Friday Again

Friday is as good a time as any to practice some optimism.

Because optimism is something we have to practice. Especially when everybody wants to sell us their fear.

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U.S. Pressures Mexico-China EV Relations

We've all been 🎶under pressure🎶 to figure things out with our neighbors: who mows what, who parks where, and who can have Chinese guests over. Wait, no, not that one.

Under US pressure, Mexico's decision to halt incentives for Chinese EV manufacturers could significantly impact US market access and NAFTA-related trade dynamics. This development should raise concerns among business professionals and investors.

• Chinese automakers constitute about a third of total car brand offerings in Mexico but still need to establish manufacturing plants there.
• US tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles currently stand at 27.5%.
• In December, Nuevo Leon approved $153 million in incentives for a Tesla plant.

Ford Opens Lightning Orders

🎶 Everybody wants to rule the world 🎶
Something, something, something rhymes with Ford.

Details like Ford's move to open online orders for the 2024 F-150 Lightning, coupled with lower prices and new tech upgrades, all point in one obvious direction: Ford wants The Lightning to be as synonymous with electric trucks as the F-150 is with pickup trucks.

• The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash trim received a significant price cut of $5,500. It is now priced at $67,995 and has a range of up to 320 miles.
• Ford's F-150 Lightning sales in the first three months of 2024 increased by 80% compared to last year.
• Ford recently cut the workforce by one-third at its Rouge EV plant, where the F-150 Lightning is manufactured.

Hydrogen Speed

University of 🎶 Bath 🎶 students have successfully tested a prototype hydrogen combustion engine to set land speed records and advance hydrogen fuel technology.

• University of Bath students have ignited a prototype hydrogen combustion engine designed to set land speed records.
• The engine started as a single-cylinder unit and was modified to run on hydrogen with assistance from various corporate sponsors.
• The ultimate goal is to mount a hydrogen-adapted Ford 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine in a Ginetta G20 for record attempts.

Did you know hydrogen is the lightest element, placing it about 14 times lighter than air? So if a hydrogen engine goes this fast FORWARD, it must go 14 times faster straight up? #We'reNotScientists

More Less for Rivian

We aren't fans of layoffs or polite jargon surrounding job cuts. It isn't a "reduced workforce"; It's "Working people losing their income." Makes us wanna write a 🎶 country song 🎶 .

Rivian is cutting an additional 1% of its "workforce" to align with its strategic priority of achieving profitability by year-end amidst ongoing economic challenges.

• Rivian aims to become gross margin positive by the end of the year, following a loss of $43,372 per vehicle in the fourth quarter.
• This marks the second round of layoffs this year, totaling 1% of its workforce.
• Rivian's stock has fallen over 58% in 2024, reaching near all-time lows.

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People say you can’t save your way to wealth, but you CAN save your way to having more money to invest, but if you don’t have enough workers who generates a return on the investment?

What's your take? Do you think these job cuts are a strategic step toward achieving profitability?

Leave a comment after choosing to let us know more of your thoughts.

• 🗺 Strategic Necessity
• ❤️‍🩹 Short-Term Fix
• 🙈 Counterproductive Move
• 🤷‍♀️ Fair Reaction
• 🤯 Too Many Factors

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