CBT automotive newscast: September 9, 2022

Inside Automotive:

Streamline digital communications at your dealership with better CRM engagement tools — Steve Roessler | DriveCentric
Car dealers are always looking for the best in class CRM, or customer relationship management system, and one company is expanding quickly in the market. Today on Inside Automotive, we’re joined by DriveCentric’s Chief Evangelist Officer, Steve Roessler, who discusses how the business achieved accelerated growth and what it means for dealers. Watch the complete segment here.

Headlines:

Jeep announced plans to launch four new EVs in North America in 2025—in addition to their current lineup. The automaker also announced its plans for half of US sales, and all European sales to be electric by 2030. Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, has previously set similar goals. The company will produce a Wrangler-inspired off-road vehicle called the Recon and a luxury Grand Wagoneer called the S, both of which are set for production by 2024. Jeep has plans for every vehicle in its lineup to offer some form of electrification by 2025, which could include hybrid or plug-in hybrid models. Read More

The US Department of Commerce released detailed plans for rolling out $50 billion in funding aimed at accelerating semiconductor chip manufacturing through the new CHIPs Act signed last month. Currently, the US consumes around 30% of chips and produces only 13%. A portion of the funding will be marked for research and development, including the creation of a national semiconductor technology center. Read More

According to Cox Automotive’s Q3 2022 Dealer Sentiment Index, more dealers view the auto retail market as weak rather than strong. This outlook is likely fueled by high inflation, economic anxiety, rising interest rates, and ongoing inventory shortages. The current market index came in at 49, below the positive threshold of 50 and marking the fifth quarter-over-quarter decline. The three-month forward-looking market index also dropped from the previous quarter, coming in at a record low of 44. Read More

Visitors to the Detroit Auto Show will get to meet a new California-based EV startup called Harbinger Motors Inc., which will build medium-duty EVs for fleet customers. Harbinger is one of the few mobility companies scheduled for a press conference during the auto show’s media day on September 14. The startup’s initial product line will include electric stripped chassis and cab chassis for class 4 to class 7 vehicles. A set of vehicles will be piloted by a select group of customers late next year, and the company expects to ramp up production by 2024. Read More

News & Opinion

Former President Donald Trump goes on peculiar rant about EVs at rally
At a campaign rally on September 3, 2022, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump made various negative claims and remarks about electric vehicles (EVs). His statements come at odds with the support he showed for EVs in 2020 while campaigning for re-election. These comments come at a time when EVs are growing in popularity across the country. Read More

HR is broken – Here’s how to fix it, and hire the right talent
The biggest challenge facing shorthanded employers right now is simply finding talent to fill open roles. Just by sheer numbers, there are more open roles out there across all industries than there are people actively looking to fill them. This is due to a number of factors. People who lost their jobs at the onset of the pandemic are either choosing not to return to work (maybe they’re pursuing childcare full time or they’ve retired early) or they’re considering other career paths that better meet their needs when it comes to salary, benefits, flexibility, and culture. Read More

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