Group 1 - Volkswagen plans to increase exports of China-built vehicles to international markets, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America, to mitigate domestic pressures and leverage lower manufacturing costs [1][2] - The company is reorganizing its Chinese operations to enhance competitiveness against local electric vehicle manufacturers like BYD, which includes relocating R&D efforts and forming a software partnership with Xpeng [2][3] - Volkswagen aims to launch 20 new electrified models in China this year to recover from a significant decline in deliveries, which fell to approximately 2.7 million last year from over 4 million pre-pandemic [2] Group 2 - The downturn has particularly affected Porsche, with a notable decline in luxury car sales, while Volkswagen is focusing on a new electronics architecture developed with Xpeng to cater to local consumer preferences [3] - The company is undergoing a broader restructuring in response to weak demand in China, US tariffs, and inconsistent sales in Europe, which includes workforce reductions and an expansion of its hybrid vehicle range [4] - Volkswagen aims to maintain its position among the top three car manufacturers in China and increase its market share to 15% by 2030, up from around 11% [5]

Market Overview - Electrified vehicles have surpassed gasoline vehicles in market share within the European auto sector [1] - Gasoline registrations in the EU dropped by 18.7% in 2025, with market share falling to 26.6% from 33.3% the previous year [2] Electrified Vehicle Performance - Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) accounted for 34.5% of the market, while Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) held 17.4% in 2025, with BEV sales reaching 1,880,370 units, a nearly 30% increase year-over-year [3] Company Performance - Tesla Inc. experienced a decline in sales, with December sales at 35,280 units, down 20.2% from 44,190 units the previous year, and annual sales dropping almost 27% to 238,656 units in 2025 from 326,525 units in 2024 [4] - BYD Co. Ltd. saw a significant increase in sales, with December sales up 229.7% to 27,678 units compared to 8,395 units in 2024, and year-to-date sales reaching over 187,657 units, a 268.6% increase from 50,912 units last year [5] Market Position - BYD has become the world's largest EV maker, surpassing Tesla for the first time last year, and Chinese automakers captured a record 12.8% market share in Europe [6] - However, BYD's domestic performance in December showed an 18.34% year-over-year decline, with 420,398 units sold [6]

26 January 2026 Global Energy Storage Global Energy Storage: Inside the gigafactory arms race Neil Beveridge, Ph.D. +852 2123 2648 neil.beveridge@bernsteinsg.com Brian Ho, CFA +852 2123 2615 brian.ho@bernsteinsg.com Hengliang Zhang +852 2123 2629 hengliang.zhang@bernsteinsg.com Li-battery demand growth outpaced battery supply growth in 2025. Annual capacity additions Tier 1 companies increased by 28% (509GWh) and by 24% for all battery makers (769GWh). At the same time, stronger-than-expected ESS demand, co ...

Core Insights - BYD Company Limited and Exxon Mobil Corporation's entity in China have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in new-energy hybrid technology [1][9] Group 1: Partnership Details - The MoU signifies a continuation of the long-term partnership between BYD and ExxonMobil, focusing on joint research and development, technical collaboration, and transforming research outcomes into practical applications [2] - The partnership will also work on industry standards and brand-level cooperation related to hybrid technologies, indicating a broader strategic alignment beyond individual products [2] Group 2: Previous Collaborations - BYD and ExxonMobil previously developed a customized engine oil for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, tailored to the unique operating conditions of these vehicles [3] Group 3: Supply Chain and Innovation - Supply chain support is a critical aspect of the partnership, with ExxonMobil leveraging its global production network and logistics capabilities to deliver compliant lubricant products to BYD's overseas production facilities [4] - The collaboration will also focus on new material innovations to enhance vehicle sustainability, reflecting a shared goal of improving hybrid technology and supporting energy efficiency [5] Group 4: Overall Objectives - The overarching aim of the partnership is to advance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, making hybrid vehicles more efficient, reliable, and sustainable while promoting cleaner transportation globally [6]

Core Insights - IG Metall is preparing for wage negotiations with German carmakers, warning of potential escalation due to challenges in the automotive sector [1][5] - The German automotive industry is facing significant pressures, including competition from Chinese manufacturers, US tariffs, and lower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles [1][5] Group 1: Wage Negotiations and Union Influence - IG Metall represents a significant force in shaping strategic decisions within major German companies, holding half of the supervisory board seats [2] - The union has successfully negotiated to secure tens of thousands of jobs and investment commitments for German locations, despite employees foregoing billions of euros [3] Group 2: Industry Challenges and Job Cuts - The automotive sector has announced plans to cut nearly 100,000 jobs by 2030, with major companies like Robert Bosch, Volkswagen, and Ford leading the reductions [2][4] - Specific job cuts include Audi (7,500 roles), Continental (10,150 positions), Ford (1,000 jobs), Porsche (1,900 positions), Bosch (18,500 roles), Schaeffler (4,700 jobs), Volkswagen (35,000 positions), and ZF Friedrichshafen (14,000 roles) [4] Group 3: Market Conditions - German vehicle production has stagnated for three consecutive years, with output in 2025 projected to be approximately 11% below 2019 levels [5] - The rise of Chinese competitors, such as BYD, is increasing pressure on German car manufacturers both domestically and through imports [5]

Electrified vehicles accounted for a bigger market share of the European auto sector than their gasoline counterparts.Gasoline Registrations DropGasoline registrations fell in the market towards the end of the year by 18.7% in 2025 in the EU, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Tuesday. The market share for Gas-powered vehicles fell to 26.6% from 33.3% a year earlier.On the other hand, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) accounted for 34.5%, while Battery E ...

