With its quirky rounded exterior, Canoo caught the attention of plenty of potential electric vehicle buyers. However, the looks weren’t enough to translate to sales and profits. Canoo filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Get details at Headlight.News.
Business
Trump Has the Auto Industry in His Sights
As of noon on Monday, the United States has a new president – and Donald Trump is expected to move quickly to implement an agenda calling for major changes in America’s domestic and foreign policies. The auto industry, in particular, could feel the impact of Trump’s agenda in a variety of ways: from foreign trade to EV and emissions policies. Here’s a closer look at what that might means.
Lexus Killing Off RC Coupe as Passenger Car Ranks Continue to Dwindle
Lexus is giving its RC and RC F sports coupes a “sonorous swan song,” finishing their run at the end of 2025. While the Japanese luxury brand does retain some passenger car models it mirrors the broader industry’s ongoing move to abandon passenger vehicles in favor of SUVs, CUVs and pickups.
Charger Companies Fight Back Against Thieves, Vandals
Setting up a nationwide public charging network is a critical step to encourage the shift to battery-electric vehicles. But that effort is being hampered by vandals and thieves, some cutting charger cables to recycle their valuable copper. Now, however, at least one charging company is fighting back. Headlight.News has more.
More Americans Underwater on Their Car Loans
As prices and interest rates have continued to rise in recent years, more and more owners are finding themselves with a lot of negative equity in those vehicles when they’re ready for a new car, truck or SUV. A new study shows Americans are upside down at record levels. Get details at Headlight.News.
EV Maker Polestar’s Profitability Going to Take a Little Longer
Officials at EV maker Polestar said that it’s going to take longer than originally forecast for the nascent automaker to be in the black. It also delayed a planned expansion to new companies. Check out the story at Headlight.News.
Chrysler the Latest to Scale Back EV Plans; Kills off Electric Crossover
The Chrysler brand reportedly has halted work on a midsize electric crossover based on the Airflow concept vehicle. The move comes late in development as the EV was to have reached market later this year. The decision echoes one made by rival Ford which has also responded to slowing growth in the EV market by killing off a planned 3-row crossover.
Zeekr Shows Why Foreign Brands Fear Emerging Chinese Automakers
Chinese automotive exports hit an all-time record last year – even while being effectively locked out of the U.S. market. But despite incoming Pres. Donald Trump’s threat to put still more tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles, the doors may not be locked forever. And anyone who checked out the new Zeekr brand’s news conference and display at the Consumer Electronics Show is likely to understand why that worries other manufacturers.
New Vehicle Sales Strong Even as Prices Approach Record Highs
Automakers converted new-vehicle shoppers to actual buyers at a strong rate during the final quarter of the year. This happened despite four straight months of price increases, and now consumers are looking at near-record prices. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Toyota Ready to Open Woven City, Its “Test Course for Mobility”
It’s been five years since Toyota announced plans to open an entirely new city in the shadow of Japan iconic Mount Fuji. The first phase of development of this “test course for mobility is now complete and the automaker is about to invite the first “weavers” and “inventors” to start moving in. Headlight.News has more.
EV Sales Take Off in Fourth Quarter to Set New Records
Acceptance of electric vehicles continues to rise not just in the U.S. but around the world. One need only take a look at the 2024 sales numbers to see that buyers are more comfortable with potential EV-related shortcomings to enjoy the benefits of battery-powered vehicles. Get more details at Headlight.News.
Allstate In Hot Water Over Allegations It Paid App Developers To Track Consumers
Insurance provider Allstate finds itself in hot water after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges the company paid smartphone app developers to track consumers without their knowledge.