💽 Auto Bytes: Six-Figure Rides, Stock Surges, and EV Drama

The Gist

The Lincoln Navigator just crossed the six-figure mark—because who doesn’t love paying $16K more for the same 440-hp EcoBoost? Tesla's stock shot up 22%, thanks to Musk’s 2025 growth dreams, but let’s not forget those regulatory credits padding the numbers. Meanwhile, the U.S. just approved a massive lithium mine in Nevada—cue the environmental lawsuits—and half of Americans are itching to test drive EVs, though dealers aren’t quite ready to seal the deal. Costco’s cautiously dipping its toes into EV charging, and Waymo’s robotaxis are rolling out with $5.6 billion to burn. Oh, and EU vs. China? It's getting tense.

BUSINESS

🚙 Six-Figure Navigator: Now $101,990 and Counting

The Lincoln Navigator has officially broken the $100,000 barrier. With the base model dropping the Premiere trim, this luxe SUV starts at a hefty price point and climbs from there. Here’s a quick glance at the numbers, features, and how this may impact dealership sales.

• $101,990 starting price – That’s $16,730 more than last year! The entry-level Reserve trim replaces Premiere, marking a significant price hike.

• Pricing Breakdown:

  • Navigator Reserve: $101,990

  • Reserve LWB: $104,980

  • Jet Appearance Package: $104,990

  • Black Label: $118,490

  • Black Label LWB: $121,485

• Interior Tech – The Navigator's all-new 48-inch dash-spanning screen sets the stage for a futuristic feel, while heated and cooled rear seats ensure all passengers experience luxury.

• Same Powertrain, Same Punch – The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 carries over, still cranking out 440 horsepower.

The refresh might raise some eyebrows among potential buyers, but it sure ups the luxury ante in the Navigator line.

📈 Tesla Stock Surge: Up 22%, But Should We Care?

Tesla’s stock skyrocketed 22%, its best day in over a decade. Sure, it’s impressive, but does this mean anything for dealerships? Let’s break down the drama, Musk-style.

Didn’t Tesla miss revenue estimates?

Yes, they did. But apparently, that doesn’t matter when you’ve got Elon Musk dropping bold predictions of 20-30% vehicle growth next year, boosting the stock to its highest day since 2013.

Can we believe Musk’s 2025 growth guess?

Musk’s forecast beats analysts' more cautious 15% growth projection, but as always with Tesla, there’s a grain of salt involved. Even analysts that are bullish on Tesla tempered their excitement. Deutsche Bank's forecast sits between 10-15% vehicle growth, citing affordability concerns with Tesla's models.

What about all those regulatory credits boosting profits?

Good eye! Tesla raked in $739 million in regulatory credits, a figure that probably won’t stick around for long. It’s not sustainable, but for now, it’s padding Tesla’s bottom line and keeping the stock rally alive.

It’s a stock rollercoaster with more twists than an Autopilot update—worth watching, but maybe from a safe distance.

🌱 Lithium Mine Approved in Nevada: Key EV Supply Move

For the first time, the US has approved a massive lithium mine, signaling a big move to break China’s chokehold on critical EV minerals. This is huge news for domestic EV production and supply chains.

New Lithium Lifeline

The mine, scheduled for completion by 2028, will quadruple US lithium production. That’s enough lithium to power roughly 370,000 EVs annually, giving manufacturers like Ford a domestic option for their future batteries.

Conservation Controversy

While the mine will bring 350 high-paying jobs, environmentalists are battling over the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat flower. Despite years of legal squabbling, the government has greenlit the project, with plans to protect the delicate ecosystems in the area.

Ford’s Involvement

Ford has already secured a deal to source its lithium from the mine, further tying its EV ambitions to domestic production.

The lithium gold rush is heating up, and Nevada’s getting in on the action. Expect to hear more as the EV supply chain stakes its claim.

🔋 Half of Americans Ready for EV Test Drives

Despite headlines about waning EV demand, a Consumer Reports survey shows that half of Americans are eager to give electric vehicles a spin at their local dealership. Test drives might be the key to unlocking EV sales, but there are still hurdles in the way.

Dealership Test Drives Are Essential

50% of Americans are open to trying an EV, with many citing concerns like battery longevity, range, and tax credits. Consumer Reports suggests that once buyers get behind the wheel, they’re hooked.

Dealerships Could Do Better

Unfortunately, many dealerships still lack enthusiasm when it comes to selling EVs. A quarter of recent hybrid and EV shoppers said they weren’t satisfied with the info provided by dealers. That’s a gap retailers can’t afford to ignore.

What Shoppers Care About

Top areas of interest for consumers? Battery longevity (53%), cost of ownership (52%), real-world range (47%), and tax credits (45%).

Bottom line? Get shoppers in the driver’s seat and give them the info they need—dealers can make the difference in the EV switch.

⚡ Costco’s Careful EV Charger Rollout: Two and Counting

Costco, the king of bulk buying, is cautiously entering the EV fast-charging game. With just two Costco-branded chargers installed in Washington, the retail giant is testing the waters of this electric frontier.

A Slow Start

Unlike its gas stations, which are famous for long lines, Costco is keeping things small for now. The two chargers at its Ridgefield, Washington, location can power up to four vehicles at a time.

What’s Special About These Chargers?

Made by Seattle’s Electric Era, the stations feature 200-kilowatt dispensers, built-in battery storage, and a 32-inch display to make charging as easy as pumping gas.

More Locations to Come?

Costco has big plans but no timelines. The company aims to install chargers at 20 locations, but it’s not in any rush to dive into the fast-charging pool.

Costco may not be sprinting into the EV charger race, but its cautious approach shows that even the bulk-buy giant knows EVs are the future.

🚖 Waymo’s $5.6 Billion Boost: Robotaxis on the Rise

Waymo just closed a $5.6 billion funding round to expand its robotaxi services across the U.S. Alphabet's self-driving venture is surging ahead, and it’s more than just a tech milestone—it’s a peek into the future of autonomous transportation.

• Big Money – Alphabet’s parent company led this funding, with additional investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Fidelity. This round brings Waymo’s total capital raised to $11.1 billion.

• Service Expansion – Waymo currently operates in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, but this cash influx will help spread its fleet across the U.S. and beyond.

• Safety Still a Question Mark – While Waymo claims fewer crashes than human drivers, there’s still hesitation about robotaxi safety, with two-thirds of U.S. respondents saying they wouldn’t ride in a driverless car.

• Competition Heats Up – Tesla and GM’s Cruise are also jockeying for position in the AV race. Cruise recently hit a rough patch after a high-profile incident, giving Waymo more room to grow.

With new partnerships and city expansions, Waymo is steering into the future, and dealerships should keep an eye on how autonomous tech could reshape urban transportation.

🛠️ EU vs. China: EV Tariff Tensions Heat Up

In the latest chapter of global EV trade drama, the EU and China are squaring off over tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles. Talks are happening, but don't expect a quick resolution.

Is this just another trade spat?

It’s bigger than that. The EU is ready to slap tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EVs, claiming unfair subsidies. These tariffs could shake up the EU auto market, especially as Chinese automakers rapidly gain ground with competitively priced electric cars.

Why not just make peace?

Well, they’re trying. Both sides are exploring alternatives like minimum price commitments or Chinese investments in Europe. But let’s not kid ourselves—finding common ground here will be trickier than assembling flat-pack furniture without instructions.

Who’s winning this fight?

It’s too early to tell. European automakers support the investigation, but they’re also worried about the blowback. Slapping tariffs could slow down EV adoption in the EU, which isn’t great for their ambitious climate goals.

The stakes are high, and the road to resolution is winding. Auto industry insiders better buckle up for this bumpy ride.

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