Business

New News for a New Week

Dealers, Bikes, Muscle, China, and Paint
No items found.

5 Minutes of Fresh Perspective

Reading the daily news doesn't have to suck. Get the email that will make you laugh and keep you informed...for free!
New News for a New Week

Dealers are slowing down EV adoption, y’all. Like how Bass Pro is slowing down yacht sales.

--

Dealers Ride Brakes Toward EVs?

Survey Uncovers Reluctance: A recent survey by CDK Global reveals a sobering truth: nearly half of U.S. car dealers aren't thrilled about selling electric vehicles. The survey, which polled 250 dealership leaders nationwide, shows that enthusiasm for EVs varies dramatically depending on the region, with the Pacific states being the most excited—though even there, the excitement is tepid.

Customer Hesitation Drives Dealer Reluctance: So, why the long faces? Many dealers feel their customers aren’t ready for EVs, and this lack of interest trickles down to sales staff. Dealers in regions like the Mountain States, where charging infrastructure is sparse and winters are brutal, are particularly hesitant. One Montana dealer said, “We live in a rural area with large distances between towns … It's just not a viable alternative to ICE.”

Training Deficits Stall EV Momentum: This hesitance is compounded by a lack of EV training among sales teams. In regions with robust training, like New England, excitement about selling EVs is higher. But overall, many dealerships are still neutral regarding the electric future. With a predicted second wave of EV shoppers, dealers might want to shift gears and get their teams up to speed—before they’re left in the dust.

Silver Lining: On the bright side, those "free oil change coupons" could someday cost you $0 to give out.

In the days, weeks, months, and years since EVs hit the market, has your opinion on them changed at all?

Leave a comment after your reply.

Ford Joins the E-Bike Circus

Ford

Ford, the company that brought you the Mustang and Bronco, now sells e-bikes. Yes, you heard that right—e-bikes. They hope to inject some automotive "adventure" into the cycling world with two models, the Mustang and the Bronco. Prices start at $4,000 for the Mustang and $4,500 for the Bronco because who wouldn't want to drop that kind of cash on a bike that's almost as heavy as the SUV it's named after?

Dodge's Electric Muscle Flex

Stellantis

Dodge, always one for subtlety, has priced its first electric muscle car, the Charger Daytona, with a base model starting at $59,595. If you've got a spare $73,190, the Scat Pack model is available, complete with fake exhaust noise to remind you that, yes, it's still a Dodge, even without the gas-guzzling engine.

Check out more!

Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.