#automotive-industry
#automotive-industry

fromThe Atlantic

8 hours ago

A New Kind of Hybrid Car Is About to Hit America's Streets

The Ram 1500 REV addresses range anxiety by using a gas engine to recharge its battery, allowing for extended travel without frequent stops.

Cars

Electric pickups were supposed to be the future. Now they're stalling.

fromArs Technica

Alternative transportation

Slate Auto raises $650 million as production gets closer and closer

Venture

Slate raises fresh $650 million as reservations for its mid-$20,000 truck cross 160,000

Slate Auto raises $650M to fund its affordable EV truck plans | TechCrunch

Slate Auto has raised $650 million to produce affordable electric pickup trucks by 2026.

3 days ago

Slate Auto: Everything you need to know about the Bezos-backed EV startup | TechCrunch

Slate Auto aims to disrupt the EV market with a customizable electric pickup truck priced around $25,000, backed by Jeff Bezos.

fromThe Atlantic

8 hours ago

A New Kind of Hybrid Car Is About to Hit America's Streets

The Ram 1500 REV addresses range anxiety by using a gas engine to recharge its battery, allowing for extended travel without frequent stops.

Electric pickups were supposed to be the future. Now they're stalling.

Interest in electric pickup trucks is declining sharply, with sales dropping significantly across major brands.

fromArs Technica

Slate Auto raises $650 million as production gets closer and closer

Slate Auto raised $650 million and plans to sell a simple electric pickup truck starting in the mid-$20,000s.

Venture

Slate raises fresh $650 million as reservations for its mid-$20,000 truck cross 160,000

Slate has secured $650 million in Series C funding to produce a customizable electric pickup truck priced in the mid-$20,000s.

Slate Auto raises $650M to fund its affordable EV truck plans | TechCrunch

Slate Auto has raised $650 million to produce affordable electric pickup trucks by 2026.

3 days ago

Slate Auto: Everything you need to know about the Bezos-backed EV startup | TechCrunch

Slate Auto aims to disrupt the EV market with a customizable electric pickup truck priced around $25,000, backed by Jeff Bezos.

more#electric-vehicles

#bmw

9 hours ago

Cars

BMW Group's Global EV Sales Crater 20% As U.S. Market Cools Off

Cars

The BMW iX Is Done In The U.S. Its Successor Is Nearly Here

Cars

Why BMW's Electric i3 Sedan Is More Important Than Its New Electric Crossover

9 hours ago

BMW Group's Global EV Sales Crater 20% As U.S. Market Cools Off

BMW Group experienced a 20% decline in global EV sales in Q1 2026 despite strong demand for the iX3 SUV in Europe.

The BMW iX Is Done In The U.S. Its Successor Is Nearly Here

BMW is ending U.S. allocation for the iX electric SUV to introduce the iX3, which offers better range and technology.

Why BMW's Electric i3 Sedan Is More Important Than Its New Electric Crossover

The i3 is crucial for BMW's future, embodying the brand's essence despite the popularity of SUVs.

more#bmw

fromwww.dw.com

19 hours ago

Renault slashes engineer jobs amid pressure from China firms

Renault plans to reduce its number of engineers by 15 to 20% in the coming two years, meaning up to 2,400 of the current 11,000 to 12,000 engineers worldwide would have to leave the company.

European startups

'We Should Not Let Them Into Our Country': Ford CEO On Chinese EVs

Allowing Chinese EVs into the U.S. could devastate American manufacturing and pose cyber risks.

Lucid Motors Has A New CEO And A Bunch More Funding

Silvio Napoli has been appointed as the new CEO of Lucid Motors, replacing interim CEO Marc Winterhoff.

#nissan

Cars

Nissan turnaround plan pins hopes on AI-defined vehicles'

Nissan plans to add self-driving technology to 90% of its vehicles and reduce its model lineup from 56 to 45.

Cars

Nissan's Turnaround Hinges On This Unique Hybrid System. It's Nothing Like Toyota's

Nissan's Rogue Hybrid e-Power will offer a unique driving experience, combining electric vehicle performance with hybrid fuel efficiency, launching in late 2026.

Nissan turnaround plan pins hopes on AI-defined vehicles'

Nissan plans to add self-driving technology to 90% of its vehicles and reduce its model lineup from 56 to 45.

