Stellantis has become the latest automaker to warn owners to park their vehicles becuase defective batteries could cause them to catch fire. The recall covers 375,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids. More from Headlight.News.
Hybrids
As EV Sales Crash, Kia Delays U.S. Debut of Compact EV4
October brought bad news for automakers, EV sales tumbling sharply following the phase-out of federal tax credits. With demand not expected to recover any time soon, Kia has decided to put the U.S. launch of its most affordable battery-electric vehicle, the EV4, on hold. More from Headlight.News.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 11-3-25
In this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the impressive Tokyo Motor Show, new introductions from Honda and Subaru, as well as GM’s layoff of hundreds of workers. We also review the Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid and look back at this week in automotive history. You can find the podcast at Headlight.News and Spotify.
Disconnected: U.S. Auto Sales Tumble as EV Credits Disappear, Vehicle Prices Continue Surging
Automakers suffered saw a sharp drop in electric vehicle sales during October as federal EV tax credit ended. But even sales of gas models leveled off as prices, driven higher by Trump’s auto tariffs, drove many mainstream buyers out of the market. As Headlight.News reports, the industry has become more dependent than ever on affluent households for new sales.
These Are Our Favorite Debuts at the Japan Mobility Show
This year’s Japan Mobility Show proves there’s still plenty of life left on the auto show circuit. The biennial event brought out dozens of new cars, concepts – and even a rocket – during its media preview. Headlight.News was in Tokyo and takes a look at some of the most significant products to debut there.
“The More You Drive,” Claims Mazda, the More its Wankel-Powered Vision X-Coupe Can Clean the Air
Mazda’s Vision X-Coupe Concept is much more than just the latest example of the automaker’s Kodo design language. It shows how the brand’s iconic Wankel engine may soon return as a key part of Mazda’s product line-up. It also demonstrates a new technology that, the automaker’s CEO claimed during a Japan Mobility Show news conference, could leave the air cleaner, “the more you drive.”
GM Laying Off 3,400 Workers Due to Expected EV Sales Drop
The impact of end of federal EV tax credits is being felt in many areas of the auto industry. It reached the factory floors at four General Motors-owned plants in three states as more than 3,400 workers were laid off due to the expected fall in EV sales tied to the end of the $7,500 credit Sept. 30. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Is This Sexy Show Car Really the Next Toyota Corolla?
“Sexy” isn’t a word you’d likely catch yourself uttering when it comes to the Toyota Corolla. “Solid,” sure. “Reliable,” absolutely. But it’s the ultimate in utilitarian design. At least that’s the way it’s been since the long-popular sedan first made its debut in 1966. But if the concept vehicle making its debut at this week’s Japan Mobility Show is any indication, the 13th generation Corolla will be a very different sort of beast. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
One of These Over-the-Top Concepts Might Replace the Lexus LS Sedan
After a 37-year run, the Lexus LS sedan is set to go out of production in the coming months – but Toyota’s luxury brand might not go without a flagship for very long. That said, two potential replacements debuting at the Japan Mobility Show this week suggest Lexus could be ready to push to new extremes. More from Headlight.News.
Honda “Electrifies” Japan Mobility Show with Updated 0 Alpha and Super-ONE Prototypes
Honda rolled out two all-electric prototypes during the media day at the Japan Mobility Show Wednesday, including both an affordable compact hatchback dubbed Super-ONE and the Honda 0 α – which it described as the “gateway” to the new 0 Series EV line-up its getting ready to launch around the world. More from Headlight.News.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s New Hurricane Engine Musters More Power, Better Mileage
It’s a big year for Jeep and much of that has to do with an assortment of new powertrain options. That includes the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee which will hit the road with the all-new Hurricane 4 Turbo engine. The package manages to not only deliver a big boost in power but also a substantial improvement in fuel economy. Headlight.News has more.
No October Surprise: EV Sales Nosedive
Automakers offered plenty of incentives, but without $7,500 in federal government tax credits, sales of new electric vehicles — predictably — flatlined in October. J.D. Power & Associates also estimates sales of new EVs were less than half of the artificially inflated numbers from September. Find out more at Headlight.News.