News Blog

Auto news blog | Summary of current auto news by the TTAC staff

Genesis Updates GV70 for 2025, Releases Pricing

Standing still is a great way to get run over, especially in the cutthroat segment which is the luxury midsize crossover game. Genesis has just released images of its 2025 GV70, packing an enormous new infotainment screen but only a moderate price hike.

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Coming to America? The Mini Aceman

With the Mini Aceman going from cutesy concept to real car, some are wondering whether the model will be migrating from China to North America. Sized between the Cooper Electric Hardtop and Countryman, the Aceman could be a nice fit for urbanites interested in an all-electric runabout.

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The NHTSA is Investigating Tesla's Autopilot Recall

Late last year, Tesla recalled two million vehicles to add more driver monitoring safeguards to its Autopilot feature, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is worried it might not have done enough. The NHTSA recently announced that it was opening an investigation into the recall after crashes involving “fixed” vehicles and its early testing on the issue.

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Toyota to Offer Two Three-Row EVs in the States

Toyota hinted at a new electric Highlander variant earlier this month, but its most recent announcement confirms another three-row electric SUV. Yesterday, the Japanese auto giant said it would build a new EV at its Princeton, Indiana facility and noted that it would inject $1.4 billion to modernize the plant.

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Honda Announced a Blockbuster Investment in Canadian EV Production Facilities

Like Toyota, Honda has been slower than most to jump into the EV pool with both feet, but it now appears the automaker is ready to take a dive. It recently announced a significant investment in four new EV facilities in Canada that will deliver almost a quarter-million new EVs each year.

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Honda Prelude Concept Surfaces Again – This Time in Red

Yes, we’re crafting a post focused on the choice of its manufacturer to display the thing in a different color. But, given the nameplate history, there’s good reason for doing so.

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Nissan is Readying a Slew of New Products to Boost Sales and Profitability

Nissan sales have languished in recent times, but the automaker has a turnaround plan that leans on improved products that will debut over the next several months. Automotive News obtained information from a recent Nissan dealer meeting that includes outlines for an updated Murano, Rogue, Armada, and more.

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BMW Lightly Updated the 4 Series for 2025

BMW’s sedan catalog is surprisingly expansive, though there’s quite a bit of overlap between model lines. The 4 Series cars build on the slightly smaller 3 Series with sleeker styling and other touches, and the range got a mild update for 2025 that brings better tech and slight cosmetic upgrades.

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Ford Plans Affordable EV Models and Promises Profitability

Ford hasn’t had the best luck with profitability on its electric vehicle business, but the automaker is not shying away from aiming at the cheaper end of the EV spectrum. CEO Jim Farley recently confirmed that the company would purse sub-$30,000 electric models with its next-generation product line, and said that its existing models would become better in the meantime.

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Ramming Speed: Meet the 2025 Ram RHO

The 2025 Ram 1500 I drove earlier this year no longer offers a TRX model. We knew, however, that Ram wouldn't go long without offering a high-performance trim. Enter the 2025 Ram RHO

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Tesla May License FSD to Other Automakers - Maybe

Tesla recently slashed the price of its Full Self-Driving assistance feature, and it now appears the automaker is taking steps to expand its reach to other OEMs. CEO Elon Musk recently confirmed the move, saying Tesla was in talks with at least one “major automaker” about a licensing deal for the tech.

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VinFast Announces New U.S. Dealers Across Several States

VinFast has had several early bumps in the road, but the Vietnamese automaker appears to be hitting its stride in at least one area. The company recently announced an expansion to its U.S. dealer network, giving it stores in several new areas and growing its footprint to 18 dealerships in seven states.

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Maybe Tesla Didn't Cancel the Affordable EV After All, Or Did It?

Following Tesla has always been a whiplash-inducing experience. The will they, won’t they themes continue in 2024, as the automaker recently reversed its reported decision to nix affordable EV plans, though the flip appears related to less-than-stellar first-quarter performance.

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Geländewagen, Electrified: Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology

Electrification has crept like a static-filled blanket over the Mercedes shop floor, consuming just about every major model in a wide variety of segments in which the German automaker is present – although it must be said that, for now, there are plenty of gassers from which to select.


Most rightly predicted an electrified G would retain the popular boxy looks for which it is known. What we can’t fathom, however, is its official name: Why not simply EQG?

