Weekly Wheelhouse - Auto News. Simplified Jan 15, 2026

Fuel Economy Rules Rolled Back — EV Sales Fall, Hybrids Surge

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Term

fuel economy standards

Fuel economy standards are rules that tell car manufacturers how many miles their cars should be able to drive on a gallon of fuel. The goal is to make cars more efficient and better for the environment.

Term

miles per gallon (MPG)

Miles per gallon (MPG) tells you how far a car can go using one gallon of fuel. A higher MPG means the car is more fuel-efficient and can travel farther on less gas.

Term

EV

An EV, or electric vehicle, is a car that uses electricity to power its motor instead of gasoline. This means they produce no tailpipe emissions and can be cheaper to run over time.

Term

hybrid

A hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. This helps it save fuel and produce fewer emissions than regular cars.

Car

RAM 2500

The RAM 2500 is a larger truck than the RAM 1500, built for tougher jobs. It can carry heavier loads and tow more.

Car

Ram 3500

The RAM 3500 is even bigger and stronger than the RAM 2500, designed for the toughest jobs and can carry the heaviest loads.

Car

Ram 1500

The RAM 1500 is a big truck that people use for work and everyday driving. It's known for being powerful and comfortable.

Brand

Jaguar

Jaguar is a well-known car brand from the UK that makes luxury cars. They are famous for their stylish designs and high performance.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can go off-road but also feels very nice inside. People talk about it because it's seen as a status symbol and is great for both rough terrains and city driving.

Concept

luxury vehicle

A luxury vehicle is a fancy car that offers more comfort and better features than regular cars. They are often made with high-quality materials and have advanced technology.

Concept

EV (Electric Vehicle)

An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are better for the environment and are becoming more common as technology improves.

Car

Honda Passport

The Passport is a roomy SUV that’s good for families and trips. It's getting more popular because it has a lot of space and is comfortable to drive.

Car

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a small car made by Honda that has been popular for many years. It's known for being fun to drive and getting good gas mileage.

Car

Honda Crv

The Honda CR-V is a popular compact SUV made by Honda. It's known for being roomy and good on gas, which makes it a favorite for families.

Car

Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that can drive well in tough weather conditions. It's popular for its ability to handle different terrains and is great for adventures.

Car

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a small SUV that has a lot of room inside and is very safe. It can drive well in different weather conditions, making it a good family car.

Term

all-wheel drive

All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of a car get power from the engine, which helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather or off-road.

Car

Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is a type of vehicle that looks like a car but has more space and can handle rough roads and bad weather. It's good for families and outdoor activities.

Car

Subaru Solterra

The Subaru Solterra is a new electric SUV from Subaru. It uses electricity instead of gas, which is better for the environment, but it's having a hard time selling well right now.

Car

Kia Sportage

The Sportage is a small SUV that’s popular because it has a lot of features and looks good. Many people like it for its value and comfort.

Car

Kia Seltos

The Seltos is a small SUV that looks cool and has a lot of space inside. It’s popular with younger people because it’s affordable and has modern features.

Term

0-60 time

0-60 time tells you how fast a car can go from a stop to 60 miles per hour. A lower number means the car is quicker.

Term

NAX charging access

NAX charging access is a way for electric cars to charge their batteries quickly. It makes it easier for drivers to find places to charge their cars.

Car

Ford Maverick

The Maverick is a small truck that’s easy on the wallet and offers a hybrid version, which means it saves gas. It's popular because it’s practical for everyday use and has a modern design.

Car

Ford Escape

The Escape is a small SUV that’s good for families and has options that save gas. It’s popular because it’s practical and has a lot of modern tech features.

Car

Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport is a small SUV that is good for off-road driving but also comfortable for regular use.

Car

Ford F-Series

The Ford F-Series includes a range of trucks, like the F-150, that are well-known for being tough and able to do heavy work.

Car

Mazda Cx5

The CX-5 is a small SUV that looks nice and is fun to drive. The Turbo Premium version has more power, making it a great choice for people who want a sporty feel in an SUV.

Term

horsepower

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster and accelerate better.

Term

torque

Torque is a way to measure how strong an engine is when it comes to moving the car. Higher torque means the car can start moving faster and pull heavier loads.

Term

octane gasoline

Octane gasoline refers to a rating that tells you how well the fuel can handle pressure in the engine. Higher numbers mean the fuel is better for powerful engines, while lower numbers are fine for regular cars.

Term

compact SUV

A compact SUV is a smaller type of SUV that is easier to drive and park than larger SUVs. It usually has enough space for passengers and cargo, making it a good choice for families or city driving.

Term

cargo space

Cargo space is the room inside a car where you can put your bags, groceries, or anything else you need to carry. More cargo space means you can fit more stuff in the car.

