In this week’s episode of the podcast, Truck maker Nikola goes bankrupt while trouble finds its way to Ford, GM, and Tesla. We also go for a spin in the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 before charging our batteries with This Week in Automotive History.
General Motors
Here’s More on the VW Concept Hinting at a New, “Affordable” EV
Volkswagen released a pair of sketches showing off a new concept dubbed the ID.EVERY.1. They reveal the direction the German automaker plans to take when it launches a new, entry-level battery-electric vehicle in 2027. But what else have we learned about the show car and ID.1 production model to follow? Headlight.News has more.
EV and Hydrogen Truckmaker Nikola Files Chapter 11; Will Try to Sell Assets
Phoenix-based Nikola Motors has filed for Chapter 11, becoming the latest start-up to go bust while targeting the EV and hydrogen fuel-cell markets. Nikola officials said the company now plans to sell off its assets, though it isn’t clear a buyer has yet emerged.
GM Closing Plant in China as Part of Restructuring
The competition in China is getting tougher for General Motors. As a result, the automotive company is restructuring, including shutting down a plant that built a minivan and an SUV for the Chinese market. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Report: Post-Pandemic Vehicle Dependability is a Real Problem
Millions of people appear to be suffering from problems dubbed “Long COVID.” Now, it seems, the vehicle you bought during the pandemic may have similar problems, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Reliability issues have grown worse for vehicles produced during the worst of the COVID crisis.
EV Sales Could Flatten This Year as Trump, GOP Raise New Obstacles
EV sales appear likely to stagnate in 2025 in 2025, largely due to new roadblocks the Trump administration and Congress are ready to throw in the way, according to a new J.D. Power forecast. That could cause major headaches for automakers investing billions to bring more of the vehicles to market. But the research firm still sees demand rebounding later in the decade to the point where electric vehicles will account for more than a quarter of new vehicle sales.
Automakers Make Major Strides in Preventing or Reducing Severity of Frontal Crashes
Automakers are using new forward-collision avoidance technology to great effect, a new study reveals, with 22 of 30 vehicles tested earning kudos from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But a number of products from Detroit manufacturers fell short, reports Headlight.News.
Why Is GM Dumping So Many Seasoned Corvette Execs?
When Tadge Juechter, the long-time chief engineer for the Corvette program, left nearly a year ago it seemed like just a normal retirement. But severalother members of the sports car’s team have now left – and not voluntarily. That has many observers wondering: what’s going on at Corvette?
GM May Stop Selling Gas-Powered Chevy Blazer, Focus on EV Model
General Motors will stop producing the Chevrolet Blazer come year-end, sources tell Headlight.News. The automaker will instead shift focus to the all-electric version, the Chevy Blazer EV.
Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum Imports Will Impact Automakers
Despite efforts by automakers to improve their relationships with President Donald Trump prior to and immediately after he took office last month, they can’t seem to escape the impact of his trade policies, the latest being a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. Find out what’s happening at Headlight.News.
Trump Moves to Halt Public EV Charger Rollout – But Tesla Could Be Among Those Impacted
Pres. Donald Trump’s administration ordered a halt to a Biden-era program meant to provide $5 billion in funding for a nationwide network of EV charging stations. It’s the latest step by the White House to curtail EV adoption. But this program could hurt one of the most powerful men in Trump’s inner circle, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also runs the new Department of Government Efficiency.
As Tesla Sales Nosedive in California and Europe, is The “Musk Effect” to Blame?
Is it the “Musk Factor” at play? Industry analysts say a growing backlash aimed at Tesla CEO Elon Musk is clearly responsible for the carmaker’s sliding sales and market share in the key EV market of California, as well as in Europe. But that only complicates the challenges the automaker is facing from growing competition from both traditional automakers like Hyundai, GM and Ford, as well as th increasingly aggressive Chinese brands. More from Headlight.News.