Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup December 21-27, 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 Weekly Auto News Wrapup December 21-27, 2025
* Car payments are ever increasing. The average price of new cars and trucks in the U.S. has increased 33% since 2020, exceeding $50,000 this fall. Longer loan terms are becoming common, with a third of buyers in the third quarter taking loans of at least 72 months, up from 29% a year ago. Automakers such as Ford and Jeep are responding to affordability concerns by offering cheaper base models and lowering prices on some vehicles. Car payments now average more than $750 a month. More on this HERE
* Gas prices. Santa "still" delivering falling gas prices- national average down to $2.777/gal this week, lowest since March 5, 2021, according to GasBuddy data. The official average on Christmas was $2.779/gal, the lowest Christmas since 2020. Thank low oil prices amidst OPEC supply increases and healthy refinery output as well as seasonal trends.
* No electric power stops AVs. San Francisco had a power outage. Waymo AV driverless cars froze in traffic causing bedlam. Reports across social media of multiple Waymo vehicles stopped in intersections, blocking fire trucks in Chinatown, and creating general traffic chaos. Read the story HERE
* VW pulls the plug. Volkswagen is discontinuing exports of its ID. Buzz electric bus to the U.S. for the 2026 model year due to declining EV sales. VW had around 2,600 units of the Buzz available in the U.S. at the end of November, equivalent to over 200 days of sales. This might be temporary. The ID. Buzz will continue to be produced and offered in other markets. It could return to the U.S. as a 2027 model. Full story HERE
* But note this. VW's MOIA business unit will continue testing autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles in Los Angles in early 2026 and has plans to begin offering rides on the Uber platform in LA later in the year, according to a spokesperson. MOIA is a technology company of the Volkswagen Group and develops on-demand ridepooling services to redefine mobility for people in urban areas.
* About vanity license plates. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias recently unveiled some of the 550 or so vanity plate ideas that were rejected by his office. See what can't be had. HERE
* Trapped in a Tesla. Tesla was a pioneer of electrically controlled doors and flush handles, which have proliferated in the auto industry in recent years and have become a symbol of cool, futuristic car design. But when power is lost, Tesla’s doors lose function. Manual releases inside the company’s vehicles can be unmarked, hidden under mats or in door pockets, or available in only one row. Read what owners are doing HERE
* 2026 Brussels Motor Show. Stellantis plans to showcase 11 of its 14 brands during the 2026 Brussels Motor Show and unveil new vehicles and concepts. Highlights include the world premieres of the updated Vauxhall/Opel Astra and Peugeot 408, the debut of the Fiat Qubo L and the electric Citroën Elo concept. The event will also mark the first public appearance of Emanuele Cappellano, Stellantis' new chief operating officer for Enlarged Europe. The 102nd Brussels Motor Show runs from January 9 to 18, 2026. HERE
* More at Brussels. Hyundai is expected to launch its largest electric vehicle to date at the Brussels Motor Show next month. While the Ioniq 9 is already substantial, speculation suggests the new model could be an electric version of the Staria minivan, which is even longer. The vehicle will feature 800-volt charging and advanced electric technology, signaling Hyundai's continued commitment to expanding its EV portfolio regardless of regulatory changes in Europe.
* Detroit winners. Detroit Free Press 2026 car, truck & SUV of the Year winners have been revealed. The 2026 Detroit Free Press automotive awards spotlight a year of innovation, with the Dodge Charger/Charger Daytona, Ford Maverick Lobo, and Cadillac Optiq taking top honors as Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year respectively.
* Mercedes dieselgate. Mercedes-Benz Group AG will pay up to $150 million in a settlement reached with nearly every U.S. state over its use of “defeat devices” designed to cheat emissions tests in its diesel vehicles. It’s the latest in a decade-long scandal involving accusations that software “defeat devices” made diesel vehicles seem cleaner than they were. Full story HERE
This is our final weekly news wrap-up for 2025. Thanks for reading. Here's to a newsy 2026!
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel