Tesla and Waymo are about to square off in a duel, which could decide the fate of automated vehicles in the U.S. Billions of dollars in revenue and profits are at stake as the two companies prepare to compete in cities around the country.
Regulatory
Honda Slashes EV Investments Due to “Market Slowdown”
Honda is cutting its planned investment in battery-electric vehicles by 30%, its CEO citing “the current market slowdown.” The automaker still plans to launch two all-new “0-Series models” next year but will slow down and stretch out development of other all-electric products. It’s not likely to be the last automaker to rethink EV spending, reports Headlight.News.
Toyota Goes Into “Wait and See Mode”
With dozens of new models set to debut in the U.S. in the coming months, this should be a big year for Toyota. But the automaker’s plans have been put in a “wait and see mode,” as executives struggle to figure out how to respond to the new Trump import auto tariffs.The tariffs could bring more Toyota jobs to the U.S. – but they might also price some products out of reach, hammering sales. Headlight.News has more.
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.
NHTSA Orders Recall on Waymo Vehicles, Asks Tesla for Information
Waymo is recalling more than 1,000 vehicles under pressure from NHTSA after a rash of minor accidents involving the company’s self-driving vehicles, even as it asks for more information about Tesla’s robotaxi plans. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-12-25
In this week’s podcast, we discuss the new UK-U.S. Trade Deal as well as how tariffs are hitting home as well as many other issues the industry is facing. We also offer a look back at automotive history and a review of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Get the ‘cast at Headlight.News.
U.S. Lowers Tariffs on UK Autos, Steel After Reaching Trade Deal – But Agreement Doesn’t Bring Manufacturing to the States
Negotiators for the U.S. and UK reached what the two sides hailed as a “historic” trade deal Thursday, leading Pres. Donald Trump to slash tariffs on British steel, autos and auto parts. Final details still have to be worked out, according to several reports, but the deal puts a 100,000-vehicle cap on British auto exports to the U.S. which falls below the numbers reported in 2024 by the UK’s largest brands, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mini. The deal does not appear to meet a key Trump goal of shifting foreign manufacturing to the U.S. More from Headlight.News.
Auto Prices Going Up, Even Before Tariff Hit
Millions of American motorists have been rushing to buy before the Trump auto tariffs take hold. But automakers and auto dealers were already driving up transaction prices even before the sanctions went into effect on May 3, despite White House claims prices won’t rise. If anything, costs are going to continue going up, reports Headlight.News.
VW ID.Buzz Recalled: Feds Say the 3rd Row is Too Roomy
Volkswagen has been ordered to recall all of the new ID.Buzz microvans it’s sold in the U.S. because, says NHTSA, the third row is too roomy. According to the feds, that makes it too easy to squeeze a third passenger into the back row though it doesn’t have three seatbelts. That’s one of two new recalls that have forced VW to temporarily halt sales and deliveries of the new EV. Headlight.News explains.
EV Drivers Staring Down $250 Fee from Feds to Pay for Roads
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill, if passed into law, would charge electric vehicle owners $250 annually to replenish the dwindling Highway Trust Fund, currently fed by gas and diesel taxes. Get details at Headlight.News.
Toyota Teaming Up With Waymo on Autonomous Vehicles
Waymo and Toyota are teaming up. The Japanese giant will help develop a new autonomous vehicle platform for the Google spin-off which has become the U.S. leader in driverless ride-sharing technology. The announcement comes days after VW and Uber revealed their own autonomous alliance. More from Headlight.News.
Safer Cars Combined with 90% Seat Belt Usage Cutting Deaths on U.S. Roads
Traffic fatalities have been declining in recent years in the U.S. And while cars laden with the newest safety technology play a role, it’s that nine out of 10 Americans using their seat belts nearly every time they get into a vehicle that is the real difference maker, experts claim. Get details at Headlight.News.