Tesla delivered 1.64 million cars in 2025, an 8.6 percent decline from last year. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ General Motors is extending its production pause through January 26 at the Flint, Michigan assembly plant, which employs around 5,000, resulting in extended temporary layoffs. More at CBT News.
+ Volkswagen announced that the ID.Buzz electric minivan will sit out the 2026 production year due to low demand, but it has not been discontinued as widely rumored. More at Autoweek.
+ BMW announced that Alpina, its longtime collaborator on high-performance vehicles, will become a standalone brand with the German automaker, which now holds the trademark. More at Car and Driver.
+ Michael Printup, the longtime president of Watkins Glen International Raceway and more recently the COO of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, has passed away at 60. More at the Elmira Star Gazette.
+ South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia posted record sales in the U.S. market in 2025, with both brands breaking their previous sales records for the third consecutive year. More at Autoblog.
+ Propelled by government tax incentives, electric vehicle sales in Norway reached a market share of nearly 96 percent in 2025, with Tesla and Volkswagen leading the way. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Honda is promising to produce its gasoline-electric hybrid models with louder exhaust systems after finding that many American car buyers prefer more engine sound. More at Motor Illustrated.
+ In a test by Purdue engineering students with support by Cummins, Inc, a Class 8 electric semi truck was successfully charged on a wireless highway segment at 65 mph. More at Electrek.
+ Tesla delivered 1.64 million cars in 2025, an 8.6 percent decline from the previous year, while deliveries in the fourth quarter totaled 418,227 vehicles, a 16 percent slide from 4Q 2024. More at CNBC.
+ Max Verstappen and George Russell are the frontrunners for the 2026 Formula 1 title according to bookmakers, with. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completing the top four. More at Motorsport.com.
Photo courtesy of Tesla.
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“many American car buyers prefer more engine sound”
Much to the dismay of Ford, who bragged that their LTD was quieter than a Rolls Royce. I just don’t understand those crazy kiddos today. I can understand if Dodge buyers like a bit f noise but I’d prefer to enjoy the radio and avoid the drone on long highway drives.
“successfully charged on a wireless highway segment at 65 mph.”
Purdue is in Indiana, they of all people should understand that highways in the Rust Belt don’t even last as long as South American governments. The idea is fine for those pooftahs in California but those in the Northeastern portion of the country need charged highways more like an Aurora slot car track. The groove would also work well down South when there’s a 1/4″ of snow.
Sergio Pérez will win the F1 title for Cadillac in 2026. It’s what the President wants and he’s usually right about most things.
So Purdue, INDOT & the usual suspects turned asphalt into a Nik Tesla Wardenclyffe Tower, using 5G technology to charge the battery (@190kw!?) of a bobtail no stack Mack with a window in the back thru the tires running 65mph, eh? Sensational no more wars for oil!!!
If crude was free (like sunlight & wind are claimed to be), gasoline & diesel costs would reflect only refining, distribution, marketing, and taxes, making fuel very cheap, under $1/gallon.
Its just a darn shame da’ green new deal forced on tax payers ignores those pesky laws of thermodynamics, never arguing the facts in good faith nor disproving the evidence, only gibberish and fallacies- another blackhole for resources…
“Sensational no more wars for oil!!!”
Ask the people of Venezuela what they think of Drumpf and His America lately.
Didn’t have the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela becoming the 51st state on any of my bingo cards.
Already got enough problems here in retarded Ohio. Our ODOT & it’s contractor buddies are exploiting artificial reality to booby trap intersections, railroad crossings & school zones as fast as they can get away with everywhere local politicians prioritize crash taxes, while the fine ladies providing oversight @ the Federal Highway Admistration Ohio office serve gormet capacino & fresh pastries with every highway trust fund blank check & bank loan issued, literally at the corner of Gay & High streets in the capitol city…