Ford, Subaru & Mazda Can't Lower Prices FAST ENOUGH | Episode 1087

Ford is a major U.S. automaker whose lineup includes trucks, SUVs, and passenger cars. In this segment, the host connects Ford’s sales drop to the brand’s recall activity, implying it can affect customer confidence and dealer service traffic.

Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for its driving-focused designs and engines. In this segment, Mazda’s sales are described as down year-over-year, and it’s grouped with Ford and Subaru as brands struggling to grow sales in 2026.

Subaru is a Japanese automaker best known for its all-wheel-drive focus. Here, Subaru’s sales are reported as down year-over-year, and it’s included in the group of brands the hosts say have struggled to grow sales so far in 2026.

A recall is when a manufacturer asks owners to bring vehicles in for a safety or compliance repair because a defect was found. In this segment, the host suggests the number of recalls Ford has had (and continues to have) may be contributing to weaker sales by affecting customer trust and increasing time spent at dealerships.

The Ford Mustang is Ford’s iconic pony car, typically associated with performance and a long-running enthusiast following. In this segment, it’s listed among models whose sales declined year over year, showing that even Mustang demand is softening.

The Ford Bronco is Ford’s off-road-focused SUV line, built to compete with other rugged 4x4s. The host notes Bronco sales were actually up 5.2%, which helps explain why not all of Ford’s SUV lineup is declining.

The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV designed for families and larger groups, with seating capacity and cargo space aimed at everyday practicality. It’s significant because it competes in the segment of big, comfortable three-row SUVs that are often used for road trips and towing. It may be discussed alongside other Ford models when the conversation is about the brand’s lineup and sales performance.

The Ford Ranger is Ford’s midsize pickup truck, positioned below the full-size F-Series. In this segment, it’s singled out because its sales dropped the most (23.3%), making it a key indicator of how Ford’s lineup is performing.

The Ford Maverick is Ford’s compact pickup truck, known for being relatively affordable and efficient compared with larger pickups. Here it’s mentioned as a “strong seller,” with sales up 10%, contrasting with declines elsewhere in Ford’s lineup.

The Ford Explorer is a mainstream three-row SUV that’s been a long-time Ford volume seller. The host says Explorer sales were up 8.8%, highlighting it as another bright spot while other models struggled.

In this context, “leftover vehicles” means unsold inventory sitting on dealer lots after the model year or sales cycle has moved on. It’s essentially the pool of cars that didn’t get sold at full price and may need discounts to clear.

“Unsold leftover” refers to new cars from a specific model year that remain unsold in the market. These cars often become targets for incentives because they’re tying up dealer inventory and may be competing with newer model-year replacements.

The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV positioned for light off-road capability and everyday driving. It’s commonly discussed because it offers a smaller, more practical size than larger SUVs while still aiming at outdoor-friendly use. In lineup conversations, it helps show how Ford covers both mainstream and adventure-oriented buyers.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup, combining the practicality of a truck with an electric powertrain. It’s significant because it brings mainstream truck buyers into EV ownership, which affects charging planning, range expectations, and daily usability. It’s likely mentioned in the podcast when discussing Ford’s broader lineup and the “Lightning” name as part of the brand’s electrification efforts.

The Ford F-Series is the brand’s flagship full-size pickup line and one of the most important vehicles in the U.S. market. Here it’s being used as an example of how a discontinued F-Series truck can still sit unsold, forcing dealers to advertise large discounts off the MSRP.

“264 days” is a measure of how long that specific vehicle has been sitting unsold in dealer inventory. Longer days-to-sell typically correlate with the need for bigger incentives to clear stock.

“Leftover inventory” means unsold cars and trucks sitting at a dealership after they’ve already been on the lot for a while. In practice, it creates pressure for the automaker and dealer to use incentives or discounts to move those units before newer model-year cars arrive.

“On the lot” refers to vehicles physically stored at a dealership awaiting sale. The longer cars remain “on the lot,” the more likely the dealer is to face financial pressure and the more likely discounts or incentives become necessary.

“Sitting on the lot for over 180 days” is a way of describing how long vehicles have been unsold. In dealer economics, extended days-in-inventory often pushes pricing downward because the dealer (and sometimes the automaker) wants to reduce carrying costs and make room for newer model-year units.

“Clearance cells” appears to refer to clearance sales—dealer/automaker efforts to sell older or slow-moving units at discounted prices. The idea is to convert unsold “leftover inventory” into cash before newer model-year cars (like 2027s) arrive in volume.

A “big final payment” here refers to an automaker incentive or buyout payment to the dealer for remaining unsold units. This is a common way to shift inventory risk: instead of the dealer eating the loss, the automaker helps fund the clearance of older model-year cars.

The Dodge Charger is a full-size American sedan that’s known for strong performance and a long-running history in the muscle-car segment. It often comes up in discussions because it balances everyday driving with a more aggressive, power-focused character. In a podcast, it’s a common reference point when talking about classic nameplates and how modern versions fit into today’s market.

