Is a Certified Pre-Owned Car Worth $1,200 More? Three Buyers, Three Very Different Answers
Certified pre-owned cars cost $1,206 more than regular used ($30,650 vs $29,444). Consumer Reports finds CPO buyers 12% more satisfied with fewer problems. Lexus wins best CPO program 2026. Three buyers share real experiences: one saved money and paid $2,800 repair, one paid premium and warranty covered $3,400 fix, one bought dealer-certified and got stuck with bill.
Why Americans Are Trading Trucks for Hybrids as Gas Hits $5
Gas prices hit $5.20 in California as Iran war closes Strait of Hormuz, national average jumps to $3.58. Americans canceling truck purchases, switching to hybrids. At $5/gallon, 18 MPG truck vs 40 MPG hybrid costs $231/month difference. Dealers see Tundra and F-150 traffic vanish while RAV4 Hybrid flies off lots. G7 debates releasing strategic reserves.
Ford Recalls 4.3 Million Trucks: "My Trailer Brakes Just Disappeared"
Ford recalls 4.38 million trucks and SUVs over software glitch that disables trailer brakes and lights while towing. Integrated Trailer Module race condition bug affects F-150, Super Duty, Ranger, Expedition, Navigator, Maverick. Software update coming May 2026. Recall announced weeks after Ford gave quality bonuses. Part of record 152 recalls issued in 2025.
Volvo Recalls 40,000 Electric SUVs: "I'm Afraid to Charge in My Garage"
Volvo recalls 40,323 EX30 electric SUVs over battery fire risk. Owners told to limit charging to 70%, park outside, avoid overnight indoor charging. Single-Motor and Twin-Motor Performance models affected. Battery modules may short-circuit and overheat. Estimated $195M repair cost. Recall strikes at heart of Volvo's safety reputation as EX30 is crucial to company's EV strategy.
Automakers Lost Over $50 Billion on EVs in 2025: The Industry's Costliest Bet Gone Wrong
Automakers lost over $50 billion on EVs in 2025: Stellantis $26.3B, Ford $19.5B, Honda $4.5B. The F-150 Lightning is dead, plug-in hybrids discontinued, and all three companies are pivoting back to gas engines and hybrids. EV market share dropped from 9.5% to 6.6% after the $7,500 tax credit expired, while hybrid sales surged 60%+. The industry's costliest bet reveals customers weren't ready for full electrification.
Honda's $4.5 Billion EV Disaster: Paying GM for Electric Cars That Won't Sell
Honda expects $4.5 billion in EV losses by March 2026 after global sales collapsed 50% to just 15,000 units. The Prologue dropped 86% in Q4 with only 2,641 sold despite $17,000+ incentives. Acura ZDX discontinued after one year. Honda now compensates GM for reduced production while conducting a "fundamental review" of its automotive strategy and pivoting to hybrids instead of EVs.