Montana Supercar Crackdown, Cadillac Celestiq, and Tariffs: This Car Pod EP59

Montana Supercar Registration Crackdown

• 🚗 Montana leads the nation with 2.7 vehicles per driver, with a significant number of luxury and exotic cars registered there.
• 🧐 States like California and Utah are increasing efforts to recoup lost sales tax revenue from vehicles registered in Montana to avoid taxes and emissions.
• 🧐 Many owners of high-value cars, including Porsche Carrera GTs, reportedly title their vehicles in Montana, with estimates suggesting 80-90% of US Carrera GTs are registered there.
• 🧐 The article highlights that states are targeting individuals within their own borders rather than directly challenging Montana's registration laws.

Automotive Tariffs and Market Impact

• 📈 April new car sales were strong, partly due to consumers pulling purchases forward to avoid anticipated tariffs.
• ⚠️ Ford announced price increases of up to $2,000 on models like the Maverick starting June 1st due to tariffs.
• 📉 Automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Stellantis have withdrawn financial guidance due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
• 📉 Tariffs are expected to lead to job cuts and reduced investment in future products, with Volvo already cutting 125 jobs in South Carolina.
• 🚗 Automakers are considering building US capacity for EVs (like Audi) but also face significant revenue impacts (GM expecting $5 billion in 2025).
• 📉 Tariffs may result in fewer interesting new cars in the future and potentially higher used car prices.

New Car Debuts and Recalls

• 💡 The Cadillac Celestiq, a hand-built EV priced around $350,000, is receiving positive early reviews for its sound isolation and striking design, though production is limited to 25 units this year.
• 🧐 Doug DeMuro is trying to acquire the Cadillac Cien concept car from Cadillac, which was unveiled in 2002.
• ⚠️ All VW ID Buzz vehicles are being recalled due to a safety issue with the third-row seating, which is too wide for two occupants and will be modified with plastic trim.
• 🧐 Pagani is producing another one-off Zonda with 789 horsepower, a move that some feel detracts from the model's original classy design.

Enthusiast Car Discussions

• 🤔 Jerry Seinfeld prefers the Porsche 918 over the Carrera GT due to its ease of driving and faster hybrid performance, a take that surprises some enthusiasts.
• 🧐 The Carrera GT is discussed as being less of a typical Porsche and more of an emotional, temperamental exotic car, requiring a different approach than other Porsches.
• 💸 Filippo is selling his Fiat 500 Abarth after two years, finding it less engaging than his other cars and expecting it to sell in the $7,000 range.
• 💡 The Kia EV6 GT is highlighted as an incredible value, with a 575 horsepower model selling for $31,000, faster than many supercars.
• 🤩 The Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG is praised as a stylish and performant car for under $10,000, despite its 140,000 miles.
• 🧐 Discussions on car reliability suggest that while Japanese cars historically had a reputation for reliability, modern European and American cars are now much more comparable.
• 🤔 The BMW XM is debated as a potential future enthusiast car, with opinions divided on its long-term appeal.
• 🚗 Rebuilding a 2020+ car collection would include an E-Class wagon, an Alteraine, and a V Blackwing for Doug, while Ken considers a 911 ST and a T.50.