Last Friday, Ram did the unthinkable by killing their fully electric 1500 REV. The truck was originally supposed to be launched in late 2024, before it was delayed and eventually axed altogether.

At the time, the company pointed to slowing demand for full-size battery-electric trucks in North America. That’s a not so subtle reference to lackluster sales of rivals such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck.

More: 2026 Jeep Recon 4xe Arrives Late This Year With Trail Rated Moab Trim

This has us wondering why stop there? The Jeep Recon EV is slated to arrive later this year and no one seems particularly interested. This is hardly surprising as sales of the Wagoneer S have been dreadful.

Second quarter sales shot up to 3,668 units and that brought year-to-date Wagoneer S sales to 6,263 vehicles. That trails the Ford Mustang Mach-E by a considerable margin as the Blue Oval moved 10,178 crossovers in Q2 as well as 21,785 in the first six months of the year. It also goes without saying that massive discounts were needed to help move inventory.

All of this is pointing to a sales disaster for the upcoming Recon. Making matters even worse, it will arrive just after the $7,500 federal tax credit expires on September 30. That’s terrible timing and EV sales are expected to drop significantly once the incentive goes away.

This has us questioning if Jeep should follow Ram’s lead and kill the Recon. There’s no easy answer and the company hasn’t said much about the model since February.

While the electric crossover is expected to have a lot in common with the Wagoneer S, Jeep has previously confirmed plans for a Trail Rated Moab trim. The brand has also mentioned an assortment of off-road packages that will enable drivers to “follow a path with no roads at all.” In particular, we can expect a Selec-Terrain traction management system, e-locker axle technology, under-body protection, and aggressive off-road tires.

More notably, the Recon will offer removable doors and a one-touch power roof. This should help the model to stand out, but will that be enough to get people to buy it?

Only time will tell, but the crossover is expected to ride on the STLA Large platform and share powertrains with the Wagoneer S. This means we can likely expect a 100.5 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. The latter could have outputs of 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) and 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) as well as a range of around 300 miles (483 km).

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Electric motorcycles have so far failed to take-off quite like electric cars, but this doesn’t mean development has stagnated. In fact, the VW Group is testing innovative solid-state battery cells in a specially-equipped Ducati superbike, presented at Munich’s IAA Mobility event. These innovative battery cells don’t just have the potential to shake up the motorcycling industry, but the wider automotive world.

Read: This BMW Might Just Be The Coolest Electric Bike You’ll Never Own

Ducati, which is owned by the VW Group, is the sole supplier of bikes for the MotoE World Championship, which places it at the forefront of the industry. However, its racing bike still cannot match the weight of one of its ICE-powered racing bikes, nor does it offer an adequate amount of range. That’s where solid-state battery cells come in.

A Prototype With A Purpose

An overhauled version of Ducati’s V21L prototype was presented in Germany, now equipped with 980 QSE-5 cells from QuantumScape. These cells use a lithium metal anode and ceramic separator, promising significant improvements in energy density, fast charging capability, safety, and lifecycle over traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Solid-State For Motorcycles And Cars

The Italian bike manufacturer didn’t reveal how much the solid-state battery of the special V21L prototype weighs, nor what kind of range it gives the bike. However, if the setup can be perfected, it could eventually find its way into a road-legal production motorcycle. In the coming months, the solid-state technology will continue to be tested and the bike will hit the track.

“At Ducati, we have a long history of pushing the boundaries of technology to improve the riding experience both on the road and on the racetrack,” said chief executive Claudio Domenicali. “Our pursuit of innovation has allowed us to achieve incredible results, including the record of six consecutive MotoGP Constructors’ titles. The high energy density achieved with solid state technology is a perfect fit for a high-performance vehicle like a sport motorcycle.”

The link with QuantumScape is not new. VW has spent more than a decade working alongside the Californian battery specialist, with the same goal of bringing solid-state cells into road-going cars. The Ducati testbed, then, is not just about motorcycles. It is also a rolling laboratory for the broader push toward next-generation electric mobility.

Hyundai has used their investor event to unveil a future product roadmap and a “2030 Vision.” It calls for an assortment of new models including range-extended electric vehicles.

Starting stateside, Hyundai announced plans to launch its first body-on-frame mid-size truck in North America by 2030. It will challenge the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, and the reborn Ram Dakota.

More: Americans Love Trucks, Except Ones From Hyundai

The company has high hopes for the pickup asppp they noted it targets “one of the largest segments in the industry.” Hyundai added they have “gained valuable experience and brand presence” since launching the compact unibody Santa Cruz in 2021. CEO Jose Munoz even hinted that a rugged, off-road SUV could join the lineup built on the same platform.

More N Models And Hybrids

Hyundai’s N lineup will expand to more than seven models by 2030, including the all-new Ioniq 6 N. The company believes the move will increase global N sales to over 100,000 units annually.

Hyundai will also expand its hybrid lineup to include more than 18 models by 2030. They’ll also embrace commercial vehicles in North America by offering a large electrified van as well as the XCIENT fuel cell truck and Translead trailers.

Lots Of New EVs

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Hyundai bet big on EVs and even more are on the horizon, including an entry-level Ioniq 3 for Europe. The model was recently previewed by a concept and will be a mass-market vehicle with a next-generation infotainment system.

Sticking with international markets, India will get its first locally designed EV, while China gets a new C-segment electric sedan. The latter will be joined by the recently unveiled Elexio SUV.

The automaker is also gearing up to launch its first range-extended electric vehicles in 2027. They’ll offer more than 600 miles (966 km) of combined range as well as high-performance batteries that were developed in-house. Hyundai said they’ll have “full EV power performance with less than half the battery capacity, improving accessibility while maintaining exceptional range and performance, and eliminating range anxiety.”

Speaking of EVs, Hyundai noted a cloud-based battery management system is coming in 2026. It promises to “collect data from diverse vehicle environments, applying proprietary advanced modeling for faster, more precise diagnostics.”

We can also expect next-generation batteries that will arrive by 2027. These are said to be 30% cheaper despite having a 15% higher energy density. Charging times will also drop by 15%, making ownership more convenient.

Hyundai is also developing next-generation fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles. These promise to have “high efficiency, durability and power output to meet the demands of future mobility.”

Genesis Gets Some Love

On the luxury side of the equation, the Genesis lineup will expand to include hybrid, electric, and range-extended vehicles. The first hybrid will arrive next year and the company said their next-generation platform will support multi-energy configurations.

Genesis is aiming to increase annual sales to 350,000 units by 2030, and they’ll achieve this by expanding their presence in the United States, Europe, Korea, China, the Middle East, and emerging markets. Speaking of Europe, the brand is planning to be in up to 20 European markets in the coming years.

In the United States, Genesis is planning to strengthen its market presence through local production and the introduction of range-extended EVs. The company also mentioned “ultra-bespoke vehicles,” hinting at possible ultra-luxury ambitions.

Company Eyes Increased Sales And More US Production

Overall, Hyundai is targeting global sales of 5.55 million vehicles by 2030. They’re banking on “significant growth” in North America, Europe, and Korea to achieve this.

Getting back to the United States, the Hyundai Metaplant in Georgia is set to increase its annual production capacity to 500,000 vehicles by 2028. The plant currently builds the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, but it will eventually make hybrids as well.

Hyundai said the expansion will create 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, and involve a $2.7 billion investment over three years. The company also aims to produce more than 80% of vehicles sold in the United States domestically by 2030, with supply chain content increasing from 60% to 80%.

Xiaomi may be a relatively new player in the automotive space, but it’s already proven to be one of the most innovative and popular new car brands in China. Not only have the SU7 sedan and YU7 crossover been selling like hot cakes, but Xiaomi has laid the smackdown on Porsche and Rimac with the SU7 Ultra, and soon, the YU7 will get a high-performance trim of its own.

Expected to be carry the YU7 GT badge, the new model was recently snapped by our spy photographers testing at the Nurburgring. Xiaomi did not bother hiding the crossover under thick body cladding, instead opting for a simple skin-tight white and red camouflage wrap.

Read: A 60-Week Waitlist Just Made Xiaomi’s SUV A Flippers Goldmine

At first glance, the changes look subtle. The front fascia seems untouched compared with the standard YU7, but closer inspection reveals flared front and rear fenders that allow for a broader track and larger wheels. The test car rolls on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires, which have been designed specifically for hypercars and supercars. Clearly, the YU7 GT is going to be fast, and it’s going to be powerful.

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Hiding behind the wheels sit oversized carbon ceramic brakes with bright yellow calipers, a setup that promises the stopping power to match the expected surge in performance.

The Powertrain

The current Xiaomi SU7 Ultra uses three electric motors to deliver a combined 1,526 hp and 1,306 lb-ft (1,770 Nm) of torque, giving it way more power than the 1,019 hp of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. There’s no word on whether the YU7 GT crossover will have the same extraordinary amount of power as the SU7 Ultra sedan, but it will almost certainly use a similar tri-motor system and punch out more than 1,000 horses.

If that’s the case, then we expect to see the YU7 GT knock off the Audi RS Q8 Performance as the fastest SUV to ever lap the ‘Ring. To do so, it’ll need to post a time of less than 7:36.698. Either way, Xiaomi looks intent on proving it belongs in the fast lane of performance SUVs.

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Nissan’s latest round of strategy adjustments has claimed another casualty, and this time it’s the Ariya. Barely three years after launch, the electric crossover is already being scrubbed from the U.S. lineup for the 2026 model year, a move first outed in a dealer memo dug up by Autonews. When pressed, Nissan confirmed the decision.

Also: Nissan Leaf Hit With Production Cuts Before Buyers Even Get A Chance

“Nissan is pausing production of the MY26 ARIYA for the U.S. market and reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 LEAF, which will have the lowest starting MSRP out of all new EVs currently on sale in the U.S,” a spokesperson told us.

What About After 2026?

What happens beyond that date is anyone’s guess, though the odds don’t exactly promising. When asked whether the electric crossover might return for the 2027 model year, Nissan offered no commitment. “No decision has been made yet. We continue to monitor the market environment and will respond accordingly to ensure we are meeting consumer demand with the right line-up of electrified products,” the spokesperson said.

For anyone still eyeing an Ariya, dealer stock will remain until it runs out. Nissan also confirmed that existing owners will “continue to receive service, parts, and warranty coverage”, so support is not vanishing with the model.

Leaf Gets The Spotlight, Ariya Gets The Bill

When asked why the Ariya is being sidelined, Nissan pointed to changing conditions in the market. “The U.S. EV market is dynamic, and this is a proactive response to evolving consumer preferences. As demand grows for affordable and practical electrified vehicles, Nissan is leading with products that deliver both innovation and value. The all-new 2026 Leaf is key to meeting this demand,” the spokesperson said.

Also: 2026 Nissan Sentra Facelift Revealed In China

Even so, we suspect that economic realities likely had as much influence as consumer taste. The federal EV tax credit is set to expire at the end of this month, pushing higher-priced models into a tougher corner. The Ariya also comes with an added cost problem: it is built in Japan, which means tariffs still apply, despite recent trade agreements trimming those duties to 15 percent.

The decision also appears to align with Nissan’s broader campaign to slim down operations as the company fights for survival after posting a record loss of roughly $5 billion for the financial year ending in April. That effort has intensified under new CEO Ivan Espinosa, who took over this past April. Measures have included workforce reductions in the tens of thousands, multiple plant closures, and a sweeping review of the global product portfolio, with every model now facing sharper scrutiny on profitability.

Ariya Still Pulls Its Weight

Despite all that, the Ariya has held a steady place in Nissan’s U.S. lineup – though no doubt helped by generous incentives that have inevitably weighed on the bottom line. In the first half of this year, 11,619 units were delivered, making it the company’s best-selling EV stateside and marking a 24.3 percent jump from the same period in 2024. By contrast, the outgoing Leaf managed 3,925 deliveries, which still represented a 28 percent increase year over year.

After years of treating electric door handles as a design triumph, Tesla now finds itself redesigning them for a less glamorous reason: people, including children, keep getting stuck inside its cars. The company has admitted that a new generation of door handles is in development, prompted by repeated cases of entrapment in Tesla EVs. Adding to the urgency is an active NHTSA investigation, which has only piled on the pressure.

More: Cybertruck Nails Crash Tests Until The Lights Go Out

Franz von Holzhausen, Chief Designer at Tesla, acknowledged that his team is looking into the issue, explaining that the new door handles will be more intuitive during “a panic situation”. The proposed solution is to merge the electronic and mechanical door-release mechanisms. These are currently separate, and their locations differ depending on the model and year, making them harder to find in an emergency.

Rethinking the Release

Speaking on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit podcast, Holzhausen said: “The idea of combining the electronic one and the manual one together into one button, I think, makes a lot of sense. That’s something that we’re working on.”

The concern arises from situations where Tesla door handles can fail if the low-voltage battery loses power. This is not a problem exclusive to Tesla, with other automakers like Ford having issued software updates to provide clearer “low power” warnings to the driver.

Complaints and Consequences

According to Bloomberg, the NHTSA has logged more than 140 consumer complaints about faulty Tesla doors since 2018. Some incidents have been severe, with injuries and even fatalities linked to occupants being unable to exit their vehicles after an accident.

More: Hate Retractable Door Handles? China Might Finally Make Them Go Away

Nine of these cases involved parents trying to open the rear doors of a Tesla Model Y to reach their children. In four of those instances, parents resorted to smashing their own windows to get inside, as the kids were too young to operate the hidden manual release.

Pressure from China

Meanwhile, China is considering new rules through the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that could outlaw flush door handles and mandate a mechanical backup on all cars. Holzhausen said Tesla is ready to adapt, describing the forthcoming solution as “really good.”

For now, Tesla has not said when the redesigned handles will arrive, nor whether the update could be retrofitted to cars already on the road.

Chinese vacuum maker Dreame Technology is doubling down on its promise to build an EV that’s the spitting image of a Bugatti Chiron. The company’s car division, Dreame Auto, has just released another image of its creation, and like the handful of renders shown last week, this one also appears to have been generated, at least in part, with the help of AI.

More: Chinese Vacuum Giant Aims To Beat Bugatti With The World’s Fastest Hypercar

More importantly, company insiders have also shared some technical details, as well as news of a second luxury brand aiming to rival the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Spot the Differences

The single new image, still a rendering, rather than a photo of a real vehicle, shows the car that’s apparently (and unashamedly) codenamed “Dreame Bugatti,” with its doors open this time. We already knew it had four doors, but now we can see the rear pair are rear hinged, that all four open upwards like a McLaren’s, and that there’s no B-pillar.

Close comparison of the old and new pictures reveals some detail differences. The new images of the white model show two vents in the hood, one behind each headlight, and the grille is slightly broader and less rounded, looking slightly less Bugatti-like, and more Jaguar-ish. The changes are, however, unlikely to placate Bugatti. The company never replied when we asked it for comment last week, but we doubt it’s thrilled at the news.

Both pure EV and range-extender hybrid versions will be offered when the finished car enters production in 2027 at a site next door to Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin, according to Weixin, which cites a company insider it spoke to. But we’ll get our first look at a physical car in January next year when the company brings a pre-production prototype to CES – yes, that CES in Las Vegas.

Second Luxury Brand Modeled After Bentley and Rolls-Royce

The company’s automotive ambitions stretch further than a Bugatti lookalike. The same insider told the Chinese outlet that Dreame Tech is splitting its car operations into two divisions. Dream Auto is focused exclusively on building the Chiron-a-like, which founder Yu Hao hopes will go on to break hypercar speed records. The other division we learned about today, Starry Sky Auto, has been benchmarking cars such as the Rolls Royce Cullinan and various Bentley models in preparation for the development of four vehicles built from the same basic components.

Citing a recent internal communication meeting, the Chinese outlet reports that the company’s founder told his team the Starry Sky Auto premium models will be built on wheelbases of 3.2 meters (126 inches) and 3.3 meters (130 inches) long. He also “put forward the requirements that the former should be larger in length, width, and height than the Li Auto L9 and M9, and the latter should have a domineering and tough appearance, with all dimensions no smaller than those of the Cullinan.”

According to the report, Dreame Auto has ” assembled a cross-industry team covering R&D, manufacturing, and quality control. The team includes core R&D personnel from its original smart hardware business, as well as experts from traditional vehicle manufacturing.”

Budget Meets Ambition

With prices allegedly ranging from $38,000 to $83,000, Starry Sky Auto’s models will certainly not be in Bentley and Rolls Royce territory, and are instead designed to take on EVs from smartphone-maker Xiaomi, whose expansion from electronics giant to automaker Dreame wants to replicate.

Dreame Auto

The all-new Nissan Leaf arrives with the weight of expectation on its shoulders. For Nissan, this car is meant to mark a return to prominence in the electric vehicle space, yet its launch has stumbled out of the gate. Production is set to be cut back from September through November as the company grapples with delays in securing enough battery packs to keep assembly lines moving.

Read: Nissan Takes A Leaf From The Z For Its Mass Market EV

Nissan is currently building the new Leaf at its Japanese plant in the Tochigi prefecture but particularly steep reductions are being made next month and throughout October, with thousands fewer examples now expected to be built.

Battery Bottleneck

According to a report from Nikkei Asia, the Leaf’s batteries are supplied by AESC, but production yields haven’t ramped up as quickly as anticipated. The result is a shortfall that could begin to limit availability in showrooms if it continues. For a car expected to carry so much significance, that’s an awkward complication at the very start of its life.

Underpinning the Leaf is the same CMF-EV platform as the larger Ariya. The entry-level version confirmed for the American market uses a 52 kWh battery pack driving a single electric motor at the front wheels with 174 hp and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque.

Nissan will also sell the Leaf with a larger 75 kWh pack that’s paired to an electric motor delivering 214 hp and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm). Nissan says the 75 kWh version has a driving range of 303 miles or 488 km.

Pricing and Availability

In addition to selling the new Leaf in the US, it’s been confirmed for launches in Japan and Europe, with other markets expected to follow. Likely the single most important determining factor about whether or not it will be a success will be its starting price.

Nissan recently confirmed that prices for the 2026 Leaf will start at $29,990, making it the cheapest EV on sale in the country, and only representing a small price hike over the decade-old model it replaces. Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that an even cheaper version is in the works, although prices for it have yet to be revealed.

Chinese automakers have never been shy about defending their reputations, and over the years they’ve taken aim at social media users they believe are spreading damaging claims about their vehicles.

Sometimes those accounts are run by ordinary users, while in other cases competitors themselves are suspected of stoking the attacks. Now the Chinese government is stepping in, with a three-month crackdown on online disinformation that it says targets the auto industry.

Collisions Online And Off

Disinformation about many Chinese car manufacturers has become a common sight across local social media platforms, including Douyin, which is the Chinese version of TikTok. Sometimes, its even rival car companies themselves that use social media to target their competitors.

Nikkei Asia reports that, in July, Li Auto shared a video to social media that showed a collision between one of its SUVs and a truck from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor. While the SUV escaped with very little damage, the cab of the truck was destroyed. Unsurprisingly, Dongfeng took issue with how its truck was depicted, prompting an apology from Li Auto.

Earlier this month, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said its new enforcement campaign will target malicious disinformation about the auto industry online. It added that steps will be taken against “illegal business practices, exaggerated or false advertising and slander.”

Carmakers Fight Back

It’s not just the government that is fighting back against disinformation, but also the automakers themselves. For example, MG is offering rewards of up to 5 million yuan ($703,000) for information about malicious social media accounts. Similarly, BYD is offering rewards of between 50,000 yuan ($7,000) and 5 million yuan ($703,000) for similar information.

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

The reach of some social media accounts cannot be overstated. In 2023, a Douyin influencer posted videos ridiculing the drivers of one particular EV startup in China. While this account was suspended by June 2024, it reportedly had as many as 5.4 million followers, and the damage was arguably already done.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is dead. Long live the new Eclipse Cross EV. This second generation SUV is a complete departure from its predecessor, pairing the electric foundations of the the Renault Scenic E-Tech with Mitsubishi-specific design elements. Built by Renault in France, the new model will be sold exclusively in Europe.

More: The Most Mitsubishi Thing About Its New Hybrid SUV Might Be The Logo

The Eclipse Cross EV joins Mitsubishi’s growing European lineup of Renault-based models. It follows the Colt (Clio), ASX (Captur), and Grandis (Symbioz) as another example of badge-sharing strategy. Positioned in the compact SUV segment beneath the Outlander PHEV, it also becomes Mitsubishi’s second all-electric model in Europe, after the discontinued i-MiEV city car.

Recasting Renault’s Scenic

The clearest way to spot the Japanese twist on the Scenic is up front. Mitsubishi has reworked the face with distinctive split LED headlights, a redesigned but fully covered grille that looks similar to the Outlander, and reshaped bumper intakes. At the rear, updated LED taillight graphics and a heavier dose of glossy black trim set it apart from the Renault, alongside the fresh branding.

The profile looks familiar but there is a new chrome trim on the D-pillars and more futuristic wheels measuring 19 or 20 inches in diameter. Overall, the new model dropps the coupe-SUV proportions of the first Eclipse Cross, which launched in 2017 and gained a facelift in 2020. In terms of footprint, it is incrementally smaller than its ICE-powered predecessor, measuring 4,470 mm (176 inches) long, although its wheelbase is significantly larger stretching to 2,785 mm (109.6 inches).

Inside, the cabin adopts Renault’s digital setup with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a portrait-style 12-inch infotainment screen running Google’s built-in services. For the sake of differentiation, Mitsubishi has added new options for the interior trim and upholstery. Other cool features include the electrochromic glass roof, the LED ambient lighting, and the Harman & Kardon Premium audio system.

A full suite of driver assistance tech is available, offering semi-autonomous driving on the highway. Finally, practicality is served by two rows of seating and a cargo area that ranges between 478-1,670 lt (16.9-59 cubic feet) depending on the position of the rear bench.

Shared Underpinnings

The Eclipse Cross EV rides on the CMF-EV platform (Ampr Medium) which is already used in the Renault Megane/Scenic E-Tech and the Nissan Leaf/Ariya.

More: Mitsubishi’s New Kei Van Channels Its Inner Pajero

Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS), with a 87 kWh battery pack offering a range of approximately 600 km (373 miles). The battery has a water-cooled thermal management system and is compatible with charging speeds of up to 150 kWh.

Mitsubishi has also confirmed that a mid-range version will follow in 2026. This one will most likely use mirror the specs of the entry-level Scenic E-Tech with 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) and a 60 kWh battery.

Designed, Manufactured And Sold In Europe

The new EV will be manufactured at the Douai factory in France as part of the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan Alliance, starting in Q4 2025. The same facilities are the home of production for the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, R5 E-Tech, Alpine A290, and Nissan Micra EV.

While the new Eclipse Cross is not expected to cross the Atlantic, Mitsubishi has confirmed it will launch another electric crossover for North America in the summer of 2026. This one will be slightly smaller and share its underpinnings with the new Nissan Leaf.

Mitsubishi

Mexico is weighing a steep new tariff that could reshape its car market for years to come, proposing a 50 percent duty on vehicles imported from nations without free trade agreements. Importantly, that list includes China, meaning the move could weigh heavily on fast-growing player BYD and even affect Tesla at a time when electric car sales in Mexico are beginning to gain momentum.

Read: Mexico Has Had Enough With Chinese Car Imports

The tariff proposal, made public last week, wouldn’t stop at EVs. It would also hit combustion-powered cars from countries with no trade deals, a group that includes South Korea and China, both global automotive heavyweights, as well as India, Indonesia, and Russia, which play a smaller or more regionally focused role in the industry. Interestingly, American brands would be spared.

Automakers on Edge

Analysts suggest the new levy could put the brakes on BYD’s rapid rise in Mexico. Eugenio Grandio, president of the Electric Mobility Association in the country, put it plainly: “It’s definitely a game-changer. Fifty percent is a very aggressive number.”

Reuters reports that the tariff plan still requires approval from Mexico’s Congress before it can be enacted. General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis would sidestep the new duties thanks to their production plants in Mexico, which let them bring in a share of vehicles without tariffs. On the other hand, while BYD and Tesla have both discussed adding factories to their Mexican portfolios, so far those projects have failed to progress.

Tesla Has Solutions

Tesla’s pipeline to Mexico has so far depended entirely on its Shanghai facility, which has produced every Model 3 and Model Y sold there since mid-2023, Salvador Rosas of the Tesla Owners Club in Mexico, told Reuters. Still, analysts suggest the company has a buffer, with local stockpiles that could give it room to shift supply from other plants, including those in the United States.

BYD’s Mexican Plans Shunted

Back in 2023, BYD said it would build a new car factory in Mexico. However, these plans were ditched earlier this year after pressure from Mexican authorities who were worried approving such a plant could be detrimental to trade relations with the United States and would potentially upset President Donald Trump.

Despite the setback, BYD has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Mexico in recent years. Last year, it sold approximately 40,000 vehicles in the country, accounting for nearly half of all EV and plug-in hybrid sales nationwide. That momentum has continued into this year, with sales on track to double once again.

A new option has joined the growing ranks of Renault’s retro-inspired EV. The 4 E-Tech is now available in two work-ready versions for the French market, known as Societe Reversible and Societe Van. Both are designed for professionals who want the practicality of a light commercial vehicle without losing the everyday usability of the standard model.

More: Renault’s Retro R4 EV Could Get A Whole Lot More Interesting Soon

Styling remains unchanged from the regular passenger model, as the Societe versions keep their glass rear windows instead of adopting blank panels. This choice keeps costs down, but it also means Renault hasn’t followed through with the van-style look first teased back in 2021.

At the time, the brand hinted at a boxier tail inspired by the classic Renault 4 Fourgonnette, which would likely have boosted both visual appeal and carrying capacity, albeit at greater expense for what remains a niche product.

Work-Focused Cabin

Inside, the crossover has been reworked to meet the demands of everyday business use. The rear seats give way to a molded tray lined with an anti-slip mat, tie-down hooks, and a partition separating it from the front. Total cargo space comes to 1,045 liters (36.9 cubic feet), with a hidden 55-liter (1.9 cubic feet) compartment under the floor. The loading length stretches to 1.20 meters (47.2 inches), and payload capacity peaks at 345 kilograms (760 pounds).

The conversion takes place at the Ampere Manufacture in Maubeuge, France, by a company called Qstomize. The Societe Reversible is classified as a passenger vehicle (M1), while the Societe Van is a light commercial vehicle (N1). The latter has tax benefits but is subject to speed restrictions.

According to Renault, the target group of the Societe versions is tradespeople, delivery drivers, service and concierge companies, rental companies, and professional fleets.

Powertrain and Range

Performance is identical to the passenger version, with a single electric motor producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS). Power comes from a 52 kWh battery that delivers up to 409 km (254 miles) of WLTP range. Charging from 15 to 80 percent takes just over three hours on an 11 kW AC unit, or around 30 minutes when connected to a 100 kW DC fast charger.

