{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Dec. 20, 2025 | Weekend Drive: EU's EV retreat; Ford's $20 billion gas pivot","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/dec-20-2025-weekend-drive-eu-s-ev-retreat-ford-s-20-billion-gas-pivot","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2447022/episodes/18387428-dec-20-2025-weekend-drive-eu-s-ev-retreat-ford-s-20-billion-gas-pivot.mp3","description":"Automotive News’ Molly Boigon and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson discuss the European Commission’s expected reversal of its 2035 combustion engine ban and Ford’s drastic scaling back of electric vehicle plans. Plus, Molly discusses her column on the auto industry’s policy whiplash, and Greg talks about Ford’s Canadian Super Duty plans amid tariff uncertainty."},"annotations":[{"startTime":131.0,"endTime":133.0,"type":"brand","title":"Volkswagen","url":"/glossary/volkswagen","quote":"Molly, it sounds like this decision has really divided the auto sector. You've got traditional automakers like VW and Stellantis pushing for this...","canonicalId":"brand:volkswagen","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer known for models like the Golf, Passat, and Tiguan.","simplifiedExplanation":"Volkswagen is a big car company from Germany that makes many popular cars."}},{"startTime":131.0,"endTime":134.0,"type":"brand","title":"Stellantis","url":"/glossary/stellantis","quote":"You've got traditional automakers like VW and Stellantis pushing for this...","canonicalId":"brand:stellantis","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Stellantis is a multinational automotive group formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, owning brands like Jeep, Peugeot, and Ram.","simplifiedExplanation":"Stellantis is a big car company that owns many brands like Jeep and Peugeot."}},{"startTime":131.0,"endTime":135.0,"type":"brand","title":"Polestar","url":"/glossary/polestar","quote":"...but EV makers like Polestar are saying the technology is ready...","canonicalId":"brand:polestar","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Polestar is a Swedish electric vehicle brand owned by Volvo Cars and Geely, known for models like the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2.","simplifiedExplanation":"Polestar is a car brand that makes electric cars and is part of Volvo."}},{"startTime":190.0,"endTime":194.0,"type":"concept","title":"EV tax credit","url":"/glossary/ev-tax-credit","quote":"When I was doing our story after the end of the individual EV tax credit in September and looking back on the history of the tax credit.","canonicalId":"concept:ev-tax-credit","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The EV tax credit is a government incentive that reduces the purchase price of electric vehicles, encouraging consumers to buy cleaner cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"When you buy an electric car, the government can give you a discount on the price. This is called the EV tax credit and it helps make electric cars cheaper."}},{"startTime":252.0,"endTime":256.0,"type":"concept","title":"zero emissions vehicle","url":"/glossary/zero-emissions-vehicle","quote":"our zero emissions vehicle salesman, for example, is on pause.","canonicalId":"concept:zero-emissions-vehicle","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) is a car that produces no tailpipe emissions, typically fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell powered.","simplifiedExplanation":"A zero emissions vehicle is a car that doesn’t put any pollution out of its tailpipe. Most of these cars run on electricity or hydrogen."}},{"startTime":721.0,"endTime":727.0,"type":"concept","title":"electric vehicles","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"In the background, looming is a domestic automaker who has been hugely successful manufacturing electric vehicles Tesla.","canonicalId":"concept:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars that run on electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries instead of internal combustion engines. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and often have lower operating costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Electric vehicles are cars that use electricity stored in batteries to move, instead of gasoline or diesel. They don't emit exhaust fumes and can be cheaper to run over time."}},{"startTime":721.0,"endTime":727.0,"type":"brand","title":"Tesla","url":"/glossary/tesla","quote":"In the background, looming is a domestic automaker who has been hugely successful manufacturing electric vehicles Tesla.","canonicalId":"brand:tesla","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Tesla, Inc. is an American automotive and energy company best known for producing electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. The company pioneered high-performance battery technology and over-the-air software updates for cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tesla is a company that makes cars powered only by electricity instead of gasoline. Their vehicles are known for being fast, having long battery ranges, and getting software updates like a smartphone."