With new electric vehicle sales approaching a record 7% of the total US auto market, the used EV market is beginning to pick up. According to new data from Cox Automotive, used EV sales were up 32% in the first quarter, with a clear new path to increase rapidly.
Although used EV sales have lagged thus far, as new electric vehicle sales continue climbing at a record pace, more used models are now becoming available. Cox Automotive is forecasting new electric vehicle sales will reach close to 7% in Q1, surpassing over 225,000 units and more than doubling from 3.1% in 2021.
In October, Electrek reported on how used EV prices were finally beginning to stabilize after the average used electric vehicle price soared last summer, with buyers scooping up higher-priced models entering the market.
The most recent data shows the average price of a used EV was roughly $43,400, down 4% from last year and well below the average cost of a new model (around $59,000).
As the report wisely points out, the lower prices are most likely a reflection of Tesla’s recent price cuts. After selling over 1.3 million vehicles last year, many in its domestic market, Tesla held its dominant position, representing over 60% of US EV sales despite new competition entering the market.
Tesla store (Source: Tesla)
As a result, Tesla’s price adjustments have influenced much of the market, with several automakers, like Ford, following suit.
As Tesla and other EV makers continue ramping up production, more people are trading for newer, more technologically advanced models, meaning more used EVs are available.
Used EV sales doubled in two years, set to intensify further
According to the report, retail used EV sales (those sold through a licensed dealership) increased by 32% year-over-year (YOY) to 42,756 in the first quarter. However, the trend is only expected to accelerate from here, as Jonathon Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, points out:
Our data sets indicate used EV sales will begin increasing rapidly from here, following a clear path set by new sales.
Used electric vehicle sales doubled in the first quarter compared to Q1 2021 and are set to grow even further.
Consumer sales of retail used EVs (Source: Cox Automotive)
Used EV transaction volume at Manheim, the largest US wholesale vehicle marketplace, increased by 40% to 9,800 in the first quarter compared to last year.
The trend is only expected to intensify from here, with analysts forecasting new EV sales in the US will reach one million for the first time this year.
Electrek’s Take
The data from the report doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s more a reflection of the state of the market and where it’s headed in the future.
As new EV sales continue smashing records, more used EVs will become available as buyers trade up for the latest tech and features or more range. Used EVs are also eligible for a tax credit of up to $4,000, which is expected to accelerate the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles further.
With Tesla delivering another record performance in the first quarter, beating expectations again, you can expect more of the same. Furthermore, Tesla just slashed prices across its entire lineup on Friday, suggesting used EV prices could have further to fall.
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Slate Auto, a new EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has poached a key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck factory in Indiana.
Napoleon Reyes is a US Marine from Indiana who got a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue after leaving the force.
He then worked a few years at Subaru and Wabash before joining Tesla’s manufacturing team at the Fremont Factory in 2020.
There, he became part of the Model Y production ramp and was quickly promoted to lead the Model Y General Assembly in Fremont in 2022.
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Reyes led Model Y GA, one of the most critical parts of vehicle manufacturing, for more than a year before being promoted again to lead new pilot processes at the factory.
Most recently, he led the launch of the general assembly line for the Model Y refresh.
The new engineering manager announced this week that he is leaving Tesla to join Slate:
A bit late on the post but after nearly 5 years working at Tesla in Fremont, I made the difficult decision to leave the Company and move closer to home with my family. It was an incredible experience being part of multiple line expansions and multiple Model Y program launches. Leading and managing the Model Y Refresh launch for GA in Fremont this year tested me professionally however we ultimately succeeded due to our amazing cross functional team collaboration. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with such great people, and I will forever be proud and thankful for everything we accomplished together.
I will be taking on a new role as Senior Manager, Plant Vehicle Engineering at Slate Auto in Warsaw, In.
The company raised over $700 million through two rounds of investments from several different investors, including Jeff Bezos. It is currently raising more, which basically guarantees that it will be able to reach production.
The startup acquired a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. It is currently converting to manufacture its electric pickup with a team from legacy automakers and also several former engineers and leaders from Tesla.
Rich Schmidt, an early Tesla manufacturing director, is the head of manufacturing.
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
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After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
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