Nissan will slash Leaf production due to slower-than-expected battery supply.
Beneath the skin of the EV is the same CMF-EV platform as the larger Ariya.
Base version starts at $29,990 and offers 174 hp and 254 lb-ft from front motor.
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.
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.
China launches three-month crackdown on auto industry online disinformation.
Carmakers like MG and BYD offer huge rewards for tips on malicious accounts.
Officials say influencers with millions of followers spread damaging anti-EV claims.
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.
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.
Mitsubishi has unveiled a new generation of the Eclipse Cross designed for Europe.
The new model is based on the Renault Scenic E-Tech and offered only as an EV.
Initially it is available with a 215 hp electric motor and 600 km (373 miles) of range.
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.
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.
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.
BYD claimed half of Mexico’s EV and plug-in hybrid sales last year.
New rules would slap heavy tariffs on cars from China, India, South Korea.
GM, Ford, Stellantis escape tariffs, a move expected to please Trump.
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.
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.
Renault has introduced LCV versions of the R4 E-Tech crossover with the Societe moniker.
The EV features a custom storage compartment with a capacity of 1,045 lt (36.9 cubic feet).
Pricing starts at €29,300 ($34,700) in France, excluding VAT and before local incentives.
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.
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.
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).
Xpeng’s eVTOL aircraft collided during a rehearsal flight in Changchun, China.
One aircraft landed safely while the other crashed and caught fire afterward.
No fatalities were reported in the crash just before the public air show.
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.
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.
Stellantis will let Leapmotor build vehicles in one of its Spanish factories.
Local production helps Leapmotor avoid up to 30.7 percent EU import tariffs.
The B10 electric SUV is the most likely model to enter production first.
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.
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).
Capri and Explorer EVs are failing to meet Ford’s expectations in Europe.
The company is now eliminating a shift and cutting up to 1,000 jobs.
Ford blamed everything from charging infrastructure to reduced incentives.
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.
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 has broken ground on their Georgia plant, which was paused in 2024.
Construction is slated to begin next year with production following in 2028.
Facility will build the R2 and R3, and is aiming to make 400,000 units annually.
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.
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.”
Audi’s entry-level electric vehicle has been spied undergoing testing.
The mule is based on the ID.3 GTX and looks rather unremarkable.
Production begins next year and it could ride on the MEB+ platform.
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.
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.
This year, an estimated 12.5 million BEVs and PHEVs have been sold globally.
Sales in North America have increased just 6 percent compared to last year.
Dragging North America down has been a decline in sales across Canada.
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.
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.
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.
Cybertruck earns ‘Good’ IIHS rating after Tesla reinforced underbody structure in April.
Six electric models joined Cybertruck in latest IIHS moderate overlap front crash test.
BMW i4, Chevy Blazer EV, and VW ID.Buzz all achieved strong Good crash-test ratings.
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.
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.
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+.
Stellantis supplies second-life EV batteries to power the Avathor One.
The EV was penned by Italdesign, which is part of the VW Group.
Reconfigured modules offer a range of 50 km (31 mph) between charges.
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.
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.
Volkswagen is bringing back the Touareg SUV as an EV, report claims.
The ID. Touareg will get VW’s new SSP platform ahead of the ID. Golf.
Touareg won’t go to the US, and VW’s US-built Scout won’t come to the EU.
Volkswagen has already confirmed that it’s bringing the Polo name back on the artist formerly known as the ID. 2 electric hatch, adding that an ID. Golf, ID. Tiguan and ID. Roc are all in development, though running behind schedule. But now we hear another long-running combustion name is leaping into electric power as the ID. Touareg.
The Touareg, VW’s flagship SUV in Europe, which is scheduled to die next year, has been around for almost 25 years across three generations, each one sharing a platform with the Porsche Cayenne. But while the new Cayenne Electric, set to debut this winter, is based around VW’s PPE platform, which is the same one used in the Macan Electric and Audi A6 and Q6 e-trons, the Touareg isn’t due to arrive until 2029. That delay allows it to leap straight to VW’s upcoming SSP architecture.
