Polestar is a relatively young player in the automotive industry. Launched as a standalone brand by Volvo and its parent company, Chinese auto giant Geely in 2017, it has spent the past eight years trying to establish itself while missing several sales targets along the way. In August 2024, Polestar appointed a new CEO, Michael Lohscheller, to help steer the company toward profitability.

Now, Lohscheller has an interesting (to say the least) plan: he wants to win over Tesla customers who are fed up with Elon Musk’s politics.

Musk has been at the center of multiple controversies, many of his own making. Very recent events aside, he’s polarized consumers with his support of President Donald Trump. On top of that, he’s made his opinion of politics in other nations well known too. In December of 2024, for example, he openly endorsed Germany’s far-right AfD party, while he has also made some controversial comments concerning the political landscape in the UK.

More: Polestar Pins Turnaround Hopes On Porsche Macan-Sized SUV

Lohscheller thinks this might play into the hands of Polestar. Speaking to Bloomberg News, he said that, “We get a lot of people writing that they don’t like all this. It’s important to listen closely to what they say. And I can tell you, a lot of people have very, very negative sentiments.” In fact, he was even more willing to condemn Musk’s support of the AfD.

“For Germany, somebody outside of Germany endorsing right-wing political parties is a big thing. You want to know what I think about it? I think it’s totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable. You just don’t do that. This is pure arrogance, and these things will not work.” That said, he did temper his language by saying that Musk was very successful and that he’d done “incredible things with Tesla.”

While Lohscheller’s condemnation of foreign interference in national politics is pointed, it highlights an interesting contradiction. As CEO of Polestar, owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely, he represents a brand tied to one of the world’s most politically influential nations. At a time when China’s role in global industries faces scrutiny, critics might question whether his rebuke of Musk’s “arrogance” fully aligns with Polestar’s own context.

On the flip side, Lohscheller sees an opportunity here to take advantage of disgruntled Tesla owners who want out of any association with Musk. He’s told his salespeople to specifically target such individuals in an effort to get them into a Polestar. Ultimately, whether they come from Tesla or any other brand, Lohscheller just needs customers in seats right now.

Polestar is actively burning through some $110 million a month. It’s surviving in part thanks to almost a billion in funding from banks. To turn things around, though, it’ll need to continue to cut costs while it introduces new models and, hopefully, gains market share. 

Nissan was one of the original proponents of electric vehicles as they introduced the Leaf in 2009. Despite a massive head start, the company doesn’t have much to show for it other than the Ariya.

That’s not to say the automaker didn’t try as we’ve seen numerous projects announced and then delayed or killed off entirely. The most memorable example is the Infiniti LE from over a decade ago but, more recently, the company delayed a pair of electric sedans that were slated to be built in Canton, Mississippi.

More: Nissan Delays US-Built Electric Sedans, Plans Rogue-Sized EV

The revisions continue today as Auto News is reporting Nissan has decided against building a subcompact electric crossover in Canton. The model was reportedly codenamed the PZ1L and it would have been larger than the Leaf, but smaller than the Rogue.

While it sounds like America will miss out on the model, the vehicle is still slated to be built at the company’s Sunderland plant in England. However, Nissan still has plans to build two other electric crossovers at their U.S. facility.

Nissan’s Brian Brockman told Auto News they want to focus on the other EVs that will be made in Mississippi. He went on to suggest they’ll be better suited for the U.S. market and sell in higher volumes.

While a number of questions remain, it’s believed slower than expected electric vehicle adoption played a role in the decision. President Trump’s return to the White House has also added a lot of uncertainty as he has promised to “end the Green New Deal” and “revoke the electric vehicle mandate.” He’s also expected to try eliminating the $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit, which would make EVs significantly more expensive.

Nissan teaser from 2021

Electric vehicles often face unfair scrutiny for fire incidents, fueled by a handful of high-profile cases. Despite data showing EVs are actually less prone to spontaneous combustion than gas-powered or hybrid models, public perception can be hard to shake. That said, police and firefighters in Salem, Oregon, aren’t blaming faulty engineering for the fiery demise of a red Model X outside a local Tesla dealership. Instead, they believe it was the result of an arson attack.

Authorities were alerted to the fire at a Tesla store at approximately 3:45 a.m. on the morning of January 20. While they were able to extinguish the burning Model X, they were not able to save it from total destruction.

Read: Cybertruck Went Up In Flames At Tesla Dealership In Georgia Hours Before Vegas Blast

It’s unclear where the blaze started, but an image shared online by Salem police shows that much of the Model X’s rear end has melted and the rear window has shattered. There’s no word on whether the Tesla’s battery pack also caught fire or not.

The police suspects that this was a case of arson as the glass front door of the Tesla store was also smashed out. There’s a good chance the store was equipped with plenty of surveillance cameras, and any evidence will be used to identify and catch the perpetrators.

The Salem Police Felony Crimes Unit has been tasked with investigating the inferno and is asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Salem Police Tip Line at 503-588-8477.

This isn’t the only Tesla to meet a fiery fate in recent weeks. On December 31, a Tesla Cybertruck parked at a dealership in Georgia caught fire in the early hours of the morning. In that case, authorities suspect the blaze originated in the vehicle’s battery pack, although investigations are ongoing.

Image Credit: Salem Police Department

An all-electric version of the Range Rover is just around the corner, but an electric Land Rover Defender is not on the agenda for the British brand – at least not for the current-generation model.

Jaguar Land Rover has been building the current L66- generation Defender since 2019 offered with several different petrol and diesel engines, including a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. Given the growing demand for high-end EVs, it could make sense for an electric version to be launched as a potential rival to the also electric Mercedes-Benz G580.

Electrifying the Current Defender? Not So Simple

According to JLR’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lennard Hoornik, electrifying the current Defender (built on the D7x platform) is far more complicated than it sounds. In an interview with Autocar, he explained that the existing platform simply isn’t suitable for an electric powertrain without major compromises, meaning we may have to wait until next decade for its replacement

Read: What Do You Want To Know About The Land Rover Defender With The Inline-Six?

“Electrifying the current ‘L663’ car, on its D7x platform, is not what we want,” Hoornik said. “The L663 is brilliant at what it does, and we do have a [four-cylinder] plug-in hybrid version already, but it’s not easy to find the extra space you need within that chassis for batteries, given the axle packaging and capability that it needs.”

Space, Space, and More Space

Hoornik went on to emphasize how difficult it is to fit the necessary EV components into the existing Defender’s architecture. The problem isn’t just about stuffing in batteries where they’ll fit; it’s also about maintaining the Defender’s off-road capability, which requires careful packaging of its axles and other components.

JLR has committed to offering electric models for each of its newly-formed subbrands, including Range Rover, Discovery, Jaguar, and Defender. “[We] remain committed to that,” Hoornik said, “but finding the space on the current Defender platform is really, really hard, so we will need to use something different.” He said that “the EV will need to come at quite a significant step in the evolution of the Defender.”

While Hoornik didn’t specify if this significant step will come with a new generation of Defender, that would be the most likely route the brand takes. Either that or it may have to build a distinct Defender EV sitting atop a unique architecture, selling it alongside the current ICE model.

Tech advocates tell us driverless cars will be safer than human drivers and that even today’s more primitive driver assist tech prevents accidents. But the first few weeks of 2025 have delivered multiple news stories reminding us why almost all of the currently available systems still need a driver overseeing them by law.

The latest of those concerns Chevy’s Equinox EV, whose adaptive cruise control might not activate the brakes when the SUV is confronted with a hazard, the NHTSA says. The report indicates that the EV has no problem sensing the need to slow down, but an incorrect software calibration means the brakes might not get the message.

Related: US Escalates Ford BlueCruise Probe After Fatal Mach-E Crashes

Around 2,890 all-wheel drive models not fitted with GM’s fancy Super Cruise system will need to drop by their local dealership to have the software updated, though strangely unsold cars will be updated remotely.

Front-wheel drive versions of the electric SUV and all-wheel drive ones whose owners did pony up for Super Cruise aren’t included in the recall. All new examples of the Equinox built since early December were produced with the new software included.

But what about those other drive-assist stories I alluded to at the top of this post? First, we heard the NHTSA was looking into Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon remote parking feature after receiving reports of EVs not noticing posts and parked cars while driving unoccupied. And this week the agency escalated its probe into Ford’s BlueCruise system in the wake of two fatal accidents involving Mustang Mach-Es being driven at night.

The Equinox – which was recalled more than once during 2024 – isn’t the only Chevy EV making recall headlines this week. The automaker’s electric Silverado truck and its GMC Sierra twin have also come under the NHTSA spotlight. Five examples of the 2024 pickups might not have had a rear seatbelt securing bolt tightened and will need to be checked out at a service center.

Rivian is aiming to persuade hybrid and ICE vehicle owners to make the leap to one of its EVs. To sweeten the deal, it’s offering discounts of up to $6,000, but like most deals, there’s a catch. It’s not as simple as just walking into a Rivian dealership and driving away. You’ll have to jump through a few (admittedly minor) hoops to snag those savings.

The Discount Breakdown

For those looking to get into the R1T or R1S with the Dual motor configuration and Max battery pack, the starting discounts are $3,000 in the U.S. or C$4,300 in Canada. Want a little more power? If you’re eyeing the Dual motor with Max battery and the Performance Upgrade, you can snag a discount of up to $4,500 in the U.S. or C$6,500 in Canada.

Read: Biden Admin Finalized Rivian’s $6.6 Billion Loan Before Trump Took Office

But the real sweet spot comes with the Tri-motor models, where the discounts are maxed out at $6,000 in the U.S. and C$8,600 in Canada.

How to Qualify

To get these savings, Rivian says you need to request a trade-in estimate for your current vehicle, though you don’t actually have to trade it in. The catch? You have to place a new order for an eligible R1 model through Rivian’s online store between January 21 and March 31, and take delivery of the vehicle on or before March 31. So, yes, not much time to think this one through. And just to add a few more conditions, demo vehicles, pre-owned vehicles, and custom builds are not eligible for discounts.

The Price of Entry

If you’re looking to actually buy one of these discounted vehicles, you’ll need to dig deep into your pockets. You see, while there are plenty of eligible R1S and R1T models available now through Rivian’s inventory, they are all relatively high-spec models, none of them are cheap.

The least-expensive R1S models we’ve found are a pair of R1S Dual motor models with the Max battery, each priced at $89,900, or available to lease for an estimated $1,099 per month. Depending on where you live, Rivian may have to charge a transfer fee of $350 or $800 to transport the selected vehicle to a nearby retailer.

