Stellantis is seriously struggling

Hello!

We covered Maserati’s downfall last Saturday, and it seems it’s not the only Stellantis brand that’s struggling.

On another note, Toyota seems to have pretty loyal fans. Is it because boring and simple is always best? Who knows?

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

• Stellantis Profit Warning: Stellantis issued a profit warning and points to the US market as the one suffering the most.

• Musk and Trump EV Divide: Elon Musk’s potential donation of $180 million to Trump, a vocal EV critic, could be a risk to Tesla.

• JD Power Loyalty Rankings: JD Power’s latest study reveals Porsche as the top premium brand for loyalty, while American brands struggle to retain customers.

• BMW X5 Best and Worst Years: Not all BMW X5 models are created equal; our article explores which ones to buy and why.

• Leveling Kit Cost: Installing a 2-inch leveling kit is one of the cheapest and easiest truck modifications, and our guide breaks down the costs and tips.
  

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• Are you a wagon fan? This list interests you 

• This is the last car to offer a CD player

• Legendary Mercedes Benz designer passes away

• These are some of the best classic car insurance companies

IN THE KNOW

Stellantis issues a critical profit warning.

Investors never want to see profit warnings. They’re a company’s way of telling them there won’t be a lot of money coming their way.

This time, Stellantis is issuing one, and people are not happy.

Stellantis is the world’s fourth-largest automaker, but it hasn’t performed well in recent months (or years).

As a consequence, it announced a drastic change in its latest earnings forecast. Not only that, but it also hinted that the US is becoming a handful. 

Competition is toughening up, and sales have stagnated.

So, pressure is on from every angle, putting a lot of pressure on the company and the CEO. 

Read more about the company’s struggles and what could happen in the future in the link below. 

Musk and Trump: joined by politics, divided by EVs

We rarely, if ever, cover politics in this newsletter, but this is critical. After all, it could impact the EV market heavily.

After all, like it or not, Teslas dominate EV sales (even if they catch fire). 

Trump was no stranger to bashing EVs, even if he praised Musk as a businessman.

The former president even promised oil executives $1 billion in return for support, but that proposal was quickly rejected. 

That’s where Musk came into play, offering a $180 million donation that almost immediately changed Trump’s speech.

However, some believe that this partnership could be risky, especially for Tesla. 

Read more on this topic in the link below. 

What JD Power’s list says about brand loyalty

JD Power has released its US automotive brand loyalty study for the past six years, and this year, the results are quite surprising.

Porsche ranks first in premium car brands for the third year in a row, and it’s a fascinating effort by the German automaker.

t has quietly made a name for itself and surprises many with its reliability. 

However, that’s not the most surprising thing. 

The study (which you can download here) also highlights that American brands struggle to create loyalty.

Only one appeared on the list, while the rest of the spots belong to Japanese automakers, with some European brands in the mix. 

Read the link below to find out if your brand ranked highly. 

BEST AND WORST

What are the best and worst years for the BMW X5?

Ever since it entered the market, the BMW X5 has been divisive. For some, it was mainly a sedan with slightly more ground clearance.

In contrast, it was the perfect combination of handling, interior space, and luxury for others. 

Whatever side you’re on, the BMW X5 has been successful, having been in the market since 1999 and a solid piece of the company’s income.

However, this doesn’t mean all BMW X5s are perfect. 

Some years are best avoided, and some issues are critical.

In our article, we’ll cover the best and worst years for the BMW X5 and, most importantly, why you should buy these years. 

Read more about the best years for the BMW X5 in the link below. 

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

How much does it cost to install a 2-inch leveling kit?

Leveling kits are a cheap option to easily improve your truck’s looks.

We’ve done this job here at Four Wheel Trends, so we know a thing or two about installing them. 

Many people ask, “How much does it cost to install a 2-inch leveling kit?” 

The truth is that this is one of the cheapest modifications you can make while still getting excellent results. 

If you want to learn more about leveling kits, read our article on the cost of installing a 2-inch leveling kit, plus some valuable tips to consider.