They've been dropping for years, leaving car makers wary of investing too heavily.
Khodrocar - After losing its base engine last summer, the Cadillac ATS might remain a coupe-only offering for the next model year. The information is still not confirmed by the manufacturer, but General Motors VIN code documents, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2019 model year and brought to our attention by The Truth About Cars, list no ATS sedan. Powertrain options remain unchanged.
U.S. sales of the ATS have fallen each year since 2013 and this year deliveries are down by 37.5 percent for the first 11 months compared to the same period last year. November was the worst month in the history of the model with only 831 units registered. The combined sales of the ATS sedan and coupe last year are 21,505, significantly less than the first full year on the market (2013) - 38,319 units.
With tightening vehicle legislation meaning that many car makers are changing to electric propulsion, demand for nickel, cobalt and lithium is set to soar. Lithium-ion battery cell prices dropped by around 60 percent in the last five years, and larger-scale production means they're now much cheaper to make
Reuters reported back in September that Volkswagen was keen to secure a long-term supply of cobalt to help with its electrification plans. However, talks that took place this November failed to reach an agreement.
Meanwhile, Hyundai has admitted that it will have to develop its batteries in-house as electric cars become more commonplace – it currently relies on outside suppliers due to a lack of buying power to secure raw materials.
Away from battery technology, Hyundai has also teamed up with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to develop hydrogen cars propelled by electricity generated from onboard fuel cells.
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Source: Motor1
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