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Toyota

Mazda Readies New EV Platform but Shifts to a “Multi-Solution” Strategy Emphasizing Hybrids

Mazda Readies New EV Platform but Shifts to a “Multi-Solution” Strategy Emphasizing Hybrids

by | Mar 19, 2025 | , , , , , , , , ,

Mazda has been one of the slowest automakers to embrace electrification and its first battery-powered model in the U.S., the MX-30, didn’t last very long due to limited range. Now, however, the Japanese automaker seems to be getting serious about EVs and has offered the first look at an all-new platform expected to be used for a battery-powered SUV due out in 2027. But the automaker also is shifting resources to put more emphasis on hybrids, such as one coming for the next-gen Mazda CX-5 crossover. Headlight.News has more.

Buyers Catch a Break – Temporarily – as BMW Set to Absorb Tariffs on Mexican-Made Models

Buyers Catch a Break – Temporarily – as BMW Set to Absorb Tariffs on Mexican-Made Models

by | Mar 13, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

President Donald Trump’s new tariffs threaten to shake up the auto industry, threatening to add thousands of dollars to the cost of even U.S.-made vehicles. For now, though, BMW will give buyers a break, the automaker saying it will absorb the added tariff costs on vehicles it imports from Mexico. Whether BMW can maintain that strategy – and whether other manufacturers will follow – is unclear.

Fewer Vehicles Qualify for This Year’s IIHS Top Safety Pick and Pick+ Awards

Fewer Vehicles Qualify for This Year’s IIHS Top Safety Pick and Pick+ Awards

by | Mar 12, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nearly a third fewer vehicles qualified for awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this year, compared to 2024. This reflects toughening crash test guidelines meant to protect rear-seat occupants. Headlight.News looks at which vehicles took IIHS’s coveted Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards this time around.

2026 Toyota bZ4X – Will Better Range, Performance, Faster Charging Win Over Critics?

2026 Toyota bZ4X – Will Better Range, Performance, Faster Charging Win Over Critics?

by | Mar 12, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Toyota may be one of the top-selling brands in the U.S. but its first serious foray into the battery-electric vehicle market hasn’t done much to charge up U.S. EV buyers. The automaker is hoping more of them will plug in with the launch of a mid-cycle update, the 2026 Toyota bZ4X getting a boost to both range and performance while cutting charging times. Here’s a first look.

At Just $15,000, This is the Affordable Toyota EV You Can’t Have

At Just $15,000, This is the Affordable Toyota EV You Can’t Have

by | Mar 12, 2025 | , , , , , , , , ,

The new Toyota bZ3X is, at less than $20,000, the sort of affordable EV American motorists are craving. The problem is you can’t have it. Not unless you’re thinking about moving to China. But it’s certainly connecting with motorists in the People’s Republic. And it might offer some insight into the sort of product Toyota just might eventually be able to come up with for the U.S.

Trump Tariff’s Sticker Shock Could Cripple Auto Industry

Trump Tariff’s Sticker Shock Could Cripple Auto Industry

by | Mar 4, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

President Donald Trump, as expected, launched new tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico while also increasing prior tariffs on China. All three countries responded with their own trade sanctions. The tariff war will increase prices on everything from avocados to semiconductors but economists warn few consumer goods will feel the heat more than automobiles – some models set to see price hikes of $12,000 or more. At a time when sticker shock is already impacting sales, analysts fear the U.S. auto industry could see sales and profits tumble – while job cuts also could be in the offing.

March U.S. Auto Sales Sputter Along

March U.S. Auto Sales Sputter Along

by | Mar 3, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sales of new vehicles held steady in February as Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, Subaru, Mazda and Honda all reported modest sales increases. But two of the largest automakers to report for the month, Toyota and Ford, delivered disappointing results. And Tesla’s numbers continued to show the impact of growing resistance to CEO Elon Musk and his role in the Trump administration. Headlight.News has more.

More Trump Tariffs Coming This Week; Expect to Spend More for Your Next Vehicle

More Trump Tariffs Coming This Week; Expect to Spend More for Your Next Vehicle

by | Mar 3, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , ,

Barring a last-minute change of mind, the White House has signaled Pres. Donald Trump will announce new tariffs targeting America’s largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, on Tuesday. The move is expected to increase the cost of many common goods substantially, including not only fully assembled vehicles imported from America’s nearest neighbors but other cars, trucks and crossovers assembled in the U.S. That’s because virtually all of those models rely on at least some Mexican and Canadian parts, components and raw materials.

First Drive: 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is the Affordable 3-Row SUV You Shouldn’t Forget About

First Drive: 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is the Affordable 3-Row SUV You Shouldn’t Forget About

by | Feb 26, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Of all the Japanese brands now available in the U.S., Mitsubishi is the one most likely to run under the radar for most buyers. But for those looking for a three-row SUV, it’d be a mistake to ignore the Mitsubishi Outlander. Surprisingly well-equipped, it is also one of the most affordable models in its segment. If anything, it becomes an even bigger bargain for 2025 with a modest mid-cycle update, as Headlight.News discovered during a day’s drive in and around Los Angeles. Here’s our review.

Alef Takes Next Step — or Flight — in Development of Flying Car

Alef Takes Next Step — or Flight — in Development of Flying Car

by | Feb 20, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alef Aeronautics pushed ahead in the development of its flying car with a short test flight on a city street. The company’s prototype flew over another vehicle, simulating how a future driver might deal with blocked traffic. Find out more at Headlight.News.

Report: Post-Pandemic Vehicle Dependability is a Real Problem

Report: Post-Pandemic Vehicle Dependability is a Real Problem

by | Feb 14, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.