Published on September 8, 2022 4:22 PM Day two of the North American International Auto Show will focus on technology and innovation. Supplier Hyundai Mobis outlined how it aims to drive its growth in North America with new vehicle technology while EV charging companies displayed their latest.
Wednesday's press day ended with a reveal of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. President Joe Biden also paid a visit to the show floor and touted his domestic EV and battery policy. Automotive News also hosted a live talk from the show floor.
The annual Charity Preview, which raises millions of dollars for Detroit-area nonprofits, will be held Friday. Public days will run Sept. 17-25.
09.15.2022 @ 3:56 PM ET
Biggest debuts in Detroit? Don't overlook EV charging tech
Autel COO John Thomas speaks at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show on Sept. 15. President Joe Biden unveiled the latest developments in his efforts to deploy 500,000 electric-vehicle chargers Wednesday. Automakers unveiled EVs such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac Lyriq in the days heading into the Detroit auto show.
Not to be overlooked: EV charging companies themselves.
Autel Energy, the U.S. subsidiary of China-based Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., unveiled a charging unit that will allow customers to both charge their vehicles and power their houses. Plug Zen, headquartered in Detroit, showcased a manufacturing partnership and plans to produce an in-vehicle charger in late 2023.
WiTriCity, a Massachusetts company developing wireless charging tech, showed a Ford Mustang Mach-E outfitted with its Halo charger.
09.15.2022 @ 1:29 PM ET
The story behind the Mustang Dark Horse name
Credit: MICHAEL MARTINEZ
How'd Ford get the name for the Dark Horse, its first new Mustang performance series in 21 years? According to CEO Jim Farley, it has nothing to do with the dark shade of the vehicle's unique metallic paint color, called Blue Ember.
Rather, he says it's about Ford embracing its underdog status — both on the race track and in the burgeoning electric vehicle market.
"To compete at Le Man, we have to really have breakthrough technology to win against Ferrari and Porsche," Farley told reporters following the vehicle's Wednesday night reveal. "They're the established players, we are the dark horse."
Ford announced Wednesday it plans to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France starting in 2024 with the GT3 racing version of the seventh-generation Mustang.
Beyond that, Farley is attempting to overtake Tesla CEO Elon Musk in electric vehicle sales and has benchmarked Tesla and other EV startups as he attempts to make Ford's retail strategy more competitive. "I had a shirt at the dealer show [earlier this week in Las Vegas], it said 'Ford vs. Everyone.' That's kind of our attitude," Farley said. "We want to be a dark horse. We're a dark horse against Tesla in the EV business." -- Michael Martinez
09.15.2022 @ 10:31 AM ET
Lincoln president: Dealer consolidation but no buyouts planned
Joy Falotico: "I think there's opportunities for us to continue to consolidate the network, but it will be in a voluntary situation." Credit: BLOOMBERG
Lincoln Motor Co. expects a continued winnowing of its dealer network in the coming years as it pivots to electric vehicles, but the brand has no plans to offer a formal buyout program like some of its rivals.
Lincoln President Joy Falotico said in an interview Wednesday she expects the luxury brand will end 2022 with under 600 retailers, down from the 685 it had as of the latest Automotive News dealer census. About five years ago, Falotico said, Lincoln had more than 1,000.
09.15.2022 @ 9:42 AM ET
Why Hyundai Mobis is bullish on North America
Nontraditional customers and new products for electric vehicles — that's how Korean supplier giant Hyundai Mobis intends to more than double its size in the North American supply chain.
With $29 billion in global sales to automakers last year, the world's sixth-largest auto supplier is embarking on a growth drive in North America, pitching some 30 new technologies to potential customers here in the next few years. It is using the Detroit auto show this week to broadcast its plan, marking the first time it has participated in the Detroit show.
09.14.2022 @ 5:37 PM ET
Tavares says Stellantis open to unionization of coming battery plants
Carlos Tavares on Wednesday said Stellantis has "zero problems with unions" as the company prepares to build several electric vehicle battery plants in North America.
Even if disagreements may arise at times, the CEO said discussions with unions are necessary.
"Good dialogue with unions is part of the competitiveness of any company," Tavares said during a virtual media roundtable at the 2022 Detroit auto show on Wednesday.
09.14.2022 @ 3:51 PM ET
Biden declares ‘Detroit is back' as he touts EVs, clean energy future
Biden: Credit: Reuters
President Joe Biden, a self-titled "car guy," pushed his vision for an electric vehicle future that positions the U.S. as a leader, creates American jobs and transitions the country to a clean energy economy in remarks delivered Wednesday at the Detroit auto show.
"I believe we can own the future of the automobile market. I believe we can own the future of manufacturing," Biden said. "American manufacturing is back. Detroit is back."