GM’s “Comprehensive Action Plan” to Address the Chevy Bolt Fire Issue

GM says new batteries are in production for the struggling Chevy Bolts, that a man named Manley has a new job, and there’s a new Ford Expedition. All this and more in The morning shift by September 21, 2021.

1st gear: GM can’t wait to be done with this

Chevy Bolt fire trick was really unhappy for GM, at a time when he is trying to make a rapid transition to electric vehicles. In a way, though, I can imagine this episode helping GM, if it can pivot to its Ultium batteries and say, don’t worry, the good batteries of the future are here instead of those bad old ones.

This’s in the long run, however. In the short term, it is nothing more than a permanent embarrassment. Monday, GM said battery production had resumed at LG factories in Michigan. He said battery replacement at Bolts would begin next month.

LG implemented new manufacturing processes and worked with GM to review and improve their quality assurance programs to help build confidence in their batteries going forward. LG will institute these new processes at other facilities that will supply cells to GM in the future.

Priority battery replacement

GM will continue to prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build times where GM believes battery faults appear to be clustered. The company has implemented a notification process that will notify affected customers when their replacement modules become available.

The new batteries will include an 8 year / 100,000 mile extended limited warranty (or an 8 year / 160,000 km limited warranty in Canada1).

New advanced diagnostic software

In about 60 days, GM will begin launching a new advanced diagnostic package that will increase the available battery charge parameters over existing guidelines.

The diagnostic software will be designed to detect specific anomalies that may indicate a damaged battery in Bolt EV and EUV by monitoring battery performance; alert customers to any anomalies; and prioritize damaged battery modules for replacement. It is GM’s intention that other diagnostic software will allow customers to return to 100 percent state of charge after all diagnostic processes are complete.

This new software, which will be provided to all Bolt EV and EUV owners, requires dealer installation. Owners will be able to begin planning for installation at their Chevrolet EV dealership in approximately 60 days.

I’m sure GM wants this to be over after the rush, and more than usual, given that every new update on the Bolt is a new reminder of how long this has been going on.

2nd gear: there is a new Ford expedition

This is not a new generation, as the Expedition is still in its fourth generation, introduced in 2017. However, it is what the industry calls a “refresh”, which is what automakers do when ‘they want to do something less than a new generation but something more than just a new model year. You won’t believe it, but Ford says this new expedition is the best expedition ever.

The new expedition sets itself apart from its competitors with new, class-exclusive features, as well as new capabilities and technologies, including:

• The first Timberline series lifts the Expedition above the Jeep® Wagoneer with the best ground clearance available in its class of 10.6 inches6 (compared to a maximum of 10 inches for the Jeep Wagoneer), the underbody protection of the F- 150 Raptor and best-in-class horsepower1
• The Expedition Timberline SUV model weighs 4% less than the Jeep Wagoneer SUV and offers a better power-to-weight ratio, as Ford’s high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine outperforms the Jeep Wagoneer 5.7-liter V8 engine. with 48 additional horsepower and 106 more lb-ft of torque5
• The Stealth Edition performance package delivers 85 more horsepower and 127 lb-ft. more torque5 than the Chevrolet Tahoe® RST SUV with its 5.3-liter V8 engine

The Expedition SUV equipped with a 3.5-liter 4×2 GTDI has a maximum towing capacity of 9,300 pounds, 900 pounds more than the two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with 5.3-liter V8 engine, at 8,400 pounds. 7

With these expanded offerings, the new Ford Expedition SUV is poised to attract new customers who are more culturally diverse than the full-size SUV category has seen in recent years, including more women at seeking family adventures to balance the stress of their over-programmed life.

This expanded lineup brings more personality and design distinction to each series – from the Expedition XL to the premium Expedition Platinum, as well as the new Stealth Edition performance package and the Timberline model – including bolder styling with standard LED headlights, updated taillights and new wheel choices. Additionally, a new double-spar grille and fog lights with chrome accents have been added to the Platinum.

