Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup September 21-27, 2025
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Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week September 28, 2025; The most important, relevant, and sometimes semi-secret stories you need to know—served up snappy, opinionated, and insider-sharp. These are expertly crafted, easy-to-understand news nuggets that cut through the noise and get right to what matters to you in the automotive world.
- New vehicle sales. According to Cox Automotive, September's new-vehicle sale pace is expected to finish near 16.2 million, up from last year's 15.8 million level and higher than August's 16.1 million. Q3 sales volume is expected to reach 4.14 million, down from Q2 but higher by 6.2% year over year. Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Q3 are expected to hit a record of 409,000 as buyers rush to close deals before government-backed incentives end. The prior record was Q4 2024, with 365,824 units sold. The share of EV sales in the third quarter will likely be close to 10% of total sales, a record. The previous EV sales peak in the U.S. was Q4 2024, when 365,824 EVs were sold, accounting for 8.7% of total new-vehicle sales. Separately, Bloomberg estimates that EVs will comprise 27% of U.S. passenger vehicles sales in 2030, down from a projected 48% last year.
- Price hikes are coming. Automakers have absorbed billions in added costs since U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs took effect in April. Experts predicted price hikes would have hit by now, but automakers have chosen to eat added costs rather than pass them on to consumers and lose market share. But as Reuters' Nora Eckert reports, that may be about to change. You can read all about it HERE
- Tariffs on cars from the EU. President Donald Trump’s administration said it was formally implementing the U.S. trade agreement with the European Union, confirming that a lower 15 percent duty rate for EU autos and auto parts will be applied retroactive to August 1. Previously, EU vehicles faced a 25% U.S. duty on top of prior levies of 2.5%. Details HERE
- Used car price drop. The latest Carfax Used Car Index reports that some family haulers are seeing price drops. The average price in the Luxury SUV and Van & Minivan categories has fallen. The average price of used Luxury SUVs fell by just a little more than $325 in September. And the average price of used Vans & Minivans on Carfax fell by more than $270. But, some prices have climbed. See the full report HERE
- UN push on climate. World leaders have announced new greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets at a UN summit, despite a speech from President Donald Trump earlier in the week that dismissed climate science as a hoax and promoted traditional energy sources. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged nations to accelerate their efforts to avoid catastrophic global warming, highlighting the upcoming COP30 talks in Brazil as crucial for a credible global response. A total of 120 countries and the European Union announced new goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The pledges most notably include one from China, the world’s leading emitter, which said it would cut emissions by 7-10% from its peak level by 2035. Read more HERE
- Lower city speed limits. For decades, lawmakers and traffic engineers primarily saw things from the point of view of drivers. But that is changing. Increasingly, states and communities are considering the needs of nonmotorists — and are slowing vehicles down. Small changes in vehicle speeds lead to dramatic changes in the chance that a pedestrian can survive a crash. A growing number of cities are reaching that conclusion and lowering their default limits or assigning lower limits to more streets. 20 mph is becoming more prevalent. Read more . HERE
- Beware of counterfeit airbags. U.S. regulators are investigating seven incidents, with five fatalities, involving aftermarket air-bag parts that ruptured during collisions. The NHTSA suspects the air bags contain parts from Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology, a China-based company known as DTN Airbag. Counterfeit air bags are a growing problem, costing as little as $100, while authentic modules cost over $1,000, says industry expert. See the full story HERE
- EV chargers need help. A new study by ChargerHelp, a company that specializes in servicing EV chargers, reveals that inability to charge is happening more often due to a discrepancy between the identification of a charger as being up and running, or uptime, and its ability to actually produce a charge. Indeed, while charger uptime has improved from 98.7% to 99.9%, only 71% of charging attempts succeed, according to the 2025 EV study. HERE
- Ford recall. Ford Motor Co. is recalling 115,539 vehicles in the U.S. due to a defect that could cause the steering column’s upper shaft to detach, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The issue, which can potentially lead to a loss of steering control, affects vehicles from model years 2020 through 2021, and includes F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles.
- BMW recall. BMW is recalling over 196,000 vehicles in the U.S. as the engine starter relay may corrode, leading to overheating and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall affects certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles.
- More from Goodwood. The 2025 Goodwood Revival took place from Friday, September 12 to Sunday, September 14. The revival is a three-day historic motor racing and vintage lifestyle festival held annually at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, England. The event celebrates the period of the circuit's original operation, from 1948 to 1966. Read this recap from Hagerty Media. HERE
- Classes in Motorsports Essentials. A Michigan University is starting motorsports management classes this Fall. Northwood University is running a "motorsports essentials" program this year and a Fundamentals of Motorsports class in 2026. Get educated about this HERE
- Chicago's Larry Klairmont auction. Mecum Auctions successfully concluded its “Larry’s Legacy” auction in Chicago with resounding success. More than 1,200 registered bidders filled the auction room for the two-day event, celebrating one of the nation’s most interesting automotive museums. The auction achieved $16.5 million in total sales with over 700 lots finding a new home, marking a fitting tribute to the legacy of Larry Klairmont. The auction drew collectors from across the United States and abroad. The highest selling price went to the legendary Golden Sahara II, which sold for $1.265 million.
- AHoF Induction. The Automotive Hall of Fame 2025 induction ceremony was held this week in Detroit. New inductees are: Dieter Zetsche, former Chairman of Daimler AG; Ayrton Senna, the celebrated three-time Formula 1 World Champion; Betty Skelton, a pioneering test driver and holder of multiple land speed records; and David E. Davis Jr., a renowned automotive journalist and founder of Automobile Magazine.
- RIP. Tom Matano, one of the Miata’s founding fathers, has passed. As Executive Designer and Director of Mazda North American Operations, Matano helped bring two important cars to life: the original Miata and the FD-chassis RX-7. He passed away September 20, 2025, at the age of 76, with the news just making the rounds. MORE HERE
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel