Australia has long been a stronghold for pickup trucks, but Rivian’s all-electric lineup remains out of reach for local buyers. For now, at least. Without any right-hand-drive models in its range, the American EV maker hasn’t officially broken into the Australian market.

More: Rivian Is Getting Bigger But Its Service Workforce Is Getting Smaller

That could shift in a roundabout fashion, courtesy of a batch of Rivian R1T trucks that ended up stranded Down Under. They might soon be offered to the public. Just one small hitch; you can’t legally drive them on the road, which tends to put a dent in the whole ownership experience.

How Did They Get Here?

So, how did a bunch of Rivianland in Australia in the first place? The short answer is MEVCO, a Perth-based startup launched in 2022 with plans to supply fully electric light commercial vehicles to the mining sector.

The company purchased 13 Rivian R1Ts in 2024 for local trials, alongside three electric Toyota Hilux utes converted by SEA Electric. But MEVCO’s ambitions didn’t last. After struggling to raise funds and drowning in debt, the company collapsed into administration in September 2025.

As part of the liquidation, the entire fleet is now heading to auction. The Rivians will be sold through Grays Auctions in Western Australia, giving local EV enthusiasts a rare chance to pick up one of the U.S.-built trucks, if they can live with some serious restrictions.

Can You Actually Use One?

MEVCO via Drive.com.au

Under Australian law, left-hand-drive vehicles can only be registered for road use if they’re over 30 years old. There are limited exemptions for rare imports, but as these Rivians are mass-produced, they likely won’t qualify.

That means buyers will be confined to using them on private property, think farms, mine sites, remote tracks, or driveways outside the public road network.

More: Rivian CEO Gets A Musk-Style Pay Deal, But Minus A Few Zeros

Technically, converting them to right-hand drive could make them street legal, but that’s not a cheap process.

As reported by Australian outlet Drive.com.au, which broke the story, the Rivians will go under the hammer in Western Australia through Grays Auctions.

The Rivians in MEVCO’s fleet are second-generation models equipped with dual electric motors, with several adapted for use in Australian mining operations.

Press photos show a range of added gear, including a bull bar, sports bar, Kevlar underbody protection, wiring harnesses for auxiliary equipment, and a custom sliding drawer mounted behind the cabin.

Michael Fernandes, State Operations Manager for Grays Auctions in WA, told Drive.com.au, “We’re currently working closely with the administrator and completing our legal and compliance due diligence to ensure that when these vehicles hit the open market, ownership will pass to buyers as smoothly as these vehicles drive.”

He added that more details about the auction sale would be made available once the formal process allows.

Joshua Davis, 38, of Richland, has been found guilty of the 2021 murder of Pasco County school bus driver Richard Lenhart, reported AppleValley News.

Davis, who had reportedly pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, faces a sentencing date that has not yet been set. His defense team indicated they plan to pursue an appeal immediately.

According to the news report, during the trial, experts for both the prosecution and defense agreed that Davis suffered from schizophrenia. However, they disagreed over whether he understood right from wrong at the time of the killing.

Lenhart, 72, had students on board the bus when Davis boarded the bus outside Longfellow Elementary School on Sept. 24, 2021. Davis reportedly asked if the bus was headed to Road 100. When Lenhart said no, Davis stabbed him multiple times before fleeing toward his vehicle. Authorities apprehended Davis near the scene shortly afterward.

According to the article, at least 35 students were on the bus during the attack, though none were physically harmed. Authorities have not identified a motive, and there is no known connection between Davis and Lenhart.

The Pasco School District honored Lenhart’s legacy in 2023 by opening the Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center, which serves more than 200 buses for the Pasco and Finley school districts. Lenhart’s widow, Nancy, has championed House Bill 2133, known as the Richard Lenhart Act, which would make it a felony to disrupt the normal operation of a public-school bus or unlawfully board one. While the bill did not pass during the 2023–2024 legislative session, Nancy Lenhart expressed her determination to continue advocating for it.

“This bill is too important not to be made into a law,” she said via the report, urging lawmakers to protect school bus drivers and students.

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Related: Off-duty Atlanta School Bus Driver Shot, Killed at Gas Station
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Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI While Transporting Students
Related: Florida Man Arrested After Boarding School Bus, Threatening Driver

The post Man Found Guilty of Killing Washington School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

VinFast is in the spotlight again, this time for reasons it would rather avoid. The Vietnamese automaker now faces another lawsuit, adding a fresh speed bump to its already bumpy road. Owners in the United States claim that the VF 8 Plus AWD charges so slowly it can take a full 24 hours to replenish its battery.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit represents customers who leased or purchased a VF 8 Plus AWD in the past four years.

Why So Slow?

The electric vehicles are supposed to charge at a rate of 6.6 kW or higher. Instead, these customers say that their VinFasts charge at under 2 kW. That’s closer to the speed of an original Nissan Leaf than it is to a modern EV.

More: Vinfast Owner Says Their EV Took Over Steering And Nearly Hit A Wall

The plaintiffs, Gil Swigi and Joseph Mizrahi, say that they were led to believe that they were getting standard Level 2 charging performance. VinFast allegedly advertised that its cars could charge at up to 32 amps.

When Mizrahi and Swigi tried that, they claimed the cars would shut down due to software defects. Their only recourse was to charge at 19 amps, which cut total charging speed by almost 40 percent.

To make matters worse, the shutdowns would allegedly happen in the middle of the night with regularity, meaning that owners would wake up to a nasty surprise.

