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

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

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

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

BYD Outsells Tesla in the UK – By a Lot

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

German Market Slips Further

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tech and Driver-Focused Dash

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

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

Performance Specs and Range Options

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Lucid Air Grand Touring recently traveled 748.8 miles (1,205 km) to set a new Guinness World Records title for the “longest journey by an electric car on a single charge.” Now, less than a month later, Chevrolet has blown past that by traveling a whopping 1,059.2 miles (1,704.6 km) on a single charge.

The feat was set using a 2026 Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, which has an EPA-estimated range of up to 493 miles (793 km). However, this wasn’t a one and done thing as the company acknowledged the team drove the truck on public roads in “one-hour shifts.”

More: Chevy’s Electric Truck Just Got A Major Off-Road Boost

That isn’t the only caveat as “drivers were advised to maintain an average speed of 20-25 mph and to minimize any hard braking or quick accelerating.” The spare tire was also removed to lighten the vehicle, while the wheel alignment was optimized and an accessory tonneau cover was added for smoother airflow. The team also kept the climate control system off, which isn’t exactly a realistic thing to ask owners to do in summer.

This means that while the distance is impressive, it’s not as fantastic as it sounds. It also seems far less remarkable than the Air’s record, which saw the car travel between St. Moritz and Munich using a mix of alpine passes, highways, and secondary roads.

Chevrolet Equinox EV Hits New Sales Record

In other news, GM said they hit a new record for electric vehicle sales in July. Americans bought more than 19,000 GM EVs last month and that’s up 115% from a year ago.

The affordable Equinox EV was responsible for nearly half of all sales as consumers snapped up more than 8,500 units. While the automaker didn’t release hard numbers, they said the crossover had the best ever monthly sales for a non-Tesla EV in the United States.

GM went on to say “Industry-wide EV demand is surging, boosted in part by the upcoming expiration of the U.S. federal consumer tax credit program.” Of course, once the credit expires, EV sales could dry up like a Texas creek in July.

China’s government is done with watching the country’s car industry going at war with itself. Officials are concerned that the ongoing EV price war threatens the nation’s economic growth and is demanding automakers take action. And if they don’t take action, the government has plans to do it for them.

Related: The Company That Started The EV Price War Now Says It’s Gone Too Far

President Xi Jinping gave a couple of speeches recently in which he warned off the dangers of “involution,” where businesses invest ever larger sums of money and get less back. He was referring to the boom in multiple sectors, including AI and computing power, The Guardian reports, but one of the big villains Xi had in mind is the car industry.

Deep Discounts, Rising Concerns

Some car brands in China have cut prices to levels that look simply outrageous in the West. BYD’s Seagull subcompact EV costs as little as ¥55,800 ($7,800) in China, but the same car sold in Europe, where it’s called the Dolphin Surf, costs the equivalent of $26,000. Even allowing for the tariffs placed on Chinese cars being imported to Europe that’s a huge difference.

Though BYD seems profitable, as is Li Auto and Seres, most of the circa-50 Chinese EV brands are not making money and many are expected to disappear over the next few years. Electric car discounts across the industry averaged almost 17 percent in April, compared with just 8 percent during 2024.

The government has proposed an amendment to its pricing laws which could limit automakers’ abilities to set unnaturally low prices.

Factory Floors Sitting Idle

BYD was one of several automakers hauled over the coals last month in front of Chinese officials where they were cautioned about producing too many cars, according to The Guardian. Over-investment has led to overcapacity in the industry, with some automakers’ plants only running at 2 percent utilization or less, Bloomberg reported in June.

One option to prevent oversupply in the Chinese market without choking production is to to export more cars, something that is already happening. Chinese automakers currently sell 5.1 percent of the new vehicles registered in Europe.

Lead image BYD/Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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

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

Factory Sale and Shift in Focus

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

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

Not Giving Up on EV Ambitions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shared Foundations

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

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

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

Sales Figures Suggest a Split Strategy

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

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

What to Expect from the EV

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

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

This month marks the third anniversary of the first GV90 spy photos, but the wait is almost over. That’s clear from the latest batch of pictures, which reveal a modestly camouflaged prototype with coach doors.

Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the brand’s flagship crossover follows in the footsteps of the Neolun concept and features a triangular grille with split lighting units. They’re joined by a sizable lower intake, which is divided into two different sections each sporting a unique diamond mesh pattern.

