Podcast Summary: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Episode Title: Ford & Tesla on the Rise 10-1-25
Host: Scott Becker
Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker analyzes surprising developments in the auto industry, with a focus on Ford and Tesla's unexpected market comebacks. He discusses sales figures, business strategy pivots, and the broader implications for private equity and business investors. The tone is conversational, analytical, and slightly incredulous at the scale of the turnaround for both companies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ford’s Resurgence

Timestamps: 00:25–01:35

• Ford has experienced 7 or 8 consecutive months of sales increases.
• "Ford is up 22% now year to date. It's, it's basically made it very clear they're slowing down on their EV business, going back to their gas-powered or, you know, powered engines..." (Scott Becker, 00:38)
• The company is strategically pivoting:
  • Scaling back efforts in electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Focusing more on traditional gas-powered engines.
• Struggles to sell high-priced EVs ($75,000 models).
• Testing lower-priced EVs ($30,000 models) as an alternative point of entry.

2. Tesla’s Recovery

Timestamps: 01:35–02:30

• For the first time "in what seems like forever," Tesla is also showing strong movement upwards.
• "Tesla's now up 13% year to date after having a horrendous time early in the year." (Scott Becker, 01:54)
• Recent successes:
  • Sales have risen in several European countries during the last quarter, rebounding from a difficult prior year.
  • Progress is being made with their Robotaxi initiative and other innovative lines.
• The host notes the broader importance: “They're also starting to hit on more cylinders on the Robotaxi and the other businesses.” (Scott Becker, 01:48)

3. Implications and Reflections

Timestamps: 02:30–03:05

• Both companies are described as comeback stories in 2025.
• "Almost simply remarkable. Sort of the comebacks of these two companies." (Scott Becker, 02:44)
• Ford’s 22% surge and Tesla’s 13% gain year-to-date are highlighted as surprising and important for both investors and industry watchers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ford’s strategic pivot:
  “They're slowing down on their EV business, going back to their gas-powered or, you know, powered engines and so forth that they're not able to sell the $75,000 EVs. They can't try and sell the $30,000 EVs. We'll see how that goes.” (Scott Becker, 00:45)
• On Tesla’s business trajectory:
  “Tesla's now up 13% year to date after having a horrendous time early in the year.” (Scott Becker, 01:54)
• Summary reflection:
  “Almost simply remarkable. Sort of the comebacks of these two companies.” (Scott Becker, 02:44)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• 00:25 — Ford’s Consecutive Sales Growth & Strategy Shifts
• 01:35 — Tesla’s Sales Recovery in Europe & Robotaxi Progress
• 02:30 — Reflection on the Comeback Stories and Their Importance

Final Thoughts

Scott Becker’s concise analysis this episode presents Ford and Tesla as 2025’s unexpected comeback leaders in the automotive sector. He underscores how adapting strategy—Ford’s pivot to traditional engines and Tesla’s focus on new markets and business lines—has reshaped their trajectories, making both companies critical to watch for private equity stakeholders and industry observers.