AD #4267 - Hyundai Developing Body-on-Frame Trucks For the U.S.; Auto Alliance Wants to Scrap Gas Tax for Weight Fee; Stellantis and Hyundai
About this episode
US automaker sales are off to a rough start in Q1, with only Stellantis and Hyundai Group showing gains so far, while others like Ford, VW, Mercedes, and Volvo haven’t reported yet. Tesla’s global sales rose but missed expectations, dragging the stock. The show also covers shifting EV momentum (Rivian up, Cadillac EV mix strong) and major policy debate: the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wants to replace the federal gas tax with a weight-based vehicle fee, plus separate proposals for EV/hybrid fees. Other highlights include Honda’s boxed body-on-frame pickup concept, Hyundai’s GM partnership hints, Mercedes’ axial-flux AMG GT 4-Door, and Subaru’s electric three-row Getaway.
first quarter sales numbers
"We've got first quarter sales numbers for most automakers in the US market, and they don't look good. Of those that have reported so far, only Stilantis and the Hyundai Group reported an increase in sales."
They’re talking about how many cars automakers sold in the first few months of the year. Those numbers help show whether people are buying cars or holding back.
The episode is discussing automaker sales performance for the first quarter in the U.S. Sales trends like these are often used to gauge consumer demand, pricing power, and how quickly brands are recovering from prior-year conditions.
Hyundai Group
"only Stilantis and the Hyundai Group reported an increase in sales."
They’re calling out Hyundai Group as one of the automaker groups that sold more cars than last year. It’s basically the parent company behind Hyundai and Kia.
The Hyundai Group is the corporate umbrella that includes Hyundai Motor and Kia, among other companies. The segment highlights that Hyundai Group was one of the few reporting increased U.S. sales in the quarter.
Tesla
"Tesla doesn't break out at sales by region, but it's sold over three hundred and fifty eight thousand vehicles globally, up more than six percent compared to last year, and they were up nearly nine percent in China..."
They’re talking about Tesla’s sales and how Tesla reports them. Even without regional breakdowns, the company’s total sales growth is still a key signal for the EV market.
Tesla is discussed in terms of how it reports sales globally and by region. The segment notes Tesla doesn’t break out sales by region, but it still reported strong year-over-year growth overall.
China Passenger Car Association
"they were up nearly nine percent in China, which we know be because the China Passenger Car Association publishes those numbers."
They’re referencing a China industry group that publishes car sales numbers. That’s where the China EV sales data in the story is coming from.
The China Passenger Car Association is cited as the source for Tesla’s China growth figures. Industry associations like this often compile registration and sales data that investors and automakers use to track market trends.
pre market trading
"they came in under expectations, so the stock was down this morning more than four percent in pre market trading."
Pre-market trading is when stocks trade before the normal market opens. The point here is that the news made investors react fast.
“Pre-market trading” refers to stock activity before the regular market session opens. The segment connects Tesla’s sales results to a market reaction, showing how earnings expectations and guidance can move the stock quickly.
Chevrolet
"...while Chevrolet posted a thirty percent drop in EEDY sales, Cadillac posted an eighteen percent gain."
Chevrolet is mentioned because its sales dropped in the quarter. It’s one of the examples used to show the market isn’t uniformly strong.
Chevrolet is cited for a first-quarter sales decline in the segment. It’s part of the broader comparison showing that not all brands are benefiting from the same market forces.
Cadillac
"...Cadillac posted an eighteen percent gain. In fact, thirty percent of all Cadillacts sold in the first quarter were electric..."
Cadillac is doing better than some other brands in this quarter. They also say a big portion of Cadillac’s sales are electric, which is a good sign for the brand’s EV push.
Cadillac is highlighted for an 18% sales gain, and the segment further notes that a large share of its sales are electric. That’s used to argue the brand’s EV strategy is resonating with buyers.
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
"The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most major automakers in the US, wants to scrap the federal gas tax and replace it with a vehicle fee to pay for road repairs."
