Meet Ram's EV ProMaster Delivery Van
DoorDash + La Michoacana Meat Market, eVTOL issues, CA fast food chains
Delivery fleet operators looking to electrify just got a new (but familiar) option, with Ram unveiling its first electric ProMaster van. Maybe someone will use one to deliver some La Michoacana for DoorDash? And for you wonks, we’ve got an interesting aerial beef brewing, and some insights into the Californian fast food market. Read on!
Modern Delivery will be off on Friday, returning Monday.
Today:
DoorDash Adds La Michoacana Meat Market
eVTOL Wars Heat Up
Chart Time | Top CA Fast Food Chains
Ram Unveils ProMaster EV Delivery Van
3PD | DoorDash Adds La Michoacana Meat Market
The race to add new grocers to 3PD platforms is heating back up, with DoorDash signing on La Michoacana Meat Market, a hispanic supermarket chain headquartered in Houston. Under its La Michoacana Meat Market, La Michoacana Supermarket, El Ahorro Supermarket, and Sellers Bros. banners, the group operates nearly 200 markets across Texas and Oklahoma, making it the country’s largest hispanic grocery chain. (While many other regions may have grocers, or ice cream shops, with a similar name, they’re likely unaffiliated.) DD and La Michoacana are kicking off the partnership with 20% off orders of $35 and up.
The Big Picture: Last week we saw DoorDash reignite the partnership wars with a slew of new retail brands, now the focus is on back on groceries. With the national grocery chains largely already spoken for at this point, the 3PDs are battling to sign on every last specialty and ethnic grocer. La Michoacana has an existing partnership with Instacart, which the grocer pushes heavily from its first party website; will DoorDash get equal treatment?
POLICY | Dueling Standards Hamstring eVTOL Expansion
Well here’s a headline from the future… two electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft startups are expanding across the country, as a new way to ferry people and goods starts to finally… take off (nyuk nyuk.) Archer Aviation, backed by United Airlines, is building out electric aircraft infrastructure in LA, NorCal, South Florida and the NYC Tri-State region. Not to be outdone, Joby Aviation is installing infrastructure in SoCal and the NYC region as well. Both companies hope to replace long car rides with short aircraft rides; Joby plans to launch its NYC and LA service as soon as next year.
The Big Picture: While two big operators building out infrastructure may sound like a boon for the industry, these developments aren’t as complementary as one might think. Archer, along with most other startups, makes use of the Combined Charging Standard (CCS), the same plug technology that fast charges many an electric car or truck. Joby has developed its own proprietary Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) solution. Of course the two are not interoperable, hamstringing both fleets. While Joby hopes its in-house tech will win out, just as Tesla’s charging standard seems to have beaten CCS for American car charging, the jury is still very much out.
CHART TIME | CA Fast Food Brands Face New Min Wage
California more or less invented fast food, and now it’s applying that innovation to the regulatory field, with a $20/hr minimum wage for workers at any such chain with 60+ national locations going into effect in April. We’ve mapped Technomic data of the largest chains, to show who’s bottom line will be most impacted. While Starbucks and Subway have the largest absolute number of units exposed, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr and Panda Express are arguably more impacted, given their more consolidated local footprints. (Although we’re sure Carl’s Jr’s numbers look much better if you add in its sister brand Hardee’s.)
VEHICLES | Ram Unveils New Electric ProMaster Delivery Van
Stellantis-owned Ram just unveiled its new all-electric ProMaster Delivery Van, giving fleets a new but familiar option as more and more operators start their sustainable transitions. The van has a targeted range of 162 miles, more than enough for urban routes. Level 3 DC fast charging at up to 150 kW means topping up is a breeze as well. The van comes in two configurations: the 159-inch wheelbase, roll-up rear door “delivery” model is available for order now; two cargo models, with 12 or 13 foot lengths, will be available shortly.
The Big Picture: While Stellantis has previously offered electric van variants in Europe, this is the first time it’s bringing batteries to its American delivery and cargo fleet. The vehicle has been designed with battery placement specifically in mind, ensuring improved performance. While Ram hasn’t released a price, expect it to come in above its gas-powered variant’s $44,405 MSRP; big federal incentives and lowered cost of ownership will still make it compelling for anyone planning for the medium or long term. While this van might not be quite as sexy as a Rivian, we expect many a buyer will be drawn to its familiar name and broad dealer / service network.
A Few Good Links
Green Chef launches gut and brain health-oriented meal kit. Subway pushes into snacks. Pizza Hut gets sweet n' spicy. KFC appoints Chief Concept Officer. Uber and DoorDash Driver apps top gig platform rankings. Buyers want installment plans. Little Caesars selects Deliverect to integrate 3PD globally. Bob Evans chooses PAR Technologies. Tso Chinese selects Voicify. SunTrain highlights a very weird way to deliver renewable energy. Brinker quarterly results coming 1/31. VinFast delivered 34,855 EVs in 2023. Kroger-owned Harris Teeter gets into floral delivery with FTD, DoorDash. USPS undercharged for Parcel Return packages. Maverik adds Relay fuel payment. CA debuts infrastructure tracking website. Bridge Appliances’ Omm is an automated egg cooker.
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