Automakers like GM and Ford are absorbing up to $5 billion and $3 billion respectively in tariff-related costs.

Despite this, MSRPs have remained relatively flat—up less than 1% between March and August, per Edmunds.

Some costs are being quietly passed along via fees like delivery, which jumped 8.5% to $1,507.

Analysts expect prices to gradually increase as tariffs stick, with focus shifting to more profitable models.

Hyundai’s Randy Parker: “Our priority remains ensuring that we're competitive through affordability.”

Testing of Waymo’s all-electric, self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles begins in the coming months.

Lyft will manage fleet services via its Flexdrive subsidiary, including maintenance and depot operations.

Riders will first access vehicles through the Waymo app, with Lyft integration to follow.

The deal mirrors Waymo’s arrangement with Uber but gives users more choice in how to hail rides.“We’re excited to partner with Lyft again to bring our Waymo Driver to more people,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo.

PacSun’s “Youth Report” found 42% of Gen Z consumers rank mental health as their top life priority.

Lululemon’s research showed 89% of those with “wellbeing burnout” cite loneliness, and many feel overwhelmed by mixed wellness advice.

L.L.Bean and Mental Health America found 79% of respondents say outdoor time improves mental health.

Dunnhumby data showed Gen Z prioritizes mental health more than any other generation.

“We have a unique opportunity to engage...to help them prioritize mental health,” said American Eagle’s Jennifer Foyle.

EV registrations jumped 27% for legacy brands like Chevrolet and Honda, far outpacing the overall 6% EV market growth and pushing EV share to 8.9% of the light-vehicle market.

Tesla saw a 13% YoY drop in registrations, while Rivian dipped 6% and VinFast slid 17%.

Chevrolet more than doubled its EV registrations, while Volkswagen posted a 127% increase

Honda’s Prologue EV offered nearly $13,000 per unit in incentives, helping it to a 102% rise, while Audi tripled its numbers thanks to strong Q4 e-tron performance.

“The current surge in EV sales is being driven by product innovation, motivated dealers and an urgency ahead of the IRA tax credit phaseout,” said Cox Automotive’s Stephanie Valdez Streaty.

Toyota’s ChargeMinder app uses over a dozen behavioral interventions to encourage charging, including personalized reminders and gamified streaks.

It boosted U.S. user satisfaction by 16 percentage points and increased off-peak charging in Japan by 59%, though U.S. charging frequency only rose 10%.

The app uses vehicle telematics and location data to deliver nudges and educational quizzes that make charging habits stick.

Toyota says this low-cost strategy can rival expensive infrastructure or incentive programs in moving consumer behavior.

Dr. Laura Libby, Manager, Carbon Neutrality, Human Centered AI, Toyota Research Institute: “Small, targeted interventions can have a large impact on people’s decisions and actions.”

Morris uses AI to ask targeted questions when kicking off key searches, saying the results often align closely with candidates already under consideration.

Walmart has already piloted an AI Interview Coach and is launching a custom version of OpenAI’s Certification Program through Walmart Academy.

Morris also uses AI in daily life—from diagnosing her father’s skin bruises to finding art replicas and restaurant recs—crediting it with making research faster and more accessible.

“Now, the access to information is phenomenal,” she said. “I think it's a real adva

Fairhurst Automotive, backed by the Ellenae Fairhurst Entrepreneurial Trust, acquired and rebranded the South Richmond CDJR store.

Ellenae Fairhurst was the first Black woman to own Infiniti and Lexus stores in the US and her trust, formed in 2024, funds and mentors first-time Black dealers with a path to majority ownership and wealth creation.

New co-owners Ken Banks and Chris Justice navigated regulatory hurdles and surprise costs, including a $50,000 business license and $40,000 in IT upgrades.

Adviser Stuart McCallum and the team at Biltmore Automotive guided the operators through everything from DMS installation to state licensing.

“They took two people who knew nothing about ownership… and just walked us through it,” said co-owner Chris Justice.

CarEdge launched its AI Negotiator app in July; over 2,000 customers have already paid to try it.

Users set a target price, and the AI contacts dealers directly via email and text — without revealing it’s not a human.

The system tracks 150+ data points per interaction, building a database of doc fees and add-ons nationwide.

