This week on the podcast, we cover news from Stellantis, Volkswagen’s revival of the ID. Buzz, Ferrari finally building an EV, the Luce, and we review the 2026 Toyota Camry SE Nightshade. Check it out.
EVs and batteries
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.
VW Bringing Back ID.Buzz in 2027 Including Tourer Model – But You Can Get Great Deal on 2025 Leftovers
Volkswagen is bringing back the ID.Buzz. It pulled the all-electric microbus from its 2026 lineup due to slow sales. VW isn’t yet revealing prices for the 2027 model year but plans to offer a more interesting mix of trims, including a retro-inspired Tourer. Not looking to wait? You can get some great deals on 2025 leftovers.
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.
America’s Falling in Love With Hybrids — And It’s Not Just About Saving Fuel Anymore
If the word, “hybrid” brings to mind an awkward little vehicle sacrificing space, comfort and anything close to the “fun-to-drive” factor for better fuel economy you might be in for a shock should you check out the latest hybrid offerings. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Hyundai’s Metaplant: Automation Station in the Age of AI
The city of Savannah is known for history — and, perhaps, ghosts — but low-slung, sleek industrial buildings that lay alongside a highway outside nearby Ellabell tell a more modern story. Those buildings make up Hyundai’s new Metaplant. The plant seems to represent the future of manufacturing — a future that’s even more automated than what we see now. Get the story at Headlight.News.
When Your EV Sounds Like a Race Car: Lexus TZ is Just the Latest to Add Performance “Exhaust” Notes
The new Lexus TZ draws power from a pair of electric motors and a 96 kWh battery pack. But slip behind the wheel and you might think there’s a V-10 under the hood. The new crossover is the latest EV to let motorists fire up the sounds of a high-performance internal combustion engine. More from Headlight.News.
Lexus Bucks the EV Trend, New TZ Will its Third All-Electric Model for the U.S.
While most automakers are cutting back on their EV plans, Toyota Motor Co. is ramping up. And it’s taken the covers off the latest addition, the Lexus TZ set to become the luxury brand’s third all-electric model. Headlight.News has more.
Chinese Automaker GAC Adding New Plant in Mexico for Second Half of 2026
While the tight regulations and tariffs for the U.S. market are causing some Chinese automotive manufacturers to rethink their plans to stablish plants in Mexico, GAC Motors officially announced it will assemble cars south of our border, as part of its global One GAC 2.0 strategy. Details at Headlight.News.