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☆ Cybertruck fans are nitpicking Elon Musk's final design as Tesla gets ready to deliver the long-awaited truck
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Cybertruck likely still has enough juice to rock the EV truck segment. As the Cybertruck gets closer to launch, photos of the vehicle have circulated on Tesla enthusiast blogs and forums. The video made rounds on Tesla CEO Elon Musk's social media website X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this month. Tesla's take on the truckDespite comparisons and nitpicks, industry experts believe the Tesla Cybertruck still has the juice to disrupt the truck market as we know it. Do you have an order in for the Tesla Cybertruck?

Persons: Elon, Cybertruck, Ford's, Jim Farley, Tesla's, Karl Brauer, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Tesla Organizations: Tesla, Ford, iSeeCars

☆ The EV plateau is coming. It's bad news for companies like Ford and Tesla.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Current EV market growth "cannot be sustained," analyst says. The cap for rapid EV growth appears to be around 7% of the market. After years of rapid growth, the electric vehicle market is heading for a plateau. The states with the biggest share of electric vehicle sales are also the slowest to grow sales at the moment, according to a recent study from iSeeCars. California, Oregon, and Washington – where EV sales account for between about 7% and 10% of the market – are currently among the slowest-adopting states, the study found.

Persons: Tesla, Ford, It's, Sam Fiorani, Fiorani, Karl Brauer Organizations: Morning, EV, GM, Ford, AutoForecast Solutions Locations: iSeeCars . California , Oregon, Washington

☆ EV startup Lucid is losing over $500,000 for every car it sells
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

And an ongoing EV price war started earlier this year by Tesla's Elon Musk, is forcing deeper losses as companies chase volume over profits in the EV sector. Ford recently adjusted its electric vehicle timeline to reflect this change in EV demand. After several years of rapid growth from eager early adopters to the electric vehicle segment, EV sellers are facing the first plateau. EV sales hit a high of nearly 6% in the US last year, bringing the segment closer to a predicted 7-10% tipping point. At this level of adoption, EV sales are expected to slow considerably.

Persons: Peter Rawlinson, Chris McNally, Evercore, Lucid, Tesla's Elon, Rivian, Ford Organizations: Morning, Tesla, Air EV, Ford, EV

☆ Ford is going to miss its original EV production goals. Tesla's price war is to blame.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ford needs more time to hit its EV production targets as demand changes. Tesla's price war has made it harder to make money on EVs. The EV price war is forcing Ford to adjust its electric vehicle timeline. Ford confirmed during its earning report Thursday that EV pricing is one of the biggest hurdles to meeting their original EV production goals. "We expect the EV market to remain volatile until the winners and losers shake out," he said.

Persons: Ford, Jim Farley, Farley, Karl Brauer Organizations: Ford, Dealers, Tesla, GM Locations: Dearborn , Michigan, Tesla's

☆ Tesla has been exaggerating its vehicles' potential driving distance for years by rigging their range-estimating software, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla's algorithms misrepresent battery range, Reuters reports. Your Tesla's range estimator might be lying to you. This adjustment was designed to prevent Tesla drivers from getting stranded, the source told Reuters. Tesla wants to cure range anxietyBattery range is one of the most important considerations for EV shoppers, automotive retail experts have said. Musk has made several moves this year to press Tesla beyond a scrappy startup and into a high-volume automotive powerhouse.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Elon Organizations: Morning, Reuters

☆ The EV price wars could hurt automakers when it comes to one of their most important groups of customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Alexa St. John | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Electric trucks, long touted as a key to broader EV adoption, are a wildcard in the electric vehicle price war. Automakers are investing billions of dollars to electrify their product lineups not just for the average car buyer, but also for these fleet customers. "You're watching your numbers, you're watching your budget, you're watching the profit you're making." Still, automakers can't afford to jerk these buyers around with EV price changes. Smaller fleet customers are also very important for dealers, and electric trucks are a big gamble to sell to these customers, dealers who spoke with Insider said.

Persons: they're, Robby DeGraff, Tyson Jominy, Ford, Jominy Organizations: Morning, Car, EV, Amazon, FedEx, Walmart, Silverado Locations: .

☆ A big clash is coming for Detroit's Big 3 automakers as their workers' union gears up for another round of contentious negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The UAW is negotiating new four-year contracts with Ford, GM, and Stellantis. UAW President Shawn Fain isn't ruling out a strike, potentially at more than one company. The automotive industry's labor union, the United Auto Workers, is gearing up for a fight with Detroit's Big Three car companies this summer and fall. Fain has said he is not ruling out a strike in this round of talks, potentially at more than one company. The average labor costs for the Detroit Three heading into contract talks four years ago hovered between $55 and $60 per hour.

