With MOVE 2023 just around the corner and MOVE America drawing near, our team at AutoMobility Advisors is preparing for a trip to Austin, Texas. This event, starting Sept 26th next week, is set to become a gathering point for professionals in the mobility and transportation industry. AMA will not miss the opportunity!
One of the key focal points at MOVE America will be the presence of tech start-ups. These companies play a vital role in shaping the future of mobility with their innovative solutions and technologies.
Tech start-ups have become significant contributors to the mobility sector in recent years. Their innovative ideas span from electric and autonomous vehicles to smart infrastructure and mobility applications. At MOVE America, these start-ups will have a platform to showcase their innovations and foster collaboration.
Our team recognizes the importance of these emerging companies in driving innovation within the industry. Their agility and fresh perspectives challenge the status quo, pushing for advancements in mobility solutions. AutoMobility Advisors’ primary objective at MOVE America is to connect with industry peers, gain insights, and explore potential partnerships.
We understand that the future of mobility will require collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. MOVE America provides an ideal environment for networking and sharing expertise within the industry. As we prepare for our visit to MOVE America, we are excited about the opportunities it presents. We anticipate engaging in discussions with industry leaders, sharing our experiences, and contributing to the collective effort to redefine transportation.
Stay tuned for updates and insights from MOVE America 2023 as we delve into the discussions, innovations, and partnerships that will shape the future of mobility and transportation.
“Meet the mobility ‘matchmaker’ who connects established auto companies and scrappy startups to collaborate, innovate“
In a recent episode of the “Driving Mobility” podcast series by ParkMyFleet hosted by Michele Pierog, George Ayres, the Managing Director of AutoMobility Advisors, shares valuable insights into the dynamic mobility industry. The episode, titled “Meet the mobility ‘matchmaker’ who connects established auto companies and scrappy startups to collaborate and innovate,” provides a comprehensive look at the ever-evolving mobility landscape.
Throughout the podcast, Ayres, drawing from his extensive three-decade-long career in the mobility sector, explains his crucial role as a bridge between established automotive giants and ambitious startups. He helps both parties navigate product planning, sales management, and business development.
A central theme of the conversation is the importance of collaboration in the mobility industry. Ayres emphasizes that success in this field hinges on working together. It involves aligning the innovative drive of startups with the resources and industry knowledge of established players.
The mobility industry is constantly changing due to factors such as electrification, sustainability, and evolving consumer preferences. Ayres discusses the vital importance of adaptability and innovation to thrive in this fast-changing environment.
Lastly, the podcast explores the concept of “success” in the mobility industry. Beyond just market share and financial metrics, Ayres and Pierog discuss the broader societal impact of success, which involves reshaping transportation for the benefit of society.
As the mobility sector undergoes a profound transformation, George Ayres emerges as a guiding figure, ensuring that startups and established companies find common ground to advance the industry. The podcast offers valuable insights into Ayres’ role as the mobility “matchmaker” and the promising future of transportation.
In the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive industry, staying ahead of the curve has never been more critical. George Ayres, the founder and Managing Director of AutoMobility Advisors, was recently featured on the EisnerAmper podcast with Aimann Rasheed, and discussed the topic of “Digital Transformation in Automotive.”
The podcast provided a glimpse into the future of the automotive industry, which is currently undergoing a profound transformation, largely driven by advancements in digital technology. Topics ranged from connected vehicles and autonomous driving to smart manufacturing and data analytics. George shared his vision of what lies ahead for the industry, emphasizing the pivotal role of digital transformation.
One of the central themes of the conversation was the importance of embracing technology within the automotive world. George, through his experience at AutoMobility Advisors, underscored how digital transformation can enhance various aspects of the industry, from improving customer experiences to optimizing supply chain management. By harnessing the power of data and automation, automotive companies can streamline operations, reduce costs, and ultimately deliver a superior product to their consumers.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that no transformation comes without its set of challenges, and the automotive industry’s digital journey is no exception. George Ayres and Aimann Rasheed delved into the hurdles that companies may encounter during this transformative process. These challenges encompass concerns related to data security, adapting to new business models, and managing the complexities of integrating digital technologies into traditional automotive processes. Despite these challenges, the conversation also highlighted the tremendous opportunities that await those who can navigate them successfully.
In a world where customer expectations are constantly evolving, George Ayres emphasized the importance of adopting a customer-centric approach. He pointed out that by leveraging digital tools, automotive companies can better understand their customers’ needs and preferences. This deep understanding allows them to create tailored experiences and products that resonate with their target audience, thereby fostering customer loyalty and satisfaction.
