Volkswagen and Ford Customer Are REVOLTING | Episode 1101
About this episode
Volkswagen and Ford are facing a massive customer backlash as inventory piles up and sales plummet. Hosts Ray and Zach dive into Volkswagen's shocking plans to cut 100,000 jobs and close European factories due to global sales slumps. They analyze real-time data showing massive days' supply and steep discounts for VW and Audi models. Meanwhile, Ford is drowning in over 40,000 unsold leftover vehicles while battling major quality control issues and massive recalls. Discover how pricing, reliability, and inventory gluts are shifting the power back to car buyers.
Volkswagen
"The big story this morning, we're going to start with Volkswagen. They are in some legitimate serious trouble. We use this a lot. You called me out for clickbait the other day, dad, for hyperbole. This is not hyperbole. Volkswagen is contemplating a 100,000-person job cut in closing factories as they are just struggling to sell cars globally."
One of the biggest car companies in the world, famous for making cars like the Beetle and the Golf. They are currently having a very hard time selling their newer cars globally and are considering closing factories and cutting jobs.
A major German automotive manufacturing group and one of the largest automakers in the world. The brand is currently facing severe global headwinds, leading to discussions of unprecedented factory closures in Europe and massive job cuts due to declining demand.
Ford
"Ford sales numbers are coming out tomorrow, but trust me, we have some stuff with Ford that makes them worthy of the customers are revolting sentiment."
A famous American car company known for making the F-150 pickup truck and the Mustang. They are currently struggling to sell their newer, more expensive vehicles, leaving many unsold cars sitting on dealer lots.
An iconic American automaker founded by Henry Ford in 1903. The company is currently grappling with high levels of unsold inventory from previous model years and persistent quality control issues that have led to industry-leading numbers of safety recalls.
additional dealer markup
"I saw a comment yesterday from yesterday's video and I was like, well, your A-rated dealer charges additional dealer markups. If they show it in the price quotes, that's transparent whether we like it or not. I want to be very clear. Maybe that's something that we missed. If a dealer charges additional dealer markups, they will not have an A-grade."
An extra charge that a car dealership tacks onto the price of a car just because they want to make more profit, usually on popular models that are hard to find.
An extra fee added to the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) by a dealership. Often listed as 'market adjustment,' this markup represents pure profit for the dealer and is typically applied to highly desirable or low-supply vehicles.
days' supply
"I come to that detail page. We've got a 225 days supply. That's high, man. That's high. There are 24 sale, but four have sold in the last 45 days in the Phoenix metro area. So this is the type of stuff. Yes. That Volkswagen's run into is the day's supply is really high."
A number that tells car dealers how many days it would take to sell all the cars currently on their lot if they didn't get any new ones. A high number means cars are sitting unsold for a long time.
An industry metric that estimates how long a dealership's current inventory of a specific vehicle will last at the current sales pace, assuming no new vehicles are delivered. A healthy industry average is typically around 60 days; numbers significantly higher indicate slow-moving stock.
Audi Q5
"Let's just do the first result here. It's that 2026 Audi Q5 premium plus. It's a very expensive vehicle. $60,000 moment of truth, day's supply, 146 days supply. 82 days on the market, 52 for sale, only 16 have sold in the last 45 days."
A premium, mid-sized family SUV made by Audi. It is usually one of their best-selling models but is currently sitting unsold on dealership lots.
Audi's highly popular compact luxury crossover SUV, powered by turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engines. It serves as a key volume seller for the brand but has faced high inventory levels recently.
Ford Bronco
"... was a moment in time a couple of years ago a new Bronco Raptor was selling for in excess of its MSRP."
The Ford Bronco is a rugged, boxy SUV made by Ford that is built for driving on rough dirt trails and rocks. It is designed so you can easily take the doors and the roof off to enjoy the outdoors.
The Ford Bronco is a highly popular mid-size, body-on-frame SUV designed for serious off-road capability. Reintroduced with retro-inspired styling, it features removable doors and roof panels, and offers high-performance variants like the Raptor for extreme terrain.
F-150 Raptor
"...moment in time a couple of years ago a new Bronco Raptor was selling for in excess of its MSRP."
The F-150 is a large pickup truck made by Ford. It is used for carrying heavy items, towing, and general daily driving.
The F-150 is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Ford, serving as a cornerstone of the utility vehicle market. It is highly customizable, ranging from basic work configurations to luxurious trims and high-performance off-road variants.
Ford Maverick
"Now this one's been sitting at Bell Ford, a D-rated dealer for 325 days. This Maverick, 329 days."
A small, fuel-efficient pickup truck made by Ford that is highly popular because it is relatively cheap and gets great gas mileage.
A compact, unibody pickup truck built on the Ford C2 platform (shared with the Escape and Bronco Sport), highly praised for its standard hybrid powertrain and affordable entry price.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
"Like this is on a Ford Mustang Mach-E. They gave you a $7,567 discount on a 2025 leftover Ford Mustang Mach-E and then added $2,000 in accessories, which is just like maybe this is why their cars aren't selling too."
