Apparently Car Shoppers Care About This, ICE Green Winner, Surge Burger

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

We’re going to make the most of this bonus leap-year day as we talk about something that impacts the car shopping process most. We also cover the undisputed most efficient vehicle, as well as the potentially undisputed fastest EV.

• You may very well be surprised to hear that the most efficient vehicle you can drive still has an ICE engine in it. New EVs still can't beat the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid like the Toyota Prius Prime.
  • The Toyota Prius Prime is outperforming the latest fully-electric vehicles in the U.S., holding onto its title as the greenest car.
  • Despite the rise in EVs, none have surpassed the efficiency of the Prius Prime, thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight.
  • The GreenerCars report of 2024 finds the Prius Prime leading with a green score of 71 out of 100, assessing emissions from manufacture to road use. For reference, the EV Hummer scored a 26.
  • The Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 had the lowest score at 20. While the middle of the list included the Toyota Sienna Hybrid (55) and the Lexus ES 300h (59)
• A recent survey reveals that the dealership experience significantly influences car buyers, boosting their confidence in their purchase decisions and impacting their vehicle choice.
  • ChangeUp's survey found that 84% of car buyers felt their dealership visit influenced their buying decision, with 90% gaining confidence in their choice from the experience.
  • Most surprisingly, Millennials and Gen Z shoppers, in particular, value the dealership visit highly, with a significant percentage unsure of their vehicle choice until visiting in person.
  • "The dealership is so much more than just a transactional space," says Lee Carpenter of ChangeUp, emphasizing the opportunity to design a meaningful retail experience.
• Wendy's is stirring the pot with its announcement of dynamic menu pricing, a strategy that could change how we pay for fast food, but recent clarifications issued after significant blow-back suggest a more nuanced approach than initially perceived.
  • Wendy's was to test dynamic pricing, potentially adjusting the cost of items like the Dave’s Single based on demand, with a $20 million investment in digital menu boards to facilitate real-time changes.
  • But then an onslaught of critics and consumers expressed concerns over the fairness and reception of fluctuating prices, drawing parallels to failed experiments like Coca-Cola's temperature-based pricing and the potential for perceived price gouging
  • Following backlash, Wendy's quickly clarified that "surge pricing" during peak hours is not on the table, reassuring customers that the goal is to offer discounts and value during slower times, not to raise prices during high demand.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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