On this week’s HeadlightNews podcast, we cover GM’s $4B investment in U.S. plants, tumbling EV sales in April, the impact of tariffs on import vehicle sales and Tesla CEO ElonMusk waving the white flag. Go to HeadlightNews to check it out.
Green Power
Rotary Redux? Mazda Close to Reviving the Wankel Engine – But Not as You Remember It
When Mazda pulled the plug on the RX-8 back in 2012 it was more than just the end of a production for a slow-selling sports car, it marked the end of the line for the rotary engine. But the once promising technology, more promising known as the Wankel engine, may be ready to make a comeback. But it will function in a distinctly different form than it did in the past, according to Mazda’s CEO. More from Headlight.News.
EV Sales Tumble for First Time in 14 Months – and Tesla’s to Blame
After a first-quarter surge, EV registrations took a sudden tumble in April, the first fall in more than a year, according to industry data. The dip came despite a strong showing by several brands, including General Motors. The primary reason for the downturn as slowing demand by the giant in the battery-sector, Tesla. More from Headlight.News.
California Plans Legal Battle After Trump Strips Right to Set its Own Emissions Standards
California vowed to fight President Donald Trump’s effort to roll back the state’s tough emission and fuel economy standards, which would allow it to push automakers to go all-electric. The upcoming court battle could leave automakers in limbo as they try to plan for the future, reports Headlight.News.
Next-Gen Kia Telluride May Adopt Range-Extender Powertrain
While automakers may be slowing down plans to rush all-electric models to market they’re still looking for ways to meet increasingly stringent emissions and fuel economy regulations. In the case of the next-generation Telluride, Kia appears to be looking at range-extender technology that could let the 3-row SUV operate in all-electric mode during daily commutes, but keep going without having to plug back in on longer trips. Headlight.News has more.
Hyundai Teases High-Performance Ioniq 6 N EV
Hyundai’s line-up of high-performance EVs is about to double with the launch of the upcoming Ioniq 6 N. The Korean carmaker is teasing the new package which is expected to deliver more than 600 hp when it comes to market for 2026. More from Headlight.News.
GM Investing $4 Billion in Expanding U.S. Manufacturing Operations
General Motors is plowing about $4 billion into plants in Michigan, Tennessee and Kansas during the next two years. The move will shift production of its highly profitable full-size pickups and SUVs from outside the U.S. to its massive plant in Orion, Michigan, north of Detroit. Find out more about the plans at Headlight.News.
EV Sales Slump? Not at GM Where Sales Doubled Over the Past Year
Few automakers are making more of a commitment to battery-electric vehicles than General Motors – and, at least from a sales standpoint, it appears to be paying off. The automaker has more than doubled both its EV sales and market share this year in the U.S. – and it is now outselling Tesla in neighboring Canada. Headlight.News has the story.
First Look: Cadillac Optiq-V Takes Battery Power to the Max
Cadillac’s push into electric performance is rapidly accelerating, the automaker officially revealing the new V-Series version of its entry EV, the Optiq. Turning out 519 horsepower, the battery crossover will launch in 0-60 in a factory estimated 3.5 seconds – while still offering an EPA-rated 275 miles per charge. Here’s a first look at the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V.
As Musk, Trump Go to War, Tesla Takes Collateral Damage
Barely a week after they bid adieu during a collegial meeting in the Oval Office, Pres. Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have launched what has rapidly escalated into an all-out war of words, amplified by their individual social media outlets. The feud has already left Tesla lurching, nervous shareholders fueling the automaker’s biggest one-day loss ever. But Musk appears positioned to do some damage of his own.
Turning 100, Chrysler’s Ready to Bet the Brand on New Product Launches
As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, Chrysler is a brand struggling to survive. Down to just one nameplate, it’s fallen off the radar for many American motorists and that’s fueled rumors it could be cut by Antonio Filosa, the new CEO of parent Stellantis. But...
The Pace of New Vehicle Development “Has Slowed to a Crawl” – Bad News for Buyers
The number of all-new models coming to market over the next four years is predicted to drop sharply as manufacturers around the world cut back on investments. That will be particularly obvious in the EV market as the industry shifts back to internal combustion, according to the latest annual “Car Wars” study.