Prices for eligible R1T Dual models also start at around $90,000. If you’ve got your eye on the Tri-motor version, be prepared to fork out more—prices in inventory range from $100,900 to $111,300 for the highest-priced models.

In other words, Rivian’s discounts might look enticing, but you’ll still be spending a pretty penny to take one of these EVs home. Still, for those itching to switch to an electric vehicle, the savings might be worth the leap, provided you’re okay with the price tag and the tight deadlines.

Vans are no longer just the humble workhorses of the road—they’ve been hitting the gym and trading in their steel-toed boots for a pair of sportier sneakers. Opel’s British arm, Vauxhall, has introduced a GS trim for the facelifted Vivaro, bringing fresh styling and interior upgrades to the table. This sporty-looking LCV is available with both turbodiesel and fully electric powertrains, with the diesel option offering the most muscle.

The GS trim was first introduced in 2022 as part of Vauxhall’s response to the growing demand for sportier vans in the UK. Now, it returns as part of the facelifted Vivaro lineup, competing with similar offerings like the Ford Transit Custom MS-RT.

More: Stellantis To Convert Used Diesel Vans To Electric For Less Than €20k

The GS trim gives the Vivaro a more aggressive appearance thanks to a bespoke bodykit. This includes an aerodynamic front bumper extension, side skirts with integrated front mudflaps, a reworked rear bumper, and a piano-black roof spoiler. It also rides on newly designed black 18-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels and features the GS emblem prominently on the tailgate. The trim is available in two paint colors named Quartz Silver and Mercury Grey, and comes in both Panel Van and Doublecab body styles.

While the styling components are likely compatible with other Stellantis van models, such as those from Citroen, Peugeot, and Fiat, the GS trim remains exclusive to the UK-spec Vauxhall Vivaro for now.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in a tear-resistant “hand-crafted eco-leather” material with the GS logo on the seatbacks and red contrasting stitching. Equipment includes an infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen display, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a heated steering wheel, and a heated driver’s seat.

Powertrain Options: Diesel or Electric

Under the hood, the Vivaro GS offers a choice of three powertrains. On the diesel side, there’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available in two outputs: 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) paired with a five-speed manual transmission or 178 hp (132 kW / 180 PS) mated to an eight-speed automatic. The latter option is the most powerful diesel variant in the Vivaro lineup, though it doesn’t come with any chassis upgrades.

For those considering the electric option, the Vivaro Electric GS is equipped with a single electric motor producing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) rather than the newer and more powerful setup found in other Stellantis EVs. It’s powered by a 50-kWh battery pack, providing a WLTP-certified range of up to 209 miles on a full charge.

The Vauxhall Vivaro GS is now on sale in the UK. Pricing starts at £39,990 ($49,500) for the diesel version and £48,940 ($60,500) for the electric model. These prices exclude taxes but include the UK Government’s Plug-in Van Grant for the electric version.

Vauxhall

Volvo is dusting off its Cross Country badge to add some overlanding appeal to its little EX30. These new spy shots show a gnarlier-looking version of the junior electric SUV testing in the snow ahead of a launch in the first half of this year.

The Cross Country badge first appeared in the mid-1990s, when a pre-SUV Volvo applied it to a V70 wagon with a suspension lift and some tougher-looking body trim. Although the name has been used on and off since then on cars like the V60 wagon, Volvo doesn’t currently sell any Cross Country SUV models.

Related: New Volvo EX30 Getting The Cross Country Treatment For 2025

As with previous cars wearing the badge, the EX30 Cross Country will offer a little more off-road ability, but its true mission is to simply look like it’s a heap more capable in off-highway situations.

These images show a small increase in ground clearance compared with the 171 mm (6.7 inches) offered by the existing EX30, black plastic trim on the nose, arches, and tail, a roof rack, and a new set of 18-inch alloys.

Look familiar? If it does that’s because Volvo previewed the Cross Country in June 2023, revealing images of an EX30 dressed exactly like this. It said at the time that 18-inch rims wrapped in off-road tires would be optional, while buyers not ticking that box would get 19s and road-biased rubber. Volvo also promised skid plates to protect the EV’s battery and motor.

Back in ’23, Volvo said the Cross Country would be available to buy in MY25 trim during the 2024 calendar year, but it was a definite no-show during the last 12 months, meaning a debut must be imminent. The introduction of all EXs to the US was pushed back a year to 2025 so that Volvo could relocate production from China to Belgium to avoid tariffs.

There’s no indication from the automaker regarding how much the EX XC will cost or which powertrains it will be mated with. But to be true to the off-road theme Volvo might restrict it to the 422 hp (428 PS) bi-motor, all-wheel drive setup from the EX30 Twin Motor Performance that starts at $44,900. A single-motor EX is also available in other markets and comes to the US later, sending its 268 hp (272 PS) to just one axle.

Images in the gallery below were released by Volvo in June 2023.

Images: SH Proshots

Citroen is resurrecting its most famous car as an EV. A new report claims Citroen is at the early stages of bringing back the iconic 2CV as a charming, low-cost electric vehicle to battle models like the Dacia Spring, and the result could launch in 2028 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the original.

More than 3.8 million units of the 2CV, nicknamed the tin snail for its shape and slothful performance, were built between 1948 and 1990. It’s universally recognized and much loved, but somehow the model missed out on being rebooted during the same late 1990s, early 2000s retro boom that gave us cars like the New Beetle Mini, Fiat 500 and Dodge Challenger. And in 2019 Citroen said it wasn’t interested in making a new 2CV.

Related: Citroen Partners With Caselani To Turn Berlingo Into A Modern 2CV Van

But Autocar claims a senior Citroen source confirmed the project is happening, although it’s at the early stages. The report also says Citroen has been moved to act after watching rival Renault score a bullseye with the new 5.

The EV-only 5’s retro charm and temptingly low price has made it a hit with buyers, who have snapped up far more of them in the car’s native France than they have of Citroen’s own new, small EV, the e-C3. And to rub salt in the wound, the 5 was recently crowned Europe’s Car Of The Year, relegating the C3/e-C3 to third place in the process.

Now imagine a reskinned e-C3, an EV using the same Stellantis Smart Car platform also found on models like the Fiat Grande Punto, but displaying some classic 2CV styling cues like bug-eye headlights, a curving roofline and maybe even covered rear wheels. It’s easy to see the appeal, both to Citroen and to buyers. And since the original 2CV was also available as a van, there’s potential to attract commercial customers, too, with some rear bodywork mods.

What other classics would you you like to see automakers resurrect as EVs? How about a BMW 02, Fiat X1/9, Jeep Grand Wagoneer or Citroen Mehari? Leave a comment and let us know.

Note: the images at the top of this page and in the gallery below are by Dejan Hristov and are neither related to nor endorsed by Citroën. You can read more about his hypothetical 2CV reboot by clicking here.

The Dodge Charger Daytona was always going to be controversial as it’s the first electric muscle car. It’s also the first full reinvention of the Challenger in nearly two decades, marking a significant shift.

Dodge’s ‘Brotherhood of Muscle’ has been grumbling ever since. However, cars are starting to land at dealerships and into customer hands.

More: Dodge Charger Daytona Convertible Is A True Electric Hair Dryer

Corey Jones appears to be one of the first as he recently brought his car to Sammy’s Tire in Illinois to have it equipped with 26-inch Forgiato wheels. There’s no word on which ones, but the company offers two different wheels designed specifically for EVs. They’re aerodynamically optimized and offered in 20- and 22-inch configurations.

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However, those are tiny compared to the ones fitted on Jones’ Charger Daytona. They certainly standout, although the clearances look a little tight.

We’ll likely see plenty of modified Chargers in the coming months but, in the meantime, we’ll remind you the R/T starts at $59,595. It features a 100.5 kWh battery pack as well as a dual motor all-wheel drive system with 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS) and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds and travel 317 miles (510 km) on a single charge.

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A post shared by Corey Jones (@cj_on_32s)

If money is no object, you can get a Charger Daytona Scat Pack for $73,190. It has an upgraded dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 630 hp (470 kW / 637 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. This lowers the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time to 3.3 seconds, but the range plummets to 260 miles (418 km).

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A post shared by Corey Jones (@cj_on_32s)

Even before Polestar confirmed last week that it was working on a compact premium SUV to rival the Porsche Macan, a flurry of reports suggested this new Polestar 7 would indirectly replace the ageing 2 crossover. But the automaker’s CEO has clarified that in fact the 7 and 2 badges will live side by side.

The Swedish brand’s boss, Michael Lohnscheller, told Autocar today’s Polestar 2 would get its own direct replacement “towards the end” of the decade. The new crossover will arrive shortly after the 7, which appears not to be on the cards until at least 2028. When we suggested a 2027 date based on our earlier reports, Polestar asked us to avoid references to the date, without offering any concrete timeline.

Related: Polestar Pins Turnaround Hopes On Porsche Macan-Sized 7 SUV

Since Lohnscheller told Autocar the 7 gets priority, the 2 surely can’t arrive until 2028 or 2029. So today’s 2 crossover – which dates to 2020 – will have to soldier on for at least another three years. Lohnscheller, seemed unconcerned, told the UK mag the model had “years to go” following a MY25 update and explained that it’s his favorite of the brand’s cars.

Both the 7 and the second-generation 2 will ride on a new (probably Geely) platform, and Polestar has already confirmed the SUV will be built in Europe, rather than Asia or the US. Their arrival will boost the brand’s lineup to six cars, and make life complicated for buyers trying to work out where each fits in the hierarchy, the 7 being smaller than the 3 SUV. The other models are the 4 sedan (already here), 5 four-door coupe and 6 sports car (both coming this year).

Lohnscheller also told Autocar he had tasked new design chief Philipp Römers with putting more emphasis on Polestar models’ performance when he starts sketching the next wave of EVs.

“What we’ve achieved so far is really good,” he told the magazine’s Steve Cropley, “but I’m asking Philipp to highlight the performance of our cars a little more. I don’t believe they look quite as capable as they actually are. They should look a little more confident; they are maybe bit too modest.”

And maybe still too Volvo-like, we’d suggest. But where do you think Polestar should look for design inspiration? Leave a comment below and give us your thoughts.

