The One Car America Now Loves

Issue #141

Happy Saturday!

It turns out that some people actually love hybrids.

It also turns out that it’s not only some, but a lot. Today, we discuss how the hybrid car rises from the ashes.

Market News

• Lucid created an off-roading concept, and it looks awesome. 

• This is the biggest problem with the Toyota Land Cruiser. It’s so annoying that it could throw off buyers. 

• Ford will give us “regular cars” after saying it wouldn’t. Here’s what it means. 

• These are the five most American pickup trucks you can buy. 

• Ferrari is considering Front-Wheel-Drive cars. Yep, you read that right. 

• Is there a problem with Dodge bringing back the Hemi? This article explains what could happen.

• Volkswagen is introducing a subscription to get more power out of your car. 

• Cadillac hints at its future with this amazing new concept. 

• Vinfast will sell RD assets to shore up finances. If you don’t know what Vinfast is, you’re not alone. Here’s more on this troubled company. 

• New car dealers are back to pre-tariff inventory. Here’s why it matters.

Safety and Recalls

• Range Rover recalls 121,000 SUVs over suspension cracks. 

• Ford recalls 42,000 Lincoln Corsairs due to a rearview issue.

• Ford (surprise, again) recalls this many vehicles over bolt issues.

Car Culture

• These are the weirdest cars you’ve ever seen, and some you haven’t.

• This historically significant Mercedes-Benz is one of the rarest barn finds ever. 

• This RAM midsize truck is awesome, and America won’t get it.

• Here’s every automaker that has ditched the V8. 

• Lexus unveils what could be the next LF-A. Do you like it?

• EV pickup trucks are no longer cool. Here’s why. 

• That viral Mustang Mach-E crash is not what you think. Here’s what we mean. 

• For the first time in decades, Canada has imported more cars from this country rather than the US.

• This generation prefers manual cars, and it’s not the one you think. 

• These are the best-selling cars of 2025 (so far).

Video Of The Week

What were the most stolen cars in the 80s? This video dives back in time!

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In The Know

This is the car America wants (not what you think!)

It’s safe to say that this hasn’t been Ford’s best year. The F-150 lost the number one spot as the most popular vehicle in the US, and by July, the company had broken the record for the most recalls in a year, with six months to go. 

Here’s more on that unwanted record.

However, the company did have something to celebrate. It’s not only a positive sign for them but also a glimpse into the bigger picture of what’s going on in America. 

In the first six months of 2025, Ford saw a 27% year-over-year increase in sales in its electrified division, as explained here. 

But the biggest sales weren’t EVs, they were hybrids. These two models were the company’s bestsellers. 

Ford’s situation signals a shift in US garages: hybrids are quietly stealing the spotlight from both pure electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional combustion cars. If you think about it, they make perfect sense. 

In early 2025, conventional hybrids captured nearly 12% of new vehicle sales, marking their highest share yet, and outperforming all-electric models combined. This article gave prospective buyers the pros and cons, and it’s still significant one year later. 

In the end, a hybrid vehicle makes perfect sense to many drivers. It has added fuel efficiency, especially in traffic jams, but there’s no concern about charging. 

So, what’s not to like? 

Amongst the “greener” choices, which include plug-in hybrids, parallel hybrids (or hybrid-electric), and EVs, hybrids have taken over as number one. Meanwhile, EV sales have stalled. Check out the hybrid types here. 

Meanwhile, AAA reports interest in EVs is at its lowest since 2019—just 16% of Americans say they’d consider one for their next car, down from 25% two years ago. You can read more about the survey here.

This isn’t the only data around. A Pew study backs this sentiment: 45% are likely to consider a hybrid, while only about 33% would consider an EV. You can read more about this study here. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts: would you buy an EV?

So, it’s clear that hybrids are becoming more popular, but they’re still not the norm. However, there are plenty more options now. Long gone are the days where the Prius was the only one.

If anything, units sold, EVs are still more popular. However, the deceleration is such that it has many wondering if the tide could change sooner rather than later. 

After all, several factors contribute to this shift. What’s interesting is that these factors are not insignificant in the long run. 

The first aspect, and the one with the most uncertainty in the future, is the loss of incentives. With the $7,500 federal EV credit ending and harsher import tariffs looming, the cost advantage of EVs is shrinking fast.

We don’t know what will happen with policies in the future. However, in the short term, automakers and the Government are showing no inclination towards electric vehicles, as this article explains.

So, why buy one?

This leads us to an intrinsic aspect of EVs that many have vocalized: range anxiety. Many see hybrids as offering real-world value because they know that, worst comes to pass, they can fuel up at any gas station. 

That’s why companies like Toyota are leaning heavily into hybrids. By mid-2024, hybrids made up 37% of Toyota’s sales, and the brand is doubling down on hybrid-only options as part of its multi-pathway strategy.

Read more on its strategy here. 

What’s interesting is that, after Trump’s Government rolled back on emissions standards, Toyota also promoted its new engine lineup will not only be essential for hybrids, but also provide an all-gasoline option that provides performance and economy. 

Is this the death of the EV? 

It’s unlikely, but the EV won’t be a mainstay. First, they are too expensive now that there are no rebates or benefits. Tariffs will also play a crucial role in determining the price. 

Ironically, hybrids will also see a spike, especially those with foreign components, but that’s only good news for companies such as Ford and Chevy, which have seen their hybrid sales grow.