CBT News

New episode of the Executive Profile is dropping next week with one of the most influential figures in the auto industry—Ernie Boch Jr.! Stay tuned—You won't want to miss this! ?? ?? Presented by: The Presidio Group

?? Tesla Owners Trading In EVs at Record Levels Amid Rising Backlash Tesla owners are trading in their electric vehicles (EVs) for non-Tesla brands at record levels, according to an analysis by Edmunds. March saw the highest-ever share of Tesla trade-ins toward competitor brands. Why Are Tesla Owners Jumping Ship? 1?? Elon Musk’s Government Role: As the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump, Musk’s federal spending cuts and access to government systems have triggered legal challenges. 2?? Political Fallout: Musk’s $290M support for Trump’s re-election has fueled boycotts and protests, with Tesla facilities facing vandalism and arson. 3?? Stock Plunge: Tesla’s stock has plummeted 42% in 2025. 4?? Rising EV Competition: S&P Global Mobility reports an 11% YoY decline in Tesla’s U.S. sales, while Ford, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen continue to grow their EV market share. 5?? Brand Erosion: Tesla’s brand value dropped 26% in 2024 (a $15B loss), marking two consecutive years of decline (Brand Finance). Tesla Demand Fading? ? Interest in new Tesla models on Edmunds’ platform has hit its lowest point since October 2022. ? While many Tesla owners traditionally trade in for another Tesla, Edmunds’ analysis excludes those transactions—meaning the true impact could be even greater. Tesla’s brand loyalty is being tested like never before, and competitors are capitalizing on the shift. #Tesla #EVs #ElonMusk #AutoIndustry #TeslaTradeIn #EVMarket #BrandLoyalty #StockMarket #TeslaSales #CBTNews

The latest Car Buyer Journey Study from Cox Automotive Inc. marks its 15th year, offering vital insights into consumer behavior, satisfaction, and digital retailing trends. Jade Terreberry, Senior Director of Strategic Development at?Autotrader US?and?Kelley Blue Book, and Vanessa Ton, Senior Manager of Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive, join us on the latest episode of?Inside Automotive?to discuss the findings and their implications for the industry. Watch the full episode here ?? https://lnkd.in/e7aPu7RG

Stellantis Offers Buyouts to UAW Employees Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts Stellantis is offering buyout packages to UAW-represented hourly employees at its Detroit and Toledo facilities as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy. Employees with at least one year of experience are eligible for the Voluntary Termination of Employment Program (VTEP). Buyout Package Details ? Employees with 15+ years qualify for a $50,000 payout. ? Employees with 25+ years qualify for $72,000. ? Six months of medical coverage included (excluding dental). ? Buyout period: March 18 – May 8, with departures starting one week after approval and running until September 30. However, not all applicants will be approved, as management discretion and business needs will determine eligibility. Retirement Incentive Program A separate retirement package will also be available, offering a $50,000 payout for employees meeting age and experience requirements. Why Stellantis is Making These Moves ? 2024 was a tough year: Declining sales, profit losses, layoffs, and leadership shake-ups (including former CEO Carlos Tavares’ departure). ? Dealer relations hit a low point: 72% of dealers reported little to no trust in the company. ? 2025 recovery strategy: Stellantis is focusing on new models, pricing adjustments, and increased marketing investments—even returning to the Super Bowl as part of its brand revival. Will These Buyouts Help Stellantis Rebuild? The success of these workforce reductions will play a key role in stabilizing operations. While they may provide short-term financial relief, Stellantis’ long-term success hinges on executing its turnaround plan effectively. #Stellantis #UAW #AutoIndustry #Buyouts #Manufacturing #CostCutting #Detroit #Toledo #CarManufacturing #BusinessStrategy #AutoNews

