It’s been a decade’s long wait but Volkswagen is finally ready to bring the replacement for its iconic Microbus back to the U.S. market. And while the original might have been an affordable people-mover, buyers of the new VW ID.Buzz will have to reach deeper into their pockets, the all-electric model starting at $61,545.
Sales
Trump May End EV Tax Credits Even While Considering A White House Role for Tesla’ Musk
The $7,500 federal tax credit for buyers of battery-electric vehicles could be dropped if Donald Trump returns to the White House next January, the presidential candidate said in an interview. At the same time, Trump said he’s open to finding a role for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, possibly even making him a member of his cabinet.
New Vehicle Prices Keep Falling as Rising Inventory Increases Pressure
The average transaction price for a new vehicle fell last month — the 10th straight month of declines as the push by automakers to rebuild inventories exerts pressure on prices. As more and more vehicles sit longer and longer on lots, automakers offer higher incentives to move new metal. Find out more at Headline.News.
Tesla Cybertruck Range Too Short? No Problem – Second Battery Will Cost $16,000, Take up 1/3 of the Cargo Bed
The Tesla Cybertruck missed a number of earlier targets, coming in 50% more expensive than planned, while offering about a third less range than promised by CEO Elon Musk back in 2019. Now, the automaker is ready to address the range problem by offering a range-extender battery that sits in the forward part of the bed. But it creates other problems: adding substantial cost while reducing cargo capacity.
Musk Uses Live Conversation With Trump to Pitch EVs to Candidate’s Skeptical Followers
It was billed as an “interview” with presidential candidate Donald Trump but billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk used the Monday night event on social media service X to promote the benefits of EVs – those from Tesla, in particular. It’s no easy sell, at least to the former president’s followers.
Tesla Halts Orders for Base Cybertruck, Shifts Focus to $100,000 Model
Tesla has stopped taking orders for the $61,000 Cybertruck, making a $100,000 version of the electric pickup the new base offering. The move surprised many observers as demand appears to be falling well short of initial expectations – and comes just days after Tesla CEO Elon Musk acknowledged Cybertruck may be overpriced.
First Look: 2025 GMC Terrain Covers New Ground
GMC is giving the compact Terrain crossover a new, bolder look for 2025, while upgrading its powertrain and technology – including the new Google built-in system. It also adopts a new, three-trim strategy that should be easier for buyers to figure out. But you may have to wait a but to get the version of the 2025 GMC Terrain you want, as Headlight.News explains.
ChargePoint Develops New Charging Plug to Work With All EVs
Last year automaker after automaker agreed to use Tesla’s Charging System, more precisely the unique plug. They did this, of course, to gain access to the Supercharger network, and Tesla certainly welcomed the expected cash that should roll in with it. However, this left EV owners whose vehicles still had the non-Tesla ports twisting in the wind. However, change is coming, reports Headlight.News.
Mercedes Leading Industry Crack Down on Counterfeiters
Automakers face a slew of problems regularly: emissions compliance, workplace or office issues, quality shortcomings and more. However, the problem of counterfeit parts affects them all. Mercedes-Benz works with law enforcement globally to combat the problem, which can make vehicles less safe and certainly takes money out of the automaker’s coffers. Check out what Mercedes and the rest of the industry is dealing with at Headlight.News.
GM Aims to Drive Down Prices, Drive Up Profits, as it Continues EV Roll-Out
The growth of the EV market has clearly slowed this year, General Motors President Mark Reuss said during a media confab, but sales are still on the rise and GM continues planning to gain ground, even as it delays some product launches. A critical step will be driving down prices, even as profitability improves, said Reuss, who oversees GM’s product development efforts.
Hyundai, Kia Cuts “Most Stolen” Cars Theft Rate in Half with Software Upgrade
A few years ago, late model Hyundai and Kia vehicles were in the spotlight — the kind no automaker enjoys. Car thieves found a simple way to steal the cars because there were no immobilizers on them. The issue became such a problem a documentary film about the Kia Boyz was made, revealing the dangerous exploits of the car thieves. The automakers implemented a software update that appears to have put a dent in the problem. Go to Headlight.News for the story.
Elon Musk Admits Cybertruck Is Too Expensive, Says it Needs to be More Affordable
Tesla’s Cybertruck is arguably one of the most polarizing models on the market today but while the truck has gathered plenty of publicity for the EV company, the truck has proven to be far from perfect with recalls and other issues giving Tesla and founder Elon Musk a growing headache. However, the CEO appears to have finally admitted that the truck is too expensive for its audience.