Soooo I was pressured by sales at a dealer who I had to take my car to for a service recall. I knew the dealer would pressure me to a sale or trade-in. Or at least a “sale” on overpriced and non-urgent repairs and “maintenance”. It took just 1/2 hour after service was done to get by text a dealer rep who wanted to give me a quote for my car should I want to trade it in on a new car sale or get a cash offer.

Ok I said. Asked if was possibly interested in a quote for trade-in. I said I was possibly considering looking at larger cars and 3-4 brands. She said “would I be willing look at a quote” Then, of course what I expected, happened. Sales by text doesn’t work for me. To be guided into the classic car dealer scripts their sales reps and customer service are instructed to use is annoying.

This all started with my call direct to service to ask questions about the recall. I was upset because Hyundai US now mandates all service questions are handled by an Ai agent. I can’t schedule this “free” recall service unless an Ai agent schedules me by phone or online.

I am just so disgusted “this is the direction the world is going”: not at all ok by me. This is direct quote what I was told by a dealer rep today. She texted that currently they “have a desperate need for used cars right now” and would I please look at her quote.

I did and declined the offer: she asked why I would decline it. One reason I gave is that none of my actual priorities were considered. She didn’t even ask me. And my original call to customer service is to Ai. So I have little confidence in service needed for any work on a new car or my older car. Ah but “this is the direction the world is going”.

If you are a car owner in the US, how would you feel about Ai and texting used extensively now over person-to-person contacts?
#CarSales #CarDealers #USAutoSales #AiAgent #Hyundai

Chinese carmakers double EU market share as EVs drive sales growth.

New car registrations in Europe grew 4.2% in the first four months of 2026, as traditional European brands maintained their dominance despite Chinese carmakers doubling their share of the EU market.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260527-chinese-carmakers-double-eu-market-share-as-evs-drive-sales-growth?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#CarSales #Europe #Automotive #EV #Business

Chinese carmakers double EU market share as EVs drive sales growth.

New car registrations in Europe grew 4.2% in the first four months of 2026, as traditional European brands maintained their dominance despite Chinese carmakers doubling their share of the EU …

Euronews

Ever wondered how car salespeople react when you flip the script? 😅 I asked for a $0/month deal and their response was… something else. You gotta see this! New video now. 😂 #shorts #CarSales #Dealershi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2ouK7-gOc

U.S. hybrid-car sales soar, along with gas prices
Hybrid ales up 37 per cent since ​Iran conflict, while EV sales lag, unlike strong gains in Europe. Pick-up truck sales remain strong.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/u-s-hybrid-car-sales-soar-along-with-gas-prices-9.7194788?cmp=rss

EV Makers Hit Roadblocks: State Franchise Laws Impede Direct Sales

Many US states use old franchise laws to stop EV companies like Rivian and Lucid from selling cars directly to people. This makes buying EVs harder for customers.

#EVLaws, #DirectSales, #Rivian, #LucidMotors, #CarSales

https://newsletter.tf/us-states-block-ev-direct-sales-laws/

Buying an electric car directly from the maker is stopped in 17 US states because of old franchise laws. This makes it harder for companies like Rivian and Lucid to sell their cars easily.

#EVLaws, #DirectSales, #Rivian, #LucidMotors, #CarSales
https://newsletter.tf/us-states-block-ev-direct-sales-laws/

US States Block EV Makers From Selling Directly To Buyers

Many US states use old franchise laws to stop EV companies like Rivian and Lucid from selling cars directly to people. This makes buying EVs harder for customers.

NewsletterTF

Big news from Australia: For the first time ever, electric, hybrid & plug-in hybrid vehicles have outsold purely petrol and diesel cars!

YTD to end of April 2026:
- Electrified: 50,976 (+79%)
- Pure ICE: 47,813 (-36%)

BEVs doubled, led by BYD Sealion 7, Model Y, Geely EX5, etc. Hybrids boosted by the new RAV4 too.

#EVs #Hybrids #Australia #CarSales #BYD #Toyota #CleanTransport

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/electric-hybrid-and-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles-outsell-purely-petrol-and-diesel-cars-for-the

Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles outsell purely petrol and diesel cars for the first time as 2026 BYD Sealion 7, Toyota RAV4 and Zeekr 7X sales boom

Year-to-date registration data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show ‘electrified’ passenger and light commercial vehicles have crossed a significant tipping point to become a more popular choice than traditional diesel and purely petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) options in Australia.

CarsGuide

Thailand’s automotive industry posted mixed results in March 2026, with modest gains in production and stronger domestic sales driven by EV demand, while exports edged down slightly amid external disruptions.

#Thailand #Cars #CarProduction #CarSales #CarExports

https://www.thaienquirer.com/69447/thailand-auto-output-edges-up-in-march-as-ev-sales-surge/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Mercedes-Benz Profits Drop a Lot in 2025

https://newsletter.tf/mercedes-benz-profit-drop-2025/

Mercedes-Benz saw profits fall sharply in 2025 due to higher costs and fewer sales in China and the US. Learn why.

#MercedesBenz, #CarSales, #Economy, #BusinessNews, #ElectricCars

Mercedes-Benz Profit Declines Sharply Amid Global Market Pressures

https://newsletter.tf/mercedes-benz-profit-drop-2025/

Mercedes-Benz profits fell sharply in 2025 due to higher taxes, lower sales in key markets, and costs for electric cars.

#MercedesBenz, #CarSales, #Economy, #BusinessNews, #ElectricCars