{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"May 21st, 2026 | Stellantis’ $70B turnaround plan; Mitsubishi's dealership exodus","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-21st-2026-stellantis-70b-turnaround-plan-mitsubishi-s-dealership-exodus","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2447022/episodes/19217481-may-21st-2026-stellantis-70b-turnaround-plan-mitsubishi-s-dealership-exodus.mp3","description":"Stellantis unveils plans for nine vehicles under $40,000 by 2030. Nissan eyes importing Chinese-made vehicles to Canada. Plus, Automotive News’ Urvaksh Karkaria explains why Mitsubishi has cut 56 dealerships since 2019."},"annotations":[{"startTime":334.44,"endTime":337.26,"type":"car","title":"Dodge Ram","url":"/cars/dodge/ram","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/2019_Ram_1500_Bighorn%2C_rear_3.11.20.jpg","quote":"Well, with those brands, the four brands in the U.S., Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Chrysler, it is interesting to see how they plan to move those forward.","canonicalId":"car:dodge:ram","priority":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Dodge Ram refers to Ram trucks, a brand within the Stellantis group, and they’re a major part of the U.S. truck lineup. The podcast’s focus on how the company plans to “move those forward” highlights that Ram is a key brand for sales volume and product strategy. Trucks like these are commonly discussed because they influence how manufacturers invest in new platforms, powertrains, and future model updates.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ram is a brand that makes pickup trucks. Pickup trucks are built for hauling and towing, and they’re popular with people who need a work-capable vehicle. The podcast is talking about how the company plans to keep improving and selling these trucks.","imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":368.3,"endTime":396.7,"type":"brand","title":"Jeep","url":"/glossary/jeep","quote":"which would make that the biggest brand here rather than Jeep, which is the biggest one now. So they have some pretty ambitious product plans for Ram. ...there's been a lot of focus on Jeep over the last few years, but Ram is sort of the big story here.","canonicalId":"brand:jeep","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Jeep is Stellantis’ SUV-focused brand, and it’s referenced here as the current biggest brand in the lineup. The discussion contrasts Jeep’s recent focus with Ram becoming the “big story,” implying a shift in brand emphasis.","simplifiedExplanation":"Jeep is a brand known for SUVs. The hosts are comparing Jeep’s current sales position to Ram’s expected growth."}},{"startTime":415.6,"endTime":437.56,"type":"concept","title":"dealer fraud","url":"/glossary/dealer-fraud","quote":"Fraud is no longer just a risk for auto dealers. It has become part of everyday operations. According to Experian Automotive, nearly nine out of 10 dealers say fraud is a top concern...","canonicalId":"concept:dealer-fraud","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dealer fraud refers to deceptive schemes that target auto dealerships, such as scams that cause “real deals” to slip through. The segment frames it as an operational issue rather than a rare event, citing how much it can cost per incident.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealer fraud is when scammers or dishonest activity interfere with car sales at dealerships. The hosts say it’s happening often enough that it affects day-to-day operations and can cost dealerships a lot of money."}},{"startTime":421.4,"endTime":426.3,"type":"company","title":"Experian Automotive","url":"/glossary/experian-automotive","quote":"According to Experian Automotive, nearly nine out of 10 dealers say fraud is a top concern and 70% say it's on the rise.","canonicalId":"company:experian-automotive","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Experian Automotive is the automotive-focused research and data arm of Experian, used here as the source for survey statistics about dealer fraud concerns. The hosts cite its findings to support the claim that fraud is widespread and increasing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Experian Automotive is a company that does automotive-related research. In this segment, they’re the source for the survey numbers about how many dealers worry about fraud."}},{"startTime":591.8,"endTime":596.8,"type":"term","title":"residual values","url":"/glossary/residual-values","quote":"The other thing is this heavy reliance on fleet\n[591.8s] is also affecting residual values.\n[596.8s] And that, again, is affecting new car retail sales.","canonicalId":"term:residual-values","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Residual value is the estimated value a vehicle will have at the end of a lease or after a set period. When residual values are low, it usually makes leases less attractive and can signal weaker resale demand, which can ripple into new-car pricing and sales.","simplifiedExplanation":"Residual value is what a car is expected to be worth later—like at the end of a lease. If that number is low, it often means the car won’t hold its value well, which can hurt sales of new cars too."}},{"startTime":591.8,"endTime":612.0,"type":"term","title":"fleet sales","url":"/glossary/fleet-sales","quote":"And here's how it works.