MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS
New Car Launches & Reveals
Slate Auto prices its budget EV on June 24
The Bezos-backed startup reveals pricing and opens non-refundable preorders June 24. It has only said the truck starts in the "mid-$20,000s" — which would make it one of the cheapest new EVs in America. First deliveries are expected late this year.
Source: TechCrunch2026 Toyota RAV4 reaches reviewers
The all-new, hybrid-only RAV4 is now being driven. The redesign of America's best-selling SUV brings new trims plus improvements to ride comfort, convenience and safety.
Source: Consumer Reports2026 Mazda CX-5 kicks off a new generation
Mazda's global bestseller enters a fresh generation, keeping the formula that made it a sales hit while adding a larger infotainment screen and updated powertrain choices.
Source: AutoGuide2026 Honda Prelude first drives land
The revived Prelude coupe ($43,195) borrows its chassis from the Civic. Reviewers describe it as a relaxed grand-tourer rather than a Type R-style track weapon.
Source: The DriveNew Car Technology
Five-minute-charge battery unveiled
Donut Lab showed an EV battery at CES 2026 that it claims recharges fully in about five minutes and retains 99% capacity after 100,000 cycles. Solid-state cells are now being called "production-ready," with several makers targeting mass production in 2026.
Source: ElectrekSteer-by-wire goes mainstream
Nexteer put the first ASIL-D-certified steer-by-wire system into production, and the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e brings the no-mechanical-link steering wheel to U.S. showrooms — a building block for future hands-off driving.
Source: Design NewsIndustry Developments
Tariffs push new-car prices up about 10%
Average transaction prices are up roughly 10% year over year as tariffs add an estimated $30 billion in industry costs. Subaru, Hyundai and Genesis have all raised prices or cut perks effective in June; imported models are up $5,000-$8,900.
Source: Kelley Blue BookFord issues large seat-belt recall
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 U.S. vehicles over a seat-belt issue, plus a separate "do not drive" recall on 4,000+ units. A 45,000-unit Mustang Mach-E lighting recall will be fixed via over-the-air update.
Source: U.S. NewsKey Takeaways
- Buy sooner rather than later. Tariff-driven price hikes are landing now, and more brands keep raising prices through summer.
- Affordable EVs are finally coming. Slate's mid-$20K truck could reset expectations when pricing drops June 24.
- Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov. With Ford recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles, a 30-second lookup is worth it.
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