Volkswagen’s enjoying strong results in 2024, buoyed largely by their lineup of SUVs. Hoping to keep the good times rolling, VW updated with 2025 Taos with more horsepower, an updated dashboard and some exterior tweaks to keep the overall look fresh. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Michael Strong
Lucid Teases Tesla Model Y Fighter
After talking up its next vehicle in its lineup, Lucid Motors revealed a teaser of what will follow the Gravity. Officials say the new model, which will hit the streets in late 2026, aims to compete with the Tesla Model Y. Get details at Headlight.News.
Financing a Vehicle Getting Tougher
While new vehicle sales have been strong this summer, financing a new car, truck or SUV isn’t getting easier. Banks and credit unions continue to tighten restrictions while auto finance companies have been picking up the slack by easing theirs. Find out more at Headlight.News.
New EV Index Study Shows Increases in Chargers, Charging Time
A new study, the HERE-SBD EV Index, reveals that the electric vehicle “landscape” is improving, but there are certain states and regions are lagging due to infrastructure issues. Find out what state made the biggest improvements year-over-year, and which ones need to work at it at Headlight.News.
Feds Report Traffic Fatalities Fell 3.2 Percent in First Half of Year
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported U.S. traffic deaths declined 3.2% during the first six months of this year. Fatalities have declined for nine straight quarters. Read the story at Headlight.News.
Driver Satisfaction with Auto Industry Improves Slightly
Despite dealing with a variety of difficult issues during the past year, a new study shows customer satisfaction with the automotive industry inched upward. The American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Study showed small brands made the difference in a 1% year-over-year improvement. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Ford Enjoys Massive Sales Spike in August
Ford Motor Co. reported an impressive 13.4% jump in sales last month. Like many automakers, the company’s sales efforts this summer were throttled by the cyberattack on dealer management software and other factors. However, the company made up for lost time in August. Get details at Headlight.News.
Volvo Pushes Back Deadline to Be Fully Electric to 2040
Swedish-based Volvo Cars became the latest automaker to take a hard look at its commitment to become an all-electric vehicle maker and decide it couldn’t do it. Find out why and what it is going to do to at Headlight.News.
Tesla Readying Debut of First Robotaxi
The day that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has talked about for years is about to arrive. Tesla’s reportedly set to debut its first purpose-built robotaxi in California next month. It arrives at a tenuous time for self-driving vehicles. Get more detail at Headlight.News.
Chrysler Descendant Wants to Keep Brands All in the Family
Since the formation of Stellantis a few years ago, speculation about what will happen with the low-selling, but still-iconic Chrysler brand has run rampant. Officials, led by CEO Carlos Tavares, assured there were plans for Chrysler. However, time has passed with just one product left, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and now someone wants to resurrect the brand: Walter P. Chrysler’s great-grandson. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Automotive Brand Loyalty Increases During First Half of 2024
For the first time in several years, the number of people buying a new vehicle remained loyal to the brand of car, truck or SUV they were getting out of. According to S&P Global Mobility, the first half registration data showed 52.5% of buyers remained loyal — a 1.9% increase on a year-over-year basis. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Hyundai Way Means Massive Sales Increase, More Hybrids, More Profit
South Korean automotive behemoth Hyundai Motor expects to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally by the end of the decade, including 2 million EVs and 1.8 million hybrids. The global number represents a 30% jump over last year’s numbers. Find out more at Headlight.News.