Daily Car News: Tesla jitters, Ram 1500 TRX thunders back, Andretti’s wisdom, and a sobering Corvette reminder

I kicked off the morning with a double espresso and a triple-take: the industry’s doing that weird thing where opposites collide. EV leaders stumble, the Ram 1500 TRX barrels back with a supercharged snarl, Mario Andretti drops a masterclass without trying, and a C8 Corvette story reminds us why restraint matters as much as horsepower. It’s 2026, and the car world isn’t exactly yawning.

EV pulse check: Tesla’s biggest annual sales slide, and what I’m seeing on the ground

Electric car sales are still up year over year in many places, but the rocket-stage growth has cooled—and Tesla took the hardest shiver. It tracks with what I’ve seen: wildly fluctuating prices, the occasional Supercharger backlog on holiday Fridays, and buyers getting pickier now that everyone from Hyundai/Kia to BYD has sharp product with friendly warranties and interiors that don’t feel like airport terminals.

What’s tripping people up? A few threads, same sweater:

• Price-cut fatigue: folks wait for the next discount; the pause becomes a habit.
• Real rivals: I’ve driven the Ioniq 5/EV6 and Polestar 2 back-to-back with a Model Y—there’s nuance now.
• High rates sting: a great car feels less great when the monthly payment bites.
• Charging anxiety: the network is very good (I’ve done winter road trips on it), but it’s not bulletproof off the interstates.
• Product cadence: 3 and Y are updated, sure, but shoppers love “new-new,” and competitors smell fresh.

Shopping an EV right now? Do this

• Work the deals: soft patches usually mean sweet financing or inventory discounts.
• Cross-shop in one afternoon: Model Y vs Ioniq 5/EV6 vs Polestar 2—seat time tells the truth.
• Handle home charging early: install before delivery; it’s the EV cheat code.
• Think resale: long warranties and fresher designs help; Tesla’s charging edge still counts.

Ram 1500 TRX returns: the supercharged V8 hooligan is back (and yes, Australia’s in the chat)

The mad one is back. A new Ram 1500 TRX with a supercharged V8 has been revealed, and Australia is very much “in frame.” If you ever drove the last TRX, you know the gag: it’s as wide as a city bus, rides like a long-travel velvet hammer, and accelerates in a way that makes physics sigh. I flogged one across soft Baja sand two summers ago—left foot on the brake, right foot buried, and the dampers just inhaled whoops like bubble wrap. Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first. Ten minutes later I was hunting dunes like a golden retriever.

We’ll wait for official numbers, but a reminder of context: the previous TRX ran a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 at 702 hp and hit 60 mph in the mid-4s. Fuel economy? Low teens when I drove it normally; single digits if you’re enjoying yourself. If that sentence bothers you, there’s a nice plug-in hybrid over there.

Why the Ram 1500 TRX still matters

• It’s the loud, unapologetic flag for internal-combustion fun in a quieter era.
• It keeps the Ford Raptor R spicy, which keeps Ram spicy—the arms race we secretly love.
• It’s toy and tool: tow Friday, dune-jump Saturday, Costco Sunday.

Note: These are prior benchmarks for context; new Ram 1500 TRX figures are TBA.

Ram 1500 TRX and Australia: what to expect

“In frame” suggests the right-hand-drive pathway is in play. Ram has previously leaned on a factory-backed remanufacturing setup in Oz, and I don’t see demand for big-power utes cooling. If you’re in Perth or Parramatta and fancy a Ram 1500 TRX, stay close to your dealer—allocations for these go faster than they idle.

Motorsport palate cleanser: Mario Andretti on fear, flow, and feeling the car

Autocar’s chat with Mario Andretti is a little gift. The 1978 F1 champ and ’69 Indy winner talks cars, circuits, and rivals with that quiet authority you only get from decades at the edge. I’ve met Mario a couple times. He describes weight transfer like it’s alive—how you guide it, then let it breathe. You nod, then drive better the next day. It’s witchcraft.

• Cars: engineering that unlocks bravery—ground effect to Indy thunder.
• Circuits: rhythm tracks where commitment beats spreadsheets.
• Rivals: the fast ones who raced you fair. Iron sharpening iron.

The best upgrade isn’t carbon—it’s the squishy bit between the seat and the steering wheel.

A sobering moment: C8 Corvette ends up in a family’s yard

One story making the rounds: a C8 Corvette left the road and landed in a residential yard. Kids had been out there minutes earlier. You feel that drop in your stomach. We’ve all been there—new car, cold tires, a straight bit of road, and faith in grip that isn’t there yet.

Five fast rules for fast cars on slow streets

• Warm the tires: performance compounds are grumpy below 50°F/10°C.
• Leave the assists on in neighborhoods; save the “Sport” heroics for open roads.
• Watch sight lines: hedges and SUVs hide small humans.
• Throttle discipline: second gear, half throttle still feels quick.
• First mile after rain? Treat it like black ice.

Buyer’s corner: What to do with all this

• Tesla turbulence means opportunity—shop timing, watch financing, don’t be shy about negotiating.
• Ram 1500 TRX comeback looks loud and promising; if you live near dunes or red dirt, that’s your happy place.
• Andretti’s chat doubles as driver coaching: smooth inputs, feel the platform, manage weight transfer.
• Horsepower is best enjoyed where there’s room—tracks are friendlier than front lawns.

Feature highlights worth your time

• Ram 1500 TRX: long-travel suspension, serious brakes, chunky 35-inch rubber, and seats you can actually live with.
• Modern EVs: heat pumps, battery preconditioning, and route-aware charging are the new must-haves—ask for a demo on the test drive.
• Sports cars: tire-temp readouts and performance traction modes aren’t party tricks—learn them and you’ll go quicker, safer.

Ram 1500 TRX buyer tips I’ve picked up

• Measure your world: garages, trails, parking spots—the TRX is wide. Like, really wide.
• Test the ride on rough roads: the plushness is real, but wheel control is what sold me.
• Check towing and payload needs: previous-gen TRX was rated around 8,100 lb towing; confirm where the new one lands.
• Fuel budget reality check: smiles per gallon are fantastic; miles per gallon, less so.

Conclusion

We’re at a fascinating crossroads: EVs getting smarter while muscle trucks like the Ram 1500 TRX remind us that noise and nonsense can still be glorious. Shop with clear eyes, drive with a light touch, and if your driveway fits both a Level 2 charger and a truck on 35s, you might have already cracked 2026’s code.

FAQ

Is Tesla’s sales slide proof EV demand is fading?

No—more like moderating. Growth is uneven and sensitive to interest rates, incentives, and fresh product. The next year will be choppy but far from doom.

Will the new Ram 1500 TRX come to Australia?

It’s “in frame,” which suggests right-hand-drive via a factory-backed remanufacturing path is under consideration. Check with local dealers about timing and allocations.

How does the Ram 1500 TRX stack up against the Ford Raptor R?

Historically, they’ve been neck-and-neck on power and pace. The TRX leans plush-and-brawny; the Raptor R feels taut and surgical. New TRX specs will clarify the pecking order.

What kind of real-world mpg should I expect from a Ram 1500 TRX?

Previous-gen real-world returns hovered in the low teens in mixed driving. Your right foot is the biggest variable.

How do I safely enjoy a performance car around town?

Warm the tires, keep assists on, look far ahead, and save heavy pulls for open roads or track days. Your neighbors—and your insurance—will appreciate it.