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Mercedes-Benz has announced that its new self-driving system, MB.Drive Assist Pro, will become available in the United States later this year. This Level 2 system differs from the company’s MB Drive Pilot Level 3 technology, as MB.Drive Assist Pro still requires driver attentiveness. However, like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, Merc’s new Level 2 system allows for point-to-point driving in urban areas. It’s possible to get to your destination without human intervention, even if navigating unexpected obstacles and driving off highways. Here’s what’s in store for Merc fans later this year. A Smorgasbord Of Sensors Mercedes CLA with MB.Drive Assist Pro Mercedes-Benz View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Tesla’s FSD relies exclusively on cameras to navigate from point to point, but Mercedes has gone a few steps further with MB.Drive Assist Pro. The system features around 30 sensors, including 10 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. These work together to feed data to a powerful supercomputer, which instantly calculates the best course of action when dealing with unpredictable scenarios. Instead of using separate navigation and driver-assistance functions, these are all combined into one setup that uses cooperative steering; even if the driver temporarily takes control of the steering, simply removing your hands will automatically re-engage the autonomous driving mode. Mercedes-Benz The self-driving system is powered by the full-stack Drive AV software and AI infrastructure from Nvidia. Nvidia says the system has redundancy and safety guardrails, along with the ability to execute lane changes and respond proactively to vulnerable road users like cyclists. The tech will initially be available on the newly revealed CLA. “Starting with Mercedes-Benz and its incredible new CLA, we’re celebrating a stunning achievement in safety, design, engineering and AI-powered driving that will turn every car into a living, learning machine,” said Ali Kani, vice president of automotive at Nvidia. New Challengers For Tesla’s Point-to-Point Driving Mercedes CLA with MB.Drive Assist Pro Mercedes-Benz View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Say what you want about Tesla’s FSD and its safety concerns, but for many people, it’s the most accessible self-driving system that can get you from point A to B with minimal or zero human intervention, especially following a series of updates last year. Most other Level 2 systems operate only on specific highways and can’t handle the unique challenges of urban environments. Tesla’s system can even be added to the base Model 3 Standard, so it’s not limited to the brand’s flagship models. Rivian But others are catching up fast. Besides Merc’s new MB.Drive Assist Pro, which costs $3,950 on the CLA, Rivian recently introduced its Universal Hands Free (UHF) system, which can handle driving duties off highways, too. Rivian’s system is cheaper than Tesla's $8,000 FSD, too, although it can’t handle all intersections and other urban scenarios like Tesla’s system yet. Like Mercedes, though, Rivian also uses a network of sensors, not just cameras. The year ahead will show us how close Rivian and Mercedes have gotten to Tesla, and if they can accomplish many of the same tasks but with a better margin for safety (and at a lower price), Tesla’s advantage in the self-driving arena may not last much longer. Related: Autonomy Showdown: Tesla's Full-Self Driving (FSD) vs Rivian's Universal Hands Free (USF) Update View the full article

A Fragile Year That Ended in the BlackNissan went into 2025 with its back against the wall. The company faced tough financial headwinds worldwide, closing factories, selling off its headquarters, and cutting costs wherever possible. With that kind of pressure, hopes for the US market were understandably muted. Even so, Nissan managed to hold its ground by the end of 2025. The brand moved 926,153 vehicles in the US, including Infiniti, a 0.2 percent bump from last year. The real story is that Nissan Division sales climbed 0.9 percent, showing that the main lineup still attracted buyers despite tight competition. Definitely not a headline-grabbing win, but in a year in which every dollar counted, staying in the black is a win on its own. Not everything went Nissan’s way, though. Sales slipped 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter, and Infiniti kept losing ground. But looking closer at the lineup helps explain how Nissan managed to keep things steady heading into 2026. Nissan The Good: SUVs and Trucks Doing the Heavy LiftingIf there’s one thing that stands out from Nissan’s 2025 results, it’s that SUVs and trucks carried the load. The Murano, which got a major update last year, yielded a stellar performance. Sales more than doubled for the year, up 121.3 percent, and shot up another 112.1 percent in the last quarter. That’s the best it’s done in a long time. The Pathfinder also had a strong showing, up 25.6 percent for the year and setting a new sales record in the fourth quarter with a 33.1 percent jump. The Kicks followed suit, climbing 33.9 percent and hitting its highest annual volume since launch. Even the Armada and Frontier chipped in, both posting double-digit growth in the last quarter. Put it all together, and it’s clear Nissan’s lineup is connecting where it matters most right now. The SUVs might not grab the spotlight, but in 2025, they quietly did the heavy lifting to keep the brand on track. The Bad: Infiniti Continues DeclineInfiniti sales dropped 9.0 percent for the year and slid another 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter, showing just how tough things are for Nissan’s luxury arm. The dip in overall fourth-quarter numbers is a reminder that not every part of the lineup is pulling its weight. Looking ahead, Nissan is counting on new models to keep things steady. There’s a refreshed Pathfinder coming this year, plus the first Rogue PHEV, both aimed at crowded segments. The XTerra is also in the cards, though its timeline is still unconfirmed at this point. If previewed this year, this puts Nissan back into the spotlight, increasing the brand recognition it desperately needs, given its current global predicament. Infiniti View the full article

