Once given up for dead, the midsize pickup segment is booming — but faces a real battle as more players get set to enter the game. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Jeep
No V-8? No Sale, Say 40% of Ram Buyers
The latest-generation Ram 1500 pickup got off to a slow start when it made its debut two years ago, sales only taking off when the automaker revived the Hemi engine option last summer. Nearly half of Ram buyers demand a V-8 a senior executive said, even if doesn’t deliver the power, performance – or fuel economy of today’s turbocharged inline-6. More from Headlight.News.
Stellantis in the Fastlane: Who Were the Winners and Losers?
Being bigger isn’t always better. Stellantis has 14 separate auto brands which can be difficult to support after last year’s big losses. Under the new Fastlane 2030 turnaround plan, the automakers is keeping them all – but some brands fare better than others. Headlight.News looks at the winners and losers.
Stellantis Lays Our Global, $70 Bil Turnaround Plan – But It’s the U.S. it’s Betting Big On
Aiming to reverse a series of setbacks to sales and earnings, Stellantis Thursday unveiled a $70 billion turnaround plan that will see it launch more than 60 new vehicles by decade’s end. But while markets from Europe to Africa to Asia should benefit, the Fastlane 2030 program depends disproportionately on two U.S. brands: Jeep and Ram. Headlight.News has more.
Stellantis and JLR Exploring Collaboration
Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore “opportunities to collaborate on product development” – though the MOU is specifically focused on the U.S. market. The announcement comes a day before Stellantis is set to announce a broad new strategy that will focus its efforts on just four key brands, leaving some observers wondering how an alliance with JLR would fit in. Headlight.News has more.
Hybrid Sales Set Record, Propped Up Weakening U.S. Auto Market
Hybrid sales set a record in April, accounting for about one in seven new vehicles sold by U.S. dealers – in the process helping prop up an otherwise weakening overall market. By year-end that could reach one in five, and it’s not just fuel prices driving the surge in hybrid demand. Headlight.News has more.
Ford, Stellantis Deliver Upbeat Q1 Earnings – But Not Everyone is Impressed
After taking a financial hammering last year, both Ford and Stellantis appear to be getting the new year off on a positive note, delivering unexpectedly strong first-quarter earnings. Ford got a boost from a big tariff refund, Stellantis from a sharp upturn in sales of Ram and Jeep models. More from Headlight.News.
Stellantis CEO Plans to Focus on Four Key Brands; Could This Spell the End for Chrysler, Lancia, Opel?
While it may have one of the most diverse brand portfolios in the industry, struggling Stellantis has a limited war chest to support them. So, going forward, new CEO Antonio Filosa plans to focus investments on just four of those marques. What happens to the other brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Lancia and Opel? Headlight.News has more.
Under Weight of War, Rising Economic Fears, U.S. Auto Sales Could Be Heading for a Crash
U.S. auto sales tumbled sharply in March reflecting growing consumer concerns about record vehicle prices, surging fuel costs and broader worries about the health of the economy. There was one unexpected positive note, however. Headlight.News explains.
Rugged Hyundai Boulder Takes Aim at Bronco, Wrangler
Hyundai’s been toying with the off-road market for several years, but it’s about to get serious, challenging the like of Ford Bronco and Jeep. While officially only a prototype, Headlight.News has learned that the Hyundai Boulder concept SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show will make it into production by 2030 –and will be part of a full family of body-on-frame trucks.
Auto Sales Set to Tumble – and Downturn Could Accelerate as Iran War Reignites Inflation
New vehicle sales appear to have gone into decline during the first quarter, with industry insiders worrying the downturn could accelerate as the Iranian War triggers not only higher fuel prices but more general inflation. More from Headlight.News.
Jeep’s Annual Easter Safari Features Five Concepts Looking Forward and One to the Past
With spring finally on its way, serious SUV fans are getting ready to hit the trails. The folks at Jeep have one specific off-road adventure in mind, planning some fun and adventure with the six new concepts it’s bringing to the 60th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Headlight.News had a chance to check them out ahead of the trip.