The car world never slows down — and last week proved it with a mix of game-changing deals, surprising partnerships, and milestone moments. From Tesla’s massive payday for Elon Musk to Dodge bringing back the roar of gasoline power, here’s your quick roundup of the stories that had everyone talking.
Tesla Hands Musk a $29 Billion Reason to Stay
Tesla made waves by giving CEO Elon Musk a jaw-dropping $29 billion in stock — that’s 96 million new shares — if he stays in charge for at least two more years. The move comes as the company battles slowing sales, tougher competition, and political controversy around Musk. It revives a 2018 compensation deal that was overturned in court, with strings attached: he has to hold the shares for five years. Love him or hate him, Tesla’s board is betting big that Musk is still the man to steer the brand toward its future of robotaxis and humanoid robots.
GM and Hyundai Team Up Against the Competition
In a twist no one saw coming, General Motors and Hyundai are joining forces. The two automakers will co-develop five new models for North and Latin America — SUVs, pickups, and an electric commercial van — with a production target of over 800,000 units a year by 2028. Hyundai will handle the smaller models and the van, while GM will lead on mid-size trucks. The goal? Fight back against the flood of low-cost, tech-packed Chinese EVs by sharing costs, expertise, and speed to market.
Dodge Revives Gas-Powered Muscle with the 2026 Charger Sixpack
When Dodge revealed the electric Charger Daytona last spring, it confirmed that gasoline power would remain part of the lineup. That promise takes shape with the 2026 Charger Sixpack — the brand’s bold return to ICE muscle after shifting focus to EVs. Priced from $51,990, nearly $10,000 less than the electric Daytona, the Sixpack is driven by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six “Hurricane” engine producing up to 550 hp and 720 Nm of torque. It may not replicate the thunderous soundtrack of the old Hemi V-8, but it delivers serious punch, backed by standard all-wheel drive, a drift mode, and styling that fuses classic Charger attitude with modern tech. It’s a clear signal that Dodge isn’t ready to let the American muscle era fade quietly.
Ford Everest 2025 – Tested for the Middle East
The third-generation Ford Everest has been put through its paces in a full test drive. Built on the tough T6 platform, it blends serious off-road chops with everyday comfort — think seven seats, a towering 12-inch vertical touchscreen, Bang & Olufsen audio, and a 296 hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine paired to a 10-speed automatic. It’s clearly gunning for big names like the Toyota Fortuner, offering a mix of durability, tech, and family-friendly space.
Mercedes G-Class Hits the 600,000 Mark
Mercedes-Benz’s legendary G-Class has reached a major milestone: 600,000 units produced since 1979. The milestone model? A fully electric G580 EQ in Volcano Black metallic, fresh off the Graz, Austria production line. Even after four decades, the G-Class still combines its unmistakable boxy shape with serious off-road ability and a staggering range of custom options — over 90% of buyers personalize their G through the MANUFAKTUR program.
