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Welcome to a beautiful Wednesday in Retail Auto as we talk about GM’s collab with the US Department of Energy on hydrogen powered vehicles. We also talk about Europe’s efforts to enhance vehicle safety by bringing back buttons, as well as a new annual subscription from retail giant Target.
Show Notes with links:
- GM has been awarded $26 million in federal funding to develop hydrogen fuel cell-powered medium-duty trucks, as a part of the U.S. Department of Energy's SuperTruck 3 program.
- GM will collaborate with Southern Co. and Nel Hydrogen US to introduce the trucks in Georgia, alongside efforts to establish a supportive hydrogen microgrid.
- The $65 million project, partially funded by the Energy Department and U.S. Army's Ground Vehicle Systems Center, aims for a 75% greenhouse gas emission reduction.
- The pilot trucks will mirror the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 and will feature over 300 miles of range as well as the capacity to generate over 300 kilowatts of power.
- GM and Honda began producing hydrogen fuel cell systems through a joint venture near Detroit in January, and is working with Autocar Industries to put hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles such as cement mixers and roll-off trucks starting in 2026
- European car makers are being urged by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) to reintroduce physical controls for basic functions to enhance driving safety, effective from January 2026.
- Euro NCAP's new rules aim for cars to have tactile controls for essential functions, like hazard warning lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, SOS calls, and the horn, to maintain a five-star safety rating.
- The move addresses the risk of driver distraction caused by the prevalent use of touchscreens for key vehicle controls.
- Many manufacturers have moved to touchscreens as a cost-cutting method.
- Target announced the launch of Target Circle 360, a $99/year subscription program offering various benefits, including unlimited free same-day delivery, aiming to revitalize its e-commerce strategy.
- Target Circle 360 includes free same-day delivery (in some cases, under an hour) for orders over $35 and perks like two-day free shipping, leveraging Target's acquisition of Shipt for delivery logistics.
- CEO Brian Cornell emphasizes the program's role in meeting customer demand for convenience, while the company also revamps its free Target Circle loyalty program for added customer value.
- "There’s a guest who’s looking for the ease and convenience of having something brought right to their home — in some cases, within an hour —and we just want to elevate the awareness that we can do that," CEO Brian Cornell expressed, underlining the strategic move towards improving Target's delivery services and customer satisfaction.
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