EV pickup trucks w/ an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ & NHTSA 5-star safety rating:– @cybertruckThat's the full list.Cybertruck (@cybertruck):Cybertruck earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ https://t.co/xJaKnoUBFE ...

Core Insights - Ford Motor Co. is discontinuing production of the F-150 Lightning EV pickup truck, indicating a strategic shift away from pure electric mobility [1] - The company has announced a $19.5 billion charge as it pivots towards hybrids globally and focuses on low-cost EVs for the U.S. market through its Universal EV Platform [2] - Ford expects that approximately 50% of its global volume will consist of hybrids, Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), and EVs [3] Production Changes - The F-150 Lightning will transition to an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) with an estimated range of 700 miles, as Ford aims to avoid investing heavily in large EVs that are not profitable [4] - The first vehicle from the Universal EV Platform is set to be a fully connected midsize pickup truck, which will be assembled at the Louisville Assembly Plant starting in 2027 [3] Market Strategy - Ford's CEO noted that premium electric vehicles priced between $50,000 and $80,000 were not selling well, leading to a reevaluation of the company's EV strategy [5] - The company has ended its EV manufacturing partnership with SK On, resulting in Ford fully owning the Kentucky plant while SK On retains ownership of the Tennessee battery plant [5] Regulatory Environment - The CEO praised the relaxation of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards by President Trump, suggesting it would allow Ford to concentrate on American-made products [6] - The CEO previously predicted that EV adoption in the U.S. would reach only 5% [6] European Expansion - Ford is expanding its presence in Europe through a partnership with Renault Group, where it will lead the design and driving dynamics for two Ford-badged EVs built on Renault's Ampere platform [7] Stock Performance - Ford's stock declined by 0.80% to $13.65 at market close but rebounded by 1.11% to $13.80 during after-hours trading [7]

This is a major pivot to say the least, but I think we could all see it coming uh because the consumer basically helped make this decision for you. Tell us what what what's driven uh these plans. >> Well, as you said, it was really the customer changing their decision.You know, we saw hybrids really take off last couple years like, you know, last month uh about well, we had 30% increase in our hybrid sales. We're now number three in our I think we're 80% uh hybrid uh market share in trucks. So we saw this h ...

Core Viewpoint - Ford Motor is taking a significant $19.5 billion writedown and discontinuing several electric vehicle models due to declining EV demand and changes in government policies [1][6]. Group 1: Company Actions - Ford will cease production of the F-150 Lightning in its electric form and will instead focus on an extended-range electric model, transitioning to a hybrid vehicle known as EREV [2][5]. - The company is also canceling the next-generation electric truck, T3, and planned electric commercial vans [2]. - Ford plans to pivot towards gas and hybrid models, with an expectation that hybrids, extended-range EVs, and pure EVs will make up 50% of its global mix by 2030, up from 17% currently [3]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The $19.5 billion writedown will be spread out primarily in the fourth quarter and continue through 2027, with $8.5 billion related to canceled EV models, $6 billion tied to a dissolved battery joint venture with SK On, and $5 billion for program-related expenses [5]. - Ford has raised its 2025 guidance for adjusted earnings before taxes and interest to approximately $7 billion, an increase from the previous range of $6 billion to $6.5 billion [5]. Group 3: Market Context - The auto industry is responding to a significant drop in demand for battery-powered vehicles, with U.S. sales of electric vehicles falling about 40% in November following the expiration of a consumer tax credit [6][7]. - The shift in policy under the Trump administration has reduced federal support for EVs and eased emissions regulations, prompting automakers to focus more on gas-powered vehicles [6][7]. Group 4: Future Strategy - Ford is effectively discontinuing its entire second-generation EV lineup and will focus on developing more affordable EV models, with the first model expected to be priced around $30,000 and available in 2027 [11].

Core Viewpoint - Ford is discontinuing the production of the fully-electric F-150 Lightning and shifting to an "extended range electric vehicle" version, which includes a gas generator for recharging the battery, allowing for over 700 miles of range [1][4]. Group 1: Production Changes - The new F-150 Lightning's release date and pricing have not been disclosed [2]. - Ford will incur a charge of $19.5 billion in special items, primarily in the fourth quarter, due to the impact of this strategic shift on various vehicle and battery factories [2]. - The next-generation all-electric truck, referred to as "T3," has been canceled, along with plans for a next-generation commercial van, while the current E-Transit model will continue [3]. Group 2: Market Strategy - Ford is abandoning plans for larger electric vehicles due to diminished business cases stemming from lower-than-expected demand, high costs, and regulatory changes [4]. - The company plans to introduce a mid-sized all-electric pickup truck in 2027, utilizing a platform developed by former Tesla executives [4]. - Ford's president stated that funds previously allocated for large EVs will be redirected towards more profitable areas, including hybrid trucks and vans, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and energy storage opportunities [5]. Group 3: Market Performance - The F-150 Lightning struggled in the U.S. market, with a price tag of $40,000 that was not realized for most buyers, as it was primarily aimed at fleet customers [8]. - Over the past two years, Ford sold approximately 7,000 Lightnings per quarter, peaking at nearly 11,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 [8]. - The electric vehicle market has faced challenges, including a price war initiated by Tesla and changes in political policies affecting EV sales [9][10].

