On the Headlight News podcast this week, we talk about Stellantis finally getting a CEO, Tesla CEO Elon Musk being under fire for drug use and more industry happenings. Plus we throw in a review of the 2025 Chevy Equinox.
Personalities
GM Chair Barra Named World’s Most Powerful Woman — Again
General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra’s earned plenty of accolades during her 10-plus-year tenure at the helm of the Detroit-based automaker. She’s earned another — again — topping Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list. It’s the second straight year’s she’s topped the list. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Headlight News for the Week of 5-26-25
On the podcast this week we talk about Toyota revealing its new RAV4 as well as a few other surprises, plus Elon Musk’s return to running Tesla, the Wiener 500, a review of the 2026 Toyota bZ review and a trip through This Week in Automotive History.
Musk Promises to Stay in Tesla Role for 5 Years, Cutting Back on Politics
Elon Musk is cutting back on political activity as Tesla pushes into autonomous vehicles, announcing plans to stay with the automaker as CEO for the next five years. Musk also said autonomy is the key to Tesla’s future, with its new CyberCab ready to roll next month.
Times Get Tougher at Nissan with 10K More Layoffs Coming
Nissan’s push to get back to prosperity continues to take it through tough times. The company apparently is preparing to layoff 10,000 workers — in addition to the 9,000 it’s already sent packing. This news comes as it prepares to release a quarterly earnings loss in the billions of dollars. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Newer, Cheaper Version of Tesla Model Y Debuts
The first major update of Tesla’s best-selling product line, the Model Y, has officially gone on sale. Known internally by its codename, Juniper, it’s also being offered in a newer, cheaper form, with a base rear-wheel-drive package dropping to $37,490 after factoring in federal tax credits. Whether that will reverse declining Tesla sales, hurt by widespread protests against CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration, remains to be seen. More from Headlight.News.
Tesla Calls “Absolutely False” Reports Board Looking to Replace Musk
Tesla denied reports the company’s board has begun searching for a replacement for CEO Elon Musk. The South African-born entrepreneur has come under increasing fire due to his ties to the Trump administration, leading to a sharp slump in Tesla sales and earnings and calls by some leading investors to find a new chief executive. Headlight.News has the latest.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of April 28, 2025
On this week’s podcast, Headlight News covers the debut of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ new EV company, Slate, and its first product and electric pickup. We also review the 2025 Cadillac Optiq and look at the other stories coming in the week ahead.
Backed By Amazon Money, the Era of the Affordable EV Has Arrived
Millions of American motorists have been priced out of the new vehicle market, all the more so when it comes to EVs which currently average about $55,000 apiece. But Slate Auto, a new start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is determined to change that equation. On Thursday, it gave the world a first look at a flexible new, all-electric pickup set to go on sale in 2026. Designed to be extremely customizable, it’s expected to start under $20,000 when you factor in federal EV tax credits. Headlight.News was there for the big debut.
Musk Says He’s Returning in a Month to Focus on Tesla
Tesla CEO Elon Musk attempted to use the EV maker’s earnings calls to quell concerns about his work with the Trump administration. He plans to leave his day-to-day role at the Department of Government Efficiency in a month to focus on Tesla. Get details about Musk’s plans and Tesla at Headlight.News.
Motorists Becoming More Comfortable With EVs – Though Growth Has Slowed
Motorists around the world are becoming increasingly comfortable with purchasing and owning EVs, according to a new study, though Americans lag well behind their counterparts in Europe and, in particular, China. Credit the longer range, faster charging and lower costs of newer EV models, consumers told McKinsey & Co. Headlight.News has more.
Toyota Amps Up GR Lineup Just in Time for NY Auto Show
Toyota’s looking to take NYC by storm during this year’s New York International Auto Show with a new introduction for its race-inspired GR lineup. The new GR Supra MkV Final Edition gives performance mavens something to look forward to, reports Headlight.News.