Every Friday, I collect the automotive news that makes you feel better about your own car problems and keeps you in the know about cool car sh!t that's happening around the world. If GM is laying off hundreds while raising profit forecasts and making enemies of anyone with a smartphone, your check engine light anxiety is pretty justified. Think of this as proof that everyone in the car world is just as confused as you are.

GM Deserves An Award For Being Terrible
General Motors just laid off over 200 people at their tech center in Michigan. The timing? Days after raising their profit outlook and watching their stock have its best day in five years. They're calling these cuts a way to "strengthen their design engineering capabilities," which is corporate speak for "we're getting rid of the people who actually design things." Nothing says "we value our workforce" quite like firing hundreds of people right after announcing you're making more money than expected.

Maybe Even Two Of Those Awards
GM plans to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from their electric cars… actually in ALL their vehicles. Every single one. Gas cars included. CEO Mary Barra says switching between CarPlay and the car's system was "very clunky" and could be distracting. You know what's also distracting? Having to log into every single app separately in your car because GM thinks they're the next Steve Jobs.

Tesla Might Not Exist in 10 Years
At least that's what former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares thinks. He told a French newspaper that Elon Musk might just...leave the car business. You know, to focus on robots, SpaceX, or whatever shiny new thing catches his attention. He also said BYD is basically eating Tesla's lunch with better, cheaper cars, and that "Tesla's stock market value loss will be colossal." The idea of Musk potentially getting bored and peacing out? Beautiful. No notes.

Kia's Gas-Scented Air Freshener Is Too Much
A Kia's importer is giving away free gasoline-scented air fresheners to people who buy their new EV4 electric car. Yes, you read that right. Gas-scented. For your electric car. They worked with Finland's only perfume maker to create a scent using jasmine, amber, and birch tar. The goal is to help people transition from gas cars to EVs by making them feel nostalgic. As someone who genuinely loves the smell of gasoline, even I think this is too much.

Now for some inspiration…(possibly triggering for the purists)

I Think I Need a 3D Printer Now
I have been watching Mike Lake 3D print a Porsche GT3 RS and now I need a 3D printer immediately. The idea that I could just...make my own car parts at home? Print custom brackets and trim pieces and weird little tools? The worst part is that 3D printers aren't even that expensive anymore. You can get a solid one for under $300. Which means the only thing standing between me and printing a full interior for my car is my own self control.

Keep driving (even when manufacturers make it harder),

- Nick

Founder, PURSUIT OF SOMETHING

Currently wondering how to make room in my garage for a 3D printer...

About Pursuit of Something: I'm Nick, and I'm building a community for everyone who's ever had a complex emotional relationship with a machine that doesn't care about them. Through YouTube videos, this newsletter, and way too much time in my garage, I document the beautiful chaos of automotive ownership.