We’ve been anticipating the 2019 Honda Insight for some time now, and here it is.  The five passenger sedan is powered by Honda’s third generation hybrid system, featuring a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine and an electric motor.  The company anticipates the combined fuel rating to be more than 50 mpg. The 2019 Honda Insight launches nationwide later this year.  MotorWeek will see it firsthand next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz plans to add artificial intelligence to the premium driving experience.  CES in Las Vegas was the scene for the world premiere of their new cockpit.  They call it Mercedes-Benz User Experience.  The high-resolution widescreen cockpit can be operated by touchscreen, a touchpad on the center console, and buttons on the steering wheel.  The company says the system can learn using artificial intelligence, so it will adapt to the person using it.  Drivers in some global markets will get the chance to use the technology on the new A-Class hatchback in the spring. American drivers will get their chance when the 2019 A-Class Sedan launches in late 2018.

Toyota and Mazda have chosen Huntsville, Alabama as the site for their new joint-venture manufacturing plant.  Workers at the facility will make the Toyota Corolla and a new Mazda crossover for the North American market.  Toyota already produces motors about 14-miles away.  The companies expect to create up to 4,000 jobs. The assembly lines could be rolling by 2021.