The Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance has been put through the wringer and things appeared to be on shaky ground. However, Renault and Nissan have now announced a series of “strategic projects.”

Starting with the fun stuff, Nissan will be getting a version of the upcoming Renault Twingo. It’s slated to arrive in 2026 and will feature unique styling created by the Japanese automaker.

More: Renault’s Updated Twingo Concept Hints At Next Year’s €20,000 EV

Little else is known about the model at this point, but the Twingo will be launched next year and cost less than €20,000 ($21,639). The EV is also expected to feature a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment system.

Outside of Europe, Renault plans to take over Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd by acquiring the 51% stake currently held by Nissan. This transaction is expected to be completed later this year and Renault sees the move as a “key opportunity” to expand its international business. Speaking of which, four new models are expected to be built at the Chennai plant.

While Renault is taking over, Nissan will continue to have a presence in India. As such, the Chennai plant will continue building models such as the Nissan Magnite.

Five-seat Nissan C-SUV that will be built at Chennai plant

On the corporate side of things, Renault and Nissan have amended their alliance agreement to allow for greater flexibility of cross-shareholdings. In particular, the minimum shareholding threshold will be lowered from 15% to 10%. The change could allow Nissan to sell part of their Renault stake to raise funds for their restructuring.

While it remains to be seen if Nissan will do this, “any sale of shares would have to be made within a coordinated and orderly process with the other company, in which such other company or a designated third-party benefits from a right of first offer.”

Speaking of giving Nissan flexibility, the company is being released from its commitment to invest in Ampere. The investment was announced in July of 2023 and would have seen Nissan fork over as much as €600 ($649 / £502) million.

The amendments and termination of the Ampere investment are subject to certain conditions being fulfilled, but these are expected to occur by the end of May. When this happens, Nissan should be in better shape for the future.

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo remarked, “As a long-time partner of Nissan within the Alliance and as its main shareholder, Renault Group has a strong interest in seeing Nissan turnaround its performance as quickly as possible. Pragmatism and business-oriented mindset were at the core of our discussions to identify the most effective ways of supporting their recovery plan while developing value-creating business opportunities for Renault Group.”

Skoda introduced the Elroq last fall and now the company is gearing up to introduce the all-new RS variant. As part of this effort, they’ve released a revealing teaser video that gives us a glimpse of the electric crossover ahead of its debut on April 3.

Set to be unveiled at Milan Design Week, the Elroq RS has been given a sporty makeover as it features a high-gloss black Tech-Deck Face as well as a unique front bumper. The latter has a sportier central intake with painted triangular accents. They’re joined by horizontal black bars that flow into the vertical air curtains.

More: Skoda’s New Elroq EV Aims For The Mainstream Sweet Spot

Moving further back, we can see new front fender badging and aerodynamically optimized wheels with a Mamba Green accent. While the rear end appears to carryover, the blacked out bumper suggests it could be updated as well.

The styling changes continue inside as we can see a perforated flat-bottom steering wheel with vRS badging. Elsewhere, there are two-tone front seats with vRS embroidery on the headrests. We can also expect a familiar digital instrument cluster and a freestanding infotainment system with a 13-inch display.

Powertrain details remain elusive, but the current range-topper is the Elroq 85. It features an 82 kWh battery pack as well as a rear-mounted motor producing 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque. This allows the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and have a WLTP range of 361 miles (581 km).

The GMC Sierra EV lineup is expanding for 2026 as the company is adding new AT4 and Elevation trims. This gives customers more choice as well as a significantly lower starting price of $62,400.

Kicking things off is the entry-level Sierra EV Elevation, which has a streamlined but no frills design. GMC didn’t go into many specifics, but said the model comes equipped with a power eTrunk, a MultiPro tailgate, and 18-inch wheels featuring a two-tone finish.

More: 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Gets $7,500 Price Cut Thanks To New Battery

Buyers will also find an After Dark interior with a 16.8-inch infotainment system. Sadly, the Denali’s beautiful wood trim is replaced by a cloth strip that looks like it was stolen from a 1980’s office chair.

The Elevation will be available with Standard and Extended Range batteries, although GM didn’t provide range estimates. Both will be powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive system and the Extended Range variant will have 645 hp (481 kW / 654 PS) and 765 lb-ft (1,036 Nm) of torque.

2026 GMC Sierra EV AT4

The off-road focused Sierra EV AT4 starts at $79,300. It’s distinguished by a lifted suspension and 18-inch wheels that are wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires. This combination gives the truck an additional 2 inches (51 mm) of ground clearance.

