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Fisker PEAR SUV Unveiled: A Small, Affordable Electric Marvel
Fisker held its “Product Vision Day” in Huntington Beach, California, where they showcased the PEAR SUV for the first time. The PEAR is set to have a base price of $29,900 before tax credits, dropping to $22,400 after credits. It will be produced in the USA at the old Lordstown plant.
The Fisker Pear electric hatchback is set to arrive in the UK in 2025, with a starting price of less than £28,000.
The PEAR will have 35% fewer parts than Fisker’s Ocean, making it simpler and cheaper to produce. Made of steel, which is cheaper but heavier than aluminum. Includes a “Houdini door” that vanishes into the car body, and a front drawer-like storage area called a “froot.”
A boot that folds away into the rear bumper, along with a deep front storage compartment, simplifies cargo loading.
Central computing platform uses fewer, more centralized ECUs, reducing material cost and increasing performance.
Pear is described as being “driven by software, not hardware,” emphasizing its connected mobility features.
The interior is more spartan, focusing on utility rather than luxury. The EV offers room for either five or six people, with two battery sizes available. The smaller pack, providing 100-150 miles of range, is expected to be popular among city buyers, while another option offers 300-plus miles.
A feature that reconfigures the seats to create a flat space for lounging or car camping.
Fisker aims to eventually produce 1 million vehicles annually and plans to launch the PEAR in 2025. Reservations are open now at $250 each.
Fisker Ronin: A Convertible Grand Tourer
– Fisker’s Ronin is a unique sports car featuring a long hood and pronounced rear deck, with a design that hints at the brand’s future. Described as “the ultimate long-distance grand touring car” by Henrik Fisker, the Ronin is a four-door, five-seat GT that aims to redefine the supercar of the future.
– Unlike traditional coupes, Ronin has reverse-opening rear doors and is the world’s first four-door, five-seat hardtop convertible.
– The car is designed for high performance with a triple-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, delivering 1,000 hp, and a 0-60 mph time in the 2.0-second range.
– Ronin’s targeted range is 600 miles, thanks to innovative battery integration throughout the vehicle’s body structure.
– Though the design model lacked an interior, it’s expected to have swiveling screens and recycled materials, with production targeted for the end of 2025.
– Reservations for the Fisker Ronin are open now for a $2,000 deposit, with a starting price of $385,000, positioning it against luxury EV convertibles from brands like Polestar, Genesis, and Tesla.
According to Autocar: “Henrik Fisker previously revealed to Autocar that development of the Ronin – run by Fisker’s new Magic Works facility in the UK, which is led by ex-Aston Martin special vehicles boss Dave King – is “a big challenge” because “it needs a unique, innovative, strong lower rocker structure to compensate for the lack of a B-pillar, to be able to sustain side impacts”.”
Fisker Unveils Alaska: A Lightweight Electric Truck with a $45k Price Tag
– Fisker has revealed the Alaska, a small electric pickup truck, claiming it to be the world’s lightest EV pickup. The Alaska is set to launch in 2025 and is built on Fisker’s FT31 platform, an extended version of the structure used by the Fisker Ocean.
– Priced at $45,000, the Alaska is designed to be a compact and affordable electric truck option.
The vehicle’s weight has been kept low through the use of aluminum and composite materials, though exact specifications have not been disclosed. Fisker estimates that the Alaska will offer a range of 230 to 340 miles.
– Reservations for the Alaska are now open, with a refundable deposit of $250.
– The Alaska’s design features a sleek and aerodynamic appearance, with a focus on urban use rather than heavy-duty off-roading.
– Fisker has not yet provided details on the powertrain, battery capacity, or range, but more information is expected in the coming months. The Alaska features a cargo bed that can be extended from 1.37m to 2.80m, and it includes a ‘Houdini’ bed divider to connect the cargo bed and rear cabin. Inside, the vehicle has wooden trim treated to feel like fabric, a cowboy hat holder, and a California mode, similar to the Ocean.
Fisker’s reservation system allows customers to choose their preferred vehicle, select a color, and even indicate whether they want a solar roof option.
Fisker Inc. has slashed its 2023 production forecast
Fisker Inc. has slashed its 2023 production forecast for the Ocean EV to just over 20,000 vehicles, down from more than 30,000 previously, due to manufacturing issues.
