Groundhog Out of the Dirt, Hyundai Highs, ‘EV’ Like “Kev”, Paid AI

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

Thursday is looking good as Hyundai stands hopefully as high as the groundhog. We also give an update from across non-gas powered vehicles, as well as what’s going on over at ChatGPT.

• The numbers are in and January is a record setter for Hyundai Motor America as total sales increased by 9% making this their best January ever
  • Reported sales were 52,001 units which is up 9% over January 2022 and the third consecutive month of record total sales
  • “Achieving year-over-year growth in retail and total sales, as well as a record-breaking January, highlights the company's commitment to delivering a great product lineup,” said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “The positive feedback from our dealers during the 2023 NADA Show demonstrates Hyundai’s strong standing in the industry and the level of trust and confidence dealers have in the brand.”
  • Hyundai Motor America has been ranked first in customer loyalty in the automotive industry for the 14th consecutive year according to the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index.
  • Also just released a new marketing campaign and commercial featuring Kevin Bacon and his daughter Sosie…soooo (watch till the subscribe…)
    
• Non Petrol update:
  • According to a source close to the matter, Reuters reports that Tesla’s Shanghai plant is boosting production to satisfy a significant demand spike in light of recent price cuts. Producing over 20k vehicles a week back to September 2022 highs
  • Speaking of Tesla, the Roadster turns 15!
  • A joint Honda / GM fuel cell venture has cut the production cost of the cell to one third and announced a CR-V with the power plant to be produced in Ohio and released in the US and Japan late next year
    • Citing major performance improvements, the company says it is an important part of their plan to phase out all petrol powered vehicles by … 2040 as they see hydrogen as a primary way to power large passenger vehicles as well as commercial equipment
  • An Audi e-tron collided with a Toyota sedan in British Columbia and the battery pack ‘ejected’ and ended up across the street…on fire
    
• Popular AI chat tool and high school essay writer's best friend, ChatGPT has converted from altruism to capitalism as it announced a $20/month subscription plan to give paid users priority access and faster response times. Welcome ChatGPT Plus
  • Will be sending out invitations to those on its wait list
  • Last week it looked like it was going to be $42/mo, but they backed down to a more accessible level for a broader offering
  • It won’t be ‘paid only’ as the company says ChatGPT it will continue free access as paid users will “help support free access availability to as many people as possible.”

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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