Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup July 2-8, 2026
 |
The Auto Channel — Trusted automotive reporting for 31 years.
This article is part of The Auto Channel’s independent automotive coverage library — one of the longest-running automotive publications online (since 1995). Our editors test, research, and document vehicles, technologies, recalls, and ownership experiences to help drivers make informed decisions.
Unlike short news blurbs, our content is written for long-term usefulness — explaining what the vehicle is, why it matters, and how it affects real owners.
Coverage includes reviews, specifications, safety data, recall history, industry context, and real-world driving impressions collected over decades of reporting.
 |
The full version of today’s News Nuggets — along with hundreds of thousands of additional articles, reviews, and editorial insights — can be found in The Auto Channel’s Million-Page Automotive Library, built and indexed over three decades. To dive deeper, simply copy any headline and paste it into this or any Site Search box on The Auto Channel.
 |
LEARN MORE FROM THE WEB'S LONGEST RUNNING AUTOMOTIVE COLUMN
Here are Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week of August 2-8 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.
Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 2-8 2026
* July new vehicle sales. Total U.S. new-car sales for July 2026 reached an estimated 1.42 million units, achieving a 16.9 million unit Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR). This represents the strongest sales pace of 2026, fueled by a significant surge in hybrid demand and increased dealer incentive spending. New-vehicle retail-only transactions grew to 1,193,500 units, a 0.9% increase compared to July 2025. The hybrid market share reached a commanding 15.9%. This growth was driven by consumers seeking relief from elevated gasoline prices. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) comprised 7.0% of total sales.
* New vehicle customer wants. Automotive market research and consulting firm, AutoPacific, announced results from its recently released 2026 Future Vehicle Planner, finding seating, safety and driver assistance features topping the list of features wanted by new vehicle shoppers. The study, now in its 5th year, surveys over 19,000 licensed drivers who intend to acquire a new vehicle within the next three years, about the features and technologies they want to have in that vehicle. Over 160 features are surveyed, in addition to collecting vehicle considerations and intentions, as well as thoughts on vehicles and technology, Chinese brand vehicles, autonomous driving technology, EVs and more. In case you are wondering, heated seats are on top. Learn more HERE
* Affordability rises in importance. New research released from Kelley Blue Book finds that affordability continues to rise in importance and reshape how consumers shop for new vehicles, with hybrid and SUV consideration reaching record highs in the first half of 2026. Based on approximately 12,000 annual shopper interviews, the latest Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found: Hybrid consideration reached a new high, with 22% of shoppers considering a hybrid vehicle, while EV consideration edged down slightly year over year. SUV consideration hit record levels across both luxury and non-luxury segments, even as affordability remains a top concern for buyers. Kia and Subaru were the only non-luxury brands to gain shopper consideration, while Audi was the only Top 10 luxury brand to improve year over year. The findings suggest shoppers aren’t necessarily looking for the lowest-priced vehicle. Instead, they’re prioritizing models that offer the right balance of affordability, fuel efficiency and everyday practicality. More on this HERE
* Gas prices. The AAA National Average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is around $4.10. Current AAA Price TrendsPrices at the pump have faced upward pressure due to geopolitical instability affecting crude oil markets. The National Average is holding relatively steady over the last week but remains nearly $1.00 higher than this time last year.
* New Ford Fathom. What's in a name? The Ford Fathom is Ford's newly announced, budget-friendly all-electric pickup truck. Officially unveiled on August 6, 2026, the compact-to-midsize EV truck is highly anticipated as Ford's "Model T moment" aimed at making electric vehicles affordable for the mainstream market. Price starts at $28,350 MSRP ($29,945 with the $1,595 destination fee included). Pre-orders open in early 2027, with official customer deliveries starting in fall 2027. Standard rear-wheel drive (single permanent-magnet motor); an all-wheel-drive dual-motor variant will be available. See the Fathom HERE
* Lambo fast lap. Ahead of its world premiere on 14 August at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, the new Lamborghini Revuelto SV set the fastest lap ever recorded by a production car at the Hockenheimring. Lamborghini factory driver and test driver Marco Mapelli set the lap time of 1:41.6, in the new super sports car from Sant’Agata Bolognese.
* BMW motorcycle recall. BMW is recalling S 1000 RR models from 2020 to 2026 because of a risk of the ignition lock failing. The recall affects 16,736 motorcycles in the U.S., with notices expected to be mailed out to owners in mid-September. According to recall documentation released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, strong vibrations may interrupt the electric contacts within the ignition lock. This may result in a loss of ignition, causing the engine to stall and turn off the TFT screen, rear lighting, turn signals, and electronic rider aids.
*Ram recall. Stellantis NA is recalling just over 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks worldwide over a seat belt issue. The recall covers 2019–2026 Ram 1500 vehicles that may have been built with a second-row center or second-row driver side seat belt buckle anchor that was not properly attached to the vehicle body structure. The issue could impact the performance of the second-row seat belt system and increase the risk of injury to occupants.
* Ford recall. Ford is recalling 47,587 pickups. Specifically, 2021-2023 Ford F-150 (24,408 units) and the 2023-2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty (23,179 units). These specific vehicles are equipped with the Sync infotainment system with the eight-inch display; other versions of the pickup have 12-inch infotainment displays but are not affected by the same issue. In the recall report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford says that a software error could cause the image from the rearview camera to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when selecting reverse.
* RIP. Larry Crane, who led the design department at Automobile magazine during its heyday, died on August 4. He arrived at the magazine from Road & Track in the late 1980s. He was the third art director in the first three years and stabilized the art department. More on Larry HERE
* RIP. Mark Takahashi, a prominent Los Angeles-based automotive journalist and long-time juror for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) program, passed away in mid-July 2026. Tributes from colleagues and friends in the automotive industry poured out noting his decades-long career traveling the world, evaluating cars, and connecting people.
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel
f: Chicago Car Guy