Germany’s Automobilwoche reports that the ID. Touareg will, in fact, be the first VW model to benefit from the new platform. That honor was supposed to go to the ID. Roc, the electric counterpart to the combustion T-Roc, but the launch of both that SUV and the ID. Golf has reportedly been pushed back to 2030.
SSP-based models, including the ID. Touareg, will feature zonal architecture and software developed by Rivian, as will the Scout SUV that the Volkswagen Group is developing for sale in North America. But the German publication’s sources say Scout-branded EVs won’t come to Europe, and the ID. Touareg won’t be sold in the US.
That decision reflects history as much as strategy. America did get the Touareg during its initial launch in 2003, but pulled it from sale in 2017, effectively replacing it with the locally-built Atlas, which has a third row of seats that the Touareg has always strangely lacked. Volkswagen seems content to keep those roles divided.
Porsche used digital technology to virtually test its new Cayenne Electric.
It eliminated the need to build around 120 traditional early prototypes.
The Cayenne Electric debuts later this year, is based on Macan Electric.
The use of simulations is nothing new in the car industry. Automakers regularly use them to speed up testing and add extra trials that they can’t afford (in time and/or money) to carry out with real cars. But with the upcoming Cayenne Electric, Porsche used computer power to skip an entire process in the traditional car development program.
“This project was the first in which we moved directly from digital whole-vehicle testing to pre-series production,” says Dr. Michael Steiner, Porsche’s deputy chairman and a big cheese on the R&D team.
From Pixels to Prototypes
Instead of moving from the design to the construction phase and then to pre-production prototypes, Porsche managed to skip the construction phase altogether. It says its engineers were sending virtual prototypes on digital test drives as early as the design phase as a result.
Porsche hasn’t put a price on how much money this digital-focused strategy saved, but it must be tons. It claims the virtual testing program eliminated the need to build around 120 actual test vehicles, which are not only expensive, but time consuming to produce. As a result, development time was cut by 20 percent.
The virtual test drives included, of course, laps of the Nurburgring, but also took in everyday traffic situations to simulate real world use. Because components like tires, dampers and bushes can be modified in the computer program, it’s relatively quick and simple to work out which spec works best. And each of the approved virtual components is then tested in the real world to provide validation.
Testing Without Drivers
Not all of the simulations require a human to be behind the wheel Gran Turismo-style. Many are run by the computers alone. Porsche developed a brand new test bench to put the motors, battery management and charging systems through their paces under realistic conditions.
“The machines are so sophisticated that we can even display different asphalt surfaces or tyre slip,” says engineer Marcus Junige, who says one clear goal was that the Cayenne’s powertrain always deliver full power when the driver calls for it, something that demands seriously good thermal management.
Humans Still Required
Naturally Porsche’s AI experiment doesn’t entirely remove the need for physical testing, which fully kicked in at the pre-series prototype stage. A fleet of SUVs was still driven everywhere from the blazing 122 degree (50 C) heat of Death Valley to the freezing -31-degree (-35 C) expanses of Scandinavia, each vehicle covering around 93,000 miles (150,000 km).
Other Western carmakers are sure to employ the same digital tricks to speed up their development, if they aren’t already. One of the major threats posed by the Chinese isn’t simply their aggressive prices, but how much faster they are at getting cars to market, and AI tech will be crucial in helping other nations keep pace.
The Hardware
The Cayenne Electric debuts this winter, and should go on sale early in 2026. Built around a stretched version of the 800-volt PPE platform used in the Macan Electric, it features a 108 kWh battery for a 373-mile (600 km) WLTP range and Porsche’s Active ride suspension. It emits V8-like noises in track mode and will reportedly come in three tunes: 394 hp (400 PS / 294 kW) for the base Cayenne, 592 hp (600 PS / 441 kW) in S trim and 794 hp (805 PS / 592 kW) as a Turbo.
Jury awarded $329M after a 2019 Tesla crash killed Naibel Benavides Leon in Miami.
Tesla blames driver George McGee for ignoring warnings and overriding car’s safety systems.
