Elm Analytics - Automotive Supply Chain Risk Digest #207 - January 22 - 28 , 2021
Learn how the pandemic has primed the pump for change in your supply chains. (Elm's Tor Hough on LinkedIn)
INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS
GM announced it would sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The initiative is part of a broader plan to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Nissan has announced a similar initiative to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and produce EVs solely by the early 2030s.
Ford is looking at new blockchain tech that would give cars a "birth certificate" to combat fraud on the used car market more effectively.
Assembly line workers at GM have reported positive feedback regarding exoskeletons that the automaker has been testing for 18 months. The device transfers upper-body strain across the wearer's hips when they reach overhead holding parts or tools.
LITIGATION
Fiat Chrysler has agreed to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act and pay a $30M fine.
Nissan recalled over 350k Pathfinders over a problem with the brake light switch that causes the lights to stay even when the brake pedal is not pressed.
PLANT CLOSING
GKN is unexpectedly closing its Driveline factory in Birmingham, England. The company was unable to reduce operating costs to remain competitive.
PLANT OPENING
Valeo North America is investing $5M into a new plant in Bessemer, Alabama. The plant will employ 70 people and will start production in the second half of this year.
China's CATL will build a new lithium iron phosphate cathode materials plant near Jiang'an.
Faraday Future plans to contract Geely to manufacture 100k EVs per year at a new plant in China.
PLANT SHUTDOWN
Ford stopped production at its Louisville, Kentucky assembly plant for the second time this month due to the ongoing microchip shortage. The plant, which employs 3.9k people, will be closed for the next two weeks.
PRODUCTION DECREASE
Vehicle production in the UK fell to under 1M vehicles in 2020, the lowest total output since 1984.
PRODUCTION INCREASE
Volvo is tripling its production of EVs at its plant in Ghent, Belgium. The automaker is planning to release a new EV every year through 2025.
REGULATION
President Biden's executive order aims to electrify the US' 645k federal vehicle fleet. The move is part of a larger climate centric initiative.
Mexico has approved a request from 12 automotive companies for more time to meet new USMCA trade agreement rules.
RISK ANALYTICS
The pandemic fueled semiconductor shortage will cost automakers $61B in sales. The balance between supply chain resilience and just-in-time manufacturing won't be restored until summer.
SUPPLY CHAIN
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) says it will start prioritizing automotive chip production to increase capacity.
Meanwhile, VW is reported to be seeking compensation from Bosch and Continental due to the chip disruption.
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