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Runtime: 11:38
0:00 Those Trump Tariffs? Well, Never Mind
0:50 Dealers Sue VW to Prevent Scout Direct Sales
2:23 Ferrari Posts Strong Earnings
3:18 U.S. January Sales Up Slightly
4:05 Tesla Sales Tank in California
4:55 Tesla Offers Insurance Discount for More FSD Use
6:49 Honda Cuts Prologue Orders from GM
7:58 Former Nissan Exec Loses Appeal in Japan
8:50 Ford to Launch Maverick EV
9:45 Audi Changes Vehicle Naming Structure
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
THOSE TRUMP TARIFFS? WELL, NEVER MIND
Remember all those things we told you about tariffs yesterday? Well, never mind. Nothing happened. As you know, President Trump set the auto industry on edge with threats to slap 25% tariffs on cars and components imported from Canada and Mexico. But after the show yesterday he agreed to postpone them for a month because Canada and Mexico promised to take more action on preventing immigrants from illegally crossing the border and on stopping the flow of fentanyl. Even with the one month delay, the auto industry is still extremely nervous. And we could just be going through the same things again at the beginning of March.
DEALERS SUE VW TO PREVENT SCOUT DIRECT SALES
VW dealers are gearing up their fight against the automaker over its plans to sell Scout EVs direct to consumers. A group of VW and Audi dealers in Florida filed a lawsuit against Scout, claiming the brand really isn’t independent from the Volkswagen Group, since VW owns and controls 30% of Scout. Under Florida law, that 30% means that VW and Scout are common entities. The dealers say that unless Scout sells vehicles at their stores, they’ll be in violation of state franchise laws. They say Scout can not even take deposits from customers. The Florida dealers are the first to actually file a lawsuit. At the end of last year, the California New Car Dealers Association sent a cease and desist order to VW over selling Scout’s directly. And they’ll likely follow with a lawsuit unless VW and Scout comply. But in South Carolina, where Scout is building its $2 billion assembly plant, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that would allow Scout to sell direct. And while the bill has bipartisan support, the South Carolina Automobile Dealer Association says it opposes the legislation. Autoforecast Solutions reports the Scout Traveler SUV is supposed to start production in March, 2028. But depending on how this goes, it may be illegal for people in South Carolina to buy them.
FERRARI POSTS STRONG EARNINGS
Despite all the turmoil and upheaval going on in the auto industry right now, Ferrari didn’t even notice. It had a strong year in 2024 and it expects to do better this year. It sold 13,752 cars last year, which was less than a 1% gain from 2023. Sales were up in all regions, except China, where they slumped 22%. But despite the drop in China, and the small overall sales gain, Ferrari’s revenue increased nearly 12% to €6.7 billion. Its operating profit of €1.9 billion was up about 17% and net revenue increased 21% to €1.5 billion. Ferrari expects to hit most of its high-end profitability targets for 2026, one year in advance.
U.S. JANUARY SALES UP SLIGHTLY
January sales were up slightly in the U.S., according to Automotive News. Since several automakers report sales on a quarterly basis, it only has the numbers for six automakers, but those automakers, including Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota, sold just under 600,000 vehicles last month, up 1.7%. The Hyundai Group and Mazda performed the best, both increasing U.S. sales by double digits, while Ford had a rough January, selling about 142,000 vehicles, down 6.5%. Right now sales for the full year are forecast to come in anywhere between 15.6 and 16.2 million units.
TESLA SALES TANK IN CALIFORNIA
And speaking of sales, yesterday we reported that Tesla sales are falling in Europe, but they’re also going down in the U.S.’s biggest EV market. For the first time the California New Car Dealers Association reported a yearly drop for Tesla registrations, which were down 11.6% compared to 2023. A number of other automakers, including Chevy, Polestar, Volvo and especially VW also saw big double digit drops in reservations. But as a whole California’s EV registrations were up 1.2% last year. It would have been up 20% if you exclude Tesla, but that’s only because Tesla controls more than 50% of California’s EV market.
TESLA INSURANCE DISCOUNT FOR MORE FSD USE
And here’s one way it might be able to increase sales. Tesla is offering an insurance discount to owners in Texas and Arizona the more they use Supervised FSD. It’s based on total miles driven vs. miles driven on FSD over a 30-day period . Tesla says the maximum discount owners can get is up to 10% off certain coverages when they drive 50% or more on FSD. While that will be a benefit for owners, Tesla will also get a boost in data, which it can use to better train its system as well as to launch Unsupervised FSD, which is supposed to come out in Austin, Texas later this year. So, it’s probably not a coincidence that this discount is being offered in Texas.