Hyundai & GM Nearing Agreement on EV Vans, Pickup Collaboration According to sources and documents reviewed by Reuters, Hyundai and General Motors (GM) are close to finalizing a deal where Hyundai will supply two electric commercial vans to GM, while GM may provide Hyundai with midsize pickup trucks for the North American market. Key Details of the Deal ? Hyundai to manufacture electric vans under both brands, initially importing from South Korea before potentially shifting production to North America by 2028. ? Hyundai wants to sell GM’s midsize pickups (Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon), but GM has not yet agreed to full-size truck sharing. ? Talks also include Hyundai potentially supplying GM with compact SUVs for Brazil. ? Both companies are exploring joint purchasing, battery development, and computing chip collaboration. Why This Matters ? GM needs new commercial vans as it phases out the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. ? Hyundai aims to strengthen its presence in the U.S. truck & commercial vehicle market. ? Tariff concerns under the Trump administration add uncertainty, pushing automakers to rethink U.S. production strategies. Production & Timeline ? Smaller Hyundai EV van production begins in Ulsan, South Korea, with GM deliveries expected by mid-2027. ? A larger electric van (similar to the Hyundai Solati) follows in 2028. ? A proposed North American van plant could reach 60,000 units annually by 2030, scaling to 100,000+ by 2032. What’s Next? While both Hyundai and GM have acknowledged discussions, specific deal details remain unconfirmed. If finalized, this strategic collaboration could reshape both automakers’ positions in the EV and truck markets. #Hyundai #GeneralMotors #EVs #ElectricVans #PickupTrucks #AutomotiveNews #AutoIndustry #HyundaiEV #GMC #Chevy #BusinessStrategy

Tesla recalls nearly all Cybertrucks! ???? A loose exterior panel risk has led to the recall, with 151 warranty claims potentially linked to the issue.?#Tesla?#Cybertruck?#VehicleRecall?#Automotive?#ElonMusk

Nissan Restructures Leadership Team, Cuts Executives by 20% As part of a major leadership restructuring effort, Nissan Motor Co. announced it will reduce its executive leadership team by 20% to improve efficiency, agility, and decision-making. Key Leadership Changes ? Eliminating multiple management layers to create a single-layer, non-officer framework. ? All corporate officers will now be titled corporate executives (CE). ? The restructuring aims to expand the span of control and establish clearer roles across the organization. New Leadership & Strategic Focus ? Changes take effect April 1, aligning with Ivan Espinosa’s appointment as CEO. ? Espinosa succeeds Makoto Uchida, stepping in during a critical period for Nissan. ? Uchida’s departure follows the collapse of a $60 billion Nissan-Honda merger, which could have positioned Nissan as the third-largest automaker globally. Challenges Facing Nissan ? Fitch Ratings downgraded Nissan to “junk” status, citing low profitability and an uncertain turnaround outlook. ? The automaker must recover market share and stabilize operations after years of mismanagement. What’s Next for Nissan? With a streamlined leadership structure and a new CEO at the helm, Nissan hopes to reclaim its competitive edge and execute its broader recovery strategy. #Nissan #LeadershipChange #AutomotiveIndustry #BusinessStrategy #CorporateRestructuring #IvanEspinosa #MakotoUchida #AutoNews #BusinessGrowth

Customer reviews matter—but trust is shifting. ?Shep Hyken, Best-Selling Author & Customer Experience Expert, joins us on the latest episode of?CBT Now?to share key insights from his latest research on the state of customer service. ? 83% of consumers check reviews before buying, but 69% are skeptical, especially of perfect ratings. A 4.2–4.3 star rating feels more trustworthy than a perfect 5.0. ? Negative reviews aren’t all bad—handling criticism well can boost consumer trust. ? Who do buyers trust most? Family & friends rank #1, while celebrity endorsements surprisingly outrank social media influencers. Full episode here ?? https://lnkd.in/ehthtNK4

EV sales hit a February record, but trends are shifting. ?? New EV sales fell 5.9% MoM but climbed 10.5% YoY—driven by luxury growth: ? BMW (+20.9%) & Rivian (+34.0%) surged. ? Tesla dropped 10.0%, with Cybertruck down 32.5%. ?? Used EV sales dipped 4.7% MoM but soared 34.2% YoY—Tesla still dominates with 39.9% market share. With affordability improving and demand shifting, the EV market continues to evolve. Source: Kelley Blue Book

Car buying is evolving—and transparency is the new currency. In today’s CBT Now, Zach Shefska & Ray Shefska of CarEdge share how they’re reshaping the industry by empowering buyers and partnering with forward-thinking dealers. ? Informed buyers—Consumers now enter dealerships armed with pricing data, financing tools & peer reviews. ? Digital-first approach—CarEdge blends decades of experience with modern tech to simplify negotiations. ? Win-win for dealers—Better-educated customers mean smoother transactions & stronger relationships. "If I take advantage of you being naive today, I'm only going to sell you this one car, and I don’t want to do that. My hope is I get to see you again and again and again." — Ray Shefska With conversion rates topping 30%, CarEdge proves that transparency isn’t just good for buyers—it’s good for business. Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/epQRpqsc