Car Talk Breakdown: Why Top Auto Bosses Snubbed a Senate Invite

Senator Ted Cruz had big plans to talk about car prices with the bosses of major car companies. He wanted to discuss how rules to fight climate change might be making cars more expensive. But things didn't go as planned. Cruz invited the heads of Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors. He also invited a vice president from Tesla instead of its CEO, Elon Musk. This didn't sit well with the other companies. They thought it was unfair and decided not to show up. The hearing was supposed to happen on January 14. But now, it's been postponed. No one knows for sure why, but the tension between Cruz and the invited guests might have something to do with it. Cruz said he didn't invite Musk because he didn't want the hearing to turn into a three-hour argument about Musk. But Ford and GM didn't like that they had to send lower-level representatives while Tesla got to send a top executive.Ford even sent a letter saying that if a vice president from Tesla was good enough, then the other companies should get to send similar-level representatives. GM's CEO, Mary Barra, said she would only attend if the other CEOs did too. Cruz didn't take this lightly. He called Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, a chicken. He also hinted that he might force Farley to testify by issuing a subpoena. But for now, the hearing is on hold. Meanwhile, both Ford and GM have been talking about how President Donald Trump's approach to electric vehicle (EV) regulations could save them money. But they've also been admitting that there isn't much demand for EVs right now. Ford even plans to cut its EV production by 35% and focus more on hybrids and extended-range vehicles.