A New Benchmark for In-Car Voice AssistantsBMW is taking a decisive step toward redefining how drivers and passengers interact with their vehicles. Beginning in 2026, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will be expanded to include Amazon’s latest Alexa+ AI architecture, marking a major milestone in human-vehicle interaction. The system will debut in the new BMW iX3, making BMW the first automaker to integrate this next-generation conversational AI directly into a production vehicle. BMW sees this as a fundamental shift in how voice control works inside the car. Unlike traditional voice assistants that rely on rigid command structures, the updated BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is designed around natural, free-flowing dialogue. Drivers will no longer need to memorize specific phrases or step-by-step commands. Instead, they can speak as they would to another person, linking multiple requests in a single sentence and following up naturally. BMW says the system understands context, learns from interactions, and responds more intelligently over time, turning the car into what the brand calls an “intelligent companion,” rather than a reactive tool. Powered by Amazon Alexa+ and Generative AIAt the heart of the update is Amazon’s Alexa+ technology, built on a Large Language Model capable of understanding and generating human-like responses. This allows the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to go beyond vehicle controls and tap into a wider world of information. Ask about art, news, sports, or general knowledge, and the assistant can respond conversationally, then seamlessly connect that information to in-car functions like navigation, media playback, or trip planning. The integration also allows BMW owners to link their Amazon accounts, unlocking familiar Alexa features such as music streaming, news briefings, and content discovery. According to BMW, this collaboration is the result of a shared vision with Amazon to push in-car AI beyond novelty and into genuine daily usefulness. Amazon echoes that sentiment, positioning BMW as the first real-world implementation of its new Alexa Custom Assistant in an automotive environment. BMW Launch Timing, Markets, and What Comes NextThe AI-enhanced BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will make its public debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, ahead of a market launch in the second half of 2026. Availability will initially be limited to Germany and the U.S., with the BMW iX3 serving as the launch platform. It will run BMW Operating System X and the new Panoramic iDrive interface, before the technology expands to other BMW models equipped with Operating System 9 and X. More importantly, this rollout highlights BMW’s broader push toward the software-defined vehicle, where features improve through updates rather than hardware swaps. Voice control has been a core part of BMW iDrive since 2018, but Alexa+ marks its biggest leap yet, turning the assistant from a command-taker into a conversational partner. If BMW delivers on its promise, Alexa may soon become your smartest backseat driver: always listening, occasionally helpful, and finally smart enough to understand what you meant the first time. BMW View the full article

It's a new year, and Ram is starting it off the right way - by launching a new, more powerful TRX pickup and by extending its highly appreciated 10-year/10,000-mile warranty for 2026. The warranty, launched in June 2025, was originally only meant to be offered until January 2 and came when Ram fell far down new vehicle quality study rankings, but "overwhelming customer and dealer feedback" encouraged Stellantis to keep it going for the 2026 model year. The best-in-segment warranty will surely be attractive to existing and potential buyers, and it will now be available to Canadian buyers, too. Let's see which vehicles are covered. 10-Year Warranty Available Across the Lineup, Besides EVs Stellantis The warranty covers 2026 model-year Ram 1500 pickups, 2500, 3500, and Chassis Cab 3500/4500/5500 trucks (including the sub-TRX RHO and the Power Wagon), as well as ProMaster vans. Fully electric vehicles (i.e., the ProMaster EV) are excluded. The limited powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, and axles, and is available on both outright purchases and leases to individuals and businesses, excluding fleet purchases. The warranty's only major caveat is that it's only valid for the original buyer, so one can't purchase a used 2026 Ram 1500 and expect the same support. Related: Ram Is Exploring a Smarter Way to Make Pickup Trucks More Aerodynamic But that won't affect most buyers. According to Stellantis, "nearly 80% of new truck loans now exceed five years." The move to offer such a long warranty period will be welcomed by such individuals (unless they exceed the mileage limit first, of course), particularly those who come from competitor brands. Case in point: the Ford F-150's powertrain warranty only provides five years or 60,000 miles of coverage, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's warranty is the same. More Reasons to Celebrate in 2026 Stellantis The supercharged TRX mentioned at the outset isn't the only V8-powered Ram pickup making a comeback in 2026. Around the middle of last year, Stellantis announced that the HEMI V8 would return to the 2026 Ram 1500, with 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Although the Hurricane twin-turbo straight-six version of the pickup recently proved far more capable than the HEMI in comparative testing, the V8 is what buyers want, and as the Dodge Charger Daytona's horrendous sales figures show, it's better to give customers something dated and full of character than something innovative and alien. Thankfully, it seems that Stellantis is eager to rectify that mistake, too, and we expect a V8 Charger to be confirmed sometime before 2026 comes to an end. View the full article

The S650 Mustang family is reportedly set to grow imminently, but how exactly is currently unclear. According to an unconfirmed report from The Supercar Blog, citing insider sources, Ford will use the Detroit Auto Show to reveal not one but two new Ford Racing models, and one of them "might be a Mustang Cobra or Boss." The annual event begins next week, running from January 14-25, and it seems like the perfect place to showcase a new high-performance vehicle since the Blue Oval has already confirmed that its annual Ford Racing Season Launch will take place at the show, as will the reveal of both Red Bull teams' Formula 1 liveries. Ford's Rebrand Muddies the Waters Ford Ford Performance recently rebranded as Ford Racing, encompassing both motorsports (see Mustang GT3) and roadgoing performance vehicles, so it's difficult to tell if reports of a new Cobra might actually hint at a Cobra Jet racecar. Regardless, Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that the company is "investing a lot in Mustang," indicating that more variants are in the works, and we've seen evidence of this with spy shots of what was may have been a new GT500. Might this development mule have been a Cobra or Boss instead? Time will tell, but we know that a new production road car will definitely be unveiled by Ford Racing this month. Teased in November, the announcement might foreshadow a successor to the Ford GT supercar, but with this new report from TSB, perhaps it hints at a new Mustang instead. Why the Cobra Name Seems Primed for a Comeback Bring a Trailer View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article From 1993 to 2004, the SN95 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra ruled the roost as the top-tier pony car in Ford's range, sitting above both the Mustang GT and the Mach 1 with its supercharged V8 until the S197 Mustang GT500 arrived for the 2007 model year. For the current S650 generation, the Mach 1 has effectively been replaced by the Dark Horse, so perhaps the GT500 name will now be dropped, making way for the Cobra's return. As for the Boss nameplate, it was most recently seen on the 2012 Boss 302, where the GT's 5.0-liter Coyote engine was upgraded with a forged crankshaft, ported cylinder heads, new camshafts, and a modified intake derived from the 302R racecar. In a nutshell, both Cobra and Boss were high-performance variants of the Mustang, with the supercharged Cobra most similar to a GT500 and the naturally aspirated Boss sharing principles with today's Dark Horse. Therefore, we may be about to get a new Cobra/GT500 with a supercharger. Fingers crossed. View the full article

Steve Phelps became NASCAR's first Commissioner in March of 2025 after previously working as the president of NASCAR since 2018. However, he will leave that position at the end of January, and NASCAR does not plan to replace the role of Commissioner for the time being. Instead, his duties will be shared by other existing executives. As for why there won't be someone else appointed to the role ...Keep readingView the full article

Rewriting The Rules of Speed EnforcementHere's something that'll make most car enthusiasts uncomfortable: a device that won't let you speed at all. The LifeSafer Intelligence Speed Assistance system plugs into your vehicle and uses GPS tracking plus an onboard speed limit database to actively manage your throttle. It knows where you are, what the posted limit is, and it won't let you exceed it. Simple as that. Aimed at teen drivers, installation takes minutes and works across gas cars, EVs, hybrids, basically anything with four wheels. According to NHTSA data from 2023, 37 percent of male drivers aged 15-20 involved in fatal crashes were speeding. That's higher than any other age group. Traditional driver's ed teaches kids how to operate a car, but cannot hardwire good judgment into teenagers, which is where this device takes the wheel. LifeSaver ISA Anti-Speeding Turned Up To ElevenThe tech itself is pretty clever. The system pulls GPS coordinates, cross-references them with mapping data to detect posted limits, then adjusts throttle response in real-time. Approaching the limit? You'll feel acceleration tapering off. Push harder? More resistance. Hit the actual limit? The accelerator pedal will do absolutely nothing. Safety advocate Tammy McGee’s 16-year-old son Connor died when another teen driver lost control, doing twice the speed limit. Now she works with LifeSafer, promoting technological solutions instead of just hoping kids make smart choices. The company's president, Michael Travars, calls the ISA system "training wheels for cars." The idea is mandatory installation during that crucial first year of driving, letting safe habits form in a controlled environment before removing the safety net. Getty Images Habitual Speeders Could Also Be TargetedLifeSafer's got a second target demographic: habitual speeders. The ones racking up tickets like there’s no tomorrow. Recent pilot programs with municipal vehicle fleets showed over 60 percent drops in speeding incidents across millions of driven miles. Fleet applications are revealing other benefits too: better fuel economy, less wear on vehicles, lower emissions, and reduced accident costs. Emergency vehicles can override the system when they flip on their sirens, so public safety response times aren't compromised. Now, nobody likes the idea of their car telling them what to do. But our "freedom" to speed ends where someone else's safety begins. As roads get more congested and driver distraction becomes the norm, maybe we need to admit some of us need help keeping ourselves in check. View the full article

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, an initiative designed to help students and emerging professionals launch successful careers in the automotive industry. Through the scholarship program, eligible students may receive awards of up to $5,000 to support their education at accredited universities, colleges, and vocational or technical schools in the United States and Canada. SEMA also offers loan forgiveness awards of up to $2,000 for employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed a qualifying program of study and are actively repaying student loans. “The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund exists to break down barriers and create opportunities for the next generation of aftermarket professionals,” said Joe Escobar, SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs. “By investing in both students and existing employees alike, we are building a stronger talent pipeline, fostering career growth, and securing the future of our industry.” The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed to promote career development and create access to opportunities in the automotive aftermarket. As part of this initiative, scholarship recipients are invited to attend the SEMA Show, where they can gain industry insight, connect with industry leaders, and explore career pathways firsthand. For students like Zachary Beenen, the support from SEMA enabled him to attend the college of his choice: Oklahoma State University. Beenen is currently majoring in mechanical and aerospace engineering with a future career in the area of performance vehicles. “I am forever thankful for scholarships like SEMA’s that will help me achieve my career goals of working in the performance vehicle industry, while getting the many experiences that college has to offer,” he said. Scholarship applications are open to high school seniors and college students in the United States and Canada who demonstrate a passion for working in the automotive industry. All disciplines are welcome. Those interested in applying for a loan forgiveness award must be employed by a SEMA member business, demonstrate passion for an automotive career, possess a degree or certificate from a college, university, or career tech school in the United States or Canada, and have a minimum of $2,000 in outstanding student loans. Applications are open through April 3, 2026, at www.sema.org/scholarships. This story was originally published on January 6, 2026. The post 2026 SEMA Scholarship, Loan Forgiveness Applications Now Open first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Patent filings suggest a special-edition Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber is coming. But what makes it special?View the full article