Plaintiffs argue Tesla overstated Autopilot’s abilities, misleading drivers on system limitations.
Tesla has fought, and consistently won, court battles over its semi-autonomous Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised). That record changed recently when a Florida jury decided that the EV maker was partially to blame for a crash that ended in a fatality. Now, Elon Musk’s company is pushing for a new trial, arguing the verdict could stifle development of safety technologies.
A Fatal Florida Crash
The case stems from the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, who was killed in 2019 when a 2019 Model S slammed into a parked Chevrolet Tahoe in Miami-Dade county. Her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, suffered serious injuries.
The driver, George McGee, admitted he dropped his phone, took his eyes off the road, and believed the car would brake on its own. At the same time, he conceded that he was negligent and placed too much trust in the car.
Jury Finds Tesla Partly Liable
Despite that, a jury found Tesla 33 percent liable, awarding $42.5 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $200 million in punitive damages. Jurors were reportedly swayed by the plaintiffs’ argument that Tesla overstated the capabilities of Autopilot, even as the company repeatedly warned drivers to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel. According to CarComplaints, Tesla admits that the whole thing was a tragedy but says it was entirely the fault of McGee’s “extraordinary recklessness.”
Tesla Pushes Back
In its filing, the company said “No other car in existence would have stopped when the driver was telling it to ‘go.’” Tesla argued that McGee was “reckless in the extreme by ignoring or overriding every safety feature in his car,” including by pressing the accelerator pedal, which overrides the system’s cruise control and braking functions. There’s no question that this is a sticky situation, but Tesla makes a few interesting points.
“For as long as there have been cars, there have been reckless, self-absorbed drivers like McGee,” Tesla said. “Those drivers should face every legal consequence for their wrongful conduct. Holding Tesla liable for providing drivers with advanced safety features just because a reckless driver overrode them cannot be reconciled with Florida law. That rule would impede the development of safety features, deter progress, and cost lives both now and in the long run.”
The Bigger Question
Ultimately, all of this seems to stem from the nomenclature and advertising of Autopilot. Were it called something else and marketed differently, it would seem more difficult to blame Tesla at all. The automaker is asking the judge to either order a new trial or reduce the damages, a move that will weigh driver responsibility against driver-assistance technology. The outcome could make a huge impact in the future of automakers and their relationship with autonomy.
A man drove a Power Wheels Jeep on the road in traffic and police arrested him.
Authorities confirmed he had a suspended license and was driving under the influence.
His license is now further suspended as he awaits a court date set for December.
The Jeep Wrangler hangs its reputation on its ability to go just about anywhere. Of course, that reputation is also why it’s a popular choice for those buying Power Wheels electric cars for kids. Put an adult in the Barbie Jammin’ Jeep Wrangler from Power Wheels and it turns out that there are plenty of places the vehicle can’t go. In the case of this story, rush hour traffic, to be specific.
On September 5, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers found a man piloting a Barbie Jeep down Fifteenth Ave near Nicholson Street. They stopped him, and he revealed that he wanted a Slurpee but “got lazy,” so he borrowed his roommate’s kid’s Barbie Jeep to make the trip.
As pointed out by Road&Track that brought the story to our attention, the man, 40-year-old Kasper Lincoln, reportedly showed signs of impairment and had a suspended driver’s license.
Over the Limit at 5 MPH
According to CBC News, officers administered two breath tests and confirmed that he was over the legal limit at the time. Let me remind you, it was morning, specifically, 9 a.m. The string of excellent decisions here is uncanny. For example, the Barbie Jeep in question is capable of no more than 5 mph (8 km/h). Only kids aged 3 to 7 are supposed to pilot it, and at most, it should carry no more than 130 pounds.
Lincoln, who was wearing a shirt that reportedly read “Let’s Do It The Dumbest Way Possible.” Likely exceeded the weight limit and likely reduced both the intended speed and range of the toy. As such, it’s questionable whether or not he would’ve even made it to his destination and back without having to drag the toy along at some point.
