Fuel For Thought

Aside from the supply shortage, one of the biggest buzzwords in the commercial vehicle industry over the past few years has revolved around electric vehicles (EVs). Everyone has an opinion on whether EVs are a fad or here to stay but what does the data say specifically about EVs in the commercial industry? Even through the supply issues of the past few years, there were more EVs registered commercially through August 2022 than all of 2021. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Mark Hazel, Associate Director of Commercial Vehicles, Andrej Divis, Executive Director of Global Truck Research, and James Martin, Consulting Services as they share their thoughts on this topic.

The reimagined 2022 Detroit Auto Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show, finished its media and industry days with limited automakers and brands participating after a three-year hiatus in the city. Those OEMs and brands who did participate – mostly the hometown automakers – most told a brand story that included both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) solutions. While tomorrow's auto market seems to be rushing to be electric, today is in transition. The result is a more dynamic and diverse market than ever. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, Stephanie Brinley, Associate Director Automotive Intelligence as they share their thoughts on this topic.

We are in year two of the great supply chain crisis. There are a handful of factors — from chip supply to impacts from climate and conflict — as to when "normal" production will return. Here is what we do know now: profit margins are near historic highs for OEMs while consumer loyalty scores are near historic lows. Listen to this podcast and learn important data signals for automotive marketers. Join Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, Amber Daniel, Director of Product Strategy for Polk Automotive Solutions, and Cheryl Woodworth, Consulting Associate Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Navigating the opportunities within the comparatively nascent EV industry will see winners and losers emerge. But how real are the concerns around the battery upstream market and could this genuinely be the next automotive supply chain crisis? In what way can automakers achieve economies of scale while feasibly navigate fluctuating commodity prices to deliver competitively priced EV offerings? Join Kristen Balasia, VP, Advisory Services, Jay Hwang, Sr Technical Research Analyst and Anoop Desai, Consulting Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Although financial markets grab headlines when fear and volatility are highest, the same markets do also function rationally, and are a window into an ongoing re-evaluation of companies' prospects and risks. So, what can we learn from the state of the markets today? Join Kristen Balasia, VP, Advisory Services, Michael Robinet, Consulting Executive Director and Demian Flowers, Product Management Executive Director as they share their thoughts on what capital markets tell us about the automotive industry?

The automotive electrification outlook is a component of many intertwined factors from vehicle technologies and infrastructure availability to consumer sentiments and OEM partnerships. Many propose this to be a "Chicken and Egg" paradox, though S&P Global believes the vehicle (demand side) and charging stations (supply side) can be, and will be, developed and deployed largely at the same time. While there will be momentary shifts toward an oversupply of vehicles or an excess demand for charging, in the long run an equilibrium will emerge in most markets globally. Listen in as Mark C. Boyadjis, Global Technology Lead, Consulting Services and Claudio Vittori, Associate Director, Supply Chain & Technology share their thoughts on this subject.

Kristen Balasia, Tom DeVleesschauwer and Mark Boyadjis talk about Pace of Change: Energy & mobility, climate and innovation. The global energy and mobility industry is at a critical inflection point. Meeting ambitious emissions targets while also delivering energy and mobility for a growing world economy will require new thinking, innovation and a transformation of a system that supports the $90 trillion world economy. Are our current systems ready for the transformation? What are the innovations necessary to support this new world and what can we do to get there?

Kristen Balasia, Treffen White and our special guest, Chris Potgieter from automotiveMastermind talk about EVs and the dealer of tomorrow. Nearly every major automaker in the United States has announced significant investment commitments to transition a substantial percentage of their product portfolio from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to EVs. But what will this transition mean for the average US franchised dealer? What changes will be required to the traditional sales process? Will service revenue be at risk?

Mike Wall, Vijay Subramanian and Suraj Ghosh discuss India's decarbonization goals and the market's EV challenges. The discussion looks at why India is so critical in the global efforts to decarbonize, how regulations align with India's long-term net zero goals, how OEMs are gearing up to achieve compliance in India, which leaders are emerging, how decarbonization goals play into companies' ESG goals, how India's goals align with other markets, and how likely India is to achieve these goals.

Kristen Balasia, Colin Bird Martinez and Mark Boyadjis talk about Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Recap 2022, which provided some foresight on where the mobility industry is headed next on a technical, theoretical, and commercial basis. The automotive industry theme for 2022 is electrification and all the subsequent impacts it has on product, services, digitalization, and distribution.