Rivian launched the highly anticipated R2 on June 9 and it appears the excitement was short-lived. One of the first models recently sold at auction and it only garnered four bids.

The electric crossover ended up selling for $63,500, which was only $2,015 above its sticker price of $61,485. This means the seller likely ended up losing money on the vehicle after factoring in taxes and expenses.

More: Rivian’s Most Affordable Model Arrives First In Its Most Expensive Form

The R2 Performance Launch Edition was listed on Cars&Bids and the auction wrapped up yesterday. The Catalina Cove crossover only had 71 miles (114 km) on the odometer and it was purchased last month.

Cars&Bids

The seller said they were a “day 1 deposit holder,” which suggests they reserved the R2 back in March of 2024. The seller added they’ve owned several Rivians over the years, but ended up buying a Kia EV9 for his wife.

Despite this, they decided to take the first Catalina Cove R2 that arrived at their local center with the expectation of keeping it and selling the EV9. She apparently liked the three-row EV better, so they decided to flip the Rivian.

While that could just be a story, it seems plausible enough as it’s hard to plan out your vehicle needs and timing nearly two and a half years in advance.

Regardless, it’s interesting that the R2 didn’t sell for more money. The model is still in short supply and the company is “inviting reservation holders to order in rolling batches.” If you reserve today, it’ll take roughly a week to get estimated timing for your order invitation.

As a refresher, the R2 Performance starts at $57,990 and features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 656 hp (489 kW / 665 PS) and 609 lb-ft (825 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0–60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.6 seconds and travel up to 330 miles (531 km) on a single charge.

It comes nicely equipped with Matrix LED headlights, Compass Yellow accents, and 21-inch wheels. Buyers will also find 12-way power front seats with heating and ventilation as well as heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. They’re accompanied by birch wood trim, a nine-speaker premium audio system, and a flashlight integrated into the driver’s door.

The Launch Edition adds a handful of notable extras including a special key fob and a lifetime subscription to Autonomy+, which provides Universal Hands-Free driving on over 3.5 million miles (5.6 million km) of roads in the United States and Canada. The special edition also comes with a tow package that enables the model to haul up to 4,400 lbs (1,996 kg).

Cars&Bids

Luxury vehicles have never been immune to depreciation, but the latest sale of a nearly new Cadillac Escalade IQ shows just how punishing the first year of ownership can be for high-end EVs. After covering just 13,000 miles, a 2025 Escalade IQ Sport 2 changed hands for $105,000 despite carrying a window sticker of more than $152,000 when new. That’s roughly $47,000 that just went up in smoke over what amounts to barely a year’s worth of driving.

Sold on Bring a Trailer on July 19, the Flare Metallic example attracted 24 bids before the hammer fell at $105,000. While that’s still a six-figure SUV, it’s approximately 31 percent below its original MSRP of $152,365. Put another way, the original buyer, if they paid MSRP, lost $3.64 for every mile that this SUV was on the road. That doesn’t account for electricity, insurance, or maintenance.

Review: Cadillac’s 2026 Escalade IQ Nails The Entrance, Then Spends A Week Undoing It

Photos BaT

The sale highlights a trend that’s become increasingly common across premium electric vehicles. Buyers willing to shop the used market can often save tens of thousands of dollars while getting a vehicle that’s barely broken in. This particular Escalade IQ wasn’t exactly a stripped-down example either. It featured Cadillac’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing up to 750 hp (559 kW) and 785 lb-ft (1,064 Nm) of torque in Velocity Max mode, fed by a massive 205-kWh battery pack.

It also came loaded with virtually every luxury feature buyers expect from Cadillac’s electric flagship. Highlights included Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, four-wheel steering, Super Cruise, Night Vision, a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference sound system, heated and ventilated massaging front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic glass roof, and the massive 55-inch curved dashboard display.

Photos BaT

The seller also fitted custom 24-inch Vivid Racing forged wheels, removed the rear badging, and added gloss-black vinyl accents to the grille surround and C-pillars, though the original appearance could easily be restored. Importantly, the Carfax was clean, showing no reported accidents or damage, although it did note at least one open recall.

Don’t get us wrong. $105,000 is a boatload of money for any vehicle. Nobody needs something this expensive. But having tested one in person, it’s a truly luxurious machine in most of the ways that matter. Letting someone else absorb the depreciation just makes the ownership experience sweeter.

Photos BaT

Car hacking is becoming a more alarming issue every day, it seems. Just this week, security researchers announced that they’d found another major vulnerability that could affect any car from any brand built in the last few decades. After watching a video about the hack, one Ford owner found exactly that same type of device in his own car. Here’s why you might want to take a peek in your own vehicle and why the threat in this case isn’t as scary as it may seem.

More: Toyota GR Corolla Buyer Finds Dealer-Installed GPS Tracker Hidden In Car

The Reddit user said the idea came after watching a recent Wired video detailing security researchers’ discovery of vulnerabilities in the KARR Security System. That’s an aftermarket alarm and tracking device frequently installed by dealerships. We’ve covered similar products in the past. In this case, the owner was simply curious, so he pulled a panel out from under his dash and, sure enough, found the module.

How To Find One In Your Own Car

These devices are often plugged into the OBDII port via a splitter, so they’re hard to spot initially. Some can route directly to or from the battery as well. The owner wasted little time removing the module, which appears to have been installed using a plug-and-play T-harness beneath the dashboard. With that simple action, he disconnected himself from the vulnerability. If you have a similar device hidden in your vehicle, removal is often that simple.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego recently disclosed a Bluetooth vulnerability affecting certain KARR Security System modules, estimating that more than two million vehicles could have the devices installed. According to the researchers, the flaw could allow someone within Bluetooth range to unlock a vehicle, trigger its alarm, or disable its ignition until the owner installs a firmware update. Importantly, they cannot start the car with this hack. The company behind the system has since released a patch.