Nissan's Turnaround Hinges On This Unique Hybrid System. It's Nothing Like Toyota's

Nissan's Rogue Hybrid e-Power will offer a unique driving experience, combining electric vehicle performance with hybrid fuel efficiency, launching in late 2026.

more#nissan

fromwww.dw.com

Dieselgate: Audi bosses, engineers fail to reach plea deal

The trial, which began in Munich in February, sees two former Development Board chairs and two leading engineers facing charges for their alleged role in the massive environmental and business scandal that first made global headlines over a decade ago.

Germany news

#tesla

Toronto startup

Batteries Would Take Tesla To All-Time High

4 days ago

Cars

Tesla's U.S. Sales Tanked In Q1. It Still Gained Market Share

Tesla developing small, affordable SUV, report claims

Tesla is reportedly developing a smaller, affordable SUV, but skepticism exists due to past decisions and CEO Elon Musk's statements.

Cars

Tesla Reclaims World's Top EV Spot After BYD Sales Plummet 25%

Tesla Is Sitting On A Record 50,000 Unsold EVs

Tesla faces record unsold inventory as production exceeds deliveries, leading to a strategic shift in focus towards robotics and automation.

fromThe Verge

Tesla's sales recover slightly, but the trend lines are all bad

Tesla's sales increased 6% year over year, but the company faces significant challenges with declining sales and market share.

Batteries Would Take Tesla To All-Time High

Tesla's stock has significantly declined due to struggles in its car business and competition in the EV market.

4 days ago

Tesla's U.S. Sales Tanked In Q1. It Still Gained Market Share

Tesla's U.S. sales fell over 8% in Q1 2026, but it gained market share as the overall EV market contracted sharply.

Tesla developing small, affordable SUV, report claims

Tesla is reportedly developing a smaller, affordable SUV, but skepticism exists due to past decisions and CEO Elon Musk's statements.

Tesla Reclaims World's Top EV Spot After BYD Sales Plummet 25%

Tesla regained its position as the world's largest electric car maker with a 6.5% increase in deliveries, while BYD's sales dropped significantly.

Tesla Is Sitting On A Record 50,000 Unsold EVs

Tesla faces record unsold inventory as production exceeds deliveries, leading to a strategic shift in focus towards robotics and automation.

fromThe Verge

Tesla's sales recover slightly, but the trend lines are all bad

Tesla's sales increased 6% year over year, but the company faces significant challenges with declining sales and market share.

more#tesla

fromFortune

fromGlobal IP & Technology Law Blog

Trump's gift to China: a booming market for cheap, state-of-the-art EVs amid the Iran War | Fortune

China's passenger car exports surged 82.4% in March, driven by increased overseas market efforts and a rise in new energy vehicle exports.

Artificial intelligence

The Automotive Agentic AI Revolution

Agentic AI is transforming the automotive industry by enhancing design, testing, manufacturing, and customer experiences through advanced data processing and automation.

Mercedes Finally Has Better EV Numbers. But One Market Ruined The Quarter

Mercedes' EV sales increased by 11% in Q1 despite a 6% drop in overall global sales, driven by strong performance in Europe and the U.S.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Is Here. The SUV Will Get Even More Electric In 2029 With An EREV Option

Kia will launch two extended-range electric vehicles in the U.S. by 2030, including a pickup and an updated Telluride SUV.

Volkswagen drops all-electric ID.4 in the US in pivot back to gas SUVs | TechCrunch

Volkswagen will cease ID.4 production in the U.S. to focus on high-volume vehicles like the gas-powered Atlas SUV.

Volkswagen ends US production of its EV, citing market's 'unpredictability'

Volkswagen is shifting focus from electric vehicles to gas-powered SUVs in the US, ending ID.4 production in Tennessee by mid-April.

Volkswagen Is Killing The ID.4 In the U.S. Its Plant Will Make More Gas SUVs Instead

Volkswagen is ceasing ID.4 production in the U.S. to focus on gas-powered Atlas models due to market challenges and profitability concerns.

Volkswagen drops all-electric ID.4 in the US in pivot back to gas SUVs | TechCrunch

Volkswagen will cease ID.4 production in the U.S. to focus on high-volume vehicles like the gas-powered Atlas SUV.

Volkswagen ends US production of its EV, citing market's 'unpredictability'

Volkswagen is shifting focus from electric vehicles to gas-powered SUVs in the US, ending ID.4 production in Tennessee by mid-April.

