THE SAAR IS SLOWING, THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline After Hours delves into the surprising slowdown of the U.S. new car sales (SAAR), which is tracking below the initially optimistic 16 million unit forecast, now hovering around 15.2 million. Panelists attribute this to a combination of persistently high vehicle prices and elevated interest rates, leading to unaffordable monthly payments for the average consumer, effectively turning the market into a luxury segment. While incentives are rising, they remain below historic levels. The discussion also touches upon the global market, noting cooling demand in Western Europe due to similar affordability issues, while China's price war shows signs of stabilizing. A significant portion of the conversation highlights the struggles of the EV market, particularly in Germany where sales have plummeted, contrasting sharply with the strong performance of traditional hybrids. The panel expresses skepticism about the rapid widespread adoption of robo-taxis and questions the ambitious sales targets set by automakers like Hyundai, especially in competitive markets like China and Southeast Asia. Finally, the episode revisits Tesla's legal battles against state direct-sales bans, pondering the potential for a Supreme Court challenge.