Why You Probably Shouldn’t Panic

That said, this isn’t a reason for owners to panic. While the researchers successfully demonstrated the vulnerability in controlled testing, exploiting it requires specialized software and close proximity to the vehicle. Moreover, while two million cars is an objectively big number, it also accounts for less than one percent of cars on the road in America. With that in mind, the chances of someone targeting your car this way remain extremely low.

Instead, the bigger takeaway may be that many owners have no idea aftermarket electronics are tucked behind their dashboards in the first place. Dealers often install them for theft prevention, inventory management, or as part of an optional security package. In this case, our Mustang Mach-E owner says his purchase paperwork never mentioned it. Thankfully, a little insight into its possible existence was enough for him to find and delete it.

Tracker found in Mach-E
by u/EpicLift in MachE

Photos: Epiclift on Reddit

The Kia Vision Meta Turismo Concept is a sleek electric sports sedan that has us hungry for a proper successor to the sadly gone Stinger. A new video walking through the concept’s design story hints that Kia might have a second bodystyle in mind.

The official footage, shot inside the design studio, shows a pair of scale models sitting next to hand-drawn sketches. They look like early variations on the Meta Turismo theme, each with a different silhouette.

More: Kia’s Affordable Niro Gets An Upscale Makeover For 2027 And Drops The EV

Next to the coupe-style sedan sits a model with a reworked roofline that reads as a futuristic shooting brake. The long-roof version differs from the final concept in a few other details beyond its distinctive greenhouse, though it uses the same wheels and overall dimensions.

Kia Worldwide / YouTube

The Meta Turismo Shooting Brake hasn’t progressed to a full-size prototype and may never leave the early ideation stage. Its appearance in the video, and in the opening image, still confirms that Kia’s designers didn’t restrict their grand touring vision to a single bodystyle.

More: Kia Is Killing Its Flagship Luxury Sedan After Sales Cratered 87%

If it gets the green light for production, such a model would offer extra headroom and superior cargo capacity while retaining the striking visual impact of a low-slung GT. It would also mark Kia’s return in the estate segment after the discontinuation of the Kia Ceed SW, and the closely related ProCeed in some markets, including Europe.

A Sports Sedan For Gamers

In the design story, Kia’s creative team shed light on the core philosophy behind the Meta Turismo project. The initial briefing tasked designers with envisioning a performance sedan tailored specifically for the “gamer generation”. According to Kia, the target group is drivers who move seamlessly between digital and physical environments.

Inside, the futuristic interface includes a removable retro gaming console mounted on the side of the dashboard. There are four individual seats, with the driver’s chair styled differently from the passengers’, plus organic and sustainable materials including silk and wood. The team also noted that a cab-forward architecture let them maximize cabin space without wrecking the proportions.

Will It Reach Production?

The Vision Meta Turismo concept broke cover in December 2025, then appeared publicly at Milan Design Week and the Busan International Mobility Show in spring 2026. Pitched as the spiritual heir to the Stinger, it swaps that car’s twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 for a fully electric powertrain.

More: Kia Admits The Tasman’s Looks Need Fixing, But Not With A Facelift

While Kia has yet to confirm production intent, Global Design Chief Karim Habib and Europe Design Boss Oliver Samson have previously revealed that engineering feasibility work is already underway. The primary hurdle remains establishing a viable business case for a new halo car. Here’s hoping Kia finds one, and brings the more practical sibling along for the ride too.

Kia

A new study has revealed that Americans are feeling adventurous this summer, eager to get away from civilization and enjoy some off-roading. Of those surveyed, the overwhelming majority would take a combustion-powered vehicle over an EV.

Read: Jeep’s Next EV Could Be Made In China Instead Of Ohio After Stellantis Deal

Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index survey found that 64 percent of respondents are interested in taking an all-terrain or off-road driving adventure this year. That’s a huge jump from the 34 percent who expressed interest in doing the same last year.

But, as is often the case with studies like these, there’s more than meets the eye. Last year’s survey asked a different question. The 34 percent figure didn’t measure people planning an off-road adventure at all; it counted respondents who named “off-roading proficiency” as the top recreational driving skill they wanted to learn.

74 percent of Gen Z and 72 percent of Millennials want to take an off-road trip this year. However, it’s not just younger folk who want to make the most out of summer, as 57 percent of Gen X drivers and 42 percent of Baby Boomers want to do the same.

ICEs Rule Over EVs

The study also sheds light on what types of vehicles motorists think are best for these trips. 52 percent believe an SUV is best, while 36 percent would go with a pickup truck. Unsurprisingly, most people still favor combustion engines over EVs, with 79 percent preferring a gas-powered SUV over an electric one, while 87 percent of pickup drivers would take an ICE model over an EV.

It appears most of those interested in an off-road experience want something tame, rather than climbing over rocks at Moab. As such, 45 percent said they plan to take a trip along wooded trails while just 17 percent would prefer exploring a desert.

Of course, it’s worth noting that this study, just like so many others you read about, only polled a small group of people. In fact, Hankook quizzed just 1,000 randomly selected American drivers aged 18 and older. So, if you’re someone who has no interest in off-roading, you can rest easy knowing millions of others feel the same.