To hear George Ayres and Aimann Rasheed’s engaging conversation, you can listen to the full podcast episode here.
Stay tuned for more exciting discussions and insights from industry experts on the EisnerAmper podcast. Don’t forget to follow the conversation using the hashtags #EisnerAmperPodcast and #AutoMobilityAdvisors on social media.
With summer winding down, one theme dominated headlines around the world for the last two months: record heat. Temperatures from California to Greece reached record highs, with hundreds of millions of people locked in a months-long pattern of extreme temperatures with little relief. In Phoenix alone, residents experienced a mind-boggling and dangerous record of 31 consecutive days with high temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In Asia, the Caribbean, and in Europe, countries faced unprecedented stretches of heat with the Italian region of Sardinia hitting nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Coupled with abnormally dry conditions, hugely popular tourist destinations such as Rhodes and Maui faced massive fires killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars worth of damage. It is evident that summer is getting hotter and more dangerous. The question is, what can the auto industry do to speed up efforts to change the vehicle mix and help combat climate change?
Source: BloombergNEF
Great progress has been made in the last 15 years in the development and adoption of both EVs and importantly connected car services. EVs have captured a significant minority of global new car sales, increasing from 4% of new car sales in 2020 to 14% in 2022. .Likewise, according to research done by Smartcar, 91% of all vehicles sold in the United States in 2020 were connected to the internet, bringing advanced features to customers and moving the industry closer to the concept of software defined vehicles. These high-tech advancements were intended not only to improve the customer experience, but also to lessen the automotive industry’s impact on climate change. EVs are projected to phase out ICE powered vehicles, eliminating tailpipe emissions, while connected vehicle software will optimize the user experience and efficiency of vehicles. Despite these efforts however, climate change is not slowing down, and a variety of new problems have arisen that significantly impact the benefit afforded by EVs and advanced connected car technologies.
Photo: Inside EVs
These issues range from vehicle wear, to power grid drain, to rare earth material (REM) shortages. An article published last week by The Drive reported that the tires on Rivian’s R1T and R1S models are wearing out in as few as 6,000 miles. Rivians are notably very heavy and have massively powerful electric motors able to propel the three and a half ton vehicles to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. But the incredible power and weight of these EVs have seemingly left the tires fitted to the vehicles outclassed, creating the potential for an enormous increase in rubber waste and ownership expenses. As EVs become larger, heavier, and faster this problem will only increase, fueling the current environmental crisis and apprehension about EV adoption.
Phoenix, Arizona
In the Sun Belt, the dangerously hot summer conditions caused the need for around the clock air conditioning in spaces across most of the affected states, It was reported by Arizona Public Service that July 14th and 15th each set records for the highest consumer power demand in the state’s history. And Arizona’s power supply runs mostly on natural gas, which while better than coal, still contributes to the pollution of the atmosphere. Higher temperatures caused by climate change require more air conditioning, which in turn creates more pollution. EVs are not responsible for this situation, but their increasing need for power may have long term impacts on states still utilizing fossil fuel power generation methods. So increased demand from consumers to cool their homes and charge their EVs fuels a vicious cycle fueling the climate crisis.
All of these issues in conjunction with the exponential growth in chip demand for high-tech vehicles has forced the auto industry to face unexpected and sometimes uncomfortable questions about their collective efforts to combat climate change. The news is not all bad however, as the products and services that are having unintended consequences on the climate may also be able to help solve them. Though costly, measures such as bi-directional charging, where EVs contribute excess power back into a home or the grid could be implemented as a way to shed some of the electrical load caused by extreme weather. A less expensive alternative that is available today is interruptible charging, in which vehicle charging can be remotely controlled and suspended while plugged into home chargers during the hours where electricity demand is at its highest. Another option is smart routing which could bring down the environmental cost of ownership and help offset the climate impact of bringing new technology into vehicles.
It is inevitable that EVs will continue to gain market share, and software defined vehicles will become the industry standard. With creative and proactive solutions such as those mentioned above, the automotive industry will be able to more successfully contribute to the struggle against climate change, working to safeguard the world for future generations. All of us in the automotive industry can make a big difference.
On Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 I attended a great panel discussion at Auto Tech: Detroit on “Expectations of Vehicle Connectivity in a Rapidly Evolving World”. Industry experts Dan Teeter, Advisory Director of AutoMobility Advisors; Greg Geiselhart, VP of Sales and Marketing of WirelessCar and Denise Barfuss, Senior Manager, Marketing & Operations, Connected Vehicles, Nissan Motor Corporation shared their insights. Stephen Bell, Chief Analyst of Connectivity at Wards Intelligence, skillfully moderated the discussion.
The panel explored challenges, opportunities, and the impact of vehicle connectivity on the automotive industry. Topics discussed included advanced connectivity features, AI and machine learning, privacy, and security considerations, and the potential of connected vehicles. Well attended and overall a great discussion.
All gained valuable insights into the future of vehicle connectivity.
George Ayres moderates panel discussion on ATSC 3.0 Data Delivery to Automobiles at NAB, Las Vegas
Last Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 I had the pleasure of seeing George Ayres, Managing Director of Automobility Advisors, moderate a panel discussion on ATSC 3.0 Data Delivery to Automobiles at NAB. The panel featured some fantastic participants, including Kerry Oslund from The E.W. Scripps Company, Tony Rangel from Sinclair Broadcast Group, Vikas Tandon from Tata Communications, and Angie Yarusso from Deloitte Business Consulting and Services. It was a great opportunity to hear from experts in the industry and learn more about the future of data delivery in the automotive space.
George Ayres, Managing Director of Automobility Advisors, moderates a panel discussion
It was an insightful and productive discussion where they covered a range of topics related to the progress and potential of ATSC 3.0 data delivery in the automotive industry, including momentum, connecting the dots, and commercial roadmaps. Each panelist brought a unique perspective and expertise to the conversation, making for a dynamic and engaging discussion.
Panelist Kerry Oslund, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at The E.W. Scripps Company
I was particularly struck by the insights shared by Kerry Oslund and Tony Rangel who highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnerships in driving the adoption and success of ATSC 3.0 data delivery in the automotive industry.
Panelist Tony Rangel, Director of Automotive Business Development at Sinclair Broadcast Group
Vikas Tandon provided valuable insights into the potential of ATSC 3.0 data delivery to transform the way we think about and use connected vehicles. Angie Yarusso shared a thoughtful perspective on the role of data privacy and security in the development and deployment of ATSC 3.0 data delivery.
Panelist Angie Yarusso, Specialist Master, Media and Entertainment at Deloitte Business Consulting and ServicesPanelist Vikas Tandon, Associate Vice President – Mobility & IoT at Tata Communications
Finally, George Ayres brought a wealth of experience and insight into the broader trends and opportunities in the automotive industry, which helped to contextualize the potential of ATSC 3.0 data delivery in this space.
It was a fascinating discussion, and I feel privileged to have been there to hear from experts in the industry and learn more about the future of data delivery in the automotive space. Thanks to George and the panelists for sharing their insights! l look forward to continuing the conversation as the industry works to drive the adoption and success of ATSC 3.0 data delivery in the automotive industry.
The New York International Auto Show 2023 was an exciting event for car enthusiasts from all over the world. We had the opportunity to attend the show, and it was a great experience. We were able to witness the unveiling of some of the most anticipated electric vehicles in the market, including the 2024 EV Jeep Wrangler and the 2024 EV Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.
The unveiling of the 2024 EV Jeep Wrangler, was one of the most anticipated cars at the show. The new electric Jeep Wrangler is an impressive vehicle that combines the classic look of the Wrangler with a powerful electric drivetrain. The new Wrangler is also equipped with advanced features like regenerative braking and a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. We were all impressed with the Jeep’s new design and capabilities, and we couldn’t wait to test drive it in the future.
Another electric car that caught our attention was the 2024 EV Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. The new Subaru Crosstrek is designed for off-road adventures, and it is the perfect car for those who love to explore the great outdoors. The Crosstrek Wilderness is equipped with a powerful electric drivetrain that provides a range of over 300 miles, making it perfect for long road trips. The car is also equipped with a number of advanced features, including a terrain management system, hill descent control, and more.
Another car at the show was the Disney-branded Hyundai Ioniq 5. This electric car is a collaboration between Hyundai and Disney, and it features a unique design that is inspired by the famous Mickey Mouse character. The Ioniq 5 is also equipped with advanced features like wireless charging and a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. The car is perfect for families who want to enjoy a fun and eco-friendly ride.
