AutoGuide Hot Takes: Gone In 60 Seconds

It's going to be a long summer for automakers as everyone tries to carve out a tariff strategy—as always, AutoGuide is here for it. We don’t always cover every piece of news, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have thoughts and opinions—many of them. 

Managing Editor Mike Schlee, Road Test Editor Kyle Patrick, Site Coordinator Michael Accardi, and Editorial Director Greg Migliore weigh in on the hot topics of the week. If you disagree, please get in the comments and tell us why we’re wrong.

1) Those massive 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 screens Ram put in its pickups have become a smash-and-grab target for thieves. Apparently the whole removal process takes less than a minute as the screen is effectively held in place by just two screws. 

2) Ford Mustang GT500 mules have begun testing in Detroit alongside older S550 generation GT500s being used as a benchmark. The mules have modified grilles for massive air intakes, wider rear bodywork, wider tires, and cute little mule stickers on the front fenders as a subtle nod. 

3) Ford will also debut a new orange paint for the S650 Mustang at some point later this year and a teal shade that looks awfully similar to the teal metallic paint made popular by the 1993 Mustang Cobra.  Will that help increase the muscle car's floundering sales?

4) Singer (the guys who do Porsche stuff) and real estate investors, CrossHarbor Capital, are buying Willow Springs, a 72-year-old icon of West Coast racing. 

5) Located about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, the track is largely unchanged since it opened in 1953, offering enthusiasts the rare opportunity to drive a reasonably contemporary track with a layout and vibe from another time. 

6) The new owners have ambitious plans for a private club, car storage, OEM testing facilities and want to upgrade the Big Willow portion to FIA Grade 2 spec, while still maintaining open track days and grass-roots racing. We’re optimistic for the upgrades, which put Willow on the path to see 100 years, but we hope the enthusiast-friendly charm remains.

7) That said, Big Willow is a dangerous track, so the upgrades are much needed. 

8) Wrecks by track day enthusiasts are common because Willow doesn’t really have a runoff area; make a mistake and you’re pitched out into the rock-strewn desert. 

9) Mercedes looks poised to build the GLC crossover in Alabama as a result of import tariffs on fully assembled models. 

10) Jeep needs to try harder to sell the Gladiator to real truck people for doing real truck things. 

11) Yep, there’s another Pagani Zonda being built for a wealthy client. Originally launched in 1999, it’s actually unbelievable how long this car has been in “production”. 

12) Stellantis is shuffling some of its truck production around to avoid paying tariffs on non-USMCA content on trucks coming out of Mexico. 

13) The company also pushed pause on the Windsor assembly plant that makes the Pacifica and the Charger, although no reason was given why. 

14) General Motors is doing the same thing with its plants in Canada and Mexico. 

15) Get this, Volkswagen says it made less money in Q1 because it’s selling too many EVs. 

16) VW Group earnings fell 40.6 percent in Q1 2025, even though sales rose by 1.4 percent.

17) Company EV sales doubled in Europe, and increased over 50% in the U.S—One out of every ten vehicles VW sold globally was electric. 

18) In a statement Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen Group's CFO and COO said: “This market success of our electric cars puts pressure on our result.” 

19) Just two years ago, Antlitz predicted EVs would achieve margin parity with ICE vehicles in 2025. 

20) That obviously hasn’t happened, with VW saying the new target is now 2026.

21) Cadillac is chasing after Sergio Perez to drive its F1 car next season—he's pretty much one of the only drivers available with appropriate experience, he also drove the Red Bull so he might be able to help with chassis direction and setup.

22) Max Verstappen is a father now. Will that slow him down? Probably not.

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