Episode #1379: Tesla hangs onto its American-made crown while EVs lose ground to hybrids. Slate Auto doubles down on its affordable truck gamble. And California's new domestic violence protection rules could unexpectedly put the brakes on vehicle sales across the state's massive auto market.


Show Notes with links:

• Tesla has once again claimed the top spot in Cars.com's American-Made Index, marking six straight years at the top. But digging into the list reveals that American-made doesn’t necessarily mean American nameplates.

  • The 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index was led by Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y, followed by the Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Ridgeline, Honda Odyssey, Lexus TX, Honda Accord, Acura MDX, and Honda Passport

  • Toyota and Honda had the most total models on the overall index, with "foreign" brands making up 65% of vehicles on the list

  • The first Ford vehicle is the Lincoln Navigator at 12, and the first GM vehicle is the GMC Canyon at 25.

  • The average Top 10 vehicle contains 70% domestic parts content, and Cars.com says supply chains appear to be reshoring production as tariff pressures and manufacturing priorities shift.

• As automakers continue walking away from entry-level vehicles, Slate Auto's leadership is making the case that a sub-$25,000 EV is profitable. The startup now says its biggest challenge may be convincing buyers, suppliers, and the industry that simplicity can still sell.

  • CEO Peter Faricy says the base truck will start at $24,950 and generate positive gross margins, directly challenging the industry's argument that affordable vehicles can't be built profitably in America.

  • The truck enters a segment that has largely disappeared from the U.S. market. While the Ford Maverick has revived interest in compact pickups, Slate's truck is even smaller, starts about $5,000 cheaper, and offers a longer bed than the Maverick.

  • The company says suppliers have been charging a "startup tax" because of the risks associated with working with a new automaker, creating an additional hurdle as it ramps toward production.

  • "If we can execute and launch on time and prove this, I think we have a chance to build an enthusiastic customer base," said CEO Peter Faricy.

• Automakers are warning that a California law designed to protect domestic violence survivors could create an unexpected consequence: a temporary halt to new and used vehicle sales if lawmakers don't approve a deadline extension before July 1.

  • The law requires automakers to quickly revoke remote vehicle access when presented with a restraining order and eventually allow drivers to disable location tracking directly from inside the vehicle.

  • The legislation was inspired in part by reports of connected-car technology being used to track and harass domestic violence survivors. 

  • Automakers say they've already implemented some of the processes, but need more time to build and validate the required in-vehicle technology.

  • The Alliance for Automotive Innovation warned that noncompliance could force companies to suspend vehicle sales in California, which accounts for roughly 10% of all U.S. auto sales.

  • A bill moving through California's legislature would extend implementation deadlines, but automakers say it must be signed before July 1 to avoid disruption.