Check Tuesday Out

With automakers lobbying to roll back emission/mileage rules in the US AND sending their more affordable models elsewhere, we are beginning to wonder if they are taking the whole “China has a $10K EV coming to the global market” thing seriously.

We’re not telling anybody how to run their business, but Little Caesars flings them cheap hot-n-readies all day.

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Ford Cuts Costs In India

Ford and India are thinking about getting an apartment together (in India). The automaker is considering moving some of its smaller, cheaper EV production to the Nation to rejuvenate its presence in the global market. Keeping affordable vehicles out of US consumer reach is just some sort of weird added bonus.

The company plans to launch the EV series, including pickups and SUVs, in 2026, with prices starting around $25K. If things do end up proceeding in India, it would create 2,500-3,000 jobs over the next three years.

Stellantis: Cuts Jobs, Deals, and Airbags

What's going on with Stellantis, you ask?

• Stellantis plans to cut about 400 US salaried jobs in engineering and tech to lower costs amid uncertainties, aiming to streamline operations in line with its "Dare Forward 2030" strategy for €300 billion revenue by 2030.
• The company also joined an emissions agreement with California, ensuring a balanced distribution of its hybrid and electric vehicles nationwide. This move, enhancing sales flexibility, supports Stellantis's electrification plans and dealer vehicle allocations.
• Furthermore, Stellantis is recalling nearly 285,000 Dodge Chargers and Chrysler 300 sedans from 2018-2021 due to a safety concern with side curtain airbag inflators. Fixes begin in May.

Nissan Cuts the Wait Time: 30 Models in Three Years?

Nissan's "The Arc" business plan targets the launch of 30 new models by 2027, including 16 hybrids and EVs, focusing on the US market with seven all-new models. This initiative aims for a major refresh in Nissan's lineup, with electrified vehicles expected to make up 40% of its model mix by 2026-2027, increasing to 60% by the end of the decade, marking a strategic move towards sustainability.

The strategy includes reducing costs and advancing technology in EVs, with goals to make them 30% cheaper than the current Ariya model by 2030 and achieve cost parity with combustion engine vehicles. Nissan plans to introduce next-generation EVs with advanced battery technologies, underscoring its commitment to innovation and maintaining competitiveness amidst industry challenges.

GM Cuts Ties (w/ Spies)

Last week, we covered a story about rising insurance costs linked to data-reporting cars used to punish driving habits. This week, GM says it won't work with those data brokers anymore, but insurance is still going up. Maybe it’s a spy?

• General Motors ended its partnership with data brokers LexisNexis and Verisk following a lawsuit accusing GM of sharing drivers' data without consent via OnStar, affecting insurance rates. GM says they are committed to customer trust and privacy and will start acting like it.
• Auto insurance premiums in the US have increased 26% so far this year. But data-snitches aren't completely to blame. Longer repair times, higher rental costs, and more expensive repairs have increased the sector's market worth to about $353B.