The off-road upgrades don’t end there as the AT4 comes standard with a 4-Wheel Steer system, which significantly improves maneuverability and makes it feel like you’re driving a significantly smaller pickup. Buyers will also find a gimmicky CrabWalk function as well as a trim-exclusive Terrain Mode.

Rounding out the highlights are an illuminated front badge and standard Super Cruise. The model also has a unique Forest Storm interior, which appears to include embroidered headrests as well as special seats with contrasting white accents.

2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation

The Sierra EV AT4 will be offered with Extended and Max Range batteries. The former has 625 hp (466 kW / 634 PS), while the latter boasts 725 hp (541 kW / 735 PS). While their horsepower ratings vary, both versions have 775 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) of torque.

The Sierra EV Denali returns for 2026 with Standard, Extended, and Max Range batteries. Thanks to the addition of an entry-level battery, the base price plummets from $89,900 to $69,700. It’s also worth noting the Extended Range variant falls from $89,900 to $77,900 for a $12,000 savings.

GMC was coy on detailed performance specs, but the Denali Max Range will have 760 hp (567 kW / 771 PS) and 785 lb-ft (1,063 Nm) of torque.

The 2026 Sierra EV is expected to arrive at dealers this summer and, when it does, customers will find several new colors including Coastal Dune, Deep Bronze Metallic, Magnus Matte, and Glacier White Tri-Coat Metallic.

2026 GMC Sierra EV Pricing

Tesla is facing a number of headwinds as the company has to deal with an onslaught of Chinese competitors as well as customers who are fed up with Elon Musk. The combination has resulted in attacks in the United States as well as plummeting sales in Europe.

Amid that background, Tesla is eyeing new markets to improve its fortunes. The latest is Saudi Arabia as the company has sent out RSVPs for their opening in Riyadh.

More: Tesla Cybertruck Joins Dubai Police, Looks Terrible In White

The event takes place on April 10 and guests are invited to explore the company’s lineup and “step into a world powered by solar energy, sustained by batteries, and driven by electric vehicles.” The Cybercab and Optimus robot will apparently be in attendance, and Tesla noted employees will be on hand to answer questions about ownership, home charging, and more.  

While Tesla is a newcomer to Saudi Arabia, the company already has a presence in the Middle East. In particular, there are stores and superchargers in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Tesla’s entrance into the market is interesting to note as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has poured billions into Lucid. Part of this helped to fund a plant in the country, which has begun semi knocked-down assembly of the Air. However, it’s slated to become a fully fledged production facility “after the middle of the decade.”

That isn’t the only thing making the situation awkward as Reuters noted Musk was originally banking on Saudi money to take Tesla private. This led to his infamous “funding secured” tweet, which turned out to be nonsense.

The publication also noted EVs only account for 1% of sales in the oil-rich country. This suggests Tesla’s sales problems are far from over.

Rivian has a lot on their plate, but that hasn’t stopped them from creating a new spin off. Known as Also Inc, the micromobility business will be focused on “small, lightweight vehicles that are designed to meet the global mobility transportation challenges of today and tomorrow.”

According to the automaker, they started a stealth micromobility program several years ago as they recognized the “massive need for small electric form factors.” The company went on to say “as these efforts advanced, it became clear that Rivian’s approach had the potential to unlock a large opportunity that deserved to be its own company, optimized around different products, brand positioning, and markets.”

More: Rivian R1 Lineup Gains 850 HP California Dune Edition

While little of substance is known about Also, it received a $105 (£81.5 / €97.6) million investment from Eclipse Ventures. However, Rivian will retain a “substantial minority ownership stake” and expects “opportunities for future collaboration” such as using Rivian stores to showcase Also products.

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe will serve on Also’s Board of Directors as its Chairman and he released a statement saying, “For the world to fully transition to electrified transportation, a range of vehicle types and form factors will be needed.” The executive added, “I am extremely excited about the innovations developed by the Also team that will underpin a range of highly compelling micromobility products that will help define new categories.”

As for what’s coming from Also, Scaringe mentioned that the first product will launch in early 2026, with the “product portfolio and incredible technology” being unveiled later this year. How exactly that will all unfold remains to be seen.

The announcement has been met with a shrug on Wall Street as Rivian stock is down 1.82% as of this writing. However, with so few details, it’s hard to get excited about Also, which could simply become an also-ran.

California is one of the largest markets for electric vehicles and that means there’s a lot of demand for charging infrastructure. However, they’re up to the challenge as the California Energy Commission recently announced 178,549 public and shared private chargers have been installed statewide.

That’s an impressive number, especially when you consider there are only an estimated 120,000 gas nozzles in the state. That means there are 48% more EV chargers than gas dispensers.

More: America’s EV Charging Infrastructure Has Doubled In Less Than Four Years

However, things aren’t that simple as a vast majority of chargers (162,178) are Level 2 units that can take hours to deliver a notable charge. This makes them ideal for home use and the California Energy Commission estimates there are more than 700,000 Level 2 chargers in single-family homes.

The remaining 16,971 or 9.5% are DC fast chargers. While their speed can vary, some fast chargers can deliver over 100 miles (161 km) of range in 15 minutes or less.

California credits their impressive charging infrastructure to “dedicating billions to support clean transportation goals” including approving a $1.4 billion investment plan to create the most extensive charging and hydrogen network in the country. There are also other efforts such as a $55 million project to install fast charging stations at businesses and other publicly accessible locations across the state.

California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said, “The California EV driver experience is getting better by the day. The state will continue to heavily invest in EV infrastructure, with particular emphasis in hard-to-reach areas, making these vehicles an easy choice for new car buyers.”

That’s good news for residents of the Golden State, where approximately 25% of new car purchases are zero-emission vehicles. Of course, any change to federal incentives could put a damper on sales.

H/T to CBS News

Cadillac introduced the 2026 Vistiq last year and it’s set to arrive at U.S. dealerships this spring. Dealers are now preparing for its arrival and some are already offering discounts on the three-row electric crossover.

While most seem to be sticking to MSRP, Cadillac of Las Vegas has three crossovers listed for $2,000 below sticker. It’s a similar story at Mount Kisco Cadillac in New York, which has their $80,215 Vistiq Luxury listed for $78,215.

More: 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Packs Is A Three-Row Luxury EV With Blackwing Levels Of Power

Looking deeper into the matter, it appears the EV will be launching with a $2,000 “Competitive Cash Allowance.” That’s a welcome discount, but it doesn’t make much of a dent as pricing starts at $77,395 before a $1,395 destination fee.

That’s more than $50,000 cheaper than the Escalade IQ and the Vistiq comes nicely equipped with LED lighting units, an Illuminated grille, and 21-inch wheels. Buyers will also find a power liftgate, soft-close doors, and a panoramic dual pane sunroof.

The interior echoes the Lyriq and sports a 33-inch curved display, a 23-speaker AKG audio system, and heated, ventilated, massaging front seats wrapped in Inteluxe upholstery. They’re joined by a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. Customers will also find a wireless smartphone charger, a universal home remote, and a 126 color ambient lighting system.

The Vistiq comes with a host of standard driver assistance systems including Super Cruise, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. Other highlights include Blind Zone Steering Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, and an HD Surround Vision system.

Power comes from a 102 kWh battery pack, which feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 615 hp (459 kW / 624 PS) and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and have a range of up to 305 miles (491 km).

Michael Gauthier / Carscoops

Tesla owners are feeling the wrath of many people over Elon Musk’s political transformation and it appears a number of them have had enough. That’s according to new data, which has shown a surge in trade-ins.

Citing Edmunds data, Reuters is reporting that “Tesla cars from model year 2017 or newer accounted for 1.4% of all the vehicles traded in until March 15.” That’s up from 0.4% last year and marks a significant increase.

More: Used EV Prices Are Crashing and Tesla’s Leading the Way Down

CNBC noted this is a record level of Tesla trade-ins towards vehicles from other brands. So what’s behind the increase? There’s likely a variety of factors at play, including new competitors in the EV space.

Of course, there’s little doubt that Musk’s close association to President Trump and his status as de facto leader of the Department of Government Efficiency is also playing a role. Sheryl Crow famously ditched her Tesla and said “There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with.”

Attacks on Tesla dealerships have been grabbing headlines and U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi recently stated that “If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.” However, Tesla owners have also been targeted by hate.

Multiple owners have reported being flipped off or sworn at, while other cases are far more serious. These involve actual vandalism, which can range from vehicles getting keyed to set on fire.

More: Hundreds Of Tesla EVs Pile Up In Canadian Parking Lots After Suspicious Sales Rush

Regardless of what’s behind the shift, Edmunds’ Jessica Caldwell said the change in “Tesla consumer sentiment could create an opportunity for legacy automakers and EV startups to gain ground.” In essence, those turned off by Musk could replace their EVs with models from competitors – which might be good news for the latter, but obviously not for Tesla which is not in the best of shapes when it comes to sales lately.

Rivian introduced the R2 a little over a year ago and it’s slated to arrive in the first half of 2026 with a base price of around $45,000. Fast forward to today and there’s excitement about a possible R2T as Rivian has filed a trademark application for the moniker.

