Aurelia Butler

The “Big Three” domestic automakers have been granted a one-month exemption from the 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Ford, GM, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler), whose vehicles comply with the USMCA, now have until April 2 to prepare for the taxes to go into effect. The tariffs, which went into effect yesterday, have caused concerns about significantly increasing production costs as well as raising new-car prices.A day after the Trump administration implemented 25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, the White House announced that automakers who comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) get a 30-day exemption, which is set to lift on April 2.”We spoke with the Big Three [automakers]. We are going to give a one-month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2, but at the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage,” U.S. press secretary Karoline Leavitt said today during a White House press briefing.The three domestic automakers include Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler). Leavitt confirmed that representatives from each company spoke to Trump yesterday to request the exemption. CNBC reported that Ford CEO Jim Farley and chairman Bill Ford as well as GM CEO Mary Barra and Stellantis chairman John Elkann were involved with the call.CLAUDIO CRUZ|Getty ImagesThe Trump administration announced the pause but didn’t specify the automotive imports that it covers. However, it’s expected that both auto parts and new vehicles are included in the exemption. It also seems unlikely that each automaker will be able to dramatically alter their production process and supply chains in the 30-day window. When Leavitt was asked about that, she said that Trump “told them they should get on it, start investing, start moving production here to the United States of America where they will pay no tariff. That’s the ultimate goal.”This isn’t the first time Trump postponed the 25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. At the start of February, the president and leaders from both countries agreed to a separate 30-day pause, which was lifted yesterday, March 4. However, the latest pause only applies to companies that comply with the USMCA, and concerns remain that if or when the tariffs do go into effect, they’ll significantly increase manufacturing costs as well as raise the prices of new cars. According to a report by the Detroit Free Press, some analysts believe new-car prices could rise by between $1000 to $9000.Related StoriesEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

The Alpine A390, already previewed by a flashy concept last year, is being teased ahead of its May 27 reveal.The A390 features a fastback roof and a purposeful stance, with a tri-motor powerplant that should provide punchy performance.Alpine has said it plans to enter the U.S. market in 2027 with a lineup of EVs, and the A390 could be one of the models it brings over.French automaker Alpine’s plans to compete in the United States starting in 2027 center around a lineup of new electric vehicles. The first of those new EVs, called the A390, is just around the corner. The brand, which isowned by Renault and known for its gas-powered A110 sports car, teased the A390 last year with a flashy concept. Now Alpine has released photos of the production-spec A390 testing in Sweden, and while camouflage attempts to obscure the details, the photos reveal a crossover that hews closely to the 2024 concept.AlpineDespite the concept’s dazzling design, it appears much of the exterior look is carrying over to production. The distinctive headlights seem to be virtually unchanged, with thin, piercing units connected by a light bar and complemented by a series of small triangular LEDs that Alpine refers to as “Cosmic Dust.” The production car also features deep indentations in the front of the hood, bisected by a spine running down the center and serving as a pass-through to direct airflow over the top of the A390. This air channel is in a similar vein to the “R-Wing” on the front of the Dodge Charger Daytona.The general structure of the front end is also faithful to the concept, although the intricate design of the lower vent has been replaced by a more conventional look. The A390 also retains deep contouring along the side of the body, as well as the blade-like pieces poking out behind the rear wheels. The taillights are much thicker than the concept’s and appear to have ditched the Cosmic Dust theme.AlpineAlpine provided only a small glimpse of the interior, which we already knew would be a sizable departure from the fanatical cabin of the concept car. The sole photo shows the A390’s steering wheel, which is wrapped in nappa leather, has a flat bottom, and features three motorsports-inspired buttons. On the right side sit a Drive Mode button and an Overtake