by Michael Gauthier European officials are reviewing tariffs applied to the Cupra Tavascan. SUV is made in China and is subject to a 20.7% tariff on Chinese EVs. VW is pursuing an exemption using import quotas and pricing rules. Thanks to the tangle of modern manufacturing and global supply chains, it’s increasingly difficult to pin down what makes a car genuinely European. Is an American-made Mercedes or a Chinese-built Volkswagen really German? That’s an important distinction, especially in the era of trade wars and tariffs. However, Volkswagen is hoping its European roots will give it the upper hand. More: VW’s Cupra Could Be ‘Wiped Out’ By EU Tariffs, Warns CEO This already appears to be working as Reuters is reporting the European Commission has decided to review tariffs applied to Volkswagen Group vehicles built in China. Instead of a traditional tariff, the automaker is said to be eyeing an “import quota and minimum price mechanism.” The petition was made by Volkswagen Anhui, which is a joint venture with JAC. It builds the Cupra Tavascan, and the automaker has said tariffs are a “serious threat” to its business. If the Commission grants the company’s request, the Tavascan could be exempt from a 20.7% levy. This could occur within a matter a months, although it remains to be seen if officials will be swayed by the company’s arguments. Even if the model were to be exempted from the tariff, the minimum price proposal may not be any better. As the publication noted, officials have “insisted that any minimum prices would need to be as effective and enforceable as the tariffs.” The South China Morning Post reports automakers face steep tariffs when importing vehicles into Europe. The aforementioned 20.7% tariff on Chinese EVs is on top of a 10% baseline tariff. The rates aren’t even the same among automakers, as SAIC reportedly gets hit with a 35.3% tariff, BYD with 17%, and Geely with 18.8%.

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by Brad Anderson More shoppers are switching to midsize SUVs, including new PHEVs. Sales of the BMW 3 Series have dropped 23 percent this year. New arrivals include the BMW 3 Series and the electric C Class. It’s no secret that Europe’s premium carmakers are facing tough conditions, and the segment they classify as luxury mid-size sedans, known in North America as premium compacts, is bearing the brunt more than most. Once a staple of the executive car park, these models are now slipping down the sales charts as consumer preferences shift and market pressures mount. For brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, the latest numbers make for a sobering read. Read: China’s Car Brands Are Quietly Eating Europe’s Lunch Sales across the premium mid-size sedan category dropped 19 percent in the first ten months of 2025, falling to 241,096 units. The BMW 3-Series still leads the segment, but it hasn’t escaped the downturn. Registrations of the model are down a worrying 23 percent year-over-year, now totaling 60,237 units. The newly launched Audi A5, which replaces the previous A4, is holding its ground in second place. With 53,483 units sold so far this year, it’s been a bright spot for Audi in an otherwise sluggish category. The same can’t be said for some of its rivals. Figures from Dataforce, published by Autonews Europe, show that Mercedes-Benz sold 14 percent fewer C-Class units this year, with volume dropping to 41,335. BMW’s all-electric i4 is also slightly down, slipping 1.6 percent to 36,982 units. It’s a similarly bleak picture further down the list. The Volvo S60 and V60 combined for 16,476 sales, marking a 35 percent drop. Polestar 2 sales fell 26 percent to 14,099, while the BMW 4-Series declined 12 percent to 10,081 units. Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, despite a loyal following, also posted a 20 percent decline. Model availability hasn’t been the only challenge. Auto News reports that car buyers have started shopping in other segments. For example, there’s strong demand for midsize SUVs, including those with plug-in hybrid powertrain options like the BYD Seal U. Even so, there’s some cautious optimism that the segment may eventually stabilize or bounce back. New Options Are Coming Some automakers are betting on electrification to reverse the segment’s fortunes. BMW is deep into development of the next-generation 3-Series, which will be offered in both combustion and electric versions. The EV, expected to carry the i3 badge, will use technology from the upcoming iX3. That includes a more efficient powertrain and improved range, making it a key product in BMW’s electric strategy. Mercedes is taking a similar route with the next-gen C-Class, set to arrive next year. The upcoming electric version will share its underpinnings with the new GLC SUV, pointing to a more scalable and EV-focused platform approach. Germany remains the largest single market for these midsize premium sedans, holding a dominant 37 percent market share. Sales have slid considerably in the UK, dropping 26 percent and reducing its market share to 16 percent.

