Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup March 2-8, 2025
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Here are Larry's top story picks from this past week's important to you, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive news nuggets.
Nutson's Auto News Wrapup, Week Of March 2-8, 2025
- New car sales. February new-vehicle sales likely totaled around 1.22 million, slightly below the Cox Automotive forecast of 1.25 million. The initial February SAAR (seasonally adjusted annual rate) is estimated at 16.0 million, higher than January and last February’s pace, but lower than the anticipated 16.3 million by Cox Automotive. Estimates show that fleet sales were weak in February, but retail sales held steady despite a drop in consumer confidence due to economic concerns. Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mazda, Subaru each posted higher U.S. sales last month behind gains for crossovers, hybrids and electric vehicles. Ford, Tesla and Toyota deliveries fell.
- Best resale. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) revealed its 2025 Best Resale Value Awards winners, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the first five years of ownership. Toyota claims the top spot for Best Resale Value: Brand, while Lexus continues to shine with Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand. Additionally, electric vehicles are making strong gains, with Rivian’s R1S joining the ranks of top performers. And, unique about this year’s list, is that all of KBB’s Top 10 vehicles are projected to retain around 53% or more of their MSRP after the first five years of ownership. Details: HERE
- Trump's Tariffs. Donald Trump’s introduction of his long-threatened 25 percent trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada has caused global stock markets to drop sharply, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all falling. The unease has already led to warnings that the U.S. could be heading for recession. As a result of Trump's tariffs, Irving Oil, a major refinery based in Saint John, NB, Canada, adjusted fuel prices on nearly all fuel heading for the US Northeast market to reflect the 10% tariff. Look for retail prices to react quickly in this market. ME, VT, CT, MA, RI could see prices for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel jump 20-40c/gal in the next week or two. New vehicle prices are expected to be increased. Here are the automakers and other companies that could be affected by the tariffs: HERE
- But then, this. A day after Mr. Trump imposed blanket 25 percent tariffs on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, the Trump administration said it would allow all carmakers to escape the tariffs imposed on all vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico for one month. And then on the following day, after the stock market took a dive, Trump said he will pull back some additional tariffs on Mexico, continuing a streak of moderating his recent trade actions that have disrupted the markets and strained relations with close allies. Details: HERE
- Teslas for sale. Buyer’s remorse sinks in for Elon Musk’s EV-owning critics. The backlash against the electric vehicle company has intensified as the billionaire ally of President Trump exerts his power over the federal government. Read it: HERE
- Tesla owners get creative. Tesla owners are finding creative ways to distance themselves from Elon Musk. They are now removing Tesla logos from their vehicles, replacing them with badging from other automakers, and even using projections on a Cybertruck in one case. HERE
- Power outage and EVs. Automotive journalist and EV-expert John Voelcker writes: It's apparently a primal fear of EV-curious car shoppers: What do I do if the power goes out and I can't recharge? As always, the reality is less dire and has some nuance. John explains: HERE
- Driverless speed record. A Maserati MC20 Coupe equipped with self-driving software from Politecnico di Milano set a land speed record for autonomous vehicles, reaching 197.7 mph at the Kennedy Space Center. The effort, in collaboration with the Indy Autonomous Challenge, aims to stress-test algorithms and improve safety for autonomous road vehicles. Full story: HERE
- VW & Audi recall. Volkswagen is recalling 60,490 U.S. vehicles due to a failure to display the gear position that may result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not engaged, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall affects certain 2021-2023 VW ID.4, 2022-2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron, and Q4 e-Tron Sportback vehicles, the auto safety regulator said.
- GarageMahals. When a regular garage just isn’t big enough to stash all their cars, boats, snowmobiles, RVs or even quilting gear and golf simulators, some people turn to luxury storage spaces where they can be close to their toys with all the comforts of home. Some enjoy a "garage condo" at a site-specific auto storage complex. Others build large buildings on their property next to their home, sometimes to the displeasure of neighbors. The spin: HERE
- The I.C.E. St. Moritz 2025. It's a cultural and lifestyle automotive event, held in a truly unconventional venue. Every year, when the lake at St. Moritz freezes over and turns into a white canvas for limitless imagination, cars become a new reason to get together and enjoy this alternative winter season experience. For one weekend, the famous Engadine resort is transformed into an open-air playground to the delight of collectors, car lovers, design and lifestyle enthusiasts. See more: HERE
- Ridler Award winner. At the 2025 Detroit Autorama a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad was crowned the latest Ridler Award winner. Dubbed “Gray Madder,” this custom ’55 Chevy bested seven other would-be winners and gave owners Tom and Christy Bresnahan and their son Josh some serious trophy case hardware. See it all: HERE
- Legge to make NASCAR Cup debut. Katherine Legge will become the first woman in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018 when the veteran makes her debut Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Legge will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports. She becomes the first woman since Patrick made her final Cup Series start in the Daytona 500 seven years ago. Legge, who’s a 44-year-old native of England, has five career starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. She most recently raced in NASCAR at Road America in 2023. She ran the ARCA race last month at Daytona International Speedway. Legge has raced in multiple series over the years, including seven IndyCar Series starts last season. She has four career starts in the Indianapolis 500 and in 2023 set a record for fastest qualifying time by a woman. “Entering the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true,” said Legge, who’s one of nine women to have raced in the Indy 500. She has four career victories in sports car racing and has participated in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Legge has also competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
- Cadillac F1 green light. Cadillac’s Formula 1 team received official approval Friday to join the grid in 2026, opening the door for a new era of Detroit manufacturer involvement in the world’s premier open-wheel motorsport. More. HERE
- RIP. Bob Sharp, an American former racing driver and owner of Bob Sharp Racing, died on February 28. Sharp was one week shy of turning 86. Bob was the father of Scott Sharp, an American professional racing driver, who is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing League. Between 1967 and 1975, Bob Sharp won the Sports Car Club of America national championships six times, (in B-Sedan, F-Production and C-Production) and the IMSA GTU title, racing for Datsun, whose cars he also sold.
- RIP. Gene Winfield, legendary mid-60s American automotive customizer and fabricator, has died. Reports from a couple weeks ago shared he was under care for cancer. Winfield is widely known for his work in the motion picture industry, designing vehicles for movies like Blade Runner, Batman, Star Trek, and Mission Impossible. Winfield was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1927. His family moved to Modesto in 1929 where he grew up.
- Yes, spring ahead. Daylight savings time 2025 has arrived. It's that time of the year to dig out your car owner's manual to figure out how to reset the clock.
Stay safe. Be Well.