Jeep has released new pictures of the 2026 Compass, ahead of its debut this spring.
The model rides on the STLA Medium platform and will be offered with three different powertrains.
Italian production begins later this year, although a U.S. launch could be delayed due to tariffs.
The teaser campaign for the redesigned Jeep Compass is kicking into high gear as the company has tapped photographer Alessandro Dobici to do a shoot at the Melfi plant, where the crossover will be built. The resulting images are a fashionable black and white blur.
While Jeep isn’t saying much, they promised the Compass will retain a seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The teasers also show a Recon-like front fascia with slender headlights as well as lenses that feature a grille motif.
Speaking of the grille, it appears to incorporate some illuminated accents. Elsewhere, we can see a pronounced rear spoiler and what appears to be wheels with another grille motif.
The interior pictures don’t reveal much, but we can see familiar “Since 1941” wording. We also get a glimpse of contrast stitching and “Jeep” embroidery.
The automaker was coy on specifics, but said the Compass will play a “crucial role” in their electrification strategy. Jeep went on to say customers can expect an “expanded engine range with e-Hybrid, e-Hybrid plug-in, and fully electric options.”
Jeep kicked off the teaser campaign last October, when they revealed a sketch of the model and some initial details. At the time, they said the Compass would be based on the STLA Medium platform and go into production in Italy in 2025. They later confirmed a European debut for this spring.
A North American launch was originally slated for 2026, but reports have suggested the model is on hold as it was supposed to be built at Brampton Assembly in Canada. With a 25% tariff on imports, the model’s U.S. prospects look grim so Stellantis is said to be rethinking its product strategy.
Dealers previously had just 3 days to report an EV sale to the IRS for the tax credit.
Now, they can now submit a sales report for any vehicle sold in 2024 to claim credits.
National Auto Dealers Association lobbied the IRS to resolve issues with the EV credit.
The $7,500 federal EV tax credit has given many Americans a financial nudge to go electric, but the program hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. While the credit can now be applied directly at the point of sale, some dealerships have been dragging their feet on the process, leaving buyers high and dry without the discount they were promised. But, good news: there’s a fix in the works.
It turns out that while the rebate is available at purchase, dealers have to be enrolled in the program and use a portal to submit their EV sales report within three days of the transaction for the credit to go through. Miss that deadline, and the rebate? Poof. Gone.
The IRS Steps In with a Lifeline
Fortunately, the IRS is stepping up to the plate. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the agency is essentially hitting the reset button on the 3-day reporting rule. Now, dealers can submit reports for any qualifying clean vehicle credit transaction from 2024, even if it happened earlier in the year.
According to NADA, the IRS updated the portal earlier this week, making it fully operational for dealers. The good news here isn’t just for car buyers, it’s a win for dealerships, too. Some dealers had been offering the tax credit upfront to customers at the point of sale, only to later realize they hadn’t secured the actual rebate yet.
NADA says it “advocated aggressively for the IRS to remedy these issues” and even went so far as to send a formal letter to both the U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS, urging them to address the problem quickly and implement a timely solution.
With the Trump administration set to impose 25% tariffs on all cars made overseas starting April 2, the tax credit is perhaps more valuable now than at any other time for consumers. These new tariffs are expected to drive up the cost of both new and used cars, possibly adding thousands to the price tag. So, for many buyers, that $7,500 credit is about to get a lot more valuable.
Nissan will launch over 14 new and facelifted models over the next two years.
North America will get a new Leaf, a new Sentra, and no less than four SUVs.
Highlights from other markets include Micra and Juke EVs, minivans and pickups.
Nissan is having a rough go of it. Between plummeting sales, financial struggles, failed merger talks with Honda, and the resignation of its CEO, things aren’t exactly looking up. But rather than giving up, the Japanese automaker is making its move. With a fresh strategy in place, Nissan is gearing up to unveil a series of new and revamped models by 2027.
The brand’s revamped lineup will feature a mix of combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. Nissan has already dropped teasers of several models set to roll out over the next two years, targeting various markets across the globe.
For North America, Nissan will roll out a batch of fresh cars, including new generations of the Nissan Leaf EV, the Sentra sedan, and the Rogue SUV, alongside a facelifted version of the Pathfinder.
The New Leaf Becomes A Crossover
First up, the Leaf. No longer a plain-Jane hatchback, the new version is going full crossover, complete with sleeker styling, 19-inch wheels, and a panoramic moonroof. It will be built on the CMF-EV platform, borrowed from the larger Ariya, and will have “significant range improvements” over its predecessor. Oh, and it will be the first Nissan to feature the NACS charging port, so it’s officially Tesla Supercharger-compatible.