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by Chris Chilton Hagerty’s 2026 Bull Market List spotlights 11 cars primed to appreciate. The list leans into ’90s and 2000s analog modern cars appealing to youth. Values span under $10k to over $1.5M, from Miatas to Carrera GTs. Hagerty has dropped the ninth edition of its annual Bull Market List, and once again it’s mostly less about garage queens and more about smart enthusiast buys you can actually enjoy. The idea is simple: identify cars that punch above their weight in value, ownership costs, and sheer driving fun, then flag the ones most likely to rise in value over the next 12 months. Related: 11 Hot Classic Cars You Should Buy Before They Get Out Of Reach What’s especially interesting about the 2026 list is how hard it leans into the 1990s and early 2000s. According to Hagerty, this era represents the final sweet spot of “analog modernity,” when cars delivered proper performance, real driver involvement, and minimal electronic nannying, often paired with manual gearboxes. Younger buyers are driving much of that interest in affordable neo-classic metal, but there’s also space here for old-school American muscle and a genuine blue-chip exotic. Values range from under $10,000 to well north of seven figures, proving that whether your budget stretches to a used Miata or a Carrera GT, speculation-friendly fun is still very much on the table. Here’s Hagerty’s full 2026 Bull Market List, from youngest to oldest. The C6 Corvette Z06 remains one of the best horsepower-per-dollar deals around. Its naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 delivers 505 hp (512 PS) and stacks of character, while values remain surprisingly restrained for a car with true supercar-rivaling performance. A genuine Corvette great. BMW’s V10-powered sedan is already legendary, and younger buyers are taking notice. The 500 hp (507 PS) S85 engine is unique to this car, gloriously unhinged, and increasingly appreciated as BMW moves further away from specialized naturally-aspirated M engines. Just make sure those rod bolts have been changed. One of Porsche’s purest creations, the Carrera GT’s V10, manual gearbox, and limited production make it increasingly untouchable. Demand is strong among (obscenely wealthy) younger collectors, helping cement its status as a modern hypercar icon. The NB Miata built on the original’s charm while adding power. Cheap to run, endlessly fun, and loved by everyone, it’s no surprise demand continues to outpace supply across all age groups. Rust is an issue, but so is trying to keep a straight face. Gran Turismo fame, twin turbos, and long-standing US forbidden-fruit status have made the R33 Skyline GT-R incredibly desirable. Since becoming legal to import, clean examples haven’t stayed affordable for long, and that trend isn’t stopping. The Mk3 Golf GTI with a 172 hp (174 PS) six-cylinder soundtrack hits nostalgia hard. With younger enthusiasts dominating interest, the VR6’s blend of practicality and character is finally translating into stronger values. A muscle truck before muscle trucks were the big deal they are today. Big-block torque, stealthy looks, and growing collector interest have pushed values sharply upward, but the SS remains cheaper than many modern performance pickups. Review: 2026 Ram 1500 V8 Hemi Is Worse On Paper But Better In Reality Than The Hurricane Six Classic SUV demand is exploding, and the Dodge Ramcharger offers V8 muscle without asking Bronco money. Its boxy styling and simplicity are winning over buyers who want vintage toughness without chasing overheated prices. Collectors priced out of vintage Porsches are rediscovering Alfa’s pretty GTV. Timeless design, engaging driving dynamics, and racing pedigree are combining to lift values. Unfortunately, those values have been lifted deep into classic Porsche territory, so you might already be too late to buy. Few cars capture American muscle mythology like the Charger, and the draw goes far beyond boomers trying to recapture their youth. With strong interest from Gen X and younger buyers, high-performance R/T models continue to gain momentum. Once the most expensive American car ever built, the Mark II is a rolling monument to 1950s luxury. Elegant, refined, and still surprisingly usable, it remains undervalued considering its history and craftsmanship. As Hagerty puts it, no matter your budget, it’s never been easier to buy an enthusiast car you genuinely love, and maybe even watch it appreciate while you’re at it. Which of these 11 cars gets you juiced up or do you have another hot collector tip for 2026?

