Auto executives say ‘everything’ about to change

Not much detail but interesting article from the Birmingham News - Alabama

Publish Date: Dec 20, 2017 7:00 AM

Section: NEWS, p.E2


Alabama’s billion-dollar auto industry is positioned for the future, its executives say. But what that future will look like continues to be a mystery.

That was the theme of comments from executives with four auto companies who participated in a panel discussion at the Birmingham Business Alliance’s annual Chairman’s Meeting at the Alys Stephens Center.

The players were Jason Hoff, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International; Mike Oatridge, vice president of manufacturing for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama; Andrew Taitz, the founder, chairman and CEO of GVW Group, the owner of Autocar; and John Hackett, general manager of Kamtek in Birmingham.

Oatridge made the message clear in his response to a question by Alabama Power’s John Hudson III, the event moderator. American consumers, urged on by gas hovering around $2 a gallon, are still in love with the sport utility vehicle.

But government regulations over the next decade are going to dictate lighter vehicles that can travel farther on less gas. In 2012, the U.S. government mandated an average fuel efficiency for new cars and trucks of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

“They don’t fit together,” Oatridge said of the desires of the consumer, and the coming regulations.

That means automakers have to change from using steel to aluminum, which has to be bonded rather than welded. It also mean alternative sources of power, like electric cars.

“It’s going to change everything in the auto industry,” he said. “The traditional way can’t exist. The biggest challenge is where do we go. And once we go that way, there’s no turning back. The infrastructure doesn’t exist now.”

Hoff said those changes will also dictate some changes in Alabama. When Mercedes came to the state in 1993, its decision was dictated by the state’s untapped workforce and its infrastructure. Now, those two factors are challenges, he said.

William Thornton wthornton@al.com

Copyright 2017 The Birmingham News All Rights Reserved


Harvest Date: Dec 20, 2017 2:12 PM
Industry: Automotive Mfg (90%), Motor Vehicles (90%), Automobile Mfg (76%), Electric Power Plants (74%), Electric Vehicles (73%), Automakers (73%), Sport Utility Vehicles (73%), Automotive Regulation & Policy (72%)
Subject: Labor Force (78%), Executives (78%), US Federal Government (75%), Managers & Supervisors (73%), Electric Vehicles (73%), Alliances & Partnerships (72%), Consumers (68%)

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawei_K1

In 2017, Kawei unveiled the Kawei EV7, based on the K1, claiming it to be the world first pure electric full-size pickup truck.[3]

 

maybe the current administration will change the 55 mpg back down to a realistic number.

 

If gas prices ever rise again all the Emma's and Jaxson's of the world will soon find out as they always have, that an extra $100 a month is going to break the bank. Yet the oven at home is always cold and that Yukon is always parked at The Olive Garden. The logical choice for these folks is to cancel that 401k plan at work to keep the bounce up and that tummy full of The Olive Garden's best.

Has anyone ever been so hungry that had to eat at The Olive Garden?

 

From someone who currently works at the Honda Plant and has spent a good bit of life in Bama it'll be interesting to see where it all goes, they'll never get me out of a tacoma though...i'll die in one before i go with a ford look-a-like.... but it'll be interesting to see how they go about getting it even close to 55 mpg's my lady got a 2018 camry and that thing at best gets 36 and thats driving miss Daisy..