The fully electric VW ID. Buzz hasn’t found the audience VW hoped for in North America, and that has the company weighing some drastic options. One was a range-extender powertrain, an idea that died on packaging grounds. Meanwhile, VW is developing a new multi-energy architecture for its future LCV lineup, meant to reduce complexity and cut costs.

The ID. Buzz news comes from Stefan Mecha, CEO of VW Commercial Vehicles. Speaking to Australian outlet Go Auto, he conceded that a combustion-engined variant had been on the table: “I would not be telling the truth if I said we have not looked at this. Is this a feasible exercise? Probably not… I think from this end, the ID. Buzz is an electric vehicle and it will stay an electric vehicle.”

More: VW’s 2026 ID. Buzz Adds 335 HP And Real Buttons, America Gets Neither

The van’s short overhangs and EV-only bones left nowhere to put a range extender. The MEB architecture was built for battery electric vehicles and nothing else, so shoehorning in a combustion engine would have meant an expensive redesign.

VW moved 60,700 ID. Buzz vans in 2025, double its 2024 tally. North America accounted for just 6,140 of them, which is why the brand skipped the 2026 model year entirely to clear leftover stock. The EV returns to the US for 2027 with minor updates and a camping-friendly trim joining the lineup.

One Platform To Rule Them All

In the same interview, Mecha laid out a structural overhaul aimed at what he calls “costly platform fragmentation” across the LCV portfolio.

More: 140,000 Jobs Are At Now Risk At VW

The company currently relies on four separate platforms right now. The Caddy and Multivan T7 sit on MQB, the ID. Buzz uses MEB, the Transporter T7 shares its underpinnings with the Ford Transit Custom, and the Crafter has a larger bespoke chassis of its own.

To streamline manufacturing and R&D, Volkswagen will retool its Hanover plant and develop a new common architecture for the next decade dubbed the Space platform. This is expected to underpin the next-generation Caddy, Multivan, and Transporter lineups, and supply components for the next Crafter.

Drawing conclusions this early would be premature, but the ID. Buzz faces an uncertain future given the scale of the cuts announced across the VW Group range.

More: VW Group Is Killing Half Its Cars By 2030, And Some Big Names Are At Risk

Mecha said commercial buyers are moving to fully electric vans more slowly than expected, leaving VWCV on the hook for hefty carbon emissions penalties under European fleet rules. The Space platform was conceived as an EV architecture, but it’s being adapted to take hybrid powertrains as well.

More Electric Vans

Before the new platform arrives, VW is working on expanding its electric LCV lineup next to the ID. Buzz and the e-Transporter. One is a successor to the e-Crafter that was sold between 2018 and 2022. The updated model will likely offer a significantly longer range, improving the usability of the large van to rival the Ford e-Transit and Renault Master E-Tech.

More: VW Revives A Decades-Old Name For The Multivan, But Not Everywhere

The automaker is also considering a zero-emission variant of the Caddy. The current generation of the compact van debuted in 2020 and received a facelift in mid-2026, offering diesel and PHEV powertrain options.

It remains to be seen whether the e-Caddy will utilize an electrified version of the MQB architecture, as seen in the discontinued e-Golf, or jump into the MEB platform.

In June 2026, Zonar and School Transportation News surveyed 128 transportation professionals across the United States to understand where student transportation departments stand heading into the 2026-2027 school year. Showcasing fleet sizes from under 50 buses to 300 or more, and spanning roles such as transportation directors, operations managers and fleet leads, the result is a clear picture of the workforce gaps, budget pressure and technology decisions shaping the season ahead.

Inside the report:

• Why driver staffing remains the defining pressure of the back-to-school season
• The real distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the first day
• How flat and shrinking budgets are reshaping technology decisions for 2026
• Where the 64% who are still investing are putting their technology dollars this year
• Who actually holds final purchase approval, and how long the process takes
• The moves that close preparation gaps before the first bus rolls

Download the complimentary report to see how your fleet compares.

Fill out the form below and then check your email to get the report.

The post (Free White Paper) 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report appeared first on School Transportation News.

ILLINOIS – BusGates, the makers of LED stop arm extensions, is expressing support for the school bus safety provisions included in the BUILD America 250 Act, a federal transportation package that advances new national efforts focused on roadway safety, enforcement, and public awareness.

The legislation includes provisions aimed at reducing illegal school bus passing through expanded public safety messaging, strengthened enforcement initiatives, and increased coordination between federal, state, and local transportation safety stakeholders.

“Illegal school bus passing is a preventable safety issue,” said Trevor Clatfelter, CoFounder at BusGates. “The reality is that improving visibility around the bus is one of the most practical ways to address it. We support federal efforts that elevate this issue and move us toward solutions that actually change driver behavior when kids are getting on and off the bus.”

Despite longstanding state laws requiring motorists to stop for school buses as they load and unload children, illegal passing remains a significant national safety concern. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) estimates there are more than 43 million illegal school bus passings annually, placing children at risk during routine pickup and drop-off.

The dangers associated with illegal school bus passing are well known among transportation professionals. Cindy Morris, a veteran driver for the Ball-Chatham School District in Illinois featured in a recent video campaign, shared firsthand concerns about motorists routinely disregarding traditional school bus warning signals during loading and unloading operations.

BusGates is a mission-driven school bus safety technology company focused on reducing illegal school bus passing by enhancing the visibility of the current stop arm on buses. The system uses bright, flashing LED light extensions that easily retrofit onto current stop arms, helping to improve driver awareness during student pickup and drop-off. This new technology helps deter illegal passing behavior at the point of risk and supports safer student transportation.

