After several weak years triggered by the COVID pandemic, Chinese auto sales surged to a new record nearly twice that of the U.S. market. And strong demand for EVs and hybrids played a critical role, according to industry data. Meanwhile, Chinese auto exports also surged to record levels. More from Headlight.News.
Green Power
Back to Basics at a Very Downsized Detroit Auto Show
Once one of the most important auto shows in North America, if not the world, the annual Motor City event returned to its original January schedule after a brief summer run. But what has been renamed the Detroit Auto Show is a mere fraction of the size of what it was during its glory days. Headlight.News looks at what has happened — and why.
Next-Generation Tesla Model Y Ready for China
Much like the update on the Model 3 last year, the new look for the Model Y in China is evolutionary on outside with upgrades keeping with consumer demand on the inside. Get more details at Headlight.News.
An Icon Returns as VW ID.Buzz Wins North American Utility Vehicle of the Year – Here Are the List of Winners
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz took top honors as the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year on Friday morning during a ceremony marking the start of the annual Detroit Auto Show. As for the other winners? Headlight.News has the full story.
Electric Mustang Mach-E Outsells Ford’s Classic Coupe – and Is Anyone Really Surprised?
It may be the best-selling pony car on the market but the classic, gas-powered Ford Mustang coupe was outsold by the all-electric Mustang Mach-E last year. If anything, the EV gained significant momentum in 2024, something that one of Ford’s key competitors could take as encouragement as it launches its own, all-electric muscle car.
Honda’s New 0-Series EVs will Sport Edgy Styling, Offer Hands-Free/Eyes-Off Automation
Honda rolled out a pair of all-electric concept vehicles at CES this week, updating the two prototypes it brought to Las Vegas a year ago. And, it says, the 0 Series Saloon and SUV are close to the final production models that will roll into U.S. showrooms in 2026. Beyond the edgy styling, buyers will be offered a digital operating system borrowed from Honda’s ASIMO robot – and the ability to drive hands-free while texting or even watching videos.
UAW Files to Hold Union Election at Ford JV Battery Plant
The UAW continues its aggressive plan to expand its ranks by converting existing non-union plants or, in this case, getting new plants to align with the union right away. The organization filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election at Ford Motor Co.’s JV battery plant in Kentucky. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Feds Investigating 2.6 Million Smart Summon-Equipped Teslas
In response to a complaint and three media reports, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a probe into the 2.6 million vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon and Smart Summon technologies. Get details at Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2025 Toyota Prius PHEV XSE
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia; while Toyota’s Prius is the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, it’s not the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. That honor goes to the 1999 Honda Insight. But Toyota’s perfected it, and the 2025 Prius PHEV XSE continues that legacy of excellence. Check out Headlight.News’ review.
Q&A: Gary Shapiro: High-Tech Autos Take the Stage at CES 2025
Computers, TVs, drones, “smart” appliances, digital cameras. If those are the things you think of when someone mentions “consumer electronics,” you’re not alone. But you should add automobiles to the list as, these days, they’re starting to look more like smartphones on wheels. Indeed, high-tech “mobility” is one of the big topics at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. To get a sense of what we can expect at CES 2025, Headlight.News spoke to Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, the trade group sponsoring the annual event.
Boosted by Givebacks — and Uncertainty About the New Year — Automakers Deliver Solid December Sales
The U.S. auto industry ended 2024 on a high note, manufacturers revealed Friday as they delivered uniformly solid sales numbers for December. That translated into the strongest full-year demand since the COVID pandemic struck in early 2020. Get the details at Headlight.News.
The Vehicles We Liked the Best in 2024
The editors at Headlight.News spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel, or wheels in this case, of new vehicles talking about everything from how fast they accelerate to what kind of safety tech they feature to just how pretty are they? From those hundreds of vehicles, we’ve curated a list of the vehicles we enjoyed the most in 2024. Check them out.