Stellantis "Core" Brands, Forester Wilderness, Used EV Prices
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Stellantis has officially narrowed its sprawling portfolio to just four core brands—Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Fiat—marking a dramatic shift from its previous 17-brand structure. This strategic pruning signals a move toward focus and brand clarity, especially as Chrysler and Dodge face diminished roles despite their historical significance. The decision reflects a broader industry trend: brands are being reevaluated not just for heritage, but for market relevance and profitability. Meanwhile, the used EV market is showing a surprising divergence—while non-Tesla EV prices have dropped 10.3% year-over-year, Tesla values have remained flat, defying the trend. This resilience is attributed to Tesla’s deep brand association with electric vehicles, making it the default choice for many buyers even in high-gas-price environments. The episode also features a spirited review of the 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness, praised for its off-road character and towing capacity despite a CVT transmission that some enthusiasts still find jarring. Finally, a deep dive into automotive culture reveals how small design details—like armrest placement in a Ferrari—can redefine driving experience, proving that performance isn't just about horsepower, but about thoughtful engineering.
Stellantis has reduced its brand portfolio to just four core brands: Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Fiat, signaling a strategic pivot toward focus over legacy.
Chrysler and Dodge are no longer core brands, a move that may signal the end of the Chrysler sedan era and the potential demise of the 300 model.
Used Tesla EV prices have held steady year-over-year (down only 0.1%), while non-Tesla EVs dropped 10.3%, highlighting Tesla’s unique brand dominance in the EV space.
The 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness offers 3,500 lbs of towing capacity—double the standard Forester—thanks to revised gearing, despite a CVT that some drivers find unresponsive.
Car buyers are increasingly prioritizing practicality over pure EV enthusiasm, with hybrids growing 41.8% in used market share compared to EVs’ 15.9% rise.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Car Stuff Podcast & VR6 Engine Throwback
Tom Lappell and Paul Harreld kick off the episode with a warm welcome, introducing the podcast's mission and previewing the day's topics. They reminisce about the iconic Volkswagen VR6 engine, highlighting its compact design and performance in vehicles like the Golf and Scirocco, and reflect on how it redefined compact performance cars in the 1990s.
Stellantis' Core Brand Strategy: Chrysler Out, Jeep and Ram In
“When they reintroduced the V8 Hemi to the Ram, at extra cost for less power, sales took off again. Took off again. So they clearly need that. All perception. And part of that Ram did to themselves. They built their brand around Hemi. They built their brand around V8s and Hellcats and Red Eyes. And overnight, they just pulled the rug out from underneath everybody.”
The Mitsubishi Legacy and the Rise of Rivian
The conversation shifts to Mitsubishi’s fading presence in the U.S., with nostalgia for the Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Dodge Stealth. Tom shares his experience driving a modern Mitsubishi, noting the lack of dealerships and service access. He then transitions to the transformation of the Normal, Illinois plant into a Rivian factory, expressing cautious optimism about Rivian’s upcoming R2 and R3 models.
Subaru Forester Wilderness Review: Fun, But Not for Everyone
“A car with a CVT that's fun to drive. Tell us what a CVT is real quick. It's a continuous variable transmission, so it's got one bungee cord gear, and it sounds like a big rubber band under your hood, and it's whiny, and it's absolutely horrible. Dude, don't sugarcoat it. For a car person, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard.”
Used EV Market Divergence: Tesla Defies the Trend
“Tesla, if anyone didn't already know, Tesla kind of lives in their own world. And they, you know, I almost feel bad guys for all these car companies that have so clearly thought, well, Tesla can do it, we can do it.”
“Once you drive this car, you will never appreciate any other car again. And what I mean by that is like, okay, my daily car is a BMW M2, which is no slouch. You know, it's got a lot of horsepower. It's quick. It handles very well. Yeah, I've driven the M2. Yeah, it handles very well. If your commute is boring, this fixes that.”
“Tesla, if anyone didn't already know, Tesla kind of lives in their own world. And they, you know, I almost feel bad guys for all these car companies that have so clearly thought, well, Tesla can do it, we can do it.”
“When they reintroduced the V8 Hemi to the Ram, at extra cost for less power, sales took off again. Took off again. So they clearly need that. All perception. And part of that Ram did to themselves. They built their brand around Hemi. They built their brand around V8s and Hellcats and Red Eyes. And overnight, they just pulled the rug out from underneath everybody.”
Host
Guests
tesla
organization
stellantis
organization
subaru forester wilderness
other
ram
brand
jeep
brand
mitsubishi
brand
ferrari roma spider
other
fiat
brand
toyota
organization
peugeot
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