Not to be missed, Nintendo, the famous video game company, teamed up with Toyota to create a vehicle that is designed specifically for gaming on the go. The car itself is based on an existing model but has been modified extensively to include a built-in Nintendo Switch console and a variety of other features that make it the ultimate gaming vehicle. So fun!
Overall, the New York International Auto Show 2023 was an amazing experience. We had the opportunity to see some of the most innovative and exciting electric cars on the market, and we were impressed with the advanced technology and design features of each vehicle. We look forward to seeing these cars on the road in the near future, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the electric vehicle industry.
Photo courtesy of Mariestella at AutoMobility Advisors
This is part two of a three part series on the development of EVs and their supporting infrastructure in the United States.
It is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In terms of the transition away from internal combustion engines towards electric vehicles, charging stations are the said “weakest link.” As essential as gas stations used by their ICE counterparts, EV charging stations are a fast developing but greatly lagging piece of the EV adoption puzzle in the United States. According to the White House in February, there are currently about 130,000 charging stations across the country which service three million or so EVs. Five years ago, the number was a little over half of that. While growing steadily for the last 10 years, the need for car charging stations is on the cusp of an explosion. The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) actively encourages and incentivizes the mass adoption of both light EVs and medium/heavy duty commercial EVs, which will require significantly more powerful and larger charging stations. If the US is to expect tens of millions of new light EVs, medium duty EVs, and heavy duty EVs to hit the road by 2030, substantial steps need to be taken to make sure that there are enough charging stations to meet the massive demand.
The first step will be to provide funding for companies to build the required number of charging stations to meet this demand. S&P Global, a NYC based financial analytics company, estimates that by 2027, the United States will need 1.2 million level 2 chargers and 109,000 level 3 chargers to meet the EV electricity demands. This is a stark increase from current capabilities, and at an estimated need of a 10 to 1 ratio of EVs to charging stations, it will take quite some time to reach these goals. Fortunately however, the Biden administration just this past week announced that over $2.5 billion in funding will be made available to local, city, and county governments for the express purpose of building more EV charging stations and expanding the availability of chargers to underserved areas. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in the White House press release that “extending EV charging infrastructure into traditionally underserved areas will ensure that equitable and widespread EV adoption takes hold,” and will ensure “that charging stations more visible and accessible in our communities addresses the concerns many American drivers have when considering making the switch to electric.” So already, steps are being taken in the right direction to meet infrastructure demands.
The second step for EV charging will be to fix the chronic reliability issues that plague the current charging network. According to a J.D. Power study and recently reported by Automotive News, between Q1 2021 and Q3 2022, failed charging attempts rose from 15% to 21%, and in the last year, nearly 2 in 5 charging attempts were unsuccessful. If the average American is expecting to be able to rely upon an EV to get them from point A to point B, a near 40% failure rate to “refuel” their car will not be sustainable. Reasons for these failures can include out of service chargers, vandalism, software problems, and payment processing issues. These errors are partially caused by the volume of traffic received by each station, with some stations having nearly no downtime at all because of availability issues. This creates a vicious cycle in which there are not enough charging stations, so the ones that do exist are strained to the point where they break, therefore causing less charging stations to be available overall, and so on. To fix the overall problem, some of the resources dedicated to building the new charging stations need to be used to shore up the already existing charging infrastructure dotting the US.
The EV charging station situation is not optimal or perfect by any means, but when a revolutionary new technology enters the market, there are always bound to be some bumps along the road towards implementation. Continued investment from private companies and at all levels of government will be required to fix the problems outlined above, but fortunately great funding and emphasis is already being put into this widely acknowledged problem. The goal of the US government is to create a seamless transition to EVs in which charging a car has the same level of convenience as filling a car up at a gas station, and by dedicating a combined total of $7.5 billion to doing so, it shows that the necessary funding and support exist to make it a reality. Stay tuned in two weeks for Part 3 of AMA’s story on the development of EV infrastructure in the United States.
Learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch, we’d love to talk with you!
AutoMobility Advisors’ Dan and Hayden Teeter visit 2hire at their headquarters in Rome, Italy
AutoMobility Advisor’s Dan Teeter, Hayden Teeter and family recently had the opportunity to visit one of our clients, 2hire, at their headquarters in Rome, Italy. As a leading technology company in intelligent and connected mobility solutions, 2hire is dedicated to creating a connected world by connecting vehicles, bridging them with services and people. This mission aligns perfectly with AutoMobility Advisor’s focus on providing innovative solutions to their clients in the automotive industry.
