MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS Friday, April 24, 2026
MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS
New Car Launches & Reveals
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Goes On Sale Today
The all-electric CLA hits dealers April 24. It's the first model on Mercedes' new MMA platform and replaces the A-Class sedan, signaling a wave of upcoming Mercedes EVs built on the same architecture.
Source: Upcoming Global Car Launches 2026Lexus ES Electric Pricing Confirmed: $47,500 - $60,195
The electric ES is on sale this month, slotting in below the RZ and giving Lexus a more traditional sedan-shape EV at an approachable price band for the brand.
Source: Consumer Reports - New Cars Coming SoonNew York Auto Show Wraps With Big Reveals
The 125th NYIAS (April 3-12) drew 25% more visitors than last year. Highlights: the redesigned 2027 VW Atlas, all-new 2027 Subaru Getaway EV, Hyundai Boulder body-on-frame SUV concept (a Bronco/Wrangler fighter), the redesigned Kia Seltos, and Stellantis' 2027 Chrysler Pacifica plus a Dodge Durango America250 special edition.
Source: The Weekly Driver - NYIAS 2026 Complete Guide2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric First Drive: Better Than The Gas Version
Reviewers say the new electric Cayenne is a flawless, engaging drive in both 435-hp base and 1,139-hp Turbo trims. High praise from a brand whose customers are skeptical of EVs.
Source: The Drive - Porsche Cayenne Electric First Drive2026 Honda Prelude Returns As A Hybrid Sport Coupe
The Prelude is back, combining the Civic Hybrid drivetrain with Civic Type R suspension geometry in a coupe body. Reviewers like the cornering balance even if it's not a full-on sports car.
Source: The Drive - Honda Prelude First Drive2026 Subaru Outback And Mazda CX-5 Both Redesigned
The Outback drops the wagon proportions and goes full SUV with squared styling and rugged trims. The new CX-5 keeps its driver-focused chassis but matures in design, packaging, and safety. Both are mainstream-buyer-friendly updates.
Source: Consumer Reports - 2026 Outback First DriveNew Car Technology
CATL Drops Six Major Battery Announcements
The world's biggest battery maker showed a Shenxing LFP pack that charges 10-98% in 6 minutes, a Qilin pack rated for 621 miles, and confirmed mass production of its Naxtra sodium-ion battery starting Q4. Sodium-ion in particular could meaningfully reduce EV prices.
Source: The Driven - CATL Battery InnovationsSolid-State Batteries Moving Faster Than Expected
Nissan stacked 23 cell layers in a working solid-state pack prototype that hit charge/discharge targets - a real step toward its 2028 launch goal. Multiple suppliers say solid-state is arriving sooner than expected.
Source: Electrek - Nissan Solid-State BatteriesBMW And Mercedes Pull Back On Eyes-Off Level 3
Both German brands are scaling back hands-off Level 3 systems in favor of Tesla-style supervised Level 2 packages, citing customer behavior and liability. Expect this to slow "true hands-off" rollouts in the US too.
Source: Automotive News - ADAS Level 3 PullbackFord BlueCruise Gets Major Update, Eyes Mass-Market Level 3 By 2028
BlueCruise is being upgraded in 2026 with an AI assistant set to launch in 2027. Ford has telegraphed mass-market Level 3 by 2028 starting on a $30,000 EV - a key affordability play.
Source: CNBC - Ford Eyes-Off DrivingIndustry Developments
Supreme Court Kills IEEPA Tariffs - $20 Billion In Refunds Coming
The Supreme Court ruled the Trump-era IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional. CBP began processing refund applications April 20. Steel/aluminum/copper tariffs were also restructured April 6 - finished metal goods stay at 50%, but derivative products like semi-trailer trucks dropped to 25%.
Source: Digital Dealer - US Tariff TrackerNew Car Prices Still Climbing - Buyers Pivot To Used
Average new vehicle transaction prices are pushing $46K-$50K. April retail sales projected at 1.13 million units, down 7.3% year-over-year. Near-new used sales were up 24% in Q1 as buyers walk away from new-car stickers.
Source: Detroit News - Used Cars Having A MomentGM Delays Next-Gen Electric Trucks
GM is pulling back on its next-generation electric trucks and pivoting more resources to gas and hybrid powertrains - a notable retreat from prior EV-heavy plans and a signal that legacy OEMs are recalibrating EV timelines.
Source: CBT News - GM Delays EV TrucksFord Leads Recall Charts Again In 2026
Ford remains the recall leader for 2026 so far, with quality concerns flagged across multiple model lines. Worth a quick recall lookup if you own a recent Ford or are shopping one used.
Source: AutoWin - Ford Leads Recall ChartsKey Takeaways
- Battery tech is the story of the year. CATL's 6-minute charging LFP and mass-production sodium-ion launching Q4, plus solid-state arriving ahead of schedule, all point to lower EV prices and faster charging within 12-18 months. Worth waiting on an EV purchase if you can.
- Tariff dust is settling - slightly. The Supreme Court IEEPA ruling and new tiered metal tariffs may put modest downward pressure on some new car prices. But transaction prices are still at record highs, and the spread is pushing more buyers into used and near-new inventory.
- True hands-off driving is getting pushed out. BMW and Mercedes are pulling back on Level 3, and even Ford's mass-market eyes-off play targets 2028. If hands-off was on your shopping list, plan to keep your hands ready in your next new car.
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