Unfortunately, you shouldn’t get your hopes up as this isn’t a new development. Quite the opposite as Rivian originally filed an application for the R2T trademark in October of 2018. However, it was abandoned on June 20, 2022.

More: The 2026 Rivian R2 Looks Even Better Up Close

Shortly before that happened, Rivian filed another application for the R2T trademark. This one appears to be far more detailed as it applies to “land vehicles” as well as a dizzying array of parts and components. These range from sun visors and mud flaps to motor vehicle bodies, electric motors, and insignia for vehicles.

The latest application is active, but it doesn’t mean fans should get overly excited about it. Automakers routinely trademark possible names for their vehicles, especially ones that are similar to names already in use. In particular, BMW used to have a trademark for the X8 moniker, but it was cancelled early last year.

That’s not to say there couldn’t be an R2T in the future, but Rivian has their plate full at the moment. Besides the R2, the company has already announced plans for an R3 and R3X. The models are slated to be built at a new manufacturing plant near Social Circle, Georgia and production could begin as early as 2028.

Attacks on Teslas have become a common occurrence and now the federal government is getting heavily involved. As part of this effort, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has announced charges against three people for the “violent destruction of Tesla properties” using Molotov cocktails.

While the Department of Justice didn’t release many specifics, one of the defendants was involved in an attack on a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon. The government says this person was armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle and was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails.

More: Man Arrested After Alleged Molotov Cocktail Attack And Shooting At Tesla Store

The second individual was arrested in Loveland, Colorado after allegedly attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails. The government also claimed the “defendant was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons”.

Lastly, a person in Charleston, South Carolina allegedly wrote “profane messages against President Trump” around Tesla charging stations. They then lit the chargers ablaze with Molotov cocktails.

Salem Police

Attorney General’s Statement

Attorney General Bondi was direct in her response to the situation, stating: “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended. Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.” Her office added they’re “committed to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties and otherwise.”

The news comes two days after Bondi released another statement saying that “The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences.”

As for the three people charged in this latest round, they now face prison sentences ranging from five to 20 years, depending on the specifics of their actions.

General Motors and Hyundai announced they were exploring a partnership focused on joint product development, manufacturing, and clean energy technologies last fall. The companies were coy on specifics, but reports emerged in January that Hyundai could supply GM with electric vans.

Fast forward to today and the pieces are starting to fall into place as Reuters is reporting that Hyundai could give GM two electric commercial vans. In return, GM could give Hyundai a pickup that would be based on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

More: Hyundai Could Supply GM With Electric Commercial Vehicles

This is interesting to note and it makes us wonder if the truck could serve as a replacement for the Santa Cruz. The company only sold 32,033 units in the United States last year and the model starts at $30,200 which is only $3,295 less than the Colorado.

Hyundai is also said to be keen on offering a version of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. However, GM “hasn’t put that option on the table” and this implies it could be a big ask.

One of the vans is said to be based on the Hyundai ST1 and it would reportedly be imported from South Korea. However, the automaker is reportedly considering North American production by 2028. This could occur at either an existing plant, a contract manufacturer, or at an all-new facility. The latter would ramp up slowly, but could have an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 units by 2032.

The report goes on to say GM is expected to eliminate the aging Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans soon, so the Hyundai-sourced EVs could serve as their replacements. However, the threat of tariffs looms large.

Aside from vehicles for the United States, the companies are reportedly discussing the possibility of Hyundai providing GM with compact crossovers for Brazil. Unsurprisingly, it’s expected to be based on the Creta, which is built in the country.

Hyundai is also said to be considering deals that extend far beyond vehicles and include joint purchasing and development of everything from batteries to computer chips.

Buick introduced the Electra E5 a little over two years ago, but it’s already getting a rather substantial update. As you can see in new photos released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, some versions of the electric crossover will ditch the faux grille.

This is a pretty significant departure as the grille mimicked the one found on the Envista, Envision, and Enclave. A similar design can also be found on the GL8 and Lacrosse in China.

More: Buick Delays Plan To Launch First EV In America

In place of the grille is a new shark nose front end and a more traditional lower intake. The chrome ‘fangs’ have also been eliminated and we can see a new gloss black accent.

Additional changes are limited, but the rear end appears to combine elements from the regular and Avenir variant. As a result, it looks like some trims could receive a new bumper and updated taillights.

Interestingly, some of the detail photos show the crossover with the original grille. This suggests both designs could be offered on the upcoming model.

Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology suggests a lot will carryover including a front-mounted motor producing 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS), with this version offering a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). However, the current model offers multiple battery packs and powertrains.

2024 was a year of change at Bentley as the company said farewell to its iconic W12 engine, which debuted in the first-generation Continental GT. That model helped to relaunch the luxury brand and it also entered its fourth-generation last year.

As part of the redesign, Bentley replaced the W12 with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that consist of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. This gives the Speed and Mulliner variants a combined output of 771 hp (575 kW / 782 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque.

More: New Bentley Continental GT Speed Goes PHEV And Packs 771 HP

Those are impressive numbers, but pricing starts at $306,250 for the Speed and climbs to $330,950 for the Mulliner. That’s pretty expensive, but Bentley suggested more affordable variants are on the horizon.

While the company was tight-lipped on specifics, they confirmed “lower powered derivatives” of the Flying Spur and Continental GT will arrive in 2025. Little is known about them at this point, but it sounds like they’ll use a detuned version of the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Speaking of future models, Bentley has begun transforming the oldest building at their Pyms Lane factory into a future electric vehicle assembly line. The EV is slated to be launched in 2027 and the company has previously described it as the “world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV.”

The crossover is part of the company’s Beyond100+ plan, which calls for the automaker to go electric-only by 2035. That date has already been pushed back once, but we can expect a “new hybrid or electric model every year for the next decade.”

Bentley EV teaser

While Bentley is looking to the future, 2024 wasn’t pretty as revenues fell 10% to €2.6 ($2.8 / £2.2) billion. Their operating profit also plummeted 37% to €373 ($406 / £313) million.

Despite the disappointing result, Bentley said 70 percent of customers are choosing a Mulliner bespoke option. Thanks to demand for personalization, the company is now earning the highest ever revenue per car. However, that’s not much help when global sales fall 21.5% to 10,600 units.

Bentley CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser said, “Last year marked a milestone year in our transformation as we prepare for our electric future. We are investing at levels never seen before at Bentley, as we not only revolutionize our product cycle plan, but also transform an 85-year-old site for a new age of electrification. These are the critical foundations that will build our long-term sustainability and success.” Walliser went on to say 2025 looks challenging due to “difficult global market conditions and maintained volatile political and economic environments.”

The EV boom has not gone as expected for many companies and a number of them have gone belly up including Arrival, Canoo, and Fisker. However, electric vehicle sales are climbing and there’s a new entry in the form of Perseus.

The British-based company has emerged from “stealth mode” and is being led by a team of former senior executives from Bentley, Lotus, Ineos Automotive, and Jaguar Land Rover. They’re planning to launch a “performance and technology-focused compact SUV” by late 2027.

More: Ex-Tesla Alums Debut New Electric Roadster Named To Taunt Elon Musk

Set to compete in the premium segment, the Perseus SUV will be based on a “proven, state-of-the-art EV platform from a European OEM Group.” The company has also partnered with an Italian engineering and design firm to handle interior and exterior styling as well as development, prototyping, and testing. On top of that, the firm will be using a European contract manufacturer for production.

This is pretty smart as the company will use an existing platform as well as an established manufacturer. It also sounds like a lot of the work will be outsourced to a firm that specializes in vehicle design and development. This stands in stark contrast to the typical startup philosophy, where companies try to do everything themselves and burn through millions of dollars in the process.

We can expect to learn more in the coming months, but the teaser image shows a sleek crossover with a Genesis-like vibe and slender headlights. They’re joined by a long hood, which flows into a rakish windscreen. Elsewhere, there’s an angular shoulder line and what looks like flush-mounted door handles.

Little else is known about the EV at this point, but Perseus says it will have an “inspirational and emotive design, groundbreaking technology, engaging performance, and exceptional user experience with compelling value.” We can also expect artificial intelligence and “exceptional personalization.”

Perseus will embrace the direct-to-consumer sales model, which focuses on online sales and a handful of brand experience centers. The company will also lean on its automotive platform provider for a “European-wide service and maintenance network.”

Perseus Motor Corporation Founder and CEO Mohammed Yehya El Bakkali said, “The launch of Perseus marks an exciting new chapter in global automotive innovation. Our ambition is clear: to create a premium value British EV brand that delivers emotionally captivating design, cutting-edge performance and a best-in-class intelligent AI-enabled and software-defined customer experience.”

We’ve heard rumors that Volkswagen was considering a pickup based on the Scout Terra, while Audi could get a luxury off-roader derived from the Traveler. Those two models remain unconfirmed, but evidence appears to be building.