}},{"startTime":914.0,"endTime":918.0,"type":"term","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"Coming up, we'll talk about Ford's massive pivot away from EVs and back to gasoline and hybrids","canonicalId":"term:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"EVs stands for electric vehicles, cars powered primarily by electric motors and rechargeable batteries instead of internal combustion engines.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVs are cars that run on electricity from batteries, so they don’t use gasoline or diesel."}},{"startTime":918.0,"endTime":922.0,"type":"term","title":"hybrids","url":"/glossary/hybrid","quote":"Coming up, we'll talk about Ford's massive pivot away from EVs and back to gasoline and 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driving tech lets a car drive itself by using cameras, radar, and computers to see and decide what to do."}},{"startTime":933.0,"endTime":937.0,"type":"term","title":"self-driving tech","url":"/glossary/self-driving-tech","quote":"General Motors is ramping its autonomous driving technology, targeting a 2028 launch for its eyes off driving system","canonicalId":"term:self-driving-tech","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Another term for autonomous driving technology, emphasizing the vehicle’s ability to drive itself.","simplifiedExplanation":"Self-driving tech means the car can drive on its own without a driver controlling it."}},{"startTime":943.0,"endTime":948.0,"type":"brand","title":"Cruise robot taxi unit","url":"/glossary/cruise-robot-taxi-unit","quote":"They talk about how the automaker is rolling its former cruise robot taxi unit into its super cruise 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to be ready to take over."}},{"startTime":953.0,"endTime":958.0,"type":"term","title":"embedded AI modeling","url":"/glossary/embedded-ai-modeling","quote":"The cruise is bringing their expertise and just raw horsepower in embedded AI modeling","canonicalId":"term:embedded-ai-modeling","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Embedded AI modeling refers to running artificial intelligence algorithms directly within a vehicle’s hardware for real‑time decision making.","simplifiedExplanation":"Embedded AI modeling means the car’s computer runs smart algorithms right inside the vehicle to help it drive or make decisions quickly."}},{"startTime":979.0,"endTime":985.0,"type":"term","title":"unified AI data layer","url":"/glossary/unified-ai-data-layer","quote":"Instead, it's a unified AI data layer changing the game by ensuring your solutions are making life 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intuitive command center is a single screen where you can tell the AI what to do without having to learn many different menus."}},{"startTime":991.0,"endTime":995.0,"type":"company","title":"NADA","url":"/glossary/nada","quote":"Don't miss Spark at NADA. Watch Ray, our new AI assistant","canonicalId":"company:nada","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.92,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"NADA stands for the National Automobile Dealers Association, a trade organization that hosts events and provides industry data.","simplifiedExplanation":"NADA is a group that represents car dealers and holds events where people learn about the auto industry."}},{"startTime":1037.0,"endTime":1045.0,"type":"car","title":"Ford F-150 Lightning","url":"/cars/ford/f-150-lightning","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/2022_Ford_F-150_Lightning_Rear.jpg","quote":"Ford made some huge announcements this week dropping the F-150 lightning and taking nearly $20 billion in charges as it refocuses on gasoline and hybrids.","canonicalId":"car:ford:f-150-lightning","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of Ford’s best-selling pickup truck, featuring a high-capacity battery and dual electric motors for off‑road capability.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s a truck that runs on electricity instead of gasoline, giving it zero emissions and a lot of power for hauling.","imageAttribution":"UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1057.0,"endTime":1065.0,"type":"concept","title":"electric software defined vehicle","url":"/glossary/electric-software-defined-vehicle","quote":"when Ford was talking about developing this uniform platform that it would use across its product lineup because that said to me, oh, this is really a move toward a unified ultimately electric software defined vehicle kind of transition.","canonicalId":"concept:electric-software-defined-vehicle","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A vehicle whose core functions—such as powertrain control, infotainment, and autonomous features—are managed by software rather than purely mechanical systems.","simplifiedExplanation":"It means the car’s main parts are controlled by computer programs, making it easier to update or add new features later."}},{"startTime":1099.0,"endTime":1105.0,"type":"term","title":"EV demand","url":"/glossary/ev-demand","quote":"Now, the F-150 lightning was once compared to the Model T by Ford executives. Now it's being discontinued after less than four years of production. That's quite a turn. What does this say about how badly Ford miscalculated EV demand?","canonicalId":"term:ev-demand","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The market demand for electric vehicles, reflecting how many consumers are interested in purchasing EVs.