On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look at tough April new vehicle sales numbers. We also examine the latest threat of raising tariffs on EU vehicles, plus we reviewed the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and more. Check it out at Headlight.News.
*Daily News*
Hybrid Sales Set Record, Propped Up Weakening U.S. Auto Market
Hybrid sales set a record in April, accounting for about one in seven new vehicles sold by U.S. dealers – in the process helping prop up an otherwise weakening overall market. By year-end that could reach one in five, and it’s not just fuel prices driving the surge in hybrid demand. Headlight.News has more.
A Week With: 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT AWD
A few years ago, Hyundai made waves with the debut of its car/truck, the Santa Cruz. It arrived with a natural rival, the Ford Maverick compact pickup. Fast forward to now, the Santa Cruz is on its way out — and that’s a damned shame. Find out why at Headlight.News.
April Brought Gloomy Auto Sales, as Well As Showers
Car sales headed downward in April as gloomy economic news spawned by rising oil prices and higher inflation took the edge off the excitement of the traditional spring buying season. More from Headlight.News.
Trump Raising Tariffs on EU Autos to 25%
Buyers looking for a new European vehicle could soon see prices go up by thousands of dollars, Pres. Donald Trump hiking tariffs to 25% after accusing the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal.” More from Headlight.News.
Automakers Set to Get Billions in Tariff Refunds – But Will Buyers Also Benefit?
Detroit’s Big Three automakers are in for windfall refunds from the federal government – a combined $2.3 billion coming back now that a key portion of the Trump tariff regime was ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. But buyers may not see a penny of that, reports Headlight.News.
17.3 MPH? Wisconsin Recycling Center is Just the Latest to Use an Odd Speed Limit to Get Your Atte1ntion
If you’re like most drivers, you probably pay scant attention to speed limit signs. While some authorities react by adding radar traps, a rural Wisconsin community is trying another approach with a sign that adds a decimal point. But it’s not the first to try this unusual approach, reports Headlight.News.
Ford, Stellantis Deliver Upbeat Q1 Earnings – But Not Everyone is Impressed
After taking a financial hammering last year, both Ford and Stellantis appear to be getting the new year off on a positive note, delivering unexpectedly strong first-quarter earnings. Ford got a boost from a big tariff refund, Stellantis from a sharp upturn in sales of Ram and Jeep models. More from Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2026 Ford F-150 STX Lobo
Americans love pickups. They raise ’em up, put big ol’ tires on ’em and then run over or through things out in nature. Sometimes they lower ’em, reconfigure the suspension and exhaust so that they’re loud, proud, and fast. It’s the latter that the inspired the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Headlight.News spent a week in. Check out our review.
Stellantis CEO Plans to Focus on Four Key Brands; Could This Spell the End for Chrysler, Lancia, Opel?
While it may have one of the most diverse brand portfolios in the industry, struggling Stellantis has a limited war chest to support them. So, going forward, new CEO Antonio Filosa plans to focus investments on just four of those marques. What happens to the other brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Lancia and Opel? Headlight.News has more.
Automakers Warn Tariffs May Force Them to Drop Entry Models
At a time when the typical buyer now spending around $50,000 to drive off the dealer lot, millions of American motorists are being forced out of the new vehicle market. Budget buyers could soon find their choices even more limited, however, depending upon negotiations to update the U.S. -Mexico-Canada Agreement. How that shakes out may lead a number of U.S. and foreign-owned automakers to drop their most affordable models.
GM Raises Earnings Guidance While Reporting Lower Q1 Net Income Number
General Motors saw its first quarter net income drop 5.7% to $2.6 billion due costs associated with a settlement with its electric vehicle supplier base. However, on an adjusted basis its earnings rose 21.9% to $4.3 billion. Find out more at Headlight.News.