A look at 2025: Where 5 major auto manufacturing projects stand
The automotive industry’s road to electrification has led to some of the largest construction projects in recent memory. In 2022, consumer preferences coupled with a regulatory push for a greener future saw many automakers pour billions of dollars into building factories dedicated to manufacturing electric vehicles. But slowing EV demand and a new Trump administration, pose the question: Are these projects on track, or have automakers been forced to pivot?
GM confident it can mitigate tariffs
If tariffs proposed by the Trump administration materialize and directly impact the automotive industry, General Motors believes its experience dealing with past crises will help it find solutions, CFO Paul Jacobson said Wednesday. “We can’t be surprised where we are today,” Jacobson said at an investor conference. Throughout the campaign, President Donald Trump indicated a priority was to address the U.S. trade deficit. Since taking office, he has announced tariffs on imports from select countries, as well as on raw materials including aluminum and steel, and now a 25% duty on automotive imports.
Nissan weighing production shift to mitigate tariffs
Building more vehicles in Japan and fewer in Mexico is just one strategy being considered by Nissan Motor Corp. to mitigate higher duties on products entering the U.S., president and CEO Makoto Uchida said on an earnings call with analysts on Feb. 13. However, Uchida’s comments preceded remarks made by President Donald Trump on Feb. 14 who indicated a new tariff on automotive imports was coming in early April. Trump said during a press conference on Tuesday that tariffs on automotive imports as well as on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals would be around 25%.
Edmunds highlights the top car-tech trends from CES 2025
Ready to buy a new car? Well, you might want to wait because there are some cool and compelling models coming soon to a showroom near you. They range from a retro-themed performance sedan with a traditional gasoline engine to a rugged off-road SUV powered by electricity. There’s even a pickup truck that offers a gas engine and electric propulsion simultaneously, which could be a game changer. Edmunds’ editors highlight what they think will be the most interesting vehicles for car shoppers coming out later this year.
Honda posts positive US sales growth in Q3, but global declines impact profit
American Honda Motor Co. reported sales revenue growth of 8.9% to 1.63 trillion yen ($10.7 billion) on brisk vehicle sales in the U.S. for the first nine months of fiscal year ending March 31, the automaker announced in its earnings report Feb. 13. The automaker reported sales of 1,271,000 vehicles in the U.S. during the nine month period, a 13.3% year-over-year increase of 60,000 units.
Trump says auto tariffs are coming April 2
President Donald Trump said he is planning to enact automotive tariffs “around April 2,” in response to a reporter’s question on Friday. Trump did not expand on which countries would be impacted nor how much the tariffs would be. The comments, which were captured in a Bloomberg video, came as he was signing an unrelated executive order. Trump said he initially slated the tariff to go into effect April 1, or April Fools’ Day, but decided to delay the plan since he is a “little superstitious.”
Fleet customers can now purchase Rivian’s electric vans
Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive has opened orders for its commercial vans to small and large fleets in the U.S., the company announced in a press release Feb. 10. The two electric vans dubbed the “Delivery 500” and “Delivery 700” have a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,500 lbs and are equipped with a FWD electric powertrain that delivers an estimated driving range of around 160 miles. By working closely with Amazon since 2019 on the development of custom-built delivery vans, Rivian has gained knowledge about the features and functions and durability requirements of commercial electric fleet vehicles. The pilot with Amazon has now paved the way to open sales further, according to the release.
Samsung SDI recalls high-voltage batteries installed in 180K vehicles
Battery supplier Samsung SDI has recalled up to 180,196 high-voltage hybrid vehicle battery packs for internal cell failures, which can lead to a loss of drive power and increased risk of fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The suspect cells were manufactured at various points between July 1, 2020, and March 28, 2023 and were installed in battery pack modules supplied to Ford Motor Co., FCA US and Volkswagen Group’s luxury brand Audi for their plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Honda, Nissan officially end merger talks
Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have officially closed the door on a potential merger, though they will continue to work together on a strategic partnership that includes AI and electric vehicles, the companies announced on Feb. 13. The two companies on Wednesday agreed to terminate the memorandum of understanding they signed on Dec. 23, 2024, and discontinue “the discussion and consideration of the Business Integration.” Honda and Nissan also terminated a similar agreement that would also have included Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in the combination. Mitsubishi also verified in a statement that discussions between the parties had ended.
New York loans Revel $60M to expand NYC public EV charging
New York’s clean energy investment fund will provide a $60 million loan to Revel, the largest provider of public electric vehicle fast-charging in New York City, to more than triple the size of its public network in the city. The loan will be provided by NY Green Bank, a division of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and is the bank’s first charging infrastructure transaction. The deal comes at a time when the federal government is halting its support for EV charging and plans for a nationwide network.