Nearly a quarter of all new vehicle buyers in the U.S. owed more on the vehicle they were trading in than it was worth. Being “underwater” isn’t uncommon, but the percentage was the highest it’s been in three years. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Michael Strong
Mazda Adds New Hybrid to 2025 CX-50 Portfolio
Mazda generated a lot of buzz when it introduced the CX-50 last year. The Japanese automaker appears to be looking keep that excitement going for the 2025 model year by adding a hybrid model to its lineup. Read all about it at Headlight.News.
Porsche Keeps Shifting … to All-Electric Lineup with End of Gas-Powered Macan
Porsche augments its move to an all-electric Macan lineup with the discontinuation of the 718 duo, the Boxster and Cayman. Changes begin this fall. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Ineos Delays Battery-Electric Fusilier
Off-road beast maker Ineos plans to push back production of its first all-electric model, the Fusilier SUV, from 2027 to an unknown introduction date. Ineos produces two off-road focused vehicles, the Grenadier and Quartermaster, and introduced the Fusilier in February. Get more details at Headlight.News.
Gas Prices Rise Ahead of July 4th Holiday Weekend
Prices at the gas pump remained uncharacteristically flat through the first month of the summer season, but that’s changed with the looming Independence Day holiday weekend. The national average rose to $3.50 a gallon — up 5 cents and it may continue. Get details at Headlight.News.
Analysts Predict Tesla Deliveries to Drop for Second Straight Quarter
Electric vehicle sales have been pretty steady as a group, but that’s in large measure due to Tesla, the segment leader, seeing sales drop since the start of the year. Analysts predict Tesla’s global deliveries will drop at least 3% during Q2 while other EV makers are making gains. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Ram, Porsche Top J.D. Power’s 2024 Initial Quality Study
The constant addition of new technologies to new vehicles continues to give automakers problems with quality, according to J.D. Power’s latest Initial Quality Study. The same study shows Ram and Porsche were the top quality brands in their categories. Go to Headlight.News for more details.
Hyundai Jumping into Low-Priced EV Fray with Inster — Will it Come to U.S.?
One of the big problems with getting wider acceptance of electric vehicles is the price. So many EVs are priced well beyond the means of the average buyer. Finally some companies are working on the “$25K” electric vehicle, including General Motors, Tesla and now Hyundai. But will it come to the U.S.? Check out the story at Headlight.News.
Rivian Gets $5B Investment from Volkswagen
Larger automakers just can’t seem to stay away from EV startup Rivian. Ford Motor Co. once held a large, multi-billion dollar stake in the company and now Volkswagen plans to invest $5 billion in company. What does it mean? Go to Headlight.News for the story.
Ford Recalling 550K Pickups Due to Downshift Issue
Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 550,000 full-size pickups due to a problem with a sensor that may cause the truck’s transmission to downshift, potentially resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Kia Unveils Refreshed 2025 Carnival, Including New Hybrid Model
While Kia’s tried to separate its Carnival from the minivan pack by calling it a multi-purpose vehicle, the new 2025 version features a new hybrid powertrain — just like all the other minivans. Check out more on the new Carnival at Headlight.News.
UAW Fight Heats Up as Honda Accused by NLRB of Anti-Union Activity
National Labor Relations Board accused Japanese automaker Honda of engaging in activities aimed at discouraging union organization activities. The agency offered several examples of the behavior. Honda officials say they look forward to the hearing. Find out more at Headlight.News.