Small, affordable cars are almost completely gone from the U.S. market. One of the cheapest, the Mitsubishi Mirage, is getting the ax after the 2024 model year, leaving only a couple of others for budget buyers to choose from. The automaker confirmed to Car and Driver that it would discontinue the car, noting that there would not be a 2025 model.

Carlos Ghosn, former head of Nissan, has made bold claims regarding the newly formed Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi partnership.

Stellantis has officially confirmed that 2024 will be the very last model year of the Ram 1500 Classic. But it had quite the run, entering production way back in 2008 as the “Dodge Ram 1500.”

Nissan has seen its sales numbers tumble over the last few years, with its market share, operating profit, and net income falling by deep double-digit percentages since 2019. The Japanese automaker now needs to cut costs to compensate for the fall and will offer voluntary buyout packages to a chunk of its older salaried workforce.

The Maserati Quattroporte (referred to as QP from here on) has been around for more than six decades, but its run has finally come to an end. The automaker recently delivered the last of its long-running four-door sports car to an American enthusiast, calling it the Grand Finale model.

Carrying the company’s last-ever V8 engine, the QP is finished in a deep blue color called Blu Nobile. Maserati installed a carbon fiber body kit and brushed aluminum brake calipers. The interior features wood accents and stitched Maserati trident logos on the headrests, and a commemorative plaque marks the car’s unique place in the automaker’s history.

There has been a lot of talk about the Tesla Cybertruck’s stainless steel body. Some have speculated that its rigidity and shape could present a significant danger to other drivers in a crash, but the first reported fatality in a Cybertruck accident was the person behind the Tesla’s wheel.

Ferrari has furnished its second-quarter earnings reports and it turns out that wealthy people are indeed still buying $500,000 automobiles. However, the report has likewise indicated that the Italian brand will be revising its lineup due to a lack of interest in certain models.

The Nissan Frontier was aging badly when it got a complete overhaul for the 2022 model year, but it’s got significantly newer competition from all corners of its segment. Nissan has another upgrade ready for the 2025 model year, however, which will bring new styling, a better camera system, more towing capacity, and an improved interior.

However, these engines can still produce emissions, requiring additional filtering. The need for larger pressurized hydrogen tanks also presents safety challenges. A significant obstacle is the limited availability of green hydrogen, which is necessary for the full transition to low-emission vehicles. Some manufacturers are considering using natural gas or biogas as interim solutions, which can later transition to hydrogen.

General Motors is updating performance evaluations of salaried employees and the way this impacts compensation. The automaker will now offer bonuses of up to 150 percent for the top 5 percent of its staff. However, employees deemed to be under performing will be placed under additional scrutiny to step it up or take a hike.

Remember the Dodge Journey? Pepperidge Farm, I mean, the NHTSA remembers. It recently upgraded its investigation into the much-maligned crossover to an engineering analysis. The evaluation is ongoing due to concerns that its door locks and windows could become inoperative.

Though not yet a recall, the action impacts almost one million Journeys built between 2009 and 2020. The defect could cause a malfunction of the power windows and door locks, preventing passengers from exiting if there’s an emergency.

In what certainly looks like just the latest walkback in EV ambitions, an outlet across the pond is reporting that Audi may be shoving its transition to an all-electric manufacturer by a few years.

I own a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Premium, and while I adore its manual transmission, I understand that some people can’t or don’t want to drive one every day. After introducing an eight-speed “Direct Automatic Transmission” (DAT) to the GR Yaris, Toyota is doing the same for America’s GR Corolla. The 2025 model year brings other improvements, including more torque and a shuffling of available features.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reaffirmed that over 50 million airbag inflators are dangerous and should be recalled.

Honda and Nissan are reportedly interested in formally creating the EV and software alliance the duo hinted at earlier this year, with Mitsubishi apparently asking if it can come along for the ride.

Nissan and Honda signed a memorandum of understanding in March that confirmed the companies were actively considering joining forces on the development of electric vehicles and automotive software. That partnership now seems closer than ever, with sources claiming that Mitsubishi (34 percent of which is owned by Nissan) may also be getting in on the action.

Mazda recently released a pair of closely related SUVs in the two-row CX-70 and three-row CX-90. The latter will see a decent update for the 2025 model year that brings a new trim and updated styling elements, along with slightly higher prices across the line.

The Ford Maverick recently got a significant update for the 2025 model year, with new AWD and tech functions, but Ford isn’t done with the pickup. Leaning into the tuning and modification scene that has already sprung up around the little ‘ute, the automaker is releasing the Maverick Lobo, a street truck with a lowering kit and other exclusive features.

Some extended auto warranty and service contract providers have earned a bad rap over the years for deceptive business practices and harassing potential customers. One of the most well-known names in the industry is now facing a significant fine for its deeds. CarShield has agreed to pay $10 million to the Federal Trade Commission over claims that it deceived customers with its advertising.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling over 50,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential issue with the airbag system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On Wednesday, the Japanese government demanded that Toyota Motor Corp. make sweeping reforms after finding additional violations of the automaker’s certification protocols. The nation’s transport ministry has been coming down hard on the industry after several Japanese manufacturers were not precisely following regulatory procedures, however the current focus seems to be on Toyota.