Not only did their car have a problem, but that meant less range to do whatever they had planned for that day. According to Carcomplaints, VinFast attempted multiple repairs on both vehicles in question.

Only when the owners bought additional charging equipment did their cars start to charge at the claimed manufacturer speeds. That said, VinFast successfully argued that both owners agreed to arbitrate their differences. A judge granted that motion, and arbitration is set for February 20, 2026.

Source: Classaction, CarComplaints

Scout Motors drew headlines last year for far more than just reviving a classic brand. It read the tea leaves and decided to launch with both an EV and an extended-range powertrain. Now, as production approaches, we’re getting a clearer view of the final design that customers will soon see in their driveways.

Spoiler alert: it’s almost a mirror image of the early promotional vehicles, apart from a few subtle design tweaks. Extensive testing, though, has been underway for months.

Read: Scout Motors Says Over 80% Of Buyers Picked A Surprising Powertrain

Cody Thacker, VP of commercial operations at Scout, told Autonews that the brand is “very quickly getting to something that looks and feels like real production vehicles,” as multiple generations of testers rack up miles across continents.

The brand already finished its first round of cold-weather testing in Sweden and is preparing for another bout of deep-freeze evaluation.

What Changed Over the Concepts?

From a design standpoint, only a handful of alterations separate the early prototypes from the final shape. Chief design officer Chris Benjamin told the news outlet that while the prototypes’ elegant daytime running lights gracefully bleed into the metal of the front and rear quarter panels, that execution proved too intricate, too expensive, and too complex to stamp at scale.

So instead, the production version will use a “cool insert” that preserves the visual intent without breaking manufacturing budgets.

Under the skin, Scout still plans on both powertrain options, but it’s already benefiting from its initial plan. Since it didn’t commit solely to one or the other, it’s got the flexibility to delay EV production while market demand catches up.

In the meantime, it can build the EREV and sell it. Pre-production is set for late 2026 with customer deliveries in 2027. By that time, the EV market might have another uptick. Either way, Scout will have something to offer.

Built From Strong Partnerships

The platform itself benefits deeply from the VW/Rivian joint venture, leveraging Rivian’s electrical architecture as a base layer for Scout’s durability-focused hardware. Batteries, meanwhile, will come from VW Group’s in-house PowerCo network.

Scout is still publicly targeting a sub-$60,000 entry point, but final numbers will depend on material costs and powertrain mix. Also still undecided is whether the Traveler and Terra will launch simultaneously. As for when series production begins? Scout just says to “stay tuned.”

Source: AutoNews

Kia had a plan just six months ago, one that mapped out several new electric models for the North American market. Now, that plan seems to have hit a wall, stalling before it ever gained momentum.

At the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia America’s vice president of marketing, Russell Wager, shared a candid update. The fate of both the EV4 sedan and Kia’s upcoming pickup truck now hinges on something entirely beyond the company’s reach: tariff stability.

Read: Hyundai And Kia EV Sales Collapse After Tax Credits Vanish Overnight

Speaking to Car and Driver, Wager called out tariffs as the reason that Americans haven’t had access to the EV4 to this point. The car has suffered one delay after another.

What’s the Hold-Up?

When asked about that delay, Wager said “Can you give me the answer of when the tariffs are going to be resolved in Mexico, Canada, and Seoul? If you give me that answer, I’ll be as specific as possible.”

Wager made it clear that the Korean automaker isn’t waiting for tariffs to go away altogether, either. It just wants to see them set at a specific stable figure.

“At that point in time we look at it and say, are we at 25 [percent], are we at 15—and then we can build our business case,” he said. “It was originally designed and engineered when the tariffs were zero percent.”

For now, it’s the uncertainty that keeps cars like the EV4 and Kia’s planned EV pickup out of the USA. Of course, customer demand might not be strong enough anyway after the end of the federal tax EV credits.

Wager admitted that both factors are playing a role. “We’ve got a great portfolio of EVs that are on sale in a lot of other places in the world that we could choose from,” he added. “We just need resolution, and then we also need the consumer market here to want them.”

Get Ready for Price Increases

Between now and whenever Kia decides what to do with the pickup and EV4, it might have to bump prices up.

“Others have raised prices,” Wager said. “I’m not going to name names, and we’ve seen their sales drop. The takeaway is we can’t do it forever. We’ve made it eight months since April so far. If tariffs don’t get resolved or they’re that high, we’ll have to make the business decision. As far as parts tariffs and import tariffs, at some point in time, we can’t absorb it all.”

Hyundai Motor Group has already proven that it can bend a little but part of its biggest draw is being a solid value proposition against rivals. The near future will determine if it can bend enough to keep that reputation without breaking.

Porsche engineers are not exactly easy to impress. These are the people who spend their days perfecting GT3s and wringing every last drop of magic from flat-six engines and setting Nurburgring lap records.

So when two of the brand’s most senior engineering bosses drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and came away buzzing like teenagers leaving an arcade, you know something interesting is happening in the electric-car world.

Also: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Gets A Cheaper Version But You Can’t Have It

Frank Moser, Porsche’s vice president in charge of the 718 and 911 lines, admitted to Australia’s Drive that he has driven the Ioniq 5 N “several times” and called it an “eye-opening” experience.

Moser even dragged along Andreas Preuninger, the legendary head of Porsche GT cars, whose blood type is probably 98 RON premium, and definitely not amps.

From Skeptic to Convert?

Preuninger was not exactly enthusiastic at first. According to Moser, he grumbled, “I don’t want any of that electric stuff” when the idea was floated. But once they climbed inside and Moser pressed the Hyundai’s N Grin Boost button, the GT boss instantly turned into a believer.

“He was ‘wow’” Moser said, describing the moment Hyundai’s punchiest EV unleashed its full 641 hp ( 650 PS / 478 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm). “We learnt a lot from that car,” Moser told Australia’s Drive. “That’s why we decided to have a deeper look.”

It was not just the acceleration that snagged Porsche’s attention. The Ioniq 5 N’s signature party tricks, including its virtual gearshifts and synthesized powertrain noises, have Porsche seriously considering similar features for its upcoming electric 718 sports car.

Can Sound Create Soul?

Hyundai calls these systems N e-shift and N Active Sound+, and they replicate the snap of a dual-clutch gearbox and offer a selection of digital engine noises (most of them pretty lame, in my experience).

It is the kind of thing EV purists roll their eyes at, but performance engineers instantly understand. It makes the car feel alive and the driver connected to the driving experience.

“This is the way,” Moser said of the synthesized features, while making clear that Porsche wouldn’t force them on drivers.

“The customer could decide if he wants to drive in complete silent mode, or he wants to be part of the game, feeling the virtual sounds of a flat six and the virtual gear shifts,” Moser said. “That would be the direction for the future.”

Tuning the Future

Our money’s on it being part of a Sport Chrono-type option package that’ll add at least $2,000 to the bill of the new electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman.

The first 718 EV arrives in early 2027, and Moser promises it will be “really lightweight for an electric car,” though he declined to reveal an exact or even ballpark weight figure.

One thing is clear: Hyundai has just influenced one of the world’s most respected sports-car makers. Who could have imagined that happening 20 years ago?

Tesla took to X over the weekend to announce that Dutch automotive safety regulator RDW had committed to approving its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in February 2026. As it turns out, Elon Musk’s company jumped the gun, and the agency made no such commitment.

Watch: Tesla Fans Gave FSD The Wheel For Elon’s Coast-To-Coast Trip

The claim sparked quick clarification from the regulator and a flurry of online chatter about Tesla’s ongoing bid to expand FSD beyond American roads.

While Tesla has been offering its Full Self-Driving system in the United States for years, it hasn’t been able to do the same in Europe.

Europe’s Roadblock

According to the carmaker, it has already provided FSD demonstrations “to regulators of almost every EU country” and believes the most effective path to rolling out the system across the continent is through the RDW, with the goal of securing an exemption for the feature.

In its X post, Tesla Europe & Middle East proclaimed that “RDW has committed to granting Netherlands National approval in February 2026.” The company even urged followers to contact the regulator directly to “express your excitement & thank them for making this happen as soon as possible.”

However, the regulator quickly pushed back. In a statement published on its website, the regulator explained that it expects Tesla to demonstrate FSD next February, but it denied making any commitment to approval.

Tesla has been working hard toward shipping Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Europe for over 12 months now. We have given FSD demos to regulators of almost every EU country. We have requested early access, pilot release programs or exemptions where possible.

We have developed…

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) November 22, 2025

“We do not share details about ongoing applications from manufacturers, as this concerns commercially sensitive information,” it wrote. “Both RDW and Tesla are aware of the efforts needed to reach a decision on this matter in February. Whether this timeline will be met is yet to be determined in the coming period.”

Regulator Grows Tired of Tesla Fans’ Calls

The regulatory agency also asked Tesla’s fans to stop contacting it about FSD, noting that “it takes up unnecessary time for our customer service,” adding “this will have no impact whatsoever on whether or not the schedule will be met.”

Recently, Tesla boss Elon Musk said, “pressure from our customers in Europe to push the regulators to approve would be appreciated.”

Speaking with Bloomberg, the head of safe autonomy at the University of Warwick, Siddartha Khastgir, said it’s unusual to see a carmaker attempting to pressure the RDW.

“An approval process of an automated driving system is a deeply technical one to ensure the safety of the public,” he explained. “The sanctity of any such approvals is ensured by its independence and rigor, not force. While public sentiment is important for all authorities, this shouldn’t undermine the rigor of the approval process.”

Many automakers spent the past few years racing to electrify their lineups, betting heavily that global demand for electric vehicles would surge. The industry poured billions into new EV battery plants across the world, particularly in North America.

Now, a new report suggests that much of that production capacity could end up sitting idle by the end of the decade.

Overcapacity Ahead

AlixPartners speculates that global production of EV batteries will be roughly three times greater than demand for EVs in 2030. By that time, EV battery production capacity in North America is expected to roughly quadruple.

According to Nikkei Asia, many manufacturers are already scaling back their ambitious battery production plans. Ford, one of the most aggressive investors in U.S. battery manufacturing, is a prime example. The company is building a $5.8 billion facility in Kentucky with its partner SK On, which is expected to employ about 5,500 people by 2030.

Read: Massive US Battery Plant Grinds To A Halt After Trump’s Tariffs

However, the Blue Oval already reduced its planned battery capacity by 35 percent. It also recently halted production of the F-150 Lightning indefinitely due to dwindling demand in North America.

General Motors has also been forced to make changes. It has been confirmed that 1,550 workers at the battery plants it operates alongside LG Energy Solution in Ohio and Tennessee will be sacked due to “slower near-term EV adoption and an evolving regulatory environment.”

