General Motors CEO Mary Barra recently acknowledged that federal fuel efficiency standards were set so aggressively under the Biden administration that her company would have been forced to scale back production of internal combustion engine vehicles just to stay compliant.

More: GM’s CEO Defended Tesla And Musk To Biden, But The Snub Happened Anyway

Barra shared this during a conversation at a high-profile industry conference hosted by The New York Times, where she discussed the internal pressures major automakers face under the current regulatory environment.

Timing matters, of course, as her comments came shortly after President Donald Trump confirmed that fuel efficiency standards are being rolled back, reducing the pressure on automakers to build EVs and providing them with more flexibility to manufacture and sell more combustion-powered models.

“Had to Start Shutting Down Plants”

Under the Biden-era rules, automakers would have been required to reach a fleet-wide fuel economy average of 50 miles per gallon by 2031. According to Bloomberg, achieving that would have meant electric vehicles making up more than half of all sales by that point.

Read: GM CEO Says EV Shift To Happen “Over Decades”

If GM couldn’t meet those benchmarks, and if the administration didn’t revise the rules to reflect market realities, Barra claims that the company would have had little choice but to curtail sales of its gasoline-powered lineup.

She added that internal forecasts indicated the company would have “had to start shutting down plants” if its EV sales didn’t grow quickly enough.

Barra also touched on several other topics with Andrew Ross Sorkin, the interviewer and the founder and editor at large of DealBook. At one point, he asked her about GM flip-flopping in supporting policies during the first Trump administration, again when Joe Biden was elected, and once more after Trump returned to the White House in January.

Bending The Knee Or Business As Usual?

Barra responded by framing GM’s approach as pragmatic, not political. The company, she said, wants to build vehicles people want to buy, and it simply has to work within the regulatory frameworks set by whoever is in office.

Also: Ford’s CEO Applauds Trump’s CAFE Rollback, Says They Were Forced Into EVs

Now, thanks to the rollback of CAFE standards, it will have the freedom to better manufacturer vehicles based on what their customers want, rather than simply what they must build to meet regulatory requirements.

How this will impact the American car industry remains to be seen, but if those rules remain in place in the future, we don’t expect to see EVs accounting for a significant share of the market any time soon.

Audi’s awkwardly named Chinese sub-brand AUDI introduced the E SUV concept at the Guangzhou Auto Show last month and now China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has revealed the production model. It’s known as the E7X and it closely echoes the concept.

The design is instantly recognizable as both have a familiar front fascia with a fully enclosed grille. However, the production model eschews the full light surround seen on the concept. The road-going crossover also has a revised lower intake with what appears to be an active shutter.

More: Audi’s AUDI Bets Big On China With A 671 HP Electric SUV That Means Business

Moving further back, we can see traditional and digital side mirrors as well as new cameras or sensors on the front fenders. They’re joined by a roof-mounted Lidar sensor as well as flush-mounted door handles and a variety of wheels in sizes up to 22-inches.

How Big Is It?

The E7X measures 198.8 inches (5,049 mm) long, 78.6 inches (1,997 mm) wide, and 67.3 inches (1,710 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 120.5 inches (3,060 mm). That means the production crossover is slightly smaller and shorter than the concept.

Furthermore, to put those numbers into prospective, the model is 0.8 inches (20 mm) shorter than the current Q7. However, its wheelbase extends an extra 2.6 inches (66 mm).

The MIIT didn’t reveal interior pictures, but confirmed at least one variant will be offered with a four-seat setup.

That’s not much to go on, we do know the E5 Sportback has a 27-inch pillar-to-pillar display and an AI-powered avatar known as AUDI Assistant, so it’s reasonable to expect similar tech inside the E7X.

The E5 also sports three-dimensional wood trim, a dual wireless smartphone charger, and an ambient lighting system. They’re joined by a fragrance diffuser and hidden air vents.

Multiple Powertrains And Up To 671 HP

The images reveal quattro and non-quattro variants, which means we can expect an entry-level model with a rear-mounted motor producing 402 hp (300 kW / 408 PS). The all-wheel drive variant, on the other hand, will have 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).

The MIIT didn’t have much else to say about the crossover, but the concept had a 109 kWh battery pack that provided a CLTC range of more than 435 miles (700 km). The model also had an 800-volt electrical architecture, which enabled it to get 199 miles (320 km) of range with a ten minute fast charge.

AUDI has previously confirmed the production model will be launched next year, so expect to learn more in the coming months.

Audi E SUV Concept

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E has quietly introduced a change that’s small in size but significant in everyday use. Every trim level now comes with real rear door handles.

For owners who spent years pressing a tiny electric pad and awkwardly tugging at the door edge, this is a big quality-of-life upgrade. In fact, it might be even more noteworthy than the new California Special package.

Read: Electric Door Handles Face Global Scrutiny After Deadly EV Crashes

The Blue Oval brand has long faced criticism over its rear door handle situation. Until now, entering the rear seats required touching a small electric door popper on the C-pillar.

Once the door was popped open, a second mechanism would keep it from closing fully until someone opened it up to get into the car or put something in the second row. It was a complex system, now made slightly simpler.

A spokesperson from Ford confirmed the change for the 2026MY to InsideEVs saying:

“All 2026 Mustang Mach-Es get the rear door handle as standard equipment. This was a change as part of our always-on approach that we made due to feedback from our customers who wanted a physical handle on both front and rear. The rear door still uses the same electronic latch release with the button on the door, but now the door can be pulled open with the handle.”