\n[602.8s] The more rental fleet sales they have,\n[606.3s] then there's this huge supply of lightly used,\n[609.9s] relatively lightly used used cars.","canonicalId":"term:fleet-sales","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Fleet sales are vehicle purchases by businesses or organizations (like rental companies) in volume, rather than by individual retail buyers. High fleet sales can flood the market with off-lease or lightly used cars, which can push used prices down and make new-car sales harder.","simplifiedExplanation":"Fleet sales are when companies buy lots of cars at once, often for rentals or company use. Those cars later show up as used cars, which can lower used-car prices and make new-car deals less compelling."}},{"startTime":629.0,"endTime":641.8,"type":"term","title":"cannibalizing sales","url":"/glossary/cannibalizing-sales","quote":"but then on the back end,\n[636.0s] when they can't sell new cars\n[637.5s] because the used Mitsubishi are cannibalizing sales.","canonicalId":"term:cannibalizing-sales","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Cannibalizing sales means one product is hurting sales of another product from the same brand. Here, the used Mitsubishi market (created by rental/fleet supply) draws buyers away from buying new Mitsubishi cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cannibalizing sales means one thing is taking customers from something else. In this case, lots of used Mitsubishi cars make it harder to sell new Mitsubishi cars."}},{"startTime":641.8,"endTime":648.1,"type":"company","title":"Edmunds","url":"/glossary/edmunds","quote":" [641.8s] So I looked at some Edmunds data\n[644.7s] and essentially Mitsubishi has some of the lowest\n[648.1s] real residual values in the industry","canonicalId":"company:edmunds","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Edmunds is an automotive information and pricing research site that publishes data used by shoppers and industry watchers. When the host cites “Edmunds data,” it’s typically referencing compiled market pricing and valuation metrics like resale and residual value trends.","simplifiedExplanation":"Edmunds is a car research website that tracks pricing and value trends. When they cite Edmunds data, they’re using that kind of market information to support the point."}},{"startTime":752.9,"endTime":753.7,"type":"term","title":"platform","url":"/glossary/platform","quote":"One of which the Outlander Sport is on a 15 year platform, Eclipse Cross, I believe is about eight years old.","canonicalId":"term:platform","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In car manufacturing, a “platform” is the shared underlying vehicle architecture—things like the chassis design and major hard points—that multiple models can use. When a model stays on the same platform for many years, it can limit how quickly the car’s design and engineering can evolve versus newer competitors.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “platform” is the basic shared design a car is built on. If a company keeps using the same platform for a long time, the cars may feel less modern than rivals that get newer designs sooner."}},{"startTime":753.74,"endTime":756.3,"type":"car","title":"Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross","url":"/cars/mitsubishi/eclipse-cross","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Mitsubishi_Eclipse_Cross_PHEV_Auto_Zuerich_2021_IMG_0260.jpg","quote":"Outlander Sport is on a 15 year platform, Eclipse Cross, I believe is about eight years old. And then the Outlander, which is their best seller is relatively new…","canonicalId":"car:mitsubishi:eclipse cross","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact crossover/SUV positioned below the Outlander. Here it’s mentioned as being on an older design cycle (about eight years old), which is relevant because the host argues Mitsubishi lacks competitive, up-to-date products.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact SUV. The host is saying it’s based on an older design, which can put it at a disadvantage versus newer models from other brands.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":756.4,"endTime":762.8,"type":"car","title":"Mitsubishi Outlander","url":"/cars/mitsubishi/outlander","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/BMW_i3_%26_Outlander_PHEV_CRI_11_2021_2282.jpg","quote":"And then the Outlander, which is their best seller is relatively new with a four to five redesigned about four to five years ago.","canonicalId":"car:mitsubishi:outlander","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Mitsubishi Outlander is the brand’s best-selling crossover/SUV in this discussion. The host notes it’s “relatively new” and references a recent redesign window, using that as evidence that Mitsubishi’s lineup is aging overall and not keeping pace with competitors.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mitsubishi Outlander is Mitsubishi’s main seller here. The host is saying it’s been refreshed more recently than the other models, but the overall lineup still isn’t competitive enough.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":768.7,"endTime":771.7,"type":"concept","title":"electrified three row crossover","url":"/glossary/electrified-three-row-crossover","quote":"Including a electrified three row crossover, a passenger van, they've said that.","canonicalId":"concept:electrified-three-row-crossover","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An “electrified” vehicle uses some form of electric power assistance—commonly a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or mild-hybrid setup—rather than relying purely on a gasoline engine. A “three-row crossover” is a family-oriented SUV shape with seating for three rows, and the host is using this as an example of promised product that dealers are waiting to see.