AD #4324 - 23% of New European Cars Now BEVs; Chrysler Airflow Headed to Belvidere; Investors Eager to Spend on Momenta
About this episode
BEV momentum keeps building in Europe, with EVs capturing 23% of new-car sales and BEVs “shot up 39 percent across the continent.” The show also connects that shift to cost pressures, noting DRAM prices “skyrocketed 450 percent” and that memory is needed for features like OTA updates and ADAS. On the product front, Chrysler’s Airflow heads to Belvidere, while China’s “true” solid-state definition hinges on electrolyte content. Investors meanwhile stay focused on autonomy plays like Waymo and Momenta.
Kearney
"As we reported yesterday, the auto industry is facing another chip shortage, and a new report from consulting firm Kearney shows just how much it's having an impact on automakers."
Kearney is a consulting company that publishes reports. Here, they’re cited as the source for data showing how chip shortages are raising costs for carmakers.
Kearney is a consulting firm referenced here for a report quantifying how the chip shortage is affecting automakers. In this context, it’s being used as a source for the DRAM price impact figures.
DRAM memory chips
"Prices for what are called DRAM memory chips skyrocketed 450 percent from September of 2025 to January of this year. DRAM is needed to enable OTA updates, ADAS, TAC, autonomy, infotainment, and other features."
DRAM is a type of computer memory that helps a car’s electronics run smoothly. The car needs it to support software features like updates over the internet and driver-assist features.
DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) is fast, temporary computer memory used by electronics. In cars, DRAM is needed to run and update software for features like over-the-air (OTA) updates, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and infotainment.
OTA updates
"DRAM is needed to enable OTA updates, ADAS, TAC, autonomy, infotainment, and other features."
OTA updates are software updates that get sent to your car over the internet. You don’t have to go to a shop to install them.
OTA (over-the-air) updates are software updates delivered to a vehicle wirelessly, without visiting a dealer. They’re important because they let automakers fix bugs, improve features, and roll out new functionality after the car is already sold.
ADAS
"DRAM is needed to enable OTA updates, ADAS, TAC, autonomy, infotainment, and other features."
ADAS stands for driver-assist tech. It uses sensors and computers to help you avoid crashes and stay in your lane.
ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) are electronic safety and convenience features that assist the driver using sensors and software. Examples include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and collision warning/braking systems.
autonomy
"DRAM is needed to enable OTA updates, ADAS, TAC, autonomy, infotainment, and other features. Automakers now have to compete with AI companies, which use the chips to help power their data centers."
Autonomy means how much of the driving the car can do by itself. The more the car handles, the more advanced computing it needs.
In automotive tech, autonomy refers to how much driving task the car can perform on its own using sensors, computing, and control software. Higher autonomy levels typically require more compute and memory to interpret the environment and make driving decisions.
Alphabet
"Waymo is already valued at $126 billion, but it's still closely held by Alphabet and is not publicly traded."
Alphabet is the parent company behind Google. The point here is that Waymo is owned/controlled by Alphabet, so it isn’t publicly traded.
Alphabet is the parent company of Google and is referenced here because it closely holds Waymo. That matters because it frames Waymo’s ownership structure and why investors can’t simply buy shares on a public market.
pure AV play
"So investors looking for a pure AV play are chomping at the bit to get in on an IPO from Chinese startup Momenta."
A “pure AV play” means the company’s main business is self-driving technology. Investors look for these companies when they want exposure to autonomous vehicles specifically.
A “pure AV play” is an investment thesis focused almost entirely on autonomous vehicles (AVs), rather than a diversified automaker or a company with multiple unrelated revenue streams. Investors use this framing to target companies whose core business is self-driving technology.
Momenta
"So investors looking for a pure AV play are chomping at the bit to get in on an IPO from Chinese startup Momenta."
Momenta is a company working on self-driving technology in China. The hosts are saying investors are excited about it because it could go public and is backed by big names.
Momenta is a Chinese autonomous-vehicle startup discussed as an “IPO” target for investors. The episode frames it as a major AV technology player with high valuation and notable backers.
SAIC
"It's already valued at $9 billion and has a blue-chip list of backers, including General Motors, Toyota, and SAIC."
SAIC is a large Chinese car company. Here it’s mentioned because it’s part of the group backing a self-driving startup, which suggests serious industry interest.
SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) is a major Chinese automaker listed as one of Momenta’s backers. In this context, it signals that established automakers are investing in autonomous-vehicle technology.
Larry Burns
"you ought to check out the latest Auto Line After Hours with Larry Burns, the former head of R&D at GM. He says the autonomous revolution is coming and coming a lot faster than most people realize."
Larry Burns is a former GM research leader. The hosts use his perspective to argue that self-driving progress may happen faster than many people expect.
Larry Burns is described as the former head of R&D at GM and is quoted about the timeline for autonomous technology. His background matters because it frames the comment as coming from someone with automotive research leadership experience.
