'Auto Trends' Talks To One Of The First High Schools In The U.S. To Create An EV Conversion Class

 

Instructor Hartman and his class pose with the 1964 Chevy Impala convertible they are converting to a lowrider electric vehicle. (Photo Credit: GCC)

This week on Auto Trends with JeffCars.com we talk to California's Gateway Community Charters (GCC). As the country slowly shifts toward electric vehicles (EV), this Northern California school system has become one of the first in the country to create an EV curriculum. What makes this program so unique is that the school system has decided to focus on lowrider vehicles, which was birthed out of the Hispanic culture. 

Being that Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy (SAVA), a GCC charter school, where the course is being offered, caters to a student population with a high concentration of Latino and Black students, this makes perfect sense that the school has chosen to convert a lowrider gasoline car to an all-electric vehicle.

The Biden Administration Talks To 'Auto Trends' About The Latest Electric Vehicle Incentives Targeting Minorities And Low Income Car Buyers

DOE's Michael Berube (photo credit: DOE)

On August 16, 2022, under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden Administration announced the most drastic change to transform the auto industry, since Henry Ford revolutionized the development of mass produced cars. This new legislation will help to usher in, as well as aid the country transition toward purchasing both new and used electric vehicles, making them more affordable. 

The Inflation Reduction Act will also aid California Air Resource Board (CARB) drive, no pun intended, to ban the sale of all-new gasoline powered cars in their state by 2035. California announced this initiative in September 2020. The state has always been the forerunner in the United States, as it relates to auto emission controls and helping to keep the environment green. Other states are expected to follow suit, eliminating the ban of new gasoline powered vehicles too.

Honda Finance Announces $24 Million Settlement For Overcharging Minority Customers

This was taken directly from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:


The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Department of Justice (DOJ) resolved an action with American Honda Finance Corporation that will put new measures in place to address discretionary auto loan pricing and compensation practices. Honda’s past practices resulted in thousands of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander borrowers paying higher interest rates than white borrowers for their auto loans, without regard to their creditworthiness. As part of today’s order, Honda will change its pricing and compensation system to substantially reduce dealer discretion and minimize the risks of discrimination, and will pay $24 million in restitution to affected borrowers.

“The CFPB is committed to creating a fair marketplace for all consumers, and other auto lenders should take note of today’s action,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Honda’s proactive decision to move to a new pricing and compensation system demonstrates industry leadership and represents a significant step towards protecting consumers from discrimination.”

Factoids: How Women And Minorities Are Driving the Industry

The Top 5 Automotive Brands For Women:

Toyota (13.1%)
Honda (11.9%)
Ford (10.7%)
Chevrolet (10.0%) 
Nissan (9.2%)

Source: Based on market share, according to Polk's 2011 New Vehicle Registrations data (year-to-date through October)

Minorities Help Offset U. S. Auto Sales Decline

While total new vehicle sales fell by 3% in 2007, minorities - African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans - picked up the slack for the auto industry. Last year, sales to minorities buyers accounted for 22.4 percent of the U.S. market, up from 22.3 percent in 2006, according to a recent study by R.L. Polk & Co., a Detroit based company, which analyzes new vehicle registrations. Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans accounted for 9.9%, 7.1% and 5.4% of new car retail sales, respectively. As the minority population continues to grow, the auto industry will need to make sure they're allocating their resources properly diversify their workforce, advertising and supplier base, reflecting the spending power of these groups. The above chart represents the most popular brands based on individual ethnic groups.