Electric vehicle industry leader Tesla (TSLA) – Get Free Report hasn’t had much difficulty maintaining its title as the top EV maker in the US. Billionaire Elon Musk’s company delivered 1.31 million EVs in 2022, while second place Ford (F) – Get Free Report sold 61,575 EVs. Tesla should keep that title this year as it plans to produce 1.8 million EVs in 2023.
However, Tesla’s competition keeps rolling out new EV models to cut into its market. General Motors (GM) – Get Free Report on April 21 unveiled its latest supertruck, the 2023 GMC Hummer EV 3X, along with its new 2024 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 and GMC Hummer EV 3X SUVs
In March, Hyundai (HYMTF) unveiled its new second generation, all-electric Kona subcompact crossover SUV, featuring standard and long-range powertrains. Toyota (TM) – Get Free Report in April introduced its latest EVs, the bZ Sport Crossover Concept and the bZ FlexSpace Concept, family-oriented SUV-type BEV, focusing on utility.
Nio (NIO) – Get Free Report surprised the EV market on April 28 revealing that it had launched deliveries of its coup SUV EC7 three days earlier than expected. Honda Motor Co. (HMC) – Get Free Report in April said in 2025 it will deliver its first mid- to large-size electric vehicles in North America, based on its original dedicated EV platform.
Stellantis Electrification Goals Set
Automaker Stellantis has set electrification goals of 100% of its European and 50% of its US vehicle sales to be battery electric vehicles, with 75 BEV models and 5 million BEV unit sales, by 2030.
The Ram 1500 REV will have an optional 229 kilowatt-hour large battery pack with a targeted range of up to 500 miles, which matches the Tesla Cybertruck stated range of 500 miles and surpasses the Ford F-150 Lightning’s top 320 range.
Stellantis subsidiary Chrysler, once one of the Big Three US auto names along with Ford and GM, currently only offers two internal combustion engine vehicles, the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan and the Chrysler 300 sedan. It also has the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid with an internal combustion engine and electric motor.
By the end of 2023, Stellantis said it will discontinue the Chrysler 300, leaving the Pacifica as Chrysler’s last remaining pure internal combustion engine vehicle. In 2022, Stellantis also said it would discontinue the Dodge Challenger and Charger ICE models by the end of 2023. Chrysler has said it will go fully electric by 2028.
Chrysler in January 2022 unveiled its first electric vehicle, the Airflow Concept car, with plans to roll it out for sale by 2025. The all-wheel drive Airflow Concept car would be driven by two 150kw electric motors, one in front and one in the rear, if it was developed. But that won’t be the case after all.
Chrysler Changes Plans for First Electric Vehicle
Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell has changed directions from the Airflow Concept to a large crossover concept that did well at customer clinics earlier this year, MotorTrend reported. The crossover will use the Stellantis large platform designed primarily for electric vehicles with some of Airflow’s features and aesthetics but it has a more modern and tech-forward design.
The Chrysler crossover will be offered with both 400- and 800-volt systems for fast charging and will be available in standard and long-range version, with a charging range of up to 400 miles. The name of the new model reportedly will not be Airflow, but the company has not yet revealed the name of the new EV, which is expected to be produced in 2025.
