The Hemi is barely alive over at Stellantis and reports say that Carlos Tavares killed it. Whether or not that’s true, it’s clear that Dodge understands that buyers want a gas-only option. That is why the production of the gas-powered Charger is ahead of schedule. A new report says that even with all the various factors at work, the new Charger isn’t going to end up with a Hemi V8 anytime soon.

As a reminder, those who claim to be familiar with the matter say that now-former CEO Tavares axed the Hemi so that Dodge and Ram could be “greener.” However, he left the company earlier this month. Now, despite some less-than-spectacular reviews of the new Charger Daytona, at least one report indicates that it won’t get a V8.

More: Dodge Dealers Already Discounting New Charger Daytona EV Under MSRP

According to Jalopnik’s Andy Kalmowitz, engineers at Dodge say there are two main problems. First, the Hemi V8 won’t even fit under the hood of the new Charger. While I’m personally all for Dodge selling a Charger with a V8 literally sticking up out of the hood itself, that probably doesn’t meet safety standards.

Evidently, the engineers claim that shoehorning a V8 into the Charger would require moving the cradle and the firewall. That’s unlikely to happen simply based on the cost of re-engineering such pivotal parts. Dodge would have to run new crash tests too on top of everything.

In addition, the engineers claim that going back to the V8 would “fly in the face of what they were trying to accomplish with the car.” To be very clear, the goal was to build the next generation of muscle cars for the modern world. Did Dodge pull that off? The reviews are mixed and there’s still no indication of exactly how customers will adopt the car. In any case, a Stellantis spokesperson responded to the report with the following statement:

“Dodge is focused on launching the all-new, all-new electric Dodge Charger Daytona models, as well as the Dodge Charger SIXPACK ICE-option models coming next year. We have nothing additional to share in regard to potential future products.”

Granted, this neither confirms nor refutes the original report, although, given the engineering hurdles, it’s unlikely that the new Charger will be available with a V8 in the future. At least, for now, the Hemi lives on in cars like the Jeep Wrangler 392 and the Durango that we drove recently, as well as in heavy-duty Ram trucks. Nevertheless, if you insist on having it in a muscle car, there are still plenty V8 Chargers and Challengers sitting at dealers’ lots.

A spending bill to be debated in Congress this week includes a provision to allow sales of a gasoline blend that includes up to 15% ethanol nationwide throughout the year. (Getty Images stock photo)

A spending bill U.S. House appropriators released Tuesday evening to keep the government open into next spring includes a provision to allow sales of a gasoline blend that includes up to 15% ethanol nationwide throughout the year.

After years of prohibiting the blend, known as E15, from being sold at gas stations during the summer months, the Environmental Protection Agency this year allowed year-round sales in eight Midwestern states. The provision in the stopgap funding bill would allow E15 sales in all states throughout the year.

The provision is a major win for corn producers and their allies in Congress from both parties. Supporters of ethanol, which is derived from corn, say it boosts U.S. production and lowers gas prices.

Sen. Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican who sponsored a bill to make the blend available all year, said the move was part of the GOP agenda to “unleash American energy.”

“My bill puts an end to years of patchwork regulations and uncertainty — year-round, nationwide E15 will now be a reality,” Fischer said. “This legislation also delivers on the mandate we received in November to unleash American energy. Not only will my bill lower gas prices and give consumers more choices, but it will also create new opportunity for American producers, who are especially hurting right now from lower prices.”

House Energy and Commerce ranking Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey applauded inclusion of the measure, saying it would help reduce gas prices and bolster U.S. energy production.

“By allowing for a higher blend of ethanol in our gasoline, Americans can rely more on homegrown biofuels that save drivers money at the pump and help insulate Americans from dramatic global price fluctuations,” Pallone said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., one of a handful of farm-state House Republicans pushing for the E15 provision, said in a statement, “Year around E-15 is the most important policy we can embrace for Midwestern farmers and ranchers. I was glad to advocate for this on the Agriculture Committee and to our Speaker, and glad to see it embraced. I also know our entire Nebraska delegation was pulling for this. It is a team win.”

At a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing last year, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska promoted E15 availability as a way to lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower prices.

The EPA issued a waiver in May 2022 to allow the blend to be available nationwide throughout the year, as President Joe Biden’s administration sought to tame gas prices.

The stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, would keep the government funded at current levels through mid-March. It includes a few additional provisions, including funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.

The House and Senate are expected to pass the catch-all measure before members depart for their holiday break on Friday. Biden is expected to sign the bill.

Nebraska Examiner reporter Aaron Sanderford and D.C. Bureau senior reporter Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.

GM head Mary Barra raised a few eyebrows this week when she claimed the automaker and President Donald Trump are “goal-aligned” despite Trump’s plans to introduce tariffs that Barra admits could have a “very substantial” impact on GM’s business.

“I think we’re very goal-aligned,” the CEO told guests at the Automotive Press Association event on Wednesday, before going on to explain just what the two usually opposing sides see eye-to-eye about.

Related: Trump’s Tariffs Could Cut 17% From Automaker Profits

“We want a strong economy. We want a strong manufacturing base in this country. We agree automotive jobs are important,” Detroit Free Press reports Barra saying. But she made no bones about the difficulty GM (and other automakers) face, both in terms of the uncertainty in the short term, and the potential fallout from Trump’s decisions later during his time in office.

