By Richard Truesdell
If you want to keep up with with the world of future vehicles, especially EVs (electric vehicles), there are a few YouTube videos you may want to follow.
We are on the cusp of an invasion of Chinese-built vehicles—mostly EVs including trucks and crossovers—into the US market between now and 2028. The Chinese have been threatening to come to the US for over a decade. Chinese manufacturer Geely is already here. It is the parent of Volvo and Polestar (its electric-only brand). Geely purchased Volvo in 2010 when Ford divested itself of its non-core brands of its Premier Automotive Group (Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo) starting before the last economic slowdown. It was a genius move by Ford’s then-CEO Alan Mulally and saved the Blue Oval from the bankruptcy fate of its Detroit rivals, General Motors and Chrysler.
Another Chinese car maker heading to the US is BYD (Build Your Dreams)—in which mega-investor superstar Warren Buffett was an early investor and retains a significant stake.
Here are 5 YouTube resources that forward-looking 12 volt retailers can follow to know what’s in the new product pipeline.
Munro Live
Sandy Munro is a legend in the EV space. Having worked many years for the OEM manufacturers, he is well-known now for his vehicle tear downs. His videos give you insight on how EVs are fundamentally different from ICE (Internal Combustion Vehicles) vehicles and how our industry will need to adapt. (Tesla CEO Elon Musk has appeared on his show as have other automotive execs!)
When the Tesla Cybertruck goes on sale shortly, it is expected that Munro and Associates will be among the first to do a bumper-to-bumper tear down. He’s already previewing the Cybertruck tear down with this swag offering to offset the cost of acquiring a Tesla Cybertruck.
Munro will likely beat the major OEMs who will be itching to get their own first up-close look (and keep the results to themselves as well as buying Munro’s results). When he does, look for my in-depth review of his evaluation of the Tesla Cybertruck and where 12 volt retailers can capitalize on the opportunities.
See my story on the Cybertruck and 12 volters here.
Out of Spec Reviews
youtube.com/@OutofSpecReviews/videos
Kyle Connor’s vehicle walk arounds, which include comprehensive interior views, give previews on how the OEMs have integrated their infotainment and HVAC functions, and the challenges facing retailers on new EVs. His reviews typically run about 30 minutes. I learned a lot about the 2024 update to the Volkswagen ID.4, which can be viewed at this link. Connor has recently expanded with an on-the-ground presence in Europe which will give 12 volt retailers an advance look at new vehicles possibly coming to the US in the next 12 to 18 months.
The Electric Viking
youtube.com/@electricviking/videos
With more than 3,000 videos produced over the past two years (I wish I could be that prolific), Sam Evans (AKA The Electric Viking), is absolutely the go-to place for all the latest news in EVs, especially coming out of China. Evans, an Australian, follows the Chinese EV industry closely and he almost always scoops his competitors with the latest EV news, especially battery technology. Evans will give you a detailed look into future products worldwide—including the platforms on which upcoming products will be based—so you will get a preview of future vehicles coming from an increasingly globalized automotive industry.
Inside EV Podcast
youtube.com/@InsideEVsUS/videos
EV enthusiast journalists Martyn Lee (EV Daily News) from the UK and Americans Domenick Yoney (InsideEVs Forum), Kyle Connor (Out of Spec Reviews), and Tom Moloughney (State of Charge) have produced almost 200 podcasts where they discuss the latest EV developments. Connor and Moloughney get invited to many manufacturer press launches, so they often discuss their most recent press drive first impressions. These guys do what I did with fellow retailers at national sales conventions decades ago, sharing ideas that worked in our day-to-day operations. You never know when one will throw out an idea that will help you navigate the upcoming world of EVs.
State of Charge
youtube.com/@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney/videos
Moloughney’s reviews and impressions are much better than the typical social media gloss-overs posted by most YouTube “influencers.” When I reviewed his YouTube video index, I saw that he reviews many of the associated products, like in-home chargers, that are part of the EV infrastructure. It got me thinking, is there an opportunity for 12 volt retailers to display and sell in-home chargers in their showrooms? And rather than offer on-site installation to your EV customers, can 12 volt retailers subcontract with local electrical contractors to install these chargers until there is sufficient sales volume to have a dedicated outside installer?
Rich Truesdell
Rich is an industry veteran and longtime automotive photojournalist. He has served as an installer, a 12 volt retail store owner, and a car audio and automotive journalist.
Truesdell founded Kartunes Mobile Electronics in New Jersey in 1976 with a retail storefront from 1980 to 1992. He’s contributed to publications including Motor Trend and has been a full-time automotive journalist since 2000 to more than 30 magazines around the world. He is also the co-author of three books with collaborator Mark Fletcher; Hurst Equipped (2012), 1970 Maximum Muscle (2021), and Hemi Under Glass (2021). Truesdell even appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage!
Truesdell welcomes questions from readers and he hopes to connect with colleagues from his many years in the car audio industry at [email protected]
