GM Global Paper

Company: General Motors

Product: Electric vehicles

Competitors: Stellantis (Chrysler)

Executive summary

GM has made a recent comeback in terms of making sure there vehicles are relevant, as well as needed within the economy. As inflation rates are continued to rise within our economy, it is no secret that people are looking for constant ways to save money. This is where GM got a hold on things because they have a constant lineup of all the electric vehicles that they are making in the next coming years. This was a very good look for considering that of the big three automobile companies, they ranked number three. In the list of the top 10 car companies, they ranked number six. (Johnston, 2024) Now, as GM having a good lead on electric vehicles, it now leaves their competition to catch up to what they have already figured out, which is always a very bad look for the three big automobile companies that stay in competition for consumers. GM has made commercials, with celebrity individuals, they have been a part of major headlines in terms of commercials, and they are constantly pushing for a great marketing experience for their loyal consumers, as well as their possible consumers.

GM is the leading company for EV

GM has announced that by 2035, their entire line of cars would be all electric vehicles. As that seems to be a going thing for the United States of America, let’s look into how that affects other countries around the world. On the upside, electric vehicles have great benefits considering that they give off less emissions because they will not be using fossil fuels or coal, in terms of pollution, their timeline is in competition of gas vehicles because they are at least lasting enough to 200,000 miles or even a lifespan of 12 years, because it is not ran off of gas, they are able to accelerate at a faster pace, as well as their batteries, being very lightweight, and different governments are getting a lot of incentives for consumers to switch over to electric vehicles. This especially targets, the older consumers, especially retirees because they are not looking for cars to run down, but are focused on durability. (Advantages of Electric vehicles 2024)

Highlights of GM ev batteries

They also have a great lead in terms of having the most efficient battery. “Ultium batteries, with their high energy density, can store more energy in a compact and lightweight package than conventional batteries. The result is an enhanced range and performance for EVs equipped with the Ultium Platform.” (Nolan, 2024) These vehicles are very cost-efficient, as well as bringing science into the equation and making sure that it has advanced chemistry levels, in terms of operation and manufacturing of the product. (Nolan, 2024) Another highlight is that GM is not only focusing on their vehicles, but even their manufacturing facilities as well. “By 2040, GM said, it will be carbon-neutral both in its vehicles and manufacturing operations.”(12 US states are planning to ban the sale of gas-powered cars 2024) As GM’s competitors, such as Stellantis, are all on board for having the similar batteries, “Stellantis also have joint-venture battery operations,” General Motors is the only company that is pushing out a substantial lineup of vehicles that will host these batteries.(Facundo, 2023) Not only do we need to make sure that we have charging stations globally to support these cars in any country, but we need to also make sure that we are not polluting more of our earth for the convenience of prosperity and security of prominence.

Cons for hosting Electric vehicles

However, on the downside, even though they are pushing for electrical vehicles, they are using charging stations from EV connect. EV Connect only has charging stations in the United States of America, Australia, Asia and Europe, which means that they cannot service consumers outside of those countries. (EV Connect, 2022)

They are also taking financial losses for making electric vehicles, which is not a highlight that is conversed on. “It, along with other automakers, has struggled to solve the puzzle of making EVs affordable for average consumers and profitable at scale.” (Sloan, 2024) in terms of the economy, there are also downsides to these electric vehicle batteries. “If the battery ends up in a landfill, its cells can release problematic toxins, including heavy metals” that can leach into landfills or groundwater.” (Rowland et al., 2024) This means that we will have more of an overflow of products into our landfills and eventually going into our waters, which will eventually end up into our bodies. Also, “environmental risk, and fire hazard currently keep most of the world’s lithium batteries from being recycled.” (Rowland et al., 2024) As it is so very noble for car companies to find a better way to in the high pollution emissions that they cause within the environment, adding to our landfill wasn’t a good alternative. This shows that they have more work to do, especially if they want to appease internationally, and to our environment in a healthy manner.