Volkswagen Is Killing The ID.4 In the U.S. Its Plant Will Make More Gas SUVs Instead

Volkswagen is ceasing ID.4 production in the U.S. to focus on gas-powered Atlas models due to market challenges and profitability concerns.

Polestar Just Had Its Best First Quarter Ever

Polestar achieved record first-quarter sales in 2026, selling 13,126 cars globally, a 7% increase from the previous year.

Polestar's Largest EV Will Be Made Exclusively In The U.S.

Polestar 3 will be exclusively manufactured in South Carolina, ending Chinese production to avoid import tariffs and streamline operations.

Polestar Just Had Its Best First Quarter Ever

Polestar achieved record first-quarter sales in 2026, selling 13,126 cars globally, a 7% increase from the previous year.

Polestar's Largest EV Will Be Made Exclusively In The U.S.

Polestar 3 will be exclusively manufactured in South Carolina, ending Chinese production to avoid import tariffs and streamline operations.

Ford and Toyota Surges 6%: Two Auto Giants Prove the Global Car Market Is Alive and Well

Ford and Toyota stocks rose 6%, indicating strong consumer demand for vehicles despite economic challenges.

Cars

Ford F-150 Is In Trouble

Ford Has Run Out Of Places To Go

Ford's global sales struggle, particularly in the EU and China, while US sales remain strong, heavily influenced by tariffs on Chinese EV imports.

Ford's 5% Dividend Looks Tempting at These Prices, but Is It Safe?

Ford's 5% dividend yield attracts income investors despite recent stock decline and complex cash flow situation.

Ford and Toyota Surges 6%: Two Auto Giants Prove the Global Car Market Is Alive and Well

Ford and Toyota stocks rose 6%, indicating strong consumer demand for vehicles despite economic challenges.

Cars

Ford F-150 Is In Trouble

Ford Has Run Out Of Places To Go

Ford's global sales struggle, particularly in the EU and China, while US sales remain strong, heavily influenced by tariffs on Chinese EV imports.

Ford's 5% Dividend Looks Tempting at These Prices, but Is It Safe?

Ford's 5% dividend yield attracts income investors despite recent stock decline and complex cash flow situation.

Here's Why Wall Street May Be Wrong on CarMax

Stephens raised CarMax's price target to $43, citing better-than-expected same-store sales and a strategic focus on competitiveness.

Business

Nio Price Prediction: Where Will The Auto Stock Be In 2030?

NIO Inc. achieved its first quarterly GAAP net profit in Q4 2025, raising questions about its recovery in a competitive market.

fromTNW | Cars

Geely will stop building factories and use Volvo's plants instead

Geely will stop building new car factories and focus on existing plants to meet global automotive demand.

#byd

Alternative transportation

BYD's global push is accelerating just as expensive gas jolts EV demand

European startups

BYD Has Hit A Rough Patch. It Still Plans To Sell 1.5 Million Cars Outside Of China This Year

fromWIRED

Alternative transportation

How BYD Got EV Chargers to Work Almost as Fast as Gas Pumps

BYD's global push is accelerating just as expensive gas jolts EV demand

BYD is rapidly expanding globally, aiming for 1.5 million overseas vehicle sales, driven by high gas prices and a diverse vehicle lineup.

BYD Has Hit A Rough Patch. It Still Plans To Sell 1.5 Million Cars Outside Of China This Year

BYD aims for 1.5 million overseas sales by 2026 despite facing profit declines and increased competition in its home market.

fromWIRED

How BYD Got EV Chargers to Work Almost as Fast as Gas Pumps

BYD's new Flash Chargers can charge EV batteries from 10 to 70 percent in five minutes, revolutionizing the charging experience.

The $1 Million Aston Martin Valhalla Makes You Drive Better Than You Thought Possible

Aston Martin's Valhalla supercar combines innovative engineering with high performance but faces financial challenges and limited production.

Artificial intelligence

GM says AI helps visualize a car before it exists and speed up how it gets built

General Motors integrates AI into car design, significantly speeding up the creative process while keeping human designers in control.

Ford CEO says stick shifts aren't going away and points to an unlikely fan: the Pope

Ford continues to offer manual transmissions in select models due to customer passion for driving engagement.

fromWIRED

The Porsche Cayenne Electric Is a Phenomenal SUV, but Is That Enough?

