Soon after Costco’s Auto Program introduced a slew of discounts for several GM models, new savings were announced for new Audi models. The discounts will be available from March 4 through April 30 and unlike the GM deal that was mainly limited to EVs, the savings are available for both ICE and EV models.

If you’re a member of Costco, the retailer’s Auto Program aims to make the car buying experience easier as it does all the price haggling with dealerships. To benefit from the Audi discounts, all shoppers need to do is select the model they’d like and register for a savings certificate that can be presented at any Audi dealership in the US.

Read: Costco Now Offers EV And Hybrid Discounts, Including The Corvette E-Ray

The Audi A3, Q3, Q4 e-tron, and Q4 Sportback e-tron are all available with a $1,000 discount, while numerous other Audi models are available with a $2,000 saving. These include the A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, A6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, S6, A7 Sedan, S7, A8, S8, Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, Q7, SQ7, Q8, SQ8, Q6 e-tron, SQ6 e-tron, Q8 e-tron, Q8 Sportback e-tron, SQ8 e-tron, SQ8 Sportback e-tron, e-tron GT, S e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT.

These incentives can be paired with any other incentives currently offered by Audi or individual dealerships. There’s plenty of demand for new Audi models from Costco memberships, which may come as a bit of a surprise. The retailer says the Audi A5, A8, A6, Q5, and Q4 e-tron were the most popular among its members in their respective segments last year.

“If a member is looking for a new luxury sedan, SUV or electric vehicle, the Audi Limited-Time Special is a great place to start,” Costco Auto Program general manager Cory Benwell said. “Audi is very popular among the Costco members who use our program and we’re helping them get into the vehicle they want at an exclusive value.”

Rivian originally built its Electric Delivery van exclusively for Amazon, having inked a partnership with the retail giant in 2019 to deliver more than 100,000 examples. However, after the four-year exclusivity deal expired, Rivian is now free to sell the EV to other companies, and one of its first new clients is Ben & Jerry’s. What you’re looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is a properly modern ice cream truck.

The electric van, now known simply as the Rivian Commercial Van, has been modified alongside Ben & Jerry’s and will premiere at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, this week. There’s no word on how many of these ‘scoop trucks’ have been ordered, but we know that 2 examples will hit the road after SXSW, “bringing good eats and good vibes to the Rivian community across the country.” They will also be used at pop-up events throughout Vermont.

Read: $80k Will Get You A 315 HP Rivian Delivery Van

No photos of the interior have been published, but the exterior includes a colorful Ben & Jerry’s livery, as well as an extra air conditioning unit on the roof.

“Collaborating with the Ben & Jerry’s team to build the next generation of electric scoop trucks has been an incredible experience,” senior director of Prototype Development at Rivian, Brian Gase said. “We can’t wait for people to stop by for some ice cream and see it in action for the first time during SXSW!”

The vans are based on Rivian’s RCV 500 model which uses a 100kWh LFP battery pack for 161 miles (259 km) of range. Rivian also sells an RCV 700 version, which is 30 inches longer than the RCV 500 at a massive 278 inches.

“Working with Rivian, an industry leader that is committed to sustainability is an ice cream dream come true,” added Ben & Jerry’s US Integrated Marketing project lead, Sean Slattery. “Today, Rivian helped Ben & Jerry’s reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in a small way, while making things a little bit cooler… which, as an ice cream company, is extremely difficult to do.”

It’s only been a few days since Kia unveiled the EV2 Concept, giving us a preview of its new small electric SUV slated for 2026. Yet, already, the company is eyeing an even smaller EV. Details are still scarce, but this upcoming model might share the compact stature of the Kia Picanto and could debut as a concept early next year.

After the EV2’s reveal at Kia’s EV Day in Tarragona, Spain, CEO Ho Sung Song made it clear that the brand needs an electric vehicle that’s not only smaller, but also cheaper. This new model could be dubbed the EV1, and while General Motors may not be too happy Kia is using that name, the American company hasn’t held the EV1 trademark for several years.

Read: Kia EV2 Concept Previews Small Electric SUV For 2026 With Funky Styling

Kia has grand ambitions, as it wants to sell 1.6 million EVs globally by 2030. The company also targets a starting price of around €30,000 (~$31,400) for the EV2 in Europe. A cheaper and smaller EV will allow them to capture more “late majority” customers, following the “early majority” adopters who are expected to buy the EV2.

“I think the EV2’s major target is early majority customers,” he told Auto News. “But if we want to move to the late majority customer target, we definitely need a lower size and a lower price. We are internally studying what will be our entry EV product, apart from the EV2. And maybe at the next EV Day, we will show you.”

