I always wonder why people settle on a number like 49,000 when 50,000 is sitting right there, looking you in the face.

There are some theories of negotiation that say it's good to pick an overly specific number like that specifically to imply that you've given it thought and aren't willing to change it without getting something in return.

49,000 is just as a specific as 48,624 is.

Besides it sounds like they were specifically looking at quarterly amounts of EVs sold when they made the deal

Same reason they set prices at $49.95

No. The reason $49.95 works because $4x.xx price on first look looks better than $5x.xx price ($50.00).

And 4xxxx vs 5xxxx imported cars doesn’t accomplish the same thing in a headline? Sounds more palatable to people who are already against the idea

My wife falls into that trap

I once had someone at a store ask me what something cost, and then got a blank stare back when I said "$90". I had to 'correct' myself and say "$89.99". We all live in very different worlds.