Just a few minutes ago, we learned that Ford is undergoing a sweeping overhaul of its electric vehicle business, and it's going to amount to about $19.5% billion in charges. It's also going to include scrapping its next generation electric F-Series truck as the shift gears to a hybrid. Joining us right now to talk a little bit more about this is the host of Bloomberg's Open Interest, Matt Miller, and he brings along with him the CEO of Ford, Jim Farley.Jim, thanks very much for joining us. This is a major p ...

Core Insights - Ford is navigating the transition in the automotive sector, balancing profitability from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles with the challenges of electrification, supply-chain pressures, and rising competition [1] - The partnership with Renault to develop two Ford-branded passenger EVs based on the Ampere platform demonstrates Ford's strategy to efficiently expand its electric vehicle portfolio while managing development costs [2] Product and Technology - Ford is aggressively pursuing electrification, investing in new EV models and battery technology, while ramping up manufacturing capabilities for pure EVs and expanding hybrid model availability [3] - The focus on software-defined vehicles includes over-the-air updates and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard features in future models, with an upward trend in investment towards proprietary battery management and e-mobility platforms [3] Manufacturing and Supply Chain - Suppliers are expected to increase sourcing of high-voltage components, battery cells, and complex electronic modules, with rising requirements for software, digital validation, and cybersecurity for embedded systems [6] - Ford is realigning its global manufacturing footprint with an emphasis on nearshoring, localization, and modularity to enhance resilience, alongside significant investments in battery production facilities in North America and Europe [7] - The company is optimizing inventory and logistics using advanced analytics to address volume variability challenges due to demand fluctuations and regulatory shifts [7] Brand, Customer Experience, and Loyalty - Ford's marketing strategy focuses on customer engagement and loyalty incentives for electrified vehicles, alongside a digital-first approach to vehicle acquisition and ownership [8] - Direct-to-consumer pilots and online retail partnerships reflect an evolution in Ford's go-to-market strategy, with positive brand perception gains noted among younger, sustainability-minded demographics [8] Supplier Collaboration - Tier-1 suppliers may face pressure for deeper collaboration on risk-sharing and just-in-time logistics, with new opportunities arising for local plants or tier-2 suppliers near Ford's EV hubs [9] - Suppliers are required to demonstrate transparency in sustainability and ethical sourcing as Ford's partner audits become more rigorous [9]

Group 1 - The performance of legacy auto companies in Q3 2025 may have surprised some investors [1] - There has been a steep decline in EV adoption, while sales of internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles remain steady [1]

Sales Performance - Ford's total sales in November decreased by 0.9%, indicating a slight decline in overall performance [1] - Hyundai's US sales also fell by 2% in November, reflecting a broader trend in the automotive market [2] Electric Vehicle (EV) Trends - Ford experienced a significant drop in EV sales, down 60.8% in November, attributed to the expiration of the federal tax credit [1] - In contrast, hybrid vehicle sales increased by 13.6%, while internal combustion engine vehicles saw a modest rise of 2.2% [1] Market Conditions - November is typically a slower month for auto sales, with December expected to be busier for automakers [3] - The industry is facing challenges related to affordability, as new car payments exceed $750, impacting consumer purchasing decisions [3]

Core Insights - Toyota Motor Corporation announced a significant investment plan of $912 million for its North American manufacturing, aimed at increasing hybrid vehicle production and creating 252 new jobs [1][2][4] Investment Details - The investment will be distributed across five U.S. factories located in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Missouri [2] - This follows a previous commitment of $10 billion for U.S. operations over the next five years [2] Hybrid Production Expansion - Toyota plans to enhance its hybrid production capacity, including the assembly of hybrid-electric Corollas at the Blue Springs, Mississippi facility, marking the first U.S. assembly for electrified Corolla models [3][4] - Specific investments include: - West Virginia: $453 million and 80 new jobs [3] - Kentucky: $204.4 million and 82 new jobs [3] - Mississippi: $125 million for retooling the Blue Springs plant [4] - Tennessee: $71.4 million and 33 new jobs at the Jackson casting plant [4] - Missouri: $57.1 million and 57 new jobs at the Troy plant [4] Market Response - Despite the positive news, Toyota's stock (TM) fell by 1.91% to $195.20 on the day of the announcement [5] - Over the past year, TM stock has gained over 11% [5] Community Support - The Toyota USA Foundation is investing $110 million in the Driving Possibilities program to support PreK-12 education, indicating a commitment to future workforce development [5]

