Volkswagen has decided not to offer the 2026 ID.Buzz microbus in the U.S., citing weak “market conditions” for the unexpected move. But it says it is “excited” about bringing back the all-electric van in 2027. Headlight.News has more.
Awards
Subaru At the Head of the Class in 2026 Consumer Reports Auto Report Card
Little Subaru is a brand that has frequently surprised its bigger rivals and it does it again as the top-ranked marque in the 2026 Consumer Reports Auto Brand Report Card, besting manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and second-ranked BMW. That was one of the surprises in this year’s study. Headlight.News has more.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 11-24-25
Headlight News for the Week of 11-24-25 covers the LA Auto Show, Hyundai going off-road, Porsche’s new Cayenne EV, more robotaxis coming and the NACTOY finalists. We also review the 2026 Nissan Leaf Premium+ and look back at this week in automotive history.
EVs, Hybrids Dominate List of North American Car, Truck, Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists
While EV sales may be taking a hit as 2025 draws to a close, you wouldn’t know based on the nine finalists for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year. Two-thirds of the models chosen by a panel of 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists are either hybrid or all-electric. Headlight.News has the list.
Toyota Reveals New Land Cruiser FJ Ahead of Japan Mobility Show
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.
NACTOY Semifinalists Revealed
A total of 30 vehicles – six cars, five trucks and 19 utility vehicles – made the cut as NACTOY revealed the semifinalists chosen by its 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists. Here’s a look at the vehicles in the running for honors as North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year.
These Are the Auto Brands With the Highest Loyalty Rates – And the Sharpest Decline in Loyalty
With so many different brands – and products — to choose from it’s likely no surprise that consumer loyalty has been on a long decline. But some manufacturers still stand out, and Ford Motor Co. comes out on top according to the latest study by S&P Global Mobility. Headlight.News looks at the other winners – and why Tesla was an “unprecedented” loser.
Judge Sets Back Trump’s Anti-EV Agenda; Frees Up Public Charger Funding
A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the White House to release about $1 billion in funds set aside for the construction of a nationwide public EV charging network. The funds were frozen by Pres. Donald Trump as part of his campaign to rollback Biden-era electric vehicle mandates. But the administration is still pressing Congress to drop other EV programs, including federal tax credits of up to $7,500, reports Headlight.News.
Lexus, Nissan, GM Rise to the Top in 2025 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
Looking for the brands delivering the highest levels of initial quality? Lexus and Nissan rose to the top in this year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, while General Motors had more top-ranked models than any other manufacturer. There were some surprises in this year’s IQS by Jaguar and Ram. But, yet again, motorists pointed to onboard technology as the biggest source of trouble. More from Headlight.News.
Tesla Takes Top Four Spots in American-Made Index
This year’s annual American-Made Index from Cars.com saw the Tesla Model 3 rise to the top of the list, followed by the rest of the Tesla lineup. Last year’s winner was the Model Y so this is getting to be old hat for the brand. However, the big surprise was what company didn’t have a vehicle in the top 20. Go to Headlight.News to find out which Red, White and Blue touting company didn’t make the grade.
New Stellantis CEO Filosa Could Take Home $23 Million a Year – If He Can Pull Off a Turnaround
Anthony Filosa, the new CEO of Stellantis, won’t officially begin his new role until the end of this month but, despite all the challenges he will face, he’s already got something to look forward to. The Italian-born executive will get a lucrative contract with an escalating pay scale that would allow him to take home as much as $23 million a year in pay and bonuses by 2028. That’s if he can deliver the much-needed turnaround for the struggling Euro-American automaker. 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.