Biz Buzz

Flight is an agreement with gravity. “Ok, Gravity, I know you are in charge, but I’ve made wings, thrust, and aerodynamics; please let me soar?”

In the same way, market success is in agreement with Wall Street. “Ok, Wall Street, I know you are in charge, but I made profits, a projection, and changes. Please let me soar now?”

So we like to include both. Which company said what, and how did the market value of said company respond? It helps separate the noise from the knows.

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Polestar's Pricing Pivot

Polestar is innovating in a whole new way, while other companies cut the prices of their released models to stay competitive, Polestar has cut the price of its yet-to-be-released SUV.

• The Polestar 3 SUV will start at $73,400 in alignment with slowing EV sales.
• Originally announced at $83,900, the vehicle will still feature driver assistance tech and optional luxury packages.
• Production will begin Q2 this year, with deliveries expected in the summer.

At the time of writing, Polestar is up 2.10% in the market.

VW's Electrifying Evolution

Slowdowns, price cuts, and backpedals aside, VW says it is going ICE-free (eventually).

• Software/Charging network challenges have slowed the company, but EV deliveries jumped 10% last year, and profits exceeded $22B.
• This year, they have 30 new models planned, with mostly BEVs and some Plug-in Hybrids.

At the time of writing,  Volkswagen AG is down 4.93% in the market

Hyundai's Numerical Mystery

Hyundai is testing its IONIQ 9 for all the world to see.

• Set for a June debut, the 9 follows the success of the 5 and 6, with the IONIQ 5 being the sixth-top-selling EV in the US last year.
• What happened to 7 and 8? Skipped em. The 9 was originally called the 7, but one day it changed.
• Production is slated for the first half of the year, with US sales expected in mid-2025, to be manufactured at Hyundai's new $7.6 billion EV Metaplant in Georgia.
• The IONIQ 9 may qualify for a $7,500 EV tax credit.

At the time of writing, Hyundai Motor Co is unchanged in the market.

Toyota's Wage Wave

Toyota and the people who make everything Toyota sells have come to an agreement on a wage increase.

• It is the largest wage increase in 25 years, potentially influencing a policy shift at the Bank of Japan.
• Panasonic and Nippon Steel have already met the union's wage increase demands, and many smaller firms are expected to follow now that Toyota has agreed to the increase.

At the time of writing, Toyota Motor Corp is down 2.22% in the market.

Cadillac's Sonic Boom

Cadillac's new electric concept vehicle, Opulent Velocity, has zero emissions but also sports an "engine-like exhaust note."

• The "exhaust note" is an attempt to preserve the emotional appeal of excitement associated with driving traditional ICE vehicles.
• The model also commemorates the 20-year history of Cadillac's V-Series.
• So, it seems to be a future-facing nostalgia-preserving van-sedan for the everyday EV driver.

Most notable to us is the lack of "Q"s in the name. But with more details coming this year, we could still be surprised.

At the time of writing, General Motors Co. is up 2.95% in the market.

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The worst part about finding a nifty brand gimmick is the 40th time you need to find a way to apply it. Cadillac owns the whole “Extra Qs” gimmick well, but we are glad they didn’t announce the “Qpulent Veloqity” or something…

Best to let your actions be your brand, not your interpretation of the alphabet.