If Kia does intend to make it roughly the same size as a Picanto, it’ll likely need to use an even smaller version of the E-GMP platform and probably a smaller battery. Kia’s current EVs are sold in single- and dual-motor guises, but given that the EV1 could cost under €25,000 ($26,000), or roughly the same as the planned VW ID.2, there’s little chance of it being offered with a twin motor setup.

• Xiaomi’s president confirms plans to sell EVs globally, but won’t launch in the USA.
• The SU7 and YU7 EVs have been well-received in China, fueling the brand’s ambitions.
• Business preparation for international sales includes researching regional market needs.

Xiaomi has made global headlines with its impressive SU7 and YU7 EVs. Up until now, however, the technology giant has only been selling its cars in China but the company president has confirmed they are working to sell their cars internationally.

While speaking at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Xiaomi president William Lu said the firm is working on entering global markets but failed to divulge too many details about its plans.

Read: 1,526-HP Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Is $40K Cheaper Than Initially Announced

“I cannot share too many details, but I am so excited to tell our global users that Xiaomi will be releasing EVs for the sale in global markets within the next few years,” he revealed to CNBC.

Several new EV brands out of China have ventured into overseas markets in recent years, and that is the goal for Xiaomi. However, it won’t be easy to develop and manufacture cars for the requirements of several different market regions. As it stands, Xiaomi only has to worry about complying with Chinese standards.

According to a report from China in December, Xiaomi has been creating business preparation groups to begin research on overseas sales. CNEVPost believes the carmaker could first launch in a handful of countries to test market response in preparation for broader, larger-scale rollouts of its vehicles. Given how popular BYD has become in markets outside of China, it’s not far-fetched to say that Xiaomi wants to replicate this success, especially considering how well the SU7 and YU7 have been received in its home market.

Xiaomi captured the media’s attention late last week when it announced that the new SU7 Ultra will start at ¥529,000 or less than $73,000. That’s an extraordinarily competitive price when you consider the EV has three electric motors churning out 1,527 hp, way more power than the 1,019 hp Porsche Taycan Turbo GT that starts at ¥1,998,000 locally, or the equivalent of around $274,000.

Our spy photographers snapped the all-electric GV90 undergoing winter testing in Europe last month, with the prototype looking fairly conventional, largely resembling other Genesis models. However, a far more intriguing tester has just been snapped in South Korea, fitted with rear suicide doors.

The red prototype in question was spotted on the back of a flatbed under a lot of camouflage and cladding. It’s rocking sporty gloss black wheels unlike other prototypes we’ve seen in the past, and had Genesis done a better job of covering up some of the bodywork, it may have been able to hide the fact it has suicide doors.

Read: All-Electric Genesis GV90 Luxury SUV May Look Something Like This Render

The most obvious giveaway is the door handles at the very front of the rear doors, much like you’ll find on a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Genesis engineers have also left part of the opening mechanism on full display.

As we’ve now seen the GV90 testing with conventional rear doors and these coach doors, it seems inevitable that both options will be available. What’s unclear is if the suicide doors will be an option across the entire GV90 line-up or if perhaps they will be only available on the most luxurious trim level. We also don’t know if all markets will receive the option of these doors, but we suspect some major markets will miss out.

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Genesis is building the GV90 as a three-row SUV and may offer it in six- and seven-seat configurations. A six-seater, complete with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, could be the perfect candidate for suicide doors.

Underpinning all GV90 models will be the Hyundai Motor Group’s tried and tested E-GMP platform, much like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9, with which the GV90 will share many components. It may come standard with the same 110 kWh battery pack as the Hyundai and Carscoops suspects all versions will be sold with twin electric motors and all-wheel drive as standard.

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When the GAC Aion UT was officially unveiled last November, expectations were modest, if not downright skeptical. After all, it’s entering a crowded market where established players like BYD and MG have already set the bar for affordable EVs. But surprise, surprise: not only is the Aion UT here, but it’s also cheaper than we thought.

Originally pegged to start around $13,800 in China, this little electric contender can now be had for as low as ¥69,800 (about $9,600 at current exchange rates), with the top-spec model ringing in at ¥101,800 (~$14,000). If you’re keeping track, that’s well below the price of many used cars, let alone a brand-new EV.

Read: GAC Aion S Black Dragon Max Is A Fast & Furious EV Straight From The 2000s

Given the car’s low price, one may expect it to be void of any creature comforts, offer no performance, and have a very limited range. But as Chinese automakers have consistently shown in recent years, they’ve mastered the art of packing affordable EVs with decent range and technology features. In the case of the Aion UT, it will be offered with 34.8 kWh and 44 kWh battery packs, the latter of which is offered in 44.257 kWh, 44.12 kWh, and 44.133 kWh configurations.

