Honda rolled out a pair of all-electric concept vehicles at CES this week, updating the two prototypes it brought to Las Vegas a year ago. And, it says, the 0 Series Saloon and SUV are close to the final production models that will roll into U.S. showrooms in 2026. Beyond the edgy styling, buyers will be offered a digital operating system borrowed from Honda’s ASIMO robot – and the ability to drive hands-free while texting or even watching videos.
Month: January 2025
UAW Files to Hold Union Election at Ford JV Battery Plant
The UAW continues its aggressive plan to expand its ranks by converting existing non-union plants or, in this case, getting new plants to align with the union right away. The organization filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election at Ford Motor Co.’s JV battery plant in Kentucky. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz Says Friendship Between Trump and Musk Is Positive For Carmakers
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz is not concerned about the friendship between Trump and Musk and says it can benefit all automakers as analysts predict gloomy times are coming.
Sony and Honda Mobility Confirm Afeela 1 $90k Price, 2026 Launch Date
Sony Honda Mobility unveils production version of Afeela EV, confirms that the EV will start at $90k and launch in mid-2026 in California.
Feds Investigating 2.6 Million Smart Summon-Equipped Teslas
In response to a complaint and three media reports, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a probe into the 2.6 million vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon and Smart Summon technologies. Get details at Headlight.News.
New Patent Adds Fuel To Nissan Xterra Rumors
New patent filing suggests Nissan is preparing to revive the Xterra as the company continues its fight for survival.
Mini Sales Crater For 2024, Model Switchover and Recall To Blame
Mini sales slide as the brand totally refreshes its vehicle lineup and expands its presence into the EV market.
Ram Pickup Toppled by Toyota’s RAV4, Parent Stellantis Was the Big Loser of 2024
If you’re wondering just how bad things got for Stellantis last year, consider the fact that its Ram pickup fell off the podium, losing its traditional third-place position in the U.S. sales race – behind the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado – to Toyota’s RAV4 SUV. Overall, the Euro-American automaker was one of only two manufacturers to report a decline in sales in 2024 and faces serious challenges to turn things around in 2025.
A Week With: 2025 Toyota Prius PHEV XSE
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia; while Toyota’s Prius is the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, it’s not the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. That honor goes to the 1999 Honda Insight. But Toyota’s perfected it, and the 2025 Prius PHEV XSE continues that legacy of excellence. Check out Headlight.News’ review.
Q&A: Gary Shapiro: High-Tech Autos Take the Stage at CES 2025
Computers, TVs, drones, “smart” appliances, digital cameras. If those are the things you think of when someone mentions “consumer electronics,” you’re not alone. But you should add automobiles to the list as, these days, they’re starting to look more like smartphones on wheels. Indeed, high-tech “mobility” is one of the big topics at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. To get a sense of what we can expect at CES 2025, Headlight.News spoke to Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, the trade group sponsoring the annual event.
The Past Lane: Seven Memorable Mercurys
This week in 2011, the final Mercury automobile rolls off the line at Ford Motor Company’s St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The last Mercury, a Grand Marquis, is the dying vestige of a marque championed by Edsel Ford to fill the cavernous price gap between the Ford and Lincoln. Introduced in 1938, Ford sold more than 21 million Mercury vehicles during its 71-year lifetime. Being the middle child, it rarely had a distinct image, although it did have a handful of memorable models.
Boosted by Givebacks — and Uncertainty About the New Year — Automakers Deliver Solid December Sales
The U.S. auto industry ended 2024 on a high note, manufacturers revealed Friday as they delivered uniformly solid sales numbers for December. That translated into the strongest full-year demand since the COVID pandemic struck in early 2020. Get the details at Headlight.News.