An electric SUV made by Ford that uses the famous 'Mustang' name, even though it's a family crossover rather than a sports car.
An all-electric compact crossover SUV produced by Ford, utilizing the iconic Mustang nameplate. It offers rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations and is aimed directly at the Tesla Model Y.
dealer add-ons
"One of the things I immediately notice is they add add-ons. Like this is on a Ford Mustang Mach-E. They gave you a $7,567 discount on a 2025 leftover Ford Mustang Mach-E and then added $2,000 in accessories, which is just like maybe this is why their cars aren't selling too."
Extra features or packages (like window tinting or paint protection) that the dealership installs on a car before selling it, forcing you to pay more.
Optional or pre-installed accessories, warranties, or protection packages added to a vehicle by the dealership, which increase the final purchase price.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
"When you go to unsold Volkswagen's now, so we're not doing unsold Audi's, we're not doing unsold Ford's, we're doing unsold Volkswagen's, I mean look at the page. It's like we've got $60,000, $70,000 ID buzzes that have $12,000 discounts on them."
An all-electric modern version of the classic VW hippie van. It looks cool and retro but is currently struggling to sell due to its high price tag.
Volkswagen's all-electric minivan designed as a modern, electric spiritual successor to the classic Type 2 Microbus. It features a rear-motor or dual-motor setup and retro-futuristic styling.
Volkswagen Id4S
"...at this page is. This is, okay and then we've got ID4s and then we've got ID buzzes. So actually, yeah, ..."
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a fully electric SUV made by Volkswagen that runs entirely on battery power instead of gasoline. It is designed to be an easy-to-use, quiet family vehicle.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is an all-electric compact crossover SUV built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform. It represents a major push into the mainstream EV market, offering a spacious cabin, a quiet ride, and a familiar SUV driving position.
Dodge Hornet
"I mean, think of it, Stalantus with the Dodge Hornet. I mean goodness gracious, there was another vehicle that nobody asked for. Okay, and suddenly Stalantus came out with it and they couldn't give them away for the longest period of time to the point where I don't even think they import them anymore."
A small SUV made by Dodge that is actually based on an Italian Alfa Romeo. It has been very unpopular with buyers, leading to massive discounts.
A compact crossover SUV based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform, offering both traditional turbocharged gas and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. It has struggled significantly with slow sales and high dealer inventory.
Ford F150
"I'll pull that page back up here. I mean, we do have a Maverick in here, but a $70,000 F-150 Lariat, an F-150 Raptor. I mean, these are expensive vehicles."
The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck made by Ford. It is used for carrying heavy items in its back bed, towing trailers, and everyday driving.
The Ford F-150 is a light-duty pickup truck that serves as a benchmark for the utility vehicle segment, offering a massive range of configurations from basic work trucks to luxury trims. The fourteenth generation features advanced towing technology, hybrid powertrain options, and an onboard generator system.
Ford Broncos Sport
"The Broncos Sport, the 2025 Ford Broncos Sport has struggled to sell big time. Yes. It's just another example of misreading the market."
A smaller, more affordable SUV that looks like the rugged Ford Bronco but is actually built on a car-like frame for everyday driving.
A compact crossover SUV sharing a platform with the Ford Escape, styled to mimic the rugged, retro look of the larger body-on-frame Ford Bronco.
hybrid powertrain
"Not dissimilar from our conversation yesterday about hybrid used car prices, we're seeing sales gains and hybrid powertrain new cars as well, which is going to mean more demand."
A system in a car that uses both a regular gas engine and an electric motor to save gas.
A vehicle propulsion system that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery pack. This setup allows the vehicle to alternate between gasoline and electric power to maximize fuel efficiency.
Hyundai Sonata
"...t available Hyundai vehicles. Okay, I mean on the Sonata here, there's a $3,000 discount off of MSRP, that..."
The Hyundai Sonata is a standard four-door passenger car made by Hyundai. It is designed for everyday commuting, offering good fuel economy and a comfortable cabin.
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size family sedan known for its bold styling, strong value proposition, and generous standard technology. It offers traditional gas, all-wheel-drive, and highly efficient hybrid powertrains to suit different commuter needs.
Hyundai Palisade
"...t too surprised to see a big discount, but on the Palisade, small discount on the dealer side, but actually,..."
The Hyundai Palisade is a large family SUV made by Hyundai that has three rows of seats to carry up to eight people. It is designed to be comfortable and spacious for daily family trips.
The Hyundai Palisade is a mid-size, three-row crossover SUV that serves as the brand's flagship family vehicle. It is highly regarded for offering near-luxury levels of comfort, technology, and safety features at a mainstream price point.
BMW X5
"...go, I just for fun, just to demonstrate here. BMW X5. Ask CarEdge is helping me land on the right one...."
The BMW X5 is a premium, mid-sized SUV made by the German company BMW. It is designed to offer a smooth, fast, and luxurious ride with high-quality technology inside.
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV known for prioritizing car-like handling, high-end performance, and premium cabin materials. The current generation features a range of powerful turbocharged engines, advanced driver aids, and a popular plug-in hybrid variant.
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