In the auto industry, lawsuits usually go one way. Automakers are often the defendants in cases involving recalls, warranty disputes, or franchise disagreements. This time, the script is flipped. According to a report from ABC Affiliate KCRG off of Iowa, Stellantis has filed a lawsuit accusing an Iowa dealership of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme tied to vehicle inventory financing.

The complaint was filed by Stellantis Financial Services against Sky Auto Mall and its owners Igor, Yelena, and Alex Tovstanovsky. The dealership operates locations in Newhall and Center Point. According to the lawsuit, the dealership allegedly secured duplicate loans on the same vehicles, leaving the lender claiming more than $12.3 million in losses.

At the center of the case is a practice known in dealership finance as “double flooring.” Dealers commonly rely on floorplan financing to stock their lots, borrowing money to purchase vehicles and repaying those loans once the cars are sold.

Stellantis claims Sky Auto Mall used that system to obtain financing for inventory but then took out additional loans on the same vehicles through other lenders, including Ford Motor Company. The lawsuit alleges vehicles were moved between the dealership’s two locations to conceal the duplicate loans, while some cars were sold without repaying the associated financing, leaving roughly $1.4 million in proceeds unreturned.

The lawsuit also alleges the dealership kept two sets of financial records, one reflecting the duplicate loans and another designed to conceal them from lenders. Stellantis claims the dealership’s principals later acknowledged misleading the finance company after the alleged scheme was uncovered.

In total, the automaker says the dealership owes about $12.3 million, not including interest or fees. In a separate filing, Stellantis is also seeking permission from the court to seize vehicles, parts, and equipment tied to the financing agreement, which court documents say could exceed $20 million in value.

Shutterstock

The lawsuit comes at a time when the traditional dealership model is already facing pressure from new car-buying trends. Online purchasing platforms have increasingly streamlined the process, allowing buyers to complete much of the transaction digitally rather than negotiating in person at a dealership.

At the same time, consumer sentiment about the buying experience is evolving. Recent industry surveys show buyer satisfaction reaching a 16-year high, even as vehicle prices remain elevated. This comes despite dealership reputations of persistent frustrations with in-person dealership interactions, including lengthy negotiations and confusing pricing structures.

Automakers are responding by exploring new sales channels. General Motors, for example, has launched a used-car marketplace to compete with online retailers such as Carvana. As digital retailing reshapes the industry, disputes like the Stellantis lawsuit add another layer of tension to a dealership system already undergoing significant change.

Getty Images

A relentless winter storm is actively punishing the Pacific Northwest, bringing life-threatening conditions to the Washington Cascades starting Tuesday, March 10. The National Weather Service has issued comprehensive winter storm warnings for elevations above 3500 feet, in effect through Friday, March 13. Early accumulations are hovering around 8 to 14 inches, but meteorologists warn that persistent bands of moisture could push totals to a staggering 4 feet by the end of the work week. Commuters and commercial drivers on Interstate 90 and Highway 2 will encounter near-zero visibility. Heavy snowfall combined with 55 mph localized gusts is creating whiteout conditions, making it nearly impossible to navigate Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass safely.

As the system moves inland throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, the primary hazard shifts from heavy snow to destructive winds. The Northern Rockies, particularly sections of Montana and Wyoming, are currently under high wind warnings. An intense pressure gradient is funneling air across the terrain, generating violent crosswinds that can reach 80 mph. These are equivalent to Category 1 hurricane wind speeds. If you are behind the wheel of a commercial semi truck, a lifted SUV, or any vehicle towing a trailer, you are at an extreme risk of a lateral blow over. The force of these gusts is more than enough to shove a heavy vehicle out of its lane or tip it entirely on exposed highway bridges.

