experienced a century of changing the US auto industry, it seems that overnight encountered a new problem: the car is not the original car, the road is no longer the original road. Where is the way where the car go?
to explore new ways, became the subject of the American Automobile 2019.
a first Detroit show time change: summer
in January 2019 in North America (Detroit) international auto show NAIAS, as the depth of the weather, so that people feel depressed city car: the number of participating brands, the starting number of new cars, the number of media and audience compared with the peak of 2003, far apart.
dates back to 1899, since the birth of the Detroit auto show has been one of the most influential international auto show in the world (only one year later than Paris Motor Show), once regarded as the industry benchmark. After the rise of China as the automobile industry, especially in 2008 surpassed the US as the world’s first large new car sales in the country, the center of gravity of the global automotive industry started its rapid eastward, the North American Auto Show beginning retired.
facing such embarrassing territory, the Detroit Auto Show announced adjustment program in 2019: Starting this year, held from time to change the depth of winter to early summer in June. The community is looking forward to this change, because organized season changed, the way the activities will be adjusted accordingly: a variety of new programs, such as large-scale demonstration and test drive road, outdoor product launches, concerts, etc., will become It was possible, perhaps in favor of car prices to attract more viewers and return to the Motor City.
venue remains the same, but the name has been a highly controversial Cobo Center, a local bank became the title of the TCF Center.
Not everyone is optimistic.
Some people worry that after the show time to adjust, The new conference because of the forthcoming years will not be affected, the former North American Car of the Year, certainly will not announce at the show; the show’s popularity, will not be because of the many other activities and conflict?
revival in Detroit, not so much. It is in need of a new opportunity to revitalize the convention center surrounding a wealth of facilities, the introduction of more attractive side events, in order to reproduce the Detroit River surging crowd event.
2020 the first Summer North American International Auto Show, the ability to find a new way out for the city car, it is worth attention.
two, Waymo autopilot breaking: Delivery
in April 2019, Google unmanned subsidiaries Waymo, announced that it will re-use AAM (American axle company) is located in Detroit, idle factories, manufacturing L4 level of autonomous vehicles. Exactly say, it is the hardware and software required to retrofit autopilot.
Prior to this, Waymo has produced thousands of vehicles, autonomous vehicles Magna (Magna) in cooperation with, including Jaguar I-PACE electric hybrid SUV and the Chrysler Pacifica power MPV, with a view to large-scale deployment of unmanned car rental (Robotaxi).
This marks Google has taken an important step towards unmanned commercial areas, also shows that Michigan is still attractive for new technology companies. Governor said that compared with other places in California, Detroit has the knowledge, talents and abilities valued by the automotive industry, has extensive supplier network to meet the needs of the development of intelligent network-linked vehicles, autopilot and electric vehicles.
Previously, Waymo Fiat has middot; Chrysler (Fiat Chrysler) signed a purchase as many as 62,000 vehicles Pacifica Hybrid contracts, and purchased 20,000 cars from Jaguar. The Silicon Valley company has been using Pacifica Hybrid MPV test its autopilot system over the past three years.
by the end of 2018, Waymo were first proposed commercial unmanned test, after a year of practice small-scale, and finally decided to cancel the driver (also known as security officers), the transition to a robot taxi in the true sense. The move still needs the approval of the government.
originally planned to launch General Motors Cruise Automation Robotaxi services by the end of 2019, also requires more tests as a reason to postpone the plan. But in the end, they no formal application to build fully automated unmanned vehicle steering wheel to management, although the program also need some regulations, but should be granted a high probability event.
survey shows that the American public acceptance of automated driving a car, still in the auxiliary main reception, most people can not accept the automatic driving. In addition to cost reasons, confidence is still inadequate to the prior art. But this does not affect the scene of some of the features low self-drive services such as delivery room, etc., this part of the strong demand, relatively fast development.
Third, who will become the second US Tesla? RIVIAN
The answer may be Rivian.
This is a Tesla as the benchmark of American forces repairer new company. Established in 2009, Dr. RJ Scaringe founded by MIT graduates, the headquarters moved from Boston to Plymouth, Michigan, throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada Division.
