Today’s Auto Brief: Tesla’s wobble, Ram’s roar, Andretti’s wisdom, and a sobering Corvette moment

I started this morning with a strong espresso and a stronger sense that the car world has woken up spicy for 2026. EV giants blinking, V8 trucks thundering back to life, a legend reflecting on what really matters at the limit, and a reminder that horsepower is only fun when it’s pointed in the right direction. Let’s get into it.

EV pulse check: Tesla posts its biggest annual sales slide

Electric sales are still growing globally, but the tide isn’t rushing quite as fast—and Tesla just felt the undertow. Reports indicate the brand has clocked its biggest annual sales slide to date. If you’ve been watching the lot prices yo-yo and Supercharger queues swell on holiday weekends, this won’t shock you.

What’s going on? A few threads tugging at the same sweater:

• Price-cut fatigue: buyers wait for the next discount, then wait some more.
• Rivals are real: Hyundai/Kia, BYD, and others have credible EVs with fresh interiors and long warranties.
• Higher rates, tighter wallets: bigger monthly payments dull the shine of instant torque.
• Charging anxiety: the network’s good (I’ve done winter road trips on Superchargers), but not always great—especially off the interstates or on school-holiday Fridays.
• Product cadence: Model 3 and Y are updated, yes, but the lineup feels familiar while newcomers feel, well, new.

What this means if you’re shopping an EV now

• Expect deals: inventory discounts and attractive financing often follow slow patches.
• Cross-shop aggressively: take a Saturday and drive a Model Y back-to-back with an Ioniq 5/EV6 or a Polestar 2. You’ll feel the differences immediately.
• Plan the first 90 days: get a home charger installed before delivery and map your regular long-haul stops—saves headaches.
• Think resale: brands with fresh models and long warranties can prop up values; Tesla’s charging lead still matters, but design freshness matters too.

Here comes the thunder again: Supercharged V8 Ram 1500 TRX revealed (Australia in frame)

The mad one is back. A new supercharged V8 Ram 1500 TRX has been revealed, with Australia very much in the conversation. If you ever drove the previous TRX, you know the drill: wide as a city bus, loud as a stadium, and quicker than physics likes to admit. I ran one across soft sand in Baja a couple of years ago—left foot on the brake, right foot buried, suspension inhaling whoops like bubble wrap. Everything you want a desert truck to be, it was.

We’ll wait for final official numbers on this new one, but for context, the last TRX used a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 at 702 hp and would do the 0–60 run in the mid-4s. Fuel economy? Let’s say “low teens” in my real-world mix and leave it there. If you care, this isn’t your truck. If you don’t, you’ve already grinned.

Why the TRX matters (again)

• It’s the flag in the sand for internal-combustion fun: a counterpoint to quieter, cleaner times.
• It pushes Ford to keep the Raptor R spicy, which pushes Ram to push back—good for all of us.
• It shows the full-size pickup can still be a toy and a tool: tow on Friday, jump dunes on Saturday.

Note: Specs shown are previous-gen published figures for context; final numbers for the newly revealed TRX are to be confirmed.

Australia angle

“Australia in frame” suggests the program is being considered for right-hand-drive availability. Historically, Ram has used a factory-backed local remanufacturing path there, and demand for big-power utes hasn’t exactly softened. If you’re in Perth or Parramatta and you’ve got a long driveway, keep your dealer looped in—allocations go fast.

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

Autocar sat down with Mario Andretti to talk favorite cars, circuits, races, and rivals. When a driver who won the 1978 F1 World Championship and the 1969 Indy 500 reflects, you listen. I’ve only met Mario briefly, but the thing that stays with you is how he talks about weight transfer like it’s a living thing—how the car tells you where to place it and when to let it breathe.

• Cars: from ground-effect F1 to thunderous Indy machinery, he appreciates how engineering unlocks bravery.
• Circuits: the ones that reward commitment—places where rhythm matters more than data traces.
• Rivals: the fast ones who raced you fair; iron sharpens iron.

It’s a nice reminder, amid today’s horsepower headlines, that the ultimate upgrade is still the squishy bit between the seat and the steering wheel.

Reality check: a C8 Corvette crashed into a family’s yard—kids had been playing there minutes before

A report making the rounds describes a C8 Corvette that left the road and ended up in a residential yard. Kids had been outside just before it happened. It’s the kind of story that makes your stomach drop because we’ve all been there—new car, cold tires, a tempting straight, a split-second’s misread of grip.

Five quick rules for fast cars on slow streets

• Warm the tires properly: those wide performance compounds are ice-cold below 50°F/10°C.
• Leave traction and stability on in neighborhoods—save the “Sport” stuff for open roads.
• Mind sight lines: parked SUVs and hedges hide small humans.
• Throttle discipline: second gear, half throttle feels quick and keeps you safe.
• If it’s been raining after a dry spell, treat the first mile like black ice.

I love mid-engined Vettes. I also love cul-de-sacs staying boring. Both can be true.

Buyer’s corner: quick hits and takeaways

• Tesla turbulence equals opportunity—shop with a plan and keep an eye on financing windows.
• TRX comeback looks loud and promising; if you live near dunes or red dirt, this is your silly-happy place.
• Andretti’s reflections double as driver coaching: feel the car, be patient with inputs, respect momentum.
• Horsepower is best enjoyed where there’s room—track days are friendlier than front lawns.

Feature highlights you’ll care about

• Ram 1500 TRX: long-travel suspension, big brakes, chunky 35-inch rubber, and real seats you can live with daily.
• Modern EVs: heat pumps, preconditioning, and route-aware charging are the new must-haves—ask your salesperson to demo them.
• Sports cars: tire temperature readouts and performance traction modes aren’t party tricks—learn them.

Conclusion

We’re at that strange, fascinating bend in the road where EV pragmatism meets V8 nostalgia, and the sport’s greatest voices remind us why we fell in love with driving in the first place. Shop smart, drive smarter, and if your driveway can fit a trophy truck and a Level 2 charger—well, you may have already figured out 2026.

FAQ

Is Tesla’s sales slide a sign EV demand is fading?

Not fading, moderating. Growth is uneven by region and segment. Incentives, interest rates, and fresh product cycles will dictate the next 12 months more than any single headline.

Will the new Ram 1500 TRX come to Australia?

It’s “in frame,” which suggests active consideration. Historically, Australia has received Ram’s big trucks via a factory-backed remanufacturing path. Check with local dealers on timing and allocations.

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

Based on previous-gen figures, they’ve been neck-and-neck on power and straight-line pace. Ram leans plush and brawny; the Raptor R feels a tad sharper. Final numbers for the new TRX will clarify the pecking order.

What were Mario Andretti’s main takeaways in his reflections?

Respect for engineering that unlocks speed, love for circuits that reward commitment, and appreciation for rivals who made him better. The craft matters as much as the car.

How do I safely enjoy a performance car around town?

Warm the tires, keep assists on, look far ahead, and save hard pulls for open roads or track days. The neighbors—and your insurance—will thank you.