Any foreigner who has tried to negotiate Tokyo’s narrow, windy and painfully crowded roads knows what a challenge that can be. But General Motors and Honda say they’re confident they’ve got a better way to navigate traffic, with the partners set to launch service by Cruise robotaxis in Japan’s capitol starting in 2026.
Automakers
Nissan Hyper Punk Concept Merges Traditional Origami with the Edgy Manga Lifestyle
The Nissan Hyper Punk is easily the edgiest of four EV concepts the automaker will formally reveal at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo next week. The body looks like it emerged from an origami studio. But the Hyper Punk concept could easily find a fit in Japanese manga – or, as it turns out, the Fortnite online game.
Honda Revives Civic Hybrid, Coming Next Spring as 2025 Model
Everything that’s old is new again. Ok, perhaps it’s a bit much. But in an era where automakers are rolling out new EV after new EV, Honda’s plans to bring back the Civic Hybrid, last produced in 2015, as a 2025 model does stand out. Get details at Headlight.News.
A New Toyota Celica Could Be Coming
After bringing the Supra back to life after a protracted hiatus, it seems as if Toyota may be bringing back the Celica, which was discontinued in 2006. Find out more at Headlight.News.
GM Tells UAW: Enough is Enough. There’s No More to Give
GM manufacturing chief Gerald Johnson took an end run around UAW leaders by providing striking workers a detailed look at the company’s latest contract offer. “These are not poverty wages,” he stressed, noting many union employees will make over $100,000 before benefits. GM, Johnson stressed, simply can’t offer any more if it hopes to remain competitive.
Tesla Cybertruck a Bust? “We Dug Our Own Grave,” Says Musk
Within a week of its 2019 launch, Tesla claimed to have logged 250,000 advance reservations for the Cybertruck, and CEO Musk claims the number is now up to 1 million. Yet, even with the all-electric pickup finally in production, it very well could turn into a bust, CEO Elon Musk telling investors and analysts “We dug our own grave with the Cybertruck.”
Price Cuts Tamp Down Tesla Third Quarter Results
The impact of Tesla’s price cuts hit home in the third quarter as its earnings fell on a year-over-year basis. Perhaps more importantly, more price cuts are expected to come in the fourth quarter at the company pushes to meet its goal of delivering 1.8 million vehicles globally. More cuts means a tough final quarter — fiscally anyway. Details at Headlight.News.
Toyota Teases “A New Dawn” — Hint: There’s a New Camry Coming
Talk about a halo car. Toyota offered up a mysterious teaser image Thursday hinting at a new model in the works. It took a little detective work for Headlight.News to figure out what it is. But we’ll give the secret away. Check out this report for more on what to expect with the 2025 Toyota Camry.
Volvo EM90 Will Be its First Minivan — and it’s All-Electric
With rare exception, everything Volvo brings to market, going forward, will be all-electric. And that includes the brand’s first minivan. Images of the Volvo EM90 have begun leaking out and, not surprisingly, it bears a more than passing resemblance to the ZEEKR 009, the all-electric people-mover also being launched next year by the Swedish automaker’s Chinese parent, Geely.
GM Delays EV Pickup Plant Launch Until Late 2025
Once again, GM is delaying production of some of its new battery-electric vehicles, this time announcing that production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups won’t start rolling out of the suburban Detroit Orion Assembly Plant until late 2025. But, as Headlight.News reports, limited numbers of Silverado EV commercial models are being produced at a second plant.
Nissan Hyper Tourer Concept: A Van That Really Cares
Nissan released the third of four mobility concept vehicles ahead of the Japan Mobility Show later this month. The Hyper Tourer concept aims to show how it can incorporate health-based technology into an all-electric vehicle.
Ford Cuts Shift as F-150 Lightning Sales “Tank”
Ford dropped a shift at the Dearborn, Michigan plant assembling its all-electric F-150 Lightning. The automaker blamed “multiple constraints,” for the move, but the UAW says the production cut comes as sales “have tanked.” If anything, Ford had expected a growing surge in demand as it prepares a major expansion of capacity at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.