LPGA stars get the need for speed in Ford's Mach-E
LPGA stars Maria Fassi, Megan Khang, Lauren Coughlin, and Maja Stark get the need for speed with Ford Brand Ambassador, Hailie Deegan, in the all-new Mustang Mach-E GT.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Q&A with BMI's Santiago Arieu on the magnet crisis disrupting global auto production
The introduction of a new licensing system by China, now slowing the export of rare earth elements, has sent a ripple of disruption across global vehicle production lines, raising the spectre of stalled factories and delayed deliveries. Rare earth magnets, often invisible yet indispensable, are the backbone of modern automotive technology. From the motors powering electric vehicles (EVs) to the sensors, steering systems, and regenerative brakes that define the modern driving experience, these small but mighty components are everywhere. But as China tightens its grip on these critical exports, amid a backdrop of rising geopolitical tension and new US tariffs, the industry is facing a reckoning. Europe, which sources 98% of its rare earth magnets from China, finds itself particularly exposed. Efforts to bolster domestic supply through initiatives like the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act have thus far failed to match China's scale or competitiveness. Meanwhile, automakers are issuing warnings: stockpiles are dwindling, and the clock is ticking. Ford has already paused operations at a major plant, Suzuki has pulled back production on key models, and Germany's influential automotive industry group VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie) has raised red flags about looming shutdowns. Behind the headlines, the implications are even more serious for the EV sector, which depends on rare earth materials far more than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. As electrification accelerates globally, the threat to supply chains grows more acute, and more costly. In this Q&A, Santiago Arieu (SA), Senior Autos Analyst at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, sheds light on how the rare earth bottleneck could shape the next chapter for automakers and auto financiers. In conversation with Alejandro Gonzalez (AG), editor of Motor Finance Online. SA: If the supply constraints for these critical minerals do not improve, we believe it is highly likely that we will need to implement downward revisions to our 2025 vehicle forecasts (involving both production and sales projections). Regarding regional exposure, whilst rare earth magnets are utilised across all vehicle types, we highlight that markets and regions producing more technologically advanced vehicles with a greater number of features requiring these components face disproportionate risk. SA: Whilst we believe some automakers may consider reverting to older EV motor technologies or reducing premium features that significantly rely on rare earth magnets, we believe that carmakers are likely to exhaust all other options before implementing such measures. It is worth noting that these components are strategically crucial as they enable carmakers to differentiate their products in increasingly competitive markets. Moreover, many of these magnet-dependent features form a central part of the value proposition for modern vehicles. Removing such features would risk compromising brand positioning and consumer appeal, particularly in premium segments where these differentiators justify higher price points. SA: We believe the disruptions we are beginning to observe stemming from rare earth supply constraints will drive regions such as North America and Europe to accelerate and facilitate the onshore production of these minerals and components. That said, we forecast a substantial dependency on Mainland China for these critical materials and components will persist in the short term (at least 6 to 12 months). This is because the development of alternative supply chains represents a significant industrial challenge that cannot be resolved quickly, particularly given China's dominant position in processing capacity and technical expertise built over several years. SA: We believe the EU needs to significantly enhance economic incentives and simplify regulatory procedures to accelerate the development of new rare earth processing facilities within its borders. Currently, European operations struggle to compete with Chinese producers on cost efficiency and scale, creating a critical vulnerability in the automotive supply chain. To achieve genuine supply chain resilience, the EU could introduce more robust financial support measures and cut red tape, enabling European processors to achieve commercially viable economies of scale. SA: We believe that if industry production volumes are negatively affected by rare earth supply issues, similar to the semiconductor shortage in 2020-2021, vehicle prices are very likely to rise due to rapidly shifting supply-demand dynamics. These price increases could have a substantial impact on vehicle sales volumes, as higher costs would further strain affordability at a time when vehicle pricing is already elevated. We also see the potential for this situation to lead to tighter auto financing terms across Europe, as ongoing rare earth mineral supply constraints could create additional challenges for EV pricing. China's rare earth clampdown strains global auto production "Q&A with BMI's Santiago Arieu on the magnet crisis disrupting global auto production" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Car and Driver