It’s been a challenging period for Volkswagen in the United States, with declining sales across most of the manufacturer’s lineup for large portions of last year. Now that 2025’s total sales numbers are in, we can take a closer look at the full picture, and it’s not a rosy one. Including both passenger cars and SUVs, VW’s sales declined by 13% relative to 2024, with 329,813 vehicles sold. All but two individual models saw declines last year, and VW’s sedans and hatchbacks put in an especially poor showing. Related: Volkswagen's 67% U.S. Profit Collapse Means Worse Deals for Buyers Jetta and Golf Moving in the Wrong Direction 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Volkswagen View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Volkswagen sold a total of 64,873 passenger cars in 2025, 26.6% lower than the tally in 2024. This group includes the Jetta, Golf GTI, and Golf R. The discontinued Arteon, one of the prettiest VW designs in recent memory, contributed 28 units last year, likely the last few examples still sitting on dealer lots. After that came the Golf R on 3,319 (down by 20.9%), the Golf GTI on 7,235 (-34.7%), and the Jetta on 54,291 (-24.4%). Sales of the Golf declined since VW discontinued the non-performance variants of the hatchback a few years ago, but more worrying is the Jetta’s decline. In the fourth quarter, Jetta sales were down by 43.5% alone. On sale since 2018, the Jetta has been regularly upgraded, but its age is showing and more modern rivals are outselling it. For the 2026 model year, VW only added a handful of features to the Jetta, not enough to spur renewed interest in the sedan. In the fourth quarter, the Golf GTI and R both experienced year-on-year declines of over 42%, too, which supports VW’s recent statement that the era of small gas-powered cars is coming to an end. Related: Volkswagen Warns the Era of Small Gas Cars Is Ending SUVs Performed Better, But Sales Still Down 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SE AWD Volkswagen View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article VW’s SUVs proved to be a bit more resilient over the course of 2025, with 264,940 units sold, a decrease of 8.9% relative to 2024. The Tiguan remained the best-selling individual model with 78,621 units sold, down by 16.7%—this is rather disappointing considering that the Tiguan entered an all-new generation for the 2025 model year, so it’s one of the newer contenders in its segment. After the Tiguan, the Atlas hit 71,044 units in 2025 (-5.9%), followed by the Taos on 55,198 (-13.6%), and the Atlas Cross Sport on 31,564 (-18.8%). The 2026 Atlas remained largely unchanged, but its spacious three-row layout continues to be popular. Only a few new features made it into 2026 versions of the Taos and ID.4. VW’s two electric models, the ID.4 and ID.Buzz, were the only two models from the brand to see increased sales in 2025. The ID.4 sold 22,373 units, a 31.4% increase, while the ID.Buzz reached 6,140 units, up by 428.4%. Those percentage increases may sound impressive, but the ID.4’s sales were disproportionately represented in Q3, when EV buyers rushed to buy new models before the federal tax credit was scrapped. VW is planning to release a comprehensively updated ID.4 later this year. While ID.Buzz sales were up, its tally of just over 6,000 units for the year is poor. Related: Volkswagen Eyes a New Type of EV for the U.S. Market Final ThoughtsMultiple factors likely contributed to VW’s declining sales last year. Key models like the Jetta are aging, while newer products like the ID.4 haven’t moved the goalposts far enough. The impact of tariffs on European brands and resulting price increases have put many manufacturers in a tricky spot, while EVs have been particularly affected by the vanishing tax credit. But there’s some light at the end of the tunnel for Volkswagen. Besides a revised ID.4, the new ID. Polo revealed earlier this week points to a much more intuitive control interface for modern VWs. But VW will have to pay more attention to its non-EV range if it hopes to turn its fortunes around in 2026. View the full article

Stellantis has quietly transformed its most ambitious European electric vehicle project into a lesson in caution. According to Italpassion, the company has closed its Cassino plant in Italy and essentially paused three important models after realising that customers, regulators, and its own product plans were no longer aligned. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Cassino Idled, Three Nameplates In LimboCassino currently builds the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and Maserati Grecale. All three are still on sale, but the factory that assembles them has been idled for weeks, with production repeatedly extended “temporarily” halted because there simply are not enough orders to justify running the lines. Volumes have sunk into the low tens of thousands per year in a plant designed to build far more. Behind the scenes, the bigger problem is what comes next, as the next-generation Giulia and Stelvio were engineered as EV-only models on the STLA Large platform, with no provision for hybrid or gas engines. That made sense on paper when Europe looked ready to stamp out internal combustion on a fixed timetable. Now, with EV demand cooling and buyers clinging to flexible powertrains, Stellantis is scrambling to rework those cars to accept gasoline, hybrid, and battery-electric setups on the same architecture. That engineering U-turn has delayed the new Alfa pair until at least 2027 and pushed further Maserati derivatives back as well. In the meantime, the current Giulia and Stelvio have to stay in production longer than planned, even as the plant that builds them runs well below capacity. Politics, Rules, And A Moving GoalpostCassino is also collateral damage in a political and regulatory fight. Stellantis has become one of the loudest voices in Europe arguing that the EU overcooked its emissions targets and timelines. At the same time, Stellantis has shown it will play hardball with governments when factory subsidies and EV incentives are on the line. That dispute showed how dependent big EV investments have become on public money and how quickly those plans can wobble when the underlying assumptions change. And in Washington, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is one of the executives due to appear alongside Ford and GM chiefs as Congress digs into car prices, and the pace of electrification. Getty A Reset, Not A RetreatInside Stellantis, the line is that this is a reset, not a retreat. Future Alfas and Maseratis on STLA Large will still offer pure EV variants. They just will not be only EVs anymore. The company insists it is “listening to the market” by keeping gasoline and hybrid options alive longer, especially in segments where charging infrastructure or pricing makes full EVs a tough sell. For the workers at Cassino and for fans of Alfa and Maserati, the hope is that this more flexible plan actually arrives in time to save the plant from more than temporary downtime. View the full article

