Inside Automotive
David Kain on key automotive industry trends driving car buyer behavior
On this edition of CBT Now, we’re pleased to welcome back David Kain, the president and owner of Kain Automotive, to discuss the upcoming 18th Annual Clients & Friends Digital Success Workshop.
Top Stories
Shortly after a change in leadership, Toyota is reportedly looking to reformat its factories to integrate a new EV platform. The upgrades would take inspiration from Tesla’s facilities, and provide dedicated production lines and machinery for battery-powered cars. Before replacing his EV-hesitant predecessor earlier this week, the automaker’s new CEO, Koji Sato, promised to re-energize the brand’s electrification strategy without abandoning its hybrid and hydrogen products. Read More
Just over a month after revealing the third part of its “Master Plan,” Tesla has published research offering additional details and evidence in support of its green energy strategy. CEO Elon Musk discussed his vision for a sustainable future during the brand’s investor day presentation, but had few details to offer on how the company would achieve his goals. While the automaker has yet to reveal a specific plan, the new report does include calculations and other data supporting Musk’s ideas. This move is a departure from Tesla’s previous post-event updates, which were made as brief blog posts. Read More
On April 5, Kia raised its EV sales target to 1.6 million units by 2030, an increase of 400,000. The update arrives shortly after the South Korean brand published record-breaking numbers for the first quarter. CEO Ho Sung Song announced the revision during a presentation on the company’s new electrification strategy. The roadmap includes plans to develop new battery technology and expand the automaker’s electric lineup to 15 models. By the end of this year alone, Kia hopes to sell 258,000 EVs. Read More
Honda is recalling almost 564,000 vehicles after discovering an issue that could corrode frames. The recall affects 2007-2011 CR-V compact crossovers sold or registered in salt belt states, such as Connecticut, Delaware, and Illinois. According to the automaker’s NHTSA filing, corrosive de-icing agents used in the region can enter the frame through drainage holes, weakening the internal structure. While no deaths or injuries have been reported, Honda noted it had received 61 related complaints between 2018 and 2023. Read More
For Dealers
6 essential pillars of mainstream electric vehicle adoption
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has sped up within the last few years as automakers and consumers work towards creating a cleaner environment, but there are undoubtedly some obstacles that will need to be overcome in order to make EV adoption mainstream. According to a recent study released by EY, factors like utilities, eMobility solutions, and a changing labor force will definitely impact overall electric vehicle adoption and the phasing out of gas-powered cars. Read More
Weekly Roundup: Q1 auto sales smash odds, Tesla breaks delivery record, Toyota shifts EV plans
Earlier this week: New vehicle sales volume improved in the first quarter despite concerns about economic headwinds, Tesla hit new delivery records and exceeded expectations in Q1, long-time CADA President and CEO Tim Jackson stepped down from his role, and more headlines to stay on top of this week in automotive industry news. Read More
