Mquille, thanks so much for joining us today. So, tell us about what the classic car market looks like right now. >> Well, the the market's been really strong this year when uh everybody wasn't quite sure what was going to happen with all the uncertainty and thing tariffs and everything we saw in the spring.You know, we kind of charged through summer and we saw a lot of great sale activity both on the kind of live auction side, digital side, private transactions. Um it's been a good solid year in the car ma ...

A heightened focus on affordability—driven by rising ownership costs, tariff concerns, and a late-model used supply crunch—defined the market in 2025, setting the stage for 2026 BOSTON, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus, the No. 1 most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.1, today released its 2025 Recap and 2026 Outlook, highlighting the year’s top influences on the automotive market and expectations heading into the new year. “If 2024 was defined by declining affordability, 2025 was the ye ...

Sandy Avila took five years to completely rebuild the 1966 Chevrolet Impala convertible. https://t.co/6GRCkM95ED ...

Sandy Avila took five years to completely rebuild the 1966 Chevrolet Impala convertible. https://t.co/0VWRtiL0W9 ...

Group 1 - Uber is now offering rides in all-electric robo taxis across a 9 square mile area of Dallas, allowing riders to be matched with these vehicles at no extra cost [1] - The robo taxis currently operate with an onboard safety specialist but are designed for future fully driverless service, with rider preferences managed directly in the Uber app [2] - Archer Aviation plans to build an air taxi network in the Miami metro area, providing 10 to 20 minute electric flights between major cities, significantly reducing typical 90-minute car commutes [2] Group 2 - Nphase Energy has launched its new power match technology in Europe, which enhances battery efficiency and longevity by dynamically adjusting output to real-time power needs [3] - The IQ Battery 5P can reduce efficiency losses and may last up to 40% longer than certain competing batteries due to its use of six micro inverters that activate only as needed [3] - EVgo has surpassed 5 million Autocharge Plus sessions, with enrollment rising to over 300,000 drivers across nearly 80 compatible EV models, particularly Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, and Rivian [4] Group 3 - Autocharge Plus now initiates nearly 30% of all EVgo charging sessions, simplifying the charging experience for electric vehicles, including Tesla's, and improving overall charge success rates on the network [4]

Core Viewpoint - The Cybertruck has been poorly received, leading to concerns about its commercial viability and Tesla's future direction in the automotive industry [2][9][12] Group 1: Sales Performance - Tesla reported record deliveries in Q3 2025, driven by consumer demand ahead of the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, resulting in a nearly 30% increase in overall EV sales [3] - However, the Cybertruck sold only 5,385 units in Q3 2025, marking a significant 62.6% decline from the previous year, far below the initial projections of 250,000 units annually [4][5] Group 2: Market Challenges - The initial hype surrounding over 1 million reservations has diminished due to production delays, quality issues, and a higher-than-expected price, with the entry-level model priced at $69,990 [5][6] - Competition has intensified, with alternatives like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning available at more attractive prices of approximately $53,000 and $55,000, respectively [7] Group 3: Economic Considerations - The economics of electric trucks differ from traditional gasoline-powered trucks, which typically yield higher margins; electric trucks require larger, more expensive batteries, complicating cost-effectiveness [8] - The Cybertruck's overall failure encompasses various aspects, including sales, performance, design, and pricing, leading to disappointment among investors [9][10] Group 4: Future Outlook - Tesla appears to be shifting focus from traditional vehicle platforms to emerging technologies such as robotaxis and artificial intelligence, indicating a potential transformation into a tech-oriented company rather than a conventional automaker [11][12] - Investors may need to reassess their investment thesis regarding Tesla, considering the company's evolving business model and uncertain future [12]

Market Trends - Top 10 Affordable Electric SUVs for 2025 are ranked by EPA Estimated Range (Base Models) [1] - Tesla Model Y Standard leads with a range of 321 miles [1] - Chevrolet Equinox EV is a close second with a range of 319 miles [1] Vehicle Specifications & Pricing - Tesla Model Y Standard is priced at $39,990 [1] - Chevrolet Equinox EV is priced at $33,600 [1] - Hyundai Kona Electric is the most affordable at $32,975 with a range of 200 miles [1] Competitive Landscape - Volkswagen ID4 has a range of 291 miles and is priced at $45,095 [1] - Ford Mustang Mach-E offers 260 miles of range at $37,995 [1] - Subaru Solterra provides 227 miles of range and is priced at $38,495 [1]

Market Trend - The report lists the top 10 affordable electric SUVs for 2025, ranked by EPA estimated range for base models [1] - The electric SUV market offers options with varying ranges and price points, catering to different consumer needs and budgets [1] Vehicle Performance & Pricing - Tesla Model Y Standard leads with an EPA estimated range of 321 miles and a price of $39,990 [1] - Chevrolet Equinox EV offers a range of 319 miles at a price of $33,600 [1] - Hyundai Kona Electric is the most affordable on the list, priced at $32,975 with a range of 200 miles [1] - Volkswagen ID4 is priced at $45,095 with a range of 291 miles [1] - Ford Mustang Mach-E is priced at $37,995 with a range of 260 miles [1] - Kia Niro EV is priced at $41,045 with a range of 253 miles [1] - Toyota bZ4X is priced at $38,520 with a range of 252 miles [1] - Subaru Solterra is priced at $38,495 with a range of 227 miles [1] - Nissan Ariya is priced at $41,265 with a range of 216 miles [1] - Hyundai Ioniq 5 is priced at $42,600 with a range of 318 miles [1]

Core Insights - The expiration of the federal government's $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) buyers has led automakers to implement significant discounts to maintain EV sales momentum [1][2] - Automakers are adopting varied strategies in response to the loss of federal subsidies, with some offering cash incentives while others are adjusting lease deals [2][3] - The market is seeing a shift towards lower-priced EVs as brands aim to attract cost-conscious consumers [3][4] Group 1 - Hyundai Motor Co. has introduced a $7,500 cash incentive for the 2025 Ioniq 5 and reduced the price of the 2026 model by up to $9,800 [1] - General Motors and Ford Motor Co. initially sought to extend the benefits of the tax credit through alternative lease deals but retracted their plans due to political pressure [2] - Stellantis has begun offering incentives that mimic the value of the expired tax credit, reflecting a competitive response in the market [2] Group 2 - Analysts predict that automakers' pricing and marketing strategies for EVs will differ based on their market share and perspectives on the EV segment [3][5] - The second-generation Chevy Bolt will start at under $30,000, while Tesla's new Model Y and Model 3 are priced around $40,000, indicating a trend towards more affordable options [4] - The fourth quarter is expected to be a transitional period for the EV market, with varying responses from brands regarding production and pricing strategies [5][6] Group 3 - Hyundai's commitment to competitiveness and value delivery was emphasized by its North America CEO, indicating a focus on customer affordability [6] - Analysts suggest that EV leasing rates may decline as automakers adjust their incentive strategies, potentially leading to higher transaction prices [6] - The loosening of federal emissions regulations under the Trump administration has reduced pressure on automakers to increase EV sales [7]

Core Insights - Tesla has introduced a lower-cost version of its Model Y electric vehicle, named the Model Y Standard, with a starting price of $39,990, which is $7,000 cheaper than the previous base model [2][3] - The introduction of this model comes after the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, which increased the effective cost of Tesla vehicles by $7,500, creating a need for a more affordable option [2][4] - Despite the new pricing, the Model Y Standard remains above the $30,000 price point that Elon Musk previously identified as a key threshold for a low-cost Tesla, and it is significantly higher than the planned $25,000 EV that was reportedly canceled [3][4] Sales and Market Context - Tesla's sales have shown a decline, with a year-over-year drop of 6% through September, and the company delivered 497,099 vehicles in its recent record quarter, following lower sales in the previous two quarters [6] - The new lower-cost models are still priced higher than the cheapest EVs in the U.S., such as the Kia Leaf at $26,000 and the Chevrolet Equinox EV at just under $35,000, indicating competitive pressure in the market [4] - In China, the EV market is highly competitive, with companies like BYD offering vehicles for as low as $10,000, highlighting the challenges Tesla faces in maintaining its market position [4] Strategic Implications - The introduction of the Model Y Standard is part of Tesla's strategy to boost sales and meet ambitious targets, including delivering 20 million cars within a decade as part of Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package [6] - The recent fluctuations in Tesla's stock price, including a 4.4% drop following the announcement, suggest market volatility and investor sentiment tied to product launches and performance expectations [4]