In this week’s podcast we cover Trump and his tariffs on automakers as well as his warning to automakers about raising prices to cover the costs, as well as a vehicle review and more.
Business
Sales Already in a Tailspin, Protestors Gather at Tesla Dealerships Around the World
With thousands gathered in protest at dealers around the world over the weekend, Tesla wrapped up what is expected to be a weak first quarter, the automaker watching sales dwindle as opposition grows to CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration – as well as his increasingly vocal shift to the political far right. Headlight.News has the latest.
Stellantis Switches Plans for Belvidere Plant Opening in 2027
Plans change in the auto industry as evidenced by the move by Stellantis to reopen its plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Closed a few years ago, the UAW pressured the company to reopen the facility as part of its most recent contract negotiations. The company agreed, and it’s set to reopen in 2027, but it will not produce what was originally expected. Get details at Headlight.News.
Tesla Faces Biggest Protest Yet on March 29
Thousands of people are expected to gather at more than 500 showrooms, service centers and other locations on Saturday March 29 as part of “Tesla Takedown,” a loosely organized movement aimed at protesting CEO Elon Musk’s political shift to the extreme right, as well as his role heading the Trump administration’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency. The question is whether there will be any of the sort of violence that has occurred at other protests in recent weeks. Headlight.News has more.
Trump Threatened to Punish Automakers Who Pass Tariff Costs on to Buyers
The automotive tariffs going into effect next months could add thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars to the cost of new vehicles. But Pres. Donald Trump raised the threat that he might punish manufacturers who pass tariff costs on to consumers. More from Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD
There are more choices than ever when it comes to electric vehicles. However, one of the early arrivers, the Kia EV6, continues to evolve and improve. After three years, the newest model is surely the best one yet. Check out our review at Headlight.News.
Diners, Drive-Ins…and Elon Musk?
Charging up your EV can be a long and lonely experience when you’re on the road, public chargers often located in out-of-the-way places with nothing to do while you wait, often as long as an hour or more for the batteries to suck down their fill of electrons. So, why not let EV owners chow down, as well? That’s the idea behind the 24-hour diner and drive-in theater Tesla is setting up in Hollywood. But it’s proven more difficult than expected for CEO Elon Musk to line up the sort of celebrity chef he’s been after to run the place. More from Headlight.News.
Fading Consumer Confidence, Aggravated by New Trump Tariffs, Could Cripple Auto Industry
Consumer confidence, a key ingredient for healthy vehicle sales, is slipping, according to new polls And with buyers already wary of price hikes, New increases, triggered by President Donald Trump’s broad tariff policies could translate into a sharp market slump, report Headlight.News.
Honda Passport Gets Hang Time
How do you show off the capabilities of your new SUV? When Honda decided to tease the capabilities of the 2026 Passport TrailSport it borrowed a page from the Hollywood stunt manual, hanging three of the light truck models end to end off a crane, 100 feet in the air. Headlight.News has more.
Stellantis Says: Quit Your Job, Get a Check
Back when Lee Iacocca was running Chrysler the company famously offered motorists a chance to “Buy a Car, Get a Check.” These days, the automaker is part of a trans-Atlantic conglomerate and Stellantis has a new pitch aimed at its U.S. union workers: quit your job and get a check. More from Headlight.News.
Trump Announces Tariffs on Imported Autos, Auto Parts – Threatening Auto Sales, Earnings
President Donald Trump formally announced that 25% tariffs targeting imported autos and auto parts will go into effect on April 3, though final details impacting some Canadian and Mexican imports have yet to be finalized. Trump promised the move will spur significant growth in the domestic auto industry. But many analysts, along with industry officials, warned it could result in a hit to industry sales and earnings, driving many potential customers out of the new vehicle market. Headlight.News has more.
Tesla Founder Straubel High on the List as Disgruntled Investors Demand Automaker Replace Musk
A growing number of investors, including some of Tesla’s traditional bulls, are pressing the automaker to replace CEO Elon Musk despite the rebound in the company’s stock this week. That has led to growing speculation over who might come in to replace him, with founder and former tech chief J.R. Straubel in the spotlight. Headlight.News has more.