Reference:

12 US states are planning to ban the sale of gas-powered cars. CNET. (2024, September 13). https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/states-banning-new-gas-powered-cars/

Advantages of Electric vehicles. City of Moreno Valley. (2024, September 14). https://www.moval.org/mvu/ev-advantages.html

Committing to an all-electric future: General Motors. Committing to an All-Electric Future | General Motors. (2024, September 14). https://www.gm.com/innovation/electrification#:~:text=starting%20Fall%202023.-,Full%20lineup%20available%20starting%20Spring%202024.,to%20a%20specific%20GM%20vehicle.

EV Connect. (2022, February 15). Ev connect expands EV charging-as-a-service program. https://www.evconnect.com/news/ev-connect-expands-ev-charging-as-a-service-program

Facundo  , J. (2023, August 28). UAW brokers a tentative agreement with GM Battery Maker Ultium Cells. The American Prospect. https://prospect.org/labor/2023-08-28-uaw-tentative-agreement-gm-ultium-cells/#:~:text=Working%20in%20America-,UAW%20Brokers%20a%20Tentative%20Agreement%20With%20GM%20Battery%20Maker%20Ultium,Three%20automakers%20after%20September%2014.&text=United%20Auto%20Workers%20members%20march,voted%2095%20percent%20in%20favor.

Nolan, S. (2024, May 17). The Ultium Battery Platform: GM’s stride in EV Innovation. EV Magazine. https://evmagazine.com/articles/the-ultium-battery-platform-gms-stride-in-ev-innovation#

Rowland, L., Lloyd Rowland        |          December 18, 2023, & Jason Hayes        |          August 30, 2023. (2024, September 13). Electric vehicles scar the environment. Mackinac Center. https://www.mackinac.org/blog/2023/electric-vehicles-scar-the-environment#:~:text=According%20to%20Science%20magazine%2C%20if,leach%20into%20landfills%20or%20groundwater.

Sloan, D. (2024, April 24). GM is on the rise-but for now, evs are holding it back, not leading the charge. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2024/04/24/gm-earnings-beat-gas-ev-electric-trucks-profitable/#

Company: General Motors

Product: Electric vehicles

Competitors: Stellantis (Chrysler)

Executive summary

GM has made a recent comeback in terms of making sure there vehicles are relevant, as well as needed within the economy. As inflation rates are continued to rise within our economy, it is no secret that people are looking for constant ways to save money. This is where GM got a hold on things because they have a constant lineup of all the electric vehicles that they are making in the next coming years. This was a very good look for considering that of the big three automobile companies, they ranked number three. In the list of the top 10 car companies, they ranked number six. (Johnston, 2024) Now, as GM having a good lead on electric vehicles, it now leaves their competition to catch up to what they have already figured out, which is always a very bad look for the three big automobile companies that stay in competition for consumers. GM has made commercials, with celebrity individuals, they have been a part of major headlines in terms of commercials, and they are constantly pushing for a great marketing experience for their loyal consumers, as well as their possible consumers.

GM is the leading company for EV

GM has announced that by 2035, their entire line of cars would be all electric vehicles. As that seems to be a going thing for the United States of America, let’s look into how that affects other countries around the world. On the upside, electric vehicles have great benefits considering that they give off less emissions because they will not be using fossil fuels or coal, in terms of pollution, their timeline is in competition of gas vehicles because they are at least lasting enough to 200,000 miles or even a lifespan of 12 years, because it is not ran off of gas, they are able to accelerate at a faster pace, as well as their batteries, being very lightweight, and different governments are getting a lot of incentives for consumers to switch over to electric vehicles. This especially targets, the older consumers, especially retirees because they are not looking for cars to run down, but are focused on durability. (Advantages of Electric vehicles 2024)