Term

tech updates

Tech updates are improvements or new features in a car's technology, like better sound systems, navigation, or safety features. They make the car more enjoyable and easier to use.

Car

Toyota Corolla

The Corolla is a very popular car that people trust to last a long time and save on gas. The new hybrid version is even better for the environment while still being a great everyday car.

Term

suspension

Suspension is what helps a car ride smoothly over bumps and turns. It connects the car's body to the wheels and helps keep everything stable.

Car

Jeep Gladiator

The Gladiator is a truck that looks like a Jeep, so it’s great for off-roading and has a bed for carrying stuff. It's popular with people who love outdoor activities and need a tough vehicle.

Term

3.6 liter V6

A 3.6 liter V6 engine is a specific kind of engine that has six cylinders and is known for being powerful while still being fairly efficient. It's commonly used in many vehicles.

Term

mud terrain tires

Mud terrain tires are a type of tire made for driving on muddy or rough ground. They have special patterns that help the vehicle grip the surface better when off-roading.

LIVE

Welcome to Weekly Wheelhouse, where auto news is simplified.

I'm Jim with Off the Shelf Rides, and here are the top US automotive stories that you need

to know this week, including the fuel economy rollbacks, RAM recalls, and November sales

reports.

The biggest story out there is the fuel economy standards rollback.

The Trump administration has moved to rollback the US fuel economy standards.

The fleet-wide targets dropped from about 50.4 miles per gallon down to 34.5 miles per

gallon by 2031.

The administration says this will lower the cost of new vehicles by about $1,000, but

analysts warn it will mean higher fuel use and more emissions long-term.

For car buyers, this could shift automaker strategy back towards gas SUVs and trucks

and slow down EV development.

Now, normally I don't inject my thoughts on most of these stories, but this one, I do

have more information that I think you should know.

A few weeks ago, we reported about the $1.8 billion in tariffs, and that will increase

vehicle pricing by about $250 per vehicle, and that impact pretty much has started

right now when the tariffs went into effect.

Now this rollback will reduce the cost of new vehicles by $1,000 by 2031.

So the actual savings is about $750 per vehicle in about five years, and over the course of

those five years, inflation will probably devour that $750 savings that you're getting.

Consumer reports said that if nothing changed, if they didn't roll this back, that by

2031, the five-year gas savings would be about $6,000.

So you'd be paying an extra $1,000, but you would save $6,000 in gas over the course

of the following five years, or you save basically $750 off of the price, but save

less at the gas pump and gas prices by 2031.

They aren't going to be lower than they are now.

Let me know what you think down in the comments.

Next, EV sales are falling while hybrids are surging.

New sales data shows EV demand slowed significantly in November, with several EVs posting double-digit

declines.

Meanwhile, hybrid sales continue climbing across nearly every major brand.

This trend is tied to changing tax credit rules, charging concerns, and the higher

cost of EV ownership.

Buyers are choosing hybrids as a middle ground that still delivers strong fuel savings without

the limitations of full EVs.

RAM is recalling 72,509 trucks because the digital instrument cluster can go completely

blank.

That means the driver may lose visibility of the speedometer, gear position, or brake

warnings.

This affects certain 2025 and 2026 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 model plus cab chassis variants.

Owners will receive a free software update or a full cluster replacement starting in early

January.

Next, Jaguar Fires design chief Jerry McGovern.

Jaguar Land Rover has removed longtime design boss Jerry McGovern, the architect behind

the modern Range Rover lineup, and the more controversial Jaguar EV Direction.

This leadership change signals that Jaguar may be rethinking its future design language

and its ultra-luxury EV plans.

The U.S. auto market sold about 1,270,000 vehicles in November, which is down 6-7 percent

compared to last year.

The big EV sales were the biggest factor in the decline.

Hybrids and gas SUVs remain the strongest performing segments, showing where real consumer demand

is heading.

Now for the OEM press room roundup.

Honda maintains strong November sales.

Honda posted 102,824 U.S. sales in November, keeping year-to-date results up 1.8 percent.

The passport had one of its best November showings ever, and the CR-V and Civic continued to anchor

Honda's lineup.

Honda also says its hybrid model set another internal sales record, showing how quickly

customers are shifting towards gas electric options.

The company expects strong momentum heading into early 2026.

Subaru sold 52,081 vehicles last month, with the Crosstrek remaining the brand's

number one seller.

The Outback and Forester also performed well, reinforcing Subaru's strength in the all-wheel

drive crossover market.

However, the Soltera EV continues to struggle, which mirrors the EV slowdown across the

industry.

Subaru says it remains focused on value, safety, and capability.

Kia delivered 72,002 sales in November, making it the best November in company history.

The Sportage, Seltos, and Carnival all hit their highest November totals ever.

Year-to-date sales are now up 7 percent.

