What Are America's Cleanest Cars?

Hello! Christmas is getting close, so get those wishes ready.

Is there an automotive present you'd like? I'd love to find myself a 1972 BMW radio under the tree. Is that too much to ask?

On another note, did you see the former Syrian dictator's car collection? 

What is it with dictators and vast car collections? 

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

1. Changing Consumer Habits: Hybrids are becoming more popular while sedans lose ground, shaping a cleaner and more SUV-focused U.S. car market.

2. China’s New EV Strategy: China is expanding into Mexico’s car industry to reach U.S. consumers indirectly, signaling an evolving global auto landscape.

3. EV Challenges for Toyota: Toyota’s delay of its Lexus EV lineup until 2027 reflects broader difficulties automakers face in rolling out advanced EV models.

4. Muscle Car Surplus: Despite ending production, around 3,000 brand-new V8 Challengers and Chargers remain unsold, offering potential deals for enthusiasts.

5. Buying Decisions: Our articles cover key questions for buyers, including best/worst Mazda CX9 years and whether extended warranties are worth the cost.

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• Toyota leaves NHRA after the 2025 season. Here's why. 

• What are the fastest American cars around the Nurburgring? Spoiler: there's a trend

• This Chinese brand could match Ford and Honda in sold cars this year

• Porsche faces a class action lawsuit over this critical issue

RECALLS

As usual, we bring you the most important recalls in the automotive industry every week. 

• Ram recalls 317,000 heavy-duty trucks over this issue

• In the most exclusive recall we’ve covered yet, McLaren recalls its 765LT coupe over a detached rear window.

Video of the week

Here’s a video that caught our eye

IN THE KNOW

What are the cleanest cars in the country?

The automotive landscape could see vast changes in the coming years. Yet, we wondered how consumer patterns have changed so far.

For one, the more budget-minded consumer clearly prefers hybrids, but that's not the only fascinating change. 

Sedans take a step back into the darkness, and a specific vehicle type has taken over.

This change has had a direct impact on emissions and has also paved the way for the cleanest fleet we've ever seen. 

China eyes Mexico's car industry as a bridge to the US

China's global expansion is relentless, but it has yet to enter the US. However, this all could change soon. 

The Asian giant has sped up its introduction into Mexico, setting up factories to serve the large (and growing) Latin American market.

This makes perfect sense, but it's also a way for China to get closer to breaking into the US market. 

Could it succeed? Here's how the expansion is going and what the future holds for Chinese EVs in the US. 

Toyota delays the launch of the new Lexus EV line until 2027

Toyota has plenty of hybrid options but has never been at the forefront of electrification.

The Japanese company offers limited EV options, many of which have average performance. There's no Toyota EV that stands out. 

That's why the brand shocked the industry in 2023 when it announced a flurry of EVs and promised 621 miles of EV range and luxurious options in its Lexus line. 

Not only that, but all of this was to happen by 2026. 

Now, Toyota is backstepping on its promise.

There are plenty of reasons for this, and they affect not only Toyota's EV plans but also the entire industry. 

The saga of the unsold Hemi cars becomes enticing. 

The V8 is dying, but you can still find them brand new, and they're not hard to find.

Thousands of V8 Challengers and Chargers are collecting dust in Dodge dealer lots a full year after their production ended. 

In total, around 3,000 brand-new V8 Challengers and Chargers are available for sale.

Some include considerable discounts, and if you want to buy one, you can check out this article.  

Are you interested in working with us? We reach thousands of people every week, and have consistently grown our audience in the past ten months.

Our newsletter aims at the knowledgeable gearhead and automotive novice alike. We’re a small, dynamic team with a versatile mindset.

So, if you want to work with a growing brand that takes pride in its work, contact us!

OUR THOUGHTS

Let's talk about the resale value between the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX

Two options exist for a sensible, practical, and reliable midsize SUV.

You can opt for the run-of-the-mill Toyota Highlander, which will bring average performance in absolutely everything but will outshine most in reliability.

Then, there's the Acura MDX, which offers a bit more performance, a bit more outlandish looks, and an atypical badge that will make people go, "oh, look. An Acura."

That's how you'd sum up the MDX: "a bit more, and nothing much."

However, there's one clear winner regarding resale value. We discuss this crucial aspect in our weekly article.

BEST AND WORST

What are the best and worst years for the Mazda CX9?

My father recently purchased a Mazda CX9 that had remained on the dealership lot for a while.

He nabbed it with a great discount and couldn't be happier. 

However, he did consider buying a used one and was surprised to learn that while Mazda is reliable, he should avoid some years.

So, which were they? This article discusses the best and worst years for the Mazda CX9.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

Is an extended warranty worth it?

Most car buyers have a love-hate relationship with extended warranties. They often feel like a ripoff, an expensive payment you might never need.

That's until something happens, and the warranty comes into effect. 

It's common for prospective car buyers to wonder whether an extended warranty is worth it.

We took up the challenge of answering this question and came up with some fascinating answers. You can learn more about this in the link below.