GAC claims the car can cover up to 205 miles (330 km) on a single charge in base trim and up to 260 miles (420 km) in the flagship version. While China’s testing cycle tends to be quite generous, to say the least, GAC cites a combined consumption rate of 11.4 kWh/100 km. The battery packs charge from 30% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes, and power is supplied by a 134-hp electric motor.

The design of the Aion UT could be best described as cute. It’s available in a range of vibrant colors paired with contrasting white roofs, giving it a playful, almost cheerful vibe. The front end features soft, rounded headlights with integrated LED DRLs, plus four extra LED driving lights on the bumper—reminiscent of those old Kia Cerato models that tried too hard but kind of nailed it. The base version comes with 16-inch wheels, though higher-spec trims will step up to 17-inch alloys.

The cabin is impressively equipped, considering the car’s price point. All Aion UT models come standard with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, and a voice assistant. It also includes Level 2 driver-assistance capabilities, in-built WiFi, a panoramic sunroof, and supports over-the-air software updates.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the name of the concept previewing the next-generation Vito and V-Class vans. Called the Vision V, it was first teased in December and is expected to be unveiled this year, ahead of the new range of electric vans hitting the market in 2026.

They also dropped another teaser, but unfortunately, it doesn’t reveal much. We can see a large Mercedes-Benz emblem and a Vision V badge, likely positioned on the rear of the van. At the top are red LEDs, which probably form part of the concept vehicle’s taillights.

Read: Get Ready For Mercedes’ Vision Of A Luxury Electric Van

According to the German brand, “the Vision V show car is Mercedes-Benz Vans’ vision of seamlessly combining generous space with maximum exclusivity.” According to the company, it will combine “traditionally crafted materials” with “hyper-modern, tech-savvy design elements that are as stylish as they are unexpected.”

Underpinning the Vision V is the new scalable Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) that’ll give the brand the flexibility to create entry-level family-focused versions, VIP shuttles, and “spacious and luxurious limousines.”

Based on a teaser from last year that showcased the silhouette of the Vision V, we know the vehicle will have a familiar van shape. Of course, this isn’t much of a surprise, as you can’t exactly revolutionize the shape of a van without turning it into a different kind of vehicle.

All future electric vans inspired by this concept will feature an 800-volt electrical architecture and be offered in single and dual-motor configurations. Mercedes-Benz has promised flagship variants will be able to travel over 311 miles (500 km) on a single charge and initially launch with Level 2 self-driving systems. Both Level 3 and Level 4-equipped models will hit the market at a later date.

While Peter Rawlinson recently stepped down as Lucid’s chief executive, the engineer and businessman won’t be leaving empty-handed. He will still take home a very generous salary in his new role as an advisor to the Chairman of the Board. In fact, he’ll be earning $120,000 per month, receiving a $2 million stock grant, as well as a company car.

Despite Lucid posting a $2.7 billion net loss in 2024, the company remains financially secure thanks to the deep pockets of its majority owner, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Over the next two years, Rawlinson will collect his $120,000 monthly salary and receive stock grants in equal installments on February 21, 2026, August 21, 2026, and February 21, 2027. Lucid will also continue covering his health insurance premiums.

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

Rawlinson is no stranger to getting healthy pay packages from Lucid, Auto News notes. In 2023, it was revealed that during the previous year, he walked away with a base salary of $575,000, stock options that, at the time, were valued at $372,928,375, and $5,504,378 in stock option gains. However, that doesn’t tell the full story.

In 2021, Rawlinson received a one-time stock grant that was determined and approved by Lucid’s Board of Directors. A significant portion of this grant vested during 2022 after Lucid hit several market capitalization milestones, hence why he walked away with so much money.

Who’s Running Lucid Now?

With Rawlinson stepping down, Chief Operating Officer Marc Winterhoff has taken over as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. While leaving his post as CEO, Rawlinson said he decided now was the right time to step aside because the new Gravity SUV has just launched. Its arrival marks a significant milestone for the company and has allowed Lucid to increase production estimates for this year to 20,000, roughly double the number of vehicles it built in 2024.

Not long after Polestar offered an additional $5,000 conquest bonus on top of it’s $15,000 discount for a total of $20,000 off to any existing Tesla owners or lessees who purchased a Polestar 3, Ford has informed its dealers of its own discount aimed squarely at Tesla owners. Unlike Polestar’s offer, Ford’s is only limited to $1,000, but it could be enough to convince some to make the switch to a Mustang Mach-E.

Read: Kia Tries To Woo Tesla Owners With Discounts

The Tesla Competitive Conquest Bonus Cash offer is available throughout the US for all variants of the 2025 Mustang Mach-E and runs through until March 31. To qualify for the discount, shoppers need to prove they own or currently lease a Tesla, and that they have done so for at least 30 days. There are some other incentives that make the Mach-E tempting.

More Incentives to Make the Switch

The all-electric SUV also comes with $7,500 in lease cash, and both buyers and lessees can get a free home charger installation. For those who already have charging set up at home, Ford provides a $1,000 public charging credit instead, according to Cars Direct. Stack everything together, and the lease price on a Mach-E Select can drop from $38,490 to just $28,990.

Legacy Carmakers Trying To Steal Customers From Tesla

This isn’t Ford’s first attempt at pulling Tesla owners into its camp. Last April, it dangled a $1,500 discount that, like this one, could be combined with other incentives. Plenty of other brands have used the same strategy. For example, BMW has extended conquest bonuses to owners of various brands, including Tesla, while Kia has offered up to $1,500 to tempt Tesla drivers into one of its EVs.

It remains to be seen how many people will choose to ditch their Tesla in favor of a Mach-E because of this latest incentive push. However, Tesla sales have slowed in several markets this year, perhaps in part due to rising anti-Elon Musk sentiment, so it’s hardly a surprise Ford has decided now was the right time to relaunch this conquest bonus.

President Donald Trump is putting the brakes on electric vehicles in government fleets, ordering thousands to be sold and shutting down their charging stations at federal buildings. Framed as a cost-cutting measure, the decision could ironically end up costing the administration $1 billion.

Read: Trump To Cut Off All 8,000 EV Charging Ports At Federal Buildings

The General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees about two-thirds of the federal government’s 650,000 vehicles, currently manages around 8,000 EV chargers across government buildings. These stations serve both federally owned and personal EVs driven by government employees. But according to recently leaked emails, those charging contracts are being canceled, and the stations will be “turned off at the breaker.”

Unplugging the Investment

Under the Biden administration, the GSA received $975 million to upgrade federal buildings with new and sustainable technologies, including charging points for EVs, The Verge reports. The federal government signed an executive order to only buy electric light-duty vehicles by 2027.

The GSA will also begin to offload as many as 25,000 EVs purchased during the Biden administration. Speaking with Politico, a former GSA official said these EVs may only sell for 25% of their original value, potentially resulting in a loss of as much as $225 million. And since those EVs will need to be replaced with gas-powered cars, the federal government could end up spending an additional $700 million.

Cutting Costs, And Then Spending

According to the same ex-GSA official, the federal government has spent approximately $300 million to install and activate charging points. Taking these chargers offline could cost between $50 million and $100 million.

In an internal email explaining the decision, the GSA stated it “has worked to align with the current administration [and] received direction that all GSA-owned charging stations are not mission critical. Neither Government Owned Vehicles nor Privately Owned Vehicles will be able to charge at these charging stations once they’re out of service.”

That leaves an obvious question: if the goal is to cut government spending, why take a billion-dollar loss in the process? Selling EVs at a fraction of their cost, spending hundreds of millions to replace them with gas-powered cars, and shutting down infrastructure that was already paid for doesn’t exactly scream fiscal responsibility.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system has officially launched in China, and if its track record in North America is anything to go by, no one should be shocked that it’s running into problems adapting to a new market. During a recent test, a Chinese car blogger managed to rack up no less than seven traffic violations while using FSD, many of them caught on camera, showcasing some of the system’s more questionable driving decisions.

A video shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by car blogger Chen Zhen shows the EV repeatedly veering into lanes designated for bicycles, motorbikes, and scooters. In one instance, the system mistakenly treated a bike lane as a right-turn lane, and unfortunately for the driver, a police car was waiting at the very same intersection.

Read: Tesla’s Sales In China Fall As BYD Soars In January

During the same test, the Tesla also made illegal lane changes, crossing over solid lines when it shouldn’t have.

As Tesla crowdsources data from its drivers to develop and improve the Full-Self Driving system, it’s reasonable to assume that, like in the US, the system will steadily improve over time as it becomes accustomed to the driving rules of China and is more familiar with things like lane markings and road signs. However, improvements will likely be quite slow.

According to local media outlet Shine, a Chinese car review team recently put FSD to the test in a Tesla Model Y, comparing it against advanced driver-assistance systems from domestic automakers Li Auto and Aito. The results weren’t exactly confidence-inspiring. In the test, Tesla’s FSD racked up 34 traffic violations and required 24 driver interventions.

By comparison, the Li Auto L7 had just 9 interventions and 14 violations while the Aito M9 had 12 interventions and 14 violations. While those two locally-made vehicles performed better than the Tesla, none of the results instill much confidence about the abilities of these systems.

For now, it seems like Tesla’s FSD in China has a long road ahead, hopefully, one without any more bike lanes mistaken for turn lanes.

Chevrolet could do with a rival to the Ford Maverick, and these renderings provide us with a tantalizing look at how it might look. The company has yet to formally acknowledge work on a new small pickup, and according to reports from early last year, the project had been abandoned. However, in the automotive world, you can never say never, and were Chevy to launch a truck like this, it could have a winner on its hands.

These renderings were recently shared to the General Motors Design page on Instagram which frequently shares sketches and CAD creations made by GM designers. This one was brought to life by David Acosta who has worked as a creative designer for GM for the past eight years. Unlike the Maverick, which has a relatively plain and uninspired design, this truck actually looks quite imposing.

Read: 2026 Chevy Compact Pickup – What GM’s Ford Maverick Rival Could Look Like

Fitting for a pickup with the bowtie badge, this truck has a set of striking LED daytime running lights that give it plenty of presence. Connecting the headlights is a central black elements, while positioned lower down on the fascia is a blacked-out bumper. The lack of a traditional grille suggests this design could work particularly well for an EV that doesn’t have the same cooling requirements as a combustion-powered truck.

Elsewhere, the truck has a dual-cab design and has been rendered with curved and flat fender flares, both of which look excellent. It also sits on a set of large wheels and has been showcased with a large bed.

It would wise for GM to launch a new lifestyle-focused pickup truck akin to the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Not only could such a model be a strong seller, but Ram recently confirmed that it is getting into the small truck game and will begin building one in 2028.

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Ford’s ambitious experiment with Rapid Replenishment Centers (RRCs), which aimed to change how unsold electric vehicles were stored across the US, is officially over. After a few months of what can generously be called a trial run, the automaker has decided to pull the plug. Why? Well, Ford has a laundry list of reasons, but the short answer is that things didn’t exactly go according to plan.

The Idea Behind the RRCs

Launched in May 2024, the program aimed to streamline Ford’s EV distribution, starting with the F-150 Lightning. The goal was straightforward: by bypassing the traditional dealership lot, Ford could cut costs, improve inventory management, and, ideally, make its distribution process more competitive. In other words, Ford was hoping to level the playing field with EV front runners like Tesla.

Read: Ford Gives Dealers Up To $22,500 To Push F-150 Lightning Sales

According to Autonews, Ford’s plan was to store unsold EVs at 21 RRCs across the States. These centers would serve as hubs, from which vehicles would be shipped to dealerships when an order was placed. Dealers could get the F-150 Lightning delivered within two weeks, allowing for a quicker, more efficient process. And in a bid to incentivize the dealers, Ford even offered a cash bonus. In October, they started paying dealerships $1,000 for each F-150 Lightning they ordered through the RRCs, with a cap at $22,500 per dealer.

However, while recently speaking with dealers at the NADA Show, Ford said it’s discontinuing the program and will return the electric truck to a more traditional wholesale model.

The Hiccups That Stopped Ford in Its Tracks

A key problem with the program is that consumers were only able to see Ford’s available EV inventory through its website. This meant buyers couldn’t see models on individual dealer sites or on platforms like Autotrader and Cars.com. Although this problem was eventually addressed, some dealers still struggled to obtain window stickers for the available F-150 Lightnings, and many couldn’t stock enough demo models for customers to compare different trims and packages.

In other words, the whole sales experience became less flexible and more cumbersome, not exactly a win for the customer.

Ford’s Mike O’Brien, senior director of retail network and sales strategy, pointed out that the goal was always to improve the customer experience. “Our intent all along was to better serve the customer,” he said. “We think the pilot, from an operational perspective, was a big success. That being said, we listen to our dealers. There’s been a lot of shifts in the marketplace. It is a little tricky to have two different [sales] methodologies.”

The Dealers’ Verdict

As expected, Ford’s dealers weren’t exactly thrilled with the RRC experiment. Eddie Stivers, chair of Ford’s dealer council, acknowledged to Auto News that the pilot had “not turned out the best.”

“The [rapid replenishment centers], the entire time, were a pilot,” he added. “Some pilots work, some don’t function. We as dealers should be applauding Ford for trying something new but being willing to recognize when it didn’t work out as theorized.”

At the end of the day, Ford is reverting to a more traditional wholesale model for the F-150 Lightning. As much as they’d like to reinvent the wheel (pun intended), it looks like they’ll have to stick with what they know—for now, at least.