Porsche's new electric Cayenne SUV offers luxury and performance but faces challenges in the evolving automotive market.

UK news

UK car production falls 17% as industry warns of worrying' decline

UK car production fell 17% in February 2025, with exports declining sharply amid rising global energy prices and decreased consumer demand.

'Unless Things Change, We Will Not Survive': Even Toyota Doesn't Feel Safe Right Now

Toyota's CEO warns suppliers to adapt or face survival challenges in the competitive automotive industry.

Toyota Will Invest $800 Million To Build A Second EV In The U.S. What Could It Be?

Toyota is investing $1 billion in Kentucky and Indiana plants to boost U.S. production, focusing on electric vehicles and expanding existing models.

'Unless Things Change, We Will Not Survive': Even Toyota Doesn't Feel Safe Right Now

Toyota's CEO warns suppliers to adapt or face survival challenges in the competitive automotive industry.

Toyota Will Invest $800 Million To Build A Second EV In The U.S. What Could It Be?

Toyota is investing $1 billion in Kentucky and Indiana plants to boost U.S. production, focusing on electric vehicles and expanding existing models.

more#toyota

Mercedes' American CEO says he's reorganizing the company after finding a big problem in his first year

The automotive industry faces challenges similar to those of the past, including tariffs and inefficiencies, but is adapting rapidly.

fromBusiness Matters

JLR halts Solihull production over supplier parts issue

Jaguar Land Rover has paused production at its Solihull plant due to a supply chain disruption affecting key vehicle lines.

New EV Sales Dropped 28%. But Used EVs Are Booming.

Used EV sales are thriving despite a decline in new EV sales due to the end of tax credits and regulations.

Tesla 'Killer' heads to the graveyard as AFEELA taps out

SHM has discontinued development of the AFEELA electric vehicles, halting the AFEELA 1 sedan and planned SUV due to market challenges.

#sony-honda-mobility

fromTNW | Electric-Vehicle

Sony and Honda cancel the electric vehicle AFEELA dream

Sony Honda Mobility has canceled the AFEELA 1 sedan and an unnamed SUV due to Honda's strategic retreat from electric vehicles.

Sony and Honda give up on their joint EV project | TechCrunch

Sony Honda Mobility has abandoned the development of Afeela-branded EVs due to Honda's strategic shift and cancellation of planned electric vehicles.

fromTNW | Electric-Vehicle

Sony and Honda cancel the electric vehicle AFEELA dream

Sony Honda Mobility has canceled the AFEELA 1 sedan and an unnamed SUV due to Honda's strategic retreat from electric vehicles.

Sony and Honda give up on their joint EV project | TechCrunch

Sony Honda Mobility has abandoned the development of Afeela-branded EVs due to Honda's strategic shift and cancellation of planned electric vehicles.

more#sony-honda-mobility

fromEngadget

The Afeela 1 came too late and now is gone too soon

The Afeela 1, known as the PlayStation Car, has been officially canceled due to various unforeseen challenges and a lengthy development period.

fromArs Technica

Honda cancels the two electric vehicles it was developing with Sony

Honda canceled plans for three electric vehicles, impacting its joint venture with Sony and highlighting struggles in the EV market.

The Xiaomi SU7 Was Already Dominating The Market. Reviewers Say The Updated Version Is Even Better

Xiaomi's SU7 received a facelift with improved structure, efficiency, and interior, set for export by 2027.

Germany news

fromwww.dw.com

German court rejects climate case against BMW, Mercedes

Germany's Federal Court dismissed a bid to ban BMW and Mercedes from selling combustion engine cars after 2030, citing no emissions budgets for individual companies.

Rolls-Royce makes shocking move on its EV future

Rolls-Royce has reversed its plan to become all-electric by 2030, citing customer demand for combustion engines and changing regulations.

fromFortune

Lamborghini CEO says 'disappointing' EV charging infrastructure contributed to no demand for the luxury automaker's all-electric line | Fortune

Lamborghini customers prefer gas-powered cars due to inadequate charging infrastructure, leading to a shift towards plug-in hybrids instead of all-electric models.

