# @asotu on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=_ScfVpNgABU
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68727957-asotu-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d96cf65bc9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31T13:47:17.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** ASOTU | More Than Cars (@asotu) — https://gondola.cc/asotu

## Caption

Episode #1411: California hybrids reclaim the lead over EVs, Tesla reportedly weighs separating its China business ahead of a potential SpaceX merger, and record trade-in equity gives dealers and buyers more room to make a deal.

https://www.autonews.com/ev/an-california-dealers-celebrate-ev-to-hybrid-shift-0731/#/login
California buyers are putting hybrids back in front. In the first half of 2026, hybrid registrations overtook EVs for the first time in four years, giving franchised dealers a lift as Toyota, Honda and others expand their gasoline-electric lineups.
- Standard hybrids captured 22.1% of California registrations, compared with 15.9% for EVs and 2.3% for plug-in hybrids.
- The shift favors franchised retailers because direct-sales brands such as Tesla and Rivian do not offer hybrids.
- Toyota led California with 19% market share, followed by Honda at 10.9% and Tesla at 9%. The Model Y remained the top individual model, with the hybrid Camry second.
- Dealers say smaller price gaps are making hybrids easier to sell, while EV demand remains solid where incentives and inventory are strong.
- “It’s not like EVs are going away in California. It’s just that with hybrids, there are so many more options,” said analyst Brian Moody.

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/tesla-weighs-sale-of-china-business-to-pave-way-for-potential-spacex-merger-5ae26026?mod=autos_news_article_pos1
Tesla may be preparing to separate its China business as Elon Musk weighs a potential merger with SpaceX. The move could reduce geopolitical and regulatory risks, but it would also carve out a major operation that helped make Tesla a profitable global EV leader.
- Tesla has reportedly structured its U.S. and China operations so they can be separated through a sale, spinoff or other restructuring.
- A split could create a firewall between Tesla’s Chinese factories and SpaceX, a major U.S. defense contractor handling classified and national-security work.
- China represented about 18% of Tesla’s sales in the first half of 2026 and operates major Shanghai vehicle and battery plants.
- Beijing could scrutinize any merger over vehicle data, supply chains and the potential transfer of dual-use technology or materials.
- Musk denied the report on X, calling it “fake news,” and Tesla did not provide an official response.

https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/positive-equity-tied-to-trade-ins-hits-record-13k
In what Edmunds analyst Ivan Drury calls ‘crazy, borderline unbelievable,’ two-thirds of trade-in customers are arriving with positive equity averaging a record $13,330—giving dealers a powerful tool to lower payments and win inventory.”
- Average positive equity has grown by nearly $4,000 since early 2021 and extends well beyond luxury or late-model vehicles.
- Examples include nearly $17,900 on a 2018 Ford F-150, about $10,500 on a 2019 Honda CR-V and $8,800 on a 2017 Toyota Camry.
- With average APRs near 6% and monthly payments up sharply, trade equity can become the customer’s built-in down payment.
- Dealers are retaining about 87% of trade-ins, but strong demand may require more aggressive appraisals to improve closing rates.
- “They might already have that down payment right there in their driveway,” Drury said.

## Stats

- **Views:** 69
- **Likes:** 2
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rob Downes | @designedbydownes | https://gondola.cc/designedbydownes | Graphic Designer |
| Rob Downes | @designedbydownes | https://gondola.cc/designedbydownes | Senior Social Media Manager |
| Rob Downes | @designedbydownes | https://gondola.cc/designedbydownes | Creator |
| Rob Downes | @designedbydownes | https://gondola.cc/designedbydownes | Creative |

## Tags

1411

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