Getty Images

Further south, travelers navigating the Colorado Rockies are facing a messy, treacherous commute from March 10 through Thursday, March 12. The highly trafficked Interstate 70 corridor is squarely in the crosshairs of this sprawling weather system. Forecasts indicate that 6 to 15 inches of dense, heavy snow will accumulate from the foothills up to the high mountain passes. The Eisenhower Tunnel, a notorious bottleneck during winter storms, is expected to see at least a foot of fresh powder. The Colorado Department of Transportation is actively enforcing strict chain-and-traction laws. Vehicles without adequate snow tires or Four Wheel Drive will struggle to maintain grip on the steep, slushy inclines.

When traveling through remote western highways during a severe weather event like the one hitting this week, self-reliance is your best defense. Response times for tow trucks and emergency services can stretch into hours when roads are impassable. Every driver should carry a dedicated winter emergency kit in their trunk. Essential items include high-quality tire chains that fit your specific tire size, a sturdy snow shovel, and a bag of sand or non-clumping kitty litter to help regain traction on ice. You also need to pack for personal survival. Bring heavy wool blankets, extra layers of warm clothing, waterproof gloves, a high-lumen flashlight with extra batteries, and enough non-perishable food and bottled water to sustain you and your passengers for at least 24 hours.

Extreme cold and heavy precipitation drastically alter how your car behaves on the road. Freezing temperatures cause the air inside your tires to contract, leading to a significant drop in tire pressure. Underinflated tires have a smaller contact patch with the road, which drastically reduces your grip on icy surfaces and increases your braking distance. Cold weather also places a massive strain on your battery. A battery that performs perfectly in warm weather may lack the cold-cranking amps needed to start a frozen engine. Furthermore, engine oil thickens at subzero temperatures, slowing its circulation and reducing its ability to protect vital engine components during startup. Always allow your vehicle a few extra minutes to warm up, and ensure your windshield washer fluid is rated for deep-freeze conditions so it does not crack your reservoir or freeze on the glass.

A 715-hp V12 luxury SUV capable of doing 0-60 mph in a little over 3 seconds is hardly in need of a performance upgrade, is it?

Mind you, when the said SUV wears the Ferrari badge, you might as well call it a standard model. That's because Maranello is said to be working on a performance version of the Purosangue, according to Bloomberg.

The news agency cites people familiar with the matter as saying that the performance Purosangue will provide a fresh look and upgraded performance for Ferrari’s super sports utility vehicle more than three years after its introduction.

According to the unnamed sources, the souped-up Ferrari Purosangue will carry on with the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, although it's not clear if there will be a bump in power. Production is expected to begin as early as next fall in Maranello as part of Ferrari’s broader 2026 rollout.

It is believed that the performance Purosangue will get handling upgrades that will further set it apart from the regular version. Expect something in the vein of the Assetto Fiorano package offered on the SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB that combines chassis tuning, weight-saving components and other upgrades to improve handling. Ferrari told Bloomberg it does not provide comments on future models.

The fact that the Purosangue will stick with an internal combustion engine is a sign that Ferrari sees strong demand for high-performance ICE powertrains even as it continue its hybrid and electric strategy.

Does the Purosangue really need a performance variant? Not really, but in bringing one to market, Ferrari will shoot two birds with one stone: it will refresh one of its most important models while also adding a premium pricing tier without significantly increasing production.

As the first production Ferrari with four doors and four seats, the Purosangue has been pivotal in expanding the brand's customer base beyond traditional two-door sports cars. Priced from around $520,000, the Ferrari utility vehicle, as the company calls it, has contributed to higher average selling prices and a rich product mix since it debuted in September 2022.

Ferrari produced nearly 14,000 cars last year, but it could have made more had it not capped volumes to maintain exclusivity. The automaker previously said it intended to keep Purosangue output at around 20% of total annual production.

Rivals for the Ferrari Purosangue include performance-oriented SUVs like the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus as well as luxury-focused models like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has said the company plans to launch an average of four new models per year between 2026 and 2030, including with internal combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains.

