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Episode #1220: Ford slams the brakes on big EV bets and kills the Lightning, pivoting to hybrids and EREVs. HGreg proves luxury buyers don’t need a separate dealership—just a smarter one. GM learns loyalty points are real money after a rewards loophole wipes out a loan.

Show Notes with links:

• Ford just hit the brakes on its EV ambitions, announcing nearly $19.5 billion in charges as it pivots away from loss-heavy electric trucks.
  • Ford will discontinue the all-electric F-150 Lightning, replacing it with an extended-range electric version that includes a gas engine.
  • Its Kentucky EV battery plant will be repurposed to produce stationary battery storage for utilities, data centers, and renewable energy projects.
  • The company has already lost $13 billion on EVs since 2023, and intends to shift to more hybrid and EREV models, including a mid-size pickup expected to launch in 2027.
  • CEO Jim Farley: “Instead of plowing billions into the future knowing these large EVs will never make money, we are pivoting. “We now know enough about the U.S. market where we have a lot more certainty in this second inning” 

• Canada-based dealer group HGreg has opened a Lux boutique inside its flagship Orlando used-car store, betting that high-line buyers want a premium experience without leaving the pre-owned ecosystem.
  • The new HGreg Lux Orlando is a dealership-within-a-dealership, marking the group’s fifth Lux location across Florida and California.
  • HGreg is leaning into convenience and flexibility with same-day delivery, contactless buying, and even cryptocurrency payments.
  • CEO John Hairabedian framed the move as emotional as much as strategic, saying, “For many of us, driving a luxury car is one of life’s most memorable moments.”

• GM’s loyalty program briefly turned into free money. A loophole in GM Rewards let users generate millions of points without spending a dime—most notably a Cadillac Escalade-V owner who used nearly $60,000 worth of points to pay down a GM Financial loan before GM shut it down.
  • Users could earn up to 16,000 free points per account by completing surveys and watching GM videos, then repeat the process by creating new accounts.
  • Points were instantly transferable, allowing millions to be stacked in minutes and funneled into a single account.
  • The biggest problem for GM: points could be redeemed on service, accessories, and even vehicle loans—not just swag.

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0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
4:06 Ford Ditches EV Trucks for Hybrids and EREVs

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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