Episode #1328: We’re joined by guest host Steve Greenfield to talk about Ford's CEO sounding the alarm on a make-or-break moment for legacy automakers, while China’s ultra-affordable EVs show just how intense—and fast—the global competition has become.

Show Notes with links:

See Steve's keynote from last year's ASOTU CON here

Legacy automakers are staring down a perfect storm as EVs, software, and Chinese competition reshape the industry. Ford CEO Jim Farley says this could be a defining survival moment—one that feels a lot like the 1920s all over again.
- Farley calls today a “fitness test” as EVs, software-defined vehicles, and emissions targets collide all at once.
- Chinese automakers have leapfrogged legacy OEMs in EV tech, speed to market, and cost—sometimes building cars twice as fast.
- Ford admits early EV efforts missed the mark on cost and design, losing money despite strong consumer interest.
- Dealers remain a strategic advantage as global competitors lack distribution networks built over decades.
- “If we don’t put our chips on the right number… Ford could maybe not exist.” — Jim Farley

At the Beijing Auto Show, one thing is clear: China’s EV market isn’t just competitive—it’s brutally cheap. With dozens of models under $25K, the pricing gap versus the U.S. is becoming impossible to ignore.
- The average new car in the U.S. tops $51K, while China offers 200+ EVs under $25K—and some under $12K.
- Models like the Wuling MiniEV start around $6,500, prioritizing affordability over size and speed.
- BYD is dominating the segment, selling hundreds of thousands of sub-$12K EVs with surprising tech and range.
- Even entry-level Chinese EVs now include features like lidar, fast charging, and 300+ mile range (China standard).
- “When you get in [these vehicles], you don't feel like you are in a small car.” — Analyst Felipe Muñoz

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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