🫏 January 7: Tesla's ASS, Toyota's Prediction, and Volvo's Ups and Slumps

The Gist

🫏 Tesla’s ASS Hits the Fan
NHTSA is probing Tesla’s “Actually Smart Summon” (ASS) after 16 crashes, no injuries, and plenty of wall scrapes. Politics might muddy the waters as Elon Musk’s ties to Trump’s administration add intrigue.

🖥️ BMW’s Panoramic Leap
BMW’s iDrive goes windshield-wide with adaptive tech rolling out in 2025. The message? Keep your eyes on the road—and maybe envy off it.

🤔 Honda + Nissan = Titanic 2.0?
Honda and Nissan are merging to survive the EV storm, but can they float together? Toyota’s Akio Toyoda is “excited,” which is corporate for “watching closely.”

🌆 Toyota’s $10B Sci-Fi City
Woven City blends innovation and ambition, inviting 2,000 techies to live, dream, and maybe invent space taxis. Profits? Toyota’s in it for the “hearts.”

🔌 Cox Study: EV Joyride
EV buyers are happier (82%) than their ICE-driving counterparts (75%), thanks to time-saving digital tools and pricing transparency. Omnichannel is winning.

🔋 Volvo’s Global Win, U.S. Woes
Globally, EVs and PHEVs boosted Volvo to record sales. Stateside? A 59% EV plunge, steep tariffs, and EX30 delays spell trouble.

🚙 Chrysler: Minivans & Hope
Once mighty, now minivan-dependent. Stellantis plans a Pacifica facelift and a Halcyon-inspired sedan, but will nostalgia fuel a comeback?

🚕 ZEEKR’s U.S. Play
China’s ZEEKR flexes NVIDIA DRIVE Thor tech, teasing U.S. robotaxis with Waymo. The first Chinese EV brand to enter America—sort of.

Fuel for Thought

• 🫏 The ASS Hits the Fan: Tesla’s Smart Summon Scru …

• 🖥️ Panoramic Progress: BMW’s Big Display Era

• 🤔 Is Honda Saving Nissan, or Itself?

• 🌆 Toyota’s Woven City: Living the Future

• 🔌 Cox Study: EV Buyers Are Loving Life

• 🔋 Volvo: Electrifying, But U.S. Sales Stall

• 🚙 Chrysler’s Comeback or Curtain Call?

• 🚕 ZEEKR: China’s EV Giant Eyes the U.S.

🫏 The ASS Hits the Fan: Tesla’s Smart Summon Scrutiny

Tesla's "Actually Smart Summon" (ASS) feature is under investigation after 16 reported crashes. With 2.6 million vehicles affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is stepping in to probe this tech marvel-turned-menace.

What’s being investigated?

Tesla’s remote parking system, which uses cameras instead of radar, allowing users to summon their car via smartphone.

• Vehicles impacted: 2016-2025 Model S/X, 2017-2025 Model 3, 2020-2025 Model Y.

• Reported incidents: 16 crashes with no injuries but concerning scenarios like collisions with walls, cars, and signs.

Big questions about safety.

NHTSA is examining whether the app-based controls give users enough reaction time to prevent accidents.

Crashes occurred despite Tesla's safeguards, such as app button release to stop movement.

Political twist: Investigations could face turbulence with Elon Musk’s ties to the incoming Trump administration. Will safety probes take a backseat?

🖥️ Panoramic Progress: BMW’s Big Display Era

BMW’s new "Panoramic iDrive" system is poised to set a benchmark in automotive infotainment. Rolling out globally by 2025, this windshield-spanning display redefines keeping your eyes on the road.

Features:

• Windshield-wide display powered by BMW Operating System X.

• Multifunction steering wheel with adaptive illumination.

• International rollout begins late 2025, with U.S. launch mid-2026.

Why it matters?
BMW is aligning with the industry trend of integrated, road-focused displays. It’s a clear move to outpace rivals in driver safety and tech sophistication.

🤔 Is Honda Saving Nissan, or Itself?

Honda and Nissan are merging in a high-stakes game to survive the EV era. Toyota’s Akio Toyoda watches with curiosity—and maybe a touch of schadenfreude.

Did Nissan ask Toyota for a lifeline?

Nope. Akio Toyoda clarified at CES that Nissan didn’t even knock on Toyota’s door for a merger, probably because anti-monopoly laws would slam it shut.

Will Honda and Nissan dominate the EV future together?

Maybe, but don’t pop the champagne just yet. While Honda brings stability, Nissan’s been floundering for years. A merger is like strapping two half-empty lifeboats together and calling it a cruise.

What does Toyota think about all this?

Toyoda sees this as "exciting competition." Translation: "Let’s see if they can even stay afloat while we quietly crush it."

🌆 Toyota’s Woven City: Living the Future

A $10B Dream for Tech Geeks

Toyota's Woven City aims to weave tech, people, and mobility into a utopia under Mount Fuji. The sprawling 175-acre campus is part startup incubator, part sci-fi experiment.

• Residents and Goals: Up to 2,000 innovators will live here, developing AI, autonomous vehicles, and space tech.

• Zero Fatalities Mission: Toyota hopes to test ideas that make the roads safer and integrate futuristic tools seamlessly into daily life.

Will It Pay Off?

Toyota insists the goal isn’t profit—it’s about “moving hearts.” Investors may want to hear more about moving dollars.

🔌 Cox Study: EV Buyers Are Loving Life

The 2024 Car Buyer Journey Study by Cox Automotive reports record-high satisfaction among EV buyers. Digital tools and omnichannel experiences are driving happiness to an electrified 82%.

Findings:

• 75% of new-car buyers were highly satisfied with their shopping experience.

• EV buyers led the pack with 82% satisfaction, compared to 75% for ICE buyers.

What Are EV Buyers Happy About?

• Seamless digital tools save time—49 minutes for new buyers on average.

• Transparency in pricing and financing gives peace of mind.

Industry Implications

Dealers embracing omnichannel strategies see the best outcomes. ICE buyers, however, still value the in-person dealership vibe.

🔋 Volvo: Electrifying, But U.S. Sales Stall

A Global EV Win, U.S. Slump

Volvo’s electrified lineup, including EVs and plug-in hybrids, accounted for 46% of global sales in 2024—a record! But U.S. EV sales tumbled 59%, largely due to EX30 delays.

• PHEVs shine in the U.S.: A 70% sales jump offset EV woes.

• Future Plans: Volvo’s EX60, the XC60’s electric successor, is set to launch on a cutting-edge platform next year.

Tariff Troubles

With the EX30 starting at $45K, steep tariffs on Chinese-made EVs make it a tough sell stateside.

🚙 Chrysler’s Comeback or Curtain Call?

A Minivan Marvel and More

Once a titan, Chrysler now clings to its minivan dominance. Stellantis insists the brand is here to stay, with plans for refreshed models and new SUVs.

• Chrysler Pacifica gets a facelift in 2026.

• Halcyon concept-inspired sedan: A nostalgic nod with modern flair.

Will Chrysler reclaim its glory days? Fans certainly hope so.

🚕 ZEEKR: China’s EV Giant Eyes the U.S.

From CES to U.S. Streets
ZEEKR’s NVIDIA-powered EVs are turning heads at CES 2025. The ambitious automaker plans to launch three new models this year, including a U.S.-bound robotaxi for Waymo.

• Tech Highlights: NVIDIA’s DRIVE Thor enables smarter driving and parking functions.

• U.S. Impact: ZEEKR could be the first Chinese EV brand to break into the American market—albeit via loopholes like robotaxi partnerships.

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