Supercars usually live easy, pampered lives. One or two careful owners, low mileage, and a garage that’s cleaner than most kitchens. This Lamborghini Huracán didn’t get that treatment. YouTuber Rob Ferretti, who runs the exotic rental company Gotham Dream Cars, bought a 2019 Huracán Spyder and immediately put it to work in his fleet. Over the next five years, hundreds of customers drove the $260,000 V10-powered convertible, piling on 53,000 miles of launches, New York/Las Vegas city traffic, and first-time supercar excitement. When the time came to sell it, Ferretti filmed a full walkaround to show exactly what that kind of life does to a Lamborghini, potentially a useful guide to show what 50,000 miles of real, untampered mileage looks like.

superspeedersRob/YouTube

Visually, the front end took most of the punishment. The front bumper has several gravel chip marks and scratches from making contact with asphalt every now and then. The wheels are fine, but that's because they've been restored a few times to cover some minor curb rash. Inside, the floor mats and the driver's seat were the only items that appeared worn. Not surprising, because even passengers climb into it to experience what it’s like behind the wheel of a Lambo. In Ferretti’s fairly well-informed opinion, the overall condition sits somewhere around a six out of ten. Given the mileage and the sheer number of hands that touched it, that's actually a decent score.

A rental Lamborghini lives a much more stressful life than a privately owned car. Most of those 53,000 miles were probably short blasts of enthusiasm as opposed to Sunday cruises. The repeated cold starts, aggressive launches, and inexperienced drivers that are typical of a rental fleet will generally cut down on a car's life expectancy.

superspeedersRob/YouTube

But here’s the surprising part. Despite five years of rental duty, the Huracán never needed major repairs. According to Ferretti, the car required nothing beyond routine maintenance: regular oil changes and two complete brake jobs. Apparently, the dual-clutch transmission still shifts cleanly, the steering remains tight, and the 5.2-liter V10 pulls just as violently as it did when new. The only point to note was a slightly squeaky retractable convertible top. For a car that spent its life being driven by strangers, many of them experiencing a Lamborghini for the first time, that level of durability is genuinely impressive.

superspeedersRob/YouTube

Exotic cars are often assumed to be fragile, but modern Lamborghinis share more engineering DNA with Audi than many people realize, and the Huracán’s durability in this case backs that up. In a strange way, the rental life may have helped the car. Because the Huracán was part of a business fleet, it was maintained on schedule and repaired immediately when something broke — something many privately owned supercars can’t always claim.

Red-light cameras have been used for decades, though they are typically installed at busy or high-risk intersections. In Florida, their use is authorized under the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, which legalized red-light cameras despite calls from some groups to abolish them. Now, however, that system could be one step closer to facing legal scrutiny after a judge dismissed a red-light camera ticket, arguing that the law may be unconstitutional.

As it stands, registered owners are held liable for red-light violations, particularly if they cannot prove that someone else was driving. According to CBS12, Judge Steven P. DeLuca argued that the government should be responsible for proving who was driving at the time of the violation, rather than placing that burden on the vehicle owner.

Joel Mumford, attorney with The Ticket Clinic, said, “The state or the agencies that issue the tickets, it's their burden to prove all the elements of the crime beyond and to the extent of each and every reasonable doubt. And the first element, which should be, who's driving the car.”

If the registered owner was not driving, Florida law requires an affidavit identifying another driver.

DeLuca noted that the law is considered “quasi-criminal,” meaning that although it is technically civil, it carries consequences similar to criminal cases, including monetary penalties, a formal finding of guilt, and potential impacts on a driver’s record. As such, a higher standard of proof should apply.

For now, the ruling applies only to the specific case in Broward County. In Boynton Beach alone, 15 red-light camera systems operate across seven intersections. However, legal experts believe the ruling could have statewide implications if a higher court upholds it — something some drivers may welcome, particularly those who want red-light cameras abolished. One driver who paid a $158 ticket said, “I think they need to outlaw it and get rid of it.”

On the other hand, the removal of red-light cameras could face opposition from road safety advocates. Red-light cameras are credited with helping reduce fatal crashes at intersections. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says the cameras aid enforcement, especially since police officers cannot be present at every intersection.

