• Ford is dropping the 2023 F-150’s base 100A package and making the 101A equipment package standard, raising the lowest XL trim’s base price. Higher trim levels also see big price increases due to similar equipment changes.
• The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 has also seen three price increases this year, according to a report from GM Authority.
• These MSRP increases cause headaches for shoppers in an inflationary marketplace; meanwhile, the manufacturers are publicly battling their dealerships over price gouging on popular models.

While Ford and GM are hard at work clamping down on dealers price gouging on popular models, both companies are actively upping the prices of their most popular trucks, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. MSRPs, or manufacturer suggested retail prices, for both models have been steadily rising beyond what’s common for typical model-year adjustments.

For 2023, the least expensive F-150 you can buy is $35,880, while the cheapest Silverado is $35,845; for the 2021 model year, the cheapest F-150 was $30,895 and a base Silverado was available for less than $30,000. Between 2018 and 2021, the base price of the F-150 increased by an average of $593. Since then, the F-150’s base price has gone up over $2000 for each of the last two years.

The increases are not just for the cheapest models, either. Higher-end F-150 models such as the Raptor and the Limited are up as well. The Raptor’s base price will increase by $5220 for 2023, with the Limited going up $6285. The price for our preferred trim, the Lariat, swells $7580 from 2022 to the 2023 model year. Much like the Fords, the top-end Chevys are getting big bumps. The Silverado High Country will go up $4250 while the off-road ZR2 is increasing by $4800.

There are a variety of reasons for these price jumps. Ford confirmed to C/D that it is dropping the lowest equipment group available for a number of the trucks available in the 2023 F-150 range, as first reported by Ford Authority. The XL’s 100A package is gone, with the 101A equipment package now serving as the base for this lowest trim level, commanding a $1815 premium. Admittedly, the standard 100A package was remarkably stripped-out, as 101A includes basic features such as power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, cruise control, and a reverse sensing system. Equipment changes are applied to other models, too, with the Lariat dropping 500A in favor of 501A and the Raptor dropping 800A in favor of 801A. This means that previously optional equipment is now standard, such as an upgraded audio system, additional USB ports, and other extras.



Chevrolet

For Chevy’s part, the Silverado’s price bumps can be partially explained by its facelift for 2022. All trim levels feature a redesigned front end for 2022, while the LT and up models get a redesigned interior. The Silverado’s 4.3-liter V-6 engine was also dropped from the lineup for the 2022 model year, leaving the costlier turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four as the base engine.

The Silverado’s destination charge also increased by $100, and Chevy has applied several mid-year price increases for the Silverado throughout the 2022 model year. According to GM Authority, all trims saw price increases of between $800 and $1200 earlier this year, and then another $1300 was added to every model more recently. Looking ahead to the 2023 model entering production later this month, the Silverado’s base price will increase a further $1000.

With chip shortages, supply chain issues, and rising inflation plaguing manufacturers, it’s not exactly a surprise to see rising prices for any consumer product these days. But these rapidly rising MSRPs cast the automakers’ public pricing disputes with dealerships in a different light. Either way, buyers are still the ones dealt the hardest blow.

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• Ferrari has recalled 23,555 vehicles for potentially leaking brake fluid, which could lead to partial or complete loss of braking ability.
• The recall affects a variety of models spanning 2005 to the present, including the multimillion-dollar F60 America and LaFerrari cars.
• The NHTSA report was filed on July 26 and includes a relatively simple remedy of replacing the brake fluid reservoir cap.

Ferrari has recalled 23,555 vehicles from the 2005 model year to 2022. Ferraris up and down the model line are affected by the recall, including multimillion-dollar limited-production cars like the F60 America and LaFerrari. The full list is included in the article. The scope of vehicles affected represents a sizable portion of Ferraris produced since 2005.

A similar recall detailing brake failure risk was issued in October 2021, and it affected certain 2010–2015 Ferrari 458s and 2016–2019 Ferrari 488s, totaling nearly 10,000 vehicles. However, those models are not included in this recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filings indicate a problem with the brake fluid reservoir cap of affected vehicles, where it fails to vent properly, creating a vacuum in the reservoir which can cause brake fluid to leak. If enough fluid leaks, the car could lose partial or complete braking ability, which is dangerous for the driver.

The remedy stated in the documents involves replacing the reservoir cap with a modified version that should vent properly, as well as installing software to provide an alternate warning should brake fluid levels still reach dangerous levels. Dealers and owners will be notified on September 24.

In the meantime, owners should pay attention to any brake or brake fluid warnings, and in the event of a warning, pull over and wait for Ferrari Roadside Assistance to tow the vehicle to the nearest dealer. As always, owners can check the NHTSA recalls site to see if their car is affected.

Below is the full list of affected models from oldest to newest:

• 2005–09 Ferrari 430
• 2005–11 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
• 2009–17 Ferrari California
• 2010–11 Ferrari 612
• 2012–16 Ferrari FF
• 2013–17 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
• 2013–15 Ferrari LaFerrari
• 2015–17 Ferrari California T
• 2016 Ferrari F60 America
• 2017 Ferrari F12 TDF
• 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
• 2017–20 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso
• 2018–20 Ferrari GTC4 T
• 2018–22 Ferrari Portofino
• 2018–22 Ferrari 812
• 2019–20 Ferrari 488 Pista
• 2020–22 Ferrari F8 Spider
• 2020–22 Ferrari F8 Tributo
• 2021–22 Ferrari Roma

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• Toyota announced a recall for the bZ4X electric vehicle in June, acknowledging that wheels might detach from the car because of malfunctioning hub bolts and asking customers to stop driving the vehicle.
• The automaker had been offering free loaners to affected bZ4X owners, but the deal has now been increased with more sweeteners as well as a new offer: Toyota will buy back the bZ4X outright.
• Only 258 bZ4X EVs were sold before the recall was announced, but the vehicle has an outsize role to play in Toyota’s slow embrace of all-electric vehicles.

