Fuel For Thought

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we discuss the aging of the US vehicle fleet.  Vehicles on the road are getting even older, according to new S&P Global Mobility data released last week. The average age of cars and light trucks in the US has risen again to a new record of 12.6 years in 2024, up by two months over 2023. The increase in average age is showing signs of slowing as new registrations normalize. This continues to improve business opportunities for companies in the aftermarket and vehicle service sector in the US, as repair opportunities are expected to grow alongside vehicle age. Learn more about the average age of vehicles in this podcast and hear from these experts... Mike Wall - Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility Todd Campau - Aftermarket Practice Lead, 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 discuss the transition to electric vehicles in the U.S. market. As EV sales slow, OEMs must consider multiple factors to align their EV production with government regulations and consumer demand. From the here-and-now reality to the long-term aspiration of decarbonization in the transportation sector. The U.S. government regulatory aspirations and their pressure on OEMs towards an accelerated response to electrification. The consumer mindset and sentiment towards electrification: pricing, technology and the willingness of adoption. OEM showroom response to align regulation and pricing via alternative vehicle electrification pathways. Hear from these S&P Global Mobility experts... Kristen Balasia - Vice President of Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Guido Vildozo - Associate Director, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we discuss the future of trucking. Disruption is coming to the medium and heavy commercial vehicle industry and an increased focus on climate change, strict regulations, and technological innovations are expected to change the future landscape. Hear from S&P Global Mobility experts as we identify and address major questions the truck industry faces. Mike Wall - Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility Andrej Divis - Executive Director of Global Heavy Truck Research, S&P Global Mobility Greg Genette - Senior Research Analyst for Heavy Trucks, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, we discuss what's likely to shape our industry in 2024 and beyond. Learn about the softening of the EV market, as well as increasing media coverage concerning sustainability, and the associated future pressures that this could bring to your business. With the upcoming S&P Global CERAWeek and Innovation Agora event in Houston (TX), we will preview some of the panel discussions that will be held there with several industry leaders.  Join us as we dive into the topic of the mobility and energy transition. Tom De Vleesschauwer - Senior Director, Future Mobility, S&P Global Mobility Anoop Desai - Executive Director of Sustainability, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Greg Genette - Senior Research Analyst, MHCV, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.

The automotive industry is reaching an inflection point that will reshape its near-term future, precipitated by the connected car era – also known as software defined vehicles or "SDVs." This will affect every aspect of future mobility, from Generative AI implications in Level 2+ autonomy to the HMI of the cockpit domain software. Tune in to this episode of Fuel for Thought and hear from our industry experts as we dive into the topic of connected cars and the automotive revolution... Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, S&P Global Mobility Phil Amsrud - Associate Director, Automotive Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility Tawhid Khan - Software Research Director, Automotive Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.  

Average transaction prices for new vehicles are through the roof. But affordability has also been crimped by many automakers shifting away from traditional entry-level segments, both in the US and Europe. But as legacy OEMs depart the 'cheap-and-cheerful' arena, white space opportunity emerges for new manufacturers to enter the fray.  In the past decade, it was possible to find an entry-level new vehicle for less than $20,000. But pricing in the US market has recently increased dramatically to where $25,000 or even $30,000 is the lowest possible transaction price for a "low-priced" vehicle.   Tune in to this episode of Fuel for Thought and hear from our industry experts as we dive into the topic of vehicle affordability... Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, S&P Global Mobility Julie Choate - Senior Consultant, Automotive Advisory, S&P Global Mobility Constantin Gerner - Senior Consultant, Automotive Advisory, S&P Global Mobility  

Five years ago, hype surrounding "autopilot" cars peaked. But S&P Global Mobility's updated forecast offers a reality check of careful, limited adoption of self-driving technology through 2035. Learn more about the future of autonomous vehicles in this episode of Fuel for Thought. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Jeremy Carlson - Associate Director of the Autonomy Practice, and Own Chen - Senior Principal Analyst at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

The consumer is already inundated by more than 450 vehicle nameplates to choose from in the US market. With automakers rapidly adding EVs to their product portfolios, that number will soar even higher. How are OEMs, dealers, and agencies going to adjust their marketing messaging and media spend with this onslaught of products? Learn more in this episode of Fuel for Thought. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Joe Kyriakoza - Vice President and General Manager of Polk Automotive Solutions, and Jason Jordhamo, Director of Polk Automotive Solutions at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we are going to expand the conversation of electrification. Rosy sales projections aside, global adoption of battery-electric vehicles still faces huge obstacles to cross the chasm, an updated forecast from S&P Global Mobility shows. Raw materials shortages, supply chain snarls, mainland China's dominance, and charging-network snafus are showing the transition from ICE to EV will take much more than wishful thinking and government mandates.   Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Graham Evans - Director of Supply Chain and Technology, and Calum MacRae - Director of Supply Chain and Technology at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we discuss how the commercial vehicle fleet is accelerating toward ZEV adoption. How many electrified medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles can we expect to see delivering packages and plying US highways? And how soon? S&P Global Mobility recently upgraded its forecast to 140,000 ZEV MHCVs annually, starting in 2030. But potential potholes to adoption remain. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Andrej Divis - Executive Director of Global Truck Research, and James Martin - Consulting Director at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.