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- 🔥 November 15: Charging Texas, EV Deals & Tesla Fire Sales
🔥 November 15: Charging Texas, EV Deals & Tesla Fire Sales
The Gist
Chevy’s giving night owls free EV charging in Texas—just don’t expect miracles from their “green energy” credits. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Cybertruck hit recall #6, and Musk’s juggling it with his new government gig (we’ll let you guess which is getting more attention).
Over in China, Chevy’s selling a four-cylinder Tahoe for $90K because, apparently, luxury is about fuel-sipping now. Polestar’s cheaper SUV hits U.S. roads, and Hertz is selling off Teslas like last season’s fashion—yours for $20K if you don’t mind the mileage.
Carvana’s got Jimmie Johnson delivering cars faster than a pit stop, and AI’s gunning for your job (or at least the repetitive parts). Dealers, stay sharp: the industry’s spinning fast, and there’s never been a better time to scroll past the fluff and get the real scoop!
Fuel For Thought
🔋 EV Incentives: Lighting Up Texas Nights
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Free charging is the new perk for Chevy EV owners in Texas, thanks to GM’s partnership with Reliant Energy. This program, alongside other initiatives from automakers, offers nighttime charging at no cost. It's a step towards affordable EV ownership, with a few caveats.
Limited Hours: Free charging credits apply between 11 PM and 6 AM, so night owls, rejoice!
Renewable Power, Kind of: While the energy claims to be “100% renewable” via certificates, it’s more a symbolic gesture than a full switch to green energy.
Following Ford’s Footsteps: Ford is also offering Texas customers free charging deals. It’s a trend that might push other brands to offer similar benefits.
Reliant EV Plan Requirements: Enrollees need to designate their EV through GM’s Smart Charging Portal to access the credits.
🏎️ Cybertruck's Rough Recall Record: Sixth Time's the Charm?
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Tesla’s Cybertruck is in the recall spotlight for the sixth time since its debut. With over 2,400 trucks needing fixes due to defective drive inverters, Tesla's recalls are making headlines, not all of them flattering.
Did Tesla forget to check under the hood? Recalls are almost routine now, but it’s unusual for a new model to see so many in such a short time. Tesla might need to revisit their quality control before launching the next “biggest thing.”
Why don’t they just fix it over the air? Tesla’s OTA (over-the-air) updates are handy for software tweaks but not for hardware, like this inverter issue. Drivers want acceleration, not propulsion loss, so it's back to the shop this time.
What’s Elon got to say? With Musk entering a new government role, some wonder if he’s more focused on red tape than steering Tesla’s safety issues. The industry is watching closely to see how he juggles his public and private roles.
đźš— Chevy's New Four-Cylinder Tahoe for China
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High Power, Low Profile
Chevrolet’s Tahoe hits the Chinese market with a twist: a smaller four-cylinder engine. While U.S. buyers lean toward beefy V8s, Chevy’s downsizing experiment suggests a different approach overseas.
Power to Weight Balance: The 2.7-liter engine produces 299 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque—enough to move this sizable SUV with ease, but it might still struggle under heavy towing.
High Price Tag: Starting at around $90,000 in China, the Tahoe’s luxury SUV status gets an added boost with 4WD-only availability and adaptive air suspension.
Durant Guild Expansion: Chevy’s “premium import” platform brings luxury models like the Corvette and Hummer to China, with the Tahoe joining this elite lineup.
More Than a Facelift? With a downsized engine and premium add-ons, Chevy is betting on Chinese buyers valuing fuel efficiency and exclusivity over raw power. This approach might soon inspire similar changes for SUVs globally.
đźš™ Polestar's Cheaper SUV Hits U.S. Market
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Affordable Luxury Redefined
Polestar 3 enters the scene with a cheaper single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant, aiming to attract buyers with a practical yet luxurious EV experience.
Range Upgrade: The new model boasts up to 350 miles on a full charge, thanks to its efficient single-motor setup.
Pricing Strategy: Starting at $67,500, it undercuts the previous AWD entry model by $6,400, making it accessible for more customers without compromising on style.
Feature Highlights: The Polestar 3 includes a 14.5″ infotainment display, a climate-controlled rear seat screen, and can fast-charge up to 250 kW—an attractive mix of practicality and tech.
Shifting to U.S. Production Polestar’s new South Carolina plant delivers its first batch, solidifying its American presence.
🔥 Hertz's Tesla Fire Sale: Bargain or Bust?
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Hertz’s bold move into the EV rental space has backfired, leading to a massive Tesla sell-off. With depreciation soaring, Hertz is unloading thousands of Model 3s, and buyers can snag one for under $20K.
Why the bargain basement prices? Tesla's aggressive price cuts hit Hertz hard. Imagine buying thousands of Teslas, then watching their value tank as new car prices drop.
What’s the catch? Yes, you can get a Hertz Model 3 for cheap, but with high mileage and repair costs, it might be more of a fixer-upper than a fresh ride.
Did “going green” blow up in Hertz’s face? A little. EVs promised low upkeep, but collision repairs and price drops meant Hertz's “go green” move didn’t save the green they expected. Now, they’re cashing out, and you get the deals.
🚚 Carvana’s Race to the Finish Line
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Speedy Delivery with a Side of NASCAR
Carvana has teamed up with NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson to spotlight its same-day delivery service. In a new ad campaign, Johnson showcases how quickly customers can get their cars delivered—a race against time, NASCAR-style.
Racing the Clock: Carvana’s ad humorously has Johnson as a delivery driver, racing to get cars to customers in record time.
A Broad Campaign: This isn’t just a TV ad; Carvana’s pushing this campaign across digital and social platforms, aiming for maximum exposure.
Johnson’s “Track” Record: With Jimmie’s brand of speed and Carvana’s delivery claims, the ad positions Carvana as the go-to for fast, reliable online car purchases.
A Day at the Races—Car Buying Style Carvana’s new commercial fuses humor with speed, bringing a bit of NASCAR thrill to the car-buying experience. As Carvana continues to expand, this partnership helps build brand recognition in a fast-paced, competitive market.
🤖 AI in Auto: The Future of Dealerships
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Dealerships Brace for AI’s Big Impact
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the auto industry, with new tools enabling dealerships to handle tasks faster and smarter. From AI “Co-Pilots” assisting with routine tasks to autonomous bots potentially replacing some jobs, the shift is massive.
AI Phases Explained
AI Co-Pilot: Think virtual assistants enhancing employees' efficiency. Imagine responding to 80 leads a day instead of 40.
Intelligent Agents: These bots work 24/7, handling customer interactions after hours, scheduling service, and answering inquiries on the fly.
Full Automation: The future might see bots doing many repetitive jobs, freeing human capital for complex roles, though some jobs may become obsolete.
Stay on the Cusp of Change
With AI evolving rapidly, dealers should keep up to date, embracing new tools to stay competitive and streamline operations. AI promises both efficiency and cost savings, shaping the future of dealership operations.
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