Dan and Hayden’s visit provided a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of 2hire’s operations, as well as to build stronger relationships with the company’s leadership team. One of the highlights of Dan’s visit, was the great insight into the innovative technology solutions 2hire is developing, the company’s commitment to sustainability, and the ways in which they are building a strong company culture.
AutoMobility Advisors’ Dan and Hayden Teeter visit 2hire in Rome, Italy
AutoMobility Advisor is working with 2hire to help them achieve their goals and make a positive impact on the world. Overall, Dan and Hayden Teeter’s visit to 2hire’s headquarters provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of intelligent and connected mobility solutions. Here at AutoMobility Advisors are proud to be part of the innovative work being done by 2hire, and hope to inspire others in the industry to embrace new technologies and work towards a more connected, sustainable future.
This is part one of a three part series on the development of EVs and their supporting infrastructure in the United States.
The automotive industry of the 21st century is experiencing a paradigm shift across all facets of vehicle production, distribution, maintenance, and consumer experience. Gas and internal combustion engines are no longer the sole method of powering automobiles. In fact, their long reign of dominance in the automotive market seems to be on the way out. In its place, EVs have exploded forth as an alternative capable of saving the environment through zero emissions and smart technology. Dedicated EV producers, led by Tesla, have gained substantial market share over the last five years, while long established OEMs like GM, Hyundai, VW, and Toyota have started to roll out brand new EVs at a breakneck pace. As EVs continue to gain ground, and with the introduction of medium and heavy duty commercial EVs to the market, the capacity for electrical charging will need to increase rapidly and efficiently in order to meet the ever increasing demand for electric vehicles. As this demand grows and more charging stations are built, a fundamentally important question must be addressed: how will the US power grid be able to keep up with and sustain America’s future power needs?
Photo Courtesy of Mariestella Colon Astacio
Currently, only a minority of the total automotive market share is occupied by electric vehicles. A variety of news organizations including the New York Times and Automotive News reported that as of last year, only about 1% of the total cars on the road in the US were electric vehicles, and in 2022 made up a 7% of all new car purchases. Despite these relatively small numbers, there have been a number of incidents in which the electrical grid has struggled to support the charging demands even from existing electric vehicles. During a heatwave in California last September, grid operators advised customers to not charge their EVs in the evenings in order to avoid an overload of the grid. So we see that already problems have begun to surface in the power industry’s ability to keep up with demand, especially during times of inclement weather. As EVs continue to eat up more and more market share, incidents like what happened in California will become more widespread without major improvements to the power grid.
Another, and perhaps more arduous issue facing the American electrical infrastructure is the coming launch and mass marketization of larger commercial EVs. The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law last August, and the bill laid out enormous incentives for the mass adoption of medium duty and heavy duty EVs (over 14,000 lbs). With a $40,000 tax credit available for all medium and heavy duty EVs, the miniscule market share currently occupied by these vehicles is projected to take off by the end of the decade. While substantially cleaner for the environment than their diesel and gasoline counterparts, these kinds of vehicles also demand significantly more energy to go the same distance as a lighter passenger EV. The energy usage for medium and heavy duty EVs is between 0.5 and 5.2 kWh per mile, while light EVs consume 0.2 – 0.4 kWh per mile. In 2022, over four million semi-trucks were operated in the US alone, excluding all other types of medium and heavy duty vehicles. It isn’t hard to imagine that an already beleaguered electrical grid will noticeably struggle to provide enough power for four to five million new EV semi-trucks, let alone all of the other segments of the market.
However, these power concerns are not insurmountable. The Wall Street Journal reported in an article last month that the 2.1 million EVs on the road in 2021 only required 0.2% of the total electricity consumed for the entire year. It is not likely that the US power grid will be able to stay ahead of demand to such an extent as EVs shift towards a dominant position in the automotive market, but with such a head start, the problem is certainly not unsolvable. Continued investment in optimizing clean energy, nuclear power, and upgrading electrical infrastructure across the country will ensure that power needs are met 24/7. These upgrades are essential to ensure the solvency of the nation’s power grid as it grapples with the rise of EVs, but the next step requires thorough examination, expansion, and further investment in the powerpoints themselves. Part 2 of AMA’s EV story will dive into the progress, flaws, and necessary actions needed to shore up one of the most essential components of the United States’ switch to electric vehicles: EV charging stations
Learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch, we’d love to talk with you!
