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Lancia spent years as one of Europe’s weakest car brands, with a bare-bones lineup and almost no sales outside Italy. Its outdated third-generation Ypsilon clung to life for 14 years before finally being replaced last year. Now, under Stellantis, the brand is showing signs of revival. A higher-performance Ypsilon HF has just launched, but something more exciting is already on the horizon.

In a press release earlier this week tied to the launch of the Ypsilon Rally6 race car, Lancia quietly revealed plans to revive what is arguably its most iconic nameplate: HF Integrale. Likely because the project is still in its early stages, Lancia’s revelation was short on details, but it did confirm the name will be used on the new Gamma and Delta.

Read: One Lancia Ypsilon HF Is Fast The Other Just Pretends

“HF will become the defining feature of all the high-performance versions within the new Lancia lineup,” the automaker confirmed, “today on the Ypsilon model and soon to appear in 2026 on the upcoming Gamma and Delta with the ‘HF Integrale’ label.”

Integrale, But With A Twist

Importantly, the HF Integrale versions of the new Gamma and Delta won’t mirror the original Delta HF Integrale. In its first generation form (and not the one that followed), that car earned its reputation in the World Rally Championship, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The upcoming Delta, by contrast, is expected to be an electric vehicle, which, yes, may disappoint some purists.

According to a report from Autocar, the new Delta will be a sibling to the Vauxhall Mokka and is expected to ride on Stellantis’ CMP platform. While this architecture supports both internal combustion and electric powertrains, only high-performance EVs have been released on it so far, such as the new Lancia Ypsilon HF and the Peugeot e-208 GTI

If the Delta HF Integrale shares the same setup, it would likely feature a single electric motor producing 280 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque.

As for the Gamma, Lancia hasn’t revealed much. An HF Integrale version hasn’t been shown yet, and even the standard model is still under wraps. What we do know is that Lancia teased it late last year and confirmed it will be available as both a hybrid and an EV. More specifics will likely follow as the 2026 launch approaches.

Earlier this year, Mercedes announced plans for two new vans called the VLE and VLS. At the time, the company said they would ride on their new van platform and sit at the “top-end of its model portfolio.”

Fast forward to today and Mercedes has released the first official pictures of the VLE. It’s expected to replace the V-Class and be a more luxurious version of the next-generation Vito.

More: Mercedes Teases Future Electric Vans With VAN.EA Prototypes

The company didn’t say much about the van, but the VLE features a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by large headlights. We can also see a wide lower intake as well as a short hood.

Elsewhere, there’s a rakish windscreen that flows into a gently sloping roof. Designers also gave the model slab-sided bodywork and flush-mounted door handles. They’re joined by a surprisingly compact greenhouse as the beltline is significantly higher than on the V-Class.

There isn’t much to see out back, but the van has a sizable spoiler and vertical taillights, which are temporary placeholders for the production units. The model also has a plain rear bumper and a huge liftgate.

While Mercedes isn’t saying much, the automaker confirmed two prototypes traveled 677 miles (1,090 km) from Stuttgart to Rome with only two 15-minute charging stops. The company went on to note this was harder than it sounds as the route included “winding, steep mountain passes through the Alps, long highway stretches, busy rural roads, and tight city streets.” Speaking of the latter, the firm said rear axle steering came in handy as it allowed for greater maneuverability in urban environments.

Little is known about the VLE at this point, but the automaker previously said their upcoming vans will ride on the VAN.EA architecture and offer front- and all-wheel drive. They’ll also have 800V technology, a 22 kW AC charger, and the latest version of the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System.

We can also expect “well over” 311 miles (500 km) of range as well as a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. A Level 3 system is slated to arrive by the end of the decade and make long trips even more relaxing.

Despite not revealing much, Mercedes confirmed the VLE will be able to seat up to eight people. The company said this will make it ideal for families as well as use as a VIP shuttle. The VLS, on the other hand, will “define a unique segment of its own that bestows true greatness to automotive luxury.”

Marketing hyperbole aside, Mercedes confirmed plans to offer electric midsize vans in Canada, China, and the United States. These will be passenger-focused models known as “Grand Limousines,” instead of commercial vehicles like the Vito.

Mercedes is working on a facelifted C-Class and they’re also gearing up to introduce a fully electric variant. However, the two models will have little in common besides the name.

Speaking of which, the car will likely be known as the C-Class with EQ Technology. While that’s far from catchy, the model has a fully enclosed grille and a slender central intake. We can also see sweptback headlights, but they’re temporary units that will likely be replaced by starry production lights.

More: 2026 Mercedes-AMG C-Class EV Takes Aim At Tesla Model 3 Performance

Moving further back, there’s streamlined bodywork and flush-mounted door handles. The electric sedan also has an upward sweeping beltline that echoes the one found on the EQE and EQS. We can also see stylish two-tone wheels and thick side skirts, which help to hide the car’s battery pack.

While spy photographers have caught multiple prototypes over the past year, this one is notable for having a production rear end. It features an angular trunk with an integrated spoiler. We can also see circular starry taillights, similar to those found on the CLA. They’re joined by a rounded bumper that looks rather plain.

Baldauf

Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside this time, but previous pictures have shown the car will have a high-tech interior that follows in the footsteps of the CLA. This likely means we can expect a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display.

While that remains to be seen, the cabin sports a stylish steering wheel and slender air vents. We can also see an in-cabin camera as well as a minimalist design that largely eschews physical switchgear.

SH Proshots

Mercedes has been tight-lipped about the car, but it rides on the new MB.EA platform and will likely have a lot in common with the GLC EV. This means we can expect an 800-volt architecture as well as DC fast charging rates in excess of 320 kW.

Rear- and all-wheel drive powertrains are expected and we can also look forward to a standard heat pump. The car could also have advanced batteries with a special cell chemistry as well as a new braking system that combines the brake booster, master cylinder, and the electronic stability control system into one compact module.

Baldauf

Electric or not, Mercedes-AMG’s latest concept makes a strong first impression. The AMG Concept GT XX doesn’t just aim to keep up with combustion-powered predecessors; it wants to make sure you hear and feel every bit of its presence.

Strongly hinting at a production car that may launch in 2026, it boasts 1,341 horsepower (1,000 kW), four doors, and a top speed of 223 mph (359 km/h). That’s not all, though, because we know it’ll also come with fake sounds. Now, in a new interview, we’re learning more about that and new insights on how AMG will evoke emotion from its drivers.

More: AMG Is Ditching Its Hated Four-Cylinder C63 For Something Much Better

From the outset, Mercedes-AMG confirmed that the production car, likely the next AMG GT 4-Door, will have speakers to make engine noises. Sure, placing them at the front of the car in the headlights does seem a bit odd, but we digress. We’ve actually heard the fake engine noises already, too. They’re the main feature in a new Instagram post from Mercedes.

Engineering Emotion

That said, tech chief of Mercedes AMG, Markus Schäfer, is still dropping new information in an interview with Autocar. There, he says that evoking emotion is a paramount concern for AMG.

“How does the car feel in terms of noise, in terms of sound level, in terms of the vibration, in terms of the gearshift?,” he asked. “It has to touch the emotional side of you. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t do the job. This is what AMG cars do, and that’s exactly what we transferred piece by piece into this AMG GT XX.”

Apparently, Mercedes is taking this lightly. “It has to be authentic when it comes to power and drivability and track performance,” Schäfer remarked, “but the AMG is also an emotional experience from an acoustic standpoint, from noise and vibration harshness, and that’s exactly what you should expect in this car as well.”

At this point, it’s fair to expect the first all-AMG EV to rumble, shake during simulated gear shifts, and deliver a soundtrack that mimics the drama of a combustion engine. That actually sounds pretty promising. Interestingly, it’s also not far off from what Hyundai has already achieved with the well-received Ioniq 5 N.

Ultimately, this shouldn’t be all that shocking. Whether electric vehicles end up taking over or not (ed’s note: they likely will, since automakers have already invested too much and will want to recoup it), they’re a part of the auto industry for the foreseeable future. It’s also pretty clear that they have enormous performance potential. Still, a brand like AMG would be putting itself at great risk by not at least planning for what EV models would look like. By extension, that same logic applies to how an AMG EV would sound and feel.

Thankfully, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N proves that an EV can indeed be genuinely fun. If a Korean automaker, mostly known for everyday people carriers, can manage it, surely AMG can too. We can’t wait to see and, more importantly, experience whatever it dreams up. 

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As Rivian prepares to kick off production of its more affordable R2 series next year, it is making some tough staffing decisions . More than 100 salaried employees at its Normal, Illinois, facility are being let go, with most of the cuts affecting the manufacturing team.

While the layoffs are part of the company’s broader effort to streamline operations, the news has opened the door for another electric vehicle startup to step in. Scout Motors, a new EV brand launched by Volkswagen in the US market, is taking advantage of the opportunity. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, it is actively courting the newly displaced talent.

As Autoblog noticed, shortly after the layoffs were announced, Scout Motors’ head of logistics, Jacopo Marzetti, took to LinkedIn to express support for the affected Rivian workers, encouraging them to consider applying for positions at Scout. While Rivian hasn’t disclosed the exact number of job cuts, TechCrunch reports that around 140 positions are being eliminated and can, therefore, apply for a job at Scout.

Read: These Are The New Scout Terra Truck And Traveler SUV

According to Rivian, the layoffs are being made “as part of an ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency for R2.” Crain’s Chicago Business adds that “affected employees are eligible for rehire and encouraged to apply to other open positions within Rivian.”

A look at Scout Motors’ career page reveals it has 133 current vacancies. Some of these positions are crucial in engineering, focusing on body systems, drive systems, and energy systems. It’s also seeking vehicle software and electrical engineering staff, as well as specialists in logistics.

Most of the positions are in Columbia, South Carolina, the location of Scout’s forthcoming factory. There are also several positions available in Fremont, California, as well as at the brand’s innovation center in Novi, Michigan.

