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- US Will Trail Rest of the World in EV Car Sales
US Will Trail Rest of the World in EV Car Sales
Andrew Evans
May 19, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Rare Porsche prototype up for auction
Hamilton believes Ferrari turned a corner in Imola
New Mansory-modified G-Class heavy on forged carbon
Pirelli at a loss as soft tire underperforms in qualifying
Road-legal Lotus 2-Eleven hits the market
...and more!
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INDUSTRY NEWS
As the global market for electric vehicles expands rapidly, the United States is projected to lag behind, with the share of plug-in car sales expected to rise from 10% to only 20% by 2030. This shift comes after the recent rollback of supportive policies, which has led to revised forecasts indicating a significant decline in the US EV market's growth potential compared to other regions like China and Europe.
The latest addition to Mansory's lineup, the Gronos Grande Entrée, is a unique transformation of the Mercedes G-Wagen, featuring an eye-catching exterior with a distinctive body kit and bold accents. Inside, the vehicle boasts luxurious modifications, including a starlight headliner and a custom steering wheel, while its enhanced performance delivers impressive power figures, setting it apart as a truly unique creation.
Singer's “Reimagined” Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe exemplifies the potential of bespoke automotive restoration, merging various 911 features into a highly personalized vehicle. A recent listing for a nearly new model with minimal mileage reveals the pricing for various options that go into building these exclusive cars, as it sits at a $1.3m list price.
Facing significant financial challenges, Nissan's CEO Ivan Espinosa has introduced a rigorous restructuring initiative called Re:Nissan, which aims to cut 11,000 jobs and consolidate production facilities from 17 to 10 by 2027. This plan, reminiscent of former CEO Carlos Ghosn's earlier revival strategy, seeks to achieve a cost reduction of 500 billion yen and restore profitability by the fiscal year 2026.
Tesla has begun accepting trade-ins for the Cybertruck, a significant shift after a year of declining sales, highlighting enormous depreciation rates for the divisive vehicle. Initially launched with over a million reservations, the electric pickup has struggled in the market, leading to substantial value loss and prompting the company to offer discounts to clear unsold inventory.
Subaru is reassessing its approach to electric vehicle development amid ongoing uncertainties regarding U.S. tariffs and tax incentives, which complicate its plans for new EV models. As a result, the automaker may need to adapt its upcoming EV-only factory to accommodate hybrid and traditional combustion vehicles as well.
Fiat is set to introduce a unique hybrid version of the 500, featuring a six-speed manual transmission paired with a mild-hybrid 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, aimed at providing an affordable alternative for customers hesitant about fully electric vehicles. This adaptation of the 500, originally designed as an electric model, reflects Fiat's strategy to cater to traditional drivers while maintaining the vehicle's iconic design.
A more practical version of the Mercedes CLA has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring as the Shooting Brake model is set to return to the latest iteration of the vehicle. Featuring a wagon body, currently disguised under camouflage, the CLA Shooting Brake should eclipse the sedan’s cargo capacity, though will likely have a slightly poorer fuel economy and range.
BMW Group Switzerland celebrated its 50th anniversary at its Dielsdorf headquarters, highlighting a year of significant milestones, including the 3 Series' golden jubilee and the brand’s top sales ranking in the country. The event featured a keynote from CEO Sergio Solero, showcased innovative vehicles like the BMW Vision Dee, and included a panel discussion on the intersection of art and automotive design, reflecting on the legacy of the BMW Art Car program.
MOTORSPORT
Lewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari's potential following his impressive recovery from 12th to fourth place at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. He highlighted the experience of racing in front of the passionate Ferrari supporters as a memorable moment and noted that finishing ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc for the first time this season was a positive outcome.
Pirelli's newly introduced C6 tire faced unexpected challenges during its debut at Imola, as drivers struggled to maintain performance, often opting for the C5 instead. Despite initial positive feedback following practice sessions, the C6 was reported to understeer more and deliver inconsistent lap times, prompting teams to reconsider their strategies for qualifying and the race ahead.
Prema Racing, initially struggling at the bottom of the time sheets, achieved a remarkable turnaround by securing pole position for the 109th Indy 500, marking a historic moment for both the rookie driver Robert Shwartzman and the team in its first oval race. Shwartzman, the first rookie to claim this honor in over four decades, will start alongside two-time champion Takuma Sato and Pato O'Ward on the front row, while notable competitors like Scott Dixon and Alex Palou will occupy the second row.
Charles Leclerc voiced his frustration after finishing sixth at the Imola Grand Prix, indicating that he struggles to accept his current standing with Ferrari. Despite his efforts to recover from a Q2 exit and secure points, he finds himself significantly trailing the championship leader and anticipates challenges ahead in the upcoming Monaco race, where he believes the car's limitations may be more apparent.
Yuki Tsunoda expressed that he could have secured a top-six position at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix if not for his significant qualifying crash. Despite starting from the pit lane, he managed to finish just ahead of Fernando Alonso, reflecting on the challenges of the crash while acknowledging the strong pace he showed in practice.
Lando Norris secured a second-place finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, acknowledging that Max Verstappen's Red Bull was too rapid for him to contend with effectively. Despite a strong performance and a late push following a safety car, Norris reflected that he was satisfied with his result, especially after a challenging qualifying session.
Fernando Alonso expressed optimism about Aston Martin's performance at Imola, despite not securing points after starting fifth on the grid. He noted that the team's competitiveness early in the race was overshadowed by a Virtual Safety Car that allowed rivals to pit and gain an advantage, ultimately leading to a disappointing finish, though he remains hopeful for future races.
Haas has requested a formal explanation from the FIA following the disqualification of Oliver Bearman's lap time during the first qualifying session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which they argue should have been valid. The team contends that Bearman completed his lap before the red flag was issued, while the FIA maintains that the timing data indicates otherwise, leading to an ongoing dispute over the decision.
Max Verstappen's recent achievement of setting a lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife while testing a GT3 Ferrari has sparked both admiration and skepticism within the motorsport community. Critics have raised concerns regarding the technical setup of his vehicle, while Verstappen maintains that he adhered to the official Balance of Performance regulations during the test, emphasizing his commitment to fair competition.
Sebastien Ogier achieved his seventh victory at Rally Portugal, marking a significant milestone in his World Rally Championship career, while facing intense physical challenges throughout the event. Despite a power steering failure that hindered rival Ott Tanak, Ogier acknowledged the demanding nature of the rally and the effort required from both drivers and their teams to compete effectively.
FUN STUFF
A rare opportunity has arisen to bid on the first-ever Porsche 910, a significant prototype that symbolizes the brand's transition into a powerhouse in motorsports and automotive design. This particular vehicle, known for its impressive racing pedigree and distinctive flat-six engine, has been meticulously restored for historic competitions and is currently attracting considerable interest at auction.
A rare, road-legal example of the extreme Lotus 2-Eleven is available in a classified listing, with the Elise-based track car offered for around £45,000. While offered with an option to make the circuit-focused car road legal, adding a catalytic converter and a passenger seat while toning down the aero and reducing the safety belt fixing points to meet UK law, it was a £1,100 option for which few of the 356 original owners would opt.
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are back on the road in their latest series, Long Way Home, which covers their journey through Europe on vintage motorcycles. This new installment, airing on Apple TV+, emphasizes local experiences and culinary adventures while maintaining the duo's camaraderie and the challenges of traveling on classic bikes.
Genesis has shared a captivating ASMR video that demonstrates the intricate process of applying racing livery to its Le Mans hypercar, highlighting both the straightforward and challenging aspects of car wrapping. Spanning approximately 15 minutes, the footage details the meticulous preparation and application techniques involved, revealing the complexity behind achieving the vibrant final design of the GMR-001 Hypercar.
A dump truck driver in Florida experienced an unexpected mishap when the raised bed of his vehicle collided with an overpass while traveling on State Road 285. Fortunately, both he and his passenger emerged unscathed, despite the truck bed becoming detached and blocking part of the roadway for a brief period.
After a decade of neglect, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 has been rescued and is undergoing a thorough cleaning to restore its former elegance. The detailing team meticulously addresses every aspect of the vehicle, ensuring that both its exterior and interior are revitalized to a condition reminiscent of its original showroom state.
In April, a distinctive 1969 Plymouth Road Runner with a rare Hemi engine and special-order paint was announced for auction at Indy 2025, and it has now achieved a record sale price of $275,000, making it the highest-priced 1969 model ever sold. This particular vehicle stands out not only for its unique features and pristine condition but also as the most valuable first-generation Road Runner to be auctioned publicly, highlighting the growing interest in classic Mopar cars.
The latest release from Hot Wheels includes the 2024 HW Race Day variant of the Mazda 787B, alongside a variety of other models in the Neon Speeders Mix 2, featuring notable cars like the '98 Honda Prelude and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Collectors may find themselves navigating a mix of nostalgia and modern designs, as some castings, such as the Toyota AE86 Corolla, continue to appear despite their age and mixed popularity.
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