Nikkei Asia also reports that Panasonic opened a new battery factory in Kansas in July, but has yet to say when it will reach full-scale production. Initially, it was expected to hit this mark by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. However, as a major supplier to Tesla, it has been affected by the fall in demand for EVs as well.

Slowing EV sales in the States have led to the cancellation of some endeavors entirely. T1 Energy was planning to build a battery plant in Georgia, but has since canned the project.

Changing Policy Winds

The Trump administration’s policies have further tilted the scales toward internal combustion vehicles. By removing the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and scrapping penalties for missing emissions targets, the government has made it easier for carmakers to ramp up traditional ICE production once again.

Source: Nikkei Asia

Rivian owners take on a risk that many may not fully appreciate when they buy one of these trucks. It’s not just about the company being young, or its future still being written. Those are expected gambles.

The real hidden concern and surprise comes when something goes wrong, and not mechanically, but physically. Damage that would be a quick fix on a Ford, a Toyota or most other legacy carmakers can turn into a financial nightmare with a Rivian, sometimes severe enough to write off the vehicle altogether.

Read: Guess How Much It Costs To Repair This Rivian R1T?

It’s becoming an increasingly common problem, and the ordeal one owner continues to face shows just how complicated it can get.

When Simple Damage Isn’t Simple

Back in May of this year, the employee of a Rivian R1T owner backed into his electric truck. The damage appeared quite straightforward in the rear quarter panel. However, this is a Rivian R1T, so “straightforward” doesn’t really apply in this case.

The rear quarter panel is part of one giant piece that actually includes the roof. In other words, fixing a dent in it, especially a large one, isn’t a simple job. We’ve seen instances of paintless dent repair (PDR) being a savior in some cases. This isn’t one of them.

The owner of the R1T says that his employee’s insurance company initially quoted just $1,700 for the repair. Considering that many of these situations end up in the five-figure range, he knew that was potentially problematic. To that end, he contacted Rivian, and things only got worse from there.

The True Cost of Rivian Repairs

The automaker explained that there was only one certified repair shop within 300 miles (about 480 km), and their estimate came in at a whopping $16,000. Given the huge gap, the owner started asking PDR shops for help, but none would touch the R1T.

Also: Rivian Owner’s DIY Repair Saves Thousands After Mishap And Teaches Us A Lesson

That said, the owner decided to go ahead and go with the certified repair shop, hoping that the final bill would come in lower than the estimate. Instead, the shop found additional damage once the truck was in the building.

The total came to $22,000 after a seven-week repair process. The ordeal wasn’t even over after all that because insurance refused to pay that amount.

Can You Ever Win Against Insurance?

Instead, it offered $13,000 and said that the certified repair shop’s rates were excessive. Faced with either paying the $9k himself or entering arbitration that would delay pickup indefinitely, the owner paid the difference, retrieved the truck, and launched an appeal.

His letters were ignored. A second, more forceful letter outlining what he considered an unfair settlement? Also ignored. Only after filing a complaint with his state’s Secretary of State did the insurer finally respond, this time offering an additional $5,100 to make the issue go away.

The state recommended accepting the offer, and the owner did. “I really enjoy this truck, but this is bonkers,” he says. “I hope Rivian improves design to allow for less expensive repair costs for common dings.”

No doubt, plenty of other Rivian owners hope the same thing.

Photo Reddit u/RepresentativeCat940

When BYD burst onto the global stage a few years ago, it arrived with a certain sense of experimentation that was hard to ignore, and the most visible example was its infotainment display that could spin 90 degrees and run in either portrait or landscape modes.

While mostly a gimmick, it has helped the brand’s models stand out from the competition. However, the Chinese conglomerate has revealed its spinning screen won’t be around for much longer.

Read: BYD’s European Expansion Is About to Explode

BYD’s vice president, Stella Li, said that while the company’s customers liked having the rotating screen, it is limiting for some apps, in particular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As such, the automaker has ditched it for the new Atto 2 and will eliminate it from other models, too. Moving forward, the screens will be locked in their landscape position.

“We are starting to engage in a lot of apps,” Li told Autocar. “The Atto 2 will be the first model with Google and Apple CarPlay. And if they want to give the best experience, then a rotating screen will limit their apps. And then secondly, we saw the feedback in the market. People love the rotating screens, but the usage is very small.”

Tech Trade-Offs

According to BYD, its infotainment screen had been easier to use in portrait mode when stationary and while on the move, in addition to being better for navigation.

However, in the models that we’ve driven, we’ve always found it easier to operate the screen in landscape mode, perhaps because this is the orientation of the screens in the vast majority of modern cars. Additionally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only function in that mode.

Review: BYD Sealion 6 Makes Plug-In Hybrids Feel Seamless But Fun Is Optional

During the same interview, Li also noted that BYD plans to deepen its collaborations with companies like Apple and Google, and locking the display orientation simplifies that process. A fixed screen means fewer interface compromises and smoother integration.

BYD is also ramping up its global ambitions. The company has set its sights on a major push in Europe for 2026. Just this week, its regional managing director announced plans to double the brand’s retail footprint across the continent next year, targeting around 1,000 retail points.

Source: Autocar

What should be a simple part of a morning routine has turned into years of stress for one Lancaster County family, reported Local 21 News.

The Miklos family of Strasburg told local news reporters they’ve endured daily harassment from impatient motorists, all because it takes their 7-year-old son, Sirus, a few extra minutes to get on and off his school bus.

Sirus was reportedly diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy shortly after his first birthday. The rare neuromuscular disorder affects muscle movement, leaving him subject to a wheelchair. To get to school each day, he rides a bus specially equipped for children with disabilities. Loading and unloading takes about three minutes, just a few extra minutes compared to other stops, but the added time has sparked anger and cruelty from drivers stuck behind the bus.

“For the last three years, people have been swearing, honking and even swerving around the bus,” said Sirus’ father, Nate Miklos. “It erodes his self-confidence. He’s just trying to go to school like every other kid, and people are being impatient. He feels like that’s his fault.”

Sirus’ mother, Danielle, told reporters that the situation reached a breaking point this year.

“The final straw was a man coming down the street honking as Sirus was getting loaded,” she said. “As the bus pulled away, he yelled nasty things at us because he had to wait.”

The family reported the harassment to local law enforcement, but they say the behavior has only worsened.

“It’s about three and a half minutes of people’s commute in the morning that they have to stay while he gets on the bus,” Danielle said. “I don’t really think that’s a big deal.”

Frustrated but determined to raise awareness, Danielle shared their story. It gained attention and sparked a wave of compassion from their Strasburg neighbors. Within days, the community organized a special ride to school for Sirus, complete with local police officers who gave him a full escort.

“We got messages from people we don’t even know saying they saw him smiling the whole ride,” Danielle said via the news report. “It makes us feel like we belong in this community and that the community has our back.”

While the family says there’s still no permanent fix to stop the harassment, they hope their story will remind motorists to slow down and show empathy. “If it bothers you that much, take a different route,” Nate said. “But please, let our son get to school safely and with dignity.”

For Sirus, going to school remains the highlight of his day. He loves his teachers, his friends and learning new things. His parents say that despite the challenges, seeing his joy each morning reminds them why they continue to speak out.

Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, including those loading or unloading children with disabilities. Violators can face fines and license suspensions.

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Related: Alternative School Transportation: Roadmap for Decision-Making For Children with Disabilities and Special Needs
Related: Gallery: Safe, Caring Transportation Promoted for Students With Special Needs
Related:Safety Expert Shares Transportation Social Story Strategies for Students with Disabilities
Related: Foundations of Transporting Students with Special Needs Returns to TSD Conference

The post Parents Speak Out After Motorists Target Son with Disabilities at School Bus Stop appeared first on School Transportation News.

As federal immigration agents step up enforcement operations across Chicago, a growing network of volunteers in Albany Park has formed an unexpected lifeline for local immigrant families: a walking school bus that escorts children to and from school each day, reported WTTW News.

The effort emerged shortly after residents noticed a stark shift in neighborhood life. As explained by volunteer Alyssa May, the impact of the increased raids was immediate. “The moment that the raids started happening and people started getting pulled off the street, you could just see it,” May said via the article. “You could see less students, less families, less vendors. And it really did change. It just became a really quiet place.”

Fearing arrest, many parents have been hesitant to leave their homes, even to bring their children to school. In response, a group of mothers, teachers and community members reportedly came together to ensure students could still make it to class safely and consistently.

May now leads one of the daily walking routes for an elementary school in the neighborhood, guiding children whose parents are too afraid to accompany them. She estimates that between 80 and 100 students are picked up each morning. Out of precaution, volunteers asked that the school remain unnamed due to ongoing immigration enforcement in the area.

For many children, the walking school bus has become more than just a mode of transportation. Teacher Dulce Jimenez said the routine helps restore a sense of stability. “The kids have gotten to know the volunteers and like walking to school with their friends,” Jimenez said via the news report. “They’re kind of not even realizing the distraction that was created and what we’re trying to close off for them.”

For volunteers like Maggie Cullerton Hooper, the community’s response has been both inspiring and necessary. “It is really very heartening to see just how much we will all show up to be a part of making sure that all of our kids are safe, that all of our people are safe,” Hooper told local news reporters.

For May, who is also a mother, the work feels deeply personal. She recalled seeing fear on the children’s faces during the afternoon pick-up. “You could kind of sense at pick-up the fear of some of the kids of, like, will I come home to an empty house?” she said. “We still have to sit with that and know that that is a reality, but at least they are getting one bright simple spot every day.”

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Related: Florida School Districts on Edge About Possible School Bus Immigration Raids 
Related: School Districts Seek Student Protections from Immigration Enforcement
Related: Florida Fathers and Father Figures Join Students for Walking School Bus
Related: No Attempt to Illegally Board School Buses Near Mexico Border, Sheriff Says

The post Volunteers Help Immigrant Parents in Chicago Participate in Walking School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

EV adoption in India, the world’s most populous nation, has been slower than policymakers anticipated, but the country’s Supreme Court now believes it may have found a new lever to accelerate change.

The judges have urged the government to consider a gradual phase-out of luxury ICE cars, arguing that a targeted approach could push cleaner mobility without disturbing the broader market.

Also: EU May Quietly Ban Gas Rentals Starting In 2030

The bench suggests that withdrawing luxury and premium models with combustion engines, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids, could act as a test case for a measured “phased transition” toward electric mobility.

According to Autocar India, EVs already account for around 12 percent of sales in the premium segments, far higher than the 2–3 percent share seen among mass-market models.

Could a Luxury Ban Spark an EV Shift?

Critics point out that luxury vehicles represent a tiny fraction of India’s automotive landscape, arguing that the proposed ban would have a limited impact on national emissions. Others blame the weak scrappage policy for the country’s aging fleet of cars and LCVs which poses a far bigger pollution problem.

Others point instead to the weak vehicle scrappage framework, which leaves aging cars and light commercial vehicles on the road far beyond their prime, an issue that poses a much larger pollution challenge.

More: ‘We’ll Be Driving Full Speed Into The Wall’ Warns Mercedes Chief On Europe’s EV Future

Even so, the court maintains that an EV-only requirement for high-end models would send a clear signal without harming affordability for the masses and disrupting the nation’s new car market.

As India Today reports, Justice Kant noted that carmakers already offer a range of premium electric models matching the comfort and performance of their combustion counterparts.

He explained, “Since these vehicles cater to a very small and affluent segment, imposing restrictions on high-end petrol and diesel cars can be a starting point. The common man will not be affected.”

The Government’s Willing To Discuss

Luxury brands such as Mercedes and BMW already maintain substantial zero-emission lineups, yet an internal combustion ban would inevitably reshape their operations in India, bringing possible ripple effects for local employment and supplier investment.

More: EU May Quietly Ban Gas Rentals Starting In 2030

For now, the idea remains a proposal without firm timelines. However, the Supreme Court has asked the government to review its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, with another hearing scheduled for December.

India’s Attorney General confirmed that the administration is “alive to the idea,” citing ongoing coordination across 13 ministries and departments, covering everything from manufacturing incentives to charging infrastructure.

Sources: Autocar India, India

For the first time in nearly twenty years, the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis may once again share a table before Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee has called on Ford’s Jim Farley, GM’s Mary Barra, and Stellantis’ Antonio Filosa to testify on January 14 in a high-profile hearing exploring the auto industry’s outlook on federal transportation policy and vehicle affordability.

The session will also delve into the uneasy transition toward electrification, a subject that continues to divide policymakers and automakers alike. Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, has been invited to join the discussion, adding an electric perspective to the mix.

More: Lawmakers Demand Answers From Hertz On AI Rental Damages System

The last time all three Detroit bosses appeared together on Capitol Hill was late 2008 during the financial crisis, bailout negotiations, and a moment when the industry’s future looked genuinely uncertain. This time, the pressure points are different but no less significant.

Why Bring Them Together Now?

Senator Ted Cruz, who’s spearheading the hearing, has titled it “Pedal to the Policy: The Views of the American Auto Industry on the Upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization.”

Based on reporting from the Union-Bulletin, the sessions will probe fuel economy and emissions mandates, tariffs, federal EV policy, new-vehicle pricing, and how automakers plan to navigate the next decade. Cruz frames the meeting as a long-overdue reality check on affordability.

“The average price of a car has more than doubled in the past decade,” said Cruz, blaming “onerous government-mandated technologies and radical environmental regulations.”

What’s Driving Up Costs?

No doubt, the average transaction price (ATP) of a new car is quite high these days. Data from Cox Automotive shows that it surpassed $50,000 in September.

A decade ago, that figure was in the low $30,000s. Notably, analysts think the shift is due to several factors, including, but not limited to, regulation. Inflation, tariffs, higher-end trims, and the introduction of more EVs all have a part to play.

Also: EVs Now Sell Faster Than Gas Cars In The Used Market

Republicans say policy changes earlier this year, including repealing federal EV mandates and CAFE targets under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, are steps toward lowering prices. However, Cruz argues lawmakers need to go further. This is all happening at a critical point in the U.S. automotive industry too.

The debate comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. auto sector. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) faces renewal or renegotiation by July 1. If it lapses, the fallout alone could drive vehicle costs higher, regardless of any new legislation.

Source: Union-Bulletin

It’s been six long years since Ford unveiled the Mustang Mach-E, its first mainstream electric SUV and a direct challenger to the Tesla Model Y. The model has become an important part of Ford’s global lineup, even if it hasn’t reached the same sales heights as its Californian rival.

However, in Australia, things are looking particularity bleak for the electric pony car.

Read: Ford’s Electric Pony Car Gets A Classic Gas Mustang Package

Ford started selling the Mustang Mach-E in Australia in 2023 and in that time, has managed to sell just 1,113 units. This year, just 380 of them have been sold.

To put those numbers into perspective, Tesla has sold forty-six times more Model Ys this year than Ford has managed with the Mustang Mach-E. The gap is wide enough to make clear that Ford’s electric SUV won’t be troubling Tesla’s dominance anytime soon.

Everything’s Fine

Despite these meek sales, Ford Australia doesn’t seem too bothered. According to Ford’s local marketing director Ambrose Henderson, the Mach-E is different than its competitors and has been made all the more appealing thanks to recent upgrades.

“The Mach-E is something that is iconic and clearly different from most of the other EVs in the market,” Henderson told Drive.

“The market’s immensely competitive. We think, with the updates that we’ve made in terms of design, technology and the drive feel and dynamics, that it will resonate with customers. We’re really excited about what that will do going forward.”

He added that Ford’s intent was never to produce another anonymous, efficiency-shaped crossover. “There are a lot of aerodynamically designed white boxes on the road that are EVs, right? And that’s not us. That is not what we wanted to deliver. We wanted something that was authentic and really leverages off what is a global icon with Mustang,” he explained.

A Real Mustang Alternative?

According to Henderson, the Mustang Mach-E wasn’t necessarily created to chase huge volumes, but rather engineered as a compelling electric alternative to the V8-powered Mustang. According to him, the Mach-E “delivers the same excitement, the same emotion, same thrill of the drive, and the same sort of design,” as the pony car.

