December 2021

Mazda announces pricing for the 2022 MX-5 Miata starting at $28,325



(January 1, 2022) IRVINE, Calif. — Mazda North America Operations has announced updates to the brand’s two-seat roadster. The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a pure driver’s car; well-balanced, lightweight, and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio. Mazda says the MX-5 Miata’s blend of engaging performance and nimble handling help the driver feel every ounce of driving enjoyment on just about any road.

Mecum Auctions achieves $578 million in total sales for 2021



(December 31, 2021) WALWORTH, Wis. — Mecum Auctions has reported resounding live auction success for calendar year 2021, resulting in $578 million in total sales with a 90 percent overall sell-through rate—the highest annual total ever achieved by a U.S. domestic-based live collector car auction company, and the highest total achieved in the entire industry this year on a global scale.

2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid with 52 mpg estimated starts at $24,775



(December 31, 2021) PLANO, Texas — With "eye-catching style" that achieves as much as 52 mpg fuel economy, the 2022 Corolla Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient model to ever wear the Corolla name. This high-efficiency model uses the latest Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive and, like its gas-powered siblings, delivers a highly satisfying driving experience. With a hybrid system that combines a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two motor/generators, the combined system output of 121 horsepower yields decidedly responsive performance.

Rivian delays deliveries of pickups, SUV's with big battery pack



(December 30, 2021) Rivian Automotive Inc. is delaying deliveries of electric pickup truck and SUVs equipped with Max battery packs to 2023, CEO RJ Scaringe said in a letter to customers on Tuesday. Scaringe said the majority of Rivian's roughly 71,000 preorders for the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV in the United States and Canada were for a version of the vehicles with a smaller battery pack option providing 314 miles of range on one charge.

For urban drivers only — Toyota expands C+ pod sales in Japan



(December 30, 2021) TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota has announced that it will expand sales of the "C+ pod" ultra-compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) to all corporate and municipal customers, and now the general public as well. The vehicle was launched for select corporate and municipal customers in December last year. All vehicles will be offered via lease contract, starting from Toyota vehicle dealers and Toyota Rental & Lease Agencies throughout Japan.

Geely's electric mobility brand will build vehicles for Waymo



(December 30, 2021) Geely Holding said its premium electric mobility brand, Zeekr, will make electric vehicles for Waymo, Alphabet Inc.'s self-driving unit, to be deployed as fully autonomous ride-hailing vehicles across the United States. The vehicles will be designed and developed at Zeekr's facility in Sweden, and later integrated with Waymo's self-driving technology, Geely said on Tuesday.

GM’s transition to all-electric begins with a super truck, delivery EV



(December 29, 2021) DETROIT — A new era has begun for General Motors with the deliveries of its first next-generation electric vehicles, the GMC Hummer pickup and the BrightDrop EV600 light commercial vehicle, both built on the Ultium Platform. This dedicated EV architecture and propulsion system is the foundation for GM’s all-electric future, giving the company the capability not only to build an entire retail and commercial portfolio, but also leverage the technology to expand its business to non-automotive applications.

Barrett-Jackson revs up for 'automotive event of the year' in Scottsdale



(December 29, 2021) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barrett-Jackson is revving up for the automotive event of 2022 when it returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale, Jan. 22-30, to celebrate 50 years of The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions. The annual Scottsdale Auction has hosted some of the most electrifying moments in collector car history over the last five decades.