Catalytic converter thefts in the United States have increased significantly in 2021, and a recent report finds that thieves are particularly seeking the part fitted to the second-generation Toyota Prius. Insurance claims involving a Prius built from 2004 to 2009 are skyrocketing.

It's not the irony of removing the catalytic converter from a so-called "green" car that's leading thieves to crawl under an old Prius — though the hybrid system is indirectly to blame. The Highway Loss Data Institute explains that the catalytic converter installed on this version of the hatchback is built with more precious metals than the one found on, say, a Land Cruiser because it doesn't get as hot since the engine isn't always running. The price of metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium is going up, so the number of thefts are on the upswing as well.

Yomper 4×4, a British start-up company based in West Yorkshire, unveiled their first model that is simply called the Yomper SUV. If the looks seem familiar, it is because the “utility-focused SUV” is basically a heavily modified previous generation Suzuki Jimny converted into a pickup.

The Toyota Prius used to be a groundbreaking vehicle, but it's lost some of its luster as we've begun moving into the electric era.

Honda led off a press release announcing the return of the CBR600RR, Fury, Gold Wing, NC750X, and Rebel 1100 with news that it's bringing its miniMOTO Navi here. That tiny-bike range already includes the Grom, Monkey, Cub, and Trail125, with the Navi becoming the new entry level, stretching the definition of "moto." Honda's Motorcycle and Scooter India division started with Activa scooter sold in Asia and redesigned it to look like Navi for the local market. The Navi went on sale in 2016 in India, lasting three years in India before retiring, but is still on sale in export markets. That now includes the U.S. The 90-millimeter-wide MRF Zapper tires lead us to believe these babies will be imported from the factory in Tapukara, Rajasthan, India, MRF being an Indian conglomerate more than 70 years old.

Being based on a scooter, the Navi has all kinds of friendly features for someone just getting into bikes. The seat is just 30.1 inches high. There's a 110-cc carbureted four-stroke engine that sends power to the rear wheels through a belt-drive V-Matic CVT. Just twist the grip and and go — but not too fast. Simplicity continues with the 130-mm drum brakes front and rear, the front fitted with a parking brake. With a full load of gas in the 0.9-gallon tank, the package weighs 236 pounds and Honda claims EPA fuel economy at 110.3 miles per gallon. That, naturally, doesn't include anything stuffed in the lockable, removable 0.53-cubic-foot storage cubby that sits low down between the rider's feet. Keeping track of how fast and how far one goes is done with the analog speedo and fuel gauge. For going way old school, the electric starter has a kick backup. 

LOS ANGELES — Subaru is finally taking its first step into the world of electric cars with the launch of the Solterra. The amped crossover is positioned as the EV that will do everything a petrol Subaru does, including ferry its nature-loving occupants to the great outdoors. As such, it's built with light off-roading in mind, something not many other EVs have addressed.

Subaru isn't shy about the fact that the Solterra was developed jointly with Toyota, their second joining of forces since the BRZ and 86 sports coupes. In fact, the Solterra and Toyota bZ4X are nearly indistinguishable. Subaru representatives say that the two forged a natural partnership, with Subaru contributing its all-wheel-drive and chassis expertise, and Toyota supplying its hybrid and battery know-how.

Nissan today announced pricing for the preliminary lineup of the all-electric Ariya at the LA Auto Show. The EV starts at $45,950 ($47,125 w/ $1,175 destination) for the Ariya Venture+ FWD trim.

Nissan's Rogue SUV has lost one cylinder and an entire liter of engine capacity for 2022, but it's gained a turbo and a handy 20 hp boost in the swap.

This is the 2023 Toyota bZ4X, due to hit U.S. showrooms next year as Toyota's first all-electric 50-state SUV. No, you're not imagining things. This is the third time Toyota has revealed its new EV; the first was the prototype, and more recently we saw the Japanese-market model with its goofy yoke. Plus, we've seen the Subaru Solterra a few times, and that's basically the same thing. Today, we're looking at the Toyota variant that will actually be sold here, conventional steering wheel and all. 

"With zero emissions and an exhilarating drive, the bZ4X is hitting the market at just the right time as we expand our already comprehensive electrified product lineup," said Toyota marketing VP Mike Tripp in the company's announcement. "As a human-centered company, Toyota remains committed to offering customers a diverse portfolio of products to meet their individual needs and move us toward a carbon neutral future."

Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

The path to production for the 2023 Nissan Ariya has felt like a long one, but it's well and truly over, as signaled by the fact there's official pricing, and you can now reserve one. Nissan is taking a page from the Hummer EV playbook in only offering a select few combinations to begin with, with additional variations going on sale later.

For now, the entry-level model is the front-wheel-drive Venture+. It starts at $47,950, and although it's the base model, it has the longest range at 300 miles. That comes from the liquid-cooled 87-kWh (usable) battery pack. It has a single electric motor sending 238 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. It comes standard with a CCS port for DC fast charging up to 130 kW, as well. Standard features include LED lighting, 19-inch wheels, manual-adjustable cloth seats, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch instrument screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control and lane-centering and blind-spot monitoring.

When we say we love cars, it goes without saying that it includes the experience of driving them. The masses might clamor for self-driving cars, but you can pry our steering wheels from our cold dead hands. However, Honda has come out with an autonomous vehicle that we actually think makes a lot of sense: a self-driving truck made for large worksites.

Honda recently completed a month-long test of its AWV, or autonomous work vehicle, on a massive solar array construction site. Workers used the four-wheel-drive electric wagons to move building materials around the 1,000-acre plot of land.

TOKYO — Honda Motor has asked its main parts suppliers to reduce carbon emissions annually by 4% versus 2019 levels, the Nikkei daily reported on Tuesday.

The Japanese carmaker aims to start implementing the targets in fiscal 2025, which begins in April 2025, the report said.

The opening screenshot is a speculative illustration for a two-door 2023 Integra that is not related to nor endorsed by Acura.

In a further bid to appeal to fans of ’90s classics, Acura has chosen RADwood SoCal as the location for the public debut of the Integra Prototype. There, the thinly disguised production car will be displayed alongside several classic Integras.