Volvo USA is heading into 2025 with two new electric crossovers, a refreshed XC90, and an assortment of renamed vehicles. The company has also dropped the Recharge moniker on all its plug-in hybrids. They’ll simply be known as the T8 going forward and Volvo said the change will reduce confusion between hybrids and EVs.

Sticking with name changes, the electric XC40 Recharge becomes the EX40 while the XC40 moniker will still be used for mild-hybrid variants. The EX40 also gets a slightly higher 205 kW DC fast charging capability as well as a larger capacity 82 kWh battery on the Twin Motor version.

More: Volvo Finally Begins US Production Of EX90 Electric SUV

The C40 Recharge is going on a short hiatus as it’s being dropped for 2025. However, it will return for the 2026 model year as the EC40. Volvo didn’t explain their reasoning behind the move, but the company only sold 1,420 C40s in the United States last year.

Getting back to 2025 model year updates, the EX30 is new to America and it starts at $44,900. It features a 69 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 422 hp (315 kW / 428 PS) and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and have an EPA range of 253 miles (407 km).

The EX90 is also new for 2025 and U.S. models are built in Charleston, South Carolina. Pricing starts at $79,995 and that nets buyers a 111 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 402 hp (300 kW / 408 PS) and 568 lb-ft (769 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.7 seconds and travel up to 310 miles (499 km) on a single charge.

Lastly, there’s the facelifted 2025.5 XC90. It was introduced last September with a new front fascia and modernized Thor’s Hammer headlights. The model also sports an updated interior with a new infotainment system, higher quality materials, and NVH improvements.

Pricing starts at $58,450 and the entry-level variant has 247 hp (184 kW / 250 PS) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. It enables the all-wheel drive crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 7.3 seconds.

It’s been over four years since Volkswagen rolled out its all-electric ID.3 and ID.4. At the time of their arrival, many had thought these two vehicles could give Tesla a serious run for their money. However, things haven’t panned out that way, and 2025 is shaping up to be another difficult year for VW EVs.

Much like 2024, the German brand will not launch a single new EV this year. In fact, the most recent addition to its electric lineup was the ID.7 sedan, which debuted in Q3 2023. Looking ahead, VW’s next significant release—the long-awaited ID.2—isn’t set to hit select markets before 2026, and North America is unlikely to be one of them. Priced under €25,000 (~$26,000), the ID.2 is expected to offer interior space comparable to a Golf while remaining as compact and affordable as the smaller Polo.

Read: Range Anxiety, You Say? VW ID.7 Does 585 Miles On A Single Charge

“For the next year or so, VW is forced to sell old technology to new customers,” German-based automotive analyst Matthias Schmidt told Bloomberg. “That’s going to be difficult.”

And difficult it has been. Across key markets, including the USA, Europe, and China, VW is facing EV sales headwinds. In Europe, slashed subsidies in critical regions like Germany have dampened demand. Meanwhile, in China, a market that’s essential to VW’s long-term EV ambitions, the automaker is losing ground to nimble local competitors. Even luxury offerings like the Audi Q8 e-tron and Porsche Taycan are failing to gain traction in a market increasingly dominated by more affordable, mass-market EVs from Chinese brands.

Betting Big on China

A key part of VW’s push to crack into China’s EV market is its new partnership with Xpeng. The two companies are working on a joint electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture that will underpin all EVs produced by VW in China. The first models launched through the partnership should launch in 2026 and will include two mid-range VWs, one of which will be an SUV. The VW Group hopes to grow annual Chinese sales from 2.93 million last year to 4 million by 2030.

“The introduction of new models is one solution, but it is just as important to maintain our broad portfolio,” VW spokesperson Stefan Voswinkel added. “We have worked hard over the past few years and have really good models with high-performance software and high quality.”

While these models may help VW in China, they won’t be sold elsewhere. In the US, the VW Group is working towards the arrival of the Scout Terra and Traveler. However, both models will be sold exclusively through a direct-sales model, bypassing traditional VW dealerships, a decision that’s already sparked intense backlash from dealers in California. Despite the controversy, the electric pickup and SUV have strong potential to resonate with American buyers. That said, don’t get too excited just yet, as production isn’t slated to begin until 2027.

Scout Motors has drawn a firm line in the sand against the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), rejecting its demands to abandon direct-to-consumer sales. The revived off-road-focused brand, operating independently of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), has called out the CNCDA for making “egregious misstatements” about its sales plans. Scout insists it has no intention of using traditional dealerships, maintaining that direct sales are central to its strategy.

In late December, the CNCDA demanded that Scout stop taking orders for the Terra and Traveler, alleging that the brand was violating Californian law by selling the pickup and SUV directly to consumers. In a sharp response shared by TheDrive, Scout’s general counsel, Neil Sitron, made it clear the CNCDA’s claims were not only wrong but fundamentally misunderstood the company’s operations—specifically by incorrectly asserting that VW Group of America was responsible for selling Scout models.

Read: VW Dealers Furious As Scout Sells Terra And Traveler Direct To Consumers

“VWGoA is not authorized by Scout Motors to sell, and will not be selling or distributing, Scout-branded EVs in California or in any other state. Scout Motors and the Scout brand exist and operate independently of VWGoA and its brands such as Volkswagen and Audi,” Sitron said.

Sitron clarified that Volkswagen Group of America has no role in Scout’s management or operations. He also dismissed the CNCDA’s claim that Volkswagen invested “billions of dollars” into Scout’s South Carolina production plant, emphasizing that the facility is entirely Scout’s project. He also rejected the idea that VW dealers are entitled to sell Scout vehicles, stating, “Volkswagen-brand dealers have no right to Scout-branded vehicles, nor do any other franchised dealers.” Scout, instead, remains focused on its “customer-first vision” to deliver a seamless, transparent, and modern buying experience.

Automaker’s direct-sales plan

In his letter, Sitron left no room for compromise: “Scout Motors will not do business with anyone that threatens or tries to intimidate it, either directly or indirectly.” He further warned, “should the CNCDA decide to act on its threats, Scout Motors will vigorously defend against them.”

Californian VW dealers plan to file a lawsuit, claiming that Scout’s sales strategy violates local franchise laws. Scout believes that selling vehicles directly to consumers is essential for the brand’s success, noting that EV buyers want transparent pricing and an easy digital experience. It will also allow vehicle purchase transactions to be completed in minutes and handle all reservations, sales, delivery, and servicing directly.

While the CNCDA seems determined to challenge Scout’s approach, the company has made one thing abundantly clear: it has no plans to back down. Scout’s choice to bypass traditional dealerships could signal a major shift in the automotive industry, pitting long-established systems against the changing expectations of today’s buyers.

Terra and Traveler Reservations Open

For now and despite the brewing legal conflict, Scout is moving ahead with its plans. Reservations for the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV are already open, with interested buyers able to secure their spot for a $100 reservation fee. Production for both models is set to begin in 2027 at Scout’s Production Center near Columbia, South Carolina.

Wagons may have fallen out of favor in markets around the world, but Chinese carmaker Zeekr still thinks they have a place, revealing the estate version of its sleek 007. Officially known as the 007 GT, the new model will be launched in China in the second quarter of this year and will also be sold in Europe, where it’ll be badged the Zeekr 7 GT.

Much like the 007 sedan, the GT’s front end is dominated by an LED light bar that encompasses the headlights, DRLs, and can be configured to display text. Changes have been made to the bumper, meaning it now has a pair of vertical air curtains on either side as well as a larger lower grille with vents that can open and close.

Read: Chinese SUV Beats Porsche Macan To Become Euro NCAP’s Safest EV In 2024

The sporty touches continue down the sides of the 007 GT, where there are new rocker panels and edgy new C-pillars. The roofline stretches further back, creating a beautiful Shooting Brake shape. Positioned above the rear window are two aerodynamic fins as part of a small spoiler. Like the sedan, the 007 GT’s taillights are simple LED stripes.

The GT shares its underpinnings with the existing 007. That means it features Geely’s trick Golden battery that supports charging speeds of up to 500 kW, meaning 311 miles (500 km) of range can be added in just 15 minutes. This is made possible in part due to the 800-volt electronic architecture.

Underpinning the 007 is the Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), offered in rear- and all-wheel drive configurations with horsepower varying between 416 hp and 637 hp. In all likelihood, the GT model will be offered with these same power outputs. The sedan has a maximum range of 540 miles (870 km) on the CLTC cycle, and the GT should be similar.

Additional pricing and availability details for the sexy estate will be announced close to its launch, so stay tuned.

It’s not every day you hear about a Stellantis-owned offshoot of Citroen aspiring to rub shoulders with the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce, but DS Automobiles seems undeterred by the challenge. The French company, still finding its footing, believes it can leap from its near-premium status to true luxury territory reserved for brands with decades of pedigree. Thierry Metroz, the company’s design chief, even compared their aspirations to become the “Louis Vuitton of the automotive world.”

A Tough Sale

For some context, DS has spent the better part of 15 years struggling to make any meaningful impact in the premium market, let alone pose a threat to Germany’s establishment. Launched in 2009 as a Citroen sub-brand before going independent in 2014, it has yet to gain any significant traction. The numbers tell the story: in 2022, DS sales fell by 22%, with just 37,480 cars sold across Europe.

More: DS No8 Breaks Cover As The New French Electric Flagship

To put that into perspective, Lexus, a brand Europeans are notoriously indifferent toward, sold more than double that at 77,306 units. Even Lancia, another Stellantis-owned brand that’s surviving on life support with a single Ypsilon model sold only in a handful of markets, came alarmingly close with 32,649 cars.

Ironically, DS’s sales are closer in scale to more boutique luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley than to mass-market premium names like Audi or BMW. And yet, that’s not discouraging the French brand from setting its sights even higher, with its design chief stating that the brand is targeting a move into the ultra-luxury sphere. He says this ambition is embodied in the No8 crossover, which he claims draws inspiration from Bentley’s craftsmanship and showcases the brand’s dedication to quality over quantity.

With its latest product, DS believes it is on par with premium rivals like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. Still, the ultimate goal of the Stellantis brand is to eventually step into the ultra-luxury segment, which is currently occupied by industry heavyweights such as Bentley, Maybach, and Rolls-Royce. If this strategy feels like déjà vu, that’s because Jaguar is aiming for the exact same thing.

The “Louis Vuitton of Cars”?

Thierry Metroz elaborated on this vision during an interview with Autocar at the Brussels Motor Show. “We are premium, but our mission is to be more than premium. We would like to try to touch the luxury feeling”. He went on to frame DS’s ambitions in fashion terms, describing the brand’s dream of becoming the “Louis Vuitton of the automotive industry.”