Looking ahead, AI could expand the role of automated enforcement even further. With police officers unable to monitor every intersection, AI-powered traffic cameras are already being deployed to detect multiple violations automatically, with some systems operating in places like Dallas. If these technologies can more accurately identify drivers, they may help address some of the legal concerns raised in cases like the recent Florida ruling.

Getty Images

If you're planning on driving anywhere in northern Michigan, the Midwest, or the Pacific Northwest over the next few days, read this before getting behind the wheel. A serious early-March storm system is spreading across the country, and it's the kind that catches drivers off guard with conditions changing faster than most people expect.

The system is bringing a mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, severe thunderstorms, and flash flooding across several regions, all of which can create dangerous driving conditions. Here's what’s happening and what it means for your car.

Photo by Annie Smurova on Unsplash

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Marquette County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, running from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon (March 10–11). Depending on location, that means 4 to 9 inches of snow, with higher elevations around Marquette likely seeing the worst of it.

Freezing rain and sleet are also moving through the broader Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, and ice accumulations of nearly a third of an inch are possible between Alpena and Tawas City. That’s the kind of ice that coats roads before you can see it and makes braking in a straight line difficult even in a well-equipped vehicle.

Wednesday’s morning and evening commutes are expected to be particularly hazardous. If you can delay travel, it may be the safer option.

Another part of this system is pushing through the Midwest and central Plains in the form of severe thunderstorms rather than snow.

Two zones are worth watching. One stretches from the Great Lakes into the Missouri Valley, where conditions could produce tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. The other covers western Texas and parts of the southern Plains, where storms could organize into a fast-moving line capable of producing very large hail and intense straight-line winds.

Flash flooding is also a real risk, especially where storms repeatedly hit the same areas. Flooded roads remain one of the most dangerous and underestimated hazards for drivers: even a foot of moving water can sweep a car off the road.

A new atmospheric river is arriving mid-week, bringing heavy rain to lower elevations and feet of snow in the mountains. The Cascades and Olympic Mountains are expected to see the worst of it, with strong winds reducing visibility to near zero in some mountain passes. Anyone planning to drive through mountain highways in Washington or Oregon should check road conditions before leaving and prepare for rapidly changing weather.

Photo by Venrick Azcueta on Unsplash

These aren't conditions where slowing down slightly is enough. On snow and ice, make sure to increase your following distance significantly. Braking distances on packed snow or ice can be up to ten times longer than on dry road. Smooth, gradual steering, braking, and acceleration are critical for maintaining control.

Freezing rain can be even trickier because roads often look wet rather than icy. Black ice is hardest to detect at night and commonly forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas where surfaces stay colder.

When it comes to flooded roads, there is one simple rule: do not drive through them. Even shallow moving water can push a vehicle off course. High winds also create hazards, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans. Strong gusts can push vehicles across lanes, particularly on open highways.

If you're driving through any of the affected areas, it’s worth taking a few minutes to prepare a basic emergency kit. Recommended items include:

• Flashlight
• Phone charger or power bank
• Blanket or extra layer
• Water and snacks
• Ice scraper and small shovel
• Jumper cables or jump starter
• First-aid kit
• Sand or cat litter for traction
  

Most of these items are inexpensive and can make a major difference if you become stranded. This storm system is moving quickly and affecting a wide area. Check forecasts before leaving, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for conditions to change rapidly.

The Volkswagen Group today released fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, and two things stand out more than anything. The operating profit has plunged 53.5% to €8.9 billion ($10.35 billion) compared to 2024, the lowest level since 2016 when the Dieselgate scandal was in full swing.

Europe’s largest carmaker said U.S. tariffs, intense competition from China, and high restructuring costs from the realignment of its EV strategy (especially Porsche's) are the main causes for the sharp profit decline.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

While the profit drop is massive, there’s another number that shocks even more. The company announced plans to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 across all brands, including Audi and Porsche. In a letter to shareholders, VW Group CEO Oliver Blume said the cuts are necessary to ensure sustainable growth and profitability.

