Sunday, December 22, 2024
Stellantis faces a federal lawsuit alleging that the Jeep Wrangler 4xe was marketed with a fire risk related to its lithium-ion battery packs. The lawsuit, involving nine complainants from seven states, claims that Stellantis should have been aware of the potential defect before launching the vehicles. Stellantis disputes the allegations and has initiated recalls and repairs.
As the automotive sector faces an 80-day inventory surge, dealerships nationwide brace for weakened demand. Reports revealed Cox Auto data highlights a 38% rise in January's days' supply. Stellantis responds by pledging to trim inventory by 30%, employing incentives and price adjustments, echoing broader market trends.
Stellantis targets double-digit profit margins in 2024, despite facing higher labor costs in North America. A 10% fall in operating profit during the latter half of 2023, mainly due to strikes at its key profit-generating North American facilities, challenges its outlook. Meanwhile, Stellantis revealed potential job cuts at its Warren Truck Assembly Facility, adding to the firm's strategic adjustments amid industry upheavals.
Stellantis has announced its North American brands will adopt Tesla's electric vehicle charging plug, the SAE J3400 connector, signaling a major shift towards standardized charging. This move, set for 2025, aligns with the IONNA initiative to create 30,000 fast-charging stations across North America by 2030, enhancing the charging infrastructure for all electric vehicle brands.
Italian headlines fuel rumors of a Stellantis/Renault merger, promptly dismissed by Chairman John Elkann. He reaffirms Stellantis' focus on long-term strategy. French government's involvement adds intrigue to the speculation. Reuters provides insight into the situation.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its investigation into rollaway incidents involving Ram 1500 pickup trucks and Dodge Durango SUVs, initiated in December 2016. The inquiry encompassed 1.3 million vehicles, focusing on modern electronic rotary gear shifters, a departure from traditional mechanical shifters.
In a significant development, Stellantis has secured a 250,000 vehicle deal with Sixt, a major mobility service provider. Following Sixt's decision to replace its Tesla fleet, this partnership marks a milestone for Stellantis, encompassing a range of vehicles, including cutting-edge battery-electric ones.
Stellantis and BlackBerry's collaboration transforms in-vehicle tech with Amazon's cloud and QNX Hypervisor, unveiling the Virtual Cockpit. This speeds up automotive control and system development, achieving progress 100 times faster. The CES 2024 reveal showcases a "nonbranded" QNX Hypervisor. Stellantis plans 20 billion euros in revenue by 2030, advancing software and connected car services under Dare Forward 2030. The three tech platforms, STLA Brain, AutoDrive, and SmartCockpit, are part of this transformative journey.