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Experts are witnessing a strange new phenomenon in the demand for electric cars: ‘We call it the ‘Field of Dreams’ moment’

Huge price reductions and increased availability are driving growth in the electric vehicle market, which saw record sales in 2023, as major manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, and General Motors lower their prices and pass on cost savings from raw materials to consumers.

yahoo.com
Relevant topic timeline:
- Sales of electric vehicles are growing at a rate of 55% per year. - California and the EU have banned the sale of new combustion vehicles after 2035. - However, analysts predict that by 2050, there will still be up to 1 billion combustion vehicles on the roads. - This will worsen extreme weather conditions and contribute over $1 trillion in revenue to the oil industry. - Major automakers will have more time and resources to transition to electric vehicles.
- Major automakers have largely shunned India when it comes to investing in electric vehicle (EV) assembly plants and battery gigafactories. - However, some leading industry players, including Tesla, Byd, Fisker Motors, Nissan, and Renault, have shown interest in manufacturing EVs and batteries in India. - India has become the world's third-largest auto market and surpassed China as the most populous nation. - The Indian government recently blocked Byd's proposal, potentially due to geopolitical tensions between India and China. - Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed optimism about India's EV potential, stating that it has "more promise than any large country in the world."
Main topic: Subaru's plans to release a full lineup of electric vehicles. Key points: 1. Subaru aims to sell 600,000 EVs per year by 2030, making up half of its global sales. 2. The automaker plans to boost its battery-electric lineup to eight models. 3. Subaru plans to double its electric-vehicle lineup by the end of 2028, including a three-row electric SUV. 4. Toyota will reportedly build the three-row electric SUV for Subaru in Kentucky starting in 2025. 5. Subaru plans to invest around $10.5 billion towards its electrification efforts by around 2030.
Main topic: BMW's progress in electric vehicle sales and investment in e-mobility. Key points: 1. BMW's electric vehicle sales increased to 12.6% of total deliveries in the first half of 2023, up from 10% in 2022. 2. The company aims to achieve a 15% share of battery-electric sales by the end of 2023. 3. BMW is investing more than originally planned in the global ramp-up of e-mobility due to increasing demand for electric cars. 4. The automaker increased its research and development spending by nearly 19% in Q2 2023, reaching about $2 billion. 5. BMW has not set an end date for selling combustion engine vehicles, stating that there is no indication that the world is renouncing them. 6. This contrasts with other automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and GM, which have plans to phase out combustion-engine sales by 2040.
Main topic: The onshoring of battery manufacturing for EVs in the United States. Key points: 1. The number of battery factories in the US has increased significantly, with about 30 factories either planned, under construction, or operational. 2. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed by President Joe Biden has incentivized automakers and consumers to produce batteries domestically. 3. Automakers and battery manufacturers have collectively invested close to $100 billion in building domestic cell and module manufacturing, with a capacity of over 1,200 gigawatt-hours before 2030. Hint on Elon Musk: The article mentions Tesla's plans to invest billions in expanding its Gigafactory in Nevada and producing batteries for 1.5 million light-duty vehicles annually.
The majority of Americans are not convinced to buy electric vehicles despite federal incentives, with only 29% saying the incentives impact their decision, according to an exclusive survey by DailyMail.com. Concerns about cost, limited charging stations, and running out of charge are among the main reasons cited for not considering an EV purchase. Higher-income Americans are more likely to consider owning an electric vehicle, but the cost remains a barrier across all income brackets.
The electric bus market is projected to grow at a rate of 41.7% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a value of $678.3 billion, as countries embrace electric buses to curb emissions and improve efficiency in mass transit.
The vehicle market is stabilizing, leading to more choices and lower prices for buyers, as dealer inventories increase and new car price inflation disappears.
General Electric (GE) has experienced a financial resurgence with increased orders and revenues, prompting speculation about its future potential; technical analysis suggests a possible rise in the stock price in the coming months.
Copper prices may experience a significant price spike over the next three years due to its critical role in electric vehicle batteries and other green energy technologies, making it a potential alternative to oil as the world moves away from fossil fuels.
Tesla is predicted to reach a value of $1.00 by the end of the year, and despite mixed opinions on its quality, it is seen as a dominant force in the automotive industry similar to other successful tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Tesla's stock is surging and flirting with a buy point due to positive buzz around the company's upgraded Model 3 and upcoming Cybertruck, as well as the increase in Tesla insurance registrations in China.
India is seeing a significant rise in the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly two- and three-wheelers, driven by a $1.3 billion federal plan, rising fuel costs, and awareness of the long-term cost benefits, as well as efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Electric-vehicle start-up Polestar's second-quarter sales and earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates, but the market is not reacting strongly because future guidance is perceived as more important.
