While one could easily confuse the 2026 Tesla Model Y as simply being a cosmetic facelift, the changes made to the world’s best-selling EV are much more than skin deep. Not only has Tesla overhauled the SUV’s interior, but it’ also implemented important hardware and software updates, and as the model gets closer to landing in American garages, the brand has detailed one of the biggest changes.

Read: We Compare The 2026 Tesla Model Y Side-By-Side With Its Predecessor

One of the most notable updates is the introduction of a new braking system that blends regenerative and hydraulic braking. As reported by Driveteslacanada, the system incorporates two independent hydraulic brake circuits: one controlled electronically by the vehicle’s onboard driving system, and another for direct driver input.

Tesla claims that the transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking is now seamless, which could change the driving experience—if they’re right.

The Return of Flexible Regenerative Braking

Like most other EVs, the Model Y’s regenerative braking activates the moment the driver lifts off the accelerator. Previously, Tesla offered two settings for this function, called Normal and Low. However, the Low setting was eventually dropped, as it had a negative impact on range and accelerated tire wear.

With the 2026 Model Y, Tesla is reintroducing more flexibility. Now, drivers can choose between Reduced and Standard regenerative braking modes, which adjust the speed at which the car decelerates once you release the accelerator. But it’s not just about offering more options.

A Smarter Approach to Braking

Unlike other Tesla models, which immediately engage mechanical brakes when the pedal is pressed, the new Model Y takes a more nuanced approach. When you press the brake pedal, the car decides whether to keep using regenerative braking or engage the physical brakes, depending on how firmly you push down. This approach aims to maximize efficiency and improve the overall stability of the vehicle’s braking performance.

Brake system in New Model Y has the freedom to use either electric motor or mechanical brake when you push the brake pedal

This brings you maximum efficiency, consistency in pedal behavior & improved stability pic.twitter.com/rIwOUxwpXU

— Tesla (@Tesla) March 3, 2025

For drivers not accustomed to “one-pedal driving” or who just prefer gentler regenerative braking, the Reduced mode should feel more comfortable. Interestingly, in this setting, Tesla says the Model Y still captures as much energy as it would in the Standard mode when the brake pedal is applied.

Autopilot and the No-Pedal Brake

Another added benefit is how the braking system interacts with Tesla’s Autopilot. When Autopilot is engaged and the car needs to slow down, the brake pedal will now remain stationary. Many other cars on the market work in the same way, but this is the first time a Tesla has done this. Is it revolutionary? No, but it is an update that should be welcomed by customers, even though the carmaker seems to have fewer and fewer of them nowadays.

Now is an interesting time to own a Tesla. For over a decade, the brand has produced some of the most popular EVs on the market and cultivated a nearly cult-like following, thanks in no small part to its CEO, Elon Musk. However, as Musk has waded deeper into politics, the brand’s once-pristine image seems to be fading, and reports of vandalism against Tesla models appear to be on the rise.

Read: Boston Man Arrested For Slapping Stickers On Teslas, Musk Responds

No Tesla model has sparked more debate than the Cybertruck. Its polarizing design, with sharp angles and a body that looks like it was pulled from a rejected 90s sci-fi film, has turned heads for all the wrong reasons. Some fans love it; others, well, would rather see it run off the road. It seems someone in Brooklyn falls into the latter camp, having recently taken their frustrations out on a Cybertruck parked by the side of the road.

Photos shared on Reddit show the damage: the Cybertruck was egged, and to top it off, what looks like dog feces was smeared across its rear. No word yet on whether the vandal has a personal vendetta against the truck, Musk, or just sharp, angular vehicles in general. Either way, they made their point, while wasting some precious eggs in the process. Given egg prices right now, that’s almost a privilege.

While there’s still no word on the identity of the vandal, there’s a chance the owner could track them down if they’re motivated enough. Tesla’s Sentry Mode, which uses external cameras to record suspicious activity, might just have caught the action. If the culprit wasn’t wearing a ski mask or some other form of facial protection, they could be staring down a very incriminating video of their vandalism.

You won’t be surprised to learn that this isn’t the first time a Tesla has been targeted. Back in January, a Cybertruck in Los Angeles became the unfortunate canvas for a group of vandals. After being wrecked in a crash, it was abandoned in a parking lot, only to become an impromptu art project for local miscreants. It wasn’t long before the truck was covered in graffiti, transforming it into an unwanted street attraction.

Seen in Brooklyn a cybercuck that got egged and smeared with dog shit
byu/TheMarsBis3xual infuckcars

It’s been eight months since Honda previewed its China-only Ye S7, and now the production version has officially arrived. As the Japanese brand continues its push upmarket in various regions, this all-electric SUV doesn’t try to compete with the bargain-bin electric crossovers flooding the market. Instead, it’s aiming for something a bit more premium, but still relatively affordable, at least by American standards. The S7 starts at ¥259,900, which comes to about $35,800.

More: Toyota’s $15,000 Electric SUV Gets 10,000 Orders In Just 60 Minutes In China

Interestingly, the production model has dropped the ‘Ye’ from its name and is simply called the S7. It’s no Lamborghini Urus, but for a Honda, it’s a surprisingly daring design. In fact, it stands out in a way that no other Honda sold in markets outside of China does, which will help it cut through the noise of China’s crowded car market. The S7 is the product of Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng and is set to compete with the likes of the Tesla Model Y, the Onvo L60, and the Zeekr 7X.

Powertrains and Range Options

At its core, the S7 is built on a dedicated EV platform and comes equipped with an 89.8 kWh battery pack. The base model features a single electric motor that delivers a modest 268 horsepower (200 kW) to the rear wheels. While not exactly thrilling, that output should be more than enough for everyday driving, and the more affordable variant has a claimed range of 404 miles (650 km) on the Chinese CLTC cycle.

For those craving more performance, there’s a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version. This ups the ante by adding a 201-horsepower (150 kW) motor to the front axle, pushing total output to a more impressive 469 hp (350 kW). While that extra power and weight decrease the range to 385 miles (620 km), it’s still more than sufficient for most drivers.

In terms of dimensions, the S7 is 4,750 mm (187.0 inches) long, 1,930 mm (75.98 inches) wide, and 1,625 mm (64.02 inches) tall, riding on a relatively large 2,930 mm (115.4 inches) wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 193 mm (7.6 inches). This puts the S7 in the range of your average compact SUV for exterior dimensions, but with a wheelbase that’s closer to, or even longer than, that of many mid-size SUVs. For comparison, the Honda Pilot has a shorter 113.8-inch (2,891 mm) wheelbase.

Inside, the S7 leans heavily into tech and luxury. The centerpiece is a 12.8-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen perched in the center of the dashboard. Just ahead of the driver, there’s a 9.9-inch digital instrument cluster, and gone are the traditional wing mirrors, replaced by cameras and screens mounted on the doors.

The cabin of the electric Honda also features twin glass roof panels for that open, airy feel, and if you’re an audiophile, you can opt for a 16-speaker Bose sound system with speakers in the front headrests. While the luxury touches are nice, they’re not exactly groundbreaking, but they should appeal to buyers looking for something a bit more refined in the electric SUV space.

China is quickly establishing itself as the global epicenter for affordable electric vehicles, and for good reason. However, most of the budget-friendly EVs have come from homegrown brands that have been able to work around the traditional constraints that have slowed down legacy automakers.

But now, even Toyota, a legacy company that’s been criticized for its sluggishness in adopting electric vehicles, is jumping into the fray with a shockingly low starting price in the Chinese market, especially considering its size and features.

See: Everything We Know About The 2026 Toyota RAV4

The vehicle in question is the bZ3X and it’s been brought to life thanks to Toyota’s joint venture with GAC. It was first presented in December, but sales of it only just started. It’s proven to be so popular that more than 10,000 orders were placed for it within an hour, causing the system to crash. Looking at what shoppers will be getting for their money, it’s easy to understand why the bZ3X is so red hot.

Pricing Details

Prices for the electric SUV start at 109,800 yuan, or roughly $15,000 at current exchange rates. Considering the compact SUV’s size and features, that’s an incredibly competitive price. For context, the GAC Toyota Highlander, similar to the one sold in North America, starts at 284,800 yuan ($39,300), while the Camry starts at 171,800 yuan ($23,700).

At that price, you’re getting the base version of the bZ3X, called the 430 Air. It comes with a 50.03 kWh LFP battery pack. While that’s on the smaller side for an SUV of this size, Toyota claims it’s good for 267 miles (430 km) of range on the CTLC cycle. However, since China’s testing cycle tends to be extremely generous, the real-world range will likely be closer to 250 miles (402 km). If you’re looking for a bit more equipment, there’s also a slightly upgraded 430 Air+ version available, starting at 119,800 yuan (~$16,500).

Toyota will also offer the bZ3X in 520 Pro (¥120,980 / ~$16,700) and 520 Pro+ (¥139,800 / ~$19,300) guises, both of which use a larger 58.37 kWh battery and have a quoted range of 323 miles (520 km). All 430 and 520 models feature a single 204 hp electric motor. The version offering the most range is the 610 Max, rocking a 67.92 kWh pack and good for 379 miles (610 km) on a charge. It also has a more powerful 224 hp motor. It starts at ¥159,800 (~$22,000)

Two versions of the 520 Pro offering advanced driver-assistance systems have also been announced, priced at ¥149,800 (~$20,700) and ¥159,800 (~$22,000), respectively. These models include 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 3mm wave radars, and one LiDAR, all powered by the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin X.

The cabin of the bZ3X certainly isn’t super-luxurious as far as Chinese-built EVs go, but it does look decent. It features a 14.6-inch infotainment display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11-speaker Yamaha audio system, all fitted as standard.

The SUV itself measures 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches), meaning it’s roughly the same size as a RAV4 It weighs in at 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs), which is fairly typical for this type of electric vehicle.

Toyota’s latest EV measures 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches). It tips the scales at 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs).

Over the past five years, BYD , the Chinese electric vehicle giant, has gone from an underdog to a full-fledged automotive juggernaut. In fact, it’s making legacy car brands look like they’re scrambling to catch up. While Tesla is arguably its biggest rival, BYD’s executive vice-president, Stella Li, seems to think there’s room for cooperation, at least when it comes to taking down the internal combustion engine cars.

“Our common enemy is the internal combustion engine car. We need to work together . . . to make the industry change,” she told the Financial Times in an interview.

Read: BYD Is Coming After Ford F-150 With A Full-Size Pickup

Of course, Li isn’t talking about teaming up with Tesla to co-develop a new vehicle. Instead, she believes that major EV manufacturers can work together to drive the industry forward as a whole.

During the interview, she also described the Chinese car market as “the homeland for innovation,” noting that the government will support foreign companies looking to expand into China, even amid rising trade tensions with the European Union and the United States.

 “[The] Chinese government is more open, so maybe there is a lot of wrong perception here,” she added.

BYD’s Growing Pains and Political Pushback

While BYD’s sales continue to surge, it’s not without its challenges. The European Union has slapped tariffs on the company, along with other Chinese EV makers, and is pushing for Chinese companies to transfer intellectual property to European businesses in exchange for subsidies. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is actively encouraging local companies to limit their investments in foreign manufacturers.

The European Commission argues that China’s growing presence in the EU market is primarily fueled by a range of subsidies throughout the production process. These include discounted lithium and battery supplies from state-owned enterprises, tax breaks, favorable financing from state-controlled banks, and even cheap land to build factories.

Despite these issues, BYD is pushing ahead with its manufacturing plants in Hungary and Turkey, which will allow it to skirt the EU’s tariffs.

Li mentioned that she doesn’t get too caught up in politics, emphasizing that consumers will always choose the better product. She’s not worried about the possibility of being shut out of the US market, either. Clearly, BYD is confident in its continued growth and expects to overthrow the internal combustion engine sooner or later.

Last month, Ford began rolling out an over-the-air software update to F-150 Lightning owners across the United States. While the update introduces only a few changes, one of the most notable is an improvement in DC fast charging times, something that’s bound to be welcomed by owners across the country.

Before the update, F-150 Lightning models with the standard 98 kWh battery could theoretically charge from 15-80% in about 32 minutes, while the larger 131 kWh pack took around 38 minutes for the same. Ford’s release notes for the OTA update don’t give specifics on the exact improvements, only mentioning that the “charging rate at DC fast chargers” has been increased. Thankfully, an owner has given us a clearer picture of just how much faster it charges.

Read: Ford’s Experiment In EV Distribution Hubs Is Over

The owner behind the YouTube channel State of Charge has a 2022 Ford F-150 Lighting Lariat with the 131 kWh Extended Range battery. Originally, it typically took him 44-45 minutes to charge from 10-80%. After the latest software update, the F-150 Lightning immediately pulled 500 Amps when connected to the EVgo fast charger, charging at 180 kW.

The truck now charges from 10-80% in 39 minutes and 43 seconds, shaving off 4-6 minutes compared to before. While it’s not a massive time savings, every bit counts and will certainly make charging more convenient for owners.

