakers, suppliers to make EVs and EV components: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/biden-administration-award-nearly-11-billion-stellantis-gm-ev-production-2024-07-11/
UAW president Shawn Fain and other UAW board members reportedly held meeting voicing concerns about Biden’s ability to beat Donald Trump in November: https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/11/business/uaw-biden-fain/index.html
Teamster president Sean O’Brien spoke at RNC: https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/teamsters-sean-obrien-trump-rnc-speech
Tesla Robotaxi event delayed: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-11/tesla-plans-to-delay-robotaxi-unveiling-to-october-from-august?srnd=all
Vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance introduced “Drive American” bill to offer up to $7,500 rebate for ICE vehicles: https://jalopnik.com/j-d-vance-wants-taxpayers-to-subsidize-gas-cars-instea-1851594460
This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Jaguar
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
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