800-volt plug-in hybrid
"Now Cherry's Joutour brand will enter the truck market as well and just showed off the F700, which is an 800-volt plug-in hybrid truck"
“800-volt” is about how the car’s battery and charging system is designed. A “plug-in hybrid” can drive on electricity and also has a gas engine for longer trips.
An “800-volt” architecture refers to the vehicle’s high-voltage electrical system used for faster charging and more efficient power delivery. In an “800-volt plug-in hybrid,” the car can run on electricity and also uses an internal combustion engine, with the high-voltage system supporting the electric drive and charging.
F700
"Now Cherry's Joutour brand will enter the truck market as well and just showed off the F700, which is an 800-volt plug-in hybrid truck and looks like it's geared towards off-road enthusiasts."
The F700 is a truck from Cherry’s Joutour brand. It’s meant to appeal to off-road fans and it’s a plug-in hybrid, meaning it can run on electricity and also has a gas engine.
The F700 is a truck concept from Cherry’s Joutour brand, positioned as an off-road-oriented plug-in hybrid. It’s described as using an 800-volt system, which is typically used to improve electric power delivery and charging speed.
solid-state batteries
"Lots of Chinese battery makers are bragging that they'll have solid-state batteries going into production. But Chinese scientists have warned that true solid-state batteries will not reach mass production until the 2030s. And just to make sure everyone knows what a true solid-state battery is, China is officially defining them as any battery containing less than 5% liquid electrolyte."
Solid-state batteries are a newer type of battery design that aims to be safer and potentially last longer. The episode explains that “true” solid-state has very little liquid inside, and it must stay stable under extreme conditions.
Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte found in most today’s lithium-ion packs. The segment highlights a key industry/technical distinction: China is defining “true” solid-state as having less than 5% liquid electrolyte, and also requiring specific thermal stability under vacuum.
liquid electrolyte
"China is officially defining them as any battery containing less than 5% liquid electrolyte. Anything over that is defined as a hybrid system."
The electrolyte is the material inside a battery that helps electricity move between parts. This segment says the “true solid-state” definition depends on how much liquid electrolyte is still present.
A liquid electrolyte is the conductive liquid inside a conventional lithium-ion battery that allows ions to move between the anode and cathode. In the episode’s definition, the amount of liquid electrolyte is used as a threshold to decide whether a battery qualifies as “true” solid-state versus a hybrid system.
Chrysler Airflow
"The Chrysler Airflow, a new mid-size CUV codenamed C4U, will be built at the Belvedere Assembly plant in Illinois."
The Chrysler Airflow is a new crossover SUV from Chrysler. A “CUV” is basically a car-like SUV, and this one is planned to be built in the U.S. at a specific assembly plant.
The Chrysler Airflow is a new mid-size CUV (crossover utility vehicle) that’s being developed under the internal codename C4U. It’s notable because it represents Chrysler’s next step in the CUV segment and is tied to a specific production plan at a named U.S. factory.
CUV
"The Chrysler Airflow, a new mid-size CUV codenamed C4U, will be built at the Belvedere Assembly plant in Illinois."
CUV means “crossover utility vehicle.” It’s a type of SUV that’s built on a car platform, so it usually drives more like a regular car than a traditional truck-based SUV.
CUV stands for “crossover utility vehicle.” It’s a body style that blends features of a passenger car (for ride comfort and packaging) with SUV traits like higher seating position and more practical space.
Chevrolet Equinox
"...linois. Next up, the new version of the Chevrolet Equinox EV is scheduled to go into production in Ramos Ar..."
The Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV meant for everyday driving and family use. The podcast is specifically talking about an all-electric version called the Equinox EV, with production planned to begin in a new location. That means it will run on electricity instead of gasoline.
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that’s known for being a mainstream, practical family vehicle. In this podcast context, the discussion is about the Equinox EV, including plans to start production in Ramos Ar... which is significant because it signals a shift toward an all-electric version of the model. It’s the kind of update that matters for buyers because it affects powertrain, charging needs, and long-term running costs.
BEV3 platform
"Next up, the new version of the Chevrolet Equinox EV is scheduled to go into production in Ramos Ariespe, Mexico in February of 2029. It moves off of the BEV3 platform and onto a new one codenamed BEVN."
“BEV platform” means the car’s basic design is built specifically for electric vehicles. Moving from one platform to another usually means the next model can be engineered more efficiently for EVs.
A BEV platform is an EV-only vehicle architecture designed from the ground up for battery-electric powertrains. The episode says the Chevrolet Equinox EV moves off the BEV3 platform and onto a new codename (BEVN), signaling a next-generation engineering base rather than a simple refresh.
Ford Bronco
"And a new Ford Bronco will come online in January of 2030. [393.0s] It stays on the same platform, but the program codename changes to U825, and it will continue to be made at Ford's Michigan Assembly plant."
The Ford Bronco is Ford’s off-road SUV. They’re talking about a new production program starting in 2030, and it will still use the same underlying platform while being built in Michigan.
The Ford Bronco is a modern off-road-focused SUV line from Ford. This segment says a new Bronco will start production in January 2030, keeping the same platform while changing the program codename (U825), and it will be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly plant.
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