More: Genesis’ New Flagship Looks Like A Giant Minivan

The profile closely echoes the original concept, but the road-going model sports traditional mirrors and flush-mounted door handles. The latter are placed front to back, just like a Rolls-Royce.

Other notable highlights include a pronounced shoulder line, bright window trim, and a rear-mounted charging port. It’s also worth mentioning the visible part of the third-quarter glass is significantly smaller than the window itself.

shproshots

Out back, there’s a large liftgate with a rectangular window. They’re accompanied by split taillights and a bumper with a large recess.

While the exterior looks a little dull, the interior aims to be a luxurious oasis. Previous spy photos have shown an elegant second-row with captain’s chairs separated by a large center console. The latter appears to house a wireless smartphone charger as well as an integrated tablet.

Baldauf

We can also expect a minimalist cockpit that eschews a traditional instrument cluster. Instead, there will be a large center-mounted display that mimics Tesla’s setup.

Genesis has been tight-lipped about the crossover, but it’s rumored to ride on the new eM platform. It’s expected to be an evolution of the existing E-GMP architecture, and this means the GV90 should be more advanced than the similar Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The latter features a 110.3 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing up to 422 hp (315 kW / 429 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. With that powertrain, the model has a range of 311 miles (501 km).

shproshots

As electric vehicles gain traction around the world, Chinese automakers are pushing harder than ever to stand out – and not just with their designs and tech, but also by trying to prove their safety credentials in dramatic fashion.

One recent example comes from Li Auto, which introduced the i8, a three-row electric SUV packed with promising specs. Yet it wasn’t the vehicle’s feature list that stole the spotlight during its unveiling. It was a video of the i8 crashing head-on into a heavy truck.

More: See What Happens When Two Cars Hit A Chinese EV At 60KM/H In Triple Crash Test

The footage showed a direct collision between the Li Auto and a Chenglong truck. The electric SUV, weighing between 2,580 and 2,610 kg (5,690–5,750 pounds), hit the truck at a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). The truck, with a significantly greater mass of 8 tons (16,000 pounds), was traveling at 40 km/h (25 mph) at the time of impact.

A Closer Look at the Collision

Despite the imbalance in weight and size, the i8’s structural integrity held up well. . The short front overhang absorbed much of the force, and the pillars remained intact with no visible deformation. In the aftermath, the doors automatically unlocked and the handles extended outward, allowing testers to easily access the interior.

Furthermore, all nine airbags deployed, and the emergency call system was activated. Impressively, the floor-mounted battery pack didn’t produce any fire or smoke, even after sustaining deep scratches from a metal pole prior to impact.

Truck Frame Behavior Raises Questions

What caught many viewers off guard was the impact on the much larger truck. The force of the collision caused its cabin to tilt dramatically forward, nearly detaching from the chassis, with all wheels momentarily lifting off the ground. That unexpected outcome prompted a swift response from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, parent company of the Chenglong brand. On August 1, the company issued a public statement expressing concern about the test.

According to a report by QQ News, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor accused Li Auto of “serious infringement.” The company questioned the credibility of the video, claiming it painted a misleading picture and did not reflect real-world driving conditions. Internal analysis, they said, showed that the test setup differed significantly from what would typically occur on the road.

Li Auto

Li Auto Defends Itself

Li Auto responded on August 3rd through an official Weibo post, stating that the crash test was conducted by China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI), a third-party state-owned company.

The automaker clarified that the video “was not intended to evaluate the product quality of any other brand, and the test results should not be interpreted as indicative of the quality of other brands’ products”.

Instead, they said the truck used in the test was purchased in the secondhand market and served only as a “mobile barrier.” The company noted, “It was unintentional that the testing process caused the Dongfeng Chenglong brand to be embroiled in public controversy.”

More: CATL’s New EV Chassis Can Withstand 75 MPH Impact Without Catching Fire Or Exploding

In a follow-up, Li Auto added, “As a benchmark brand in China’s trucking industry, Dongfeng Chenglong’s quality and safety have always been trusted by truck drivers. To this end, we would like to clarify that there is no direct competition between Li Auto and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor.”

Independent Testing Body Confirms Details

The China Automotive Engineering Research Institute has confirmed Li Auto’s claims in a separate statement. They described the crash test as a “non-standard vehicle-to-vehicle collision test” that simulated a traffic accident scenario, adding that it “does not involve the safety performance evaluation of other brands of vehicles”.