Shared DNA, but Key Differences

Former Rivian employees will bring valuable expertise to the Scout brand. Just like Rivian did, Scout is launching with an electric pickup and an electric SUV. However, the VW-owned brand is also readying range-extended models, something that Rivian doesn’t do. Even so, like Rivian, Scout’s models promise to be rugged and perfect for those with an adventurous spirit.

A key differentiator will be price. The Scout models will be priced from as low as $50,000 after incentives. By comparison, the Rivian R1T and R1S start at $69,900 and $75,900, respectively.

A decade ago, Honda and Sony partnering with each other would have resulted in a Gran Turismo concept at best. However, today it has translated into the sleek-looking Afeela Joint EV project. But there’s one problem: before even selling a single car, Sony Honda Mobility has posted an operating loss of approximately $362 million (¥52 billion).

It’s not just a matter of pre-launch development expenses either. According to recently released financial disclosures, losses more than doubled compared to last year’s ¥20.5 billion deficit, highlighting just how expensive it is to play catch-up in the premium EV market. Set to debut later this year, the Afeela will command a starting price of $89,900, a clear sign of the market positioning the joint venture targets, but also underscoring the challenges of recouping such heavy upfront investments.

A Challenging Entry

Any new car launch is going to incur losses to begin with; that’s practically a given. And with Honda and Sony’s war chest seemingly well-stocked (combined, the two Japanese companies pocketed over ¥2.6 trillion in operating profit last fiscal year), it’s unlikely that the project will put either at financial risk.

Read: Watch Sony Exec Drive Afeela EV With A PlayStation Controller

But the market Afeela will be entering won’t be without its hurdles. Analysts suggest that luxury electric vehicles, while highly attractive to premium buyers, typically come with high development costs: think extensive R&D, complex software integrations, and the pricey task of prototype building. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida points out that although the high sticker price of the Afeela aims to offset these expenses, fully covering these substantial costs through sales alone might prove challenging.

Late To The Party

Adding to the complexity, the Afeela will launch into a market where Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other established players already dominate (and that’s without mentioning the Chinese, of course…) , making Sony and Honda’s mission to carve out their own niche all the more difficult. But both companies remain confident, banking on a combination of Honda’s proven engineering expertise and Sony’s strength in software and entertainment tech to win over buyers.

Whether the Afeela becomes a hit or remains an ambitious footnote, the venture highlights one thing clearly: even for giants like Sony and Honda, the transition to electric luxury is neither cheap nor easy.

As demand patterns shift in the auto industry, the tension between future-focused electric vehicles and proven combustion models continues to shape manufacturing plans.

Toyota has always been a strong believer in that a multi-energy approach is best, which is why you’ll find EVs, hydrogen fuel-cell cars and combustion models in its showrooms. But the brand is experiencing such a massive demand for one particular ICE SUV it was forced to press pause on a planned new EV to make room.

Related: Akio Toyoda Says EVs Are Dirtier Than You Think

An electric SUV that was to be built at the automaker’s Princeton, Indiana, plant from 2027 now won’t start rolling off the line until 2028, according to a Bloomberg report. And that line has been switched to Toyota’s Georgetown site, where another EV will start production in the back end of 2026, around six months later than planned.

This is bad news for EV fans, but could be good news for anyone looking to buy a Grand Highlander in the next couple of years.

There are a couple of reasons for the delay and switcheroo, one of which is that EV sales haven’t taken off in the way Toyota – and every other automaker – thought they might. Although the brand’s own bZ4X had a great first quarter, and the facelifted model, now called simply bZ, is a much stronger proposition, the overall US EV market is growing at a slower rate than in previous years.

Hybrids and Gas Models Are Still Pulling Ahead

And going hand-in-hand with that is the much faster growth being experienced by the hybrid segment and the continued appeal of simple gas cars, trucks and SUVs. Toyota’s Grand Highlander – which is available in gas and hybrid forms – has proved such a hit with buyers that the automaker desperately needs to make more of them.

The Grand Highlander was Toyota’s second-best-selling non-truck model in June, deliveries jumping 92 percent when, at the same time, even the number one spot RAV4 was down 4.5 percent.

The rush to pick up one of the midsize SUVs left dealers with just a three-day supply at the end of that month, Bloomberg reports, and switching production of the delayed-to-’28 EV will ensure Toyota has plenty of spare Grand Highlander capacity at Georgetown going forward.

Toyota

Electric models play a growing role in Kia’s global strategy, and the company has built a reputation for crafting some of the most compelling EVs in the business. But in the States, that reputation isn’t quite translating to strong sales this year.

Read: Kia Sold Just 37 EV9s In May, But A Gas Sedan Is On Fire

While Kia’s overall numbers are up, its two flagship electric models are moving in the opposite direction. Both the EV6 and EV9 saw steep drops in sales. The absence of the smaller EV5 and EV3 from North American showrooms may be starting to feel like a missed opportunity.

