On this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the big hit to Stellantis’ earnings, Toyota’s changes at the top as well as its new EV, plus the decline of new car sales last month. We also review the 2026 Honda Prelude and more. Give us a listen!
Hybrids
New Toyota CEO “Loves Money” And Will Need it to Grow Hybrids, Software, Robotaxi Operations
Toyota has a new CEO set to take charge on April 1 and, unlike the man he’ll succeed, Kenta Kon is a finance guy determined to deliver some big numbers for the world’s largest automaker. He intends to build up Toyota’s war chest – and one way he’ll do that is with a planned 30% increase in hybrid sales by 2028. More from Headlight.News.
Honda Set to Roll S+ Shift Out Across its Hybrid Line-Up
Honda’s sixth-generation Prelude is just rolling into U.S. showrooms and one of its more intriguing features is the new S+ Shift which is designed to “simulate a performance transmission experience.” Expect to see the system start rolling out across the rest of the Honda line-up starting later this year.
January Vehicle Sales Held Strong Despite Winter Weather’s Worst
The severe winter weather blanketing the U.S from Texas to Maine failed to slow new vehicle sales in January, with Asian automakers, in particular, reporting gains for the month. More from Headlight.News.
Consumer Reports Names its Top 10 Picks – and They’re All Electrified
Consumer Reports released its annual Top 10 Picks in New Cars, Trucks and SUVs and potential buyers might notice a theme running through them, all of the choices either a hybrid – or available as one – or an EV. Separately, the non-profit announced its first-ever “Safety Verdict,” ranking 29 automotive brands on a variety of factors. Who came out on top? Some surprises here, as well, reports Headlight.News.
Toyota Drops 2nd Teaser for What is Likely to be an All-Electric Highlander
Something “big” is coming next week, Toyota confirmed with the release of a second teaser image showing the interior of what will be an all-electric 3-row EV set to debut on February 10. Is this the long-rumored Highlander EV? More from Headlight.News.
Minivans Make a Comeback
After years of falling off the shopping list for millions of American motorists, the minivan market is showing sudden signs of resurgence. Could buyers be growing tired of the SUVs and CUVs that had become the hipper alternative for those seeking family-haulers? Headlight.News has more.
Headlight.News Podcast for the Week of 2-2-26
This week’s Headlight News podcast chronicles the fall of GM and Tesla earnings, Toyota setting a new sales record, Mercedes showing its new S-Class, automakers not advertising during the Super Bowl this year. Give us a listen and tell us what you think.
A Week With: 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Hybrid Autobiography
With its formal look, elevated driving position and luxurious accoutrements, one might be tempted to think the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Hybrid Autobiography is just another hifalutin luxury SUV. Find out just how true that is in our review at Headlight.News.
First Look: 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is Far More than the Typical “Mid-Cycle Refresh”
It’s industry norm to make some changes midway through a vehicle’s lifecycle, though the updates are typically modest. Not so the “refresh” coming with the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. According to the automaker’s CEO, more than 2,700 components have been replaced, with updates to everything from its new “Digital Light” headlamps to its MB.OS supercomputer – and it even gets industry-first heated seatbelts. More from Headlight.News.
First Drive: 2026 Honda Prelude is the Sporty Coupe We’ve Been Waiting Ford
It’s been a long wait – 25 years, to be precise – but if you’re one of those loyal fans who’ve long been hoping for the return of the Honda Prelude the good news is that it’s back and finally rolling into U.S. dealer showrooms. Was it worth lighting a candle for? Headlight.News has this review.
Toyota Set to Debut New 3-Row EV Next Month – Here’s What We Know
Toyota may play the EV skeptic but it’s got a big year coming up, with three new models already revealed and another battery-electric SUV set to make its formal debut on February 10. Here’s what Headlight.News has learned about that 3-row model.