Tesla pulled the plug on a program aimed at developing a $25,000 EV, even as Chinese automakers led by BYD double down on bringing to market all-electric vehicles affordable often to reach mainstream buyers. According to Reuters, Tesla CEO Elon Musk now wants to focus on self-driving robocabs.
Ford mirrored the push by several other automakers to delay production of its electric vehicles, by pushing back its anticipated all-electric SUV and next-generation electric pickup truck. It also revealed plans to grow its hybrid offerings to meet growing demand for them. Find out more at Headlight.News.
South Korean automaker Hyundai gives its Tucson sport-utility a major overhaul for 2025 model year. Immediately noticeable is redesigned front fascia, but the bigger change comes inside the cabin, which completely different than its predecessor. Headlight.News was at the debut in NYC and has the details.
Kia has an all-new compact sedan coming and it will make it’s debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. There are some big changes coming – and they start with the badge, the Kia K4 replacing the old Forte nameplate.
With millions of American motorists still skeptical about going all-electric, many industry planners are betting plug-in hybrids can serve as a “bridge” technology for those worried about range and a lack of a widespread public charging network. Mercedes-Benz is expanding its own line-up of PHEVs with the addition of the new GLC 350e 4Matic based on its compact crossover line.
Who says auto shows are dead? Not Hyundai. The Korean carmaker plans to make some big news at the New York International Auto Show next week, unveiling not just one new model but two: the 2025 versions of the compact Tucson SUV and compact car-cum-pickup, the Santa Cruz.
The Dutch-based energy giant Shell plans to eliminate 1,000 gas stations by the end of 2025 as it begins to put more emphasis on its EV charging operations, the company said in a new report. It already operates 3,700 charging stations in the U.S. and will not only add more facilities but expand the size of existing ones.
The Biden administration is expected to roll back new rules governing vehicle emission and mileage standards, a move that should prove particularly helpful for Detroit automakers who are heavily dependent upon large, fuel-hungry models like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Suburban. But the changes likely also will benefit some Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota and Honda, that have been reluctant to invest heavily on EV technology.
When it came to market nearly a quarter century ago, Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first SUV. Today, it’s part of a broader line-up that runs from the little Venue to the flagship Palisade – but it remains one of the brand’s best sellers. To keep momentum building, the Korean carmaker has given the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe a complete makeover, starting with the bolder and more classic SUV design. The cabin is not only roomier but adds more upscale details and plenty of welcome tech. And the XRT package now adds more rugged features for those looking to head off-road.
Headlight News for the Week of 3-18-24 – Automakers Spying on Drivers – Hyundai Rethinks EV Plans – New Porsche Taycan – The Greenest Cars You Can Buy – and This Week in Automotive History.
Looking for an environmentally friendly vehicle? You have more options than ever before. That includes a flood of new battery-electric vehicles, as you might expect, but if you’re still reluctant to go with an EV you still have plenty to choose from. In fact, the top-ranked model in the 2024 GreenerCars list is a plug-in hybrid, and even some products running solely on gasoline do well in the annual study. Better yet, there are plenty of affordable options. But there also are some surprises, as Headlight.News reports.
Once one of America’s most exclusive automotive brands, Lincoln has been little more than an also-ran in recent years. But Ford Motor Co.’s upscale marque is on a mission to rebuild itself — and not just by becoming a clone of luxury market leaders like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or crosstown rival Cadillac. And the complete makeover of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus gives a good sense of what’s in store, as Headlight.News discovered during a day behind the wheel of the midsize crossover in Palm Springs. Here’s our review.