Aston Martin Slams Brakes On EV, Focusing On Hybrids Instead
The iconic British sports automaker originally planned to phase out ICE powertrains by the end of the decade, only to change its mind after noticing the demand for ICE is still around.
GM’s Cruise Faces Federal Investigations After Accident Involving Pedestrian
General Motors’ Cruise recalled 950 driverless cars from the roads across the United States following a crash involving one of its robotaxis and is facing federal investigations.
GM, Ford Seek U.S. OK To Deploy Self-Driving Vehicles Without Steering Wheels
Both automakers want to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles a year, the maximum allowed under the law, for ride sharing and delivery services.
The Chip Supply Chain Is Getting Harder To Trade
It’s getting complicated for investors in semiconductor stocks, with last year’s big chip shortage morphing into an inventory glut for some companies, and others getting caught up in geopolitics.
Global Automakers Face Electric Shock In China
BEIJING, (Reuters) – If global automakers think they can extend their dominance in China into the electric era, they may be in for a shock.
Earthquake In Japan Suspends Chip Supply Production
Auto companies most immediately impacted by the earthquake included Toyota and Renesas Electronics, a major supplier of semiconductor chips for the automotive industry.
Witness The Future-General Motors Investor Event 2021
General Motors to Outline Plans for Decade of Growth, Doubling of Annual Revenues by 2030 with Increased Margins
General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) meets with investors today and tomorrow to detail its plans to double annual revenues by the end of the decade while growing EBIT-adjusted margins as it transitions to an all-electric future. GM has already announced plans to invest $35 billion through 2025 in all-electric and autonomous vehicles and launch more than 30 new EVs globally.
“GM’s vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion has placed us ahead of much of the competition in electrification, software-enabled services and autonomy,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Our early investments in these growth trends have transformed GM from automaker to platform innovator, with customers at the center. GM will use its hardware and software platforms to innovate and improve their daily experience, leading everybody on the journey to an all-electric future.”
Here’s Everything You Have Missed:
EV 2025
Our Path to an All-Electric Future- Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion
-
GM’s plan to reach leadership in EV market share in the U.S. while growing its profits from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. GM’s growth will be driven by the Ultium modular EV platform the company developed to launch a broad portfolio of highly desirable EVs using common, scalable components. The array of Ultium-powered EVs will include high-volume entries, including a Chevrolet crossover priced around $30,000, Buick crossovers, trucks from Chevrolet, GMC and HUMMER EV, as well as exquisitely crafted Cadillac EVs such as the upcoming LYRIQ and CELESTIQ.
Dual Platform Approach
- GM’s dual platform Ultium plus Ultifi strategy to aggressively expand digital services and increase the lifetime value of its vehicles. Ultifi is an end-to-end software platform designed to unlock new vehicle experiences and connect customers’ digital lives. It will help enable the frequent and seamless delivery of software-defined features, apps and services to customers over the air.
“Our role is not just to direct our own company toward a vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. It is to lead and influence others. To set the standards that others will follow. To take everybody on the journey, to a more equitable, safer, all-electric future.” says GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra.
A look inside GM’s global Innovation and Growth team and its mission to disrupt any market where it sees opportunity, and open new markets. GM is managing about 20 startups of various sizes and maturity levels, some in early phases, and others such as BrightDrop and OnStar Insurance that are launching now.
Plans for more than 50 percent of the company’s North America and China manufacturing footprint to be capable of EV production by 2030. The five-year pull ahead to 2025 of GM’s commitment to source 100 percent renewable energy for the company’s U.S. facilities.
In addition, GM is sharing the first details of Ultra Cruise, a significant next step in hands-free advanced driving-assistance technology that will be offered starting in 2023. Designed to handle 95 percent of all driving scenarios on every paved road in the U.S. and Canada over time, it will create a virtually door-to-door hands-free driving experience. Ultra Cruise is being developed to be the premier advanced driver-assistance system on the market in terms of both capability and safe operation.
SOURCE General Motors Co.
You might be interested:
World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2021
Will Liquid Fuels Play a Role in EU’s Decarbonization?
Electrification in the Automotive Industry
The Reveal Of New Global Electro-mobility Volvo Buses
Ford Motor To Cease Operations in India: What Happens Next?
Global Transition Towards Electric Vehicles Poses Major Challenges.
WANT MORE INSIDER NEWS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE NOW!
Global Transition Towards Electric Vehicles Poses Major Challenges.
It seems that not much has changed from the age of petrol-fueled vehicles to our current era of electric vehicles(EVs). Scientists are still grappling worldwide over the depleting availability of resources and the effective usage of those resources to meet the rising demand in the automotive industry.
By Ashwini Balan, Eastern Trade Media
General Motors earlier this year announced their commitment towards being carbon neutral, and added that by 2035, all their vehicles will consist of zero tailpipe emissions. Audi, another leading multinational automotive manufacturer, pledges to end the production of combustion-engine by 2033.
With these two market leaders taking the leap forward to an all-electric future, many multinational companies are overwhelmed with the pressure to quickly transition to EVs to maintain their competitive edge but more importantly, meet the rising consumer demand. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) analysis forecasts that by 2026, more than half of new passenger vehicles sold worldwide will be electric.
With the shift from fuel-intensive to material-intensive energy sources, there are two main concerns that scientists are struggling to resolve. Firstly, to reduce the usage of metal in batteries as it is scarce, expensive, environmentally toxic and working conditions hazardous to miners. Secondly, would be to create a recyclable battery system to maximise the utility of the valuable metals available.
Lithium-ion batteries are highly used in EVs due to their low cost which is 30 times cheaper than when they first entered the market in the early 1990s[1]. In addition, BNEF estimated that the current reserves of lithium— 21 million tonnes, according to the US Geological Survey — are enough to carry the conversion to EVs through to the mid-century.[2] Hence, what concerns researches in EV batteries is Cobalt and Nickel.
In an attempt to address this issue, researches have been experimenting in removing both cobalt and nickel from the composition of EV batteries. However, to successfully remove them would radically transform the cathode materials. In recent years, Ceder’s team and other groups have displayed that certain lithium-rich rock salts were able to perform without the use of cobalt or nickel and yet remain stable in the process. In particular, they can be made with manganese, which is cheap and plentiful, Ceder says.[3]
To create a battery recycling system, another hurdle to overcome is the cost of recycling lithium. A potential solution would be through government support, which is seen in China where financial and regulatory incentives for battery companies are given to source materials from recycling firms instead of importing freshly mined ones, says Hans Eric Melin, managing director of Circular Energy Storage, a consulting company in London.
It is also problematic for manufacturers in their recycling efforts, when the chemistry of cathodes become obsolete at the end of the cars’ life cycle. In response to that, material scientist Andrew Abbott at the University of Leicester, UK developed a technique for separating out cathode materials using ultrasound. He adds that this method works effectively in battery cells that are packed flat rather than rolled up and can make recycled materials much cheaper than virgin mined metals.[4]
Scaling up the volume of lithium also aids in reducing the cost of recycling and this would make it economically viable for businesses to adopt it says Melin. The example of lead-acid batteries — the ones that start petrol-powered cars — gives reason for optimism. “The value of a lead-acid battery is even lower than a lithium-ion battery. But because of volume, it makes sense to recycle anyway,” Melin says.[5]
With the collaborative effort among policymakers, researchers and manufacturers an all-electric future is an attainable reality.
References of Content:
Original Article Source: Davide Castelvecchi, 2021( https://t.co/amlXvXWs6E?amp=1 )
[1] M. S. Ziegler & J. E. Trancik Energy Environ. Sci.2021
[2] BloombergNEF. Electric Vehicle Outlook 2021 (BNEF, 2021)
[3] Yang, J. H., Kim, H. & Ceder, G. Molecules 26, 3173 (2021)
[4] Lei, C. et al. Green Chem. 23, 4710–4715 (2021)
[5] Melin, H. E. et al. Science 373, 384–387 (2021).
You might be interested:
Electric Cars: The Lifeline Of The Auto Industry
Electrification in the Automotive Industry
3D Printing Solutions for the Automotive Industry
WANT MORE INSIDER NEWS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE NOW!
Honda And General Motors Establishes A Strategic Alliance In North America
General Motors and Honda have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding following extensive preliminary discussions toward establishing a North American automotive alliance. The scope of the proposed alliance includes a range of vehicles to be sold under each company’s distinct brands, as well as cooperation in purchasing, research and development, and connected services.
Under the proposed alliance, Honda and GM would collaborate on a variety of segments in North America, intending to share common vehicle platforms, including both electrified and internal combustion propulsion systems that align with the vehicle platforms. Co-development planning discussions will begin immediately, with engineering work beginning in early 2021.
Introducing advanced technology is imperative, given shifting consumer and regulatory requirements. To address this challenge efficiently, the alliance would explore combining the R&D efforts between the two companies related to advanced technology areas, including electrical architecture, advanced driver assist systems, infotainment, connectivity and vehicle-to-everything communication.
