Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 24-30, 2025
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AUTO CENTRAL - Louisville, KY - August 31, 2025; Every Sunday for the past 30 years, Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and TACH Executive Producer, compiled his take on this past week's automotive news, condensed into easy-to-digest news Nuggets.
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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's Automotive News Nuggets August 24-30, 2025- Labor Day weekend. GasBuddy predicting that average gas prices on the last summer holiday weekend of 2025 will be $3.15 per gallon, 14 cents lower than in 2024, and the lowest price at the pump since Labor Day since 2020. A survey by AAA found 64% of Labor Day travelers intend to get to their destinations by car compared with 13% who plan to fly and 7% who will take the train.
- Where was this vehicle built? A new tax deduction is available for interest paid on loans for new vehicles assembled in the U.S. for personal use. The deduction is for those with an adjusted gross income below $100,000 (single) or $200,000 (married), and phases out above. The key words here are "assembled in the U.S." When you go new car shopping you need to ask where the vehicle was built. Get the details HERE
- Smart tech in your car. To help understand how drivers are responding to new technologies, J.D. Power has just released the results of its 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study. The study, now in its 10th year, includes a new category that includes seven AI-based technologies designed to enhance the driver experience by anticipating their needs. Several smart technologies, including smart ignition, climate control and driver preferences, rank among the top 10 in the study for both low problems exhere.perienced and high customer satisfaction. Which features do you use and which do you turn off. See the report HERE
- Meanwhile. Stellantis put on the shelf further development of its first Level 3 advanced driver-assistance program because of high costs, technological challenges and concerns about consumer appetite. The company said the system, which enables drivers to have their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road under certain conditions, would allow them to temporarily watch movies, catch up on emails, or read books. It turns out there is limited demand for the feature. More on this HERE
- Carfax used car news. For many months the Carfax Used Car Index has focused on Pickup Trucks and Hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EVs), but two other categories are breaking into the news. First, the national average price for used Vans & Minivans on Carfax.com dropped by a whopping $680 in August to its lowest average price since January. And second, the average price of used Luxury Cars moved up a surprising $500 in August. It’s usually a category that sees only modest increases or decreases each month. The nationwide average price topped $31,000 for the first time since July 2023. Get all the details HERE
- EV tax credit loophole. The federal EV tax credit is set to expire after September 30, but a loophole will allow shoppers to still obtain the credit on cars delivered after that date. According to the IRS, a customer just needs to have a binding contract in place and at least one payment made before September 30 to obtain the tax credit. This means automakers can sell shoppers more EVs with the incentive of the tax credit, as long as the customer signs the paperwork in advance and waits for delivery. Read more here from Car and Driver. HERE
- Clean out your garage. According to a Michigan-based strategic communications agency's first 2025 EV Charging Market report, more Americans will need to clean out their garages. This because home charging systems are crucial to satisfactory EV ownership, and a surprising number of car buyers lack access to a 240-volt outlet close enough to where their car is parked. Full story HERE
- * Teen Drivers Report. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for individuals aged 16 to 19, a group that also faces the highest crash risk. WalletHub released its report on 2025’s Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers. In order to determine the safest and least costly driving environments for U.S. teenagers, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 23 key metrics. New York ranks number 1 as the best and Montana is dead last as the worst. See the full report HERE
- 2026 Green Car of the Year. Green Car Journal has honored Toyota's all-new RAV4 with the magazine's prestigious 2026 Green Car of the Year award. Rising to the top as 2026 Green Car Awards winners in additional consumer categories are the Cadillac Optiq, Fiat 500e, Jeep Wagoneer S, and Mitsubishi Outlander / Outlander PHEV. See the green story HERE
- New GM design book. In his new book, “Designing Dreams,” Dick Ruzzin outlines the creation of the world’s first automotive design studio, and the system Harley Earl defined that led to Motorama Cars, the auto show GM staged from 1949 through 1961. Ruzzin, a former chief Chevrolet and Cadillac designer, career at General Motors spanned 40 years. He served as creative designer on the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado project under Chief Designer Stan Wilen. Learn more HERE
- New dates. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is traditionally held on the third Sunday of August. In 2028 that will change. Why? –because children. Schools are now opening earlier and earlier. The new date should fall before many schools start the new school year. The dates for Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for the next five years are: 2026-August 16, 2027-August 15, 2028-August 13 (first new date), 2029-August 12 and 2030-August 11. PS - Good news for the Woodward Dream Cruise which is held on the third Saturday of August.
- Ford recall.Ford is recalling 355,657 pickup trucks in the U.S. because of an instrument panel display failure that's resulted in critical information, like warning lights and vehicle speed, not showing up on the dashboard. The recall covers certain Ford F-150s from the 2025 model year and also Ford “Super Duty” trucks, including 2025-2026 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD and F-250 SDs, according to the NHTSA.
- Ford recall. Ford Motor Company is recalling about 499,129 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Ford Edge vehicles because the rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid and reduce brake system function. The remedy is currently under development.
- Cadillac F1 drivers. Cadillac has confirmed Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will form its driver lineup for its Formula 1 debut season in 2026. As reported by ESPN last week, Cadillac has opted for the two best free agents available, with a combined 527 race starts and 16 race wins between them. Mexican driver Pérez had been a free agent after being dropped by Red Bull at the end of a difficult 2024 season. Bottas has also been without a race seat this year. The Finn returned to former team Mercedes, where he raced between 2017 and 2021, as reserve driver this season, following three years with Sauber. Cadillac, a brand of General Motors, will become Formula 1's 11th team next season. The American team will race with Ferrari engines in the short term, although GM has already committed to building its own engines out of a U.S. headquarters by the end of the decade. Cadillac's team is run by former Manor team boss Graeme Lowden and features American racing legend Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion, on its board of directors. MORE HERE
- NASCAR playoffs. The NASCAR Cup Series playoff field has emerged, and the stage is set for a 10-race chase to the championship. Following 26 regular-season races, 16 drivers advanced to the playoffs, and now they get set to race against each other with one goal in mind: raising the championship trophy at the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 4. Read who's in the top 16 field HERE
- Ram and NASCAR.Stellantis' Ram brand is teaming up with Kaulig Racing for its return to NASCAR in 2026 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The partnership marks Kaulig Racing's debut in the Truck Series, although the team has been active in the Xfinity Series and Cup Series with Chevrolet. More details here from Autoweek. HERE
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel
See Also: Larry Nutson Library Of Reviews, Wrapups and Opinions