Speaking with Autocar, Scout Chief Technical Officer Burkhard Huhnke noted the Terra and Traveler ride on a unique body-on-frame platform that was developed from scratch. He added, there’s “no body-on-frame platform in the entire [Volkswagen] group,” so this makes it pretty special. While Volkswagen does offer a body-on-frame Amarok, it’s simply a Ford in disguise.

More: Meet The New Scout Terra Truck And Traveler SUV

Putting the blue oval aside, developing a new platform isn’t cheap and Huhnke acknowledged “You never get money for free.” However, he wouldn’t say whether or not the body-on-frame architecture would be used to underpin additional vehicles.

This would help to spread development costs as well as increase utilization at Scout’s plant in South Carolina. The facility will be able to build up to 200,000 vehicles annually and construction appears to be moving smoothly as the company’s latest update revealed the “final heavy steel beams went into place” and “exterior walls are going up quickly.”

Needless to say, 200,000 vehicles is a lot and it’s doubtful the Terra and Traveler will need that much annual capacity alone. A rugged Audi SUV seems like a natural candidate as it would give the brand something to rival the Mercedes G-Class and Lexus LX.

On the Volkswagen side of the equation, Autocar reports the company had envisioned a Defender-like ID. Ruggdzz. The model was reportedly scrapped, although the automaker is said to be keen on revisiting the idea.

However, the pickup rumor might make more sense as Volkswagen could offer a more affordable and mainstream version of the Terra. It would likely compete with the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Ram 1500 REV / 1500 Ramcharger.

However, a large pickup has disadvantages and any such model would likely be reliant on the United States. A rugged SUV, on the other hand, would have more global appeal.

Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili has quietly revealed plans to introduce the redesigned Stelvio later this year. It will be made in Italy and launched in 2026.

In a LinkedIn post, the executive confirmed the crossover will ride on the STLA Large platform, which also underpins the Dodge Charger as well as the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S. The architecture can be used on vehicles measuring 189 – 216.5 inches (4,800 mm – 5,500 mm) long and equipped with 101-118 kWh battery packs, which allow for ranges of up to 500 miles (800 km).

More: 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio EV Could Come With Nearly 1,000 HP

Outputs remain the biggest mystery, but the Charger R/T has a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS) and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm) of torque. The Scat Pack increases those numbers to 630 hp (470 kW / 637 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque, but the Stelvio is expected to be far more powerful.

In fact, former CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato had said the Quadrfioglio variant was developing 941 hp (702 kW / 954 PS) and they’d try for 986 hp (736 kW / 1,000 PS).

While Alfa Romeo hasn’t been shy about going electric, Ficili confirmed the Stelvio will also be “available with a hybrid gasoline” engine. That’s not much to go on, but the Charger will be offered with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six that has outputs of 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS) and 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS).

Following the launch of the new Stelvio, Alfa Romeo will focus on the Giulia. It will closely echo the crossover and should share powertrains as well as technologies.

H/T to Motor1

Audi and their works council have reached an agreement that aims to reduce labor costs and increase flexibility at German production sites. The automaker also said they’re extending a “job protection plan until the end of 2033.”

The company didn’t go into many specifics, but noted economic conditions are becoming “increasingly tougher,” while they’re also forced to deal with “political uncertainties” and new competition. This is a perfect storm of bad news and it’s being complicated by slower than expected electric vehicle adoption.

More: VW Confirms More Than 35,000 Job Cuts In Germany, Golf Production Moving To Mexico

Unfortunately, this means cuts but they won’t be as deep as the ones at Volkswagen. However, Audi is still planning on a “socially responsible reduction” of up to 7,500 jobs by 2029.

Aside from eliminating employees, Audi aims to reduce bureaucracy and put a renewed focus on their product portfolio. The latter has become a problem as important models, such as the Q7, have grown stale.

Audi will also “reduce personnel costs by adjusting payments above the collective wage agreement and variable payments for pay-scale employees.” The automaker didn’t spell things out, but it sounds like managers and the Board of Management will be taking a pay cut. The automaker also mentioned a retooled profit sharing program to help “future-proof” the company.

As for the so-called job protection plan, Audi will invest around €8 ($8.7 / £6.7) billion into Germany through 2029. In Ingolstadt, this will pave the way for a new entry-level EV as well as production of the redesigned Q3, which will also be built in Győr, Hungary.

Audi was tight-lipped about plans for Neckarsulm, but hinted the “electronic architecture of combustion-engine vehicles will be developed further, significantly increasing their competitiveness.” The company also said they’re examining the possibility of building an “additional model” at the plant.