Electric vehicles are gaining traction in Europe, with sales soaring by 37% last month. A total of 165,473 battery-electric vehicles were delivered across 28 countries on the continent, including the 25 EU nations plus the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, according to data from Jato Dynamics. However, a closer look at the sales figures reveals that even the most popular EV couldn’t crack the top 25 of Europe’s best-selling new cars.

In January, the Volkswagen ID.4 emerged as Europe’s top-selling EV, with 7,177 units registered across the region. That’s a massive 195% increase from January 2024, propelling the ID.4 ahead of the long-time reigning EV champion, the Tesla Model Y. But before you start picturing a “VW dominance” headline, take a breath.

Read: Tesla Sales Crumble 45% In Europe, While EV Market Explodes 37%

The Model Y’s sales took a nosedive, dropping by 46% to just 6,115 units. It only narrowly outpaced the VW ID.7, which sold 5,879 units. Whether the Model Y’s slump is linked to the launch of its facelifted version or a backlash against Elon Musk’s increasingly high-profile political activities is still anyone’s guess.

Not far behind was the new Kia EV3, with 5,792 sales. So, while VW can pat itself on the back for pushing the ID.4 to the top, the overall EV market still has a long way to go before it competes with the mainstream heavy-hitters.

The Top Selling Models Overall

While VW executives may be celebrating strong sales of the ID.4 and ID.7 models, EVs still have a long way to go before they can rival more traditional ICE models in terms of sales figures. As is often the case in Europe, the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling new car overall, with 21,309 examples sold.

That comfortably put it ahead of the VW Golf (17,630), the Peugeot 208 (17,289), the Dacia Duster (15,816), and the VW T-Roc (15,655). Notably, no EV could crack the top 25. To put that in perspective, the Skoda Octavia (13,913 sales) and the Hyundai Tucson (13,201) were all significantly ahead of the ID.4.

This isn’t exactly a surprise. Despite all the buzz surrounding EVs, the reality is that Europeans still have a strong preference for their good ol’ gas-guzzlers. That means the ID.4 was behind models like the Skoda Octavia (13,913 sales), the Hyundai Tucson (13,201 sales), Ford Puma (10,499 sales), and the MG ZS, which shifted 9,720 units.

PHEVs Slip as EVs Rise, But Not by Much

Interestingly, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) saw a decline in sales this January, dropping by 6% year-on-year. Just 75,680 PHEVs found new owners, far fewer than last year, showing that while the market for full EVs is growing, hybrid models might be starting to fade into the background.

The Volvo XC40 led the PHEV charge with 5,001 units sold, followed by the VW Tiguan (4,159 deliveries), BMW X1 (3,222), Toyota C-HR (2,861), Hyundai Tucson (2,555), and Ford Kuga (2,446).

Jato Dynamics

The updates made to the facelifted 2026 BMW iX are relatively minor, but shoppers in the US will be pleased to know the range of the base xDrive60 has been boosted by quite a significant amount. Will the added range add to the appeal of the iX?

The old 2025 iX range, which previously started with the base xDrive50, offered up to 309 miles (497 km) of range with the most efficient wheel and tire package. Last month, BMW said the replacement to this model, now known as the iX xDrive60, would offer up to 340 miles (547 km) of range. However, the online configurator for the 2026 iX shows the xDrive60 can travel up to 364 miles (586 km) on a single charge when fitted with the 20-inch wheels.

Read: 2026 BMW iX Facelift Debuts Cheaper $75k Base Model, New Grilles

If you want to eke out the longest range possible from your new 2026 iX, you’ll need to opt for the 20-inch Aero Frozen Dark Grey 1002 wheels wrapped in summer tires. When optioned with 21-inch wheels, and regardless of whether summer or all-season tires are fitted, the range falls to 341 miles (549 km). Larger 22-inch shoes drop the range to 327 miles (526 km), while the 23-inch wheels will get you an estimated range of 318 miles (512 km).

Range And Performance

A peak range of 364 miles is quite impressive when you consider the performance offered by the iX xDrive60. Thanks to a pair of electric motors, it delivers 536 hp and 564 lb-ft (765 Nm) of torque, enough to send it to 60 mph (96 km/h) in an impressive 4.4 seconds and a 124 mph (200 km/h) top speed. A 109.1 kWh battery pack comes standard in this model.

Two other versions of the 2026 iX have been announced for the US market. The new base model is badged the iX xDrive45 and rocks a pair of electric motors with a combined 402 hp, offering up to 312 miles (502 km) of range. Sitting at the top of the iX family is the M70. It churns out a monstrous 650 hp and offers a quoted range of between 283-303 miles (455-488 km), depending on the wheel and tire package.