“We’ll have to see what the policies will be,” Barra said. “It’s hard for me to predict what will happen. We’re doing a lot of scenario planning, and we’ll adjust accordingly.”

Barra admitted that Trump’s proposal to place a 25 percent tariff on vehicles imported to the US from Mexico and Canada (where GM has production sites) “could have a very substantial impact” on its profitability, as could scrapping the $7,500 EV tax credit.

Although Trump and Barra have sometimes been at loggerheads, and she was the recipient of the president’s anger on social media over GM cost-cutting measures, Barra described her sometime foe as a good listener. GM will be hoping that he’s still willing to listen to what Barra has to say and not listen too intently to the opinions of Tesla boss Elon Musk – soon to be in charge of the much-hyped Department of Government Efficiency.

“Any time you have an administrative change, there’s policy changes that occur,” Barra said, per The Detroit News. “We’ve been working with any every administration for the last several decades, and General Motors will continue to do that. But I’m actually looking forward to working with the president and with the administration, because I think we can grow the importance of the auto industry and manufacturing.”

For months, Volkswagen has been threatening to close factories in Germany as it hunts for ways to slash costs and sure up its finances. However, the company’s supervisory board is now pondering the possibility of keeping them open in news that’ll no doubt be welcomed by employees and local labor unions.

If VW closed plants in Germany, it would mark the first time in the company’s history that such drastic measures have been taken. The company is facing increased competition from new brands entering the European market, in particular Chinese automakers, and according to VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, the situation “cannot be resolved through simply cost-cutting measures.” For the past three months, unions and VW have been at loggerheads about what measures are necessary to slash costs.

Read: VW Workers Strike At 9 Plants Over Proposed 10% Pay Cuts And Closures

According to German publication Manager Magazin, VW board members had been looking to end production at the firm’s Dresden plant, which currently employs 300 people. They have also investigated selling the Osnabrueck factory, which has a 2,300-strong workforce. However, unnamed sources now claim the board favors not closing these plants and has not yet lined up a potential buyer for the Osnabrueck site.

The future of the plants is not guaranteed at this stage as there’s still said to be disagreement among some board members. Reuters understands that the Piech and Porsche families favor more aggressive cost-cutting measures.

The Osnabrueck factory currently handles production of the Porsche Cayman, Boxster, and T-Roc Cabrio. While it has an annual capacity of up to 100,000 units, just 28,000 vehicles were manufactured there last year. Production of the T-Roc Cabriolet is also scheduled to end next year, and Porsche is shifting production of the Cayman and Boxster to its site in Zuffenhausen. VW’s Dresden site currently builds the ID.3.

At the start of December, almost 100,000 VW workers across Germany walked off their jobs to protest the extreme cost-cutting measures proposed. The IG Metall union has offered to forgo bonuses for 2025 and 2026 and has also proposed using money from wage increases to finance temporary reduced working hours during times of overcapacity. It says these measures could deliver €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in cost savings.

The Lightship AE.1, formerly known as the L1, is now officially on sale and in production. Starting at $250,000, it’s among the most expensive trailers available today. Its standout feature is its ability to propel itself, significantly reducing the range drop typically experienced by EVs when towing.

Lightship, founded in 2020 by former Tesla employees,  Ben Parker and Toby Kraus, officially began operations in 2022, and since then, it’s been working to get to this day. The company developed a concept trailer, the L1, packed with innovative features. Not only did it possess its own battery pack and motors, but it had a telescoping upper section and an aerodynamic design to reduce drag.

More: $175,000 CyberTrailer Generates Its Own Power And Water For Off-Grid Living

The AE.1 Cosmos Edition is the production version of the L1 and it’s available right now for $250,000. Interested parties will need to plop down $7,500 to get on the list and Lightship says it’ll only build 50 of the Cosmos Edition trailers. After that, it’ll begin making other variants.

Notably, the first version of the trailer that can sleep up to four and includes a bathroom, does come fully loaded. That includes a 77 kWh battery pack, integrated solar panels on the roof, an induction cooktop, a refrigerator and freezer, a microwave and convection oven, a dishwasher, auto leveling, highway range assist, and a rear hitch on the trailer itself. The AE.1 comes with a NACS charging cable and is Starlink-ready.

More Trims and Pricing

Next year, Lightship will begin the expansion of the product lineup with a new trim. Dubbed the Atmos, it has a range of around 300 miles and a starting price of $184,000. In 2026, it wants to start production of two more trim levels beginning with the Panos.

Starting at $151,000, it’ll provide around 140 miles of range. Finally, the Terros should begin production in late 2026 with an asking price of $125,000. It won’t add any range but will still feature the telescoping pop-up design of the other three Lightship trailers. For now, interested parties can order any trim level but don’t expect anything but the $250,000 trim level to actually come out til late next year. 

Credit: Lightship

BYD’s ongoing global expansion continues, and next year, it will start building the popular Dolphin and Atto 3 EVs in Europe. European carmakers are already petrified of the surging Chinese giant and will soon have to deal with BYD building vehicles in their back yard.