“In total, around 50,000 jobs are due to be cut by 2030 across the Volkswagen Group in Germany,” Blume said. “As a result of collective bargaining agreements and downsizing measures, we managed to achieve cost savings of around €1 billion in fiscal year 2025 as planned. We are on course to meet our goal of achieving net annual cost savings of more than €6 billion across the Group by 2030," he added.

The automaker had already agreed with unions to cut more than 35,000 jobs in Germany “in a socially responsible manner” by 2030, estimating savings of around €15 billion ($17.5 billion) from this. The new announcement adds 15,000 job cuts on top of the original plan.

While Volkswagen expects a recovery in 2026, its finance chief noted that it must focus on significantly cutting costs. Arno Antlitz warned that the automaker’s profit margin of 4.6% is “not sufficient in the long run,” noting that further cost-cutting is needed.

"We can only realize this if we continue to rigorously reduce costs, leverage Group synergies, reduce complexity and thus sustainably increase profitability. That is what we will focus on in the coming months,” he said.

James Ochoa

Volkswagen in particular and German carmakers in general have been hit by a decline in demand for their cars in China, where VW Group deliveries dropped 6% in 2025. On top of that, Chinese carmakers have increased their market share in Europe to a record 11% last year, heating up competition for sales.

Another big headache has been U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on car imports, which has made life very difficult for German carmakers in the USA; VW Group deliveries in North America dropped 12% in 2025.

This will have a direct consequence on VW Group’s longstanding goal of reaching 10% market share in the United States. According to CEO Oliver Blume, that target has now “moved further into the future” due to geopolitical headwinds, Automotive News reports. The automaker currently has a 4% market share in the country.

The Porsche Carrera GT remains one of Stuttgart’s most iconic creations, known for its screaming V10, raw character, and infamous reputation among drivers. In recent years, many companies have tried to bring classic Porsches into the modern day. Builders like Singer, Theon Design, and Zeigler Bailey have all made unique creations in the restomod world. Yet, most of them reimagine old 911s, and few manage to do it quite like Canepa. At the 2026 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance weekend, the California specialist unveiled its first Carrera GT alongside a Barbie-spec 959.

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa built its reputation on restoring rare automotive icons and subtly improving them without compromising their heritage – exactly what they did with this Carrera GT. The GT SC began with a full restoration, followed by a series of tasteful upgrades. The most prevalent change is the Liquid Metal Green paint finish, a color never offered on the original Carrera GT. Color-matched air intakes and engine design keep it classy, while black headlight bezels, exhaust surrounds, and wheel center locks give it a modern touch. Carbon fiber roll hoops and matte carbon detailing in the engine bay make it look like a modern supercar. Inside, the layout remains familiar, but the cabin now features cream leather paired with Alcantara for a more bespoke atmosphere. Thankfully, one of the Carrera GT’s defining features remains untouched: the iconic high-mounted wooden gear lever.

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

The original Carrera GT's naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10 makes 603 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque, and remains at the heart of the car. Canepa hasn't commented on whether any powertrain upgrades were made, but no one would complain if they kept the 8,400-rpm redline V10 as is. They did, however, focus on improving drivability. A revised KW suspension system with an integrated lift kit should improve handling, especially considering Carrera GTs were recalled in 2023 due to premature wear on suspension components. Furthermore, Canepa added a new, more durable clutch alongside an upgraded exhaust system.

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

Canepa

The Carrera GT SC wasn’t the only Porsche making headlines during the Amelia weekend. Canepa also revealed an upgraded Porsche 959 SC finished in bold Rubystone Red with a white interior and white wheels. Its twin-turbocharged flat-six now produces a staggering 850 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, nearly doubling the output of the original car. Impressive as that may be, the Carrera GT SC stole our hearts. The original car is already regarded as one of Porsche’s greatest creations ever, leaving little room for improvement without committing sacrilege. Instead of making the Carrera GT even wilder, Canepa embraced its chivalrous nature. The Liquid Metal Green example revealed at Amelia serves as chassis #01, and a second build is already underway.

