While some Land Cruiser fans are thrilled that Toyota has added a smaller, more affordable model to the lineup with the FJ, many in America were disappointed to learn the new version won’t be sold locally.

Looking through the photos released by Toyota, we couldn’t quite put a finger on what the Land Cruiser FJ reminded us of, aside from the obvious Hilux Champ it’s based on. Then it clicked, after we came across a GM-built model from China that’s now going global.

Read: Toyota’s Baby Land Cruiser FJ Looks Retro Enough To Break Your Heart

The vehicle in question is sold in China as the Baojun Yep Plus and was developed through the GM–Wuling joint venture. It’s not a focused off-roader like the new FJ, nor is it powered by a traditional combustion engine, but rather by an electric powertrain.

Now, we’re not suggesting the FJ copied the Baojun Yep Plus, but it gives off a similar vibe, and to our eyes, it looks every bit as good, if not better, than Toyota’s baby FJ Cruiser.

From the side, the two share a similar silhouette, though the GM model is noticeably smaller at 157.3 inches (3,996 mm) long, 69.3 inches (1,760 mm) wide, and 68 inches (1,726 mm) tall, with a 100.8-inch (2,560 mm) wheelbase, compared with the Toyota’s 180.1 inches (4,575 mm) in length, 73 inches (1,855 mm) in width, and 77.2 inches (1,960 mm) in height, riding on a 101.6-inch (2,580 mm) wheelbase.

Technically, that makes it a baby version of the baby Land Cruiser FJ.

The Yep Plus has the same boxy proportions as the FJ, though its bumpers are smoother and more rounded since it’s not built for off-roading. It also forgoes the Toyota’s jagged wheel arch extensions, while the positioning of the headlights and taillights appears closely aligned.

That said, the FJ’s taillights sit quite high and jut slightly from the body, while the Baojun’s units are more neatly integrated into the rear fascia.

There’s no doubt that weaving retro cues into a new design, as GM and Wuling have done with the Yep Plus, helps it resonate with a wider audience. Toyota has taken a similar route with the FJ, giving it a retro-modern character that plenty of buyers would likely appreciate. It’s just a shame it won’t reach the United States.

Brazil Gets its own Baojun

In July, GM revealed that it would export the Yep Plus to Brazil, rebadging it as the Chevrolet Spark EUV. It will be sold as standard with a 42 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted electric motor with 101 hp and 133 lb-ft (180 Nm) of torque, giving it 249 miles (401 km) of range on the CLTC cycle.

While we’re not convinced it would sell in big numbers if launched in the U.S. as an affordable EV, it could find success with a small, efficient combustion engine paired with a more rugged makeover featuring wider fenders and extra plastic cladding. What do you think?

2025 Chevrolet Spark EUV

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ

While it might seem like Xiaomi can do no wrong with its much-hyped SU7 and YU7 electric models, the company has been nursing a legal headache since mid-year over one particularly controversial feature: the carbon fiber hood offered for the SU7 Ultra.

What began as a flashy performance upgrade has now turned into a courtroom lesson in customer trust.

Read: Chinese Super Sedan Owners Furious Over Fake Aero Ducts In $6K Aero Hood

Originally touted as a functional component with sizable air ducts designed to improve cooling, the hood turned out to be all show and no substance. Owners soon discovered that the vents had no effect on airflow, and their disappointment quickly became public.

Shortly after news broke about customer concerns, an owner took the Chinese brand to court, alleging it had engaged in false advertising.

They paid 42,000 yuan or $5,800 for the carbon fiber hood, but after removing it and disassembling the front end of the EV, they found its internal structure was virtually identical to the standard aluminum hood.

The Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Jiangsu Province has upheld the original judgment ruling in favor of the SU7 Ultra owner, while also dismissing Xiaomi’s appeal.

The consumer electronics giant will now need to refund the 20,000 yuan ($2,800) deposit the owner made for the hood, pay 126,000 yuan ($17,640) in compensation, and cover 10,000 yuan ($1,400) in legal fees.

Other Lawsuits Could Follow

While these figures are just a drop in the bucket for a company like Xiaomi, it’ll no doubt be sweating the prospect of future payouts.

The case in question wasn’t a class action and involved just a single owner. It’s likely that following this judgment, other owners who shelled out for the expensive carbon fiber hood will also sue Xiaomi.

When the dispute first came to light, Xiaomi issued an apology, insisting the hood’s purpose was aesthetic rather than functional, meant to mirror the design of the record-setting SU7 Ultra Prototype.

To placate upset customers, it offered 20,000 Xiaomi reward points to each owner who purchased the hood, worth about 2,000 yuan, or roughly $280. Whether that modest gesture will be enough to prevent more legal action remains to be seen.

Electric momentum in the States has hit a few speed bumps. A mix of the Trump administration’s fuel-friendly policies and the loss of the federal EV tax credit has cooled the pace of electric vehicle growth. As a result, several automakers are rethinking their battery-powered strategies, shelving or scaling back certain projects that once seemed inevitable.

Read: Should Jeep Follow Ram’s Lead And Kill The Recon EV?

Jeep, though, says it isn’t ready to fold. After Stellantis pulled the plug on the Ram 1500 REV, some speculated the same fate might await the Jeep Recon EV. But according to the brand, the project is still alive and headed for production.

When Is It Coming?

Originally teased as a concept in 2022, the Recon EV was supposed to launch in 2024. But then Jeep went quiet. Until now. That timeline has changed, with Jeep chief executive Bob Broderdorf now confirming that the production version will make its debut soon, with sales set to begin next spring.

Built on the STLA Large platform, the Recon will slot just below the Wrangler in Jeep’s lineup of off-roaders. In an interview with Motor Trend, Broderdorf sounded unconcerned about sales figures, suggesting Jeep is treating this model as a learning opportunity rather than a volume play.

“We’ve got a great car. We’ve already built it,” he said. “We should sell it, we should learn. I don’t know how many it will be. I’m not really that worried about it.”

He added it will be built at the Toluca plant in Mexico alongside the Jeep Wagoneer S, Compass, and Cherokee, noting the plant has the flexibility to shift production depending on demand.

“We can shift and move,” he explained. “It is OK if [Recon] is low volume. If I have to sell more Cherokees, so be it.”

What Could Power It?

Key technical specifications about the Recon EV remain uncertain. However, it could share powertrains with the Wagoneer S, potentially including the same 100.5 kWh battery pack and dual-motor, all-wheel drive system.

However, as Jeep is eventually expected to release an all-electric Wrangler, it’s unlikely the Recon EV will match the 600 hp of the Wagoneer S for fear of stepping onto the Wrangler EV’s turf.

As is so often the case, the success or failure of the Recon EV will largely depend on the price. If the Recon EV lands in the right bracket, it could find steady ground among off-road enthusiasts looking for something new. But if it arrives with a steep sticker and limited range, it may struggle to get traction before it even leaves the showroom floor.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that China has taken a commanding lead in the global race for electric vehicle and battery innovation. With the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pulling back on major Biden-era grants, that gap could widen even further

In early October alone, the DOE canceled more than $700 million in awards meant to boost domestic battery and manufacturing projects. The timing and scale of these cancellations have sparked frustration across the industry and in Washington alike.

Behind the scenes, reports suggest this may only be the beginning Recently, a list of projects reportedly being targeted by the DOE has been circulating among lobbyists, indicating that as much as $20 billion in awards could be scrapped.

Included in that list, and recently confirmed by the DOE, were $700 million in grants awarded under the previous administration for battery makers Ascend Elements, American Battery Technology Co, Anovion, and ICL Specialty Products. There was also a grant for glass manufacturer LuxWall.

What’s Behind The Cancellations?

In a statement, DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich said the projects “had missed milestones, and it was determined they did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs, were not economically viable, and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.”

Read: Washington Could Break Biden’s $1.1 Billion EV Promise To GM And Stellantis

As noted by Politico’s E&E, the cancellation of these grants impacts plans to build large factories in states including Missouri and Kentucky.

Of the $700 million in grants, $316 million was awarded to Ascend Elements to support manufacturing components from recycled EV batteries at a $1 billion plant in Kentucky.

Additionally, $57.7 million was bound for American Battery Technology to support the construction of a Nevada plant producing lithium hydroxide for batteries. Elsewhere, $117 million was awarded to Anovion to support the production of synthetic graphite for lithium-ion battery anodes.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright is believed to be spearheading many of the cancellations, noting that “If they’re not in the interest of the taxpayers, if they’re not a good expenditure of the money, you always have the ability to cancel these projects.”

Democrats Hit Back

Unsurprisingly, Democrats quickly voiced their opposition. In a strongly worded letter to Wright, 37 Democratic and independent senators accused the DOE of overstepping its authority.

“The illegality of your cancellations is the only thing as indisputable as the harm your cancellations will wreak,” the letter stated. Lawmakers argued that the department “must expend these funds and faithfully execute the law, including many programs that have strict requirements for the timing of fund expenditure, purposes, and contractual expectations.”

Under the Biden administration, carmakers enjoyed four years of predictable policy and a clear push toward electrification. Since 2005, some form of tax credit has existed to reward buyers of low-emission vehicles. Then came January.

Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office promptly threw a wrench into that setup, with his administration scrapping the EV tax credit, lifting penalties for exceeding emissions targets, and generally adopting an anti-EV posture that left automakers recalibrating overnight.

Now, car manufacturers are facing an uphill climb. Following the removal of the federal EV tax credit at the end of September, General Motors says it has already seen a “significant” decline in demand. Even so, the company expects things to settle into a more predictable rhythm soon enough, lbeit at a lower pitch than before.

Read: EV Tax Credit Loss Will Cost GM $1.6 Billion

“EV demand is going to be pretty choppy for the near future, we think, as we come out of the $7,500 and what we’ve already seen in October with some pretty significant pullback in demand,” GM chief financial officer Paul Jacobson said during a recent earnings call. “We do think that the EV market is going to stabilize from a supply standpoint.”