Tesla has lowered prices on its Model S and X vehicles, with reductions of 15-19% in the US and similar cuts globally, except for the recently introduced Standard Range model; the base price for the larger-battery versions of both cars is now cheaper than the smaller-battery versions, and the base model now has a larger estimated EPA range; additionally, all paint colors are now included in the base price, and due to changes in federal EV tax credit caps, the Model X can now be cheaper than the Model S after incentives.
Used cars are selling faster than new cars as consumer fatigue with pricing impacts sales, with the average used car selling in 49 days (6.1% faster than last year), while new cars are selling 25.7% slower; electric vehicles (EVs) now take twice as long to sell despite price drops, with the Tesla Model S being the slowest-selling used EV at an average of 88.3 days to sell, and the Honda HR-V being the fastest-selling new car at an average of 34.4 days to sell.
Tesla's latest price cuts have left existing customers feeling frustrated and resentful, as they now see their vehicles lose value, while potential buyers hesitate to make a purchase fearing further reductions.
Used car sales and prices have surged during the pandemic due to supply chain disruptions, leading to a shortage of new and used cars, causing prices to remain elevated and creating a favorable market for the automotive industry.
BMW and Mercedes are intensifying their efforts in the electric vehicle market, unveiling new platforms and concept cars in response to competition from Chinese automakers and Tesla, although they may still lag behind in certain aspects.
Tesla was able to boost its sales in China by 9.3% in August, thanks to price cuts.
China's share of the European electric car market has more than doubled in less than two years, with the UK being the largest market for Chinese electric car brands, as new battery electric technology and lower prices have boosted sales and wiped away concerns about lower-quality cars, posing an "imminent risk" to the European industry, according to industry experts.
Car buyers are finding some relief in the US market, as prices for new vehicles have dropped by up to 20% thanks to an increase in unwanted EVs, although certain vehicles remain expensive.
The global electrical and electronics market is projected to reach $4,986.91 billion by 2027, driven by innovations in electronics technology and the demand for newer and faster products.
Mercedes-Benz does not expect all of its sales in Europe to be all-electric by 2030, but will have its line-up ready, according to CEO Ola Kaellenius, citing the need for infrastructure and market demand for the transition to electric vehicles.
BYD, a leading electric car manufacturer, achieved its fourth consecutive monthly sales record in August 2023, selling 274,086 plug-in electric vehicles, although the growth rate has slowed down compared to previous years.
Lucid is exploring the possibility of entering the Chinese electric car market, but has not yet set a timeline for its entry, according to a top executive at the company. Lucid recognizes China as the world's largest and fastest adopting EV market, but wants to ensure it enters on the right terms to avoid mistakes. The company is currently assessing the viability of entering the market and considering factors such as pricing and manufacturing strategy. Additionally, Lucid plans to expand its product range to include lower-priced vehicles, with a mid-sized car potentially being unveiled in 2026. However, entering the mass-market segment will take time and require a strong supply base and the right pricing.
China's passenger vehicle sales experienced growth in August, driven by discounts and tax breaks on environmentally friendly and electric cars, despite a weak economy, and Tesla's share of the Chinese electric vehicle market nearly doubled.
The rapid adoption of electric cars in the US is being hindered by the lack of available charging stations, which vary widely from state to state, potentially slowing down the projected growth of EV sales in the country.
Tesla is set to release a new $25,000 electric car, potentially revolutionizing the world of EVs with its affordable price and expected range of 250-300 miles on a single charge.
General Motors is an undervalued and attractive investment in the electric vehicle market, with plans to expand its EV production capacity and a strong free cash flow guidance, although it faces competition and risks from contract negotiations and a potential U.S. recession.
Tesla's emphasis on price cuts to drive sales growth may hinder its ability to achieve higher margins and long-term profitability, leading Needham analyst Chris Pierce to have a "Hold" rating on the stock and believe that the company is on a path to becoming a mass-market OEM at a faster pace than previously expected.
Once electric vehicle adoption reaches 5-10 percent of new car sales, researchers predict that a significant surge in sales will occur, potentially reaching up to 80 percent of new sales, as early adopters are replaced by mainstream consumers looking for a good deal; however, a hesitant American public and inadequate charging infrastructure may hinder the country's progress in this transition.
Despite Tesla's record deliveries in the second quarter, the series of price cuts have impacted margins and Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney expects Tesla to continue slashing prices in 2024 to support higher volumes, resulting in lower vehicle sales than previously anticipated in Q3 and reduced EPS estimates for 2023 and 2024.
Low-decibel and torquey electric vehicles are expected to have a global market share between 62-86 percent by 2030, as per a report by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), with the boom driven by price parity with internal combustion engine vehicles and competition among carmakers, despite challenges in upgrading infrastructure and battery recycling.
Americans' hesitations to buy electric vehicles (EVs) are largely due to concerns around charging, with surveys showing that a lack of charging stations is a significant barrier to purchase, but efforts are being made to expand and improve the U.S. charging landscape through major incentives, partnerships, and the development of a single charging standard like Tesla's NACS plug design.