Mercedes-Benz reveals that demand for EVs is slowing and that it will be updating combustion-powered models in an attempt to compensate for shifting consumer buying habits and ongoing challenges in the segment. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Automakers
Rivian Slashes 10% of Salaried Staff, Trims Production as EV Sales Growth Slows
Rivian announced it will slash both its corporate staff and production this year after reporting more than $1.5 billion in losses for the final three months of 2023. Even as it prepares to unveil an entirely new family of battery-electric vehicles, CEO RJ Scaringe warned the nascent automaker “is not immune” to the headwinds battering the U.S. EV market after four years of record growth. Separately, EV startup Lucid also forecast flattening sales after reporting worsening losses.
First Drive: 2024 Honda Prologue — A Partnership Pays Off
Honda is finally getting into the EV game, the automaker getting ready to roll its first long-range model into U.S. showrooms in the coming weeks. The name is an appropriate one, the 2024 Honda Prologue set to become the first in a planned family of EVs set to debut later this decade. While future models will be developed in-house, however, the Japanese automaker took a shortcut with Prologue, turning to its longtime Detroit rival, General Motors for help. Headlight.News has the back story — and a first review of the 2024 Honda Prologue.
First Drive: 2025 Ram 1500: More Power, More Tech, More Money
The full-size truck market is about to get more competitive as Ram rolls out a major update of the 1500 pickup. The 2025 package has plenty to offer, from two versions of the new Hurricane engine to the all-new premium Tungsten edition. There’s plenty of new technology, as well, including the new Hands-free Driving Assist system. But you can also expect to spend more money, Headlight.News headed to Texas Hill Country to get some time behind the wheel of the 2025 Ram 1500.
Toyota Announces 2024 Land Cruiser Prices Start at $57,445
Toyota releases pricing and official configurator for 2024 Land Cruiser, trail-ready reboot now starts at $57,445 and is banking heavily on strong accessories list to go along with its trail-ready credentials. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Cadillac Lyriq Regains $7,500 Federal Tax Credit — Gets Leg Up on Rivals
After revising its supply chain, Cadillac once again can offer $7,500 in federal tax credits to buyers of the Lyriq EV. The automaker briefly lost those incentives after the U.S. Treasury updated guidelines under the Inflation Reduction Act on January 1. The news means Caddy gets a critical advantage over a number of competing luxury EVs that have also lost their tax credits this year.
Ford Cuts Mach-E Pricing, Adds New F-150 Lightning Incentives
Hoping to perk up a slowing EV market, Ford Motor Co. has announced some lucrative financial deals for its two retail battery-electric models, the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. Price cuts on the electric crossover run as high as $8,100, while there’s as much as $12,500 in “bonus cash” on the battery pickup.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Gets Hands-Free Driving Assist After Two Year Wait, Will Come To 2025 Ram 1500 Later
Jeep quietly introduces Hands-Free Driving Assist To 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee after originally announcing the feature back in 2021. HFDA will eventually make its way to other Stellantis products to bring the fight to GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise systems in the automated driving wars.
Genesis Slowing EV Plans, Reportedly Adding Hybrids to Lineup
Korean luxury brand Genesis is reportedly rethinking its plans to evolve into an all-electric brand. The company is instead looking at other electrification options, with plans to launch its first hybrid model as early as next year. But what form it will take reportedly has not yet been determined.
Volvo Announces New EX40 & EC40 Nameplates, Confirms Other Updates
Volvo renames XC40 and C40 Recharge models EX40 and EC40 to help them fall in line with the rest of the EX lineup and also gives ICE-powered models separate updates as the company prepares to expand its presence in the green vehicle market while also giving the firm time to hone the bigger EX90 and EX30 model. Check out the story at Headlight.News.
From “Ruin Porn” to High-Tech Hub: Ford Set to Reopen Long-Abandoned Michigan Central Station
When it opened 110 years ago, the Michigan Central depot was the tallest train station in the world and a showpiece for a city at its peak. Since it shut down in 1988, however, it’s been a symbol of urban decay and the decline of Detroit, in particular. Now, after a...
GM Pushes Back Sale of Midsize Trucks Due to Software Issue
General Motors put a halt to the sale and delivery of its 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups after a software glitch was discovered. The company is fixing the problem and expects to lift the hold soon. It’s the second major software problem to halt a high-profile vehicle. The stop sale hasn’t yet been lifted on the Chevy Blazer EV. Get details at Headlight.News.