HONDA CUTS PROLOGUE ORDERS FROM GM
GM is cutting a shift at the plant where it makes EVs in Mexico, which will eliminate about 800 jobs, but it’s not related to any tariffs. While part of the decision is based on GM adjusting its own production mix, the automaker claims the move is mainly due to Honda reducing its volume of the Prologue EV. As you may know, GM builds both the Chevy Equinox EV and Honda Prologue in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Honda didn’t confirm anything, but says moves like this are normal to make sure its production and inventory are in line with customer demand. However, customer demand for the Prologue seems quite good. Sales kicked off in March and Honda sold over 33,000 examples in the U.S. in 2024, which was more than the Chevy Equinox EV or Blazer EV. But Honda is moving away from GM’s Ultium platform for its EVs. It will start launching its own dedicated electric vehicles next year that are built on its own EV platform at its EV manufacturing hub in Ohio.
FORMER NISSAN EXEC KELLY LOSES APPEAL IN JAPAN
Former Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, lost an appeal to have his conviction overturned in his alleged involvement in the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Kelly was accused of helping former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn of concealing tens of millions of dollars in postponed compensation, which prosecutors say should have been disclosed to shareholders. In 2022, Kelly was convicted on one of eight counts of financial misconduct by the Tokyo District Court. He was eventually allowed to return to the U.S. after his original trial since he spent three years in Japan fighting his case in court. Kelly appealed the guilty verdict but the Tokyo High Court just upheld the conviction. Kelly, who denies any wrongdoing, is planning another appeal.
FORD TO LAUNCH MAVERICK EV
Ford found a nice niche for its Maverick pickup truck when it was launched nearly 4 years ago, with sales running around 130,000 units a year. And now the company wants to leverage that success by coming out with an electric version. Autoforecast Solutions reports that the Maverick EV will go into production in April of 2027. AFS says the truck, with the code-name P833, will be tooled for 100,000 units a year. And curiously, it will be built in the company’s assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky and not at its plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, where the ICE version of the Maverick is built. Louisville is where the Ford Escape is made, and since the two of them will be made side by side, that strongly suggests that Ford will be coming out with a BEV version of the Escape, as well.
AUDI CHANGES VEHICLE NAMING STRUCTURE
Audi is changing up the naming structure for its vehicles. It will still use the letter ‘A’ for sedans and ‘Q’ for crossovers and SUVs, and body styles, like Avant and Sportback, but even and odd numbers will no longer provide a distinction between powertrains. The numbers will now signify positioning in the lineup. Smaller numbers for smaller vehicles and bigger numbers for bigger vehicles. Audi is also separating any powertrain distinction from the names of its vehicles. So, for example the all-electric Q6 e-tron, will now just be the Q6 with an e-tron badge stuck to the side, while the ICE version will also be the Q6 with a TFSI badge to the side. The upcoming gas-powered A6 will be the first to adopt the new naming structure.
But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for making Autoline a part of your day.
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Fords going wind up storing their new electric trucks at the former KY Speedway again because of no sales. 2027 huh … we’ll see.
One of the key benefits to owning a Tesla was access to their supercharger network. Now that this access is being rolled out to other auto manufacturers, I don’t see much benefit to purchasing a Tesla. The other competitors are generally cheaper and have more stylish interior/exteriors.
I also think the model Y refresh is a part of their sales slump. The model Y is the bulk of their sales and the refresh was recently announced to be available some time this spring. I suspect people would likely just wait for the refresh instead of buying the old model. Especially in fashion forward California.
Ford must think things will change a lot by mid-2027, in planning an EV Maverick.. They have a great product with the current Maverick hybrid, but is there a market for a Maverick BEV? Big electric pickups aren’t doing so well. If the Maverick EV is a super bargain, that could help. We shall see.
Didn’t Ford announce a couple years ago that they would be discontinuing the Escape about now? Have they changed their minds about that?
All Audi had to do was use Q6i for “Internal Combustion” and Q6e for “Electric”.
Wonder how much money they spent on this naming scheme?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see other automakers follow suit like Audi and eliminate the engine designations. That’s a feature that became popular during the muscle car era. Back when it made a difference if you had the Chevelle with the 283 or the 454. But as vehicles become similar in design the engines seem to matter less and less while the overall size of the vehicle matters more. Complicate that with turbo and hybrid and EV powertrains and it means even less to the consumer. Not uncommon today to have a 2.0L turbo put out the same HP of a naturally aspirated V8 of more than 2.5 the displacement.
Not sure there is much demand for a EV Maverick but I guess Ford will find out. Meanwhile looks like Stellantis is bringing back the Dakota. Have to wonder if they’ll pursue small truck or mid sized market. I believe they would do better to go after the Maverick Santa Fe size. As the Ranger, Tacoma and Colorado have a pretty good hold on the mid market.