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2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Pricing and Specs Revealed

Toyota has released details on the Tacoma Hybrid, showing it will start at $47,795 as part of the TRD Sport trim. While that’s nearly $7,000 more than the gasoline variant of the TRD Sport, it does come equipped with the more powerful i-Force Max powertrain.

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Sedan Down: Subaru Halts Legacy Production

If yer looking for a midsize sedan with all-wheel drive, the list of choices is about to get smaller. Subaru has announced production of the Legacy will end early in the 2025 calendar.

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Porsche Gave the 2025 Cayenne GTS Better Performance and a Higher Price

There’s room for debate over whether the Cayenne saved Porsche, but it’s hard to deny the SUV’s impact on the performance automaker’s bottom line. The Cayenne has been available in dozens of configurations over the years, but the GTS has long been offered a solid balance of speed and luxury. Though it was absent for the 2024 model year, Porsche’s bringing it back for 2025 with a range of improvements over the outgoing SUV that make it even more compelling than before.

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Counterfeit Valve Body Scandal Surfaces in the Aftermarket Parts World

Aftermarket car parts are a huge business, with hundreds of niche companies selling vehicle- and application- specific upgrades and merchandise. They can be pricey, though, and like anything expensive, there can be a dark side to the business. Broader Performance, a company manufacturing Ford transmission parts, recently found itself on the wrong end of that cycle, as it discovered a counterfeit of one of its products being sold on Summit Racing.

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Rivian Will Give You a Discount to Trade In a Gas Vehicle for a New R1 Model

Rivian sells two compelling EVs that have garnered a good deal of happy customers, but they’re far from affordable. At around $70,000 to start, the brand’s R1T pickup and R1S SUV are out of reach for most buyers, even after the $3,750 federal tax credits for some models. The automaker is taking steps – small ones, to be fair – to make its vehicles more affordable, though, knocking up to $5,000 off some configurations. Oh, and you’ll have to trade in a gas vehicle to get the price cut.

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Consumer Reports Lists Least/Most Expensive Car Brands to Maintain

With the average vehicle now older than ever before and fewer people capable of spending the kind of money required to purchase a brand-new automobile, maintenance has become even more relevant. To that end, Consumer Reports has furnished an analysis on just how much each nameplate is likely to set you back in terms of upkeep over its lifespan.

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Driving Dystopia: Connected Vehicle Data Now Up For Grabs By Intelligence Agencies

Connected vehicles now appear to be on the table as a new vector for government surveillance. On Saturday, President Joe Biden signed a bill that reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after the Senate passed it late on Friday (60-34).  

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Cool It: Hyundai Testing Innovative Window Film

Applying tint to window glass is hardly a new way to keep the cabin of one’s car cool in direct sunlight – but Hyundai claims there remains innovations to explore in the field of beating the summer heat.

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Tesla FSD is Now Significantly Cheaper Than Before

Regardless of how you feel about the tech, the truth has always been that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has been ridiculously expensive. The good news now, at least for Tesla owners, is that the automaker recently cut the price by 25 percent, making it significantly less expensive, though it’ll still add thousands to a new vehicle’s bottom line.

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Dealer Groups are Up In Arms About Potential for Scout and Sony Afeela to Sell Cars Directly to Buyers

Dealers are often the first group to sound concerns when something changes in the auto industry, whether they’re justified in their complaints or not. Most recently, a state dealer association created an ad asking Volkswagen Group and Sony Honda Mobility not to sell their upcoming EVs outside of the existing dealer network over concerns the new divisions could follow Tesla and Rivian in selling directly to buyers.

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VW's Chattanooga Plant Voted In Favor of Unionizing

Fresh off a great year for the United Autoworkers Union (UAW), which saw wins against the Detroit Big Three automakers, union president Shawn Fain set his sights on several other automakers across the American South. Volkswagen, which operates a factory and offices in Chattanooga, TN, was first. Its efforts were successful. Despite the most recent vote being the third attempt to organize workers there, the UAW’s efforts were finally awarded with a strong vote to unionize.

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The Corvette's Executive Chief Engineer is Retiring After a Storied 47-Year-Long Career

All good things eventually come to an end. The Chevy Corvette got its most dramatic makeover ever in 2020, but the man behind the car’s evolution since 2006 recently announced his retirement.