Sales Performance Overview - Ford's overall sales increased by 1.6% in October, with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales up by 3.4% compared to October of the previous year [1][3] - However, electric vehicle (EV) sales saw a significant decline of 24.8%, attributed to the absence of the $7,500 government incentive [1][2] - Hybrid vehicle sales also decreased by 4% [2] Market Expectations - Analysts have raised their projections for full-year sales over the past month and a half, but October and November are expected to be challenging months [4] - The anticipated sales rate for October is projected to be between 15.7 million to 15.8 million vehicles [3] Consumer Behavior Insights - Despite the poor sales numbers, there is no indication of a drastic drop in consumer demand; dealers report steady traffic in showrooms [6][7] - There is a concern that the negative sales figures may lead to perceptions of a weaker consumer market, although dealers do not report a significant decline in demand [5][6] Seasonal Trends - December is typically one of the strongest months for vehicle sales, and it remains to be seen if this trend will continue this year [4][5]

Hyundai reported third-quarter earnings that broadly met expectations, buoyed by strong electric vehicle and hybrid sales in North America and Europe https://t.co/duMzmNtaLw ...

Core Insights - Automakers are adjusting their product strategies in response to the recent removal of a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, focusing on more affordable models to attract buyers [1][5] Group 1: Automaker Strategies - Volkswagen is shifting its focus to hybrid vehicles, particularly full hybrids, due to lower costs and higher consumer demand, moving away from its previous strategy of prioritizing electric vehicles [2][3] - Lucid Group plans to introduce a more affordable electric model by the end of next year, having absorbed half the cost of the lost tax credit for its Air sedan [4] - Rivian is offering deals for its leased vehicles and is concentrating on launching the R2 SUV at a price around $45,000 in the first half of next year [6] Group 2: Market Trends - U.S. EV sales have not met earlier forecasts, with consumer hesitance regarding charging infrastructure and high prices contributing to this trend [5] - Traditional automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, are scaling back their EV plans in light of the changing regulatory environment and the loss of federal subsidies [7]

Summary of Ford's Third Quarter Sales Performance Core Insights - Ford experienced a strong third quarter with total sales increasing by 8.2%, aligning with analyst expectations [1] - The breakdown of sales shows internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles up by 6.3%, hybrids up by 14.7%, and electric vehicles (EVs) up by 30.2% [1][2] Sales Breakdown - Internal combustion engine vehicles saw a growth of 6.3% [1] - Hybrid vehicle sales surged by 14.7%, indicating strong consumer demand [1][2] - Electric vehicle sales increased significantly by 30.2%, although a slowdown in EV sales is anticipated across the industry [1][2] Market Trends - Hybrids currently represent about 14% of the automotive market, with expectations to exceed 20% in the coming years [3][4] - Automakers, including Toyota, are pivoting towards hybrid models, as seen with the RAV 4 being offered only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid [4][5] - The consumer preference for hybrids is expected to drive more manufacturers to adapt their offerings accordingly [5]

Group 1 - The Chinese government has announced a new export license requirement for domestic companies, including electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, which will take effect on January 1, 2026 [2][3][5] - This move aims to regulate unlicensed traders and protect the reputation of China's thriving EV industry, which is currently the largest car exporter globally, with projected sales of approximately 5.5 million units in 2024, of which about 40% are EVs [4][5] - Li Auto, a prominent player in the EV market, experienced a nearly 5% decline in its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) following the government's announcement, reflecting investor concerns about potential restrictions on EV companies [1][5] Group 2 - The new licensing regime is seen as a way for the government to exert control over the rapidly growing export environment for EV makers, raising fears among investors about possible limitations on their activities [5][7] - The licensing requirement will only be available to EV manufacturers and their authorized companies, indicating a targeted approach by the government to manage the sector [3][5] - Analysts have suggested that investors should consider other stocks, as Li Auto was not included in a list of top investment recommendations, highlighting potential concerns about its future performance [6][8]