The Headlight News podcast this week covers the Japan Mobility Show, Elon’s big payday and more. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Studies and research
“The More You Drive,” Claims Mazda, the More its Wankel-Powered Vision X-Coupe Can Clean the Air
Mazda’s Vision X-Coupe Concept is much more than just the latest example of the automaker’s Kodo design language. It shows how the brand’s iconic Wankel engine may soon return as a key part of Mazda’s product line-up. It also demonstrates a new technology that, the automaker’s CEO claimed during a Japan Mobility Show news conference, could leave the air cleaner, “the more you drive.”
Americans Getting Overwhelmed by Auto Loans
Americans are swimming in automotive debt — and an increasing number are underwater on those loans. According to a new study, the average gap between what consumers owe and what they’re vehicles are worth at trade is growing. Find out what it means at Headlight.News.
No Tax Credit? Give Me Gas, Americans Say
Automakers are making adjustments — or massive changes — to their electric vehicle plans after the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs ended last month. Unsurprisingly, gas vehicles are coming back into vogue. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Tesla Q3 Profits Take a 40% Hit Despite Revenue, Global Delivery Records
Tesla revealed its third-quarter operating income dropped 40% compared to the year-ago period despite setting a new record for deliveries and revenue during the period. Officials cited a litany of reasons, but the biggest drivers appear to be tied to tariffs and sales mix. Check out the story at Headlight.News.
Americans Need to Work More to Afford a New Car
The price of that new car, truck or — most likely — SUV you’ve been looking at rose a bit in September. And while it’s easy to look at the window sticker to see how much, there’s another way that hits home: how long will it take you to buy it. Well, last month it took a little more time. Get details at Headlight.News.
Consumers Weary from High Auto Prices Focusing on Affordability
The jump in new car prices coming out of the pandemic hasn’t subsided, and when combined with the rise in interest rates, vehicles are more expensive than ever. A new study shows consumers are now focused on affordability than any other factor when it comes to buying a new car. Get details at Headlight.News.
Global EV Sales Growth Rising Despite Sluggish Q2 Numbers
New data from research firm Rho Motion reveals that EV sales globally slowed in the second quarter of the year, with. automakers selling 1.6 million EVs in July, which is a 9% decline from May. However, overall numbers are up 27% for 2025. Find out more at Headlight.News.
More Car Owners Refinancing to Cut Payments, Save Some Cash — Should You?
With rising inflation and interest rates at levels still deemed too high by most consumers, everyone’s looking for ways to save money. An increasing number of people are discovering they can refinance their vehicle loans, cutting their monthly payments significantly. Get details at Headlight.News.
Buyers Do About-Face, Now Want Hands-Free Driving Tech
What a difference a year makes! According to a new study, the technology new vehicle buyers want most is semi-autonomous driving technologies, such as General Motors Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise. It didn’t make the top 10 list of wants in the same study last year. What changed? Find out at Headlight.News.
New J.D. Power Study Finds Owners “More Passionate” About Their New Vehicles Than Ever Before
If you’ve purchased a new vehicle this past year, chances are that you’re happier with it than ever before – or so show the results of the 30th annual J.D. Power APEAL study. It helps that initial quality is on the rise, but the annual owner survey also reveals a number of other reasons why buyers have grown increasingly passionate about their vehicles. Headlight.News explains.
New Car Buyers Spending $1K a Month Hits Record Levels
With new vehicle prices rising for a multitude of reasons, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle is fast approaching $800 a month. More importantly, more buyers than ever are paying over $1K a month for a vehicle. Get details at Headlight.News.