The BUILD America 250 Act also reflects broader federal priorities around roadway safety and transportation innovation, including expanded safety programs and new frameworks for emerging vehicle technologies.

“From our perspective, effective student transportation safety requires a layered approach,” said Dan Thompson, CoFounder at BusGates®. “Enforcement and public awareness are important, but they have to be paired with tools that work to help prevent dangerous situations before they happen.”

BusGates continues to engage with transportation stakeholders at the federal and state level as policymakers advance initiatives aimed at improving school transportation safety outcomes.

BusGates LED Stop Arm Extensions are being used by school districts in 26 states including: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, as well as in Canada.

About BusGates: www.busgates.com BusGates is on a mission to reduce vehicle “drive-arounds” at bus stops across America and make getting to and from school safer for students. BusGates stop-arm extensions are a simple, cost-effective solution to a major problem – cars ignoring stopped school bus warnings putting students at risk. BusGates stop-arm extensions easily retro fit to the existing school bus stop signs. They offer additional visibility and stick out further from the bus to make drivers more aware and reduce illegal “drive-arounds” by up to 95%.

The post BusGates Backs Federal School Bus Safety Provisions Included in BUILD America 250 Act appeared first on School Transportation News.

Three people including a student were hospitalized with minor injuries after a school bus was involved in a multivehicle crash and struck a commercial building in Parkville, Maryland, reported WBAL News.

According to the news report, Baltimore County emergency crews were called shortly before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 8700 block of Harford Road, where a school bus had crashed through the front of the building.

Baltimore County police said a 2017 Ford Focus traveling south crossed into the northbound lane and entered the path of the school bus. The bus subsequently struck the building. The Ford also collided with a 2014 Nissan Altima.

Two adults and three students from the Maryland School for the Blind were reportedly aboard the bus when it crashed. One student and the bus driver were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Another adult involved in the crash was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

Eight additional people were reportedly evaluated at the scene but declined transportation to hospitals. No one was trapped inside the bus or building following the collision. Video from the scene showed the front of the bus lodged inside the structure. A nearby business owner reportedly said the impact shook her building and sounded like an earthquake. She called 911 after determining that a crash had occurred.

According to the article, bystanders opened the bus door and helped the students exit. They then stayed with the children and attempted to keep them calm while emergency responders arrived.

A passenger in the Nissan told local news reporters that the car appeared to have been struck several times. Harford Road was temporarily affected as police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel investigated and cleared the crash scene.

Authorities did not immediately release the identities of the drivers, passengers, or injured students. Police also did not announce whether any citations or charges were anticipated. The circumstances that caused the Ford to cross into oncoming traffic remained under investigation.

Written with the assistance of AI.

---

Related: 10 Taken to Hospital After School Bus, Car Crash in New York
Related: School Bus Crashes into Pennsylvania Home
Related: Four People Hospitalized Amid School Bus Crash Into House
Related: Distracted Driving Maryland Man Convicted in Fatal Crash with School Bus

The post School Bus Crashes into Maryland Building Injuring Three appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus contractor Go Riteway Transportation Group is holding two “Drive the Bus” recruitment events in southeast Wisconsin as school districts prepare for the upcoming academic year amid an ongoing shortage of school bus drivers, reported TMJ4 News.

According to the news report, two events were intended to recruit drivers serving the Brown Deer and Mequon-Thiensville school districts in Mequon, Wisconsin and the Nicolet Union, River Hills and Indian Hill school districts near Milwaukee.

Participants can reportedly drive a school bus under the supervision of certified trainers and learn about the requirements for earning a commercial driver’s license and becoming a school bus driver. Go Riteway offers paid training and a sign-on bonus to new drivers.

David Tice, a Go Riteway bus driver, said that the position allows relationship-building with students and support of local communities. “I just love getting to know the kids and going to their events,” Tice said via the article, adding that drivers can give children a positive experience before they arrive at school. “It’s really meaningful for the kids.”

Tice stated that one of his highlights was transporting the Grafton High School football team to the state championship game last year. He said he hopes to take the team back this year.

The recruitment push comes as Wisconsin continues to experience a decline in available school bus drivers. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the number of licensed school bus drivers in the state has fallen by 17 percent over the past two decades. The shortage has reportedly caused some school districts to cut or consolidate routes.

Doug Luedcke, a Go Riteway terminal manager, said the recruitment events offer residents an opportunity to serve their local schools and help ensure students have transportation. “We’re looking for anybody that wants to help out in their community, in their school district,” Luedcke said via the article.

Written with the assistance of AI.

---

Related: Stuff the Bus Event Provides Supplies for More Than 16,000 Tennessee Students
Related: Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students
Related: Florida School District to Host Transportation Hiring Event
Related: Retirements Spur Summer Hiring Push to Address School Bus Driver Shortages

The post Go Riteway Hosts ‘Drive the Bus’ Events Amid Wisconsin Driver Shortage appeared first on School Transportation News.

Volkswagen’s driver assistance tech in the West has never threatened the class leaders, but in China the company plans to put Level 3 automated driving in customer cars in the second half of 2027. Level 3 means the car handles the driving within set conditions and the driver stops being the moment-to-moment backup, something no VW-badged model in Europe or North America can do today.

The German automaker is working alongside Chinese firm Horizon Robotics to make it happen. The duo operate a joint venture known as Carizon and, through a strengthened deal agreed to between the companies, Horizon’s AI foundation-model capabilities will be used to develop and accelerate the creation of an advanced new AI driving solution for VW.

Read: VW Ruled China For 25 Years, Now Young Buyers Call It Their Parents’ Car

The automaker’s unified AI driving model will be trained to handle end-to-end driving tasks and, thanks to Horizon’s technologies, better anticipate the behavior of other road users, creating a safer and more reliable system.

This driving stack will be integrated within VW’s China Electronic Architecture (CEA), its first locally developed zonal electronic and electrical architecture. This will ensure the complex automated driving functions can be added to several model lines not only in China, but also in the “Global South,” according to VW.

Carizon’s L2+ ADAS already appears in several VW models sold in China, among them the ID. Unyx 07 and ID. Unyx 06, with highway Navigate on Autopilot and memory parking. An L2++ version arrives later this year, extending Navigate on Autopilot into cities and destined for seven of VW’s new energy vehicles in the Chinese market.

“China has become one of Volkswagen Group’s key innovation and technology hubs, particularly in software, artificial intelligence and automated driving,” VW Group chief executive Oliver Blume said. “Our deepened collaboration within CARIZON further strengthens our ability to develop and scale AI-based solutions for automated driving.”

Android Automotive OS and Google Maps have been adopted by a number of automakers, but Apple is fighting back with a MapKit for Automotive SDK. It promises to provide a “beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle’s displays.”

The technology will be integrated into Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, which will underpin their highly anticipated $30,000 pickup as well as an assortment of other affordable EVs. Furthermore, Ford will use “road-level information from Apple Maps as part of the development of its next-generation BlueCruise” semi-autonomous driving system. The automaker said this will result in a more seamless hands-free driving experience.

More: Ford’s $30K Electric Truck Looks Tiny Next To Expedition In New Spy Photos

The companies didn’t release pictures or many details, but said drivers can expect natural language turn-by-turn directions as well as real-time traffic and incident information. Users can also look forward to an intuitive search feature with “detailed place cards.” There will also be multiple “routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination.”

While the automaker and tech giant didn’t elaborate, there’s little doubt the routing options will factor in recharging stops for long distance trips. This functionality is already built into Apple Maps as it monitors the battery and analyzes elevation changes as well as other factors along your route to identify appropriate charging stations along the way. It can also provide real-time charging station availability and help to find the nearest compatible charging station when the battery gets extremely low.

Baldauf

Aside from already existing features, Ford confirmed the new integration will have a battery preconditioning function. This likely means that when drivers navigate towards a charging station, the battery will precondition itself for optimal charging when it arrives.

Ford CEO Jim Farley remarked, “Our new midsize electric vehicle will be priced around $30,000 and redefines what advanced technology can be – simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers. We’re proud to embed Apple Maps’ navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, giving customers the ultimate navigation experience alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture.”

Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health, Eddy Cue, added “With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we’re bringing Maps further into drivers’ daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles.”

Apple CarPlay

Europe’s tariffs on Chinese EVs were supposed to slow the advance across the region. Chinese brands responded by pivoting to plug-in hybrids instead, and the results speak for themselves. PHEVs from China now make up more than a third of the region’s plug-in hybrid sales. The tariff wall stands where it was, but the traffic routed around it, because the barrier went up around one powertrain and not the other.

Local sales data shows Chinese firms taking a 34 percent share of PHEV deliveries last month, with BYD, Chery, and Geely leading the charge, alongside brands with European ownership ties such as Polestar and Leapmotor.

More: China’s Best-Seller Could Soon Be Built At A Ford Factory After Deal With Geely

Dataforce puts Chinese manufacturers at 11 percent of all new car sales in June and 15 percent of the EV market. That second figure sounds healthy, but EV sales haven’t kept pace with plug-in hybrids, hovering between 10 and 15 percent for the past 18 months.

Looking at the hybrid market as a whole, which includes hybrids and plug-ins, Chinese automakers had a market share close to 25 percent.

What Will Europe Do?

Europe’s answer likely won’t be economic measures aimed specifically to assist local car manufacturers, but rather to punish Chinese firms. The European Commission is moving closer to imposing tariffs against plug-in hybrids imported from China into the region. Handelsblatt reported that as soon as a majority of EU members give their approval to these new tariffs, they can be implemented.

Read: China Just Killed The PHEV As We Know It And Western Luxury Brands Are Paying The Price

It’s understood that tariffs against PHEVs could follow a similar formula to those implemented against EVs in 2024. As such, they could vary between car manufacturers, depending on how they cooperate with European authorities. In the case of the EV tariffs, they vary between 7.8 and 35.3 percent.

The Chinese Are Now Building Locally

Importantly, Chinese brands may already have the answer to these new tariffs. Many have already committed to building vehicles in Europe, including BYD, which now operates a plant in Hungary, as well as SAIC, which will build a site in northern Spain. In addition, Auto News notes that Dongfeng, Chery, Geely, and Leapmotor will or could use existing plants in Europe to build their own vehicles, skirting around any potential new tariffs.

Germany’s turn to electric cars stopped being theoretical last month. Battery-electric models outsold every other powertrain in June, taking 28.4 percent of the country’s market and finishing ahead of hybrids for the first time. That figure would have looked absurd two years ago in a country whose industrial identity is welded to the internal combustion engine.

Read: Tesla’s Model Y Went From 42nd In January To Europe’s Best-Seller In March

Figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) reveal that 84,057 new EVs were sold last month, a 78.2 percent rise from June last year. This allowed EVs to narrowly edge out hybrids, which had been the most popular powertrain option the month prior. Hybrid registrations came to 83,315, a hair behind the EV total but still good for a 28.1 percent share.