Jacobson added that emissions regulations had turned parts of the EV market into a clearance aisle, with some brands practically giving away electric cars just to rack up environmental credits.

“We had a number of competitors out there that really were selling EVs for whatever they could get for them because they really wanted to get the credits on the environmental side,” he said.

While he didn’t call anyone out by name, Jacobson was referring to the regulatory credits automakers could earn from selling EVs under the previous scheme. If they failed to bring about enough credits or didn’t purchase them from a brand like Tesla, they faced fines.

GM’s EV Future

Moving forward, GM appears confident in the future of EVs. Chief executive Mary Barra refers to them as the company’s “North Star” and said the company won’t “know what true EV demand is” until early next year.

Despite the uncertainty, GM doesn’t plan to discontinue any of its current models and will focus on reducing costs over the coming years. For example, it’s working on reducing complexity and commonizing parts across its dedicated EV platform.

“We’re [also] investing in new battery technologies, LMR (lithium manganese rich), that will allow us to take cost out of the vehicle in a significant fashion,” said Barra.

BYD isn’t content with simply selling affordable EVs and plug-in hybrids to the masses. Through its high-end Denza brand, the company is out to challenge Europe’s luxury carmakers, with vice president Stella Li even claiming its vehicles are “ten times better” than those from Porsche and BMW.

Read: BYD Boss Brags Z9 GT Is ‘Ten Times Better’ Than Premium Euro Rivals

Well, those words will soon be put to the ultimate test as Denza is preparing a new sports car targeting the likes of the upcoming Porsche 718 Electric and even the 911.

The upcoming model, known simply as the Z, has already been spotted at the Nürburgring, where a prototype of the all-electric coupe is undergoing testing. The question now is, what exactly can we expect from it?

Denza has been working on this sports model for quite some time, and earlier this year, unveiled it in concept guise. This prototype, despite the camouflage, looks virtually identical to the show car, which is a good thing.

It may not be the most beautiful two-door sports car on the market, but it definitely looks unique and should pack some serious performance.

Concept Car Looks

From a visual standpoint, the front end includes two large air intakes, a small central grille, and LED headlights. There’s also a prominent front splitter to aid in the aerodynamics, as well as a pair of small aero flaps below the bumper. Viewed from the side, the Z looks quite long and has Porsche RS-like louvers on the front wheel arches.

Baldauf

These spyshots also show it sitting on a set of sticky GitiSport GTR3 semi-slick tires, measuring a massive 325/30 at the rear and 275/35 at the front. Clearly, Denza is targeting top-notch performance, necessitating the use of semi-slick tires like these.

The rear of the car is the most intriguing. It features a massive fixed rear wing, a prominent diffuser housed within the bumper, and LED taillights.

What’s Underneath?

Many important technical details about the Z remain under wraps. Denza never specified what kind of powertrain the concept had, but local media speculates the production model will feature a triple-motor system.

The existing Z9 GT already uses this setup and delivers 952 hp. Some sources had suggested power for the Z would be capped at 536 hp, but we’d be surprised if Denza wanted its sleek estate to have more power than its first proper sports car.

If the Z has upwards of 900 hp, it’ll probably be able to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3 seconds or less. But, as evidenced by it being tested at the Nurburgring, it won’t just be about straight-line performance. This prototype has a massive set of brakes and will also include Denza’s trick suspension system.

This setup will include a double-wishbone setup at the front with magnetorheological shocks that can change the damping force in 10ms. We have no doubt this will work wonders on a demanding circuit like the Nordschleife.

A Tech-Focused Cabin

The cabin of the Denza Z should be similar to the concept. That likely means a digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment screen, and a small display for the passenger. There will also be loads of plush Alcantara and leather to ensure it has a really premium feel.

Stephen Hancock

The auto industry has entered a new phase, one where old hierarchies no longer guarantee dominance. Long gone are the times when legacy automakers could dismiss emerging new rivals from China.

Read: GM Quietly Plots A Family Of Low-Cost EVs After New Bolt

Now, a company like General Motors knows it needs to move faster and think sharper to keep pace with China’s electric vehicle powerhouses. According to its president, that means building new models at a speed that would once have seemed impossible.

On average, a new model from a Chinese EV brand has a typical development cycle of between 22 and 28 months, far quicker than the 32–48-month average for western automakers. GM president Mark Reuss knows the speed of its new competitors is something they need to match.

How Fast Is Fast Enough?

“I would say we can learn a lot from the speed,” he told InsideEVs during a recent podcast. “I don’t think that copying each other and trying to price each other out of the market is necessarily a great thing.”

Reuss noted that Chinese brands often use the same base of suppliers and can quickly adopt innovations, helping to speed up development times. However, he acknowledged that it can be difficult for these carmakers to make money unless they also sell batteries.