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by Stephen Rivers 2024 SF90 XX Stradale had four owners in under one year. Despite rapid flips, it shows no damage or title issues. Recently sold for the fifth time for $1.7M on auction site. A Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale changing owners fast is hardly shocking. These are million-plus, limited-run, track-bred attention vacuums that speculators treat like stock tickers. Influencers powerful enough to get their hands on one only need it long enough to create their content. But this particular SF90? This one has been passed around so many times in the span of a year that it’s legitimately hard not to raise an eyebrow. More: The Man Behind Ferrari’s SF90 Is Now Building Alpine’s SF90 Rival The hypercar in question had already passed through four (yes, four!) different owners before a fifth scooped it up the other day, all within the span of less than 15 months. Since first being registered in October 2024, this SF90 has cycled through Montana, California, and Florida, and it’s appeared at more than one exotic car dealership along the way. It’s showing 1,800 miles on the clock, so at least a few of its previous keepers did more than just park it and pose It comes with a clean CARFAX, showing no accidents, no damage, no title issues, and no odometer problems. But the ownership changes are kinda funny to look at. It originally popped up in Whitefish, Montana, in October 2024, titled as a commercial vehicle for roughly two weeks. Then a second Montana owner picked it up, held it for barely two months, and sent it to Ferrari of San Diego for service. By January 2025, a third owner registered it back in Montana. It appears as though this is the person who drove it the most, so good for them. In July, they sent the car to San Diego for service, and then, by September, it was back up for sale in Murrieta. Two months later, it was in Florida at Carrio Motor Cars. On November 20, a new owner, the fourth, registered it in Miami Beach before dumping it 18 days later. Also: The Depreciation On This Ferrari SF90 After Just 185 Miles Is Insane Now, the exotic Ferrari, which is powered by a hybrid 4.0-liter V8 paired with no fewer than three electric motors for a combined output of 1,016 hp, is headed to its fifth owner after selling for $1,700,000, before fees, on Bring a Trailer. To its credit, the SF90 XX comes with a window sticker showing an original MSRP of $981,147 after options and fees but before taxes, so perhaps this is a good long-term investment. Hopefully, the new owner drives it and enjoys it between now and whenever they also decide to sell it.

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by Michael Gauthier Fiat confirmed the Topolino is coming to the United States. It will apparently arrive next year and slot beneath the 500e. Euro version makes 8 hp and tops out at 28 miles per hour. Stellantis dealers are struggling to sell the Fiat 500X years after its demise, but they’re getting some much needed relief as the Italian brand has announced the Topolino is coming to the USA. Also: Trump Saw These “Really Cute” Cars In Japan And Now Wants Them On US Roads Technically, you could fit a couple of them in the same space as a single 500X, so inventory headaches might be minimal. But sarcasm aside, Fiat really has announced it’s bringing the bite-sized model to the States. The company will share more details next year, but the Topolino is a small two-seat electric vehicle that has a front-mounted motor developing 8 hp (6 kW / 8 PS) and 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) of torque. It’s powered by a 5.4 kWh battery pack, which provides a range of 46 miles (75 km) under the World Motorcycle Test Cycle. The European model has a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and it can accelerate to that number in ten seconds flat. This would make it ideal for use in neighborhoods, where golf carts have exploded in popularity. We’ll learn more about the US-spec model in the coming months, but the European Topolino rides on 14-inch wheels. The ultra-compact EV is also sold in Europe as the Citroen Ami and Opel Rocks, though those variants won’t be making their way here. Unless Dodge or Jeep get any weird ideas. Also: For $5K, Transform Your Citroen Ami Into A Retro 1947 Type H Van If you thought Japan’s Kei cars were small, just wait until Fiat’s Topolino starts showing up on American roads. The tiny two-seater measures 99.8 inches (2,535 mm) long with a wheelbase that spans 68.1 inches (1,730 mm). That’s 43.1 inches (1,096 mm) shorter than the slow-selling 500e, which starts at $30,500 before a hefty $1,995 destination fee. Just imagine this thing next to an Escalade or an F-150. Fiat Unveils Topolino Art Car The announcement was accompanied by the unveiling of an art car at Miami Art Week. The one-off model was created in collaboration with Romero Britto, who is known for his “vibrant, colorful style that blends elements of cubism, pop art and graffiti.” More: Fiat Topolino Micro EV Priced From Just $8k In Italy Dubbed the Brittolino, the model features a colorful exterior with multiple sections that each has its own unique design. We can also see a contrasting blue roof and doors that have been replaced by ropes. They’re joined by Britto-branded wheels and silver bumpers. Fiat CEO Olivier Francois said the Topolino “is now everywhere in Europe” and has made several appearances in the United States over the past year, where it has generated “tremendous excitement among consumers.” He added it has been such a hit that “I’m happy to share that we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the US.”

