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The Visual Identity GameCar design may not be as tangible as in-car technology, but it can still play a critical role in a vehicle’s success – and in some cases, it can even prove polarizing, as seen with the Tesla Cybertruck. For Maserati, that makes its upcoming concept car, set to debut at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, especially important, as it is expected to define the brand’s design direction for years to come. Gilles Vidal, Stellantis’ newly appointed head of design for Europe, told Auto Express that Maserati has a history of periodically reinventing its design cues, adding that the brand’s current design language is “kind of finished.” The report did not offer any hint as to what might come next, though it will likely mark a departure from the modern curvier styling seen on models like the Grecale and GranTurismo. Maserati Maserati’s Early Design IdentityBack in the 1950s and 1960s, Maserati models also featured curvier styling, which has been compared to the design language seen on cars from Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. One good example is the 3500 GT, whose flowing lines also recall classic Aston Martin DB models, giving it a more posh and luxurious appearance. Moving into the 1970s and 1980s, Vidal said the Italian marque adopted a “super-edgy” design approach, which, looking back at its portfolio, comes across as sporty and aggressive. Models like the Bora and Merak even featured wedge-shaped styling, similar to cars such as the DMC DeLorean and the Lancia Stratos. “So, what we are looking at is what’s the next thing for Maserati,” the design chief said. “If you wait a few months, you’ll see what we are thinking.” Maserati A New Chapter BeginsAnother point worth noting is that Maserati has been dealing with slow sales, posting a roughly 30 percent decline in volume in 2025 from the previous year. A design direction that resonates with more buyers could help the brand regain traction, alongside any other changes taking shape behind the scenes, especially as it scales back its EV plans, including the cancellation of the all-electric MC20 Folgore. The upcoming concept car suggests the company is showing signs of resilience, after rumors – since denied by Stellantis – that it was considering selling Maserati. The Paris Motor Show is set to take place in October, with Stellantis bringing several brands, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Lancia, among others. Maserati View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Not Totally All-NewPrior to the current model, the Nissan Z languished without a full redesign for an incredibly lengthy time. The 370Z was produced from 2008 to 2020, and some markets continued to sell it as late as 2021. Sure, it received a facelift in 2013, but there were few changes over 12 years. The Z finally got the redesign it so desperately needed in 2021 for the 2023 model year. There was new sheetmetal, an overhauled interior, more tech, a revamped chassis, and a serious boost in performance - literally and figuratively. Heck, it even came with a new chassis code. But despite all the changes, the basic structure was that of the old 370Z. Still, Nissan did enough to make it feel different from its predecessor. Nissan Fear Not, an All-New Z is ComingThe 370Z eventually felt like a model that Nissan simply forgot to stop making. Not wanting to repeat that, the company inferred that it's already thinking about the next generation of the Z-Car. Speaking to The Drive, Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president, chief product and planning officer for Nissan Americas, laid out what the company wants for the future Z. "A lot of it is going to be heritage-based. Go back to the authenticity of what Z was in the past. Create special editions that resonate with that heritage and keep that animated cycle plan," Pandikuthira told the publication. "You'll see a lot of that animation coming through special versions between now and say the next three years. And then we're actively talking about what that next generation will look like," added the executive. Nissan But First, the GT-RWith that, Nissan is taking the Z much more seriously this time around. It's likely that it will share the same architecture as the rebooted Nissan Skyline/Infiniti Q50, and that one is due in 2027. There's something that the future Z could build upon, so Nissan doesn't have to develop the sports car from scratch. However, before Nissan could go all-out on developing the new-generation Z, it was placing more of its resources into building the all-new GT-R. It is, after all, the brand's halo product, and it's expected to be revealed sometime in 2030. That means that the redesigned Z will likely come out after that. Still, it's great to see Nissan keeping interest in the Z alive. As Pandikuthira, "Don't just build it and then walk away." Nissan View the full article

A Shift Years in the MakingChinese cars have long faced skepticism over quality, often tied to perceptions of low-cost manufacturing. That stands in contrast to Japanese automakers, which are widely associated with craftsmanship – an identity brands like Lexus have long leveraged. But as technology and production methods continue to improve, Chinese cars are advancing quickly and beginning to put pressure on automakers around the world. With the U.S. remaining hostile to Chinese cars, most American consumers still cannot easily get behind the wheel of one. For now, the next best thing may be hearing from people who have spent time with them. Here is one example: a report from Japan’s Best Car Web highlighted the suspension quality of the BYD Sealion 7, and Takahiro Kitami of Sanko Work's had largely positive things to say about its hardware. When a Pro Takes a Closer LookKitami has worked on rally-prepped builds of vehicles like the Toyota Hiace (a commuter van) and the Nissan Leaf, with the latter, according to the report, even scoring a podium finish in the All-Japan Rally Championship, so it is fair to say he knows a thing or two about suspension tuning. He was impressed with the suspension setup in the BYD EV, which includes front double wishbones with aluminum arms, describing the overall approach as taking cues from Mercedes and BMW. The rear suspension, which uses a multi-link design, also received praise, with Kitami noting that it was well thought out. He also pointed to the use of pillowballs, which can improve handling at the expense of some of the comfort provided by conventional rubber bushings. The owner of the BYD Sealion 7 also noted that the dampers are developed in-house. BYD The Mechanics of a Better RideA well-engineered suspension is key to delivering a satisfying driving experience. It helps keep the tires in consistent contact with the road over bumps and through corners, improving both comfort and stability. Of course, better suspension hardware also adds cost, so automakers have to strike a balance between performance and affordability. As the report suggests, that appears to be the case with the Sealion 7, a midsize electric crossover positioned against rivals like the Tesla Model Y. Whether Kitami’s assessment holds up in the real world remains to be seen, especially considering the Sealion 7 was only introduced in 2024. Still, Canadians may soon get the chance to judge Chinese cars for themselves, as Canada has opened the door to them under lower tariffs and a limited first-year quota of 49,000 units, with BYD expected to enter the market, along with Geely and Chery. For Americans, meanwhile, a trip north may remain one of the few ways to experience one firsthand, as the U.S. has made clear that Chinese-made EVs will not be allowed to cross the border. BYD View the full article