“They benchmark the heck out of each other, and then they will copy it and put it into production, so it’s a very rapid cycle because of that,” he said. “There are a lot of companies that come and go, and they come and go often. Unless you’re selling batteries, it’s a pretty tough financial deal to make money over there.”

GM is far from the only car manufacturer that needs to speed up development times. Last month, Audi said it was going “China speed” with the development of the next-generation TT, aiming to launch it just 30 months after the project was approved

Less than two weeks later, BMW raised the stakes, claiming that even Chinese firms can’t match its momentum as it develops the Neue Klasse vehicles. The Bavarian company has pledged to roll out 40 new and updated models within the next two years, signaling again that the global race for speed in electric vehicle development is very much underway

BYD’s rise in Australia has been swift, its local debut with the Atto 3 only a couple of years behind it. Since then, the brand has expanded into a full lineup that now includes the Shark 6 among several others, with more launches still to come this year.

Review: BYD Sealion 7 Performance Could Be Tesla’s Worst Nightmare

However, recent events suggest the momentum may be getting ahead of itself. That’s because BYD has reportedly been caught storing vehicles illegally at a New South Wales water park.

Where Are All These Cars Coming From?

More than 1,600 BYD vehicles have been sitting in parking lots at Jamberoo Action Park, about 90 minutes south of Sydney.

The water park, closed during the winter, is reopening this week as the local summer approaches, yet its carparks have quietly been filling up with BYD models, including the Shark 6, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Seal.

While it’s not unusual for carmakers or dealerships to store excess inventory, the scale of BYD’s operation is unusual. Also unusual was that it didn’t actually receive any council approval before it started trucking vehicles arriving from the nearby Port Kembla shipping terminal to the water park.

Also: Tesla Dumping Unsold Cybertrucks At Mall Parking Lot And The City’s Fed Up

The local Kiama Council has been aware of the growing number of BYD vehicles being stored at the facility for two to three months. While the property is privately owned, the car park can’t be used for purposes “not associated with the recreation facility,” local media reports.

It’s understood that the owners lodged a Development Action (DA) with the council in early September, wanting to turn the carpark into a storage facility.

However, the council is continuing to review this application, and recently issued the property owner a warning to stop using the land for car storage.

“Council is working with the owners of Jamberoo Action Park to ensure the site is only operated for authorised uses,” a spokesperson confirmed.

BYD itself has stated that its New South Wales storage operations are handled by a third-party logistics partner, though it has yet to identify who that partner is.

It’s a bad look for the car manufacturer and comes at a time when it is facing growing competition from other Chinese brands. This year, its local sales have been outpaced by those of GWM.

Photos BYD

Dodge was confident that the all-electric Charger Daytona would spark a new era for muscle cars, but the reality has been far less electrifying. Reality, however, has been less kind. Reception has been lukewarm at best, and increasingly troubled as early issues begin to surface.

Not only has Dodge already dropped the base R/T models, but a growing number of drivers are now voicing concerns about serious faults with the car.

Read: Charger Daytona Owner Says His New Car Is ‘Practically Useless’ After Endless Problems

One owner describes the new Charger Daytona as a car that “drives and performs phenomenally,” but only when it works. And, it seems it doesn’t work as it should much of the time. Among the most troubling issues is inconsistent charging performance.

What’s Wrong With Charging?

Writing on Reddit, the driver explains that they’ve never managed to charge the vehicle reliably at public stations. Sessions frequently stall, forcing them to unplug and reconnect every 5 to 10 percent, which is understandably maddening.

At one charging station, he said he had to trick the app into thinking his Charger was a Cadillac Lyriq just to get the session started. He also mentioned that the home charger included with the purchase has yet to arrive.

There’s also an issue with the rear seat, as we’ve reported previously. When you pull forward the front seat to allow a rear-seat passenger to get out, the front seat will slowly slide forward before automatically sliding backward, potentially pinching someone trying to climb out from the rear.

Terrifying Brakes

The “last straw” was a fault they experienced with the brakes. While stopped outside a store, the brake pedal was pressed firmly to the floor, yet the car attempted to surge forward several times

Moments later, the dashboard lit up with multiple warning lights, traction control switched off on its own, and the Daytona eventually shut down completely. It stayed that way for several minutes before it would restart.

More: Only A Dodge Charger EV Could Get Ticketed For A Loud Exhaust

Stellantis hasn’t been much help, according to the poster. The company denied a buy-back request but did agree to cover a rental while the Charger is being repaired. Unfortunately, the allowance is capped at $60 a day, while the least expensive rental available costs $80.

“I’m at a loss with options, and I just want to warn anyone considering purchasing or leasing this vehicle,” they added. “I unfortunately went the purchase route since I drive so many miles a year.”

Given the extent of these problems, his best option may now be to pursue legal help under lemon laws to force a buy-back.

BUYER BEWARE: Dodge Charger Daytona – Numerous Issues – Lack of Support.
byu/hobobumpkins inDodge

The big selling point for Slate Auto’s electric pickup truck was always going to be its price, promising to start at under $20,000 in the United States. However, the removal of the federal EV tax credit has forced Slate to jack up the truck’s estimated starting price, and it may also be shockingly expensive to lease, considering how few features you get.