A new line of China-exclusive Audi models is garnering interest in Europe, with car enthusiasts eying the sophisticated design and top-notch performance of the electric E5 Sportback https://t.co/lmKHiBWnZw ...

Core Insights - Volkswagen is making a significant investment of 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in a new research and development center in Hefei, China, aiming to regain market share in a highly competitive auto market [1][2] - The company is shifting its strategy from developing cars overseas to creating vehicles specifically tailored for Chinese consumers, marking a paradigm shift in its approach [2][3] - The introduction of new models developed "in China, for China" is part of Volkswagen's strategy to compete with local manufacturers like BYD and Geely [3][5] Investment and Strategy - Volkswagen's investment in Hefei represents its largest R&D center outside Germany, indicating a strong commitment to the Chinese market [1] - The company is focusing on developing electric vehicles and incorporating advanced digital features to meet the evolving expectations of Chinese consumers [6] - Analysts suggest that while this strategy may help Volkswagen maintain its current market share, it may not be sufficient to regain the market share lost in recent years [4] Market Dynamics - The Chinese auto market has undergone dramatic changes, with electric vehicles now accounting for about half of new car sales, pushing foreign automakers to adapt quickly [6] - Local competitors have significantly impacted the sales of foreign brands, prompting Volkswagen to rethink its traditional business model [2][4] - The competitive landscape in China is characterized by rapidly changing consumer preferences and aggressive pricing strategies, which pose challenges for foreign automakers [4][5]

Even Santa made the trip down from the North Pole to join us! https://t.co/4hkpQPprBQ ...

Core Insights - The AI boom is significantly impacting the copper market, leading to a potential long-term redefinition of global resource markets due to increased demand from hyperscale data centers [1][2] Group 1: Copper Demand and Supply Dynamics - Hyperscale data centers require significantly more copper than conventional data centers, with a single AI data center needing up to 50,000 tons compared to 5,000 to 15,000 tons for conventional ones [3][4] - Current copper prices have surged to record highs, exceeding $11,705 per metric ton, marking a 32% increase since the beginning of 2025, with projections from JPMorgan and UBS suggesting further increases to $12,500 and $13,000 per ton respectively by 2026 [5][6] - Data centers are projected to consume over half a million metric tons of copper annually by 2030, driven largely by AI demand [6] Group 2: Supply Constraints and Future Projections - Analysts warn of a potential 30% supply deficit in copper by 2035, highlighting structural constraints in meeting the accelerating demand [9] - Global copper demand is expected to rise by 24% by 2035, necessitating an additional 8 million tons of mining capacity, which will require investments exceeding $210 billion [10] - The average time to bring a new copper mine online in the U.S. is 19 years, complicating the ability to quickly address supply shortages [13] Group 3: Industry Trends and Investment Implications - The copper market is experiencing a rally supported by multiple growth trends, including AI, renewable energy, and electric vehicles, all of which are copper-intensive [15] - The current market dynamics suggest that copper prices may continue to rise, with significant implications for investors as demand remains relatively price-inelastic [8][16]

Core Insights - Rivian, once a leading electric vehicle (EV) IPO in 2021, has seen its stock price decline significantly from a peak market capitalization of $153.3 billion to approximately $21.5 billion today, reflecting a drastic reduction in valuation from 92 times its 2022 revenue to just three times its expected 2026 revenue [2][6] Production and Deliveries - Rivian produces three types of EVs: the R1T pickup truck, the R1S SUV, and custom electric delivery vans (EDVs) for Amazon and other companies [4] - In 2022, Rivian produced only 24,337 vehicles due to supply chain issues and competition, falling short of its initial goal of 50,000 vehicles [6] - In 2023, production increased to 57,232 vehicles, but the company faced another slowdown in 2024 and 2025, with expected production of 49,476 and 31,310 vehicles respectively [7] Financial Performance - Rivian's revenue grew from $1.66 billion in 2022 to $4.43 billion in 2023, with projections of $4.97 billion in 2024 and $4.10 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [7] - The company is expected to narrow its net loss from $6.75 billion in 2024 to $3.82 billion in 2025, driven by increased sales and regulatory credits [8] Future Projections - Analysts predict Rivian's revenue will rise to $6.87 billion in 2026, with a net loss of $3.66 billion, contingent on the successful launch of the R2 SUV [9] - By 2027, revenue could surge to $11.37 billion, assuming successful scaling of R2 production and increased EDV deliveries [9] Stock Outlook - Rivian has approximately $7.7 billion in liquidity, which it believes is sufficient to support the R2 production ramp-up [10] - If the R2 launch is successful and meets revenue targets, Rivian's stock could potentially rise by over 160% in the next 12 months [10]