New vehicle sales appear to have gone into decline during the first quarter, with industry insiders worrying the downturn could accelerate as the Iranian War triggers not only higher fuel prices but more general inflation. More from Headlight.News.
EVs and batteries
Corvette Grand Sport Returns – and Adds A 721-HP Hybrid Option
Corvette fans will have a new, high-performance option later this year with the return of the Grand Sport package featuring an all-new version of the small-block LS6 V-8. For those who want even more power, however, there’ll be a third Corvette hybrid option, the 721-hp Grand Sport X. More from Headlight.News.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 3-23-26
This week’s Headlight News podcast looks what’s coming at the NY Auto Show next week, BMW’s newest iteration of the i3, and why Hyundai’s ordered dealers to stop selling the new Palisade. We also offer up some insights about the 2027 Kia Telluride after our time behind the week and more. Take a listen. Tell us what you think!
Backed by 8 Automakers, This Start-Up Wants to Change How You Charge Your EV
If the name isn’t familiar, no surprise. The company has just turned two years old and only just opened its 100th location. But with the backing of eight major automotive manufacturers – including General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz – Ionna aims to transform the process of charging up battery-electric vehicles. That’s a critical step, its CEO told Headlight.News, in increasing consumer acceptance of EVs.
A Week With: 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS400 4Matic
To paraphrase a deep and meaningful movie line, “Something is afoot at Mercedes-Benz.” With apologies to fans of Mercedes and “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” change is in the air at the German luxury carmaker when it comes to its EQS lineup. We see just how much in our review of the 2026 EQS 400 at Headlight.News.
Tesla Roadster “Probably” Arriving Next Month; But Does it Matter?
Tesla has never been good at getting products to market as promised, but even by that standard, it’s taken seemingly forever to get the second generation Roadster into showrooms. Now, seven years after the debut of the prototype 2-seater, CEO Elon Musk says it will “probably” arrive next month. The question, at this point, is whether anyone cares. More from Headlight.News.
All-New BMW i3 Makes its World Debut
An all-new BMW i3 made its debut Wednesday, the second entry in its Neue Klasse series that takes a radical new approach to the design and engineering of the Bavarian automaker’s battery-electric vehicle line-up. Headlight.News takes a closer look at the sporty, all-electric sedan.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 3-16-26
On this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover how EV sales will be affected by $4 gas, Honda’s big financial hit, Mazda’s launch of the CX-5 hybrid and review the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Review.
Starting At $45k, Rivian R2 Isn’t a Game-Changing “Affordable” EV – But it Delivers Plenty of Power for the Money
Rivian finally has given us the numbers we’ve been waiting for. It’s new, more mainstream EV comes in at a markedly lower price than the original R1 family. But at a base price of $45,000 – plus delivery fees, the R2 is not quite the “affordable” EV many potential customers have been hoping for. Still, for the money, even the base Rivian R2 delivers serious performance and features, reports Headlight.News.
These Are the EVs That Have Been Cancelled or Delayed — So Far
Honda revealed it’s canceling three battery-electric vehicles it planned to offer in the U.S. But it’s just the latest manufacturer pulling back on its EV program as sales plunge following the phaseout of federal tax credits last September. Headlight.News looks at other EV programs that have been cancelled or delayed.
Honda Scraps Plans for 3 U.S. EVs as it Warns of Potential $16 Billion Loss
Honda scrapped plans to bring three EVs to the U.S. market, joining a growing list of manufacturers shifting plans following the phase-out of federal tax credits last September. Honda executives also warned the company could post losses of up to $16 billion due to factors that also include the cost of U.S. tariffs. More from Headlight.News.
Mercedes Aims to Make Vans Cool Again – And It’s Not Alone
Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled its new VLE series and is determined to prove that minivans aren’t just for soccer moms anymore. If anything, the automaker wants you to think of this all-electric people-mover as a “grand limousine,” and it certainly delivers the appropriate ride and features. But Mercedes isn’t the only automaker recommitting to the minivan market, reports Headlight.News.