While the company has yet to confirm a final price for the model, Cars Direct speculates that it could cost upwards of $500 per month. The outlet has come to this conclusion by estimating a $27,500 price tag, which, over a typical 36-month lease with no money down, could work out to be $468.

Read: Slate’s Affordable Electric Truck Just Got A Whole Lot More Expensive

Add in the first month’s payment and an estimated acquisition fee of $700, and this will effectively jump to near $500 per month, before taxes and fees. Had the EV tax credit still been around, the equivalent price would drop to $341 a month, a hefty difference of $127.

However, it’s worth noting that actual lease prices for the truck may be different. The publication based its estimate on a money factor of 0.00292 or 7 percent APR and assumes a residual value of 55 percent.

This or a Ford Maverick?

If Slate Auto wants the back-to-basics EV to be successful, it’ll have to convince many shoppers to buy it instead of a Ford Maverick. It’s currently possible to lease a 2025 Maverick XLT AWD with the EcoBoost engine for as little as $289 per month over 36 months with $3,709 due at signing.

Admittedly, leasing a hybrid version of the Maverick is more expensive. Depending on location, the hybrid Mavericks generally start at around the $430 per month mark, and that usually doesn’t account for a hefty $3,000+ payment due at signing, bringing effective monthly payments to over $500.

Sources: CarsDirect

The long-awaited 2027 Chevrolet Bolt arrived earlier this month, carrying a host of mechanical upgrades while retaining a shape that feels immediately recognizable.

Only time ans sales will tell if this new model proves to be a success, but GM is eager to follow it up with several other affordable EVs. Evidently, it has the confidence that demand for cheap electric cars will rise.

What’s Coming Next?

While recently speaking about the company’s future plans, GM president Mark Reuss said a family of new EVs is on the cards, but he kept many important details close to his chest.

Read: New Chevy Bolt Is Back But Costs Thousands More Than The Leaf

“What comes after this, whether it’s called a Bolt or not, will be a family of things that is low-priced,” Reuss told InsideEVs. “And when I say family, they won’t be adopted. They’ll be in the same vein of size and price.”

What this likely means is that some of these models will probably be Bolt-based, while others will be distinct models, likely similar in size and price to the Bolt. According to Reuss, some of these models will slot into “white spaces” across the industry.

“I also think there’s some white spaces in size, class, of forms—not only the Bolt that we just introduced but also some different things, for different people’s styled tastes,” he noted.

Bolt Tech

The new Bolt is underpinned by a 65 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack, offering up 255 miles (410 km) of driving range in standard guise.

The new battery also supports 150 kW DC fast charging, a big increase from the 50 kW of the old model. Future affordable EVs from GM could be offered with the same battery.

Reuss noted that their new EVs will use different cell technology from old models, potentially indicating the wider adoption of LFP batteries like the Bolt.

GM is also known to be developing lithium manganese-rich batteries that are expected to launch in 2028. These new batteries promise improved range and higher energy density than LFP cells.

BMW officially entered its Neue Klasse era after unveiling the 2026 iX3 at last month’s Munich Motor Show. Not only does it usher in a new period for the broader BMW model range, it also has the ingredients to be competitive on the world stage.

And based on early responses, consumers appear to be excited about the new-age model.

Read: BMW Is Cranking Out Cars “Like Pretzels” And Says Even China Can’t Keep Up

Less than two months after the Munich unveiling, BMW Group head Christian Ach shared that interest in the iX3 has surpassed even their most optimistic forecasts. “We have received over 3,000 orders for the iX3 in the first six weeks after its launch at the IAA in Munich,” he told Automobilwoche, likely referring to demand within Germany alone.

One might argue that 3,000 orders sound modest compared with figures from China, but the context tells a different story. Germany recorded 2.8 million new passenger car sales last year, while China’s total exceeded 31 million.

The response appears all the more impressive given that BMW hasn’t begun offering test drives. In Germany, the 2026 iX3 will start at €68,900 ($80,600), with a lower-priced variant expected next year, starting closer to the €60,000 ($70,200) mark is expected next year.

Just one version of the iX3 will be available at launch. Known as the iX3 50 xDrive, it employs two electric motors to deliver a combined 463 hp and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque and can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in a rapid 4.7 seconds.

Of equal, if not more, importance is the driving range: 400 miles (644 km) as per the EPA, thanks to the 108 kWh battery pack, which can charge from 10-80 percent in just 21 minutes.

While speaking with Automobilwoche, Ach added that the company’s planned production rate for the iX3 through 2026 “will not be able to meet the high demand”.

The next model in BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup will be the i3. Despite the familiar badge, this version will arrive as a fully electric 3-Series rather than the compact, unconventional hatchback or MPV the name once denoted. It’s expected to share much of its powertrain technology with the iX3.

