Honda’s all-electric Prologue has found itself under legal scrutiny following reports of some rather odd drivetrain noises. Not long after the company warned US dealers that certain 2024–2026 Prologue models might require repairs due to clicking or ratcheting-type sounds from the drive axles, a lawsuit followed. Owners say the noises can linger even after a trip, sometimes more than one, to the dealership.

A class action lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania names two Prologue owners who say their SUVs developed unusual noises from the front axle. One of them, Ashley Custer, leased a 2024 Prologue in May 2025 and soon began hearing the sounds, prompting a trip to the dealer with just 4,039 miles (6,500 km) on the odometer.

Read: She Expected 200K Miles From Her V6, Now She’s Suing Honda

After she reported a creaking noise when turning, the Honda dealer replaced the CV axles. That, however, didn’t solve the problem. Custer returned to the dealership in November, where she was told no repair was currently available. An associated repair order reportedly noted that she was “experiencing the suspension noise that we are familiar with and have seen on other Prologues,” adding that it is a “known issue that Honda is working on.”

She took her Prologue to a dealer last month, but was again told that no repairs were available. Similarly, the second plaintiff, Jorge Santiago, drives a 2024 Prologue and started noticing popping and clicking sounds shortly after taking delivery. Despite the car also being taken to a dealership, it hasn’t been fixed.

What’s The Fix?

In December, Honda issued a Tech Line to dealerships, asking them to verify the noise of faulty Prologue models, inspect for damage, and make any necessary repairs. However, the lawsuit claims that the fix is pointless as Honda is simply using the same defective front axles and components. As such, the noise continues, even after multiple dealership visits.

The lawsuit claims that Honda was aware of the “abnormal and anxiety-inducing noises” when it first started selling the all-electric Prologue.

While there will always be enthusiasts who scoff at Ferrari launching an EV, there’s an inevitability that even the most exotic of car manufacturers would need to venture into all-electric vehicles. Ferrari is doing exactly that with the Luce, and the company has now released a short clip offering a glimpse of its exterior. Well, sort of, because there is not much, if anything, to make out.

Just like the interior, the Luce’s exterior design has been penned by LoveFrom, the firm led by Jony Ive, the designer who helped shape products like the iPhone and iPad.

Read: Ferrari’s Luce EV Has A Glass Key And Buttons That Click Like A Rifle Bolt

In this video, we’re given a brief teaser of the electric car, filmed at night. Don’t expect to see much detail, though, as the car appears to be wearing the same white-and-black camouflage seen on recent prototypes.

What Will Power It?

What we can say with confidence is that the Luce will be a four- or five-seater, slightly smaller and sleeker than the Purosangue. Power will come from four electric motors, combining to produce more than 986 hp, enough to send the car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph (310 km/h), an impressive figure for an EV.

Integrated into the Luce’s floorpan will be a large 122 kWh battery pack that supports charging speeds of up to 350 kW, giving the Luce a range exceeding 329 miles (530 km). To ensure the first electric Ferrari still delivers some sense of drama from behind the wheel, the company has developed a system that amplifies the powertrain’s mechanical vibrations, producing distinctive tones that vary with speed and torque delivery.

Ferrari has confirmed the Luce will be revealed in full in May, with the first customer deliveries expected to begin next year.

Ferrari Luce interior

The second-generation iX3 is one of BMW’s most important new models in recent memory. It introduces an all-new design language and becomes the first EV to feature the brand’s sixth-generation batteries and electric motors. Still, like any new car, much of its success will ultimately depend on the price tag.

In the United States, we know it’ll start at around $60,000, but final details have yet to be announced. In Australia, however, pricing has now been locked in. The dual-motor iX3 50 xDrive will start at AU$109,900 ($77,600), which makes BMW’s latest EV look surprisingly competitive.

Read: BMW iX3 Has A 360 Camera, But You’ll Pay Monthly To Use It

It undercuts several key rivals, including the Polestar 3 (AU$116,700 / US$82,500), Audi Q6 e-tron quattro (AU$122,500 / US$86,600), Genesis Electrified GV70 (AU$132,800 / US$93,900), and Porsche Macan 4 (AU$134,400 / US$95,000). It is also just AU$5,000 ($3,500) more expensive than the previous-generation iX3 was in flagship form, back when it used a single electric motor.

The base price, however, is up AU$18,900 ($13,300) compared with the previous base iX3, which admittedly had a smaller battery pack, produced just 281 hp (210 kW) from its rear-mounted motor, and offered a quoted range of 286 miles (460 km).

By comparison, the new iX3 50 is available only with a pair of electric motors delivering 463 hp (345 kW) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. It also features a much larger 108 kWh battery pack that supports DC charging speeds of up to 400 kW and offers a range of up to 500 miles (805 km) on a single charge. The dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) also comes in just 4.9 seconds.

Options Can Quickly Add Up

While the new model’s starting price is very competitive compared to European rivals, it will rise significantly once shoppers start ticking off a few options. For example, any color other than the standard Alpine White paint is a AU$2,000 ($1,400) option, or AU$6,000 ($4,200) for the Frozen Space Silver.

Wheel upgrades add further to the tally. The 21-inch wheels cost AU$2,500 ($1,700), 22-inch aerodynamic wheels add AU$5,300 ($3,700), and 22-inch M light-alloy wheels come in at AU$7,700 ($5,400). Buyers can also add an AU$3,500 ($2,500) M Sport Package Pro, AU$4,000 ($2,800) Black Bicolor or Adelaide Grey Bicolor interior finishes, and even a white leather steering wheel priced at AU$300 ($212).

