HERE’S TO THE SHOOTING STARS.

By Peter M. DeLorenzo

Detroit.

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.” 

– Jack Kerouac, On the Road.

We’ve reached an inflection point in this mad, mad automobile industry. Creativity is at a new peak in Design, Engineering and Product Development. The onset of the BEV Age is demanding everything, all the time, out of everyone involved. It’s all hands on deck for the True Believers across the entire spectrum of the auto industry. 

You only have to look at one company in particular – General Motors – to see how everything has changed. It’s no secret that GM’s “best and brightest” engineering talent has been assigned to the company’s BEV development programs. That the majority of those people were involved in the development of the new Corvette – hands down the best car GM has ever built – says a lot about how Mary Barra, Mark Reuss & Co. see The Future. 

I have noticed that some DoomSlingers have started to come out of the woodwork to suggest that GM is way out front of the transition to BEVs, too far out front, to be more precise. That the company is leaving itself exposed to the vagaries of a driving populace that is still not one with the EV “thing” yet. These are the same people, of course, who made a cottage industry of mocking the Detroit automakers over decades for always lagging behind the curve, for always being behind the trends, for always playing catch-up. They’re the same people who suggest that the only worthwhile auto manufacturer is Tesla, that “Detroit” is collectively behind yet again, and that it would be better for all concerned if the “traditional” American automakers just faded away and allowed “hip” Tesla to become the only American automaker.

And that is so much unmitigated bullshit too. 

Last time I checked, Tesla is still having trouble building its vehicles without major quality issues. We’re not talking about glitches with the electronics – a common annoyance for all manufacturers – no, we’re talking about parts falling off. It’s hard to mask that with descriptions of “minor” issues – unless you’re a card-carrying member of the Cult of St. Elon – because there is nothing minor about parts falling off in this day and age. It is simply unacceptable by any measure. Can you imagine if some of the quality horror stories that have plagued Tesla had hit FCA, Ford or GM? The mainstream media and the politicians in Washington would be wielding their pitchforks with glee, demanding that “Detroit” be punished for their atrocities against humanity.

The notion that GM – or the VW Group, for that matter, which is also going “all-in” – is too far ahead of the oncoming BEV transition is laughable. It’s not just traditional industry lead times at play here, it’s the fact that the prevailing winds across the globe are blowing in the direction of fundamental change, and to deny that is simply akin to plunging one’s head in the sand. This can’t be dismissed as a “trend” or a “fad” either; we are moving into a new global sensibility that is picking up speed by the day. Consumers will slowly but surely come around to the efficacy of BEVs, while the last vestiges of the “ICE Age” play themselves out over the next couple of decades. Perhaps it will take more time in this country, but there’s no denying where this is going. So, are the companies going “all-in” to the BEV transition gambling with their futures? Guess what, these companies gamble with their futures every day, so this is nothing new; it’s just part of the game.

As I mentioned earlier, the transition to BEVs is demanding everything out of everyone involved, all the time. That this business isn’t for the faint of heart has been well documented in these pages. That it’s an “up at dawn, pride swallowing siege” (thanks, Cameron Crowe) is just part of the deal. The BEV imperative is placing new demands and new urgencies on the True Believers across the board. 

And right now, it’s time for these True Believin’ shooting stars to soar to new heights. Good enough isn’t even part of the lexicon for these people. Neither is complacency or going through the motions. These people push and strive as a matter of course. Yesterday’s breakthroughs give way to tomorrow’s starting points. Make no mistake about it, the dawn of the BEV Era will bring out the best out of the best and the brightest, which is why I am newly optimistic as to where this is all going.

Yes, a booming V8 will always remain close to my heart, but I envision that the dawn of the BEV Era will accelerate the possibilities for companies and consumers alike. Change in this case will be very, very good. 

Not that these companies need to be admonished to do so, but unleash your shooting stars and let them soar unimpeded. I firmly believe that the results will be breathtaking.

Oh, and one more thing.

Vote as if your life – and the future of this great nation – depends on it. Because this just in: It does.

And that’s the High-Octane Truth for this week.