The news: Tesla stock rebounded about 5% Friday after a 14.3% crash during a public social media feud between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk over the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The EV giant lost $152.4 billion in market value Thursday—its biggest one-day decline ever, per The Wall Street Journal. Our take: The Musk-Trump quarrel could drag on or it could end as abruptly as it started. Its effects on Tesla’s stock are a reminder that Musk is the company’s de facto spokesperson and that his persona is inseparable from Tesla’s brand. The Big Beautiful Bill, paired with cautious US consumer spending and economic uncertainty, could slow Tesla’s EV adoption just when the company can least afford it.
The news: In-car voice commerce has the potential to unlock a $35 billion annual opportunity for automakers, according to new research by in-car voice technology provider SoundHound AI. The hands-free tech integrates voice ordering, payments, and navigation directly into vehicles—transforming them into mobile commerce hubs that users are already familiar with. Key takeaway: Marketers and advertisers should prepare for a shift in automotive user interface by integrating voice-first campaigns into connected car ecosystems. Opportunities include forging partnerships with automakers and service providers for branded voice experiences, sponsored suggestions, and frictionless ordering while prioritizing transparency to satisfy safety regulators.
The auto industry joins shift to performance-driven channels: Marketers are pulling away from traditional media like TV as tariff pressures mount.
The average vehicle age keeps climbing in the US: Advance Auto Parts is banking on maintenance and repair to help it steer clear of macroeconomic speed bumps.
Meta pays creators for traffic, Spotify wins in-app freedom post-Epic ruling, and Amazon’s Zoox expands robotaxi testing despite software recalls.
Drivers overwhelmingly prefer voice assistants over drive-thrus, presenting a ripe opportunity for restaurants to cash in on convenience and curbside cravings.
US-UK trade deal eases barriers across key sectors: Our FAQ explains how the pact may benefit exporters and affect economic growth.
Tech’s new bet—low-cost EVs, ultra-thin phones, and vibe-driven music: Slate, Samsung, and Spotify each chase novelty—via price, design, and personalization—to win over convenience-hungry consumers.
Google’s AI is expanding fast and meeting demand, but users could be wary about data collection in their homes and vehicles.
Carvana, CarMax expect price advantage as auto tariffs take effect: But softer demand coupled with automakers’ efforts to keep new car pricing steady could blunt their edge.
Tariffs are a heavy burden for foreign automakers: Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda are among the companies that stand to be hit hard by punishing US auto duties.
The cost of everything from Pandora jewelry to Adidas sneakers is rising: The trend is poised to accelerate as tariff-hit goods arrive at US ports—and shoppers have taken note.
Ford expects tariffs to take a $1.5 billion bite out of profits: That’s in spite of its sizable US manufacturing base, which bodes ill for its globalized competitors.
Minimalist trucks, maximalist ambitions: EV makers Slate and TELO are betting that simple, compact, and affordable EVs will resonate with buyers who are tired of bloated features and high price tags.
Google aims to reset its ecosystem with AI-infused Pixel updates and expansion beyond phones—countering fragmentation and pressure from rivals.
Nobody knows what’s ahead: Macroeconomic turmoil and shifting tariff policies make forecasting a guessing game that many consumer brands are opting out of.
Several foreign carmakers saw US sales surge in March: But that momentum is likely to stall given the 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and imported auto parts set to take effect by May 3.
Design wins power Mobileye’s bullish stance on autonomy’s future: A robust 83% revenue spike and new deals with Volkswagen and Lyft show Mobileye isn’t just surviving the autonomy winter—it’s positioning itself as its comeback story.
Tesla struggles to keep up as production challenges, Musk controversy hurt sales: The company is in a difficult spot as tariffs threaten to curb demand further and jack up production costs.
US tariffs could stall Germany’s economy this year: GDP is forecast to grow just 0.1% as the duties on autos and other imports curb companies’ access to an important growth market.