Is Tesla A Luxury Brand, 100% Tariff On Chinese EVs, Ultimate Retirement Flight

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Welcome to a beautiful Monday in Retail Auto as we weigh the merit of Tesla being labeled as a ‘Luxury brand’. We also discuss Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on China-made EVs as well as one Delta Pilot’s epic retirement flight.

• Gone are the days of Tesla being synonymous with luxury according to our friend and Executive Editor of Automotive News, Jamie Butters as his recent column makes a compelling case for why Tesla's recent strategy and market performance have propelled the electric vehicle giant out of the luxury realm and into a broader, more inclusive arena.
  • Tesla is no longer classified as a luxury brand but has transitioned towards a broader market presence.
  • Initially positioned as a luxury marquee due to high prices and innovative technology, Tesla has adjusted its strategy towards affordability and mass-market appeal.
  • With price cuts and an increase in sales volume, Tesla now competes more directly with mainstream automotive brands rather than luxury ones.
  • The introduction of the more affordable Model 2 signifies Tesla's commitment to accessibility, moving away from the exclusivity typically associated with luxury brands.
  • Despite continuing to sell high-end models, Tesla's overall strategy and market positioning align more closely with mainstream automotive brands.
    
• In a rally in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, former President Donald Trump proposed imposing a 100% tariff on cars produced in Mexico by Chinese companies, doubling previous tariff threats on vehicles manufactured south of the U.S. border.
  • Trump directly addressed Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the tariff as a countermeasure against China's manufacturing strategy in Mexico without hiring Americans.
  • The proposed tariffs represent a significant escalation from earlier threats, which included a 50% tariff on Chinese cars and potential tariffs on all Chinese goods and global products.
  • “Those big monster car manufacturing plants you are building in Mexico right now and you think you are going to get that — not hire Americans and you’re going to sell the car to us, no,” Trump said. “We are going to put a 100 percent tariff on every car that comes across the lot.”
  • Joe Biden's campaign responded to Trump's remarks, criticizing his approach and labeling the threats as political violence and extremism.
• Meet Delta Captain Keith Rosenkranz, the pilot who orchestrated a unique retirement celebration by chartering a Delta Airbus A330 for a special flight to Hawaii with 112 friends and family.
  • Rosenkranz's dream was inspired by his youth spent watching planes at Los Angeles International Airport, leading to a 33-year career with Delta.
  • To honor pilots affected by the pandemic, he extended invites to those who missed their final flights, making his retirement event a collective celebration.
  • The journey was not just a flight but a series of memorable events, including a water cannon salute in Los Angeles and vow renewal in Hawaii.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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