Stellantis has become the latest automaker to warn owners to park their vehicles becuase defective batteries could cause them to catch fire. The recall covers 375,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids. More from Headlight.News.
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SEMA Show Swings into Las Vegas and Here are Some of the Coolest Cars and Trucks on Display
Who says the American love affair with the automobile has ended? You’d never know that if you were in Las Vegas this week for the annual SEMA Show. Short for the Specialty Equipment Market Association its routinely ranked as one of the two biggest events in Sin City, bringing out tens of thousands of people to check out the latest in automotive parts and accessories, from dangly air fresheners to high-performance “crate engines.” More than 1,000 exhibitors will be on hand, including automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Toyota and Headlight.News has this preview.
As EV Sales Crash, Kia Delays U.S. Debut of Compact EV4
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.
Disconnected: U.S. Auto Sales Tumble as EV Credits Disappear, Vehicle Prices Continue Surging
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.
Exclusive: Toyota Looking to Boost U.S. Auto Exports to Japan, Along with $10B Investment in States
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.
Ford Sets New Record, Beats Street’s Q3 Estimates
Ford set a new revenue record during the third quarter, and beat Wall Street predictions for their results. However, supplier issues forced the automaker to cut its full-year earnings guidance. Get details at Headlight.News.
Stellantis Latest to Pause Production as Shortages Again Threaten to Cripple Auto Industry
Stellantis has temporarily halted production at a Jeep plant in Warren, Michigan, even as three Ford plants sit idle. All face a shortage of aluminum due to a fire at a supplier plant. Meanwhile, automakers are beginning to fret there could be more closures coming across the industry due to semiconductor shortages – repeating a crisis that cast the industry millions of vehicles in lost production during the COVID crisis. Headlight.News has more.
Slowing Sales Means We Won’t Be Seeing These EVs in the U.S.
Ferrari on Thursday revealed details about its first battery-powered model, the Elettrica. But the Italian automaker is delaying a second EV. And it’s not alone. Ford has scrapped several all-electric models, while Nissan pulled the plug on the 2026 Ariya. Acura just ended production of the ZDX and Stellantis has abandoned the all-electric Ram REV. Those are among a growing list of planned EVs that no longer will make it into production — or will be substantially delayed. Here are some of the others.
Tesla May Reveal “Affordable” Version of Model Y Today
Tesla CEO Elon Musk earlier this year promised to bring to market a more affordable EV and, with federal tax credits having ended last week this may be the perfect time to roll it out. The automaker’s account on X teased what could be a new, lower-cost version of the Model Y expected to debut on Tuesday. Headlight.News has more.
Automakers Come Up With Their Own EV Deals to Offset Lost Federal Tax Credits
While federal EV tax credits expired on September 30, automakers hope to maintain sales momentum – or, at the least, head off a threatened slump – with makers like Hyundai, GM and Ford coming up with deals of their own, including big price cuts and incentives matching the lost federal tax credits. They could help boost demand, according to a new Harris poll. More from Headlight.News.
It’s No Longer “If,” But “When” Chinese Automakers Will Crack Open the U.S. Market
Tariffs enacted by Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump effectively closed the door on auto imports from China – only a few products now entering the U.S. But, despite the current hefty tariffs, observers expect that the Trump administration will soon open the American market up to Chinese products, while also encouraging manufacturers like BYD and Geely to set up U.S. manufacturing operations. While American motorists would likely welcome vehicles like the $20,000 BYD Dolphin, this could pose an “existential threat” to traditional automakers, reports Headlight.News.
Dodge May Drop 900-hp Charger Banshee While Other Electrified Stellantis Models Are Also at Risk
Stellantis is backing away from its aggressive electrification plans. It’s already abandoned the all-electric Ram REV pickup and a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator. Now, it appears, the 900-hp Dodge Charger Banshee could be among other battery-based models set to be axed. Headlight.News has more.