Andrew J. Hawkins

Transportation editor

Andrew J. HawkinsApr 2, 2025

Tesla sales ‘a disaster on every metric.’

That’s Tesla bull Dan Ives from Wedbush reacting to this morning’s first quarter production and delivery report, in which the company clocked a 13 percent decrease in sales year over year. Ives, who strongly believes in Elon Musk’s vision of AI, robotics, and self-driving cars, is nonetheless adamant that the billionaire CEO needs to take the proverbial bull by the horns. He writes:

The time has come for Musk....it’s a fork in the road moment. The more political he gets with DOGE the more the brand suffers, there is no debate. This quarter was an example of the damage Musk is causing Tesla. This continues to be a moment of truth for Musk to navigate this brand tornado crisis moment and get onto the other side of this dark chapter for Tesla with much better days ahead.

Weaker Than Expected Q1 Deliveries; Need to Navigate Brand Crisis Or Else......

[wedbush.bluematrix.com]

Andrew J. HawkinsApr 2, 2025

Tesla isn’t the only EV company having a bad quarter.

Rivian just released a miserable production and delivery report for the first quarter of 2025. The company produced 14,611 vehicles, but only sold 8,640 of them, a 36 percent drop year over year.

As noted by TechCrunch, Rivian warned last earnings call that its sales would be affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, as well as a “challenging demand environment.” Still, the company reaffirmed its full-year guidance to sell 46,000 to 51,000 vehicles in 2025.

Rivian Releases Q1 2025 Production and Delivery Figures and Sets Date for First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

[sec.gov]

Tesla’s sales plummet 13 percent as Musk backlash grows

Andrew J. HawkinsApr 2, 2025

Andrew J. HawkinsApr 1, 2025

Don’t touch that dial.

A Senate bill requiring all new cars to have AM radio now has over 60 cosponsors, meaning it can overcome a filibuster, Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said today. It’s a response to new electric vehicles increasingly lacking the first-generation radio broadcast technology.

Automakers, including Tesla, argue that AM radio is incompatible with EVs, citing electromagnetic interference from the powertrain. Supporters say they’re worried about losing a crucial medium for emergency broadcasts during natural disasters. And conservatives love it for right-wing news and media. The bill passed the House last year, and it’s looking increasingly likely that, despite changing listening habits, AM radio is here to stay.

Sens. Markey, Cruz Join Rep. Gottheimer, Bipartisan House Coalition in Introducing Legislation to Keep AM Radio Available in New Vehicles

[markey.senate.gov]

Andrew J. HawkinsMar 31, 2025

Meet the new Volvo CEO, same as the old Volvo CEO.

Ex-Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson has his old title back, replacing Jim Rowan who held the job for three years after Samuelsson stepped down in 2022. As he assumes/resumes his role, Samuelsson will face new challenges, including President Donald Trump’s threat to slap 25 percent tariffs on all cars not made in the US. Volvo already moved production of some of its vehicles, including the all-electric EX30, to Europe from China to avoid EU tariffs — and may ultimately do the same for the US.

reuters.com

[reuters.com]