The institute further explained that the only criteria used when selecting the truck was its curb weight. No performance modifications were made beyond repainting it from red to white, adding autonomous driving gear, and loading it to reach the 8-ton target weight.

Do you think Li Auto’s crash test was a genuine show of EV strength or a carefully staged stunt at a rival’s expense? Share your take in the comments below.

Li Auto

Audi is gearing up to preview the TT successor at the Munich Motor Show, but Volkswagen was working on an electric sports car concept of their own years ago. It drew inspiration from the 1970’s SP2 and would have been a member of the ID. family.

Quietly revealed by Volkswagen’s Stepan Rehak as part of a Blast from the Past series, the sketch was created in 2017 and features a retro-futuristic design that “pays tribute to Giugiaro’s iconic style: clean surfaces, strong proportions, and bold graphics.” It was envisioned to ride on the MEB platform and would have undoubtedly been an eye-catching addition to the lineup.

More: VW Shows Near-Production Prototype Of The Axed Second-Gen Phaeton

While Rehak didn’t say much about the car, it features an SP2-inspired front end with a small Volkswagen emblem that is flanked by slender headlights. The model also sports angular bodywork, which is contrasted by circular wheel arches.

Other notable highlights include aerodynamically optimized wheels and a sporty greenhouse. They’re accompanied by flush-mounted door handles, minimalist mirrors, and a wraparound rear light bar.

The SP2 isn’t widely known, but the sports car was created by Volkswagen do Brasil and launched in 1972. It featured a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine that reportedly developed 64 hp (48 kW / 65 PS) and 89 lb-ft (121 Nm) of torque. It was paired to a four-speed manual, which allegedly resulted in a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 15 seconds flat.

Image credits: VW & Stepan Rehak | H/T to Motor1

Electric range, recycled materials, and smarter design are coming together in BMW’s next-generation SUV. Next month, we’ll get our first look at the iX3, but we’re already learning more about it. The all-electric SUV is the brand’s first production foray into its Neue Klasse design and aims to offer 400 miles of range, a very unique interior, and a lot of artificial intelligence baked in.

Now, there’s another notable point: roughly 33 percent of the iX3 is made from recycled materials.

More: BMW’s Baby M SUV Might Be Lurking Under This iX3

BMW says that it applied what it calls “design for circularity”. In other words, it prioritized the use of secondary (recycled materials) wherever it could. For example, the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material used in some of the seat covers increases recyclability. The yarn used therein is recycled PET already.

The engine cover and the storage compartment under the front hood also source 30 percent raw material from maritime plastic. Those are things like old fishing nets, ropes, and other debris. BMW didn’t stop there: 80 percent of the aluminum in the wheel carriers and swivel bearings is recycled, while 70 percent of the wheels are from recycled aluminum.

That’s all well and good, but what if all this work added more carbon to the atmosphere than it saved?

BMW evidently thought of that from start to finish with the iX3. The high voltage system relies on 50 percent secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel and leverages renewable energy sources to produce the anode and cathode materials and the battery cells it uses.

In total, it’s decreased CO2 emissions in its supply chain by 35 percent, it says. Notably, that makes it so that this car reduces overall emissions after just a year, or 21,500 km (13,360 miles) of use.

This all sounds great, but it’ll be important to see. Production for the iX3 begins later this year, with deliveries to begin shortly thereafter. We’ll know more once we see it at the Munich Motor Show this fall. 

Earlier this year, two Tesla board members joined a special committee with a singular mission: figure out how to “retain and incentivize Elon.” After several months of deliberation, the solution has come into focus. It wasn’t a brainstorming session or a bold new vision, it was $29 billion. In cash-equivalent stock. Turns out, when it comes to keeping Elon Musk engaged, nothing speaks louder than a mountain of money.

More: Elon Musk Somehow Managed To Make Everyone Hate Electric Cars

Before we get too far along, don’t forget that in 2018, a Delaware court struck down a $50 billion pay package to CEO Elon Musk. It said that there were issues in the board approval process and that it was unfair to investors. Musk has appealed the ruling, but in the interim, Tesla and its board just approved a new $29 billion pay package.

What’s in the Package?

The award consists of 96 million shares of Tesla, granted to Elon as a ‘good faith’ payment. The committee is also working on a long-term CEO payment plan that it’ll put to a shareholder vote on November 6. Regardless of how things come out, this interim pay package ensures that Musk remains a part of Tesla leadership for at least two years. If he were to leave before that, he would lose it.

