Strong new car sales forecasted for Feb., Rivian’s cost-cutting mission, next-gen Ford F-150 on hold

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Deep auto loan delinquencies just hit a near 15-year high:

While still not at the record high seen during the peak of the Great Financial Crisis—

Auto loans transitioning into 90+ days past due are up 60 basis points from 2019.

The punchline?

Consumers are buckling under the weight of economic pressures (and probably high pandemic-era monthly payments in some cases).

(Data source: NY Fed / graph source: Capital markets analyst Joe Cecala)

1. Winter storm delays expected to fuel new car sales spike in February

New vehicle retail sales are on track for an 8.1% jump over last February—when adjusted for selling days—but even without that tweak, sales are still up 3.8%, according to J.D. Power and GlobalData.

One primary reason? A major winter storm at the end of January pushed some purchases into February, but that’s not the whole story.

• Automakers are fueling demand with deeper discounts, with average incentives now up nearly 23% to over $3,200 per vehicle.

• The trade-off? While volume is climbing, dealer profitability is tightening as margins shrink.

Bottom line: March could see another lift from tax refunds and fresh incentives, but the bigger question is whether automakers can keep buyers engaged without sacrificing too much profit … (Go deeper: 4 min. read)

2. Rivian’s R2 aims for the mass market—but can the automaker deliver?

Rivian is making a play for the mass-market EV space with its upcoming R2 SUV, set to launch in early 2026.

The goal? Cut costs and boost scale.

The R2’s bill of materials will be 50% lower than the R1 models, and labor costs will drop by more than half—allowing Rivian to price it at $45,000, far below the $75,900 R1S.

If Rivian can deliver, it could pressure legacy automakers to lower prices—but if it stumbles, it’ll fuel doubts about whether EV startups can compete on profitability… (Go deeper: 2 min. read)

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3. Next-gen Ford F-150 production delayed until 2028

While it might seem like a simple scheduling delay—analysts say it’s part of a broader shift as Detroit automakers rethink their future EV strategies.

After years of aggressive electrification plans—many automakers are slowing down or even canceling future models, with Stellantis pausing the next-gen Jeep Compass and axing the all-electric Chrysler Airflow.

Adding to the uncertainty—the Trump administration could roll back EV mandates and eliminate federal tax credits, making automakers even more cautious.

But for Ford—keeping the current F-150 on lots longer could mean fewer fresh incentives and a tougher sales cycle, all while dealers navigate shifting inventory, floorplan costs, and shrinking margins … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

• China’s EV price war leaves behind a trail of zombie cars.

• Tesla courted over Nissan investment by Japan group, report says.

• Honda ditches GM, goes solo on next-gen hydrogen fuel cell amid shifting alliances.

• How Black auto workers drove the industry and UAW to new heights.

• Stellantis develops in-house automated driving technology.

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG