The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly of Stellantis

Hello!

I hope your end of the year is going great. I was researching for this newsletter, and a question came to mind.

On one side, there are Christmas movies. On the other, there are car movies. Is there a Christmas car movie? Well, I sought the answer and went down a rabbit hole. 

It turns out there isn't a specific Christmas car movie, but there are some Christmas movies with cars heavily involved. 

Here are some I could find, and no, I do not vouch for their quality:

• Christmas Cars

• A Christmas on Wheels

• A Christmas Story 

Can you think of others?

Key Takeaways

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

1. Stellantis facing worrying woes: Stellantis does one thing right, but then faces a harsh reaction from authorities. 

2. Cybertruck ‘Bricked’ Issue: Tesla’s newest updates are causing some Cybertrucks to completely freeze, stirring frustration and highlighting software’s growing impact on car functionality.

3. Nissan-Honda Merger Concerns: Nissan’s finances are under strain after merging with the more stable Honda, raising questions about whether this partnership can truly “right the ship.”

4. GM’s Decline in China: Once dominant in China, GM now struggles against local brands like Geely and BYD, signaling a potential global strategy shift for the American automaker.

5. Year-End Car Buying Tips: December can be a great time to purchase a car if you leverage end-of-year deals and follow expert advice on timing and negotiation.

6. Maintenance Insights: From identifying the best GMC Yukon model years to fixing a stuck Jeep shifter, the newsletter offers practical guidance for both car buyers and DIY enthusiasts

NEWSBITES

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

• These cars are taking over Mexico's luxury car sector, and it could set a trend in the region

• The GMC Yukon Denali was almost the GMC Yukon Tundra or something like that

• She returned her Mazda to the factory after 25 years of ownership

• Here are the cars you won't see in 2025

RECALLS

This week, Tesla recalled 700,000 cars, but that was not the biggest problem.

• Ford recalls 12,000 Ford F-150 Lightning over a serious issue that can cause crashes

• Stellantis issues five recalls for five different cars in a single day

• Tesla issues an urgent recall in many of its most important vehicles

Video of the week

Here’s a drag race with every quick car under $35,000

IN THE KNOW

Stellantis backs out of a critical decision but is still navigating troubled waters

If there's one thing that Stellantis would love, it's forgetting 2024 entirely, but it can't do that.

Moreover, the fact that its CEO abruptly left isn't an excuse. The company still needs to operate, and it has continued to do so with one notable action. 

Stellantis recently rescinded a decision that would've affected thousands, and many have commended the troubled company for this. You can read about this fascinating decision here. 

However, it must also pay dearly for a past probe that yielded concerning results.

Such a high price comes at a time when the company can't part ways with millions of dollars. Read more about this costly mistake here. 

Cybertrucks turn into bricks because of this

The Tesla Cybertruck is controversial. I can't think of any vehicle that's been more divisive than this one, and the truck's public perception could worsen. 

One simple action has turned many Cybertrucks into nothing more than bricks. The vehicles are completely frozen. Now, owners are both disappointed and angry. 

So, what can cause the Cybertruck to fail completely? Read this article to find out what you can do to prevent it.

Nissan's merger announcement continues to shock the market for all the wrong reasons

Nissan's decision to merge with Honda surprised many, even if it had happened before.

After all, the equation was simple. One company was doing great (spoiler: it's not Nissan), and the other one was struggling (spoiler: it's Nissan), so the better company agreed to merge with the struggling company to "right the ship."

Examples include Ford and Jaguar, BMW and Rover, and Daimler and Chrysler. 

The automotive market is always keen on evaluating how these mergers behave, and with Honda and Nissan, it's no different.

Right after the announcement, Nissan's finances underwent a massive change, and not for the better.

How General Motors went from dominating in China to struggling to survive inside the Asian giant

For decades, General Motors has dominated the Chinese automotive market. It has done so with a simple strategy: share technology and platforms in exchange for factories and market share. 

That's why, until recently, Buick and Chevrolet were two of the most popular brands in the country.

However, GM has taken a toll with the rise of brands such as Geely and BYD.

It's no longer a dominant force, and such a loss of market share could imply a change in strategy, not only on a regional level but globally.

Read more about GM's struggles in China in the link below.

Are you interested in working with us? We reach thousands of people every week, and have consistently grown our audience in the past ten months.

Our newsletter aims at the knowledgeable gearhead and automotive novice alike. We’re a small, dynamic team with a versatile mindset.

So, if you want to work with a growing brand that takes pride in its work, contact us!

OUR THOUGHTS

Here are some valuable year-end car shopping tips

Many people don't view December as the perfect month to buy a car, but it can be if you play your cards right.

Many factors are at play by the year's end, and you could land yourself a great deal. 

However, it's understandable if you feel apprehensive. After all, it's been a chaotic year, and cars aren't cheap. 

Fortunately, our founder, Kern, has plenty of experience buying cars. Not only that, but he's also a financial advisor.

So, as the year winds down, he's written down some of his most valuable tips for those prospective car buyers. Check out his most useful bits of advice here. 

BEST AND WORST

What are the best years for the GMC Yukon?

The GMC Yukon is an excellent alternative for those wanting an SUV with a bit more luxury, but you can still use it as a work truck if needed.

While GMC vehicles are mechanically similar to Chevy products, some key differences exist. And, yes, some of them impact reliability. 

So, what are the best years for the GMC Yukon?

In this article, we're covering which years you should buy and which you should avoid. Plus, we'll tell you the most common issues with this SUV.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

How to fix a stuck Jeep shifter

There's nothing more frustrating than being unable to move your Jeep because the shifter won't move. It can also be a safety hazard. 

So, is your Jeep's shifter stuck? Believe it or not, this is a common issue, and fortunately, the solutions are equally accessible (at least, some of them). 

In this article, we explore the most common causes of this problem, narrow them down, and provide straightforward solutions.