#competitive-ar-market

#competitive-ar-market

On average, fuel prices are up almost a dollar per gallon, or 25 percent, according to AAA. For a nation as addicted to the automotive as we are, that's bad news. Except, of course, for electric vehicles.

Honda has slashed the price of the 2026 Prologue by $7,500 across the board, essentially replacing the lost tax incentive and making the crossover a much better deal among its peers.

The Ford F-Series, encompassing models like the F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-450, claimed the title of best-selling vehicle in 29 states. This dominance underscores the pickup truck's unbreakable appeal across much of the country, particularly in rural, Midwestern, Southern, and Western states where towing capacity, durability, and utility for work or recreation remain top priorities.

In February, new car registrations reached 90,100, marking the best performance for the month in 22 years and the highest volume for February since 2004. The 7.2% year-on-year increase reflects a recovery in consumer confidence, with much of this momentum driven by private retail buyers returning to showrooms after a period of cautious spending.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that's pretty demonstrably false. It's a good reminder that consumer sentiment often lags the reality on the ground. Americans don't have a damned clue who makes good EVs. That's what I took away from the January, 2026 edition of the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report, which measures consumer sentiment toward EV brands. Surveyed consumer sentiment toward EV brands seems to be based on vibes and internal-combustion car experience, not anything resembling reality.