More Than Just Speed: Some Bug Fixes

Along with the charging improvements, Ford has also addressed a few pesky bugs. They’ve managed to eliminate some annoying false warnings on the instrument panel. Additionally, the software for the electronic parking brake has been tweaked for “more consistent performance.” While that might sound like a minor fix, let’s face it—anything that works better in an electric vehicle is a win, even if it’s just the parking brake.

Carscoops has reached out to Ford regarding the software update, seeking additional information, and will update this post when we hear back.

Tesla was proudly proclaiming less than a year ago that it would be selling 20 million electric vehicles annually by 2030. Fast forward to today, and things have taken a sharp downturn. After seemingly abandoning this lofty goal mid-2024, the company has also seen its first annual sales decline in a decade. Now, Tesla’s sales are continuing to slide in several major markets, including Germany, Australia, and, of course, China.

Earlier this week, we reported that Tesla sales in Norway collapsed by 44.4% through January and February, despite the country’s overall EV market growing by 53.4%. Things are even worse in Germany. New data from the KBA – Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority – shows that in January 2025, Tesla sales plummeted by 59.5%, with just 1,277 new cars registered in the country.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Up To 63% In European Markets, Is Musk Or New Model Y To Blame?

The situation only worsened in February. Sales were down a staggering 76.3% compared to February 2024, with just 1,429 units sold. Through January and February, Tesla has delivered 2,706 vehicles in Germany, marking a massive 70.6% drop from the same period last year. Tesla’s decline is even more pronounced when you consider that overall BEV sales in Germany climbed 30.8% in February.

Aussie Slowdown

Australia isn’t much better. Data from the nation’s Electric Vehicle Council shows that Tesla shifted 1,592 vehicles in February, a massive 71.9% decline from the 5,665 sold in February 2024. Through the first two months of the year, Tesla delivered 2,331 vehicles to Australians, a 65.5% decline from the 6,772 vehicles sold over the same two months in 2024.

It’s worth mentioning that the highly anticipated, heavily updated Model Y has just started being sold in Australia—though only in the premium (A$73,400) Launch Edition variant, with the standard version still unavailable. So, the sales slump isn’t entirely surprising.

Even so, the outgoing Model Y saw a 55.4% decline, shifting only 924 units. Meanwhile, sales of the refreshed Model 3 are down a dramatic 81.4%, with just 668 cars sold. It seems Australians aren’t quite as eager to embrace the “Tesla dream” as they once were.

Chinese Struggles

And then there’s China, where things are also looking grim for Tesla in one of its most important markets worldwide. Preliminary data from China’s Passenger Car Association reveals that Tesla built and sold 30,688 vehicles in February 2025—a 49.16% drop from the 60,365 cars moved in February 2024. This total includes both domestic sales and exports, but it’s clear that Tesla’s Chinese market share is shrinking. When you factor in competition from local EV manufacturers, the picture becomes even murkier.

It’s safe to say that Tesla’s global growth trajectory has hit some roadblocks. While the company remains a leader in the electric vehicle space, its once-unassailable dominance in key markets is showing signs of distress. Whether it’s product fatigue, the controversial nature of its CEO, market saturation, or just bad timing—especially with the transition surrounding its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y, the shine is definitely starting to wear off.

Last year, the BYD Group sold an impressive 4.27 million EVs and PHEVs globally, establishing itself as one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. Not only are its vehicles incredibly popular throughout its home market of China, but its international presence continues to grow, particularly in Europe. Not willing to rest on its laurels, BYD is pondering further production expansion on the Old Continent.

During a recent interview in Germany, BYD executive vice-president Stella Li revealed that in the next 18-24 months, the company will decide if it needs a third manufacturing plant in Europe. If it does go ahead with a new plant, it would further bolster its presence in the market and allow the brand to skirt EU tariffs recently enforced on it.

Read: Locked Out Of The US, Chinese Carmakers Are Taking Over The Middle East, Latin America, Africa And Asia

Last October, the EU imposed an additional 17.4% tariff on BYD after a lengthy investigation researching how the Chinese government has provided subsidies to local carmakers. This extra tariff comes on top of the existing 10% import duty on cars and takes away part of the competitive pricing edge that BYD has over many of its rivals. That’s where the European plants will come in.

Li provided no indication as to where a potential third production site could be located while speaking with the media, Reuters reports.

BYD is currently building a large plant in Hungary that should begin operations later this year. This site will be able to produce as many as 350,000 EVs and PHEVs annually. Last year, BYD also agreed to a $1 billion deal to set up a manufacturing site in Turkey. This slightly smaller plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 vehicles a year and should create around 5,000 jobs when production begins towards the end of 2026.

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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