Tesla and Waymo are about to square off in a duel, which could decide the fate of automated vehicles in the U.S. Billions of dollars in revenue and profits are at stake as the two companies prepare to compete in cities around the country.
Volkswagen
Tariffs Backfire as Automakers Reduce North American Production
Pres. Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported autos and auto parts were intended to bring manufacturing and jobs back to the United States but, at least for now, the plan appears to be backfiring. Though a number of automakers are looking at ways to bring new vehicle production to the States, a new study shows that the industry will sharply reduce output in North America this quarter. And that, in turn, raises the prospect of U.S. auto jobs cuts. More from Headlight.News.
First Look: Updated 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota opened up an entirely new market segment with the crossover version of its evergreen Corolla model. Now, the Japanese automaker is giving us a first look at the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross and there are some welcome updates. Headlight.News takes a closer look.
Ford Raising Prices on Mexican-Made Products
Ford Motor Co. plans to raise prices on three popular product lines assembled in Mexico, according to an advisory sent to dealers. The automaker put the blame on the new Trump auto tariffs which, it said earlier this week, will add about $2.5 billion to its costs this year. The automaker has yet to say whether it also will raise prices on products produced at Canadian and other foreign plants, as well as those assembled in the U.S. using foreign-made parts. Headlight.News looks at whether othr products could see price hikes,
VW ID.Buzz Recalled: Feds Say the 3rd Row is Too Roomy
Volkswagen has been ordered to recall all of the new ID.Buzz microvans it’s sold in the U.S. because, says NHTSA, the third row is too roomy. According to the feds, that makes it too easy to squeeze a third passenger into the back row though it doesn’t have three seatbelts. That’s one of two new recalls that have forced VW to temporarily halt sales and deliveries of the new EV. Headlight.News explains.
Stellantis Suffers Another Revenue Slide – Joins Automakers Suspending Forecasts Due to Trump Tariffs
Stellantis reported Wednesday a 14% slide in revenues for the first quarter. The Euro-American automaker had previously forecast a turnaround later in the year but said during a webcast it was suspending future guidance in the face of Pres. Trump’s new auto tariffs. It joins GM and Mercedes in warning that sales and earnings could be at risk. More from Headlight.News.
Uber Set to Launch Fleet of Autonomous VW ID.Buzz Microbuses
Volkswagen is teaming up with Uber to field what eventually could be thousands of fully driverless ID.Buzz microbuses. The first should show up on Los Angeles streets next year. Headlight.News has more.
Kia EV3 Named World Car of the Year – And Other Winners
The Kia EV3 was named World Car of the Year at the annual New York International Auto Show, with Volvo, Porsche, BYD and Volkswagen also nabbing five other awards. As Headlight.News reports, EVs, dominated.
Volkswagen Storms NYC With New, More Powerful 2026 Tiguan
Volkswagen came to the New York International Auto Show to reveal its all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo. The new model will be marque’s flagship trim beginning with the 2026 model year. Fittingly, its more powerful and sportier than the rest of the Tiguan lineup, VW officials noted. Check out Headlight.News for the story.
Tariffs Be Damned, Cupra Confirms its Coming to America
Despite new Trump tariffs targeting imported autos and auto parts, Volkswagen intends to move ahead with plans to launch the sport Cupra brand in the U.S., company officials confirmed during a media event in Miami. But the move across the Atlantic may not happen until the very end of the decade – and Cupra may wind up moving at least some production to the U.S. by then, Headlight.News reports.
A Week With: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S 4Motion
After nearly 25 years of telling us “It’s coming,” Volkswagen finally began stocking U.S. showrooms with the contemporary version of the iconic Volkswagen T Series bus. And after a more than two decade wait, we spent a week in it. Check out the review at Headlight.News.
NY Auto Show Bringing Plenty of Previews – Here’s What You’ll Find
At least a half-dozen brands will be making news at this week’s New York International Auto Show, products such as the next-generation Subaru Outback and Kia EV4 among the mix. We may even get a few surprises. Here’s what we already know is on the list of debuts.