Facing the prospect of being banned from the largest EV market in the U.S., Tesla has stopped using the name, Autopilot, on the vehicles it sells in California. It’s also updated the name of its more advanced Full Self-Driving system.
EVs and batteries
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.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-16-26
The Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-16-26 covers big Ford losses, sliding EV sales, the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, President Trump pushing to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, plus we review the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus and look back at this Week in Auto History. Give us a listen.
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.
Toyota Bucks the EV Pullback with All-Electric Highlander
While much of the industry may be paring back their EV plans, Toyota is moving in a very different direction, on Tuesday evening pulling the wraps off the latest entry into its line-up an all-electric 3-row SUV. Headlight.News checks out the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.
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.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-9-26
On this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the big hit to Stellantis’ earnings, Toyota’s changes at the top as well as its new EV, plus the decline of new car sales last month. We also review the 2026 Honda Prelude and more. Give us a listen!
EV Sales Fall, But EV Charger Installations Jump 30% in 2025
Electric vehicle sales continue to slide, but the need to charge the millions of EVs currently on the road — and the thousands more to come — still needs to be met, and new report reveals that public DC fast-charging port installations grew 30% last year. Get the 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.