Electric cars tend to follow the familiar auto industry rhythm, each generation sticking around for six to ten years. But in China, where the EV market is evolving at breakneck speed, that timeline gets compressed. Just three years after the MG4 first hit the streets, it’s already getting a second-generation update. And this isn’t just a mild refresh.

The latest version brings a full redesign, a new platform, an overhauled interior, and most importantly, a semi-solid-state battery offering. Perhaps even more surprising of all, it starts at just 73,800 yuan, or just under $10,300.

Read: MG Storms Goodwood With Two New EVs And A Sexy Roadster

It’s been almost five months since the first photos of the new MG4 surfaced, but only now have sales started and technical specifications been confirmed. The biggest headline is the battery. Among the available options is a semi-solid-state unit developed by QingTao Energy, which marks the first time a mass-produced EV features a battery pack of this kind.

A New Type of Battery Tech

While not a true solid-state battery, which uses no liquid electrolyte, the unit powering the second-gen MG4 contains just 5 percent liquid electrolyte, less than the semi-solid-state batteries found in the Nio ET5 and IM L6 Max Lightyear. Its energy density isn’t particularly impressive at 180 Wh/kg, but the 70 kWh pack is reportedly enough to give the electric hatchback a range of up to 334 miles (537 km).

This battery will not be standard, and the pricing for it has not been announced. What we do know is that the cheaper versions will be offered with 42.8 kWh and 53.9 kWh battery packs, offering 271 miles (437 km) and 329 miles (530 km) of range, respectively.

The base 73,800 yuan ($10,300) version is known as the Comfort, while sitting above it in the range is the Ease, priced from 81,800 yuan, or around $11,400. The flagship version of the 42.8 kWh-equipped model is known as the Freedom, starting at 90,800 yuan or $12,600. The 53.9 kWh Smart version starts at 105,800 yuan or $14,700.

The updated MG4 has grown slightly in size compared to its predecessor. It now measures 4,395 mm (173.1 inches) in length, 1,842 mm (72.5 inches) in width, and 1,551 mm (61.1 inches) in height, with a wheelbase stretching to 2,750 mm (108.3 inches).

Better Looks, Better Cabin

Visually, the new MG4 adopts a far softer and more curvaceous design than the model it replaces. The cabin also looks impressively well-equipped and includes a 15.6-inch infotainment display, a small digital instrument cluster, a wireless phone charger, and a floating transmission tunnel. In typical EV fashion, it’s quite minimalist, but appears quite premium, particularly given the car’s price tag.

Elsewhere, the MG4 includes heated and ventilated front seats, a large panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, and rear seat backs that can recline up to 27 degrees. Synthetic leather is also found throughout, and there’s even a heated steering wheel.

While pre-sales of the new MG4 have just opened, MG hasn’t said when the first customer deliveries will begin. The timeline for international launches is not yet known, but we expect the small MG to arrive eventually in key markets like Europe and Australia.

Tesla and Elon Musk had hoped that the rollout of a long-awaited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, would mark a major step forward for the company, bringing fully autonomous driving technology to the public. Instead, the Robotaxi has landed Tesla in hot water. Both Musk and the company are now named in a lawsuit alleging they concealed the risks of self-driving systems and inflated the automaker’s valuation.

Read: This City Could Be Tesla’s Toughest Robotaxi Challenge Yet

The proposed class action, filed by a group of shareholders, claims that Tesla’s Robotaxi vehicles in Austin have been seen behaving erratically, speeding, hopping curbs, swerving into the wrong lane, braking unpredictably, and even letting passengers off in the middle of busy roads, according to The Economic Times.

Shareholders Say the Tech Isn’t Ready

According to the shareholders, Musk and Tesla have consistently overstated the effectiveness and prospects of the automaker’s autonomous driving technologies, boosting its stock price. The lawsuit also takes issue with Musk’s April 22 statement that Tesla was “laser-focused on bringing Robotaxi to Austin in June,” and that the service would deliver “scalable and safe deployment across diverse geographies and use cases.”

Where Musk Goes, Controversy Follows

The shareholders are accusing Tesla and Musk of securities fraud. Their filing argues that the Robotaxi program poses a “significant risk” to public safety and may violate traffic laws, opening the company up to tighter regulatory scrutiny. They also note that Tesla’s stock dipped around 6 percent following public reports of incidents involving the Robotaxi fleet.

Last week, Tesla expanded its Robotaxi service to a geofenced area of the San Francisco Bay Area. However, as Tesla does not have regulatory approval to operate completely autonomous vehicles in California, all vehicles in the local Robotaxi fleet have a human behind the wheel. So, in reality, it’s not a Robotaxi service at all, but rather a simple ride-hailing service.

Despite these hurdles, Musk remains characteristically confident. On Tesla’s earnings call in late July, he predicted that “half of the population of the US will be covered by Tesla’s Robotaxi by the end of the year,” suggesting that regulatory concerns and technical setbacks aren’t slowing down the company’s broader ambitions.

Despite early dominance in the electric vehicle market, Tesla is now struggling to keep pace in Europe. Recent industry sales data continues to show a troubling pattern, with the automaker losing ground in several key countries.

Sales have taken a hit in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, and Italy, and more importantly, the numbers are rapidly declining in two of the continent’s most crucial markets: the United Kingdom and Germany.

Read: Tesla Is Losing Europe Faster Than Elon Musk Can Tweet

According to the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tesla sold a total of 987 new vehicles in the country in July. That’s a steep fall from the 2,462 units sold during the same month last year, marking a nearly 60 percent drop. What’s particularly worrying about this is that the thoroughly updated Model Y is now available in the UK, but it has failed to reverse the carmaker’s fortunes.

BYD Outsells Tesla in the UK – By a Lot

Poor sales are one thing, but adding insult to injury for Tesla in the UK is the strong performance of one of its main rivals. Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD sold 3,184 new cars in the country in July, more than four times what it managed in the same month last year. That total puts it clearly ahead of Tesla for the month, underscoring how quickly the landscape is changing these days.

German Market Slips Further

Over in Germany, things are also looking bleak for Tesla. Sales there slipped 55.1 percent in July to just 1,110 units. Year-to-date, Tesla’s sales in Germany have also collapsed 57.8 percent to approximately 10,000 units. Then there’s the threat from BYD.

Data reveals that BYD sold 1,126 new vehicles in Germany last month, narrowly edging out Tesla. Its year-to-date sales have also soared nearly 390 percent to 7,449 units.

What makes the German decline even more concerning is that it happened despite the overall electric vehicle market growing by 58 percent in July, with 48,416 EVs registered. In other words, while more buyers are turning to EVs in Germany, fewer of them are choosing Tesla.

Tesla faces an uphill battle if it wants to stop the bleeding in Europe and retain its dominant market share. Unlike in the US, where the brand doesn’t have to deal with the threat posed by Chinese automakers, a growing number of EVs from China are flooding European shores, more often than not offering better features for lower prices.

New details and images have surfaced of Xpeng’s innovative P7 sports sedan, and as earlier glimpses suggested, it stands apart from anything else currently on the EV market. While sedans aren’t selling in the numbers they once did, models like the Xiaomi SU7 and the new Xpeng P7 prove there’s still strong interest in cars like these.

Read: Xpeng’s New Sports Sedan Packs More Power Than Expected

The exterior design of the new P7 is radical, to say the least. Its exterior design feels like a deliberate departure, with cues that seem to echo elements of the Tesla Cybertruck. The front fascia features a sharp full-width LED light bar, flanked by vertical daytime running lights for a dramatic first impression. Around back, the theme continues with a matching light bar, vertically stacked taillights, and a swooping rear glass that replaces the usual trunk lid structure.

Tech and Driver-Focused Dash

Perhaps of more interest than the exterior of the P7 is the interior, showcased in these new photos for the first time. The sedan comes with the same massive 87-inch augmented reality head-up display that Xiaomi recently premiered on the G7 SUV. There’s also a particularly sporty-looking three-spoke steering wheel with AMG-style dials to change certain modes and functions on the fly.

Adding to the high-tech atmosphere, the ambient lighting setup has been given special attention, while the central infotainment screen is mounted on a tilting panel that angles toward the driver. A slim digital gauge cluster sits just behind the wheel, and the bucket-style sport seats come with active side bolsters that inflate to keep the driver firmly in place during tight corners, a feature found in some high-end German performance models.

Performance Specs and Range Options

The P7 will be available with two battery options: a 74.9 kWh pack and a larger 92.92 kWh version. The standard configuration uses a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 362 hp (270 kW). For those wanting more grip and performance, an all-wheel-drive setup adds a 224 hp (167 kW) front motor, bringing total output to 586 hp (437 kW).

Xpeng is targeting competitive range figures across the lineup. The base model promises up to 436 miles (702 km) on a single charge. Opting for the long-range rear-wheel-drive version increases that to 509 miles (820 km), while the dual-motor AWD variant lands at a still-impressive 466 miles (750 km).

Although specific charging times haven’t been confirmed, Xpeng says the P7 will support the same 5C fast-charging standard as the G7 SUV. That means just 10 minutes of charging could provide up to 271 miles (436 km) of added range, assuming similar conditions and infrastructure.

As for dimensions, the sedan measures 197.5 inches (5,017 mm) long, 77.6 inches (1,970 mm) wide, and 56.2 inches (1,427 mm) tall, with a 118.4-inch (3,008 mm) wheelbase, meaning it has a similar footprint to the Tesla Model S.

Also: EVs Are So Cheap In China Now Even Xi’s Worried

Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but based on current trends among Chinese EV makers, it’s safe to assume that the P7 will be priced aggressively, likely enough to make Western buyers take a second look at what they’re getting for the money, even as the approach sparks growing concerns within China about how sustainable it really is.

Three years ago, a former GM factory in Ohio seemed poised for a dramatic comeback. Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics giant best known for assembling iPhones, purchased the site from Lordstown Motors with big plans to turn it into a hub for electric pickup trucks. But those ambitions never materialized. Now, the factory has quietly changed hands in a $375 million deal involving one of Foxconn’s existing partners.

Read: Foxconn Will Build EVs In The US But You’ll Never See Its Name On Them

Foxconn originally paid $230 million for the Lordstown facility, with the intent to make it a hub for its EV production and research in North America. It helped Lordstown build dozens of its all-electric Lordstown Endurance vehicles at the site, but the partnership quickly soured.

By June 2023, Lordstown had filed for bankruptcy. There were also intentions to manufacture Fisker’s Ocean SUV at the site, though those plans never progressed beyond early discussions.

Factory Sale and Shift in Focus

Recent Taiwan stock exchange filings reveal that Foxconn has sold the factory and land for $88 million. It also sold machinery and equipment for its electric vehicle subsidiaries for roughly $287 million. According to Tech Crunch, the factory has been sold to Crescent Dune LLC, which was formed in Delaware just 12 days ago.

Despite the transaction, Foxconn says it will continue operating the plant and plans to expand into “new business areas.” The Wall Street Journal reports that the facility will now pivot to manufacturing cloud computing hardware, specifically designed for AI applications.

Not Giving Up on EV Ambitions

While the decision to turn the factory from an EV hub into one focused on AI hardware may make it sound like Foxconn is backing away from the electric vehicle space, that doesn’t appear to be the case. The company plans to build a family of EVs, and has already previewed several of them as concepts.

As recently as this past March, it was reported that Foxconn planned to start building the electric Model C SUV in North America during the fourth quarter of this year.

It’s not just in-house EVs that Foxconn is interested in. The company is also expected to manufacture electric vehicles for two Japanese automakers, with speculation pointing to Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Though details remain unconfirmed, the partnerships could signal Foxconn’s continued commitment to becoming a major player in EV manufacturing, even as it diversifies its U.S. operations.

An all-electric version of the Nissan Juke is headed to Europe next year, bringing a new chapter to the popular compact crossover’s story. But while the EV is on the way, it may not be the only option on the table.

Read: Nissan’s Next Juke Is So Different, You Might Not Recognize It

As shifting sales trends continue to challenge Nissan’s electrification plans, the company appears to be reconsidering a full switch from internal combustion. That means gasoline-powered versions of the Juke might stick around a little longer.

Rather than phasing it out entirely, Nissan could keep the current combustion model in production alongside the upcoming EV. The move would mirror strategies seen elsewhere in the industry, where maintaining ICE variants has helped bridge the gap for customers not quite ready to go all-electric.

Shared Foundations

Nissan’s third-generation Juke will be underpinned by a shortened version of the CM-EV platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance that’s currently used by the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-Tech. It’ll be built at the carmaker’s Sunderland plant in the UK alongside the Ariya and Leaf, debuting with a radical design inspired by the Hyper Punk Concept from a couple of years ago.

Initially, Nissan had planned to completely replace the current ICE model with this EV. However, while recently speaking with Auto News, Nissan Europe’s head of product planning for minicars and small cars, Alexandre Armada, said that may no longer be the case.

“Given the very different path of transition to electrification across Europe, keeping the internal combustion Juke in production is an option on the table,” he said.

Sales Figures Suggest a Split Strategy

Keeping the combustion-powered Juke might be a smart move for Nissan. So far this year, it’s the brand’s second-best-selling model in Europe, behind only the Qashqai, which has sold 78,397 units.

Since the electric Juke is expected to come at a higher price point, it will likely see slower sales compared to the current version. In Europe, the Juke is currently available with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine producing 114 hp, as well as a 1.6-liter hybrid that delivers 143 hp.

What to Expect from the EV

Many key technical details about the Juke EV remain under wraps, but some rumors have suggested it could be offered with similar 63 kWh and 87 kWh battery packs as the Ariya. However, there’s also a chance that a smaller pack in the 40-55 kWh range could be offered, which could be well-suited to Europeans living in large urban centers.

The electric Juke will enter a competitive field, going up against models like the Jeep Avenger EV, Kia EV3, Renault 4 EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Citroen C3 Aircross, Peugeot e-2008, and the upcoming Ford Puma Gen-E.

Tesla’s struggles in Europe are becoming harder to ignore and the outlook doesn’t appear to be improving anytime soon. A combination of factors, including Elon Musk’s polarizing public image, rising competition from established automakers, and the rapid emergence of Chinese EV brands, has led to a sharp decline in the brand’s popularity across several key European markets. As a result, its local market share has taken a significant hit.

New data reveals the extent of the damage. In July, Tesla registrations in the Netherlands dropped 62 percent year-over-year to 443 vehicles. In Belgium, they fell 58 percent to 460, and in Portugal, they declined 49 percent to just 284 units.

The impact was even more severe in Sweden, where registrations fell 86 percent to 163 vehicles. Denmark and France also saw steep drops of 52 percent and 27 percent, with Tesla selling 336 and 1,307 units in those markets, respectively.

Read: Tesla’s European Sales Bloodbath Continues, But One Country Is Over Hating Musk

Sales continued to slip in Italy as well, down 5 percent year-over-year to 457 vehicles. As noted by Reuters, sales declines in these major nations in not only July, but also in June, have also seen Tesla’s battery-electric vehicle market share fall from 21.6 percent to 14.5 percent.

Can Tesla Turn Things Around?

Amid the downturn, there were a couple of bright spots. In Norway, Tesla registrations surged 83 percent to 838 vehicles, helped in part by the introduction of 0 percent interest loans. Spain also saw a modest uptick, with sales rising 27 percent to 702 units.

Despite the challenges, Musk remains optimistic that Tesla can stage a rebound in Europe. While recently speaking with analysts, he said that the region’s stricter regulations on semi-autonomous driving systems make it harder to sell the Model Y than in the US.

“Our sales in Europe, we think, will improve significantly once we are able to give customers the same experience that they have in the U.S.,” he explained, citing Full Self-Driving capabilities as “a huge selling point” in the American market.

For Hawaiians looking to drive electric, be that a pure EV or PHEV, a new obstacle has rolled in. Matson, Inc., one of the state’s primary shipping providers and a major player in Pacific cargo routes, has decided to stop transporting electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The company serves regions including Alaska, Guam, and Micronesia, but this latest policy shift puts the brakes on EV imports to the islands, at least for now.

Read: Thousands Of Chinese Cars Sank With This Ship And The Bill Keeps Climbing

In the wake of the Morning Midas shipping disaster in June, when a cargo ship sank due to a fire while carrying 3,048 vehicles, including 70 EVs and 681 hybrid, Matson has raised concerns about transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion battery packs.

The decision to halt EV and PHEV shipments comes despite the company previously forming a collaborative team to address the challenges of moving cars equipped with lithium batteries.

Immediate Suspension of EV Shipments

“Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels,” the company stated. “Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.”

As noted by The Maritime Executive, unlike the Morning Midas and other dedicated car carriers such as the Felicity Ace or Fremantle Highway, Matson’s vessels don’t feature large, open storage decks. Instead, all vehicles are shipped in individual containers. That setup, while practical for general cargo, complicates fire detection and suppression compared to specialized roll-on/roll-off car carriers.

Future Possibilities Still on the Table

Hawaii is currently home to about 37,000 electric vehicles, and demand continues to grow. Importantly, Matson’s ban may not be permanent. The shipping firm recently sent a letter to its customers saying it “continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.”

For now, though, those looking to ship an EV to the islands may have to explore other options, or wait until the industry finds safer ways to move high-voltage cargo across the Pacific.

Once the standout stars of Tesla’s lineup, the Model S and Model X helped shape the idea of what a premium electric car could be. With strong performance and early innovations, they embodied the leading edge of Tesla’s vision. But times change, and so do customer priorities.

After the arrival of the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y, interest in Tesla’s larger, pricier vehicles began to taper off. Today, the Model S and X together make up less than 3% of the company’s quarterly sales. Given that shift, it’s not surprising that both models have now been discontinued in Europe.

Read: Model S / X Get Small Tweaks And Big Price Hikes

In typical Tesla fashion, the brand hasn’t made a big deal of the demise of the two models, simply removing them from its new car configurator in Europe. It is still actively trying to sell Model Ss and Model Xs from its inventory, but once they are gone, they’ll be gone forever, unless, of course, Tesla decides to replace them with something new.

Interestingly, it’s been less than two months since Tesla updated the Model S and Model X, making several exterior and interior changes. Clearly, the brand doesn’t feel the need to sell the updated models in Europe, meaning they will only be available in the United States and Canada.

The changes made for the 2026 model are relatively minor, but do include revised front and rear fascias for the flagship Plaid models. Tesla also introduced a new color known as Frost Blue, changed the suspension bushings, improved the Active Noise Cancellation system, and added configurable ambient lighting to the cabin.

It’s hard to know how long Tesla plans to keep on building the Model S and Model X. As long as they remain profitable, they’re likely to stick around in North America. But the long-term outlook appears uncertain.

Looking further forward, Tesla might be wise to replace the two models with a new flagship sedan and three-row SUV. While the Model S and Model X remain good options for some they can’t hide their age and struggle to compete with newer rivals have hit the market in recent years, particularly in the three-row electric SUV segment.

Some believed that Elon Musk’s alignment with former President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement might encourage traditional conservatives to embrace electric vehicles. But a new study suggests the opposite has happened.

Not only has Musk’s political shift failed to win over right-leaning car buyers, it appears to have driven away support from the left as well, dampening enthusiasm for both Tesla and EVs more broadly.

Also: Tesla Drivers Say Musk Makes Them Look Like Fascists So They’re Suing

The study, published in the Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, analyzed data gathered from surveys conducted in August 2023, November 2023, May 2024, July 2024, and March 2025, set out to see if public perceptions about Musk have impacted the desirability of Tesla vehicles and other EVs.

Shifting Sentiment Across the Political Spectrum

Historically, EVs have been more popular among left-leaning consumers, which explains in part why Tesla is so popular in California. The first study of 633 adults found that liberal voters were positive to the idea of buying an EV, while conservatives were negative.

The second study also found that the more conservative you are, the less inclined you are to purchase an EV. No surprises there, and this general finding was also replicated in the third and fourth studies.

Things have since changed. The study found that the overall support for EVs among liberal voters has eroded as Musk continued to harm his reputation. At the same time, his shift to the right has done nothing to make conservatives more likely to buy a Tesla or any other EV.

The “Musk Effect” on EV Appeal

Lead author Alexandra Flores explained to The Guardian that Musk’s influence on EV perception is highly unusual. “The suspicion is that Elon Musk became so synonymous with EVs in the US that perceptions of him affected the entire class of vehicles,” she said. “This made them way less appealing to liberals—he really dragged down perceptions of EVs in general.”

Flores added that the researchers initially expected liberal support for EVs to hold steady, given their long-standing connection to environmental values. They also thought Musk’s rightward turn might make EVs more attractive to conservatives. “But the opposite happened,” she noted. “Over time, conservatives remained relatively steady in their lack of interest in EVs and Tesla, while liberals’ attitudes really dropped. They are now equally unlikely to buy an EV as they are a Tesla.”

No, this isn’t some kind of odd concept car aimed at previewing the future of mobility. Instead, it is the new i8 from Chinese automaker Li Auto, and it’s an all-electric SUV available from 321,800 yuan, or just under $45,000. We’re not sure how BMW will feel about the i8 badge being used on a vehicle like this, but Li Auto’s creation will no doubt leave legacy automakers scrambling to play catch-up.

Visually, the Li Auto i8 looks part-SUV and part-minivan. This is because it combines design elements and shapes from the existing L9 SUV, as well as the Mega, Li Auto’s flagship minivan. Like the Mega, the front of the i8 is highly unusual, featuring a full-width LED light bar running just under the windshield, rather than near the front bumper like most other new EVs hitting the Chinese market.

Read: Man Cruelly Turned His Hood Into An Aquarium And Left The Fish To Die In It

The flowing and smooth shape of the roof is also rather intriguing, while the rear is slightly more conventional. It comes complete with a light bar, a large tailgate, and, well, not much else of interest. According to Li Auto’s boss, the i8’s design was inspired by yachts, but we can’t really see the resemblance.

Entry-level versions have a 90.1 kWh NMC battery driving a pair of electric motors with 536 hp and 487 lb-ft (660 Nm) of torque. Li Auto says this version can travel up to 416 miles (670 km) on a charge, but that’s under the very generous CLTC cycle.

A larger 97.8 kWh NMC battery is available, boosting the range to 447 lb-ft (720 km). This version also offers extraordinarily high-speed charging that allows 310 miles (500 km) of range to be added in just 10 minutes. Aiding in the impressive range is a drag coefficient of just 0.218 Cd, lower than even the Tesla Model Y’s 0.220.

Li Auto says the i8 needs just 4.5 seconds to hit 100 km/h (60 mph). It also apparently consumes just 14.6 – 14.8 kWh/100 km, which is roughly in line with the much smaller Tesla Model 3.

As For The Cabin…

Like so many new Chinese cars, the interior is an absolute tech-fest. The i8 will be sold exclusively as a six-seater with a 2+2+2 layout. There’s no instrument cluster and instead, just a small screen sitting atop the center of the steering wheel and two huge 15.7-inch displays dominate the dashboard. Other nifty features include cooled wireless charging pads and the Li Auto Magic Carpet air suspension system, offering four adjustable ride heights.

The brand’s Li AD Pro assisted driving system comes as standard, while higher-end models get the Li AD Max system. Both systems include a LiDAR.

Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the all-electric EV4 in both sedan and hatchback guises. Fast forward to late July, and the South Korean carmaker has dropped details about one of the EV4’s most grueling tests from its development: a torturous 6,200 miles (10,000 km) stint at the fabled Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

Kia has released several images of the EV4 being tested on European roads in hatchback guise, curiously still wrapped in camouflage even though the finished car was presented several months ago. Unfortunately, there’s no imagery of it on the ‘Ring. What we do know is that the 6,200-mile (10,000 km) test session at the circuit formed part of a 68,000-mile (110,000 km) European road durability test.

Read: Kia’s First Electric Sedan Is Here To Beat The Model 3 At Its Own Game

The Nurburgring test aimed to simulate 90-95 percent of its maximum performance output, and it underwent multiple hypercharging sessions between laps. By the end of the track test, as well as the on-road testing, the EV4’s battery returned a state-of-health reading of 95 percent. EV4s sold to the public will be guaranteed to retain at least 70 percent of their original capacity after 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or eight years of regular use.

“To provide our customers a reliable, everyday EV, we had to validate the EV4’s durability both in real-world and extreme environments,” the manager of durability development at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, Stephan Hoferer said. “With the rigorous testing – from icy roads to racetracks, we’re confident the EV4 will deliver dependable performance well beyond everyday needs.”

All EV4s are based on a 400-volt architecture and will be available with a front-mounted 201 hp electric motor in all trims. In the US, the base model will come standard with a 58.3 kWh pack, while the flagship variant gets a 81.4 kWh unit.

Evidently, the EV4 is not the type of car that owners will be taking to the track. But, if the Korean brand that in the past few years goes from strength to strength wants to spice it up with a hot, GT-branded version, it certainly has the know-how to do so.

Even if opinions on Tesla and its billionaire CEO are sharply divided, there’s little debate over the company’s track record in building some of the most capable electric vehicles on the road.

Alongside the cars themselves, Tesla also maintains a wide catalog of accessories, many of which are affordable, easy to install, and ship directly to buyers. The newest addition to that lineup may not be a technological leap, but it’s likely to catch on with owners.

Read: California EV Buyers Are Turning Their Backs On Tesla

Tesla’s online shop was recently updated to include a front lighting system designed for the front of both the Model 3 and Model Y. Given how handy the front storage compartment of the two best-selling Tesla models is, it’s perhaps somewhat of a surprise they don’t usually feature any kind of lighting system. Come to think of it, many EVs with storage frunks don’t include a light, so Tesla’s solution is a good one.

The kit, costing $100 in the US or CA$130 in Canada, includes a thin lighting strip that runs along the underside of the frunk’s rubber seal. Also included in the kit is a small power module that sticks to an area near the frunk’s emergency release switch connector. It then plugs straight in. The light strip is held in place by tape and includes IP67 dustproof and waterproof ratings.

Compatibility Limits

Importantly, the lighting kit is only available for 2020-2024 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, meaning the newer ‘Highland’ Model 3 and ‘Juniper’ Model Y are not suitable for this kit. However, Not a Tesla App reports that a similar kit is being developed for these models.

As mentioned, there are dozens of other accessories offered for all Tesla vehicles, including the slower-selling Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. Among the most popular are roof racks, all-weather floor liners, sunshades for Tesla’s panoramic glass roofs, and new storage cubby trays.

Even as the EV market continues to shift and evolve, Mercedes-Benz is moving ahead with plans to expand its electric lineup. Mercedes-Benz has been working on the new all-electric GLC with EQ Technology for quite some time, and we now finally know when it will be unveiled.

Read: Mercedes Previews New GLC EV With 320+ kW DC Fast Charging

As previously speculated, it will premiere at the IAA Mobility show in September, more commonly known as the Munich Motor Show. In an era where electric SUVs and crossovers are becoming increasingly popular, the GLC EV will play an important role for the German brand.

The upcoming GLC EV will effectively replace the EQC, a model that struggled to make an impression. It’s expected to match the overall size of the combustion-engine GLC, but with a distinctly updated design. Mercedes describes it as “a new face of the brand,” signaling a more modern and refined aesthetic.

Design Details Come Into Focus

Mercedes has released a single teaser image previewing the new model, but prototypes spied in recent months have offered us a better look at the model. The teaser hints at an illuminated front grille that gives the SUV a more prominent presence. Prototypes have also revealed reworked LED headlights and taillights, indicating a comprehensive redesign.

Key rivals to the GLC with EQ Technology include the Porsche Macan Electric and the BMW iX3, which will soon be thoroughly updated as part of the brand’s Neue Klasse era. Fittingly, the automaker has developed an 800-volt electrical architecture for the SUV that offers DC fast charging speeds of up to 320 kW. That means it will be possible to add roughly 162 miles (260 km) of range in just 10 minutes.

Launch Version and Future Plans

The first version arriving on the market will be the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ Technology. Mercedes hasn’t shared specific performance details yet, including motor configuration or acceleration times, but a more powerful variant is likely to follow not long after.

Other than presenting the electric GLC, in Munich Mercedes will also showcase the MB.Drive Assist Pro semi-autonomous driving system and offer rides in a specially-equipped CLA. The EQS and S-Class with Drive Pilot will also be available for demo drives. Joining the GLC with EQ on display be the radical new Concept AMG GT XX.

Less than a month ago, BMW announced a recall impacting more than 70,000 of its electric vehicles, revealing a software issue that could cause the high-voltage system to shut down unexpectedly. Fast forward to July, and the German brand has issued another recall for several of its EVs in the United States. This time, the recall is also related to battery cell modules that may have been assembled incorrectly.

Read: BMW Recalls Thousands Of EVs That Can Lose Power While Driving

According to the recall notice, the issue stems from the process of compressing individual battery cells to form a single module. In this case, BMW says the force used to combine the cells within the module may have exceeded its specifications. This means that over the lifetime of the vehicle, and when combined with repeated charging sessions, the module frame could fail.

What Can Go Wrong

If the frame does weaken or fail, it could lead to a shutdown of the high-voltage system. This would result in a total loss of propulsion, creating a potential crash risk. There’s also an increased chance of fire if a failure occurs.

The recall impacts a total of 136 vehicles. Oftentimes, only a small percentage of affected vehicles are thought to have the issue. That’s not the case here, as BMW believes that all 136 vehicles have battery cell modules that may not have been assembled to specifications.

Those include 2022-2025 BMW iX models manufactured from November 3, 2021, and February 14, 2024, as well as 2023-2024 BMW i7s built from June 12, 2023, to July 19, 2023, and 2022-2023 BMW i4s assembled from June 2, 2022, to May 11, 2023.

Notably, vehicles involved in the recall may not suffer from any issues for quite some time. In its analysis, BMW says that damage to the module frame of impacted models may not occur until the latter part of 2026. Nevertheless, it’s decided now is the time to issue a recall.

Owners will begin receiving notification letters on September 5. Dealers have already been instructed to replace the affected high-voltage battery cell modules on all impacted vehicles.

Long before electric vehicles became a common sight on roads, there was a time when resourceful hobbyists took matters into their own hands. Back then, converting gas-powered cars into EVs was a niche pursuit, often tackled with simple electric powertrains and a lot of trial and error.

Among the few small companies that specialized in these conversions was an American outfit called Jet Industries. Now, one of its creations is heading to auction.

Read: Dodge’s New Charger Coming To Europe And The Middle East In 2025

From the outside, this 1980 Dodge Omni 024 looks just like any other. But beneath its ordinary exterior, the original engine has been replaced by a compact 23-horsepower electric motor. That’s a laughable figure by modern EV standards, but this was the 1970s and 1980s, when the idea of an electric car was still closer to a science project than a production model.

Vintage Tech Under the Hatch

Pop the trunk and you’ll find a dedicated compartment that holds the battery pack. It’s unclear how many Dodge Omni 024s were converted by the Texas-based firm, but it’s certainly quite rare.

There’s also no word on how far it could travel on a single charge. What we do know is that rather than using a lithium-ion pack like most current EVs, this special Omni simply had a bunch of 12-volt lead-acid batteries in the rear, reportedly weighing upwards of 1,000 lbs.

Photos Mecum

Curiously, all of the batteries have been removed from the trunk of this Dodge, so it no longer runs. Mecum Auctions is handling the sale of the EV, but has not provided any photos of its underside. Chances are, there’s plenty of rust there, judging from the photos of the trunk.

A Rare Find, If Not a Valuable One

While the car’s uniqueness is undeniable, its value is likely modest. Given its condition and limited appeal beyond collectors of obscure automotive history, a sale price in the low thousands wouldn’t be surprising.

It may not run, and it’s definitely not fast, but if you’ve got a soft spot for oddball EVs and a high tolerance for rust, this relic might be calling your name. Check out the listing here, just don’t forget your trickle charger and a tetanus shot.

Photos Mecum

Even in a world where long-delayed product launches are the norm, the second-gen Tesla Roadster has become somewhat of a running joke in the automotive world. First presented as a running prototype in November of 2017, Tesla had promised to start building the electric hypercar killer in 2020. We’re now more than halfway through 2025, and Tesla has yet to unveil the production version.

Read: 8 Years Later, Tesla’s Still Taking $50K Roadster Reservations Musk Promised For 2020

Despite its prolonged absence, Tesla insists the Roadster remains in development, with ever-growing promises to match. According to Tesla’s head of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, the Roadster will be the “last best driver’s car.” Given how outlandish that statement is, we’re surprised Tesla boss Elon Musk didn’t make it.

New Promises of Progress, But Few Details

Moravy made the comment during the recent X Takeover event, around the 26-minute mark in the video below. He mentioned that Musk was recently shown “some cool demos” of the new model, but didn’t provide any further details about what those demos involved.

“We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver’s car,” Moravy said. “We’ve been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed Elon some cool demos last week and tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.”

Rocket Thrusters and Lofty Goals

Tesla has made some very bold claims about the Roadster. In 2018, Elon Musk said it would be sold with a SpaceX option package that added around 10 small rocket thrusters to “dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering.”

More recently, in mid-2024, he went as far as to say that “the new Tesla Roadster can fly”. Until Tesla demonstrates this publicly, these remarks come off as little more than efforts to buoy the company’s stock price.

As we recently revealed, Tesla continues to accept $50,000 reservations for the Roadster, despite not yet announcing the car’s final price tag or when customers can expect to take delivery.

Tesla’s Robotaxi service may have generated plenty of headlines since launching in a geofenced area of Austin recently, but soon, Waymo will be adding a second Texas city to its program. Already providing more than 250,000 paid trips in Austin and other major US cities every week, Waymo will launch in Dallas next year, showing Tesla a thing or two about how to run a successful robotaxi service.

Rather than going it alone, Waymo is leveraging the operational scale and expertise of Avis to help ensure smooth day-to-day management as it enters a new market. The rental giant will help to manage its fleet operations, as well as infrastructure, vehicle maintenance, and general depot operations.

Read: Tech Founder Predicts The End Of Driving For Your Kids And Maybe You Too

“We look forward to bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the people of Dallas next year, offering a new era of safe and seamless transportation,” Waymo co-chief executive Tekedra Mawakana said. “Working together with our fleet partner Avis, Waymo will offer more riders a stress-free way to get around.”

The self-driving car division of Alphabet didn’t disclose how much of Dallas will be covered by its robotaxi service. Nevertheless, Waymo says it is confident it can contribute to Dallas’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and reducing severe injury crashes by 50 percent by 2030.

“We are excited that fully autonomous ride-hailing services are scheduled to begin in Dallas next year,” Dallas city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert added. “The Waymo and Avis partnership will offer an innovative, technology-based transportation option for our residents and visitors.  We look forward to the launch of this new service.”

Dallas won’t be the end of Waymo’s expansion. The company is reportedly considering launching in Houston and San Antonio in the future. It could also expand into San Diego, Boston, and New York. According to ABC News, Waymo is also eyeing Tokyo as the first market outside of the US for its robotaxis.

Surging car sales from China’s automakers might not be quite as clear-cut as they seem. Behind the headline-grabbing numbers lies a practice that’s prompting questions: some companies appear to be boosting reported sales by insuring vehicles before they’re actually sold.

A new report from Reuters sheds light on this strategy, claiming that several of China’s top car manufacturers have been counting cars as “sold” once they’re insured, even if those vehicles haven’t yet reached buyers. Thanks to this approach, sales figures appear stronger than they truly are, giving the impression that targets are being met.

Read: China’s Next Supercar Is Coming For Ferrari And They’re Not Laughing Anymore

Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Neta and Zeekr had insured tens of thousands of vehicles before selling them to buyers, allowing the companies to book sales early under Chinese industry car registration practices. In the case of Neta, it reportedly recorded early sales of at least 64,719 cars from January 2023 to March 2024, more than half of the total 117,000 vehicles it sold over that period.

As it turns out, many other companies could be doing the same. Reuters recently examined 97 customer complaints related to the controversial sales practice, and in more than a dozen cases, buyers were told by dealerships that the method was used specifically to help manufacturers hit sales goals. In many cases, customers only discovered their new vehicles had been previously insured after completing the purchase.

Dealerships affiliated with major brands such as FAW Hongqi, SAIC Roewe, SAIC VW, Dongfeng Nissan, GAC Toyota, GAC Honda, and SAIC GM have admitted to official media that insuring unsold vehicles is a practice used to meet sales targets.

Interestingly, a Honda spokesperson told Reuters that GAC Honda dealers are prohibited from taking out compulsory insurance before selling new cars. Similarly, FAW Hongqi says it does not engage in such shady practices. GM China also said that it only counts deliveries, not insured vehicles, in its sales reports.

Two key metrics are used to track sales in China. The first are reported from automakers to the industry association, showing sales from automakers to dealers. The second is retail data based on mandatory traffic insurance registrations, which captures actual sales to consumers.

The practice is understood to have first emerged as early as 2016 but is believed to have grown in popularity from early 2023 when the Chinese car price war kicked off. Companies like Li Auto have reportedly leaned heavily into publishing weekly sales rankings on social media, using only insurance registration numbers to demonstrate their performance.

China’s Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has pushed back against the use of insurance data for public sales rankings, calling the figures unreliable and blaming them for fueling what it described this month as increasingly cutthroat.

Air suspension systems offer a unique advantage in modern vehicles, letting drivers adjust ride height on the fly. This makes them especially useful for off-roaders and pickup trucks, where flexibility and ground clearance are key. The Tesla Cybertruck is one of many vehicles to come standard with air suspension, but according to one owner, his truck’s suspension failed dramatically, and with no clear explanation.

Also: Cybertruck Owner Returns To Dead EV After Two Weeks Plugged In

Writing on the Tesla Owners Online forum, a member living in Texas says he was at home when he heard a low “shotgun-like bang” from his Foundation Series Cybertruck parked outside. He looked and noticed “smoke or dust” rising from the Tesla’s bed in his driveway.

Most people who hear a bang from an EV may expect the battery to have spontaneously caught on fire, but that’s not what happened here, or at least according to the owner.

A Sudden Collapse

Following the noise, the right side of the Cybertruck immediately began to sag after the bang. The EV was towed to the nearest Tesla service center in Houston. A technician found that one of the shocks and springs had pushed itself upward and damaged part of the Tesla’s frame.

Despite the unusual nature of the failure, Tesla declined to cover the damage under warranty. According to the service center, the failure was the result of an “outside influence.” They also requested $250 from the owner to release the vehicle in its current condition.

The owner has suggested that the extreme Texas temperatures could have caused the air suspension to blow, noting that the truck hadn’t been driven for over 12 hours when the suspension failed in spectacular fashion.

External Damage, or a Design Flaw?

Not everyone on the forum agrees with the temperature theory. One user suggested that, for the air suspension to fail as described, the casing would likely have had to suffer prior damage, possibly from an off-road excursion. The owner admits to driving his Cybertruck off-road, and it’s certainly possible the suspension could have been damaged without him noticing.

Regardless of what caused the damage, no vehicle should suffer catastrophic suspension failure like this, unless it’s driven off a cliff or something like that. While air suspension systems can occasionally run into issues, a spontaneous failure that impacts the frame raises questions, either about unseen damage, the system’s durability, or both.

Could extreme heat have triggered the failure, or did off-road use quietly weaken the suspension until it finally gave way? The cause remains unclear, but it’s certainly not the kind of bang any EV owner wants to hear.