Donut Lab, a small Finnish startup claiming to have developed the first solid-state battery for electric vehicles, has released results from a new test aimed at addressing doubts about its technology. The company says the data shows its battery retains 97.7 percent of its charged capacity after sitting idle for 10 days. Even so, skeptics may still need convincing.

Read: Donut Lab Claims It Verified A 7-Minute Solid-State EV Battery Charge

This third test follows Donut Lab’s recent demonstration of how quickly its solid-state cells can charge. It is intended to counter reports suggesting the company has not built a true battery at all, but rather a supercapacitor. To address those claims, Donut Lab worked with the Finnish Technical Research Centre (VTT) to measure how slowly the cell loses charge while idle.

Measuring Idle Voltage Loss

For the self-discharge test, a cell was charged to approximately 50 percent and then left idle for 240 hours. During the test, temperatures ranged between 22-28°C, and the cell’s voltage was recorded every 10 seconds.

The results are interesting. During the first hour, the battery’s voltage dropped by 103 mV, though the company says this is largely due to voltage relaxation rather than true self-discharge. By the end of the 240-hour test, the voltage had fallen by an additional 12 mV, representing a total loss of 2.3 percent over the 10-day period.

While this is a solid result, it’s not incredible. Typical lithium-ion battery cells can lose around 5 percent of their charge within the first 24 hours, after which the self-discharge rate typically slows to between 1-2 percent per month. Donut Lab argues the results still demonstrate that the technology is not a supercapacitor, which would normally lose far more charge when idle.

“Since we unveiled the Donut Battery, there has been a lot of speculation and theories about whether it is a supercapacitor,” Donut Lab chief technology officer Ville Piippo said. “In all its simplicity, this test proves that it is a battery. Supercapacitors charge and discharge quickly, but they also lose their charge quickly when not in use. The Donut Battery behaves like a battery and can maintain a charge for significantly longer.”

Porsche has poured cold water on recent reports suggesting the entire electric 718 Boxster and Cayman project could be scrapped following the arrival of a new chief executive. While there’s still no confirmed timeline for the new models, Porsche says they will arrive first as fully electric vehicles.

It’s no secret that Porsche has faced challenges developing the next-generation Boxster and Cayman, particularly when it comes to capturing the character that defined their predecessors. The company has already scaled back parts of its EV strategy, and new CEO Michael Leiters, formerly of McLaren, was reportedly evaluating whether the project should proceed at all.

Read: Porsche’s New CEO Might Bury The Cayman, Boxster EVs Before They Even Launch

However, Car Sales recently spoke with Daniel Schmollinger, managing director and chief executive of Porsche Cars Australia, who said the project remains on track and revealed that he has already driven a prototype.

SH Proshots

“We can’t tell yet when it’s coming, but I had the chance to drive it, and it is actually amazing,” he said. “So I had the chance to drive it on a race track, and it was just amazing. A Boxster type of car should give you the weight distribution, a very go karty feeling and it provides that. And with the electric engine, of course, it gives you even more dynamic driving.”

Electric And Combustion Models

Initially, Porsche planned to offer the next-generation Boxster and Cayman exclusively with electric powertrains. Later reports suggested that the duo’s top derivatives could also arrive with internal combustion engines. According to more recent claims, combustion engines may even appear in more affordable 718 variants.

Schmollinger’s media training paid off when he was asked to confirm plans for the ICE models, stating that “there’s no official announcement,” but noted “headquarters is basically constantly evaluating where the opportunities are. Every six months they look into what can we do and what do we not want to do, so there is opportunity out there,” he added.

For much of the past three years, it has often seemed as though BYD could do no wrong. The company steadily launched new models, expanded its lineup, and watched its sales climb at an impressive pace. However, the start of 2026 has been alarmingly slower, allowing fellow Chinese automaker Geely to pull ahead.

Through the first two months of this year, BYD has sold 400,241 vehicles, down 36 percent from the year prior. Of these, 190,190 vehicles were sold in February, a drop of 9.5 percent from the past month, due in large part to the Lunar New Year holiday, but it was also a 41 percent drop compared to the same month last year.

Apparently, shrinking tax breaks and a dip in buyer confidence are starting to cool the market. Plenty of shoppers are opting to wait it out, holding off to see what new models land and whether government trade in schemes become clearer before committing their cash.

Read: A Chinese Brand Just Knocked Ford Out Of The Global Top Six

While BYD is facing some struggles at home, it continues to gain popularity in foreign markets. In February alone, it exported 100,600 of its new energy vehicles, consisting of EVs and plug-in hybrids. Include January in those figures, and BYD has exported 201,082 vehicles.

Competitors Step Up

While BYD is facing growing pains, several other Chinese automakers are enjoying the opposite problem. Through the first two months of 2026, Stellantis partner Leapmotor’s sales have climbed 19 percent to 60,126 units. Xiaomi’s EV division is up 48 percent year over year to more than 59,000 units. Zeekr has posted an 84 percent surge across January and February, while Nio deliveries have jumped 77 percent, according to CNBC.

