Weekly roundup: Tesla’s record-breaking quarter, Toyota’s new solid state EV batteries

Earlier this week: Tesla reported that it sold a total of 466,140 units between April and June while manufacturing 479,700 electric vehicles. Toyota announced it devised a new, cost-effective method to produce solid-state EV batteries. Frank Fletcher Subaru donated more than 70 blankets to patients of the Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute, and more headlines to stay on top of this week in automotive industry news.

1. Tesla sales, production numbers nearly double in Q2 as EV market grows

Tesla’s quarterly performance once more surpassed analyst expectations, with electric vehicle sales and production numbers rising sharply on both a quarterly and yearly basis. The automaker sold a total of 466,140 units between April and June while manufacturing 479,700 electric vehicles. Both numbers represent significant improvements over the same period in 2022, during which Tesla delivered 254,695 EVs and built 258,580. Compared to its already exceptional first quarter, the brand’s sales and production rose roughly 10% and 9%, respectively. Read More

2. Toyota developing EV batteries with twice the power and half the cost

Toyota says it has made a breakthrough in solid-state electric-vehicle batteries, which will significantly reduce manufacturing costs while providing greater performance than current models. On July 4, the automaker announced it had devised a new, cost-effective method to produce solid-state EV batteries capable of driving nearly 750 miles on a single, 10-minute charge. If true, the advancement could overcome two chief obstacles to electric vehicle proliferation: expense and range anxiety. Read More

3. Ford sees uptick in pickup, electric vehicle sales thanks to improved supply

Ford saw increased sales in the second quarter thanks to improved electric vehicle inventory and increased pickup demand in the U.S. From April through June, the automaker sold 531,662 vehicles across its segments, achieving a 10% gain over the previous quarter. Sales of Ford trucks rose 26.2%, boosted by demand for the brand’s F-series, whose deliveries increased 34%. The car manufacturer’s electric vehicle segment also saw an admirable increase in volume, rising 11.9% year-to-date and 35.5% in June alone. Read More

4. Toyota’s output sets a monthly record for May after a 35% increase

As pandemic-related supply disruptions continued to subside, Toyota reported its global output surged 35% from May 2022 to a record of 947,874 vehicles, while sales increased by 11%. On June 29, the Japanese automaker noted that production of vehicles bearing the Toyota and Lexus brands reached 847,000 units, which is roughly in line with the company’s initial forecast. Additionally, together with the Daihatsu and Hino brands, Toyota sold 906,715 vehicles globally in May. Read More

5. Missouri cancer patients get free blankets thanks to Frank Fletcher Subaru

Frank Fletcher Subaru of Joplin, Missouri, has donated more than 70 blankets to patients of the Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute, marking eight years of participation in the “Subaru Loves to Care” program. The dealership dropped off the multi-functional fleece blankets, which can also be used as pillows, on Tuesday, June 27. Keeping warm is crucial for patients undergoing cancer treatment. “The environments are very cold…as [the patients] are on treatment, they become colder also,” stated Freeman Cancer Institute Dr. Pamela Landon. “If they are anemic or just being on treatment, they have weight loss and these blankets are really helpful for that.” Read More

6. Identifying new opportunities in the fixed operations space — Jade Terreberry & Juan Flores (Sponsored Content)

Many car dealers understand the importance of service departments, but are they aware of the new opportunities in today’s fixed operations business? In this CBT News Power Lunch, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Jade Terreberry, senior director of business development at Cox Automotive, and Juan Flores, senior director of product management at Kelley Blue Book, to discuss how new consumer habits have opened doors to greater revenue and higher demand. Read More

7. Women in automotive: has gender equality improved? — The Dream Team | Courtesy Automotive Group

Five female finance directors of Courtesy Automotive Group, also known as “the Dream team,” are breaking traditional gender equality barriers and contributing to their business’s success. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Dana Miller, finance director of Courtesy Volvo of Scottsdale; Clarissa Martinez, finance director of Courtesy Chevrolet San Diego; Sofia Faussette, finance director of Courtesy Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Superstition Springs; Dora Herrmann, finance director of Courtesy Chevrolet; and Misty Peckins, finance director of Courtesy Kia Mesa. The team shares their journey through the automotive industry as working mothers and offers their perspectives on what the car business can do to attract and retain more women. Read More

8. How your dealership can avoid the “boiled frog” scenario

On the latest episode of Mind Your Own Business, host Jonathan Dawson, founder of Sellchology, discusses the importance of recognizing areas of your dealership that might be struggling and proactively correcting those processes or behaviors. He draws a parallel between the fall of great empires and the downfall of dealerships, using the boiled frog analogy. He explains that just as a frog slowly adjusts to increasing water temperature, it’s too late to escape, dealerships often fail to notice the gradual decline until it’s too late. Read More

9. The retail automotive landscape: ‘Not out of any woods’ — Joe McCabe | AutoForecast Solutions

Technology, shortages, and consumer demands have shaped much of today’s retail automotive landscape. As the industry closes out the second quarter and looks ahead at the remainder of the year, should dealers expect to see more of the same, or will the paradigm shift once again? On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by the President and CEO of AutoForecast Solutions, Joe McCabe, to discuss how the future of the car business could look. Read More

10. Starting an automotive sales career? Here’s what dealers look for — Hugh Okoye | Ocean Cadillac

Among the many career paths in the car business, few are as challenging or rewarding as a job in automotive sales. But with a rapidly evolving industry landscape, joining a dealership’s sales department may seem more intimidating and less lucrative to new hires than it once did. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined on location by Hugh Okoye, general sales manager of Ocean Cadillac in Miami, to discuss his professional journey and what it takes to succeed in today’s car market. Read More