The Mazda CX-5 is Mazda’s compact crossover SUV and one of its core volume models. In this segment, the hosts connect CX-5 timing to Mazda’s sales momentum, implying that model availability and launch timing can affect monthly results.

The Mazda CX-30 is Mazda’s subcompact crossover, positioned below the CX-5. Here, the hosts say Mazda cut back on CX-30 shipments because it’s manufactured in Mexico, which they link to how Mazda managed supply and sales growth.

The Mazda CX-90 is Mazda’s larger three-row crossover SUV. The hosts reference it as a model Mazda expected to help offset reduced CX-30 volume, and they say that early in the year it didn’t fully deliver until later.

The Mazda CX-50 is a compact crossover SUV that Mazda positioned as a key part of its lineup. In this segment, the hosts say Mazda was counting on the CX-50 to “take off” specifically in hybrid mode, tying sales performance to powertrain availability and timing.

“Hybrid mode” refers to how a hybrid vehicle operates when it’s using a combination of an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. In this context, the hosts are linking Mazda’s sales expectations to the availability and uptake of the hybrid version of the CX-50.

MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the sticker price automakers publish for a vehicle. When the hosts say Mazda discounts “off of MSRP,” they mean the selling price is being reduced relative to that official baseline.

The Mazda CX-70 is a larger Mazda SUV positioned above the CX-5, with pricing that can push it into a more premium segment. It’s relevant to podcast discussions because it reflects Mazda’s strategy to offer bigger, more expensive vehicles as well as to compete for buyers willing to spend over $50,000. The CX-70 may be mentioned alongside the CX-90 when talking about sales trends and market positioning.

A dealer processing charge is an extra fee a dealership adds to the transaction, often for paperwork or administrative costs. The hosts note it being explicitly called out as “good transparency,” and they also mention it’s “not required by law,” implying buyers should watch for it during negotiation.

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that’s widely known for being practical, efficient, and easy to live with. It often comes up in discussions because there are multiple powertrain options, including hybrid variants, and buyers may compare what’s being offered versus what they expect. In this podcast context, it’s referenced to clarify that the vehicle being discussed is not a RAV4 hybrid.

An “inventory problem” here means Subaru (and dealers) may not have the right mix of vehicles available in the U.S. to match what buyers want. Even if demand exists, mismatched inventory can reduce sales because shoppers can’t find the trims or configurations they’re looking for.

The Subaru Uncharted is one of the EV models the host says Subaru has launched or is bringing to the United States. It’s mentioned to support the idea that Subaru’s lineup and inventory strategy may be contributing to sales softness.

The Subaru Trailseeker is another EV model the host says Subaru has introduced in the U.S. alongside the Uncharted. It’s part of the host’s point that Subaru’s EV lineup is more extensive than most buyers expect, which ties into the broader sales and inventory discussion.

EVs means electric vehicles—cars powered primarily by an electric motor and battery rather than a gasoline engine. In this segment, EVs are central to the discussion of Subaru’s new U.S. product launches and lineup awareness.

The Subaru Solterra is Subaru’s battery-electric vehicle (EV) offering mentioned as part of the brand’s EV lineup. The host uses it to highlight that Subaru already has multiple EVs, which matters to the discussion about what’s happening with Subaru’s product and inventory situation.

Tariffs are taxes the government places on imported goods. In car pricing, tariffs can raise the cost of parts and vehicles, which can force automakers to increase sticker prices and can reduce competitiveness versus other brands.

The Subaru Outback is a crossover wagon/SUV-style model known for standard all-wheel drive and a rugged, outdoorsy focus. In this segment, the host discusses the “new updated Outback” and how its styling affects buyer interest and sales.

An “inventory story” means the main reason sales and pricing behave a certain way is supply—how many vehicles are available—rather than just demand or product appeal. Here, the host contrasts Subaru’s situation (not enough inventory to meet demand) with Ford and Mazda.

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover/SUV that’s especially known for its practical space and standard all-wheel drive. The host mentions Subaru increasing prices “for the Forester,” using it as an example of how pricing changes can affect sales and business growth.

“Price out your loyal customer base” describes what happens when price increases become high enough that even existing fans can’t justify buying anymore. The host frames it as a limit: automakers can raise prices, but eventually they risk losing buyers who were willing to pay before.

Stalantis appears to refer to Stellantis, the automaker formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA. The host mentions it as another example of brands raising prices across products and affecting customer behavior.

“Days on lot” (here described as how long the dealer had the car) is how many days a vehicle sits unsold at a dealership. Longer time on lot can correlate with the dealer needing to offer bigger incentives to move inventory.

Dodge Ram refers to Ram Trucks’ pickup lineup, which is built for work and everyday utility. It’s often discussed because buyers look at trucks for towing, hauling, and durability, and Ram is a major player in that market. In a podcast, it can come up during broader “deep dive” conversations about popular brands and their truck offerings.