Rainer Schirmer, Vice Chairman of the General Works Council, said “We were able to future-proof both sites. For Neckarsulm, this means, among other things, that we were able to secure a ‘future fund’ for plant development, which we can use to set up new production platforms – for future electric models. To this end, Neckarsulm is to be expanded as an AI and digitalization center for the entire Audi Group.”

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said the deal was a “strong agreement for the future of the company” and one that will strengthen their competitiveness. However, he noted “Audi must become faster, more agile, and more efficient” and this “cannot be done without personnel adjustments.”

Despite confirming the needs for cuts, Döllner said there would be “no layoffs due to operational reasons until the end of 2033. In these difficult economic times, this is good news for all employees.”

While Audi didn’t go into detail, Handelsblatt is reporting the company aims to save around €1 ($1.1 / £0.8) billion annually at their German sites. They also noted the Neckarsulm plant will build “large electric sedans,” while Ingolstadt could make the A3 – presumably in electric form judging by Audi’s statement.

Speaking of production, Audi has a Trump problem as they don’t have any plants in the United States. If the trade war worsens, the four-ring brand might set up shop at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant.

Audi also appears to have abandoned plans to go electric-only. This is a major change as, less than a year ago, they were adamant “we will transform our product portfolio and switch completely to electric vehicles. Our customers will experience the last major world premieres of new model lines with conventional drive systems in the course of 2026.” While the automaker didn’t exactly admit defeat, they acknowledged the continued development of ICE-powered vehicles.

Mercedes unveiled the redesigned CLA yesterday and new details are starting to emerge about the upcoming AMG variants. In particular, the CLA 45 could return as an electric vehicle packing more than 500 ponies.

While officials were understandably tight-lipped about the upcoming model, Mercedes Chief Technical Officer, Markus Schäfer, told Autocar that they have “established a second pillar when it comes to powertrains – keyword Yasa.” That’s a not so subtle reference to axial flux motors developed by their Yasa subsidiary.

More: Starry But Soulless 2026 Mercedes CLA Leans On AI And Electric Power

Axial flux motors were expected to be used in high-end models, such as the AMG SUV, but they won’t be limited to the crème de la crème. Quite the opposite as Schäfer said they’ll  be “available to us across all model lines.”

Baldauf

Additional details are limited, but the publication suggested the CLA 45 EV could have a tri-motor powertrain with “advanced torque-vectoring properties.” Insiders have also indicated the car could have more than 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS), which would be a significant increase over the current model’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that develops 416 hp (310 kW / 422 PS). This enables the CLA 45 S to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in four seconds flat.

While the standard model has an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the AMG version will reportedly use an “oil-cooled battery that features unique cylindrical cells and chemistry for greater energy density.” We can also expect an active rear wing as well as a so-called “V8 Mode,” which could replicate the sound of a roaring V8.

The Mercedes CLA helped pioneer the affordable four-door coupe and now the model is entering its third-generation. While the design isn’t too much of a departure, this isn’t your father’s CLA.

That’s immediately apparent as the new electric variants have a ‘radiant face panel’ that replaces the traditional single bar grille. It features an illuminated star emblem as well as 142 individually lit mini stars.

More: Mercedes Teases Baby G-Class, Electric E-Class, And More

Buyers will also find sweptback headlights that are connected by a thin illuminated strip. LED headlights are standard, but the optional Multibeam LED headlights are notable for having a daytime running light signature in the form of the Mercedes-Benz star.

While the front end will likely prove divisive, the rest of the car is more familiar. It features streamlined bodywork, available flush-mounted door handles, and a class-leading drag coefficient starting at 0.21.

Elsewhere, designers installed starry taillights and aerodynamically optimized wheels ranging in sizes from 17- to 19-inches. Customers will also find a host of options including AMG Line, AMG Line Plus, and Night packages.

As with most new vehicles, the Mercedes CLA has grown in size. The model now measures 185.9 inches (4,722 mm) long, which is an increase of 1.6 inches (41 mm). Wheelbase is up 2.4 inches (61 mm) to 109.8 inches (2,789 mm) and this provides a tad more front legroom. However, the already tight rear seat sees legroom decline to 33.6 inches (853 mm).

A Soulless Interior Focused On Screens And AI

Remember how cool and revolutionary the interior of the original Mercedes CLS was? Its elegant mix of flowing wood trim and stylish leather was unforgettable.

Compare that to the new CLA and it looks like a soulless transportation pod. Mercedes went for a minimalist design and it’s not terribly remarkable other than the available MBUX Superscreen, which consists of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display. Customers who don’t pony up the extra dough will be treated to a “trim element with a star pattern graphic” to remind them of their cheapness.