Geely is also having a particularly strong run. So far this year, it has delivered roughly 76,000 more vehicles than BYD. That is notable because it marks the first time Geely has outsold BYD for at least two consecutive months since 2022. While Geely currently leads within China, it trails slightly in overseas markets, exporting 181,891 vehicles so far this year.

According to Bloomberg, BYD chief executive Wang Chuanfu acknowledged the growing pressure back in December. He said rival automakers had begun closing the technological gap that once gave BYD a clear edge, something that now appears to be showing up in the sales figures.

The VW Group began selling its EA211 engine in 2011, offering it in both three- and four-cylinder forms across a wide range of models. Over the years, it has powered familiar names such as the VW Golf, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, VW T-Roc, Audi Q2, and Seat Leon.

Now the company has updated and adapted this long-running engine for an entirely new role, serving as the range-extender in its first extended-range electric vehicle in China, the ID. Era 9X.

Read: VW Built A Bigger ID SUV Than The X7 And You Can’t Have It

VW presented its new flagship SUV, co-developed with SAIC, earlier this year. At the time, we knew it would use a range-extender powertrain, but few technical details were available. Earlier this month, VW confirmed that the ID. Era 9X uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged EA211 engine, although several notable revisions have been made to prepare it for this application.

What’s Different?

For example, the updated engine now includes a new variable-geometry turbocharger to seamlessly adjust airflow, depending on the driving conditions. VW has also improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions, while also installing a water-cooled intercooler for cooler intake temperatures. The upgraded engine is being built in China.

EREVs are enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, though VW was not always enthusiastic about the concept. Six years ago, VW China executives described EREVs as “very environmentally unfriendly.”

As reported by CarNewsChina, shortly after announcing production of the new EA211 range-extender, Li Auto’s social media director reminded VW of this statement, writing on social media, “Congratulations to Volkswagen for successfully mass-producing a technology that is ‘outdated, very environmentally unfriendly, and had little development potential’ in just 6 years!”

The tension dates to September 2020, when Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein criticized gasoline-powered range-extenders as environmentally unfriendly. Around the same time, the company’s China R&D chief, Wiedmann, described the technology as outdated with limited long-term potential.

The Juicy Details

The VW ID. Era 9X is slightly longer, a touch narrower, and has a marginally shorter wheelbase than a BMW X7. It is one of several China-only Volkswagen models that could likely find an audience elsewhere if it were ever sold internationally.

In addition to the EA211 range-extender, the base model features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 295 hp and a 51.1 kWh LFP battery. This setup delivers an all-electric driving range of up to 166 miles (267 km). A version with a larger 65.2 kWh battery and up to 211 miles (340 km) of electric range will also be offered, along with a rear-wheel-drive twin-motor variant producing 510 hp.

BYD has a new flagship SUV, and it’s called the Great Tang. The name may sound a little unusual, but underneath sits the Chinese giant’s latest electric platform, built to take on high-end rivals like the Zeekr 9X and IM LS9, along with more familiar names from Europe and Asia such as the Volvo EX90 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

More: BYD Says Its New Battery Can Recharge As Fast As Filling Up Your Gas Tank

First previewed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology earlier this year and now revealed in full, the Great Tang is bigger than even the Denza B8. It stretches to 5,302 mm (208.7 inches) in length, measures 1,999 mm (78.7 inches) across, stands up to 1,800 mm (70.8 inches) tall, and rides on a generous 3,130 mm (123.2-inch) wheelbase. The SUV also forms part of BYD’s new premium Dynasty series of models.

Design-wise, it looks quite smart, particularly with the two-tone red-and-silver paint scheme it was presented with. The front end shares similarities with existing BYD models, complete with a flowing light bar, a black lower grille, and vertical headlamps neatly integrated into the fascia.

Class-Leading EV Tech

But the real story isn’t the styling. It’s the technology lurking underneath. The Great Tang rides on BYD’s new Super e platform and uses the company’s second-generation Blade battery. According to BYD, those cells can charge from 10 percent to 97 percent in just nine minutes, provided you plug into one of its new 1,500 kW charging stations. The SUV also runs a 1000-volt electrical architecture, which helps make those charging claims possible.

There’s still no word on the size of the SUV’s battery pack, but BYD has confirmed a few key drivetrain details. A single-motor version will be offered with either 402 hp or 496 hp. If that sounds a bit restrained for something this large, there is also a dual-motor setup delivering 784 hp.

Even so, the numbers that matter most for a family-sized electric barge are the range figures. Despite weighing as much as 2,970 kg (6,547 lbs), BYD claims the rear-motor version can travel up to 590 miles (950 km) on the CLTC cycle. Opt for the punchier dual-motor model and the figure drops slightly to around 528 miles (850 km) on a charge. Still, for something this big, that is not exactly a short leash.

A glance inside reveals a 2+2+3 seating layout and pretty much every luxury extra you’d expect in a flagship family hauler. The dashboard is dominated by a large central infotainment display, joined by separate screens for the driver and front passenger. You also get wireless phone chargers, a built-in fridge, and a fold-down screen in the ceiling to keep rear passengers entertained on longer trips.

In China, prices are expected to start just above 400,000 yuan, which works out to roughly $58,000.

Thought the Xiaomi SU7 looked a little too much like a Porsche Taycan? Apparently that was just the warm-up act. Fellow Chinese carmaker SAIC has now pushed the idea of “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” a step further, revealing an electric sedan and Shooting Brake that, from most angles, could easily have Porsche fans doing a double take.