When Trevor and Jordan Manton talk about family, business, and drag racing, the three threads are impossible to separate. For the brothers behind Manton Pushrods and Manton Rocker Arms, their lives have been shaped by a lineage that stretches from the lunar missions of the 1960s to the quickest doorslammers on the planet. Their grandfather, Noel Manton, and father, Terry Manton, laid the foundation of a family company that became synonymous with precision, craftsmanship, and innovation in valvetrain components. Now, Trevor, 30, and Jordan, 26, are leading the next generation, balancing respect for tradition with a relentless drive to modernize. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. “I was raised at the racetrack as one of the racetrack diaper boys,” Trevor says with a laugh. “There’s plenty of diaper girls too, like Krista Baldwin (a 2016 DI 30 Under 30 honoree). I just remember us all being at the track as kids because our parents or grandparents had been involved in the industry for so long.” That early immersion wasn’t accidental. Their grandfather drove for Chevrolet and their father founded the company that would become Manton Pushrods as a teenager, buying his first lathe from Ed Iskenderian and machining Type 1 Volkswagen pushrods. “I just was blessed to be born into the fraternity with a seat at the table,” Trevor says. “Grandpa and Dad had been doing this for as long as most. Essentially, since the racing industry was around.” Even their great-grandfather, an electrical engineer for Rockwell International during the lunar program, spent weekends racing at Lion’s Drag Strip with fellow engineers. “So even Great-Grandpa was a racer,” Trevor adds. Trevor’s earliest memories aren’t of being in the stands but in the shop. “Maybe five years old I would come in,” he recalls. “We’d get large stocking orders from SCAT and CB Performance – thousands of pushrods at a time. It was a lot faster for Dad if I put the tips into the tube for him and then he assembled them. So, I’d stand there with a step stool and my safety glasses on and be putting tips in while he’s explaining different things about the family business and what’s important.” By the time he was 10, Trevor was traveling with his father to races across the country, listening to conversations with crew chiefs and team owners about what worked and what didn’t. “To be able to watch that from an unfiltered perspective at such a young age was something that gave you a different mindset,” he says. “That was really cool.” When Trevor was 16, tragedy struck. Their father, Terry, who had battled cancer and autoimmune disease for years, passed away. Their mother, Robin, had already been quietly running the business while caring for her husband and raising two boys. “She had good control of the business while I was still finishing school and building my own business, but she didn’t want to continue running it by herself.” Faced with a choice between his own growing business and the family legacy, Trevor didn’t hesitate. “Even though the business that I had had good opportunities and was growing, the opportunities that I had in the racing industry were completely different,” he says. “I can call a Steve Morris or a Pat Musi and they’ll pick up and have a conversation with me without asking why I’ve called. Because they know that I have the industry’s goals in mind – to make cars faster and safer for all of us.” Trevor sold his business, joined his mother full-time, and committed to carrying Manton Pushrods and its sister company into the next generation. One of Trevor’s proudest accomplishments has been reviving Manton Rocker Arms, which at one point was on the brink of closing. “The business wasn’t self-sustaining, and the pushrod company was carrying it,” he recalls. “I simply asked Mom to take the risk. ‘Could we buy Grandpa out of the business, and could I take control of the rocker-arm company and see what it would do?’” What it did was flourish. “We took the company from selling 10 engines worth of rocker systems a year to 400-500 sets a year in a matter of less than a decade,” Trevor says. “It’s something that I’m proud to have been able to utilize those resources that Grandpa and Dad had put around us.” Trevor’s philosophy blends pride and pragmatism. “Me and my brother have a commitment to quality while having the desire to provide great efficiency,” he says. “We’re going to continue to improve our product line as far as the offerings and expand what we offer but without compromising quality.” That commitment includes keeping manufacturing in the United States. “How many young guys are in the industry trying to be a manufacturer in the United States and not outsource parts?” he asks. “We bought Stage V Rocker Arms because we wanted to carry on Eric Hansen’s family legacy and keep a family-owned, high-quality brand still alive. We’re here to preserve quality legacy in this industry.” While Trevor was finding his footing as a leader, his younger brother, Jordan, was quietly charting his own path. “I’ve been in it my whole life, getting dragged around to different racetracks with Dad,” he says. “I remember going to Vegas all the time as a kid and staying in the Excalibur and playing at their arcade for hours and then going to see the races.” Jordan’s creative mind steered him to the design side of the business. “The first thing that I ever designed was a rocker system for a 24-valve Cummins, which we still actually sell,” he says. He taught himself SolidWorks during the summer between middle school and high school, guided by his grandfather, who had him measuring Duramax rocker shafts and learning the fundamentals of geometry and designing. Jordan eventually earned a mechanical engineering degree, a first for the family. “I thought it would be best to actually have somebody get a degree,” he says. “We’ve all been self-taught over here. I thought it would be good to try to figure out what we didn’t know, if that makes sense.” In school, his focus grew from designing new parts to improving manufacturing efficiency. “We’re making these parts but then we’re hand-loading a part into a machine three times and we’re making a thousand of these things,” he says. “What are we doing? We’re just putting a hole in a tube – it shouldn’t be that hard.” That mindset led to automation systems that tripled production efficiency, pneumatic pushrod assembly stations, and in-house machining programs that cut cycle times dramatically. “We went from high-effort 200 parts a day to low-effort 800 parts a day with the new loading systems.” Since graduating, Jordan has shifted back to rocker-arm design. He’s led new development in LS, Hemi, and sprint car applications, all while expanding