On this week’s podcast, Headlight News covers the debut of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ new EV company, Slate, and its first product and electric pickup. We also review the 2025 Cadillac Optiq and look at the other stories coming in the week ahead.
EVs and batteries
Uber Set to Launch Fleet of Autonomous VW ID.Buzz Microbuses
Volkswagen is teaming up with Uber to field what eventually could be thousands of fully driverless ID.Buzz microbuses. The first should show up on Los Angeles streets next year. Headlight.News has more.
Trump Administration Eases Rules for Autonomous Vehicle Development Standards
Under the guise of unleashing “American ingenuity,” the Trump administration eased some of the rules regarding the development and testing autonomous vehicles. Among the changes, automakers will not be required to report certain types of crashes involving their self-driving cars. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Sony Honda Afeela Moves a Big Step Closer to Production
Reports of the demise of the battery-electric vehicle have been greater exaggerated, it seems. Even as the Trump administration pulls back on Biden-era EV programs, sales have been accelerating. A flood of new products may be a factor, and that’s likely to continue, as well, with several new brands set to come to market. On Thursday, Headlight.News got a first look at the pickup coming from Slate Auto, a start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. We also were on hand for a first look at the production-ready EV coming out of a partnership between Sony and Honda. Here’s what we learned about the Afeela sedan.
Slate’s New Pickup To Start at “Under $20,000” – But Are Americans Ready to Return to the Days of Hand-Cranked Windows?
A low-profile start-up quietly backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has suddenly burst into the headlines, Dubbed Slate Auto, the Michigan-based automaker rolled out an all-electric pickup Thursday night that, it said, will go on sale in late 2026 for “under $20,000.” But rather than delivering another high-tech wonder, the Slate pickup draws its inspiration from a low-tech past. Will Americans embrace an EV with crank-up windows and no infotainment screen? Headlight.News has more.
Backed By Amazon Money, the Era of the Affordable EV Has Arrived
Millions of American motorists have been priced out of the new vehicle market, all the more so when it comes to EVs which currently average about $55,000 apiece. But Slate Auto, a new start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is determined to change that equation. On Thursday, it gave the world a first look at a flexible new, all-electric pickup set to go on sale in 2026. Designed to be extremely customizable, it’s expected to start under $20,000 when you factor in federal EV tax credits. Headlight.News was there for the big debut.
Tesla’s Entry EV Now Slated to Launch Production in June
Better late than never? Tesla has spent years debating whether to add a more affordable EV to its existing line-up. It’s finally moving forward and, despite yet another delay, will finally add the vehicle to its line-up in June. Details have yet to be released but it’s expected to be a stripped-down version of Model Y starting at less than $30,000 — with a low-priced take on the Model 3 likely to follow. But will this draw in entirely new buyers or cannibalize sales of Tesla’s existing line-up? More from Headlight.News.
Nissan Revamping U.S. Lineup with Xterra Return Possible
Nissan is taking a new tack on its attempted turnaround, especially in the U.S. The automaker revealed changes to its product plan for America, including a potential return to a longtime favorite: the Xterra. Get details at Headlight.News.
Trump Signals U-Turn on Chinese Tariffs – Potentially Big News for Auto Industry
President Trump signaled tariffs on Chinese imports would “come down substantially,” though no specifics have yet been released by the White House. The news had stock markets rallying and automakers hoping this could reduce their own burden, analysts previously warning that tariffs could cost the U.S. industry up to 2 million sales this year. But manufacturers are still facing big hits from tariffs on Mexican and Canadian-made autos and auto parts, reports Headlight.News.
Lexus Unveils All-New ES for 2026 in Shanghai
Luxury automaker Lexus took to the stage at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition to reveal the all-new 2026 Lexus ES — in hybrid and battery-electric form. The ES is the brand’s entry-level sedan. Find out more about the new model at Headlight.News.
Optiq-V Will Be Cadillac’s Second High-Performance EV
Cadillac’s push into battery-electric power includes a new line of high-performance models and it has confirmed a second V-Series EV, a version of the new Caddy Optiq that, in standard form, just recently began rolling into U.S. showrooms. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
Musk Says He’s Returning in a Month to Focus on Tesla
Tesla CEO Elon Musk attempted to use the EV maker’s earnings calls to quell concerns about his work with the Trump administration. He plans to leave his day-to-day role at the Department of Government Efficiency in a month to focus on Tesla. Get details about Musk’s plans and Tesla at Headlight.News.