We’ll learn full equipment details closer to launch, but Mercedes said all models will come equipped with a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, heated power fronts seats, a panoramic fixed glass roof, and a single-zone climate control system. Customers will also find brushed aluminum, open-pore wood, or “Gold Anthracite anodized look” trim.

While legroom is a mixed bag, Mercedes noted the CLA EV has a frunk that holds 2.5 cubic feet (71 liters) of cargo. That’s on top of the trunk’s 14.3 cubic feet (405 liters) of luggage space.

Getting back to screens, the CLA runs the all-new Mercedes-Benz Operating System. It’s essentially the fourth-generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system and uses artificial intelligence from both Microsoft and Google.

Mercedes repeatedly hammered the AI point home and noted customers will find a new MBUX Virtual Assistant that “transforms the relationship between vehicle and driver” thanks to generative AI. This assistant is billed as a “living avatar” that takes the form of a Mercedes star.

Speaking of AI, the system uses ChatGPT4o and Microsoft Bing as well as Google Gemini. The latter focuses on navigation-related questions and this is because the CLA’s “navigation experience is based on Google Maps.”

Two Electric Powertrains At Launch, Hybrids To Follow

At launch, there will be two electric variants known as the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology. While both have terrible names, the CLA 250+ has a rear-mounted motor developing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 6.6 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h). Customers can also expect a WLTP range of 431-492 miles (694-792 km).

The CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology is positioned as a performance variant and it has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph and traction, 60 mph (96 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds. While the top speed remains unchanged, the range drops to 418-479 miles (672-771 km).

Both have an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 800-volt electric architecture that allows for a DC fast charging capability of up to 320 kW. This means a ten minute charge can provide up to 202 miles (325 km) of range.

The EVs will be followed by a hybrid variant as Mercedes customers aren’t ready to go fully electric. The automaker didn’t say much about it, but confirmed there will be two outputs as well as front- and all-wheel drive. The models will have a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 1.3 kWh battery, 48-volt technology, and an electric motor that is integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

If you’re in the market for a used car, there’s some good news as a study found the average price of a 1- to 5-year-old used vehicle is $31,257. That’s down $239 from a year ago, which equates to a modest drop of 0.8%.

However, if you’re in the market for an EV, it’s time to pop the bubbly. According to iSeeCars’ latest study, the price of a late model used electric vehicle plummeted 15.1% from a year ago.

More: Global EV Sales Projected To Rise 30% In 2025

That means the average 1- to 5-year-old EV costs $32,198. That’s $5,709 less than last year and is just slightly more than the $31,281 average price of a gas-powered model.

Tesla was the big loser as their average used vehicle price dropped to $31,733, which was a decline of $5,013 or 13.6%. Maserati posted a larger price drop of $5,208 but that’s only down 10.6% from a year ago. Chrysler finished off the loser’s podium as their used vehicles lost $2,058 or 7.6% compared to last year.

Top 10 Brands With the Largest Price Drops

iSeeCars blamed the steep Tesla declines on a variety of factors including new vehicle price drops, an aging product lineup, and stalling demand for new and used EVs. It’s also worth mentioning that Elon Musk’s political transformation appears to have alienated some customers and put owners in the crosshairs, limiting Tesla’s appeal.

That being said, “used car prices have largely stabilized.” This includes EVs, to an extent, as “used electric vehicle pricing was dropping around 30% every month in the first half of 2024, but over the past six months it’s been down between 15% and 20%.” That’s far from good, but things are improving.

For comparison, used gasoline and hybrid vehicle prices were only down 0.5% from a year ago. That equates to a mere $160.

Change in 1- to 5-Year-Old Used Car Prices by Powertrain 2025 vs. 2024

Given this, iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer said “It’s not easy to find a great deal in today’s used car market, but if an electric vehicle can serve your personal transportation needs, most used models have dropped substantially in cost over the past year, especially compared to gas and hybrid models.”

Unfortunately, the future looks grim as Brauer stated “There’s no indication prices will drop from their current levels throughout 2025 and, with tariffs looming, the price of both new and used cars could potentially rise.”

That’s a bit of a bummer, but you can save money by picking certain vehicles. The BMW 5-Series Hybrid, Porsche Taycan, and Tesla Model S saw the biggest price drops. The Taycan, in particular, was down a staggering 26.5% ($26,626) from a year ago. Of course, you’d still be looking at spending $73,976 for a used one.

Top 10 Used Cars With the Largest Price Drops

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Used EVs With the Largest Price Drops

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Used Hybrid Pricing