He told the news station that he had no idea what he was doing was illegal and that he used the sidewalk for most of the trip before getting stopped. At this point, his driver’s license is now suspended for a further 90 days beyond the initial suspension he was already under. He’s also got a court date for December, where he’ll face a charge of prohibited driving.
A new report claims the long-awaited ID. Golf and ID. Roc could face delays.
VW plans several new EVs while simultaneously looking to significantly cut costs.
Delays to the EVs could also push back its planned factory retooling schedule.
Volkswagen has been busy showing off shiny new EVs like the upcoming ID. Cross in concept form and confirming an all-electric Polo, but behind the scenes the story isn’t quite so polished. VW will reportedly delay the launch of at least two upcoming models, citing production snags, softening demand, and mounting cost pressures.
First Victims: ID. Roc and ID. Golf
The first model expected to be hit by the delay is believed to be the ID. Roc. Although VW hasn’t officially confirmed it yet, the SUV is set to debut as the first vehicle on the new SSP platform and was originally due in fall 2029. Unnamed inside sources told Germany’s Handelsblatt that its launch has slipped to summer 2030. The ID. Golf is also reportedly being pushed back to around 2030, despite earlier plans for a release later this decade.
Money, or a lack thereof, is thought to be one of the major reasons behind the schedule change. VW is currently preparing an important roundtable meeting of its Supervisory Board to determine the capacity utilization of all of its global factories and to financially plan for the next five years. The company cut costs by €15 billion ($17.5 billion) last year and is planning even more cuts this year.
According to Handelsblatt, VW is eager to pour billions into new platforms and plant retooling, but it needs to tread carefully with the funds available. One plan had been to move production of the combustion-powered Golf from Wolfsburg, Germany, to a facility in Mexico by 2027, clearing space for SSP-based EVs like the ID. Roc. That shift, however, may also face delays.
Overinvested In EV Dreams
As a result, Wolfsburg may not see EV production until 2028 at the earliest. Similarly, Volkswagen could push back plans to shift ID.3 and Cupra Born production from Zwickau to Wolfsburg, originally targeted for 2027.
According to a company insider, electric car sales haven’t been as strong as VW had hoped. “While unit sales are increasing, our original investments were geared toward significantly higher volumes. We are completely overinvested,” the insider told the German publication.
Buick has launched the Electra L7 in China under its new Electra sub-brand.
It rides on the new Xiao Yao architecture, offering BEV and EREV options.
The EREV version has 338 hp of power and 870 miles of combined range.
Update: GM has unveiled the production version of the China-exclusive Buick Electra L7 sedan, releasing full powertrain specs. This story has been updated with new details and images.
While Buick’s presence in the US is now all about crossovers and SUVs, the brand is taking a different approach in China, where the traditional sedan still has a place. The all-new Electra L7 joins Buick’s portfolio in the world’s largest automotive market, bringing modern styling, a high-tech interior, and electrified powertrains.
The model retains much of the design language introduced in the concept, though a few features have been streamlined for production. The lighting signature at both ends has been reworked, with more practical LED graphics. Furthermore, the sleek, flush door handles and traditional side mirrors replace some of the show car’s more experimental elements, bringing it closer to real-world usability.
Buick highlights its wing-shaped “Galaxy” headlights and turbine-style alloy wheels as standout features. The L7 wears a fastback silhouette focused on aerodynamics and measuring 5,032 mm (198.1 in) long, 1,952 mm (76.9 in) wide, and 1,500 mm (59.1 in) tall. A 3,000 mm (118.1 in) wheelbase gives it a spacious footprint, putting it slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQE, though shorter than the BMW i5.
A Minimalist and Techy Interior
Inside, the L7 offers a minimalist but premium-looking cabin anchored by a floating island-style dashboard. It features two screens: a driver display and a tablet-style infotainment unit on the center console. Physical controls are limited to a few buttons on the lower console and steering wheel, which still retains multifunction stalks, including for the transmission control.
Luxury touches include Nappa leather upholstery and four-zone “suspension” seats, with the front passenger seat offering a dual 120-degree zero-gravity function. A 27-speaker Buick Sound system integrates headrest speakers and active noise cancellation.
