🎭 Trends & Drama: Hydrogen Hopes, Sales Surges, and Union Showdowns

Today's Digest

• Toyota and BMW's Hydrogen Partnership

• Ford's August Sales Surge

• Volkswagen Crisis: Back and Forch

• Honda Prologue EV Sales Record

• Renault R17 Restomod

BUSINESS

🎭 Trends & Drama: Hydrogen Hopes, Sales Surges, and Union Showdowns

Toyota and BMW's Hydrogen Partnership

Toyota and BMW are doubling down on hydrogen fuel cells despite a shaky market. Their latest collaboration aims to build a hydrogen-powered BMW by 2028 and expand fueling stations to tackle the infrastructure problem that's stalling hydrogen adoption.

Sales of hydrogen vehicles are tanking, but these automakers are playing the long game, betting on a future where hydrogen might finally challenge EVs. The question is: can they build the bridges—or, in this case, stations—before running out of fuel?

Ford's August Sales Surge

Ford's US vehicle sales jumped 13.4% in August, led by F-Series trucks and hybrid models. I (Chris) haven’t sold any trucks or hybrids, but I DID make a GIF from a Surge commercial. Tiny victories count.

More info:

• Sold nearly 183,000 vehicles: trucks up 12.3%, hybrids up 50%.

• EVEV sales rose 29%, but internal combustion engines still made up 86% of sales.

• Ford's growth outpaced the industry's 6% increase estimate.

• Barclays lowered its 2024 forecast due to high interest rates and elevated prices.

Volkswagen Crisis: Back and Forch

We're keeping a close eye on this unfolding story in Germany. What happens to VWVW on their home field may well impact every other field they play on. Here is an update for this morning.

So, Volkswagen might actually close factories in Germany?
Yep, for the first time in its 90-year history, VWVW is talking about shutting down plants, and unions are not thrilled. Osnabrück and Dresden are in the crosshairs, with 18,000 jobs hanging in the balance.

What's the union doing about it?
IGIG Metall and the General Works Council are throwing everything at the wall, even dusting off the idea of a four-day workweek. They're basically saying, "We'll consider anything to keep jobs—just give us some options!"

How's that going?
Well, they're pushing VWVW to sit down at the negotiating table sooner rather than later. If not, strikes could kick off in November. Get your popcorn ready; this could turn into a Wolfsburg showdown.

Honda Prologue EV Sales Record

Honda Prologue EV set a new US sales record in August, selling 5,401 units. On the other hand, I (chris) set an old record… it was a John Coltrane record. Enjoy.

Honda Deets:

• Total sales since March reached 10,394 units.

• The EVEV has up to 296 miles of range and starts at $47,400 before incentives.

• Qualifies for a $7,500 tax credit, with Labor Day incentives as high as $14,250.

• Acura's ZDX EV also performed well, with 2,035 units sold this year.

Renault R17 Restomod

Renault's R17 concept is the ultimate tease—a breathtaking restomod blending retro 1970s style with a 270-horsepower electric motor, yet with zero plans for production.

This carbon-fiber beauty revives the spirit of the Renault 17, complete with LED lighting, flared fenders, and tech-infused nostalgia. It's a head-turner, no doubt, but like so many gorgeous concepts before it, we'll only ever see it at car shows—unless Renault pulls a last-minute U-turn. 

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