Shortages, 5G, Diversification: The Week in Automotive

North America’s automotive sector had a busy week, with hybrid vehicles outperforming EVs both in Mexico and in the US while Volkswagen and Puebla’s government work on reforestation. Meanwhile, Ford celebrated its 96th anniversary in Mexico as one of the top 10 manufacturers in the country.

Moving on, 5G continues to grow in the Americas although most of the networks deployed are in the US and Canada. IHS Markit details the role of chip shortages in the industry's recovery. Speaking of technology, do not miss our interview with Gretta González, General Manager Shared Rides of Uber México.

Pressing issues for the sector remain the government's intentions to regularize illegal imported vehicles. Also, do not miss the latest developments on Mexico's labor issues brought by the US under the USMCA labor standards.

Do you know what a data supply chain is? Read our full analysis in the rising links of the automotive value chain.

Ready? This is the week in automotive!

We are here to support Mexico’s Economic Recovery: Uber

"We have invested more than US$1.5 billion in Mexico, with operations in almost 70 cities in 27 states, reaching over 8 million Mexicans and generating income for over 200,000 people. As a company, our goal is to continue having a positive impact on Mexican lives and innovation is an important element in this objective," keep reading our interview with Gretta González, General Manager Shared Rides at Uber México.

ANALYSIS: Data for Automotive Companies: New Supply Chain

Data science is accelerating technological transformation across different sectors and the automotive industry is not the exception. From business analytics to understand consumer trends to machine learning models for autonomous vehicle systems, data has become an essential part of the automotive value chain.

Highlights from USMCA's Labor Council

A year after formally entering into force, the USMCA Labor Council held its first session online with representatives from the three-member countries. The council addressed four major topics, including "the ongoing implementation of Mexico's recent historic labor law reform," as noted by the joint statement signed by the three parties after the meeting. Keep Reading

Hybrids Outperform EVs: IHS Markit

The electrification of the powertrain has created a diverse portfolio of green vehicles, but how are they performing in the market? "Vehicles with a hybrid powertrain are out-performing EVs," reports a brief from IHS Markit. Keep Reading.

Ford Celebrates 96 Years in Mexico

Ford celebrated its 96th anniversary in Mexico by setting new strategies: "At Ford we believe in human progress. As part of that vision, we work to transform the way the world moves by providing transportation solutions that improve the life quality of our customers and the communities where they live," said the company on a statement. Keep Reading.

Chip Shortages Continue to Hurt Vehicle Production: IHS Markit

Chip shortages remain a major concern for the automotive sector. While sales and production begin to pick up from the fall they faced last year, continued supply shortages could hinder the industry’s recovery. Last week, IHS Markit estimated that global light vehicle production was up by 15 percent during 1Q2021 and the firm forecasted 50 percent growth year-on-year during 2Q2021. Keep Reading.

Mexican Auto Sector Opposes Call to Regularize Illegal Vehicles

Representatives from the Mexican automotive sector requested a meeting with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to review the latter’s suggestion to regularize illegally imported used vehicles. "The introduction and commercialization of used vehicles coming from the US that do not comply with all customs formalities is a felony that has unsuccessfully being addressed through 19 legislative and executive measures between 1979 and 2011," wrote AMDA on a statement. Keep Reading.

5G Now Available in 1,662 Cities Across 65 Countries

A total of 1,662 cities in 65 countries now have commercial 5G services, indicates Viavi Solutions, a global provider of network test and monitoring solutions, in its report "The State of 5G." In the first half of 2021, 301 new cities and four new countries incorporated 5G technology. Keep Reading.

The Government and Volkswagen Join Forces to Boost Reforestation

Government entities have joined forces with Volkswagen Mexico to achieve sustainability and conserve biodiversity for rainforests in Hueytamalco, Puebla, through an agreement to develop a scientific research project on wild vegetation and develop a tree planting strategy. Keep Reading