Developed under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) and led by Huawei, the SAIC Z7 was teased earlier this year and has finally been shown in full. Several key details remain under wraps, but pricing is expected to land between 250,000 and 350,000 yuan ($36,200 – $50,700).

That is slightly higher than some early estimates suggested, though still a long way from Taycan money. Porsche’s electric sedan currently starts at 918,000 yuan (equal to around $133,000 at current rates).

Read: China’s $28K Taycan Clone Is Coming Whether Porsche Likes It Or Not

Viewed from the front, both the sedan and Shooting Brake models look somewhat distinctive, with sharp LED headlights and a black lower grille. But cast your eyes beyond the front fenders, and the similarities to the Taycan are impossible to ignore. The shape of the doors, the roofline, the wing mirrors, and the door handles look like they’ve been ripped straight from a Porsche parts catalog.

The resemblance becomes even more obvious when you walk around to the rear. Much like the Taycan, the Z7 features a full-width LED light bar with an intricate lighting signature. The tailgate design also looks remarkably similar to Porsche’s electric sedan.

And then there is the Shooting Brake. Its overall shape and side profile track very closely with the Taycan Sport Turismo, to the point where the silhouette alone could cause a moment of confusion.

Perhaps in a direct shot at the Xiaomi SU7, the Z7 has also been showcased in a bright shade of pink with black wheels and matching pink outer rims. As fate would have it, the Xiaomi SU7 15th Anniversary Edition presented in early 2025 had an identical finish.

Only a handful of interior images have been released so far. They reveal a thin digital instrument cluster, a large central infotainment display, and an additional screen for the passenger. In other words, the sort of setup that has become standard fare across many modern Chinese EVs.

There are also two wireless charging pads and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, rounding out a cabin that feels very much in line with current trends.

Technical specifications for the Z7 have not yet been confirmed. However, Chinese media reports suggest the EV could arrive with 80 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs, along with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. More concrete details are expected to be released in the next few weeks.

Lotus has been quite open about plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the Eletre in China. What slipped under the radar until now is the name change. Meet the Lotus For Me. Yes, that really is the official name for the Chinese market. Thankfully, the rest of the world will not have to explain it at dinner parties.

The automaker calls the PHEV a “hyper-SUV,” built around its new X-Hybrid architecture. The setup uses a 900-volt electrical system paired with a 70 kWh battery pack and two electric motors. Combined output lands at 939 hp, which is slightly more than the flagship all-electric Eletre R. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is also part of the powertrain, stepping in when the battery needs backup.

Read: Lotus Might Slash Eletre’s Price In Half In Canada

Off the line, the For Me reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.3 seconds. It continues to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 10.5 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 11.16 seconds.

Electric Range And Charging Capability

More surprising are the range claims. Lotus says the SUV can travel 260 miles (418 km) on electricity alone and more than 870 miles (1,400 km) when the hybrid system is working together. WLTP-rated fuel consumption is quoted at just 0.07 l/100 km under ideal test conditions, which is impressive on paper and, as usual, a bit harder to match outside a laboratory.

The battery pack supports 6C charging rates, which means it can jump from 30-80 percent in just eight minutes.

What Else Is New?

Visually, there is almost nothing separating the new For Me from the regular Eletre. Aside from fresh badges, functional exhaust pipes, and a few extra cooling vents up front, the design remains largely unchanged.

Under the skin, the same 48-volt active anti-roll bars as the Eletre have been retained, as has the trick dual-chamber air suspension and dual-valve adaptive dampers. Despite the fitment of a new plug-in hybrid system, the For Me weighs roughly the same as the Eletre, varying between 2,575 kg (5,676 lbs) and 2,626 kg (5,789 lbs), depending on the specification.

Lotus says the For Me will go on sale in China later this month. Europe is next in line in mid-2026, followed by North America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and other markets before the end of the year.

What Is Lotus Tuned Specification?

Its debut also coincides with Lotus introducing a new internal standard called Lotus Tuned Specification (LTS). According to the company, LTS is a proprietary engineering and dynamic tuning framework that brings several core systems under one coordinated development process. Lotus engineers worked alongside key suppliers to co-develop components such as the brakes, active stabilizer bars, and suspension hardware.

Many questioned Ford’s decision to launch the all-electric Mustang Mach-E in 2020, and the debate has not entirely faded. Despite early opposition, it has established itself as a solid option for buyers shopping for an electric SUV.

It has never managed to dethrone the Tesla Model Y, but for a stretch before federal tax credits expired last year, there were months when it actually outsold the gas Mustang. That has since flipped back the other way, though that is a different conversation altogether.

Read: This Mustang Mach-E Proves Electric Batteries Last Far Longer Than You Think

Of all the tens of thousands of Americans who own a Mustang Mach-E, few have put it to work like David Blenke. After purchasing a Premium model with the extended-range battery pack at the end of June 2022 and launching a private car service with it, he has driven more than 316,000 miles (508,500 km). Over the course of those miles, he has also carried more than 7,000 passengers.

He operates in the Santa Cruz, California area and bought the car at the height of the chip shortage. At one point, he faced a nine-month wait before locating an available example in Monterey.

How Much Battery Capacity Remains?

Ford itself celebrated Blenke’s Mustang Mach-E soldiering past 250,000 miles (403,000 km) in July last year, and this week, he spoke with Forbes. Not only has he continued to rack up the miles in his Mach-E at a remarkable pace, but during the interview, he revealed the battery has only degraded 8 percent after all those miles.

According to Blenke, the Mach-E still delivers nearly 300 miles (482 km) of range. Battery degradation remains a common concern among EV buyers, but his experience with the Mustang Mach-E suggests outcomes can vary widely.

For a bit of perspective, data from EV analytics firm Recurrent suggests that most electric vehicles with more than 250,000 miles hang on to roughly 80 percent of their original battery capacity. If Blenke’s figure is accurate, that puts his reported 92 percent battery health notably higher than average.

What About Maintenance?

Under his ownership, Blenke says he has gone through six sets of tires, seven cabin filters, and more than twenty routine 10,000-mile checkups. Incredibly, he says the car has not needed any repairs and still uses the original brakes. Most of the time, he drives the car in Whisper mode, which is the most efficient.

No doubt, Blenke’s charging habits help keep the battery pack in good health. He says he charges to 90 percent every night and tries to avoid letting the battery slip below 20 percent. Most charging is done with a Level 2 charger at home and Electrify America’s public network while working. He also carries an adapter that allows access to Tesla’s Supercharger network when necessary.

Few, if any, car manufacturers change their prices and sales policies as abruptly as Tesla, and it has become part of the brand’s public persona. The company famously reversed its resale ban for the Cybertruck a couple of years ago, and it has now unsettled customers again with its latest Full Self-Driving-related revision.

As Carscoops reported earlier this year, Tesla no longer offers Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as a one-time purchase and has shifted entirely to a monthly subscription model. It also announced that owners who had previously paid upfront for FSD would only be able to transfer it to their next vehicle if they took delivery of a new Tesla by March 31.

Read: That $8,000 Tesla Upgrade Won’t Be Yours Much Longer

Soon after this announcement, Tesla revised the wording of its FSD Transfer program terms, stating that customers simply needed to place an order by March 31 to qualify for a transfer. That revision took effect on January 20, 2026, temporarily replacing the delivery-by deadline with an order-by cutoff and giving buyers more flexibility, especially those trying to secure one of the final custom-built Model S or Model X vehicles before production winds down.

It has now reversed that change, once again requiring vehicles to be delivered by March 31 rather than merely ordered by that date.

It is understood that customers who placed an order and received an expected delivery window on or before March 31 will remain eligible for an FSD transfer, even if delivery slips into April because of delays on Tesla’s side. However, those who placed an order but were given a delivery window beyond March 31 will not have their FSD transfer honored.

Bad News For Cybertruck Buyers

Those who placed an order for the new Tesla Model Cybertruck Dual-Motor AWD are likely to be most affected. After Tesla updated its policy to simply require an order placed by March 31, Not a Tesla App reports many shoppers placed orders for the new entry-level Cybertruck at its introductory price of $59,999, fully expecting to be able to transfer their FSD system, despite many deliveries not expected until next year. Now, those buyers appear to be out of luck.

Furthermore, that introductory price has since increased to $69,990, and deliveries for this specific trim are not expected to begin until the summer, effectively excluding all current order holders from the transfer window under the reinstated delivery rule.

Compounding the issue, there are no readily available Dual-Motor AWD Cybertruck units in existing inventory that would allow customers to pivot their transfer to an in-stock alternative.

In what seems to be an effort to ease frustration, Tesla is offering full refunds, including the $250 order fee, which is typically non-refundable.

The all-electric Lexus UX 300e has quietly shuffled off the UK stage, five years after it first plugged in, and this is not just a local goodbye. Its exit is part of a wider wind-down across several global markets. The model’s demise means Lexus no longer has a small, relatively affordable EV available, and there’s no word on whether anything is in the works to replace it.

UK media first spotted that the UX 300e had vanished from the brand’s online configurator, which naturally sparked a round of speculation. Lexus soon confirmed the car had been removed from sale in late 2025.

Read: Lexus Can’t Even Pretend To Care About The 2026 UX

Lexus offered no detailed explanation for pulling the plug, reports Auto Express. Slow sales seem the obvious culprit, coupled with the fact that the car was beginning to feel its age. Fewer than 3,400 examples were sold in Britain from launch to the end, which is not quite the breakout success you would hope for in a rapidly expanding EV market.

Never That Impressive

The regular UX soldiers on and is still a decent, if aging, option. The UX 300e, though, felt compromised from day one. Its 54.3 kWh battery delivered a rated 186 miles (300 km), which was underwhelming even at launch and quickly became difficult to justify. Then there was the CHAdeMo connector, once championed by the first-generation Nissan Leaf but now largely sidelined by the rest of the industry. Not a great combination if you were hoping for future-proof.

The UK isn’t the only market where the UX 300e has recently been cancelled. In mid-2025, it was also pulled from sale in Australia, likely also due to slow sales. It was also very expensive, starting at AU$80,720 ($56,500) and topping out at AU$88,190 ($61,800), making it more than AU$30,000 ($21,000) more expensive than some new Chinese rivals that offer similar levels of luxury and refinement but better driving ranges and charging speeds.

As Autoblog reported, the same pattern has played out elsewhere, with the electric version being discontinued across parts of Europe and Japan without much fanfare.

The demise of the UX 300e leaves the larger RZ as Lexus’s only current EV. The Japanese firm is planning other EVs, most notably its own version of the new Toyota Highlander, positioned as a large, expensive three-row SUV.

