Not even a war or a financial crash has had an impact on the automotive industry as devastating as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A few production and assembly lines may have resumed operations in China after lengthy stoppages, but in most of the rest of the world, car and truck production has come grinding to a halt.
The April 2020 issue of Automotive World Magazine takes a look at how the automotive industry is responding to this unfolding crisis, from investing upfront to taking inspiration from China. We explore the mechanics of stopping a production line, and why now is the right time for companies to begin preparing their post-pandemic strategies.
We also bring you an exclusive interview with Henrik Fisker, a closer look at the demise of Starsky Robotics and StreetScooter, and Freddie Holmes takes a trip to the Arctic Circle to learn about extreme weather propulsion testing.
In this issue:
- How is the auto industry responding to the coronavirus?
- Investing through the crisis: automakers remain focused on future mobility
- As China gets back to normal, automakers will hope for a repeat in Europe and US
- From ICE to EV: next-gen vehicle propulsion tested to the extreme
- Interview: Henrik Fisker, Chairman and Chief Executive, Fisker Inc
- GM’s EV offensive: from good intentions to key revenue stream
- Production suspended: what it means to stop a vehicle assembly line
- No signs of slowing in Ford’s push for autonomous vehicle leadership
- Demise of Starsky Robotics a ‘setback for the industry’
- If electric delivery is so hot, what went wrong with StreetScooter?
- Could electrification change North America’s love affair with the pick-up?
- How are commercial vehicle suppliers preparing for autonomous driving?
- Motiv: is this the platform of the future?
- COMMENT: Automakers’ long-term health will be affected by their post-pandemic strategies
