EV demand evolves, Kia gambles on premium pricing, and J.D. Power’s warning on tariffs

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Rising insurance premiums are continuing to pressure consumers:

Back in 2021—the average annual premium was $1,563, but today, it’s increased by almost 50% to $2,308.

The obvious reasons?

Inflation and higher repair costs are pushing rates up, but a lot of the damage came in 2023–2024, when premiums spiked nearly 24% in one year.

Brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Tesla rank at the high end…

Meanwhile, Japanese makes—Subaru, Mazda, Toyota, Honda—stay on the low end, thanks to lower vehicle prices and cheaper repairs.

Bottom line: As budgets tighten, the cost to insure a car is deciding what many buyers can actually say yes to.

(Data source: Insurify)

Some say car theft is also a key player here…

1. The EV snowball is real, even if it’s rolling slower than expected — report

EV owners aren’t jumping ship—82% say they’ll go electric again.

But most still want a gas or hybrid in the driveway, just in case.

Why? Because buying an EV today isn’t just about the car—it’s about trust.

Buyers are leaning on test drives and salespeople (not websites), while juggling real concerns like charging gaps and service delays.

Big picture: The EV market isn’t crashing—it’s settling in. And hoppers are getting savvier. Winning with EVs starts by treating them as a strategy. Not a sideline.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Is dirty customer data killing your retention?

Experian Automotive found 61% of dealer records have bad data—

• Wrong names 

• Old addresses 

• Even outdated ownership records

When your customers move, change jobs, or start families, your data can fall behind—costing you sales. The fix? Experian Automotive’s first-party data solutions clean, verify, and enrich your records so your marketing hits the mark.

Better data means better engagement, smarter targeting, and fewer missed opportunities.

Don’t let dirty data hold you back—stay connected and stay ahead with Experian Automotive.

2. Kia’s 2025 EV6 refresh bets on style and substance over lower prices

Kia’s refreshed 2025 EV6 is stepping into a tougher market—bringing sharper design, more range, better tech, and a price tag that starts at $42,900 and stretches to $63,800

And the updates go beyond aesthetics. Kia’s added:

• A larger battery offering up to 319 miles of range (RWD)

• Faster, easier charging with NACS compatibility

• And a relocated charging port for better station access

Oh—and most trims are now built in Georgia.

Why it matters: In a market flooded with price cuts and sub-$30K deals, Kia’s playing the long game—banking on design, tech, and U.S. production to stand out in a market chasing discounts.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

3. Automakers will have to absorb most tariff costs to ‘maintain reasonable volumes,’ says J.D. Power

Auto tariffs are set to drive new car prices up 5%—about $2,300 per vehicle—according to J.D. Power.

And as a result?

Retail sales could drop by 1.1 million units, with overall volume falling as much as 12% from pricing pressures alone.

Brands dependent on imports will face the steepest challenges, as passing costs to consumers risks major volume declines.

For now: Price increases aren’t expected to hit for a few months—but the impact will be uneven and, as J.D. Power puts it, “highly fluid.”

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

• Trade war, safety concerns take centre stage at Shanghai auto show

• Tariff impact on Chinese automakers is muted, report says

• Stellantis hires former AutoNation executive to lead fleet sales division

• Why one rocket scientist is struggling to purchase an electric truck

• Five-minute EV charging is here, but not for U.S.-made cars

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG

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