The recent Audi Concept C is not just a glimpse at the brand’s latest design direction. It is also headed for production as the long-awaited TT successor. And it will get there quickly, within just two years, as Audi leans hard into what it calls its “China speed” development playbook.

Following the cancellation of the TT, as well as the mid-engined R8, Audi no longer has a two-door sports car in its line-up, which makes the Concept C all the more important. From the time it was sketched out as an initial idea to when it hits production it will have been just three years, representing a much quicker development cycle than traditional Audi models.

Read: The Concept C Is So Close To Production Audi Got It Street Legal

“Whenever we present a new concept, that will always be a serious product,” Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner told GoAuto at the recent launch of the new RS5. “The first proof point to our strategy is the Concept C. We presented that last September, and within two years, we will have it in the market.”

Porsche Underpinnings

Audi will build the road-going version on an updated take of the VW Group’s Premium Platform Electric, or PPE, architecture. That is the same hardware developed for the next-generation 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster.

Also: Porsche’s New CEO Might Bury The Cayman, Boxster EVs Before They Even Launch

There have been some questions about the future of the electric 718s, with a recent report indicating they could be axed entirely. However, according to Car Sales, Dollner told Audi staff in an internal letter that “the delivery of the platform by Porsche is not in doubt,” adding that work on the Concept C is proceeding “in good collaboration between Team Porsche and Team Audi.”

Details about the Concept C’s powertrain are limited, but it will be an EV. All signs point towards it having battery cells split between the cabin and the rear axle, allowing Audi to mimic the handling dynamics of a traditional mid-engined sports car.

China Speed

Helping to bring the car to life is the company’s new ‘China speed’ philosophy. It is ditching layered committees in favor of ‘project houses,’ encompassing design, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supplier relations, quality, and validation staff under a single roof with one leader and direct access to the board.

“We (have) completely adapted that to our processes in Germany,” Dollner revealed. “Not so far in the future, we will prove that we are able to react as fast as we do in China – but in European programs.”

“Project houses are absolutely necessary if we want to be this fast,” he added. “You cut out committees. You have this speedy decision process with very fast involvement with the board. I am having spontaneous project meetings every week. The key to fast projects is in the early phase – the alignment between design, engineering and testing teams… to set up a stable project that can be validated in a very short timeframe.” 

The all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona is big and heavy, and according to some owners, reportedly riddled with issues. In Canada, it can also be configured with tens of thousands of dollars in options, yet much of that added cost appears to evaporate the moment the car hits the market.

This white 2024 Charger Daytona has been listed for sale by Oakville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Ontario for CA$58,400 (US$42,700). On paper, that does not sound outrageous. Then you glance at the original window sticker and pause. With options included, this car started life at CA$106,493 (US$77,900). Let that sink for a moment.

Sticker Shock And Rapid Depreciation

Ready? Good, let’s carry on. In Canada, the most basic Charger Daytona opens at CA$53,995 (US$39,500). This one is the Scat Pack, which adds CA$26,905 (US$19,700) and pushes the total to CA$80,300 (US$59,200). In return, you get twin motors delivering 670 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm), plus launch control, a head-up display, dedicated drive modes, and a 16-inch digital cluster to keep tabs on it all.

Next up, this Dodge was specified with the CA$9,495 (US$6,900) Plus Group. That buys you ventilated seats, power lumbar adjustment for both front occupants, ambient lighting, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Comfort, in other words, does not come cheap.

Read: The Charger EV Still Isn’t Selling, So Dodge Hiked Prices By Over $12K

There is also the CA$3,696 (US$2,700) Sun & Sound package, pairing a fixed glass roof with an 18-speaker Alpine audio system. On top of that sits the CA$6,195 (US$4,500) Track Pack, which brings high-performance brakes, a one-piece black spoiler, revised adaptive suspension tuning, and red brake calipers.

Rounding out the list of options is the CA$3,995 (US$2,900) Carbon & Suede package. As the name suggests, it adds carbon and suede accents, but you also get 20-inch black wheels wrapped in 305/25 front and 325/35 rear all-season tires.

It’s hard to see what Dodge was expecting here. Asking this sort of money for an electric Charger was always going to be a stretch. For similar cash, you could slide into a Lucid Air. Or, for CA$80,990 (US$59,200), you could drive away in a brand new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and still have change left for the charging cable you will inevitably forget at home.

We hate to think about just how much more value this Charger could lose. It has already shed nearly CA$50,000 in under two years, despite covering just 275 km (171 miles). Even at CA$58,400 (US$42,700), you would not bet the house on it flying off the lot anytime soon.

Then again, something tells us that the dealer might be open to trimming that figure a little further just to move it along. You can check out the listing here.

Oakville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Canada is preparing to reopen its doors, at least partially, to Chinese-built electric vehicles. In the coming months, it will begin issuing permits at a sharply reduced tariff rate. However, locals should not expect the market to be immediately flooded with new and innovative EVs, as has happened in parts of Europe and Australia.

Under Canada’s new trade agreement with China, up to 49,000 EVs built in China can be imported at the reduced 6.1 percent tariff, down from the 106.1 percent rate imposed in 2024.

Read: After Letting China In, Canada Hopes Korea Comes Too

Global Affairs Canada said in an import-control notice published on February 26 that, from March 1 through August 31, the first 24,500 permits will be handed out on a simple first-come, first-served basis.

