Fuel For Thought

As the automotive industry shifts toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the term has become a buzzword, frequently mentioned at industry events like CES, often with varying interpretations and meanings. Amidst this excitement, many OEMs are making claims about their new SDV launches; They feel the pressure to incorporate SDVs into their product developments to appear competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. But despite all the talk and promises, there has been no clear industry benchmark to measure vehicles' readiness for SDV implementation. S&P Global Mobility has developed a method which we refer to as SDV Readiness to help the industry and consumers alike assess SDV technology. The establishment of these software-defined vehicle benchmarks not only clarifies the current state of the industry but also sets the stage for future innovations that will redefine mobility as we know it. Speakers:  Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting (Moderator), S&P Global Mobility Manuel Tagliavini, Principal Research Analyst, Automotive Supply Chain and Technology

Carbon reporting in the automotive industry is becoming increasingly important, as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face various regulatory pressures around the world. However, tracking and measuring carbon emissions is not an easy feat. One of the biggest challenges OEMs face lies in the complexity of reporting Scope 3 emissions -- specifically, Scope 3 Category 11, which pertains to the emissions generated during a vehicle's use phase through the end of its life. This category often accounts for 75-80% of an automaker's total carbon footprint, making accurate reporting not just important, but essential. Although inconsistencies in geographic scope, vehicle types, and automaker assumptions complicate this task, standardized carbon reporting is an important opportunity for OEMs to remain in regulatory compliance. Speakers: Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting (Moderator), S&P Global Mobility Qifan Yang, Lead Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility

In this podcast episode, S&P Global Mobility experts discuss the landscape of autonomous vehicles coming out of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, that was held in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year. After years of ambitious announcements and hype around fully self-driving cars, it appears that companies are shifting to a more pragmatic approach. Their conversation explores how tech companies and traditional automakers are now aligning their expectations, focusing on incremental developments and practical applications of autonomous vehicle technology. As the industry moves forward, partnerships between startups and established players are becoming crucial for driving innovation and achieving market-ready solutions. Speakers: Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting (Moderator), S&P Global Mobility Jeremy Carlson, Associate Director, Autonomy, S&P Global Mobility Brock Walquist, Sr. Specialist, Technical Research, S&P Global Mobility www.spglobal.com/mobility

In this month's Fuel for Thought, host Guido Vildozo speaks with our experts about how the automotive industry is navigating anticipated shifts under a second Trump administration. Their discussion focuses on the potential global implications of new US tax policies, tariffs, and deregulation.  Their conversation also dives into the uncertain future of electric vehicles, with policy changes leading to a potentially significant slowdown in adoption rates. How the auto industry adapts to these changes will be key in determining the pace of EV growth globally. Speakers:  Peter Nagle, Research and Analysis Associate Director, S&P Global Mobility Stephanie Brinley, Associate Director, AutoIntelligence, S&P Global Mobility Michael Robinet, Executive Director, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Moderator:  Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting www.spglobal.com/mobility

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, we explore the European Union's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs) following concerns about unfair subsidies. The tariffs, ranging from 17% to 35%, affect major manufacturers like BYD, Geely, and SAIC, while Tesla faces a lower rate of 7.8%.  This move, aimed at protecting European automakers, may reshape the market but has sparked tensions, with China filing a WTO dispute and considering retaliatory tariffs. The episode features Moderator Guido Vildozo in conversation with Tim Urquhart, Principal Research Analyst at S&P Global Mobility, about the impact on the EU car market and consumers. Speakers: Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting at S&P Global Mobility (moderator) Tim Urquhart, Principal Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility www.spglobal.com/mobility  

In this special episode of Fuel for Thought, we're diving into the 2024 US presidential election – one of the most consequential elections in US history – which could reshape the future of the automotive ecosystem. Our panelists cover the wide range of issues on the table – including environmental regulations, trade policies, and labor dynamics – as well as the impacts these issues could have on automakers, suppliers, and consumers alike. Speakers:  Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting at S&P Global Mobility (moderator) Stephanie Brinley, Associate Director, AutoIntelligence, S&P Global Mobility Michael Robinet, Executive Director, Consulting at S&P Global Mobility  www.spglobal.com/mobility

It's been a turbulent four years for the US auto industry, from the COVID-19 pandemic to inventory fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.   But unfortunately for some of the industry's most important stakeholders, the turbulence isn't over yet. Automakers and their captive financing groups are facing intensified competition and difficulty attracting customers, due to several converging trends. These range from a recent surge in vehicle inventory and affordability concerns to fluctuating incentives and evolving consumer behaviors.   In this Fuel for Thought podcast episode, our host Guido Vildozo speaks with the experts to break down how these trends are playing out in 2024, and what they mean for OEMs and captive lenders.  Moderator:- Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Speakers:- Tom Libby, Associate Director, Industry Analysis and Loyalty Solutions, S&P Global Mobility - Matt Trommer, Product Management Associate Director, S&P Global Mobility - Michelle Yeung, Director, National OEM Sales, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here. www.spglobal.com/mobility

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, we're thrilled to welcome Abby Tu, Principal Research Analyst at S&P Global Mobility and author of "Electrification in China: On Track but Challenging."   In a conversation with moderator Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility, Abby dives into mainland China's remarkable journey towards electrification, revealing how new-energy vehicles (NEVs) have surpassed internal combustion engine vehicles for the first time in July 2024. With NEV sales soaring and predictions indicating they will make up 75% of the market by 2029, Abby explores the pivotal role of plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles in driving this shift.   Abby and Guido also discuss the growing dominance of Chinese automakers, their impact on global competitors, and the strategic adaptations of international brands like Volkswagen and Toyota.   Podcast Speakers Moderator: Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Speaker: Abby Tu, Principal Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here. www.spglobal.com/mobility

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, research experts Ali Adim and Gabrielle Aversa discuss the current challenges facing the EV battery industry amidst a slowdown in demand for battery electric vehicles. The conversation was moderated by Mike Wall, Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility.   To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here. www.spglobal.com/mobility

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, Senior Research Analysts Vivek Beriwal and Mariana Gongora highlight the key findings from our annual consumer survey on autonomous vehicles. The conversation was moderated by Calum Macrae, director of Research and Analysis in the Supply Chain and Technology division at S&P Global Mobility.  To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here. www.spglobal.com/mobility