an hour ago
- Car and Driver
2025 Ford Mustang GTD Officially Starts at $327,960
A window sticker posted online shows that the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD officially starts at $327,960 after destination and gas guzzler fees. With a $10,000 carbon-fiber roof and $1500 red brake calipers, the GTD in question comes out to $339,460 out the door. A representative for Ford confirmed the authenticity of the window sticker to Car and Driver. When it first broke cover in August 2023, the Ford Mustang GTD was anticipated to carry a roughly $300,000 starting price. Sometime after that, the rumored starting price edged closer to $325,000. Well, we can now confirm that the 2025 Mustang GTD officially starts at $327,960 before any options. One lucky owner's window sticker began floating between forums this week, giving us our first official look at the GTD's price breakdown. The sheet shows a base price of $318,760, but that doesn't include the $5500 delivery fee and $3700 gas-guzzler tax. A Ford spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the window sticker to Car and Driver. Ford Since the anonymous owner kept the options list to a minimum, we don't know how much some of the other options cost. Still, the Monroney for this specific car includes the $10,000 carbon-fiber roof and $1500 red brake calipers. The car isn't equipped with the optional aero package, so we're in the dark about the price of the drag-reduction system. Instead, this GTD will be outfitted with the huge static wing that a Multimatic spokesperson told us produces more downforce at 150 mph than a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at the same speed. Still, even without a laundry list of options, every GTD comes with a thundering supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that generates 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It also comes with a standard Akrapovič titanium exhaust, which you can listen to in this video of Dirk Müller piloting the GTD around the Nürburgring. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
After losing LPGA card, Maria Fassi learned how to look inward and stop self-sabotaging
After losing LPGA card, Maria Fassi learned how to look inward and stop self-sabotaging Maria Fassi hit rock bottom last year when she lost her LPGA card. Then came the hard conversations – with herself and her team. "I think I was sabotaging myself a lot," said Fassi ahead of the 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic. Six years ago, the powerful Mexican player was on top of the world. She didn't win the Augusta National Women's Amateur but became a fan favorite and overnight star after finishing runner-up to Jennifer Kupcho. A month later, she won the NCAA championship in front of a home crowd in Arkansas and kicked off a professional career that many thought might change the tour. Perhaps it's not surprisingly to learn then, that the now 27-year-old put a lot of pressure on herself. Fassi now finds herself in Grand Rapids, Michigan, playing on a sponsor exemption due in part to the actions of Brittany Lincicome. After the two-time major winner accepted a sponsor exemption of her own to the Meijer, she learned from her friend and former caddie Michelle Simpson that Fassi wasn't in the field. (Simpson now loops for Fassi.) Lincicome realized that she could get in the field using her status as a past champion and didn't need the exemption. She called the tour to make the change and offer a suggestion. "Her and my caddie are very good friends and they were just trying to help me out," said Fassi. "I know I needed a little more this year, the extra help, and it's nice to know that I don't only get it from sponsors, but from fellow competitors and players." The Meijer mark Fassi's fifth LPGA start to the season, and while the scores aren't yet where she'd like them, she's starting to regain some of her confidence. Fassi credited her team for helping to hold herself accountable. For example, when she'd practice last fall, she might be at the golf course for several hours, but wasn't putting in the work in the right places. Her team got right to the point: Stop wasting time. Identify what needs to improve and get to work. "Drills are very boring," Fassi said. "It was not what I wanted to do, but it was what I had to do. "You know, that's more on the golf side. On the mental side, just like stopped lying to myself about things that I was not doing and I was, again, lying to myself, saying that I did do them or something like that. Instead be like OK, you can't expect for something different if you're continuing to go down the same hole ... it was painful looking inward because there was a lot of things I didn't like to see, and I was very angry with myself." But the hard process was worth it, and on the other side, one of the most naturally talented athletes on tour found a way to enjoy the game again. "I'm just proud that I'm showing up for myself and showing up for my team in a positive way," said Fassi, "and not kind of shooting myself in the foot before I even start."
