Top Stories
Letter From the Service Bay: Here’s Why You’re Paying for Dirty Towels
You just got home from your oil change, and you’re checking the receipt. And you paid more than the advertised $31.95 price, closer to $40 actually. You scan the bill, and see some taxes and charges, but one fee stands out to you. It’s $2, maybe $3. It says something like “shop fee” or “supply fee.” You make a note to ask your service writer at the next oil change — you want to know what this fee is. Headlight.News knows what it’s for. Check out the story and you’ll know too!
Another Big Ford Recall Targets 565,000 Bronco SUVs for Fire Risk
More than 565,000 Ford Broncos face recall due to the risk of a fire, the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced. The problem is due to potential wiring harness damage. The move brings to more than 50 the number of Ford recalls so far this year, reports Headlight.News.
Nissan Leaf Adds High-Performance Nismo Package – and, Yes, It’s Coming to North America
Nissan is giving its original battery-electric vehicle a new personality. The Leaf Nismo went on sale in Japan this week and offers a notable upgrade in performance and handling, in line with more conventional Nismo packages. Headlight.News has more.
Honda Teases 3rd-Generation Ridgeline Pickup
Honda is offering up a first teaser image of what will become its third-generation Ridgeline pickup. Expect the truck to arrive “within two years,’ the automaker said – which means a roughly one-year gap after the current Ridgeline ends production later this year. Headlight.News has more.
If at First You Don’t Succeed; Maybach May Once Again Target Rolls-Royce
Mercedes is getting ready to make major upgrades to its Maybach line, with bigger, more exotic packages than today’s offerings meant to directly challenge super-premium brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce, according to a new report. The question is whether Maybach can succeed this time after a first failed attempt. More from Headlight.News.
Podcasts
Get the Latest Auto News on the HEADLIGHT.NEWS Podcast
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-26-26
This week on the podcast, we cover news from Stellantis, Volkswagen’s revival of the ID. Buzz, Ferrari finally building an EV, the Luce, and we review the 2026 Toyota Camry SE Nightshade. Check it out.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-18-26
On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look the rise of hybrid sales and the moves by Honda and Mazda to meet demand. We also cover the looming shortage of base oils due to the conflict with Iran. Finally we review the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SRT. Check out the podcast, give us some feedback.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-4-26
On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look at tough April new vehicle sales numbers. We also examine the latest threat of raising tariffs on EU vehicles, plus we reviewed the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and more. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 4-27-26
On this week’s podcast, Headlight News examines April auto sales. We also talk about whether or not a recession is looming and take a look at the compensation plans of Detroit Three CEOs. Finally, we review the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo and take a look at This Week in Auto History. Check out the podcast!
Latest Reviews
Nissan Leaf Adds High-Performance Nismo Package – and, Yes, It’s Coming to North America
Nissan is giving its original battery-electric vehicle a new personality. The Leaf Nismo went on sale in Japan this week and offers a notable upgrade in performance and handling, in line with more conventional Nismo packages. Headlight.News has more.
Honda Teases 3rd-Generation Ridgeline Pickup
Honda is offering up a first teaser image of what will become its third-generation Ridgeline pickup. Expect the truck to arrive “within two years,’ the automaker said – which means a roughly one-year gap after the current Ridgeline ends production later this year. Headlight.News has more.
A Week With: 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Electric Sedan
The management team at Daimler-Benz has changed things up for its next generation EVs. Rather than continuing them with a separate platform, the marque is developing its cars to run on electric or combustion-based powertrains. Headlight.News spent a week in one of the new variants, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+. Check out the review and see what’s different.
Here’s How “Creative Subtraction” Added Up With the New Rivian R2
While Rivian showed it could deliver an impressive EV with its first-generation R1 series, it now has to take things into the mainstream. Headlight.News had a chance this week to check out the new R2 and discovered how “creative subtraction” added up to not just a solid, affordable product but one that can put the struggling EV start-up into the black.
With Bankruptcy Looming Over Lucid Could This Mark the End of the EV Start-Up Era
Lucid denies it is preparing to file bankruptcy but the company is clearly in trouble. And that raises new concerns about a handful of other battery-electric brands, like Rivian and Slate still hoping to find their own niches. Only a few years ago a flood of EV start-ups seemed ready to kick the established automakers to the curb. What went wrong? Just about everything.