Almost a month after confirming plans to launch a rotary-powered sports car based on its Iconic SP sports car, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro has offered more insight into what it expects to bring to market – and it means the eventual vehicle might be both smaller and more powerful than originally expected, especially for the U.S. market.
Consumer Guides
New Vehicle Sales Come on Strong in November – With Several Brands Setting New Records
November ended on a high note, at least from an automotive perspective, with sales of new vehicles delivering solid year-over-year gains for those brands that have so far reported their numbers for the month. And several Japanese and Korean brands ended November with new sales records.
New York City Gets the Go to Launch $9 Congestion Free for Commuters and Visitors
As if you don’t pay enough in bridge and tunnel tolls to drive into Manhattan, things are about to get even more expensive for commuters and other visitors to New York City as the Big Apple launches a new $9 congestion fee starting January 5, 2025.
First Drive: 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE Plug-In Hybrid SUV
You might think that Toyota is the poster child for their fleet going hybrid. But check out Lamborghini. Gas-electric hybrids are flooding out of the automaker’s Sant’Agata factory. We spent a couple days in Italy checking out the latest entry, the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE Plug-In Hybrid SUV.
Tesla is America’s Deadliest Automotive Brand, New Study Shows
Today’s cars are safer than ever, or so they should be considering all the active and passive safety equipment onboard. But that isn’t necessarily so and, surprisingly, some of the best-equipped products don’t fare all that well when you check federal data. Case in point? Tesla turns out to have the industry’s highest fatality rate, according to a new study.
VW’s Cupra Brand Comes a Step Closer to Entering the U.S. Market
Months after Volkswagen revealed interest in bringing its sporty Cupra brand to the U.S. market it has taken a critical step closer to making that happen before the end of the decade. It’s begun talks with the Penske Automotive Group which could partner on the launch.
Seven of Nine Finalists for North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year are Electrified
Battery power appears to have electrified the jurors of the North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year awards. Eight of the nine finalists are offered in all-electric or hybrid form. Here’s who’s on the list.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a Stylish, Long-Range EV for Families Needing 3 Rows
Looking for a stylish, well-equipped SUV with room for up to six, good performance and low energy costs? Hyundai is betting it has the right product for you. The Korean carmaker’s 2025 Ioniq 9, a spacious well-equipped 3-row EV, makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. And Headlight.News got a chance to check it out before the official unveiling at the LA Convention Center.
2026 Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show
Genesis will debut a mid-cycle makeover to two of its most popular models: the midsize GV70 and the Electrified GV70. But a handful of folks got a chance to check the sibling SUVs out during a sneak peek ahead of this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
VinFast Finally Begins U.S. Deliveries of 3-Row VF 9 EV
Better late than never, it seems, for Vietnamese EV start-up VinFast, the automaker finally delivering the first batch of its second model-line offerings, the VF 9. But those interested in the 3-row SUV will still find only limited availability through a handful of dealerships in California other states.
Mercedes Shifts Strategy with New CLA to Offer EV and Hybrid Options
When Mercedes-Benz launches its next-generation CLA family next year it will feature, as expected, an all-electric drivetrain. But, reflecting the realities of the global market, it will also be offered with a choice of hybrid powertrains, as well. And it will move away from the controversial “one-bow” styling of earlier battery-electric models like the EQS and EQE.
Ford Facing Two New Investigations into Handling of Recalls
Less than a week after federal safety regulators hit Ford with one of the largest fines in automotive history, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched two new investigations into the way the automaker has handled some recent recalls.
