Dealer franchise laws are controversial at best and downright divisive in most cases, but they remain a significant force in the automotive industry despite the political noise surrounding them. Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently joined the fray when he signed House Bill 637, legislation that blocks direct auto sales for most brands but not all. 

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda recently discussed a sporting EV prototype the company has been working on, noting that the model has the simulated manual transmission that’s been the subject of much controversy. Many have claimed a stick-shift electric wouldn’t happen, as it would add cost and needless amounts of complexity for a brand that’s traditionally been averse to both concepts.

However, the brand seems to be running with the concept. Lexus had already toyed with the idea and Akio is now praising the unit that’s been equipped with the Toyota-branded prototype.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised automakers not to comply with a Massachusetts vehicle telematics rule designed to ensure customers have control over what happens with their private data. It’s the regulators' assertion that companies are obligated to enforce federal standards while suggesting that the state law poses safety concerns.

Interestingly, that’s the exact same claim the automotive lobby was making when the Massachusetts law was up first for debate and leaves one wondering who exactly the NHTSA is advocating for.

In the “old days,” you had two transmission options if you wanted to buy a car. More often than not, a manual transmission was the standard choice, but buyers increasingly had automatic transmission options. Then, ‘ze Germans started using dual-clutch transmissions in racing cars, leading to the array of the gearboxes seen on the market today. That’s about to change for BMW, at least, as the company’s M division head of development told Top Gear that the DCT would die as it shifted to electrification.

It might be easy to poke a bit of fun at cars that use a pot of paint and trim variations to mark a company anniversary but there’s no arguing that, when done right, people tend to line up for the chance to buy one.

Case in point – all 100 units of the limited-edition Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversary models sold out in every region the models were offered.

The Volkswagen Arteon is dead. Long live the Arteon.

Buick is a big deal in China, and it invests heavily in bringing new models to the country. The Buick-China relationship is so strong that the automaker builds vehicles there for import to its home country, the United States. The Envision SUV has long been built at a GM factory in China, and we’re now learning of a facelifted version of the vehicle that will arrive in 2024.

One-pedal driving is one of the more well-known features of electric vehicles, but Consumer Reports recently voiced concerns that the feature might be more dangerous than initially thought.

Despite being on the market for a few years, the Mazda 3 remains high on our list of recommendations whenever someone asks for advice on affordable compact cars. For the 2024 model year, Mazda has gifted it a handful of updates.

While Toyota Motor Corp is known for casting a wide net and acting cautiously, it recently made some fairly lofty statements about its strategy regarding all-electric vehicles. Despite the brand offering the humble bZ4X as its singular EV on the North American market, Toyota is suggesting subsequent models driving ranges that model would envy. 

Honda released an updated CR-V in 2023 with refined styling, a much-improved interior, and better tech. More changes are in store for 2024, as Honda plans to release a new hybrid Sport-L trim that slots in between the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. 

Rumors don’t often end up coming true, but the recent whispers about a new Toyota Land Cruiser coming back to America have become a reality. The automaker recently announced that the SUV would return, ending a short period of intense speculation over the iconic off-road vehicle.

It’s a common knock on GM that the company has a tendency to kill its darlings just as they get them right; look no further into history than the Pontiac Fiero and Cadillac Allanté as two good examples*. Some pundits muttered similar oaths about the all-electric Bolt when news surfaced that the model isn’t long for this world – but statements on an NPR podcast last week could give hope to the popular (and affordable) little EV.

On Monday, Ford Motor Co. opened the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany. Founded in 1930, the facility first produced examples of the Model A intended for the European market. Though the site is probably more famous for manufacturing the Ford Capri and every single generation of the humble Fiesta.

The factory has more recently been the recipient of a $2 billion investment to prepare it for the automaker’s push into electrification. With retooling having concluded, Ford says the plant should boast an annual production capacity of 250,000 electric vehicles.

Volvo is dropping front-wheel drive for the XC40 and XC60 crossovers for 2024. However, this also means the XC40 will lose the 2.0-liter B4 turbo (194 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque) and now have the B5 variant (247 hp and 258 pound-feet) as its singular powertrain. Since the XC60 comes exclusively with the B5 already, the only change is that front-wheel drive will be removed from the menu.

Lexus is hitting the public with a one-two punch this week. After showcasing the next-generation GX, the brand introduced an all-new model designed to replace the three-row RX L. However, where the RX was stretched as an afterthought, the TX was always designed with extra seating in mind. 

