Yahoo Autos Plug-In Hybrid Sales Are Outpacing EVs
Good morning! It’s Friday, March 22, 2024, and this is The Morning Shift, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know.
1st Gear: Plug-In Hybrids Are Outpacing EV Sales
Electric vehicle sales in America are doing alright; they now account for roughly 10 percent of all cars sold across the country, and that figure keeps growing. But do you know what figure is growing quicker? The number of plug-in hybrid models being sold around the world.
Demand for plug-in hybrid models is far outpacing that of battery-powered cars, reports Automotive News. The site explained that sales of PHEVs grew faster than those of fully-electric models across Europe in February, reversing a trend that had seen EV sales soar in recent years. As the site explains:
Plug-in hybrid sales rose 12 percent to 72,376 last month compared with February 2023, while BEV sales increased by 10.3 percent, according to figures from industry association ACEA released on Thursday.
Preliminary figures from market analyst Dataforce – minus statistics for several smaller countries — showed that plug-in hybrids and BEVs grew at the same pace. Full-electric car sales were up 11 percent, while plug-in hybrids gained 10.9 percent, Dataforce figures showed.
Significantly, plug-in hybrids outpaced the overall market, which was up 10.3 percent, according to ACEA. Dataforce figures showed market growth of 10.3 percent.
According to the site, the best-selling plug-ins across Europe are the Volvo XC60, the Porsche Cayenne and the Mercedes GLC, with a combined 11,000 units sold across the bloc in February. Plug-in models are also gathering pace in the U.S., where automakers like General Motors have announced plans to increase investment in the sector.
2nd Gear: 285,000 Dodge and Chrysler Cars Recalled
After the Takata airbag inflator recall impacted millions of cars across America, another potentially defective inflator is now parking recalls across the country. Stellantis has been forced to issue a recall affecting more than 280,000 cars due to side curtain airbag inflators that could throw shrapnel into the cabin when they go off.
The second Stellantis airbag recall to be announced this week affects 284,982 cars, including Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models, reports Reuters. The recall, which was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) earlier today affects cars built between 2018-2021 that were fitted with SABIC inflators. As the NHTSA explains:
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain airbag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Dealers will replace both side curtain airbags, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 3, 2024.
The slightly explosive airbag inflators are as a result of moisture that may have found its way into the components during production. The moisture inside could corrode the parts, weakening them so they could explode when they go off.
An investigation into the defective parts was launched last year, and its findings encouraged Stellantis and the NHTSA to issue the recall notice. So far, Stellantis has been made aware of five customer assistance records in relation to the issue. It has also had two warranty claims filed, but has so far received no field reports of the explosive airbags.
