Despite its traditional EV-skeptical stand, Toyota now plans to have 15 all-electric models in production by 2027, with sales that year reaching 1 million. By decade’s end, that volume should more than triple, as Headlight.News reports.
Automakers
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 4-7-2025
In this week’s podcast, we discuss the impact of the Trump tariffs, March new vehicle sales, Tesla and Stellantis taking a dip. We review the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review and take a look at This Week in Automotive History.
New Car Sales Jump in March But Tariffs May Cause 1.8M Drop in 2025 Sales
Automakers got to celebrate a bit in March as new vehicle sales jumped 10.7% compared to year-ago numbers. However, that celebration is likely to be short-lived, if the assertions in a new report prove true. The tome authored by Telemetry’s Sam Abuelsamid predicts sales will fall 1.8 million units in 2025 and the next several years don’t look much better, reports Headlight.News.
First Drive: 2025 Nissan Armada
A new Nissan Armada has sailed into U.S. showrooms, the three-row beast picking up on some of the rugged cues first seen in the form of the old Nissan Patrol way back in 1951. There are some welcome changes with the third-generation SUV, including the addition of an off-road Pro-4X trim. But buyers might also take some convincing that the beefy new turbo-six is a worthy replacement for the old V-8. Headlight.News had a chance to check out the 2025 Nissan Armada and here’s our review.
Jaguar Land Rover Will “Pause” U.S. Exports to Develop Tariff Plan
Britain’s Jaguar Land Rover will “pause” vehicle shipments to the U.S. in the wake of Pres. Donald Trump’s broad tariff plans on imported autos and auto parts. The automaker said it is working out a plan “to address the new trading terms.” JLR’s announcement follows moves by brands including Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen to adjust U.S. market strategies as the industry faces a substantial increase in vehicle prices. Headlight.News has the latest.
Hyundai Will Swallow Tariff Hit — For Now
Hyundai said it will temporarily refrain from passing on to consumers any additional tariff costs as part of a new “Customer Assurance” program. That could add up to thousands of dollars on a new vehicle as a result of the new tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump this week. But the program runs only through the beginning of June. Other automakers are weighing their own plans which, for VW means making it clear to buyers why they’ll soon pay more for their vehicles. Headlight.News has more.
Mexican Auto Plants Keep Humming Despite Trump Tariffs
In a surprise twist, Trump’s tariff war has so far left Mexican auto plants humming despite promises to blue-collar workers in the U.S. For now, at least, the USMCA trade agreement remains in force along the Southern border. But the tariffs have already had a negative impact on autoworkers Stellantis announcing layoffs at several of its plants.
Honda Prelude Return Took Another Step Forward With Interior Reveal
One of Honda’s iconic vehicles took another step closer to a return to the streets. The automaker showed off the latest version of its Prelude concept at an event in Japan, including the first look at the interior. Headlight.News has details.
New Genesis Coupe and Convertible Concepts Are Ready to Roll
Coupes and convertibles have all but vanished from the highways these days. But could they be ready to stage a comeback? Genesis apparently thinks so, at least if you take seriously the two new concepts the Korean luxury brand has premiered at this year’s Seoul Mobility Show. Might we soon see production versions of the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible? Headlight.News has the story.
Ford, VW First to Reveal Plans Dealing with Auto Tariffs on New Car Prices
President Donald Trump’s press conference laying out the remainder of his tariff policy revealed automakers would not be facing any additional tariffs beyond the 25% on vehicles and parts crossing into the U.S. Volkswagen is adding an “import fee” to vehicles hit by the tariffs while Ford is offering discounts to try to improve affordability. Headlight.News tracks down how other carmakers are dealing with the problem.
First Drive: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
Subaru may be late to the party, but buyers looking for a solid, attractive crossover making solid power and delivering great mileage likely won’t mind once they check out the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. Did we mention it boasts plenty of welcome safety, comfort and convenience features – as well as the Japanese brand’s off-road X-Drive technology? Here’s our review.
Sales Plunging, Protests Rising, Can Musk, Tesla Turn Things Around
Tesla shareholders breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday morning, word leaking out of the White House suggesting CEO Elon Musk will soon give up his controversial role as the head of the Trump administration’s Dept. of Government Efficiency. Then, Tesla released its first-quarter sales numbers, global deliveries falling three times further than what Wall Street anticipated. Its stock rebound in reverse, a growing number of investors and analysts now wonder whether Tesla and its CEO can recover from the hit they’ve taken.