Recaro, known for making seats for automakers, racing teams, and others, is entering bankruptcy in Germany. On July 29, the company was placed into administration to oversee its operations and finances.

While we don’t know what led to the decision, it’s important to note that the bankruptcy only impacts the Recaro Automotive Seating Company, not Recaro Holdings, which makes gaming chairs, airline seats, and more.

The Ford Maverick has been a hit since its introduction a few years back, but there’s one thing that potential buyers have been asking for since the beginning: All-wheel drive with the fuel-efficient hybrid variant. Ford is answering those calls with the 2025 Maverick, which will combine the hybrid and AWD systems in the truck for the first time.

Auto industry executives are grappling with rising costs and a challenging economic environment, leading many to employ aggressive cost-cutting measures. At Stellantis, the latest effort to right the ship will involve a voluntary separation program for its salaried U.S. workforce.

BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle giant, is gearing up to make waves in the North American market, with Canada as its latest target.

While the driving masses are gradually becoming aware that automakers are using connected vehicles to sell off user data to third-party data brokers, there isn’t a lot of public information on exactly how this business is being conducted. However, headway is indeed being made.

A letter to the Federal Trade Commission has revealed that these automakers are not only selling off your personal data, they’re doing it for a pathetically small sum of money. Penned by U.S. senators Ron Wyden and Edward J. Markey, the document pertains to data broker Verisk and an earlier story that roped in several major manufacturers.

Not that long ago, and definitely in this author's lifetime, who’da thunk Cadillac would be one of the last vanguards of devastatingly powerful sports sedans which can also handle a corner? Enter the Precision Package for the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing, described as chassis fettling designed for felling lap records.

Rumors of the gas-powered Volkswagen Golf’s demise might be overblown. Company executives recently stated that the car could stay in production until 2035, which aligns with the EU’s plan to ban internal combustion vehicles.

Toyota has issued a major recall of its twin-turbocharged V-6 engines powering the 2022 and 2023 Tundra pickup trucks and Lexus LX SUVs.

Tesla recently recalled almost two million vehicles for a problem that could cause the hood to come unlatched. The automaker said it had received reports of hoods opening in China, leading it to open an investigation here.

With so many manufacturers retreating from their earlier promises of electrification, the public has begun to take notice. While industry targets often go missed, the EV debate has grown rather contentious due to the strong rhetoric used by automakers for years. Companies weren’t just vowing to sell all-electric vehicles, they were claiming a fundamental shift in transportation was about to happen.

The very Italian firm of Lamborghini has trotted out a few more details about the vehicle which will replace the Huracán. This, ahead of a planned reveal mid-August at the tony Monterey Car Week in California.

The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offers supercar levels of performance, and while it’s significantly more expensive than the standard car, it undercuts some of its most prominent competition by a large margin. Chevy also recently said it would not limit production numbers for the car, noting that it would build as many as the market demands.

Rivian and Volkswagen recently announced a joint venture, but it first had to pass the scrutiny of the German Federal Cartel Office. The pair got the greenlight, which will see VW making a significant investment in Rivian and billions into building the venture.

Volkswagen is set to give Rivian $3 billion and plans to spend another $2 billion to get the joint venture off the ground, after German officials said the partnership had “no serious competition problems.” That said, it’s worth noting that the German automaker has set performance milestones before Rivian earns the entire amount.

Mitsubishi and Nissan have been part of an alliance with Renault for years now, but the two are now reportedly considering teaming up with Honda as well. Nikkei Asia reported that Mitsubishi wants in on the existing partnership between Honda and Nissan, saying the trio would focus on “automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.”

Ford is grappling with significant financial pressures due to a surge in recall and warranty costs, which have reached $2.3 billion in the past three months. This marks an increase of $800 million from the first quarter, translating to $25.5 million per day.

General Motors’ self-driving unit, Cruise, is hoping to resume public testing that includes offering rides before the end of the year. Reports have also claimed that it also intends on charging fares as part of an autonomous taxi service due sometime in 2025.

New product may be on the way to Alfa Romeo showrooms in this country, at least if plans advance as desired. Speaking earlier this month, the brand’s head of product said Alfa wants to trot the new all-electric Junior on a roadshow to American dealers this year.

Despite limiting the data available to polling organizations like J.D. Power (JDP), Tesla has long dominated owner satisfaction studies. That’s changed in the most recent J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study, which showed that Tesla’s string of victories has come to an end.

The Chevrolet Corvette has grown into essentially its own brand over the years, as the automaker pushes the performance envelope with Z06 and ZR1 variants. The eighth-generation car recently got its more extreme version in the 2025 Corvette ZR1, a mid-engine monster with a twin-turbocharged V8 and more.

Uber is rolling the dice on a new campaign to get commuters in the U.S. and Canada to swap their cars for more sustainable ways of getting around.

Expectations were admittedly fairly low when the dealer relayed an X3 was the only loaner vehicle available at my service visit. “Oh, that’s fine,” I said. The visit cropped up suddenly, when the VANOS recall fix for the Z4 was finally ready. The next few days changed your author’s mind about the X3.