Mahindra’s tough-as-nails UTV, the Roxor, is currently on offer with 0% finance options and cashback deals ranging between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the selected variant. The Roxor is not shy of controversy; from its introduction in 2018 until it was brought back in November 2021 after the International Trade Commission’s ruling that its revised design no longer infringed on Jeep’s trade dress, the Roxor has been making headlines for being Mahindra’s problem child in America. Since then, however, it seems to have found its market with off-roaders and farmers as an incredibly capable, robust, and honest little workhorse, leaving Jeep little to worry about when it comes to the SUV market. Mahindra AG North America Jeep Or No JeepWhile there are a few people who suggest the Roxor is a blatant rip-off of WW2-era Willys Jeeps, the fact is that Willys licensed the design of the CJ3B to Mahindra in 1947. The lawsuit claims that Mahindra violates Jeep’s trade dress with its vertical front slats in the grill with the Roxor’s 2018 and 2019 model year designs. Having now cleared legal trouble with a revised design, the Roxor has been on sale for a little under five years and offers a value proposition that very few, if any, side-by-sides can compete with. Zac Palmer Is the Roxor Really Better Than Other Side-by-Sides?In a word? Yes, but only if we’re talking about rough, off-road, and farm use-cases. The Roxor will not win any races with 55 horsepower and a top speed limited to 45mph. That said, it is a tough, traditional, and capable workhorse. Rather than plastic, it comes with a boxed steel frame and steel body. It is rated to tow 3,500 lbs rather than the 2,500 lbs that a similarly priced Polaris or Honda offers. It has automobile-grade automatic and manual transmissions, and not a CVT, which means the drive belt doesn’t burn out like with its competitors. The Roxor’s 2.7-liter turbo-diesel engine is a low-stress and proven motor that makes peak torque of 144 lb-ft at low revs and has ploughed for years on India’s dusty and cratered rural roads. In fact, Mahindra even calls it “The World’s Toughest Side-by-Side”. The Roxor’s interior is exactly what you would expect: a flat steel dash with an array of analog gauges and a digital tachometer. In fact, until Mahindra introduced the All-Weather variant, it was impossible to get the Roxor with a roof from Mahindra. Upon reviewing customer feedback, the All-Weather variant now offers an enclosed cabin, AC, and heat. Really, everything you would need to get through a hard day’s work in comfort. The PricingHere’s the hard pill to swallow. With a starting price of $22,244, it is not exactly cheap. In fact, you might be able to get yourself a tidy Jeep Wrangler for that much money on the slightly used market. Mahindra continues to run promotional deals on the Roxor throughout the year, though, so you could still get yourself a good deal on a new Roxor, considering a similarly capable Honda or Polaris costs about the same. View the full article

In the center of the Mojave Desert lies Baker, California, with little else to offer other than sunshine, which, as it happens, was all PowerStation Charging needed. This startup's first DC fast charging station is off-grid, with 1080 solar panels producing enough energy to push electricity into a 3.4 MWh battery pack that keeps four CCS fast chargers running around the clock, rain or shine. There’s no membership or app required to use the station and no bill either, until May 31st, 2026. There are a few places in the country where a solar-powered charging station makes more geographic sense, and for EV drivers grinding through the desert stretch of I-15, the timing is pretty good too. Why Solar Charging Makes SenseThe initial cost of installation may be expensive, with a home solar setup typically running between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives. Federal tax credits can knock 30 percent off that, though. Add a home battery and a Level 2 charger, and what you're really building is a system that lets you drive on electricity you made yourself. Over time, the amount of money you spend to "fuel" your car dramatically drops. Plus, when you’re using your own generated energy, issues such as grid outages or rising electricity rates are no longer a problem. A typical home solar system can take up to 10 years to break even. However, for consumers who were considering purchasing a home solar system anyway, adding an EV greatly increases the value proposition. Nissan The Bigger Solar Charging Movement Taking ShapePowerStation has three more locations planned along the I-15, I-10, and I-8, so this isn't a one-off. Tesla's biggest Supercharger, opened late last year in Lost Hills, California, leans heavily on on-site solar and battery storage for a 164-vehicle station, though it keeps a grid connection for backup. When PowerStation's free period ends, drivers will pay between $0.30 and $0.45 per kWh, adjusted for demand and available sunlight. That's roughly in line with what most fast charging costs today, except the energy comes from the sky. View the full article

There’s something delightful about digging your toes into the warm sand along a South Florida beach. It’s another matter entirely when it’s your coastal condo sinking into the sand. That’s what’s happening at the Porsche Design Tower in Miami, a luxurious 60-story condominium on Sunny Isles Beach, a community along the Atlantic just north of Miami, a new study revealing that its one of 35 high rises that have sunk as much as three inches into the sand at a time when the ocean is rising due to global warming. Opened in 2016, the Porsche tower is one of a growing number of auto-themed residences popping up around Miami – a number of which are now facing legal and financial problems. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Live What You DriveOver the past century, at least 700 branded real estate projects have popped up around the world, according to Business Insider, and nearly as many, about 650 in all, are now in various stages of construction. That includes a number of auto-themed condo projects that integrate automotive architecture into their design and amenities. The Porsche Design Tower is one of several with a “Deservator,” special elevators that let residents have their vehicles lifted directly up to their condos. Auto-themed projects have popped up in places like Germany, Spain and Dubai. The Gulf principality not only boasts the Bugatti Residences and the Bentley Residences but its newest project is Mercedes-Benz City , a $10 billion complex with 12 separate towers that just opened this year. That said, Miami has become the heart of the auto-residence trend, with condominium projects linked to brands including Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Pagani and Porsche. Moving into one of these isn’t cheap. The 390 residences in Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami are set to start at around $1.5 million. To buy into the 70-unit Pagani Residences in Miami’s North Bay Village starts at $3 million. And one unit at Miami’s Aston Martin Residences was priced at $59 million. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Trouble in ParadiseAutomakers like Mercedes and Porsche typically don’t have any real financial skin in the game. They look to these projects as a way to generate licensing revenue and build their brand imagery. That is, of course, assuming all goes well. But with a number of the ventures in and around Miami, things aren’t going quite as planned – and that means headaches for owners who’ve discovered not all is well in paradise. The latest problem involves the Porsche Design Tower, the first of the big auto-themed projects in Southern Florida, opening in 2016. It’s a 60-story on a barrier beach with 132 separate residences, and special elevators that let owners drive their vehicles right up to their condos. It’s also one of 35 buildings on Sunny Isles Beach that received some unwelcome news from a newly released study conducted by the University of Miami. "Almost all the buildings at the coast itself, they’re subsiding," Falk Amelung, the study’s senior author, a geophysicist at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, told the Miami Herald “It’s a lot.” There’s been growing concern about the construction quality – and safety – of Southern Florida housing projects ever since Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Florida collapsed on June 24, 2021, causing the death of 98 people. The good news, according to the university’s study, is that there’s no sign of structural damage at the Porsche complex. But it’s unclear whether the subsidence will continue. And it’s certainly not a great time for any oceanfront property to be sinking, not with global warming expected to raise the sea level along Miami by at least 21 to 54 inches by 2070, according to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact. Legal Problems Add to Luxury Residence WoesFrom a financial standpoint, the Mercedes-Benz Places condo project is already under water. The much-delayed project has been under development since 2015, construction only getting under way five years later. A sales center finally opened last year, though the formal opening was again pushed back to late 2027. The project last week became the subject of a foreclosure lawsuit filed by the Cottonwood Group which alleges the developer, the JDS Development Group, owes nearly $100 million. Interest, meanwhile has been mounting at the rate of $53,621 a day, according to the Real Deal, a local real estate publication. The lawyers are keeping busy at another auto-themed condo development, the Aston Martin Residences in Miami. In January the condo association filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court alleging developer German Coto, 10 other companies and seven individuals engaged in “self-dealing” contracts unlawfully using condo association funds. “I’ve never seen this level of arrogance by a developer, such brazen self-dealing,” David Haber, an attorney representing the condo association, told the Miami Herald, estimating the losses amounted to “millions and millions of dollars.” The Projects Keep ComingBarely a quarter-mile away from the Porsche Design Tower, the Bentley Residences has its own problems. Developers have even bigger aspirations for this 62-story tower. At a planned 216-units, it already made its mark by requiring the largest residential concrete pour in Florida history, a foundation using 20,000 cubic yards of concrete. As with Porsche, developers are providing condo owners with “deservators” so they don’t have to deal with other residents on regular elevators. But a variety of snags have pushed this project back until at least late 2027. Despite all the hassles developers and residents have faced, the auto-themed condo projects keep coming. The latest to get going: the Lamborghini Residences. The Italian automaker has lent its name to a 67-story tower in Miami’s Brickell financial district. Details, including the final design and the number of residences have yet to be released but, according to those who cover the Miami real estate market, residents will begin moving into the Lambo-themed condos sometime in 2029. View the full article

In February this year, a report claimed that Scout would only launch in 2028, something the Volkswagen-backed automaker denied in a forum post, though it did concede that delays related to setting up a new factory and launching multiple powertrains were certainly possible. Now, a new report from AutoForecast Solutions, first noted by Automotive News, suggests that customer vehicles may not start to reach driveways in late 2027 or early 2028 as planned, but that the Traveler SUV will only enter production in September 2028, while the Terra pickup is only expected to launch in March 2030. Scout, however, denies this. Let's look at the full picture. Why Analysts Believe Scout Is Behind Schedule Scout Motors Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told AutoNews that the delayed forecasts were based on a weekly update Scout provides customers, adding that he and his colleagues also came to their conclusions with the help of various industry sources. It's also worth noting that when Scout was formed in 2022, the outlook for all-electric vehicles was far rosier than it is now, and extended range electric vehicles (EREVs) were seen almost as a side project. That outlook has changed, and nearly 90 percent of Scout reservation holders have opted for the latter. As a result, Scout has undoubtedly been forced to readjust its expectations, pivoting to meet customer demand. This is one of the biggest factors influencing analysts' expectations that Scout's SUV and truck will launch later. Related: Scout Hasn’t Started Selling Yet and It’s Already $1 Billion Over Budget "A lot of the more recent changes have been in the reengineering of the vehicle to get the EREV out first," Fiorani said. "When the vehicle was originally announced, it was going to be fully electric, and the market has shifted since then. It makes a lot more sense to target the EREV, especially when you’re looking at trucks." So what does Scout have to say about all this? Scout's Response to Delay Claims Scout Motors View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Scout spokesperson told Motor1 that the report was unfounded, adding that it still expects to produce its first pre-production vehicles before 2026 comes to an end: "Scout Motors has not spoken with AutoForecast Solutions, and we do not have anything additional to share regarding timing beyond what we've already announced. As we've previously shared, initial production is targeted to begin in 2027. We will start producing initial validation vehicles this year. That effort will continue and mature into 2027. We expect customers will begin taking delivery of new Scout vehicles in 2028." Whether Scout will meet its own expectations or not remains to be seen, but the pressure is on in a big way. The Ford F-150 Lightning is being turned into an EREV, and it's quite possible that one of Ford's five new affordable vehicles planned to arrive by 2030 will be a range-extended SUV, too. Moreover, Kia just announced plans to take advantage of the "untapped" EREV midsize pickup market with a truck of its own, following news that Hyundai will produce an SUV and pickup with styling inspired by the imposing Boulder concept. Scout was going to be one of the first to play in this space, and now it seems it may be just another competitor, depending on whose comments you believe. Will Scout customers start receiving their orders next year? We'll keep an eye on developments. View the full article

Dreams on Four WheelsSome are not as interested in concept cars, preferring to wait for the actual road-going model before paying them much attention. Others find them fascinating because they offer a glimpse of what the brand’s future may look like. For automakers, meanwhile, concept cars provide room to experiment with different ideas, some of which can eventually influence their production lineup. Rolls-Royce, the British luxury marque known for its bespoke approach to individualization, is no stranger to concept cars, even referring to them as Experimental, or EX, models. Now, the company is celebrating the anniversaries of three EX cars introduced since the Goodwood era began in 2003 under BMW ownership. These concepts helped pave the way for some of the brand’s hallmark innovations, including the Starlight Headliner and its first all-electric production model, the Spectre. Rolls-Royce The EX FilesThe first was the 101EX, a full four-seat coupe introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Built on the same aluminum spaceframe as the Phantom VII, though slightly shorter, the 101EX featured a lower roofline and a reworked Pantheon grille. Notably, the first Goodwood-era EX car also introduced the Starlight Headliner, which is now seen across nearly all Rolls-Royce models. Next up is the 102EX, known as Rolls-Royce’s first battery-electric vehicle and dubbed the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE). It was unveiled in 2011— a year before the now-outgoing Tesla Model S was sold — and allowed the automaker to gather data on alternative powertrains. Those learnings ultimately contributed to the development of the Spectre, which is now among the most expensive EVs on the market, excluding electric hypercars like the Rimac Nevera. Rolls-Royce Three Bold ExperimentsThe third EX car is the 103EX, instantly recognizable for its sci-fi-esque design, highlighted by large, sculpted wheel arches and a glass Spirit of Ecstasy, another first for Rolls-Royce. Perhaps its biggest talking point, however, was the interior, known as the “Grand Sanctuary.” It featured contemporary materials, a sofa made to appear as though it were floating through the use of lighting, and a digital assistant called Eleanor – named after Eleanor Thornton, who is believed to have inspired the Spirit of Ecstasy – designed to work with features such as fully autonomous driving. The 101EX, 102EX, and 103EX mark their 20th, 15th, and 10th anniversaries, respectively. Together, they offer a glimpse of what future Rolls-Royce models could look like – models that may not be exclusively all-electric after the company walked back its 2030 EV-only target and committed to continue building V12s. Rolls-Royce 103EX Rolls-Royce View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Still Pushing the EnvelopeThe Aston Martin Valkyrie is, without question, one of the most important models to come out of the brand, having been shaped by Formula 1 learnings while retaining a V12 powertrain. As such, it would not be surprising to see Aston Martin do more with the model, and a single-seater variant may be in the pipeline. A TikTok post by scubachef1969 claims that an unnamed car was being tested on the track, appearing to blend elements of the Valkyrie LM and a Formula 1 car. It had the stripped-down look of an F1 car, complete with a halo, but retained Valkyrie cues such as the wheel arches, giving it a less traditional open-wheel racecar appearance. Even the original poster said they had no clear idea what the project was. A Matter of DesignTurning the Valkyrie into a single-seater may already be relatively straightforward, given that its two-seat cockpit is tightly packaged around the center rather than made wider to prioritize cabin space. The model was designed by renowned British engineer Adrian Newey, whose work spans both Formula 1 and the Valkyrie program, while Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing also adapted the car to meet hypercar specifications. Hypercars have long been associated with Batmobile-like styling, and this mysterious car seems to capture the purest expression of that. What seemed most familiar during the test was the loud V12 soundtrack. For reference, the road-going model is powered by a 6.5-liter hybrid V12 producing 1,160 horsepower, while the LMH version is capped at 680 horsepower and forgoes the hybrid system. That engine is pushed to its limit when the race car runs at top speed through sections like the Mulsanne Straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. scubachef1969/TikTok A New Variant in the Making?So far, Aston Martin has produced 275 Valkyrie examples, including 40 track-only AMR units. Given this mysterious car’s single-seat configuration, it will likely be another track-focused variant, though only time will tell. It could also simply be a test bed, especially considering that the British automaker currently competes in some of the world’s most competitive racing classes. In Formula 1, however, Aston Martin has had a slow start to the 2026 season, as one of only two teams yet to score a point, along with newcomer Cadillac. Aston Martin View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