“This alliance will help both companies accelerate investment in future mobility innovation by freeing up additional resources. Given our strong track record of collaboration, the companies would realise significant synergies in the development of today’s vehicle portfolio,” said Mark Reuss, president of General Motors.
“Through this new alliance with GM, we can achieve substantial cost efficiencies in North America that will enable us to invest in future mobility technology, while maintaining our own distinct and competitive product offerings. Combining the strengths of each company, and by carefully determining what we will do on our own and what we will do in collaboration, we will strive to build a win-win relationship to create new value for our customers. In this way, Honda will continue making steady progress in solidifying our existing business by realising strong products, strong manufacturing capability and a strong business structure,” said Seiji Kuraishi, executive vice president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
For other exclusive articles, visit www.equipment-news.com.
Check these articles out:
Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Forecast—2020 Rebound, 2021 Record High
Honda To Consolidate Domestic Car Plants
Digital Transformation Of The 3D Measurement Industry
Kennametal Receives Indirect Procurement Supplier Award From Honda
Electric Cars: The Lifeline Of The Auto Industry
WANT MORE INSIDER NEWS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE NOW!
FOLLOW US ON: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
GM Accelerates 3D Printing Capability With Stratasys
As the COVID-19 pandemic has ripped through much of the world this year, 3D printing has emerged as an agile and effective technology for producing personal protective equipment, medical equipment prototypes and nose swabs. But General Motors (GM), which has been steadily upping its investments in 3D printing over the past couple years, is betting that the business benefits will continue long after the current crisis subsides. The company added 17 production-grade Stratasys FDM 3D printers to its fleet at the end of 2019 and has been turning to 3D printed tooling for speed, weight reduction and cost efficiency on its production lines.
“With the pace of change in modern industry accelerating and business uncertainty increasing, 3D printing technology is helping us meet these challenges and become more nimble as a company,” said GM’s director of additive manufacturing, Ron Daul. “We’ve been on this journey for more than 30 years, but 3D printing is becoming even more widespread at our company, with more than 700 employees now trained to use the technology. Additive manufacturing is consistently providing us more rapid and efficient product development, tooling and assembly aids, with even more benefits to come.”
An April 2020 study by SME Media found that 25 percent of U.S. manufacturing professionals were planning to change their supply chains in response to the pandemic, and 3D printing was the top choice (with robotics) of 11 manufacturing technologies for post-COVID investment. The technology can be used to 3D print spare parts, produce end-use parts closer to assembly, help manufacturing lines retool faster, and develop new and better prototypes more quickly.
GM is moving faster than some companies to seize a competitive advantage. The company has used 3D printing since 1989 for prototyping. In fact, 75 percent of the parts in the prototype of its 2020 Chevrolet Corvette were 3D-printed, and GM now has 3D printers installed in many production facilities around the world. The company is increasingly moving beyond prototyping to production-related applications like tooling.
A big test of this application came in April when GM entered into contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to deliver a 30,000-unit order for critical care ventilators, in conjunction with Ventec Life Systems, by the end of August. The company reverse-engineered part data for tooling fixtures from the original ventilator manufacturer, and started 3D printing them the next day. All 3D printed tooling used for critical care ventilators was 3D printed on Stratasys systems. When the company requires more 3D printing capacity, there is an automatic offload path to Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for parts on demand. This helps GM run at a high utilization rate for its existing machines, expanding in-house capacity when it can ensure it has a sustained need for it.
Material innovation and machine repeatability have made a difference. For example, Nylon12 Carbon Fiber is a composite material containing 35 percent chopped carbon fiber by weight, which translates to an exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio, even in places subjected to heavy vibrations. As a result, heavy parts that would have previously required metal can now be 3D printed in polymers. And production-grade systems like the Stratasys F900 have been designed to not only perform to a high degree of precision but also consistency so that every part is as identical as possible.
“GM is making the smart investments in 3D printing to succeed in this new normal of uncertainty and disruption,” said Stratasys Americas President Rich Garrity. “As a result, GM has manufacturing lines that are more adaptable and less expensive, and products that are developed faster and better. They are a clear model for the future of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry.”
For other exclusive articles, visit www.equipment-news.com.
Check these articles out:
Vietnam: A New Crossroad In Manufacturing Industry
DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center Is Mass Producing 5000 Face Shields Daily
Market Outlook For Global 3D Laser Scanners
Mouldmakers Turn To Process Automation In Race To Recover
Toyota Quarterly Profits Improves On Strong Sales
Accelerating the Journey to Series Production
Machine Shops in a Challenging World
Thailand Remains As Production Base For Toyota
WANT MORE INSIDER NEWS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE NOW!
FOLLOW US ON: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
- 1
- 2