The company is constructing a large production facility in Hungary and according to its European boss, Stella Li, it’ll be ready to ramp up production towards the end of 2025. According to Li, BYD’s initial plans called for the tiny Seagull to be the first model built in Europe, but priorities have shifted, likely because the Dolphin and Atto 3 should sell in higher numbers than the Seagull.

Read: 2026 BYD Dolphin EV Breaks Cover With A Prettier Face And A New Powertrain Option

Speaking with German business magazine Capital, Li noted the ramp-up at the Hungarian plant will take two to three years, and that a third model is next for production on European soil, slotting between the Dolphin and Atto 3. This new model, referred to as the ‘Atto 2’ by Li, is expected to be a rebranded version of the Yuan Up that was shown earlier this year and is already available in China. It’s noticeably smaller than the Atto 3 and has a more rugged and upright design, a bit like the Mercedes-Benz GLB, but smaller. The Seagull will also become the fourth model built at the Hungary plant.

Securing its place in the European market won’t be easy for BYD. The growth in EV sales has slowed across the region throughout much of 2024. In response, BYD is expected to start offering more of its plug-in hybrids in Europe.

In October, Stella Li announced that BYD would build the majority of the EVs it sells locally in Europe following the enforcement of import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. BYD is working to establish a new supply chain in Europe, will assemble battery packs in Hungary and Turkey, and will only need to import battery cells from its home country.

Stellantis might be navigating a whirlwind these days, but amidst the chaos of searching for a new CEO after Carlos Tavares abruptly resigned last week, the company has managed to find time to confirm that the next generation of the Fiat 500 will debut in 2032—even as it continuously pauses production of the current electric variant because, apparently, no one is buying it.

Commitment to Mirafiori Production

Additionally, the group has assured that production of the iconic Cinquecento will continue at the Mirafiori plant in Turin well beyond 2030, underscoring their commitment to maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in Italy.

Fiat might be having a hard time convincing people to buy the fully electric 500e, but the “Cinquecento” remains one of the most well-known nameplates in Europe’s city car segment. Jean-Philippe Imparato, former Alfa Romeo CEO and current Chief Operating Officer at Stellantis for the Enlarged Europe region, spoke about the model’s future during an interview with local media.

More: Abarth Is Done With ICE, Eyes A Larger Electric SUV

As reported by Quattroruote, Imparato has pledged to keep the Mirafiori plant busy with Fiat 500 production, even when the next generation arrives in 2032-2033. Before that happens, the Stellantis executive is trying to bring the mild-hybrid version of the current 500 model to the market as soon as possible. Imparato expects the Fiat 500 Ibrida to arrive around November 2025.

Revitalizing the 500 Lineup

According to COO, once the 500 lineup is complete with EV and mild-hybrid powertrain options, the goal is to “start again with about 100,000 cars a year.” Fiat recently had to pause production of the 500e due to slower-than-expected demand for the EV, a struggle that has persisted since 2020. The company kept the last-gen ICE-powered 500 in production until earlier this year before deciding to make the 500e compatible with mild-hybrid power.

According to Imparato, Turin is very important for Stellantis: “We’ll have the European organization, plus the sales people, plus the hybrid 500, plus the future of the 500 and this is a signal. In Turin we also have the e-Dct, which is the gearbox needed for the hybrid and is exported everywhere”.

Imparato offered his own explanation for the EV slowdown, attributing it to a financial crisis and pervasive uncertainty about the future:

“The global economic situation is not good and so people say: ‘Should I change my car now? I’m not sure. And should I get an electric, hybrid or traditional combustion engine?’. This is part of the uncertainty and beyond this it is said that individual mobility is about to change. But if I have to enter the center of a large Italian or even European city, what do I get? An electric? A hybrid? A plug-in? This fuels uncertainty. For me it is something that explains the current situation, beyond the economic crisis we are facing.”

The Chief Operating Officer added: “China will reach 90% electric within three years. We must push competitiveness and collaboration, to lighten costs: technology, batteries, software to be optimized. Stellantis is about to launch 14 models, including electric and hybrid, to face this competition. We will do it, it’s tough, we all know it, we need competitiveness, we need support.”

Stellantis is expected to make important announcements next week about its plans, as it’s trying to form an alliance with suppliers to continue the electric transition. Imparato is ensuring everyone that they won’t be closing down any factories in Italy, reaffirming Stellantis’ dedication to its Italian manufacturing roots.

The Polestar 3 lineup is expanding as the company has begun building a new entry-level variant in Charleston, South Carolina. Known as the Long Range Single Motor, the latest version of the electric crossover starts at $67,500 before a $1,400 destination fee.

That’s $5,900 less than the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant and the good news doesn’t end there as the entry-level model has an EPA range of up to 350 miles (563 km/h). That’s 35 miles (56 km) more than its counterpart.

More: Polestar 3 Deliveries Begin As New RWD Variant Debuts

However, there are some obvious tradeoffs as the crossover has a rear-mounted motor producing 295 hp (220 kW / 299 PS) and 361 lb-ft (489 Nm) of torque. This results in a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 7.5 seconds. When it comes time to replenish the 111 kWh battery pack, a 250 kW DC fast charger can take it from a 10-80% charge in as little as 30 minutes.

The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor comes nicely equipped with LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and acoustic windows. They’re joined by a panoramic glass roof, a power liftgate, and 20-inch wheels.

Moving inside, drivers will find a 9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment system. Other highlights include eight-way power heated front seats, a tri-zone climate control system, a wireless smartphone charger, and a 10-speaker audio system.

An assortment of driver assistance systems come standard including Pilot Assist, Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Blind Spot Information with Steer Assist. Buyers will also find Lane Departure Warning, Road Sign Information, and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation.

An assortment of options are available including a $5,500 Plus Pack that adds a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The package also includes soft-close doors, a power-adjustable steering column, and a foldable load floor.

 The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor will also be offered in Europe where it will have a WLTP range of up to 438 miles (706 km). German pricing starts at €79,890 while Brits will need to shell out £69,900.

Soon after it was reported that Dodge would expedite the launch of the ICE-powered Charger Sixpack, unnamed sources revealed that pilot production of the new model has started in four-door guise.

The new-generation muscle car is being built at the group’s Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, and as many as 100 units are being produced daily. Dodge reportedly hopes to start delivering Charger Sixpack models to dealerships by the summer of 2025 and while it will arrive after the all-electric Charger Daytona, customers could pick up the keys to the ICE model some five months earlier than originally planned.

Read: Dodge Charger Sixpack Could Get New ZF 8-Speed Auto, But No Stick Shift

In mid-November, a pre-production Charger was spotted in public for the first time in two-door guise. The entry-level Charger Sixpack’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six will deliver 420 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm), while the flagship model will pump out 550 hp and 550 lb-ft (746 Nm). It’s unclear which variant that pre-production example was, but it looked quite nice in an all-black finish.

Dodge has kept plenty of the Charger Sixpack’s specifications under wraps and hasn’t even confirmed what transmission it will ship with. However, according to recent reports, Dodge will fit it with a new eight-speed transmission known as the 880RE. This ‘box is based on ZF’s fourth-generation design and will be built at the Stellantis Kokomo Transmission Plant. Not only does the new automatic work with ICE models, but it can also work with hybrids and plug-in hybrids, all while supporting up to 600 lb-ft (813 Nm) of torque. The new eight-speed is also suitable for rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and 4×4 configurations, meaning it could be used by other Dodge models in the future.

Mopar Insiders notes the new Charger Sixpack will land with all-wheel drive as standard. However, burnout enthusiasts shouldn’t fret, as the carmaker has confirmed it can be switched into rear-wheel drive mode at the touch of a button.

Update 12/12: Well, it’s that time of the week again, as Stellantis can’t seem to make up its mind about how long it wants to stop production at its Mirafiori plant in Italy. This time, we learn that the stoppage, which affects the electric Fiat 500 and the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio, will extend until January 20, 2025, or two full weeks longer than previously announced. Production will halt starting December 18, 2024.

Stellantis stated it is still “assessing” its order books for January but declined to comment on media speculation about the sluggish sales of the Fiat 500e. “We will make announcements about January’s activities next week,” the company told Reuters in a statement. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Original story follows below.

Lackluster demand for the all-electric Fiat 500e has once again prompted Stellantis to pause production at the Italian factory that builds this pint-sized electric hatchback. Despite Fiat’s hopes for the 500e to be a breakthrough model, the reality has been anything but.

Previously, Stellantis had confirmed that it will halt production at the Mirafiori plant between December 2 and January 5, 2025. Originally, the plant was scheduled to shut down from December 18 to January 5 due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, the company recently informed unions that production would also pause from December 2 through to December 17, extending the break further than initially planned.

Review: Fiat 500e Is A Stylish EV But At What Cost?

The Fiat 500e has proven to be a thorn in the side of Stellantis in recent months. In September, the car-making conglomerate revealed that 500e production would be paused from the second week of that month until October 11. Yet, halfway through the planned shutdown, Stellantis extended the halt until November 1.

The disruption won’t only affect the 500e. The Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio are also produced at the Mirafiori plant, meaning both models will be impacted by the December shutdown, Reuters reports.

The reception to the 500e has been particularly poor in the United States. Fewer than 500 examples have been sold locally this year, despite Fiat releasing several special edition models in recent months. These include the 500e Giorgio Armani, the 500e ‘Inspired By Los Angeles,’ the 500e ‘Inspired By Beauty,’ and another known as the ‘Inspired By Music.’

Read: Fiat Still Can’t Sell The 500e, Extends EV’s Production Halt

While many companies would consider cutting their losses after such disappointing sales, Stellantis is taking a different approach—at least for now. The brand has already committed to investing €100 million ($105 million) into developing a new high-performance battery for the 500e that should boost its dismal driving range and contribute to improved performance. Fiat is also reverse-engineering the 500e to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain with plans to launch this model in late 2025 or early 2026.

The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office has granted Rivian conditional commitment for a loan of up to $6.57 (£5.24 / €6.27) billion. The money is slated to be used for the development and construction of an electric vehicle plant in Stanton Springs North, Georgia.

The government said, if finalized, the loan will support construction of a 9 million square foot (836,127 square meters) facility that can make up to 400,000 vehicles annually. It will build the R2 and R3, which the Department of Energy optimistically called “mass-market” EVs. That’s a bit of a stretch as R2 pricing is expected to start around $45,000.