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Michael Gauthier 2027 Juke spotted testing ahead of its launch next year. Design loosely echoes the Hyper Punk concept model. The EV is expected to borrow heavily from the latest Leaf. Nissan offered an early glimpse of the Juke EV earlier this year through a darkened teaser, and now fresh spy shots have caught the upcoming electric crossover out in the wild, testing on European roads. More: New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma Dressed in black and white camouflage, the prototype is loosely inspired by the Hyper Punk concept and features large headlights that are hidden behind disguise. We can also see a wide central intake, which appears to have a pronounced sensor. Moving further back, there’s a rakish windscreen that meets an angular roof. The model also has an upward sweeping beltline and a compact greenhouse. The front door handles appear to be flush-mounted, while the rear handles are integrated into the upper door trim. Elsewhere, there are aerodynamic wheels and thick side skirts that help to hide the battery pack. Out back, there’s a liftgate with an angular rear window and a sizable spoiler. They’re joined by split lighting units that have upper turn signals as well as large, squared off brake lights with interesting graphics. The Juke is expected to borrow heavily from the redesigned Leaf and ride on the same CMF-EV / AmpR Medium platform. This likely means it will use the car’s 52 kWh battery pack, which enables the model to have a WLTP combined range in excess of 271 miles (436 km). We also wouldn’t be surprised if it uses the Leaf’s entry-level motor, which produces 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h). Nissan hasn’t said much about the upcoming model, but they’ve previously confirmed the compact crossover will be launched in fiscal year 2026. It will be built at the company’s Sunderland Plant alongside the Leaf.

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by Stephen Rivers Detwiler says Tennessee withheld notice during the Ferrari inquiry. He claims investigators told his accountant to keep him uninformed. State seeks a gag order limiting his ability to speak publicly. Just a week or so after the dust settled from his surprise arrest over alleged tax evasion, Cody “WhistlinDiesel” Detwiler is back, and this time, he’s bringing receipts. More: The State Came For WhistlinDiesel’s Ferrari And Now He’s Coming For The State In a new video, the YouTuber lays out his version of how Tennessee handled the tax-evasion case tied to his Montana-registered Ferrari F8. And if what he says holds water, the state’s handling of the situation may not stand up well to scrutiny. Last week, news broke that Detwiler had been arrested on tax evasion charges that, according to him, stem from his now-incinerated Ferrari. That same car was registered in Montana and later burned down in Texas. Detwiler’s core claim isn’t just that Tennessee didn’t contact him to arrange for tax payments before arresting him. He suggests that the state was far more shady. A Question of Timing In a portion of the video that has since been edited out, Detwiler claims that state representatives contacted his accountant a year ago. When they did, the accountant asked if there was any issue with the registration and if Detwiler should transfer it to Tennessee. According to Detwiler, the state’s response was anything but transparent. He cites an agent’s note from the investigative report: “I advised [the accountant] to not speak with Detwiler about our conversation and to leave assets as they were until the investigation was completed.” He claims that officials sat on the issue for months until they could secure an indictment and show up at his house with officers wearing body cameras. “They picked the wrong guy to run an example on,” he says in the video, leaning into the reverse-UNO-card posture he’s adopted since last week’s arrest spiraled across social media. What’s Behind the Gag Order? If the arrest itself wasn’t enough, Detwiler says the state is now pushing for a gag order, arguing his massive online reach could taint a jury or generate hostility toward state workers. He calls the move unconstitutional and says it’s a direct response to the backlash they faced once he went public. He’s not exactly taking it lying down, either. “They’re trying to silence me because they realized they messed up,” he says, noting that the order would prevent him from discussing the case, responding to claims, or most pointedly monetizing any content related to the prosecution. The hearing over the gag order is today, Monday, December 8. One way or another, we doubt this is the last we hear of the case. (They’re Trying to Silence Me) I have court for my first amendment right on 12/08/2025 09:00 AM CST. Court: Williamson – Circuit Criminal Address: 135 4th Ave S Purely factual information 

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