MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS Friday, July 31, 2026

MIKESCARINFO DAILY CAR NEWS

Friday, July 31, 2026

NEW CAR LAUNCHES & REVEALS

2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9 revealed

Audi finally has a full-size three-row SUV built for the US market. The SQ9 is the performance version, 591 hp and 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. That's a big number for a family hauler this size. Source

2027 Toyota Tundra gets an update

Refreshed styling, updated tech, and a new Trailhunter package brings the factory overland treatment to the full-size truck. Toyota keeps spreading Trailhunter across the lineup, and it sells. Source

Fiat Topolino EV lands in the US under $15,000

It's a two-seat neighborhood runabout, so think golf cart with style rather than highway car. Still, a sub-$15k new EV badge on American soil gets attention. Source

NEW CAR TECHNOLOGY

Rivian hands-free highway driving rolls out soon

Gen 2 R1T and R1S owners get hands-free highway assist in the coming weeks. Rivian joins GM, Ford, and now Lucid in the hands-free club. Source

Lucid adds Hands-Free Drive Assist and lane changes

DreamDrive Pro picks up hands-free driving plus hands-free lane changes through an OTA update. The hands-free arms race keeps moving fast. Source

Solid-state batteries: Factorial teams up with SK On

Factorial signed a deal to bring its solid-state cell tech into SK On's manufacturing network. Solid state keeps inching from lab demo toward factory floor. Ford also started building LFP cells in the US, which should help EV pricing down the road. Source

Tesla Model Y passes new NHTSA ADAS tests first

NHTSA's new pass/fail benchmark covers blind-spot intervention, pedestrian braking, and lane correction. The 2026 Model Y is the first through. Clearer safety data for shoppers is a win no matter the badge. Source

INDUSTRY & PRICING

New car prices hit records

Average transaction price sits at $48,841, and the average asking price crossed $51,974. Freshly redesigned models are driving it, with the Kia Telluride up 16.4% and Toyota RAV4 up 15.7% year over year. Average payment is now $770 a month. Source

Ford recalls keep stacking up

Over 86,500 Mustang Mach-Es for rear window trim and about 47,000 F-150 and Super Duty trucks for backup camera software. Ford has passed 10 million recalled vehicles this year. Source

New tariffs, autos mostly spared

The administration's new 10-12.5% tariffs on 60 economies exempt autos and many auto parts. Meanwhile July's sales pace is the strongest of 2026, and Ford raised its full-year outlook. Source

THE TAKEAWAY

Prices set records again this week, and the redesigned popular models (Telluride, RAV4) are where the biggest jumps live. If one of those is on your list, expect to pay up or cross-shop the outgoing versions. On the tech side, hands-free highway driving is spreading to nearly every brand, so it's worth asking about it on any new car you're considering. And if you own a Mach-E or a recent Ford truck, check your VIN for the latest recalls.

- Mike

MikesCarInfo.com