| Today's Transportation briefing: - 🇪🇺 EU Commission unveiled plans to investigate Chinese EVs.
- 🔍 Nio disclosed $2.9B loss.
- 🚗 Toyota announced acquisition of Primearth EV Energy.
Thanks for reading! Robel
p/Robel-Kelkile | |
| 1 | | SpaceX announced plans to launch its Starship rocket for the third time on March 14, pending regulatory approval from the FAA, with recent rehearsals indicating preparedness. The upcoming mission aims to demonstrate new capabilities such as propellant transfer and Raptor engine relight in space. More: - If successful, the Super Heavy booster will separate using a "hot staging" technique, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship upper stage will splash down in the Indian Ocean after coasting around the world, aiming to achieve the first-ever Raptor engine relight in space.
- The mission underscores SpaceX's commitment to gathering real-flight data to enhance vehicle performance and readiness for future endeavors.
- The move comes as, despite past setbacks, SpaceX continues to push forward with ambitious objectives, highlighting its determination to advance space exploration technology.
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| 2 | | Scout Motors, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, commenced construction on its $2B electric vehicle plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. The plant aims to produce 200,000 all-electric trucks and SUVs annually by the end of 2026. More: - The project faced a three-month hiatus due to concerns from environmental groups and state and federal agencies regarding wetland development but received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January, contingent upon wetland preservation efforts elsewhere in South Carolina.
- Despite recent pullbacks in the electric vehicle sector, builders remain confident in manufacturing construction momentum, with manufacturing starts showing a 26% increase in January, according to Dodge Construction Network.
- Billion-dollar manufacturing projects, such as the Texas Instruments fabrication plant in Lehi, Utah, and the BlueOval battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, are proceeding alongside Scout Motors' South Carolina site.
- The Scout Motors facility spans approximately 1,600 acres, with production expected to begin by the end of 2026, positioning the plant near major cities and talent hubs such as Columbia, Charleston, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
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| 3 | | Former Tesla designer Peter Blades has transitioned to aviation startup Skyryse as vice president of design. Blades' experience at Tesla and SpaceX could position him to modernize aviation cockpits. More: - Skyryse aims to revolutionize aviation cockpits with its drive-by-wire helicopter featuring one control stick and touchscreen displays, aligning with Blades' experience in minimalist design approaches seen in Tesla vehicles.
- Before Tesla, Blades held various interior design positions at Nissan Design America, General Motors, and Kia, focusing on human-machine interface and user experience design for automotive brands.
- Blades' move to Skyryse signifies the growing intersection between the automotive and aviation industries, highlighting the importance of innovative design in both sectors.
- Uner Blades' leadership, Skyryse aims to bring a fresh perspective to aviation design, potentially shaping the future of cockpit interfaces and user experiences in the aerospace industry.
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| 4 | | The European Commission announced it will look into a custom registration of Chinese electric vehicle imports, potentially leading to tariffs. Amid an anti-subsidy probe, the Commission expressed concerns over increased Chinese EV imports and their potential impact on EU producers. More: - Concerns over the surge in Chinese EV imports, which increased by 14% year-on-year since the investigation began in October, prompted the Commission's move, citing potential harm to EU producers.
- The probe into Chinese battery EVs aims to determine the extent of subsidies and their impact on EU markets, with provisional duties potentially imposed by July and a final decision expected by November.
- The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU expressed disappointment over the decision, attributing the import surge to growing European demand for electric vehicles.
- The Commission's actions reflect efforts to safeguard EU producers and maintain fair competition in the electric vehicle market amid increasing imports from China.
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| 5 | | Nio reported a widened annual loss of $2.9B. The company noted plans to prioritize business objectives and improve cost management in 2024. More: - Nio faced declining vehicle shipments and lower-than-expected revenue forecasts for the current quarter, prompting efforts to introduce a mass-market brand called Alps and expand its battery-swap technology.
- The mass-market brand Alps aims to compete with Tesla's Model Y SUV and will prioritize volume, with its first product having a 10% lower manufacturing cost than the Model Y.
- Nio plans to focus on premium cars under the main brand, with prices above its ET5 sedan, while also launching a cheaper sub-brand in 2025 with vehicles priced below 200,000 yuan.
- Additionally, Nio is expanding its battery-swap technology partnerships and aggressively promoting its use, aiming to reduce driver concerns about range and charging times.
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| 6 | | Toyota announced it would acquire Primearth EV Energy, a joint battery venture with Panasonic, later this month. The move aims to enhance its response to the growing demand for electrified vehicles. More: - Toyota's acquisition of Primearth EV Energy Co. aims to strengthen its position in the electrified vehicle market and enhance competitiveness in mass-market EVs.
- The battery company, which currently produces batteries for hybrid-electric vehicles, plans to expand its offerings to include batteries for plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, aligning with Toyota's long-term electrification goals.
- Toyota plans to triple EV production to 600,000 vehicles by 2025 and invest over $70B in electrification by 2030, with hybrid and fully electric models expected to constitute up to 70% of U.S. sales by that year.
- The acquisition underscores Toyota's shift toward electrification, evidenced by its allocation of resources to accelerate R&D efforts on advanced battery technologies and software-defined vehicles.
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- Volocopter achieved a milestone as the world's inaugural eVTOL Approved Training Organisation.
- A Kentucky House bill proposed modifications to student transportation policies.
- Saildrone's inaugural aluminum Surveyor autonomous vessel entered the water for Navy testing.
- Caltrans and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission debuted Venture passenger trains.
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 | Writer | | Born and raised in the Bay Area but currently residing in North Carolina, Robel Kelkile is passionate about all things tech, venture, and financial education. He has previously served both universities and state governments in their engagement strategy and tracking legislation. | | This newsletter was edited by Aaron Crutchfield | |
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