Here’s the latest in automotive sales and strategy:
Ford Motor is shifting its electric vehicle strategy to prioritize development of an affordable electric pickup truck, diverging from competitors that have focused on crossover models. The decision comes despite crossovers remaining the largest vehicle segment in the U.S., accounting for 52% of sales last year, according to CBT News. The automaker ended production of the Ford Escape in December, leaving it without an offering in the segment. Ford said the move will allow it to retool its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky to support production based on a new Universal Electric Vehicle platform.
Nissan Motor said it will introduce the Nissan Murano to the Japanese market, with sales expected to begin in early 2027. The vehicle, currently built for the U.S. market at the company’s assembly plant in Smyrna, TN, marks an expansion of Nissan’s domestic lineup. “With the introduction of this model, Nissan aims to further strengthen its product lineup in Japan and meet the diverse needs of Japanese customers,” Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s President and CEO, said in a statement.
Koji Sato warned that Japan’s auto industry could face material shortages and delivery disruptions stemming from the war in Iran. Speaking at a news conference earlier this month, Sato said Japan relies on the Middle East for about 70% of its processed aluminum and naphtha, a key feedstock used in plastics, resins and rubber production. Sato, who also serves as Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said the group has not yet determined the full impact of the conflict. He added that Japan exports about 800,000 vehicles annually to the region, valued at approximately $15.7 billion, according to Automotive News.
Rivian has outlined pricing and launch timing for its Rivian R2, while signaling a broader strategic focus on autonomous vehicles. The company said earlier this month that the Performance Launch Package version of the R2 will arrive this spring with a price of $57,990, followed by a lower-cost $45,000 variant in late 2027. At the same time, Rivian announced a partnership with Uber aimed at developing fully autonomous robotaxis. Uber plans to invest $1.25 billion in the initiative through 2031, including an initial $300 million commitment pending signing and subject to regulatory approval.
The number of vehicles reported stolen in the U.S. declined sharply last year, reaching what data indicate is a decades-long low despite the still-high total. According to F&I Magazine, nearly 660,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2025, according to the nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau. While the figure remains substantial, it represents a 23% decrease from 2024, following a 17% drop the previous year, the bureau reported. The 2025 decline marks the steepest reduction in reported vehicle thefts in 40 years, surpassing the decrease recorded in 2024, according to the group. Even with the decline, vehicle theft remains frequent nationwide, with the 2025 rate equating to one vehicle stolen every 48 seconds, the bureau said.
