Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup March 16-22, 2025
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Here are Larry's top story picks from this past week's important to you, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive news nuggets.
Nutson's Auto News Wrapup, Week Of March 16-22, 2025
- Writing’s on the wall. Consumer confidence has weakened, impacting car sales, as buyers grapple with potential price hikes and broader economic anxieties. Inventory levels are elevated at many car dealerships, reflecting a slowdown in sales and a decrease in lease returns. While some industry experts believe car sales will persevere, others warn of production disruptions, price increases and potential layoffs if tariffs persist. UAW local leaders brace for layoffs amid tariff war. More detail HERE
- BEVs can cut it.Battery electric vehicles can meet expected driving requirements even when extreme weather occurs, according to the Argonne National Laboratory. The study highlights the effectiveness of advanced technologies such as heat pumps and cabin preconditioning in minimizing range loss. Read more HERE
- HOV lane politics.The federal law that enables California’s electric vehicles to use the high-occupancy vehicle lane without passengers is set to expire, spelling a likely end to a popular incentive amid broader attacks on EV-friendly policies. The federal statute says public authorities can allow use of carpool lanes by single-occupancy vehicles meeting certain conditions until Sept. 30. California legislators want to extend the window, but lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have yet to introduce a bill or otherwise move to authorize an extension. More details HERE
- Low gas prices.Gas prices have declined nationally for the 4th straight week, says GasBuddy data, the national average is now $3.02/gal, while diesel averages $3.56/gal. The most common price for gas: $2.99. For diesel, $3.69/gal. 34 states see average gas prices below $3. However, the changeover to summer gasoline is pushing up gas prices in MI, IN, IL, WI. Those in OH, KY should be on watch for a hike as well.
- Meanwhile. Oil prices rose after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold Iran responsible for any future attack by the Houthis, a militant group in Yemen that has launched missile strikes on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and on Israel. U.S. crude oil futures rose 40 cents, or 0.6%, to $67.58 per barrel. Global benchmark Brent traded higher by 44 cents, or 0.62%, at $71.02 per barrel.
- World Car AwardsThe WORLD CAR FINALS POWERED BY BREMBO announced the Top Three in the World finalists in six World Car Awards categories. On April 16 the winners will be announced live at the 2025 New York International Auto Show during an awards ceremony that is part of the show’s opening media breakfast. See the finalists HERE
- Tighter emission rules in Illinois.Switching to stricter California-style limits on truck emissions would prevent 500 deaths per year in the greater Chicago region by 2050, according to a new study from Northwestern University. The study also found that 600 new childhood asthma cases would be prevented each year by 2050, and that neighborhoods with higher percentages of Black and Latino residents would see the greatest health benefits. California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule is currently under consideration by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. The Clean Trucks rule would require that manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks slowly ramp up the number of zero-emissions vehicles sold to 40% to 75% (depending on the category) in 2035. Under President Donald Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has asked Congress to review California’s waiver allowing the Clean Trucks rule and other state vehicle emissions standards that exceed federal standards. That could lead to a lengthy fight, of the kind seen during the first Trump administration.
- Driverless bus.Renault is testing a new driverless mini-bus in Barcelona this week. The autonomous vehicle is running on a 2.2-km (1.3-mile) circular route with four stops in the center of the Spanish city. Adventurous commuters can jump on free of charge. The French carmaker has teamed up with WeRide, a company specializing in autonomous vehicles, to make the prototype. Check it out HERE
- Headlines of note.
--- Automakers hit the brakes on EVs for U.S. as Trump policies alter market, supplier boss says.
--- Tesla cars torched at Las Vegas showroom; Elon Musk calls attacks ‘terrorism’.
--- Tesla has been removed from participating in this week’s Vancouver International Auto Show over safety concerns.
--- Amazon’s robotaxi unit Zoox recalls 258 vehicles over unexpected braking issue.
--- Bentley posts lowest revenue since 2020; will pass Trump tariff costs on to buyers.
--- The city of Toronto announced Tesla vehicles will no longer be eligible for the city’s EV incentives for taxis or ride share vehicles. - Thefts decline.Vehicle thefts in the United States recorded their biggest yearly drop in four decades as automakers, mainly Hyundai and Kia, bolstered anti-theft measures, while easing supply chain constraints made stealing vehicles for parts less lucrative. Vehicle thefts across the U.S. fell 16.6% to 850,708 units in 2024 from a year earlier, according to the NICB data. They hit a record high of 1.02 million vehicles in 2023. HERE
- Cadillac/Chevrolet recall.General Motors is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the front wheels to lock-up. This recall affects 90,081 vehicles.
- Nissan recall.Nissan North America, Inc. is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." This recall affects potentially 199 vehicles.
- Land Rover recall.Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may not latch correctly due to a manufacturing error. This recall affects 7,276 vehicles.
- Tesla recall.Tesla Inc. is recalling 46,096 Cybertrucks in the U.S. to fix a glued-on exterior panel that runs along the left and right side of the windshield that can detach while driving, creating a dangerous road hazard for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. The stainless steel strip, called a cant rail assembly, between the windshield and the roof on both sides, is bound to the truck’s assembly with a structural adhesive, the NHTSA said.
- Back-to-back wins.Porsche has clinched first and second place at round two of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Brazilian Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy from Great Britain, and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium swept to victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring at the wheel of their No. 7 Porsche 963. This victory comes after the trio’s triumph at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January. Matt Campbell from Australia and the two Frenchmen Mathieu Jaminet and Kévin Estre rounded off the stellar performance of the Porsche Penske Motorsport works team with second place. In the GTD Pro class, the AO Racing customer team notched up its first victory at an endurance race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series with the Porsche 911 GT3 R dubbed “Rexy”. Acura has started the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with back-to-back podium finishes, with the #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian ARX-06 taking third place in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL