Days after announcing plans to invest another $10 billion in the U.S. market, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda turned up his effort to minimize trade tensions between Japan and the United States by showing up in a MAGA hat and Trump-Vance campaign T-shirt at the NASCAR race at Fuji Speedway. Headlight.News has more.
Sentra is a critical model line for Nissan in the U.S. and the automaker is betting big on the 2026 makeover. But while it’s still being positioned as an affordable entry, the new model’s price rises by as much as 4%. It’s the latest new model to see a big jump as the industry copes with rising costs and the impact of the Trump auto tariffs. More from Headlight.News.
Who says the American love affair with the automobile has ended? You’d never know that if you were in Las Vegas this week for the annual SEMA Show. Short for the Specialty Equipment Market Association its routinely ranked as one of the two biggest events in Sin City, bringing out tens of thousands of people to check out the latest in automotive parts and accessories, from dangly air fresheners to high-performance “crate engines.” More than 1,000 exhibitors will be on hand, including automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Toyota and Headlight.News has this preview.
Automakers suffered saw a sharp drop in electric vehicle sales during October as federal EV tax credit ended. But even sales of gas models leveled off as prices, driven higher by Trump’s auto tariffs, drove many mainstream buyers out of the market. As Headlight.News reports, the industry has become more dependent than ever on affluent households for new sales.
This year’s Japan Mobility Show proves there’s still plenty of life left on the auto show circuit. The biennial event brought out dozens of new cars, concepts – and even a rocket – during its media preview. Headlight.News was in Tokyo and takes a look at some of the most significant products to debut there.
“Sexy” isn’t a word you’d likely catch yourself uttering when it comes to the Toyota Corolla. “Solid,” sure. “Reliable,” absolutely. But it’s the ultimate in utilitarian design. At least that’s the way it’s been since the long-popular sedan first made its debut in 1966. But if the concept vehicle making its debut at this week’s Japan Mobility Show is any indication, the 13th generation Corolla will be a very different sort of beast. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
Toyota committed to invest another $10 billion in the United States, as negotiations on a new U.S.-Japan trade deal moved forward — prompting Pres. Donald Trump to tell troops stationed in Japan, “Go out and buy a Toyota.” In an exclusive report, Headlight.News reports Toyota also is looking for ways to boost U.S. auto exports to Japan.
Toyota’s Lexus division proved Japan could compete with the best of the Western luxury brands. But can Toyota take things even further upmarket? The industry giant is determined to give it a try, officially pulling the wraps off the new Century Coupe concept at the Japan Mobility Show. Get details at Headlight.News.
When you’ve got one of America’s best-selling product lines you can’t risk resting on your laurels. So, Toyota has pulled out the stops with the debut of the sixth-generation RAV4. It gets not only a new look and an updated array of technology and comfort features but a first-ever GR Sport package. The off-road Woodland package also becomes more capable. Buyers meanwhile, get a choice of either a conventional or plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Headlight.News has this first review.
Three years after dropping the original FJ Cruiser, Toyota signaled it’s heading back to production, this time dubbed the Land Cruiser FJ. A smaller version of the Land Cruiser that staged its own return in 2024 after a three-year absence, the new off-roader will make its debut at the Japan Mobility Show next week. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
Volkswagen delivered an all-new version of its compact Tiguan SUV earlier this year, but it was saving the best for last, at least for those looking for some serious performance. The 2026 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo delivers a surprising 67 hp over the rest of the line-up, while also packing in an assortment of upscale features. Headlight.News has this review.
Toyota will show off a new super-premium luxury car concept during the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. But don’t expect to see it land in Toyota showrooms. Badged a “Century” model, it will signal the launch of an all-new brand rising above the automaker’s current Lexus division to take on some of the world’s most exclusive marques, including Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Headlight.News has more.