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🗺️ December 17: Honda Hybrids, CA Challenges, and Waymo's Tokyo Expansion

Author

Chris Reeves
December 17, 2024

The Gist

Honda’s Prelude is back after two decades, this time as a hybrid with new S+ Shift tech to make driving fun and efficient. Tesla, on the other hand, is hitting bumps—its self-driving HW4 computers are failing on brand-new cars, leaving service centers swamped. Lamborghini’s delaying its first EV to 2029, saying the market isn’t ready yet, while France slashed EV subsidies and cut off e-bikes completely, leaving small manufacturers reeling. Toyota’s $10K Hilux pickup got a quirky seven-seat SUV makeover for Indonesia—practical, affordable, and unlikely to land here anytime soon.

Closer to home, California held its clean air rules in court, but with Trump eyeing a rollback, the fight isn’t over. Meanwhile, Waymo heads to Tokyo for its first international robotaxi tests, and German automakers brace for U.S. tariffs that could upend their supply chains. Between hybrids, trade chaos, and EV pricing wars, there’s plenty to keep dealers on their toes.

Table of Contents

🥊 Prelude to a Comeback: Honda’s Hybrid Sports Coupe Returns

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It’s been two decades since we said goodbye, but the Prelude is back—with a modern twist.

  • Late 2025 Arrival: Honda’s beloved coupe will return stateside with a sporty hybrid-electric powertrain.

  • New Tech Alert: Debuting the Honda S+ Shift—a mode promising “maximum driver engagement” (translation: fun with a sprinkle of eco-consciousness).

  • The Hybrid Bridge: While critics grumble for a fully electric Prelude, Honda’s leaning on hybrids as the “bridge” to its EV future.

  • The Stats So Far: Hybrids make up 50% of Accord and CR-V sales, and the new Civic Hybrid is expected to hit 40%.

“The first three products in Honda’s lineup were the Civic, Accord, and Prelude... soon all three will be back as hybrids.” — Jessika Laudermilk, Honda Auto Sales

Why not a fully electric Prelude?

Hybrids pay the bills.

⚠️ Tesla’s ‘Self-Driving’ Crisis: HW4 Fails Fresh Off the Lot

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New cars, new tech, old headaches.

  • What’s Happening: Tesla’s HW4 self-driving computers are failing within days of delivery.

  • The Problem: Insiders cite possible short circuits during camera calibration. Features like cameras, GPS, and range estimations—kaput.

  • Service Chaos: Tesla is overwhelmed, pushing repair appointments into next year.

  • No Recall Yet: Despite safety issues (federal rear-view camera regs say hello), Tesla has stayed quiet.

🐂 Lamborghini Hits the Brakes on Its First EV

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Why hurry? The market’s not ready (or so they say).

  • Lamborghini’s first EV will now arrive in 2029 (not 2028).

  • CEO Stephan Winkelmann: “We don’t think 2029 is late.”

  • In the Meantime: Lamborghini launched the Temerario plug-in hybrid this year, keeping performance fans entertained.

Your move, Ferrari.

🇫🇷 France Slashes EV Incentives, Drops Two-Wheeler Subsidies

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French EV buyers, we hope you saved up.

  • The French government cut EV car subsidies by nearly 50% and eliminated bonuses for electric two- and three-wheelers, including e-bikes.

  • Why? Budget constraints for 2025.

  • The Fallout: A death sentence for small e-bike manufacturers, says industry leaders.

Wider Impact? France may just have set a trend. Other governments (yes, US included) could be eyeing similar cuts.

🛻 Toyota’s $10K Pickup Goes SUV Mode

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Cheap, cheerful, and practical?

  • Toyota’s Hilux Champ—a $10K small truck—just got a three-row SUV makeover for the Indonesian market.

  • The Look: A boxy shell slapped behind the cab, offering 7-seat capability in something about the size of a Ford Maverick.

  • Under the Hood: Gasoline or diesel engine options and manual transmission.

Why do we care?

Affordable SUVs are always a curiosity, especially with tight supply chains and rising prices in the US. Toyota, your move here?

📉 Germany’s Automakers Brace for Trump’s Trade Tariffs

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“I want German car companies to become American car companies.” — Trump

  • The Threat: Blanket tariffs on all goods could hit Europe’s auto sector hard, with Germany feeling the most pain.

  • Why It Hurts:

    • 15% of Germany’s exports to the U.S. are cars.

    • VW, Mercedes, and BMW are already hurting from slowing demand in China.

  • The Fallout: Analysts warn tariffs will ripple through Germany’s entire supply chain—steel, chemicals, logistics—ouch.

🏛️ California’s Clean Air Rules Survive a Legal Challenge

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Don’t mess with CARB.

  • The Supreme Court rejected an attempt to kill California’s right to set its own clean air standards—an authority it’s held since the 1960s.

  • Why It Matters: Trump has already hinted at ripping this up once back in office, setting up a regulatory tug-of-war.

  • California’s clean air rules have been wildly successful: LA’s smog is down 98% since the ‘60s, even with more cars on the road.

The Golden State keeps breathing easier—for now.

🤖 Waymo Expands to Tokyo

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California robotaxis are headed East.

  • First International Stop: Waymo will start testing its AVs in Tokyo next year.

  • The Plan: Partnering with taxi giant Nihon Kotsu and app GO.

  • Why Tokyo? Japan sees driverless tech as a solution for its aging population.

Meanwhile, GM’s Cruise? Let’s just say Waymo isn’t sweating the competition.

🌎 The Price Pinch: Europe’s Automakers Raise ICE Prices

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Need an EV boost? Just make gas cars more expensive.

  • EU Rules Loom: Starting January 1, automakers must hit tougher emissions caps (or pay billions in fines).

  • The Strategy: Raise ICE car prices while cutting EV prices.

    • VW slashed the ID.3’s price in Germany to under €30K.

    • Renault tacked €300 onto gas-powered Clios.

  • The Risk: Will buyers play along, or will price hikes backfire?

🏁 Takeaways for US Dealers

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  • Honda’s Prelude: Hybrids still matter—and sporty can sell. Start prepping customers for excitement + efficiency.

  • Tesla Troubles: Watch for customer hesitation around Tesla’s reliability—alternative EV options might be their next stop.

  • Trade War Warnings: If tariffs on EU imports hit, expect ripple effects on supply chains and price adjustments.

  • EV Pricing Games: Europe’s juggling act on ICE and EV prices could foreshadow shifts here. How prepared is your EV strategy?

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