McLaren is getting ready for a major reveal this summer. While details about its future models remain under wraps, one thing is already clear: fully electric cars are not part of the plan. In an interview with Autocar, CEO Nick Collins outlined a roadmap centred on brand-new ICE-powered hypercars to succeed the 750S and the very real possibility of an SUV. The Next Chapter Starts This Summer McLaren Following its merger with Forseven with the backing of CYVN Holdings, McLaren is preparing to “unpack” its future product strategy in the coming months. Collins confirmed that multiple new models are already in development, with full-scale previews already shown to dealers. The first reveal is expected to take the form of a concept rather than a production-ready car, but it will set the tone for everything arriving through to 2030. That includes a broader range of models that could push McLaren beyond its traditional mid-engined supercar formula (hint-hint, nudge-nudge). McLaren Says No to EVs, For Now McLaren Despite the industry’s rapid shift toward electrification, with even Ferrari succumbing to the trend, McLaren is holding its ground. Collins told Autocar the brand will only introduce an EV “when our customers want one.” Considering that little to no supercar buyers are interested in EVs, we doubt the day will come soon. That said, electrification is not being ignored. Cars like the McLaren Artura Spider already use hybrid assistance to enhance performance and efficiency. In fact, McLaren has also filed a patent for a rolling anti-lag system designed specifically for hybrid supercars, showing they're committed to building more hybrid-assisted models. For now, though, a fully electric McLaren remains off the table. The McLaren SUV Is Starting to Feel Inevitable DarwinPro Aero/Instagram Perhaps the biggest talking point is what McLaren is not officially confirming. Reports of a hybrid V8-powered SUV – codenamed P47 – surfaced last year in November with a potential debut in 2028. It might sound sacriligeous, but high-performance SUVs have become the norm, and everyone and their mother offers one, from Ferrari and Lamborghini to Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce. Considering how popular the SUV segment has become, it makes sense for codename P47 to make an appearance soon. And based on Collins’ comments, it feels less like a question of if, and more like when. View the full article

A Slow Start After a Difficult YearPorsche entered 2026 still feeling the effects of a tough 2025. Even strong US sales couldn’t make up for shrinking profits and bigger industry challenges. Rising costs, changing EV demand, and a need to rethink strategy forced Porsche to work more closely with Audi just to keep things steady. Anyone hoping for a fresh start in 2026 will be disappointed. The first quarter shows Porsche still wrestling with old problems – and picking up a few new ones. Model changes, shifting markets, and a slowdown in EV demand have kept the brand’s momentum off-balance. Bottom line: Porsche hasn’t settled in yet. There are a few highlights, but they can’t hide the bigger slowdown. Porsche USA 911 configurator Strong Start for the 911The Porsche 911 is doing what it always does: holding up the Stuttgart automaker's performance image and quietly lifting the numbers. US deliveries of the 911 shot up 83% year-over-year, hitting 3,826 units in the first quarter. That jump owes a lot to new arrivals like the 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet. That growth looks even bigger against the bigger picture. Total US deliveries were 16,517 units, down 12.5% from last year. The drop isn’t a shock. Porsche stopped building the 718, and electric model sales have slowed. SUVs are still carrying most of the weight. The Macan led with 6,079 units sold, followed by the Cayenne at 4,816. Porsche is getting ready to add an electric Cayenne to the mix, joining the gas and plug-in hybrid versions already on sale. Certified pre-owned sales were a small win, up 1.4% to 11,749 units. It’s not a game-changer, but it shows there’s still steady demand for Porsche, even as new car sales move around. Porsche USA 911 configurator A Tougher Picture GloballyGlobally, Porsche delivered 60,991 vehicles worldwide in the first quarter, down 15%. That’s a steeper drop than the US numbers show on their own. China is still a concern, with deliveries there down 21%, while domestic brands are catching up on price and tech. Porsche doesn't see the latter as a threat, but rather an opportunity to grow. Europe didn’t offer much relief either. While Germany posted a modest 4% increase, the rest of the region saw deliveries fall by 18%. It all points to a brand in the middle of a reset. Porsche is shifting back toward combustion engines and putting some EV plans on hold, which hasn’t been cheap. New leadership is focused on restructuring and product strategy, but it’ll take time before those changes pay off. Porsche View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The year’s gotten off to a bad start for the U.S. auto industry, sales tumbling by 6.3% during the first quarter, with only a handful of brands in the black. Buick definitely wasn’t one of them, demand down by nearly a third year-over-year. There are plenty of headwinds facing manufacturers, including record high prices, rising fuel costs and high interest rates. But Buick faces its own unique set of challenges crippling a brand that has faced a long, on-and-off struggle survival. Point your finger at the Trump administration and the auto tariffs that have sharply driven up the cost of three of Buick’s four product lines. Buick Tariffs Weigh Buick DownDouble-digit declines were far from out of the ordinary during the January-March quarter and Buick’s parent General Motors just barely stayed in single digits, with a dip of 9.7%. But the 126-year-old brand had a sales decline nearly three times as great as sibling brands Chevrolet and Cadillac and nearly 10-fold the dip at GMC. Its 32.6% sales slump was largely the result of the Trump tariffs, especially when it came to the Buick Envision, normally one of its most important models. A year earlier, the mid-range crossover generated 15,485 sales for the brand. This year? Just 4,485. It didn’t help that Buick had raised Envision’s sticker price, on average, around $3,000 – and close to $5,000 on the highline Avenir package. From the consumer perspective, it could have been worse. That actually reflects only a fraction of the hit from a 45% tariff on Chinese-made vehicles under the tariffs the president put in place a year ago this month. GM has chosen to largely absorb such duties to minimize the hit to buyers. Instead, Buick has slashed back on the number of Envisions it’s importing from China. In many cases, even if someone was willing to cough up the extra cash they had a problem finding one of the crossovers on U.S. dealer lots. Related: Buick’s Envision Is Finally Coming Home After Years of Heavy Tariffs Three Out of FourWhile not quite as big a hit, Buick was saddled with still hefty tariffs on two of its three other U.S. models, the Korean-made Encore GX and Envista crossovers. The consolation prize? Those duties dropped from 25% once South Korea and the U.S. came to terms on a trade agreement last November. Still, that lower number still amounts to a sizable penalty on even a base Encore GX starting at $27,295, including delivery fees. Buick Even the one remaining Buick model, the Enclave, hasn’t entirely escaped the hit from Trump tariffs. It’s assembled at GM’s Lansing-Delta Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan – but, like virtually all U.S.-made models it’s still paying duties on imported auto parts and components, as well as foreign-made steel and aluminum. GM hasn’t broken out the added costs but industry analysts have estimated that, for the typical SUV that can add up to $1,000 or more. Manufacturers like GM have a choice of passing costs onto buyers or taking the hit. As with Envision, Buick has chosen the middle ground. Related: This Buick SUV’s Interior Looks Nothing Like the Ones in America What Is Buick These Days?All this doesn’t help when you’re a brand struggling to build a clear identity in a crowded market. “Part of the problem is that people just don’t know what Buick is anymore,” said Sam Abuelsamid, chief analyst with Telemetry Research. “It doesn’t have much of a presence, even though its products are pretty good looking.” That’s further complicated by a lack of product leaving large gaps between them – a challenged worsened by the virtual disappearance of its mid-range offering, Envision. The Encore GX and Envista both start under $30,000. You jump all the way up to $48,395 for the Enclave’s base preferred trim. Changes ComingIt doesn’t help that “Buick has pigeonholed itself as a crossover brand,” added Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. But Buick is planning some big changes. For one thing, General Motors appears to be reinvigorating the sedan line-up its largely neglected in recent years – the automaker dropping once familiar four-door models such as the Buick LeSabre and Chevrolet Malibu. According to Fiorani, suppliers are tooling up for a new passenger car platform that will underpin the replacement for the current Cadillac CT5 while also help bring back the Chevy Camaro dropped in 2023 – though it will return as a sedan, the internal documents indicate. While it hasn’t been locked in stone, insiders indicate a Buick sedan also is part of the plan. Buick Buick also plans to shift production of the Envision out of China where it has been assembled since 2017. It recently confirmed the next-generation CUV will be assembled at the GM plant in Fairfax, Kansas starting in 2028, alongside the compact Chevrolet Equinox which, in turn, is being relocated from GM’s plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. For now, there are no plans to move either Encore GX or Envista out of South Korea, GM deciding the advantages of building there outweigh the tariff cost of importing them. View the full article

