🚗 Leak or Peek?

🚙 Tesla in Court, Nissan in the Market, and Data in Your Hand

December 04, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Wednesday, Friend!

As always, we’ve got plenty to check out, so thaw out your thumbs and scroll along.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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Today's Email

🫣 Tesla’s Cybertruck Pause, Jaguar’s Bold Leak, Nissan’s Woes

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Tesla’s juggling courtroom drama (Elon’s paycheck got benched), Cybertruck woes (is the hype rusting?), and a make-or-break sales push in China.

GM decided to call “efficiency” on selling a battery plant, while Ford’s European EV gambit with the Puma Gen-E is less meow and more hmm.

Jaguar accidentally leaked a bold EV concept (or maybe it was strategic?) and now has everyone debating its design chops.

Hyundai and Kia smashed sales records with electrified vehicles, thanks to fat incentives, while dealer lots are brimming with inventory for the first time in years.

And Nissan? They’re trying not to skid off the road entirely, with production cuts, tariffs, and executive exits piling up.

Read the full stories—curated and customized for your reading pleasure—at Daily.ASOTU.com.

Sourcing from The Street: More at Bats Or Super Leads?

When it comes to sourcing vehicles from your local market, you've got two common online approaches to fill the top of the funnel.

1 - Get as many chances to have as many conversations as possible.
2 - Get a small number of super leads.

TradePending breaks down the pros and cons of each approach here.

🛑 The Looming Loss of the EV Tax Credit

Tenor

With President-elect Trump’s administration considering an end to the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, dealerships are bracing for a potential 27% drop in EV sales.

Here’s how the numbers break down and what it means for dealers:

J.D. Power

The Clean Vehicle Credit has been instrumental in lowering the cost barrier for EV ownership, making it easier for customers to make the leap to electric.

  • Savings that Stack Up: In 2024, buyers saved an average of $5,124 per vehicle, a substantial increase from $4,302 in 2023 and $1,629 in 2022.

  • Leasing Pays More: Lessees saw the biggest benefit, averaging $6,696 in tax credits this year, compared to $4,257 for purchases.

  • Credit as Cash: Many buyers used the credit as a down payment, giving them an immediate financial edge.

J.D. Power

Among luxury EV buyers, 64% say the tax credit played a significant role in their decision, compared to 49% of mass-market EV buyers.

Across all segments, 87% of EVs sold in 2024 utilized the credit, highlighting its critical role in driving sales.

J.D. Power

Not all brands have leveraged the Clean Vehicle Credit equally, meaning that some will less affected by the loss:

⬆️ Most Influenced Brands: Volkswagen (81%), Chevrolet (77%), Tesla (72%)

⬇️ Least Influenced Brands: Hyundai (32%), Kia (24%), Toyota (21%)

Dealers know better than anyone that tax credits make closing EV sales easier. When customers hear “up to $7,500 off,” it’s often the tipping point they need to make a final decision. Without that financial incentive in play, attracting buyers may become trickier.

So , what can you do?

  • Act Now: If your lot has EVs in stock, now’s the time to emphasize the credit before potential regulatory changes.

  • Educate Shoppers: Many buyers find tax credit rules “vague” or “confusing.” A knowledgeable dealer can make all the difference.

  • Promote Leasing: Leasing sidesteps many credit restrictions, offering customers more flexibility and savings.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

🍾 Thursday, December 19th — ASOTU’s Year End Extravaganza (deets coming soon!)

⚜️ January 23-26th, 2025 — NADA Show in New Orleans

  • Psst…

    • Are you planning a party for NADA and want more people to know?

    • Are you looking for a party at NADA?

    • OR, would you like to party with ASOTU at NADA?

🦀 May 13-16th, 2025 — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland

🥊 Quick Hits: Bans, Credit, and Snow White

  • China retaliates against U.S. export restrictions by banning key tech materials, including gallium and germanium. 🚫 

  • BlackRock acquires HPS Investment Partners for $12B, expanding its private credit assets to $220B amid booming demand. 🪨 

  • Disney's new “Snow White” trailer showcases Gal Gadot's eerie Evil Queen, Rachel Zegler's reimagined Snow White, iconic dwarfs, and a spooky "Old Hag" transformation. 🍎 

🔁 Today in History: LA, Peace, and Quartet

  • 1881: The first edition of the Los Angeles Times is published. 📰 

  • 1915: Henry Ford sets sail to end WWI on “Peace Ship.” 🕊️ 

  • 1956: The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) get together at Sun Studio for the first and last time. 🎙️ 

Thanks for reading, friend!

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