Founder Zach Shefska says dealers and OEMs are already taking notice, calling CarEdge “the tip of the spear.”

“There’s still going to be people that walk up to the dealership [to negotiate], but there’s a percentage of sales that can happen without the incumbent cost infrastructure, and everyone can win. That’s what I’m passionate about,” Shefska said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the framework during trade talks in Madrid; Trump and Xi are expected to discuss final details Friday.

The deal addresses U.S. demands for local control of user data and oversight of TikTok’s proprietary algorithm.

China insists it won’t compromise on principles or allow “politicization” of technology and trade.

Broader issues remain unresolved, including fentanyl chemical exports, sanctions on Chinese firms, and new U.S. export controls.

Centennial Awards went to GM’s Mary Barra and Hyundai’s Euisun Chung for transformational leadership.

Chung addressed the ICE worker raid, signaling cross-government cooperation: “I hope we can make together a better system for that.”

Barra emphasized EV commitment despite headwinds: “From an EV perspective, that is still our North Star.”

Industry insiders warned of China’s dominance—EV share grew from 6% to 50% in five years, while foreign brands lost half their market share.

Asbury CEO David Hult called fixed ops the “backbone” of the dealership, with aging vehicles and tech shifts fueling long-term growth saying he’s “really bullish on the next six to 10 years.”

Musk bought 2.57M shares on Friday, spending between $372 and $396 each.

Tesla shares jumped over 8% in premarket trading Monday, continuing a late-week rally.

Despite a 2% year-to-date dip, the stock is on pace for its third straight daily gain.

Investor concerns had grown over Musk’s political focus and waning EV demand.

Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm pushed back: “Elon is back front and center at the company.”

36% of Americans report “aisle anxiety,” triggered by too many options and crowded stores.

Shoppers spend an average of 4 minutes per item, with 71% trying to be more intentional.

Retailers like Trader Joe’s and Aldi combat “choice paralysis” by limiting SKUs per category.

Certifications matter: 40% research products for health, ethics, and sustainability—but many confuse terms like “natural” and “organic.”

“When consumers see a trusted certification, it’s like a shortcut to feeling good about their decision,” said Jamie Horst, Traditional Medicinals’ Chief Purpose Officer.

Founded in memory of Tom Cosenzi, the event supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the incredible work of Dr. Wen and his team.

Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers showed up in full force to continue the mission of giving back.

Carla Cosenzi on LinkedIn said “Dad, I hope you are proud of what has been built in your name… Together, we are making a difference.”

December 2024 saw a 110% year-over-year increase in dealership cyberattacks.

A March 2025 supply chain breach slipped malware into dealership website photos.

Criminals time attacks around holidays and off-hours, boosting ransom success.

Stolen passwords and remote access put payroll, banking, and OEM systems at risk.

Proton urges dealers to enforce MFA, deploy Managed Detection & Response, and train staff against phishing.

“Attacks are targeting dealerships every single day. How well those dealerships are protected makes a difference,” Proton warns.

The Equinox EV, dubbed “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV,” now leases for as low as $249/month.

Chevy is offering up to $3,000 in customer cash on the Equinox and up to $4,000 on the Silverado EV.

Costco members can save an additional $1,250 on top of existing offers.

Financing deals include 0% APR for 60 months or the $7,500 tax credit applied at the point of sale.

Senior Vice President and President, North America, Duncan Aldred: “We will almost certainly see a smaller EV market for a while, and we won’t overproduce. Still, we believe GM can continue to grow EV market share.”

The Goodyear Blimp “Wingfoot One” was in town for the 2025 Automotive News Congress in Detroit.

Goodyear and Automotive News are both celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year.

Rides were offered to Congress attendees from Willow Run Airport on Sept. 10. And on Sept. 11, the blimp soared over the city in honor of the industry event.

​​US EV sales hit another milestone in August pushing EVs to a record 9.9% share of new car sales. With tax credits ending this month, Q3 is on pace to be the strongest EV quarter in US history.

August EV sales hit 146,332, up from 9.1% share in July, while theverage EV price: $57,245 — up 3.1% from July, flat year-over-year.

Incentives averaged $9,000 per vehicle, equal to 16% of ATP.

Tesla’s market share fell to 38%, its lowest ever, as rivals surged.