Electric Sales Hit a Wall

The latest sales data reveal that Kia sold 4,938 examples of the EV9 in the United States in the first six months of the year. That’s a massive drop of nearly 49% from the 9,671 sold over the same period in 2024. Things were no better in June, with just 913 new EV9s finding homes across the country, down 52% compared to the 1,905 sold in June 2024.

The EV6’s performance is also on a downward spiral. Year-to-date, sales are down 46%, with 5,875 units sold compared to 10,941 in H1 2024. Things were particularly bad in June. While 2,171 Kia EV6s were sold in June 2024, only 680 were delivered the same month this year, a devastating decline of 69%.

While we suspect some Kia executives may be worried about these numbers, especially given the looming end of the federal tax credits at the end of September, they can at least celebrate a strong start to 2025 across the rest of its range.

Gasoline Models Pick Up the Slack

Despite the dip in EV sales, Kia’s broader lineup has helped the brand start 2025 on a high note. Total U.S. sales reached 416,511 units through June, up 8 percent from 386,460 in the first half of 2024. That momentum slowed slightly in June itself, with 63,849 vehicles sold compared to 65,929 a year ago.

The standout so far has been the K5 sedan. Kia has moved 34,565 K5s this year, up from 12,807 cars sold in the first half of 2024. That’s a nearly threefold increase, giving the once-overlooked midsize sedan some well-deserved attention.

The Carnival minivan also got a sizable boost. Sales are up 57 percent to 33,152 units, from 21,083 at this point last year. The Telluride, one of Kia’s most in-demand models, has climbed 15 percent to 61,502 units from 53,700. And the Sportage continues to hold its title as Kia’s top seller in the United States, with sales growing 9 percent year-over-year, reaching 87,172 units.

KIA US SALES

Porsche may be getting ready to reverse course on one of its biggest bets. A new report suggests the automaker is reconsidering its decision to retire the internal combustion version of the Macan, its best-selling crossover. Not long ago, the company was confidently signaling the end of the gas-powered Macan. Now, that stance appears to be shifting.

We’ve heard rumors that this could happen already this year. Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer stated in January that, “We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future.” Now, his words have sparked further investigation and one publication says an announcement could come soon.

More: Porsche Testing 2026 Cayenne EV In Two Different Chilli Strengths

Here’s what Car Magazine says about the situation. “A combustion version – presumably sharing underpinnings with the new Audi Q5 – would most likely take three years to develop, meaning a long absence from the market of one of Porsche’s biggest sellers. An announcement is expected in March.” Sure, that’s months away, but these things take time.

If true, it would mean Porsche working hard between now and then to revamp its plans. Announcing a new Macan ICE in March of 2026 could also have the benefit of making its launch feel closer. No doubt, if Porsche does decide to go this route, and all indications are that it’s at least considering it, we could see test mules before the end of the year.

With the latest Audi Q5 already on the road, Porsche wouldn’t be starting from scratch. Sharing a platform could accelerate development and help control costs. The real challenge will be figuring out how to keep Macan customers engaged in the meantime.

Macan EV Holds Its Own, for Now

That’ll be the toughest hurdle but the Macan EV isn’t exactly a flop. Porsche sold 18,278 of them in the final quarter of 2024. While regulation in Europe spelled the demise of the Macan ICE, it’s encouraging for Porsche that the EV version made up 66 percent of the model’s sales for the year.

That’s an encouraging sign, though the company is clearly watching what happens next. Models like the Taycan have shown how EV sales can soften over time. The task now is to maintain momentum while preparing for a possible return to combustion.

Any investors praying Tesla’s awful sales performance in the first quarter of 2025 was merely a blip have just had their hopes dashed. The troubled automaker announced its Q2 numbers and they show an even bigger year-over-year decline than the ones covering January to March.

Also: A Model Y Drove 30 Minutes To Deliver Itself To Its New Owner

Global deliveries declined 14 percent in Q2, falling from 410,244 to 384,122, making the most recent quarter’s performance marginally worse than Q1’s. For that period Tesla recorded a 13 percent drop after sales sunk by 50,000 to 336,681 units.

Sales Still Centered on Model 3 and Model Y

Tesla didn’t offer a complete breakdown of its Q2 numbers by model or region, but it did reveal that the Model 3 and Model Y accounted for practically all of its sales. The automaker delivered 373,728 Model 3 and Y EVs, and only 10,394 of its other cars, which include the Model S, Model X and Cybertruck, combined. The electric automaker also said it produced over 410,000 vehicles of all types.

Although delivery figures aren’t exactly the same as sales numbers, they’re close enough to give us a solid idea of the problems faced by Tesla, and the buying public’s apathy for its cars. Those problems include widespread dislike of Tesla CEO Elon Musk due to his vocal right-wing opinions and association with DOGE and the Trump administration, which is one of the reasons sales have cratered in Europe in recent months.

TESLA Q2 SALES

Intensifying Competition in China and Beyond

And in China, a key market for Tesla, the American brand is battling against a slew of hi-tech rivals that seem intent on pushing prices downwards to the detriment of profitability. Some of those same Chinese rivals are also now causing Tesla problems in other markets. In April BYD sold more EVs than Tesla in Europe, where the Model Y and 3 are struggling to regain their sales form despite recent facelifts.

