BMW’s new Concept Skytop is a retro-futuristic ragtop that carries over distinctive design features of the Bavarian automaker’s historic 503 and Z8 models. It’s making its debut this weekend at Italy’s annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Headlight.News has a first look.
After a stumble in April, U.S. new vehicle sales are expected to rise as much as 3.5% courtesy of increased inventory levels and the rise in incentives that comes along with it. The numbers might have been higher if not for vehicle affordability issues. Find out more in the story at Headlight.News.
Experts project more than 38 million people will take to U.S. roadways this Memorial Day weekend. The record number of travelers may face traffic delays but will fortunately not see an uptick in gas prices compared to last year. Find out more at Headlight.News.
New data shows the average age of U.S. vehicles is 12.6 years old. It’s a new record, and with new vehicles still selling at near-record prices, it’s probably safe to assume that number won’t fall any time soon. Get details at Headlight.News.
States have long relied on gas taxes to cover the cost of building and maintaining their highway infrastructure. That approach falls apart as more and more EVs take to the road. California is exploring another option: tracking the mileage motorists log and charging them according to how far they drive. That could help prevent a gas tax shortfall of more than $4 billion over the next decade.
Japanese automaker Nissan halted plans to produce electric vehicles in the U.S. until further notice. The company is rethinking what it wants to do with its first set of next-generation EVs in the U.S. Get details at Headlight.News.
What is it with car designers wanting to start their own car companies? Former Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum has developed the Callum Skye EV, a small, off-road oriented vehicle set to debut May 22. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Mitsubishi…remember it? Going back a couple decades, it was a rising star in the U.S. market. Now, it hopes to make a real comeback with its 5-year Momentum 2030 North America business plan. That will “start immediately,” the Japanese automaker says, with an assortment of new and completely refreshed vehicles heading to American showrooms — including EVs, plug-ins and conventional hybrids.
In the wake of the mega-merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Paris-based PSA, Tim Kuniskis seemed the fair-haired boy, the American executive CEO Carlos Tavares could turn to when there was a problem to be solved. But Kuniskis unexpectedly announced his retirement Friday, with replacements named to take on his duties at Dodge and Ram.
General Motors and its partner, LG Energy Solution, agreed to a $150 million settlement with Chevrolet Bolt owners impacted by defective batteries for the vehicles. The payments range from $700 to $1,400 depending upon certain factors. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Elon Musk’s increasingly mercurial behavior is having a substantial impact on the Texas-based EV maker. But it may also have a serious impact on the Tesla CEO himself as shareholder resistance grows to the $50 billion pay package the automaker wants to give Musk. A key investor, and former Musk “fanboy,” voting no.
A decline in interest rates wasn’t enough to improve the affordability of new vehicles in April. The average new vehicle payment rose slightly, and it’s taking a little bit more of your annual income to afford a new car, truck or SUV. Find out more at Headlight.News.