Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup April 12-18, 2026

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* EV Comeback. Elevated gas prices, fueled by the Iran war, are prompting increased consumer interest in electric vehicles. New electric vehicle sales remain depressed after federal tax credits ended, but used EV sales jumped 12% in the first quarter. The average U.S. gas price is about $4.06 a gallon, with full oil-flow restoration through the Strait of Hormuz a big question. Something to think about. Read it HERE

* Used car prices climb. New CARFAX data shows used car prices are climbing sharply after hitting their lowest point in the past year. The average price of a used vehicle is now about $25,500 — up roughly $1,500 in just one month. Both vehicle prices and fuel costs are shifting consumer interest toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. Carfax lists the states where the best value vehicles can be found. Read it HERE

* No tax-refund splurge. New data from Cox Automotive and Hertz shows that most Americans buying cars aren’t splurging—they're stretched and this has implications for dealers navigating today’s affordability ceiling. The data points to a notable divergence in auto retail: even with 8.5% higher IRS refunds this year, new-car ownership still isn’t attainable. Shoppers are not using the money to upgrade, they’re buying strictly out of necessity. Here’s what’s trending in the data from Cox and Hertz: 93% of shoppers using refunds toward a vehicle already planned to buy — suggesting no discretionary bump from refund season. 52% cite necessity as the main driver of purchase decisions. Shoppers expect to spend under $40K, well below the $50K+ average new‑car price, according to Kelley Blue Book, setting up widespread sticker shock. “Near-new” vehicles, those about a year old, are gaining traction as a market-priced workaround to high new‑vehicle costs. 

* Car buying on Amazon. Amazon expanded its Amazon Autos car sales service to include Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Chevrolet, and Jeep. The program, launched in late 2024, allows customers to browse and purchase a car from nearby participating dealerships. Dealers pay a fee to list cars on Amazon, but shoppers don’t incur additional costs if they pull the trigger. Have a look HERE  

* Pothole Alerts. Waymo has announced it will be working with the navigation app Waze to turn its autonomous fleet of vehicles into a rolling network of road inspectors, launching a pilot program aimed at helping cities identify and fix potholes more quickly. The program will first roll out in five regions where Waymo already operates: the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. Across those areas, the company says it has already identified roughly 500 potholes. For Waze users in those areas, drivers will receive alerts as they approach potholes, similar to other hazard notifications in the app, like accidents, road construction, or even speed traps. Read more from Autoweek HERE

* Ride-share troubles. Rising gas prices are reducing earnings for gig drivers, who are declining longer fares and considering other occupations. Uber and Lyft have begun offering discounts for drivers to help offset gas prices, including expanded savings and rewards when using Uber and Lyft debit cards. The number of people collecting income from ride-hailing or delivery-gig driving climbed from fewer than 300,000 in 2014 to five million in 2023, according to a study by economists. More on this HERE

* It's not happening. In Minnesota, a controversial bill (HF 3865) introduced during the 2025–2026 legislative session sparked widespread concern because it proposed stricter limitations on when vehicles with collector car license plates could be driven. However, as of April 2026, lawmakers have chosen not to move forward with the bill, meaning no changes will be made to current laws this year. Existing Minnesota law remains in effect. Vehicles with collector-class plates are restricted from "general transportation" (like daily commuting) but can be used for exhibitions, club activities, and maintenance. BTW, classic cars registered with standard plates instead of collector plates have no driving restrictions and can be used at any time for any purpose.

* Gasoline theft. There's a newly popular way to steal gas: just drilling a hole. All the thief requires is a few minutes alone with a handheld electric drill and a gas can — or even some milk jugs. Read about drilling-and-draining HERE

* Honda recall. American Honda is voluntarily recalling approximately 440,000 model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to reprogram or if necessary, replace the airbag (SRS ECU) module. Side curtain and side airbag deployment calibrations are too sensitive to underbody impacts. The issue could increase risk of a crash or injury due to unexpected deployment caused by potholes, speed bumps, or debris on the road,

* Honda motorcycle recall. Honda announced a recall for the CB1000 Hornet SP because of a risk of the fuel hose coming loose, which can result in a fuel leak. The recall affects 429 units in the U.S., and a stop sale notice has been issued on new and used models.

* BMW motorcycle recall. BMW is issuing a recall on all K 1600 models from 2017 to 2025 that are equipped with a reverse gear. The recall affects 9,160 K 1600 models, including the GT, GTL, B, and Grand America variants. According to recall documents released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the sealing of the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate over time, allowing humidity to enter the unit. Over time (particularly in humid climates), this may cause the internal electrical contacts to erode, causing the reverse function to fail. In some cases, this can cause the reverse gear control unit to overheat, enough to pose a potential fire risk.

* Ford recall. Ford is recalling up to 1.39 million F-150 pickups over the risk of unexpected downshifting that can lead to a loss of vehicle control. The recall affects certain 2015 to 2017 F-150 vehicles and focuses on a loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module that can cause the transmission to downshift into second gear.

* Italy's 1000 Miglia. The second edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience Italy ended at the Piazza Maria lmmacolata in Taranto, Italy. Cars crossed the finish line in the City of the Two Seas after three intense days of racing, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd that celebrated the passage of the 54 crews through the heart of Puglia. After covering over 630 kilometers entirely within the Puglia region, through iconic landscapes and technically demanding challenges, including 63 Time Trials and 6 Average Trials, it was Matteo Loiudice and Beatrice Mora who claimed victory in the classic cars category in their 1954 Porsche 356 Pre A. In the modern category, the winning crew was Gianluigi and Federico Smussi in a 2004 MG TF with 545 penalty points. Completing the podium for the classic cars were Girardi-Mastellini in a Porsche 356 Pre A in second place and Gessler-Gessler in a Lancia Fulvia Sport 1600 in third. As for the modern cars, Vergamini-Bertolucci took second place in a Ferrari SF90 Spider, followed by Macario-Di Costanzo, also in a Ferrari, but a 488 Pista. Winners are guaranteed entry to the big Mille Miglia held June 9-13 of this year, following the traditional “figure eight” route from Brescia to Rome and back.

* Performance Driving Guide. BFGoodrich Tires has released its first-ever Performance Driving Guide, offering enthusiasts driver education as well as advice on tire and vehicle setup from pro driver Ross Bentley and experts at BFGoodrich. The free guide offers valuable insights not only for racing enthusiasts, but also for everyday drivers. Learn more HERE

* New record at the Green Hell. After becoming the first car from an American brand to break the 7-minute barrier at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Mustang GTD shattered its own record with a new 6:40.835 lap time. With this achievement, Ford now claims the two fastest Nürburgring lap times of any American brand, including the Ford GT Mk IV. Watch it HERE

* Creative License. In Arthur Miller’s 1949 play "Death of a Salesman", Willy Loman drives a Studebaker in the present-day timeline of the play, which is the car he uses to travel and eventually dies in. He frequently reminisces about his beloved 1928 red Chevrolet, which symbolizes his happier, more successful past. Today's production of the play, now running on Broadway in NYC, uses a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu on the stage set. However, on the cover of the Playbill there appears the image of a 1966 Ford Galaxie. The play is wonderful! Go see it. HERE

* RIP. Drag racing legend Kenny Hirata died April 13. He was 98. He was a member of the National Hot Rod Association, and began drag racing on the streets in Ohio before entering into sanctioned drag racing. He won both the 1963 and ’65 U.S. Nationals and the 1966 Bakersfield Fuel and Gas Championship.  He was well known as an accomplished engine builder and tuner. More about Kenny HERE

Stay safe. Be Well.

Kind regards
Larry Nutson,
the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel