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Episode #1221: Today we break down GM’s post-Cruise autonomy reboot, why used EVs are quietly outperforming new ones as buyers regain confidence, and how a soaring SpaceX valuation has pushed Elon Musk’s wealth past $650 billion.

• A year after pulling the plug on Cruise robotaxis, GM is rebooting autonomy with a very different endgame. Instead of ride-hailing, the focus is now on hands-free, eyes-off driver assistance designed to scale across consumer vehicles.
  • GM has deployed 138 test vehicles — Cadillac Escalade IQs and GMC Yukons — equipped with lidar, radar, cameras, and advanced computing to collect real-world driving data across the U.S.
  • Cruise’s technology and talent have been merged with GM’s Super Cruise team, signaling a full pivot away from robotaxis toward scalable driver-assistance for retail customers.
  • The goal is a Level 3 “eyes-off” highway system debuting on the Escalade IQ around 2028, with plans to expand across brands and vehicle sizes.
  • Jason Ekelmann of GM’s advanced vehicle integration team: “It’s that we’re coming together to do something unique and awesome and really, really hard.”

• November revealed a split EV market. New EV buyers slowed down and waited for clarity, while used EV shoppers kept moving. The contrast highlights where confidence is building — and where the industry is still adjusting to life after heavy incentives.
  • New EV sales cooled to about 70,000 units as shoppers paused amid tax credit changes, pushing new inventory to 149 days’ supply and forcing incentives back into play.
  • Used EVs told a different story, with sales up 14% year over year to more than 28,000 units in November.
  • Used EV pricing averaged around $36,000, with many mainstream models now below $30,000, while supply stayed tight at 46 days, supporting healthier resale confidence.
  • Cox Automotive’s Stephanie Valdez Streaty framed it simply, saying the industry is “adjusting to a post-incentive environment.”

• Elon Musk just crossed a line no one else ever has. A new SpaceX valuation pushed his net worth past $650 billion, moving him closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire
  • SpaceX launched a tender offer valuing the company at $800 billion, doubling its valuation since August and setting the stage for a potential 2026 IPO that could value it near $1.5 trillion.
  • Musk owns roughly 42% of SpaceX, making that stake worth about $336 billion and now the largest single contributor to his net worth.

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0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
3:40 GM Building

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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