More: The 2026 Rivian R2 Looks Even Better Up Close

Nevertheless, the government said the funds should support up to 2,000 construction jobs and 7,500 operations jobs by 2030. Uncle Sam added the facility will enable Rivian to “reach production volumes that make its products more cost competitive and accelerate access to international markets.” They went on to claim that EVs made at the plant could result in an annual fuel consumption savings of approximately 146 million gallons (553 million liters) of gas.

For their part, Rivian said the project will be broken up into two phases and the first will result in production beginning in 2028. During this initial ramp up, the plant will have a capacity of 200,000 units annually.

CEO RJ Scaringe stated “This loan would enable Rivian to more aggressively scale our U.S. manufacturing footprint for our competitively priced R2 and R3 vehicles that emphasize both capability and affordability.” He added “a robust ecosystem of U.S. companies developing and manufacturing EVs is critical for the U.S. to maintain its long-term leadership in transportation.”

The loan isn’t set in stone and there’s already speculation that the Trump administration might attempt to kill it. While that remains to be seen, Rivian previously tapped the brakes on the facility and announced the R2 would initially be built at their plant in Normal, Illinois. At the time, the automaker noted using their existing facility would enable the crossover to be launched sooner and would provide over $2.25 (£1.79 / €2.15) billion in savings.

BMW has taken another major step toward its electric future with the production of the first “near-series” prototypes of its upcoming Neue Klasse SUV in Debrecen, Hungary. This move marks a key step toward the series production launch, which is scheduled for late 2025. The Debrecen plant, specifically built for the Neue Klasse lineup, is set to become the cornerstone of BMW’s EV strategy.

What BMW calls the “fully electric X model for the Neue Klasse” is, in fact, the next iteration of the iX3. Previewed by the Vision Neue Klasse X concept in March 2024, the SUV’s design has already been teased through spy shots and leaked patent drawings. While the official reveal is still months away, the glimpses we’ve had so far leave little room for speculation.

More: 2026 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Revealed In Patent Leaks

The company has released a single image of the near-series iX3 prototype, captured within the BMW Group Plant in Debrecen. Draped in camouflage, the prototype showcases the production-ready bodywork and lighting units. It is more advanced that early development prototypes, whose production has been ramping up.

The 2026 BMW iX3 remains largely faithful to its concept origins but introduces some real-world concessions. It swaps the more futuristic features of the Vision Neue Klasse concept for more practical elements, including conventional LED headlights, standard side mirrors, slightly smaller wheels, and some design tweaks to the body.

According to the Bavarian automaker, the logistics and production processes at the plant are currently being “tested and constantly optimized under real conditions” as the vehicles inch closer to their final production form. The company added that every stage of the process is undergoing “close scrutiny,” while the “cutting-edge production systems and tools” are being validated. Additionally, new staff members will undergo intensive training in the coming months, as BMW prepares for launch.

What’s Next for Neue Klasse?

Production of the iX3 SUV is set to commence in Debrecen, Hungary, in late 2025, with its closely related i3 sedan following in Munich, Germany, in 2026. By 2027, Neue Klasse EV production will also expand to BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico, ighlighting the automaker’s international approach to its next-generation EV lineup.

BMW aims for its fully electric lineup to account for more than half of its total sales by 2030. By 2027, no fewer than six Neue Klasse models—including the iX3 and i3—are set to launch, driving the automaker’s EV momentum. At the same time, BMW will continue introducing new generations of internal combustion engine (ICE) models, to maintain a diverse offering for its customers.

Lei Jun, founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, took a page straight out of Elon Musk’s playbook—quite literally—then added his own twist. To commemorate the production milestone of 100,000 SU7 electric vehicles, Lei posted a photo of himself snoozing on the factory floor, a nod to Musk’s famed claims of doing the same during Tesla’s early years, though without explicitly naming his American counterpart.

The Xiaomi boss shared the photo on social media with the following caption: “Netizens urged me to go to the factory to tighten the screws. Actually, I go there often. I arrived early this morning. I came too early and took a nap in the workshop. Unexpectedly, when I woke up, 100,000 units had been completed!”

More: Ford’s CEO Is Daily Driving A Xiaomi SU7 EV And Loving It

He followed up by noting, “From the release of SU7 to today, it took us only 230 days to produce 100,000 units! As a newcomer in the automotive industry, this speed is already very remarkable. We will hold a ceremony for the 100,000th unit to come off the production line later.”

This cheeky gesture, of course, references Musk’s well-documented habit of treating Tesla’s factories like glorified crash pads during the Model 3 “production hell.” Musk has openly acknowledged using the California and Nevada facilities as his “primary residences” for three years, a period marked by severe production challenges.

