AutoGuide Hot Takes: The United States Of Tesla

Remember, it’s usually best to get your car rust-proofed during the spring to help chase away lingering moisture and defend against humidity—as always, AutoGuide is here for it. We don’t always cover every piece of news, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have thoughts and opinions—many of them. 

Managing Editor Mike Schlee, Road Test Editor Kyle Patrick, Site Coordinator Michael Accardi, and Editorial Director Greg Migliore weigh in on the hot topics of the week. If you disagree, please get in the comments and tell us why we’re wrong.

1) Renault has created a whole new segment with the reincarnated Renault 5 Turbo 3E: the mini supercar. The performance is absurd from such a little car. 0-62 mph is expected to take less than 3.5 sec, 0-120 mph in under 9.0 seconds, and a top speed of 168 mph. It’s also extremely pretty and sends out strong Clio V6 vibes. 

2) Could Tariff woes affect the JDM import market? Some people seem to think Donald Trump’s scattershot tariff strategy could cause a surge in prices for popular JDM models like the R34 Nissan GT-R Skyline. I think it’s more of an opportunistic headline from one of the buff books—a handful of used car imports are absolutely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. The 25% tariff hasn’t stopped the imported truck market from thriving, I’m sure it’s not going to stop some weeb from spending six figures to import the GT-R of their dreams. 

3) Looks like the first charges have been tabled against vandals targeting Tesla dealerships. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced charges against three individuals tied to arson attacks at Tesla dealerships and charging stations and they potentially face between 5 and 20 years in jail. Calling the attacks domestic terrorism seems to be a show of solidarity from the White House as there is no criminal charge for domestic terrorism in the U.S. legal system.

In a social media post, the president said "I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!"

Will the White House extend this level of support to all American automakers? Can’t wait until someone gets 20 years for hurling a brick at a Ford dealership because their Maverick is perpetually recalled for backup camera issues, or rams their car through the showroom window over financing terms.

4) Drivers and regulators are beginning to voice displeasure over the non-traditional gear selection methods that have cropped up in recent years. From touch screens to buttons, and dials, automakers are doing everything they can to free up space in the center console area. The solution is actually so simple, we solved this problem decades ago. It’s called the column shifter and it works great. Listen to the people please, make cars simple again. 

5) General Motors will need some creativity to get around the Chicken Tax if it goes ahead with a plan to sell rebadged Hyundai commercial vans in the United States. It’s a plan that makes very little sense on the surface—considering in one fell swoop GM will not only sacrifice the pure profit it enjoys in the commercial van market, but it will also give a leading competitor access to one of its core competencies: pickup trucks. To make matters worse GM apparently canceled an in-house developed EV replacement for the full-size vans to go and get an outsourced EV replacement for the full-size vans.

Wild decision-making from GM—the company needs to tread lightly as the moves made in the last few years have all been geared towards emulating Tesla’s frothy stock price.

6) Sticking with General Motors, the company just killed a retrofit that allowed customers to add Apple CarPlay to its EVs. White Automotive & Media Services launched an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit for GM EVs late last year, the system worked just like a factory setup. Well, after pressure from GM, the company has killed the product. GM says the retrofit could affect core safety systems and affect vehicle warranty.

7) The Caillac CT4 and CT5 are probably going to be replaced by EVs. So if you want a V8-powered rear-wheel-drive American sedan you better go get one, now, because that’s it, there’s none left—unless Dodge gives the Charger its Hemi back. 

8) Last point regarding General Motors, promise—according to the company’s inventory search tools, franchised dealerships are sitting on nearly 50,000 unsold EVs. The number is mostly made up of 2025 models, there are some excellent deals out there if you're in the market, like $26,000 off a Hummer EV. Is GM going back to the bad old days of channel stuffing? 

9) Get ready for plenty of sleepless nights, SEO nerds: AUDI is about to launch three new models. No, not Audi, but the all-caps sister brand that will debut in China in partnership with SAIC. These look nothing like current Audis and—of course—go big on touchscreens inside, and are meant to attract younger buyers to the overall brand, as sales saw a significant dip in China last year.

10) Alfa Romeo teased the second-generation Stelvio this week. Sitting on the STLA Large platform from Stellantis, it should be a little bigger than the current model. We expect gas-powered models to continue, though the one on test up in the Arctic appears to be an EV, with a rakish hatch shape not unlike the Jeep Wagoneer S.

11) Look, we’re just going to say it: with used EV prices tanking, now could be the ideal time to snap one up. Maybe not as your primary vehicle, but as a secondary to handle short-distance tasks? Be right back, checking used Taycan prices…

12) One California dealership—Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram— has absolutely lost the plot. It has a brand new 2023 Dodge Demon listed for sale at $435,541, a $300,000 markup over MSRP. But don't worry, the dealer is offering a special $33,885 discount to bring the price down to just $398,945. They also have a 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost with a $200,000 markup, and a second 2023 Demon marked up by just $100,000. Naturally, Clovis is also tacking on an extra $4,000 to 2025 Dodge Charger Scat Pack AWD EV models.

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