button, labeled “OV” and presumably bringing a burst of power. On the right side, the toggle labeled “RCH,” for Recharge, likely controls regenerative braking. Alpine also confirmed several details, including the A390’s tri-motor powertrain, which will feature active torque vectoring. Alpine also said there will be five drive modes, including a Track setting. The A390 will seat five, and the lifted fastback measures 181.7 inches from nose to tail, 60.3 inches tall, and 74.2 inches wide. That makes it about four inches longer, a couple of inches less tall, and about as wide as a Genesis GV60.The A390 will be revealed in full on May 27 and is set to be built at Alpine’s plant in Dieppe, France. Although sales in Europe should kick off in 2026, Alpine’s U.S. entrance isn’t set to start until 2026. The A390 is expected to be joined by larger electric SUVs and eventually an electric successor to the A110 sports car. More news about Alpine’s goals for its U.S. expansion should continue to trickle out over the next couple of years.More Cool AlpinesCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The Chevy Silverado EV ZR2 is a race truck that will run at the Mint 400, and it features an 1100-hp tri-motor powertrain.Other upgrades include 37-inch BFGoodrich tires, Multimatic spool-valve dampers, and locking differentials.Chevy is launching the Silverado EV Trail Boss this summer, which will bring off-road upgrades to the road-legal electric pickup truck.Electric pickup trucks haven’t yet garnered the same interest as their gas-powered brethren. While Chevrolet Silverado EV sales got fully underway in 2024, the 7428 units sold were just a blip on the radar compared with the regular Silverado’s 560,264 total sales. Still, Chevy hopes to spark more interest in its full-size electric truck with a new racing version, developing the Silverado EV ZR2 to compete in the Mint 400, an off-road race in Nevada that kicks off this week. Better yet, the race truck hints at a road-legal Trail Boss off-road trim coming later this year. Chevy’s EV Race TruckThe Silverado EV ZR2 was developed over just five months and features around 98 percent GM production parts. Compared with a normal Silverado EV, the ZR2 features beefier front and rear suspension parts specifically tuned for off-roading. The truck also has a substantial lift, with the taller ride height also resulting from its 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires.ChevroletAnother crucial addition to the Silverado EV ZR2 is the exotic Multimatic semi-active spool-valve dampers. Described as prototype units, Chevy says they allow for more than 13 inches of front and rear wheel travel. The ZR2 race truck also features locking differentials and underbody skid plates to protect the vital components. Even more intriguing, Chevy says the race-ready ZR2 has a tri-motor electric powertrain that churns out 1100 horsepower. That’s substantially more than the road-going Silverado EV RST, which maxes out at 754 ponies with its dual-motor setup. The race truck’s powertrain is likely adapted from the tri-motor configuration found in the most potent version of the Hummer EV pickup, which shares its bones with the Silverado EV. ChevroletChevy claims the ZR2’s powertrain produces 11,500 pound-feet of torque—matching the claimed output for the tri-motor Hummer—but we believe this is measured at the wheels in a similar way to the misleading number GM touted in its 2020 Super Bowl ad. Measuring torque in a more traditional way would likely result in an output of around 1000 to 1100 pound-feet of torque, still a mightily impressive figure.The Silverado EV ZR2 will race alongside the gas-powered Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2 race trucks, with the trio being entered by Chad Hall Racing. The Silverado EV ZR2 will run as the only entry in the Open Production EV class. Chevy engineers will work closely with the race team, and Chevy says the learnings will be applied to production vehicles and performance accessories. ChevroletGet Ready for the Silverado EV Trail BossThe Silverado EV ZR2 also emerges as Chevrolet readies the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss for its launch this summer. Chevy first showed a Trail Boss version of the Silverado EV way back in 2022, but Silverado EV production took longer to ramp up than expected, and the Trail Boss seems to have fallen by the wayside as the brand worked to get other Silverado EV variants on the road. Now, Chevy is ready to introduce the off-road trim, which will receive a factory-installed lift, 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, and a dedicated Terrain mode. The Trail Boss appears here in a red-orange hue, showing off its redesigned front bumper and model-specific wheels. Chevy says more details on the Silverado EV Trail Boss will arrive soon.More on the Silverado EVCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The