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  Detroit Auto Industry Pivots Back to Gas Guzzlers: Profit Shift from EVs to SUVs & Pickup Trucks Under Trump Regulatory Rollbacks Key Takeaways: Detroit's truck sales surged in 2025 with Ford F-Series moving 732,139 units nationwide, proving big rigs are back in favor Local dealers report pickup trucks now make up 70% of showroom traffic in Metro Detroit despite rising gas prices Economic factors like inflation and practical needs are driving this shift, not just nostalgia for American muscle The average new truck buyer in Detroit is choosing models 20% larger than what they drove five years ago This trend contradicts automakers' EV investments but reflects real-world consumer priorities right now The Unexpected Comeback: Big Rigs Rule Detroit Roads Again Walk down any street in Detroit these days and you'll see more F-150s than compacts. Ford's truck sales jumped 7% in 2025, with some models like the Maverick climbing nearly 40% . Last week I counted twelve Silve...

  Key Takeaways Low wages drive disengagement : Young Ford workers earned just $17/hour, forcing many to work dual shifts at Amazon and Ford, surviving on 3-4 hours of sleep . Farley’s historic response : CEO Jim Farley converted temp workers to full-time roles with higher pay and benefits, mirroring Henry Ford’s 1914 wage hike to $5/day (double the average) . Systemic industry challenges : U.S. manufacturing jobs pay $25/hour (~$51,890/year) versus the national average of $66,600, deterring Gen Z despite 3.8 million job openings by 2033 . Global pressures : Ford faces competition from China’s EVs, which dominate 70% of the global market with superior tech and lower costs , while tariffs aim to rebalance U.S. manufacturing . Why Young Workers Rejected Ford Older employees bluntly warned CEO Jim Farley: “ None of the young people want to work here .” The reason?  $17/hour wages . This pay forced younger staff into exhausting dual shifts—clocking 8 hours at Amazon, then 7 hours ...