More: The New Renault 4 E-Tech Makes For A Chic Beach Buggy

In France, the R4 E-Tech Societe is priced from €29,300 ($34,700) for the Evolution trim and €30,900 ($36,600) for the Techno, excluding VAT. Furthermore, buyers benefit from incentives that can reach up to €5,060 (6,000) depending on the variant and the customer profile.

Options, however, can quickly nudge the cost upward. Renault charges between €167 and €917 ($200–1,100) for exterior colors, €167 ($200) for roof rails, and €333 ($400) for the all-weather tires with snow and off-road drive modes. Other extras include a hands-free tailgate at €333 ($400), advanced driver-assist and parking tech for €250 ($300), and a Harman Kardon nine-speaker audio system priced at €500 ($600).

In addition to building some of China’s most advanced electric cars, Xpeng has been quietly pursuing something far more ambitious: an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project has been in development for over a decade, and the company is even constructing a purpose-built factory to produce them.

That long-term vision, however, hit turbulence this week when two of its aircraft reportedly collided and crashed at the Changchun Air Show.

The two aircraft involved in the incident are understood to be the same models designed to fold up and slot into the rear of the six-wheeled Land Aircraft Carrier. Each uses a six-rotor layout with propellers and arms that can fold away, and they are built to operate either under manual control or in autonomous flight mode.

Folding Wings and Six Rotors

It remains unclear whether the test flight was being conducted under manual control or via the autonomous system. What is known is that the accident happened during a rehearsal ahead of the public show’s opening on Friday. One passenger is reported to have been injured, though not seriously, according to Guancha.

Read: Xpeng’s $280,000 AeroHT Mothership Launches 2-Seater Drone From Its Boot

In a statement issued to CNEVPost, Xpeng said that the two aircraft were participating in a formation drill but collided after flying too close to each other. Fortunately, one of the aircraft landed safely, but the other sustained more significant damage and caught fire after it fell from the sky.

Ambitious Production Goals

Despite the setback, Xpeng wants to start production of the six-wheeled AeroHT ‘mothership’ and the eVTOL for paying customers by 2026. Prices will start at approximately 2 million yuan or about $281,000 at current exchange rates, and it’s said that the company has already received thousands of orders for the pricey recreational vehicles. The eVTOL can reportedly operate at up to 500 meters.

Both vehicles will be built at a 180,000-square-meter site in Guangzhou’s Development Zone. The new factory is designed to handle up to 10,000 units per year, underscoring the scale of Xpeng’s ambitions in taking mobility from the road to the sky.

A year after making a major investment in Leapmotor, Stellantis is moving from shareholder to industrial partner. In 2023, the group spent €1.5 billion ($1.77 billion) for a 20 percent stake in the Chinese brand and took a 51 percent share in its international division, gaining the rights to sell and distribute its vehicles outside China. That relationship is now stepping up a gear, with Leapmotor set to build cars at one of Stellantis’s factories in Spain.

Read: New Leapmotor B10 Goes After Europe’s EV Market With Stellantis In Its Corner

Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa confirmed the development during a recent financial event. While he stopped short of naming the Spanish facility involved, the agreement will allow Leapmotor to sidestep the steep European Union tariffs placed on Chinese-built EVs, which can reach as high as 30.7 percent.

Tariff Workaround

“We have recently announced an industrial partnership to give Leapmotor capacity at one of our Spanish plants to build their cars on their platform,” Filosa said during the event, reports Auto News. “That will start very soon.”

While Stellantis hasn’t said which Leapmotor models will be built in Spain, a recent report indicated that the B10 electric SUV is the most likely candidate. Leapmotor is thought to be investing up to $200 million into one of Stellantis’s Spanish factories to make it happen. Zaragoza has been reported as a potential location for Leapmotor’s local production base, as Stellantis is building a massive battery gigafactory there with CATL, set to open next year.

Leapmotor’s European Plans

Interestingly, Leapmotor has already dipped a toe into European manufacturing. The brand previously assembled the T03 minicar at Stellantis’s plant in Tychy, Poland, though production ended in April. There had also been plans to build the B10 in Poland, but those have since been abandoned.

Leapmotor lifted the veil on the European-spec B10 late last year and recently opened the order books for it. Positioned as a rival to the likes of the Kia EV3, BYD Atto 3, and Honda Kona Electric, the B10 starts at €29,900 ($35,400).

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Ford’s fiasco in Europe continues to get worse and this time it could cost 1,000 employees their jobs. he workers are based at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany, where the Capri and Explorer EVs are assembled. Both models have been struggling to gain traction in the market.

Those two models are essentially reworked versions of the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5. The latter was already a niche product and having a Ford version, in the form of the Capri, was a pretty obvious misstep.

Jobs On The Line

Of course, corporate heads rarely roll over these mistakes so workers end up paying the price. In this case, the Associated Press says up to a thousand people could be out of a job. That’s a significant amount as Ford says there are 4,090 employees at the Cologne plant.

More: Ford Walks Back All-EV Promise For Europe By 2030 Due To Wavering Demand

This equates to a roughly 25% cut and the company will thin the herd with a combination of buyouts and voluntary departures. However, there’s little doubt that some people will lose the job they’ve been counting on.

Market Realities

In a statement, the automaker blamed the move on electric vehicle demand that was “significantly below industry forecasts.” The Wall Street Journal also reported the company cited evolving regulations as well as a lack of charging infrastructure investment. Some countries have also reduced or eliminated subsidies, making electric vehicles less appealing.

Thanks to this combination of factors, the Cologne plant is reportedly dropping down to one shift beginning in January. It’s the latest setback for workers as Ford announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs in Europe last November.

