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

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

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

* June vehicle prices. New-vehicle prices increased modestly in June, according to data released by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand. The average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle purchased in June increased less than 1% year over year to $49,758, as buyers continued to migrate to a mix of more affordable vehicles. Vehicle sales in June were healthy, with the seasonally adjusted average rate (SAAR) at 16.5 million, the highest point in 2026. Sales volume, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, was higher by 7.6% year over year. Sales of subcompact SUVs – ATP of $31,113 in June – increased by more than 23% year over year, helping hold down the industry-wide, sales-weighted ATP. Small/medium pickup truck sales jumped by 12.3%, while more expensive, full-size pickup sales increased only 2.5% year over year, below the industry average.

* Gas prices. US gas prices have rocketed higher during the on-again, off-again war with Iran. After a brief respite, the average price for gas has surged 15 cents in a week to $3.94 a gallon and appears headed north of $4 again. Diesel, which shows up in customers' shipping costs, topped $5 a gallon again for the first time in 3 weeks, according to AAA. It serves as a painful reminder of how the military conflict in the Persian Gulf has a direct effect on your wallet. See AAA HERE

* California EV incentive. Sales of electric vehicles are booming worldwide, but have plunged in the U.S. since the Trump administration eliminated a $7,500 federal rebate last year. California, whose residents buy about a third of EVs sold in the country, hopes to rectify that with a new incentive it’s about to launch. First-time buyers of new electric cars and light trucks priced up to $50,000 with a $3,500 rebate–half covered by those state funds, with automakers providing the other half. Learn more HERE

* EV charging anxiety continues. A recent survey by McKinsey & Company says interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is steadily rising, and the customer base of potential EV customers is broadening to include more mainstream buyers. EV adoption pathways increasingly differ by market. While range anxiety has decreased, charging infrastructure concerns and vehicle costs are still barriers to wider adoption. See the study HERE

* Meanwhile. Read this from the New York Times. "The American E.V. Has Been Crushed. Will It Take the U.S. Auto Industry With It? The largest U.S. automakers have backed away from electric vehicles, even as global sales are booming. The decision may make them obsolete. HERE

* In spite of auto tarrifs. Few automakers have announced plans to move production to the United States. Most automakers would rather pay tariffs than spend billions to build new facilities – and the product lines that are coming to the US are moving into existing factories. Forty-six percent of the cars purchased by US consumers last year were imported, according to Mobility Global, down only slightly from 47.7% in 2024. Some of that drop was because automakers wound down the sale of imported vehicles with lower price tags, such as the Nissan Versa. But there are too many costs and too much uncertainty for automakers to make widespread changes in their factory footprints. More on this HERE

* What? You want your tariff money back? A proposed class-action lawsuit was filed against Ford Motor Company in a Michigan federal court, demanding that the automaker pass a portion of its expected $1.3 billion federal tariff refund back to consumers. The legal battle stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down sweeping import tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While the federal government is issuing multi-billion dollar refunds to the corporate importers of record, a growing movement of consumer-led lawsuits is challenging corporations that plan to pocket the cash. Learn more HERE

* No gain from more speed. Speeding in your car to work, to pick up your children from school, or go from one errand to the next not only wastes money in gas and sends harmful emissions into the air, it barely saves you time, new research says. While drivers say that speeding saves them precious time, researchers found that is not really the case. With an average daily driving distance of 28.6 miles (46.03 kilometers), driving at or below the posted limit corresponds only to about 54 seconds longer per day. See the report HERE

* Slate Crayola colors. The Slate electric pickup is built with unpainted gray body panels. Slate is adding five new wrap colors straight out of the crayon box. This week, Slate announced five Crayola color wraps: Cerulean (blue), Fern (green), Jersey Tomato (orange), Dandelion (yellow), and Razzmatazz, a pinkish hue that may have just taken the prize for best car color name. The colors will be offered as what Slate calls “starter packs,” including the wrap itself, decals that replicate the details on Crayola crayon wrappers, a key fob cap, and a clip-on crayon tchotchke that can be stuck onto the windshield. Read more from The Drive HERE

* Autonomous vehicles can get tickets. Law-enforcement agencies are struggling to ticket and regulate autonomous taxis as the vehicles spread across the country. Police officers say autonomous vehicles struggle to navigate unpredictable situations like construction zones and emergency scenes. A new California law allows police officers to issue notices of noncompliance to autonomous vehicle manufacturers for moving violations. HERE

* Crackdown on loud vehicles. Michigan lawmakers have introduced House Bills 6151 and 6152 to strengthen enforcement against illegally loud vehicles and modified exhaust systems. If approved, the legislation would make it easier for police to enforce vehicle noise laws by removing the need for decibel readings, instead focusing on obvious illegal exhaust modifications. The bills would increase fines to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations. However, first-time offenders and drivers whose loud exhaust is caused by an unintended mechanical problem could avoid penalties by repairing their vehicle and providing proof to the court before their court date. The legislation has been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and must pass the Legislature and be signed by the governor before becoming law. Of note, many new high-performance vehicles emit excessively loud exhaust system noise when driven aggressively at full-throttle.  

* More on Flock's AI-enabled license plate readers. A couple weeks back we shared a news story on the push-back on license plate readers. Well, now there's more. A license plate lost by a dealership in California led to police ambushing an automotive writer who was test-driving a Range Rover in Minnesota. Automated license-plate readers mistakenly alerted officers in Plymouth, Minn., about the $155,000 Range Rover that "The Drive" journalist Joel Feder was driving on a weeklong loan from the automaker. Read Joel's story HERE

* BMW recall.  BMW of North America is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. The recall affects 29,119 vehicles.

* Ford recall. Ford Motor Company is recalling 288,314 of its 2016 to 2019 Ford Explorer vehicles due to a concern that could increase the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The NHTSA recall notice says that certain vehicles' roof rail covers may detach, resulting in a road hazard.

* Piston & Pace. A new, quarterly print magazine covering vintage sports cars and classic motorsports has arrived on the scene. Check it out HERE 

 * 2026 Hemmings Great Race. The 2026 edition of the Hemmings Great Race vintage car rally was a historic, nine-day vintage car time-speed-distance rally that ran from June 20 to June 28, 2026. The 2026 event was officially designated a Route 66 Centennial Event by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, celebrating the 100th anniversary of America's most iconic highway. Over 140 antique automobiles (ranging from 1911 to 1974 models) traveled more than 2,300 miles along historic Route 66. The start was in Springfield, Illinois. The finish in Pasadena, California. The rally featured 17 city stops across eight states, including Collinsville (IL), Joplin (MO), Claremore (OK), Amarillo (TX), Albuquerque (NM), Flagstaff (AZ), and Kingman (AZ). The event concluded at its grand finish banquet in California on June 28, 2026. Highlights and video clips of all participating cars can be viewed directly on the official Great Race video page.  HERE

* Dodge Nationwide Summer Tour.  Dodge is honoring its six decades of American muscle car prowess with a nationwide series of events, bringing the spirit of one of the most storied nameplates in automotive history directly to enthusiasts across the country. Dodge Charger 60th summer road trip rumbles from coast to coast, including the following stops: Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Two west coast events in conjunction with the Petersen Automotive Museum: Route 66 Centennial Parade and All-American Cruise-In featuring the Charger. MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge returns with Charger 60th anniversary-themed car show and street-legal drag racing with the current era SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack on iconic Woodward Avenue. Charger vehicles showcased in Dodge display at the famed Woodward Cruise. Cruise featuring Dodge Charger vehicles from Auburn Hills to Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals drag race in Martin, Michigan. More HERE

Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards, 

Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy, The Auto Channel