#696 - 🚗 Thanks Tuesday

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy, Friends, and welcome to Tuesday!

Most of you worked yesterday, and some of you did not. Both groups, however, still have the rest of this week to accomplish something great.

Great isn’t a destination; it’s a route.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Welcome Back to Tuesday

We hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend and feel renewed focus and purpose.

Today’s news covers a lot: Ford drops the EV buy-in for dealers, Data shows the Memorial Day deals worked, the UAW is looking for round two in Alabama, Tesla’s emissions increase, and Toyota declares “no interest” in ditching ICE.

But let’s be real; we have a lot of Memorial Day to unpack, so hit reply and let us know how you spent the holiday.

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To Open EV Sales to All Dealers, Dropping Certification Requirement

🎵 Beep, beep, beep 🎵 

That’s the sound of Ford reversing its plan to restrict EV sales to certified dealers only. Initially, Ford required dealers to invest up to $1.2 million in an EV certification program to sell its electric vehicles, causing significant pushback. After in-person meetings with dealers, Ford plans to open EV sales to its entire U.S. retail network, citing feedback and slowing EV demand.

This move will lower entry barriers for dealers and adapt to the evolving marketplace. Ford's shift reflects broader changes in its EV strategy, including reduced spending and revised production goals.

Car Buying Conditions Improve with Steeper Discounts and Lower Rates

Edmunds reports that car buyers found better deals this Memorial Day weekend as dealerships faced higher inventories of 2023 vehicles.

• Discounts: Average $4,147 on '23 models, compared to $1,919 for '22 models last year.

• Reason: Manufacturers and dealers offered more incentives to clear overstocked lots following pandemic-related supply chain issues.

• Advice: Buyers seeking high-demand, lower-priced vehicles may have fewer options. Experts advised thorough research on discounts and financing options to maximize savings.

“Everybody has a price” is usually a spooky way movie villains say they could get what they want with enough cash. But the same phrase is true for millions of Americans waiting for car prices to dip within their budget.

Like, I would never buy a cowboy hat, but for $1.50, I’d be more tempted than for $150.00.

UAW Seeks New Union Vote at Mercedes' Alabama Plant

Why is the UAW seeking a new vote at Mercedes' Alabama plant?
Welllll, the UAW claims Mercedes engaged in unfair labor practices, including firing pro-union employees and conducting anti-union meetings, which they believe prevented a fair vote. The union has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a new election after losing a recent vote.

What is Mercedes' response?
Exactly what you'd imagine. Mercedes denies these allegations and states adherence to NLRB guidelines, noting that 56% of nearly 5,000 workers voted against unionizing. It could be a long week for 

Tesla's Emissions Rise in 2023 Despite Net-Zero Ambitions

• Tesla's greenhouse gas emissions rose by nearly 10 million metric tons of CO2 in 2023. This significant increase brings the total to over 50 million metric tons.

• Despite this rise, Tesla aims to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible. The company is taking steps to comply with new SEC transparency rules and address climate risks.

The increase is due primarily to a dirtier supply chain, which accounts for nearly 80% of Tesla's carbon footprint. The report emphasizes that drought poses the most prominent immediate threat to Tesla's operations.

Toyota to Continue Producing Gas-Powered Cars Until ICE Ban

Despite the industry's shift towards EVs, Toyota prioritizes ICE vehicles until regulations change. The plan seems to be to produce ICE vehicles until they are banned. 

1. Current Production:

   • GR86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR Supra

2. Future Plans:

   • Commitment to internal combustion engines (ICE) through the Gazoo Racing division.

   • No plans for performance EVs.

3. Technology Development:

   • Exploration of hybrid technology and synthetic fuels to reduce emissions.

   • A vision of a future with both gas and electric GR models.

4. Additional Projects:

   • Development of a performance SUV and possibly an automatic GR Corolla.

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There is wisdom to take from a company going all in, backing off a little, backing off a lot, and actually getting more of what they wanted to begin with from doing so.

It’s like trying to climb a tree to gather crab apples, but your backpack full of apple pie is slowing you down… or something.

Let’s all just make good, well-informed choices and let people decide what to buy.

TOGETHER WITH STREAM COMPANIES

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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

CULTURE

Drone-Delivered Armed Robot Dogs

China showcased a gun-toting robot dog during its largest-ever military drills with Cambodia, highlighting the growing importance of unmanned technologies in modern warfare.

The robot, made by Unitree, was displayed during the Golden Dragon exercises, which involved over 2,000 troops and a dozen ships.

U.S. officials express concern over Chinese influence in Cambodia as both nations vie for dominance in robotics and smart machinery.

Quick Hits

• Musk raises $6B for his OpenAI competitor. 📈

• Data shows Gen Z is reversing a multi-year decline in teen employment. 👩‍🍳

• A prescription treatment for postpartum depression is producing positive effects. 🐣

• The new Beetlejuice movie has a new trailer. 🧟‍♂️

History

• 585 BC: A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Cyaxares in the Battle of the Eclipse, leading to a truce. This is one of the cardinal dates from which other dates can be calculated. It is also the earliest event of which the precise date is known. ☀️

• 1937: VW is founded 🐞

• 2006: Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run, surpassing Babe Ruth’s record. ⚾️

Thanks for reading, friend! Let’s accomplish something great this week.