Fuel For Thought

In today's episode, we will be looking at the transition from an internal combustion world to one of battery electric propulsion and what that means for the traditional automotive supplier base. If you are a maker of engine, transmission, fuel, or exhaust systems, how do you fit into this picture? And how do you make a business case in such an environment? How existential is this crisis? Is it survivable? Or is your doomed fate inevitable?  Join Mark Rechtin, Executive Editor, Michael Robinet, Consulting Executive Director, Mike Wall, Sales Engineering Executive Director, and Michael Southcott, Associate Manager of Propulsion Component Research at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.  

CERAWeek 2023 With more than 8,000 delegates and 1,000 speakers, S&P Global's CERAWeek conference displayed the ever-closer entwining of the energy and mobility sectors. Scores of CEOs and ministers from global energy and utilities – as well as automotive, technology, manufacturing, policy, and financial communities – gathered to discuss the transition of these key industries.

The easy days of selling from low inventories are over. Brands, dealers, and salespeople need to start fighting for auto buyer attention and consideration once again, and need to work together to win. As inventories continue to move toward pre-pandemic levels, customers are finding themselves with more freedom when it comes to selecting a vehicle, the price they pay, and how they shop. Nowhere was this looming trend more evident than on the NADA show floor in Dallas, where thousands of dealers, vendors, and automaker reps came together to discuss the near- and long-term future of automotive retail. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Director, Executive Editor, S&P Global Mobility, Kristen Balasia - VP of Consulting Services, S&P Global Mobility, Joe Kyriakoza - VP & GM, Polk Automotive Solutions, S&P Global Mobility and Grant Gitre - Consulting Associate Director, S&P Global Mobility.

The end of cheap capital – combined with worsening macroeconomic conditions, the war in Ukraine, raw material uncertainties, and the continuing chip shortage – will combine to mark 2023 as the beginning of an era when demand-side considerations replace the current supply-side fixation. Listen Already, we are seeing these conditions impact the burgeoning mobility startup ecosystem. But in a larger framework, the industry will continue its pivot away from internal combustion engines toward electrified vehicles in all formats – as well as the exploration of connectivity and monetizing the reams of data produced as the industry seeks more profit pools. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Brian Rhodes, Associate Director of Supply Chain & Technology, and Colin Bird-Martinez, Consulting Principal as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Global new light vehicle sales will reach nearly 83.6 million units in 2023, a 5.6% increase year-over-year, according to a new forecast by S&P Global Mobility, a world leader in information, analytics and solutions. The auto industry continues to navigate supply chain challenges while confronted by several markets facing deteriorating economic conditions and fading pent-up demand. As semiconductor availability plays out, demand destruction is expected to take a more fundamental role in 2023, impacting production and the inventory restocking cycle. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Chris Hopson, Principal Research Analyst, and Colin Couchman, Executive Director, Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Two recent aftermarket conventions – Automechanika Frankfurt, and AAPEX in Las Vegas – highlighted key mobility, supply chain, and remanufacturing trends that will have significant impact on the industry moving forward. The existence of an electrified future also loomed large with attendees and providers. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Todd Campau, Research and Analysis Associate Director Global Insight, David Bellamy, Principal Research Analyst Comp Forecasting as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Aside from the supply shortage, one of the biggest buzzwords in the commercial vehicle industry over the past few years has revolved around electric vehicles (EVs). Everyone has an opinion on whether EVs are a fad or here to stay but what does the data say specifically about EVs in the commercial industry? Even through the supply issues of the past few years, there were more EVs registered commercially through August 2022 than all of 2021. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Mark Hazel, Associate Director of Commercial Vehicles, Andrej Divis, Executive Director of Global Truck Research, and James Martin, Consulting Services as they share their thoughts on this topic.

The reimagined 2022 Detroit Auto Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show, finished its media and industry days with limited automakers and brands participating after a three-year hiatus in the city. Those OEMs and brands who did participate – mostly the hometown automakers – most told a brand story that included both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) solutions. While tomorrow's auto market seems to be rushing to be electric, today is in transition. The result is a more dynamic and diverse market than ever. Join Kristen Balasia, VP of Advisory Services, Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, Stephanie Brinley, Associate Director Automotive Intelligence as they share their thoughts on this topic.

We are in year two of the great supply chain crisis. There are a handful of factors — from chip supply to impacts from climate and conflict — as to when "normal" production will return. Here is what we do know now: profit margins are near historic highs for OEMs while consumer loyalty scores are near historic lows. Listen to this podcast and learn important data signals for automotive marketers. Join Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, Amber Daniel, Director of Product Strategy for Polk Automotive Solutions, and Cheryl Woodworth, Consulting Associate Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Navigating the opportunities within the comparatively nascent EV industry will see winners and losers emerge. But how real are the concerns around the battery upstream market and could this genuinely be the next automotive supply chain crisis? In what way can automakers achieve economies of scale while feasibly navigate fluctuating commodity prices to deliver competitively priced EV offerings? Join Kristen Balasia, VP, Advisory Services, Jay Hwang, Sr Technical Research Analyst and Anoop Desai, Consulting Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.