Now you can take a line like “women looking for family adventures to balance the stress of their over-programmed lives” and laugh, given that it sounds like something out of an ’80s press release, but I also fully believe that Ford has conducted market research to support it. Or, perhaps, you could interpret it as an acknowledgment of the sad state of fathers in America, in that moms still do almost all of the heavy lifting. All I know is that if there is a woman in your life and she is “overprogrammed”, a wise decision would be not to instruct her to buy a car, let alone plan for the car. next “family adventure”.

3rd gear: Tesla wants people to come to its factory in Germany

Tesla is hosting an event there to allow the public to see their factory in person. This sounds like an attempt to allay local concerns that the the factory is bad for the environment. I’m sure someone told them it was a good idea.

Of Automotive News:

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter that he would be attending what he called a “county fair” on October 9.

Citizens of Brandenburg and Berlin will be allowed to explore the factory site and look inside.

Visitors can “visit stalls on site and take part in various activities,” and will also have the chance to take rides in a Model Y, Tesla said. Food trucks will also be present on the site.

Those interested in attending the event from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. can pre-register online until September 30, Tesla said.

“Due to capacity constraints, the tickets are not guaranteed,” the company wrote. If the event is at full capacity, the automaker will favor visitors with an address in Berlin or Brandenburg.

Tesla plans to send tickets by October. Since footfall is expected to be high, the company has asked visitors to use public transportation to get to the factory. Shuttles will be arranged to move visitors to the event and Tesla says it will take place regardless of weather conditions.

Take a shuttle to a Tesla County Fair, a classic way to spend a Saturday.

4th gear: BMW and Daimler sued!

As we noted a few weeks ago, legal action is an option in Europe for non-governmental organizations that want to try to force automakers to go green earlier. An NGO called Deutsche Umwelthilfe is now sue BMW and Daimler, Reuters reports, because Deutsche Umwelthilfe is not satisfied with the speed (rather slowly) BMW and Daimler have phased out internal combustion engines. Reuters also makes it all look almost like a hostage situation.

The NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe confirmed to Reuters that the lawsuits were filed on Monday evening.

In letters to companies in early September, companies had until September 20 to accept the NGO’s demands, which also included limiting production of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2030.

None of the companies have so far set an end date for ICE car production.

BMW and Daimler confirmed to Reuters on Monday that they had not accepted the NGO’s requests.

5th gear: Manley gets a job

Mike Manley was previously CEO of Fiat Chrysler, a role he took on as Sergio Marchionne’s health issueD. Then Peugeot and FCA merge, and Manley became Head of the Americas for Stellantis. Today, it was announced that Manley left Stellantis and is now CEO of AutoNation, the largest auto retailer in the United States.

It sounds as friendly as it sounds, with both companies offering press releases and positive quotes from executives to everyone’s satisfaction. Of by Stellantis:

Mark Stewart, COO, North America, and Antonio Filosa, COO, Latin America, and members of the management team responsible for the North America and Latin America regions will report now directly to General Manager Carlos Tavares.

Carlos Tavares said:

“It was my privilege to know Mike first as a competitor, then as a partner and colleague in the creation of Stellantis, but most of all, always as a friend. From the first days of our discussions, we have shared a truly common vision, conviction and commitment and it is on these solid foundations, built over the past few years, that Stellantis has delivered its first impressive results. So while I am personally sorry that I no longer have Mike as a colleague, I am also delighted with his new role as CEO and happy that he is joining the board of the Stellantis Foundation.

Mike Manley commented:

“After 20 amazing, challenging and enjoyable years, and with Stellantis performing under Carlos, the time has come for me to open a new chapter. Working with Carlos to create this extraordinary company, with the constant support of our shareholders, has been a tremendous privilege both professionally and personally. I am so proud of our Stellantis teams for their extraordinary work and I wish Carlos and them all the best in their pursuit of their great adventure. Finally, I am very honored to have been invited to join the board of directors of the Stellantis Foundation.

John Elkann added:

“I want to thank Mike for everything he has done in his 20 years with us. His time at the helm of Jeep® was a transformation for this flagship brand, and then as CEO of FCA he led the company to deliver results through some of its most difficult times. Working closely with Carlos, he was instrumental in the creation and successful launch of Stellantis. We wish him the best in his new role. “

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