- Honda slipped a "consider a hybrid" pitch into July statements to Prologue EV owners — awkward because the Prologue is being discontinued.
- The automaker will end Prologue production after 2026 and will have no fully electric models in its US lineup for 2027 as it pivots toward hybrids.
- Many Prologue owners said they felt frustrated or betrayed and are now eyeing other EV brands, part of a broader industry pullback on some electric plans.
Latest stories in Automotive.
- The Senate Commerce Committee is set to weigh bipartisan legislation to cement a U.S. ban on Chinese automakers, driven largely by national security concerns about vehicle data and connectivity.
- The bill would bar sales by automakers more than 15% owned by Chinese entities — a threshold that could snag Mercedes‑Benz and is still under debate.
- Automakers are reacting: GM and Ford plan to shift some China-made models to U.S. production, Geely‑backed Polestar may be forced out of the U.S. market in 2027, and Waymo is rethinking partnerships with Chinese manufacturers.
- Christian Lundgaard says he was surprised to be told he won’t return to Arrow McLaren despite two wins — he’s widely expected to be a top candidate for Scott Dixon’s vacated Chip Ganassi seat.
- IndyCar’s driver market is wide open for 2027 (10 drivers unsigned); Rinus VeeKay looks to be the most in-demand, while young drivers like Nolan Siegel are scrambling for solid rides amid funding and team shakeups.
- NASCAR is changing Daytona’s aero package — rear spoiler cut from 7" to 4" and horsepower trimmed to about 465 — to encourage more independent passing (and there’ll be no practice beforehand).
- Chinese-brand car sales in Mexico jumped nearly 30% in H1 to 137,525 units, giving them about 17% of the market (up from under 1% in 2020).
- That rise came despite a 50% tariff introduced in January — Mexican officials say imports actually fell because Chinese makers front‑loaded shipments and have been absorbing higher costs.
- The boom is stoking U.S.-Mexico trade tensions, with worries Mexico could become a springboard for Chinese automakers into the U.S. market.
- David Malukas suffered a heavy crash in INDYCAR practice at Nashville and was taken to a hospital for checks — he was awake, alert and reportedly in good spirits.
- The impact destroyed the rear of his car, so Team Penske has pulled out a backup chassis to try to keep him in the weekend.
- His qualifying and race status are still undecided; INDYCAR rules permit a substitute driver to qualify, but that driver must run a practice session before the race.
- U.S. refiners are posting record profits as Middle East tensions boost foreign demand for American fuel, lifting export volumes.
- Gasoline and diesel stocks are unusually low (gasoline at its lowest seasonal level since 2012), pushing national pump prices up—about $3.95/gal on average and as high as $4.56 in May.
- Tight diesel supplies and refiners prioritizing diesel/jet fuel over gasoline are squeezing farmers and summer drivers, and analysts warn prices could rise further before refiners shift back.
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