Buyers looking for a new European vehicle could soon see prices go up by thousands of dollars, Pres. Donald Trump hiking tariffs to 25% after accusing the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal.” More from Headlight.News.
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Automakers Warn Tariffs May Force Them to Drop Entry Models
At a time when the typical buyer now spending around $50,000 to drive off the dealer lot, millions of American motorists are being forced out of the new vehicle market. Budget buyers could soon find their choices even more limited, however, depending upon negotiations to update the U.S. -Mexico-Canada Agreement. How that shakes out may lead a number of U.S. and foreign-owned automakers to drop their most affordable models.
Who Says EVs Are Dead? Not the Chinese
U.S. EV sales have stumbled badly since federal tax credits were phased out last September. But global demand remains strong – and continues to grow aggressively in the world’s largest automotive market. That positions China’s domestic automakers to take the lead in the battery-electric model, even in North America. Headlight.News has more.
Nissan Outlines Plans for New Product Portfolio, Leaner Operations and Growth in U.S. Market
Let by CEO Ivan Espinosa, senior Nissan officials spent nearly an hour Thursday morning outlining a grand plan meant to move beyond the massive cuts it was forced to make over the last few years. It calls for a smaller, more focused product portfolio, new powertrain technologies, more tech features, a leaner product development and manufacturing system – and growth in the key markets of the U.S., Japan and China. Headlight.News has more.
Next-Gen Nissan Rogue Launching as Hybrid Only
Nissan is getting ready to roll out an all-new version of its best-selling product line. But it will be taking a big risk with the 2027 Nissan Rogue. It’s not just the fact that the compact SUV will be offered solely as a hybrid for at least the first year, but the fact that this will be Nissan’s all-new e-Power technology which takes a radically different approach from the hybrids currently on the road. Headlight.News has more.
Tariffs Leave Buick Struggling
The year’s gotten off to a bad start for Buick, the automaker’s U.S. sales down by roughly a third during the first quarter. Put the blame on the Trump auto import tariffs which have crippled sales of one of the brand’s most important products. Headlight.News has more.
Auto Sales Set to Tumble – and Downturn Could Accelerate as Iran War Reignites Inflation
New vehicle sales appear to have gone into decline during the first quarter, with industry insiders worrying the downturn could accelerate as the Iranian War triggers not only higher fuel prices but more general inflation. More from Headlight.News.
War, High Fuel Prices, Potential Job Losses Pose Threat to Auto Business, Economy as a Whole
As the War with Iran drags on, Americans are becoming ever more pessimistic about the U.S economy. A potentially spiraling round of inflation, marked by surging fuel prices, could hit hard, starting with the automobile business. More from Headlight.News.
Mazda Bets on Hybrids – But Still Sees Room for the Rotary Engine
Is there a rotary engine in Mazda’s future? The iconic Wankel engine just might stage a comeback … someday … says the automaker’s U.S. CEO. But expect to see a lot more hybrids in the near future, according to Jim Donnelly, starting with the home-grown powertrain in the next-gen CX-5 now reaching showrooms. More from Headlight.News.
As Fuel Prices Surge – Expect to Pay More at the Pump and the Grocery Store
Heading into the weekend, fuel prices topped $3.32 a gallon and are expected to continue rising fast as long as the U.S. war against Iran drags on. For the typical motorist the increase over the last week is adding about $5 a fill-up. But consumers, in general, can expect to see this translate into still further price hikes on food, clothing and other goods should the war continue, reports Headlight.News.
Automakers – and Auto Buyers – Soon Could Be in For Tariff Refunds
A federal judge Thursday delivered a stinging defeat to the White House, ruling U.S. importers are “entitled to benefit” from the Supreme Court’s own decision tossing out Pres. Trump’s import tariffs. In other words, those who paid those illegal duties are due refunds. That includes the estimated $25 billion the U.S. auto industry paid out. Will they collect? And will they pass on any money to auto buyers? More from Headlight.News.
Energy Crisis Looming? Iran War Threatens to Freeze Oil Shipments Through Key Waterway Even as Gas Prices Surge
Fear is beginning to set in on oil markets around the world as Iran strikes back after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks over the weekend. Insurers are refusing to cover shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz while Iran is upping its own drone and missile strikes on tankers and Mideast energy infrastructure. Petro prices are surging on markets as experts and traders try to determine just how much of a disruption to energy supplies could be in store, reports Headlight.News.