The Wire Rundown: BYD's Big Swing, a Tornado-Flattened Corvette Mecca, and a Roadside Close CallThe Auto Wire's roundup of the stories actually worth your time — recapped fast, with links to the full reports when you want to go deeper. Here's your bulletin for Friday, June 19, 2026.BYD's chairman told shareholders the company will be the world's largest automaker within five years — a bold claim from a brand that sat seventh globally in 2025 and would need to more than double its output to get there. [BYD Says It's Coming for the Top Spot in Five Years]A tornado tore through northern Effingham County and leveled Mid America Motorworks, erasing the beloved MY Garage Museum and its irreplaceable Corvette collection — though every employee on site walked away unharmed. [A Tornado Just Flattened a Corvette Mecca]AdvertisementAdvertisementAn Indiana State Police trooper standing beside his clearly marked cruiser on U.S. 41 was struck by an SUV and survived with non-life-threatening injuries; the driver was cited for unsafe lane movement. [Trooper Plowed Into Beside His Own Squad Car]Ford is recalling more than half a million Expeditions from the 2018–2024 model years after chrome console trim peeled into sharp edges — 65 hand injuries have already been reported, and the dealer fix is free. [Ford Recalls 500,000+ Expeditions Over Hand-Slicing Trim]Ford Performance shut the door on a Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R, with chief engineer Carl Widmann suggesting the 405-hp Ranger Raptor may already have more power than it needs. [No Ranger Raptor R Is Coming]A man who targeted Mercedes sellers on Facebook Marketplace, setting up "test drives" before pulling a gun, was handed 18 years in federal prison after a two-carjacking spree that left one seller shot. [Federal Judge Hands Marketplace Carjacker 18 Years]AdvertisementAdvertisementMacomb County investigators served a warrant on a Detroit home and recovered four Ram infotainment screens tied to a string of dash-module thefts, arresting an 18-year-old in the process. [Cops Walk Out of a Raid With Four Ram Screens]A sweeping look at Flock's license-plate-reader network details how officers across the country have misused the system to stalk ex-partners and run searches far outside their jurisdictions. [Inside the Widespread Abuse of Flock Cameras]Worth bookmarking from the garage desk15 Cars That Outlive Their Owners10 Car Accessories To Add to Your CartWere COVID-Era Vehicles Built Worse?Got a tip or feedback for The Wire Rundown? Drop us a line.Join our Newsletter, follow our Instagram page, and connect with us on Facebook.
