Workers are sharing the pain with struggling Stellantis this year. With the automaker posting a $26.4 billion deficit for 2025 the automaker announced its nearly 39,000 U.S. union employees won’t be getting profit checks. More from Headlight.News.
Earnings and Financials
Automakers May Catch a Break as Trump Launches New Tariffs – But Consumers Aren’t So Lucky
The auto industry may be getting a bit of a reprieve from the latest round of tariffs enacted by Pres. Donald Trump following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision announced last Friday finding most of his early import duties were illegal. But automakers and auto suppliers still face earlier tariffs on imported vehicles, parts and metals not covered by the court’s ruling. And that means auto buyers will continue to pay substantially inflated prices at a time when many potential customers have been driving out of the market. More from Headlight.News.
Inflation Hits Auto Insurance; Rates are Up and So Are Deductibles
“Affordability” is a big concern for car buyers these days. But whether you’re buying something new or hanging onto a jalopy you’re owned for years, the cost of insurance is going up, and as rates and deductibles climb less affluent customers feel more pain.
Tesla Rolls Out its First Cybercab with No Steering Wheel – But Who Will Buy One?
Tesla this week rolled out the first version of its Cybercab with no steering wheel. And CEO Musk indicated it will be available for $30,000. But who will buy one – especially with mounting concerns about the safety of Tesla’s self-driving vehicle technology blamed for a growing number of Cybercab crashes?
Polestar Plans its “Largest Model Offensive in History” With 4 New Products Coming
Has Polestar finally turned the corner? The Swedish automaker, spun off by Volvo nearly a decade ago, had a very good year in 2025 – and is looking to keep the momentum going as it prepares to roll out a series of new products, starting later this year with the debut of the Polestar 5.
We Get a First Deep Look Inside Ford’s Universal EV Program
When you’re posting nearly $20 billion in write-offs on your EV program it’s probably a good time to rethink what you’re doing. And that’s precisely why Ford Motor Co. launched the skunkworks Universal EV program designed to deliver “affordable,” long-range EVs that are also “fun to drive.” While the first version is still a year away, Headlight.News got a deep dive look at how the automaker plans to pull it off.
Plant Closures Possible as VW Looks to Slash Costs
Volkswagen’s CEO and CFO presented senior management a “massive” plan to cut costs by 20% by the end of 2028, a move that could save as much as $71 billion at current exchange rates. The move could bring plant closures and cuts to employment, reports Headlight.News.
U.S. EV Registrations Slipped for 1st Time in a Decade
Driven largely by the phase-out of federal tax credits, U.S. sales of battery-electric vehicles slid last year, with registrations down for the first time in a decade. Most experts anticipate a rebound, though how much and how fast that recovery will happen is uncertain. Headlight.News has more.
China’s BYD Beat Tesla and Has Now Topped Ford’s Global Sales, as Well
China’s BYD saw a massive surge in global sales last year. It not only topped Tesla as world’s largest seller of battery-electric vehicles but also beat Ford Motor Co. in overall global sales. More from Headlight.News.
Pres. Trump Threatens to Block Opening of $5.9B Gordie Howe Bridge – Critics Cry Foul, Call it a Political Favor
President Trump is threatening to block the opening of a new bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario eagerly sought by the auto industry. The president points to his escalating debut with Canada but critics see a political favor for a major GOP donor who owns a rival span across the Detroit River. Headlight.News has more.
Ford Reports $8.2 Billion Loss for 2025
Ford reported a loss of $8.2 billion FY2025 due to the $19.5 billion special charge in the fourth quarter related to its EV business. The fourth quarter loss was even bigger: $11.1 billion. However, the company’s 2026 guidance provided some optimism. Details at Headlight.News.
New Toyota CEO “Loves Money” And Will Need it to Grow Hybrids, Software, Robotaxi Operations
Toyota has a new CEO set to take charge on April 1 and, unlike the man he’ll succeed, Kenta Kon is a finance guy determined to deliver some big numbers for the world’s largest automaker. He intends to build up Toyota’s war chest – and one way he’ll do that is with a planned 30% increase in hybrid sales by 2028. More from Headlight.News.