Episode #144 - NIO Earnings, Stellantis & Ample swapping collab, Tesla Wants More Capacity at ShanghaiGiga
Dec 11, 2023
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The podcast discusses NIO Q3 earnings, Stellantis partnering with Ample for battery swapping, the Inflation Reduction Act's impact on the EV market, Mary Barra's views on EVs and Tesla's rumored capacity expansion at ShanghaiGiga.
45:06
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Quick takeaways
NIO's focus on strategic acquisitions and prioritizing key areas indicate a more calculated approach for future expansion and growth in the EV market.
The collaboration between AMPLY and Stellantis in Spain showcases the potential of battery swapping to increase vehicle utilization and flexibility, highlighting the endorsement of a legacy automaker.
Deep dives
NIO's Q3 Earnings and Future Plans
NIO reported shipping over 55,000 cars in Q3 with better revenues and gross margins compared to the previous quarter. While they are still losing money, the losses decreased from Q2. NIO discussed the potential of expanding sales outside of their current regions in China and highlighted the need for a stronger power swap network. They also mentioned plans to outsource certain operations and continue developing sales materials. NIO's focus on acquiring assets and prioritizing key areas indicates a more strategic approach moving forward. The upcoming NIO Day is expected to unveil a new high-end vehicle with advanced technology.
Battery Swapping and AMPLY's Partnership with Stellantis
The battery swapping startup AMPLY announced a partnership with Stellantis in Spain, where 100 Fiat 500 EVs will be converted to battery swapping for a car-sharing platform. This strategic collaboration signifies a major achievement for AMPLY as it secures a legacy automaker's endorsement and demonstrates the potential of battery swapping for increasing vehicle utilization and flexibility. Battery swapping has been gaining traction in Europe, with existing examples such as the YoYo scooters in Italy. The modular battery swapping concept allows for easier conversion and flexibility in adapting it to different vehicle models, providing options and choices for consumers.
Inflation Reduction Act and EV Tax Credits
The revised language of the Inflation Reduction Act raised questions regarding EV tax credits and their impact on the affordability of electric vehicles. The new criteria could limit the number of EV models eligible for the full tax credit, potentially hindering adoption rates. General Motors mentioned that many of their EVs will be eligible for the tax credits. The industry's response to these changes may involve focusing on hybrid vehicles as an alternative option due to their high fuel efficiency. The impact of these changes on EV sales will likely be observed in the coming years and could shape the market landscape.
Potential Doubling of Capacity at Shanghai Gigafactory
Reports suggest that Tesla is seeking approvals to double its capacity at the Shanghai Gigafactory, potentially indicating the launch of a new model. If confirmed, this expansion aligns with the expected introduction of the Tesla Model 2, a more affordable electric vehicle aimed at the Chinese market. Doubling the production capacity suggests Tesla's intentions to meet the demand and further establish its presence in China. The Model 2 is anticipated to lower costs by implementing a single-piece chassis design and innovative manufacturing processes. Tesla's plans for increased production capacity reflect its ongoing commitment to expanding market share and establishing a foothold in the Chinese EV market.
Tu and Lei begin the podcast and take quite a bit of time to share their thoughts on NIO Q3 earnings and how to look at the numbers. They back out of the earnings to briefly review the announcements that NIO has made over the last several months.
Tu moves out a few thousand feet to talk about the China market and some of the players in it and then the discussion quickly moves over to the Stellantis announcement regarding their partnership with Silicon Valley battery swapping startup Ample.
Tu and Lei push on to a discussion about the final language for the Inflation Reduction Act that was released last Friday and how it may affect the market and the strategies of all involved in the EV space.
The last two topics touched on were Tu's attendance and thoughts on the Mary Barra fireside chat and her answers relative to EVs, batteries and Cruise.
He then pushes into the rumor that Tesla is ready to double capacity at ShanghaiGiga from about 1.2M to over 2M units of capacity.
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