On the podcast this week we talk about Toyota revealing its new RAV4 as well as a few other surprises, plus Elon Musk’s return to running Tesla, the Wiener 500, a review of the 2026 Toyota bZ review and a trip through This Week in Automotive History.
As it looks for ways to raise sales in the U.S., its second-largest market, Nissan is focusing on its e-Power hybrid technology for its popular Rogue SUV. The technology is similar to using a range extender on an EV. Get details at Headlight.News.
A German court has convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud in connection with the “Dieselgate” scandal that saw the automaker pay out more than $33 billion in fines and other costs for rigging diesel emissions data. Two of the VW employees face prison time. More from Headlight.News.
EV sales remain constant, in some measure because consumers have more choices than ever. While Tesla remains the leader, plenty of automakers are making inroads into the segment, like Chevrolet with its 2025 Blazer EV RS with all-wheel drive. Check out our review at Headlight.News.
In a nod to Pres. Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate narrowly voted to block California’s ability to set unique emissions rules, a move critics say weakens the ability to address climate change. A court battle will likely determine whether the state will be blocked from mandating a switch to EVs by 2035.
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.
Typically, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is filled with the sounds of open-wheel racers zipping around the oval at speeds in excess of 200 mph. However, this year, The Brickyard is playing host to a different kind of race: the Wienie 500. Get details about it at Headlight.News.
Even as it scrapped production of the base Charger Daytona coupe, Dodge has launched production of the sedan version of the all-electric muscle car, hoping the added convenience will boost initially weak demand. More from Headlight.News.
Honda is cutting its planned investment in battery-electric vehicles by 30%, its CEO citing “the current market slowdown.” The automaker still plans to launch two all-new “0-Series models” next year but will slow down and stretch out development of other all-electric products. It’s not likely to be the last automaker to rethink EV spending, reports Headlight.News.
Sales of the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona have been underwhelming. The Fratzonic exhaust hasn’t been music to the ears of muscle car mavens, but to bolster the numbers, a gas-powered version is coming. To make room, Dodge cut the R/T base model leaving only the all-electric Scat Pack available for 2026. Get details at Headlight.News.
With dozens of new models set to debut in the U.S. in the coming months, this should be a big year for Toyota. But the automaker’s plans have been put in a “wait and see mode,” as executives struggle to figure out how to respond to the new Trump import auto tariffs.The tariffs could bring more Toyota jobs to the U.S. – but they might also price some products out of reach, hammering sales. Headlight.News has more.
Elon Musk is cutting back on political activity as Tesla pushes into autonomous vehicles, announcing plans to stay with the automaker as CEO for the next five years. Musk also said autonomy is the key to Tesla’s future, with its new CyberCab ready to roll next month.