Kia has used the Seoul Mobility Show to introduce two PV5 Spielraum concepts.
One is essentially a mobile fashion retailer, while the other has a lounge and a kitchen.
Kia and LG are joining forces to bring AI and appliances to PBV models starting in 2026.
The Hyundai Motor Group stormed the Seoul Mobility Show with an impressive array of concepts and production models. Besides the redesigned Nexo and facelifted Ioniq 6, Genesis brought a beautiful G90 coupe and convertible.
That brings us to Kia, which introduced a couple of PV5 Spielraum concepts. Named after the German word for “play space,” the vans are built for digital nomads.
The first is the Spielraum Studio concept, and it’s essentially a store on wheels. The rear doors open to reveal shelves that can display products, while the cargo area has a clothes rack as well as clear cases holding shoes.
The oddities continue inside with a smart mirror, coffee machine, and what appears to be a refrigerator. They’re joined by a round chair as well as an LG Styler, which is billed as a “clothing care solution designed for garment caring, focusing on sanitization and deodorization through TrueSteam technology.”
Since AI is the latest buzzword, artificial intelligence has been incorporated into the concept to monitor your schedule and calculate the remaining travel time to your destination. It also recommends settings for the LG appliances housed within.
The Spielraum Glow Cabin concept goes in a different direction thanks to a lounge-like interior with a wraparound sofa and covered walls. Kia says this variant was “designed to cater to the growing demand for car picnic experiences,” so it features a refrigerator, oven, and wine cellar. We can also see what appears to be a cooktop and storage compartments.
This would make for an interesting tailgating vehicle, and Kia noted the appliances are covered by color-changing MoodUP panels. Users can adjust their look via the LG ThinQ app.
It’s no coincidence that Kia and LG teamed up for the concepts as the two firms have decided to “collaborate on the implementation of mobility space solutions based on PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) technology.” The companies didn’t go into many specifics, but we can expect to find LG’s AI and appliances in PBV vans.
The firms said the tie-up will enable owners to transform their vehicles into a personalized office, studio, or lounge. We can expect to learn more in the future as the partnership is slated to bear fruit in the second half of 2026.
Forseven has been operating in secret and working on several models.
The merger will allow McLaren to launch new ICE and EV models.
Technologies could also be borrowed from the Chinese EV brand Nio.
In an industry where ownership changes faster than tire compounds at Monaco, McLaren has had its fair share of musical chairs. The McLaren Group, passed around like an unloved pet in recent years, found itself 100% owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund as of early last year. Then, in October, the fund handed off its stake to Abu Dhabi-based investment group CYVN Holdings. Now under new ownership, McLaren Automotive is merging with a company we bet you’ve never heard of.
That company is a British start-up called Forseven, which already has significant financial backing from CYVN Holdings. It has already hired more than 700 automotive industry experts and was planning to release several luxury models into the market. Now that it’s tied up with McLaren, these planned models will hit the market using the McLaren badge.
The newly formed McLaren Group Holdings will consist of McLaren Automotive, Forseven, CYVN’s non-controlling stake in McLaren Racing, and the new McLaren Licensing business. CYVN is also a major stakeholder in Chinese EV brand Nio, and says McLaren will gain access to “visionary technologies and electrification.” Forseven’s own push into the automotive space has been helped by Gordon Murray Technologies, which CYVN also owns.
Thanks to the merger, McLaren’s range will grow into new product categories. No confirmation has been given about what these categories will be, but it’s reasonable to assume McLaren will grow beyond just selling supercars and hypercars, and may finally follow its rivals in building an SUV.
The brand has repeatedly denied working on an SUV in recent years, but last year, reports surfaced suggesting it could partner with BMW on an SUV. While that won’t be happening because of this deal, a different SUV project could be in the works.
Leading the newly formed McLaren Group Holdings will be Forseven CEO Nick Collins. The company is working on a six-month turnaround for McLaren Automotive and will reveal details about its future models later this year. Collins confirmed to Autocar that Forseven and McLaren will work on both ICE and EV models. It’s also possible that features like Nio’s autonomous driving features, and perhaps even its battery-swapping technologies, could be used while leveraging McLaren’s expertise in carbon fiber monocoques.
“This is a financial investment that we will build out and, in my mind, become one of the best, if not the best car company in the world,” Collins described. “That might take a very long time, but the people that back this have a long-term horizon for a sustainably profitable business that is admired around the world.”
McLaren shifted a touch over 2,000 cars last year, well behind the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini, which delivered over 13,000 and over 10,000 cars, respectively. But, with McLaren venturing into new vehicle segments, its output will inevitably swell.
Some reports suggest Changan and Dongfeng could merge.
Certain state-owned brands have been slow to adopt EVs.
China’s auto industry is massive, fast-moving, and at times nearly impossible to follow without a flowchart and a magnifying glass. Even major Western players like Toyota and Volkswagen, both deeply entrenched in the market, operate multiple joint ventures that churn out overlapping models.
With hundreds of brands—many state-owned—jostling for space in an increasingly competitive market, the Chinese government is now pushing for a more streamlined approach. The aim is to consolidate key state-backed automakers to boost efficiency, reduce redundancy, and accelerate the country’s shift to electric vehicles.
While speaking at a recent event in Beijing, the vice chairman of China’s state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council called for automakers to restructure and realign operations. By pooling development and manufacturing resources, the thinking goes, these companies could become more competitive, especially against agile private-sector brands.
The commission oversees approximately 100 state-owned enterprises, such as Chongqing Changan Automobile, Dongfeng Motor Corp, and China FAW Group, Nikkei Asia reports.
Back in February, South China Morning Post reported that the government was considering placing Dongfeng and Changan under a single holding group. If that happens, the merged entity could surpass BYD and become China’s largest EV manufacturer, a significant shift in the landscape.
