Ford is recalling more than 850,000 vehicles due to a faulty fuel pump issue. It’s about to notify customers – but there’s a bigger problem. It still doesn’t have a fix. What happens next? More from Headlight.News
Regulatory
Judge Sets Back Trump’s Anti-EV Agenda; Frees Up Public Charger Funding
A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the White House to release about $1 billion in funds set aside for the construction of a nationwide public EV charging network. The funds were frozen by Pres. Donald Trump as part of his campaign to rollback Biden-era electric vehicle mandates. But the administration is still pressing Congress to drop other EV programs, including federal tax credits of up to $7,500, reports Headlight.News.
Tesla Rolls Out First Robotaxis, Select Riders Paying Flat $4.20 Fee Per ride
Tesla’s first robotaxis took to the streets of Austin, Texas on Sunday, the start-up ride-sharing service picking up invite-only riders for a flat $4.20 a trip. The move was hailed by Tesla bulls who see the move as the first step in what could become an even bigger business than the company’s EV operations. But it’s yet to be seen if Tesla can stand up against competitors like Waymo and Uber — or whether the backlash facing Tesla EVs will cripple the robotaxi service, as well. More from Headlight.News.
Expect to Spend Nearly $2,000 More for a New Car as Trump Tariffs Take Hold
Expect to spend nearly $2,000 more for your next vehicle due to the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported autos and auto parts, automakers expected to pass on most of the $30 billion in higher costs they’ll face, according to a new study, But that could result in 1 million fewer sales this year, while some foreign-made vehicles will likely vanish from U.S. showrooms because they’ll be priced out of reach, reports Headlight.News.
Ford Halts Sales of Mach-E; Faulty Software Could Lock You Out – Or In
Ford has ordered the recall of more than 300,000 Mustang Mach-E battery-electric vehicles – while telling dealers to halt sales and deliveries. A software glitch could cause the electric SUVs to lock owners out of the vehicles or, in some situations, keep them locked inside.
California Plans Legal Battle After Trump Strips Right to Set its Own Emissions Standards
California vowed to fight President Donald Trump’s effort to roll back the state’s tough emission and fuel economy standards, which would allow it to push automakers to go all-electric. The upcoming court battle could leave automakers in limbo as they try to plan for the future, reports Headlight.News.
Musk Sets “Tentative” Date for Robotaxi Launch
The first Tesla robotaxi is “tentatively” set to roll out on June 22, according to CEO Elon Musk, though that date could be pushed back, he indicated in a tweet because he is being “super paranoid about safety.” With Tesla’s EV sales sliding fast in many key markets, analysts and investors believe fully self-driving vehicles will be critical to the brand’s future. More from Headlight.News.
Expect to find Fewer Imports at Your Local Dealership as Trump Tariffs Take Hold
If you’re planning to buy an import vehicle anytime soon be prepared to wait. Dealers around the country are beginning to run short of some foreign-made models, according to recent reports, as manufacturers reduce shipments to the U.S. due to the Trump auto tariffs. And that could spell trouble for motorists, in general, as the slowdown also impacts foreign-made service and repair parts. More from Headlight.News.
As Musk, Trump Go to War, Tesla Takes Collateral Damage
Barely a week after they bid adieu during a collegial meeting in the Oval Office, Pres. Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have launched what has rapidly escalated into an all-out war of words, amplified by their individual social media outlets. The feud has already left Tesla lurching, nervous shareholders fueling the automaker’s biggest one-day loss ever. But Musk appears positioned to do some damage of his own.
The Pace of New Vehicle Development “Has Slowed to a Crawl” – Bad News for Buyers
The number of all-new models coming to market over the next four years is predicted to drop sharply as manufacturers around the world cut back on investments. That will be particularly obvious in the EV market as the industry shifts back to internal combustion, according to the latest annual “Car Wars” study.
The $40,000 Truck is “Dead” – But Ram’s EV and Midsize Truck Are Still Coming, Says CEO
New vehicle prices are near record levels, especially in the full-size truck market. But don’t expect Ram to bring back the cut-rate Classic version of the big 1500 model. “The $40,000 truck is dead,” said CEO Tim Kuniskis during a background briefing on Tuesday. Kuniskis recently returned to Ram after a brief “retirement,” and said the brand will make 25 product-related announcements in the coming months, and that’s likely to include more on a new midsize pickup, as well as details on the rollout of both the EV and range-extender versions of its full-size Ram 1500. More from Headlight.News.
As Trump Rolls Back Support, Consumer Interest in EVs Fades
Americans appear less interested in buying battery-electric vehicles than at any time since 2019, according to a new AAA study. That decline comes at a time when Pres. Donald Trump is actively rolling back measures put in place during the Biden administration meant to...