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Electrified” means the car uses electricity in some way, like a hybrid. The host is talking about a bigger SUV-style vehicle with three rows of seats that Mitsubishi said would be coming."}},{"startTime":800.94,"endTime":804.72,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Leaf","url":"/cars/nissan/leaf","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/2018_Nissan_Leaf_SV%2C_front_12.31.19.jpg","quote":"...ey are getting an EV, basically a rebadged Nissan Leaf. It's questionable, you know, who's going to buy ...","canonicalId":"car:nissan:leaf","priority":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Leaf is a fully electric compact car designed for everyday commuting, using an all-electric powertrain instead of gasoline. It’s often discussed in the EV market because it’s one of the earlier mainstream electric models, and it can come up when people talk about how brands expand or repackage existing EV platforms. In this podcast context, the “rebadged” mention points to questions about who would choose a lightly rebranded Leaf versus other EV options.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Leaf is an electric car that runs on a battery instead of gas. A “rebadged” version means another company might sell a very similar car under a different name. The question in the podcast is basically who would want that version if it’s still the same basic electric car.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":926.7,"endTime":932.0,"type":"concept","title":"offset the tariff","url":"/glossary/offset-the-tariff","quote":"And so that's helping them, you know, offset the tariff. Now, in the case of Mitsubishi, they don't make any cars here.","canonicalId":"concept:offset-the-tariff","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A tariff is a tax the government charges on imported goods, which can raise the price of vehicles sold in the US. The segment suggests Nissan’s strategy of pushing US-built cars helps reduce the tariff’s impact on pricing and competitiveness.","simplifiedExplanation":"A tariff is a government tax on imported products. The idea here is that selling cars built in the US can help lessen how much that tax hurts the final price."}},{"startTime":941.7,"endTime":945.5,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Pathfinder","url":"/cars/nissan/pathfinder","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Nissan_Pathfinder_Commute_with_Enterprise.jpg","quote":"There was some talk about them potentially building up, bringing out this mid-sized crossover, which would either be based on the Pathfinder, the next generation Pathfinder or the XTERRA, and it will be built by Nissan.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:pathfinder","priority":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size SUV that’s been a long-running nameplate for Nissan in the US. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a possible platform for a future Mitsubishi mid-sized crossover, which would matter because platform sharing can affect cost, packaging, and how quickly a new model can be brought to market.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Pathfinder is a popular mid-size SUV. The hosts are saying Mitsubishi might base a future crossover on the Pathfinder, which could help them launch faster and cheaper.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":945.7,"endTime":947.98,"type":"car","title":"Nissan XTerra","url":"/cars/nissan/xterra","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/%2705-%2708_Nissan_Xterra.JPG","quote":"which would either be based on the Pathfinder, the next generation Pathfinder or the XTERRA, and it will be built by Nissan.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:xterra","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Xterra is a rugged, body-on-frame-style compact-to-mid-size SUV known for off-road capability and a more truck-like character. Here, it’s floated as an alternate base for a potential Mitsubishi mid-sized crossover, implying Nissan could supply the underlying architecture.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Xterra is a tougher, more off-road-oriented SUV. The discussion suggests Mitsubishi could use it as a starting point for a new crossover built by Nissan.","imageAttribution":"Bull-Doser (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":1020.5,"endTime":1029.24,"type":"concept","title":"reciprocal tariff","url":"/glossary/reciprocal-tariff","quote":"Sort of the play is that it's hard for a Nissan or any automaker to export their US-made cars to Canada because there's a 25% reciprocal tariff","canonicalId":"concept:reciprocal-tariff","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A reciprocal tariff is a trade tax that’s applied based on another country’s tariffs, aiming to balance import costs between countries. Here, the host says there’s a 25% reciprocal tariff that makes it hard for Nissan (and other automakers) to export US-made cars to Canada.","simplifiedExplanation":"A reciprocal tariff is a government tax on imported cars that’s meant to match what the other country charges. In this case, the host says a 25% tax makes it expensive to ship US-made cars into Canada."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-21st-2026-stellantis-70b-turnaround-plan-mitsubishi-s-dealership-exodus/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}