Rivian plans to launch a series of pure electricMotor car, comprising a pickup and R1T R1S SUV, it is based on the powerful “slide” (Skateboard) platform, integrated batteries, the drive assembly and the suspension system.
2019, Rivian been four major investment, raised a total of $ 2.85 million in funding, including $ 500 million Ford investment in April and T Rowe Price12 $ 1.3 billion in February. The company already has more than 1,000 employees, including many former employees before Detroit’s Big Three companies have experienced.
At the end of 2020 they plan to R1T R1S SUV and truck production, and want to start selling from 2021 worldwide.
in September 2019, the electricity supplier giant Amazon from Rivian ordered 100,000 units of electric delivery vehicles, as in 2030 to convert the delivery fleet to 100% renewable energy part of the plan, vehicles will be delivered beginning in 2021. Amazon is also one of the investors Rivian.
battery energy R1T and R1S of up to 180kWh, EPA mileage up to 644 kilometers, more than a Tesla any current production car prices of $ 68,000 and $ 72,500.
There are also several companies, such as Fisker, Lordstown Motors have announced plans for an electric car or prototype, but in comparison, Rivian most likely to become Tesla second.
Fourth, the new contract with the union strike: all the pain
2019 is the quadrennial American car the new workers’ union contract negotiations, with the December 11 Yue Fiat Chrysler’s UAW workers voted to approve new four-year contract, means that UAW and GM, Ford, Fiat middot; Chrysler (FiatChrysler) three companies of the contract in place.
labor negotiations
2019, it is the most difficult time for many years, according to the Labor Advisory FCA Chief negotiator Colin Lightbody long-term view, “more than ever are more dramatic, it is no doubt,” during the news constantly, including the fight against General Motors strike of 40 days, “General strike settled, Chinese readers ten US experts doubt answer it | poly ask “; the federal government to investigate high-level corruption unions (still in progress); the course of negotiations the union president to resign; General Motors sued bargaining behavior FCA lawsuit because of alleged corruption, and so on.
In general, in the new contract, the three Detroit auto companies to retain their flexibility to adjust the plant, but because of health care costs and temporary workers to positive costs associated with the surge, and did not achieve the purpose of saving money. In this round of negotiations, the union won the next four years to $ 18.2 billion of new commitments factory investment, create or retain 25,400 American jobs, allowing only a small number of factories closed.
According to statistics, voting FCA 71% of union members support the deal. By contrast, GM’s support rate of 57 percent, Ford’s support rate of 56%. At the same time, workers can earn a substantial signing bonus (FCA Ford employees and each won $ 9000, GM union employees can get $ 11000).
In contrast, the greater the cost of General Motors, is expected to strike will make about 3.8 billion to $ 4.0 billion pre-tax loss of profits this year, including the third quarter $ 1 billion.
So far, the investigation of corruption cases against high-level trade unions and the FCA, has filed 13 criminal cases and 11 found guilty plea. Former union officials Dennis Williams and Gary Jones were involved in the investigation, but were not charged with a crime.
Fifth, China’s new faces on the US market: On Cloud
impact Sino-US trade war, China automotive plans to enter the US market in 2019, facing unprecedented obstacles.
had previously announced its entry into the US market, Guangzhou Automobile, Great Wall and other enterprises, have slowed down the pace.
US media reports said that the original intention to enter the US market in late 2019 Guangzhou Auto, forced to postpone plans to 2020. Instead, the country is not optimistic about the public Motors, became the focus of US media reports, it was reported that they have signed a letter of intent with 100 dealers (4S shop), and finally signed 325 by the end of 2020 or early 2021, with a SUV models into the US market.
in the above is also preparing several different companies, home electric car company, the low-speed electric vehicles have been sold to the US, priced at $ 5000. Although sales of less than 100, but enough to cause the US media attention.
According to reports, the company is open cloud car, headquartered in Hebei. They start from the agricultural market, the scope has been expanded to target audiences worldwide.
founder Wang Chao said that the current cloud pickup has been open in 28 countries, sales, export five are the United States, the Philippines, Uruguay, Bangladesh and Dominica. Wang Chao gives the next three years of planning, he said: “On cloud offering focused on electric pickup, the next three years will only make a pickup models, the company’s higher-end electric pickups in the United States will soon compete with Rivian but for open cloud, the main industry is still a demand for grass-roots entrepreneurs of the global market. “
there are reports that openClouds goal is to sell 2020 vehicles in the United States 3000-4000.
Another popular in the whole network of Star Enterprise, is the documentary “American factory,” the protagonist: Fuyao Glass.
Sixth, the new road in Detroit: the electrification of
Trump government based on the concept of global warming and basic understanding of deregulation legislation, decided to gradually reduce its electric car in any support, but this did not slow the pace of US auto companies, especially for the electric propulsion of Detroit’s Big three.
Mary Barra, CEO of GM said last year, the trend of electric vehicles is one of the important trends in the coming years. To this end, GM launched a bold program of reform. Including: large-scale internal personnel and organizational restructuring; and LG joint venture, control of battery technology and cost control; decided to use a decade, the luxury brand Cadillac full electrification; re-enable the original plan to close the Hamtramck plant, the production of electric pickup and so on.
in the last year, there are media reports, GM plans to have retired a decade Hummer brand revival, pure electric ways to market. According to the original plan, the 2023 launch of 20 models of electric cars in the world. Mary Barra said the electric car project will bring profit for GM in 2023 – and now none of the vendors can do this.
2018, Ford said it will increase R & D spending of electric vehicle projects more than doubled last year, push forward various projects: the transformation of the old Detroit’s abandoned train fight for the electric car and autopilot engineering R & D center into the second stage, Ford’s Mustang sports car brand unveiled a new electric SUV models Mach E, the longest battery life of 480 km in 2021 to introduce the Chinese market.
As Ford’s 55-year history of performance car brand Mustang, to Mach E proclaim release to embrace the electric wave of unparalleled significance. To save costs, Ford plans to Mach E battery platform shared with the Transit Van.
and the highly anticipated electric F150 pickup, it will also be launched this year.
compared to the other two rivals, FCA action in relatively small electrification Some, but plans to invest $ 10 billion in the north, mostly heavy hybrid-based, 48V launch a hybrid version of the Jeep Wrangler, pure electric MPV Pacifica may also be introduced. At the same time, with the merger of France’s PSA, will greatly accelerate the pace of advance electric vehicles.
Seven, Tesla’s global operations: China and Germany
2019 Star Motors, non-Benitez Ramo belongs.
this year, Tesla around the world delivered a total of about 367,500 vehicles, an increase of 50 percentage than in 2018, exceeding the 2018 and 2017 two years sum. This is attributed to Model 3 can enhance the capacity to bring large-scale delivery.
In addition to continuing to expand production in the United States, the Shanghai Supercomputer Tesla will also enhance plant capacity, and selected Berlin, Germany, began building a fourth plant in Europe Gigafactory 4.
Tesla Shanghai plant completed within one year from the foundation to start production, called a session of the wonders of the world industry, which makes investors’ confidence in Tesla’s surge. Model 3 made in China recently started large-scale delivery into the normal operation, Zhou Chinese factory output will exceed 3,000 in the near future, Model Y will also be off the assembly line in Shanghai.
the end of November last year, Tesla released a long-awaited electric pickup Cybertruck, despite the unique shape of a great controversy, but just a few days received 250,000 orders of intent.
In the continuous impact of the various good news, the stock all the way to punch Tesla higher than the sum of two hundred years old American GM and Ford, has not even optimistic about the auto industry veteran Bob Lutz, also changed his previous bad-mouthing views:
[ 123] “for me, it is encouraging that Tesla, Elon Musk advocating less, not bombastic like” after six months I was going to do, “and the like, he’s doing really CEO to do things: focus on business, focus on product and focus on cost control can be said that Tesla finally like a normal business operation as a “
eight, California emission regulations. unopposed: EPA
dispute with California emissions regulations of the United States, since Trump came to power, has been the focus.
in terms of the regulatory California automobile pollution than the federal government has more special powers can be traced back to the 1960s, when Los Angeles was shrouded in haze, state officials will be considered public health crisis, the vehicle is considered to be the main cause of harmful emissions.
to the 1970 federal “Clean Air Act” into effect, the states have developed their own emission control measures, and now also the other 12 states and Washington, DC use. Since then, California in more stringent exhaust regulations has been a leader, and is committed to promoting the use of electric vehicles. And much of the US, uses a more moderate EPA standards set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
In order to achieve uniform standards, Trump authorized by the government with the California EPA conducted difficult negotiations, February 2019, the breakdown of negotiations, EPA said it will develop a new standard on their own to relax fuel economy targets established Obama administration, timely introduction of specific programs. This initiative has been universal, FCA and three Toyota Motor Corporation’s support.