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Southern Unionization Remains An Uphill Battle As Governors Caution Against UAW

With the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America International Union (UAW) seeking to expand in the Southern United States, Republican governors have started to condemn the action on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the economy. Governors in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas released a joint statement against the UAW shortly before Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, were supposed to begin voting on whether or not to unionize.

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Photos and Specs for the Upcoming Kia EV5 GT Surfaced On a Chinese Government Website

The Kia EV9 is just hitting the streets, but we’re already learning about the automaker’s “next big thing.” Motor 1 located an application on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website that covers a new EV called the EV5, a small crossover with the brand’s signature funky styling.

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Circuit of the Americas is Offering to Buy Back Early Bird Ticket Packages to Re-Sell At a Higher Price

Formula One has always been a rich person’s sport, but it has become equally as exclusive for fans trying to get tickets. Three-day passes for the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin can easily cost $600 or more, and prices at other venues are just as steep. Some fans got an early-bird deal for this year’s race at COTA, paying just $299 for three-day passes, but now, track officials are offering a buy-back so they can re-sell the tickets later at a higher price.

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Ford Slides Retro Gauges into Mustang, Should Do F-150 Next

It is flummoxing when automakers decide to saddle an enormous expanse of digital real estate with relatively few display options. Sure, the whole so-called Calm Screen from Hackett-era products at Ford was a fine idea – but not without supplementary options from which to choose.


Fortunately, someone at Ford finally plowed through the red tape and infused the new Mustang with entertaining choices. First, a Fox Body-style gauge option was on tap, a neat throwback now joined by a display selection inspired by the 1967-1968 model years. Best of all, it found its way into cars by way of an over-the-air update.

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Rivian Drops Another One Percent of Its Workforce As It Chases Profitability

Electric-only automakers are going through it right now. Tesla recently laid off 10,000 workers after posting disappointing first-quarter sales numbers, and now Rivian is slashing another one percent of its workforce after layoffs earlier this year.

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Mexico Won't Offer EV Incentives to Chinese Automakers

Chinese automakers are expanding into Mexico, with companies like BYD opening dealerships across the country. Even so, the Mexican government isn’t rolling out the red carpet due to pressure from the United States. Automotive News reported that the country would not offer tax incentives or land discounts to Chinese automakers. It noted that the U.S. government believes that they should not be able to enter North America without paying tariffs.

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Ford Drops Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Mustang for 2025

The Ford Motor Company is offering a limited appearance package for the 2025 model year of the Mustang, stating that there will be just 1,965 examples to commemorate the car’s introductory year. As previously teased by the automaker, the model will receive special badging, decals, and wheels that hearken back to the original.

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The NHTSA is Looking Into Unintended Emergency Brake Activation On Almost Three Million Hondas

Honda is facing an NHTSA investigation looking at almost three million vehicles to review safety issues with unexpected emergency braking system activation. The agency opened a preliminary investigation in 2022 after receiving reports related to the Honda Accord and CR-V.

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British Columbia Outlaws Self-Driving Cars

Americans, especially Californians, have good reason to be skeptical of autonomous vehicles. There have been multiple crashes and plenty of annoying traffic holdups as companies test robotaxis and other vehicles, and now, some Canadians are taking action to prevent similar issues.

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Tesla Faces a Potential NHTSA Investigation for Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Problems

Remember the Toyota stuck accelerator fiasco? Pepperidge Farm remembers. It’s now Tesla’s turn, as the automaker recently issued a stop-sale for an issue with the Cybertruck’s accelerator pedal. Though unconfirmed, the move could be related to a recent TikTok video from an owner, in which the Cybertruck owner demonstrated that his Tesla’s accelerator pedal cover could come loose and cause it to stick in the open position.

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Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Paused While Ford F-150 Lightning Deliveries Resume

Following a nine-week hold on F-150 Lightning allocations to dealers, Ford has announced it will be resuming shipments. Meanwhile, Tesla reportedly delayed Cybertruck deliveries. The rumor is that it needed to address some quality concerns. But the reasons assumed vary and the company hasn’t said anything about the issue, and likely won’t since it disbanded its PR department years ago. However, this may not be the victory for Blue Oval that it appears.