Germany Car Registrations By Powertrain Type

Crucially, both EVs and hybrids are now comfortably outselling traditional petrol-powered vehicles, which held a 20.5 percent share of the market with 60,796 registrations in June. Trailing petrol-powered cars were diesels with 33,862 sales, or an 11.4 percent market share, slightly ahead of plug-in hybrids with 32,212 sold, enough for a 10.9 percent share.

Which EVs Are Most Popular?

The most popular EV in Germany last month was the Tesla Model Y with an impressive 6,023 sales recorded. This placed it well ahead of the VW ID.3 in second with 3,514 registrations, followed by the Skoda Enyaq with 3,383, and the Skoda Elroq with 3,315. Other cars among the top 10 best-selling EVs included the BMW X1, Mini (it’s unclear which specific model), Audi A6 e-tron, VW ID.7, Cupra Tavascan, and Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric.

The Model Y proved to be so popular that it was actually the third best-selling new car overall in June. It only trailed the VW Golf, which recorded 8,117 sales, and the VW T-Roc, with 6,808 units sold.

Although EV and hybrid sales are surging in Germany, the vast majority of the nation’s total vehicle fleet still relies solely on fossil fuels. In fact, there are currently 61.3 million registered vehicles on German roads, of which 59.3 percent are powered by petrol and 27 percent by diesel engines. Hybrids account for 6.5 percent while BEVs have a 4.1 percent share.

Germany Best-Selling EVs June 2026

KBA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Canada – As a company dedicated to giving back to its communities, Stock Transportation’s Toronto West team had the very special opportunity to provide in-kind transportation for The Salvation Army St. Catharines’ summer camp. The summer camp provides local children with the opportunity to experience a week full of recreation, friendship, and personal growth.

For the summer camp, Stock Transportation donated a bus and driver to transport a total of 40 children to and from Jackson’s Point Camp and Newport Adventure Camp where they participated in various activities such as team-building exercises, music, crafts, and recreational activities designed to encourage growth, friendship, and confidence. The Salvation Army St. Catharines Ministry covers the cost of the summer camp program for local children every year – giving the opportunity to children who may not otherwise have been able to attend. Thanks to the efforts of our team and the Salvation Army, this group of wonderful youth were able to enjoy an incredible summer experience to remember.

To thank our team, Rose Amer, Director at The Salvation Army St. Catharines Community & Family Services, shared a letter, in which she wrote the following:

“On behalf of The Salvation Army St. Catharines Community & Family Services, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire team at Stock Transportation for their extraordinary generosity in providing complimentary transportation for our children attending summer camp at Jackson’s Point. Your willingness to donate a school bus and driver has helped make it possible for 40 children from our community to enjoy a life-changing week of camp. Many of these children come from families facing financial hardship and would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in this experience.

We are especially grateful for the professionalism, care, and attention demonstrated throughout the planning process. Your partnership reflects a genuine commitment to supporting children and strengthening communities, and we are deeply thankful for your investment in the lives of the young people we serve. It is encouraging to know that organizations like Stock Transportation share our desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families.”

Stock Transportation prides itself as being more than just a student transportation provider. Its teams are also community partners who are dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve through opportunities like this. Every year, they aim to donate in-kind transportation services, host clothing drives, and provide buses for community donation efforts, like the Toronto Blue Jays’ Annual Stuff the Bus campaign which Stock Transportation will proudly support once again next month in August.

“It was truly an honor to be able to support the Salvation Army and help make it possible for children to attend an overnight camp experience. We know how meaningful these opportunities can be, and we’re proud to play a small part in creating lasting memories for kids who may not otherwise have the chance,” said Renee Gough, General Manager, Stock Transportation. “Planning the donation involved coordinating schedules, ensuring a safe and reliable bus was available, and working closely with the Salvation Army to meet their transportation needs. It was a team effort and seeing it all come together made it incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, it’s about the kids. Knowing that something as simple as providing transportation can help create lifelong memories for them is incredibly rewarding. We’re thankful to be in a position to give back to our community in a meaningful way.”

About Stock Transportation
As a premier transportation provider, Stock Transportation provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

The post Stock Transportation Donates Bus for Salvation Army St. Catharines Summer Camp appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. – John Elliott Jr., Senior Vice President of Customer Operations at Summit School Services, has been awarded the Golden Merit Award by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) for his exceptional dedication to service excellence in the student transportation industry.

The Golden Merit Award was introduced in 1969 to recognize school bus professionals who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in service and safety in student transportation. Award recipients are also selected based on their contributions to the industry and their exemplification of outstanding leadership, innovation, and decision-making throughout their careers.

John, along with other award recipients, were recognized and presented with their awards at the NSTA Awards and Installation Dinner on July 21, 2026, and were joined by family, fellow team members, and industry professionals. The award presentation was held as part of NSTA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Convention.

John Elliott Jr. began his career with Summit School Services in 2015 as Vice President of Operations. Following his proven success in fostering positive customer relationships and contributing to business growth, John advanced into his current role as Senior Vice President of Customer Operations a few years later in 2019.

“John has led our company to many great successes over the years. Through his integrity, industry expertise, and innate ability to connect with customers, he has built trusted, long-lasting partnerships by listening to their needs and responding with decisive action and genuine care,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “This award is a tremendous testament to both who he is as a person and the amazing career he has built in the school bus industry. Congratulations, John, on this incredible recognition, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.”

“I have had the pleasure in working with John since he joined Summit and can say with full confidence that this award is very much deserved,” said Carina Noble, Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs, Summit School Services. “John is personable, talented, and highly experienced in effectively navigating customer relationships and operations. He is incredibly skilled in both regards, and as a fellow colleague, I have immense respect for John and have learned a great deal from him and his expansive knowledge. Congrats, John, on this fittingly esteemed award.”

About Summit School Services
Summit School Services sets the standard for safe, reliable student transportation across North America. As the parent organization to trusted local operators including Durham School Services, Stock Transportation, and Petermann Bus, Summit supports over 360 school districts. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works consistently, reliably, and without disruption.

The post Summit School Services’ John Elliott Jr. Receives NSTA Golden Merit Award for Exemplary Dedication to Service Excellence appeared first on School Transportation News.

RENO, Nev. — Transfinder swept the 2026 STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards, taking first place in each of four product categories after main conference attendees cast ballots July 13 and 14 during the STN EXPO West trade show.

The program, in its fifth consecutive year, recognized a winner and two finalists in the categories of Best Green Technology, Best Hardware, Best Safety Technology and Best Software/AI Solutions. A tie in the safety category expanded that group, with three products sharing third place. The results reflected attendees’ evaluations of technology presented on the show floor for use in school transportation operations.

Only STN EXPO West main conference attendees who are employees of school districts, bus contractors or consultants were eligible to vote.

Best Green Technology

Transfinder won Best Green Technology for Ride Impact Metrics, or RIM. The tool helps school districts and families quantify the broader effects of yellow school bus service by estimating avoided carbon emissions, household driving time saved and transportation savings. Attendee Sandy Dillman, this year’s winner of the Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence, praised Transfinder’s “great products” and “even better customer service.”

RIDE earned second-place honors for its Blade Battery, a lithium-iron phosphate battery designed for electric vehicles with an emphasis on safety, energy density and cycle life. Attendee Denise George said, “Our best EV is from RIDE.”

Thomas Built Buses was the third-place finalist for the Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson, a Type D electric school bus that combines an 800-volt powertrain, integrated eAxle, flexible charging and vehicle-to-grid capability.

Best Hardware

STN EXPO West trade show attendees voted the Wayfinder Hardware Suite from Transfinder as Best Hardware. The integrated suite combines RFID reading, barcode and QR scanning, push-to-talk communication and PIN-based student identification, giving drivers more options to identify students and communicate with dispatch through one platform.

Zum Services took second place for its Connected Mobility Experience, or Zum CMX, which integrates routing, dispatch, workforce management, safety systems, communications and operational dashboards. Stone Mountain Ltd. received third-place honors for the UVox USB C Push to Talk Speaker Mic, which connects to Android, iOS and Windows devices over push-to-talk cellular networks and includes a dedicated emergency button.

Best Safety Technology

Transfinder’s Live Share won Best Safety Technology. The real-time mapping and incident-response tool allows transportation teams to share interactive maps, drawings and operational information with trusted recipients through secure text-based access. The company said the tool is designed to support coordination during emergencies, events and daily transportation planning.

Zonar’s Bus Suite was the second-place finalist. The platform brings routing, fleet management, GPS tracking, student ridership verification, driver workflows, dispatch, vehicle inspections and parent communication into one operational view intended to improve visibility and response time.

A three-way tie for third place honored Q’Straint, IC Bus and Geotab. Q’Straint ONE simplifies wheelchair securement through an all-in-one platform with visual and audible locking indicators. Attendee Christine Campoli-Silva called the Q’Straint system “very impressive.”

IC Bus was recognized for Fusion 3.0, which integrates radar, cameras, driver alerts and automated braking assistance. Geotab earned its place with Vitality, a program that uses telematics data, positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage safer driving behavior.

---

Related: Transfinder, RIDE Win Big with STN EXPO Innovation Awards
Related: Transfinder Scores Hat Trick with STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards
Related: Gallery: Best Moments from STN EXPO West
Related: (STN Podcast E315) Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 2: Oregon District Tackles Driver Shortages, Student Behavior
Related: (STN Podcast E314) Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 1: Hear From Repeat Top Transportation Team Winners

---

 Best Software/AI Solutions

Transfinder completed its four-category sweep with Atlas & Intelligent Tools. The platform applies AI-assisted search and automation to routing, planning and operational data, including the use of actual bus speeds and stop times to improve maps and schedules. Attendee Jose Cruz cited its potential to provide “help with routing.”

Tyler Technologies earned second place for Rider AI Assistant, a chat interface within Tyler’s Student Transportation solution that answers operational questions and builds reports from plain-language prompts. IC Bus received third-place honors for My International, a connected platform that provides mixed-fleet vehicle monitoring, maintenance alerts, service management and dealer communication in one dashboard.

By placing the decision with eligible main conference attendees on the trade show floor, the Innovation Choice Awards highlighted the products that resonated most with the school transportation professionals who could evaluate them in person. Recognizing the top finishers in each category also broadened the spotlight on the range of new technology supporting safer, cleaner and more connected student transportation.

Article written with the assistance of AI.

The post Transfinder Sweeps 2026 STN EXPO West Innovation Choice Awards appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. — National Association of School Transportation members saw the installation of a new board as well as several awardees during its July 19-22 annual meeting.

The event at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel introduced three new at-large board of directors: Scott Burkoth, vice president of mergers and acquisitions at First Student; Denis Gallagher, Jr., senior vice president of operations at Student Transportation of America; and Jacob Iverson, senior vice president of Landmark Student Transportation as the new. Michael Ahern, CEO at Karpf School Bus was elected Region I Director and David Duke, chief development officer at Beacon Mobility, was elected Region 4 Director.