Highlights of GM ev batteries

They also have a great lead in terms of having the most efficient battery. “Ultium batteries, with their high energy density, can store more energy in a compact and lightweight package than conventional batteries. The result is an enhanced range and performance for EVs equipped with the Ultium Platform.” (Nolan, 2024) These vehicles are very cost-efficient, as well as bringing science into the equation and making sure that it has advanced chemistry levels, in terms of operation and manufacturing of the product. (Nolan, 2024) Another highlight is that GM is not only focusing on their vehicles, but even their manufacturing facilities as well. “By 2040, GM said, it will be carbon-neutral both in its vehicles and manufacturing operations.”(12 US states are planning to ban the sale of gas-powered cars 2024) As GM’s competitors, such as Stellantis, are all on board for having the similar batteries, “Stellantis also have joint-venture battery operations,” General Motors is the only company that is pushing out a substantial lineup of vehicles that will host these batteries.(Facundo, 2023) Not only do we need to make sure that we have charging stations globally to support these cars in any country, but we need to also make sure that we are not polluting more of our earth for the convenience of prosperity and security of prominence.

Cons for hosting Electric vehicles

However, on the downside, even though they are pushing for electrical vehicles, they are using charging stations from EV connect. EV Connect only has charging stations in the United States of America, Australia, Asia and Europe, which means that they cannot service consumers outside of those countries. (EV Connect, 2022)

They are also taking financial losses for making electric vehicles, which is not a highlight that is conversed on. “It, along with other automakers, has struggled to solve the puzzle of making EVs affordable for average consumers and profitable at scale.” (Sloan, 2024) in terms of the economy, there are also downsides to these electric vehicle batteries. “If the battery ends up in a landfill, its cells can release problematic toxins, including heavy metals” that can leach into landfills or groundwater.” (Rowland et al., 2024) This means that we will have more of an overflow of products into our landfills and eventually going into our waters, which will eventually end up into our bodies. Also, “environmental risk, and fire hazard currently keep most of the world’s lithium batteries from being recycled.” (Rowland et al., 2024) As it is so very noble for car companies to find a better way to in the high pollution emissions that they cause within the environment, adding to our landfill wasn’t a good alternative. This shows that they have more work to do, especially if they want to appease internationally, and to our environment in a healthy manner.

Reference:

12 US states are planning to ban the sale of gas-powered cars. CNET. (2024, September 13). https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/states-banning-new-gas-powered-cars/

Advantages of Electric vehicles. City of Moreno Valley. (2024, September 14). https://www.moval.org/mvu/ev-advantages.html

Committing to an all-electric future: General Motors. Committing to an All-Electric Future | General Motors. (2024, September 14). https://www.gm.com/innovation/electrification#:~:text=starting%20Fall%202023.-,Full%20lineup%20available%20starting%20Spring%202024.,to%20a%20specific%20GM%20vehicle.

EV Connect. (2022, February 15). Ev connect expands EV charging-as-a-service program. https://www.evconnect.com/news/ev-connect-expands-ev-charging-as-a-service-program

Facundo  , J. (2023, August 28). UAW brokers a tentative agreement with GM Battery Maker Ultium Cells. The American Prospect. https://prospect.org/labor/2023-08-28-uaw-tentative-agreement-gm-ultium-cells/#:~:text=Working%20in%20America-,UAW%20Brokers%20a%20Tentative%20Agreement%20With%20GM%20Battery%20Maker%20Ultium,Three%20automakers%20after%20September%2014.&text=United%20Auto%20Workers%20members%20march,voted%2095%20percent%20in%20favor.

Nolan, S. (2024, May 17). The Ultium Battery Platform: GM’s stride in EV Innovation. EV Magazine. https://evmagazine.com/articles/the-ultium-battery-platform-gms-stride-in-ev-innovation#

Rowland, L., Lloyd Rowland        |          December 18, 2023, & Jason Hayes        |          August 30, 2023. (2024, September 13). Electric vehicles scar the environment. Mackinac Center. https://www.mackinac.org/blog/2023/electric-vehicles-scar-the-environment#:~:text=According%20to%20Science%20magazine%2C%20if,leach%20into%20landfills%20or%20groundwater.

Sloan, D. (2024, April 24). GM is on the rise-but for now, evs are holding it back, not leading the charge. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2024/04/24/gm-earnings-beat-gas-ev-electric-trucks-profitable/#