Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 30, 2026

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Here are Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week of August 23-30, 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 30, 2026

* Trade War. A trade war between the U.S. and Canada, including tariffs on steel, aluminum, and potentially vehicles, is creating economic uncertainty for the auto industry. Industry experts warn that tariffs could lead to higher vehicle prices for consumers, plant closures, and job losses in both countries. While Detroit automakers have remained quiet, Honda has indicated it may have to raise prices if a new trade deal is not reached. Data shows that Honda and Toyota are more reliant on Canadian manufacturing for their U.S. sales compared to Ford, GM, and Stellantis. LEARN MORE HERE.

* Consumers Slide Toward Sedans. Consumers are boosting sales of cars as they look for affordable rides, reports Carfax. The price of used cars held mostly flat in August, except for two categories that showed a marked increase in price: Cars, namely sedans, coupes, convertibles and wagons, and luxury Cars. The average price of a used car on Carfax is about 20% less expensive than the average price of a used SUV on our site, or nearly $5,000. LEARN MORE HERE.

* Volvo PHEV with more electric range. Motor1 reports Volvo wants future PHEVs to offer more electric range, with the VC70 already delivering up to 124 miles in China. Motor1's Take: A PHEV with 100-plus miles of electric range is a very different proposition from the short-range plug-ins we've seen for years. For drivers who aren't ready to give up gasoline completely, a long-range PHEV could offer much of the day-to-day experience of an EV without the need to worry about charging on longer trips. TACH editor's Take: In the US, there are examples of BEV drivers whose vehicle lease is about to expire, and they are replacing that vehicle with a PHEV. These drivers already have an L2 charger in their garage and can drive on all-electric in the city and drive on gas for long trips, with no concern for finding a charger along the way. MORE HERE.

* Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers. Summer is a popular time for teens to get driver’s licenses and teen auto accidents cost us around $40.7 billion per year, so the personal-finance company WalletHub released its report on the Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers in 2026, as well as expert commentary, to identify where teens can enjoy this rite of passage while remaining as safe as possible. WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 23 key metrics. The data set ranges from the number of teen driver fatalities to the average cost of car repairs to the presence of impaired-driving laws. SEE YOUR STATE HERE.

* Microcars. ...are lightweight vehicles for economical urban commuting. They're underpowered, noisy and sometimes smoky, and it helps if you're good with a wrench. But "the struggle is what makes it fun," one enthusiast said. Enjoy the story here.

* FML, IDGAF, STFU. It's not what you might think! The new 2027 Chrysler Pacifica marketing campaign, "Acronyms," playfully redefines commonly used shorthand references to communicate the newly designed Pacifica's key features in humorous, relatable scenarios, giving each a distinct family-friendly and Pacifica-focused interpretation. Each acronym in the campaign showcases a functional benefit in an entertaining, relatable way, reinforcing how the Pacifica helps provide solutions to everyday needs. IYKYK.

* New Ford public retail store. Ford is opening a public retail store and exhibit space at its new World Headquarters in Dearborn. The store will sell Ford-branded merchandise, including items from collaborations with brands like Carhartt and Filson. Adjacent to the store, immersive exhibits will showcase Ford's heritage, racing history, and early electric vehicle efforts. More from The Detroit Free Press here.

* EU BEV sales. Battery electric vehicle registrations in Europe continued to rise in July, with electric cars accounting ​for more than one in four new vehicles ‌sold as strong growth in France and Germany offset weaker demand in some other markets. Battery electric vehicle, or BEV, ​registrations across 16 key European markets rose 13.6% ​year-on-year to 224,266 vehicles in July, giving fully electric cars â??? a 25.7% market share, data from E-Mobility Europe, ​New Automotive and Fier Automotive showed. Nearly 1.5 million BEVs ​have been registered across Europe so far this year, up 30% from the same period in 2025, highlighting continued momentum in ​the region's transition electric mobility.

* Dodge recall. Stellantis NA is recalling about 74,578 vehicles in the United States because of an issue with their rear spoilers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects certain 2021-23 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler, which is attached to the back of a vehicle to help manage airflow, may not be properly aligned with the roof, according to the recall notice. The misalignment could cause the spoiler to become damaged when the liftgate is used, increasing the risk that it could detach and fall onto the road.

* Kia recall. Kia is recalling 21,290 units of 2025–2026 EV9 SUVs because an improperly routed Occupant Detection Sysstem (ODS) mat and bladder tube may fail to deactivate the front passenger airbag when a child or child safety seat is present. The front passenger seat sensor tube may be damaged or misrouted, increasing injury risks for children in a crash.

* Lucid recall. Lucid is recalling 27,185 of its flagship Air luxury sedans in the U.S., because "an exterior lighting circuit could overheat and increase the risk of a fire," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Lucid has released "an over-the-air software update to fix the issue and has already determined that 20,719 vehicles have received the update," the NHTSA added.

* IndyCar. American driver Kyle Kirkwood, driving for Andretti Global, won the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The free, two-day event marked the first-ever NTT IndyCar Series race held on the streets of the nation's capital. The 1.7-mile temporary street circuit snaked directly around the National Mall, showcasing backdrops like the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, and several Smithsonian museums.

* RIP. The drag-racing community is mourning the loss of Christopher "Block" Gordon, a familiar face to fans of Street Outlaws: Fastest in America and a respected racer from South Carolina. Gordon was involved in a fatal racing crash Saturday night, August 22, at KD Motorsports Park in South Webster, Ohio. KD Motorsports Park confirmed that a serious accident had occurred during the event and initially asked the racing community to keep the driver and his family in their thoughts and prayers while details were withheld. Gordon became known nationally as the leader of Team South Carolina on Street Outlaws: Fastest in America, where he represented his home state against teams from across the country. His race car, the 1979 Ford Fairmont "Mayhem," became recognizable to fans of the series.

* RIP. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame mourns the passing of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer James Nelson "J.N." Roberts and extends its condolences to his friends and family. He was 84 years old. Roberts was a dominant desert racer during the 1960s and 1970s, capturing a quartet of Barstow-to-Vegas victories, in addition to a win in the motorcycle division of the 1967 Mexican 1000 alongside fellow AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith. Roberts also competed for Team USA in the FIM International Six Days Trial in 1971 and 1972. In addition to his racing success, Roberts appeared in On Any Sunday, the 1971 film that inspired generations of motorcyclists, and Dust to Glory in 2005.

Stay safe. Be Well.

Kind regards,

Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
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