Toyota EV strategy, semiconductor chip shortage, GM brings employees back to office

Inside Automotive:

How OfferLogix is helping vendors create seamless car buying experiences — Aaron Bickart, EVP
OfferLogix continues to make significant waves in the automotive industry. Throughout the past few years, new partnerships and initiatives have helped the fintech company take seamless online car buying to the next level. Today on Inside Automotive, Aaron Bickart, Executive Vice President and General Manager of OfferLogix, discusses why these partnerships set OfferLogix apart from its competition. Watch the complete segment here.

Headlines:

Toyota is considering a reboot of its electric vehicle strategy to compete in a market that some say the automaker has been slow to enter and has halted work on some existing EV projects, reports Reuters. The change would amount to a rewrite of the $38 billion EV rollout plan announced by the company last year and could mean retiring its current platform in exchange for an EV-dedicated platform to lower factory costs and better compete with industry leaders like Tesla. Sources say a group within Toyota has been charged with outlining plans for improvements to its existing EV platform and architecture by early next year. Read More

According to the latest estimates from AutoForecast Solutions, the global semiconductor chip shortage, which has plagued auto manufacturers for the past two years, has softened somewhat. Although the company still predicts factories will end the year having eliminated 4.26 million vehicles from production plans because of inadequate chip supplies. Year-to-date, North America has cut 1.37 million vehicles from production plans because of the shortage. To increase domestic production of chips, the Biden Administration is busy working to spend more than $52 billion in Federal subsidies provided by the newly passed CHIPS and Science Act. Read More

General Motors says it will start bringing US salaried employees back to the office for at least three days a week starting at the end of January after allowing many salaried employees to work remotely for the last 24 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to anonymous sources, GM department heads started meeting last week to discuss plans to bring the workforce back to the office on a regular schedule. Starting January 30, GM plans to require a minimum of three days a week for employees. Read More

News & Opinion

EV sales reach new record, more than 200,000 units sold in Q3 2022
Kelley Blue Book has released its Q3 2022 “Electrified Light Vehicle Sales Report,” which revealed that the third quarter saw EV sales of over 200,000. Tesla still has a wide lead in the fully electric segment, while Toyota vehicles make up almost 50% of all hybrids sold. According to Kelley Blue Book’s executive editor, Brian Moody, EVs “continue to be the darling of the industry, with the growing marketplace and consumer interest now reflected in record sales numbers.” Read More

What should be on your dealership’s content marketing calendar?
Your content marketing calendar helps you plan, manage and execute your advertising and social media marketing strategy to fit your customer’s needs. There may be unplanned events or promotions that come up, but for the most part, this calendar shows your staff what the dealership’s content marketing will look like each week, month, and quarter. It also helps plan staffing for quick responses to inquiries and sales that result from your planning and strategy. Read More

Did you enjoy this automotive newscast? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic by connecting with us at newsroom@cbtnews.com.