This is an industry group that represents big car companies in the U.S. Here, they’re pushing for a new way to pay for road repairs.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is an industry group representing major automakers in the U.S. In this segment, it’s advocating for shifting road-funding policy away from the gas tax and toward a vehicle-based fee.
vehicle fee to pay for road repairs
"The Alliance for Automotive Innovation... wants to scrap the federal gas tax and replace it with a vehicle fee to pay for road repairs."
The episode discusses replacing the federal gas tax with a vehicle fee tied to vehicle characteristics—specifically weight. The idea is to keep funding road maintenance as fuel efficiency rises and EVs reduce gasoline consumption.
federal gas tax
"The federal gas tax... hasn't been raised since nineteen ninety three... gas tax revenue hasn't kept up with highway maintenance needs."
The federal gas tax is money added to the price of gasoline. Since people buy less gas (because of EVs and better mileage), the government collects less from this tax.
The federal gas tax is a per-gallon tax on gasoline that has historically funded transportation and road maintenance. The segment notes it hasn’t been raised since 1993, and that EVs and higher fuel economy reduce gas-tax revenue over time.
single fee on every vehicle based on weight
"So the Alliance is proposing to impose a single fee on every vehicle based on weight."
Instead of charging per gallon of gas, the idea is to charge based on vehicle weight. Heavier cars tend to wear roads more, so the fee would scale with weight.
A weight-based vehicle fee would charge drivers based on how much their vehicle weighs, reflecting that heavier vehicles generally cause more road wear. The proposal aims to make road funding more consistent across gas cars, hybrids, and EVs.
two hundred and fifty dollars annual fee on evs and one hundred dollars fee on hybrids
"There's also a proposal in the US House to impose a two hundred and fifty dollars annual fee on evs and one hundred dollars fee on hybrids..."
There’s also a proposal to charge EVs and hybrids an annual fee to help pay for roads. Critics say it could be unfair because typical gas cars already pay a lot through the gas tax.
The segment describes a separate legislative proposal that would impose annual fees specifically on EVs and hybrids to fund road repairs. It also highlights political pushback that the structure may be unfair compared with what average gas vehicles pay in federal gas taxes.
Hyundai Boulder
"Last week, Honda announced that it will introduce thirty six new models into the North American market by twenty thirty and with that many new vehicles, it almost had to expand into new segments, and we now know that will include mid size pickup trucks. It revealed the Boulder concept, [247.6s] which is an suv, but it's meant to be a design preview of what we can expect from the new truck"
Honda showed a concept called the Boulder to hint at what a future pickup truck will look and feel like. Concept cars are basically previews of real products coming later.
Honda’s “Boulder” is a concept SUV meant to preview design and engineering direction for a future mid-size pickup truck. It’s described as a preview of a truck platform and is tied to Honda’s plan to expand into new segments in North America.
body on frame
"The model will be designed, developed and built in America, and it will debut the brand's first ever fully boxed body on frame platform. Last year, Hondai announced a partnership [268.0s] with GM,"
Body-on-frame means the car has a separate heavy-duty frame underneath, and the body mounts on top. That’s why it’s popular for trucks that need to tow or carry a lot.
Body-on-frame is a vehicle construction method where the frame carries the structural loads and the body is mounted on top. It’s common in trucks because it can handle heavy loads well and is often easier to adapt for different powertrains and variants.
GM
"Last year, Hondai announced a partnership [268.0s] with GM, which, among other things you may remember, includes joint development of an all electric. [273.7s] Speaker 2: Van and mid size pickups."
GM is General Motors. They’re working with Honda on electric-vehicle development, which helps both companies build faster and share costs.
GM (General Motors) is partnering with Honda on multiple programs, including joint development of an all-electric vehicle. These kinds of alliances are often used to share engineering costs and speed up new platform development.
Yasa
"This is noteworthy to us [322.3s] because the model will feature axial flux or what are also called pancake motors, developed by a company called Yasa."