Good morning! Woke up to the news that 100,000 units of Xiaomi SU7 achieved!⚡️

From the launch to today, it took us only 230 days to hit this milestone. For a newcomer in the EV industry, that’s a speed we’re truly proud of. Can’t wait to celebrate the 100,000th in a bit! pic.twitter.com/92gmML2mdH

— Lei Jun (@leijun) November 13, 2024

Congratulations to our Xiaomi EV team! The 100,000th Xiaomi SU7 has officially rolled off the production line. For our first model, reaching this milestone in just 230 days is an incredible achievement! pic.twitter.com/rU6HtMQNSA

— Lei Jun (@leijun) November 13, 2024

Back to Xiaomi, the SU7 was introduced in December 2023, but production started in April 2024. With a profile that echoes the Porsche Taycan, a McLaren-esque nose, and Lincoln-inspired taillights, it’s clear the design team had more than a few influences in mind.

Despite boasting impressive specs and cutting-edge technology, the SU7 is priced to undercut the Tesla Model 3 in China, starting at ¥215,900 ($30,000). The top-tier model, the performance-focused Xiaomu SU7 Ultra, is priced at ¥814,900 ($112,500) and recently clocked a 6:46.874 lap time at the Nürburgring. Although the run didn’t qualify as an official record, as the car was a prototype rather than a final production model, it’s still an impressive feat. Not bad for a brand better known for smartphones than sports cars.

However, while the 100,000-unit milestone is a notable achievement, Xiaomi is still losing money on each EV it produces—no surprise, considering that’s the reality for most newcomers in the EV space. Analysts suggest the company will likely hit the break-even point once annual sales reach between 300,000 and 400,000 units. Ji Guo Wei, the director of Xiaomi’s EV factory, revealed that the company delivered a solid 20,000 SU7s in October alone.

“The reason I slept on the floor was not because I couldn't go across the road and be at a hotel.
It was because I wanted my circumstances to be worse than anyone else at the company. Whenever they felt pain, I wanted mine to be worse.”
– @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/wZcGvJqzk1

— Tonya de Vitti (@TonyadeVitti) February 26, 2024

The CEO of Xiaomi has announced a follow-up video titled “Xiaomi Intelligent Chassis Pre-research Technology”, highlighting the company’s advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology. Since the launch of Xiaomi Motors, the company claims to have taken a foundational approach, investing ten times more than the industry standard to develop core technologies and produce quality vehicles.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra set a new record for a four-door EV at the Nürburgring. This is incorrect. While it is technically the fastest, the lap was achieved using a prototype model, not a production car.

Xiaomi

Ford is cutting back on production of its brand new European EVs before most people on the continent have even seen either car on the road. The long-running Fiesta died so Ford could repurpose its Cologne plant to build the Explorer SUV and Capri crossover, but both models are feeling the effect of a slowdown in the EV market.

The German factory received a $2 billion makeover to get it ready to build the new Ford EVs which are based on VW’s MEB electric platform, and was supposed to prepare the automaker for the huge EV demand the car industry was sure was coming.

Related: Ford Delays Electric Truck And Axes 3-Row EV Plans, Will Build Hybrids Instead

But the country’s Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger revealed that workers at the Cologne site have been told to work fewer hours, Ford having applied to German government to gain approval to temporarily move its staff to part-time roles. Employees will only work alternate weeks between now and the end of the year, removing three weeks from the production cycle.

“We can confirm that Ford will apply for short-time work from the Federal Employment Agency due to the rapidly deteriorating market conditions for electric vehicles,” a Ford spokeswoman told the news site. “The significantly lower than expected demand for electric vehicles, especially in Germany, requires a temporary adjustment of production volumes.”

Ford began Explorer production in June and added the Capri in September, a couple of months after the crossover made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. But Kölner Stadt-Anzeige has seen documentation confirming that the plant is building far more EVs than it can sell and claims that even after New Year the production lines will be forced to idle on certain days, and daily output will fall from 630 to 480 units.

The end of EV subsidies in Europe, poor consumer confidence, and discussion about rolling back the 2035 ban on combustion engines have conspired to limit demand for EVs on the continent. But Ford isn’t only suffering in Europe. Although its EV sales in the US have risen, Ford recently announced that it was scrapping planned electric SUVs and would build hybrids instead.

Toyota is doubling down on its ambitions for the Chinese market, aiming to produce as many as 3 million vehicles annually in the country as it fights to claw back market share lost to surging domestic brands like BYD. The move seems to reflect Toyota’s acknowledgment of the challenges it faces in the world’s largest car market, where local brands have steadily gained ground by offering competitive, well-suited products that resonate with Chinese buyers.

According to three sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters, Toyota plans to significantly increase production in China by the end of the decade, although no formal target has been set. This would represent a substantial rise from the 1.75 million vehicles Toyota produced locally last year and a 63% increase over the 1.84 million it built in 2022, which was a record for the company.

Read: Toyota Slams California’s EV Mandate As ‘Impossible’, Pushes For A National Rule

The same insiders claim that Toyota has informed some of its suppliers about the planned ramp-up in production. In addition, the company aims to bring its two Chinese joint ventures closer together to improve efficiency and plans to empower local staff to lead much of the development, leveraging their understanding of Chinese consumer preferences.

The company also plans to consolidate vehicle production across its joint ventures into a single operation in the future. While models will be produced at one location, they will continue to be offered across both dealership networks, signaling a more unified approach to its fragmented local strategy.

Toyota has not commented on the specifics of the report but acknowledged the uphill battle it faces in China. “With the intense competition in the Chinese market, we are constantly considering various initiatives,” the company stated.

The struggles of Toyota aren’t unique among legacy carmakers in China. Established brands like Honda and Nissan have already scaled back their production capacity, while Mitsubishi has thrown in the towel altogether, exiting the market entirely. Meanwhile, local automakers like BYD are rapidly gaining ground, delivering compelling products at competitive prices that resonate with Chinese consumers.

Toyota has made some efforts to localize its offerings. One example is the bZ3C, an electric sedan designed specifically for China. It’s equipped with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack from BYD’s FinDreams battery division, boasting a range of 500-600 km (310-372 miles).

Cadillac is killing off its smallest and cheapest SUV, the XT4, which starts at just under $38,000. Production will officially grind to a halt at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas come January 2025, marking the end of the line for the first – and only – generation of the crossover after seven years on sale. This decision leaves buyers with two options: upgrade to the larger, pricier XT5 – which starts at nearly $44,000 – or take their business to rival brands.

The reality is they’re already shopping elsewhere and Cadillac knows it. XT4 sales are down 12 percent this year despite the model receiving a makeover for the 2024 season that brought sharper styling and a Lyriq-style dashboard featuring a curved infotainment display and Google integration.

Related: 2025 Cadillac XT4 Drops Base Trim, Adds Safety Features

The Fairfax facility was due to build both the XT4 and Chevy’s new Bolt EV – scheduled to begin production in late 2025 – next year, but parent company GM says the plant will now only be used to make the Bolt. Fairfax currently also builds the Chevrolet Malibu sedan, but production of the mid-size sedan ends this month.

GM had already announced in September that almost 1,700 jobs would be lost at the site while it underwent a $390 million transformation into a modern EV center. The layoffs begin on November 18 when 686 full-time workers and 250 temporary staff are shown the door, followed by another 759 job cuts on January 12, Reuters reported.

The automaker does intend to get the workers back on site later in 2025 for the start of Bolt production, but that’s a long time to wait without a paycheck.

Cadillac cut like-for-like XT4 prices by between $400-700 for 2025, but it also dropped the base model, effectively bumping the minimum spend from $39,090 to $41,990. The latest versions offset that burden by coming equipped with the Active safety package – adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, surround-view camera – that was previously a $1,825 option.

The XT4 only lasted a single generation, having made its debut in 2018 as Cadillac’s take on the Chevrolet Equinox. It’s also built in Shanghai, China, where production is expected to continue.

Source: Reuters

EV startup Canoo is in dire straights and has revealed that 30 of its employees will be furloughed for 12 weeks. While furloughing 30 workers may not seem like much, it represents 23% of its factory workforce and comes amidst continued financial losses for the brand.

The workers are based in Oklahoma City, where Canoo has its assembly site, and will not be paid for the 12 weeks. They will retain health insurance, but only until the end of November. It’s a worrying development for the small company and demonstrates just how incredibly difficult and complex it is to start a car-making business from the ground up.

Read: Up A Creek Without A Paddle? Canoo Hit With Two Lawsuits Over Missed Payments

“Canoo has made the difficult decision to temporarily reduce our workforce in Oklahoma City by furloughing 23% of our factory workers for a period of twelve weeks as part of a broader realignment of our North American operations,” Canoo said in a statement to The Oklahoman. “This reduction is a continuation of our efforts to consolidate our U.S. workforce which includes redistributing some of our tenured and skilled employees to our Oklahoma City and Texas facilities as part of our comprehensive plan and supply chain harmonization to prepare the company for the next phase of growth.” 

In addition to furloughing 23% of its factory staff, Canoo is moving its headquarters to Texas and is also relocating 137 engineering positions to the Lone Star State, as well as Oklahoma.

Canoo has been around for a few years, but it’s been slow-going as it attempts to crack into the market with its intriguing EVs. Last year, it only managed to deliver 22 vehicles and made just $886,000. It also caught some flak when it was revealed that the company had spent $1.7 million on private jet flights for its chief executive, Tony Aquila.

More recently, it was revealed that Canoo is the subject of two US lawsuits from suppliers who say they’re owed money by the firm. In one lawsuit, Air Capital Equipment claims Canoo owes it more than $570,000.

Canoo’s most recent 8-K filing revealed it has cash and cash equivalents of $4.51 million and reported a net loss of $117.6 million during the first half of 2024. It expects revenues of between $50 million and $100 million for 2024.

Ford will slash company bonuses as part of a new system that will only reward employees when certain goals are met in a bid to cut costs.

Chief executive Jim Farley is eager to save money while also improving the quality of Ford models. Company bonuses will now be tied to a performance system to keep employees more accountable. Manager bonuses will be slashed by 65% of their current total. Speaking on Ford’s recent third-quarter earnings presentation, Farley said, “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but we are not fully satisfied.”

Read: Own A Ford? Stellantis Wants You And They’re Ready To Pay You To Switch

“When we meet or exceed our targets for those factors – and we achieve the ambitious goals of Ford+ – the team is rewarded,” a Ford spokesman added. “We are focused on lowering our costs, improving our quality and making Ford a higher growth, higher margin, more capital efficient and more resilient business.”

The spokesman told Reuters that bonuses could be adjusted depending on the company’s performance through the fourth quarter.