As Bloomberg points out in its coverage, Musk has already committed to staying on with Tesla for at least five more years. According to the board, this move is all about satisfying Elon’s personal desire to have increased voting rights.

In a post on X, the company explained: “This interim award is structured to incrementally increase his voting rights upon grant, which he has repeatedly told us—and shareholders have confirmed—is an important part of incentivizing him to stay focused on the critical work we are doing here at Tesla.”

A Letter to Our Shareholders on the 2025 CEO Interim Award

Dear Fellow Tesla Shareholders,

Today we announce an important first step in compensating Elon Musk for his extraordinary work at Tesla. As you know, Elon has not received meaningful compensation for eight years since…

— Tesla (@Tesla) August 4, 2025

No Overlap With the 2018 Package

Importantly, the Tesla board made it clear in no uncertain terms that Musk won’t get this pay package and the 2018 one if the courts reverse their ruling.

“If the Delaware courts fully reinstate the 2018 CEO Performance Award, this interim award will be forfeited or returned or a portion of the 2018 CEO Performance Award will be forfeited,” it wrote in a letter to shareholders. “To put it simply, there cannot be any “double dip.” Elon will not be able to keep this new award in addition to the options he will be awarded under the 2018 CEO Performance Award should the courts rule in our favor.

As of this writing, Musk hasn’t commented on the package, though knowing his usual online habits, it’s entirely possible he’s saving his thoughts for a meme, a Mars reference, or a reply to someone asking about Dogecoin. Subtlety was never really his thing.

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

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

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

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

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

Can Tesla Turn Things Around?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immediate Suspension of EV Shipments

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

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

Future Possibilities Still on the Table

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

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

Mercedes is breathing new life into what was once its cars’ most distinctive feature. The brand has dropped the first undisguised teaser image of its new GLC compact electric SUV, revealing its retro-futuristic illuminated grille.

More: Mercedes Is Replacing Its Most Disappointing EV With Something Way More Serious

Though EVs don’t have the same cooling requirements as combustion cars, the replacement for the EQC will have the most eye-catching grille of any Mercedes car when it is unveiled at the Munich IAA next month. The wide-set frame bucks current automotive fashion by going big on chrome, and also features a smoked glass-effect lattice structure between the bars.

A Familiar Shape Reinvented

But GLC buyers will have to pay extra to maximize the grille’s look-at-me potential. An optional illumination package adds 942 light-up dots, which are animated to bring the car to life as the driver approaches, and also illuminates the iconic three-pointed star and surrounding panel. 

Mercedes has taken flak for the boring soap-bar design of its slow-selling EQE and EQS electric cars, and the new grille design will help ensure the GLC is more memorable. But it sounds like the BMW iX3 and Porsche Macan Electric rival won’t be the only model to get this new lit front-end.

A Brand-Wide Shift in Design

According to Mercedes design chief Gordon Wagener, the grille marks more than just a facelift. “Our new iconic grille is not just a new front for the GLC, it redefines the face of our brand,” said Mercedes design boss, Gordon Wagener. “It is the perfect fusion of lasting design codes reinterpreted for the future, making our cars instantly recognizable.”

The change is part of a broader strategy. Autocar reports Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius as saying the brand’s reimagined grille would help Mercedes stand out “in current times, with 100-plus Chinese firms.”

Charging Ahead with GLC 400 4Matic

The first of the new GLCs to launch is the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ technology. Though exact specs are still under wraps we know it can add around 162 miles (260 km) of electric range in just 10 minutes thanks to its ability to charge at over 320 kW. Like all new GLCs it features 800-volt tech, and unlike the launch versions of the new CLA EV, will also be able to charge at 400-volt stations from the get-go.

Mercedes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Electric vehicles didn’t just change how cars move; they reshaped how they’re built. Without the need to accommodate a bulky engine and transmission, designers gained a new level of freedom. Batteries and motors can be positioned wherever they best serve the car’s layout, efficiency, or style.

Somehow, the engineers at Volkswagen decided that they’d leverage that freedom to put the cabin filter where you can only get to it by removing the hood.

More: ‘Still Squeaking After 50 Days In Tesla Service’ Says Frustrated Cybertruck Owner

That’s right, changing out the cabin filter, a routine maintenance item, requires taking off an entire body panel. In fact, it requires removing more than just the hood because adjacent panels on each side of the hood also have to come off. On top of that, the area hiding the cabin filter also contains another vital maintenance component. We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, though.

Not Where You’d Expect It

Typically, cabin filters are hidden behind the passenger side glove box. Simply opening the glove box, emptying it, and then squeezing it to allow it to lower is enough to gain access to the filter. In several cars, it takes less than a minute to get to the filter and around the same amount of time to change it. That’s why the spot where VW placed it in the ID. Buzz is so surprising.

Doing the job requires several steps. One must open the front panel, then unbolt two upper body panels on each side of the upper hood. Once those are off, the hood itself can come off, but only after disconnecting its electrical connections and windshield wiper sprayers. Once that’s done, the filter itself sits buried in the area between the body panel and the firewall.

While this is technically something that anyone can do without specialized tools or skills, it’s not exactly simple. That would probably be less of a big deal if the only thing under the panel was the cabin filter. After all, it’s a relatively rare maintenance item.

It’s Not Just the Filter

Sadly, Volkswagen also put other important bits like the brake fluid reservoir under there. That’s right, just to check your brake fluid level, you’ll need to go through all of this, too.

In other words, lots of folks are going to pay dealers to do this when it likely should’ve been simpler. As Jalopnik, who spotted this issue first, pointed out, “the ID Buzz is already expensive enough.” Perhaps it determined that customers willing to pay a premium would be happy to let the dealer maintain it. That’s just one more reason that it’s a far departure from the original.

@chromelizard

Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2024 Pollen Filter Replacement #volkswagen #idbuzz #2024 #vw #van #pollenfilter #mechanic #buzz #mechanicsoftiktok #cartok #automaintenance #germancars

♬ son original – dj.mk.18

Photos Katarina Brattli / YouTube

Mazda isn’t diving headlong into the electric transition, but it’s not standing still either. Instead, it is following a measured path, blending hybrid models with steady electrification efforts and continued updates across its core lineup. This includes a hybrid CX-5, updated sales targets, future EVs, and even new sports cars.

The company recently introduced a new generation of its top-selling model, the CX-5. While the redesign matters, the more significant news is the addition of a hybrid powertrain set to arrive in 2027. This move expands Mazda’s range of electrified SUVs in the US, aiming to attract more buyers during a time of shifting attitudes toward EVs and growing uncertainty around tariffs.

More: One Country Asked Mazda For Something And Actually Got It With The CX-5

Through the first half of 2025, Mazda reported global sales of 636,968 units, a 2.6% year-over-year increase. The US remained its largest market with 210,297 units sold, up 3.9%, while sales surged 18.7% in Japan but declined in Europe and China by 12.2% and 18.7%, respectively.

According to Automotive News, the company has revised its US sales target of 450,000 units for 2025 in response to potential tariffs and is monitoring the market closely, though pricing for imported models has not yet been adjusted.

A Hybrid-Focused Core Lineup

Mazda’s current lineup in North America includes an electrified version of the locally-produced CX-50 compact SUV with a Toyota-sourced hybrid system, as well as plug-in hybrid options for the larger and more premium CX-70 and CX-90 twins. In 2027, these will be joined by a new variant of the third-gen CX-5 fitted with an in-house developed hybrid powertrain based on the new 2.5-liter SkyActiv-Z engine.

The automaker expects its two similarly-sized hybrid SUVs that compete in the hugely popular compact segment against the Toyota RAV4 will result in combined annual sales of 250,000 units in the US. However, before that happens, the new CX-5 will reach dealers with a gasoline engine in 2026.

More: Mazda Just Made The Same SUV Twice But Swears You’ll Want Both

Although the CX-30 is smaller by US standards, it holds the position as Mazda’s third-best-selling vehicle in the region, just behind the CX-5 and CX-50. Introduced in 2019, the CX-30 will continue with minor updates until a new generation launches in 2029.

Likewise, the CX-50 that arrived in late 2021 might get a comprehensive redesign in 2030. As for the CX-70 and CX-90, they will reportedly benefit from mild facelifts in 2026, with new generations arriving after 2030.

Finally, the Mazda3 that is available in hatchback and sedan forms and remains largely unchanged since 2018 is expected to carry on for at least four more years. According to the latest reports, a new generation of the model could arrive in 2032.

The BEVs Of The Future

Mazda plans to launch the mechanically related Mazda6e sedan and CX-6e SUV in Europe and Australia, both originating from its Chinese joint ventures. However, US customers may have to wait a bit longer before they see a fully electric Mazda on showroom floors.

The first EV developed entirely in-house is slated for a 2027 debut and could reach US dealerships in 2028. Though details remain under wraps, the vehicle is expected to be a crossover and will likely pave the way for more electric models as Mazda moves toward its 2030 targets.

What About Sports Cars?

If the SUV-heavy lineup isn’t quite your thing, there’s still good news. Mazda has two sports cars in development, each aimed at reviving the brand’s enthusiast credentials before the decade wraps up.

More: Mazda Is Bringing Back The Rotary RX-7 And Building A New Miata

The most exciting arrival is the production version of the 2023 Mazda Iconic SP Concept fitted with a rotary range-extender electric powertrain. Reports from Japan suggest we might first lay eyes on the new sports car as early as next year, although others expect it in the first half of 2028.

Either way, the low-slung two-door coupe is designed to be a spiritual successor to the RX-7, rather than a replacement for the MX-5.

Also: Mazda’s Stunning Vision SP Morphs Into Next-Gen MX-5

On that note, the MX-5 is getting a new generation as well. Development is already underway, and the next iteration of the world’s most popular roadster could launch in 2029. Encouragingly, it’s expected to keep its four-cylinder gasoline engine and further refine its reputation for agile, accessible performance.

Lead illustration Theottle

Building an electric vehicle company from the ground up is no small feat. Many startups fizzle out before delivering a single car. Lucid is among the rare few to make it through that gauntlet, scaling up to full-scale production and getting cars into customers’ hands. But manufacturing vehicles is only part of the equation.

Automakers also have to navigate the less glamorous parts of the business, like managing lease agreements and the often fraught process of lease returns. According to both customers and even Lucid itself, this is an area where the company still has some work to do.

More: Service Nightmares Leave Lucid Owner Considering Ditching $100K EV

Every automaker that handles lease deals has to figure out how it’ll navigate excessive wear and tear when a leased car comes back. To its credit, Lucid publicly posts its guidelines for all to see. Many of them are commonsense rules like, don’t return the car with bald tires, or cracked headlights, or cuts to the interior upholstery. None of that is uncommon across the industry.

Customers Say the Charges Don’t Match the Condition

What is a bit strange is the experience some lessees say they’re having when they return their cars. On LucidOwners, several report four-figure bills for ‘excessive wear and tear,’ and we’re not talking about broken mirrors or ripped seats. One says they ended up with a $5,800 charge after returning their car despite the intake employee calling it “one of the cleanest lease returns she’d seen.”

Digging into that $5,800 figure, $1,200 was for a small piece of missing plastic from the inner fender liner. Another $585 was billed for a tiny rock chip in the paint. A $200 fee was added for light wear on the phone holder. Somehow, these tiny blemishes aren’t just an issue for this customer either, because others are having similar problems.

Photos BenTexas / dapellegrini 

The person who started one thread mentioned a $1,825 bill for wear and tear. That total mostly came from a $1,450 charge for a new windshield. Did it have a giant crack or several medium-sized spider cracks in it?

No, instead, it had three very small rock chips that are almost imperceptible. Even more surprising is a $375 charge for “Left interior Qtr Trim Broken,” but the actual issue is even harder to find. “I honestly don’t even see what they are trying to show in the photos,” says the lessee.

Others Echo Similar Complaints

In other places like Reddit, customers are complaining just the same. One says that Lucid charged them $4,300 for wear and tear, including $650 for a charger that was allegedly gifted to the customer. Another said that they received a bill in excess of $1,500 but managed to get it waived because they did their pre-inspection three weeks before returning the car. That inspection came back completely clean, and the customer was able to leverage that to get out of the extra charges.

Lucid Says It’s Working on It

It’s worth pointing out that some of the examples mentioned above still have active cases open. There’s a chance that Lucid will come to an agreement with those customers that both sides are happy with.

In fact, it appears as though the automaker is eager to straighten things out. It told The Drive that “We are aware of some instances where our lease turn-in standards have not been interpreted consistently. We are collaborating with our banking partner to resolve disputes and sincerely apologize to those who have been inconvenienced.”

It said almost the exact same thing to CarBuzz. The automaker has reached out to some of the affected customers mentioned above, which is a good sign.

Who’s Actually Making the Call?

Importantly, that banking partner is Bank of America, the brand that handles all servicing through a third party. Essentially, when a lease gets turned back into Lucid, a third party reviews the car, BoA demands what it believes it’s owed, and Lucid, the car company, ultimately relays that to the customer.

That sounds like an old-school game of telephone with much more financially impactful results than a silly phrase popping out at the end of the line. At this point, only time will tell whether or not Lucid gets the act together or if more customers find leasing from the brand a risk too big to justify.

Photos BenTexas / dapellegrini 

In news that Henrik Fisker might take personally, Faraday Future not only still exists, but it’s just started trial production. That’s right; not only is this company still alive, but it’s building a production vehicle called the FX Super One MPV. And it’s a minivan with a front-end display and luxury aspirations. That said, trial production is still a long way from full-scale manufacturing.

More: Faraday Future Lost $44 Million And Only Delivered Two Cars In Q1

If there’s a brand that seems like it survives almost entirely on buzzwords, it might be Faraday Future. Since its inception over a decade ago, it’s built just 16 (!) production cars and its future (pun not intended…) seemed bleak. Now, though, it’s hoping that a full-scale pivot away from the super-luxury space can save it. That pivot has a name, too: the FX Super One MPV.

Gunning for the Escalade, Apparently

Unveiled on July 17 in Los Angeles, the FX Super One MPV is aimed at taking market share from vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade. That’s not just us saying it – Faraday Future does so itself. To accomplish that, the FX Super One MPV comes with what the brand calls the Super EAI F.A.C.E. or the Front AI Communication Ecosystem. In other words, it’s a screen that aims to interact with other road users in a way never before possible.

Of course, it’s hoping to lure buyers with a badge-engineered Wey Gaoshan minivan from Great Wall Motors. While the two vehicles will share underpinnings, Faraday Future promises to heavily integrate AI into the FX Super One MPV. Evidently, the system that it dubs ‘EAI Embodied Intelliigencen AI Agent 6×4 Architecture’ will manage everything from the F.A.C.E. system to the infotainment to the driver aids.

Don’t get too excited, though, as there’s still a lot of work to do before anyone can buy one of these. The team is going to use this time to verify and plan its processes. It’ll determine things like how to optimize the workflow and what quality standards it wants to achieve.

In fact, when this trial production is over, it still has to finish vehicle engineering before it can do things like conduct crash and validation testing. In other words, you might have a better chance of buying the Tesla Roadster 2 before this comes out. 

As the federal electric vehicle tax credit approaches its end, some buyers are moving quickly to take advantage of it. They’ve made that clear in a recent swelling of purchases for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The retro-futuristic hatchback just saw a gigantic boost in sales during July. In fact, the brand had a great month overall.

More: Porsche Fast-Tracks New Compact SUV With Gas And Hybrid Power

When we say a huge boost, we’re talking about a 70 percent jump in sales compared to July of 2024. 5,818 people bought an Ioniq 5 in July of 2025. In other words, Hyundai sold almost eight (7.8) of them for every hour of every day of the month, nonstop. For the year, the Ioniq 5 is up 12 percent. Hyundai itself is up 11 percent this year, but let’s break that down further.

Mixed Results Across the Lineup

Most models are either up or down by two digits. For example, in the first seven months of the year, the Santa Cruz and Kona are down 20 and 13 percent, respectively. Their downturns aren’t enough to snuff out the success of other badges, though. The Venue is up 14 percent year over year. The Palisade was up 53 percent in July and is up 13 percent for the year. Both are dwarfed in total sales by the Tucson, which is up 20 percent for the year with 129,716 sales.

“Hyundai delivered an outstanding July, setting an all-time July total sales record with 79,543 units, up 15% year-over-year,” said Randy Parker, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America.

HYUNDAI US SALES

“We achieved new records across multiple nameplates, including Elantra HEV, Elantra N, Santa Fe HEV, Palisade, IONIQ 5, and the Santa Fe family, while electrified vehicle sales surged 50% compared to last year. Retail sales climbed 18%, highlighted by strong demand for Santa Fe and Palisade, and a 71% jump in IONIQ 5 retail sales. These results reflect Hyundai’s momentum in sustainable mobility and our ability to deliver an innovative lineup that continues to resonate with customers.”

Interestingly, the Ioniq 5 is a real outlier among the family. It’s the only EV under the Hyundai Motor Group to be outpacing sales when compared to 2024. Technically, the Ioniq 9 is also, but that’s only because it wasn’t on sale last year. That said, the Ioniq 6, Kia EV9, and Kia EV6 are all struggling to match the sales figures they saw in 2024.