Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup May 3-9, 2026

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Here are Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week of May 3-9, 2026: Larry picked these as important, relevant, interesting and sometimes semi-secret stories you need to know—served up as 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.

* Gas prices climb. The price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA, hitting the wallets of drivers after rising 50% since the war with Iran began. Prices climbed by over 30 cents per gallon in a single week in early May, reaching a 50%+ increase, according to AAA. Learn why here. HERE

* April new car sales. U.S. sales fell for the second consecutive month in April at Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Hyundai and Kia, part of a broader market slide driven by tariffs, the loss of federal electric vehicle tax credits and mounting affordability pressures. New vehicle sales in the U.S. for April 2026 reached an estimated 1.36 million units, representing a year-over-year decline of approximately 6.5% to 7.1%. The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) for the month settled at 15.9 million to 16.0 million units, falling from the 17.1 million pace recorded in April 2025.

* More on the tariff game. President Donald Trump said he was raising tariffs on cars and trucks from the EU to 25 percent, claiming that the bloc had failed to fully comply with a trade agreement negotiated with the U.S. However, the EU says they are taking steps necessary for implementing the agreement. US and EU trade representatives are meeting on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting. Stay tuned.

* US needs more affordable cars. A Chicago Tribune editorial continues the hue and cry for more affordable automobiles in the US. New cars priced below $20,000 are non-existent. The cheapest compact SUV is at least $30,000. The Tribune compare to $18,000 cars in Australia. HERE

* Best Compact SUV for 2026. Cars.com brought together eight popular compact SUVs to see which one is best. All of the contenders had all-wheel drive and were priced at roughly $45,000 or less. The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo won their eight-SUV comparison test. The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 saw the highest real-world gas mileage in their road-trip fuel-economy test. The Kia Sportage Hybrid won their value scoring thanks to plenty of upscale comfort and convenience features for the money. Details are HERE

* Negative is the word. Former Wall Street Journal automotive writer Joe White shares on his High Speed Rodeo substack automotive forecasting expert Warren Browne’s latest, exclusive Vehicle Performance Tracker highlighting the word “negative” for the U.S. auto sector’s near term outlook. Here’s the latest from Warren: Executive Summary—Vehicle Performance Tracker. Trump Administration’s Goal: “We will bring our auto-making to the record levels of 37 years ago, and we’ll be able to do it very quickly through tariffs and other smart use of certain things that we have that other countries don’t” Q1-2026 Performance: Negative. Progress has been slow and cumbersome. At this point, achievement of their lofty production goal can be classified as a failure. Moderate benefits promised on “Liberation Day” remain elusive. The Trump administration has recognized the plan isn’t working and continues to float trial balloons that will further disrupt the business:...

* Speeders use phones more. Contrary to popular belief, drivers are more likely to use their phones while speeding. Excluding time spent stopped at intersections, mired in traffic and driving small neighborhood streets, the amount that drivers handled their phones increased the more they exceeded the speed limit, a IIHS nationwide analysis of cellphone data showed. Learn more HERE

* Leave the driving to no one. Self-driving taxis are expanding across U.S. cities, with Morgan Stanley estimating half the American population will have access within three years. Uber has shifted its strategy to partner with robotaxi providers like Waymo and Zoox, signing deals to buy tens of thousands of EVs. Autonomous rides in the U.S. are projected to rise from 15 million in 2025 to 36 million this year, reaching nearly 750 million by 2030. Get on board with more info HERE

* Who gets the ticket? California will soon begin ticketing driverless cars for traffic violations. Assembly Bill 1777 allows police to issue citations to robotaxis and hold driverless car companies accountable. The measure lays out how robotaxis and other driverless vehicles can be penalized for speeding, illegal turns, rolling through stop signs, and the same range of infractions human drivers face. More HERE

* Ford recall. Ford is recalling over 179,000 vehicles due to a front seat issue that can increase the risk of injury in a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall impacts 117,443 Ford Bronco SUVs with model years 2024 through 2026, and 62,255 Ford Ranger pickup trucks with model years 2024 through 2026. The affected vehicles are equipped with front seat height-adjust pivot link bolts that may loosen or dislodge from the pivot joint.

* Mercedes-Benz recall. Mercedes-Benz is recalling 144,049 vehicles in the U.S. for instrument panel display that may go blank while driving. The campaign covers 2024-2026 model-year C-Class, ​E-Class, SL, CLE, GLC, and AMG GT. The control unit software must be updated by dealers to remedy the issue.

* Harley-Davidson recall. Harley-Davidson has issued a recall on nine different models, including Softails, Trikes, and Touring bikes, because their airbox breathing ports may be blocked. The recall covers a total of 88,039 motorcycles and three-wheelers, but Harley-Davidson estimates only 0.4% of them may suffer from this issue. Models years affected include 2024, 2025 and 2026.

* Popemobiles. Papal transportation has evolved from horse-drawn carriages and ceremonial "sedan chairs" (sedia gestatoria) to a diverse fleet of motorized vehicles known colloquially as Popemobiles. While Mercedes-Benz has been the primary supplier for nearly a century, the fleet now includes everything from armored trucks to modest hatchbacks and high-tech electric vehicles. More on the Pope's wheels HERE

* US Post Office Route 66 Stamps. The Postal Service commemorated the centennial of Route 66 with the release of a set of eight stamps, each showing a site from the states through which the roadway runs. The Route 66 stamps are issued in a pane of 16. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. Get your kicks here. HERE

* F1 and V8s. F1 drivers, including Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, have criticized the hybrid V-6 powertrain for its complexity and safety concerns, preferring V-8 engines. GM's CEO Mary Barra has showcased the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series 1, highlighting GM's commitment to internal combustion and electric vehicles. International Automobile Federation President Mohammed Ben ‌Sulayem says the switch to V-8s will happen by 2031 at the latest, possibly in 2030. Sulayem shared early targets for the V8's size, power, and gas/electric energy split as he confirmed F1's plan to drop the hybrid V6: “It will happen.” Read more here from The Drive HERE

* RIP. Kyle Loftis, the founder of 1320video, has passed away. Loftis was one of multiple drag-racing enthusiasts who contributed to the website and its various social media channels. More HERE

Stay safe. Be Well.

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

Chicago Car Guy