Rivian’s on-again, off-again Georgia plant is back in motion as the company held a groundbreaking ceremony in Social Circle. However, it was little more than a dog and pony show as construction isn’t expected to begin until 2026.

The money-losing EV company said surprisingly little about the facility, but noted the plant will be built in two phases with each providing 200,000 units of annual production capacity. That’s a combined total of 400,000 units and these vehicles will be sold domestically and internationally.

What Gets Built Here?

Production plans center on the upcoming R2 and R3. Rivian expects the first vehicles from the Georgia facility to appear in 2028, about two years after R2 manufacturing starts in Normal, Illinois.

More: Rivian R2 Prototype Spied With A Very Interesting Rear Window

The facility is expected to span approximately nine million square feet and it will be located on nearly 2,000 acres of land. Interestingly, Rivian envisions the site will have “recreational trails for employees and customers” as well as a “Rivian experience trail.”

Jobs and Promises

Since Rivian was granted a $6.6 billion loan from the Department of Energy in the waning days of the Biden Administration, it comes as little surprise that stakeholders – including Georgia Republicans – promised thousands of new jobs.

These are said to include 2,000 construction jobs and 7,500 plant jobs by 2030. Nearly 8,000 indirect jobs are also expected and Rivian said all these new openings could “generate over $1 billion in labor income annually – supporting suppliers, vendors and small businesses in the local Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties and the surrounding region.”

While only time will tell if the plant lives up to expectations, it’s another feather in Georgia’s electric vehicle cap. As we’ve previously reported, the Peach State is also home to Hyundai’s Metaplant, which builds the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9.

In a statement, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said “We are cementing Rivian’s future at our Georgia plant, helping ensure America maintains its technology leadership and excellence in automobile manufacturing.” He added, “Our Georgia facility will support our global expansion and provide the scale necessary to get millions of future drivers in our incredible all-electric vehicles, both in the United States and overseas.”

The Concept C stole the spotlight at the Munich Motor Show, but Audi also used the event to highlight an entry-level EV. It’s scheduled to go into production in Ingolstadt next year and slot beneath the Q4 e-tron.

While the company didn’t say much about the new entry-level e-tron model, spy photographers recently caught a mule based on the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to see as the body appears to eschew modifications. In fact, the only changes appear to be sportier wheels and a camouflaged interior.

More: Audi’s Smallest And Most Affordable EV Is Coming In 2026

That leaves us with only hints to work with, but Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has previously described the model as “an electric vehicle in the same class as the A3.” This suggests the car could be called the A3 e-tron, although the A2 e-tron has also been floated as a possible moniker.

There are more questions than answers at this point, but the model will presumably ride on the MEB+ platform, which also underpins the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo. The architecture is billed as the “next evolutionary stage” of the electric vehicle platform and is slated to offer two battery capacities as well as four different outputs.

Volkswagen has not shared many specifics yet, but has previously confirmed an ID. Polo GTI with 223 hp (166 kW / 226 PS). We also wouldn’t be surprised to see a variant with 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS) as was alluded to by the ID. Cross concept.

Shproshots

That being said, the Audi could be significantly larger as the current A3 Sportback measures 171.3 inches (4,352 mm) long. That’s quite a bit bigger than the 160-inch (4,053 mm) ID. Polo and 163.8-inch (4,161 mm) ID. Cross. Of course, it’s also worth noting the ID.3 clocks in at 167.9 inches (4,264 mm).

Details are pretty hazy, but we’ll likely get a better idea of what to expect when fully fledged prototypes start appearing. Given that production is expected to begin next year, this should happen relatively shortly.

Shproshots

The automotive industry’s transition to electrification has been a lot rockier than many had predicted due to shifting customer preferences, ever-changing regulatory hurdles, and market-specific demands, forcing carmakers to respond. While the growth in sales of electrified vehicles has slowed somewhat, new data reveals they continue to gain popularity, accounting for a larger slice of the overall market.

Through the first eight months of this year, an estimated 12.5 million battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles have found homes around the world. This represents a significant 25 percent spike over the year prior and has been led by surging demand in most important markets. However, North America is lagging behind.

A Continent Out Of Step

Read: The World Is Racing Toward EVs While America Barely Leaves The Driveway

According to data from Rho Motion, this year a total of 1.3 million BEVs and PHEVs have been sold in North America, which is just a 6 percent increase from last year. By comparison, sales in Europe are up 31 percent, those in China have increased 25 percent, and sales across the rest of the world have jumped 44 percent to roughly 1 million units.

Canada is dragging the rest of North America down. After the iZEV rebate was paused earlier in the year, Canadian BEV and PHEV sales have fallen one-third year-to-date. By comparison, sales are up in the United States and experienced a particular surge in August due to the impending end of the federal EV tax credit on September 30.

Slowing Momentum

In August alone, global sales of BEVs and PHEVs increased by 15 percent from the year prior, but this rate was the lowest jump since January. In total, 1.7 million BEV and PHEVs were sold in August, representing a 5 percent jump from July.

China, the world’s largest EV market, illustrates the slowdown. Sales still climbed 6 percent compared with August 2024, but the rise fell short of expectations. Last year’s numbers were inflated by unusual surges in July and August, when China broadened its trade-in scheme for new energy vehicles, making this year’s performance look softer by comparison.

Lead image: Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Safety has long been central to Tesla’s identity, and the brand often finds itself defending that reputation. While there might be lingering questions around Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for years to come, what seems like an open-and-shut book is how these electric cars protect occupants.

