Well, Tesla unveiling cheaper versions of its popular Model Y and Model 3. It's part of an effort to boost sales after the federal EV tax credit expiration. Joining me now, Garrett Nelson, CFR analyst.Garrett, good to see you. The shares fell yesterday. They're falling a little bit more today.Does this make a difference. Are you are we going to see any kind of boost to sales from these cheaper models. Sure.Thanks for having me. We do think it will help them from a sales volume perspective. um but only on th ...

Ford’s (F) US sales surged in the third quarter, led by its trucks and electrified vehicles. Ford said it was the seventh consecutive month of sales gains for the automaker. Ford reported total sales of 545,522, up 8.2% compared to a year ago. Ford sales of pickups like the F-Series, Ranger, and Maverick, combined with its vans, jumped 7.4% to 313,654 units sold, with F-Series trucks up nearly 13% year to date. Not surprisingly, Ford had its best EV sales ever for the quarter, as buyers rushed to purchas ...

Auto dealers across the country have been seeing a surge in sales of EVs in recent weeks. That's because tomorrow that $7,500 federal EV tax credit will expire. Philo is watching that story today.Morning, Phil. A busy weekend for the dealers if they were selling electric vehicles. In fact, I checked in with one on Saturday.His answer when I said, "How strong are sales?" He goes, "If they were thinking about it, they're probably buying or leasing right now." And that's why you're going to see record numbers ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has seen a significant increase in price targets from analysts, indicating strong market confidence in the company's future growth potential, particularly in the areas of AI and electric vehicle sales [1][2][4]. Group 1: Price Target Increases - Baird raised Tesla's price target to $548, representing a 71% increase from the previous target, citing a "physical AI inflection" as a key driver [2][3]. - Goldman Sachs also increased their price target from $300 to $395, reflecting optimism about Tesla's sales performance in the upcoming quarter [4][5]. Group 2: Sales Expectations - Analysts expect Tesla to sell approximately 455,000 vehicles in the third quarter, driven by a rush to purchase before the expiration of federal purchase credits at the end of September [5]. - The anticipated growth in Tesla's sales is seen as a catalyst for the company's stock performance, despite recent declines in the car business sector [2][3]. Group 3: Future Growth Catalysts - Key growth areas for Tesla include the expansion of its robo-taxi service, the development of the humanoid robot Optimus, and growth in the energy business [3]. - The new price target from Baird values Tesla at 63 times its estimated 2029 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), indicating a substantial premium [4].

Company Overview - General Motors (GM) participated in the J.P. Morgan Auto Conference 2025, with Paul A. Jacobson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, representing the company [1][2]. Financial Performance - In July, GM's performance was generally in line with expectations, particularly regarding pricing strategies. There was a slight uptick in industry incentive levels, although GM's incentives were down [4]. - The company noted a pull ahead in electric vehicle (EV) sales as consumers aimed to purchase before the elimination of the $7,500 consumer tax credit on October 1 [4]. Industry Context - GM acknowledged progress in trade deals, particularly with Korea, which is considered one of the important markets for the company [5].

Summary of General Motors Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: General Motors (GM) - **Industry**: Automotive Key Points and Arguments Financial Performance and Expectations - GM's performance in July was generally in line with expectations, with a slight uptick in industry incentive levels while GM's incentives were down [2][3] - The company anticipates a significant impact from tariffs in 2025, estimating a gross headwind of $4 billion to $5 billion, but expects to generate $7.5 billion to $10 billion in free cash flow [7][16] - GM is committed to achieving an 8% to 10% margin level in North America and is making progress towards this goal [6][14] Tariff and Trade Deal Implications - The administration's trade deals, particularly with Korea, could lead to hundreds of millions in savings on tariffs by 2025 [4][5] - GM is focused on a three-pillar strategy to offset tariff impacts: go-to-market initiatives, manufacturing footprint changes, and fixed cost reductions [10][11] - The company has seen a reduction in the cost of tariffs as a percentage of retail price, now tracking in the mid-single digits [9] Electric Vehicle (EV) Market Dynamics - There is a pull ahead in EV sales due to the impending elimination of the $7,500 consumer tax credit [3] - The regulatory landscape for EVs is complex, with potential headwinds from the expiration of tax credits and penalties for noncompliance with greenhouse gas regulations [34][36] - GM believes that the elimination of GHG penalties could lead to a more rational market for EVs, reducing irrational pricing behavior [39] Manufacturing and Capacity Investments - GM announced a $4 billion investment to increase U.S. vehicle production capacity by nearly 2 million units, which includes full-size SUV production [13][28] - The company is focused on maintaining discipline in production and avoiding overbuilding, which could lead to inventory issues in future economic cycles [31][32] Market Share and Competitive Position - GM has gained market share in China, with a 20% year-over-year sales increase driven by battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles [49][50] - The company is confident in its product portfolio and expects to outperform the industry by 1% to 2% over the next couple of years [59][60] Software and Services Revenue - GM has a deferred revenue balance of $4 billion, which is expected to grow significantly as subscriptions for services like Super Cruise are recognized [64][65] - The company is focused on improving margins through software services, which are expected to contribute positively to overall profitability [63] Future Outlook - GM is optimistic about its ability to navigate the current challenges and is preparing for a budget process for 2026 amidst ongoing trade negotiations [20][27] - The company is committed to evolving its autonomous vehicle technology and improving personal autonomy features in its vehicles [70][72] Additional Important Insights - GM's approach to managing unforeseen challenges, such as the pandemic and semiconductor shortages, reflects a more resilient and flexible operational strategy compared to historical practices [7][8] - The company emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong vehicle portfolio and competitive pricing strategies to drive future growth [61][62]

Market Leadership - Tesla leads Europe's EV sales in June 2025 [1] - Model Y achieved the 1 spot with 24,073 units sold [1] - Model 3 ranked 2 with 10,807 units sold [1]

Market Trends & Deliveries - Tesla's delivery drivers are influenced by factors like the $7,500 credit [1] - Model Y demand in China is a significant factor [1] - Potential for accelerated EV sales in the near future [1] Margin & Cost - Analysis of Tesla's margin trends [1] - Possibility of a cheaper Tesla variant [1] Future Technologies - CyberCab and Optimus have the potential to disrupt the market [1]

Market Share & Sales Performance - Tesla achieves a dominant 43.5% electric vehicle market share in Ireland [1] - Model 3 and Model Y secure the top two positions in sales [1] - Tesla leads both brand and model rankings [1]

Core Insights - Tesla's vice president Omead Afshar has been fired by CEO Elon Musk, marking a significant leadership change within the company [1] - Afshar's departure coincides with a notable decline in Tesla's sales, with the company experiencing its first annual drop in car sales since it began mass production of electric vehicles over a decade ago [2] - The company is facing challenges, including a 71% year-over-year decline in profits in Q1 and a nearly 28% drop in European sales year-over-year in May [3] Group 1: Leadership Changes - Omead Afshar was a key executive at Tesla, having joined in 2017 and played a significant role in the construction of Tesla's factory in Austin, Texas [4] - His recent support for Tesla's robotaxi service indicates his involvement in the company's strategic initiatives prior to his dismissal [2] - Following Afshar's exit, Tesla's director of HR for North America, Jenna Ferrua, has also left the company, suggesting potential broader changes in the leadership team [7] Group 2: Sales and Financial Performance - Tesla's sales growth has stalled, with fewer cars sold in 2024 compared to 2023, marking a critical turning point for the company [2] - The company's profits have significantly decreased, with a reported 71% drop year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025 [3] - Upcoming reports on global delivery figures and financial results are expected to provide further insights into Tesla's performance [3]