Tesla
Joyful Thursday! It is October 15, 2026, and that is The Morning Shift — your every day roundup of the highest automotive headlines from all over the world, in a single place. That is the place you may discover a very powerful tales which might be shaping the best way Individuals drive and get round.
On this morning’s version we’re wanting on the upcoming Tesla Roadster reveal, and Europe as a proving floor for Chinese language automakers. We’ll additionally take a look at shifting Canadian car-buying preferences, and Penske altering possession.
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1st Gear: Tesla is about to disclose the second-gen Roadster tonight, once more
Tesla
Keep in mind 9 years in the past, when Tesla revealed its second-generation Roadster as a kind of “another factor” add-on to a keynote concerning the Semi? Nicely, now it is occurring once more. The Roadster is being re-revealed, supposedly in manufacturing spec, at 9 p.m. Japanese tonight. From Reuters:
Tesla is about to unveil its redesigned Roadster on Thursday, practically 9 years after it first confirmed a next-generation model of its electrical sports activities automotive.
Tesla revealed a prototype of the $200,000 automotive in 2017 and stated deliveries would start in 2020. The worth has not been up to date however reservations are nonetheless $50,000 every.
Chief Government Elon Musk has performed down the automotive’s significance to Tesla’s funds, describing it in 2023 as a “small potato state of affairs” that will not “transfer the needle in a significant manner financially.”
Again in 2017, we nonetheless believed no less than a number of the issues that Musk stated. Now, that ship has lengthy since sailed. Nonetheless, I will be watching the presentation reside, and writing it up for all of you lovely individuals. I am working at 9 p.m. for this, so that you all higher click on.
2nd Gear: Chinese language automakers must show themselves in Europe to maintain the lights on at residence
Marioguti/Getty Photos
Chinese language automakers are transferring into Europe, we have talked about this to loss of life. The carrot of European gross sales is interesting to all of them, however there is a stick too: The Chinese language market is so crowded with automakers that it is doubtless these manufacturers will not survive with out a European foothold. From Reuters:
PARIS, Oct 15 (Reuters) – The document 20 Chinese language manufacturers vying for consideration at this week’s Paris automotive present replicate a stark actuality: as a slowdown at residence pushes China’s overcrowded auto business to consolidate, success in Europe might assist decide which carmakers survive.
With the US market largely closed to Chinese language automakers, Europe is by far probably the most worthwhile market nonetheless open to them, but in addition one of many hardest to crack.
…
“In the event that they drop exports in Europe, they die,” stated Francois Roudier, secretary basic of the Worldwide Group of Motor Car Producers (OICA).
It is a race for market share and model recognition, with the home market unlikely to overlook any rivals that may’t hack it abroad. Even Chinese language automakers cannot survive on the Chinese language market alone any extra, which is not an incredible signal for the import manufacturers which have tried the identical tactic like Buick, which survived the 2008 massacre purely on its enchantment in China.
third Gear: Canadians are performed with vans, however bullish on EVs
Invoice Tompkins/Getty Photos
Europeans have lengthy been eschewing inner combustion for the cheaper working prices of electrical automobiles, and now Canada is following swimsuit. Canada is shopping for fewer and fewer large vans, and an increasing number of EVs. From Automotive Information:
Electrical autos put a cost into Canada’s new-vehicle market throughout the third quarter, serving to stabilize total gross sales regardless of an ongoing U.S. commerce struggle and affordability considerations.
EVs managed to seize practically seven per cent market share within the quarter. When plug-in hybrids are included, that jumps to 10 per cent, in response to JD Energy Canada.
“The uptick in EVs was just a little bit shocking,” stated Robert Karwel, director of OEM options for JD Energy Canada.
Hey Rob, you are shocked? Fuel costs are skyrocketing, inner combustion has firmly hitched its wagon to the horse of the worldwide proper wing and its more and more overt white supremacism, and also you’re shocked that individuals are shopping for electrical automobiles? No matter JD Energy is paying you, I will do your job for half. Perhaps two thirds.
4th Gear: Penske goes non-public
Jay L Clendenin/Getty Photos
Penske is without doubt one of the greatest supplier networks in america, however it’s not truly totally owned by Roger himself — Penske Auto Group, the corporate that owns all these sellers, is owned by its shareholders. That is all about to alter, although, as Penske Corp (a distinct firm) is taking the Auto Group non-public with assist from Japanese buying and selling firm Mitsui & Co. From Bloomberg:
Penske Automotive Group Inc., one of many largest automotive dealership teams within the US, reached a cope with its two greatest shareholders to go non-public at a $16.3 billion enterprise worth.
Motown Acquisition Corp., an entity collectively owned by Penske Corp. and Mitsui & Co., will purchase the supplier group for $212 a share, an 8.8% premium over the inventory’s prior closing value, in response to a press release Thursday. The money deal, which is anticipated to shut within the first quarter of 2027, is just not topic to a financing situation.
Penske Corp., the intently held transportation-services firm based by Roger Penske — the previous race-car driver who additionally leads Penske Automotive — and Mitsui proposed the take-private deal to the supplier group’s board in July. Penske Corp. and Mitsui collectively personal about 72% of Penske Automotive’s excellent widespread inventory, in response to information compiled by Bloomberg.
So Penske Corp labored with Mitsui & Co to create an organization known as Motown Acquisition Corp, which is able to do nothing however buy Penske Auto Group with Penske Corp and Mitsui’s cash. Does that each one make sense? I hate having a level in enterprise.
Reverse: However does he have a bridge?
Certain, breaking the purpose document is spectacular and all, however does he enable for transit between america and Canada?
The Gas Up
AAA
As with yesterday, and the day earlier than, costs stay stagnant. Welcome to your new baseline, no less than till one thing new occurs within the struggle on Iran to ship costs both spiraling or skyrocketing. My cash’s on the latter.
On The Radio: The Entrance Bottoms – ‘Be Good To Me’