Marketing

fromThedrum

Nissan Brazil and Lew'Lara boost media strategy with high-level video campaigns

Nissan Brazil partnered with RTB House to develop branding and performance campaigns using exclusive ad types to optimize customer journeys and reduce video strategy costs while increasing qualified website traffic.

Artificial intelligence

Inside China's robotics revolution

Chen Liang's Guchi Robotics develops automation machines for Chinese car manufacturers, with plans to automate 80% of remaining final assembly tasks currently performed by human workers.

fromBusiness Matters

4 weeks ago

Automotive skills shortage reaches critical levels as 92% of UK employers struggle to recruit

92 per cent of UK automotive employers report difficulty filling roles, making it the hardest-hit sector for recruitment in the country. The figure sits almost 20 percentage points above the national average, where 73 per cent of employers say they are unable to find suitable candidates.

London startup

EV Sales Crashed 41% In JanuaryBut These Brands Still Grew

U.S. EV registrations dropped 41% in January, reducing electric vehicle market share to 5.1% from 8.3% year-over-year following the elimination of the $7,500 federal tax credit.

fromThe Verge

The R2 is nearly here - can Rivian stick the landing?

Rivian's R2 midsize SUV, priced under $50,000, is critical for the company's survival in a competitive EV market dominated by Tesla.

2 Vehicle Manufacturer Stocks to Watch: Honda and REV Group

Honda faces severe EV challenges with $1.76 billion in charges and a strategic retreat from 30% to 20% EV sales targets, while its motorcycle business remains highly profitable and increasingly important to overall performance.

Honda scraps 3 EVs planned for the US, blaming tariffs and Chinese competition | TechCrunch

Honda canceled three U.S. electric vehicles due to Trump's tariffs, Chinese EV competition, and slowing market growth, shifting focus to hybrid models instead.

#job-cuts

fromFast Company

Cars

Why is Volkswagen suddenly planning one of the biggest job cuts in auto industry history?

fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs as profits plunge - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Volkswagen Group plans to cut 50,000 jobs by 2030 as operating profit declined sharply due to tariffs, weak EV demand, and challenging market conditions.

Germany news

fromThe Local Germany

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030

Volkswagen will cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as profit reaches its lowest level since 2016, driven by weak European demand, Chinese competition, and electric vehicle investment costs.

fromFast Company

Cars

Why is Volkswagen suddenly planning one of the biggest job cuts in auto industry history?

fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs as profits plunge - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Volkswagen Group plans to cut 50,000 jobs by 2030 as operating profit declined sharply due to tariffs, weak EV demand, and challenging market conditions.

Germany news

fromThe Local Germany

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030

Volkswagen will cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as profit reaches its lowest level since 2016, driven by weak European demand, Chinese competition, and electric vehicle investment costs.

more#job-cuts

Rivian's Future Rides on April's R2 Launch

TD Cowen's Itay Michaeli believes significant sales uptake for the R2 will far exceed what Wall Street is currently modeling, potentially unlocking profitability and sending shares higher. He forecasts full-scale U.S. demand for the model in the range of 212,000 to 335,000 units annually once production hits stride. That range sits well above consensus estimates and could drive meaningful upside to 2027 revenue and EBITDA forecasts.

Cars

US news

fromFortune

Nearly 1,000 workers laid off at SK Battery plant in Georgia as companies cancel EVs and Trump Admin eliminates auto company incentives | Fortune

SK Battery America laid off 958 workers at its Georgia plant due to declining EV demand and automakers' shifting electrification strategies.

Ford's Success Battered By 615,000 Recall

Ford faces persistent quality control failures evidenced by recurring massive recalls affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles across multiple model years and recent production dates.

Car Debt Is Crushing American Buyers

Nearly 30% of car buyers with trade-ins have negative equity averaging $7,214 underwater in Q4 2025, an all-time record driven by consumer demand for expensive vehicles and industry practices.

Tesla and General Motors: BofA Bets Big on Autonomy and ICE Dominance With Bold Price Targets

Bank of America initiated bullish positions on Tesla and General Motors based on divergent transportation futures: Tesla as an autonomous mobility platform and GM as a profitable EV-era truck/SUV leader.

Europe Is Learning An Uncomfortable Truth About Local Battery Production

Europe's EV battery localization efforts face economic challenges due to China's dominant, cost-competitive battery supply chain, forcing manufacturers to choose between sovereignty and affordability.

Environment

fromStreetsblog