Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 3-9, 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.
Larry' News Nuggets August 3-9, 2025* July auto sales. Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia and Mazda reported U.S. sales gains in July, a month that analysts said includes several unusual factors obscuring true market conditions. Total new-vehicle sales were projected to reach 1.33 million units, a 3.2% increase from July 2024.
Retail sales were projected to reach nearly 1.16 million in July, a 4.1% increase from July 2024. July’s monthly sales pace, or seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), is forecast by Cox Automotive at 15.6 million, up slightly from June’s weaker 15.3 million level but down from last July’s 15.8 million.
* Avoiding The Possible Impending Death Of The US Auto Industry. According to the YouGov study that examines the demographics of U.S. vehicle owners, 51% of owners of American-brand vehicles are over the age of 55. While only 18% of American-brand owners are in the 18-34 year old cohort. While older customers generally have more money to spend, the nature of the human lifecycle is that they have fewer years left to spend it. Having an inexorably aging average customer base is the kiss of death for any brand. Read the full story HERE
* The tariff war. President Trump’s tariff war has inflicted almost $12 billion of losses on global automakers, the biggest hit they have faced since the pandemic. The scary reality: This may be just the beginning. The obvious responses to tariffs are to raise prices and move production to the U.S. But both are hard for carmakers to do quickly, potentially saddling them for years to come. Full story HERE
* GM Will Import EV Batteries From China’s CATL Despite Tariffs. GM will buy the batteries from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology, one of the world’s largest battery makers, for about two years until the Detroit automaker and its Korean partner LG Energy Solution can stand up their own manufacturing of the lower-cost batteries in the U.S., according to people familiar with the plan. Full story HERE
* Tesla must pay up. A Florida jury ordered Tesla to pay $243M in a fatal 2019 crash involving a vehicle equipped with the company’s driver-assistance software. The Miami suit is one of a handful of crash cases that have gone to trial and the verdict tarnishes Tesla’s near-perfect record in court. It marks the first time a jury has awarded damages in a lawsuit related to Tesla’s driver-assistance features and a major setback for Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle company. Read about it HERE
* Ohio bans direct car sales. Rivian is suing Ohio’s department of motor vehicles over the state’s ban on car companies bypassing dealerships to sell cars directly to consumers. In the federal lawsuit, the American electric vehicle company calls the ban “irrational in the extreme,” arguing that it decreases competition and reduces consumer choice. Rivian also notes that Tesla is allowed to sell its vehicles directly to customers in Ohio, which presents an unfair playing field for other EV makers. More on this HERE
* A new record. A Chevy Silverado EV just went 1,059 miles on a full battery charge. A group of 40 GM engineers took shifts driving a Silverado EV around southeast Michigan to set a record of over a trhousand miles of driving on a single full battery. Give a read to see how they did it. HERE
* CARFAX Car Care App. CARFAX announced a major milestone: more than 50 million car owners now rely on the free CARFAX Car Care app to help them stay on top of their routine — and critical — vehicle maintenance needs. Since its launch in 2012, CARFAX Car Care has transformed the way drivers manage their vehicles — providing timely alerts for unfixed recalls and upcoming service needs and helping users find trusted local repair shops to keep their families safe. Detials HERE
* Most and Least Stolen Vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is currently the most stolen vehicle in the U.S., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The non-ZL1 Camaro is also high on the list, ranking third most stolen. Other vehicles frequently targeted by thieves include the Acura TLX (both AWD and FWD), Dodge Durango, and various GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado models. See the report HERE
* New York City e-bike problem needing a fix. NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced a 15 mile-an-hour speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters at a June press conference. Enforcement became an issue. E-bikes usually don’t have speedometers, they don’t have vehicle registrations, and no one in the city government seemed to know the policy was coming. Enjoy the story HERE
* Ford recall. Ford is recalling 312,120 vehicles in the U.S. as loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall affects certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, Ford F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles.
* Porsche: The Exhibition. Running from August 9 through August 24 at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia this special exhibition highlights the legacy and evolution of Porsche with over 30 vehicles on display. The lineup includes early icons like the 1956 Speedster and a 1958 Porsche-Diesel tractor, competition legends such as the 917 LH, and modern engineering milestones like the 2015 911 GT3 and 2007 GT3 RSR. Details HERE
* Clean Cruise in Michigan. The Woodward Dream Cruise is later this month. However, the first ever Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance's Clean Cruise EV Festival was held last weekend. The first-of-its-kind celebration brought together Michigan elected officials, EV industry leaders and climate advocates from across the state to promote sustainable transportation. Manufacturers demonstrated advancements in EV technology, allowing attendees to explore the vehicles up close through a showcase featuring over 60 different cars. Read all about it HERE
* Celebrating Craftsmanship. This year Endicott College introduced three brand-new classes at their Misselwood Concours d'Elegance: Hot Rods, Customs, and Coach Built vehicles! With a strong emphasis on exceptional craftsmanship, these incredible additions helped create their largest and most vibrant showfield to date, making the 2025 Misselwood Concours an unforgettable experience. See the Best in Class winners HERE
* NASCAR's Jimmy Johnson on the water. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmy Johnson took to the waters of Lake Washington on Friday, Aug. 1. Johnson, at age 49 made an electrifying tribute to one of the greatest racers in the world – Bill Muncey. Piloting the infamous Atlas Van Lines Blue Blaster hydroplane, the boat which was highly successful in the 1970’s and 80’s by the hydroplane legend, Johnson notched speeds near 100 miles per hour, thrilling fans during a special exhibition as part of Seattle’s annual Seafair weekend. More details HERE
* RIP. Chris Raschke, 60, an influential member of the racing and hot rodding community for more than four decades, tragically lost his life last Sunday afternoon in a high-speed crash at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Raschke was piloting the Speed Demon Racing team’s new streamliner, the Speed Demon III, on a preliminary run down Course Number One during the second day of the annual Speed Week when it crashed and became airborne at an estimated speed of 300 miles per hour. More HERE
* RIP. Bruce Simurda, a prominent figure in the air-cooled Volkswagen community, passed away recently after a battle with cancer. He was best known for his 28-year tenure as editor of Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine, from 1989 to 2017. His contributions significantly shaped the magazine and the VW hobby during his time as editor. After his time at Hot VWs, Bruce continued his involvement in the industry, contributing to the rebirth of VW Trends Magazine as both an editor and advertising salesman. He also worked as a freelance photojournalist.
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson,the Chicago Car Guy