Group 1: Affirm (AFRM) - Affirm's stock has gained attention after Needham upgraded it to a buy with a $100 price target, highlighting its application to establish Affirm Bank as a Nevada-chartered industrial loan company [2] - The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) market is expected to grow significantly, with U.S. spending projected to reach $198 billion by 2026, driven by increasing consumer debt and e-commerce demand [4] - BNPL usage surged, with shoppers spending approximately $20 billion between November 1 and December 31, marking a 9.8% year-over-year increase [3] Group 2: CoreWeave (CRWV) - CoreWeave's shares rose by 12% following Nvidia's $2 billion investment to expand AI data center capacity, which is expected to diversify CoreWeave's client base [5] - The investment allows CoreWeave to accelerate its goal of adding over 5GW of AI infrastructure by 2030, leveraging Nvidia's financial strength [6] - Deutsche Bank upgraded CoreWeave to a buy rating with a $140 price target based on the Nvidia news [5] Group 3: Humana (HUM) - Humana's shares fell over 19% after the Trump Administration proposed nearly flat rates for Medicare Advantage insurers [7] Group 4: Apple - JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating on Apple and raised its price target to $315 from $305 ahead of the company's first-quarter earnings [8]

Core Insights - Tesla's brand value decreased by $15.4 billion, approximately 36%, in 2025, marking a third consecutive annual decline [1][2] - The current estimated brand value of Tesla is $27.61 billion, down from $43 billion at the beginning of 2025, $58.3 billion in 2024, and a peak of $66.2 billion in January 2023 [2] Brand Value Analysis - Factors contributing to the decline in brand value include a lack of innovative new models, high vehicle prices compared to competitors, and CEO Elon Musk's focus on geopolitics rather than the automotive business [2] - Tesla's scores in reputation, recommendation, trust, and coolness have significantly dropped, particularly in Europe and Canada [3] Consumer Sentiment - Tesla's recommendation score in the U.S. fell to a new low of 4.0 out of 10, indicating a decrease in consumer willingness to recommend the brand, down from a high of 8.2 in 2023 [4] - Despite the decline in recommendation scores, consumer familiarity with the Tesla brand improved in most markets, and loyalty among U.S. customers increased from 90% to 92% in 2025 [5] Competitive Landscape - BYD, Tesla's main competitor in China, saw its brand value rise by approximately 23%, reaching around $17.29 billion, up from $14.03 billion the previous year [6] - In the current ranking, five automakers, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Porsche, surpassed Tesla, with Toyota leading the sector at an estimated brand value of $62.7 billion [6]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is expected to report weak Q4 2025 earnings, with revenue projected to decline by 3.6% to $24.5 billion and profit per share potentially dropping by 40% to $0.44, driven by a 15.6% decrease in vehicle deliveries. However, the energy segment may provide a significant upside surprise, potentially offsetting some of the automotive challenges [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance Expectations - Revenue is anticipated to fall to $24.5 billion, a 3.6% decrease year-over-year [1]. - Profit per share is expected to decline by 40% to $0.44, reflecting a significant drop in vehicle deliveries [1]. - Vehicle deliveries are projected to decrease by 15.6%, indicating a slowdown in Tesla's auto business [1]. Group 2: Energy Segment Insights - Tesla's Energy segment is expected to generate $3.825 billion in revenue with a gross margin of approximately 31.1%, nearly double the automotive gross margin of 17% [1]. - The energy revenue grew by 44% year-over-year in Q3, driven by demand from AI data centers requiring stable power [1]. - Tesla's Megapack is positioned as a solution for power supply volatility, catering to major clients like xAI, Google, and OpenAI [1]. Group 3: Challenges and Risks - Regulatory credit revenue fell by 43.6% year-over-year to $417 million, with forecasts predicting a 75% decline in 2026, impacting overall profitability [1]. - The political actions of CEO Elon Musk have been estimated to have cost Tesla between 1.0 to 1.26 million potential vehicle sales from October 2022 to April 2025, with significant impacts noted in Q1 2025 [1]. - The shift to a subscription model for Full Self-Driving (FSD) may lead to a surge in January sales but could face challenges in subscriber retention and monetization in subsequent quarters [1].

Listen on the go! A daily podcast of Wall Street Breakfast will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Seeking Alpha, iTunes, Spotify.Getty Images Good morning! Here is the latest in trending:My precious: Gold is at it again, topping $5,100 in the latest session. Silver also notched new highs, but JPMorgan's Kolanovic issued a new warning.Delays? Asia markets rise despite new U.S. duties on certain South Korean goods in response to the failure to ratify last year's trade deal.Medical rates: Shares of insurers tanked ...