💪 Legacy Flex, Hyundai and Kia Credits, and Ride Share Robots

The Gist

• GM & Ford flex their muscle: Crushing 2024 sales with a 4% bump each. Trucks and SUVs still rule, but hybrids and EVs are gaining traction (slowly).

• Volkswagen’s ID.4 is back: After a parts drama, it’s hitting dealer lots with fresh lease deals. Chattanooga’s factory is revving up too.

• EV tax credits: Hyundai and Kia scored them after dropping billions on a Georgia plant. Trump’s threats to cut them? Less scary, more theater.

• Lucid’s wild ride: Record deliveries, cash burn, and stock wobble. Can a $12.5K discount on the Air and the Gravity SUV stabilize things?

• VW & Xpeng team up: 20K+ fast chargers in China, co-branded stations, and tech-driven EV domination in sight.

• Robotaxis: Uber and Lyft’s AI fleet arrives—just don’t expect them to excel in snowstorms or at finding you.

• Rivian’s rebound: Production dips, stocks rise. Smooth sailing predicted for 2025.

Fuel for Thought

• 🏆 Big Wins, Bigger Shifts: GM and Ford Adapt to C …

  • 📈 Resilient Results

  • ⚖️ Tradition Meets Innovation

  • 🚀 Looking Ahead

• 🔋 EV Tax Credits: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

  • Wait, Hyundai and Kia fought for these credits?

  • And Trump wants to kill the credits?

  • So, should I buy now or wait?

• 🌟 Lucid’s Record Year: Deliveries Surge but Stock …

  • Bigger Numbers, Bigger Challenges

  • Betting on SUVs and Savings

  • Saudi-Backed Dreams, Market Realities

• ⚡ Volkswagen and Xpeng: Fast Charging, Faster Move …

• 🤖 Robotaxis Are Coming: Will They Deliver?

  • Driverless taxis? What could go wrong?

  • How do Uber and Lyft plan to make this work?

    • They’re scouting idle spots, building charging hub …

  • Will I miss human drivers?

• 🚙 Rivian’s Rocky Year: Hope Amidst Drops

  • Production Falls, Stock Soars

  • Financing Deals Sweeten the Pot

  • Looking Ahead

🏆 Big Wins, Bigger Shifts: GM and Ford Adapt to Changing Market

GM and Ford closed 2024 with their best U.S. sales since 2019, proving their ability to navigate an evolving market. These legacy automakers are balancing their traditional strengths in internal combustion vehicles with growing interest in hybrids and EVs, ensuring they remain top players in the automotive landscape.

📈 Resilient Results

General Motors reported 2.7 million vehicles sold in 2024, a 4% increase, maintaining its position as the top-selling U.S. automaker. Fleet sales rose 22%, driven by popular models like the Chevrolet Trax, which saw sales surge 84%. On the electrified front, GM sold over 114,000 EVs—marking a 50% year-over-year jump, though EVs still account for just 4.2% of their total sales.

Ford followed closely with 2.08 million vehicles sold, also a 4% increase. Trucks like the Maverick led the charge with nearly 40% growth. Electrified vehicle sales rose by 38.3%, making up 13.7% of Ford’s total sales, a reflection of consumer interest in diverse options without abandoning traditional favorites.

⚖️ Tradition Meets Innovation

While traditional gas-powered trucks and SUVs remain the bread and butter of these automakers, both companies are cautiously expanding electrified offerings. Dealers can count on staples like the Silverado, Maverick, and F-150 to drive showroom traffic while positioning hybrids and EVs as complementary options for curious consumers.

🚀 Looking Ahead

For auto dealers, GM and Ford’s strategies emphasize flexibility: cater to loyal truck and SUV buyers, offer knowledgeable support for potential EV adopters, and tap into the growing fleet market. These automakers are proving that evolution doesn’t mean abandoning what works—it means refining it for the road ahead.

Read the full article @ Daily.ASOTU.com

🚗 ID.4 Is Back in Action!

