Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup Septmber September7-14, 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.
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Larry's Automotive News Nuggets September 14, 2025
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Are EVs better for the environment?Electric vehicles in the United States produce fewer greenhouse gases than gas automobiles, even when factoring in battery-making emissions, limited range during bad weather and coal-fired power grids, according to a new analysis. The University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems study, published in an American Chemical Society journal, compared projected lifetime emissions of battery, hybrid and gas-powered vehicles from the 2025 model year. On average, gas-powered vehicles will produce 70% more greenhouse gases than EVs with 300-mile charging ranges. The data include emissions from battery and auto production, a roughly 200,000-mile vehicle lifespan and final recycling or other disposal of the vehicle. Data show EVs create less pollution than plug-in hybrids and other hybrids; plug-in hybrids are more environmentally friendly than other hybrids; hybrids create less pollution than gas-powered vehicles; and smaller vehicles of any powertrain are less emission-intensive than SUVs and pickups. Pickups, SUVs, sedans and other vehicles used for personal transportation make up roughly 16% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, according to the study, and individuals’ vehicle choices “will play a significant role” in reducing pollutans. This report comes from The Chicago Tribune.
- Prices are going up. New-vehicle prices moved higher in August as more model year 2026 vehicles hit dealer lots and automakers work to offset higher costs. According to estimates from Kelley Blue Book, price increases accelerated in August as both key measures – average transaction price (ATP) and manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) – increased month over month and year over year. Despite higher prices, retail sales in August climbed by 2.5% versus year-ago levels. The new-vehicle ATP was $49,077 in August, up 0.5% from July ($48,841) and higher year over year by 2.6% Incentives spending softened, falling to 7.2% of ATP in August from 7.3% in July. The initial estimate of the EV average transaction price in August was $57,245, up 3.1% from the revised lower EV ATP of $55,562 in July and mostly unchanged year over year.
- AAT Awards. America’s Automotive Trust celebrated a milestone Gala Weekend this past weekend at LeMay – America’s Car Museum, bringing together enthusiasts, industry leaders, and supporters from across the nation to honor the individuals whose passion and innovation have shaped automotive heritage. The centerpiece of the weekend was the presentation of its prestigious annual Trust Awards, honoring seven distinguished individuals for their excellence in racing, design, craftsmanship, collecting, and contributions to automotive heritage. The recipients of the 2025 Trust Awards include: Edward T. Welburn Automotive Designer Award Recipient: Ralph Gilles; Edward T. Welburn Automotive Designer Award Recipient: Wayne Cherry; Jay C. Ackley Master Craftsman Award Recipient: Travis LaVine; Hagerty Master Collector Award Recipient: Wayne Carini; America's Racing Legends Award Recipient: Bob Bondurant; America's Racing Legends Award Recipient: George Follmer; and, Nicola Bulgari Award Recipient: Keith Flickinger.
- IAA Munich.Reuters reports the Munich car show, formally known as IAA Mobility, is in full swing and has seen more Chinese automakers than ever show up to court Europe’s consumers while German automakers defend their home turf at a time when they face crises on several fronts. Continuing, Reuters says unlike two years ago when Chinese giant BYD rolled into town and launched six models for Europe while German automakers had nothing to show, this time around Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW all touted new products and sounded bullish about their prospects for regaining lost ground in China. There are also more new faces here (for Europeans, anyway) among the Chinese automakers in Munich – GAC, Changan, Aito, Hongqi – all vying for market share outside China where a long EV price war has been killing profits. They have been joined by Turkish EV maker Togg, which needs sales in Europe’s crowded car market because its home market is not big enough. IAA Munich ran from Sept 9 to 14.
- All about AMG.Slated for a Nov. 4 release, Matt DeLorenzo's latest book, Mercedes-AMG: Race-bred Performance, tells the story of how AMG, which stands for Aufrecht, Melcher and Aufrecht’s hometown of Großaspach, grew out of the pair’s desire to build race cars when the factory had all but given up on motorsports. The hardcover book with more than 300 images and a forward by racing legend Sam Posey, chronicles the early struggles of AMG after it was formed in 1967. It’s big breakthrough came in 1971 when it raced a 300 SEL with a 6.8-liter V8 in the 24 hours of Spa. The hulking luxury car, nicknamed the Red Pig, surprised all finishing second overall and first in class. Mercedes-AMG: Race-bred Performance can be ordered now at Amazon.
- Ford and Lincoln recall. Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 1.9 million vehicles worldwide due to a rear-view camera issue causing inverted, distorted, or blank image, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall covers various 2015 through 2019 model year Lincoln MKC and Navigator models and Ford Mustang, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Expedition, Edge, Transit, Transit Connect, Econoline and Ranger models.
- Rivian recall. Rivian is recalling about 24,400 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because of hands-free highway assist driving software that may incorrectly identify other vehicles, NHTSA said. The 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T are currently subject to a recall because of a software issue with their hands-free highway assist technology.
- Route 66 celebration ride. EAGLERIDERS announced a special 16-day tour celebrating 100 years of the iconic Route 66. The tour will be limited to just 66 riders making the 16-day journey from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. The 2,210 mile tour will take riders across 8 states, with stops at various attractions along the way, including a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the AAA Route 66 Road Fest. Route 66 turns 100, and exactly 66 riders get to mark this milestone by cruising proud down America's Mother Road departing June 23rd 2026.
- 200 NASCAR Toyota wins. With Denny Hamlin’s win at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Toyota has earned its 200th NASCAR Cup Series victory. Toyota first entered the NASCAR Cup Series beginning with the 2007 season and won its first race in March 2008 with Kyle Busch at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Joe Gibbs Racing is Toyota’s winningest organization, credited with 166 of the 200 NASCAR Cup Series victories.
- NHRA news Leah Pruett will return to driving for Tony Stewart Racing in 2026, piloting the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pruett stepped aside from racing in 2024 to start a family with husband Tony Stewart, who has been her replacement driver the past two seasons.
- More NHRA news. NHRA star Brittany Force has announced her retirement after the 2025 season to focus on starting a family. Aged 39, Force's storied drag racing career holds several highlights, including her most recent NHRA Top Fuel world speed record at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Known as the 'The Queen of Speed,' Force went 343.51 mph, breaking her previous record of 343.16 mph set in Sonoma in July. She is also the first to do 10 runs exceeding 340 mph since April this year. No driver has reached that speed ceiling before the 2025 season. Force boasts a staggering 18 wins, the highest in Top Fuel, equaling Shirley Muldowney's tally.
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel
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