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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: 2022 Chicago Auto Show (TV)
HEADLINE: Electric Vehicles Take Center Stage at 2022 Chicago Auto Show
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 02/17/2022 at 3:05 pm
BYLINE: Kane Farabaugh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Chicago, Illinois
VIDEOGRAPHER: Kane Farabaugh, Mike Burke
PRODUCER: Kane Farabaugh/Rob Raffaele
SCRIPT EDITORS: MB, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Tesla, Rivian
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 3:03
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ((This is the news version of a segment being produced for Inside Story.))
((INTRODUCTION))
[[One of the key highlights of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show, one of North America’s largest and longest running vehicle showcases, is the display of new, all-electric vehicles coming to dealer showrooms soon. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh has more from the McCormick Place Convention Center.]]
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“So demand is through the roof.”
((NARRATOR)) Jasen Turnbull is a Ford marketing manager, promoting a vehicle at the auto show that isn’t yet available on dealer lots…
((NAT SOUND))
… but is already sold out for the foreseeable future.
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“We have over 200,000 reservations and we are trying to fulfill those.”
((NARRATOR))
He’s not talking about the latest sport utility vehicle or a high-performance sports car…
((NAT SOUND))
… he’s promoting a new full size pickup truck which is notable for what it doesn’t come with – a traditional combustion engine. The Ford F-150 Lightning is all electric.
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“It’s going to tow and haul just as well as current trucks on the market and [is] just as durable.”
((NARRATOR))
While traditional pickup trucks were top sellers in the United States in 2021, Turnbull admits it seemed unlikely that an all-electric vehicle, or “E-V” pickup truck would be as well received as its gasoline-powered counterparts.
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“It’s a rapidly growing segment. Even a couple of years ago, it was almost an oxymoron – EV’s and trucks.”
((NARRATOR))
Those wanting to buy a ‘Lightning’ don’t seem bothered by the vehicle’s approximate 600-kilometer range before needing a recharge.
((Nichole Kraatz, Chevrolet Silverado EV Chief Engineer))
“Most people don’t drive 400 miles [640 km] in a day but they want the capability to be able go up north, go on a small trip, go on a long trip.”
((NARRATOR))
Nichole Kraatz is the chief engineer for General Motor’s new Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup truck, which is directly competing with the Ford F-150 Lightning. She says a growing network of charging stations across America is helping consumers overcome anxiety about the current range of electric vehicles.
((Nichole Kraatz, Chevrolet Silverado EV Chief Engineer))
“Consumers want range and capability. // Having charge stations with our EV growth strategy as well as having partnerships with other charge station companies is really going to allow us to have that capability to go even further than that first 400 miles [640 km] of range.”
((NARRATOR))
Kraatz says the Silverado EV is the latest offering in a dramatic ramp-up of new electric vehicles General Motors plans to send to dealerships in the not-too-distant future.
((Nichole Kraatz, Chevrolet Silverado EV Chief Engineer ))
“We’ve talked about having a million vehicles on the road by 2025 that are EV’s. Up to 35 models that will be electric vehicles.”
((NARRATOR))
Ford has ambitious electric vehicle plans too.
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“We’re investing 30 billion dollars in the next couple of years, and we really think that in the U.S. market, we’re aiming for 40 percent of our vehicles to be all electric by 2030.”
((NARRATOR))
Other manufacturers are speeding new EV models to market as well.
((COURTESY TESLA))
Tesla will soon add an all-electric “cybertruck” to its already popular sedan lineup.
((COURTESY RIVIAN))
Rivian is also planning to deliver the first orders for its new truck later this year.
((Nichole Kraatz, Chevrolet Silverado EV Chief Engineer))
“The pickup truck market is growing. I feel really excited about being on the edge of another transformation in the auto industry.”
((Jasen Turnbull, Marketing Manager, Ford F-150 Lightning))
“Now is the right time. Battery costs have come down and charging station infrastructure has come up.”
((NARRATOR))
If anything, these EVs are already too popular. Customers have to wait just to get on a waiting list to buy the Ford F-150 Lightning.
((Jasen Turnbull, Ford F-150 Lightning Marketing Manager))
“Right now we stopped reservations. We are focused on fulfilling those [already made].”
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA News, Chicago, Illinois))
NewsML Media TopicsSociety, Science and Technology
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 17, 2022 15:16 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
