MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS
July 3, 2026
New Car Launches & Reveals
Nissan Tekton debuts globally July 9
Nissan's new midsize SUV shares its platform with the Renault Duster but wears Patrol-inspired styling of its own.
Source →Tesla Model Y L arrives in the US
A long-wheelbase, three-row version of the Model Y, priced at $63,630, aimed at buyers who need extra seating.
Source →2026 Mazda CX-5 first drive is in
The third-gen CX-5 drops the turbo four; the base 2.5L naturally aspirated engine holds at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft.
Source →2026 Lexus ES 350h reviewed
New hybrid sedan starts just over $51,000 with more power, more interior space, and modernized tech — a real step up over its predecessor.
Source →Jeep "Rewind" package hits Gladiator/Wrangler
Retro-inspired limited package adds gold-accent wheels for buyers chasing a heritage look.
Source →New Car Technology
China releasing first solid-state EV battery standard
A milestone for clarifying terminology as BYD, Geely, and GAC begin real-world testing of solid-state packs.
Source →Ultra-fast charging keeps improving
BYD's 1000V "Flash Charging" platform can add roughly 400 km of range in five minutes on home-market vehicles.
Source →Battery costs keep falling
Average lithium-ion pack price hit a record low of $108/kWh in 2025, with EV-specific packs at $99/kWh — good news for future sticker prices.
Source →Waymo keeps expanding
Service area topped 1,400 square miles across 11 US cities as of May, following a $16 billion raise at a $126 billion valuation.
Source →UN approves first global rules for fully autonomous vehicles
A regulatory milestone a decade in the making that could speed safe deployment of driverless systems worldwide.
Source →NVIDIA's Alpamayo AI platform is landing in real cars
Mercedes-Benz and Lucid are building on it to push ADAS from Level 2++ toward Level 3/4 autonomy.
Source →Industry Developments
Tariffs keep pushing prices up
The 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts has added an estimated $5,000-$8,900 to imported car prices and $1,600-$2,000 to US-built vehicles versus a year ago, costing the industry roughly $30 billion.
Source →Average new car price hits record $51,974
Transaction prices broke records twice in the same week in late June, underscoring how fast affordability is slipping.
Source →Ford recalls 741,195 SUVs and trucks
2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator, 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator, and 2021 F-150 models are affected by a transmission defect that raises rollaway risk.
Source →Q2 2026 sales split along hybrid lines
Toyota (+2.6%), Stellantis (+5.9%), and Nissan (+9.6%) grew on hybrid demand, while GM fell 4.2% and Ford is projected down as much as 11.5%, partly on lost truck production.
Source →Key Takeaways
• Expect sticker prices to keep climbing — tariffs and record ATPs mean waiting probably won't save you money this year.
• Hybrids are the safer bet right now for both value and resale — the Q2 sales data backs up what buyers are already choosing.
• Own a 2018-2021 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator, or 2021 F-150? Check NHTSA.gov for the transmission recall.
MikesCarInfo.com — Daily Car News
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