Cox analyst Stephanie Valdez Streaty: “The one constant in the automotive business is that fresh product sells well. The market is now flooded with all-new, fresh EVs from mainstream competitors – consumers have more choice than ever.”

The Detroit Opera House, built in 1922, will host Fallon’s one-night show on September 15.

Ford is in its fifth year partnering with Fallon and NBC.

Fallon previously test-drove a Mustang GT with Jim Farley and filmed skits promoting the F-150 Lightning.

Ford-backed segments have included everything from a parody music video to puppies predicting the Kentucky Derby.

Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant will return to a three-shift schedule in Q1 2026.

The move follows a commitment made in 2023 Unifor negotiations, aiming to meet increased demand for Chrysler minivans and Dodge Chargers.

Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart calls it an “encouraging step” for members and the community.

Meanwhile, GM’s Oshawa plant will retain its third shift until January 30, 2026, delaying previously announced layoffs.

A spokesperson said the move was in response to short-term ”production needs" for light-duty pickups.

Unifor President Lana Payne sees the shift extensions as “a sign of life for a critical industry” under threat from U.S. tariffs: “Fighting back matters.”

The ICE raid at a Hyundai-linked battery plant in Georgia sparked outrage in South Korea, prompting emergency diplomatic talks.

The $350B fund, originally pitched to mirror a U.S.-Japan deal, is now in dispute over whether it includes direct investments or just loan guarantees.

South Korea insists it needs different terms due to the greater impact such capital would have on its economy.

A key auto trade component—lower tariffs on Korean-made vehicles—is still pending, and may be delayed if talks break down.

Kim Yong-beom, South Korea’s director of national policy said that while the auto tariffs are important, they're not worth rushing the fund to completion, either.

The document positions Tesla as a leader in building tools that "bring AI into the physical world."

The original "Master Plans" outlined clear goals: launch EVs, scale production, and push solar. Fewer than 200 words of Part IV reference Tesla's current or future products, with humanoid robot Optimus taking center stage.

The plan leans heavily into themes like "Growth is infinite" and "Innovation removes constraints" instead of product roadmaps.

Electric vehicles are only mentioned in the context of the past; the future is autonomy, labor automation, and AI computing.

Musk has said Tesla’s humanoid robots will account for “~80% of Tesla’s long-term value.”

The Oculus and Anduril founder lifted off in Carlsbad, CA after just 50 minutes of training.

Jetson One is a $128,000 single-seat eVTOL with 20-minute flight time and 63 mph top speed.

Luckey’s flight kicks off Jetson’s official global rollout; 2025 and 2026 models are already sold out.

Jetson’s CTO says their goal is to “move ground-based transportation up to the air.”

McKinsey currently employs 5,000–7,000 non-partners in North America and could grow that number by up to 20% in five years.

North America chair Eric Kutcher values younger workers' fluency in tech: “The 20-year-old econ major… is way more in tune.”

Kutcher emphasized that while AI may improve efficiency, it frees up teams to pursue growth initiatives — not layoffs.

Many CEOs aren’t excited by cost-cutting; they’re eager to redirect resources toward new opportunities, he noted.

“What we will work on will still require the same level of intellect… doing the things that you can't do with machines,” said Kutcher.

A Toyota-led consortium is piloting ethanol biofuel production in Okuma, the town devastated by the 2011 nuclear disaster.

They’re cultivating high-cellulose sorghum, which outperforms corn in poor soil and doesn’t compete with food crops.

This is part of Japan’s “multipathway” strategy — pushing hybrids, synthetic fuels, and biofuels alongside EVs.

The group, which includes Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Eneos, opened a $33M plant in November to convert the sorghum to E10 fuel.

“We want this movement to spread beyond Japan to the world,” said Toyota CTO Hiroki Nakajima while touring the fields in a straw hat.

Senate Bill 712, dubbed “Leno’s Law,” would have exempted pre-1981 cars with historic plates from smog checks.

The Assembly’s Appropriations Committee killed the bill without explanation, alongside 70 others on its “suspense file.”

Leno argued classic car smog checks are outdated, expensive, and hard to perform with modern equipment.

Environmental groups and air quality regulators opposed the bill, citing cost and pollution concerns.

“Sadly, today California said ‘no’ to helping preserve these rolling pieces of history,” said sponsor Sen. Shannon Grove.