Kit,
They did indeed state that the Escape will be eliminated in 2025. If Ford has not changed that plan, then it makes sense to cancel it and then retool for the BEV Maverick in that plant which would be a substantial retool.
The BEV maverick makes more sense to me than the BEV F150. The Achilles heel of BEV trucks is poor range while towing/hauling. Towing/Hauling is not a key performance metric of the average Maverick buyer. Those buyers are more of the go to work and the occasional home depot trip for mulch or something like that. A BEV would work well for that use. The only drawback would be long distance travel but I am not sure how many Mavericks are doing long distance cross country vacation trips now. If they can keep the cost down, a BEV Maverick could be successful. I would buy it over a Model Y any day of the week at least.
The key to getting rid of Tesla’s sales slump? Fire Elon Musk and deport him to Guantanamo Bay. His antics are turning off lots of people, me included. I wouldn’t own/drive a Tesla if they were free.
I’m thinking rather than a maverick bev, Ford should do a Mustang bev pickup.
Merv,
It is sad to think that Ford just might do that. Maybe call it the Mustang Quarter Horse.
The ‘new action’ from Canada is the border changes announced last November and already underway. The ‘new’ part exists only in Trump’s mind. As for Scout, how low would VW’s ownership have to be before Scout would be considered separate. Toyota has stakes in a number of other companies and the lower stake ones are still considered separate. Finally, why would anyone design a new BEV without some provision for selling it as an EREV as well. Maybe even a removeable engine EREV!
Kit,
Ford is actually hedging its bets on the Maverick EV. Though we reported they’re tooling the plant for 100,000 a year, the original plan (se we’re told) was for 200,000.
John, thanks for info.
I know one Maverick owner, a single female living in an apartment. She uses it mainly for commuting and occasionally carrying stuff, and for occasional longer trips. An EV definitely would not have been on her shopping list.
When Ford announced that they would drop Escape, I expected them to add hybrid and FWD versions of Bronco Sport to essentially replace Escape. I don’t know if most Escape buyers would buy the BS if Escape didn’t exist, but I suspect a lot of them would.
Maxx, I’m with you regarding Tesla. Trumpers don’t like EVs, and Elon is very much turning off those of us off who would buy, or consider an EV.
Maybe a BEV Ranchero would be good, with a Mustang nose, and two doors.
Max, sorry you won’t buy an Tesla because of your being upset with Elon, I don’t drive a Porsche because Hitler had some input in the car being developed 85+ years ago.
Maybe you shouldn’t buy a Ford because Henry didn’t like Jews. There’s always something we don’t like. Suck it up.
Elon is sure getting himself immersed in politics at the expense of his car business. Him and “The Dictator” are as thick as thieves. Sticking his nose in politics over in Europe will affect his business their soon.
The saga continues! ‘Nissan to Bow Out of Deal Talks With Honda, Nikkei Says’
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-05/nissan-to-abandon-plans-to-combine-with-honda-nikkei-says
An EV Maverick?! If the price was right nicely equipped and it got 300+ miles of range as an AWD, I’d trade my current Maverick to get it in a heart beat! I don’t tow, so that wouldn’t be an issue and the longest I’ve driven it, as a three hour drive through the state of Ohio, from Michigan. I the original ICE version though, I fear that an BEV version of the Maverick would be such a hit with buyers, dealers would mark them up, especially if (initial) demand were to outpace supply!
I don’t see the BEV Maverick being a “hit,” unless they can really keep the price down. They can automatically rule out people in my condo who now have a Santa Cruz and two or three Ridgelines. Also, they can rule out the person I know who currently has a Maverick hybrid. It could be popular with people in houses in the suburbs, if the price is within a few thousand dollars of the current hybrid. The way to keep the price down would be to use a non-huge battery, but that would limit range. A range of 200 miles would be plenty for most people with home charging who wouldn’t use it for road trips, but it seems that a lot of those people are fixated on range, and don’t want to plug it in as often as every three days.
John, do you know if the planned Maverick EV will be on the same platform as the ICE and hybrid Maverick, or will it be completely different, maybe along with an Escape EV?
Mike,
I was reading about Nissan and their reasons for wanting to restructure the deal. It is amazing to me that Nissan’s board think they actually bring something of value to the table. If I was Honda, I would just let Nissan whither and fail. There is no value in Nissan and it would take Billions to bring value back to that brand.
A Maverick EV may be a hit, for it may resonate with the general public and small business owners like the EV vans Ford builds. On top of that, it would be the only player in the game, with a small pickup EV. With an Escape EV as a platform mate, the would compete with the equinox EV, Rivian R3 and the ES30, as the only offerings that have been announced that would complete and at a potentially similar price point.