Quantity Over QualityAs automotive manufacturers fight to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape, more and more models are launched each year. These brands seek to have a car in every segment of the market, though sometimes the rapid growth leaves some niggling issues with quality control. In some cases, the simple things are affected. A lawsuit has been filed against German automaker Audi over a basic car feature we've been using for decades: door locks. Audi Locked In or OutClassAction.org reports that Audi of America is being sued for allegedly knowing about and selling faulty door locks across multiple models in its lineup. This, of course, poses a very high safety hazard to users of vehicles with defective door locking mechanisms. According to the 28-page class action lawsuit, the main point of contention, apart from the faulty locks themselves, is that Audi knew that multiple models were affected by these issues. The suit goes on to say that Audi continued to advertise the cars as safe and reliable. Even more alarming is that the suit says the affected year models date back all the way to 2019. The report published the list of affected vehicles, which is quite extensive and varies by year and model. The complaint lists the specific issue with the door locking mechanism and software, both of which are said to operate intermitently. This defect prevents the door locks from engaging or releasing during normal operation. This can lead to customers either being locked in or locked out of the cars, exposing them to unnecessary danger. It goes on to say that should an accident occur and the mechanism fail, it could trap individuals in the car who need to get out quickly. Failure to lock the vehicle also opens the car and other contents inside to theft. The Price of AdmissionAnother issue raised by the suit is that Audi knew about these issues through the issuance of at least eight service bulletins. One bulletin even quoted as saying that no repairs were necessary, which the suit says was clearly false. In a surprising development, the lawsuit also says that newer models are still being fitted with the faulty door mechanisms. One complaint comes from a customer who bought an Audi in 2024. This customer says the issue manifested almost instantly after the car was bought, and manifested in the worst way possible. The door locking mechanism failed, locking her infant in the car. Audi View the full article

Body-On-Frame SUV Resurgence, Anyone?Before crossovers, midsize SUVs were based on pickups with ladder-frame chassis. A whole load of those popped up in the '80s and '90s, and prime examples include the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Bronco II and Explorer, and the GM twins of Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy. Today, only the 4Runner remains true to the tried-and-tested formula in the U.S., as all of its original rivals have shifted to more car-like platforms. However, there's been a bit of a resurgence in the body-on-frame midsize SUV class. You have the Bronco, for starters, and there's a lot of buzz surrounding the return of the Xterra, as well as the Pathfinder potentially getting a truck-based version. Even Hyundai wants to join in on the fun. GMC GM Wants In... AgainThe last truck-based midsize SUVs GM made were the GMT360 sextuplets, comprising the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x. That platform was retired in 2009, and GM has not built body-on-frame midsize SUVs since then. There was an attempt to revive it back in 2019 with the planned return of the GMC Jimmy, but it was shelved that same year. Now, GM Authority reports that development has been restarted after seven years of sitting idle. Should everything fall into place, GM is returning to a segment it had abandoned 17 years ago. The timing couldn't be more right, too. As mentioned, several automakers are set to introduce ladder-frame SUVs in the coming years, and GM could capitalize on that. General Motors What to ExpectThe new-age GMC Jimmy is expected to ride on the same frame that underpins the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Its platform is internally known as the VSS-T, itself a derivative of the GM T1XX. Effectively a shortened Silverado and Sierra, the Jimmy will likely get some of its DNA from the Tahoe and Yukon. Powertrain is likely to be carried over from the Canyon, meaning a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder TurboMax engine with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft. But if GMC wants to give 4Runner punters a better reason to swing by its showrooms, it could (or rather, should) stick in the 3.6-liter V6 from the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac XT5. That engine produces the same horsepower as the four-cylinder TurboMax (310 hp), but torque is down to 271 lb-ft. Still, in a segment that prefers simplicity, it might be worth considering. Who knows, it might even get a V8 option. There's a good chance that the Jimny could echo the same trims as the rest of the GMC range. Currently, Elevation serves as the entry-level trim, the AT4 sits in the middle as the off-road oriented model, and the Denali is at the top. For other bits of hardware, it'll likely come straight from the Canyon. Design is still up in the air, but it could either follow the current design language or go retro. GMC Other Possible Derivatives?GM might as well take advantage of economies of scale by maximizing the VSS-T architecture. While there's no word yet, Chevrolet might as well get its own version of the Jimmy that could replace the current car-based Blazer. GMC could also add a smaller, gas-fed derivative of the Hummer, too. But let's not get ahead of ourselves right now. If GM is really developing the reborn Jimmy as we speak, it might be at least two years away from its premiere. Then again, basing it on an existing platform should expedite development. GMC View the full article