Sources: Automobilwoche

In politics, few things vanish faster than inconvenient promises. Policies that once seemed carved in stone tend to crumble the moment the weather changes. The US may have stepped back from its federal EV tax credits, but in the heart of Europe’s car industry, the story is moving in the opposite direction.

Two years after Germany scrapped its incentives for electric vehicles, a move that triggered a sharp drop in demand as we widely reported, the country is preparing to bring them back. The new purchase program will take effect in January 2026.

Renewed Push For Affordability

The new scheme will be introduced at a pivotal time for the European car industry as it struggles with US-imposed import tariffs and new competition from China.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed earlier this week that €3 billion ($3.5 billion) will be allocated for zero-emission vehicle purchase incentives through 2029, targeting low- and middle-income households.

Read: Germany’s EV Sales Crash 28% In First Full Year Without Subsidies

It’s understood that the program will offer incentives worth up to €4,000 ($4,600) on the purchase of a new EV that’s priced under €45,000 ($52,600). That is a big change from the previous scheme that had a higher price limit of €65,000 ($76,000).

Importantly, plug-in hybrid vehicles will not be included in the program, although used EVs will, for the first time, be eligible, too according to German media, as reported by Autonews.

Who Qualifies

While some finer details about the program are still being ironed out, an income cap of around €45,000 ($52,600) is expected. While speaking about the new incentives, Social Democratic Party secretary-general Tim Kluessendorf said that “everyone must be able to afford the [electric] transition.”

“What is important to me in designing the subsidy program is that it must benefit the German and European automotive industry in particular,” he added. “The Ministry of the Environment will ensure that this is the case. The future is electric, and we want it to be written in Germany.”

The remark suggests the incentives could be limited to vehicles produced by European manufacturers, though no official confirmation has been made. We’ll have to wait and see if this case, but the local car industry could do with all the help it can get at the moment.

Germany’s previous EV subsidy scheme paid out roughly €10 billion ($11.7 billion) to buyers between 2016 and 2023 before being shut down due to budget constraints.

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles have helped turn robotaxi services from tech demo to daily reality, but like any connected system, these days that same openness invites a bit of mischief, and the occasional abuse.

In San Francisco, a group of pranksters decided to see what would happen if they flooded the service with requests. The result, according to them, was the world’s first Waymo DDOS, short for distributed denial-of-service.

Read: Cops Pulled Over A Driverless Car For An Illegal U-Turn And Couldn’t Write A Ticket

The stunt came to light through an X post by self-confessed tech prankster Riley Walz, who only now shared details of what actually unfolded back in July. The idea was straightforward. Fifty participants gathered at San Francisco’s longest dead-end street and each ordered a Waymo ride at exactly the same time.

What Happens When You Summon 50 Robotaxis?

As you’d expect, a fleet of driverless cars dutifully arrived, clustering at the dead end and clogging traffic. Anyone nearby hoping for a legitimate pickup suddenly had no chance of finding an available Waymo.

According to Walz, no one from the group actually entered any of the vehicles. Each car lingered for roughly ten minutes before departing automatically, charging a $5 no-show fee.

“Waymo handled this well, I assume this isn’t much different than if a big concert had just ended,” said Walz. “Eventually, they disabled all rides within a 2-block vicinity until the morning.”

that was wild pic.twitter.com/dCF6ByDf50

— calvin.sh (@Calvin__Liang) October 13, 2025

How Waymo Handled the Flood

Speaking with Road & Track, a spokesperson from Waymo said the service is able to automatically detect and limit the number of rides to a specific area, meaning it was able to prevent additional vehicles from showing up at the dead-end street.

The company added that simultaneous requests from busy spots are not unusual and that the system is designed to adapt accordingly.

“Waymo provides hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous trips weekly across five and counting cities with over 2,000 vehicles,” the spokesperson said. “We are always refining our system to manage distribution at specific locations, ensuring we balance our service’s physical footprint with the need to deliver an excellent rider experience.”

Ambition has always been Mate Rimac’s calling card, and it seems his next move could redefine the balance of power in Europe’s hypercar world. The founder of Rimac and current head of the Bugatti Rimac group, Mate Rimac, has revealed that he wants to buy out Porsche’s stake in the joint venture.

If a deal like that were to go through, it would hand him full control over the company and the direction of both the Rimac and Bugatti brands, while potentially giving Porsche a welcome financial boost as it contends with declining sales.

Who Holds the Keys?

Rimac and Bugatti famously came together in 2021 through a complex tie-up where Porsche gave Mate Rimac control of Bugatti in return for a greater stake in the Rimac Group. As it stands, the Rimac Group owns 55 percent of Bugatti Rimac, with Porsche owning the remaining 45 percent.

Read: Rimac Might Buy Porsche Out And Take Over Bugatti

At the time of that original deal, Mate Rimac owned 37 percent of the Rimac Group, while Porsche held 24 percent, Hyundai 12 percent, and a mix of smaller investors made up the final 27 percent.