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Stellantis Investors Fume Over CEO Pay Amid Job Cuts, Plant Closures, Supplier Strife

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ pay increase has annoyed a subset of shareholders as the automaker positions itself for more layoffs and attempts to shift the production of electric vehicles to countries where labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, the automaker's unwillingness to renegotiate contracts with suppliers had created additional tension with its business partners.

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Kia Plans to Release Smaller, More Affordable EV3 By the End of 2024

Kia recently announced plans to develop new hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to help it cope with wavering EV demand, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker’s trudge toward full electrification. In fact, Kia’s CEO said the company was pushing forward with plans to release an affordable electric car called the EV3.

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General Motors to Move from Long-Running Detroit HQ Into a New Location Across Town

Automakers have an impact on industries that reach far beyond cars and drivers. Real estate is one area where the sector has a significant footprint, and one of the industry’s biggest names is making waves in Detroit’s downtown. General Motors recently announced a move from the Renaissance Center (RenCen), the building it purchased in 1996, to a new location at the Hudson’s Detroit building further north.

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Poll: Americans Are Less Interested in Buying an EV Than in 2023

While the future of electric vehicles in the United States is likely nowhere near as dire as many have portrayed, the current state of things hasn’t done much to inspire confidence. Flagging demand has led to cutbacks on new EV projects and investments in manufacturing facilities, and a recent Gallup poll shows that people who don’t already own an EV aren’t as interested in buying one as they were a year ago.

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Alfa Romeo Milano Renamed ‘Junior’ to Satisfy Italian Law

Following criticisms and potential legal actions stemming from the Italian Minister for Business, Alfa Romeo has opted to rename the recently revealed Milano crossover. The subcompact model will now be called the “Junior,” which sounds like the kind of name someone comes up with for a small car out of sheer desperation.

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Kia Will Boost Hybrid Development to Offset Shaky EV Demand

Another day, another story of an automaker realizing that going all-in on EVs will take longer than expected. Ford and General Motors have both backtracked, saying they would produce more hybrids and plug-in hybrids to fill the gap left by wavering EV demand and now it’s Kia’s turn. The company recently announced that it would boost hybrid development to provide “maximum flexibility” to bolster what could be shifty EV demand in the short term.

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Seattle-Area Hellcat Driver Banned from Driving His Car Over Idiotic and Dangerous Behavior

There are so many well-documented accounts of people doing dumb things in high-powered cars that it’s become satisfying to see some of them suffering the legal consequences of their actions. That’s exactly what happened to a Seattle-area Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT driver, who was recently charged with reckless driving and banned from driving the car.

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Report: Tesla Set for Layoffs

Things are getting a little bumpy at Tesla. The automaker’s first-quarter delivery numbers raised eyebrows, undercutting even the most critical expectations by a notable margin. Now, rumors are swirling about Tesla’s employee base, with some telling Electrek that the automaker plans to cut as much as 10 percent of its workforce in what would amount to thousands of layoffs.

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Report: Aston Martin Actually Won’t Be Going All Electric

Despite previously having vowed to offer an entirely electric lineup by 2030, Aston Martin has decided to continue selling internal-combustion vehicles beyond the next decade. Company chairman Lawrence Stroll now believes that there will always be demand for combustion engines. Apparently, customers had conveyed to Aston dealers that they still prefer traditional powertrains and want the sensations associated with gasoline-powered automobiles.

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Subaru Prices 2025 Legacy, Outback

In a change from most stories about the topic of pricing, Subaru has chosen to hold the line on cost for most trims of its midsize Legacy sedan and Outback station wagon.

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Car Insurance Rate Increases Offset the Gradual Price Drops

New car prices are slowly returning to reality, but the universe isn’t done torturing buyers. A new report from Reuters found that insurance rates are climbing just as the financial pain of buying a new car is easing.

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Ford Just Gave the Bronco Sport a Significant Price Cut

The Ford Bronco Sport might not be the rugged, go-anywhere SUV that its larger cousin is, but it’s a formidable off-roader in its own right. It’s also surprisingly affordable for what it brings to the table, and a new report from CarsDirect suggests it’s about to get even less expensive.

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Italian Government Upset Alfa Romeo ‘Milano’ Will Be Built in Poland

The Italian Minister for Business has criticized Stellantis for manufacturing the Alfa Romeo Milano outside of the country, suggesting that the automaker had likely violated the law.

