Spring is Here

Spring is here, and with it, new stuff and old stuff is waking up.

Today, Acura and GM show off new models while Lucid, Tesla, and California revisit old ideas. Let’s take a look.

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Court Side with CA

A U.S. appeals court affirmed the EPA's decision allowing California to set its own electric vehicle and emissions standards, countering a challenge from 17 Republican-led states and fuel producers. This restores California's mandate for zero-emission vehicle sales, reversing a previous reversal. #Judo?

Lucid: Up and Allied

Lucid Motors, the luxury electric vehicle maker, surpassed first-quarter delivery estimates.

• 1,967 vehicles handed over to customers,
• Benefiting from recent price cuts of 1% to 10% on its flagship Air sedans.
• Despite a slowdown in the broader EV market due to high interest rates and elevated ownership costs, Lucid's aggressive pricing strategy, including nearly $30,000 off select models and attractive leasing terms, has strengthened its market position.
• The company also announced plans to launch a mid-size car by late 2026, aiming for a competitive $50,000 price point.

Financially, Lucid remains bolstered by significant investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which recently injected another $1 billion, despite the company's substantial losses totaling $2.8 billion in 2023.

New Acura Unveiled

The Acura ADX, set to debut in early 2025, will become the brand's fourth SUV, positioning beneath the RDX. It's designed to rival vehicles like the Volkswagen Taos and Buick Envista, featuring a turbocharged powertrain, a significant upgrade from the Honda HR-V.

Acura aims for the ADX to attract a new generation of buyers while transitioning towards electrification, including an all-electric MDX in the future.

Tesla: Dip, Settle, Robo

Tesla faces a multifaceted period as the first quarter of 2024 reveals a downturn in EV production and deliveries for the first time since 2020, signaling a hiccup in their previously uninterrupted growth.

• Production dipped nearly 2% year-over-year, with a 9% decrease in global deliveries.
• Despite this, the "other models" category, likely buoyed by the Cybertruck, saw a 59% increase in deliveries.
• This period of contraction contrasts starkly with Tesla's robust performance in 2023, where it produced over 1.84 million vehicles, marking a 35% increase from the previous year.

Adding to its challenges, Tesla has opted to settle with the family of an Apple engineer who died in a crash while using the Autopilot system, a move away from its initial strategy to contest the wrongful death claim.

Not counting Autopilot out yet. Tesla announced the unveiling of a new 'robotaxi' on August 8, emphasizing innovation despite current adversities. This vehicle, described as "Cybertruck-like," underscores Tesla's commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology.

General (Hybrid) Motors and Electric Enclaves

General Motors reinvigorates its vehicle lineup, highlighting the transition towards plug-in hybrids and EVs. Challenges with the Ultium EV platform have GM aiming to diversify its electrified offerings, reintroducing PHEVs such as a potential Chevy Equinox or Silverado. Despite sluggish EV sales, including the discontinuation of the Chevy Bolt and paused Blazer EV sales, the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV show steady demand.

GM's strategy also includes revamping Buick's lineup, exemplified by the redesigned 2025 Enclave SUV, as it moves towards an all-electric future with plans to exclusively offer EVs by 2030, reflecting a broader shift in GM's approach to meet evolving consumer demands and environmental standards.

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In your opinion, are any automakers currently hitting the correct balance of ICE, Electric, and Hybrid options?

• 👍 Yes (Tell us who)
• 👎 Nope
• 🤏 Not yet, but close (who is the closest?)