The owner of a matte black Tesla Cybertruck in Arizona made a very costly mistake when they drove the electric pickup straight into a backyard swimming pool. While the crash left the Tesla with significant damage, the pool was thankfully empty at the time, meaning the Cybertruck avoided injuring anyone and spared itself from an unwanted swim (and probably even more extensive damage).

The accident took place near the intersection of East University Drive and North Signal Butte Road, on the edge of Phoenix. While images shared on Instagram by the Local 3878 Firefighters division don’t explain how the Cybertruck ended up in the pool area, we can take an educated guess that the truck went off-road, likely smashing through a fence before making its poolside debut.

Read: Mercedes S-Class Driver Confuses Carpooling With Gym Pool Dive

While recent NHTSA testing shows that the Cybertruck has been built tough and is very safe, the front of this particular truck is looking a little worse for wear after it nosedived into the empty pool. The nose took the brunt of the impact, with the front bumper and hood crushed, and the windshield shattered. There’s also a good chance the undertray took some damage too and will likely need some repairs.

Fortunately, local fire crews were on hand to stabilize the situation. They placed supports under the rear of the truck to keep it from tipping any further, then extracted the occupants safely. Ambulances were on site to take them away, though it’s unclear if the only injury was to their pride.

What’s next for this Cybertruck? While it’s hard to say for sure based solely on these images, there’s a good chance it will be repairable, but that’s only relevant if the insurer is willing to pay rather than deciding to scrap the truck and sell it at an auction. If a major part of the front crash structure was damaged, that would add to the cost of fixing, as would any suspension damage to the driver’s side front quarter.

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Road rage incidents are nothing new, but when they involve a Tesla Cybertruck, an elderly businessman, and a 17-year-old, they’re bound to make headlines, even in a place as laid-back as the Cayman Islands. A 72-year-old man is now at the center of a police investigation after being caught on camera attacking a motorist who reportedly cut in front of him and his Tesla Cybertruck. While police arrested the 17-year-old involved, the older driver walked away with just a warning, something that didn’t sit well with locals.

The altercation occurred about a week ago on Grand Cayman. According to local reports, Larry McGean was driving his Tesla Cybertruck with his wife when a teenage driver in a Hyundai Kona merged into his lane. McGean allegedly had to slam on the Tesla’s brakes to avoid a collision and didn’t take too kindly to the driving of the 17-year-old.

Watch: Road Raging Range Rover Driver Crashes After Flipping Off Motorist

According to the Cayman Marl Road, McGean approached the driver of the Kona. Footage shared on social media shows the expat in a heated argument with the young Hyundai driver before McGean appears to open the door and lunge toward him. Although the next moments are unclear, it seems that as McGean forced his way into the cabin, the teenager quickly put him in a chokehold.

An ambulance that was passing by at the time stopped and the crew helped to separate the two men. McGean’s face was cut in the incident. Despite allegedly being the aggressor, he was let off with a warning for intended prosecution of Common Assault. In contrast, the 17-year-old driver of the Hyundai was arrested on suspicion of Assault Causing Bodily Harm.

Local police are appealing to motorists who witnessed the scuffle to get in contact with them and to provide any useful information they can. However, authorities have come under fire from many locals for not yet arresting McGean, despite footage showing his involvement in the fight. It has also raised broader concerns about how wealthy expats are treated compared to local Caymanians.

The incident continues to attract attention both online and locally, with many awaiting further updates from the police investigation.

Electric vehicles are gaining traction, but not all models leave their owners equally satisfied. A new study reveals that EV owners in the US are generally pleased with their vehicles, with the BMW iX emerging as the top-rated model. Despite an 11% drop in sales last year to 15,383 units, the all-electric German SUV has won over its owners, outscoring many more popular EVs in terms of overall satisfaction.

J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study rated vehicles on a 1,000-point scale across several key areas. These included battery range, cost of ownership, driving enjoyment, range accuracy, public charging access, ease of home charging, design, safety and tech features, service experience, and overall quality and reliability. This year, the study surveyed 6,164 owners of 2024 and 2025 BEV and PHEV models to gather their feedback.

Read: 2026 BMW iX Facelift Debuts Cheaper $75k Base Model, New Grilles

The BMW iX scored 790 out of a possible 1,000, earning the top spot overall and leading the premium BEV category. Close behind was another BMW model, the i4, with a score of 783. It was followed by the Rivian R1S at 770, the Tesla Model 3 at 767, and the Polestar 2 at 764. The average rating for premium BEVs was 756, with the Tesla Model Y (749), Audi Q8 e-tron (722), and Cadillac Lyriq (717) falling below this benchmark.