Lexus has finally shown the brand-new GX midsize SUV for 2024 and it’s leaning hard into its status as an off-road vehicle. Whereas the previous generation offered something a little more brutish looking than your typical Lexus utility vehicle, the new model is about as butch as luxury vehicles come. The only way the manufacturer could have been more clear about what this vehicle was about would be if it put a giant decal on the side that read “BODY-ON FRAME 4X4 FOR DIRT PLEASE.”

It was only a few short days ago we brought you news of Ford announcing it will be granting its EVs the capability of hoovering electricity from Tesla-branded charging stations. If that news gave you whiplash, last night’s announcement of a similar move from General Motors will surely put yer back out.

VinFast made a splash in the U.S. with the release of its first EV here, the VF8, but the reviews have not been the most positive early impressions. We’re expecting another model, the VF9, at some point, but the automaker’s newest EV hasn’t yet been slated for a North American release. The new VF3 mini EV is scheduled for release in 2024 as a super-small crossover with seating for five.

Expect to soon see another entrant in the rapidly expanding unibody compact truck segment. Stellantis has thrown covers off its Ram Rampage for the Brazilian market, and camouflaged examples have been spotted testing in America.

Self-driving cars aren’t yet a thing, no matter what you hear on the news or read online. That said, a few companies have begun testing autonomous vehicles in cities nationwide, especially in tech-forward California. Mercedes-Benz recently got approval from the state’s DMV to sell or lease vehicles with Level 3 autonomous features. 

Specialized automaker Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has announced plans to expand on the North American market, offering more places for customers to source and service the single-seat BAC Mono.

Tesla often comes under fire for running its business far differently from other automakers, which can lead to interesting outcomes with vehicle performance. The latest story comes to us from a Tesla forum, where The Drive noticed users claiming that the company was removing the radar systems from their vehicles without asking.

Should you buy a Camry, or should you buy a car from Elon Musk? If you’re shopping on price alone and live in California, the choice might become a lot simpler after this news. Reuters recently reported that the Model 3 can become less expensive than a new Camry if buyers can capitalize on federal and California state incentives.

Jeep recently showed off the 2024 Wrangler, promising a more functional, even more off-road-capable SUV with updated tech and a better interior. The early previews look promising, and now we know how much the automaker plans to charge for its updated icon.

A Waymo autonomous test vehicle struck and killed a small dog in San Francisco last month, with news emerging after an incident report filed with the California Department of Motor Vehicles became public. While the accident is nothing in comparison to the fatal crash from 2018, where an Uber AV killed a cyclist, it still spells bad publicity for companies hoping to field self-driving vehicles with the public’s blessing.

Normally we don’t pay mind to a C-Suite reshuffle, because most of these executive title changes are either part of a never-ending game of musical chairs or a last-ditch effort to rearrange the Titanic’s deck chairs before the thing sinks. But this one grabs our attention for one very good reason: The guy now in charge of Ram fostered the development of a 1,000+ hp muscle car.

Despite all-electric vehicles being heralded as environmentally sound solutions that would kick down the door to affordable mobility, there haven’t been a lot of good examples hitting the market recently. Most models are aimed at the affluent, resulting in 9,000-pound behemoths with six-figure price tags. General Motors recently released the absolutely ludicrous GMC Hummer EV while the Chevrolet Bolt is being discontinued.

Meanwhile, Volvo has introduced the EX30 — a pint-sized EV that’s to serve as the foundation of its all-electric transformation. But it’s difficult to say whether or not it’s going to deliver on those early promises of electrification.

The Toyota Land Cruiser took a bow after the 2021 model year, ending a decades-long run of near-bulletproof off-road SUVs on the U.S. market. We got a new Lexus LX, but it’s even more expensive than the already-pricey Toyota. However, a new report from Automotive News suggests a new Land Cruiser variant is coming. 

Readers may recall a recent news post in which we mentioned Jim Farley took to Twitter and announced that Ford was heeding requests from policy leaders and rural Americans, electing not to yank AM radio from Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Going a step further, he also said any Ford EVs not currently able to pick up Amplitude Modulation stations would be getting a software update to give them the capability.

Despite this common sense development, a cadre of automaker lobbyists made their way to Washington yesterday to bleat at Congress and stomp their feet. Their message was the opposite of Farley’s, saying lawmakers shouldn’t consider requiring OEMs to include AM radio in their vehicles.