Mate Rimac has reportedly made a preliminary offer for Porsche’s 45 percent stake earlier this year, valuing the joint venture at over €1 billion or $1.1 billion. He now confirmed that he wants to take over the joint venture with the assistance of an unnamed international investor group and private equity funds.

The Next Move

“It’s no secret that we are in discussions,” he told Bloomberg. “I just want to be able to make long-term decisions, to make long-term investments, and to do things in a different way, without having to explain to 50 people. When you negotiate with a corporation, there are so many factors. It’s families, it’s multiple families. It’s an emotional topic.”

More: Porsche’s EV Plans Collapse, Flagship SUV To Launch With Gas Instead

Porsche had previously attempted to raise its share in the joint venture, but those plans ultimately fell through.

Now, with the German sports car maker facing a significant drop in sales this year, shelving projects such as the K1 SUV, and scaling back some of its electric vehicle ambitions, it may see this as the right moment to sell its stake in Bugatti Rimac.

The first images of the new MG S6 EV have surfaced online, and somewhat amusingly, the source isn’t the automaker itself or but from Euro NCAP. The safety testing authority has unwittingly given us our first proper glimpse of the upcoming SUV.

Read: MG Just Declared War On The Ranger And Hilux With New Truck

MG has yet to release official photographs of the model, but its inclusion in Euro NCAP’s latest batch of crash-tested vehicles means we now have a reasonably clear look at its design, even if most of the images show it in a rather battered state.

It’s not easy to design an SUV that looks good, but MG has had a decent crack and it’s done quite well. The front end is very similar to the smaller S5 and includes the same small, split front grille positioned at the very base of the bumper.

It has also been showcased with LED daytime running lights and separate headlamps housed within triangular-shaped elements.

The rear-end is also quite sleek, although the shape of the taillights and the light bar does remind us of the Mercedes-Benz EQA, albeit with more complex lighting signatures. Other intriguing elements include the blacked-out bumper and the sharp diffuser.

What About The Interior?

We don’t yet have official images of the MG S6’s interior, but the Euro NCAP crash tests offer a few revealing glimpses. Between shots of airbags deploying into crash dummies, you can spot a squared-off steering wheel, a sizable central infotainment screen, and a head-up display perched above the dashboard.

Safety and Specifications

On the safety front, the MG S6 EV scored a full five stars from Euro NCAP, earning 92 percent for adult protection, 85 percent for child protection, 84 percent for vulnerable road users, and 78 percent for its suite of driver-assist technologies.

While the report doesn’t go into drivetrain specifics, it does confirm that both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive variants are planned.

It’s likely that the S6 will share the same single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup as the S5, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel-drive version is expected to add a secondary motor up front, creating a dual-motor configuration with a balanced output and broader appeal.

A full reveal is expected soon, as MG officials have already confirmed that the launch is scheduled for the end of November.

The removal of the federal electric vehicle tax credit at the end of September is set to cost General Motors as much as $1.6 billion in the next quarter, a direct result of the adjustments it must make to its electric vehicle strategy.

This follows Ford’s recent announcement that it will write down up to $400 million in manufacturing assets and reduce $1.5 billion in EV-related spending, scaling back projects including a three-row electric SUV and a full-size electric pickup.

Industry Recalibration

In its third-quarter report, GM confirmed that its board of directors had approved $1.6 billion in charges tied to what it described as the “strategic realignment of our EV capacity and manufacturing footprint to consumer demand.”

Read: GM Pulls Off Its Strongest US Comeback In A Decade But One Brand Is Slipping

The company specified that $1.2 billion of that amount relates to adjustments in its EV capacity, while the remaining $400 million stems “primarily from contract cancellation fees and commercial settlements associated with EV-related investments, which will have a cash impact.”

GM also noted that “it is reasonably possible that we will recognize additional future material cash and non-cash charges that may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.”

GM emphasized that the measures it’s taking will not affect its existing range of electric models sold under the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands.

Electric vehicle sales in the United States climbed sharply through the third quarter, yet GM cautioned in its filing that it expects “the adoption rate of EVs to slow” due to “the termination of certain consumer tax incentives for EV purchases and the reduction in the stringency of emissions regulations.”

During the July-September period, GM’s sales of electric vehicles rose 107 percent and have increased 105 percent year-to-date. In Q3, it sold a total of 66,501 EVs, and Chevrolet cemented its position as the second-largest EV brand in the country. In addition, the Equinox EV was the best-selling non-Tesla-branded electric vehicle.

Like every other automaker trying to keep its EV lineup from gathering dust, Ford knows that enthusiasm for the F-150 Lightning could fade fast now that the federal tax credit has vanished. To keep shoppers from drifting off, it’s slicing up to $4,000 off the price.

Now, that doesn’t come close to the $7,500 buyers just lost, but it might be enough to keep a few more trucks rolling off the lot. For the moment, anyway.

The 2026 F-150 Lightning will start at $63,345 before destination charges for the base STX trim, which replaces the outgoing XLT. Though the sticker remains identical to last year’s, the new model carries a larger 123 kWh battery pack instead of the previous 98 kWh unit, boosting range by roughly 50 miles (80.4 km).