A Turnaround in the MakingJaguarLand Rover has seemed off the pace in recent years, hit by a cyberattack that halted production last year and an all-electric transition that has proven challenging, particularly for Jaguar. But there are clearer signs of a turnaround, with the British government confirming £380 million (about $510 million) in support for Tata Group’s new battery factory in southwest England. According to Automotive News, the British government subsidy seeks to support electric vehicle battery production and help the U.K. stay competitive with China and the U.S., where current policies are pushing several automakers to localize EV production or face import taxes. JLR, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, is also preparing to launch more EVs in the coming years, with Jaguar moving away from the identity that gave rise to iconic models like the E-Type in favor of becoming a niche all-electric brand. Kyle Edward The Shift to ElectricLand Rover’s electrified lineup currently consists mainly of hybrids. Its first fully electric model will be based on the Range Rover, with the renowned off-roader, the Defender, also set to receive a fully electric variant. Jaguar, meanwhile, is expected to launch its first next-generation EV this year as a four-door GT sedan, reportedly producing up to 1,000 horsepower – roughly in line with the Tesla Model S Plaid. However, the grant is also expected to support battery supply for other automakers. Tata Group’s battery factory, which is currently under construction, is reportedly set to support 4,200 jobs, along with thousands more across the supply chain. Once completed, the plant is expected to produce 40 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually – enough to supply around 500,000 vehicles. Jaguar Competition Is Heating UpEarl Wiggins, Agratas’ U.K. vice president of manufacturing operations, said the plant will help strengthen “the U.K.’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing.” One of the biggest competitive pressures comes from China, which has emerged as a dominant force through faster development cycles and lower manufacturing costs. Chinese automakers also have a growing presence in Europe, with brands such as BYD and Geely expanding their footprint. Given JLR’s pivot to electrification, even as several automakers such as Stellantis have scaled back their EV plans, the grant should help the company regain momentum. In the U.S., however, import tariffs could still complicate that recovery, as many JLR models are still built in the U.K., while some are also assembled in India and China. Land Rover View the full article

Trailhawk Is BackThe Jeep Grand Cherokee got a fairly comprehensive refresh for the 2026 model year, but one notable absence stood out. The Trailhawk – long considered the most off-road-capable version of the SUV – didn’t make the cut. But its absence didn’t last long. Stellantis has now confirmed that the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will return later this year. In a brief statement, the company described it as part of a broader product push, emphasizing capability and Jeep’s purpose-built identity. Stellantis Familiar Formula, Subtle TeaseJeep hasn’t shared much yet. The only official image is a shadowy front three-quarter shot showing the seven-slot grille, familiar hood decals, and what appears to be a more aggressive lower bumper. That’s about it for now, which is typical for early teasers. Looking at previous Trailhawk models gives a good idea of what’s coming. The Trailhawk has always focused on real off-road hardware, not just appearance. Expect the Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system with an electronic limited-slip differential, plus adjustable air suspension – likely the Quadra-Lift setup – to help the SUV clear more than 10 inches of ground. Other likely features are all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, better approach and departure angles, and underbody skid plates for extra protection. Front tow hooks and dedicated off-road drive modes should also be included. Inside, expect to see Off-Road Pages and Selec-Speed Control again. These features help make the Trailhawk the most trail-ready Grand Cherokee short of a Wrangler. Stellantis The Real Question: What’s Under the HoodThe main question is which engine Jeep will use. The 4xe plug-in hybrid isn’t available right now, so Jeep has a few options. One option is the 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane four-cylinder, which is already in the standard Grand Cherokee. It offers more power and better efficiency than the old V6, so it makes sense from an engineering perspective. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is still available, mostly as the base engine. It’s a straightforward choice for buyers who want something simple, but it doesn’t really fit the Trailhawk’s performance image. There’s also a chance Jeep could bring back the Hemi V8. If that happens, the Trailhawk would be a logical place for it, especially for buyers who still want a big-displacement engine. A hybrid version could return later, since Jeep said it’s focusing “on more competitive electrified solutions, including hybrid and range‑extended vehicles.” For now, though, that seems less likely. Stellantis View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Curbing The EffectsEven with a ceasefire announcement and agreement between the United States and Iran, gas prices remain high, and the ongoing volatility in the "peace talks" keeps oil prices uncertain for the time being. All over the world, we're seeing car owners feel the pain at the pump, and most are jumping ship from conventional internal combustion cars to electrified vehicles like hybrids and EVs. A trend like this is hard to ignore, and Hyundai has just made a move reflecting the times. Cole Attisha Premium on EVs and HybridsCarsDirect reports that Hyundai America has just increased how much American buyers will spend on its electrified models. Based on their internal analysis and report, the South Korean automaker raised interest rates this month on hybrids and EVs. In some parts of the nation, discounts on the Ioniq 5 EV have also dropped by as much as 40%. On average, the entire range of Hyundai's electrified lineup has increased by 1%. The 2026 Santa Fe and Tucson, which used to top the hybrid financing deals, have increased interest from 0% for a 60-month term to 0.99%. The Elantra and Sonata sedans have also gone up, from 0.99% over 60-months to 1.99%. Conversely, the gas models have continued with the same interest rates. The gas-powered versions of the Sonata and Elantra are still listed at 0.99% APR, and the gas Tucson is still a great deal at 0% APR, which enables it to undercut almost all competitors in the segment. What's interesting is that, in the case of the Santa Fe, the interest rate rose to 0.99% for both the hybrid and gas models. Hyundai Compounding CostLooking at a 1% interest rate hike might not seem like much now, but based on the calculations, owners will feel the higher price over time. A 5-year loan on a Tucson is almost $900 more than just last month's rate. In the case of the Ioniq 5, the effect is felt by buyers rather than lessees. What used to be a $5,000 dollar financing bonus is now only $3,000, a stark 40% reduction. Despite higher interest rates and new deals on the Ioniq 5, Hyundai remains very competitive on offers compared to the competition. In the case of the Elantra and Sonata Hybrids, the 6-year 1.99% interest rate is much lower than the Corolla Hybrid and Camry, which have an interest rate of 4.99% over the same period. 2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Hyundai View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Roughly a year ago right now, Stewart Friesen was fed-up with racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and threatened to leave it in a knee-jerk reactive fit. It was a really bad day. Now, the organization he co-owns with Chris Larsen won a race at Bristol Motor Speedway with his personal favorite race car driver behind the wheel and the excitement was palpable. This is ...Keep readingView the full article

Immediately after the race, Christian Eckes could not have been any more contrite about the incident that ended the race at Bristol for Corey Heim and his chance at a $500,000 Triple Truck Challenge sweep. “That sucked for sure,” Eckes said. “They deserved a half million bucks and I took that away from them. Obviously, it wasn’t intentional to spin (him out) or even hit him. I was just ...Keep readingView the full article

Seven NASCAR Cup drivers entered Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, so it's no surprise one of the sport's top drivers captured the win. Driving for Halmar-Friesen Racing, Christopher Bell won after taking and extending his lead on a late-race restart. "Oh man, that was just so awesome to be able to win a truck race," said Bell. "It’s been since 2017 I ...Keep readingView the full article

