This week on the podcast we discuss the potential arrival of new vehicles from Chinese automakers, soaring new vehicle sales and EV sales, as well as the rising tide of road rage incidents across the country. Check it out at Headlight.News.
*Daily News*
Rivian Chief RJ Scaringe Upbeat Despite Loss of Fed Tax Credits, Threat of Chinese Competition
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says he has “never been more confident than I am today” about the future of the struggling EV manufacturer. That’s despite a series of challenges facing the battery-electric vehicle sector in general – including the loss of federal EV tax credits and the rise of the low-cost Chinese competitors who are threatening to enter the U.S. market. A critical test will come early next year with the launch of Rivian’s more affordable R2 model line. But it’s also counting on joint ventures and alliances like those with Volkswagen and Amazon, reports Headlight.News.
Automakers Come Up With Their Own EV Deals to Offset Lost Federal Tax Credits
While federal EV tax credits expired on September 30, automakers hope to maintain sales momentum – or, at the least, head off a threatened slump – with makers like Hyundai, GM and Ford coming up with deals of their own, including big price cuts and incentives matching the lost federal tax credits. They could help boost demand, according to a new Harris poll. More from Headlight.News.
It’s No Longer “If,” But “When” Chinese Automakers Will Crack Open the U.S. Market
Tariffs enacted by Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump effectively closed the door on auto imports from China – only a few products now entering the U.S. But, despite the current hefty tariffs, observers expect that the Trump administration will soon open the American market up to Chinese products, while also encouraging manufacturers like BYD and Geely to set up U.S. manufacturing operations. While American motorists would likely welcome vehicles like the $20,000 BYD Dolphin, this could pose an “existential threat” to traditional automakers, reports Headlight.News.
Dodge May Drop 900-hp Charger Banshee While Other Electrified Stellantis Models Are Also at Risk
Stellantis is backing away from its aggressive electrification plans. It’s already abandoned the all-electric Ram REV pickup and a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator. Now, it appears, the 900-hp Dodge Charger Banshee could be among other battery-based models set to be axed. Headlight.News has more.
Stellantis Finally Pulls Out of its Sales Slump – But Federal Shutdown Weighs Over the Entire Industry
Strong sales by the Jeep and Ram brands helped Stellantis reverse its long sales slide during the third quarter, even as Volkswagen faltered in the face of a challenging economy. While U.S. auto sales are running stronger than expected, analysts still worry about the impact of tariffs and the federal government shutdown in the months ahead.
Record EV Demand Charged Up U.S. Auto Sales in September
U.S. auto sales took a sharp upturn in September, largely driven by charged-up demand for other electrified vehicles. General Motors and Ford were among the manufacturers reporting record EV numbers for the month, motorists racing to take advantage of federal tax credits before they expired at the end of the month. Headlight.News has more.
Lexus Bids Farewell to Flagship LS with Limited-Run Heritage Edition
It was the sedan that showed the world Japan could truly compete with the best European luxury brands. But after a 36-year run, the Lexus LS is about to drive off into the sunset, the victim of declining demand for highline sedans. The automaker will give the LS one last hurrah in the form of the limited-run Heritage Edition.
Hertz Launches Online Used Car Sales
Hertz wants to put you in the driver’s seat, especially if you’re looking for a used car. The car rental giant on Tuesday announced a new online buying channel that will allow potential buyers the ability to do everything from browsing inventory to setting up financing without ever leaving home. More from Headlight.News.
Federal Incentives End Today – What Happens to EV Sales Now?
Car dealers across the country have been busy writing up new orders for battery-electric vehicles in recent weeks, shoppers racing to take advantage of federal tax credits that expire on Sept. 30. But what happens come October 1? Will demand wither away? Headlight.News has more.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 9-29-25
On this week’s podcast, we talk about the $2B hack of Jaguar Land Rover, the rise of new vehicle prices as automakers stop covering all the costs of the tariffs, the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, increasing road rage incidents and more. You can get a link at Headlight.News or go straight to Spotify.
Road Rage is Everywhere, Reports AAA, as Man Shot and Killed in Phoenix Incident
Americans seem to be mad about everything these days and nowhere is that more apparent than on our roadways. Fully 96% of U.S. motorists admit they’ve cut off another driver or committed some other aggressive act over the past year, according to a new AAA study. In one incident over the weekend, reports Headlight.News, a man was shot and killed.