Kia continues investing heavily into hybrid and plug-in models, and says demand remained

strong heading into 2026.

We did have a new vehicle come to market.

Subaru officially revealed the 2026 Trailseeker, an all-electric SUV producing 375 horsepower

with a 0 to 60 time of just 4.4 seconds.

This makes it the quickest Subaru ever sold in the United States.

It starts at $39,995, offers up to about 280 miles of range, and includes standard all-wheel

drive plus a NAX charging access.

Subaru says the Trailseeker blends performance off-road capability and everyday usability

in one package.

Hyundai sold 74,289 vehicles in November.

While EV demand is soft, Hyundai's hybrid and gas SUVs like the Tucson and Santa Fe continue

to provide strong volume.

Hyundai says its diverse lineup across gas, hybrid, and EV models gives buyers more

choices during a very transitional year in the industry.

Next, Ford sold 164,925 vehicles in November, down less than 1 percent from last year.

Hybrid sales continue to climb led by the Maverick Hybrid and the Escape Hybrid.

Ford's EVs, however, dropped to roughly 6 percent.

F-Series, Bronco Sport, and commercial models remain key drivers for Ford's overall

volume.

Next, we're going to cover a couple of the most recent videos posted on off-the-shelf

rides.

And the first one is going to be my review of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Premium.

Now it was a nice comfortable ride.

We know Mazdas have a little bit tighter suspension than most because that gives them a great

driving feel and a more sporty performance if that's what you're looking for.

The steering felt tight.

It had plenty of power.

You get 256 horsepower with 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel.

That drops about 20 horsepower if you use regular 87 octane gasoline.

You do get standard all-wheel drive, and it is one of the most balanced chassis setups

in the compact SUV segment.

The cargo space and tech updates make the CX-5 feel more premium than its price actually

suggests.

I cover pricing, how it stacks up against its competitors, and give you an OSR rating

in the full review.

So go make sure you go check that out.

The link is in the description.

The next video was last week's Weekly Wheelhouse, where we broke down the EV slowdown, the

rise of hybrids, several major OEM announcements, and key updates in the SUV and truck market.

If you missed week four, it's a great catch up to understand how the market is shifting

right now.

The link is in the description for that one also.

Now I'll talk about what I'm driving right now and what I'll be driving next.

So this week I'm driving the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE.

You get about 138 horsepower, 50 miles per gallon, and the SE trim adds a sporty or

suspension feel and look.

So so far suspension is on the stiff side.

The acceleration is smooth, but not quick.

There's no frills, so no heated seats or steering wheel, which it's been 20 degrees this week.

It would have been nice to have those.

There's not even a remote start on the key fob.

I'm guessing that is only in the app.

So the full review on that vehicle will be up in about two weeks.

And next week I'll be driving the 2025 Jeep Gladiator High Tide.

It comes with a 3.6 liter V6, willy suspension, mud terrain tires, and a unique appearance

package with the body color hard top.

If this helped you stay informed, hit that like button and subscribe to Off The Shelf

Rides.

Have a blessed day.

About this episode

Fuel economy standards are being rolled back, dropping from 50.4 to 34.5 mpg by 2031, which could shift automaker focus back to gas vehicles and slow EV development. EV sales are declining, while hybrids are gaining popularity due to tax credit changes and charging concerns. The episode also covers RAM's recall of over 72,000 trucks, Jaguar's design chief departure, and highlights from November sales across major brands like Honda, Subaru, and Kia. The discussion emphasizes the evolving landscape of the automotive market and consumer preferences.

0-60 time 3.6 liter V6 all wheel drive cargo space compact SUV EV EV (Electric Vehicle) fuel economy standards horsepower hybrid

Original notes

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Welcome back to Weekly Wheelhouse — Auto News. Simplified.
I’m Jim with Off the Shelf Rides, and this week we break down the biggest U.S. automotive stories shaping the market right now.
Fuel economy standards are being rolled back, dropping fleet targets to 34.5 MPG by 2031 — a move aimed at lowering vehicle prices but likely increasing fuel costs long-term.
EV sales continue to slow, while hybrids surge across nearly every major automaker as buyers look for a practical middle ground.
Ram recalls over 72,000 trucks due to blank digital instrument clusters that could affect driver visibility.
The U.S. auto market fell about 7% in November, with weak EV demand driving most of the decline.
In Segment 2, we cover November sales reports from Honda, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, and Ford, plus the debut of the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV.
We also recap my latest review of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Premium, talk about what I’m driving now, and preview what’s coming next.
If this helped you stay informed, hit like, subscribe, and thanks for watching Weekly Wheelhouse!

2025 Mazda CX-5 Review - https://youtu.be/Y73FgvgrsfY?si=uQn5P9OgbXbW1ZEM

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