“The restructuring, if it materialises, would be a big step towards industry consolidation and of great importance to China’s auto industry for the longer term,” a Morgan Stanley analyst said of the potential deal.
Last year, Changan sold 2.68 million vehicles, while Dongfeng sold 2.48 million. However, they have not kept pace with BYD in the transition to EVs, and missed their sales targets for EVs last year.
Ivan Li, a fund manager at Loyal Wealth Management, noted, “The two companies’ announcements apparently point to a potential merger of the state-owned parents, though they did not give a clear-cut word on it.” He added that the government likely sees consolidation as a way to reduce internal competition and better position the sector for long-term success.
Joint Ventures Still Play a Key Role
Despite underwhelming EV performance, both companies remain deeply integrated into China’s broader automotive ecosystem. Dongfeng maintains joint ventures with Nissan, Honda, Peugeot, and Citroen, while Changan partners with Ford and Mazda. These alliances may complicate any merger, but they also highlight the strategic value of both companies in the global market.
Two school districts are providing examples of how utilizing a unified software solution simplified their school transportation operations.
Busology Tech shared during a webinar it sponsored Thursday that the company has 25 years in the student transportation industry and seen 500,000 students transported safely. Abu Batasi, director sales and marketing, noted the top four sources of chaos for pupil transporters today are driver shortages, safety concerns, budget constraints, and data sync.
Contributing to the driver shortage and inefficient routes are low wages, training requirements, competition, and an aging workforce, he explained. Not only must districts design school bus routes for changing populations and sprawling geographic areas, but they must also stay nimble enough to respond to daily real-time changes like traffic, weather, student absences.
According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an estimated 17,000 children are treated in emergency departments each year for school bus–related injuries, proving that student safety is a top concern, Batasi explained.
Student transporters are no strangers to budget constraints but rising operational costs and technology limitations make it harder to balance on-time performance with cost-effectiveness while also providing safe service, Batasi noted. To deal with this, he suggested school districts can leverage state funding opportunities, communicate value with critical stakeholders, and take a phased approach rather than implementing an entire tech stack at once.
He further explained that siloed systems, inconsistent data, manual processes, and delayed or irregular data synchronization can cause lag and outdated information, while aging infrastructure can lead to maintenance issues related to backlogs and data gaps.
“It’s like having a command center at our fingertips.”
– Robert Young, Director of Transportation, Thomas County School District (Ga.)
Having true oversight over routing gives transportation managers the space to respond appropriately in any of the varied day-to-day situations they face, said Diego Crespo, Busology Tech’s director of onboard technology. He said a good routing solution will help staff visualize and optimize routes while utilizing full driver availability and communicating appropriately to parents.
“Enabling good, streamlined communication will avoid unnecessary frustration and have a positive impact on efficiency and safety,” he said.
Quick and reliable information equals safety and efficiency, he noted. He shared examples of how driver, parent and administration apps – when supplied with the correct information and continually updated – help keep tabs on what students need to go where and when, as well as reducing calls to transportation.
Crespo said the right technology for transportation should act as a “human force multiplier” so staff does not need to do repetitive or extra work. “Look for vendors who can help you get where you need to be today without losing sight of tomorrow,” he added.
School Districts Share Experiences
Dr. Frances Esparza, superintendent for Coachella Valley Unified School District in Southern California, shared that districts with large service areas can require a switch from a previous manual routing solution. She said Busology was chosen as an easy solution for Coachella Valley that all transportation staff are being trained on.
“We chose a company that was able to support our need because it was huge,” she said.
She agreed with Crespo that community understanding is key to a successful implementation, such as in the case of scanning students on the bus. This is currently done with RFID cards, but she said the district may switch to a more convenient QR code carried on students’ cellphones. In response to parental concerns, a routing technician will also be on standby to answer questions about bus arrival.
“Having a unified platform with Busology has been a gamechanger for us,” added Robert Young, director of transportation for Thomas County School District in Georgia. “It’s like having a command center at our fingertips. … We can respond faster, make more informed decisions, and support our drivers, parents and schools with greater confidence.”
He said a big draw for him was how technology has evolved and especially how parent communications provide transparency and ease of use. “Parents feel connected and informed – and in today’s world, that matters more than ever,” he added.
He confirmed that call volume and missed pickups have dropped significantly, freeing up staff to complete other essential tasks. “Saving time is something every director needs in their life,” he said.
As many staff members must take turns driving a school bus due to a driver shortage or outages, Young noted that it’s easier for substitute drivers to drive routes when all the information they need is readily made available. He added that AI tools can create routes with bus stop times and assign students to routes, which has saved time as staff deal with student rider changes.
Melissa Beveridge, director of client services for Busology Tech, next discussed the benefits of using a single vendor for a seamless integration and workflow solution. It eliminates compatibility issues, allows for faster response times as transportation departments don’t have to wait for responses from various vendors, eliminates the need to spend money on many different tech solutions, provides a one-stop-shop for customer service, and frees up staff to focus on running operations and serving families.
Batasi and Beveridge noted that student information in the Busology platform is stored securely with updates quickly reflected and data hygiene made a priority.
Batasi extended an offer to listeners with over 20 buses in their fleets to get a custom roadmap from Busology based on their unique district operations and needs.
Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) held a bus roadeo for its drivers to show off their skills in school transportation, reported 29 News.
According to the news report, the district’s bus drivers took on timed challenges March 28 and demonstrated their skills in backing up, parking and navigating tight spaces.
ACPS Bus Driver Jan Kendrick told local news reporters that the roadeo gives the drivers a chance to get together and show what they can do. More than just a roadeo, bus drivers view it as training and a chance for friendly competition.
Kendrick said competing in the roadeo also helps them every day when driving students to and from school. The district serves over 14,000 students from elementary to high school.