Slashing bonuses isn’t the only way that Ford is looking to save money and offset the $1 billion charge it took after canceling plans for a three-row electric SUV. Late last week it was revealed the carmakeer will idle the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, which builds the F-150 Lightning, from mid-November until January 6, 2025.

By pausing production, Ford will be able to clear some of the existing F-150 Lightning inventory, but the move still caught many off guard. Indeed, sales of the electric truck were up 86% through the first nine months of the year compared to 2023. Ford already reduced output at the truck’s production facility from two shifts to one and clearly isn’t selling as many examples as it had originally forecast.

Ford dealerships across the US are also being rewarded up to $1,000 for each F-150 Lightning XLT, Flash, Lariant, or Platinum model they order from one of the carmaker’s regional hubs, or ‘Rapid Replenishment Centers.’

If you wanted to start work at 18 with confidence that you could put in 45 or 50 years before sailing off to a happy, comfortable retirement, a job in the German auto industry always seemed like a solid bet. People are always going to want Golfs, right? But a new study says that thinking is outdated and reckons hundreds of thousands of workers could be left unemployed in as little as a decade, with EVs shouldering much of the blame.

In the same week VW asked workers to take a 10 percent pay cut to save their own jobs, an investigation by Prognos suggests it might only be delaying the inevitable. The report predicts the switch to electrification would reduce the number of workers in the German auto sector by 186,000 in 2035 compared with 2019 levels.

Related: VW Wants To Eliminate Bonuses And Cut Wages By 10%

The headcount reduction is mostly, but not exclusively, the result of the ‘drive systems’ of electric cars requiring fewer components than their combustion predecessors, meaning that both automaker employees and those working in the supplier industry risk losing their positions.

Jobs related to welding and metal processing, as well as business management and administration, will become more scarce, the report claims, but automakers will need to recruit more people working in IT, in electrical engineering and also (perhaps surprisingly) in mechanical engineering. Overall, though, more jobs will be lost than created, so while workers at risk would be wise to retrain, there still won’t be enough roles in 2035 for everyone currently employed in the auto industry.

The Prognos report says that the transition in the makeup of jobs at German automakers has been going on for the past few years, but will pick up steam over the next 10. And nowhere is evidence of the shift clearer than at VW, which this week asked its employees to take a pay cut and could be about to close three factories having never previously shut a plant in the company’s entire history. In fact, only a few days ago it was reported that Audi will shut down its Brussels plant, where the Q8 e-tron is manufactured, in February 2025.

VW chiefs claim that radical steps must be taken to help the company navigate its way through some tough times. And workers must be prepared to make some sacrifices in the short term if they’re to have any hope of safeguarding jobs in the long term.

“We urgently need a reduction in labor costs in order to maintain our competitiveness. This requires a contribution from the workforce,” Arne Meiswinkel, the VW brand’s personnel boss said, according to Reuters.

The automaker is struggling with a perfect storm of rising costs, a slower than expected uptake for its EVs in Europe and the US, and declining market share in China.

BMW’s huge factory complex in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, will start to build the brand’s next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles in 2027, and the first model that’ll roll off the production line will be the second-generation iX3.

The world was provided a glimpse of the new-age iX3 earlier this year with the launch of the Vision Neue Klasse X. While the name of the new road-going variant is yet to be confirmed, we do expect it to look very similar to the concept, and as such, radically different than the current iX3. Whether or not that’s a good thing will be up to the market to decide, but there’s no denying BMW is adopting a brave new design language in the Neue Klasse era.

Read: 2026 BMW iX3 Electric SUV Promises 500 Mile-Range With New Battery Tech

This new model isn’t far off. BMW has already confirmed it will be built at the i Factory in Debrecen, Hungary, starting next year, before sales and deliveries of the new all-electric SUV begin. It will be a true global model and BMW likely expects it to sell well, hence why it’ll also be built in Mexico. During a recent press event attended by BMW Blog, the president and chief executive of the brand’s San Luis Potosí facility confirmed the site would start assembly of the iX3 two years after the Hungary site, meaning sometime in 2027.

BMW confirmed in early 2023 that it was investing €800 million ($870 million) into Mexico its Neue Klasse EVs. Some €500 million ($543 million) of this investment is being directed to the construction of a new assembly center for high-voltage batteries, while the existing assembly site and body shop will be expanded. These investments will create 1,000 new jobs.

The new iX3 will be sold in the United States, and logic dictates that it will be the Mexican-made vehicle that’s sold locally, as opposed to the one manufactured in Hungary. However, if Donald Trump wins the upcoming federal election, BMW may have to change its plans. The Republican presidential candidate has threatened to hit vehicles imported from Mexico with 200% or even 500% tariffs, aiming to prevent a single Mexican-built car from being sold in the US.

“I don’t want their cars,” Trump told Fox News in an interview. “They will not be able to sell cars. I’m not going to let them build a factory right across the border and sell millions of cars into the United States and destroy Detroit further.”

Fortunately, BMW could make things work. It currently has a huge production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and has confirmed that it will produce six EVs models by the end of the decade at this site. There’s no word on which models these will be and if they will be Neue Klasse-based models or instead built around the existing CLAR architecture.