G. David Felt

The year is 2018, Toyota introduced the C-HR to the North American market with a futuristic look, lots of tech goodies for the time but sluggish acceleration that after five years had it end in 2022 with a 144hp motor mated to a CVT or continuously variable automatic transmission that based on reviews said it struggled to achieve a combined 29 MPG in FWD form. Fast Forward to 2025, Toyota debuts the all-new C-HR electric vehicle with standard AWD, 338 combined HP and range of an estimated 290 miles from a 74.7 kW battery pack and built on the Toyota e-TNGA platform. The 2026 C-HR will come with class leading soft touch materials, customizable lighting and a 14-inch touchscreen with fast charging from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes using an NACS port. The C-HR has a five-person configuration with a 60/40-fold flat rear seat allowing up to 25.4-cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. While the C-HR rides on the same platform as the bZ, the C-HR is 4 inches shorter than the bZ and gets a fastback coupe-style rear-end. While the bZ gets a variety of motor choices, the C-HR as stated has only AWD with the combined 338 HP that allows 0 to 60 sprints in 5 seconds, which is 1.1 seconds faster than the Toyota GR86 gas car. The C-HR will come in two models, the SE and XSE with a wide assortment of standard interior features. 14-inch touchscreen with the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system six-speaker audio system standard Optional - JBL Premium audio system with nine speakers, 8-channel 800-watt amplifier, 9-inch JBL subwoofer Standard Android Auto and Apple Carplay Fully digital gauge cluster Dual wireless chargers in the center console Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system Includes a 5-year subscription to Safety and Service Connect Vehicle Stability Control Traction Control Anti-lock Brake System Electronic Brake-force distribution Brake Assist Smart Stop technology Rain-sensing wipers Heated front seats and steering wheel Three USB-Type C ports (one front, two rear) Front and Rear Parking assist with automatic braking Blind spot monitor Cross Traffic Alert Safe Exit Alert 8-way power drivers and passengers' front seat on XSE Driver Memory seat on XSE Digital rearview mirrow with homelink XSE Traffic Jam assist XSE Lange change assist XSE Panoramic view monitor XSE The 2026 C-HR will come to North America Dealerships Q1 2026 and be covered by a 36-month / 36,000-mile for normal wear and tear warranty, 60-month or 60,000 miles powertrain and no mileage limitation on corrosion. The electrical driving components, including the battery pack are covered by 8-year or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. The C-HR also comes with 2-year or 25,000 miles ToyotaCare factory scheduled maintenance and 3-year roadside assistance, with no mileage limitation. Pricing and final details will be released close to the on-sale date.   View full article

Toyota has been late to the EV or electrical vehicle market around the world. Toyota finally launched a full lineup in China, but people have been wondering what they have in store for the rest of the world. Welcome the 2026 bZ battery electric vehicle. The bZ starts off the 2026 model year with a higher capacity lithium-ion battery that comes in at 74.7-kWh capacity good for a manufacture-estimated range of 314 miles. Toyota then packs on the updated features as you have an industry standardized NACS charge port that allows access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Toyota goes farther by adding a Plug & Charge capability that allows this industry standard protocol to automatically identify, authenticate, and authorize at select charging networks, reducing the need for multiple mobile charging applications to one in the Toyota smartphone app. Charging goes from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes when using a DC fast charger. The 2026 bZ gets an updated instrument panel that is 14-inch in size and is an audio multimedia touchscreen with customizable ambient lighting. The interior changes continue with a much slimmer dashboard that has dual wireless chargers, soft touch materials throughout, 64-color customizable ambient lighting allowing for a premium feel through the interior. Toyota did not stop on refreshing the interior and battery pack. They increased the combined horsepower of the AWD system from 214 to 338 net hp allowing for the EV to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The upgrades continue in that Toyota changes to lightweight energy-efficient eAxles that now use silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors that contribute to the new horsepower rating of the AWD system and even the FWD system that has gone from 201 hp to 221 hp. Toyota offers both the XLE and Limited trim in FWD or AWD configurations. Last year's model had what many called a quirky style, Toyota has restyled the exterior. The front-end has new lighting and fascia designs along with color-matched overfenders that used to be black plastic only giving the bZ a sleeker look. 2026 bZ will arrive in the second half of 2025 with pricing and full details released closer to on-sale date. View full article

This will be interesting to see as it is not an agreement but a consensus in the short term. NOTHING GAINED. U.S.-China Trade Deal Turns Back Clock On Tariffs; S&P 500 Soars, But Risks Remain

Awesome award. This EV Just Beat the Competition at Top Gear’s 2025 Awards—And It Seats Seven

Sadly, Incompetent leadership is what #47 is and jobs are at stake due to the ignorance of the current administration. Like he said, they work on a diverse number of autos, but it does not matter as we are a global economy and there is no going back to the so-called golden age of America in the 50's, 60's that boomers want to relive. Time to dump the current idiots and bring in folks that are able to understand that we live in a multi-cultural society that is based on a global economy.

Very interesting, a Texas Power Company assembled a list of states where it pays to switch to an EV. While all 50 states can save you money if you hold the EV for 10 years over an ICE, these 10 states save you the most the fastest. The 10 states in America where switching to an EV will save you the most money