Persons: Shawn Fain isn't, Detroit's, Shawn Fain, He's, Fain, John Deere, Tesla Organizations: UAW, Ford, GM, Detroit, Morning, United Auto Workers, Chrysler, Jeep, Facebook, University of California, EV, Lordstown, Labor, Center for Automotive Research Locations: Tennessee

☆ People put down deposits for every electric truck in development, leaving dealers in the lurch when they eventually cancel all but one
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dealers lose in the race to get an electric truck in consumers' driveways. Dealers have more to lose than manufacturers, who book revenue once the truck leaves the factory. In an electric truck market where buyers are placing bets on what will arrive first, dealers are likely to be the ones left in the lurch. Listening to dealers about where the demand pendulum is swinging will be crucial for car companies as they roll out more and more electric models in the coming years. Car companies that use dealers book revenue on a car once it leaves the factory (that's one of the biggest advantages legacy car companies have over startups that use a direct-to-consumer model).

Persons: Cybertruck, Tesla, Karl Brauer, Brauer, they're, Ford, EVs, Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds, Caldwell Organizations: Dealers, Ford, GM, iSeeCars, EV, Car

☆ Look closely: Tesla workers appear to flash a hand signal for the Cybertruck
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Workers flashed a hand signal in a photo with Tesla's first Cybertruck built at its Austin factory. The photo shows several workers using their thumb and index finger to make an angular shape. Tesla workers appear to have created a hand signal in honor of the EV company's Cybertruck. Pictures of the workers' hand signals quickly took off on Reddit and in a Tesla Motors Club thread. Dozens of Tesla workers made the hand signal in a photo that was posted on the company's Twitter account.

Persons: Twitter Tesla, Elon Musk, Tesla, Franz von Holzhausen, Insider's Nora Naughton Organizations: company's, Tesla Motors, Twitter, Elon Locations: Austin, Austin , Texas, Texas

☆ A Rivian owner was in a fender bender. The repair bill was $42,000.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Rivian owner said repairs cost $42,000 for his R1T after a fender bender, according to The New York Times. But, after the electric car was taken to a repair shop that was certified to work with Rivian products the cost jumped to $42,000, the publication said. The repair cost over half the starting price of the vehicle. Last year, a study from CCC Intelligent Solutions found that on average EV repairs cost more than repairs for gas-powered cars. Another report from Mitchell that was cited by the Times found that last year EV repairs cost about $2,400 more than fixes for traditional combustion-engine vehicles.

Persons: Chris Apfelstadt, he'd, Noe Mejia, it's, Mitchell, Alexa St, John, Insider's Nora Naughton Organizations: The New York Times, Times, New York Times, Intelligent Solutions, Tesla Locations: Columbus , Ohio, North America, Ohio

☆ Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E is piling up on dealer lots as the automaker confronts an EV-inventory problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But the automaker is having a hard time moving its inventory of Mach-E and Lightning EVs. Ford dealerships are selling fewer Ford EVs than they were this time last year, per Cloud Theory. Erich Merkle, Ford's head of US sales analysis, said EV sales were up nearly 12% through June. He also said the unsold Mach-E inventory wasn't just sitting on dealer lots because it spent more time in transit. The EV market is having its first growing painsFord is not alone in its struggle to match EV production with demand.

Persons: Ford, It's, Erich Merkle, Ford's, it's, they've, We've, Merkle, Tesla, Hummer, EVs, Karl Brauer, Brauer Organizations: Ford, Theory, EV, Coast Ford, East Coast, GM, Lightning, astjohn Locations: EVs, East, Midwest

☆ Used cars may never be cheap again — here's what you need to know about shopping for one right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sometimes shopping used can require even more research and preparation than shopping for a new car. Used car prices have been notoriously volatile since the pandemic and squeezes on inventory have allowed sellers of used cars to jack up prices based on urgent needs. While this option can be great for new car shopping if you're on a budget, used car leases can be dangerous. Even when buying a used car, warranties are an important part of used car shopping. If repair costs are a concern for you, consider purchasing an extended warranty on your used car.

Persons: you've, that's, Kelley Organizations: Morning, Companies, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, CPO

☆ Elon Musk convinced the industry to charge cars his way and Tesla owners are the biggest winners
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But actually, Tesla drivers are likely to have more places to juice up going forward. Tesla drivers are about to have a lot more places to plug in. Naturally, some Tesla owners are worried about sharing space at Supercharger stations — the primary longtime differentiator between Tesla and other EV makers — once Ford and GM EV drivers get access. The auto industry has struggled for years to agree on a standard for EV charging, and it appears Tesla is finally winning the battle. "Now, it's going to make a lot more sense for Tesla to roll out charging stations that much faster throughout the country."