It’s worth mentioning that the new Nissan Leaf will be a global offering, not just for North America. It will also be available in Europe, Japan, and Australia.
Rogue and Pathfinder Updates
The 2026 Nissan Rogue (aka the X-Trail in other markets) is getting a powertrain upgrade. It’ll be available in gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions. The e-Power hybrid, which uses a 1.5-liter engine that acts as a generator for the electric motor powering the wheels, is back for another round.
And in case you haven’t been paying attention, the Rogue PHEV will actually be a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander. Yes, Nissan is using its Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance to repurpose a Mitsubishi design for this one. If you were hoping for something entirely new, you might want to adjust your expectations.
The Pathfinder, meanwhile, gets a mid-lifecycle facelift, with a new nose that should bring it into line with the rest of Nissan’s lineup. Expect that to be unveiled later this year.
New Sentra And More SUVs
Alongside it, a redesigned Sentra compact sedan will make its debut, with sharper looks that may or may not make you care more about compact sedans in general.
Finally, Nissan has also teased an “adventure-focused SUV” with an electric powertrain that will be manufactured at the Canton Mississippi plant in the US starting in 2027. The yet-unnamed model has a boxy stance and futuristic LEDs, and appears to be smaller than the Rogue and the Pathfinder.
Electric Micra and Juke for Europe
Over in Europe, Nissan is set to launch the fully electric Micra, which will finally get its production version after being teased since 2022. Sharing its underpinnings with the Renault R5 E-Tech, this little EV will likely appeal to those who want to go green while still having a cute, compact car to get around in.
Another important debut for Europe will be the fully electric version of the Nissan Juke, inspired by the Hyper Punk concept. The zero-emission subcompact SUV is different from the ICE-powered Juke, featuring a heavily sculpted bodywork while retaining some of its quirkiness.
In the same region, the Nissan Qashqai will receive the third-gen e-Power hybrid powertrain, which promises better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
A New Frontier / Navara For Latin America And A Different Pickup For Australia
Another notable debut is the new Navara/Frontier midsize pickup, set to arrive in 2026. Unfortunately, this rugged truck will be exclusive to Latin American markets (LATAM). From the teaser image, it appears to be a heavily redesigned version of the old Navara, boasting an “evolved design,” upgraded infotainment, and a promising suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
The successor of the global-spec Nissan Navara will be a different model, sharing its underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Triton. This one is described as an “all-new one-ton pickup” that will be launched in Australia in 2026.
Indian-Built SUV And Minivan
Nissan is gearing up to launch two new models in India, both of which will be produced at the company’s Chennai factory for domestic sales and exports. First up is a budget-friendly minivan with crossover styling, set to debut in 2025.
This will be followed by a five-seater SUV in 2026, which will be Nissan’s version of the Dacia/Renault Duster, complete with a redesigned front end. Additionally, the company has announced a five-seater SUV for select African markets, though it’s unclear if it will share the same design as the India-bound model.
In Nissan’s home market of Japan, the company will release a facelifted kei car in 2025, along with a new generation of a large minivan featuring the latest hybrid powertrain in 2026.
Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s current chief planning officer and future CEO, had this to say:
“Over the next two years, we are excited to roll out an impressive lineup that will redefine the road! This includes the reimagined Nissan LEAF, and a daring new Micra EV. But that’s not all – we’re refreshing our range of SUVs to elevate the driving experience, and our next-generation e-POWER promises new levels of refinement and efficiency. We are committed to investing in products that embody the very best of Nissan. To our passionate fans and loyal owners around the world, I can assure you, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.”
Cupra and ABT have announced a new collaboration for “customized vehicles”.
The first models will be the Cupra Leon and Formentor, but others will follow.
The ABT treatment includes subtle aero add-ons and 21-inch alloy wheels.
ABT is widely known for turning Audi models into something a bit more exciting, but the German tuning company isn’t limiting itself to just one brand. They’ve expanded their reach within the Volkswagen Group, now partnering with Cupra to create a series of “customized vehicles.”
The announcement took place at ABT’s headquarters in Kempten, Germany, further expanding the collaboration of the two brands, which are already working together in the Extreme E and Formula E motorsport series.
The first Cupra products to receive the official ABT treatment will be the Leon and the Formentor. While ABT already offers aftermarket packages for both models, Cupra will now add special ABT-customized versions to its lineup, starting in 2026.
The two models, which received an extensive facelift last year, will feature an ABT-designed bodykit and a new set of 21-inch alloy wheels enhancing their sporty stance. ABT’s exterior touches include a sharper front splitter, combined with matching side skirts and rear diffuser extensions, a larger rear spoiler, and ABT emblems.