If you are driving anywhere between Dallas and Wichita this weekend or early next week, you need a plan that accounts for severe weather every single day. The Storm Prediction Center has issued severe thunderstorm outlooks for four straight days, Saturday, April 11, through Tuesday, April 14, across the Southern Plains. A deep upper-level trough digging into the West is combining with a surge of Gulf moisture so extreme that the Weather Prediction Center says precipitable water anomalies are running three standard deviations above normal across the Plains. Each day brings a new round. The corridor shifts. But the cities in the crosshairs stay largely the same, and the highways connecting them will be under threat for the better part of four days. The StormThe ingredients are textbook severe spring weather, and all of them are dialed to high. A longwave trough enters the West Coast this weekend and ejects east across the Plains through early next week. Ahead of it, a southerly low-level jet is pumping Gulf moisture deep into Texas and Oklahoma, with surface dewpoints climbing into the upper 50s and 60s. A dryline across west Texas will trigger Saturday's initial storms. As the trough sharpens and moves east, the environment becomes increasingly favorable for supercells capable of producing tornadoes, very large hail, and destructive straight-line winds. Instability builds each day. Deep-layer wind shear strengthens each day. The threat escalates from scattered Saturday to potentially widespread by Monday and Tuesday. Photo by Anadolu on Getty Images Day by DaySaturday, April 11. Storms fire along the dryline across west Texas and eastern New Mexico during the late afternoon. Moderate instability and 30 to 40 knots of deep-layer shear support supercells with large hail and severe wind gusts. Coverage is scattered and the footprint is the narrowest of the four days, concentrated from the Permian Basin into the Texas Panhandle and approaching the Oklahoma border. Sunday, April 12. The threat sharpens. Southwesterly mid-level flow strengthens, and a moist, moderately unstable airmass stretches from the Southern Plains into the Upper Midwest. The greatest potential for severe storms is across the southern and central Plains, where steep lapse rates and moderate deep-layer shear will support supercells with large hail and severe wind gusts. Some model solutions drive a 50 to 60 knot mid-level jet through central and northeast Texas during the afternoon and evening. If that verifies, it opens the door to a substantial severe threat from central Texas through Oklahoma, including supercells with a tornado threat. Monday, April 13. The biggest day. The geographic footprint expands dramatically. Moderate instability is forecast from north Texas northward into the upper Mississippi Valley. Mid-level flow strengthens further and deep-layer shear increases. Severe storms capable of large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are expected across a broad corridor from the Southern Plains into the lower Missouri Valley and upper Mississippi Valley. This is the day when Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Kansas City, and potentially Des Moines are all inside the threat zone simultaneously. Tuesday, April 14. An upper-level trough ejects into the southern Rockies and a mid-level jet streak pushes northeastward across the Southern Plains. Strong deep-layer shear and moderate instability from the Southern Plains into the southern Great Lakes create the environment for supercells with large hail, wind damage, and tornadoes. The SPC says an upgrade to their outlooks is possible once confidence increases on the timing of the ejecting trough. The corridor shifts south and east, covering Oklahoma, north Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. The HighwaysI-35 (Dallas to Oklahoma City to Wichita). The spine of the threat zone. Every day from Sunday through Tuesday puts some portion of I-35 under active severe weather risk. This is the most heavily traveled north-south corridor in the Southern Plains and the single route drivers are most likely to encounter storms on. Sunday afternoon through Monday evening is the peak risk window along this corridor. I-44 (Oklahoma City to Tulsa to Joplin, Missouri). Runs northeast through the heart of the threat zone on Sunday and Monday. Tulsa and Joplin both sit in the bullseye for consecutive days. Supercell storms moving northeast along this corridor can cross the highway repeatedly as they track with the mid-level flow. I-40 (Amarillo through Oklahoma City). Saturday and Sunday's storms will cross I-40 in west Texas and central Oklahoma. This is one of the earliest corridors to see activity each day, as storms fire along the dryline during the late afternoon and track east. I-20 (west Texas). Saturday's dryline-initiated storms will affect I-20 from Midland to Abilene during the late afternoon and evening. Large hail is the primary threat along this corridor on Day 1. I-70 (Kansas). Monday's expanded threat zone pushes into Kansas, putting I-70 from Salina through Topeka in the risk area. Storms arriving from the southwest during the evening hours could track across this corridor. When To DriveSaturday. Morning travel is fine across all corridors. Storms develop late afternoon in west Texas. If you are on I-20 or I-40 west of Abilene, finish your drive before 4 PM CDT. Sunday. Morning is again your safest window. Storms develop by mid-afternoon across central and north Texas into Oklahoma. If you are on I-35 between Dallas and OKC, plan to be where you are going by early afternoon or wait until well after midnight. Monday. The most dangerous day for travel. The threat zone is enormous and storms may be ongoing from early afternoon through late evening across virtually every major corridor from Dallas to Kansas City. If your schedule allows, do not drive. This is the day to stay put. Tuesday. The corridor shifts east and south. Morning travel across the western portions of the threat zone should improve, but afternoon storms from Oklahoma through Arkansas and Missouri will create hazards through the evening. Check conditions before committing. Why This Outbreak Is DifferentThe Southern Plains gets severe thunderstorms in April. That is what spring does. What makes this setup demand attention is the duration. Four consecutive days of organized severe weather across the same general corridor means drivers face compounding risk. A hailstorm that cracks your windshield on Sunday becomes a safety hazard when you are driving through heavy rain on Monday. Debris from Sunday's storms sits on roadways Monday morning. Power outages from downed lines affect traffic signals and fueling stations. And the same cities, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, sit in the primary risk zone on two or three of those days. That kind of repeated exposure to major metro areas is uncommon and creates cascading impacts that go beyond what any single severe weather day would produce. This is also unfolding during what is shaping up to be the most active tornado season since 2011. The SPC has already tracked 43 severe thunderstorm watches nationally in 2026, with northern Indiana alone leading the country in watch frequency. The pattern is aggressive, and this weekend's setup is the most significant episode of it so far. What To Do If You Are On the RoadSevere thunderstorms move fast. A supercell can cross a highway in minutes, and the difference between baseball-size hail and missing the storm entirely can be a matter of a few miles. If you see a dark, rotating wall of cloud ahead of you, do not drive into it. Exit the highway and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If you cannot get to a building, pull over, put your seatbelt on, and get below the windows. An overpass is not a safe shelter; wind speeds are actually higher underneath the span. If hail begins, pull over under any available cover. A gas station canopy or parking garage can prevent thousands of dollars in body and glass damage. Keep your emergency kit stocked with a flashlight, phone charger, water, and a first aid kit. For a full breakdown on driving in severe conditions, Autoblog's guide to best practices for driving in dangerous weather covers the fundamentals. Monitor local NWS alerts on your phone, and if a Tornado Warning is issued for your location, act immediately. The safest decision for anyone whose travel across the Southern Plains can wait until Wednesday is to wait until Wednesday. View the full article

Kaulig Racing has announced Parker Kligerman as the next driver for its No. 25 'free agent' truck, with the veteran driver joining the five-truck Ram lineup at Texas Motor Speedway. Kligerman has 125 previous starts in the Truck Series, including three wins. He was victorious at Talladega in 2012 and 2017, and also Mid-Ohio in 2022. Kligerman also has two runner-up finishes at ...Keep readingView the full article