Persons: Tesla, Loren McDonald, McDonald, Cathie, Wood, It's Organizations: Ford, GM EV, Elon Musk's, EV, GM, Ark Invest, CNBC Locations: Elon, North America, America

☆ Elon Musk has a big learning curve ahead of him with the Cybertruck
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a learning curve ahead of him later this year when the Cybertruck finally hits customers' driveways. Musk is making further moves to thrust Tesla into the mainstream by entering the US market's lucrative pickup truck market. It's also a tough time to release any new product, especially an electric pickup truck. While Cybertruck is poised to go after a more unique set of pickup truck buyers, the company could face more trouble than it's used to converting existing truck buyers to the brand. "The nature of trucks is to work within this network of aftermarket companies out there – it will be interesting to see if Elon plays along."

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, It's, Cybertruck, it's, Karl Brauer, Brauer, Elon Organizations: Ford, GM, iSeeCars, Elon

☆ It actually makes sense to lease a car, despite what your parents may have said
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Stretching loan payment periods can be a dangerous game, especially since vehicles depreciate in value so consistently. When you lease a car, you're only taking out an auto loan to cover the duration of your lease period, which can cut the size of your loan considerably. Bumper-to-bumper coverageLeasing a car, much like renting an apartment, means that you're not financially responsible for many of the repairs necessary to keep the car running while you're leasing. If you're shopping for a used car, consider checking on leasing deals to see if you can manage a similar monthly payment for a leased new car as you would for a loan on a used car. A few warningsThere are a few things to keep in mind before you decide to lease a car.

Persons: that's, – Organizations: Morning, Leasing

☆ Tesla is removing one of the last barriers to EV ownership
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Tesla Supercharger network could remove the last barrier to EV ownership. Long-standing barriers to EV ownership like battery range and price are finally being addressed, leaving one last obstacle for many would-be EV-owners: access to public fast-charging stations. Tesla has the largest fast-charging network in North America, with about 20,000 Superchargers that previously only connected to Tesla vehicles. A recent study of EV infrastructure done by iSeeCars found that of the 150,000 EV chargers in the US, only about 30,000 are fast chargers (including the Tesla Supercharger network). Only about 11,000 of those fast chargers are non-Tesla chargers so opening up the Supercharger network does make a difference – but doesn't solve the problem.

Persons: Tesla, Long, Karl Brauer, We've, Brauer, iSeeCars, Rivian, Dan Ives Organizations: EV, Morning, Ford, GM, Tesla EV, Tesla Locations: North America

☆ Ford CEO says Tesla's Cybertruck is only for 'Silicon Valley people' and he's not threatened by it: 'I make trucks for real people who do real work'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ford's CEO said Tesla's Cybertruck is for "Silicon Valley people" not "real people who do real work." Jim Farley said Tesla's pickup truck won't compete with the F-150 Lightning. Ford CEO Jim Farley dismissed concerns that Tesla's Cybertruck could pose a threat to the automaker's F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck during an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday. Up until recently, Ford has been one of few automakers to produce an EV pickup truck. Farley went on to describe Tesla's pickup truck as "like a cool high-end product parked in front of a hotel."

Persons: Tesla's Cybertruck, Jim Farley, Tesla, it's, CNBC's Jim Cramer, Farley, Ford, Kelley, Elon Musk, MotorTrend, Insider's Nora Naughton Organizations: Morning, Wired, Ford, CNBC Locations: America, Silicon

☆ 5 things everyone is getting wrong about electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As electric vehicles enter the market, misconceptions abound regarding the cars and how automakers can remain profitable while ditching the internal combustion engine, says Mark Reuss, General Motors' president. Companies need hybrids to bridge the gap to full EVsSome automakers have been making the transition to electric lineups with a pit stop: hybrids. Toyota, for example, has invested in hybrids in addition to electric products and has faced skepticism from the industry as a result. "We're not going to dilute our investment with hybrids," Reuss said, adding that the automaker expects its EV business to be profitable by 2025. The charging experience and the driving experience are one and the sameReuss said it can be frustrating to see drivers rate vehicles based on the charging experience alone.

