Record Auto Sales, Ford's Historic Renovation, Stamp Price Surge

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It’s Tuesday and we’re talking about strong May sales from major brands, Ford's $950 million renovation of Michigan Central Station and star-studded grand reopening concert, as well as another sign of the times…increasing stamp prices and why it matters, or doesn’t.

• Automakers are reporting strong U.S. light-vehicle sales gains for May, with a combined 10% growth among five reporting automakers, led by Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia. With the SAAR surpassing 16M for the first time this year
  • Toyota: Sales climbed 16% to 216,611 vehicles, with a significant boost from hybrid and electric models, comprising 39% of sales.
  • Honda: May sales rose 6.4% to 127,129 vehicles, driven by crossovers like the CR-V and HR-V, despite a slip in electrified vehicle sales.
  • Hyundai: Achieved a 12% increase, with significant gains from eco-friendly models, though some top sellers like the Elantra and Tucson saw declines.
  • Kia: Increased sales by 5% to 75,156 vehicles, with the Sportage and Forte leading the gains.
  • Subaru: Reported a 7% sales increase, with the Crosstrek and Forester showing strong growth, and electric Solterra sales surging by 255%.

• Ford undertook an ambitious $950 million renovation of the historic Michigan Central Station in 2018  to create a mobility hub and attract tech-savvy employees. The project faced numerous challenges, including the pandemic and reclaiming stolen artifacts an is finally about to open its doors
  • Ford bought the 18-story train station in 2018 for $90 million to house teams working on autonomous and electric vehicle technology.
  • The six-year project involved 3,100 workers, restoring original architecture and sourcing materials from the original quarry.
  • Ford reclaimed stolen artifacts, including original clock pieces and cast-iron rosettes, often negotiating with owners to buy them back.
  • “Talent attraction is our No. 1 goal now… This Corktown area will do that,” said Bill Ford.
    
    
    
• The U.S. Postal Service has received approval to raise first-class mail stamp prices from 68 cents to 73 cents starting July 14. This hike is part of a broader strategy to address financial challenges.
  • The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the 7.8% increase in mailing service prices.
  • USPS aims to raise $44 billion in additional revenue by 2031 through its new pricing policy.
  • The agency also seeks a 25% price hike for high-volume shippers using its Parcel Select service.
  • First-class mail volume fell 6.1% in the past year, marking the lowest volume since 1968.
  • 10 years ago the price of a stamp was raised to .49

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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