the company’s in-house machining capabilities. “Maybe it is a good idea that we do it this way, maybe it’s not,” he says. “It’s worth considering the possibility that the way everybody does it isn’t the right way. You find a couple little details that people have just done maybe because it’s easy or because it’s the way we’ve always done it, and those are usually the best spots to fix.” That mindset has already yielded results, including a patent-pending Gen 3 Hemi rocker system concept. “Even our own stuff that we put effort into, if we’re doing it wrong, we want to figure that out,” he says. “I’m not against fixing something if it’s not right, even if it’s my great idea that I worked a year-and-a-half on. If it could be better, we’re going to make it better.” Both brothers understand the weight – and the privilege – of carrying their family name forward. For Trevor, it’s about stewardship. “This is a legacy-based business,” he says. “I need to do the same things for my son and my niece. We want to give them the opportunity that we were given to take over the family business if they so choose to.” For Jordan, it’s gratitude and perspective. “I do very much recognize that I have been given the opportunity to be creative in a way that other people are not able to get,” he says. “Not everybody comes into a family that has a racing background and already has a business started. And I get to go tinker around and spend days and weeks just trying to make a machine work a little better.” But the heart of Jordan’s story – and the brothers’ shared mission – comes back to their mother, Robin. “Though she’s often not looked at, I think she’s had a bigger hand in getting this company to where it is than anybody else,” he says. “It’s awesome to see her get to the point in her life where she’s able to let it go a little bit. She was the one running the business while [Dad] was at home. And now after he passed, figuring out, ‘OK, how do I steer this ship on my own and have two young kids at home that I have to take care of?’” Jordan has watched her perseverance turn into peace. “There’s times where her hair was falling out, she was so stressed,” he says. “But to see her now…she just got back from a resort in Mexico and she’s going road-tripping around. Seeing all of her hard work rewarded really warms my heart.” Looking ahead, both brothers are driven by the same mindset that defined their father. “We’re going to continue to improve our product line and expand what we offer without compromising quality,” Trevor says. “We’re here to preserve quality legacy in this industry.” Jordan envisions growth through collaboration. “I’d like to continue what we’ve started,” he says. “Continue to spread out through valvetrain and figure out ways to make things better. I want to build an R&D team. All the design work and innovation has been, in some way, channeled through the void in between my ears. We have a great team here, but I want to have a group of brains that work together and facilitate some teamwork to take care of customers better.” Offering continued value to their customers is another motivating factor for Jordan. “By improving our systems and making everything more efficient, we’re able to reduce our costs, which means we can keep prices in line for our customers,” Jordan says. “We’ve seen our competitors and other companies in the industry raise prices, and we’ve seen our material costs increase. But in some cases, we’ve actually been able to lower our prices because our processes are more efficient.” For all their technical expertise, what stands out most is their shared ethos. As Trevor sums it up simply: “My main focus in life is faith, family, and racing.”It’s a mantra that echoes through every part machined, every new design drawn, and every late-night brainstorm between brothers who know exactly what they’re building – because they’ve been building it their whole lives. The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Trevor and Jordan Manton first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Market Shifts Spare No OneThe industry has been shaken by shifting market conditions this year, significantly affecting EV brands like Tesla. Yet despite not selling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – at least as of this writing – Mitsubishi still posted a 13.7 percent decline in its 2025 sales in the U.S., delivering 94,754 vehicles overall. Mitsubishi’s most popular model, the Outlander, also experienced a noticeable dip. The SUV sold 35,895 units last year, marking a decline of 9,358 vehicles compared to 2024. The Outlander did receive a new off-road-oriented trim for the 2025 model year, which the company said “provided a bump in attention and showroom traffic.” However, a larger factor behind the model’s sales decline may be the discontinuation of the Mirage after the 2024 MY, a move that left the automaker without an entry in the relatively affordable sedan segment. Mitsubishi Life After the MirageAs a result, brands such as Toyota and Honda now remain among the few automakers in the U.S. offering economy sedans, with the Corolla and Civic, respectively. Even the Mirage’s direct subcompact sedan rival, the Nissan Versa, has been discontinued, effectively signaling the end of brand-new cars priced sub-$20K. However, Mitsubishi did not deliver an outright poor sales performance in 2025. The Outlander Sport, the nameplate’s smaller and more affordable five-seat variant, recorded a 35.4 percent increase, rising to 20,480 units sold. Meanwhile, the Eclipse Cross posted even stronger growth, with sales climbing to 17,508 units, a 37.6 percent increase over 2024. As for the Outlander PHEV, historically one of the world’s top-selling plug-in hybrid models, the automaker sold 6,294 units in the U.S., 681 fewer than the previous year. Mitsubishi Setting the Stage for the Coming YearsMitsubishi also noted that Q4 2025 was its best-selling quarter of the year, though it still represents a 21.3 percent decline compared to Q4 2024. The momentum from the final quarter suggests a more optimistic outlook as the company heads into the new year – an important development as it begins executing its Momentum 2030 strategy. Under the plan, Mitsubishi will launch three new products in the U.S. over the course of 2026. These include an updated Outlander PHEV scheduled to arrive in the spring, an all-new, Nissan Leaf-based battery electric vehicle (BEV) set for late summer, and a new rugged Outlander variant expected toward the end of the year. In addition to product launches, Mitsubishi plans to roll out a new retail approach called the Gallery dealership in Q1 2026. Mitsubishi View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