Volkswagen's ID.4 electric SUV is making a comeback after supply issues halted its sales and assembly. Dealers, customers, and Volkswagen enthusiasts can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Here's everything you need to know about this relaunch:

• Parts Are Here: The long-awaited door handle parts are now available, enabling the sale and repair of ID.4 vehicles in dealer stock.

• Factory Restart: Assembly of the ID.4 in Chattanooga, TN, is set to resume in the coming weeks.

• Affordable EVs Incoming: Volkswagen is rolling out competitive lease offers to make the ID.4 even more attractive to buyers.

• EV Leadership Goals: Volkswagen aims to reestablish the ID.4 as a leading electric compact SUV in the U.S. and Canada.

🔋 EV Tax Credits: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

The Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs now qualify for federal tax credits, but there’s political drama brewing. Will the credits stick around? Let’s unpack this rollercoaster ride.

Wait, Hyundai and Kia fought for these credits?

Yep. After being excluded due to building EVs in Korea, they dropped $7.6 billion on a Georgia plant. Now, they’re in the game. Talk about leveling up!

And Trump wants to kill the credits?

That’s the plan. He’s vowed to ax them on "day one," but unless Congress plays along, this might be more bark than bite.

So, should I buy now or wait?

If you’re eyeing an EV, act fast. You might snag the $7,500 credit for 2025, but lease options could vanish quicker than your New Year’s resolutions.

🌟 Lucid’s Record Year: Deliveries Surge but Stock Wobbles

Bigger Numbers, Bigger Challenges

Lucid Group closed 2024 with record deliveries, a 70% annual increase, and a production goal met. Yet, their stock remains as shaky as a toddler learning to walk. Lucid built 9,029 vehicles, delivering 10,241, but investors are wary of the company’s cash burn and slow scaling in a competitive market.

Betting on SUVs and Savings

Lucid’s 2025 Air models now offer up to $12,500 in savings, and the upcoming Gravity SUV could attract new buyers. CEO Peter Rawlinson’s bold claims about cutting-edge tech may help Lucid carve a niche among premium EVs.

Saudi-Backed Dreams, Market Realities

With substantial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Lucid is well-funded but not immune to market pressures. Their Q4 financial results in February will shed light on whether they can keep investor confidence alive.

⚡ Volkswagen and Xpeng: Fast Charging, Faster Moves

Volkswagen and Xpeng are teaming up to revolutionize EV charging in China. Here’s a look at their ambitious plan to dominate the fast-charging scene:

• Massive Expansion: Over 20,000 charging points across 420 cities will be shared between Volkswagen and Xpeng customers.

• Co-Branding Goals: The companies aim to develop co-branded super-fast charging stations for seamless integration.

• Strategic Investments: Volkswagen’s $700 million investment in Xpeng underscores its focus on China’s EV market.

• Tech-Driven Mobility: The partnership paves the way for two new electric car models slated for 2026.

🤖 Robotaxis Are Coming: Will They Deliver?

Uber and Lyft’s robotaxi rollout is a game-changer—or is it?

Driverless taxis? What could go wrong?

Besides vandalism, traffic chaos, and bad weather? Not much! These rides are perfect for anyone who enjoys trusting their life to sensors in a snowstorm.

How do Uber and Lyft plan to make this work?

They’re scouting idle spots, building charging hubs, and hoping their tech doesn’t freak out during rush hour. Fingers crossed.

Will I miss human drivers?

Do you enjoy awkward small talk? If not, this might be your dream ride. But good luck explaining “I’m here!” to a robot stuck three blocks away.

🚙 Rivian’s Rocky Year: Hope Amidst Drops

Production Falls, Stock Soars

Rivian’s Q4 production dropped 27%, but stockholders are thrilled. Why? Supply-chain issues were resolved, and deliveries hit forecasts. That’s enough to ignite Wall Street optimism.

Financing Deals Sweeten the Pot

Rivian’s low APR financing and leasing options aim to lure more buyers in 2025. With a mix of luxury and performance, their R1S and R1T models target a niche market of premium EV enthusiasts.

Looking Ahead

Despite challenges, Rivian expects 2025 to bring smoother production and stronger sales. Investors are banking on stability and growth as the company fine-tunes its operations.

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