The eighth-generation Dodge Charger, which has the difficult mission of replacing both the previous-generation Charger sedan and the Challenger coupe, is far from a commercial success. Dodge only sold 7,421 units of the new Charger in 2025, its first full year on the market. That’s about ten times less than the almost 76,000 previous-gen Charger units sold in 2023, the LD generation’s last full year on the market—and that’s not including almost 45,000 Challenger sales in 2023. Mind you, the 2025 sales figure is only for the all-electric Charger Daytona, as the six-cylinder gas model only started to ship in late 2025-early 2026 and was not included in the full-year 2025 report. Dealers Simply Don't Have Enough Chargers in Stock Dodge That said, the new gas-powered Charger hasn’t rocked the sales charts either, with Dodge reporting only 1,672 gas-powered Charger sales in Q1 2026—2-Door and 4-Door combined. While the gas Charger outsold the EV model 7 to 1 in the previous quarter, the sales numbers are still too low, so what is going on? Dodge CEO Matt McAlear believes there’s no need to panic as it’s too early to judge the Charger’s sales figures. “I’m still excited. I’m still bullish on this car,” he told The Drive. “I think it offers something that no one sees coming in the industry and it wakes up some mundane car segments that there’s not many of them left." According to him, the main reason for which sales have not picked up yet is the short supply of Chargers. While the 550-hp 2-Door Scat Pack started shipping in January and there’s an adequate supply of those, the executive noted that Dodge does not have an adequate supply of the 420-horsepower RT 2-door and 4-door. That’s because those models only started shipping in the last 15, 20 days and they’re still on their way to dealers. “We don’t even have all of the models across all of our dealers yet,” McAlear said, adding that “as we move through the summer, we’ll see what we’re made of.” The Future Is "Absolutely Bright" for the Charger Dodge Dodge’s CEO also downplayed the view some people have that there’s not enough variety in the Charger lineup to entice buyers—i.e. no Hemi V8 and/or manual transmission. “We got Scat Packs, we’ve got RTs,” McAlear told The Drive. “This is one year in. And if we’d said we would have launched that much stuff in the first generation car within one year, you would have laughed. So the future’s absolutely bright.” He elaborated saying that one year into the launch Dodge already offers 670-hp Daytona, 550-hp Scat Pack, 420-hp R/T, two door, four door, and all-wheel drive variants—which offer a rear-wheel-drive mode as well. While fans have every right to ask for a Charger Hemi V8, the truth is that six-cylinder engines made up the bulk of Charger and Challenger sales in previous generations. The Hemi became the preferred engine choice for Challenger buyers only near the end of its production run, while the majority of Charger customers always went for V6 models. While the current lack of a V8 option is not the biggest problem for the current Charger, Dodge has hinted on several occasions that a Hemi Charger is on the way. For now, fans just have to be patient as Dodge needs to make sure it can source enough V8 engines before putting more Hemi models for sale. Dodge View the full article

Genesis’ upcoming flagship SUV, the all-electric Genesis GV90, is inching closer to production. And now we finally have a proper look inside. Fresh spy images from The Korean Car Blog reveal the GV90's interior. The GV90 will serve as the GV80's electrified big brother, and if these images are anything to go by, they're doubling down on a bold, tech-heavy vision of luxury. Concept Car to Production Ready, Nearly Unchanged A few years ago, Genesis previewed its future with the Neolun Concept. Fast forward to today, and the GV90’s interior looks almost unchanged, and it will feature suicide doors at the rear. Notable differences from the concept car include a more traditional steering wheel and the lack of swiveling seats. The minimalist layout remains intact, dominated by a wide infotainment display and a lounge-like atmosphere. There’s still no traditional instrument cluster in sight. Instead, the setup appears to rely on a head-up display. It also fits into Genesis' plan to launch 22 new vehicles in North America by 2030, many of which will lean heavily on electrification and digital integration, as illustrated above. The GV90 itself is expected to serve as an electrified SUV counterpart to the brand’s flagship sedan, the G90. Bigger Screen, Buttonless Dash Korean Car Blog Seeing as the GV90 won't have a traditional instrument cluster, drivers will have to rely on teamwork between the heads-up display and massive infotainment screen to navigate different features in the car. With little evidence of physical controls, most functions will likely be handled through the screen, which will include climate controls. While the approach looks futuristic, not everyone is convinced it defines true luxury. Some argue that turning the dashboard into a TV isn’t premium at all, especially when it comes at the cost of usability. The same can be said for the lack of physical buttons and knobs. A seamlessly integrated display would feel more refined than what appears to be a dominant slab of glass. At least Audi understands. Genesis Takes Aim at the Establishment Korean Car Blog Despite the controversial TV screen and touch-centric control system, the GV90 plans to give the German giants a run for their money. Genesis already contends with heavyweights like BMW and Mercedes-Benzin more ways than one, and this SUV looks ready to challenge flagship rivals such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. It may not win everyone over with its screen-heavy interior, but one thing is clear: Genesis is pushing forward with confidence, and although it targets a niche segment, the GV90 proves Genesis is done holding back. View the full article

Record Q1 Performance Signals Continued MomentumPolestar opens 2026 with its strongest first quarter on record, delivering 13,126 retail sales globally in Q1 2026, marking a 7% year-on-year increase from 12,263 units in Q1 2025. The result builds on what was already a record-setting 2025, reinforcing the brand’s upward trajectory despite increasingly complex global market conditions. This comes despite cooling EV sales across the industry, with some manufacturers scaling back forecasts and even canceling planned models. Growth was driven by solid demand across key markets, including Australia, Germany, Sweden, South Korea, and the UK. CEO Michael Lohscheller pointed to the company’s resilience amid geopolitical headwinds, highlighting both brand strength and execution across regions. Polestar Network Expansion Accelerates Global ReachPolestar’s retail footprint continues to scale aggressively, ending Q1 2026 with 230 retail sales points worldwide, a 50% increase from 154 locations in the same period last year. This rapid expansion reflects a deliberate strategy to improve accessibility and customer touchpoints across established and emerging EV markets. The company is targeting approximately 250 global sales points by the end of 2026, signaling continued investment in physical retail presence alongside its digital-first approach. Polestar Outlook: Growth Amid a More Challenging MarketWhile the first quarter sets a strong baseline, Polestar is entering a more volatile phase, with macroeconomic pressure building from geopolitical uncertainty, tighter financing conditions, and a cooling pace of EV adoption in some regions. These are not just short-term disruptions but actual structural headwinds. They will test how efficiently the brand can scale beyond early adopters. That said, Polestar’s Q1 performance points to real underlying demand and improving operational discipline. With retail expansion continuing and key markets holding steady, the brand is positioned to carry momentum through 2026. The next challenge is maintaining the quality of their growth and keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of what is, in essence, a new market. Maintaining volume while protecting margins, brand equity, and pricing power will define whether Polestar emerges as a durable premium EV player or gets squeezed in an increasingly crowded field. View the full article