In the expansive and ever-evolving landscape of the automotive world, electric vehicles (EVs) have revved into the spotlight, capturing the attention of consumers, automakers, and investors alike. As we navigate through the tides of change, marked by swift technological advancements and a shifting paradigm towards sustainable mobility, insights from industry mavens become invaluable.
In our latest Q&A article, we were thrilled to have an enlightening conversation with Doug DeMuro, an auto industry luminary and YouTuber whose candid car reviews have garnered millions of followers and whose auction platform, Cars & Bids, has rapidly become a hotspot for modern enthusiast cars. From his personal journey, pivoting from written columns to dynamic YouTube reviews, to the establishment and vision behind Cars & Bids, Doug shares thoughtful reflections on his career and the wider automotive industry.
In our dialogue, we delve deep into the trajectory of the EV market, exploring emerging trends, consumer behavior, and the adaptive strategies of both legacy and nascent automakers. Doug lends his expertise on the EV space’s current state and future potential, providing perspectives on notable models, consumer preferences, and infrastructural challenges.
Whether it’s discussing the standout qualities of models like the Rivian R1S and Kia EV6 GT or exploring the potential collectability of certain EVs in the future automotive market, Doug’s insights weave through the practical and the speculative, providing readers with a comprehensive look at the electric horizon that lies ahead.
Through a series of comprehensive questions, this Q&A article explores Doug’s impressions on the myriad of EV models, identifying those that have particularly piqued his interest and discerning the unique features that might render certain EVs as future classics. Furthermore, Doug provides nuanced insights into the challenges and opportunities lurking in the electrified future of the auto industry, reflecting not only on the tangible aspects of EVs but also on the strategic moves by automakers in the burgeoning EV market.
Have you always been passionate about cars? Can you recall a specific moment or experience that ignited this passion?
According to my parents, I loved cars from the very beginning – right from when I was a young child, I would play with cars and I always wanted to be around cars. It’s a phase that some children grow out of, but I never did.
Was there a particular car or model from your childhood or teenage years that left a lasting impression on you?
Surprisingly, no. I’ve always been interested in cars generally, and as a kid I never really gravitated towards specific ones – I just loved cars as a whole, all of my toy cars, etc. I can still remember the first time I saw certain cars (including the Porsche Carrera GT and Ford GT, which I now own, and many others), but I never had one that “started it all” or anything like that.
How did you decide to venture into YouTube as a platform for car reviews, and what were the initial challenges you faced?
In 2013, I was writing about cars for Jalopnik, which was at the time a tremendously popular car blog. I had a fairly popular car-related humor column, and I wrote two or three columns a week. A reader of mine suggested I try out video, and I decided to run with it. That’s how it started! A suggestion from a reader!
The primary initial challenge was that I was a writer, not a video-er, and so I had no idea what I was doing. There were some frustrating days and weeks trying to figure out how to record, how to stand, how to talk, how to edit videos… it was a huge learning curve for someone like me who didn’t grow up in any sort of video editing world.
Your style of reviewing cars is distinct and detailed. How did you develop this style and what was the motivation behind it?
My review style naturally evolved to this point, largely based on viewer feedback. Initially I did stupid videos about my own cars, like getting my Aston Martin stuck in the snow or running over a Chrysler PT Cruiser with a Hummer – but after a while, I tried out videos with other cars and they were a hit. Over time, I realized that people liked to see the little “quirks and features” of cars; all the unusual details that you might not get to see if you don’t spend time with a car directly. It was really just an evolution over time.
What inspired you to create the Cars & Bids platform, and how did the idea come about?
Early on in my YouTube career, it became clear that I didn’t want to pin all of my hopes to YouTube – that someday it might change and the algorithm might not reward me as much as it does now. I wanted to create my own business where I could bring my audience, where I had control of the operations – and, specifically, where I could grow larger than just my YouTube channel.
In 2019, the idea for Cars & Bids hit me on an airplane to San Antonio. An auction site, just for modern enthusiast cars! Initially it stayed an idea, but after a few months I pitched it to a friend whose business helped to fund ours and helped give us personnel to make it happen – and it all worked out well.
Were there specific gaps or needs you saw in the market that you felt Cars & Bids could address?
I felt that modern enthusiast cars specifically were a bit under-served in the current market. My thinking was that most auctions have gravitated towards high-dollar supercars and vintage cars, catering to the wealthy, but for the upcoming generation of Millennial buyers interested in more recent cars, there wasn’t anything specifically aimed at them. That’s where Cars & Bids comes in!
In your opinion, how has the EV market evolved over the past couple of years?
Quite impressively! Tesla was a real outlier at first, and it took other brands a long time to both realize the potential of the market AND to actually pursue it – but within the last couple of years, they’ve finally started to make truly compelling cars. I’m shocked at how desirable and exciting some new EVs really are. It took a long time to get there, but there are a LOT of good new EV choices right now.
