GM's PHEV Insanity, Acura's In A Pickle, Volvo's 400 Mile EV, Tesla Cancels Autopilot

In this episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide podcast the hosts catch up after travel and dig into major industry moves: Mercedes’ luxury and AMG sales surge despite an overall decline, Acura’s supplier crisis that pauses RDX production for up to two years, and why that threatens Acura’s sales trajectory. They discuss Honda’s new Prelude — its driving feel, hybrid drivetrain limitations, and missed opportunities like a plug‑in version or an Acura-branded variant — and ask whether low-volume sporty coupes can justify their premium pricing. The conversation covers General Motors’ public comments on plug‑in hybrids and the broader debate over whether owners actually plug them in, comparing U.S. data to European trends and noting how OEM strategy and messaging shape the market. Other highlights include Tesla moving advanced driver assists to subscription, the Polestar 4’s awkward market positioning, the Chevy Bolt’s limited return, and Volvo’s all-new EX60 with ultra-fast charging (claimed 10–80% in about 18 minutes) and up to a projected 400‑mile range on later trims. The hosts wrap up by weighing how these moves affect affordable cars and charging infrastructure in the U.S., and ask listeners for feedback and questions for future episodes.