So, for clarification, the majority of the mechanism is unchanged. Users just don’t have to put their hand in the door jamb to open it. We’ve reached out for more information from Ford regarding whether or not this design change had anything to do with critiques over rear-door safety.

We also asked if it has any plans to make ingress easier should the 12-volt battery die. We’ll update this piece if we hear back.

In addition to the new door handles, Ford announced that the California Special package is coming back in a new way. While there aren’t any performance benefits over the GT trim it’s built on, the package features a lot of visual enhancements.

The star of the show is Rave Blue, a color-shifting blue/violet shade meant to echo the Pacific coastline. 20-inch wheels get unique GT/CS lettering and aero inserts. There are blue and silver interior accents and special Navy Pier ActiveX + Miko performance seats, too.

Pricing for 2026 also nudges downward. The Mach-E GT now starts at $53,395, about $1,100 less than last year, while the California Special package adds $2,495. The broader Mach-E lineup starts at $37,795, down $200.

In 2021, a high-profile EV summit at the White House brought together some of the biggest names in the auto industry. Hosted by then-President Joe Biden, the event was pitched as a landmark moment for the nation’s transition to electric vehicles. Executives from GM, Ford, and Stellantis were all present.

But conspicuously absent? Elon Musk, or anyone from Tesla, for that matter. That absence didn’t go unnoticed, especially when Biden publicly credited GM with leading the EV revolution.

Read: GM’s Mary Barra Promises Cleaner Engines, But Looser Rules Fuel More Gas Guzzlers

As history has shown, Musk likes to hold a grudge. And while it may have seemed like a fleeting political oversight at the time, the snub may have had consequences that extended far beyond the Beltway.

What Was Behind the Snub?

Little has been said publicly about the summit in the years since, but during an interview at the 2025 New York Times DealBook Summit, GM president Mary Barra shed new light on what happened behind the scenes. According to Barra, she spoke privately with President Biden at the event to redirect some of the praise being sent her way.

“He was crediting me and I said, ‘Actually, I think a lot of that credit goes to Elon and Tesla,’” Barra told the audience. “You know me, Andrew. I don’t want to take credit for things.”

The snub was thought to have been done in part to throw the White House’s support behind the United Auto Workers and GM, Ford, and Stellantis, all of which have unionized labor. Tesla, on the other hand, doesn’t. Musk has been openly critical of labor unions for years, a stance that’s often put him at odds with Democratic policymakers.

The Fallout That Followed

The story didn’t end there. As reported by the Business Insider, in her recent memoir, then-Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that leaving Musk off the invite list was, in hindsight, a misstep.

“If you are convening the nation’s manufacturers of electric vehicles and the biggest player in the field is not there, it simply doesn’t make sense,” she wrote. “Musk never forgave it.”

Speaking in a separate interview, Harris reflected further: “So, I thought that was a mistake, and I don’t know Elon Musk, but I have to assume that that was something that hit him hard and had an impact on his perspective,” she said, according to Fox News.

It’s hard to quantify exactly how much the snub shaped Musk’s political outlook, but for years, the Tesla CEO had aligned himself with Democratic candidates, casting votes for figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

But around 2022, Musk’s political leanings began shifting to the right, and he would go on to play a significant role in helping elect Donald Trump to a second term. Whether things might have turned out differently if Biden had acknowledged him is anyone’s guess.

Let’s not forget the White House giving Tesla the cold shoulder, excluding us from the EV summit and crediting GM with “leading the electric car revolution” in the same quarter that they delivered 26 electric cars (not a typo) and Tesla delivered 300 thousand.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 24, 2023

The Trump administration is rolling back fuel-economy standards in the United States, encouraging car manufacturers to build more combustion-powered vehicles and reducing their impetus to build EVs. It’s a move that’s been a long time coming.

While companies like Ford, Stellantis, and GM have thrown their support behind the new “common sense” rules, they shouldn’t expect any handouts from the government to offset the billions they invested in EVs under Biden-era regulations.

Read: Trump Admin Pushes Fuel Economy Shakeup And The Impact Could Be Huge

During the recent CAFE standards announcement at the White House, a reporter from the Detroit Free Press asked President Trump whether automakers deserved compensation for those investments, given that they were made under policies assuming continued federal support for EV sales.

“No, I’m not doing it,” President Trump quickly replied, triggering laughter among those standing behind the Resolute Desk. “Nope, no, I’m not letting them recoup, they’re going to do just fine. You know how they recoup? From this point forward they’ll do very well.”

During the same presentation, the President suggested that thanks to his controversial tariffs, Stellantis, Ford, and GM are all coming back to the United States.

“The people that are up here from Stellantis and Ford and General Motors, great companies … they wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t have tariffs,” Trump claimed.

“They’d be building their plants in Mexico and other places. They’re leaving Mexico and they’re leaving Canada. They’re leaving because they ripped off our country, they took our businesses away from us. And now because of tariffs they’re all coming back, so it’s a great thing,” the president added.

Ford CEO Thrilled With Changes

According to Ford chief executive Jim Farley, previous CAFE standards “was totally out of touch with market reality,” claiming that “we were forced to sell EVs and other vehicles.”

More: Ford’s CEO Applauds Trump’s CAFE Rollback, Says They Were Forced Into EVs

He noted that Ford wants to give customers the freedom to choose, noting “we have a lot of EVs and a lot of hybrids at Ford, but now customers get a chance to choose what they want, not by what we force on them.”

Farley added that the rollback will allow it to “offer more affordability on our popular models, and we’ll be able to launch new vehicles built in America that are more affordable because of this rule change.”

