MARCH 22, 2021

Volkswagen Plans Switch to Single EV Platform

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
The new SSP architecture will form the backbone of the company’s long-term strategy as it eyes electric vehicle leadership.

Stellantis No ‘Crisis Merger,’ Going All-Electric, Tavares Says

The new automaker will not make any major future investments in internal-combustion engines and expects more from its luxury brands and suppliers. CEO Carlos Tavares says he is not certain the shortage of semiconductor chips will end by the second half of 2021.

Moving Target: Measuring Propulsion Price Parity

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
The price of fuel-cell stacks is nearing parity with internal-combustion engines, but other necessary elements of the propulsion system are keeping FCV costs high.

GM Targeting Li-Metal Batteries; Tesla/LG Battery News; Tesla and Tata Charging

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
General Motors reveals pact with a lithium-metal researcher, although with few details, while Tesla may be getting batteries from a new LG plant and partnering with Tata for charging infrastructure in India.

Volvo Moving to All-BEV Lineup, Online-Only Sales

No timeline is given for plans to place all orders online, raising the question of whether Volvo will adopt a wait-and-see approach to gauging consumer demand for an exclusively digital buying experience.

Driveline Suppliers Gearing Up for EV Future

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Traditional transmission suppliers are pushing into the electric-vehicle and truck markets with gearboxes designed to achieve maximum efficiency from motors while meeting the needs of EV customers.

New Magna CEO Foresees Big Suppliers Becoming OEM Partners

“Am I just a supplier doing manufacturing, or do we share in the equity?” says Swamy Kotagiri, the new head of North America's No.1 auto supplier.

U.S. Act Aims to Extend EV Incentives; Tesla Ramping Up LFP

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
A new act introduced in the U.S. aims to sweeten the pot on incentives for EVs and Tesla is looking to increase usage of LFP-chemistry batteries.

Tech Firm Aims to Take Heat Out of EV Interiors With Smart Glass

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
A New York-based company says its film can cool a battery-electric vehicle interior in order to preserve BEV range.

ZF, Mobileye Team to Advance Self-Driving Technology

CoAssist is a collection of what ZF says are the most popular ADAS functions in a Level 2+ autonomous system.