Metroz is particularly proud of the DS No8’s interior, which he claims stands out from competitors. “It’s a very luxurious interior. Compared to our German competitors, it’s about the quality of the materials and the details of the interior. It’s a luxury taste. It’s not German for the interior – it’s more like Bentley. It’s not Bentley, of course, but the kind of inspiration is more Bentley or Rolls-Royce than Audi or Volkswagen.”

Despite these lofty claims, Metroz is realistic about the hurdles ahead. “It’s a lot of work, as the brand is very young. We only launched the brand in 2014. It probably takes more than 10 years, maybe 20 years to have the positioning of a luxury automotive brand.”

Metroz thinks that in order to move forward, DS needs to be “very focused on the quality of the details”. When asked if the so-called “luxury feel” could be achieved by using shared Stellantis underpinnings, the designer admitted it is “hard”. However, he said that DS can still change “key parts” and improve their models’ proportions, by lowering the roofline and pushing back the windscreen.

More: DS4 Grabs Facelift Ideas, And Probably A Name, From No8 Electric Flagship

Before Tavares stepped down as CEO of Stellantis, reports emerged that the group would review its entire brand portfolio by 2026, leaving no brand with guaranteed long-term funding. Despite the pressure to prove its worth within the next few years, DS Automobiles remains unfocused on boosting sales volume. As the company puts it: “We need to sell cars, like any brand, but our target is not to sell a lot of cars—we prefer to reinforce the positioning of the brand with the luxury feeling.”

The DS No8 Leads The Way For The Future Lineup

The DS No8 is just the beginning, according to Metroz. Future models, including the successor to the DS 7 and the facelifted DS 4, will carry “the same spirit” as the No8. These upcoming vehicles, likely to be rebranded as the DS No7 and DS No4, will emphasize bold designs intended to stand out in an increasingly crowded EV market.

Metroz also took a jab at Chinese automakers, accusing them of copying designs from brands like Porsche and Tesla. “DS wants something stronger in terms of styling,” he said, emphasizing that unique, character-rich designs will be central to the brand’s identity. He believes that while consumers are ready to adopt EVs, they want cars with a “very attractive design and a lot of character.”

EV sales dropped by 5.9 percent in the European Union in 2024, and even PHEVs were down 6.8 percent in a year when total sales edged up by 0.8 percent, new data shows. But let’s hear it for hybrids! Sales of non-pluggable, electrically assisted cars jumped 20.9 percent, giving them the second biggest market share by powertrain type, only just behind petrols.

Hybrids ended the year with a 30.9 percent slice of the sales pie, compared with 33.3 percent for petrol vehicles, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Petrol sales actually dropped 4.8 percent, so it’s easy to imagine hybrids accelerating into first place by this time next year.

Related: Hybrid Sales Boom In Europe While EVs And PHEVs Lose Market Share

But the story is a bit more complicated than that because ACEA’s hybrid figures don’t distinguish between mild-hybrid and full-hybrid cars, despite separating plug-ins into a different column on the spreadsheet. 

To remind you, mild hybrids usually consist of nothing more than an ordinary combustion engine fitted with a starter-generator that can add a tiny power boost (normally up to 20 hp / 20 PS), giving almost no opportunity to drive under electric power alone and not making a night and day difference to real-world economy figures, though you might achieve a small saving.

We’re not saying the tech lacks merit, but it’s far less sophisticated than a full hybrid system. And while buyers might actively search out a full hybrid model, so many cars now come with mild-hybrid engines that buyers aren’t necessarily choosing to buy one over a non-hybrid car. They might just like the vehicle and take it as it comes. They might not even know it’s a hybrid.

European Union Sales 2024

But here’s one thing we took away from ACEA’s figures: Europeans overwhelmingly prefer buying cars that feel much like conventional cars, or cars they’re familiar with. Hybrids and mild hybrids don’t need plugging in, and they still need to fill up with gas as all petrol cars do. They just use less of it.

Together, petrol and hybrid vehicles account for over 64 percent of the car market. And, yeah, we could even throw diesel into that mix – its sales dropped 15 percent but it still commands an 11.9 percent market share. That’s getting on for 76 percent of buyers still not wanting the hassle (or expense) of a plug.

Source: ACEA

The Dacia Sandero was Europe’s best-selling new car last year, but the brand isn’t willing to rest on its laurels. A fourth-generation version has been penciled in for 2027, and according to the brand’s CEO, it will include an all-electric version.

An electric version of the Sandero has great potential for the brand if it’s priced right. The existing model is the cheapest hatchback in its segment in Europe, and in some markets like Germany and France, it starts at less than €10,000 (~$10,400). While the sales growth of EVs slowed last year, they continue to rise in popularity across many key markets, and an affordable Dacia EV could tick the boxes of many buyers.

Read: 2024 Dacia Spring EV Gets Duster-Inspired Looks And An Overhauled Interior

While recently speaking about Dacia’s 2024 sales, boss Denis Le Vot said the new model will use the same CMF-B architecture as the current car, noting that it’s still fresh.

“There is no reason not to continue on the same platform,” he said to Car Magazine UK. “The platform is new, starting five years ago, and the electronic architecture is younger than that as it popped up as General Safety Regulations 2 arrived.”

By using this platform, Dacia could equip the electric Sandero with similar motor and battery technologies to the Renault 4 and Renault 5. Importantly, prospective buyers shouldn’t expect to see the Sandera EV launched with ultra-fast charging and a huge driving range. According to Le Vot, Dacia needs to achieve “accessible mobility.”

An affordable EV for the masses

“Every car maker is trying to put out its top solution for electric, which means 500-600km of range and a 20-minute charge on the highway, right? We are certainly not going to do that,” he said. “Why? Because we have a social role here. Our job is accessible mobility and that includes electric. We brought out the Spring because of that.”

The Dacia Spring has been around since 2020 and was thoroughly updated last year. The urban EV for the masses is smaller than the Sandero and is one of Europe’s cheapest new EVs. It features a tiny 26.8 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor available in 44 and 64-hp guises. Low-spec models come with an 11 kW AC charger, while higher-end models add DC fast charging, but it’s capped at just 30 kW.

Le Vot revealed Dacia is investigating different battery chemistries to ensure the electric Sandero is affordable. He suggested a sodium-based battery may make sense because they’re cheap.

“We’ll find a way here with the range offered and between the density of energy and charging capacity to find something which is different,” he said. “The idea is that we will be accessible with it.”

Even a facelift couldn’t stop sales of Tesla’s Model 3 sliding in 2024, and life for the electric sedan is only going to get tougher. Within two years BMW, Audi and Mercedes will all be armed with brand new electric sedans, and these fresh spy shots show Benz’s contender testing.

It’s not the first time spy photographers have snapped prototypes of the 2027 electric C-Class – we’ve previously seen it in both regular and AMG guises. But this is the first time we’ve seen a prototype with this style of front-end design.

Related: 2026 Mercedes C-Class Keeps Gas Power Alive With A Facelift

Compared with older test cars, this one has a new hood line that’s cut back at its leading edge, suggesting Mercedes has had a rethink and decided to make the grille bigger in time for production. The company has form here: in 2024 we noticed the exact same thing had happened to prototypes of the GLC.

And when you think about what has happened to Mercedes EQ cars already on sale, it’s entirely believable that Mercedes might have opted for a pre-launch facelift. Sales of EQ electric cars like the EQS have been far lower than expected, and that can’t all be blamed on an EV market that hasn’t matured the way automakers hoped.

EQ models have been criticized for their boring bar-of-soap styling, and last year Mercedes facelifted the EQS to give it a more traditional Benz grille in an effort to boost its appeal. Is that’s what’s happened to this C-Class?

We’re still at least a year away from officially seeing the electric C-Class in finished form, so this car still wears plenty of disguise and placeholder lights – expect star-motif LEDs front and back. But there are still details we can take away from this image set, including that while the shape of the tail suggests a liftback configuration, the trunk shutlines look like those of a formal notchback sedan.

Mercedes is keeping the tech spec under its hat for now, but we do know that the electric C- and GLC-Class models will ride on the bigger MB.EA platform and not the MMA one that forms the base of this year’s CLA, the C-Class’s little brother. But Mercedes has promised 800-volt tech and an electric range of 466 miles (750 km) for the small car, and we’d expect the C-Class to match and get close to those numbers respectively.

A couple of year ago we might have expected this car to be called the EQC, but Mercedes has tweaked its EV naming strategy recently, and we now predict it’ll be badged C-Class with EQ Technology, following the lead of the electric G-Class. Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius confirmed last year the C-Class EV would debut in 2026, so a MY27 arrival looks likely.

Images: SH Proshots

America’s 47^th president, Donald J. Trump, has wasted no time wielding his powers on the automotive industry, signing an executive order to scrap Joe Biden’s EV “mandate” shortly after his inauguration. While no such mandate exists, Trump will scrap several pro-EV policies and pull funding from electric vehicle charging networks.

A key order signed by Trump on Monday is to scrap the Biden administration’s push for 50% of all new vehicles sold in the US to be electric by 2030. While this was only ever a goal and not legally binding, many car manufacturers had thrown their support behind it.

Read: Trump Administration Promises “Consumer Choice In Vehicles”

The new president is widely expected to scrap the $7,500 federal EV tax credit as part of his war on the EV ‘mandate,’ although his executive order did not specify this. What it did say is that he is “considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies and effectively mandate their purchase by individuals, private businesses, and government entities alike by rendering other types of vehicles unaffordable.”

Trump’s executive order also aims to “promote true consumer choice,” claiming this is “essential for economic growth and innovation.” He is also looking to terminate “state emission waivers that function to limit sales of gasoline-powered automobiles.”

Charging funds scrapped

Federal funding for electric vehicle chargers will also be pulled under the new administration. In 2021, Biden allocated $7.5 billion to establish a national network of EV chargers, hoping that as many as 500,000 would be built by 2030. Trump’s executive order says, “all agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds” made available “through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.”

In addition, the processes, policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans, and contracts will be reviewed.

Tailpipe emission standards are also likely to be loosened under the Trump administration. He has ordered an immediate review of the development of domestic energy resources that, according to Trump, restrict “consumer choice of vehicles.” Further details still need to be announced but reports suggest the new administration wants to rollback fuel economy and emission standards to 2019 levels. This could allow for roughly 25% more emissions per vehicle mile than current 2025 limits.