The official announcement doesn’t mention any performance or chassis upgrades for the Leon and the Formentor, meaning that the ABT special edition models could be limited to aesthetics.
In any case, ABT’s aftermarket catalogue includes engine upgrade options, alongside stiffer suspension springs for improved handling.
According to ABT, the Cupra Leon and Formentor are “just the start of a long-term collaboration over the coming years”. Another member of the lineup that will receive a similar treatment is the fully electric Cupra Raval, which is a twin to the upcoming VW ID.2.
Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of the ABT Group said: “Cupra and ABT have enjoyed an intensive and trusting partnership for many years, which is now being taken to a new level with this cooperation. We are happy to present a customized special edition of the Cupra Formentor and Leon that carries the ABT denomination.”
IN JANUARY, SOLAR AND WIND WERE 98.4% OF NEW U.S. GENERATING CAPACITY STRONG GROWTH BY RENEWABLES STILL PROJECTED FOR NEXT THREE YEARS Washington DC – A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reveals that the combination of solar and wind accounted for more than 98% of new …
Bentley is gearing up to introduce “lower powered derivatives” of the new Continental GT.
The current model has a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.
Revenues and operating profits took a big hit in 2024, and sales were down 21.5 percent.
2024 was a year of change at Bentley as the company said farewell to its iconic W12 engine, which debuted in the first-generation Continental GT. That model helped to relaunch the luxury brand and it also entered its fourth-generation last year.
As part of the redesign, Bentley replaced the W12 with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that consist of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. This gives the Speed and Mulliner variants a combined output of 771 hp (575 kW / 782 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque.
Those are impressive numbers, but pricing starts at $306,250 for the Speed and climbs to $330,950 for the Mulliner. That’s pretty expensive, but Bentley suggested more affordable variants are on the horizon.
While the company was tight-lipped on specifics, they confirmed “lower powered derivatives” of the Flying Spur and Continental GT will arrive in 2025. Little is known about them at this point, but it sounds like they’ll use a detuned version of the plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Speaking of future models, Bentley has begun transforming the oldest building at their Pyms Lane factory into a future electric vehicle assembly line. The EV is slated to be launched in 2027 and the company has previously described it as the “world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV.”
The crossover is part of the company’s Beyond100+ plan, which calls for the automaker to go electric-only by 2035. That date has already been pushed back once, but we can expect a “new hybrid or electric model every year for the next decade.”
Bentley EV teaser
While Bentley is looking to the future, 2024 wasn’t pretty as revenues fell 10% to €2.6 ($2.8 / £2.2) billion. Their operating profit also plummeted 37% to €373 ($406 / £313) million.
Despite the disappointing result, Bentley said 70 percent of customers are choosing a Mulliner bespoke option. Thanks to demand for personalization, the company is now earning the highest ever revenue per car. However, that’s not much help when global sales fall 21.5% to 10,600 units.
Bentley CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser said, “Last year marked a milestone year in our transformation as we prepare for our electric future. We are investing at levels never seen before at Bentley, as we not only revolutionize our product cycle plan, but also transform an 85-year-old site for a new age of electrification. These are the critical foundations that will build our long-term sustainability and success.” Walliser went on to say 2025 looks challenging due to “difficult global market conditions and maintained volatile political and economic environments.”
Audi has abandoned plans of ending ICE production and going EV-only in 2032.
In fact, it will launch a new generation of ICE and PHEV models alongside EVs.
The German brand is currently “in the process of rejuvenating their entire model range”.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the automotive industry’s “electric only” dream is a work in progress. Audi, the latest brand to rethink its approach to a purely EV future, has announced that it will keep offering combustion engine models for longer than initially planned, as the market isn’t quite ready for a world of only battery-powered vehicles just yet.
During Audi’s Annual Media Conference for 2025, CEO Gernot Döllner had this to say: “As part of our product initiative, we are not only launching new electric models, but also a new generation of combustion engine vehicles and plug-in hybrids. We will manage the production of our last combustion engine vehicles depending on various developments in world markets.”
New Plans, Same Old Combustion Engines
Audi had previously said that the next-generation Q7 would be its last combustion engine model, coinciding with the end of ICE development in 2026. The plan was to keep these vehicles on the market until around 2032, at which point Audi would go fully electric. But now, Döllner has thrown a wrench into that timeline.
Following the example of competitors like BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo, Audi will delay its shift to a purely electric lineup. This move makes sense, especially when you consider that Porsche is still planning to churn out ICE models well into the 2030s.