Honda and Acura haven’t yet released an EV in the United States, but that’s about to change. The automakers have partnered with General Motors, and Honda’s working with Sony on a separate car project. The fruits of the GM/Honda partnership are coming soon, as the Prologue EV will be Honda’s first in the U.S., and the Acura ZDX is coming not long after. Acura recently released new information on the ZDX, including an overview of its updated tech features.

Range and power figures certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have come out for the Rivian R1S Dual Motor and have been shared by the relevant forums. Things are looking pretty good, too. Depending on how it’s optioned, owners could be seeing 348 miles of range between charges — which is actually better than the automaker had previously speculated.

Alert members of the B&B know that applying skiffs of paint and wallpaper to create a new trim can be a great way for an OEM to grab attention on a model that’s between development cycles. Mazda has dabbled with a Carbon Edition in the past but is now applying a similar treatment to other vehicles in its range.

Ford has acknowledged its recent struggles with quality, with CEO Jim Farley vowing to halt the brand’s backward slide. It will take some time for turnaround efforts to take hold, and in the meantime, we’ve got more Ford recalls to discuss. This time, the recall involves 125,000 trucks and crossovers for fire risk, including the ultra-popular Maverick. 

With the sixth-generation Camaro rounding out its final model year, Chevrolet has released the obligatory commemorative variant. The 2024 Chevy Camaro Collector’s Edition is effectively a blacked-out coupe whose real value lies in the prospect of it being extra valuable decades later due to its limited nature. 

Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) floated the notion that every new passenger vehicle should come with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. It would seem that the stage is being set for another mandatory safety inclusion, with the NHTSA targeting universal implementation by the end of the decade. But adding another safety net would come with a few complications, as AEB doesn’t really qualify as a passive system.

Several states across this nation offer drivers a phalanx of options when registering a new set of plates for their vehicle. Most of them cost a bit extra with the additional simoleons being funneled to some sort of charity or a government slush fund. But only one offers you the chance to advertise gambling in the Philippines.

It’s been ages since the venerable 5.0L V8 engine has been the F-150’s volume seller, but that hasn’t stopped some gearheads deep within the skunkworks of Ford Performance from coming up with a relatively affordable supercharger kit for the mill – one which cranks the wick to 700 horsepower.

The last few years have been crazy for car shoppers, with inventory shortages and harsh price gouging running rampant. That said, the market seems to be healing, and some dealers now find themselves with too much inventory on hand. CarEdge recently released a report on the vehicles that sit on dealers’ lots the longest, and one Jeep model shows more than two years of supply. 

Upstart automakers don’t always have the smoothest path to success, but a few make it through the daunting pre-release vehicle development period and beat the odds. Rivian did it, and now it’s Fisker’s turn. The automaker, helmed by famed auto designer Henrik Fisker, will ship its first EV starting June 19.

Earlier this week, politicians in the Lone Star State approved a bill in which the provision exists to eliminate yearly inspections for non-commercial vehicles. If signed into law by the governor, Texans won’t have to run their personal cars through the inspection wringer once the calendar flips into the year 2025.

Over-the-air updates are a significant benefit to today’s big-screen connected vehicles. Though the “screen for everything” trend can lead to extra driver distraction in some cases, the constant connectivity lets automakers add new features and refine existing functionality without requiring a trip to the dealer. Polestar recently announced such an update for the Polestar 2, which brings YouTube and improvements to the Apple CarPlay function.

Say what you will – and many have – about the name Alfa Romeo selected for its new compact crossover, there’s no denying the thing fits well into the brand’s current design language. Alfa intends for it to fit well into a customer’s monthly balance sheet as well, announcing today it expects the Tonale to run 33 miles solely on electricity and return a rating of 77 MPGe.

Horsepower and SUVs can be a wicked combination when done right; witness any number of hi-po German and, increasingly, Italian machinery which somehow successfully combine high centres of gravity and outlandish acceleration numbers.

The new Range Rover Sport SV takes the concept and cranks its wick to 626 horsepower, meaning this Rangey is capable of hitting 60 mph from rest in just 3.6 seconds.

On Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed that its first U.S.-made all-electric vehicle will be assembled in Kentucky starting in 2025. The Georgetown facility is the automaker’s largest in the world and will be incorporating a three-row EV into its production lines once Toyota’s battery plant in North Carolina is completed.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is a relatively new entry to the automaker’s lineup, having debuted last year for the American market. It’s received positive reviews from critics and owners, but it’s not immune to the long arm of the NHTSA. The new crossover is the subject of a recent recall for an issue that could cause its airbags not to deploy.

