All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Tesla Hits Pause on Model Y and Cybertruck Production for Upgrades – Not Trouble

Tesla, long hailed as the unrivaled leader in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, is taking a short but significant breather at its Austin, Texas Gigafactory. The company has announced a temporary halt in production of its Model Y and Cybertruck vehicles, set to begin on June 30. But unlike what skeptics might assume, this pause isn’t due to sluggish sales or internal crises—it’s all about upgrades and efficiency.

According to a report shared with plant employees and later confirmed by multiple sources, the production break will last about a week. The goal? Routine maintenance and enhancements to production lines that will support higher output in the months ahead. While such pauses are commonplace across the automotive sector, the news was enough to jolt investors, with Tesla’s stock dipping nearly 4% following the announcement.

The Model Y, Tesla’s best-selling crossover, recently received a refresh, and signs point towards a potential spike in demand. This makes the upcoming production improvements timely, as Tesla positions itself to ramp up volume and meet consumer interest.

However, the story surrounding the Cybertruck is more complicated. Once hyped as a revolutionary entry into the EV pickup market, the Cybertruck’s rollout has been far from smooth. Production targets were significantly lowered earlier this year, and the Texas facility’s Cybertruck line is currently operating well below full capacity. Despite bold predictions from CEO Elon Musk—who once claimed Tesla could produce up to half a million Cybertrucks annually—only about 46,000 units have been built and sold since the vehicle’s debut in early 2024.

This gap between vision and reality has cast a shadow over the Cybertruck’s trajectory. While Tesla has not officially scaled back its ambitions, the reduced targets and sluggish output suggest the company may be tempering expectations behind the scenes.

For now, Tesla appears focused on refining its operations and preparing for what could be a critical second half of the year. Whether the Cybertruck will eventually find its footing remains to be seen, but the Model Y’s continued momentum may give the company the boost it needs to maintain its edge in an increasingly competitive EV landscape.

Source: Business Insider

News

Extended Loans, Short Warranties? Ram Says ‘Not Anymore’

Americans are holding onto their vehicles longer than ever before, and automakers are starting to pay attention. A new report shows that the average age of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads has climbed to a record 12.6 years. That’s two months older than in 2023, and an astonishing 1.5 years older than the average in 2012.

This long-term ownership trend has created a mismatch in the auto industry. Most new vehicles still come with just a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty—less than a quarter of the average vehicle’s lifespan. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis thinks that’s not just outdated—it’s “stupid.”

Speaking at a recent media briefing, Kuniskis argued that extended warranties are no longer a luxury but a necessity. “Nearly 80% of new truck loans now exceed five years,” he pointed out. “If something goes wrong after the warranty ends and the owner is still making payments, they might never return to that brand—and they definitely won’t recommend it to anyone else.”

That’s why Ram is making a bold move with its 2026 lineup. Starting next year, every new Ram truck and van will come standard with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The coverage includes crucial components like the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, and axles—parts that can cost thousands to repair.

There are some fine print exclusions. The extended warranty only applies to original owners—individuals and businesses, but not fleet buyers. And it’s not a bumper-to-bumper guarantee. But considering the high cost of drivetrain repairs, the warranty could offer substantial savings and peace of mind.

Industry analysts are calling it a smart play: good for marketing, great for customer satisfaction. As Kuniskis summed it up, “Our customers are making a long-term investment in Ram, and with America’s Best Full-size Truck Limited Powertrain Warranty, Ram is making a stronger and longer commitment to our customers.”

However, there is one notable exception. The new warranty won’t apply to full battery electric vehicles—most notably, the upcoming Ram 1500 REV. While Ram hasn’t elaborated on the reasoning, the exclusion signals a cautious approach to EV commitments within its warranty strategy.

Still, for the majority of traditional truck buyers—many of whom plan to keep their vehicles for a decade or more—Ram’s extended warranty offers something rare in the auto industry these days: real, long-term value.

Source: Ram

News

Mitsubishi Joins Growing List of Automakers Raising Prices Amid Tariff Pressure

Mitsubishi has become the latest automaker to announce a price increase as the industry grapples with the ripple effects of trade tariffs and inflationary pressures. Beginning tomorrow, the Japanese carmaker will implement an average price hike of 2.1% across its vehicle lineup.

The company attributes the increase to its “regular and ongoing review of pricing” designed to keep its models competitive within their respective segments. However, industry observers believe this move is a direct response to rising import tariffs, particularly the 25% levy on automotive imports first imposed under the Trump administration.

Notably, the price adjustment will not be applied retroactively and will exclude vehicles already on dealer lots—good news for buyers who act quickly.

The price revision will affect popular models such as the Outlander and Eclipse Cross. The Outlander, which currently starts at $29,645, will see its base price rise to approximately $30,268—an increase of $623. Meanwhile, the smaller Eclipse Cross will go from $26,545 to roughly $27,102, representing a $557 jump.

Although these changes may appear modest, they underscore a broader industry trend: manufacturers are increasingly passing on at least some of the cost burden from tariffs and supply chain challenges to consumers. Analysts suggest Mitsubishi may still be absorbing a significant portion of these costs, but further increases could loom if trade tensions persist.

Mitsubishi‘s pricing decision comes shortly after the company resumed vehicle deliveries to dealerships—a process that had been temporarily halted due to tariff complications. The resumption, coupled with the latest price adjustments, signals that Mitsubishi may no longer be expecting a swift resolution to ongoing trade disputes.

With this move, Mitsubishi joins a growing roster of automakers adjusting their pricing strategies. Ford recently raised prices by up to $2,000 on several of its Mexican-made models, including the Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E. Subaru has also bumped prices across most of its lineup, with increases ranging from $750 to $2,055. Even niche manufacturer Ineos has taken similar steps.

As the global automotive industry continues to adapt to an unpredictable economic and political landscape, consumers can likely expect more pricing changes in the months ahead.

Source: Reuters