GM CEO States That EVs Remain the 'Final Goal': TDS

      Todd Plitt

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      The first cup of coffee is gone, and it’s definitely time for a second. Let’s dive in.

      🔋 Despite investing billions in developing a next-generation V8 engine family and financing truck development, GM CEO Mary Barra stated that battery-powered vehicles are still “the end game.” This comment followed her observation that the Trump administration’s rollback of EPA regulations and loosening of fuel-economy standards compelled the company to make “fairly significant changes,” resulting in a reduction of billions of dollars in EV investments.

      🔌 While the ultimate goal may be battery-electric vehicles, GM CEO Mary Barra indicated that the automotive giant still plans to market plug-in hybrids in the U.S. and is evaluating which market segments and vehicles will receive the technology.

      📈 Despite the Trump administration eliminating the $7,500 federal EV tax rebate, the head of Kia’s dealer council stated that demand for the three-row electric EV9 is anticipated to remain robust.

      📉 Mercedes-Benz fell further behind BMW in the race for electric vehicle sales.

      💰 California Governor Gavin Newsom aims to cover the gap left by the cancellation of the federal EV tax credit with $200 million in electric vehicle rebates.

      ⚙️ The refreshed 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will feature a flat-plane crank V8 engine.

      🚕 Hyundai plans to introduce its own robotaxi service to compete with Waymo and hopes to succeed where GM’s Cruise struggled.

      🪲 Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff acknowledged that the Gravity SUV launched with software issues, which led to the replacement of the software team.

      🪑 The three-row, seven-seat Tesla Model Y has made a comeback, now equipped with a set of seats in the trunk for passengers with very short legs.

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