Marques Brownlee Downs Fisker while Rivian and GM are Reviving

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

Just another EV Monday! The weekend was a bit light for automotive news, but GM is bringing back the Blazer EV, Rivian handed out Steve Jobs style surprises, and Marques Brownlee threw shade on the Ocean.
General Motors reignites the electric vehicle (EV) market by resuming Chevrolet Blazer EV sales at reduced prices, addressing past software glitches with significant updates and improvements.

• GM halted Chevrolet Blazer EV sales in December due to infotainment and fast charging issues, but now confidently resumes with software enhancements and a price cut.
• The updates include new features like customizable ambient lighting and a battery percentage display, with existing owners needing dealership visits for software upgrades.
• Despite not pinpointing a singular fault, GM emphasizes improved quality testing and software processes to avoid future issues.
• Price reductions across various Blazer EV trims aim to boost sales, alongside eligibility for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

EV startup Fisker faces backlash after a failed attempt to mitigate criticism from tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, exposing deeper financial woes.

• Marques Brownlee's scathing review of Fisker's Ocean SUV has gone viral, amassing over 4.3 million views for highlighting numerous design and software issues.
• Brownlee originally asked Fisker for a vehicle, but they kept delaying, resulting in the Youtuber borrowing a vehicle from J&S Mitsubishi.
• The EV maker asked Brownlee to wait until the car could receive the 2.0 software update, but he declined.
• "It's not really in my policy to wait on promised future software updates,'" Brownlee said in the YouTube video. "I'm going to review the car that's out now, that real buyers are actually living with." The title of the video is “This is the Worst Car I’ve Ever Reviewed.”
• A supposed senior Fisker engineer's call to the dealership loaning Brownlee the car backfired, with a recording by the dealership revealing software problems persist post-update, attracting 3.6+ million views on TikTok.
• Amidst the PR disaster, Fisker announces financial instability, casting doubt on the company's future viability.

Channeling their inner Steve Jobs, Rivian had “one more thing” during its R2 reveal event. The EV maker introduced the R3 and R3X, a sportier and slightly shorter electric SUV than the R2, catching the audience by surprise. Rivian's approach to the R3 showcases a strategic expansion of its electric vehicle lineup, emphasizing design, performance, and affordability.

• The R3 aims to offer a more compact package than the R2, targeting a lower price point than the $45K R2, though specifics were not immediately disclosed.
• With a sleek design featuring sloping rear ends, the R3 and R3X promise over 300 miles of range and rapid acceleration, positioning them as direct competitors to Korean EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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