In the expansion into the Florida Everglades by developed property it's put the American crocodiles' recovery at risk. Too bad the reptile apparently loves jet skis to sunbathe on.View the full article

New Truck, New IdeasRight now, Hyundai’s only truck in the US is the Santa Cruz. But the brand has already said it’s building a proper, full-size pickup for American buyers before the decade is out. Hyundai has been testing out modular features like removable doors, but now there’s another idea in the mix: a midgate. New patent documents show Hyundai is working out how a midgate could fit into a modern pickup, with a focus on something most people only notice when it goes wrong: water management. The patent, filed November 19, 2024, lays down a solution to route water away from the cabin when the midgate is open. It’s a small detail on paper, but it’s the kind of thing that makes or breaks real-world practicality. USPTO A Practical Improvement for MidgatesThe United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published the filing in December 2025 (patent no. 20250376016 if you want to check). No, the patent doesn’t try to reinvent the midgate, but it digs into the less flashy side of the design. Hyundai’s midgate design builds in a drainage system that directs water away from the cabin, whether the midgate is open or rain is running down the rear glass. Think of it as a gutter molded right into the body, with shaped panels and channels guiding water down and out. Instead of just depending on rubber seals, this setup keeps moisture away from the interior, wiring, and cargo area. This is the sort of engineering detail you won’t see in glossy marketing shots, but it can make a real difference in daily use. Of course, like most patents, there’s no promise this will ever reach production. Automakers often file these to protect ideas or test solutions without committing to building them. USPTO Midgates Aren’t New, But They’re RareThe idea of a midgate isn’t exactly groundbreaking. In the US, the most visible examples today come from General Motors’ electric pickups, namely the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, both of which use a MultiPro Midgate to open up the cab and bed into one long cargo area. These setups trace their roots back to earlier vehicles like the Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT. Other brands have tried midgates before, like the Subaru Baja and GMC Envoy XUV, but the idea never really caught on. Today, only GM’s electric trucks use the concept in a big way, thanks to the extra space electric platforms allow. Whether this idea ends up in a future Santa Cruz remains unclear, especially since there’s no word yet on a next-gen model. Still, with the Santa Cruz’s small bed, more flexibility would be welcome. More likely, Hyundai is laying the groundwork for its upcoming midsize pickup, where a midgate could make a lot of sense. USPTO View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

LME debuts billet LT1/LT4 blocks featuring a water-jacketed design capable of 3,000+ HP and available in standard or tall deck heights.View the full article

Not an Easy Year for HondaHonda’s 2025 has been plagued by a number of issues, particularly microchip shortages and supply issues, keeping production tight. This resulted in spotty sales and thin dealer inventories during the second half of the year. By the fourth quarter, the strain was clear as sales dipped in multiple crucial segments. Even so, the year-end numbers told a better story. American Honda finished 2025 with 1,430,577 vehicles sold – a 0.5 percent bump over last year and the brand’s best showing since 2021. It wasn’t a dramatic comeback, but it was progress in a tough market. Most of those gains came from the same places Honda has been betting on: SUVs and electrified models. SUVs and Electrified Models Selling WellSUVs and trucks carried Honda through 2025. For the first time, the brand moved over 900,000 units in this category, which helped balance out weaker spots in the lineup. The Honda CR-V was the clear leader, topping 400,000 sales for the second year running, and more than half of those buyers picked the hybrid. The Pilot and HR-V together added over 270,000 units, though both were held back by supply issues. Some models hit new highs. Passport sales shot up to 55,231 units, nearly 70 percent higher than last year, and TrailSport trims made up about 80 percent of that. The Honda Odyssey also had its best year since 2019, moving over 88,000 units – a 10 percent jump from 2024. Electrified models also set a new benchmark. For the first time, Honda sold more than 400,000 electrified vehicles in 2025, making it three years in a row of record hybrid sales. The CR-V and Civic hybrids led the pack, and the Prologue EV chipped in with almost 40,000 units in its first full year. The new hybrid Prelude started arriving at dealerships late in the year, albeit with shameless and rampant markups. Sales were just 204 units, but its launch shows Honda is serious about blending electrification with cars aimed at enthusiasts. Passenger Cars Are DecliningOn the flipside, Honda’s passenger car sales slipped 3.9 percent for the year. The fourth quarter was rougher, with overall sales down 9.5 percent and truck sales down 14 percent as inventory tightened again due to chip shortages. December made those challenges obvious. Sales dropped 12.5 percent, and SUV and truck volume fell by more than 17 percent, underlining how quickly things can turn when supply gets tight. Acura, Honda’s premium brand, had a similar story. Getting supply back on track will be key for Honda in 2026, especially for popular SUVs and hybrids. The push into hybrids is working, but the next step is turning these small wins into lasting momentum. Acura View the full article

The Offtrack 3 H2O jacket and pants aim to balance comfort, protection, and all-season versatility for adventure riders.View the full article

Years ago, I rode a Speedmaster for the first time, and I didn't totally get it. With its new seat for 2026, though, I think I do.View the full article