Of course, if you ask any car enthusiast if they’d rather drive a Mustang GT or Mustang Mach-E up a mountain pass, or along a coastal road, we suspect the vast majority would opt for the ICE model. While the Mach-E is good, few would consider it to be the same kind of sports car.

Who Is It For?

Interestingly, Henderson also hesitates to position it as a family vehicle. “The primary audience is couples, just from a demographic and opportunity perspective,” he said, suggesting Ford envisions the Mach-E less as a people mover and more as a lifestyle choice for drivers who still want a bit of Mustang spirit, even without the roar.

The Jeep Renegade first appeared in 2014, carving out its place as a compact SUV with global reach. Over the years it has seen updates and regional variations across Europe and South America, but time has caught up with it.

More: Jeep Avenger Vs Dacia Duster – Which Budget Small SUV Deserves Your Money?

Jeep is now developing a long-anticipated successor, scheduled to arrive by 2027, aiming to refresh the smallest member of its off-road family without losing the character that defined the original.

Between Avenger and Compass

The upcoming Renegade will be sold in both North America and Europe, marking the nameplate’s return to the US market after the current generation was discontinued following the 2023 model year. It will slot beneath the Compass as Jeep’s most compact American offering, while sitting just above the Avenger in the European lineup.

Marco Montepeloso, Head of Jeep Product Planning in Europe, recently spoke with Auto Express about the Renegade’s future role.

He confirmed that the next generation will keep a similar footprint to today’s model, which measures 4,236 mm (166.8 inches) in length. This size positions it neatly between the 4,084 mm Avenger (160.8 inches) and the 4,550 mm Compass (179.1 inches), placing it toward the upper end of the sub-compact SUV class.

The current Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid in Europe after the 2024 facelift.

Montepeloso drew a clear line between the Avenger and the Renegade, noting that customer data shows little overlap.

“Looking at the customer analysis, there is a clear difference between a four-metre-long car that mainly addresses the needs of compactness for some European buyers, and a bigger 4.25 to 4.3-metre-long vehicle that caters more to young families or active lifestyles,” he told Auto Express. “These people need extra space, whether it’s in the second row or the boot.”

He added that the two models serve distinct audiences, leaving a healthy gap for the Renegade to occupy. “I don’t see a risk of cannibalisation,” he said. “There are clear differences in customers, and that’s exactly why there’s a strong opportunity for the Renegade between Avenger and Compass.”

Design Direction

Jeep Renegade concept study created by independent designer Marco Maltese

Jeep has yet to reveal the design of the next Renegade, but its visual cues will likely align with the brand’s evolving aesthetic. Expect a compact, upright stance anchored by the familiar seven-slot grille, framed by modern LED lighting and more defined wheel arches.

Short overhangs and a solid ground clearance should preserve the Renegade’s capable look, while the cabin is expected to balance technology and practicality with durable materials and physical controls alongside a digital display setup.

Earlier this year, independent designer Marco Maltese imagined his own take on a next-generation Renegade through a digital study, blending Jeep’s rugged styling cues with sharper, more contemporary proportions.

Updated Foundations and Powertrain

The next Renegade will finally move away from its aging FCA-era underpinnings in favor of a more advanced Stellantis architecture. The leading candidate is the STLA Small platform, a development of the CMP and eCMP structures already used for the Avenger and several other compact vehicles across the group.

More: Canada’s Furious As Stellantis Boss Gets Grilled Over Jeep Move

While originally planned as an EV-only, Jeep’s European boss strongly hinted that it won’t be the sole option. Mild-hybrid variants with both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations are expected, helping the brand navigate an increasingly unpredictable market landscape.

Montepeloso described this as a core principle for Europe, saying that “Freedom of Choice” remains central to Jeep’s approach. “If you want to be relevant in all markets, you need to have a wide offering of powertrains,” he said. “We need to stick with this philosophy, giving customers freedom. It’s essential for sales and for staying adaptable as regulations evolve.”

Pricing and Competition

The Jeep Renegade is set to stand among the more rugged contenders in the subcompact / B-SUV segment, sharing that space with the Dacia Duster.

Its competition will also include Stellantis stablemates like the Citroëen C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera, though those models lean more toward budget-minded buyers. Beyond that, the new Renegade will have to go up against the VW T-Roc, the next-generation Peugeot 2008, and the fully electric Renault 4 E-Tech.

Jeep has stated that the electric Renegade will reach North America by 2027 with a starting price below $25,000. However, since that figure previously included the now-discontinued $7,500 tax credit, the real-world starting price will likely climb to just over $30,000.

In Europe, the model will sit between the Avenger and Compass in the lineup, with pricing expected to begin below €30,000 (around $35,000).

Source: Auto Express

Not too long ago, BYD vehicles were a rare sight on the roads of Europe. But over the past five years, the car manufacturer has grown into a global powerhouse, expanding into new markets quicker than any of its competitors. Next year, its models will become even more commonplace throughout Europe.

Read: Stellantis Dealers Are Embracing BYD And Making Things Awkward

Despite the added weight of European tariffs on Chinese-made cars, BYD has no intention of slowing down. The company views Europe as one of its key new territories and expects to reach around 1,000 retail points across the continent before the year closes. That milestone, however, is only the start of what’s planned for 2026.

How Big Will BYD Go?

At a recent event in Frankfurt, Maria Grazia Davino, BYD’s regional managing director for Europe, outlined the company’s next move. She confirmed that BYD will double its footprint in the region next year, calling the expansion essential for winning over customers in a highly competitive landscape.

