USA ■More Than Cars
Welcome to the first week of February, and welcome to guest host Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures. Today, we’re discussing all the ramifications that President Trump's latest round of tariffs will have on the automotive industry. Plus, we cover Tesla’s plans to move more Cybertrucks and why the cost of Super Bowl ads is rising. https://lnkd.in/eebSRPYM A fresh round of tariffs signed by President Trump is sending shockwaves through the North American auto industry. With 25% duties on vehicles and parts from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% levy on Chinese imports, automakers and suppliers are bracing for rising costs, potential production shutdowns, and fierce retaliation from trade partners. -Automakers could shift production but face major supply chain and cost challenges. -Prices of vehicles could increase by thousands, like the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500 (built in Mexico), the Toyota RAV4 and Tacoma (built in Canada/Mexico) and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Bronco Sport, and Maverick (built in Mexico) -John Bozzella, President for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation: “We support efforts to strengthen the U.S. auto industry, but across-the-board tariffs on Canada and Mexico will only increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and put jobs at risk. We want to work on solutions that achieve the president’s goals and preserve a healthy, competitive auto industry in America.” https://lnkd.in/eKyDtheQ Tesla’s Cybertruck sales are falling flat, forcing the company to roll out heavy incentives—including free $6,000 wraps and new leasing options. With demand far below expectations, questions are mounting about whether the Cybertruck is turning into Tesla’s first major flop. -Tesla launched Cybertruck leases in the U.S., starting at $750/month, a move typically reserved for vehicles with slowing demand. -Sales have been underwhelming—despite 1M+ reservations, Tesla has sold fewer than 40,000 units, with some analysts estimating that number may drop to 30K in 2025, far below its planned 250K annual capacity. https://lnkd.in/eCXKZZAe With Super Bowl LIX just around the corner, advertisers are shelling out a record $8 million per 30-second spot. Some big names are sitting this one out—including most automakers—while AI, snacks, and tech brands dominate the lineup. -At least 10 commercials have sold for $8M each, up $500K from last year—the biggest price hike in recent Super Bowl history. Follow the Automotive Troublemaker podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-DA5fTF Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eTr6WKb7