The Blake A. Krapf Distinguished Service Award went to Bobbie Harman of First Student, the school bus contractor’s senior director of customer and community engagement, in recognition of “recent, significant, substantial and special contributions to pupil transportation contracting.” NSTA memorialized Krapf’s name on the award last year following his death.

B.R. Williams Inc., of New Jersey took home the Contractor of the Year Award, presented in by NSTA in partnership with School Transportation News. Cameron Wood, the 2026 STN Innovator of the Year, was also acknowledged during the annual meeting.

---

Related: Historic Year for Minnesota School Bus Contractor Punctuated by NSTA Award
Related: Illegal School Bus Passing Numbers Indicate Decrease, ‘Still Too Many’
Related: (STN Podcast E315) Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 2: Oregon District Tackles Driver Shortages, Student Behavior
Related: Wyoming Pupil Transportation Conference Expands Training, Networking Opportunities

---

John Elliott, Jr., senior vice president of customer operations at Summit School Services, was awarded the Golden Merit Award for his exceptional dedication to service excellence in the student transportation industry. The Golden Merit Award, introduced in 1969, recognizes school bus professionals who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in service and safety in student transportation. Award recipients are also selected based on their contributions to the industry and their exemplification of outstanding leadership, innovation and decision-making throughout their careers.

AMF-Bruns was announced as the NSTA Vendor Partner of the Year. The award goes to a vendor who has offered superior support to NSTA through committee service, financial commitment and educational contributions to the organization, as well as student transportation as a whole.

Finally, Pat Regan, president of Minnesota Coaches that has been in business serving school districts since 1959, was inducted into the  NSTA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes excellence in long-term efforts on behalf of the pupil transportation industry.

The post NSTA Announces Awardees, New Board Members at Annual Meeting appeared first on School Transportation News.

A northern Minnesota woman was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in connection with a 2024 crash that injured 21 students and a school bus driver, reported KSTP News.

According to the news report, Svea Lynn Snickers, 20, was sentenced Monday to three years of supervised probation after previously pleading guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular operation stemming from the Sept. 12, 2024, crash involving a Hibbing school bus.

As part of her sentence, Snickers must reportedly complete 200 hours of community service. According to the terms of her probation, she will receive two hours of community service credit for every hour she spends speaking publicly about the dangers of distracted driving. She was also ordered to pay $10,267.38 in restitution.

The crash reportedly occurred at the intersection of Highway 5 and Townline Road when Snickers, driving a Toyota RAV4, ran a stop sign and struck the side of the school bus. The impact caused the bus to skid sideways before rolling into a ditch.

Authorities said via the article that 21 students were injured in the crash, and 10 of them, along with both drivers, were transported to a hospital for treatment. No fatalities were reported.

Investigators reportedly determined that Snickers had been recording a video on Snapchat in the moments leading up to the collision. During an interview with Minnesota State Patrol troopers, she admitted to using the social media app immediately before the crash.

Following sentencing, Snickers expressed remorse for the incident, telling local news reporters that she wished the crash had never happened.

During the sentencing hearing, a parent of one of the injured students addressed Snickers directly, offering forgiveness.

“We are not mad at you. We forgive you,” the parent said. “We know this was an accident, and you’ve learned many life lessons.”

The case serves as another reminder of the dangers of distracted driving, particularly around school buses transporting students.

Written with the assistance of AI.

---

Reported: 10 Taken to Hospital After School Bus, Car Crash in New York
Reported: Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash
Reported: Pennsylvania Man Admits to Drinking After Fleeing Crash While Driving School Van with Students
Reported: Family’s Lawsuit Claims Distraction, Negligence in Fatal Tennessee School Bus Crash

The post Minnesota Driver Sentenced to Probation in School Bus Crash that Injured 21 Students appeared first on School Transportation News.

A longtime mechanic was killed after the school bus he was repairing rolled and crushed him inside a Westmoreland County bus garage, reported CBS News.
According to the news report, Barry Barker was working on a school bus at the Lodestar Bus Lines garage in New Florence Borough when the incident occurred July 2 at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said emergency responders were dispatched around 9:35 a.m. after an employee reported the unresponsive mechanic inside the garage.

“An employee at a bus garage … said they had a mechanic that was lying inside the garage, that [he] was unresponsive, and it appears he may have had an incident where a bus drove over him,” Limani said.

Investigators reportedly said Barker had been repairing a school bus that was experiencing brake problems. Police located cutting tools near Barker that appeared to have been used during the repair, though investigators have not yet determined exactly what caused the bus to begin moving.

The bus reportedly rolled over Barker before slowly traveling across 13th Street and coming to rest in a nearby yard. Authorities said the incident appears to have been accidental.

“It just seems like a horrific tragedy and a pure accident,” Limani said via the article. “From my understanding, he has been a mechanic for quite a long time, and he has been at that garage for an extended period of time.” He added that investigators currently have no reason to believe foul play or any criminal activity was involved.

The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office identified Barker and said the cause and manner of death remain pending following an autopsy and toxicology testing. State police continue to investigate how the school bus began moving while Barker was working underneath it.

---

Related: Florida School District Begins School Bus Mechanic Apprenticeship Program
Related: 10 Taken to Hospital After School Bus, Car Crash in New York
Related: Distracted Driving Maryland Man Convicted in Fatal Crash with School Bus
Related: School Bus Driver Charged with Hit-and-Run Death of Brooklyn Girl

The post Mechanic Killed After School Bus Crushes Him in Pennsylvania Garage appeared first on School Transportation News.