Yasa makes a type of electric motor used in some high-performance EVs. Their motors are designed to be compact while still producing a lot of power.
Yasa is a company known for developing axial flux electric motors, often described as “pancake” motors due to their flat, compact shape. Their motor design enables high power density, which is useful for performance EVs and multi-motor setups.
axial flux (pancake motors)
"This is noteworthy to us [322.3s] because the model will feature axial flux or what are also called pancake motors, developed by a company called Yasa. [330.2s] They only weigh twenty eight pounds but are capable of making over one thousand horse power."
An axial flux motor is a type of electric motor that’s shaped more like a thin disc. That can help fit the motor into tight spaces while still making strong power.
Axial flux motors generate torque along the motor’s axis, allowing a flatter, more compact “pancake” form factor compared with many traditional radial flux designs. That geometry can improve power density and make it easier to package multiple motors in a vehicle.
power density
"The magnets and coils [338.4s] inside an axial flux motor are much closer together and there's a much larger surface area for them to interact. [346.6s] That leads to those impressive power densities."
Power density is how much power a component can produce relative to its weight or volume. The transcript ties axial flux motor geometry to higher power density, which is why these motors can be both light and very powerful.
Toyota Highlander
"While it's based on the same stretch version of Toyota's ETNNGA architecture as the new Highlander EV, the Getaway's standard all wheel drive system puts out a lot more power than the dual motor Toyota four hundred and twenty versus three hundred and thirty eight horsepower."
The transcript compares Subaru’s Getaway to Toyota’s upcoming Highlander EV, noting they share the same stretched EV architecture. This is relevant because platform sharing can affect interior space, battery packaging, and drivetrain options.
range
"Two battery sizes are available seventy seven and roughly ninety six KILOWA hours, which can provide more than three hundred miles of range. The Getaway launches in the US late this year,"
Range is how far the EV can go on one charge. The bigger the battery, the farther it usually can drive.
Range is how far an EV can travel on a full charge, typically measured under standardized testing. Battery capacity and drivetrain efficiency strongly influence range, and the transcript ties the available battery sizes to “more than three hundred miles.”
battery sizes (77 and ~96 kWh)
"Two battery sizes are available seventy seven and roughly ninety six KILOWA hours, which can provide more than three hundred miles of range. The Getaway launches in the US late this year,"
They’re offering two different battery sizes. Bigger batteries usually mean more driving range before you need to charge.
The segment mentions two battery capacity options—about 77 kWh and about 96 kWh. Larger battery packs generally provide longer range, while smaller packs can reduce cost and weight.
executive appointment meeting
"But since that time the company has transitioned to an executive appointment meeting to discuss executive changes, including the president, and even though Achio is now chairman of Toyota,"
They’re describing how Toyota decides top leadership roles. It’s basically an internal meeting process for assigning executive positions.
The transcript describes a process where Toyota transitions leadership via an executive appointment meeting to discuss roles like president and CEO. This is a governance/management concept rather than a technical automotive term, but it explains why leadership changes may not involve every top executive.
president that no one wanted
"Despite being the grandson of the company's founder, Akio Toyota refers to himself as quote the president that no one wanted when he took over that role in two thousand and nine, But since that time the company has transitioned to an executive appointment meeting to discuss executive changes,"
This is a quote from Akio Toyota explaining how he felt about becoming president. It’s part of the story about leadership changes at Toyota.
This is a quoted remark by Akio Toyota about taking over the president role in 2009. It’s included because it provides context for the leadership narrative, which the segment uses to explain who was (and wasn’t) involved in CEO replacement decisions.
pony Ai
"Day yesterday was pony Ai, the Chinese robotaxi company, which was up nine point five percent. You may remember that we reported it turned the corner in the fourth quarter of last year and posted a net profit, and investors clearly think the company is headed to better times."
Pony.ai is a company working on self-driving technology, especially robotaxis. The episode mentions its recent financial results and stock performance, which people watch as a sign of whether the company is improving.
Pony.ai is a Chinese autonomous-driving company best known for robotaxi operations. In this segment, the hosts mention its stock movement and recent profitability, which is relevant because it signals investor confidence in its progress toward commercial autonomy.
robotaxi
"Day yesterday was pony Ai, the Chinese robotaxi company, which was up nine point five percent."
A robotaxi is a taxi that drives itself. Instead of a person driving, the car uses automation to do the driving.
A robotaxi is a taxi service operated by autonomous driving systems rather than a human driver. The term matters here because it frames Pony.ai’s business model and why profitability and investor sentiment are being discussed.
Bridge Stone Solutions
"Auto Line Daily is brought to you by Bridge Stone Solutions for Your Journey CSP, the composites solution partner Intrepid Control Systems over the Air Engineering boost your game and thanks to the following YouTube and Patreon members."
Bridge Stone Solutions is a company sponsoring the show. The ad suggests they work on materials or engineering solutions for vehicles.
Bridge Stone Solutions is mentioned as a sponsor tied to “CSP” and “composites solution partner” messaging. While the segment is mostly ad copy, the name is relevant because it indicates the episode’s sponsor focus on vehicle materials and engineering support.
Intrepid Control Systems
"Auto Line Daily is brought to you by Bridge Stone Solutions for Your Journey CSP, the composites solution partner Intrepid Control Systems over the Air Engineering boost your game and thanks to the following YouTube and Patreon members."
Intrepid Control Systems makes software tools used in car development. They help automakers test vehicles and figure out what’s wrong using diagnostic information.
Intrepid Control Systems is an automotive software/testing company that provides tools for vehicle validation and diagnostics. In this segment, they describe a cloud platform used to identify software versions and diagnose issues using diagnostic trouble codes.
Intrepid's NEOVI cloud platform
"Intrepid's NEOVI cloud platform helps manufacturers quickly identify diagnostic trouble codes and defects by pinpointing which vehicles have specific software versions."
NEOVI is a cloud tool used during car testing. It helps teams spot problems by matching diagnostic codes and software versions to specific vehicles.
NEOVI is described as Intrepid’s cloud platform for vehicle testing and diagnostics. The key idea is using software-version awareness plus diagnostic trouble codes to quickly identify which vehicles have defects or compliance issues.
vehicle software versions
"Intrepid's NEOVI cloud platform helps manufacturers quickly identify diagnostic trouble codes and defects by pinpointing which vehicles have specific software versions."
Cars can have different software builds, even if they’re the same model. Knowing the exact software version helps engineers figure out which cars are affected by a particular bug.
Vehicle software versions matter because the same model can run different firmware builds, which can change behavior and diagnostic outcomes. The ad emphasizes pinpointing software versions to identify which vehicles have specific defects or compliance problems.
non compliant vehicles
"This allows them to isolate non compliant vehicles in real time using analytics, part numbers, DTCs, and organized secure cloud based data."
“Non compliant vehicles” refers to vehicles that fail to meet required standards—often regulatory, safety, or internal quality requirements—based on test results. The segment connects compliance to diagnostics, software versions, and analytics used to isolate affected units.
fleet testing
"Taking your fleet testing into the future of mobility, Intrepid control systems driven by your data."
Fleet testing means testing lots of cars, not just one. It helps make sure the same software and hardware work correctly across many vehicles.
Fleet testing is testing many vehicles across a range of configurations to ensure software and hardware behave correctly at scale. The ad frames NEOVI as a way to manage diagnostics and compliance across a fleet, especially when software updates are involved.
VCSP dot com
"Learn more at VCSP dot com."
VCSP dot com is the website mentioned for the sponsor’s product or service. The ad is mainly telling you where to learn more.
VCSP appears as the website mentioned at the end of the sponsor read. It’s likely tied to the sponsor’s “CSP” messaging, but the segment doesn’t provide enough detail to identify the exact offering beyond the call to action.
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