PHEVs Are Here to Stay, For Now
At the same conference, Döllner also teased upcoming model launches for 2025: “We are in the process of rejuvenating our entire model range, and by the end of the year we will have the youngest portfolio in our market segments.”
Döllner confirmed that the new generation of the Q3 will arrive this summer, following the recent launch of the new A6 in Avant form. He also announced that a plug-in hybrid version of the A5 will debut on March 25 as one of the 10 new PHEVs set to be introduced this year. He described PHEVs as “a central part of our portfolio as we move towards an all-electric range,” suggesting that Audi will place greater emphasis on these types of powertrains.
In North America, Audi will launch 10 new models by the end of 2025 and is “currently assessing various scenarios for additional localization” as a way of dealing with the US administration’s new tariffs. As for the Chinese market, it has “further intensified” its product strategy with FAW and SAIC, hoping to “participate in the growth of the electric car market” as its execs believe they are already a “strong player in the combustion engine business”.
Of course, Audi isn’t delusional about the challenges ahead. CFO Jürgen Rittersberger described 2025 as a “very challenging year” for the brand, citing the “tense geopolitical and economic situation” of 2024. Still, he believes in the prospects of their renewed portfolio, as new models are now “successively reaching the markets”.
Transgender flags being held by people during a demonstration. (Getty Images)
Republican and Democratic lawmakers engaged in heated back and forth during a Wednesday hearing on a bill that would ban gender-affirming medical care for Wisconsin youth.
The bill is among an increasing number of anti-trans bills being introduced across the country, and it’s the fourth bill related to transgender youth to get a hearing in the Wisconsin Assembly in the last two weeks.
According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, 738 bills have been introduced across the country in 2025. The increase in bills comes as President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders that target transgender people as well as gender-affirming care.
Bill authors Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee) and Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) said they just want to “protect” children.
“I am not here to tell any adult what he or she should do with his or her own body,” Tomczyk said. “A person who is 18 years of age or older has the ability to get a tattoo, get married, buy a gun, serve his or her country… without receiving permission from someone else. Getting irreversible gender reassignment surgery is another one of those things.”
The bill — AB 104 — would ban gender-affirming care for people under the age of 18. It would prohibit health care providers from engaging in or making referrals for medical intervention “if done for the purpose of changing the minor’s body to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the minor’s biological sex,” including prescribing puberty-blocking drugs or gender-affirming surgery for minors.
The bill includes a handful of exceptions — including if a “health care provider is providing a service in accordance with a good faith medical decision of a parent or guardian of a minor born with a medically verifiable genetic disorder of sex development” — but is otherwise a general ban on the care.
Under the bill, health care providers could be investigated if there are allegations that they have provided this type of care to a minor and could have their licenses revoked by the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board or the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board if the investigation finds that they did.
Tomczyk said he wasn’t introducing the bill to “demonize” the transgender community — a comment that received groans and pushback from others at the hearing. “But as you can hear from the reaction from the gallery, I’m going to be accused of that.”
“Boo! Ridiculous!” one person called out after his testimony.
Committee chair Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) tried to keep the room calm — telling people not to jeer or boo or hold up signs. Throughout the hearing, he had a couple of people removed from the room by police.
Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized the bill, saying lawmakers did not have the experience or medical knowledge to interfere with decisions being made by families and medical providers and were causing harm by introducing the legislation.
“Do any of you have any training or background in the medical field, practitioners or have other training that I might not be aware of?” Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) asked the authors.
“I find the question irrelevant,” Allen said.
“I just have a degree in common sense,” Tomczyk quipped.
“Knowing that physicians follow what is considered the standard of care and that is set forth by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics … why is it that on this particular issue we should substitute the judgment of legislators for the judgement of physicians and families?” Subeck asked.
“Did you listen to my testimony?” Tomczyck said. “I think we have a responsibility to protect these children under 18 and let them get to 18 to the point where legally they can then make that decision.”
According to KFF, receiving gender-affirming care is a lengthy, meticulous process, and for those under 18, decisions in the process are made with the input of the child, their families and health care providers, including mental health providers. Gender-affirming medical care before 18 mostly focuses on pubertal suppression or hormone therapy.
Surgeries are rare for those under 18. UW Health does not perform genital surgery on transgender girls or boys under 18. UW Health may consider performing chest masculinization, or “top,” surgery for patients under 18 “only after multidisciplinary evaluation, a letter of support from your mental health provider and with informed consent from all legal guardians,” according to a Wisconsin Watch report.
A 2024 study published by JAMA Network found that transgender teenagers who have pursued medical interventions, including puberty blockers and hormones, have high levels of satisfaction and low levels of regret, with an overwhelming majority — 97% — continuing to access gender-affirming medical care.
