Media Business | Michael Martinez, Automotive News - How the Media Deals with Ford's EV Momentum

Originally Uploaded January 28th, reloaded March 2nd For Media Business Episode 82: Tony Conley has a three-part conversation with Michael Martinez, who covers Ford Motor Co. and the UAW for Automotive News. - Tell us about how the Ford Electric Mustang outsold the gasoline Mustang for the first time ever? - How were Ford's 2024 sales? - Ford had a record year for EV & Hybrid sales, give us the details. -Tell us about the new Expedition & Navigator models. Tony Conley and Michael Martinez discussed the automotive industry, focusing on Ford's sales of electric vehicles and the impact of the Trump administration's policies. They also explored the shift in consumer preferences towards larger crossover SUVs and the challenges Ford faced with the Mustang's production. Lastly, they discussed Ford's strong sales in 2024, driven by electric vehicle sales and hybrids, and the upcoming redesigned Expedition and Navigator SUVs. • Ford to continue promoting and selling the Mustang Mach-E, capitalizing on its strong sales performance. • Ford to prepare for potential policy changes under the Trump administration, including possible tariff exemptions for imported vehicles. • UAW leadership to establish a working relationship with the Trump administration despite past tensions. • Ford to launch and promote the redesigned Expedition and Lincoln Navigator in Q1 2025. • Ford to continue focusing on EV and hybrid vehicle sales growth in 2025. • Ford marketing team to leverage the Detroit Lions' success for potential promotional opportunities. Electric Vehicles and Automotive Industry Tony discussed the automotive industry with Michael, a writer for Crain's Automotive News. They focused on the sales of electric vehicles, particularly the Mustang Mach-E, which outsold the traditional gas-powered Mustang for the first time in 2024. Ford's Views on Trump Administration Tony asks how Ford views the new Trump administration. Michael explains that Ford wants to work with any president, and Bill Ford spoke positively about Trump's understanding of the auto industry after a conversation with him. Ford's Record-Breaking EV and Hybrid Sales Tony and Michael discussed the automotive industry, focusing on Ford's record-breaking electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid sales in Q4. Michael noted that the industry's overall sales increased by 7% in Q4, reaching 16 million units, a historically strong performance. Michael Martinez covers Ford Motor Co. and the UAW for Automotive News. He has broken a number of stories on product plans, executive changes and union contract negotiations since joining Automotive News in 2016. He previously worked at The Detroit News, where he covered Ford and co-hosted a podcast covering a range of auto industry topics. He is also an occasional adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he graduated in 2012 with bachelor’s degrees in communications and history."