The reduction is attributed to a “short-term capacity constraint at one supplier,” affecting the Ocean crossover, which was launched in the U.S. and Europe in June.
The company’s output forecast for the Ocean crossovers this year has been cut to a range of 20,000 to 23,000, down from the previous estimate of 32,000 to 36,000, causing the company’s stock price to fall by about 6%.
The Ocean is assembled at a plant in Graz, Austria, operated by Magna Steyr, but Fisker manages the supply chain and is working to resolve the parts issue. CEO Henrik Fisker expressed frustration at the delay but promised a “huge acceleration of deliveries” in August.
In the second quarter, Fisker produced 1,022 Ocean SUVs, falling short of its target range of 1,400 to 1,700 units due to component shortages.
The company reported a loss of $87.9 million in the second quarter, slightly less than the $88.6 million loss in the same quarter last year, with revenue of $825,000 from 11 vehicle deliveries.
Fisker highlighted the benefit of using contract manufacturing, stating that it avoids the massive financial losses incurred by other startups as they build factories and ramp up production.
The production cut reflects the challenges faced by the startup automaker as it navigates supply chain constraints, but the unveiling of new products indicates Fisker’s commitment to expanding its offerings and competing in the EV market.
BHP and Toyota’s Electrification Deal
– Mining giant BHP and Toyota Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) about decarbonization, aiming to reduce BHP’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. The collaboration will also focus on a “decarbonization” journey map.
– BHP’s ambition is to electrify its fleet of 5,000 light vehicles in Australia. However, the term “electrification” in this context is unclear, as Toyota has mainly focused on mild hybrids rather than fully electric vehicles (EVs).
– Toyota has not yet released any fully electric vehicles in Australia but plans to launch three EV models in the next three years. One of these, the bZ4X SUV, has faced issues overseas. Meanwhile, hybrid vehicles make up 31.5% of new vehicles sold by Toyota in Australia.
– BHP has recently announced plans to replace its diesel haul trucks with electric ones, arguing that they will be cheaper and lower emissions than diesel or hydrogen fuel cells. The company has also been trialing Toyota Land Cruisers converted to fully electric and installed a Tritium charging station at one of its coal mines.
CATL Dominates Global EV Battery Market in H1 2023
– Global EV battery consumption witnessed a significant rise in January-June, reaching 304.3 GWh, marking a 50.1% increase from the same period in the previous year.
– CATL, a Chinese power battery giant, led the global market with its battery installations totaling 112.0 GWh in the first half of 2023, a 56.2% increase from the previous year.
– With a 36.8% market share, CATL remains the only battery supplier globally with a share exceeding 30%.
– Major passenger EV models in China, including the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, SAIC Mulan, GAC Aion Y, and Nio ET5, are equipped with CATL batteries.
– BYD, another significant player, saw its power battery installations reach 47.7 GWh in the first half of 2023, a whopping 102.4% increase from the previous year. This secured BYD the second spot with a 15.7% market share.
– BYD’s growth is attributed to its price competitiveness in China, achieved through a vertically integrated supply chain, including in-house battery production and vehicle manufacturing.
– The Atto 3 model launch propelled BYD’s market presence not just in China but also in other parts of Asia and Europe.
– LG Energy Solution, a South Korean company, secured the third position with a 14.5% share, followed by Japan’s Panasonic (7.5%), South Korea’s SK On (5.2%), and China’s CALB (4.3%).
– Other notable companies include Samsung SDI, Eve Energy, Gotion High-tech, and Sunwoda, with their respective market shares ranging from 1.5% to 4.1%.
California’s EV Surge: 1 in 4 New Cars Go Green
– For the first time in California’s history, 1 out of every 4 new cars sold in the last quarter were zero-emission vehicles.
– This achievement aligns with California’s climate goals, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The state has set a target for all new vehicles sold by 2035 to be either hybrid or electric.
– In April, California surpassed its goal of selling 1.5 million EVs, achieving this milestone nearly two years ahead of schedule.
– Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted California’s role in fostering innovation in the EV industry and emphasized the state’s incentives that make EVs more affordable.
– According to the California Energy Commission, over 25% of all new vehicles sold in the last quarter were EVs, totaling 125,939 sales.
– To date, California has sold more than 1.6 million electric vehicles, accounting for 34% of all EV sales in the U.S.