Given that it has only been six weeks since the reduced tariff was announced, automakers looking to enter the Canadian market for the first time are unlikely to secure a significant share of these initial permits.

Which Companies Stand To Gain Most?

Instead, established firms are expected to benefit first. Volvo and Polestar, for example, had been exporting EVs from China to Canada prior to the 2024 tariff hike and likely retain the production flexibility to resume shipments for the Canadian market. Tesla also built China-made EVs for Canada before the tariffs took effect and is considered a frontrunner for the early permits.

Speaking to Auto News, Global Affairs spokesperson Samantha Lafleur said there is no predetermined limit on the number of permits each automaker may receive, although temporary limits could be introduced during the initial six months. Lafleur added that the department “will monitor the application and issuance of import permits for the purpose of providing equitable access to the quota to eligible applicants.”

Second Phase Of The Import Quota

The second quota of 24,500 permits will open on September 1, 2026, and run through February 28, 2027. Any permits unused during the first six months will be added to this second allocation period.

Canadians waiting for the most competitive offerings from China will be watching closely for the potential arrival of BYD and Geely, the country’s two largest automakers. As reported by Auto News, BYD has acknowledged it is evaluating sales in Canada. Geely, meanwhile, could expand its footprint beyond Volvo and Polestar by introducing additional brands such as its namesake marque and Zeekr, among others.

There’s no denying it. For all Elon Musk’s foibles, he and Tesla have played an instrumental role in accelerating the car industry’s shift towards electrification and autonomy. Love him or loathe him, the trajectory has shifted on his watch. Now, the controversial CEO says any legacy automaker that refuses to follow Tesla’s lead risks going the way of the dinosaurs.

Last week, the world’s richest man sat down with André Thierig, head of Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin, for a deep dive into where Tesla is heading and where the wider industry should be going. In Musk’s telling, it has been obvious for more than 20 years that the endgame is fully electric, fully autonomous transport. The surprise, at least to him, is that some rivals still appear reluctant to accept it.

Read: Nearly Half Of Jury Pool Dismissed As Musk’s Lawyer Claims So Many ‘Hate Him’

“The automotive industry has strongly rejected electrification,” Musk said during the interview. “They’ve dragged their feet, and they’ve had to be pushed there by the government, and whenever they have any opportunity to reduce the production of electric vehicles, they’ve done so. This is not a good strategic…like it doesn’t make sense.”

He went on to argue that the need for the car industry to shift to electrification would be true even “without environmental concerns.” Musk believes that “an electric vehicle is a fundamentally better architecture than a gasoline or combustion vehicle. It is much simpler, it is more efficient, it’s quieter, there’s no pollution in cities, so really all ground transport should be electric.”

What’s next for Giga Berlin? Glad you asked pic.twitter.com/aaiBOOBxuu

— Tesla Manufacturing (@gigafactories) February 26, 2026

“The future does not contain combustion vehicles, and there will be very few vehicles that are not autonomous. If the automotive industry does not move in that direction, they will be left out,” Musk added.

Carmakers Aren’t Doing Enough, Musk Says

When Thierig asked whether Tesla could learn anything from legacy automakers, or whether it should simply keep its head down and focus on its own path, Musk conceded, “You can always learn something from some competitors.” Still, he quickly returned to familiar territory. “Strategically, they’re heading in the direction of the dinosaurs, so they’re not heading in a good place. Dinosaurs are not around anymore.”

As for the risk of traditional brands copying Tesla’s ideas, he dismissed it, arguing that you cannot simply force a good idea onto companies that are not ready to embrace it.

None of this is especially new. Musk has long criticized established carmakers for moving too slowly, and with Tesla’s business tied so closely to EVs and autonomous driving systems, he has every reason to underline the advantages of both. It also does not hurt when that message reinforces confidence in Tesla’s long-term prospects.

Perhaps more intriguing is Tesla’s evolving self-image. The company no longer presents itself purely as an EV manufacturer, and some observers believe it may not even be building cars in a decade, shifting instead toward robotics.

Stellantis is deepening its ties with China’s fast-moving EV sector as it searches for a more efficient path through the electric transition. In 2023, the group inked a deal with Chinese EV startup Leapmotor, purchasing a 20 percent stake in the firm for $1.1 billion. The agreement made Stellantis the exclusive distributor of Leapmotor models in Western markets.

Now, it appears the relationship could extend beyond distribution, with Stellantis potentially tapping into its partner’s EV technology for brands such as Fiat, Opel, and Peugeot.

According to Autonews, unnamed sources say Stellantis wants access to Leapmotor’s battery and EV powertrain technologies. It’s understood that discussions are in their early stages, but using Leapmotor’s systems would help Stellantis save billions of dollars in development costs, and allow it to more quickly roll out rivals to vehicles from Chinese competitors like BYD and MG, in addition to legacy brands including the VW Group and Renault.

Read: Stellantis’ Chinese Partner Built A Minivan That Makes The Pacifica Feel Ancient

However, actually using Leapmotor’s battery and EV technologies could prove challenging. For example, vehicles using connected systems linked to China will be banned from importation and sale in the US from 2027.

What’s Next for the Partnership?

While speaking about the collaboration between the two companies, Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa said the “technical partnership… will help us in getting to higher level of competitiveness especially with electric cars and it is very important for Europe.”

He added the partnership will also “improve our collaboration also on new tech development,” noting that “2025 was a year of strategic implementation for the partnership, setting the stage for deeper integration”, according to Autonews.