The Electra L7 also gets a massive 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, and an array of AI-driven features. All of this runs on Qualcomm’s 8775 chip, which supports high-end infotainment and connectivity. Driver assistance tech will come from Chinese tech company Momenta, which has developed a suite of sophisticated ADAS capabilities using LiDAR.
Platform With Options
The sedan is just one of six new energy models Buick plans to launch in the next year, likely alongside production versions of Electra’s SUV and minivan concepts. All of them will be built on Buick’s Xiao Yao architecture, a flexible platform designed specifically for China. These underpinnings are compatible with fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender powertrains, in FWD, RWD, and AWD layouts.
At launch, the Electra L7 will feature a range-extender powertrain. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine from SAIC, producing 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) and 230 Nm of torque. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly; instead, it acts solely as a generator to recharge the 40.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack.
Propulsion comes from a 238 hp (252 kW / 343 PS) electric motor that Buick says delivers performance comparable to a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. In EREV form, the Electra L7 accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).
More impressively, the Electra L7 delivers a combined range of 1,400 km (870 miles), including up to 302 km (188 miles) of EV-only driving under the (generous) CLTC cycle. Despite its performance, efficiency remains a highlight, with average fuel consumption rated at just 0.5 liters per 100 km (470 mpg).
In the near future, Buick plans to offer a fully electric version of the Electra L7. This variant will feature a CATL-supplied battery and a 900V electrical architecture, enabling support for ultra-fast charging. According to GM’s estimates, the system will be capable of adding up to 350 km (218 miles) of range in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing downtime during long trips.
Pricing and Availability
GM positions the new Buick Electra L7 as a “300,000-class” vehicle, suggesting a price near ¥300,000 ($41,800). Final pricing will be announced on September 28 when pre-sales open, with deliveries starting in Q4 2025.
As with other Electra-branded models, the L7 is likely to stay exclusive to China, so a US launch isn’t in the cards. Production will take place at the factory of the SAIC-GM joint venture in Wuhan.
Buick has sold over 10 million vehicles in China since 1998. Its local lineup offers a much wider choice of models compared to that in the US, including four SUVs, four sedans, one hatchback, and a range of minivans.
Class action claims Tesla favored visa holders to cut labor costs over Americans.
Lawsuit says Tesla hired 1,355 H-1B workers while laying off thousands of citizens.
Plaintiffs allege Tesla refused interviews after learning they did not need sponsorship.
The way Tesla hires and fires its workers is under fresh legal scrutiny. A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Tesla in San Francisco alleges that the automaker has violated federal civil rights law by favoring visa holders over American workers to reduce labor costs. The suit also claims Tesla has fired US citizens at disproportionately higher rates compared to foreigners working at the company.
Alleged Hiring Bias
According to the complaint, Tesla hired roughly 1,355 skilled workers on H-1B visas in 2024 while laying off more than 6,000 U.S. workers, “the vast majority” of whom are believed to have been citizens. Although it remains unclear how the plaintiffs plan to prove the alleged discriminatory practices, they are seeking damages on behalf of American citizens who were rejected after applying for jobs at Tesla, as well as those who were terminated.
Two plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit. The first, Scott Taub, says he had been dissuaded from applying for one job after being told it was only available for H-1B visa holders, and he did not receive an interview for a second job. The second plaintiff, human resources specialist Sofia Brander, said Tesla would not interview her for two jobs, even though she had twice been a contract employee.
Both Taub and Brander claim Tesla refused to hire them after learning that neither of them would need sponsorship for employment, suggesting that they were US citizens, reports Reuters.
Claims of ‘Wage Theft’
“While visa workers make up just a fraction of the United States labour market, Tesla prefers to hire these candidates over US citizens, as it can pay visa-dependent employees less than American employees performing the same work, a practice in the industry known as ‘wage theft’,” the lawsuit claims.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself once held an H-1B visa, and the complaint cites a December 27, 2024 post he made on X voicing support for the program.
“The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” Musk wrote.
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