“In line with successful competitors, we need to have proximity and win proximity to the European customers,” Davino said, reports Reuters.

Currently active in 29 European markets, BYD is pursuing what Davino describes as a “long-term localization strategy.” The plan centers on building more of the vehicles it sells within Europe itself, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening its ties to local economies. Key to this effort is a major new production hub in Hungary, set to open soon.

So far this year, BYD sales in Europe have more than tripled, reaching 80,807 vehicles in just the first nine months.

Even though the Hungarian site has yet to open its doors, BYD is also weighing up the possibility of building a factory in Turkey and a site in Spain.

“Localizing in a mature region like Europe is a very important project. It requires knowledge, dedication, investments, and resources at all levels,” Davino added.

Source: Reuters

An 11-year-old student was injured after being struck by a school bus while crossing a roadway in Hurricane City, Utah, reported 2 KUTV.

First responders were dispatched Wednesday to a local intersection following reports of an auto–pedestrian collision, the Hurricane City Police Department said . Upon arrival, emergency crews located the injured child and immediately began medical treatment.

The student, whose name was not disclosed at this writing, was transported to St. George Regional Medical Center and is reportedly in stable condition. Police said  the child may have sustained a head injury during the incident.

Witnesses told investigators that the student, who attends Hurricane Intermediate School, was running across 700 West when they were struck by a Washington County School District bus. Officials confirmed that several students were aboard the bus at the time, but no passengers or the bus driver were injured.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and police noted no additional details are available at this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured student and family at this time,” the Hurricane City Police Department said in a statement.

More information will be released as the investigation develops.

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The post 11-Year-Old Struck by School Bus in Utah, in Stable Condition appeared first on School Transportation News.

Ford’s war on cars has claimed another victim and this time it’s the Focus. While the model exited North America in 2018, it has survived overseas.

Unfortunately, the grim reaper has returned as the final Focus has reportedly rolled off the assembly line in Saarlouis, Germany. Ford hasn’t officially announced the end of production, but workers have been morning the loss of the car by describing its death as “painful” and “sad.”

Even worse, the future of the Saarlouis plant looks bleak. Two years ago, Ford said they “conducted an extensive search” for a suitor and signed a non-binding agreement with a potential investor in June of 2023. However, the unnamed investor dropped out following a “rigorous due diligence process and negotiation.”

Ford Europe’s Future Comes Into Focus

The Focus’ death is the latest blow to the company’s European arm, which has seen sales plummet in recent years. There have also been painful job cuts as well as a disastrous collaboration with Volkswagen.

More: Ford Could Be Preparing To Fill A Focus-Sized Hole In Their Lineup

Amid this background, Ford of Europe has a new president with tough decisions to make. Autonews said Jim Baumbick will need to decide if the company’s new Universal EV Platform, which will be launched on a mid-size truck, would make sense for Europe.

If he rules that out, the publication suggested Baumbick could double-down on the Volkswagen partnership. In particular, they suggested Ford could potentially offer a new Fiesta based on the ID. Polo. The latter rides on the new MEB Entry platform and is targeted to cost less than €25,000 ($28,973).

While it remains to be seen if that idea will come to fruition, Ford has already announced plans for a new “multi-energy” vehicle that will be built in Valencia, Spain. Previous reports have suggested the mystery model will arrive in 2027 and be a Focus-sized crossover.

The model is rumored to be built alongside the Kuga and will reportedly share some components to help keep costs down. The crossover is also expected to offer hybrid and electric powertrains.

Sources: Autonews, Facebook

It’s no secret that the automotive industry is in the midst of a gigantic transformation. Tariffs, trade wars, and shifting consumer interests are all playing a role. Now, Tesla is working to end its reliance on Chinese-made components for U.S.-built cars.

It’s just the latest automaker to take this step, with GM reportedly doing the same, though it will take time for both companies to fully achieve their goals.

More: GM Quietly Told Suppliers To Ditch Chinese Parts And Now The Trouble Begins

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Tesla earlier this year instructed suppliers to begin eliminating Chinese parts from every vehicle produced in the United States.

Evidently, it told them to get the job done within the next two years at most. If possible, it would like the shift to be done within the next year. Sources indicate that it’s already swapped out some Chinese components.

Tariffs and Timing

Several forces came together to make this happen. Tesla was already moving away from Chinese-sourced parts after the pandemic. Matters escalated this year when President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports.

That created new volatility in an already fluctuating market, which affected Tesla’s pricing and procurement plans. According to the report, Tesla is working to build a business that is more resilient to political decisions.

Recently, a semiconductor conflict between China and the Netherlands triggered fresh supply interruptions at Tesla. Dutch chip maker, Nexperia, whose packaging happens in China, became tangled up in an export-blocking dispute, and as such, automakers like Tesla were caught up too.

New Routes Around China

Interestingly, Tesla has been encouraging Chinese suppliers to set up shop in Mexico and Southeast Asia for years. This could potentially allow Tesla to sidestep tariffs that are aimed solely at China itself. It also halted the use of Chinese-made lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries in favor of making them in Nevada next year.

Notably, Tesla isn’t the first automaker to go down this route. Earlier this year, GM quietly instructed its suppliers to cut out Chinese components altogether by 2027.

No doubt, these two companies won’t be the only ones to try this same trick. Only time will tell whether or not it actually works out, cuts costs, and brings more manufacturing to America.