In July, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and BMW this four car manufacturers announced that they have reached an agreement on emissions with the California standard, which must be strictly than the White House . The announcement was made Trump government embarrassed. Subsequently, the US Department of Justice on this four car manufacturers launched antitrust investigations, Trump also immediately announced the withdrawal of the immunity independent of federal regulations in California.
In September, California and multi-state coalition, respectively, filed a lawsuit challenging Trump Government to withdraw its authority to set vehicle emission standards.
“We will ask the court to announce that we require cleaner cars and trucks rights to federal” protected by the Clean Air Act “, and the government can not just because Trump they do not believe in climate change science and deprive it, or because they want to punish us to take action, “California air resources Board Chairman Mary middot; Nichols (Mary Nichols) said in a statement.
EPA believes that lax regulations and the uniform national standards, can reduce the cost of a new car, to attract more people to buy new cars both energy security, improve the overall social benefits. And with California and its allies believe that regressive regulations are not conducive to environmental protection and US competitiveness in the world.
Nine, US sales fell slightly: 1.2 percentage
benefit from a more robust economic environment, 2019 US light vehicle sales of 17.11 million, a slight decline in 2018 only 1.2% compared with the fifth consecutive year exceeded 17 million for the first time in US auto sales history seven best results.
a few carts from the competition department of the market, Detroit’s Big Three lost market share, regained Tesla; overall decline in Japanese, European and Korean series increased, but regardless rise and fall, are 1 percentages, no ups and downs. American independent and foreign brands still maintain 45 percentage inferior to 55 percent.
From the model point of view, light truck class (including pickup and SUV) car market continues to erode, the percentage proportion has reached 72. In other words, the US market on the sale of every four new cars, only a passenger car. Ram (Ram) pickup also has become one of the fastest growing US market share of the brand, followed by a second place is the Tesla. As a model car, losing ground in the US market trend is irreversible.
2019, plug-in electric car Tesla remains a center stage, but the overall market sales fell, only an estimated 324,000, a decline of 10 percentage, the total market share of plug-in vehicles by 2018 from 2.1 percentage dropped to 1.9 percentage, behind China and Norway, Germany and other European countries. Model 3 rage in the United States recorded a sales volume was 180,000, accounting for 55 percentage of all US plug-in electric vehicles.
compared to the local community, the Detroit three companies in the Chinese market is still sluggish.
ten, hold together for warmth find a new way
electrification and intelligent automotive industry is the most important technical level two directions evolution requires huge investment, car prices faced even greater than fuel vehicles during the R & D expenditure pressures. 2019 car circle various joint news after another, three Detroit car companies are no exception, they also realized the importance of syndicated heating.
Ford and Volkswagen announced a partnership to share electric cars as well as auto-driving skills, then the forces of the new shares repairer city Rivian; common with many Native American charging equipment suppliers cooperation in the establishment of the nation’s expanding charging network, and explore together RivianAs possible, hand South Korea’s LG Chemical joint venture. GM’s autopilot branch Cruise Automation get a new round of financing.
end of the year, for many years has been looking for partners FCA, finally came with the PSA marriage Good news, frustrated Chinese market two companies hold together for warmth, to create the world’s fourth largest car manufacturer.
“This alliance is owned by two incredible brand and the company’s skilled and dedicated staff of the two companies are facing the most difficult period and has become agile, intelligent, strong competitors our employees share a common characteristic – they will embrace the challenges as opportunities and make our work a better way, “Mike Manley FCA, Chief Executive Officer .
car poly Summary
[123 ] 2019, once the world’s auto industry as a leader, the United States has been trying to catch up with the changing times.
but the future of the new road, but worth the wait. As GM’s legendary head of research at Charles middot; Kettering (Charles Kettering) said: “My interest is in the future because I will spend the rest of my life here.” Quot; My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.quot;