⛽️ News from Stellantis, Scout, Porsche, and More

Production Pauses, Direct Sales Drama, and EV Backpedals

October 29, 2024

The Gist

Stellantis is hitting the brakes on production, mostly because nobody wants a Jeep with a dust-collection problem. Meanwhile, Scout Motors is making dealers sweat with its "we don’t need you" direct-to-consumer play. Porsche? Apparently, they’re back in love with gas engines, proving that old habits die hard. Tesla’s throwing 0% loans at China to hit record sales, and Lincoln just reminded everyone they still exist—by snagging SUV of the Year. Oh, and Nissan’s AI is now the best paint inspector in the biz.

The Digest

🤒 Inventory Hiccups at Stellantis? Yep, We Noticed

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A production pause at Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson has auto dealers taking note as slow sales ripple through the industry. But, there's more than just an idle assembly line here—it’s part of a larger struggle in Stellantis’ North American market. Let’s break it down:

Stellantis is adjusting production due to weak sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on and what it means:

  • Production Pause: From October 28 to November 1, Stellantis is halting production at the Detroit Assembly Complex, affecting thousands of workers. This follows permanent layoffs earlier this year.

  • Sales Slump: Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are down 12% in 2024, while Durango sales have dropped by 13%. High inventory levels across North American dealerships are causing concern.

  • Strategic Realignment: Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares pointed to marketing issues and quality control problems, specifically with Ram, as reasons for this underperformance. Expect more pressure on brands to prove their worth in the coming years.

  • Rumor Mill: Unconfirmed sources say Durango production might cease by 2027, adding another layer of uncertainty to dealers counting on this model.

😺 Scout Motors: Disruptor or Just a Copycat?

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Has Scout Motors’ direct-to-consumer model has rattled your team? Is it the future or just the latest copy-paste of the Tesla playbook? Let’s face it—there’s plenty of drama to unpack here.

What’s Scout doing, trying to ghost us?

Well, sort of. Scout Motors is skipping the dealership model entirely. They’re convinced customers are fed up with traditional car buying. Let’s not forget their stat: 92% of buyers don't trust dealers. Ouch. So, instead, they're rolling out a digital sales platform, where buying an EV is as easy as ordering pizza (minus the hidden delivery fees, we hope).

But haven’t we seen this before? Isn’t Scout just another Tesla wannabe?

Yup. Tesla, Rivian, Polestar—they’ve all ditched dealers, too. But Scout’s got VW cash behind it, so it’s not exactly a scrappy startup. The real kicker? Dealers are already threatening lawsuits because Scout’s out here acting like the dealer model is an old VHS tape—antiquated and gathering dust.

Okay, so they’ve got no dealerships. What’s their plan if things go south?

Good question. They’re banking on digital service options (complete with AI chatbots!) and opening up fancy "Scout Studios" to give people the test drives they’re used to. Oh, and they’ll still do repairs at certified locations or send out mobile service trucks. So, in short, they’re planning for trouble—but that doesn’t mean they’ll be able to dodge it.

🔒️ Volkswagen’s Tough Love: Pay Cuts and Plant Closures

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"Nein" to Pay Raises, "Ja" to Closures

Volkswagen is tightening its belt, and it’s German factories that are feeling the pinch. As sales dip, the automaker is rolling out massive layoffs, plant closures, and wage freezes across the board.

Factory Shutdowns—A Wake-Up Call

Volkswagen isn’t mincing words: it plans to close three German factories and downsize all the rest. That’s 18% less pay over the next few years for affected workers. Even bonuses are on the chopping block. The reason? VW says it’s not getting enough revenue from its car sales, and costs are way higher than anticipated.

IG Metall’s Fight: No Pay Cuts on Their Watch

Germany’s largest union, IG Metall, isn’t taking this lightly. They’ve called VW’s plans a “stab in the heart” of their workforce, and they're not backing down without a fight. Expect strikes and a lot of noise from Wolfsburg in the coming weeks as negotiations heat up.

🎨 Nissan Gets a New AI Paint Job

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The Robots Are Taking Over (But Don’t Worry, Humans Still Have Jobs)

Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant has turned to AI to catch paint flaws. The AUTIS system boosts defect detection by 7%—a huge win in quality control. But don’t sweat it, the tech isn’t here to replace workers, just to make life easier for them (and probably give them fewer headaches over those tiny, easy-to-miss scratches).

High-Tech with a Human Touch

AUTIS uses over 15,000 images of each car’s paint job to catch even the smallest imperfections. That means 98% of flaws are now caught (humans cap out at about 95%). So, no more "it’ll buff out" excuses for Nissan. And while the AI gets all the headlines, the humans are still there to confirm the flaws, which keeps things smooth

👑 Porsche’s EV U-Turn: Combustion Still King?

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"Wait, We’re Going Back to Gas?"

Porsche was all-in on EVs… until they weren’t. With customer demand for gas engines refusing to die down, Porsche’s now thinking of backtracking on its electric-only dreams. What happened to that all-electric future they promised?

Customers Want the Roar, Not the Whirr

It turns out, plenty of Porsche enthusiasts still love the thrill of an internal combustion engine, and they’re willing to pay for it. In a surprising pivot, Porsche admitted that the demand for its EVs isn’t exactly "satisfying"—a 50% drop in Taycan sales speaks volumes. So, they’re planning to keep developing gas-powered engines for models like the Cayenne and Panamera, alongside hybrids, giving their customers what they actually want.

Backtracking or Brilliant Strategy?

This shift doesn’t mean Porsche is abandoning EVs—they’re just being practical. With the launch of new hybrids and a potential rethink on EV-only models like the 718, Porsche is hedging its bets. Expect more combustion engines to stick around, especially in markets where EV uptake is slower. After all, why throw away something that still makes you money?

👮‍♀️ Ford’s Drones: Big Brother or Big Helper?

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"Ford Wants to Patrol Your House—With a Drone"

Just when you thought your car had enough tech, Ford goes ahead and files a patent for drone-based security. You know, in case you wanted your truck to start watching your backyard while you sleep.

Who Needs Security Cameras When You’ve Got a Flying Truck Buddy?

Ford’s new patent outlines a system where your vehicle is not just a mode of transportation but also your personal security guard. With drones monitoring the back of your property and infrared cameras on the front, this patent reads like the plot to a spy thriller. It’s unclear if this will ever hit the market, but it’s fun (and a little creepy) to imagine your F-150 doubling as your neighborhood watch.

Should You Be Worried?

Probably not. Ford’s system seems aimed more at commercial properties or paranoid truck owners who want eyes everywhere. But the idea of a truck launching drones is either genius or terrifying, depending on how much you like privacy. Let’s just hope they don’t call it "Skynet."

🇨🇳 Tesla’s 0% Loans: A Chinese Power Play

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Tesla Extends 0% Loans in China—But Why?

Tesla’s on a mission to break its own sales records this quarter, and to do that, it’s extending its 0% APR loan incentive in China. With over 515,000 vehicles to deliver this quarter, they’re pulling out all the stops to dominate the world’s largest EV market.

The Incentive Game

In a bid to boost sales, Tesla’s been offering these 0% loans since July, and now they’re stretching the offer through November. With a down payment as low as $11,000, Chinese buyers can grab a Model 3 or Model Y without worrying about interest. Considering China’s EV market is fiercely competitive, this move is designed to give Tesla an edge and finish the year with a bang.

Will It Work?

It’s already looking good for Tesla—Chinese sales are off to a strong start this quarter. But with the market flooded by local competitors and government incentives, it’ll be interesting to see if this pricing strategy helps Tesla hit its ambitious targets. Either way, they’re not going down without a fight.

🏆 Lincoln Nautilus Takes SUV of the Year

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"Who Saw This Coming? Not Us."

In a surprise victory, the Lincoln Nautilus has snatched the title of MotorTrend’s 2025 SUV of the Year. It beat out some heavy hitters—think Toyota Land Cruiser, Rivian R1S, and even the G-Wagen. How did a two-row midsize luxury SUV from Lincoln pull off such an upset?

X-Factor on Four Wheels

The Nautilus wowed the judges from day one with its luxurious interior, cutting-edge tech, and ridiculous levels of comfort. The Black Label model, in particular, stood out with its 24-way massaging seats, 48-inch wraparound screen, and top-tier Revel sound system. Sure, it’s not the fastest or the flashiest SUV, but it’s a sanctuary on wheels—and that’s exactly what Lincoln’s going for.

More Than Just Looks

While the design caught attention, it was the attention to detail and creature comforts that pushed the Nautilus over the edge. From the midcentury-modern leather seats to the calming, tech-laden cabin, it’s clear Lincoln has nailed the formula for luxury buyers who want more comfort and less fuss. The competition should be on high alert—Lincoln just raised the bar.

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