Read: Ford’s New F-150 Lightning Trim Solves Its Biggest Flaws For Free

Perhaps of even more interest to potential customers will be the Flash trim. Cars Direct reports it will start at $65,995 for 2026, down from last year’s $69,995. There will also be a generous $2,000 savings for the Lariat, with its price reduced from $76,995 to $74,995.

At the top of the lineup sits the F-150 Lightning Platinum, which holds steady at $84,995. Ford hasn’t trimmed that figure, but at least it hasn’t gone higher either.

If the F-150 Lightning is still out of your price range after these cuts, then leasing could be a good option. Ford is continuing to offer 2025 XLT models with a $9,000 lease cash incentive.

Shoppers in certain states are also eligible for a $500 Summer Sales Event bonus, and for those who turn down Ford’s complimentary home charger, a $2,000 Public Charging Credit is available.

During the most recent quarter, Ford sold 10,005 units of the F-150 Lightning, marking a 39.7 percent jump from the same period last year.

How the Trump administration’s decision to end the federal tax credit will affect Q4 results remains to be seen. The next few months will likely reveal whether price cuts alone are enough to keep Ford’s electric pickup moving off lots.

The South Korean government is none too pleased with Hyundai’s massive US investments, particularly as tensions linger with the Trump administration over a new trade deal. Indeed, one lawmaker has even gone so far as to accuse Hyundai of trying to curry favor with President Donald Trump.

Just two weeks after Hyundai’s massive plant in Georgia was raided by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and hundreds of Korean workers were detained, the automaker announced plans to boost its American investments by 32 percent, bringing the total to $11.6 billion.

This move landed awkwardly back home. Many in South Korea had warned that the raid could discourage local companies from expanding into the United States, and Hyundai’s timing only added to the unease.

Read: Turns Out 300 Of The ‘Illegal Aliens’ Detained At Hyundai Plant Are Koreans

While recently speaking with members of the press, South Korea’s industry minister Kim Jung-kwan described the timing of the investments as “deeply regrettable.”

“We told Hyundai that [its] conduct was deeply regrettable, especially considering that our efforts have been made for the sake of Hyundai and Kia’s industry,” Kim said. “I believe that Hyundai now fully understands the Korean public sentiment.”

According to the South China Morning Post, Korean officials have clashed with US counterparts over roughly $350 billion in American investments as Seoul seeks lower tariffs on Korean cars.

Who Benefits Most?

According to independent lawmaker Kim Jong-min, Hyundai’s investments weakened Korea’s leverage during trade talks. “Isn’t the Korea-US tariff negotiation essentially a negotiation concerning Hyundai?” he asked.

“Since Hyundai is the main player in this issue, I believe that the way Hyundai responded was not helpful to the negotiations.”

Hyundai has been particularly active on the investment front this year. In March, it pledged $21 billion to strengthen its automotive, steel, and robotics businesses. By August, that figure had grown to $26 billion, with a promise to create 25,000 direct jobs in the United States by 2028.

Sources: South China Morning Post

Tesla helped pioneer over-the-air software updates, introducing new features without owners ever having to visit a dealership or service center. It was a move that set the brand apart, positioning its cars as tech products that could evolve long after leaving the factory floor.

Of course, there’s always a “but” with progress, and Tesla’s latest update is no exception.

Read: Elon Musk Tells Companies That Pulled Ads From X To “Go (Explicit) Yourself”

And this time, Tesla’s latest software update has landed with a thud among owners, as it’s essentially an advertisement for the upcoming film Tron: Ares. Welcome to 2025, where your car can double as a mobile billboard.

The update transforms the on-board visualizations found on the central display of the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Normally, one of Tesla’s vehicles is displayed here, but after installing the update, that image is replaced with an Tron bike, just like the ones featured in the film.

Owners can access the new animations by heading into the App Launcher, opening Toybox, and enabling it. Admittedly, the Tron bike does look quite cool, particularly since it leaves a trail of red light behind it.

However, it somewhat reeks of desperation for the company to add a feature like this, and has raised questions whether Disney is compensating Tesla for featuring its latest blockbuster so prominently inside customer vehicles.

The grid has expanded to your Tesla — Tron: Ares update rolling out now pic.twitter.com/oQvYSAFuLM

— Tesla (@Tesla) October 10, 2025

Tesla vs Disney

Tesla boss Elon Musk has had a strained relationship with Disney over the past few years. In late 2023, he decried Disney’s decision to stop advertising on X after he supported an antisemitic post. He also called for Disney chief executive Bob Iger to be fired, and soon after, had Tesla remove the Disney+ app from its infotainment system.

Evidently, Tesla’s relationship with Disney has improved over the past couple of years, or else this wouldn’t be happening.

Had someone asked Musk in late 2023 whether Tesla cars would one day promote a Disney movie, he likely would have laughed off the idea. Yet here we are, two years later, watching the worlds of Silicon Valley and Hollywood collide once again, this time on your dashboard.