Whether you’re a gearhead who lives for the latest car reveals or just someone who enjoys watching flashy car commercials during a Sunday football game, there’s always been something exciting about new car models hitting the market. Even if you’re not in the market for a new ride, it’s fun to see what automakers are rolling out. They can be subtle designs, smarter tech, and those wild concept cars that make us dream.
But 2025? It’s looking surprisingly quiet.
According to early data, we’re on track to see fewer new car models this year than in any year in recent memory. So, what’s going on?
A Sneak Peek at the Numbers
Each year, Bank of America releases a report called Car Wars, which tracks trends in vehicle launches. While the full report won’t drop until late June, the American International Automotive Dealers Association (AIADA) shared an early preview. Senior analyst John Murphy has already revealed a major headline:
“We expect 159 models to be launched over the next four years… a dramatic decline from over 200 last year.”
Even more striking? Only 29 of those models are scheduled to launch in 2025. That’s a serious drop-off, and most of the slowdown is happening in the electric vehicle (EV) space.
What’s Causing the Slowdown?
The short answer: the industry is pumping the brakes hard.
Murphy points to a perfect storm of issues: slowing EV demand, rising material costs, trade tariffs, and regulatory uncertainty. Instead of pushing forward with bold new EV lineups, automakers are scaling back and focusing on what they already know best: their existing core models.
One of the big factors behind this uncertainty? Government policy.
Take California, for example. The state has passed a law requiring that all new light-duty vehicle sales be zero-emission (ZEVs) by 2035. That means electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles only. But not so fast because that law is facing major legal challenges at the federal level. As CalMatters reports, this is shaping up to be a legal and political showdown between California and the Trump administration.
Until the dust settles, automakers are reluctant to make big, expensive bets on EVs. They’re playing it safe, and that means fewer new models in showrooms this year.
What This Means for You
If you’re someone who looks forward to the buzz of new car season, 2025 might feel a little underwhelming. But this pause doesn’t mean innovation is dead; it’s just taking a detour.
As the industry retools and watches the legal and regulatory landscape, you can expect a lot of behind-the-scenes movement. When things clear up, we may just see a new wave of vehicles that are smarter, cleaner, and even more impressive.
For now, enjoy the quiet, because the next automotive boom could be just around the corner.