The Porsche Taycan is one of the most stunning performance EVs around, but it’s never offered the best range estimates to go with its breathtaking acceleration. That’s changing for the 2025 model year, as the base Taycan with an upgraded battery will be able to travel 318 miles on a charge.

Seeing red, both in the board room and on the balance sheet, Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares is spelling out a plan for underperforming brands – and it’s a plan which could include no small amount of chopping and pruning.

My family recently bought a 2024 Honda Prologue on a lease deal that brought our monthly payments down to well below $300, but General Motors recently made the related Chevrolet Equinox EV an even better deal than that. The automaker’s new lease incentives for the vehicle make it $239 per month for a 24-month lease, though there’s still a significant down payment due at signing.

General Motors has made a significant move in the electric vehicle battery sector by investing in Israeli battery technology company Addionics.

We’ve always wanted to use the word ‘gleaned’ in a headline, and there it is. Kia recently published a new video teasing the existence of its upcoming Tasman pickup truck – and there are plenty of interesting tidbits for those who choose to look closely.

A few years back, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian, claiming that it stole trade secrets when it hired its ex-employees. The suit alleges that Rivian encouraged information thefts despite knowing that Tesla’s former workers were covered by confidentiality agreements. Things just got a bit more frustrating for Rivian, as a judge recently denied the automaker’s request to dismiss the suit.

Google’s parent company plans to invest an additional $5 billion into Waymo, with Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat notifying shareholders of the decision during the business' second-quarter earnings call. Despite 2024 being relatively unkind to autonomous vehicle programs, driven largely by resident pushback taking place in the cities they’re being piloted, Waymo has arguably come out looking better than its rivals and even managed to grow its revenue. But it’s still operating at a sizable loss and needs support from Alphabet if the plan is to eventually perfect the relevant technologies.

General Motors is again shuffling its EV production goals. Late last year, the automaker announced a one-year delay in electric truck production at the Orion Township plant, pushing the date back to late 2025. Now, that date is being pushed back further, with GM CEO Mary Barra saying the company would wait another six months to start production.

Last year, BMW walked back its decision to offer subscriptions for heated seats. This came after numerous automakers had started considering the financial benefits of placing hardware already equipped to the vehicle behind recurring paywalls. While just about every brand was testing the waters of subscription-based features, German nameplates were the most aggressive and therefore caught the most backlash.

Ultimately, the incurred shame forced the industry to retreat. But the intention to normalize subscriptions remained and BMW has since decided to offer monthly billings on adaptive headlights — which is something you’d expect a luxury brand to offer by default.

The Honda Civic Si has long been a solid in-between point, filling the performance gap between the standard Civic and the much hotter Civic Type R. Honda gave the car an overhaul for the 2025 model year, giving it a revised exterior design, updated interior, and new tech features.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into the 2022 Ram 1500 and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 eTorque system.

General Motors’ Cruise autonomous division has had its ups and downs in recent years, though it has seen more of the downs than anything else. It recently announced the decision to stop the development of the Origin, an autonomous pod-like vehicle the company initially planned to release in the “tens of thousands.”

Cadillacs used to produce dramatic, over-the-top luxury vehicles with traffic-stopping style, but the automaker’s designs have become far more mundane in recent times. Even so, the recent Sollei Concept shows that Cadillac still has some tricks up its sleeve, as the open-top car is one of the most stunning cars to wear the iconic badge in decades.

One of the most significant worries from potential EV buyers is that there aren’t enough chargers to keep all the vehicles powered and on the road. A recent report from Bloomberg suggests those worries might become a thing of the past, however, with chargers expected to overtake gas stations within the next eight years.

Ford pledged to incorporate Tesla’s NACS charging port standard in its new EVs in the next couple of years, but existing vehicles need an adapter to access the Supercharger network. The automaker is offering a free adapter to owners and initially set June 30 as the deadline, but Forbes recently reported that Ford moved that date back to August 31 due to supply chain issues.

Many of the latest automotive trends seem designed to hurt the feelings of enthusiasts and appease various government ordinances. A prime example of this is companies quieting down exhaust noises and piping simulated sounds into the cabin. This has gradually evolved into automakers hiding the exhaust ports altogether, sometimes replacing them with plastic veneers that do nothing while looking the part. But it hasn’t gone over well with drivers, encouraging some brands to walk the practice back — including Audi.

We've covered this before, and we need to say it again, since former president Donald Trump, who is the Republican nominee to be president again, got it wrong last night.

There is NO MANDATE FORCING AUTOMAKERS TO BUILD ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Volvo is having trouble getting new EVs off the production line and onto dealers’ lots. The automaker recently delayed the launch of the small, affordable EX30 due to “changes in the global automotive landscape,” but it now appears that the flagship EX90 will experience similar issues.

Earlier this week, we reported on the murder of Rolls-Royce’s former design chief at his home in Germany. At that time, police had not announced a suspect or leads, but it now appears that officials have arrested the person they believe to be involved in the stabbing.