Leading the way among mass-market BEVs was the Hyundai Ioniq 6 with a rating of 751. However, one could argue the Tesla Model 3 and Y should be considered mass-market BEVs, too, rather than premium offerings. Other strong performers included the Kia EV6 (743), Chevrolet Equinox EV (737), and Hyundai Ioniq 5 (728).

Other Findings

The study also quizzed owners about the education and training they received from dealerships or the manufacturer. While 69% of first-time BEV buyers did receive some education, greater efforts can be made and this could boost ownership satisfaction.

The vast majority of EV owners are also eager to stick with an EV. In fact, 94% said they are likely to consider buying another EV as their next vehicle. According to the executive director of J.D. Power’s EV practice, Brent Gruber, “once consumers enter the EV fold, they’re highly likely to remain committed to the technology.”

The BMW iX’s top ranking underscores how satisfaction doesn’t always correlate with sales figures, highlighting the importance of the ownership experience in shaping consumer loyalty.

It’s no secret that Chinese car manufacturers are leading the charge when it comes to electric vehicles (pun fully intended). What’s surprising, though, is that they’ve managed this without selling a single car in the United States, the world’s second-largest and most lucrative car market. So, how are they pulling it off? By focusing on just about every other major region instead.

More: Porsche’s High Prices And Outdated Tech Are Killing Its Sales In China, Could It Happen Here?

According to recent data from Rho Motion, Chinese brands now command a staggering 76% share of the global EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market, thanks to aggressive expansions into new territories. In Europe, their market share varies by country, but they’ve made particularly strong gains in less developed markets around the world.

Gaining Ground in Europe

In Germany, Europe’s largest car market, Chinese manufacturers accounted for about 4% of the 578,000 EVs sold last year. The numbers are slightly higher in the UK and France, where they captured 7% and 5% of total EV sales, respectively. In the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Belgium, Chinese EVs make up 6%, 5%, 8%, and 3% of the market. Meanwhile, their presence is even more pronounced in Spain and Austria, where they hold 10% and 11% of total EV sales.

Dominating Emerging Markets

Outside Europe, Chinese automakers are enjoying even more significant success. In Brazil, a remarkable 82% of all EVs and PHEVs sold in 2024 came from China. Similarly, they have a 77% share of the market in Thailand and a 70% share in Mexico. They also account for 75% of all EVs and PHEVs delivered in Indonesia, 52% in Malaysia, 74% in Nepal, and 64% in Israel. They’re also popular in Australia and New Zealand, accounting for 26% and 15% of sales.

Why Are They Winning?

Part of this success can be attributed to the fact that many of these countries lack a strong local car industry, giving Chinese brands an easier path to market dominance. Additionally, China’s electric vehicle industry has benefited from at least $231 billion in government subsidies and aid from 2009 through the end of 2023. This substantial financial support has allowed Chinese EVs and PHEVs to be more affordable than those from traditional automakers, giving them a competitive edge.

It was only a matter of time before the Tesla Cybertruck found its way into police service. That moment has arrived with confirmation from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department that it’s adding 10 Cybertrucks to its fleet and they won’t just be used for promotional activities.

It’s not uncommon for police forces worldwide to adopt flashy, expensive vehicles, often sparking controversy if taxpayer money is involved. In this case, however, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department emphasizes that all 10 Cybertrucks are being “donated by an anonymous supporter,” sidestepping any budget-related backlash.

According to the department, some of the Cybertrucks will be used by local SWAT teams, while others will serve as regular patrol cars for Las Vegas police officers. A pair of renderings showcase how the modified Cybertrucks could look, and even though it’s hard to stand out in Las Vegas among all the flashing lights and craziness, these Teslas will no doubt turn heads.

Read: First Police Tesla Cybertruck Hits The Streets In Irvine, But $132K Price Sparks Backlash

The version previewed for SWAT use is finished in a new desert color and sits on black aftermarket wheels with huge mud-terrain tires. It also looks to feature reinforced armored doors and windows, off-road tracks, and custom bumpers. It’s unclear if the finished product will look like this, as this rendering appears to be based on an upgraded Cybertruck from Unplugged Performance unveiled back in late 2023.

The regular police cruiser version looks a little more tame and, once again, has been previewed with a single image based on Unplugged Performance’s Cybertruck cop car unveiled last year. Modifications include new flashing light bars, custom wheels, and LED spotlights.

“Imagine when we’re out and we’re charging these things, and officers will be approached by people from all over the community to see this thing,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill told Fox 5 Vegas. “It’s an opportunity [to] inject humanity, to increase our community partnerships. This is also a tremendous recruitment tool.”

Unplugged Performance’s Tesla Cybertruck Police Car