Daily Recap: Thursday, March 12, 2026
29 episodes · If you only listen to one: DAILY: Mercedes Premium VLE Van, GM Bolt Arrives At Dealers and Porsche Adds Cayenne S EV | 11 Mar 2026 — EV News Daily
Honda scrapped three upcoming EV models and is taking up to $16 billion in losses as the company adjusts to softer electric vehicle demand. The shows also covered Rivian's R2 pricing and specifications, rising diesel costs hitting suppliers, and dealership programs focused on teen driver safety and basic maintenance education. Performance cars came up frequently, with discussions touching on the Ford Mustang, Porsche Cayenne, and BMW's M3 and M5.
Headlines
Honda Cancels Three EV Models, Books Up to $16 Billion in Losses
Honda is canceling three electric vehicle models planned for North America — the Zero Series SUV, Zero Series Saloon, and Acura RSX — due to declining EV demand. The automaker expects to book between $5.2 billion and $15.8 billion in losses related to this strategic shift. The pullback comes as China's passenger car sales fell 26% in the first two months of the year, with even new energy vehicle sales down 7%.
"Honda says it will book up to nearly sixteen billion dollars in losses and it shifted away from [EVs]. The automaker is canceling three EVs it was developing for North America, the Zero Series SUV, the Zero Series saloon, and the [Acura] RSX."
Episode Spotlights
On affordable emergency kit options for teenage drivers:
"I was looking on Amazon for basic emergency kits that you can keep in your vehicle and I found one. I was going to buy like 50 of them and they're like anywhere from $22 to $49 a piece."
March 12, 2026 | Diesel price spike squeezes North American suppliers; Honda cancels 3 EVs
On diesel price volatility impacting North American suppliers:
"A sudden 20% spike in diesel prices is squeezing auto supplier margins across North America. The [jump] follows disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. strikes on Iran."
On the Rivian R2's performance specs and pricing (£46,000 UK / $45,000 US):
"It's about 46,000 pounds. That includes the launch package, by the way... They'll be getting a dual motor, all wheel drive system, with 656 horsepower... It'll do 0 to 60 miles an hour, just shy of 100 kph, in 3.6 seconds... EPA range sits at 333 miles, that's 531 kilometers."
#422 - From Curbstoner to Dealer: How One Young Entrepreneur Got Legit In California
On managing inventory as a solo car dealer:
"once i got to like 150 k worth of the inventory i'm a one-man operation i'm gonna try making excuses but i think i just got a little bit lost in the sauce kind of left too many cars you know on recon thinking i'll get to it later"
If You Only Listen To One
Covers Mercedes' all-electric VLE premium van launch, GM's Chevrolet Bolt EV arriving at dealers, and the new Porsche Cayenne S EV spec.
"It's a shame because the Bolt is back and it's really good. In effect, it's the Bolt EUV using a single motor front wheel drive, 65 kilowatt hour LFP pack, 210 horsepower, EPA rated at 262 miles... and this thing charges. Not like a beast, but it does charge at 150 kilowatts. GM says it'll do 10 to 80 in 25 minutes... In my book, that's a road tripper."
By the Numbers
Most-Discussed Cars
| Car | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 7 |
| Porsche Cayenne | 6 |
| BMW M5 | 5 |
| BMW M3 | 4 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 4 |
| Acura Integra | 4 |
| Dodge Charger | 4 |
| Porsche 911 | 4 |
Trending Terminology
| Term | Mentions |
|---|---|
| horsepower | 4 |
| torque | 4 |
| MSRP | 3 |
| turbo | 3 |
| daily driver | 2 |
| restoration | 2 |
29 episodes. 390 car mentions. 608 terms explained. Browse every episode with searchable annotations and plain-language term definitions in the Car Curious app.