The Garage Report #004

BIG STORY
Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 Take American Crown at Nürburgring

In an unprecedented feat, three U.S.-spec Corvette models conquered the legendary 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife, setting the fastest official lap times ever recorded by an American manufacturer. Behind the wheel were Chevrolet engineers Drew Cattell, Brian Wallace and Aaron Link—none of whom are professional racecar drivers—demonstrating that raw talent and meticulous engineering can triumph over the track’s notorious challenges.

• Corvette ZR1X (electrified AWD) lapped the “Green Hell” in 6:49.275, marking the quickest non-professional timed run in history.

• Corvette ZR1 (1,064-hp twin-turbo V8) followed closely with a 6:50.763 lap.

• Corvette Z06 (670-hp flat-plane V8) posted a strong 7:11.826 effort.

GM President Mark Reuss hailed these achievements as proof that “these are the best Corvettes in history, period.” To capture the full story, Chevrolet released a feature-length documentary titled Homegrown Speed: A Corvette Story, following the engineers’ journey from GM’s Milford Proving Ground to Germany and showcasing the precision, passion and teamwork that pushed America’s sports car to its absolute limits. You can watch it here

MARKET SNAPSHOT
This Weeks Industry Insights

If you're shopping right now, here’s what matters:

🏷️ New-car average transaction price is $48,907 in June, up 0.4% from May and 1.2% higher than last year.

📈 Days’ supply sits at 82 days at the start of July, a 14.5% increase from June but still below 2024 levels.

💰 Used-car values remain elevated, with the Manheim Index at 206.9 mid-July—up 2.6% year-over-year—though wholesale prices dipped 0.7% from June’s level.

📉 New-vehicle sales pace is forecast to finish July at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.6 million units, modestly higher than June’s 15.3 million but down from last July’s 15.8 million.

⚙️ Tariff impact: On June 4, Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs doubled from 25% to 50%, driving up automaker production costs—Ford announced an $800 million Q2 tariff hit and now expects roughly $3 billion in tariff-related expenses for the full year.

NEW DROP
Concept Preview: Nissan Xterra at 2025 SEMA

Carscoops has unveiled exclusive photos, and sketches of Nissan Xterra concepts heading to the 2025 SEMA Show, showcasing how the off-road icon could evolve for enthusiast audiences:

• Heritage Meets Modern: Both concepts rest on a genuine ladder-frame chassis with full 4WD, combining components from the 2005–2015 Xterra, 2005–2012 Pathfinder and current Frontier.

• Bold Styling Upgrades: Each design features a Frontier-style front end (headlights, grille, bumper and fenders), a carbon-fiber vented hood, eye-catching paint schemes and roof-mounted LED light bars.

• Off-Road Ready: Heavy-duty bumpers, rock rails, swing-out tire carriers and aggressive suspension with oversized tires promise serious trail capability.

• Two Powertrain Options: One concept retains Nissan’s proven 3.8-liter V6, while the other cranks up the excitement with a potent V8 under the hood.

• Interior Flexibility: Enthusiasts can choose between a hardcore two-row layout or a stretched three-row configuration for family-friendly adventures.

We’ll be watching SEMA closely to see these concepts brought to life—and get clues on whether the next-gen Xterra goes gas, electric or both.

👉 See the full article here

FAST UPDATES
Quick Shifts

• BMW Sticks to Guidance Despite Profit Drop from Tariffs: BMW reported a profit dip but held firm on its full-year outlook, blaming rising tariffs and costs that could add pressure on pricing. With Trump tariffs looming larger, this highlights the industry's scramble—expect potential hikes on luxury imports, but BMW's resilience might keep deals flowing for savvy buyers chasing performance rides.

• Porsche Taycan Wins 2025 EV of the Year: Porsche's Taycan snagged Car and Driver's 2025 EV of the Year award, outshining 24 competitors with its killer blend of performance, tech, and driving fun—hitting up to 1,093 hp in Turbo S trim and real-world range that delivers. This win highlights the Taycan's edge in a crowded EV market, especially as incentives shift, making it a top pick for luxury speed seekers. EV fans, is this swaying your next buy?