More: Family Says Cybertruck Became A Fiery Trap That Killed Driver

Despite many concerns that the Cybertruck would struggle to keep up Tesla’s excellent crash-test rating, it just sailed through IIHS crash testing with flying colors. At the same time, there’s room to improve in terms of headlights and seat belt reminders.

Solid Crash-Test Credentials

Overall, the IIHS gave the Cybertruck a ‘Good’ rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. The rating applies to examples built after April of 2025, when Tesla updated the front underbody structure. The driver dummy showed low risk of injury to the head, chest, and legs. The rear passenger experienced only a moderate risk of chest injury. These results fall in line with the five-star crash-test rating that the NHTSA gave the Cybertruck.

The Cybertruck also aced collision avoidance tests, where it avoided every collision. That includes at 12 and 25 mph during the day and night. It also includes nighttime testing at 25 mph and 37 mph, where the potential obstacle is traveling in parallel with the Cybertruck. Those are great results considering how much concern there was in the past over the way this car might interact with pedestrians.

Lighting Holds It Back

The biggest thing holding the Cybertruck back from a Top Safety Pick award is its headlights. The IIHS says that “systems that create excessive levels of glare on specific road sections do not receive full credit for visibility readings in that scenario.”

Sure enough, the Cybertruck’s lights did create that glare, and they struggled in other areas too. Illumination was found lacking on the left side of the road and when turning left, leaving gaps in coverage. By contrast, the right side met almost every benchmark comfortably, creating an uneven performance overall.

More: Cybertruck Crushes Safety Tests With 5-Star Rating

That all said, this is just one more good mark for EVs when it comes to safety. The Rivian R1T scores even higher than the Cybertruck and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award in 2024. Last year, it was still a Top Safety Pick as standards became tougher. The only ICE truck to meet that type of score is the Toyota Tundra. If the Cybertruck wants an award, it’ll need to improve its headlight situation, and the IIHS will need to submit it to small overlap and side crash tests. 

Six More EVs Tested

The Cybertruck was not alone in facing the spotlight in this latest round of IIHS safety tests. Six other electric models went through the same moderate overlap front crash test, and most came out well. The BMW i4, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Volkswagen ID.Buzz all earned good ratings, while the Tesla Model 3 was marked ‘acceptable’ due to higher chest-injury risk for rear passengers.

The F-150 Lightning and Ariya fell behind, with the Ford truck posting a poor score after rear dummy readings revealed risks of chest, head and neck injuries, and the Nissan EV receiving a marginal rating for elevated chest injury risk in the back seat.

Beyond crash protection, pedestrian crash prevention and headlight performance played a significant role in the results. The i4, F-150 Lightning, and Model 3 all earned good marks for pedestrian avoidance, with the ID.Buzz rated acceptable and the Blazer holding the same score from earlier testing.

Headlights Prove the Weak Spot Again

Headlights, however, proved to be a universal weak spot. Five of the seven electric models settled at acceptable, while the i4 and Cybertruck were marked down further for glare and poor high-beam illumination. Because of these issues, and the stricter award requirements, none of the seven EVs tested here qualified this time around for a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.

Credit: IIHS

Finding fresh roles for used car batteries is becoming a growing focus in the auto industry, and Stellantis has found a particularly human-centered application. Instead of letting end-of-life EV packs sit idle, the company is repurposing them for mobility solutions outside traditional cars.

More: Stellantis Is Quietly Building A Tri-Motor EV Setup That Can Power Itself

One of the most intriguing examples comes through a collaboration with startup Avathor, which has developed a compact EV tailored for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. Adding another interesting twist in this story is that the vehicle itself was penned by Italdesign, part of the Volkswagen Group.

This indirect and somewhat unusual collaboration between Stellantis and the VW Group likely stems from the fact that both Avathor and Italdesign are based in Turin. The Italian city is also a key hub for Stellantis, home to the Mirafiori facilities and the company’s main European headquarters.

From Road To Renewal

The process begins with Stellantis brands gathering batteries from retired EVs. These packs make their way to Turin, where SUSTAINera, Stellantis’ circular economy branch, focuses on extending their usefulness and cutting down on waste. A local partner, Intent S.r.l., then disassembles the 15 kWh modules, repackaging them for fresh duties.

For the Avathor One, the modules are reconfigured in 1.4 kWh short-range or 2.8 kWh long-range batteries, offering up to 50 km (31 mph) between charges with a top speed limited to 10 km/h (6 mph).

Avathor / Italdesign

What Is The Avathor One?

The Avathor One was launched earlier this year as the production model derived from the futuristic 2019 WheeM-i concept by Italdesign. It has a rear ramp for wheelchair access, a pull-out bench, and joystick controls.

Measuring just 1,486 mm (58.5 inches) in length, the EV comes fitted with car-like features such as LED headlights, a rearview camera, and collision-avoidance sensors that recognize both obstacles and pedestrians. It can handle gradients of up to 20 percent and climb steps up to 8 cm (3 inches) high.

According to the company, the goal is to launch the Avathor in Italy later this year, followed by Spain in 2026 and other markets in 2027.

Beyond Mobility Aids

Beyond the Avathor project, Stellantis SUSTAINera is also working with utility providers and battery integrators. One notable example is the ENEL X Pioneer system, which stores renewable energy at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and is projected to cut CO2 emissions by 16,000 tons over ten years.

Of course, Stellantis isn’t the only automaker that is active in the circular economy with second-life batteries. Other brands such as Nissan, Renault, BMW, Kia, Geely, Jaguar, Toyota, Honda, Skoda, and Audi have all been involved in similar projects.

Stellantis