Ford Super Duty Platinum Plus Package

• Price Increase: $6,500 extra for the package on F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks.
• Features:
  • Exclusive satin finish grille, chrome accents, 20-inch aluminum wheels.
  • Premium Venetian Leather interior and Smoked Truffle leather steering wheel.
  • Two years of premium maintenance (oil/filter changes, tire rotation, brake pads/linings, wiper blades, shocks).
• Availability: Only available at purchase; cannot be added later.

Trump Tariff Exemptions for Automakers

• Exemptions:
  • Car parts imported from China (related to fentanyl production), steel, and aluminum.
  • 25% tariff on non-U.S. assembled cars and imported parts set to take effect "no later than May 3."
• Impact: GM, Ford, and Stellantis stocks rose in after-hours trading.

Used EV Price Plunge and Buyer Interest Surge

• Price Drop:
  • Used EV prices fell over 40% since January 2022.
  • Gas car/hybrid prices fell only 12%.
• Demand Increase:
  • CarMax reports used EV searches nearly doubled since January 2022.
  • Tesla Model 3 and Y are most popular, followed by Chevy Bolt, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T.

Auto Industry Plea for Tariff Relief

• Request:
  • Major auto industry trade groups urged Trump administration for tariff relief on auto parts.
  • Warned of supply chain disruptions, higher prices, lower sales, and job losses.
• Cost Estimate: Center for Automotive Research estimates $107.9 billion cost to U.S. automakers from tariffs.

Ford Motor Co. as a Cheap Stock

• Stock Performance:
  • Trading at $9.47 with forward P/E of 7.7 (as of April 22).
  • Ranked 5th on the list of best cheap stocks under $10.
• Revenue: Ford achieved record revenue of $185 billion in 2024, marking its fourth consecutive year of growth.

Ford Adds Third EV Battery Chemistry

• New Technology:
  • Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) batteries added to Ford's EV lineup.
  • Expected to integrate into future vehicle lineup within this decade.
  • Second-gen LMR cells already in pilot production.

Market Trends and Competitive Dynamics

• EV Adoption: Increasing demand for used EVs, with Ford F-150 Lightning entering top 10 sales.
• Heritage Influence: Automakers, including Ford, drawing inspiration from heritage vehicles for future models.
• Tariff Concerns: Auto industry trade groups warned of potential job losses and supply chain disruptions due to tariffs.

Strategic Considerations

• Premium Services: Ford's Platinum Plus Package reflects a strategic focus on enhancing customer experience through curated services.
• Global Trade Policy: Trump's tariff exemptions for automakers align with broader efforts to support domestic manufacturing and reduce trade barriers.

Long-Term Effects and Regulatory Impacts

• EV Innovation: Ford's investment in LMR batteries positions it as a leader in EV technology and cost-effectiveness.
• Market Shifts: The significant drop in used EV prices and surge in buyer interest signal a potential long-term shift toward electric vehicles.