• US and EU Strike Tariff Framework Deal: In a major trade move, the U.S. and EU agreed to a framework slashing tariffs on most imports to 15%, aiming to ease tensions and boost auto flows amid ongoing global pressures. This could mean lower prices on European rides like BMWs and VWs, while encouraging more investments—hot on the heels of the U.S.-Japan pact, it's a win for consumers dodging cost hikes.

• BEV Sales Soar in Germany Without Incentives: Battery electric vehicle sales are exploding in Germany, even after incentives dried up, showing strong demand for EVs despite higher upfront costs. This surge bucks global trends and could signal a turning point for adoption—if you're eyeing an EV, Germany's success might inspire more affordable options stateside soon.
  

BY THE NUMBERS
The 10 Slowest Sellers Based On Days Supply!

Here’s a look at the 10 slowest selling vehicles according to car-edge. If you’re thinking about buying any of the vehicles on this list, be sure to get a HEFTY discount.

ON THE RADAR
Upcoming Automotive Events

NASCAR at Richmond – Cook Out 400 (August 10, 7:30 PM ET) Get ready for some intense short-track action at Richmond Raceway, where the Cup Series heats up with tight racing and strategic pit stops under the lights. With playoff points on the line, expect edge-of-your-seat battles—perfect for fans craving that late-summer NASCAR thrill.

F1 Italian Grand Prix – Monza (August 30–September 1, Race Sun 9 AM ET) Head to the iconic Temple of Speed at Monza for a high-speed showdown featuring long straights and chicanes that test every F1 machine. Post-summer break, this classic race promises epic overtakes and a passionate Tifosi crowd—don’t miss the Italian Grand Prix’s electric vibe!

Goodwood Revival (September 5–7) Step back in time with this vintage motorsport celebration at Goodwood, featuring historic racers, period costumes, and thrilling track action. From classic F1 cars to rally legends, it’s a nostalgic blast for enthusiasts—mark your calendar for this unique slice of auto history!

SEMA Show (November 4–7) The automotive aftermarket’s biggest bash hits Las Vegas with cutting-edge custom builds, performance parts, and industry innovations. Expect jaw-dropping reveals and hands-on gearhead goodness—perfect for anyone into modding or just soaking up the latest trends!

THIS WEEK IN AUTO HISTORY
The Pontiac GTO.

July 31, 1965 — Gear up, because this date marks a key moment leading to the 1966 Pontiac GTO, a muscle car legend. While the GTO debuted as a Tempest LeMans option in September 1963, late July 1965 saw previews of its transformation into a standalone model, set for a full rollout later that year. This shift turned the GTO into a cultural icon, driven by engineer John DeLorean’s clever bypass of GM’s 330-cubic-inch limit.

Powered by a 389-cubic-inch V-8 with 335 horsepower and a four-barrel carburetor (or more with Tri-Power), it launched at $2,847, blending style and speed. With a four-speed manual, it hit 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds, and its 1966 debut sold 75,342 units, sparking the muscle car craze and rivaling the Ford Mustang. This bold design and performance set a benchmark for future high-performance cars, influencing today’s automotive innovations.

CAR BUYING
Pro Tip For Used Car Buyers

Thinking about a pre-owned ride? Be sure to run a full vehicle history report—it’s one of the best ways to verify a dealer’s claims (accidents, title issues, etc.). You can do that here 👉 RUN A HISTORY REPORT

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Max, Chris, and a Mustang GTD

Two automotive junkies brining the most unhinged Ford Mustang ever around a racetrack….this video is a must watch!

📨 I Want To Hear From You!

What did you think about this email? Did you get some value? I hope so because I promise to try and make this better and better every week!

Got thoughts on Dodge’s slump? Curious about new-car deals or just want me to dig into a specific trend? Hit reply and let me know—I read every email.

Catch you next week!

Brian Mello
The Garage Report
@realbrianmello