“A bus driver has more to do in that one seat than any other driver out there,” said Kendrick via the article.
Delvico ‘Vec’ Dunn, the new executive director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in Charlotte, North Carolina, started his career as a school bus driver for CMS. He uses that experience to lead by example, especially since his CDL remains current.
Dunn started in pupil transportation in August 1997 as a school bus driver. When he was 18 years old, his parents told him he had to get a job, he shared. “I was one paper from signing up for the military, and a buddy who still drives now said, ‘Hey, they’re hiring bus drivers.’ ‘I said that’s something I would never do.’ But once doing it, I got the passion for it,” he said. “Never did I think it would be a career, though, just something to do. But as time passed and promotions started, I said ‘Hey, I like this.’ It was just about being in the community, being around others, meeting new people, and also seeing things and individuals.”
He transitioned to a lead driver with more office responsibilities and then became an operations technician that oversaw driver and monitor payroll within his area. He left CMS in 2006 to work at neighboring Union County Public Schools, in positions ranging from transportation specialist to operations manager to assistant director.
In 2014, Dunn returned to CMS as a transportation specialist and was promoted within a year to director of operations. In 2020, he became the director of fleet, which encompassed support services.
“Now here we are in 2025, I’ve come full circle to the highest position in our industry, within the CMS sector as the executive director of transportation,” he said. “So basically, starting from the bottom, going through different positions, going to another county and to run one of the largest transportation systems around the country.”
Starting his career as a school bus driver for the same department he’s leading, shapes his daily perspective and priorities. Because he sat in the bus driver’s seat, he said he knows what drivers deal with. And some of the same people that he drove alongside, still drive for CMS.
“To sit in every seat that we have within our department, it shows that I know each level. When an employee says you don’t understand, I fully understand. I drove a bus, I worked in office, I did payroll,” he explained “That’s the advantage I have, which made me more able to adjust to the role of being the executive director. So, the cliche, you don’t know where I come from, I truly do.”
Dunn noted he is following in the footsteps of Adam Johnson, who left CMS earlier this year to become the senior executive director of transportation for Atlanta Public Schools in Georgia.
“Me and Mr. Johnson have been tied to the hip for over 20 years,” Dunn said, adding that he was a supervisor when Dunn was a lead driver. Johnson was also the transportation director when Dunn returned to the district after working at Union County.
“He set high standards,” Dunn added.
He noted that he wants to continue to promote Johnson’s vision but also put his own spin on it. He shared that his leadership style has always been straightforward, and that the administration is only as strong as the front-line employees.
Leveraging Social Media at Transportation’s Level: Share your Story
When Thomas Miner ran the district-wide social media platforms for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, he repeatedly saw that transportation operations were being highlighted on the district’s main accounts. This kickstarted his transfer to work with transportation exclusively. He’s now the the operations specialist in charge of sharing transportation’s stories.
Miner said that while his position existed in transportation before he joined the department two years ago, former transportation director Adam Johnson incorporated more social and digital media elements into his role, which included creating transportation-specific social media accounts. Miner now not only manages department social media but also creates newsletters and distributes internal department messaging.
“We really do try to emphasize as much as we can in the department,” Miner said of using social media for transportation. “We try to share good news from across the department. When you have over 800 drivers, there are stories happening on our buses and throughout our department every day. So, we try to lift up as much of our good news as we can and show the community how we’re serving students and how we are working with schools and principals to make sure that we get students to and from school safely and on time.”
He said having their own social media channels gives transportation an avenue to share their story through photos and videos.
“We get to lift them up and kind of show the community what’s happening in transportation,” he said.
He noted that having a social media dedicated to transportation has changed the dynamic with parents and students in a positive way.
“The district itself has a real focus on communication and customer service, so we prioritize that in all the conventional ways,” he explained. “But we also use our social media tool to directly connect to students and parents. Sometimes they’ll send us messages of compliment. Sometimes they’ll send us a message of something that we need to look into. We really utilized that tool as one more avenue to connect and engage with parents and in the community.
“When we win awards, when we’re doing community service projects, we get to lift that up and show our side and show our story,” he continued, of potential posts. “So often, the news around school districts can be a little negative. We use this as an opportunity to lift up as much good as we can, and to use our platform to share our story.”
“We can’t forget about the drivers, the monitors, our area supervisors, our mechanics, our maintenance supervisors, they do the day-to-day nuts and bolts. If they’re doing their job effectively, it makes, as the executive director or manager, your day run smoothly,” he noted. “I truly believe the top is only strong as the bottom. If the foundation is shaky, the top will be shaky no matter how good or a true leader you have. To have the buy-in, that speaks volumes.”
He added that hiring an internal candidate to fill his role offers stability, but he noted it also comes with challenges as everyone is comfortable in their ways. “I make sure the folks know what my vision is, in parallel to what our district vision is: our goal is to transport students to and from school safely,” he added.
Operational Breakdown
CMS operates about 1,100 pieces of equipment, 838 of which are routed school buses. When Dunn first started driving, he said, CMS had over 1,000 routed buses. He explained that across the nation, student ridership is increasing, but drivers are diminishing.
“Everybody is seeing that shortfall around the industry,” he said, adding that retention is key. That can entail ensuring applicants have other driving job options once they receive their CDL.
He explained CMS was short 27 drivers for the 838 routed bus in mid-March. The biggest hurdle to overcome is driver retirements. “Every year we want to recruit, retain and retrain,” he said, adding that when an industry veteran retires, the district loses that level of 20 to 30 years of experience.
To help combat this, he said CMS offers over $20 per hour starting pay for new drivers. But in addition to finances, there is a positive culture to maintain, not necessarily within the department but on each school bus with student behavior. Dunn said the district prioritizes professional development and training to de-escalate conflicts when they arise. Additionally, transportation focus on self-incentive awards to recognize staff.
“It always can’t be monetary, but sometimes it’s that simple,” he said of recognizing drivers and showing appreciation. “Thank you for the service you’re doing.”
The district will also be holding its annual Bus Rodeo, which provides drivers with an outlet to compete against one another. “We try to keep them engaged and but it’s all about talking in those open lines of communication,” he said. “And also, my door is always open, as well as their area supervisor’s door.”
Delvico “Vec” Dunn was named executive director of transportation earlier this year.
He said CMS also has a bus driver committee, represented by all the 14 service areas the district operates out of five facilities. It’s a chance for drivers to not only bring concerns and questions to administrators needing answers to transportation leaders. This, he said, instills in the culture that managers aren’t simply making a given decision, but do so after getting buy-in from all staff members and making them feel a part of the team.
Technology Through the Ages
Two of the five CMS transportation locations, including the one where this interview was held, were updated within the past year. “That’s a first in my tenure because when I started in 1997, the newest bus garage had just opened up,” Dunn recalled.
The Downs transportation facility at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was updated in 2025.
In terms of bus technology, Dunn said CMS has GPS, camera systems and tablets. He added that a wish list item, pending available budgetary resources, is RFID card technology. Dunn said the district has an app that can shows the bus location, but it doesn’t alert parents or guardians if their child is on the bus or if/when they got off.
He said another technology solution he’s eyeing is turn-by-turn directions on the tablets. He noted that whether the technology is a distraction has been debated, but he thinks a paper route is more dangerous than following an audible command.
When he started in the industry, Dunn said he and his fellow drivers didn’t even have radios, and the loading doors had to be manually opened and closed. “Now everything is on the steering wheel and buses have air conditioning,” he commented.
In his day behind the wheel, he said air conditioning was driving downhill with the windows open, or “all 32 down,” to catch a good breeze.
A school bus driver in North Pole, Alaska, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possessing firearms.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety released a statement regarding an incident that that occurred March 27, when a North Pole High School bus driver was pulled over for failing to maintain its lane and erratic driving.
According to the statement, the bus driver, identified as 24-year-old Lawrence Dunlap, was arrested on probable cause of being under the influence of drugs while operating a school bus. Officers recovered two firearms from the suspect’s belongings.
Police stated that there were no children present at the time of the stop or arrest.
According to local news reports, Dunlap could not tell the officers how he picked up the school bus and explained that he did not mean to turn onto Badger Road and that he was on his way to pick up students from North Pole High School.
Police said via the statement that any charges reported in the press release are merely allegations and Dunlap is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
By harnessing the power of nature, engineers are looking to tap into vortex wind as a source of abundant energy When it comes to alternative energies, wind and solar power are currently attracting about 95% of all investments worldwide, according to a recent report from IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency). Both are considered excellent alternative energy sources: …
A man attacked a Cybertruck on camera while the truck’s owner stood just a few feet away.
Rather than confront the vandal, the owner alerted police to their whereabouts.
Officers arrested the man in a new and very swift case of Tesla attackers being held accountable.
Tesla owners need to be more diligent now than ever before. With Elon Musk as the public face of the brand, emotions run high on both sides of the fence, and sometimes those feelings get misdirected. In California, someone attacked a Cybertruck, not knowing that its owner was mere feet away at the time. Now, the attacker is trouble with the law.
The incident took place near a Cinemark theater in San Jose. After the Cybertruck owner parked and stepped away, a Hyundai Ioniq 6 pulled into a nearby spot. Several people climbed out, including a man in a pink and grey sweater. He then approached the Cybertruck and, for reasons unclear, kicked it twice—hard—while recording the act on video.
It just so happened that the owner, Instagrammer Tigran Gertz, was standing so close he appears in one of the videos. He called out to the man, but got no response as the suspect walked away. In a post about the incident, Gertz says he followed the man into the theater and called the police. He gave officers his account of what happened and showed them the footage from the Cybertruck’s cameras.
Not long after, officers allegedly paused a movie screening to locate and arrest the suspect. Gertz filmed the moment police escorted the man out of the theater and into a patrol car. “Most people get away with vandalism, but not this guy,” Gertz said in his post, confirming that he plans to press charges.
No doubt, the video from the Tesla’s Sentry Mode played a large role in the arrest, as officers didn’t have to take Gertz’s word because they could plainly see what had transpired.
The updated classic Bronco packs a 105 kWh battery and delivers 175–200 miles of range.
Electric motors combine to deliver 500 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque through all four wheels.
Interested customers will have to fork out at least $449,000 for the limited restomod.
For years, Icon 4×4 has been quietly setting the gold standard for restomodded Ford Broncos, fusing vintage charm with modern hardware in a way few shops can match. But in an industry increasingly swept up in the electric tide, even Icon couldn’t hold out forever. After logging more than 5,000 hours of development, the California-based builder has officially launched its first electric Bronco program.
Obviously, there will be many classic Bronco enthusiasts who have absolutely no interest in turning their trucks into EVs, but, for some, the ease of use provided by an electric powertrain may be too hard to ignore. Icon’s electric Bronco uses a 400-volt electrical architecture and a large 105 kWh battery pack.
Power That Moves, Range That… Sort Of Follows
A pair of electric motors send power to all four wheels, delivering a combined output of over 500 horsepower and 440 lb-ft (596 Nm) of torque. That’s more than enough to make this vintage bruiser feel genuinely quick, something early Broncos were never accused of.
In fact, the EV version sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds. That’s sports car territory. What’s less thrilling is the range. Even with a hefty 105 kWh battery, Icon estimates just 175 to 200 miles (282 to 320 km) on a full charge. Not exactly the stuff of cross-country road trips. The irony of a “go-anywhere” truck with a range that makes you think twice about venturing too far isn’t lost on us.
Naturally, the powertrain is just one part of the equation. Like all other Icon projects, the company has reworked the chassis with high-spec gear, including Brembo brakes, adjustable Reiger suspension, and Currie axles with a locking front differential. While exact charging speeds aren’t spelled out, Icon says the Bronco can charge from 20 to 80 percent in under an hour. There’s also a 6.6 kW onboard Level 2 charger for at-home top-ups.
The first electric Bronco, dubbed “Blue Star,” wears a bright blue paint job and a fully refreshed interior. Icon has modernized the cabin materials and layout while managing to preserve the truck’s retro soul, a balance it’s become known for.
As for the price? That’ll stop you faster than the Brembos. The Special Limited Edition version, limited to just 10 units, starts at a hefty $449,000. That makes it one of the most expensive classic Broncos out there—electrified or otherwise. For that kind of money, you could be shopping for a Ford GT, one of the brand’s most iconic performance cars.
Tesla Cybertruck dashcam captured a Lexus LX600 in an aggressive road rage confrontation.
Video from the Tesla shows the Lexus driver brandishing what appears to be a firearm.
The incident highlights how pointless road rage is when cameras record everything around us.
There’s no shortage of things to be angry about these days, and let’s be honest—it gets the best of all of us now and then. Nevertheless, when you’re behind the wheel, keeping your emotions in check isn’t just good manners; it’s basic safety. When things spiral, you end up with situations like this: a Lexus driver pulling what appears to be a holstered firearm on a Tesla driver in broad daylight.
The original clip was posted by an X account called DonaldTNews. In it, we see a Lexus LX600 driver pull up alongside a Tesla. This isn’t just any Tesla either; it’s the Cybertruck, which, like everything Elon-related, has become wildly divisive. The Lexus driver appears to shout at the Cybertruck’s occupants while they’re moving along a highway. He even goes so far as to wag his finger at them like a disappointed gym teacher.
He then drives slightly into the Tesla’s lane and appears to attempt to hit the Cybertruck. Things only get crazier from here. After dropping back in traffic momentarily, the Lexus driver speeds up again and this time points something out the window at the Tesla. It’s hard to make out, but it appears to be a firearm, perhaps with a holster on the business end.
Others have surmised that it’s actually a stun gun of some sort due to its boxy nature. Nevertheless, it appears to be a firearm of sorts, and Texas, where this video seems to be from, is well-known for its gun-friendly population. Finally, the Lexus driver appears to intentionally swerve toward the Cybertruck before sitting behind it long enough for the video to end.
A guy in a Lexus pulls a gun on a Cybertruck driver!
It’s worth noting that there’s no way of knowing whether the Cybertruck driver did something that infuriated the one in the LX600h. However, there is nothing they could’ve done short of perhaps hitting the Lexus and trying to run that would make the Lexus driver’s reaction anything close to reasonable.
Considering the current political noise surrounding Elon Musk, Tesla, and the recent fallout from Musk’s connections to Trump’s administration, the incident could’ve been sparked by something far more inane.
Road rage is just about as pointless as on-road behaviors go. In this day and age, they’re even more so because tons of cars have onboard cameras built in. At the time of this writing, several people online are trying to help authorities track down the Lexus driver, and for what? They achieved nothing with their antics. Stay safe out there, folks.
Skoda has released all the spec secrets for its new Elroq vRS.
The E-SUV gets the VW ID.4’s 335 hp dual-motor powertrain.
Zero to 62 mph takes 5.4 seconds, and it can charge at 185 kW.
When Skoda revealed its Elroq electric SUV last October, it omitted to tell us anything about the version enthusiasts really care about, the Elroq vRS. But today we got to see the hot Skoda inside and out, and find out that it’s the company’s fastest-accelerating production car ever.
Base Elroqs come with a range of single-motor, rear-drive powertrains that top out at 282 hp (286 PS / 210 kW), though a dual-motor Elroq 85x is planned. But the vRS earns its three letters by adopting the 335 hp (340 PS / 250 kW) dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain from sister brand VW’s ID.4, which rides on the same MEB architecture.
A zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) time of 5.4 seconds makes the Elroq vRS a tenth faster than its Enyaq vRS big brother, previously the brand’s fastest model. The petrol-powered 261 hp (265 PS) Octavia vRS and Kodiaq vRS are much slower, both needing 6.4 seconds to hit the same marker, while the most potent non-RS Elroq takes 6.6 seconds.
A mid-five sprint time isn’t particularly mind-bending for a modern performance EV, but it’s enough to let you tease hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R from the lights. Don’t expect to hang with the Honda when the road gets twisty, though, with its revised steering, bigger brakes, available DCC adaptive shocks, and stiffer suspension that’s dropped 15 mm at the front and 10 mm at the back, the vRS ought to be more fun than the RWD Elroq 85.
Visual upgrades include sporty black accents on the mirror caps, badges, and window trim, and wheels measuring up to 21 inches across. But even if pedestrians don’t notice them as you glide by, they might notice the synthesised soundtrack. Inside, you get Suedia microfibre upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, carbon-effect trim, a perforated-leather steering wheel and sport seats with an optional massage function.
If there’s a downside to all this vRS fun, it’s the inevitable reduction in driving range all performance EVs suffer from versus their slower stablemates using the same battery. In the Elroq’s case, the battery has a 79 kWh net capacity and a range of 340 miles (547 km) – not bad, but a non-vRS Elroq Edition 85 stretches a charge another 20 miles (32 km), admittedly helped by having only one motor to lug around.
To make amends, the vRS gets a charging speed upgrade. Depending on the model, the Elroq charges at 145, 165, or 175 kW, but the vRS can chow down on 185 kW, dropping the 10-80 percent charge time from 28 minutes to 26 minutes.
Honda has shown a new 0 SUV prototype in Japan, ahead of its launch next year.
The prototype differs from the concept as it sports physical side mirrors and new lights.
Production is slated to begin in Ohio next year and an electric sedan will follow.
Honda used CES to introduce the 0 SUV concept, and as the model is inching closer to production, a camouflaged prototype was recently shown at a Red Bull event in Japan. While it sports a familiar design, there are a handful of notable styling changes.
Starting up front, the road-going model has new headlights with familiar pixel-like accents. They’re joined by door-mounted mirrors as well as gloss black cladding with turn signals on the front fenders.
Elsewhere, there are larger flush-mounted door handles and a revised rear end. The latter now incorporates reverse lights and a third brake light.
The 0 SUV will ride on a new dedicated EV platform and, according to Honda, features a “spacious cabin with outstanding visibility and flexibility.” We can also expect advanced driver assistance systems and a digital user experience powered by the new ASIMO OS.
Honda hasn’t revealed many specifics, but has previously said the 0 Series will use a steer-by-wire system that enables “outstanding handling.” Production is slated to begin in Ohio next year and the crossover will eventually be offered in global markets, including Japan and Europe.
The 0 SUV will be followed by the 0 Saloon and it’s slated to be introduced in North America in late 2026. The sedan has a lot in common with the crossover, but sports a wedge-shaped design that aims to set it apart from other EVs on the market.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With distracted driving on the rise across the United States, BusGates, a leading manufacturer of LED stop arm extensions, is elevating its mission of enhancing student safety by launching a new pilot program that will give away its technology to school districts across the U.S.
During April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month BusGates will ship participating schools one patented stop arm extension to test and keep at no charge while inventory lasts.
BusGates are uniquely designed to make school buses more visible to approaching traffic. By extending the arm five feet from the side of the bus, the BusGates LED extension acts as a physical and visual barrier, warning drivers from a greater distance and helping to reduce illegal drive-arounds.
“As parents, all of us at BusGates understand the importance of keeping our children safe, especially when they are getting to and from school,” said Dan Thompson, Founding Partner at BusGates. “We believe every school should benefit from our proactive technology and this pilot program will make it even more accessible.”
A 2023 National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) bus driver survey found that there were more than 43.5 million illegal school bus passings in the United States during the 2022-2023 school year. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and stronger external safety measures on school buses.
“Our products are a simple solution that easily retrofits the existing stop sign on school buses,” said Trevor Clatfelter, Founding Partner at BusGates. “The stop arm extensions offer additional visibility with flashing LED lights and extend 5 feet from the bus making drive-arounds much harder.”
School districts in more than 20 states have made their bus fleets more visible by installing BusGates LED-lit stop arm extensions that add a physical barrier to oncoming traffic and significantly reduce illegal passing.
Here’s how BusGates stop arm extensions work:
Physical Barrier: When a school bus stops to load or unload children, the BusGates stop arm extends just over 5 feet into the adjacent lanes of traffic. This physical presence is highly visible and is a deterrent to motorists who might otherwise consider passing the bus. Enhanced Visibility: The extended stop arm is well-lit with high-powered LED flashing lights offering additional warning as vehicles approach. This visibility serves as a strong reminder to drivers to stop, as required by law. Immediate Deterrent: By creating a tangible obstruction, BusGates immediately influences driver behavior, preventing potential violations before they occur.
Unlike cameras aboard many school buses, which serve as surveillance tools to catch motorists who illegally pass school buses, stop arm extensions aim to prevent the behavior in the first place.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month highlights the dangers of distracted driving behaviors, including the illegal passing of school buses, and the need for more focus behind the wheel, especially in marked school zones and bus stops in communities across the country.
About BusGates:
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. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions are a simple, cost-effective solution to a major problem – cars ignoring stopped school bus warnings putting students at risk. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions easily retro fits to the existing school bus stop signs. They offer additional visibility and stick out further from the bus to make drivers more aware and reducing “drive-arounds” by up to 95%.
The acquisition of Trans/Air Manufacturing by Lippert Components brings added resources and technology necessary to both companies at a time when increased U.S. tariffs could impact the global air conditioning supply chain, while also staying true to the 45-year history of the family company.
Those were two the reasons the deal announced March 31 — terms were not disclosed at this report — made sense to Rick Lehnert, Trans/Air’s long-time president and son of co-founder Dick Lehnert. Rick Lehnert went to work for his dad and uncle Ed Lehnert not long after the company opened in 1979, to provide air conditioning for buses and refrigeration for trucks. The company has since developed a full product line of evaporators, compressors, condensers, hoses and fitting systems, electronic controls, and custom-designed drive kits.
Lippert plans to maintain the Trans/Air brand, now known as Trans/Air by Lippert, a company spokeswoman confirmed. Lehnert added he plans to stay on as director of operations for the next three years to ensure a smooth transition.
It is the latest acquisition by Lippert, a subsidiary of LCI Industries, a $4 billion revenue company with 13,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for its diverse manufacturing capabilities for the recreation and transportation markets with shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange with ticker symbol LCII.
But the company also has its roots as a family business. Jason Lippert is president CEO, the grandson of Larry Lippert, who founded the company in 1959. His brothers are Jarrod Lippert, the chief marketing officer, and Jayde Lippert, director of customer care.
That was important to Lehnert, he told School Transportation News. The decision, an emotional one he added, to sell after years of being approached by other interested parties had to be the perfect fit.
“It checked all the boxes for me. It was good for customers, suppliers, employees and the family. They have the resources and technology and the cultural fit,” Lehnert said Wednesday. “I didn’t want to sell to somebody that would just swallow up and slice up the business but somebody that would give us what we needed to fuel the growth and expansion of the business. If you look at the Lippert organization, you can see all the different business units that they have, and some of the products are complimentary. They sell windows to a lot of the bus manufacturers in addition to other bus parts.”
Among the “significant advantages” of becoming a Lippert brand include the company’s extensive manufacturing resources and technological capabilities, Lehnert added. It also has a wide supplier network that provides potential benefits for any supply chain challenges that arise from the \tariffs imposed on imported components.
“They’re unique in that they do import [components] from overseas, as we all do in this global supply chain, but they make a lot. There’s a lot of expertise, systems and processes that they have that will really help Trans/Air [and] boost us,” Lehnert said.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, has funded the wrapping of two activity buses for Hutchinson Public Schools. The buses will be used to transport students to and from sports events and activities.
The first of the two wrapped buses, adorned with the school district’s signature colors and logo, was unveiled recently, and the second bus is slated to be unveiled later this month. The design, which aims to promote and demonstrate school pride, was designed by Hutchinson High School students.
Durham School Services and Hutchinson Public Schools have been partners since 1997, and as evidenced by their nearly 30-year partnership, have developed a strong, trusting relationship. Over the course of the partnership, the Hutchinson Durham team has supported various community events such as hosting toy and school supply drives, volunteering at local shelters, in-kind transportation services, and more, as part of their Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.
“Our school district is fortunate to have such a strong partner in Durham School Services,” said Stacy Goss, Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Relations, USD 308 Hutchinson Public Schools. “When Durham’s General Manager Michael Simmons approached us with the idea, my mind immediately went to our students and how we could involve them. Hutchinson High School students in the Graphic Design Project Management class designed the artwork. They worked closely with the vinyl wrap vendor to design and approve the art. There were a few vents on the bus that the vinyl wrap couldn’t adhere to, so our students in the Collision Repair course at our Career and Technical Education Academy jumped in to paint them. Overall, we are impressed with the outcome! Our students are riding in style and can take pride in the work they’ve put out into the community. We appreciate Durham School Services and their longstanding commitment to students in USD 308.”
“As a long-time partner, we were delighted with this opportunity to give back to the students and community by supporting the bus wrapping project as part of our Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program,” said Michael Simmons, Hutchinson General Manager, Durham School Services. “Uplifting and giving back to the communities we serve is a Company value we live by and strongly believe in, and it is through our Partners Beyond the Bus program that we are able to showcase this commitment. Our teams do incredible work in their community all year round, so I am glad we were able to highlight a meaningful project such as this one with Hutchinson Public Schools that will benefit the students and community for years to come.”
About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and People. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities we serve.
SAN DIEGO, Calif.- Netradyne, an industry-leading SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, today announced its partnership with the industry’s largest full truckload carrier, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) (“Knight-Swift” or the “Company”), to provide 15,500 Knight and Swift trucks with Driver•i D-450 and D-215 fleet safety dash cameras.
“At Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation, safety is a foundational value and pre-requisite for the transportation services we provide. Netradyne’s unmatched investment in cutting-edge AI technology made them the clear choice for our fleets. The in-cab audio alerts and real-time feedback are unique tools that empower our drivers to make safer decisions on the road,” said David Tillman, SVP of Safety and Driver Development at Knight-Swift. “What truly sets Netradyne apart is their ability to recognize and positively reinforce safe behaviors, which aligns well with our safety culture and our desire to highlight the outstanding achievements of our professional drivers. With the most up-to-date AI on the market, combined with a focus on driver development and positive feedback, Netradyne’s tools and technology represent an invaluable advancement to our safety programs.”
Netradyne will transform the video data from Knight-Swift’s D-450 and D-215 dash cams into actionable safety and efficiency insights. By analyzing 100% of driving time, Driver•i proactively enhances safety through real-time, in-cab audio alerts, empowering drivers with self-coaching, accident warnings, and immediate guidance for safer decisions. This data and Netradyne’s unique scientific approach inform its GreenZone Score, the industry’s first driver score that calculates an accurate reflection of what’s happening in the field of a driver.
“We’re honored that our solutions empower one of North America’s leading names in trucking and logistics to achieve meaningful milestones in driver safety, underscoring the real-world impact and effectiveness of Netradyne’s technology,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder of Netradyne. “Our industry-leading positive recognition AI continues to set us apart, and we’re delighted the Knight-Swift team recognizes its potential to improve fleet operations, elevate driver safety, and enhance overall driver satisfaction.”
The Driver•i D-450 is the company’s latest four-camera video telematics device. It provides a 270-degree view through a road-facing camera and two side cameras in a compact, windshield-friendly package. The D-215 builds on the D-210 Driver•i system with an integrated connectivity module and improved installation experience.
About Knight-Swift:
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is one of North America’s largest and most diversified freight transportation companies, providing multiple truckload transportation, less-than-truckload, logistics, and business services to the shipping and transportation sectors. Knight-Swift uses a nationwide network of business units and terminals in the United States and Mexico to serve customers throughout North America. In addition to operating the country’s largest tractor fleet, Knight-Swift also contracts with third-party equipment providers to provide a broad range of services to its customers while creating quality driving jobs for driving associates and successful business opportunities for independent contractors.
About Netradyne:
Founded in 2015 by Avneesh Agrawal (CEO) and David Julian (CTO), Netradyne is a global leader in AI-powered fleet safety and video telematics solutions and headquartered in San Diego, CA, with offices in San Francisco and Bangalore, India. Thousands of commercial fleet customers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and India trust Netradyne’s over 800 employees worldwide. Netradyne’s flagship product, Driver•i, delivers cutting-edge HD video safety and management technology powered by advanced AI that analyzes every minute of drive time with up to 99% accuracy, recognizing risky and safe driving behaviors. With over 18 billion vision-analyzed driving miles, Netradyne sets the industry standard for fleet safety, empowering commercial fleets of all sizes to enhance driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne is committed to advancing road safety and efficiency through innovative technology transforming the transportation industry.
