As automakers brace for new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley is warning the extra costs would be “devastating.” Farley said the additional tariffs, which could go into effect as soon as March 1, would be a “blow a hole” in the US auto industry.
Ford CEO says Trump tariffs would be devastating for the US
After Trump imposed an extra 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico earlier this month, Ford’s CEO is speaking out, saying the impacts will be devastating, not only for automakers but also for buyers.
Although the tariffs are on hold for now, Farley said the threats are already creating “chaos” and “a lot of costs” for the US auto industry.
During a Wolfe Research investment conference on Tuesday, Ford’s CEO explained that “President Trump has talked a lot about making our US auto industry stronger, bringing more production here, more innovation to the US, and if this administration can achieve that, it would be one of the most signature accomplishments.”
So far, however, “what we’re seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos,” Farley added. Ford is looking for ways to build up inventory in the US to soften the blow of Trump’s tariffs.
Although Ford is less exposed than rivals like GM and Jeep maker Stellantis, it is still expected to take a hit from suppliers that will be impacted, executives explained at the event.
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)
On the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Farley said, “There’s no question that tariffs at 25% level from Canada and Mexico, if they’re protracted, would have a huge impact on our industry, with billions of dollars of industry profits wiped out and an adverse effect on the US jobs.”
Electrek’s Take
The US auto industry is already falling behind China, which Farley called “a major force in our industry.” China is by far the world’s largest EV market, but domestic leaders, like BYD, are quickly expanding overseas, stealing market share from legacy automakers.
BYD sold over 4.25 million vehicles last year. For the first time, BYD sold more vehicles than Honda and Nissan, which are now scrambling to keep up.
Trump’s decision to withdraw federal support for electric vehicles and impose tariffs on our biggest trade partners will only put the US further behind.
Ford, GM, and several others have already pushed back new EV launches and other projects in anticipation, opening the door for overseas automakers to take advantage.
In a short but funny interaction, Jay Leno had to remind Tesla executives that the Roadster still exists – sort of, since it has been delayed seemingly indefinitely.
The next-generation Roadster has become basically a running gag in the Tesla community.
I’ve asked Grok, Elon Musk’s truth-seeking AI, to compile all the times the CEO announced timelines to bring the Roadster to production and compare them to reality:
Initial Announcement (November 2017):
Announced Launch: 2020.
Reality: Delayed; no production by 2020. Revised to mid-to-late 2021 in July 2020.
July 2020 Update:
Announced Launch: Mid-to-late 2021.
Reality: Delayed; no production by 2021. Revised to 2022 in January 2021.
January 2021 Update:
Announced Launch: 2022.
Reality: Delayed; no production by 2022. Revised to 2023 in September 2021.
September 2021 Update:
Announced Launch: 2023.
Reality: Delayed; no production by 2023. Revised to 2024 in May 2023.
May 2023 Update:
Announced Launch: 2024.
Reality: Delayed; no production by 2024. Revised to 2025 in February and October 2024.
February 2024 and October 2024 Updates:
Announced Launch: 2025 (production version unveil by end of 2024, deliveries in 2025).
Reality: Current target; not yet launched as of February 11, 2025 and the production version was not unveiled in 2024.
We are coming up on a decade since the original unveiling, and Tesla has nothing to show for it despite not having launched a new vehicle other than the Cybertruck over the last 5 years.
Based on Musk’s last update, Tesla was supposed to unveil the production version by the end of 2024, which did not happen, and then start production in 2025.
Tesla has basically gone silent on the program other than being listed “in development” without a production location for years in its list of vehicle programs (still the same as of last month’s update):
The current state of the Tesla Roadster program couldn’t have been better illustrated than by this quick conversation between Jay Leno and Tesla executives Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy.
As we have often reported, Tesla doesn’t have a press relations department and doesn’t maintain any relationships with US media other than with a few “friendly” publications and media personalities, including Jay Leno.
Tesla gave Leno an exclusive look and first drive at the new Model Y, which is not expected to hit US roads until next month:
During the drive, Leno asked von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer. and Moravy, Tesla VP of engineering, if the new Model Y would come with a three-motor powertrain.
Moravy answered:
“We do not make three, just one or two. Three is reserved for Plaid and the Beast.”
By that, he meant the top performance “Plaid” versions of Model S and Model X, which do come with a tri-motor powertrain, and the Cyberbeast version of the Cybertruck.
Then Leno had to remind them that they said the Roadster would also have three motors:
“and the Roadster?”
Then, both executives repeated “and the Roadster” before quickly moving on.
Electrek’s Take
I think the odds of Tesla launching the new Roadster this year just crashed. Not that they were very high to start with.
