Detroit’s automakers have staged an automotive plot twist—gasoline muscle is back in vogue, and the only thing running out of juice quicker than an electric car on a Michigan winter morning is the age of “woke” corporate activism.
At a Glance
- Detroit’s Big Three are pivoting away from electric vehicles and reviving beloved gas-powered models.
- The shift is driven by financial factors, not just cultural backlash.
- Conservative commentators frame this as a rejection of progressive activism in corporate America.
- Consumers, regulators, and activists are split on whether this is a comeback or a step backwards.
Detroit’s Big Three Reverse Course: Gas Guzzlers Roar Back
In a move that left environmentalists clutching their reusable hemp tote bags and muscle car fans fist-pumping over their morning coffee, Detroit’s Big Three automakers—GM, Ford, and Stellantis—have hit reverse on their electric dreams and are reviving America’s favorite gas guzzlers. The big reveal landed on the July 29, 2025 episode of “The Alex Marlow Show,” with Marlow and Breitbart’s John Carney framing this as a financial must-do and a cultural facepalm to progressive activism. This wasn’t just a business recalculation; it was a full-throttle rejection of the Green New Deal, DEI manifestos, and all things “woke,” at least according to the Breitbart camp.
End of the Woke: Detroit’s Big Three Automakers Bring Back Gas Guzzlers Americans Lovehttps://t.co/fkF1A5gzZ0
— maitri (@clarissamehler) July 30, 2025
While Marlow attributes the move mostly to the cold arithmetic of profit margins, Carney goes further, painting this as a populist revolt against the “fringe” values of corporate progressivism. The automakers, he argues, are simply taking the hint from average Americans who’d rather have a V8 under the hood than a lecture from their dashboard. The reality: after billions spent on electric vehicle rollouts, consumer appetite just didn’t keep pace with government mandates or boardroom ambitions. Sales lagged, charging stations lagged even more, and Detroit’s patience finally ran on empty.
EV Dreams Collide with Market Realities
The push toward EVs looked unstoppable just a few years ago. Ford, GM, and Stellantis had all gone all-in on ambitious electric plans, cheered on by politicians, activists, and investors. But somewhere between the glossy commercials and the dealer showrooms, American drivers got cold feet. EVs were pricier than expected, charging infrastructure was patchy outside major cities, and anxiety over range remained as stubborn as a rusty tailpipe bolt. By 2024, reports confirmed EV sales were plateauing, and the industry’s early optimism was replaced by a collective “uh-oh.”
The pivot has sparked a fresh round of culture wars along the nation’s highways. Progressive groups decry the move as a betrayal of climate progress and accuse automakers of pandering to reactionary politics. Conservative commentators, on the other hand, see poetic justice: a corporate America finally listening to Main Street instead of activist shareholders. As Marlow and Carney dissected on air, Detroit’s decision is as much about money as it is about making a statement: the era of “woke” capitalism, they suggest, just ran out of road.