Source: Detroit Free Press

Tesla has added a no-frills Model 3 Standard to its revamped European lineup in a bid to boost flagging sales, months after the stripped-down EV made its US debut. But the EU versions of the entry-level 3 come with one piece of retro kit denied US buyers – who might not even notice it’s missing.

We’re talking about an FM radio, equipment that hasn’t been worth bragging about since Gerald Ford was in the White House.

Related: Tesla’s Standard EVs Don’t Even Have A Radio, But Will You Care?

In the US, only Model 3 Premiums and up get the radio, a decision rooted more in cost saving than any lingering notion that a radio is a luxury item. Neither gets an AM radio, by the way, and only the EU version has a digital radio.

According to a 2023 study, cutting the radio unit could save Tesla around $50–70 per car, since it no longer needs to shield radio waves from interference created by the electric motors.

In other respects, the EU-spec Model 3 Standard (€36,990 in Germany) follows the US car’s lead. It gets a smaller battery versus the €44,990 Premium that cuts the WLTP range from 466 miles (750 km) to 466 miles (332 km), and the trip to 62 mph (100 kmh) takes 6.2 seconds instead of 5.2 seconds.

Bye-bye, rear touchscreen

Alloy wheels are replaced with 18-inch steelies and plastic hub caps, and the ambient lighting, rear touchscreen, electrically adjustable steering column, and heated rear seats are gone. You also get simple cloth on the chairs and a hi-fi downgrade from nine to seven speakers.

And there’s one other significant change that you won’t spot until you drive down the road for the first time. The Standard Tesla makes do with basic passive shock absorbers, whereas the Premium gets slightly more sophisticated frequency-dependent shocks that deliver a smoother ride. 

But as with the US Standard, the EU base trim retains its panoramic glass roof. The Model Y Standard also keeps its glass roof, but mean old Tesla covers it over from the inside to remind you that you were too tight to pay for the Premium.

The base Y, which also loses its front and rear light bars and alloy wheels, is now on sale in the UK (for £41,990), as well as the EU. But so far, the Model 3 Standard is not available in Britain.

Tesla

Two months after the NHTSA opened an investigation into thousands of Rivian’s all-electric delivery vans, the carmaker has announced a recall impacting almost 35,000 units.

Rivian says that on certain examples of the EDV, the driver’s side seat belt pretensioner could be damaged from repeated misuse. It notes that misuse could include the driver sitting on the seat belt while it’s buckled underneath them.

If the pretensioner cable is damaged, it may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Read: Rivian Recalls Thousands Of Cars For A BMW Feature No One Asked For

While Rivian notes that “a damaged pretensioner may be visibly detectable to the driver in some cases”, it presumably won’t be noticeable in others. Even so, the carmaker says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.

The initial probe, launched by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, involved 17,198 examples of the 2022 and 2023 model year Rivian EDVs. However, the recall also impacts 2024 and 2025 models. All of them were manufactured between December 10, 2021, and November 8, 2025, and a total of 34,824 units are affected.

According to Rivian, it has already released an over-the-air update that enables automatic detection of driver seat belt misuse and has committed to inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the driver’s seat belt pretensioner assembly at no cost. It will also reimburse any owners who have paid out of pocket to fix the issue.

Rivian initially developed the EDV exclusively for Amazon, with the retailer placing an order for 100,000 examples, all of which are scheduled to be delivered by 2030. However, it’s now also available to other companies and sold as the ECV, or electric commercial van.

This is the Lexus LFA Concept, and it’s quite unlike the V10-powered weapon that preceded it. For years, enthusiasts assumed the next LFA would be little more than a Lexus-badged take on Toyota’s new GR GT. Instead, what’s emerged is something very different. It’s electric. Yes, really.

The concept made its debut in Japan this evening alongside the twin-turbo V8 Toyota and was first teased months ago under the name Lexus Sport Concept. That early study has now morphed into the more production-ready LFA Concept, carrying a fully electric powertrain.

Read: Toyota’s GR GT Drops With TT V8 Hybrid And At Least 641 HP

According to Lexus, the ‘LFA’ name is “not bound to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines,” but instead symbolizes a vehicle that “embodies the technologies that engineers of its time should preserve and pass on to the next generation.”

Toyota Underpinnings

While Toyota has already shared a trove of details about its new halo performance car, Lexus is staying quiet on the finer points of its electric sibling. The company has yet to release any figures for the LFA Concept’s powertrain, leaving its performance potential open to speculation.

Whatever its output, it’s safe to say no amount of kilowatts will replicate the unmistakable howl of the original LFA’s V10, or even the sound of the Toyota’s new V8.

Interestingly, the LFA Concept is based on the same all-aluminum platform as the Toyota GR GT and GR GT3. That presumably means Lexus had the option of using the same V8 as its parent company, but opted against it.

While the choice of powertrain seems odd, particularly given poor demand for high-performance electric sports and super cars, there’s no denying the LFA Concept looks beautiful, which isn’t a word we’d use for the Toyota. The interior is also wildly different than the Toyota, although this isn’t a surprise given the LFA is still a concept.

When Will it Launch?

What does the future hold for the LFA Concept? We know it’s headed for production, and the renaming of the Sport Concept to the LFA Concept suggests it will indeed be sold as the second-generation Lexus LFA.

When it will reach public roads remains uncertain, but if we had to place a bet, it’s likely to arrive around the same time, or perhaps a little later, than the Toyota GR GT, which is expected in 2027.

Just over a month ago, Mercedes-owned brand Yasa unveiled a record-breaking electric motor that weighs just 12.7 kg (28 lbs) and has the ability to produce up to 1,006 hp (750 kW). The company has now revealed that this axial flux motor will be used as an in-wheel unit for its next-generation EV powertrains and could even replace traditional rear wheel braking systems.

While in-wheel electric motors are nothing new, they haven’t been widely adopted in the EV market, in part because they’re heavy and generally aren’t particularly powerful. Yasa’s new motor set an unofficial electric motor power density record of 59 kW (79 hp) per kilogram, or 35 hp per pound.

Read: Mercedes’ Axial Flux Motor Weighs Less Than A Toddler And Makes Over 1,000 HP

While the motor can deliver a peak of up to 1,006 hp, the firm notes that its continuous power output ranges between 469 hp and 536 hp. It can then be paired with a 15 kg (33 lbs) dual inverter that Yasa has also developed in-house, and could prove perfect for high-powered hypercars and other performance EV applications.

Then there’s the matter of braking. Yasa says its in-wheel motor offers such “incredible regenerative performance” that the system could potentially negate the need to use traditional rear brakes.

This could allow carmakers to not only ditch important brake componentry, but also rear driveshafts, potentially saving up to 200 kg (441 lbs) from current models and as much as 500 kg (1,100 lbs) on new models developed from the ground-up.

“Thanks to its exceptional regenerative capability, this system has the potential to dramatically downsize rear brakes on an EV – or even remove them entirely in certain architectures,” Yasa chief of New Technology, Simon Odling, said.“And by capturing a much greater proportion of regenerative braking energy, this technology can also deliver a significant increase in EV range.”

“What’s more, our new in-wheel motor powertrain not only enables significantly lighter, more efficient and higher performance EVs, but also dramatically creates space within the architecture of an EV too, giving car makers unprecedented freedom to redesign and optimize the packaging, aerodynamics and kinematics of their next-generation vehicles,” he added.

Yasa’s axial flux motors will be used in the new all-electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door sedan and SUV. However, these models are not expected to use these motors as an in-wheel application, and will instead have one motor at the front axle and two at the rear.

Guido ten Brink/SB-Medien – Stefan Baldauf

Subaru introduced the 2026 Trailseeker earlier this year and now the company has announced the wagon-like crossover will start at $39,995. That’s $5,000 more than the redesigned Outback, but the Trailseeker is far more attractive.

Kicking things off is the entry-level Premium trim, which features a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by LED headlights. Buyers will also find automatic windshield wipers, a power liftgate, and 18-inch alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers.

The model is also notable for having 8.3 inches (211 mm) of ground clearance, which is more than the redesigned Jeep Cherokee.

More: Toyota Made An Electric Subaru Outback As Powerful As A Supra

The minimalist interior comes nicely equipped with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. They’re joined by heated front seats that are wrapped in StarTex upholstery and have 10-way power adjustment on the driver’s side.

Other highlights include an automatic climate control system, ambient lighting, and a dual wireless smartphone charger.

The EyeSight Driver Assistance suite comes standard and provides Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The model also has Front/Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Braking, Active Lane Change Assist, and Lane Departure Prevention. Rounding out the highlights are Safe Exit Assist and a Blind Spot Monitor.

Trailseeker Limited

Moving up the trim ladder is the $43,995 Trailseeker Limited. It features a lightly revised exterior with 20-inch wheels and a hands-free power liftgate.

Bigger changes occur inside as the cabin is more luxurious thanks to a heated leather steering wheel and heated rear seats. Buyers will also find a power passenger seat and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The upgrades don’t end there as the Limited features digital key technology and a 1500 watt AC power outlet in the rear cargo area. They’re joined by parking assist and a panoramic view monitor.

Trailseeker Touring

Sitting at the top of the lineup is the $46,555 Trailseeker Touring. It’s distinguished by a panoramic glass roof and a gloss black accent on the hood. Customers can also get a unique two-tone paint job for $795.

Interior changes are minor, but the range-topping variant has a digital rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, and radiant leg warmers. Customers can also shell out $300 to get black and blue leather seats.

The Fastest Subie In America

Regardless of which trim is selected, all Trailseekers have a 74.7 kWh battery pack that feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. The latter produces a combined output of 375 hp (280 kW / 380 PS) and it enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds.

Besides being the fastest Subaru ever sold in America, the model is expected to have a range of approximately 280 miles (451 km). When the battery is low, the 150 kW DC fast charging capability can deliver an 80% charge in as little as 28 minutes. It’s also worth noting the model has an NACS charging port.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker Pricing

Prices exclude a destination fee of $1,450 to $1,600

Four years after first showing its Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) concept, Hyundai’s Robotics LAB has now revealed the production version in Tokyo, Japan. The debut marks an important step in the company’s expansion into advanced robotics.

The compact platform has been engineered to be fully autonomous and uses advanced artificial intelligence that allows it to cruise over different surfaces and provide incredible adaptability for different use cases.

How Does It Move?

Central to MobED’s capability is its Eccentric Control Mechanism, a clever system that lets the robot adjust its posture and each wheel individually. The result is an uncanny steadiness, even when crossing inclined or uneven terrain.

Read: Like All Eccentrics, Hyundai’s New Mobile Eccentric Droid May Be Going Into The Film Business

For spatial awareness, Hyundai equipped the platform with a suite of advanced cameras and LiDAR sensors. An AI-driven obstacle detection system adds another layer of awareness, helping the robot navigate confined or crowded spaces without missing a beat.

Hyundai envisions it taking on various roles, from last-mile deliveries to logistics support, with minimal human intervention.

Two Flavors Of Droid

Hyundai has revealed two versions of the robot: the Basic and the Pro. The Basic measures 1,150 mm (45.2 inches) in length, 750 mm (29.5 inches) in width, and 430 mm (16.9 inches) in height. It weighs 78 kg (172 lbs) and can carry up to 57 kg (125 lbs).

The Pro variant stands a little taller at 650 mm (25.5 inches) and heavier at 88 kg (194 lbs), though its payload capacity drops slightly to 47 kg (104 lbs).

Where they diverge most is autonomy. The Pro comes equipped with Hyundai’s full self-driving system, while the Basic relies on manual operation via remote control.

What Keeps It Rolling?

Powering both versions is a small 1.47 kWh battery that provides up to 4 hours of operating time. However, compared to some of Hyundai’s EVs, the MobED charges slowly, needing 2.5 hours to juice up the battery from 10 to 90 percent.

Each robot also features universal mounting rails that make it easy to attach a variety of tools and modules. In the future, they could perform a range of important tasks in factories and warehouses, as well as crucial functions at production facilities, reducing the need for human labor.

Commercial sales of the MobED are expected to begin in the first half of 2026. Hyundai has yet to announce pricing, though it’s clear the company sees the robot as more than a novelty.

Ford CEO Jim Farley has joined several of his American counterparts in supporting the Trump administration’s decision to reset federal fuel-economy standards.

The move, Farley says, gives automakers the breathing room to produce more affordable vehicles in the United States without walking away from electric innovation or efficiency goals.

Farley’s core argument seems to be that regulations were so strict that they effectively squeezed automakers out of the low-cost segments so many buyers still rely on.

Read: Trump Admin Pushes Fuel Economy Shakeup And The Impact Could Be Huge

Speaking at a press conference with President Donald J. Trump on Thursday, Farley called the update “a victory for affordability and common sense,” adding that Ford will now be able to offer cheaper versions of its most popular models and launch new price-focused products.

“We believe that people should be able to make a choice, as you said, Mr. President,” Farley said. “And we will invest more in affordable vehicles. This allows us to invest in affordable vehicles made in the U.S., which we will take the lead on and will allow us to make vehicles more affordable.”

Trump, sitting beside him, said, “People were brainwashed. This is a ‘green new scam.’ And people were paying too much for a car that didn’t work as well. And now they’re gonna have a great car that’s gonna be environmentally friendly, but it’s gonna cost you a lot less and it’s gonna work great. All of the nonsense is being taken out of the cars.”

Political Theater or Market Reality?

Farley stopped short of framing the move as an ideological shift, instead focusing on the economics. He argued that the tightened CAFE standards under the previous administration imposed costs that made entry-level vehicles much harder to justify.

That pressure, he said, pushed automakers toward higher-margin EVs and hybrids simply to meet fleet targets.

“What you should know is that this is a victory for affordability and common sense. As the president said, we will be able to offer more affordability on our popular models, and we’ll be able to launch new vehicles built in America that are more affordable because of this rule change,” Farley said later in an interview on “Fox & Friends” Thursday.

Farley added that the earlier fuel-economy system “was totally out of touch with market reality.” Automakers, he said, were forced to sell EVs and other vehicles to stay compliant, even when customer demand wasn’t there.

“We were forced to sell EVs and other vehicles. We’re not going back to gas-guzzlers,” he continued. “We have a lot of EVs and a lot of hybrids at Ford, but now customers get a chance to choose what they want, not by what we force on them.”

Balancing Choice and Compliance

Ford’s CEO also clarified that the company isn’t returning to inefficient gas models, noting it already sells a wide range of EVs and hybrids. GM’s CEO Mary Barra recently made similar comments.

Also: GM’s Mary Barra Promises Cleaner Engines, But Looser Rules Fuel More Gas Guzzlers

The reset rolls back the steep increases introduced under the Biden administration, which raised fuel-economy requirements by 8% for 2024 and 2025 and 10% for 2026. Federal officials previously estimated those rules would add nearly $1,000 to the average new-car price.

By contrast, the new standard lowers compliance costs and, according to the White House, will save American families a combined $109 billion. Now, the market waits to see if automakers really do deliver on their promises of rolling out more affordable models.

Photo Whitehouse/YouTube

Our spy photographers have already snapped prototypes of the 2027 Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron during testing. Now, however, they’ve gotten a glimpse inside, where we can see some pretty significant changes.

While the current model has a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch infotainment system, the facelifted prototype has an all-new dashboard with a freestanding curved display that appears to echo the one found in newer models such as the A5 and A6 as well as the Q3 and Q5.

More: Audi Q4 E-Tron Glow Up Takes Aim At Tesla’s Model Y

This likely means it will consist of an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment system. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find an optional 10.9-inch front passenger display.

We can’t see much else, but the production model could benefit from additional changes including a new steering wheel and revamped switchgear. Updated trim, upholstery, and equipment may also be on the cards.

Moving outside, we can see a lightly revised front end with skinnier air curtains that feature a horizontal accent. The grille is covered by camouflage, but it’s expected to be refreshed and could adopt an illuminated four ring logo.

Also: Audi Fixes One Of Its Most Hated Interior Features For 2026

The evolutionary styling continues at the rear as the Sportback has a lightly revised bumper with slender vents that’s joined by a modified diffuser and taillights that look the same but could sport updated graphics in the production-ready model.

shproshots

Some of the biggest changes are expected to occur beneath the skin as electric vehicle technology has come a long way since the Q4 e-tron was introduced in 2021. This likely means we can expect more efficient motors, improved batteries, and upgraded charging technology.

The current model offers an assortment of powertrains, including a rear-mounted motor producing 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS). Buyers can also get an all-wheel drive variant with 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles (349 km).

shproshots

Believe it or not, it’s been a decade since Bentley introduced the Bentayga SUV, and it’s proven to be the brand’s best-selling model during this time. It’s perhaps a surprise then that it’s taken them ten years to start work on a second SUV, designed to slot below the Bentayga.

This new model is currently known as the Urban SUV, but expect a fancier name once production is near. Unlike the Bentayga, it will be sold exclusively as an EV, a decision that, given the current uncertainty surrounding Western markets, might not prove Bentley’s most strategic choice.

Read: This Is Bentley’s First EV And It’s Built To Haul More Than Just Your Ego

Hindsight, of course, is 2020, but it’s reasonable to assume Bentley also had China in mind, where electric vehicles now dominate the premium segment. Either way, with fellow VW-owned brand Porsche already having two electric SUVs of its own, it was only a matter of time before Bentley followed suit.

What’s Hiding Under There?

Baldauf

Pictured here for the first time during testing at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Urban SUV is hiding under camouflage and body cladding, keeping most of its design details a secret. Included as part of the disguise are four fake circular headlights, similar in shape to those of the current Bentayga.

A few months ago, Bentley unveiled the wild EXP15 concept, complete with vertical headlights. However, the headlight clusters we can see don’t look like the concept’s.

As with the headlights, it is difficult to discern the shape of the grille, as it too has been hidden from view. What we can see is that this new model is smaller than the Bentayga and has a lower roofline. This isn’t to say it’s small, however. It’ll likely be about the same size as the new Porsche Cayenne Electric.

Our spy photographer was able to catch a glimpse of the SUV’s interior, although it’s difficult to pinpoint any highlights. What we can say with certainty is that it won’t follow the current trend of many EVs that feature tacky tablet-like displays for the gauge cluster and then giant infotainment screens on the dash.

Cayenne Electric Power?

Powertrain details have not been confirmed, but the Bentley is widely expected to share many components with the Cayenne Electric.

This could include the same 113 kWh battery pack and 800-volt electrical architecture, ensuring the Bentley will have decent range and support fast-charging. In the case of the Cayenne, Porsche says it needs just 16 minutes to charge from 10-80 percent.

Two versions of the Cayenne Electric have been confirmed, one with 402 hp as standard or 435 hp with launch control enabled, and the flagship Turbo that boasts 844 hp during normal driving and 1,139 hp and 1,106 lb-ft at launch control. It’s safe to assume the Bentley’s power figures could slot somewhere between the two Cayenne models.

Bentley is expected to unveil the Urban SUV in mid-2026, with first deliveries planned for 2027.

Baldauf

This year has been a strange one for automakers, but many of them just caught a break. The EPA effectively wiped out penalties for missing fuel-economy targets, a move that could easily trigger another surge in high-margin full-size trucks and SUVs.

More: Trump Admin Pushes Fuel Economy Shakeup And The Impact Could Be Huge

With less regulatory pressure, engines don’t have to get cleaner or more efficient, yet GM CEO Mary Barra insists the company will keep pushing them in that direction anyway.

She maintains that GM will improve every combustion engine it invests in, no matter what the rulebook says. Whether that commitment holds once the market leans even harder toward big, profitable gas-guzzlers is another matter entirely.

How Long Will Progress Last?

Innovation is no doubt key for all automakers, so the promise of continued development is promising on paper. That’s what Barra provided at the New York Time’s DealBook Summit on Wednesday, saying, “Every engine we invest in, we work to have a significant improvement.”

It seems clear that tougher fuel economy standards have led to huge costs for automakers. A recent report indicates that many of the larger recalls from the past two years can be linked to those standards.

Whether or not GM and other automakers will continue to push fuel economy as hard as they have is a worthy consideration.

What’s the Incentive Now?

For decades, automakers have intentionally steered consumers toward larger SUVs and trucks because they offer the largest profits and require the least stringent fuel economy standards.

Read: GM’s Cheapest American EV Starts With A Chinese Shortcut

It’s unclear why that strategy would change now that the penalties are gone altogether. Still, something positive could come from new regulations in Barra’s eyes.

Barra also supported Trump’s move to strip California of tougher clean-air authority, pushing instead for one national standard that doesn’t “get in front of the consumer.” However, automakers helped create today’s SUV-heavy demand, so that argument only goes so far.

Looser rules also ease pressure on EVs, a convenient shift for GM as sales dip after tax credits expired and its electric lineup remains unprofitable. Barra insists the company is still committed.

She was more positive on tariffs, calling recent policies “a more level playing field” after years of uneven barriers. GM may keep refining engines, but with weaker rules and a market built around giant SUVs, it’s hard to imagine Detroit walking away from its biggest profit margins.

It seems to be that time of year for Rivian again. Fresh off unveiling its limited-run Miami Edition, the company has decided it’s time for a new splash of color, one that might actually be its best yet. Called Borealis, it’s a deep, moody shade of purple inspired by the Northern Lights, offered on the Tri and Quad variants of the brand’s EVs.

Purple tones aren’t as popular as some other colors in the car industry, but when done right, they can look superb. We’ll reserve full judgment on Borealis until we see it under natural light, but based on early images, it flatters the R1S slightly more than the R1T, whose pickup shape doesn’t highlight the color in quite the same way.

Read: Rivian Turns One-Off Miami Showpiece Into A Very Pricey Limited Run

Like every Rivian finish beyond the standard LA Silver, Borealis comes at a premium, $3,000, to be exact. That puts it in line with other paid options such as Red Canyon, Rivian Blue, and Storm Blue.

The company hasn’t confirmed whether Borealis will filter down to the more affordable Dual Standard and Dual trims, though it’s easy to imagine that decision hinging on how buyers respond to the initial rollout.

Rivian’s new purple looks especially nice when accented against its available 20- and 22-inch burnished bronze wheels. Paired with a set of bright blue brake calipers, shoppers can get a Rivian that really stands out.

A New Lease Deal

The addition of a new color isn’t the only thing that prospective Rivian owners can get excited about. The company has announced that several 2026 R1T and R1S models are eligible for a $5,000 Lease Bonus if customers take delivery by December 31.

Models eligible for the deal include the 2026 R1S and R1T Tri, R1S and R1T Dual Standard, and both the R1S and R1T Dual with the Large battery and Performance Upgrade. Importantly, Rivian notes this deal is only available while supplies last.

Even with that bonus, leasing an R1T or R1S remains a costly proposition. For example, the R1T Dual Standard, priced at $72,990, still comes to $709 per month over 36 months, with $8,604 due at signing, an effective monthly rate of $948 before adding the $1,895 destination fee and state taxes.

For those willing to sacrifice a little cargo space for a lower payment, the R1S Dual Standard presents a slightly better deal. Its lease terms come in at $699 per month with $3,594 due at signing, translating to an effective monthly rate of $798, plus destination.

This time last year, Jaguar revealed the wild Type 00 concept, the first look at its all-electric future and a statement of intent to compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

As development of the production version continues, a matte red example of the concept has been spotted on London’s streets, marking the marque’s 90th anniversary and coinciding with the unexpected departure of its longtime design chief, the figure behind the brand’s polarizing rebrand.

The Type 00 was originally shown in Miami Pink and London Blue during the official launch. Earlier this year, the model was dressed in a French Ultramarine livery and made a surprise appearance during the Paris Fashion Week.

Read: Jaguar’s Future GT Has No Rear Window And No Patience For Cargo

The company has now unveiled a fourth color variation, London Red with a matte finish, as the concept makes its arrival in the UK capital. The new shade draws inspiration from the redbrick Victorian architecture of Kensington, one of London’s most recognizable neighborhoods.

Jaguar

The freshly repainted concept was photographed alongside a classic 1935 Jaguar SS outside the Chancery Rosewood Hotel.

For those wondering, no other changes have been made to the concept’s exterior. It still rides on the same 23-inch alloy wheels, while the minimalist cabin remains finished in white and gray upholstery accented by ambient lighting.

Photos shared by Jaguar UK Director Santino Pietrosanti on LinkedIn show the Type 00 parked alongside some exotic company, including a Bugatti Chiron, Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, Ferrari F8 Tributo, and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

Santino Pietrosanti / LinkedIn

The brand’s rebrand has been met with mixed reactions. Its ad campaign, oddly enough, featured no cars at all, leaving many scratching their heads. It was also rather odd that it initially showcased the Type 00 in a bright shade of pink, which didn’t do the car any favors.

Still, under London’s gray winter light, the matte red finish lends the concept a sense of gravitas. Out in the open, it naturally draws attention, albeit that’s not really surprising for a concept car. Much like the Tesla Cybertruck, its unconventional form challenges expectations so completely that people can’t decide whether they admire it or despise it. There seems to be little middle ground.

The Road Car

Prototypes of the production version suggest Jaguar plans to stay faithful to the concept’s striking proportions. The roadgoing model will, however, take a more practical shape with four doors and a longer wheelbase, built on the company’s new Jaguar Electrical Architecture platform.

More: Jaguar’s Future GT Has No Rear Window And No Patience For Cargo

As per recent reports, the EV should have a driving range of up to 430 miles (692 km) and support fast charging, adding 200 miles (322 km) of range in just 15 minutes.

Only time will tell if those who would ordinarily shop for a Bentley or Rolls-Royce will be willing to spend their money on a vehicle that looks as controversial as this.

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JLR Design Chief Axed

In separate news, it has been confirmed that Jaguar Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern has departed from the brand. No official reason has been given for this high-profile departure, but it comes shortly after former chief financial officer at Tata, PB Balaji, was named as JLR’s new chief executive.

Citing insider sources, Autocar India reports that McGovern was “escorted out of the office” on Monday, with his contract being terminated with immediate effect. The man behind Jaguar’s relaunch has spend over two decades at JLR, being responsible for successful models including the new Land Rover Defender.

According to business economics professor at the University of Birmingham, David Bailey, McGovern’s exit marks a “symbolic end of an era.” He told The Guardian that it may also be a sign that Tata wants to exert more control over the British company.

Thanos Pappas contributed to this story.

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President Trump has announced plans to reset the “costly and unlawful Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards” enacted by the previous administration.

A fact sheet put out by the White House was light on specifics, but said Trump was “returning CAFE standards to levels that can actually be met with conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.”

They said this stands in contrast to the “unrealistic fuel economy targets” that the Biden Administration had approved, which would have “effectively resulted in an electric vehicle mandate.”

More: 50.4 MPG Is The Magic Number As New Fuel Economy Standards Announced

The White House went on to claim the previous standards were impossible to meet with available technologies for gas cars and would have “compelled widespread shifts to EVs that American consumers did not ask for, accompanied by significant cost-of-living increases.”

They went on to say the average cost of a new car would have risen by nearly $1,000 when compared to the standards announced today.

Speaking of savings, the government said the move will save Americans $109 billion over the next five years. The White House also suggested that by enabling more people to buy newer and safer vehicles, the “reset is projected to save more than 1,500 lives and prevent nearly a quarter-million serious injuries through 2050.”

Big Changes, Less Efficiency

The Department of Transportation was more forthcoming as they revealed the Freedom Means Affordable Cars proposal. It calls for resetting CAFE standards for model years 2022-2031.

The new standards would be “developed without consideration of electric vehicles and credit trading,” and would call for a modest fuel economy increase.

For passenger vehicles, the proposal calls for an increase of 0.5% annually for model years 2023 through 2026. It would then dip to a 0.35% increase for the 2027 model year and a 0.25% increase for the 2029 to 2031 model years.

For light trucks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing a 0.5% increase for the 2023-2026 model years. It would be followed by a 0.7% increase for 2027, and then a lower 0.25% improvement for the 2029 to 2031 model years.

What the New Math Means

While it’s hard to wrap fuel economy figures around percentages, the Department of Transportation said the proposal would result in a fleet average fuel economy rating of 34.5 mpg by the 2031 model year. CAFE credit trading would also be eliminated in the 2028 model year, significantly hurting EV companies such as Tesla.

Furthermore, the proposal would “reclassify crossovers and small SUVs as passenger automobiles instead of light trucks.” In essence, it’ll be like making vehicles on ‘easy mode.’

Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register, it will kick off a 45-day public comment period. The move will likely prove divisive, but it has become increasingly clear that Americans aren’t ready to go fully electric and the transition will be far more gradual than many proponents hoped for.

Autonomous driving may have come a long way in the last decade but, apparently, there’s room for improvement. Waymo, one of the leaders in the space, still has some bugs to work out – and one of them is how to handle active crime scenes.

Video from just a few days ago shows one of the firms’ robotaxis casually rolling through an intersection as police with guns drawn attempt to make a felony arrest. 

Footage of the incident popped up via content creator Alex Choi. In the video, we see the car turning left at an intersection. Just off the road in the oncoming lane is a parked truck with the driver’s door open. Just to the left of the truck, a suspect is face down on the ground with officers holding him at gunpoint. 

More: Waymo Robotaxis Racked Up 589 Parking Tickets In A Year

Strangely, the robotaxi actually slows down and appears to pause as it passes the suspect. Keep in mind that the car itself was in the line of fire at this point. The video ends after the car has left the scene, while the police move in for the arrest.

Police told NBC that the incident happened around 3:40 a.m. and that officers’ tactics were unchanged by the robotaxi’s interference. 

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For its part, the company responded that the entire situation lasted just 15 seconds. “Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for people who choose to ride with us and with whom we share the streets,” a spokesperson said.

“When we encounter unusual events like this one, we learn from them as we continue improving road safety and operating in dynamic cities.”

The company has logged more than 100 million miles of autonomous driving as of mid-2025 and boasts a strong safety record, but it hasn’t been immune from oddities and public-relations headaches.

Earlier this year, pranksters redirected 50 Waymos to the same San Francisco intersection, gridlocking traffic. In a separate incident, five Waymo vehicles were set ablaze during protests in Los Angeles.

The plan? At dusk, 50 people went to San Francisco's longest dead-end street and all ordered a Waymo at the same time.

The world's first: WAYMO DDOS pic.twitter.com/DEDH0tdMKP

— Riley Walz (@rtwlz) October 12, 2025

Credit: Alex Choi

Scout Motors is getting closer to production every day, and it’s planning to launch with a curated soundscape. Forget generic beeps, the revived American off-road brand is sending sound engineers across the country on what sounds like an audio-archeology road trip.

More: Scout Motors Says Over 80% Of Buyers Picked A Surprising Powertrain

If everything goes according to plan, the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup won’t just be made in the United States, they’ll sound like it, too.

What Does America Sound Like?

Scout Chief Design Officer, Chris Benjamin, says the brand’s UX team has been collecting natural mechanical noises and atmospheric tones to create more than 40 bespoke sounds for locks, turn signals, warning chimes, and startup sequences. 

“All of the sounds inside the vehicle, we want them to feel authentic to us and unique,” Benjamin told Autonews at the L.A. Auto Show, adding that Scout isn’t aiming for an utterly quiet, library-like cabin.

Obviously, recorded sounds are quite different from the real thing, but it’s clear that the Scout team wants to do the best it can with the modern technology on hand.

The team even brought a vintage International Harvester Scout, complete with a V8, into an anechoic chamber and recorded sounds in isolation. 

The same raw mechanical noises found on that model, from the door latches to the locks to the V8 itself, will make it into the new offerings from Scout.

In a nod to the brand’s agricultural heritage, the team also visited Adairville, Kentucky. There, they found a farm and recorded industrial farming equipment inside a grain silo. Other audio layers in the car come from an acoustic guitar.

“You have a little bit of industry, a little bit of agriculture, a little bit of the original Scout in each one of the sounds,” Benjamin said.

Scout says its EVs won’t chase sterile, ultra-minimalist, sci-fi EV interior cues. Yes, there’s a digital gauge cluster and a large center screen, but there will also be real knobs, real switches, and real buttons.

The tactile nature of the cabin connects to the brand’s rugged DNA, and the carefully curated sounds will reinforce it.

“We’re not creating spaceships,” Benjamin said. “We’re creating hearty, wholesome vehicles that people will love, and we want the sounds to reflect that.”

Production of the Terra and Traveler begins in South Carolina in late 2027, after a run of pilot builds in 2026.