It’s true that the Roadster wouldn’t be very impactful as a vehicle program, but it would make things fun and exciting at Tesla again with some cutting-edge fun EVs to drive rather than everything being about self-driving.
It would be a fun distraction amid failing FSD deployment, crashing sales, lower margins, etc.
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Shares of Fidelity National Information Services plunged the most since 2023 on Tuesday after the company reported quarterly earnings that fell short of Wall Street estimates and issued a disappointing forecast.
The stock dropped 12% as of afternoon trading, heading for its biggest drop since March 2023.
Here’s how the company did, compared to analysts’ consensus estimates from LSEG:
Earnings per share: $1.40 adjustedvs. $1.36 expected
Revenue: $2.6 billion vs. $2.63 billion expected
Revenue at the fintech company increased 3.5% from $2.51 billion a year earlier, FIS said in a statement on Tuesday. Net income jumped almost fivefold to $304 million, or 56 cents per share, from $62 million, or 10 cents per share, a year earlier.
FIS said revenue in the current quarter will be between $2.49 billion and $2.51 billion, and sales for the full year will be between $10.44 billion and $10.5 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue for the first quarter of $2.56 billion and $10.6 billion for the year.
On the earnings call, CEO Stephanie Ferris said the company missed its own estimates for growth in 2024 “due to some one-time items.” She said “growth in new sales” and stronger relations with clients “leave us confident in further acceleration in 2025.”
FIS said new sales of digital solutions increased 70% year over year in 2024.
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon
FIS shares fall on revenue miss
The company raised its share repurchase goal from $800 million to $1.2 billion as part of its commitment to return excess cash to shareholders.
Separately on Tuesday, FIS announced a new partnership with online lender Affirm, to offer a debit service to its banking clients. Through the arrangement, any bank that partners with FIS will be able to provide its own version of the Affirm Card without asking customers to adopt a new piece of plastic.
Today’s Green Deals are headlined by Heybike’s early bird preorder sale on its latest ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike, a first from the brand’s Galaxy eDrive System, at $1,599. Next, we have Aiper’s Valentine’s Day sale with up to 40% discounts across its autonomous pool cleaners, like the Surfer S1 Cordless Solar Robot Pool Skimmer that has fallen to $300, among others. We also spotted the EGO Power+ 56V Power Head, which drives the brand’s Multi-Head System, down at $155 while attachments begin at $111. Lastly, we have Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV Charger dropping back down to its $455 Amazon low after being the center of a Lightning deal that has since ended, keeping the savings intact. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Valentine’s savings from EcoFlow, and more.
Heybike launches new ALPHA all-terrain e-bike with 60-mile range at $1,599 in limited early bird preorder sale
Running alongside its ongoing Valentine’s Day sale, Heybike is officially launching its new ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike for preorder with an early bird discount through February 25 of $1,599 shipped for either its black step-over model or its white step-thru counterpart. If you were fortunate enough to be one of the hundred buyers of the brand’s early bird coupon ahead of today, you can look forward to an additional $50 being taken off the total price for $1,549 shipped. This model will begin shipping on February 23, at which point the price will return to its full $1,699 price tag, so the $100 to $150 markdown here is appreciated. One thing to note though, the brand has stated that there will only be 300 units released as part of this first round of launches – so don’t dawdle on decisions too long or you’ll miss out!
Heybike’s latest ALPHA e-bike arrives as the first release from the brand’s Galaxy eDrive System, which utilizes a 500W Mivice mid-drive motor alongside a 680Wh battery, five levels of pedal assistance, and a torque sensor to provide rider support for up to 60 miles on a single charge at up to 28 MPH top speeds (depending on state laws). This e-bike has been designed to be a more cost-friendly solution, with its performance improvements not impacting its price as readily as other brands, much in the same tradition as Lectric’s XPeak 2.0 e-bikes (though they’re still coming in $300 under the starting price here).
That’s not to say Heybike is holding back, as they’ve decked out the ALPHA e-bike with a bunch of nice features, like the hydraulic front suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, the Shimano Altus 8-speed derailleur, 4-inch puncture-protected fat tires, fenders over both wheels, an integrated rear cargo rack, an LED headlight with an auto-on functionality, an integrated taillight with braking light functionality, and an LCD for settings and controls (as well as app controls too). It weighs in at just under 72 pounds, boasting a 400-pound total payload, and don’t worry, it comes with a half-twist throttle for electric-only preferences, though it has been given a safety feature that won’t allow it to be activated until you’ve pedaled it into motion first.
Be sure to check out Heybike’s full Valentine’s Day sale for more e-bike options – especially if you’d prefer a folding e-bike – as the brand’s popular models start from $999.