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Alfa Romeo Reveals Milano EV, Brand’s First All-Electric Model

Alfa Romeo has revealed its very first all-electric model, the subcompact Milano crossover. However, the automaker likewise plans on offering a hybrid version that mates a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo to a 28-horsepower electric motor attached to the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While a that makes the model a 48-volt mild-hybrid, it should help Alfa cope with stringent emissions regulations and also serve as the volume model for numerous markets.

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Go North: GMC Teases 2025 Yukon

Ahead of the next model year, the crew at GMC have shared the briefest of glimpses at the large-and-in-charge 2025 Yukon SUV.

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China Needs More Ships to Handle Its Rapidly Growing EV Exports
The NTSB is Investigating Fatal Crashes Involving the Ford Mustang Mach-E and BlueCruise

We’ve talked at length about Tesla’s troubles with driver monitoring and crashes tied to its semi-autonomous driver assistance features, but now, it’s Ford’s turn under the microscope. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently announced that it would investigate a fatal crash that happened in early March involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E and two cars on the interstate in Philadelphia.

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New Mexico EV Mandate Stands After Opposition from Car Dealers

The State of New Mexico has denied a petition put forward by automotive dealers to ease off on planned electric vehicle mandates. The groups had claimed that forcing electrification would hamper commerce by encouraging residents to purchase more vehicles from neighboring territories and were limiting residents freedom of choice. However, a governor-appointed state Environmental Improvement Board reportedly voted to deny the challenges late last week.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Spied Testing At the Nurburgring
Ineos Opens Order Books for Grenadier Quartermaster

As the second model released by British brand Ineos Automotive, the Grenadier Quartermaster oozes off-road swagger – even just sitting stationary on a mountaintop.

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Ford Added a $4,995 Appearance Package for the 2024 Bronco Raptor

The Ford Bronco Raptor was already expensive enough even without dealer markups, but the automaker has figured out a way to make it even pricier. Under the darkness of the eclipse on Monday, Ford announced the Bronco Raptor Black Appearance Package. The $4,995 option adds to the $90,305 (before destination) starting price and mostly amounts to decals and painted exterior trim to the beefy SUV without changing its performance or capability.

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This is the All-New 2025 Toyota 4Runner

You’d have been easily forgiven if you believed Toyota would never update the 4Runner, but here we are, 15 years after the current model debuted, talking about an all-new SUV. The 2025 4Runner represents a significant step forward for the legendary off-roader, and despite what you might think about turbos and hybrid powertrains, it looks absolutely legit.

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Gas War: Appeals Court Upholds EPA Approval of California Emissions Rules

On Tuesday, a U.S. appeals court agreed to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to re-grant a waiver that allows California the ability to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric vehicle mandates.

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  • Peter Buying an EV from Toyota is like buying a Bible from Donald Trump. Don’t be surprised if some very important parts are left out.
  • Sheila I have a 2016 Kia Sorento that just threw a rod out of the engine case. Filed a claim for new engine and was denied…..due to a loop hole that was included in the Class Action Engine Settlement so Hyundai and Kia would be able to deny a large percentage of cars with prematurely failed engines. It’s called the KSDS Improvement Campaign. Ever hear of such a thing? It’s not even a Recall, although they know these engines are very dangerous. As unknowing consumers load themselves and kids in them everyday. Are their any new Class Action Lawsuits that anyone knows of?
  • Alan Well, it will take 30 years to fix Nissan up after the Renault Alliance reduced Nissan to a paltry mess.I think Nissan will eventually improve.
  • Alan This will be overpriced for what it offers.I think the "Western" auto manufacturers rip off the consumer with the Thai and Chinese made vehicles.A Chinese made Model 3 in Australia is over $70k AUD(for 1995 $45k USD) which is far more expensive than a similar Chinesium EV of equal or better quality and loaded with goodies.Chinese pickups are $20k to $30k cheaper than Thai built pickups from Ford and the Japanese brands. Who's ripping who off?
  • Alan Years ago Jack Baruth held a "competition" for a piece from the B&B on the oddest pickup story (or something like that). I think 5 people were awarded the prizes.I never received mine, something about being in Australia. If TTAC is global how do you offer prizes to those overseas or are we omitted on the sly from competing?In the end I lost significant respect for Baruth.