Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 9-15, 2026

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Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 9-15, 2026

* July new-vehicle prices. New data from Kelley Blue Book’s July Average Transaction Price (ATP) report shows new-vehicle prices climbed to their highest level of 2026, even as affordability-conscious consumers continued shifting toward lower-priced vehicles. The average price paid for a new vehicle reached $49,855 in July, up 1.9% year over year, at the same time, declining incentives and the arrival of higher-priced 2027 model-year vehicles are putting additional upward pressure on prices. Generally speaking, the sales mix is helping hold down industry average prices. Many high-volume segments, including subcompact SUVs, compact cars, and mid-size cars – segments priced well below industry average – saw year-over-year sales gains last month, while sales of full-size pickups, full-size SUVs and many luxury segments were comparatively softer. 

* Do premium cars actually offer more? The latest JD Power Automotive OEM Intelligence Report finds premium vehicles accounted for 13.3% of new-vehicle sales in the first half of 2026, down from 13.8% a year ago and the lowest premium share since 2020. According to a JD Power spokesperson, those owners aren't leaving the market. They're defecting to mainstream midsize and compact SUVs, and the buyers making the move skew younger, more rural and suburban, and below $250,000 in household income. The hard question for OEMs and dealers: when the less expensive alternative offers comparable screens, safety systems and comfort, what is the premium proposition actually selling? Learn HERE

* America’s Electric Honeymoon Is Over. Or, is it? Former electric-vehicle leasers are facing higher prices and fewer options following the expiration of a Biden-era $7,500 tax credit. Average monthly lease payments for electric vehicles rose to $707 as of June. In the first half of 2026, hybrids made up 22.1% of new cars sold in California, outpacing electric vehicles at 15.9%. Editor's comment: City-dweller EV owners might consider switching to a PHEV using their at-home L2 charger to drive all-electric in the city and drive on gas for road trips. More on this from the Wall Street Journal HERE

* Ford Mustang 4-door. Ford told dealers it intends to produce a four-door, gas-powered version of the Mustang for the first time. People familiar with the matter said the model could go on sale before the close of the decade and is expected to have hybrid power. The new version could broaden the model’s appeal as U.S. Mustang sales fell from more than 122,000 in 2015 to about 45,000 last year. Read what the Wall Street Journal has to say HERE

* Too-hot AMG seat emblems.  Motor1 reports two Mercedes-AMG owners say their cars branded them—literally. A new federal class action lawsuit filed in California claims a raised metallic AMG logo on the driver’s seat can heat up in the sun and burn bare skin, leaving marks shaped like the emblem itself. Get this hot HERE

* More on Flock license plate readers. Flock Safety, the police tech company that tracks Americans’ vehicle movements through a line of cameras, announced that it would implement several new safeguards to its products. This comes about over increasing privacy concerns and the recent matter of a Minnesota-based auto journalist being stopped by a team of police due to an error in data input. Read more on this HERE

* "Park outside" recalls on the rise. CARFAX tracks recalls, and in July, a large recall was issued with a “Park Outside” warning. More than 460,000 Kia SUVs were recalled. Now, according to updated Carfax data, more than 3.4 million vehicles in the U.S. today currently have such a recall pending. Get the details: HERE

* Toyota recall. Toyota is recalling certain Camry models affecting 508,000 vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years. Specifically,  LE, SE, and Nightshade Camry trims that are equipped with the seven-inch digital driver’s display are impacted. “The 7-inch combination meter may become blank at startup,” said the automaker. “This can also deactivate the turn signal and hazard lamps and certain warning buzzer sounds (such as the smart key reminder and the driver/passenger seat belt reminder). This can cause the vehicle not to meet certain federal safety standards. XLE and XSE trims use a larger 12.3-inch driver’s display and are not affected.

* Dodge and Alfa Romeo recall. Stellantis NA is recalling over 48,77 vehicles due to a seat belt issue that could cause drivers to suffer injuries. The recall affects Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles that were built with rear outboard seat belts that may become twisted, preventing them from retracting. Specifically, 40,386 2023 to 2025 Dodge Hornet vehicles and 8,391 2023 to 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles are included.

* Rivian recall. Rivian Automotive, LLC has determined that certain model year 2025-2026 Rivian R1S and R1T vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 - “Lamps, reflective devices, and assoc. equipment.” One or both front turn signal lamps may not illuminate and flash due to issues during manufacturing from a supplier. The recall affects 3,829 vehicles.

* Faulty backup cameras. Backup camera systems are one of the most error-prone features of modern automobiles. Recalls over faulty backup cameras have soared since the U.S. mandated the safety systems eight years ago. Automakers have recalled approximately 21 million vehicles in that span, including almost 6 million just last year, according to a Bloomberg analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. More on this here. HERE

* Detroit's Big Five autopaloozas. Henry Payne writing for the Detroit News reports, it’s August in Detroit and that means the volume gets turned up to 11 for the next two months featuring Detroit’s Big Five autopaloozas. The fun began Saturday August 8 in Pontiac, MI at M1 Concourse with the 11th annual Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge street drag racing followed by the Woodward Dream Cruise Aug. 15, the Sept. 12 Cars at the Station at Michigan Central, Detroit 4fest at Holly Oaks Off-Road Vehicle Park Sept. 18-19, and wrapping up back at M1 with the Oct. 2-4 American Speed Festival.

Stay safe. Be Well., Kind regards,

Larry Nutson,  the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel