Americans continue to pay near-record prices for new vehicles and they’re financing the purchases at near-record interest rates. The result? Vehicle repossessions rose 23% in the first half of the year. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Technology
U.S. Regulators May Ban Chinese Software from New Vehicles
Your next new car is likely to be loaded with all sorts of digital technology – and the software to run it. And that means it may know “a lot about you.” And how that information is used has raised growing privacy concerns. That’s why the U.S. Commerce Dept. may impose restrictions on the use of software coming from China.
Public Charging Headaches Frustrate Potential EV Buyers
There are a variety of problems slowing the growth of battery-electric vehicle sales. But as the range of the typical EV grows, while new models are coming in at more affordable prices, the lack of a viable public charging network is becoming the most serious headache for both EV owners and potential buyers.
A Week With: 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 — The Flexible Off-Roader
The popularity of pickups remains unquestioned, and after a week in the 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat with the FX4 off-road package, it quickly becomes apparent why — they’re do-it-all vehicles. Find out more in our review at Headlight.News.
2025 Cadillac Escalade Gets A “Mid-Cycle Major” Makeover
The Cadillac Escalade gets an update for 2025, but it’s more than what you’d normally expect, mid-cycle. Along with the requisite tweaks to exterior and interior styling, it adds an assortment of new tech features, including power-operated doors and a 55-inch pillar-to-pillar digital display borrowed from the new, all-electric Escalade IQ. Here’s a closer look.
VinFast Hits the Brakes, Delays U.S. Plant Opening Until 2028
Vietnamese EV start-up VinFast announced a “prudent,” 3-year delay in the opening of its first U.S. assembly plant. It’s the latest in a series of setbacks for the automaker which suffered a wave of harsh reviews for its initial offering, the VF 8 crossover.
Hyundai Seven Concept Reappearing as New 3-Row EV Due Later This Year
Hyundai confirmed a three-row EV will start rolling into U.S. showrooms later this year. The automaker isn’t saying much about the all-electric crossover but it appears likely to be based on the automaker’s Seven Concept and will likely adopt the Ioniq 7 nameplate.
Lucid Pushes Efficiency to New Levels with 2025 Air Pure Model
Many EV makers want to see just how far they can get their vehicles to travel on a single charge or how fast it can recharge using a fast DC charger, but Lucid’s improved its industry-leading efficiency to a new high. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Stellantis Brands Offering Free Chargers with EV Purchase
New EV buyers face an immediate dilemma once they make the choice to go all-electric: how will I charge my new vehicle? Stellantis is making it easier with a few options, including a new free home charging setup. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Could Be 1st of Several New Special Editions
Looking to build momentum for its latest – and now, all-electric – 500e, Fiat launches a special edition named for fashion legend Giorgio Armani. And it hints that it may bring a second new model to the U.S.: the Grande Panda crossover which debuted last month in both hybrid and all-electric form.
Red Bull RB17 Hypercar Comes With 1200 Horsepower V10 and $6.4 Million Price
Red Bull channels 20 years of Formula One experience into wild RB17 hypercar. Track only offering gets 1200 horsepower V10 but will ask potential owners to set aside $6.4 million for the privilege of owning one.
$25 Million Ransom Reportedly Paid to End Hack That Took Down 15,000 U.S. Dealers
Things are back to normal at 15,000 U.S. showrooms after a hack that brought operations nearly to a halt last month. Data processing firm CDK apparently paid a $25 million ransom to regain control of software controlling everything from sales prospects to payroll. But the damage has topped $1 billion in lost sales and other issues.