– To further boost green vehicle sales, the state offers rebates of up to $7,500 for battery-electric and hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles and up to $6,500 for plug-in hybrids.
UAW Seeks Over 40% Pay Raise for Workers in Negotiations with Detroit 3 Automakers
– The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is seeking a pay raise of more than 40% for its workforce from the Detroit 3 automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis). The proposed gains include a 20% raise upon ratification, followed by 5% raises each year of the four-year deal.
– This demand for raises is significantly more than what was negotiated in 2019, which included two 3% raises plus two 4% lump-sum payments over the course of the current four-year deal, expiring on September 14, 2023.
– UAW President Shawn Fain did not specify the exact amount but emphasized that the double-digit gain would be over the course of the contract, not each year. He justified the request by pointing out that the CEOs of the Big 3 have enjoyed a 40% increase in pay on average over the last four years, while inflation has gone up almost 20%.
– Fain also revealed that the union would seek a 32-hour workweek with 40 hours’ worth of pay, believing that this could encourage the Detroit 3 to hire more union workers and create more job opportunities.
Fiat Europe Stands by Dealerships Amid Digital Sales Trend
– Fiat Europe’s head, Gaetano Thorel, has emphasized the importance of dealerships, stating that they are the “engine” of the brand.
– Contrary to the growing trend of direct-to-customer online sales, Thorel believes in the significance of the dealer network, especially outside of Italy in countries like Germany, France, and the UK.
– He mentioned that dealers are the “face of the brand” and act as ambassadors in the market.
– While many car manufacturers are pushing for online sales (with Volvo selling its electric range exclusively online), Fiat Europe believes in the traditional dealership model.
– Thorel acknowledged the importance of online sales but seems to prioritize the physical dealership experience for customers.
London ULEZ Scrappage Scheme Widened for All Residents
– London’s Mayor has expanded the eligibility for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme to all residents.
– The initial scrappage scheme faced criticism for its limited compensation to affected drivers. The standard allowance of £2000 was deemed insufficient for many to purchase compliant vehicles to avoid the ULEZ charge.
– Despite the criticism, Mayor Sadiq Khan defended the ULEZ policy, emphasizing its importance in tackling air pollution and the climate crisis in London. He stated that around 4000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to air pollution.
– The ULEZ expansion aims to clear London’s roads of 200,000 high-polluting vehicles. However, some estimates suggest up to 400,000 cars could be affected.
– To avoid the ULEZ charge, petrol cars must meet at least the Euro 4 emissions standard, and diesel cars the Euro 6 standard. The new scrappage scheme offers up to £10,000 per claimant, though the standard allowance remains at £2000.
Germany’s Electric Car Sales Zoom in July
– Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Germany saw a significant boost, with brands like Polestar, Tesla, and MG Motor leading the charge.
– Battery-electric car registrations in Germany surged by 69% in July, reaching 48,682 units. This growth resulted in EVs capturing a 20% market share.
– The rise in July’s sales is attributed to automakers addressing their backlog of orders, which had been affected by supply shortages.
– Polestar recorded the highest growth with a 442% increase in sales. MG’s sales grew by 235%, while Tesla saw a 230% rise.
– Chinese brands also made their mark, with BYD registering 402 vehicles and Great Wall Motor selling 221 cars in July.
EU Sanctions €1.5 Billion Aid for ProLogium’s EV Battery R&D in France
– The European Commission has given the green light for France to provide state support worth €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to ProLogium Technologies. This funding aims to bolster research and development for a new generation of electric vehicle batteries.
– ProLogium, a Taiwanese supplier, has entered into a collaboration with Automotive Cells Co. This venture involves major players like Mercedes, Stellantis, and TotalEnergies, aiming to develop advanced solid-state batteries.
– The R&D project, named “Prometheus,” will run until the end of 2029. It consists of three steps: developing a first generation of solid-state batteries to overcome conventional lithium-ion battery limitations, creating a new generation of solid-state batteries with higher energy density, and developing recycling processes for the new batteries.
– ProLogium is committed to sharing the technical expertise gained through the project with industry and academia. The project aims to foster an innovative battery value chain for electric vehicles in Europe.
– ProLogium’s first European factory will be built in Dunkerque, France, with an investment of €5.2 billion for a 48-GWh factory, including an R&D center. Construction is set to begin in the second half of 2024, with production starting at the end of 2026.
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