When Buying American PaysFord has released a list of models eligible for the annual $10,000 auto loan interest deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law in July 2025. The incentive applies exclusively to vehicles assembled in the United States, effectively encouraging consumers to buy domestically built models, while some imported vehicles from brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz continue to face heftier tariffs. According to Ford, the eligible lineup includes the F-150, Ranger, Super Duty (F-250, F-350, and F-450), Bronco, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, Transit, E-Transit, Econoline, and Mustang. Notably absent from the list are the Mustang Mach-E, Maverick, and Bronco Sport, all of which are assembled in Mexico. Ford Built Here, Not ThereThe F-150, one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States, is assembled at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan. The Mustang was previously assembled at Dearborn Assembly Plant before production moved to the Flat Rock Assembly Plant with the launch of the S197 generation. Other Ford models assembled in the Great Lakes State include the Ranger and Bronco, both produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. Ford also relies on its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri for additional F-150 production, while that same facility builds the Transit and E-Transit vans. Another commercial-oriented model included on the eligibility list, the Econoline, is produced at the Ohio Assembly Plant, which also assembles the Super Duty lineup. Meanwhile, Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant is responsible for assembling both the Super Duty and the Expedition. Among the remaining eligible models, the Explorer – including the Police Interceptor Utility variant – is assembled at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois. At the same time, the Escape, whose production recently ended, was built at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Ford’s luxury division, Lincoln, also has several models that qualify for the annual auto loan interest deduction, including the Aviator, Corsair, and Navigator. Lincoln There’s a CatchThe Blue Oval has emphasized that roughly 80 percent of the vehicles it sells in America are assembled domestically, with the F-Series lineup being entirely U.S.-built. Buyers looking to take advantage of the $10,000 deduction should note that the incentive applies only to vehicles purchased for personal use, meaning purchases tied to business or commercial use are excluded. Additionally, the deduction is available for tax years 2025 through 2028 and is subject to an income-based phaseout, specifically for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $100,000, or $200,000 for joint filers. Ford Vehicles Assembled in the U.S.Ford Lincoln F-150 Aviator Ranger Corsair Super Duty Navigator Bronco Escape Expedition Explorer Transit E-Transit Econoline Mustang Ford View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The same company responsible for the tough-as-nails AK-47 rifle, Kalashnikov, also makes motorcycles. And it has some new enduro model parts you should know about.View the full article

2026 Dakar Rally Stage Three – Alula to Alula KTM has dominated the Dakar Rally up until Stage Three, with Edgar Canet and Daniel Sanders sharing the wins, and leading the standings, but the challenge of opening the third stage saw Sanders drop down the results, with the HRC duo of Tosha Schareina and Ricky Brabec […] The post Schareina tops Dakar Stage Three as Sanders retains lead appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The Van Veen OCR1000 was a rotary-powered engineering flex and one of the rarest motorcycles ever made. And now, it can be yours.View the full article

Timed to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has premiered a new prototype vehicle under its Afeela brand. Unlike the Afeela 1 electric sedan that entered pre-production back in August, the new Afeela Prototype 2026 (as it’s called for now) takes the form of a coupe-style crossover. The resemblance between the new prototype and the Afeela 1 sedan is obvious, but the crossover’s larger, taller body is likely to appeal to more Americans than the sedan that arrives first. Related: What is the Sony Honda Mobility Afeela 1? Production Model Expected In 2028 Afeela Prototype 2026 Sony Honda Mobility View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article SHM didn’t divulge much detail about the new crossover-type prototype, but the company did confirm that a production version of it is expected to launch in the United States as early as 2028. That’s roughly two years after the production Afeela 1 sedan, which begins deliveries this year. The prototype shares the same clean face as the Afeela 1, with a full-width light bar and flush headlights sweeping across the front fascia. There are no garish fake grilles to be found here. The ground clearance is clearly superior to the sedan, and the crossover also gets a two-tone body with a black roof. The Afeela 1 is expected to be equipped with 40 sensors, including 1 LiDAR, 18 cameras, and nine radars. The crossover prototype has a prominent LiDAR sensor on its roof, so will likely be capable of the same level of self-driving capability. The company aims to achieve Level 4 self-driving capability in the future through its Afeela Intelligent Drive system. Afeela claims “greater spatial flexibility and accessibility” for the new prototype, so expect more trunk space and more comfortable seating than in the sedan. Performance, Range, And Price Expectations Afeela Prototype 2026 Sony Honda Mobility View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The Afeela 1 is confirmed to have a starting price of $89,900, so it’s very much at the high end of the EV market. The crossover will likely be a bit pricier, so with a few options, this could easily be a six-figure vehicle. The Afeela 1 has dual electric motors producing 241 horsepower each, an air-spring suspension, an estimated 300-mile range, and all-wheel drive. Expect swift acceleration, although that’s no longer a selling point in the EV segment. The new prototype is expected to be at least as powerful as the sedan when it arrives. Unsurprisingly for vehicles jointly developed with Sony, the Afeela 1 will become the first car to feature native integration of PS Remote Play, allowing PlayStation fans to easily enjoy their favorite games. This tech should make it into the SUV as well. Related: Sony Honda’s New Electric Sedan Will Launch With Digital License Plates and Built-In Theft Alerts Final Thoughts S Even though it has the benefit of being associated with two major brands (Honda and Sony), Afeela is still a new automaker, so will have to get off to a strong start with the Afeela 1 later this year. The new prototype may end up being an even more crucial product, though, given this market’s appetite for SUVs. Targeted at the Tesla Model S and Model X, the Afeela twins have the potential to expose the age of Tesla’s flagship models. Advanced self-driving and in-car technologies are other strong attributes, but they’ll have to be fundamentally good EVs, too. View the full article

Belltech was one of the most influential name brands in the sport truck market of the 1980s and 1990s. Period. Along with a handful of other companies, they lead a revolution in trucks and created a new market within the hot rodding community. Many have argued that GM’s GMT400, aka C1500/K1500 series, aka OBS platform was the driving force for custom sport trucks and we can’t argue with them. These trucks lit the world on fire thanks to companies like Belltech, Trader’s, Billet Specialties, Boyds and more. So Marcel and Jason sat down and had a talk with Belltech’s Roel Garza about the OBS, mini trucks, and more. Check it out. The post Influence and Impact Podcast: Behind the Scenes with Belltech’s Roel Garza! Talking OBS Trucks, Mini Trucks, And More! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article