October brought bad news for automakers, EV sales tumbling sharply following the phase-out of federal tax credits. With demand not expected to recover any time soon, Kia has decided to put the U.S. launch of its most affordable battery-electric vehicle, the EV4, on hold. More from Headlight.News.
In this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the impressive Tokyo Motor Show, new introductions from Honda and Subaru, as well as GM’s layoff of hundreds of workers. We also review the Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid and look back at this week in automotive history. You can find the podcast at Headlight.News and Spotify.
Automakers suffered saw a sharp drop in electric vehicle sales during October as federal EV tax credit ended. But even sales of gas models leveled off as prices, driven higher by Trump’s auto tariffs, drove many mainstream buyers out of the market. As Headlight.News reports, the industry has become more dependent than ever on affluent households for new sales.
This year’s Japan Mobility Show proves there’s still plenty of life left on the auto show circuit. The biennial event brought out dozens of new cars, concepts – and even a rocket – during its media preview. Headlight.News was in Tokyo and takes a look at some of the most significant products to debut there.
Mazda’s Vision X-Coupe Concept is much more than just the latest example of the automaker’s Kodo design language. It shows how the brand’s iconic Wankel engine may soon return as a key part of Mazda’s product line-up. It also demonstrates a new technology that, the automaker’s CEO claimed during a Japan Mobility Show news conference, could leave the air cleaner, “the more you drive.”
The impact of end of federal EV tax credits is being felt in many areas of the auto industry. It reached the factory floors at four General Motors-owned plants in three states as more than 3,400 workers were laid off due to the expected fall in EV sales tied to the end of the $7,500 credit Sept. 30. Find out more at Headlight.News.
It’s been three long years since Subaru sent its iconic WRX STI off into retirement. And there’s been plenty of speculation about whether a replacement might follow. The answer appears to be yes, based on what the automaker revealed during this week’s Japan Mobility Show. But that news conference raised another question: which of the two STI concepts it rolled out – one gas powered, the other all-electric – will actually make it into production? Headlight.News has more from Tokyo.
“Sexy” isn’t a word you’d likely catch yourself uttering when it comes to the Toyota Corolla. “Solid,” sure. “Reliable,” absolutely. But it’s the ultimate in utilitarian design. At least that’s the way it’s been since the long-popular sedan first made its debut in 1966. But if the concept vehicle making its debut at this week’s Japan Mobility Show is any indication, the 13th generation Corolla will be a very different sort of beast. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
Toyota committed to invest another $10 billion in the United States, as negotiations on a new U.S.-Japan trade deal moved forward — prompting Pres. Donald Trump to tell troops stationed in Japan, “Go out and buy a Toyota.” In an exclusive report, Headlight.News reports Toyota also is looking for ways to boost U.S. auto exports to Japan.
After a 37-year run, the Lexus LS sedan is set to go out of production in the coming months – but Toyota’s luxury brand might not go without a flagship for very long. That said, two potential replacements debuting at the Japan Mobility Show this week suggest Lexus could be ready to push to new extremes. More from Headlight.News.
Toyota’s Lexus division proved Japan could compete with the best of the Western luxury brands. But can Toyota take things even further upmarket? The industry giant is determined to give it a try, officially pulling the wraps off the new Century Coupe concept at the Japan Mobility Show. Get details at Headlight.News.
Honda rolled out two all-electric prototypes during the media day at the Japan Mobility Show Wednesday, including both an affordable compact hatchback dubbed Super-ONE and the Honda 0 α – which it described as the “gateway” to the new 0 Series EV line-up its getting ready to launch around the world. More from Headlight.News.