Summary
The global auto industry, once buoyed by pandemic-era shortages and high prices, is now facing significant challenges.
Major automakers like Nissan, Ford, and Volkswagen are cutting thousands of jobs and closing factories due to falling demand, competition from Chinese carmakers, and rising protectionism.
Chinese brands, offering cheaper and innovative vehicles, are gaining market share, pressuring Western automakers, particularly in China.
The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is proving costly, with sluggish demand in some markets and government subsidies declining. Some companies, like GM and Toyota, are faring better with strategic EV and hybrid models.
Oh man, the sprinter/transit thing is insane tho. Sure they are nice vans but the price is WAY higher than the Econoline/Savanah generation.
And any small business or one man stop shop that can afford a Sprinter can put a sliver of that money into an Express - GM essentially put the same van out every year for 30 years: parts aplenty. Buy used van (not completely ran into ground) for sub ≤$5k. Spend ≤$5k refurbishing engine, trans, suspension. Spend ≤$5k kitting out van to business specifics, ie paint, racks, interior load outs.
≤$15k and yr problems are solved. Easily more that half that price of you do the work yourself. And best part, no payments.