1st Gear: Mazda Says it Will Have 13 Electrified Cars by 2030
Mazda is trying to go premium. Mazda has the Holy Grail internal combustion engines. Mazda is also going electric, despite being a relatively small automaker with limited resources (as any Mazda public relations person will remind you). Mazda has been understandably hesitant to go in on EVs, though it appears that, with the assistance of Toyota, Mazda is now going in on EVs.
Mazda will introduce 13 electrified cars by about 2025, including full-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid models,the automaker said in a statement on Thursday, and it aims to electrify all vehicles by 2030.
The rollout of three hybrids, five plug-in hybrids and three full-electric vehicles will start next year, focusing mainly on Europe, Japan, the United States, China and ASEAN markets, the company said in the statement.
Read the article at MSN.
Demand Soars for Ford’s Electric F-150 Lightning: 100,000 Pre-Orders Placed
Ford Motor Co. hit another milestone with its all-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. The company has confirmed reaching 100,000 reservations since the Lightning's global debut three weeks ago at world headquarters in Dearborn.
"We're super excited about the demand," Emma Bergg, Ford spokeswoman, told the Free Press on Thursday. "Reservations are getting added all the time." The official order bank opens later this year, she said.
The automaker accepts $100 refundable reservations to place an order for the 2022 pickup truck that will be built in a new $700 million plant at the Rouge Complex in Dearborn. Making online refundable reservation orders is part of a new protocol for carmakers. Ford did the same with its all-electric Mustang Mach-E.
Read the article at Detroit Free Press.
Fleet Logistics: Fleet Electrification Leading to Increased Demand for Global Reporting
Fleet Logistics is seeing increased demand for its global reporting platform on the back of the growing movement to fleet electrification and sustainability reporting amongst international fleet operators.
Some 50% of Fleet Logistics clients now have embedded recurring sustainability reporting at a global level, and there has been a 100% increase year-on-year in demand for electrification consulting projects.
The news comes against a Cornish backdrop of the UK-hosted G7 Summit of the world’s most powerful nations which have all committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, with deep emissions reduction targets in the 2020s.
With a shrinking window of opportunity, Fleet Logistics reports that many major international companies with divisions in all parts of the world and operating thousands of vehicles, are now looking to evaluate their existing vehicle fleets in terms of carbon emissions, power train make-up and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
The Quest for Excellence!
We were intrigued by Debbie Lodge-Balestra’s story of how Driving Dynamics quickly – and successfully -- pivoted from in-person to on-line driver training during the pandemic. This wasn’t easy; there were a lot of moving parts that had to be considered, but the positive reviews from the drivers are heartening. Well done!
I’ve been in the fleet business for a few decades, and I don’t recall a time when we weren’t looking for ways to lower TCO. FLD Remarketing’s Richard Mallek talks to his company’s approach to the quest.
In SuperVision’s latest column Driver Safety Data: Evolution to Real-Time Analytics, Adam Danielson warns. “With rising costs of accidents to employers and recent trend towards nuclear verdicts in negligent entrustment liability cases, like the record $280 million award against a fleet in a 2019 case, the need for real-time data has become apparent.” $280 million!!
Enjoy this issue and please do check in with us for daily updates!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chiefs
AFLA Coffee Break: Let’s Discuss EVs
Electric vehicles are emerging stronger than ever in the fleet and leasing industry.
EV is our reality, but there is a lot to consider when switching your fleet. What do you already know? What do you still have to learn? How do you consider your drivers?
Join AFLA on June 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM CT to experience the perspectives and insights of AFLA Fleet Managers.