Technically, spring is already upon us—meteorological spring began on March 1, with astronomical spring beginning on March 20—and automakers are rushing to get the last of their winter testing programs completed. This has given the Autoblog spy photographers a chance to get a fresh look at the upcoming 2027 Range Rover Sport ahead of its debut in late 2026 or early 2027. The prototype they've captured in northern Sweden shows that there will be several cosmetic changes to the performance SUV, both at the front and at the rear of the vehicle, and as with the regular Range Rover, this is long overdue. Let's take a closer look.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Our photographers managed to snap stationary images of the new RRS, but the engineer driving it ensured that the interior was fully covered, so pictures of the cabin would be pointless. That's okay, because there's plenty to talk about on the exterior, and this secrecy tells us to expect meaningful changes inside. At the front, tacked-on cladding attempts to hide a revised front end with larger, more aggressive intakes. As with the abovementioned Range Rover, this cladding has been designed to mimic the existing design of the SUV, which indicates substantial changes to the front fascia. This includes the headlights, which are expected to look sleeker. Changes are also coming to the rear, and these are more noticeable despite the camouflage.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

While the overall shape of the vehicle is not changing and the roof spoiler seems no different from that on the current vehicle, the lower rear fascia is notable in that the tailpipe finishers have changed, now featuring a tapered, triangular shape; the current V8 Range Rover Sport has a rhombus shape for its finishers, while lesser inline-six models have a rectangular design. The most significant change is to the taillights, which are likely to gain fresh DRL graphics, and between them, the RANGE ROVER script is reportedly expected to become illuminated. In a world where a full-width taillight bar is a familiar styling trope, automakers are relying on illumination to ensure their particular products are still identifiable at night.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

This Range Rover Sport is expected to arrive for the 2027 model year with the same 4.4-liter BMW-based V8 at the top of the range, as well as similar six-cylinders to today's offerings, but JLR intends to take things further with a new Range Rover Sport SV. Like the Range Rover Sport in these images, its styling will evolve considerably, with spy shots captured late last year revealing a new, centrally-mounted dual exhaust finisher, not dissimilar to the look of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Expect this to produce at least 626 horsepower to match the current vehicle, if not more. A reveal of both Range Rover Sport variants is still some way off, and in the meantime, JLR continues to release expensive special editions of the current SUV, like the new SV Winter Dusk.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Between 2020 and 2026, Ford issued recalls touching just about every vehicle it sells, and the company says it did that deliberately. The F-150, Bronco, Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, Mustang Mach-E, Transit, and more have all shown up on recall lists at one point or another, with problems covering a pretty wide range. From rearview cameras going blank, cracked fuel injectors that pose fire risks, and electrical faults that can knock out trailer brake lights mid-tow, there was a little of everything. If it wore a blue oval badge, chances are it got a notice in the last five years. The one exception was the Ford GT, the halo mid-engine sports car that was already being discontinued after 2022.

Ford Motor Company

In 2025, Ford issued more than 150 recalls in a single calendar year, which works out to nearly double the previous all-time record of 77 that General Motors set back in 2014. Which means, Ford didn't just beat the record; it almost doubled it. For anyone who owns a Ford or has been thinking about buying one, that kind of headline tends to stick around for a while, and it's hard to blame people for wondering what exactly is going on inside those Michigan factories.

Ford

Ford's explanation is that the numbers look bad but actually tell a different story. The company says it has more than doubled its team of safety and technical experts over the past two years, pushed much harder on testing critical systems to failure before problems reach customers, and made a conscious decision to pull vehicles early rather than wait for real-world incidents to force their hand. Whether you find that convincing probably depends on how much benefit of the doubt you're willing to extend to the company that just set a record no automaker has ever come close to before.