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s the number of people who want to buy cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline."}},{"startTime":1130.0,"endTime":1140.0,"type":"term","title":"electric vehicle (EV)","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"[1130.0s] What we now know in hindsight is that the EV buyer and the Ford F-150 buyer Venn diagram is really kind of like two circles.","canonicalId":"term:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"An electric vehicle is a car or truck powered primarily by electricity stored in batteries, producing zero tailpipe emissions and often featuring regenerative braking.","simplifiedExplanation":"An electric vehicle runs on batteries instead of gasoline, so it doesn’t emit exhaust fumes and is better for the environment."}},{"startTime":1130.0,"endTime":1145.0,"type":"concept","title":"Venn diagram of buyer segments","url":"/glossary/venn-diagram-of-buyer-segments","quote":"[1130.0s] What we now know in hindsight is that the EV buyer and the Ford F-150 buyer Venn diagram is really kind of like two circles.","canonicalId":"concept:venn-diagram-of-buyer-segments","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A Venn diagram is a visual tool showing overlapping groups; here it illustrates that the customers who buy electric vehicles and those who buy Ford F‑150 trucks largely belong to separate groups.","simplifiedExplanation":"A Venn diagram is a picture that shows how two groups of people overlap. In this case, it shows that most people who buy electric cars are different from those who buy the F‑150 truck."}},{"startTime":1236.0,"endTime":1245.0,"type":"company","title":"Blue Oval plant in Tennessee","url":"/glossary/blue-oval-plant-in-tennessee","quote":"[1236.0s] Now, the blue oval city plant in Tennessee was supposed to be Ford's largest, most efficient manufacturing site for EVs.","canonicalId":"company:blue-oval-plant-in-tennessee","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Blue Oval plant, officially the Ford River Rouge Complex in Tennessee, was intended to be Ford’s flagship electric vehicle manufacturing site but has shifted focus back to producing gasoline trucks.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Blue Oval plant is a big factory in Tennessee that Ford planned to use for making electric trucks, but now it’s going back to building regular gasoline trucks."}},{"startTime":1266.0,"endTime":1277.0,"type":"concept","title":"electrification","url":"/glossary/electrification","quote":"[1266.0s] But these are massive investments that auto makers have committed to electrification. 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So Ford is completely out of capacity for these heavy duty trucks.","canonicalId":"concept:super-duty-trucks","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Super Duty refers to Ford's line of heavy‑duty pickup trucks (F‑250, F‑350, etc.) designed for towing and hauling heavy loads.","simplifiedExplanation":"Super Duty trucks are big Ford pickups that can pull heavy trailers and carry a lot of cargo."}},{"startTime":1346.0,"endTime":1355.0,"type":"term","title":"tariff uncertainty","url":"/glossary/tariff-uncertainty","quote":"[1346.0s] The output there is going to reach about 80,000 pickups once fully operational. They're going to start production in 2026. And now here is a key.","canonicalId":"term:tariff-uncertainty","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Tariff uncertainty refers to the unpredictable changes in import/export duties that can affect manufacturing costs and supply chain decisions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tariff uncertainty means it’s hard to know how much extra tax will be added when cars cross borders, which can make production more expensive."}},{"startTime":1397.0,"endTime":1405.0,"type":"concept","title":"USMCA","url":"/glossary/usmca","quote":"we just found out today as we speak that Prime Minister Mark Arnie said talks for the USMCA are going to start...","canonicalId":"concept:usmca","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.92,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"USMCA stands for the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, a trade deal that replaced NAFTA and affects automotive manufacturing and tariffs among the three countries.","simplifiedExplanation":"USMCA is a trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that changes how cars are made and traded in those countries."}},{"startTime":1424.0,"endTime":1435.0,"type":"company","title":"General Motors","url":"/glossary/general-motors","quote":"Now, Stellantis paused its Brampton retool GM is cutting a shift in Ashoah...","canonicalId":"company:general-motors","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"General Motors (GM) is an American multinational corporation that owns brands such as Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac.","simplifiedExplanation":"GM is a big car company that makes cars like Chevrolet and Buick."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/dec-20-2025-weekend-drive-eu-s-ev-retreat-ford-s-20-billion-gas-pivot/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}