Tea.G.I.F.

It’s always good to see companies listening to consumers. For instance, people want their cars to go further before they need us to do things for them. It's odd that anybody had to say it, but they did, and now at least some 2025 models are boasting about their longer range.

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Addressing Range Anxiety

Tesla

Tesla introduced a new Model Y Long Range RWD variant in select European countries.

• This variant boasts the lineup's longest range at 600 km (372 miles)
• It is priced as the second most affordable option at 48,990 euros ($52,500).

This model outpaces other variants in the range, including the base Model Y RWD and both the Long Range and Performance AWD versions

📈 At the time of writing, Tesla Inc is up 0.15% in the market.

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Ford

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasts enhancements such as increased range.

• Up to 320 miles on the extended battery
• Faster acceleration with 0 to 60mph in 3.3 seconds
• Improved charging speeds, reducing the 10 to 80% charge time by 8.8 minutes.

These updates aim to strengthen Ford's position against EV market leader Tesla and expand its appeal in the competitive electric vehicle space.

📉 At the time of writing, Ford Motor Co is down 0.46% in the market.

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Mercedes

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS introduces a more traditional design with a new grille and standing star logo.

• Standard AMG-line front bumper.
• Luxury upgrades like enhanced rear seating and an improved Hyperscreen.
• New 118 kWh battery for increased range, although specific figures haven't been released.

These updates aim to make the EQS more competitive in the luxury EV market.

📉 At the time of writing, Mercedes-Benz Group AG is down 0.36% in the market.  

Inventory Issues Subside, Insurance Issues Increases.

🦠 Out of the petri dish, into the bunsen burner.

As US car buyers start to see relief from the high prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, they face a new challenge: soaring auto insurance rates.

• The rise in insurance costs is linked to the expensive repairs of advanced vehicles and climate change impacts, resulting in a 22.2% increase over the past year.
• Despite lower car prices due to better supply chain conditions, Kelley Blue Book advises checking insurance rates before buying. The expected insurance cost rise is 7% in 2024.

These climbing insurance rates are a significant part of vehicle ownership costs, especially for budget-conscious consumers.

Electrification Information

In the U.S., a recent survey run by CarMax shows the Toyota Prius winning brand loyalty. Is this a sign of the hybrid times to come?

The survey also showed growth in all-electric adoption, but it remains to be seen where the balance will land between ICE, Hybrid, and Clean Energy Vehicles.

In other parts of the world, China is aggressively exporting EVs. So many are buying more cargo ships.

Data also shows EV prices are down about 20% on average.

These parallel developments signal a movement towards EV adoption, reflecting consumer preferences adjusting to affordability, infrastructure, and access developments.

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Electrification, inflation, and innovation—these are the three “ations” of the automotive nation. Will things change at the next station? With so many quotations, nobody can be sure.

Ok, that’s enough of that nonsense. Sometimes, it is hard to be so aware of the future but so far from knowing what it will be when it becomes the present. (I said enough nonsense!)