EV Write-Downs And Reset

Earlier this month, Stellantis announced write-downs and charges of €22.2 billion ($26.1 billion) as it scaled down its EV strategy. However, it knows it can’t back away from EVs entirely, hence why it’s interested in deepening its ties with Leapmotor.

Through the Leapmotor International joint venture, Stellantis has helped the Chinese brand launch several of its models, like the C10 and B10, in markets including Europe and Australia. For a brief period, it was also building the small T03 in Poland, but this ended last year amid fluctuations in international trade policies. This year, Stellantis plans to start building Leapmotor vehicles at its Zaragoza plant in Spain.

Chinese smartphone and consumer electronics giant Xiaomi, now very much a car manufacturer too, has become the first Chinese brand to unveil its own Vision Gran Turismo concept. Presented at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, the car is bold and offers a glimpse of what a legitimate hypercar from the tech juggernaut might look like if it ever reached production.

Underpinning the Vision GT is the company’s 900-volt Silicon Carbide platform. While no performance specifications have been released, it could deliver upwards of 1,900 hp from its electric powertrain. Most of the details shared by Xiaomi focus on the car’s design and aerodynamic intent.

Read: Trapped Driver Died After Xiaomi’s Electronic Doors Reportedly Failed

According to Xiaomi’s head of automotive design, Li Tianyuan, the Vision GT concept posts a drag coefficient of 0.29 and has effectively been sculpted by the wind.

Like track-obsessed machines such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Red Bull RB17, the Vision GT runs vast venturi tunnels beneath its bodywork. They channel air through the underfloor and eject it at the rear, creating a dramatic tail section that works to pin the car to the tarmac at speed.

There’s no word on how much downforce it could have, but it’d inevitably be enough to warp your face while going around corners. The front-end includes a motorsport-inspired carbon fiber splitter and unobtrusive LED headlights. As mentioned, the rear is dominated by the huge venturi tunnels, but the LED taillight wrapping around the entire back of the car is also very striking.

Xiaomi has also imagined the Vision GT with a set of very intriguing wheels. Sitting over a set of carbon-ceramic brakes, the concept has a set of turbine fan rims with a floating cover over them, making it appear as though the wheels aren’t moving when the car is driving.

A Cabin From Another World

The cabin looks tight, but futuristic. Occupants sit in a pair of seats stuffed into the carbon fiber monocoque. There’s a panoramic head-up display similar to the new BMW iX3, as well as a steering wheel straight out of racing with five large circular screens, including a toggle for a drift mode.

There’s no word on when the car will be added to Gran Turismo, but it should be made available in the coming weeks. Will it influence a future road-going supercar from Xiaomi? Not likely, at least in that extreme form, but only time will tell.

If the Bentayga proved anything, it is that Bentley buyers have no issue with a luxury SUV wearing a winged badge. So a second one was never really in doubt. That follow-up is now deep into development, and it has just been spotted winter testing for the first time.

For now, it is referred to as the Urban SUV, though that name is almost certainly temporary. It will sit below the Bentayga in the range and, more significantly, it will be fully electric. Yes, the EV market has cooled slightly, but Bentley appears confident that its customers are still ready for a battery-powered SUV with the right badge on the nose.

Read: Bentley’s New Urban SUV Copies A Controversial Feature From Audi’s Q3

Several prototypes have been seen out on the road in recent months, but this is the first time one has appeared wearing this darker, more dramatic camouflage scheme. It’s been adorned with a large LED light bar at the front, ensuring the engineers testing it can still see after the sun sets in the depths of Europe’s winter.

SH Proshots

Most of the Urban SUV’s shape is still carefully disguised, but a few details are slipping through. Up front, the headlights feature four distinct lighting elements, giving it a signature that sets it apart from today’s Bentleys. Around the back, temporary cladding does its best to obscure the view, though slim LED taillights are clearly visible beneath the camouflage.

A Porsche Powertrain

Bentley is building its second SUV on the same Premium Platform Electric architecture as the new Porsche Cayenne Electric. That strongly suggests plenty of shared hardware with its German cousin, potentially including battery packs and motor configurations.

As it stands, the entry-level Cayenne Electric delivers 402 hp and tops out at 1,039 hp in the extraordinary Turbo variant. Our hunch is that the base Bentley will deliver around 600 hp. Whether or not it receives a flagship version with a four-digit horsepower figure remains uncertain.

One figure Bentley does seem keen to emphasize is charging speed. The SUV is expected to support ultra-fast DC charging, with the promise of adding 100 miles (160 km) of range in just seven minutes.

Audi Meets Porsche Inside

Late last year, our spy photographers finally caught the cabin in clear view. The images show a curved central infotainment screen that looks very close to the setup in the Cayenne Electric, paired with a separate digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. It is familiar architecture, even if the surrounding materials will inevitably be pure Bentley.

There is more evidence of parts sharing lower down the steering column. Bentley’s compact electric SUV appears to use the same multi-function stalk arrangement as the new Audi Q3. Indicators, wipers, and headlight controls are grouped on the left stalk, while the right is dedicated solely to the shifter.

As for timing, Bentley could give us our first proper look at the production-ready model later this year. Customer deliveries of the Urban SUV are expected to begin in 2027, which gives Crewe a little time to perfect the details and, presumably, settle on a name that is not “Urban SUV.”

SH Proshots