Chairman's Blog: Invested in America
Dealers Seek Common Sense Solutions
Chairman John Connelly is back with his second blog post. It was good to see that the Biden administration took the time this month to meet with auto executives beyond Ford, GM, and Stellantis to discuss the future of EV production and infrastructure in the United States. Our message that all automotive manufacturers need to have a seat at the table, not just manufacturers that employ UAW members, is working. That being said, the proposal to give an additional $4,500 refundable tax credit for the sale of only union-made EV’s is still part of the Administration’s wish-list. The budget reconciliation bill known as “Build Back Better” has now morphed into “Building a Better America,” but don’t be fooled — the same business destroying language is on the table and it only needs the support of 50 United States Senators. It’d be nice instead to see our government applaud the enormous investments that international automotive manufacturers are making in America to create thousands of well-paid, stable manufacturing jobs. Click here to read the full blog post.
Hyundai to Build Genesis GV70 EV, Hybrid Santa Fe at its Alabama Factory
Hyundai plans to build the hybrid version of its Santa Fe midsize crossover and the Genesis Electrified GV70 compact crossover at its plant in Montgomery, Ala., Hyundai Motor North America CEO Jose Muñoz said. The manufacturing moves confirmed a report by a Korean car blog. Muñoz spoke Tuesday at the New York Auto Forum, a day before the start of New York auto show press days. Automotive News reports Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, said it will invest $7.4 billion in the U.S. by 2025 to produce a "suite" of electric vehicles, upgrade factories and develop smart mobility technologies. Consumer demand for Hyundai's electrified models, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, full cells and EVs, has remained strong and represents about 16 percent of the brand's overall mix, according to Hyundai sales chief Randy Parker. Genesis continues to post gains led by the GV70 and GV80 crossovers. The luxury brand's sales increased 43 percent in the first quarter, and March was a best-ever for the brand, representing the 16th-straight month of growth. Click here for the full story.
How to Get Better at Spotting and Addressing Employee Burnout at Work
At a time when many business owners are doing more with less, how do you address employee burnout? Scott Mautz, keynote speaker, trainer, best-selling author, and the Founder of Profound Performance speaks on Inside Automotive. Scott discusses employee burnout in his book, Leading from the Middle, and he joins CBT News to share his perspective on how business leaders can address it. There may be no greater productivity loss in a workplace than among employees suffering from burnout. Employee burnout sends productivity spiraling down, and business leaders are not as good at spotting it, says Mautz. However, there are some pretty clear signs of burnout, and The World Health Organization has even made it an official medical condition. As it turns out, many employees simply want to feel heard. They want to be known. They want to know that, you know, they are working very hard. Click here to learn more about employee burnout.
First Look: 2023 Nissan Leaf
Nissan is turning over a new Leaf this week at the New York International Auto Show when it unveils its revised 2023 Nissan Leaf. Until now, little had changed since the Nissan Leaf was last redesigned. To keep the model in consideration, Nissan lowered its price, making it the least expensive new EV you can buy in 2022. Yet the company added a standard fast-charging port despite the lower price, although the interior remained the same. The Detroit Bureau reports the base Leaf has a 149-mile range and starts at $28,425; the Leaf Plus has 215 miles of range, but starts at a pricier $32,400 before a federal tax credit of $7,500. The new lower price seems to have helped sales of the Leaf, although demand has been rising. Sales rose in the first quarter of 2022 to 4,371 units, up from 2,925 units during the same period of 2021. But even before its price cut, sales were on the upswing to 14,239 units in 2021 from 9,564 in 2020. Click here to learn more about the 2023 Nissan Leaf.
Global Microchip Shortage Will Fester Into 2024, VW CFO Says
Volkswagen Group expects the semiconductor shortage to continue longer than expected, the automaker's finance chief Arno Antlitz said. Supplies of semiconductors will not normalize until 2024, by which time there will still be a structural undersupply, Antlitz said in an interview with Boersen-Zeitung published on Saturday. Automotive News reports VW Group has been forced to halt production at several factories including its Wolfsburg plant and its EV factories in Zwickau and Dresden, Germany, several times due to a lack of chips. Production in North America also has been disrupted. Antlitz said he expects the semiconductor situation to ease this year and next year, but the shortage will continue into 2024 because chipmakers will not be able to meet rising demand for semiconductors even as more chip production comes on line. "We see a structural undersupply in 2022, which is only likely to ease somewhat in the third or fourth quarter," he said. "The situation should improve in 2023, but the structural problem will not yet have been fully resolved. Click here for the full story.
Around the Web
2023 Nissan Leaf Updated with Freshened Looks and Simplified Lineup [Carscooops]
Hyundai's New Windshield Wipers Could Save Your Life [Carbuzz]
631-HP Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Brings the Visual Aggression [Car and Driver]
Autonomous Car Pulled Over By Cops, Makes a Run For It [Motortrend]
