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AUTO CENTRAL – Louisville, KY: March 29. 2026; Every Sunday for over 30 years, Larry Nutson — The Chicago Car Guy and Executive Producer of The Auto Channel — has delivered his weekly take on the automotive world. Each report distills the week’s top stories into sharp, easy-to-digest News Nuggets.
The full version of today’s News Nuggets — along with hundreds of thousands of additional articles, reviews, and editorial insights — can be found in The Auto Channel’s Million-Page Automotive Library, built and indexed over three decades. To dive deeper, simply copy any headline and paste it into this or any Site Search box on The Auto Channel.
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Here are Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week of March 22-28, 2026: Larry picked these as important, relevant, interesting and sometimes semi-secret stories you need to know—served up as snappy, opinionated, and insider-sharp, these are expertly crafted, easy-to-understand news nuggets that cut through the noise and get right to what matters to you in the automotive world.
* Baseball, apple pie and FORD. After two decades as Major League Baseball’s official automotive partner, Chevrolet is being replaced by Ford Motor Co. Ford Motor Company and Major League Baseball announced a multiyear exclusive partnership that brings together two American icons. As MLB’s Official Automotive Partner, Ford will show up for baseball at every level—from neighborhood Little League fields to the World Series—honoring tradition, celebrating human capability, and powering the moments that matter most. More details HERE
* New IIHS Safety Ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is pushing automakers to improve their crash avoidance systems and demanding superior protection for back seat passengers in the 2026 award season. IIHS announced its 2026 winners. Of the winners, 45 earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ and 18 earn a TOP SAFETY PICK. Many of these vehicles start below $30,000, showing that strong safety does not have to come with a high price tag. See them all HERE
* Lots of EV deals. Electric vehicles are available at deep discounts from automakers and dealers, making them as affordable as ever for buyers. The end of the $7,500 federal tax credit last year led to plummeting EV sales, resulting in high dealer inventory. Rising fuel prices and significant automaker support, like GM’s $8,000 to $9,000 per Equinox EV, are attracting buyers. Check out the deal details HERE
* Used vehicle prices on the increase. According to prices for used vehicles listed on Carfax.com, the average increase for all segments is more than $450, up about 1.7% over the previous month. In some regions, the average price for vehicles in certain segments rose by more than $1,000 in just one month!
HERE
* You can’t always get what you want. Nora Eckert for Reuters writes: As average transaction prices creep up across the U.S., drivers are increasingly hankering for affordable, tech-packed options from Chinese automakers. They aren’t in reach, for now…but as more Chinese EVs flow into Mexico and Canada, customers lare getting antsy. A Cox survey found that 40% of consumers support Chinese brands coming stateside, with 49% rating Chinese cars as having very good or excellent value. Dealers, meanwhile, are less enthused by the prospect, warning that they don’t trust Chinese automakers to comply with U.S. regulations. Read more HERE
* Curbside EV charging Milestone! San Francisco is making a major push to expand EV charging access for residents who lack driveways or garages. On March 10, 2026, Mayor Daniel Lurie and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman introduced legislation to create the city’s first permanent curbside EV charging program, building on a pilot launched in April 2025. More on this HERE
* War effect. War in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies, which is prompting some car shoppers to look for ways to climb off “the gas-price roller coaster.” In the United States, prices for new electric vehicles have fallen but still average $6,500 more than vehicles that run on fossil fuels, according to Cox Automotive. The New York Times offers a tool to help people make a calculation on savings based on local electricity prices and driving habits. Learn about this HERE
* Lower cost E15 Gasoline. From the New York Times: The Trump administration said that it would temporarily suspend some anti-smog restrictions on summertime gasoline blends, in an attempt to ease the recent spike in fuel prices stemming from the war with Iran. The Environmental Protection Agency issued emergency waivers to allow expanded sales this summer of a gasoline blend known as E15, which consists of 15 percent ethanol. More than 3,000 stations across the country offer E15, which sells at a discount to other gasoline blends but is often restricted from June to September because of concerns that it can exacerbate smog in hotter weather. Analysts said the E.P.A.’s moves could shave 10 cents to 25 cents per gallon from the cost of gasoline in some parts of the country as the typical summer price increases begin.