Although Tesla’s Q2 performance looks dire, the figures aren’t as bad as some analysts had feared. And Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster predicted the quarter represented a bottoming out for Tesla, which could bounce back in future periods, CNBC reports. Tesla will announced its complete Q2 financial results on July 23.

For much of the past year, Tesla sales have been consistently dropping across major European markets. Unsurprisingly, this downward trend is continuing, although there has been some welcome reprieve for Tesla in a handful of markets thanks to the arrival of the heavily updated ‘Juniper’ Model Y.

The good news for Tesla starts in Norway. In June, Tesla sales jumped 54 percent in the country. The arrival of the new Model Y was a major boost, with registrations increasing 115.3 percent to 5,004 units. Similarly, Tesla sales rose by a considerable 60.7 percent in Spain to 2,632 units. This was also largely down to the new Model Y, with its sales rising 127.2 percent to 1,179 units. Sales in Portugal also rose 7.3 percent.

Read: Europe Keeps Buying More EVs Just Not From Tesla

Despite these strong-performing markets, there was a bloodbath in many other countries. In Sweden, things were particularly bad, with Tesla scoring a 64.4 percent decline last month compared to June 2024. As noted by Reuters, sales in Denmark have also collapsed by 61.6 percent. Despite the new Model Y now being available in Denmark, sales of Tesla’s best-selling model still dropped 31.2 percent to 1,155 units.

Other countries followed the same trend. In France, Tesla sales are down 10 percent, while in Italy, they fell by 66 percent.

Schmidt Automotive reports that Tesla has endured six year-on-year losses in quarterly new registration volumes across Western Europe, and is now staring down a seventh. Tesla’s share of the EV market shrank across the region to 7.2 percent in May, down from the 12.6 percent share it had in May 2024.

While Tesla CEO Elon Musk is no longer a special government employee under the Trump administration, it seems his involvement in politics is still having a major impact on European car shoppers. In addition, an ever-growing number of EVs from China are making their way to local shores, stealing market share from Tesla.

How does an almost unknown brand launch a supercar in 2025? Well, Oilstainlab thinks it has the answer with its HF-11, a mid-engined beast to be sold as an ICE and an EV, complete with a design that looks like a mix between a Porsche 911 and an Aston Martin Valkyrie. Several months after the car was first announced, some enticing powertrain specs have seen the light of day.

Oilstainlab names the likes of the Porsche Carrera GT, Sauber C9, and Gordon Murray T.50 as competitors for the HF-11. So, it’s no surprise that it’s working on some very exciting powertrains for it. Those who want an ICE will have a choice between a 4.6-liter flat-six or a larger 5.0-liter flat-six, both of which will be mid-mounted right behind the carbon fiber passenger cell.

Read: See Photos Of The $2.3M Oilstainlab Half-11 That Looks Like A Porsche Gone Wild

The “entry-level” 4.6-liter model will pump out 600 hp, a very solid figure considering the car only weighs 2,000 lbs or 910 kg. But, 600 hp is nothing compared to what the 5.0-liter model will have. According to the firm, it’ll have a whopping 1,200 hp, presumably achieved through a pair of turbochargers bolted to the flat-six.

Despite the flagship engine’s big displacement, considering it only has six cylinders, it’ll reportedly rev all the way to 12,000 rpm. When combined with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed sequential, this engine should make the HF-11 an absolute animal capable of proper hypercar speeds. Both ICE versions will be rear-wheel drive.

Oilstainlab is also developing an all-electric version. It will pack around 850 hp, and customers will be able to order both the ICE and electric powertrains, as they’re switchable via a subframe swap.

The small American company plans to build just 25 examples of the HF-11. The standard model will cost around $1.85 million, but those wanting both the ICE and electric powertrains will need to cough up $2.3 million.

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Despite not meeting since 2015 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Congress on School Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa last month concluded one half day ahead of schedule.

The early finish was noted by steering committee chair Michael LaRocco, state director student transportation services for the Indiana Department of Education, and on-site chair Charlie Hood, a former NASDPTS president and retired state director for Florida, who attributed the expedited conclusion to the understood importance of the process.

As a first-time attendee—like many in the room—the organized structure of the proceedings was apparent. Like a well-oiled machine, each committee took the stage and presented the proposed changes, with delegates agreeing quickly, or putting up a fight on something as seemingly simple as a word choice.

Much of the debate occurred over three words: May, Should and Shall. But those are important delineations, I learned.

Shall is the most stringent, a legal obligation. May connotates allowable equipment or processes. Should is a recommendation. I questioned why the wording matters, especially if the book itself is intended to serve as a best-practice resource and not a requirement in many states. It all comes down to legalities.

For instance, say a school district doesn’t equip its school buses with crossing arms and a student gets hurt, when a crossing arm could have prevented the injury. The specifications manual could be used in court, and the district would have to defend the decision of not equipping vehicles with the available safety device.

Despite no delegates speaking on the crossing gates proposal, it passed in one of the most controversial votes, 34 to 13, changing “may” have to “shall” have.

Word choice remained important to the delegations and was a sticking point for most amended changes. Whether that word choice was changing school district to local education agency, using the word student versus child, or removing the word privilege when referring to school transportation. One Michigan delegate argued the service should no longer be a privilege but a right, especially when a student’s on-board behavior is an issue.

One delegate even noted at the start of the Congress that using the word shall could be subjective language and called upon the states to use the term must as universal language when referring to requirements throughout the entire specs manual.

“Must is a directive,” the Michigan delegate shared. However, Hood reminded delegates that rules were already accepted and such changes could not be made at that time.

Proposal 50 of the school bus specifications committee was one of the few that was granted extra time for discussion (each proposal is allocated a total of 15 minutes) due to wording relating to mitigating a child being left on a school bus and preemptive procedures for the driver to take. The proposal stated that passenger advisory systems are optional but if installed, “a passenger advisory system shall require the driver to walk through the bus looking for sleeping children before leaving the bus. The driver shall have to push a button at the rear of the bus to deactivate the alarm. If the driver tries to leave the bus without deactivating the system, the system shall cause the horn to sound, notifying others that the bus is still occupied.”

The proposal added a description for how the passenger advisory system works. Delegates, however, found that the language was too specific to a procedure or system. It was amended to remove the description, as delegates pointed out some systems don’t use a button. Instead, the proposal was updated to state that the driver shall walk the bus aisle, look for sleeping children, and proceed to the rear of the bus to deactivate the system.

Another proposal in the specially equipped school bus specifications committee discussed the use of air conditioning. The proposal stated, “Climate control options shall be installed that include heating and air conditioning.” However, delegates voted 37 to 7 that changing shall to may was more appropriate to address the various climates across the U.S.

2025 New Committees
New this year was the addition of the emerging technologies and alternative transportation committees as well as the separation of infants, toddlers and preschoolers from transportation for students with disabilities and health care needs. The emerging technologies committees proceeded quickly, with one Maryland delegate questioning the need for inserting language into the specs manual as opposed to creating a guide that can be updated more regularly for school districts.

“What’s new today is old tomorrow,” a delegate commented. Alternative transportation was an especially hot topic. Many agreed that it was necessary to discuss but in little detail, leaving most governing to state and local decision makers. For instance, a line item for driver credentials stated that alternative transportation drivers “be at least 18 years of age or commensurate with the state’s required age and required years of driving to become a school bus driver.” The delegates felt the age was not necessary and should be removed, leaving the decision to the state.

One delegate suggested a policy consideration for not allowing students to be transported in the front seat of alternative transportation vehicles under any circumstances. However, other delegates had concerns, stating that a 10-passenger van would be limited to nine passengers. A Kentucky delegate said their school district allows high school students to sit in the front when space is limited. The proposed amendment failed by a vote of 31 to 9.

The delegates voted to remove the types of alternative transportation driver training (12 bullet points ranging from defensive driving to operations in inclement weather to safe loading and unloading) to instead comply with federal, state and local requirements.

After two days of the delegates sharing their opinions, presenting amendments and approving proposals (or not), the 17th NCST concluded with the resolutions committee. Resolution 2 states that “School Transportation News in a March 2024 publication identified a reporting issue that indicates the school bus is disappearing.”

STN Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray’s column “The Disappearing School Bus?” highlighted a discrepancy between historically reported numbers of students who ride the school and those of the National Household Travel Survey sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.

The resolution noted the need to develop a standardized reporting system for collecting ridership data and called on “the interim Steering Committee of the 18th NCST to appoint a focus group to research and develop recommendations for standardization of data collection relative to ridership on school bus and make periodic reports to the Interim Committee.”

The 2024 National Household Travel Survey is currently about halfway through data collection, which will run through Oct. 31 of this year. Meanwhile, the dates and location of the 18th NCST were not announced. State delegates were surveyed about if they felt meeting every five years was appropriate, or if they would rather meet every two or three years. The results were not available at this writing.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the June 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

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The post May, Should, Shall? appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver in Sacramento City Schools uses music to unite students across the school district, reported KCRA News.

School bus driver Sunny Eselekhomhen reportedly grew up on a small Nigerian village that he said via the article had limited resources.

As Eselekhomhen drives his afternoon routes, he reportedly hums while singing in a foreign language. He spent most of his youth teaching and performing West African music across Africa and Europe. When Eselekhomhen moved to the U.S. he was even part of Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom act in its early stages.

Once he moved to Sacramento, Eselekhomhen reportedly started working as a school bus driver and eventually began traveling to different schools across the Sacramento City School District to teach West African music to the kids.

As a parent at Leonardo Davinci School, Eselekhomhen started a yearly nine-week drumming program for all the school’s third-grade students. According to the article, he’s taught drums and even sung in his native tongue for 14 years. The kids then put on a concert for their families and friends.

