2025 new car sales forecast looks bright, Honda to revive the Prelude as a hybrid, Trump's EV plans start to take shape

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The amount of public EV charging ports in the U.S. has doubled since 2020:

Jumping from 96K to 200K — EV owners now have more places to charge than ever before.

A huge milestone — but still not enough to keep pace with EV sales growth.

And although the incoming administration has strong anti-subsidy rhetoric — most of the federal funding to install public EV chargers has been given out to states already.

(Data source: The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation)

1. New vehicle sales forecasted to surge in 2025 after successful Q4

New car sales are wrapping up the year on a high note, with December expected to hit 1.47 million units — up 7.7% from November and matching last year’s volume.

Driving the news: Lower interest rates and bigger incentives are pulling buyers back into showrooms, while some are rushing to buy before the incoming administration makes changes, especially for EV tax credits.

Cox Automotive expects 2024 to finish at 15.85 million units sold, a solid 2.3% gain over last year.

Looking ahead, 2025 could bring even stronger momentum, with forecasts pointing to the best year for sales since 2019 … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

2. The Honda Prelude is returning to the U.S. in 2025 as a hybrid

The hybrid sport coupe, set to debut next year, will feature Honda’s two-motor hybrid system and a new S+ Shift mode for a more dynamic driving experience.

With younger buyers already gravitating toward Honda’s Civic and Accord, the Prelude is positioned as a sweet spot — sporty, fuel-efficient, and sized perfectly between compact and midsize.

Zooming out: Add in its role in Honda’s electrification push, and the Prelude’s return could be the start of something big for the brand … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

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3. Incoming Trump administration pushes for tariffs, cutting EV credits

President-elect Trump’s transition team is laying out plans to drastically reshape the EV landscape, from ending the $7,500 tax credit to imposing tariffs on EV-related imports like batteries and chargers.

These moves would shift subsidies away from charging infrastructure toward domestic supply chains for battery materials, aiming to reduce reliance on China.

Automakers, already heavily invested in electrification, face a complicated road ahead — higher material costs could push EV prices up, potentially cooling consumer demand.

Bottom line: The next chapter for EV sales may hinge on whether buyers stay interested without the safety net of federal incentives … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

• Renault, Nissan’s largest shareholder, said to be open to Honda talks.

• Fain says court decision protects UAW's privileged bargaining info.

• GM is recalling the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV over an interesting safety concern: It’s too quiet.

• Why can't manufacturers sell directly to consumers?

• Wholesale used vehicle prices hold steady in the first half of December.

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG