GM Vows to Avoid ‘Opportunistic’ EV Prices, Plays the Long Game
GM executives say the automaker is determined to avoid "opportunistic" pricing of its upcoming electric vehicles, going for a long term approach and a lineup spanning segments and price points.
The company does not want to turn off prospective buyers by pricing its EVs too high, President Mark Reuss said earlier this month at the company's investor day in New York City, Automotive News reports. General Motors is hoping that customers will be switching from gasoline-powered cars to EVs as it prepares to launch more models next year and make Cadillac and Buick all-electric by 2030.
While research shows that consumers are willing to pay a premium for EVs—at least for now—GM will target similar prices to ICE vehicles. Reuss said GM's job is to offer "really good vehicles at appropriate segment pricing that doesn't cost anybody any more money than what they were paying to go into an ICE segment."
What’s On Your Mind?
Element has published their enlightening 2022 Q4 Trends Report. Macroeconomic trends of great interest to fleets are covered in the report: Sustainability, Acquisition, Fuel and Safety.
Want to earn money from your fleet’s parked EVs? It’s possible. Scott Brierley, Director of Automotive Strategic Partnerships at Fermata Energy tells us how fleet owners and operators can earn revenue from their EVs.
The holiday season is a happy time, but thieves are operating overtime. In case you missed it, here's an excellent article from Mark Thomas, VP of Marketing and Alliances at Ridecell offering some tips on how to keep your vehicle and cargo secure.
What’s on your mind? FLD Remarketing and FMW have teamed up to offer a bi-weekly Fleet Poll. Read about it here and give us your thoughts. New polls publish every other Wednesday. Here's the latest poll question.
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Timely Networking and Education at the Fleet Forward Conference
By Ted Roberts
Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to attend my first Fleet Forward Conference in Santa Clara, CA.
Excellent conferences include a balanced mix of educational and networking opportunities, and this one did not disappoint. Fleet Forward offered a convergence of established fleet managers and fleet vendors with newcomers who are entering the fleet space. Established just five years ago, Fleet Forward continues to grow, welcoming over six hundred attendees this year.
Electrification, of course, was a key topic at the conference -- but it shared the stage with connected vehicles, preventive maintenance, ESG, fleet data, and other timely topics.
Work Truck Solutions® Announces Inventory Listing Partnership with Holman
Work Truck Solutions®, announces inventory listing partnership with Holman’s small business division, providing Holman’s customers greater access to locate and acquire commercial vehicles.
“Some dealers simply don’t historically carry enough inventory to fulfill a sale of twelve or more commercial vehicles for a fleet,” says Kathryn Schifferle, founder and Chief Vision Officer at Work Truck Solutions. “Smaller dealers can get passed by when a buyer needs numerous vehicles quickly. But our partnership with Holman opens the door for our dealers to these larger fleet opportunities. Larger dealers just become more efficient.”
J.D. Power Announces 2023 US ALG Residual Value Awards
Lexus (Premium) and Honda (Mass Market) Receive Brand Awards; Kia Receives Most Model Awards
The resale value a vehicle carries is consistently cited as one of the most important elements vehicle shoppers consider when purchasing a new vehicle. The J.D. Power 2023 ALG Residual Value Awards have increased importance in today’s market for both automakers and consumers, given the recent increases in the cost of new and used vehicles.
For a third consecutive year, Lexus receives the brand award for best premium brand. For a second consecutive year, Honda receives the brand award for best mass market brand. Kia receives the most model awards overall and is the most improved mass market brand year over year.
“This year’s achievement by Kia speaks volumes about how far the brand has come,” said Eric Lyman, vice president of ALG, the division of J.D. Power recognized as the industry benchmark of automotive residual value projections. “The marketplace is acknowledging that Kia has a very strong product lineup in terms of design, quality and residual values. Kia has become a force to be reckoned with.”