Aiper’s Valentine’s Day sale drops the Surfer S1 cordless solar robot pool skimmer to $300
Aiper has an ongoing Valentine’s Day sale that is taking up to 40% off its lineup of robot pool cleaners, with some bonus gifts at certain pricing thresholds ($900 and $1,200), free gear with select models, and bundle deals. Among its offers, the popular Surfer S1 Cordless Solar Robot Pool Skimmer is down at $299.99 shipped. Originally hitting the market with a $470 price tag, it has since fallen to a more recent $400 MSRP, which we saw hit a $270 low during October’s Prime Day event for the first time. While December saw it keep above $380, we’re seeing much more frequent falls to $300 in the new year, with the trend continuing here at $100 off its normal going rate. You’ll also find it matching in price direct from the brand’s official Amazon storefront.
A handy device for what I’ve always considered the most annoying job in pool upkeep, Aiper’s Surfer S1 utilizes paddle wheels to maneuver around your pool’s water surface while its ultrasonic sensors guide it to floating debris, insects, and more – trapping it all inside an easy-to-remove basket. The remote smart controls for this device are accessed through its companion app, letting you monitor its progress, adjust settings as needed, and even providing manual steering when you want it tackling a certain concern. The battery provides it with a 10-hour lifespan, with the option to either plug in to its DC port for recharging or take advantage of its solar charging capabilities thanks to the panel on top, which means far less work for you during the brighter months.
Be sure to also learn about the newer Surfer S2 Solar Pool Skimmer that is still benefitting from its first-ever discount at Amazon, where it’s down at $340 from $540 for an unforeseen amount of time longer. This new model comes with upgraded features like the latest brushless motor, a larger suction inlet, an improved filtration system, a 35-hour starting battery runtime (and the same solar capabilities), and more.
Aiper Valentine’s Day sale in-ground pool cleaner deals:
Aiper Valentine’s Day sale above-ground pool cleaner deals:
Aiper Valentine’s Day sale bundle deals:
The EGO Power+ 56V Power Head drops to $155 (Reg. $185), attachments start from $111
Amazon is offering the best rate in months on the EGO Power+ 56V Power Head that is down at $154.94 shipped. Normally fetching $185 these days at Amazon, we saw it fall to its $119 low back in September before keeping at $149 during Prime Day and rising back near its full rate by November, only falling to $162 during Black Friday sales. We haven’t seen it fall any lower in the time since, with today’s deal coming in as a long-awaited relief that cuts $30 off the going rate, giving you the best price we’ve tracked in months. I do want to point out that this deal is only on the Power Head itself, with no included battery or charger, making it a great opportunity for those who have the brand’s 56V ARC batteries already lying about and want to get more use out of them.
The focal point of EGO’s Multi-Head System, this 56V Power Head sports a brushless motor and comes compatible with the system’s many attachments for better versatility and efficiency, as you’ll be saving more space with less single-use tools while also utilizing more out of your existing batteries. There’s a two-speed selector to dial up or dial down speed settings, as well as a lock-off button for safety and an adjustable front handle for added comfort and control when working for extended periods. You can also grab it with a carbon fiber build at just $14 more, if you want an even sturdier design – with both sporting an IPX4 water-resistance rating to stand against any adverse weather that might roll in while you’re in the middle of a job.
EGO Power+ Multi-Head attachment deals:
Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite 50A level 2 EV charger with J1772 connector returns to $455 Amazon low
Autel’s official Amazon storefront is offering its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV charger for $455.20 shipped and matching direct from the manufacturer. This model usually goes for $569, but we’ve been seeing frequent Lightning deals over the last year (and some longer-lasting discounts) that dropped costs to this same rate. Today’s deal continues the trend, as the 20% markdown here saves you $114 at the lowest price on Amazon.
An affordable alternative for non-Tesla drivers, Autel’s 240V MaxiCharger AC Lite sports compatibility with any EV using a J1772 connector. Tesla drivers don’t need to feel left out though, as ordering this model direct from Autel here, gives you a choice between the J1772 or a NACS connector, which beats out the pricing on Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector (rarely discounted) by nearly $100. You’ll get up to 50A charging speeds by installing this model at your home, which averages about 37 miles per every hour of charging when set to its maximum output, complete with smart controls to monitor and adjust settings as needed. It also comes ready to stand against your regions year-round weather, as its upgraded 25-foot cable can function in cold as low as -40 degrees while the unit as a whole can withstand “snow, rain, hail, and sleet.”
Best New Year EV deals!
Rad Power RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike with $200 accessory (new): $2,399
Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
Lectric XP 3.0 Standard e-bikes with $88 Valentine’s bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,098)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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