When Toyota first announced a recall for its new, electric bZ4X SUV, it said that the hub bolts used on the wheels might loosen “to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle.” That was a noticeable black eye for one of the world’s largest automakers launching a crucial new launch.

The bZ4X is Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle since the company worked with Tesla on the RAV4 EV around a decade ago. The RAV4 EV was discontinued in 2014, and Toyota has been on the outside looking in when it comes to EV sales ever since. The bZ4X is expected to change things.

The recall was announced after Toyota sold 258 units. Toyota’s first offer for buyers was to have local dealers give them a loaner vehicle free of charge until a remedy could be found for keeping the hub bolts connected. “The cause of the issue and the driving patterns under which this issue could occur are still under investigation,” Toyota said in June.

After a few months of research, Toyota has now sent a letter to bZ4X owners (and then posted it to Reddit) expanding the benefits it is offering, including a complete buyback. For starters, bZ4X owners can continue to drive a loaner vehicle while the dealer stores their EV at no cost to the driver. Toyota will pay for the fuel used in these loaner vehicles and will also offer buyers $5000 toward their lease payments or as a check if the EV was purchased outright. Toyota is also extending the time frame for bZ4X drivers to get complimentary charging at EVgo stations and is extending the warranty period.

If all of that’s not enough for you, then Toyota will buy back your bZ4X, although the details might vary depending on the situation. Toyota has not said how it will handle any dealer markups originally applied to the purchase price, for example, but the fact that it’s offering to completely take back a brand-new EV over something as seemingly routine as hub bolts is notable. Toyota has also issued a recall for the 2022 Tundra because of a problem with the nuts on the rear axle assembly that can loosen over time.

The bZ4X recall also includes 403 units of the 2023 Subaru Solterra, which shares the Toyota’s platform, although documents filled with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that none of those have gone out to dealers or customers yet.

Problems with selling new units of the bZ4X could hit Toyota extra hard because any EVs purchased from the automaker after September 30 are not eligible for the full federal tax credits under current law. While the rules are likely to change under the Inflation Reduction Act, as it stands now, Toyota is running out of time to offer its buyers a $7500 credit if they can’t buy a new bZ4X any time soon.

In the meantime, owners of this EV who want to keep abreast of the situation can check the NHTSA recalls website for updates.

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• This 1971 Fiat 500F Jolly clone on Bring a Trailer looks like an ideal vacation vehicle.

• It has wicker furniture for seats, basically a big beach towel for a roof, and no doors, but also—sadly—no cupholders.

• With six days left until the auction ends on Thursday, August 11, time is running out to move to a tropical locale by the time you buy it.

If I had two tickets to paradise—hell, if I even had one—I’d want something cool to cruise around in. While cool might suggest something exotic like the red Ferrari 308GTS that Tom Selleck used to race around Hawaii in Magnum P.I., I’m actually thinking of something equally Italian, albeit infinitely more leisurely. Enter this 1971 Fiat 500F Jolly conversion that’s currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.

If you’ve never heard of a Fiat 500 Jolly before, join the club. I’ve probably seen the quirky cruiser in some movie or another, but the first time I realized what I was looking at was today when I scrolled upon this example on the BaT website. I was instantly struck by its tan-tasseled canopy, tiny whitewall tires, and jolly orange paint that perfectly encapsulates its namesake. A quick Wikipedia read-through taught me that the original Jolly versions of the Fiat 500 were custom-built by the Ghia design house. History!

Bring a Trailer

The one that’s up for auction in these photos isn’t a real Jolly, though, it’s a clone based on what was once an ordinary ’71 500F. While collectors will obviously care about that, I couldn’t care less. I just want to buy it and have the seller ship it from its current home in Italy to someplace warm and tropical where I can immediately retire and spend the rest of my days putzing around paradise.

Sure, this Jolly won’t get me anywhere in a hurry, not with its half-liter two-pot engine that likely has fewer horses than most farm stables, but that’s fine because I’d have nothing but time. I could also keep my left leg in shape by exercising its third pedal, but I can’t imagine going so fast that I’d ever need to reach top gear with its four-speed. Although it’d be interesting to see what would happen if it did go 120 km/h (about 75 mph), the peak indicated by its speedo. With its super light curb weight and big cloth top, could this Jolly Fiat turn into a flying Fiat? It’s probably best if no one finds out.

Bring a Trailer

My biggest complaint is that I don’t see any beverage holders inside the buggy. Where am I supposed to secure my piña colada (non-alcoholic, obviously)? I guess I’ll just have to hold the glass between my legs while I sit on the Jolly’s wicker furniture that replaces traditional seats. I won’t lie, they’re my favorite feature. However, I’d be fibbing if I said they look comfortable. Chalk up another reason to keep this thing at a golf-cart-safe pace.

With six days left to go before the auction ends on Thursday, August 11, this jolly-looking Fiat 500F currently has a high bid of $15,000. I would love one for myself, but that love is mostly dependent on the location I get to drive it in. A wonderful vacation vehicle? Definitely. As primary transportation in southeastern Michigan? Not so much.

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