Persons: Motors, Mark Reuss, General Motors, Reuss, Tesla, We're, It's, " Reuss, that's Organizations: General, GM, Toyota, Chevrolet, GM's Tech, Ford, GM Energy, GMC Hummer, EV

☆ Why Tesla's plan for a factory in Mexico is a 'genius move' for making a $25,000 car
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Building in Mexico could be the key to the $25,000 Tesla. Even without unveiling the affordable model, one manufacturing expert is convinced Tesla has the chops to pull it off. The affordable Tesla will be unveiled "at a later date," Elon Musk has said. Elon Musk's plan to build another factory in Mexico will be key in Tesla's bid to provide the masses with a $25,000 car, according to automotive manufacturing expert Sandy Munro. That car is supposed to come out this year if the company is on track with those original plans.

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, Elon Musk's, Sandy Munro, Munro, Musk, Elon Organizations: Morning, General Motors, …, Elon Locations: Mexico, China, North America

☆ Teslas are cheaper than ever — and that's creating a headache for the entire auto industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Nora Naughton | Graham Rapier | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

You can now get a Tesla Model Y for cheaper than the average car. Tesla's price war is spilling over out of the electric vehicle market as Elon Musk's car company continues to slash prices. Add on the $7,500 EV tax credit, and you can now purchase a Model Y for around $42,500. To make things even worse for competitors, all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles now qualify for the full tax credit, too. As a strategy for boosting demand, Tesla's price cuts appeared to be working in the first quarter, reporting a 36% increase in deliveries during that period.

Persons: Tesla, Price, Edmunds, Martin French, They've, Musk, We've Organizations: Tesla, Elon, Ford, GM, EV

☆ A Rivian customer waited 3 years for his dream car. It died within days.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When Chase Merrill took his first ride in his new Rivian R1S, it was his favorite car that he had ever driven. "I hit about 2 ½-feet of snow and it just stopped right there," Merrill told Insider. Rivian risks alienating early adoptersChase Merrill's Rivian R1S the day it was delivered. For a young company like Rivian, these early fans can make or break its reputation, shareholders, analysts, and Rivian investors have told Insider. Merrill's Rivian returns with an error messageChase Merrill's Rivian R1S was loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.

Persons: I'm, Chase Merrill, Merrill, Rivian's, Bensaid, Chase Merrill's Rivian, Chase Merrill Merrill isn't, Rivian, —, Tony Caravano, Caravano, Merrill's Rivian, Chase, Rivian R1S, it's Organizations: Morning, Merrill, Toyota, EV Locations: , New York, snowbanks, Chelsea , Massachusetts, Toyota Tacoma

☆ Tesla's Cybertruck is finally coming. It's going to rattle rivals and transform the EV market as we know it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The futuristic-looking truck is going to redefine what a pickup truck can look like. Tesla’s entry to the pickup truck market could be exactly what the segment needs. Tesla is finally ready to enter the most lucrative vehicle segment in the US: pickup trucks. The Cybertruck's arrival is expected to shake up the electric pickup truck market – and the entire stalwart truck market – with its arresting design and high-tech features. "This is going to be Tesla's take on the pickup truck, which is enough on its own, and competitors should be very wary of that."

☆ The Chinese EV market is exploding. Here are the 5 major Chinese EV brands you should know about.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Asian giant's EV edge is thanks to its push for clean energy technology, including in the transportation sector. "Having recognized the potential of electric vehicles 15 years ago, China has since invested vast resources in building a competitive electric vehicle ecosystem," said Allianz in its report. Chinese EV makers hold a competitive edge in "nearly all aspects" of the battery electric vehicle value chain, per Allianz. And now, industry experts tell Insider's Nora Naughton and Tim Levin that affordable Chinese EV cars are set to arrive in the competitive American market. Given China's increasing foray into the global EV market, here are 5 major Chinese EV brands to know.

☆ Say goodbye to the US car market as we know it: Cheap Chinese EVs are coming
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Nora Naughton | Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

After years of eyeing the American market, Chinese brands are poised to arrive. After years of preparation, Chinese car companies are poised to upend the US electric-vehicle market. Chinese EV manufacturers can gain a foothold in the US by coming in at a budget price point, analysts said. "I've driven a number of the Chinese EV brands, and boy oh boy, the Europeans are in trouble." The sheer size of the US car market means new entrants will need to build locally to compete seriously in the long term, he said.

☆ Automakers and dealers are playing a game of chicken — and customers could be the winners
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Automakers and dealers have kept prices high and inventory low for years. Automakers and dealers are playing a game of chicken over how much a car should cost right now — and customers might come out the winners. Higher interest rates make everything more painfulMeanwhile, dealers are spending more to keep cars sitting. To make matters worse for dealers: Without discounts to ease rising interest rates, more customers are delaying their purchases and hoping to wait out the interest rates. If and when car companies start spending more on incentives, they are likely to target interest rates, Caldwell said.

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