Detroit’s Big Three automakers face the prospect of running short of key components for some of their most profitable models as the United Auto Workers Union strikes supplier American Axle. More from Headlight.News.
Earnings and Financials
No V-8? No Sale, Say 40% of Ram Buyers
The latest-generation Ram 1500 pickup got off to a slow start when it made its debut two years ago, sales only taking off when the automaker revived the Hemi engine option last summer. Nearly half of Ram buyers demand a V-8 a senior executive said, even if doesn’t deliver the power, performance – or fuel economy of today’s turbocharged inline-6. More from Headlight.News.
Ferrari Luce: Is This the “Destruction of a Legend”?
Ferrari officially pulled the covers off the Luce, its first-ever battery electric vehicle. Despite some kind words from Pope Leo, however, the reaction to the $640,000 was largely unflattering. Is this the product that brings the house of the “prancing pony” crashing down? Headlight.News has more.
Honda Idling Ridgeline Production Until 2028 – Blames Emissions Issues Rather Than Slow Sales
Honda will temporarily idle production of its midsize Ridgeline pickup later this year, though it plans to relaunch the truck in new form for the 2028 model year. The automaker blames trouble meeting new emissions rules. But skeptics say the truck has failed to generate the sort of sales numbers the automaker had been hoping for. More from Headlight.News.
Stellantis in the Fastlane: Who Were the Winners and Losers?
Being bigger isn’t always better. Stellantis has 14 separate auto brands which can be difficult to support after last year’s big losses. Under the new Fastlane 2030 turnaround plan, the automakers is keeping them all – but some brands fare better than others. Headlight.News looks at the winners and losers.
Stellantis Lays Our Global, $70 Bil Turnaround Plan – But It’s the U.S. it’s Betting Big On
Aiming to reverse a series of setbacks to sales and earnings, Stellantis Thursday unveiled a $70 billion turnaround plan that will see it launch more than 60 new vehicles by decade’s end. But while markets from Europe to Africa to Asia should benefit, the Fastlane 2030 program depends disproportionately on two U.S. brands: Jeep and Ram. Headlight.News has more.
Stellantis and JLR Exploring Collaboration
Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore “opportunities to collaborate on product development” – though the MOU is specifically focused on the U.S. market. The announcement comes a day before Stellantis is set to announce a broad new strategy that will focus its efforts on just four key brands, leaving some observers wondering how an alliance with JLR would fit in. Headlight.News has more.
No Longer Locked in the Bargain Basement, the New Seltos Shows Why Kia is a Brand to Reckon With
It started out as a nearly invisible, “cheap and cheerful” brand. Today, Kia is one of the fastest-growing brands on the U.S. market and challenging not only competitors like Nissan but its own Korean sibling Hyundai. The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos is a reason why.
Honda, Mazda Go Big on Hybrids, Disconnect from EVs
Honda reported its first loss in seven decades, largely due to major cuts in its EV program. But the automaker plans a major ramp-up of its hybrid line-up, its CEO revealed. Mazda is following a similar strategy, albeit on a smaller scale, as Headlight.News reports.
Toyota Looking to Build New $2 Billion Assembly Plant in Texas
Call it a “whale” of a plan. Documents filed with Texas regulators show Toyota is ready to build a new, $2 billion assembly line alongside its existing truck factory in San Antonio. But the automaker is first seeking financial support from the state for what it has codenamed “Project Orca.” More from Headlight.News.
Concerns Mount as Lucid Loses $1 Billion, Suspends Production Guidance
EV maker Lucid Motors generated a $1 billion net loss for the first quarter, reflecting both recall problems and the broader slowdown of battery-car sales. With its new CEO suspending full-year production guidance, new questions are being asked about Lucid’s long-term viability, reports Headlight.News.
Get a First Look Inside Ford’s Universal EV Program
Ford will soon launch what it bills as a revolutionary, low-cost, long-range EVs. We get a 1st inside look at the Universal EV project.