Nutson's Weekly Auto News WrapUp - May 5-11, 2025

Larry Nutson

AUTO CENTRAL - Louisville, KY - May 11, 2025: Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and TACH Executive Producer, compiles The Auto Channel's take on this past week's automotive news, condensed into easy-to-digest news Nuggets.

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Complete versions of today's news nuggets, along with hundreds of thousands of pages of relevant news, information and opinions are stored in a million-page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 30 years. Complete information can be found by copying a headline and inserting it into any Site Search Box.

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.

Ford price hike. Ford Motor has hiked prices on three of its Mexico-produced models effective May 2, becoming one of the first major automakers to adjust sticker prices following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Prices on the Mustang Mach-E electric UV, Maverick pickup and Bronco Sport will increase by as much as $2,000 on some models, according to a notice sent to dealers, which was reviewed by Reuters. A Ford spokesperson said the price hikes will affect vehicles built after May 2, which would arrive at dealer lots in late June. More details HERE.
EV sales cool. U.S. EV sales fell in April, according to estimates from the research firm Motor Intelligence, while the broader car market grew. Dealers are citing cooling customer interest, fewer promotions and concern over the ability to charge vehicles. Read more HERE.
States sue Trump on EV chargers. California, Colorado, and Washington attorneys general are co-leading a lawsuit against President Donald Trump for suspending a $5 billion federal funding program for electric car chargers, arguing his directives to slash U.S. subsidies for plug-in vehicles since taking office are unlawful. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
On again, off again. Jaguar Land Rover has resumed shipments of vehicles to the U.S. after pausing them following the announcement of tariffs by President Donald Trump's government. Aston Martin will split the costs resulting from U.S. tariffs between the company and its customers, and will sell down its U.S. inventory while limiting new shipments there.
EV annual fee. GOP lawmakers have proposed levying an annual $250 fee on EV owners as part of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" on taxes, immigration, energy and defense. If passed into law, the $250 annual fee is intended to replenish the dwindling Highway Trust Fund, currently funded by gasoline and diesel fuel taxes. More information HERE.
Car buyers blocked. Consumers are rushing to buy cars before expected tariff-related price increases, but face financing challenges due to stricter lending criteria. Auto lenders are tighten standards amid rising demand, rejecting more borrowers as firms like Ally Financial approve fewer loans despite record applications. High vehicle values make auto financing riskier, leading lenders to favor borrowers with high credit scores. Read more HERE.
Headlines of note this week.
--- Rivian reports Q1 net loss of $541 million, cuts 2025 delivery guidance on tariffs.
--- Ford says Trump tariffs to cost $1.5 billion as Q1 net income dives 65%.
--- GM says Trump tariffs to cut profits by up to $5 billion this year.
--- Toyota expects $1.2 billion tariff hit in April, May to drive 20% profit drop.
--- U.S. to reduce tariff rate on most U.K. vehicles to 10% as part of trade framework.
--- Jaguar Land Rover jobs will be saved by U.S.-U.K. deal to reduce tariffs, top official says.
Meanwhile. The American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford Motor, General Motors and Stellantis, has criticized President Donald Trump's trade deal with the UK, which allows 100,000 British cars to be exported to the US annually at a 10% tariff. The council says the deal puts vehicles compliant under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement at a disadvantage. "Under this deal, it will now be cheaper to import a UK vehicle with very little US content than a USMCA-compliant vehicle from Mexico or Canada that is half American parts," the council said. More HERE.
Best cars for new teen drivers. An updated list of suggested vehicles for teens from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) includes 74 used vehicles priced at $10,000 or less. Another 48 models that come with automatic emergency braking and highly rated headlights can be found for under $20,000. Get the complete skinny HERE.
You are what you drive. What does your car model say about you? Walk through a parking lot and check out the car names. Read it HERE.
Bring back the buttons. In recent years automakers have been burying everyday controls—like climate control, audio systems, seat adjusters, and even window controls - in a screen. After several studies showing they're both frustrating to use and unsafe leading to distracted driving, several automakers are reverting back to physical buttons, dials, and knobs for these frequently used functions. More details HERE.
Yugo is back. Less than three months after the return of YUGO has been announced at an event in Kragujevac/Serbia, the iconic brand is showing its first 1:5 scale model at the Car Design Event (CDE) in Munich. It showcases the styling direction of the future production car. The design of the new YUGO was created by Serbian designer Darko Marceta. Following the launch of the 1:5 scale model at CDE in Munich, the next steps for YUGO will be the announcement of a sporty derivative and further technical details at CDE Classic on 15 September 2025. A fully functional prototype will be unveiled at the 2027 Belgrade Expo on 15 May 2027. Yugo is back! And it's bringing the style of the 80s with it | Auto Express
Max legal speeds. Nine states have 80-mph speed limits, and one will let drivers go 85 mph in certain areas. If you're planning a road trip you might like to know which states let you save time but burn more fuel. Learn more HERE.
Custom Cars. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Sacramento Autorama, one of the world's longest-running indoor car shows, closed out its 74th annual event on Sunday, May 4, at Cal Expo by recognizing some of the country's finest custom cars. Overall, the show hosted over 500 world-class custom vehicles and handed out more than 400 individual awards during its closing ceremony. The show's prestigious Custom d'Elegance award was presented to Jimmy Hervatin's 1952 Ford F1 pickup. This incredible build, named "Lit Up," is meticulously based on a painting of the same name by artist Keith Weesner. Handcrafted by Hervatin himself, the truck was chopped six inches, sectioned and lowered on a brand-new frame. The reshaped body features custom running boards, shaved door handles and a new bed. Powered by a 1954 Oldsmobile 324, the truck is finished in a light blue pearl basecoat, tri-coat pearl white and dark red flames loaded with gold flake. Hervatin received $5,000 from ARP Fasteners. More details HERE.
Cadillac and F1. General Motors has officially been approved as a Formula 1 power unit supplier starting in 2029! GM will enter the F1 world under its Cadillac brand, designing, developing, and building its engines in the U.S. at its Michigan facilities. Also, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team unveiled its new logo in a video released ahead of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, offering a first look at the branding that will debut when the team joins the FIA Formula One World Championship grid in 2026.
Papal postponement. After Pope Francis died, organizers postponed the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma. Now, they have announced a new date: April 16-19, 2026. The Anantara Concorso Roma takes place in the center of Rome, where organizers say they will "invite the world's foremost car collectors and assemble a sensational selection of exclusively Italian masterpieces … a spectacle befitting the historic setting." Fortunately, many of those who intended to participate this year will return in 2026, says Anantara Concorso Roma. Link HERE.
RIP. Jochen Mass, who won in Formula 1 and at Le Mans, has died at 78. The affable German had 105 starts in Formula 1, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in 1975, and he won Le Mans in 1989. Mass died due to complications from a stroke he suffered in February. More details from Autoweek HERE.

Stay safe. Be Well.