Every Friday, I round up the week's automotive news that hopefully makes you realize your check engine light anxiety is actually pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things. The car industry is changing faster than most of us can keep up with, creating new sources of stress for manufacturers, dealers, and anyone trying to figure out what to drive next. This isn't doom and gloom reporting; it's acknowledging that automotive anxiety extends way beyond your personal relationship with your car. Think of it as group therapy for everyone trying to navigate an industry that seems determined to make simple transportation decisions as complicated as possible.

As with everything, this is a work in progress and the name could change, the format could change, but me? You can’t change me.

The Great EV Fire Sale is Ending - According to an insights call from Cox Automotive, EV sales jumped 27.5% this year because everyone's panic-buying before federal tax credits disappear September 30th. The Subaru Solterra went from "slowest-selling car" to "fastest-selling car" overnight, which tells you everything about human psychology and deadlines. Also, be honest, did you know what the Solterra looked like?

Automakers Having Second Thoughts - Stellantis killed their electric Ram pickup and Acura's ending production of their ZDX electric SUV, both citing "slowing EV demand." Turns out removing $7,500 incentives makes people reconsider spending $60k on a truck.

Your Car Payment is Now a Mortgage Payment - Average monthly car payment hit $756, up $21 from last year. Average transaction price is $45,795, which is more than some people make in a year, but somehow we're all just accepting this as normal. *this is fine*

Hyundai Goes All-In While Everyone Else Retreats - While others are pumping the brakes, Hyundai announced a $57 billion investment plan through 2030. They're betting on hybrids, EVs, and what they are calling "Extended Range EVs" that can go 600 miles, because apparently regular EVs aren't complicated enough and consumers don’t really know how to read the mileage numbers on their dash.

Robots Successfully Navigate International Bureaucracy - A fully autonomous truck delivered goods from Sweden to Norway without a human driver, which means robots are now better at crossing borders than most of us are at parallel parking.

A Honda-Swapped Dodge Hellcat - YouTube is always a great place for inspiration (and added anxiety if I’m being honest), but sometimes you see things you just thought you never would. ScrapLifeLee has built just that.

And Finally, Because Cars Weren't Complicated Enough:

Shell made a “thermal fluid” that will speed up electric charging. Wait, what?

Keep running (even if payments are crushing),

- Nick
Founder, PURSUIT OF SOMETHING

Currently coasting into the weekend on empty…