Listen to “AAH #786 – The SDV Conundrum: How To Catch Up With China” on Spreaker.
– Understanding Software Defined Vehicles
– Will the next F-150 go back to steel?
– Will Tesla finally go with unboxed assembly?
– Scout delayed yet again
– GM has sedans back in its future
PANEL:
Himanshu Khandelwal, AlixPartners
Frank Markus, Motor Trend
Gary Vasilash, shinymetalboxes.net
John McElroy, Autoline.tv
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Every year, most auto companies challenge and require their purchasing teams, engineering teams, assembly teams, to find ways to cut costs. If annual costs savings do not meet requested percentages, the differences may be added to next year’s annual cost down request. I retired after 20 years in the auto industry. Never have been impressed with green EV. Having met with many suppliers for these types of cost downs negotiations, reality is, costs can only go so low with efficiencies and profit margins. The “cost downs” eventually have major impacts on the long term life and safety of the vehicle. As a young EMT, I was experienced with real time crashes of vehicles mostly Metal. But I have seen many crash test of today’s vehicles mostly plastic. The crashes of metal vs plastic are very different. If I’m spending 40 to 100 thousand dollars for a vehicle, I want to know warranty issues and how the “cost downs” have had impact on the vehicle I choose.