Bob Gritzinger

3 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Bob Gritzinger

First-quarter sales reports are flowing in and it is evident light-vehicle sales are running at a blistering pace. But it’s not clear whether the surge is being driven by the impending Trump Admin. 25% tariffs on vehicles imported from Mexico and Canada or a slew of other factors. Data points to a big jump in the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales for March, no doubt driven by the tariff talk, says Haig Stoddard, principal analyst–Forecasts, Wards Intelligence.

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Bob Gritzinger

SAN FRANCISCO – After two days of tearing around the Bay Area in Cadillac’s latest battery-electric utility vehicles, it’s safe to say they share little more than electrified propulsion and the brand’s illuminated trademark crest. At the top end of the portfolio sits the 2025 Escalade IQ, built on the same double-stack, 24-module battery pack platform underpinning the Hummer EV and General Motors’ large electric pickups.

2 months ago | wardsauto.com | Bob Gritzinger

PALM SPRINGS, CA – Few owners are going to power slide their battery-electric CUV through a rutted, sandy two-track in the desert, but it’s good to know Hyundai’s latest addition to its XRT stable is up to the task, whether in sand, or more likely snow or mud. “EVs can be used as off-road vehicles,” says John Shon, senior group manager-product planning. The 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT is the first BEV to join the automaker’s off-road lineup that includes the Palisade XRT, Santa Cruz XRT and Tucson XRT.

2 months ago | wardsauto.com | Bob Gritzinger

Toyota doesn’t stray too far from its tried-and-true recipe of consistent functionality in the 2025 4Runner, but adds a significant boost in power and fuel efficiency with new powertrains across the board. SAN DIEGO – Whether traversing a tough two-track through the hinterland or carving curves on a nearby two-lane highway, the new 2025 Toyota 4Runner seems utterly…consistent. For Cynthia Barreras, 4Runner marketing chief, that’s a good thing.

Jan 15, 2025 | wardsauto.com | Bob Gritzinger

American Honda embarks on a multi-propulsion future in 2025 and into 2026, launching four new models: one battery-electric, one hybrid and two pure internal-combustion engine additions joining the Japanese automaker’s lineup of hybrids and ICEs.The ICEs arrive first, starting with a fully re-engineered 2026 Passport powered by a 285-hp, 262-lb.-ft. (355-Nm) 3.5L DOHC V-6 hooked to the model’s first 10-speed automatic transmission.