Peter Wittmann
@p4w7.bsky.social
Tech and industrial investor with a fable for auto-related businesses
In the US, Toyota is going to make batteries for Honda. I would expect more of these rather unusual team-ups in response to the change in trade environment. www.autonews.com/manufacturin...
Honda to buy hybrid batteries from Toyota’s $13.9B N.C. complex as tariff workaround, report says
Honda will procure batteries for its hybrid vehicles from Toyota's North America’s $13.9 billion complex coming online in Liberty, N.C., Nikkei reported.
www.autonews.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:48 AM
In the US, Toyota is going to make batteries for Honda. I would expect more of these rather unusual team-ups in response to the change in trade environment. www.autonews.com/manufacturin...
Chinese OEMs are primarily delivering into 3 markets in Europe: UK, Spain, Italy. This may become the next challenge for VW as rising start Cupra reported Germany and these exact same markets for most of its vehicles last year. www.schmidtmatthias.de/post/six-in-...
Six-in-ten of China's new cars entering Western Europe end up in just three markets according to study
From our Q4 2024 European Chinese OEM passenger car market intelligence study:
A quarterly breakdown of 2024 identifies that Chinese-brand new passenger car registrations returned above 100,000 units...
www.schmidtmatthias.de
March 12, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Chinese OEMs are primarily delivering into 3 markets in Europe: UK, Spain, Italy. This may become the next challenge for VW as rising start Cupra reported Germany and these exact same markets for most of its vehicles last year. www.schmidtmatthias.de/post/six-in-...
Another AI chatbot comes online and the website is unable to stand the wave of incoming users. Deja-vu anyone?
February 20, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Another AI chatbot comes online and the website is unable to stand the wave of incoming users. Deja-vu anyone?
This is probably the most speaking chart from the Anthropic Economic Index (www.anthropic.com/news/the-ant...) and explains why people, as excited as they are about AI, still question the economic impact: it just doesn't seem to have penetrated jobs outside of IT.
February 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
This is probably the most speaking chart from the Anthropic Economic Index (www.anthropic.com/news/the-ant...) and explains why people, as excited as they are about AI, still question the economic impact: it just doesn't seem to have penetrated jobs outside of IT.
Nate Anderson's announcement to shut down Hindenburg Research is a loss for the greater finance community. I enjoyed reading their reports, regardless of their intent. I am looking forward to his videos and materials, explaining how research was conducted at Hindenburg.
January 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Nate Anderson's announcement to shut down Hindenburg Research is a loss for the greater finance community. I enjoyed reading their reports, regardless of their intent. I am looking forward to his videos and materials, explaining how research was conducted at Hindenburg.
The US has blacklisted Chinese battery giant CATL. For context, CATL powers 1 in 3 EVs globally—and its biggest customer is Tesla. Could this move, though a bit late, help revive Europe’s Northvolt?
January 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The US has blacklisted Chinese battery giant CATL. For context, CATL powers 1 in 3 EVs globally—and its biggest customer is Tesla. Could this move, though a bit late, help revive Europe’s Northvolt?
Bad news for EV adoption in the US: while the Cybertruck qualifies for the new federal tax credit and got cheaper, VW, Rivian, Nissan, and the Chevy Bolt disqualify. The list dropped to 18 from 22 last year. Reason: batteries need to meet minimum locally sourced components to qualify
These EVs Qualify for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit in 2025, Unless Trump Kills It
Kia and Hyundai EVs, plus Tesla's Cybertruck, make the list for the first time, but a few best-sellers drop off.
www.yahoo.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Bad news for EV adoption in the US: while the Cybertruck qualifies for the new federal tax credit and got cheaper, VW, Rivian, Nissan, and the Chevy Bolt disqualify. The list dropped to 18 from 22 last year. Reason: batteries need to meet minimum locally sourced components to qualify
There's a transformer shortage which can cause major roadblocks for renewable energy and grid upgrades! Soaring demand from EVs, data centers, and renewable energy projects is delaying builds by YEARS. Supply chains have a hard time keeping up with so much change. Be prepared for more.
This Essential Element of the Power Grid Is in Critically Short Supply
A transformer supply crisis bottlenecks energy projects
spectrum.ieee.org
December 13, 2024 at 6:43 AM
There's a transformer shortage which can cause major roadblocks for renewable energy and grid upgrades! Soaring demand from EVs, data centers, and renewable energy projects is delaying builds by YEARS. Supply chains have a hard time keeping up with so much change. Be prepared for more.
Have received a "Black Friday offer" for an investment in a company at a discount. Not sure that's the sort of deal you want as an investor or shareholder.
November 29, 2024 at 12:13 AM
Have received a "Black Friday offer" for an investment in a company at a discount. Not sure that's the sort of deal you want as an investor or shareholder.
German IT industry association is calling for more data centers in Germany as demand outstrips supply. Particularly interesting: Germany's green energy should pose less strain on the environment while also being comparatively more expensive than surrounding countries.
Rechenzentren: Deutschland verliert den Anschluss | Presseinformation | Bitkom e. V.
Presseinformation Während Deutschlands Server-Bestand von 2,4 Millionen Stück aktuell 2,5 Prozent der weltweiten installierten Basis ausmacht, lag dieser Anteil im Jahr 2015 noch bei 3,5 Prozent.
www.bitkom.org
November 22, 2024 at 2:15 AM
German IT industry association is calling for more data centers in Germany as demand outstrips supply. Particularly interesting: Germany's green energy should pose less strain on the environment while also being comparatively more expensive than surrounding countries.
Following my previous post, this study from McKinsey supports my notion that there has to be some major rethinking in Europe, particularly from the energy side, to address the needs of AI: energy demand is going to tripe until 2030 because of AI. www.mckinsey.com/industries/e...
The role of power in unlocking the European AI revolution
The rise of AI is driving data center demand and shifting power market dynamics. However, infrastructure investments are needed to unlock the AI revolution.
www.mckinsey.com
November 3, 2024 at 2:50 AM
Following my previous post, this study from McKinsey supports my notion that there has to be some major rethinking in Europe, particularly from the energy side, to address the needs of AI: energy demand is going to tripe until 2030 because of AI. www.mckinsey.com/industries/e...
The lack in high density data centers is a major issue for Europe. If Europe doesn’t want to fall behind in AI, there needs to be some comprehensive rethinking that also includes Europe’s energy policy.
EU lags US and China in AI investments, Nvidia CEO says
While there are only a handful of artificial intelligence companies in Europe, such as France's Mistral and Germany's Aleph Alpha, the bloc passed the world's first comprehensive rules to govern AI wh...
finance.yahoo.com
October 23, 2024 at 9:55 AM
The lack in high density data centers is a major issue for Europe. If Europe doesn’t want to fall behind in AI, there needs to be some comprehensive rethinking that also includes Europe’s energy policy.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that EU car sales plunged to a 3-year low in August with new car sales down 18.3% month-over-month, EVs dropped 43.9%. No new car sales means the OEMs can't reach their emission goals. That's why they asked for a delay. Nothing else.
EU car sales at 3-year low in August, EV sales plunge 44%
New car sales in the European Union fell 18.3% in August to their lowest in three years, dragged down by double-digit losses in major markets Germany, France and Italy and sliding electric vehicle (EV) sales, auto industry body data showed on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
September 21, 2024 at 11:54 AM
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that EU car sales plunged to a 3-year low in August with new car sales down 18.3% month-over-month, EVs dropped 43.9%. No new car sales means the OEMs can't reach their emission goals. That's why they asked for a delay. Nothing else.
Two charts that highlight the shift in China automotive sales. All foreign brands were losing market share. Not even Tesla is able to keep up with the competition in China.
September 7, 2024 at 4:00 AM
Two charts that highlight the shift in China automotive sales. All foreign brands were losing market share. Not even Tesla is able to keep up with the competition in China.
Germany's automotive production capacity utilization in 2023 across all major OEMS highlights the issues the two VW plants have. This is obviously not a systemic issue of German automakers.
September 3, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Germany's automotive production capacity utilization in 2023 across all major OEMS highlights the issues the two VW plants have. This is obviously not a systemic issue of German automakers.
Just to put this into perspective: VW has seen an increase in production in 2023 up 6.8% from prior year. At the same time, the factories in Osnarbrueck and Dresden posted 18% and 30% utilization. Clearly, there's some productivity going on allowing VW to produce more with less plants.
Volkswagen may shut German car plants due to impact of Chinese EVs
Volkswagen reportedly considering closure of factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history as it fights competition from China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers.
thedriven.io
September 3, 2024 at 12:57 PM
Just to put this into perspective: VW has seen an increase in production in 2023 up 6.8% from prior year. At the same time, the factories in Osnarbrueck and Dresden posted 18% and 30% utilization. Clearly, there's some productivity going on allowing VW to produce more with less plants.
Yahoo is reporting that Intel’s management will propose to hand over its contract manufacturing business to TSMC. I guess the realization has kicked in that it’s already too far behind TSMC on the high end and unable to compete on price for the mid and low end.
Exclusive-Intel CEO to pitch board on plans to shed assets, cut costs, source says
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and key executives are expected to present a plan later this month to the company’s board of directors to slice off unnecessary businesses and revamp capital spending, accordin...
finance.yahoo.com
September 2, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Yahoo is reporting that Intel’s management will propose to hand over its contract manufacturing business to TSMC. I guess the realization has kicked in that it’s already too far behind TSMC on the high end and unable to compete on price for the mid and low end.
BYD to take over its German distributor business. With 4,139 vehicles sold in Germany last year and 1,432 units in the first seven months of 2024, BYD was probably not left much else than to take over this business or risk seeing it closed.
BYD to take control of distribution in Germany from Hedin
BYD Automotive is to take control of distribution of its cars in Germany from Swedish firm Hedin...
www.motortrader.com
August 30, 2024 at 12:22 PM
BYD to take over its German distributor business. With 4,139 vehicles sold in Germany last year and 1,432 units in the first seven months of 2024, BYD was probably not left much else than to take over this business or risk seeing it closed.
Reposted by Peter Wittmann
XPeng is looking for a manufacturing site in Europe, making it the latest Chinese EV maker seeking to mitigate the impact of import tariffs – Bloomberg
China’s Xpeng Aims to Manufacture EVs in Europe to Blunt Tariffs
Xpeng Inc. is looking for a manufacturing site in Europe, making it the latest Chinese electric-vehicle maker seeking to mitigate the impact of import tariffs by building its cars in the region.
www.bloomberg.com
August 27, 2024 at 9:44 AM
XPeng is looking for a manufacturing site in Europe, making it the latest Chinese EV maker seeking to mitigate the impact of import tariffs – Bloomberg
While the EU has seen an increase of new car registrations in June of 4.7%, there is a notable shift towards hybrids (+22.8%) while EVs are stagnating. OEMs will probably face tremendous pressure next year to catch up on emissions. Source: @heise.de
August 29, 2024 at 1:35 PM
While the EU has seen an increase of new car registrations in June of 4.7%, there is a notable shift towards hybrids (+22.8%) while EVs are stagnating. OEMs will probably face tremendous pressure next year to catch up on emissions. Source: @heise.de
The EV delay outside of China is ripping through the supplier landscape. Today, auto supplier Schaeffler confirmed the slowdown in EV demand. Yesterday, Infineon posted rising inventories for EV components. China is racing ahead and swallowing a lot of the early mover woes. Chart by @bloomberg.com
August 6, 2024 at 2:07 PM
The EV delay outside of China is ripping through the supplier landscape. Today, auto supplier Schaeffler confirmed the slowdown in EV demand. Yesterday, Infineon posted rising inventories for EV components. China is racing ahead and swallowing a lot of the early mover woes. Chart by @bloomberg.com
Evergrande's EV unit now placed into bankruptcy by a Chinese court. As the domestic market in China is consolidating, existing players like BYD are expected to gain. www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/lis...
www1.hkexnews.hk
August 5, 2024 at 3:54 AM
Evergrande's EV unit now placed into bankruptcy by a Chinese court. As the domestic market in China is consolidating, existing players like BYD are expected to gain. www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/lis...
All hopes for BEVs are now pinned on the upcoming EU CO2 fleet average emissions cut, falling to 93.6g/km (WLTP) in 2025. In the meantime, BEV penetration has stalled in Western Europe.
July 27, 2024 at 8:21 AM
All hopes for BEVs are now pinned on the upcoming EU CO2 fleet average emissions cut, falling to 93.6g/km (WLTP) in 2025. In the meantime, BEV penetration has stalled in Western Europe.
"To earn an adequate return on costly AI technology, AI must solve very complex problems, which it currently isn’t capable of doing, and may never be." Very true and more good insights in this report from Goldman: www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence...
Gen AI: too much spend, too little benefit?
www.goldmansachs.com
July 11, 2024 at 10:06 AM
"To earn an adequate return on costly AI technology, AI must solve very complex problems, which it currently isn’t capable of doing, and may never be." Very true and more good insights in this report from Goldman: www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence...
The FT is reporting that battery maker SK On is under pressure due to the slow down in EV sales. Thinking at SK seems to be to merge it with energy group unit SK E&S, specializing in LNG production. The irony here is striking. www.ft.com/content/5aff...
Battery maker SK On declares ‘emergency’ as EV sales disappoint
Supplier to Ford and Volkswagen may have to be rescued by its South Korean parent as losses mount
www.ft.com
July 7, 2024 at 2:52 PM
The FT is reporting that battery maker SK On is under pressure due to the slow down in EV sales. Thinking at SK seems to be to merge it with energy group unit SK E&S, specializing in LNG production. The irony here is striking. www.ft.com/content/5aff...