BYRON CENTER, Mich. — Pro-Vision, a leader in mobile video technology, proudly announces the release of its enhanced second-generation Stop Arm Camera. This cutting-edge camera solution builds upon the success of its predecessor in delivering increased low-light capabilities, reduced installation time, and improved evidence collection, further supporting school districts in their mission to safeguard student passengers.
The Pro-Vision Gen2 Stop Arm Camera captures crystal-clear video evidence of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses, a crucial step in enhancing student safety. Featuring superior low-light performance and AI-based computer vision, the Gen2 model ensures accurate footage and reduced false positives under the most challenging conditions.
“Our goal is always to innovate and improve the technology that keeps our children safe,” said Corey Mathews, Director of Sales for the school transportation segment. “With the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera, we’ve taken a significant step forward in protecting students and assisting schools and authorities in enforcing stop arm violations.”
Designed with simplicity in mind, the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera easily integrates with Pro-Vision’s existing school bus camera systems. Its robust design allows for seamless installation and low-maintenance operation, ensuring minimal downtime and maximizing safety on every route.
Additional key features of the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera include:
Enhanced image clarity for precise identification of vehicles and license plates.
Added infrared illumination for capturing license plates in low-light situations.
Automatic violation detection and plate recognition of illegal-passing vehicles to reduce false positives and simplify enforcement.
Integrates with CloudConnect software, allowing school districts and law enforcement easier access and management of recorded incidents.
Pro-Vision remains dedicated to creating innovative solutions that make roads safer for everyone, especially our children traveling to and from school.
About Pro-Vision
Founded in 2003, Pro-Vision is a global leader in mobile video technology, delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety, improve efficiency, and protect vital assets. The company’s comprehensive suite of products includes vehicle video recording systems, body-worn cameras, data management tools, and cloud-based storage solutions. Trusted by partners in transit, public safety, and commercial industries, Pro-Vision’s technology helps organizations operate more securely and effectively. For more information, visit provisionusa.com.
ELKHART, Ind. — LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lippert Components, Inc. (“Lippert”), a leading supplier of engineered components to the recreation and transportation markets, today announced that its subsidiary, Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc., has acquired substantially all of the business assets of Trans Air Manufacturing Corporation (“Trans/Air”).
Founded in 1979, Trans/Air is a trusted provider of climate control systems for a wide range of vehicles, including commercial, school, type-A, transit, limo, touring and electric-hybrid busses, as well as specialty vehicles and vans. Their full product line includes evaporators, compressors, condensers, hoses & fitting systems, electronic controls and custom-designed drive kits. While servicing traditional commercial vehicles for 45 years, Trans/Air has also invested significant capital and technology into the rapidly growing EV Bus Market, which continues to expand due to federal and local government emissions initiatives across North America.
Trans/Air is headquartered in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, but operates multiple strategic installation facilities across the country that are physically located inside their customers’ operations. This approach ensures a daily presence at customer sites, enabling the management of complete or partial installations while providing crucial technical service and product expertise. Trans/Air also maintains a network of over 170 authorized service centers across North America.
Lippert has been manufacturing window and glass solutions to the commercial bus industry for over 12 years. The two companies already share many of the same customers in the transportation vehicle space, and these synergies excite Ryan Smith, Group President for Lippert’s North American OEM Operations: “We’re pleased to welcome Trans/Air to the Lippert family. When Lippert was approached with the opportunity months ago, we were immediately impressed with their operational strategies and knew that they would be a great addition to our product portfolio,” said Smith. He continued, “We are excited to continue the investment into innovation in order to grow the business, and we’ll build on their great team and customer relationships to further expand into the Transportation Vehicle Market.”
Andrew Pocock, Lippert’s EVP of Building and Transportation Products, echoed Smith’s enthusiasm: “We are so excited to add such a great team, brand and product line to the Lippert family. We are confident that together we can serve our partners better and will strengthen the product offering as well as the overall value that Lippert brings to our customers.”
About LCI Industries:
LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its Lippert subsidiary, is a global leader in supplying engineered components to the outdoor recreation and transportation markets. We believe our innovative culture, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and dedication to enhancing the customer experience have established Lippert as a reliable partner for both OEM and aftermarket customers. For more information, visit www.lippert.com.
The Chandler Unified School District in Arizona implemented a pilot program to boost school bus driver’s pay amid a nationwide shortage, reported Azcentral News.
The district’s governing board reportedly set aside roughly $610,000 for stipends and higher wages for school bus drivers for the remainder of this school year and next. The district has 162 bus drivers on staff and 14 on the queue.
According to the new report, with the increases, the annual salary for bus drivers will range from $34,000 to $38,000, depending on the types of routes.
“The pilot program makes Chandler Unified very competitive, if not the most competitive for bus driver pay,” said Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry.
The district serves roughly 44,000 students across 55 schools in the East Valley of Phoenix metro.
Every district school bus driver will reportedly receive a $500 stipend at the end of the current school year. They will also receive greater flexibility to use paid time off.
Additionally, approximately 60 drivers that have added new bus routes or combined previous ones five or more times throughout the quarter will be eligible for a stipend of $500 for the fourth quarter and back pay of $500 for doing so previously.
According to the article, it is expected that about five drivers out of the 60 will be eligible for an additional $500 stipend for taking on what the districts refers to as “hard to fill” routes, five or more times throughout the fourth quarter.
Paid time off flexibility will continue next year as well. In the past, the district’s school bus drivers that worked 32 hours a week were unable to take paid time off. Now, they will be able to use up to 14 hours of paid time off during weeks in which they’ve already worked 32 hours.
Beyond the pilot program, the district reportedly offers $1,000 stipends for new bus drivers and $1,000 stipends for existing bus drivers who refer another driver. Board president Patti Serrano said the district will be holding walk-in interviews.
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