Prospecting: Key Moves from National Auto Brands This Week.
Ford Motor has told suppliers it will delay the launch of its new model F-150 pickup, a perennial top-seller for the automaker and golden goose for parts makers. Ford was expected to roll out the 15th generation of its traditional gasoline/hybrid pickup in 2027. Production for the program has been pushed out by at least a year to mid-2028 at Dearborn Truck and Kansas City Assembly, three auto supplier executives tell Crain’s Detroit Business.
General Motors has said its Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist technology offers an opportunity to gauge whether consumers are willing to pay for an ongoing subscription to access vehicle software. According to a report by Automotive News, there may be early evidence the approach is working. About 20% of roughly 18,000 customers with Super Cruise in their vehicles subscribed to keep using it after their three-year trial ended in 2024, CEO Mary Barra said in January on the automaker’s fourth-quarter earnings call.
Kia is launching its drive for a bigger market share in the battery-electric-vehicle market with the debut of its compact family car, the EV4. The model, seen as a direct rival to the Volkswagen ID.3 to be marketed in both hatchback and sedan versions, will be officially unveiled at the Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain, according to WardsAuto.
Toyota is claiming a vehicle application breakthrough in hydrogen fuel-cell technology with the release of its third-generation powertrain system. Targeting the growing areas of interest, from light commercial vehicles to heavy-duty truck customers, the new system claims the same durability as existing diesel internal combustion engines. Toyota says it also delivers significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and lower production costs compared to its previous systems. The new system is expected to be offered to customers from 2026 in the key markets of Japan, Europe, North America, and China.
The Chevy Camaro’s revival is reportedly being considered at General Motors, but those plans recently hit a roadblock, according to GM Authority. Despite the support of some GM executives, a proposal for a seventh-gen Camaro didn’t make enough financial sense to impress the top brass. The sixth-gen Camaro was discontinued after the 2024 model year, but Chevy promised the nameplate would live on, reports Car And Driver.
Nikola, the electric pickup and semi-truck startup manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Court filings show the company has about $47 million in cash on hand, with liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion. Despite enjoying early enthusiasm from investors, Nikola struggled to deliver enough vehicles to turn a profit.
Comments