* Fuel prices. California diesel prices reached an average of $7/gal for the first time ever. That’s not just a milestone- it’s a warning. Trucking and agriculture run on diesel. Higher costs are coming- and they won’t just stay in California. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 10 cents from last week and one dollar since last month. The steep rise was from $2.98 on February 26 to $3.98.
* AVs, more congestion and road-use pricing. Research and common sense suggest that self-driven vehicles will cause car use to spike, resulting in logjams that would be calamitous for cities’ quality of life and economic health. Autonomous vehicles offer superior car trips, which can lead to people taking more and longer car trips, and workers tolerating longer car commutes, catalyzing sprawl and creating more miles driven. Road pricing during peak times can mitigate gridlock by encouraging flexible travel plans and forcing AV companies and customers to consider the delays they impose on others, and setting up a policy apparatus that leverages road pricing can help keep traffic flowing.
Intrigued? Read MORE HERE
* Car theft declines. Car thefts reached a 40-year low in 2025, according to the nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau. The NICB reported a 23% decrease in automotive thefts since 2024. Still, people reported 659,880 stolen vehicles nationwide. Read here which vehicles top the list of those stolen. HERE
* Kia stop sale. Kia has issued a stop-sale order and recall for a specific group of its latest SUVs due to a dangerous defect in the power-folding rear seats. This move follows a tragic, fatal accident involving the same seat system in the related Hyundai Palisade. The primary concern is that the second-row power-folding seats may fail to detect a person or object in their path. If obstructed, the seat can continue to move, potentially trapping or crushing occupants, especially small children. Approximately 568 vehicles, specifically the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige trims equipped with the Executive Package. Owners are advised not to operate the second-row power seats when children are present in the rear seating area. A permanent fix is currently under development, with an announcement on the specific remedy expected by May 19, 2026.
* Ford & Lincoln recall. Ford Motor Co. is recalling 254,640 SUVs in the U.S. over software issues that may result in the loss of rearview camera image and some advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall includes Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Nautilus, Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer SUVs, according to the NHTSA.
* Lexus recall. Toyota Motor Co. is recalling 144,200 Lexus NX250, NX350, RX350, and TX350 models due to rearview cameras that may not function properly when reversing. Dealers will update the relevant software free of charge.
* Rick Hendrick honored. The global Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) will honor Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, with the Industry Leader Award in Retail, presented by Cox Automotive, at the Auto Forum New York this March.
HERE
* Future look; air taxi. Joby Aviation has demonstrated its electric air taxi over the San Francisco Bay Area as part of its Electric Skies Tour. The aircraft, which can carry four passengers, is capable of vertical takeoff and speeds up to 200 mph. The tour aims to familiarize the public and regulators with the technology as part of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. See it HERE
* 60th Easter Jeep Safari. The Jeep brand has geared up for its annual pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, bringing bold, highly capable concept vehicles to the 60th Easter Jeep Safari, running March 28 through April 5. Five new Jeep concept vehicles and the JeepXJ Pioneer concept original 1984 Cherokee are to be seen. See them all HERE
* Route 66; pier to pier.Route 66 now has a new starting point, right at Navy Pier in Chicago! The all-American interstate starts in the Midwest and ends in the west, at Santa Monica Pier! The storied highway, which spans 2,400 miles between Chicago to California, is celebrating its centennial this year. Chicago honored the landmark by unveiling a new sign at Navy Pier outside of Harry Caray’s Tavern.
* Right-to-race. From The Drive we read, the Kansas state legislature voted to pass the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act, which will provide civil immunity for 20 race tracks in operation there today. It’s waiting on the governor’s signature following a unanimous vote in the state’s House of Representatives. More on this HERE
Stay safe. Be Well.
Kind regards,
Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel
