Headlight News for the Week of 4-1-24: NY Auto Show Debuts – World Car of the Year – Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review – and This Week in Automotive History.
Sales
Ford Making Further Cuts at F-150 Lightning Plant
Slowing sales of its F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup has Ford cutting workers at the Detroit-area plant that builds the trucks. EV sales are on the rise, but that hasn’t translated to the lofty predictions made by the automaker. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Fisker Cuts Prices Up to 39% as It Battles to Stave Off Bankruptcy
Nascent EV maker Fisker’s battle to stay solvent now has the company adopting a new strategy: low-cost EV maker. The company slashed prices across its lineup by as much as 39%, including a low sticker of just under $25K. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Hyundai’s All-New 2025 Tucson Kicks Off Day One of NYIAS
South Korean automaker Hyundai gives its Tucson sport-utility a major overhaul for 2025 model year. Immediately noticeable is redesigned front fascia, but the bigger change comes inside the cabin, which completely different than its predecessor. Headlight.News was at the debut in NYC and has the details.
Nissan Reveals Product Planning Arc Between Biz Plans
Japanese automaker Nissan plans to introduce 30 new vehicles, including seven in the U.S. and Canada as it seeks to bridge the gap between its current organizational plans. It’s dubbed the new plan, The Arc. Get the details at Headlight.News.
The Past Lane: A Mid-Century Modern Small Car
In an era when Detroit’s Big Three wanted to do nothing but build ever larger cars, Nash Motors had a different idea, on ethat would prove that not everyone thought bigger was better. Read the story at Headlight.News.
Automakers Expected to Post Double-Digit Sales Gains for March
The run on strong new vehicle sales should continue in March, according to a forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData. New vehicle sales are expected to jump 12.1% for March and 4.5% for the first quarter. Get details at Headlight.News.
Harsh! Consumer Reports Trashes New Fisker Ocean as “Inexcusable”
“Incomplete” and “Inexcusable.” Things haven’t been going well for Fisker Inc., the EV start-up that has begun taking steps that could lead to a bankruptcy filing in the coming weeks. Fisker has also announced it is halting production for six weeks. It’s unclear if the company will use that pause to address some of the issues with its first product line, the Fisker Ocean. Based on a new review by Consumer Reports, the list is a long one.
All-New BMW Vision Neue Klasse X Reveals the Future of BMW’s SAV Line-Up
There are some big changes in the works at BMW and the Bavarian automaker has is offering a clear sign of what’s coming in the form of the all-electric BMW Vision Neue Klasse X. It marks the first time we’re seeing what future versions of the company’s Sport Activity Vehicle line-up will look like.
EPA Expected to Give Automakers a Break on Emissions and Mileage Standards
The Biden administration is expected to roll back new rules governing vehicle emission and mileage standards, a move that should prove particularly helpful for Detroit automakers who are heavily dependent upon large, fuel-hungry models like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Suburban. But the changes likely also will benefit some Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota and Honda, that have been reluctant to invest heavily on EV technology.
First Drive: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe — A Rugged Remake
When it came to market nearly a quarter century ago, Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first SUV. Today, it’s part of a broader line-up that runs from the little Venue to the flagship Palisade – but it remains one of the brand’s best sellers. To keep momentum building, the Korean carmaker has given the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe a complete makeover, starting with the bolder and more classic SUV design. The cabin is not only roomier but adds more upscale details and plenty of welcome tech. And the XRT package now adds more rugged features for those looking to head off-road.
Better Move Fast if You Want a Tesla Model Y — Prices Are Going Up
After spending much of last year cutting prices on its EV lineup, Tesla has reversed course, announcing a $1,000 increase in the U.S. sticker price for its best-selling Model Y. In Europe, meanwhile, buyers will pay as much as 2,000 euros, or $2,177 more for the electric SUV. While that might not be good news for buyers, Tesla stockholders hailed the price hike, giving shares traded under the Nasdaq ticker TSLA their first big gain in a month. Find out more at Headlight.News.