Eselekhomhen told local news reporters that he wants kids to learn music, but the deeper lesson in drumming is about “lifting people up.” He also shares stories about his life as a kid.

“I went to primary and secondary school barefoot with no sandals,” said Eselekhomhen via the article. “[During] rainy season, you just take your clothes off to wrap your books, you don’t have backpacks,” he continued.

Eselekhomhen added that some villages in Nigeria still have living conditions that could be hard for American children to imagine. He went to Africa last spring, and the village he visited, the students in that school did not have drinking water. The students there went from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. without drinking water. Eselekhomhen was inspired to start a project to build a freshwater well for a school in his father’s village.

Students, both current and former, parents, teachers and other people from across the district reportedly made donations to support Eselekhomhen’s project to build the well. A class at Miwok Middle School where Eselekhomhen’s wife works, started its own fundraiser, making arts and crafts to sell.

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The post California School Bus Driver Teaches Lessons of Compassion Through Music appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus drivers from across the U.S. and Canada were presented with the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills in the 51st Edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition (SBDISC), presented by Beacon Mobility.

On Saturday, June 28, participating drivers — in one of the three bus categories: small bus (Type A), conventional (Type C), or transit (Type D) — first completed a safety competition orientation class followed by a written test. The skills part of the competition was held at the Hays Consolidated Independent School District transportation facility in Uhland, Texas, where contestants got behind the wheel of a school bus and completed a rigorous road course. Hays CISD was designated as the permanent host of the event.

“Transporting students in the yellow bus remains the safest way to get our students to school each day. The School Bus Driver International Safety Competition highlights the professionalism of our school bus drivers that combines a driving competition within an enjoyable atmosphere,” stated NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn. “This yearly event celebrates the cornerstone of pupil transportation – our drivers, who continue to inspire us every day. On behalf of NSTA, I want to extend our thanks to Hays CISD for their support, and we look forward to hosting our competition here next year.”

To be eligible for the international title, drivers must have first competed and won or placed in a state or provincial competition in their bus category within the past year. Winners of the international competition are determined by the highest score in the competition, based on each category. For the first time, the Bill Loshbough Grand Champion Award was awarded to the driver who achieved the overall top score of the entire Safety Competition. This year, it went to Brian Rickmann of Beaverton School District in Oregon.

The awards banquet was held on Sunday, at which the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) honored several drivers who had successfully competed in the SBDISC. All 53 competitors took photographs with NSTA President Dan Kobussen and received a driver’s recognition certificate and plaque denoting their participation in the competition.

“We are pleased to host another edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, guided by the leadership of Bill Loshbough and Kevin Kilner. This respected event gives school bus drivers from across North America the chance to demonstrate their skills and knowledge while competing to be the best in their field,” stated Kobussen, who owns Kobussen Buses in Wisconsin. “It also represents an opportunity for the school transportation community to come together in a spirited, yet supportive, environment that celebrates excellence and professionalism.”

The following are the winners:

Small Bus (Type A):
First Place: Claudia Christen
Prairie Bus Lines – Alberta, Canada

Second Place: Kathleen Graham
Montgomery County Public Schools, Virginia

Third Place: Erika Gaines
Montgomery County Schools, Tennessee

Conventional Bus (Type C):
First Place: Betty Nelson
Dean Transportation, Michigan

Second Place: Philip Purvis
North East ISD, Texas

Third Place: Jered Winnestaffer
Community Bus Services – Groveport-Madison Schools, Ohio

Transit Bus (Type D):
First Place: Brian Rickmann
Beaverton School District, Oregon

Second Place: Danelle Adams
Roseville Joint Union High School District, California

The post 51st Edition of School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners Announced appeared first on School Transportation News.

 

On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued a family of three from a partially-sunken sailing vessel near Plana Cays, Bahamas, hundreds of miles from Florida's shores. 

At about midnight on Sunday night, a good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Seventh District of a family aboard a yacht in distress. In response, the service dispatched a helicopter aircrew attached to Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, the long-running counter-trafficking partnership based out of Great Inagua.  

At about 0700 hours, a Jayhawk aircrew located the family on a life raft. Conditions were calm on scene, and the crew deployed their rescue diver into the water to retrieve the survivors. The hoist proceeded without issue, and the familymembers - including one eight-year-old child - were delivered safely to shore. No injuries were reported. 

"Our aircrews train very hard for moments like this, and we are thankful to have played a role in the safe rescue of this family of three," said Lt. Andrew Boyle of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.

The owner of the vessel is making arrangements with a commercial salvor for its removal. 

The Coast Guard forward-deployed helicopter presence in the Bahamas is part of an American partnership dating back to 1982, the days of the Medellin cartel. Enterprising smugglers had begun using the Bahamas as a transshipment point for narcotics, so U.S. law enforcement agencies signed up to help the island archipelago to police its waters and shores. As part of that program, the Coast Guard built a small base on Great Inagua, where it keeps interceptor boats and helicopters for drug interdiction missions. 

