- 2024 is almost up and it’s time to look back at this year’s turkeys.
- There’s no shortage of options as several companies made missteps or launched underwhelming products.
- The biggest turkey of the year might be EVs and they could be in for an even bumpier future.
It’s Thanksgiving and that means it’s turkey time. However, we’re not talking about food as we’ve seen plenty of automotive turkeys this year.
One of the biggest might have been the EV push, which has backfired by virtually all accounts. While sales of electric vehicles are indeed climbing, it’s occurring much slower than many companies had anticipated. This has resulted in firms canceling or delaying future models as well as pushing back plans to go electric-only.
More: Stellantis Profits Crash In 2024, Some Brands Could Be Axed
If lackluster adoption wasn’t bad enough, President-elect Trump is expected to throw a wrench into the automotive industry. Besides talk of new tariffs, reports have suggested he wants to eliminate the EV tax credit. Even some Democrats have campaigned against electric vehicle mandates, suggesting the tide has turned against extensive government support.
Moving on, years of bad decisions have finally come back to haunt Stellantis. They’ve stopped the Jeep money printing machine, neglected several brands, and have flip-flopped about killing some off.
These issues are being compounded by union pressures on both sides of the Atlantic. The UAW has been particularly critical, going as far as launching ShitcanCarlos.com. They’ll get their wish soon enough as Carlos Tavares is slated to retire in 2026.
On the product side, Audi decided to launch a new brand named AUDI, while recalls seem like a daily occurrence for some brands. Subaru also appears intent on destroying its last redeeming qualities as the company confirmed plans to kill the Legacy after nearly four decades. The Outback is also set to transition from a cool wagon into an ugly SUV with all the character of an old refrigerator.
While those are just a few examples, who or what do you think was the biggest turkey this year?