Are there any particular trends or shifts you’ve noticed in consumer behavior or preferences?
I think the main thing I’ve noticed is that EV adoption isn’t quite as fast as the government, and some of the automakers, maybe thought or hoped it would be. We live in a bit of a bubble here in California where literally all of our neighbors drive EVs – but in the rest of the country, it’s not happening as fast. I think the switch to EVs will be slower than many people think, even with incentives.
How do you think legacy automakers are adapting to the EV transition compared to newer entrants like Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian?
Initially, legacy brands were slow to adapt – but they have sped things up nicely in the last few years. These days, I think some of the most compelling EVs on sale come from legacy brands specifically – in particular, the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the BMW iX. There are a lot of good EVs out there right now from ALL brands, legacy and otherwise.
Out of all the EVs you’ve reviewed recently, which ones stood out the most and why?
Unquestionably my favorite is the Rivian R1S, which is a truly spectacular all-rounder. It’s amazing to me what it can do – supercar acceleration, Chevy Suburban interior space, modern technology, Ford Bronco-level off-road capability. I absolutely love it. I’m also really impressed with the Kia EV6 GT, which is also a bit of a “do it all” car – a family crossover with great tech and crazy acceleration for pretty reasonable money.
Are there any upcoming EV models that you’re particularly excited about? How do you think established brands like Tesla are being challenged by newcomers?
I’ve already driven it, but I’ll be very excited when the Volkswagen ID.Buzz reaches the market for the general public to drive and buy. It is SO COOL – I think it will help spur EV adoption among some people who haven’t gone in that direction just yet. Of course, I’m also really excited for the Tesla Cybertruck, just to see how it’s executed and how it does in the real world.
Which current EV models do you think might become future classics? What factors do you believe contribute to an EV’s potential appreciation in value?
Among current EVs, the only ones I see as potential future classics are the original Tesla Roadster and the early Tesla Model S “Signature Edition” cars. Right now, virtually every EV has focused on mainstream popularity, and that isn’t a formula for long-term classic status or collectability.
Are there any particular features or innovations in current EVs that you think might be particularly sought after in the future?
None that I think won’t be improved greatly as time goes on. We’re in a good spot with EV equipment; technology is really impressive – but it’ll continue to get better.
Have you noticed any patterns or trends in the EVs being sold on Cars & Bids?
When a new EV comes out, it seems like there’s a mad rush to get the first one on Cars & Bids! Obviously, some are in higher demand than others; we did only OK with the first Genesis GV60, for instance, while the earliest Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian models made huge money for a long, long time.
Are there any EV models that consistently get higher bids or generate more interest?
The EVs that are in the highest demand seem to be SUVs and trucks that people view as “cool,” such as the Ford Lightning and Rivian models, rather than crossovers like the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Kia EV6 – or other more “regular” models. Of course, the regular EVs are fantastic vehicles, but not necessarily ones that will have a strong secondary market and huge demand to pay over the sticker price.
As EV adoption grows, what do you think are the biggest challenges facing automakers and consumers?
The biggest challenge facing automakers is unquestionably managing the interesting situation between governments who want EVs and consumers who aren’t quite ready yet. Automakers have to make EVs, but they seem to be sitting on dealer lots longer than gas-powered cars, and with some big incentives. So how do automakers justify putting huge development dollars and marketing spend behind EVs? Right now it’s a tough call.
Regarding consumers, the biggest challenge is definitely infrastructure. We’ve all heard about issues with public charging, but even at-home charging is fraught with complications if you don’t have a perfect situation – a single-family home with an easy installation, for instance, or a workplace with lots of charging. For many consumers, I suspect that’s the biggest drawback.
How do you perceive the ongoing debate about EV range, charging infrastructure, and battery tech?
The real issue right now seems to be charging infrastructure – I hear a lot of true horror stories about how bad public charging is. I think that’s got to improve in order for EVs to be more widely adopted by consumers.
With so many automakers entering the EV space, how do you think the market will differentiate between brands in the coming years?
I think the differentiation will be entirely based on style/design and features, since driving experiences will largely be similar. Steering/handling and engine feel/sound will no longer be crucial to determine a car’s desirability – instead, trick features like a Rivian Gear Tunnel or amazing Lucid ride quality or Tesla infotainment video games will be the things that help people make automotive decisions.
If you were to buy an EV for personal use today, which one would it be and why?
If I were buying an EV today, I would almost certainly get a Rivian R1S – it seems to really do it all.
Have any EVs surprised you positively or negatively during a review?
I was surprised by the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, which has not gotten hugely positive reviews. I totally disagree; I think it’s fantastic. Weird-looking, sure, but great technology and a fantastically soft, cushy ride; I would certainly consider one if my budget allowed.
Click here to visit Doug’s YouTube channel, and be sure to check out his Cars & Bids auction site.