 

Ukraine's military intelligence agency has a good deal to say about the Greek-owned tanker that suffered an explosion off Benghazi last week. Though the incident occurred thousands of miles from Ukrainian shores, Ukraine's HUR - known best for its inventive naval tactics in the Black Sea - took time to detail the casualty and to accuse the ship of participation in Russia's "shadow fleet."

On Friday, the 158,000 dwt tanker Vilamoura suffered an explosion in the engine room and flooding at position about 80 nautical miles off the coast of Libya. The ship had just departed the Zuwaitina oil terminal with a full cargo of crude, and was headed away from the coast when the blast occurred. 

Vilamoura had previously called at Russian oil loading ports, a fact quickly noticed by maritime analysts and by the HUR. She is the fifth foreign-flagged oil tanker hit by an explosion after visiting Russian ports, an apparent pattern that would align with Ukrainian interests. 

"Vilamoura has been repeatedly used to transport oil products from the ports of the aggressor state of Russia. For example, in April 2025, the tanker was at the terminal of the port of Ust-Luga, and in May it was recorded in the Novorossiysk area," noted the HUR. 

The Ukrainian intelligence agency also alleged that Vilamoura "belongs to the Russian shadow fleet." However, there are factors that point in the opposite direction. Vilamoura is flagged with a reputable flag state, owned by a prominent Greek shipowner with strong ties in the United States, and classed with a leading class society. s

It is wholly possible for Western tankers like Vilamoura to lift discount Russian oil without joining the illicit "shadow fleet," so long as that oil is priced below $60 per barrel. This does happen when benchmark crude prices drop low enough - like they did this spring, while Vilamoura was at Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk. 

As of Thursday morning, Vilamoura had reached the Peloponnese and was waiting near Laconia Bay, accompanied by the oceangoing tug Boka Summit. 
 

 

Earlier this week, the Netherlands' national coast guard agency temporarily lost service on its shoreside VHF radio systems, and for half a day it was forced to rely on phones for communications with vessel traffic.  

VHF marine radio is the international standard for ship-to-ship communications and search and rescue, and is essential to any SAR agency's work. Early Tuesday morning, the Kustwacht's shoreside stations lost the ability to receive any marine radio channels. This left them unable to send or receive any calls by normal marine radio channels, or to send VHF navigation messages like weather alerts. The system outage affected the entire Dutch area of responsibility for search and rescue. (The Kustwacht's cutters and rescue boats still had uninterrupted ability to receive VHF distress calls over the radio, like any other vessels.)

"We cannot hear VHF channel 16," Kustwacht Nederland said in a social media post on Tuesday morning.

However, the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Society (KNRM) retained the ability to make and receive VHF calls. Five rescue stations filled in for the Kustwacht and listened in on Channel 16 for any distress calls, which (if any had occurred) they would have relayed to a coast guard operations center by phone.

At about 1330 hours Tuesday, the agency announced that the issue was resolved. VHF message transmission for routine traffic - nav messages, weather alerts and other messaging - was also restored. 

"The failure was caused by a problem with a 'routing protocol'. This is a component in the network that ensures that data (messages) follow the correct path," the Kustwacht said. "We will continue to investigate the cause and to prevent this in the future."

The Polish Navy marked the launch of the first of its two new signal intelligence (SIGINT) ships with fanfare on July 1. While the “spy ship” was ordered in 2022 as an enhancement to the capabilities, it is proving very timely as the focus has increased on protection in the Baltic.

Construction began in April 2023 with steel cutting and the keel in July 2023 at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdansk, Poland. Known as the Delfin class, the ships will each displace around 3,000 tons and have a length of 74 meters (243 feet). Swedish defense contractor Saab is a partner on the project along with others in the Polish defense industry, and is overseeing the construction and is responsible for supplying and integrating the advanced mission systems. 

Ship-based electronic intelligence systems will enable the acquisition of intelligence data across the entire spectrum of maritime electronic intelligence (SIGINT). It will have a broad range of electronic technology and imagery intelligence. Polish officials highlight that it will provide critical input that will also be shared with the Allies as they work to enhance safety in the region.

 

 

The first ship in the program is named ORP Jerzy Ró?ycki, honoring the mathematician, Cipher Bureau employee, and cryptologist who worked as part of the efforts to break the code of the German Enigma encryption machine developed in the 1920s, and a key element of World War II. 

“Today marks a significant milestone with the launch of ORP Jerzy Ró?ycki as a testament to the power of cooperation and shared vision. This project exemplifies how nations around the Baltic Sea, with similar needs and experiences, can come together to develop solutions that benefit us all,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

Work began on the second vessel of the series, which will be named ORP Henryk Zygalski, with steel cutting in November 2023. The keel was laid in January 2024. Both ships are expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. They are replacing two less sophisticated vessels built in the mid-1970s.

 

Rendering of the completed ship (Saab)

 

The ships are powered by four diesel generators and will have bow thrusters for maximum maneuverability. They will each accommodate approximately 40 sailors operating from the naval base in Gdynia. 

The shipyard will complete basic outfitting and sea trials, and the ships will be handed over to Saab for the final integration of the electronic systems.