Volkswagen ID.Every1 previews a sub-$22,000 EV from the automaker.Expect the production model to bear the name ID.1 when it arrives in 2027.Alas, we don’t expect this low-powered small EV to come to the United States.Volkswagen plans to sell a sub-$22,000 battery-electric vehicle in 2027, and the ID.Every1 concept previews the eventual production model that’s sure to don the ID.1 name. Try not to get your hopes up too high, though, because this inexpensive electric vehicle likely will not find its way to our shores. Besides the fact that the European-built model may find itself subject to tariffs as a result of the U.S.’s current trade policies, the four-door EV lacks the characteristic size and driving range American customers favor. Volkswagen’s entry-level battery-powered concept embraces its compact dimensions. Though its 152.8-inch overall length makes it nearly a foot longer than the since-discontinued Up it effectively replaces, the ID.Every1 still casts a shadow 6.1 inches shorter than a four-door Mini Cooper. But the ID.Every1 is not just small; it’s also unable to meet the 200-plus miles of range on a full charge that many Yanks expect from a modern battery-powered car. Volkswagen claims the pint-sized EV’s 94-hp lone drive motor can push the ID.Every1 an estimated 155 miles on a full charge. Put this small VW through the EPA’s regimen, and that figure surely gets lower. And then there’s the fact that the ID.Every1 tops out at a mere 81 mph. Cruise at 81 mph on some U.S. interstates, and you’re liable to catch lead. The ID.Every1 may not be the fastest or longest-traveling EV out there, but that’s not the intent of this city vehicle. Rather, it aims to combine efficient packaging and attractive wares in an affordable and eco-friendly package.Volkswagen claims the MEB platform that underpins the front-drive ID.Every1 affords it a spacious inside, capable of comfortably fitting four people while still offering a reasonable 11 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s down about 2 cubes to the lengthier four-door Mini Cooper, but about 2 cubic feet better than a two-door Mini. Meanwhile, flexible seating arrangements and a trick multi-function center console, as well as the application of new software architecture that allows for over-the-air software updates, afford this little VW great flexibility from both a physical and digital viewpoint.Despite previewing a low-cost model, the ID.Every1 packs high-end looks. While some of the concept’s details will not transfer to the production car, the basic design itself certainly will. We wager this includes the flared fenders and short overhangs that provide a bulldog-like stance that’s exacerbated by the ID.Every1’s five-spoke 19-inch wheels. By its design alone, the ID.Every1 appears to live by the mantra that it’s better to drive a slow car fast than drive a fast car slow. Still, we won’t know if the engineers in Wolfsburg tuned this value-oriented EV to offer the joyful driving dynamics implicated by the concept’s design until the production car arrives in 2027.Related StoriesDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

Volkswagen is recalling 60,490 electric SUVs over the risk of them possibly rolling away. The recall affects 2021–2023 VW ID.4 models and 2022–2023 Audi Q4 e-tron models, which may not correctly show when they’re in neutral.The issue can be fixed by updating the brake control unit’s software, and VW says the work will be covered under warranty.The Volkswagen ID.4 is involved in another recall. This time, it’s because certain models might not let the driver know that they’re still in neutral, which can potentially lead to them rolling away. The recall involves roughly 60K examples of the ID.4 and its corporate counterpart, the Audi Q4 e-tron.The recall over the rollaway risk was submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on February 26, 2025, The report indicates that it involves ID.4s from the 2021–2023 model years and Audi Q4 e-tron, including some Sportback variants, from the 2022–2023 model years. According to VW’s recall report, in certain situations, the gauge cluster will not show when the electric SUVs’ transmission is in the “N” position. If this happens and the electronic parking brake isn’t engaged, well, the affected ID.4 and Q4 models could go for an unexpected stroll that could result in a crash.A faulty brake control unit has been identified as the culprit, and updated software has been installed since October 2023 to address the issue. However, models built before that date are at risk, so VW advises owners to take their vehicles to their local dealers to resolve the issue, which will be covered at no cost under warranty. VW says it notified its dealers by February 25, and it will notify all owners by April 25, 2025. Other VW-Related RecallsEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More