The first major update of Tesla’s best-selling product line, the Model Y, has officially gone on sale. Known internally by its codename, Juniper, it’s also being offered in a newer, cheaper form, with a base rear-wheel-drive package dropping to $37,490 after factoring in federal tax credits. Whether that will reverse declining Tesla sales, hurt by widespread protests against CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration, remains to be seen. More from Headlight.News.
A low-profile start-up quietly backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has suddenly burst into the headlines, Dubbed Slate Auto, the Michigan-based automaker rolled out an all-electric pickup Thursday night that, it said, will go on sale in late 2026 for “under $20,000.” But rather than delivering another high-tech wonder, the Slate pickup draws its inspiration from a low-tech past. Will Americans embrace an EV with crank-up windows and no infotainment screen? Headlight.News has more.
Millions of American motorists have been priced out of the new vehicle market, all the more so when it comes to EVs which currently average about $55,000 apiece. But Slate Auto, a new start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is determined to change that equation. On Thursday, it gave the world a first look at a flexible new, all-electric pickup set to go on sale in 2026. Designed to be extremely customizable, it’s expected to start under $20,000 when you factor in federal EV tax credits. Headlight.News was there for the big debut.
Better late than never? Tesla has spent years debating whether to add a more affordable EV to its existing line-up. It’s finally moving forward and, despite yet another delay, will finally add the vehicle to its line-up in June. Details have yet to be released but it’s expected to be a stripped-down version of Model Y starting at less than $30,000 — with a low-priced take on the Model 3 likely to follow. But will this draw in entirely new buyers or cannibalize sales of Tesla’s existing line-up? More from Headlight.News.
Motorists around the world are becoming increasingly comfortable with purchasing and owning EVs, according to a new study, though Americans lag well behind their counterparts in Europe and, in particular, China. Credit the longer range, faster charging and lower costs of newer EV models, consumers told McKinsey & Co. Headlight.News has more.
Tesla has long promised to deliver an “affordable” battery-electric vehicle, but the project has yet again been delayed, according to a new report. With competition coming in the under-$30,000 segment, the delay could add to Tesla’s woes as sales continue to sag, driving down both Tesla’s earnings and stock price. Headlight.News has more.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting ready to punch his way into the auto industry, with what several sources tell Headlight.News will be a new all-electric pickup set to start as low as $25,000. Expected to be called Slate Auto, the start-up will use Amazon’s online power to market the new vehicle. More from Headlight.News.
The new Toyota bZ3X is, at less than $20,000, the sort of affordable EV American motorists are craving. The problem is you can’t have it. Not unless you’re thinking about moving to China. But it’s certainly connecting with motorists in the People’s Republic. And it might offer some insight into the sort of product Toyota just might eventually be able to come up with for the U.S.
Volkswagen released a pair of sketches showing off a new concept dubbed the ID.EVERY.1. They reveal the direction the German automaker plans to take when it launches a new, entry-level battery-electric vehicle in 2027. But what else have we learned about the show car and ID.1 production model to follow? Headlight.News has more.
After a rough start, Tesla appeared to get back on track during the third quarter, beating both sales and earnings estimates. But, buried amidst all the financial data, CEO Elon Musk said there won’t be a $25,000 Tesla and the EV maker’s potentially rocket-powered Roadster is delayed – again. But he may be working on a flying Tesla.
U.S. EV sales growth has slowed sharply this past year, high sticker prices getting much of the blame – especially for products delivering reasonable range. That could play out well for Chevrolet which has revealed that the new, base trim package of the Equinox will start at just $33,600 before in delivery fees – even while offering 319 miles per charge. Better yet, that’s just $26,100 thanks to federal tax credits.
Buyers finally have the opportunity to pick from the full line-up of Chevrolet Blazer EV trims, starting with the base front-drive package, all the way up to the 595-hp SS model.