Chevy recently overhauled the Colorado pickup, and we’re now learning more about its hardcore off-road trim. The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison sports multiple skidplates, massive 35-inch tires, beefy off-road suspension, and goodies from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).

The White House withdrew the nomination of Ann Carlson to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday, following criticisms that she was unqualified to fill the role. Despite Carlson serving as the acting administrator since September, the Senate Commerce Committee had accused her of being a career environmentalist with no formal background in roadway safety.

On Tuesday, Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed plans to merge its truck-making subsidiary Hino Motors with the rival Mitsubishi Fuso that’s owned by Daimler AG.

If you’re confused by the news, Mitsubishi only has a minority stake in the Fuso brand with Germany’s Daimler having owned 89 percent of the whole since the early 2000s. Meanwhile, Hino Motors has been wholly owned by Toyota Motor Corp. since 2001 and enjoyed a working partnership with Japan’s largest automaker since the 1960s.

You know things are off the rails when typing “2023 Ford Bronco” into a search bar on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database returns results with the words DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE in angry bold letters outlined with a red box. Oh, dear.

While that missive from the NHTSA may be a bit over-alarmist given it is for an easily remedied – but admittedly dangerous – issue of loose lug nuts from the factory, it remains true that Ford has issued yet another recall for its popular Bronco off-roader.

On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it was wrapping up its investigation into Tesla’s "Passenger Play" feature. The service originally offered occupants the ability to play a slew of video games while vehicles were in motion. But this was changed after the automaker felt pressure from federal regulators.

Several schools of thought exist about buying a set of wheels for a teenager or new driver. Some say the youngsters should be forced to drive a knackered hand-me-down, one which builds character and won’t cost a mint when it is inevitably crashed into a tree. 

Others are of the mind that the expected tree-crashing is exactly why parents should stuff their newly licensed children into something new packing all the latest safety features. Then, in the middle ground, we find some families reaching for gently used vehicles with decent crash ratings but ones that won’t break the bank.

The world is becoming friendlier for people with disabilities, but companies are constantly looking for ways to make their products more accessible for everyone. Stellantis recently issued a software update that makes its vehicles alert passengers to nearby emergency vehicles, making driving safer for hearing-impaired vehicle owners. 

Tesla has a new plan to draw in more car buyers and expand its electrification footprint in Texas. The automaker recently launched a new program through Tesla Electric that provides one year of overnight home charging to new Model 3 buyers. If you live in Texas and want to take advantage of the program, make sure you act before June 30.

Customers who had thrown down money to reserve a new Ford Mustang have been playing a waiting game in recent months, with the Blue Oval pushing production back in April and again earlier this month. Now, according to several reservation holders with accounts on the 7thMustang.com fan forum, production is ramping up and should be underway by at least the end of July.

With rumors that Tesla’s Cybertruck is nearing production status, there’s been renewed interest in speculating about what the vehicle will be like. Suggestions have been made that the all-electric pickup’s body will need to be lightly restyled to adhere to certain safety regulations and curiosity has abounded regarding the truck’s interior design. Will it be as staid and minimalist as the cabin in the Model Y or would it include additional instrumentation like the Model X?

Thanks to some leaked photos, we appear to have our answer.

There are few things on this green earth that get up my nose further than people trying to shove their lifestyle onto others through loud media campaigns. Sure, there are some universal truths to which we should all adhere – be kind to animals, take care of yer children, and don’t anger the Managing Editor* – but loudly pushing ideals ain’t one of ‘em.

The impetus for this mini-rant is the appearance of billboards near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway bearing the phrase ‘Winners DON’T Drink Milk’ as part of an ad campaign by a non-profit organization bent on getting people to stop drinking the stuff.

VinFast isn’t quite riding the wave of success it likely hoped for with its recent North American debut. The Vietnamese automaker experienced multiple delays in bringing its electric SUVs to the U.S., and the initial reviews haven’t been kind. Now, we’re hearing about a recall for the brand-new VF8 SUV relating to an issue with the screens that could cause them to go blank.

Ford hasn’t been shy about its ambitions to overtake Tesla as the leading EV producer in the U.S., but the two companies aren’t as angry with each other as you might think. Their chief executives recently sat down for a chat on Twitter Spaces and made a surprise announcement that has generated strong opinions from all corners of the automotive world: Ford EV owners will gain access to around 12,000 North American Tesla Superchargers starting next year.