Rep. Renuka Mayadev (D-Madison) asked lawmakers why they aren’t trying to solve any real problems and noted that the bill could contribute to increased hate towards transgender people. She pointed to the case of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota recently killed in New York.
“There’s a transgender man, who was tortured and assaulted and beaten to death. He was beaten because of the hate that people have, and I want to know why aren’t we protecting people like Sam?” Mayadev asked. “[The bill] is not solving any problems. It’s meddling in the patient, doctor relationship.”
The lawmakers asked if the crime happened in Wisconsin and noted that it happened to an adult and they are focused on children.
This is the third time the legislation has been introduced. Last session, a similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers, who then vowed to reject any further legislation targeting LGBTQ+ youth.
Allen said he expects “victory” for the bill, saying that public opinion can change over time.
“I’ve seen bills in the body — session after session after session after session — where the author refuses to give up because they believe that it’s a good idea,” Allen said. “I think that’s our responsibility as legislators, to represent our constituency and advocate for what we think is the right thing. We may not have popular opinion on our side, not at some point in time maybe we will.”
Allen said that the idea for the policy came from the Family Policy Alliance, a conservative Christian organization that has advocated for anti-trans legislation across the country.
Groups registered against the bill include the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Inc, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Fair Wisconsin Inc., Medical College of Wisconsin, Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Wisconsin Council of Churches and the Wisconsin Medical Society.
Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) and Sen. Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove) called the bill “cruel” and said it would take the state backwards in time. Ratcliff, whose son is trans, said that he “would not be the thriving adult he is today without having the access to the care that allowed him to live his life as his authentic self.”
“Why we would want to take away a parent’s ability to provide their children with life-saving care and also restrict their ability to access information to help their child be healthy and happy — it’s beyond me,” Ratcliff said.
Spreitzer noted that the bill is part of a package of bills that have received hearings this week and last that are “attempting to roll back that progress to make it harder for transgender young people to grow into flourishing transgender adults.”
Spreitzer said the bill is not going to become law, but just talking about the bill will have negative effects for some people’s mental health.
In a recent survey of 358 Wisconsin LGBTQ+ youths by the Trevor Project, participants reported significant mental health struggles. About 39% of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed reporting seriously considering suicide, including 44% of transgender and nonbinary youth, and 12% reporting a suicide attempt. In addition, 63% of LGBTQ+ surveyed reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
“Not everybody’s going to get that message [that the bill won’t become law],” Spreitzer said. “People are going to be afraid that they are going to lose access to care.” He added that Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee recently canceled and then rescheduled some appointments after Trump’s executive order. “This bill only adds to that… It creates a climate of fear.”
China is leading the charge with a 35% rise in sales through the first two months of the year.
Sales have also rebounded strongly in key European markets like Germany and the UK.
US EV and PHEV sales also spiked during January and February.
The electrified vehicle market is clearly on an upward trajectory, with sales reaching new heights in the first two months of 2025. While EVs and PHEVs still account for a smaller portion of total car sales in key global markets, the growth is undeniable.
According to data from RhoMotion, the first two months of 2025 saw a combined total of 2.4 million EVs and PHEVs sold worldwide, marking a 30% increase from the same period last year. Not surprisingly, China is leading this charge, with electrified vehicle sales there climbing by an impressive 35%, reaching 1.4 million units.
Sticking with China, the data shows that sales jumped 76% in February compared to the same month last year. However, comparing February 2025 to February 2024 isn’t ideal, as Chinese New Year fell in the middle of February last year, but was at the start of the month this year. Nonetheless, sales from January and February show BEV sales have climbed 46% while PHEV sales have risen 22%.
Significant growth has also been reported across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Sales here are up 20% year-to-date. In Mexico, sales have more than doubled thanks to the arrival of new Chinese EVs, while in the US, EV and PHEV sales are up 28%. One possible explanation for the US is that shoppers are rushing to buy an EV before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit potentially gets scrapped.
European Growth
Europe, too, is seeing solid numbers, with EV sales up by 29% compared to last year. However, PHEV growth in the region has been more modest, rising just 2%. Notably, PHEV sales in France took a sharp dive (down 48%) after the government introduced a weight tax on plug-in hybrids.
“It’s been a solid start to the year for EV sales globally with a 50% bump in February compared to the previous year,” RhoMotion data manager Charles Lester said. “Much of the growth continues to come from China which are seeing a pure electric renaissance this year compared to the hybrid love affair of 2024. Despite high tariffs, their domestic brand, BYD, shows no signs of slowing down their home and international expansion.”
BYD’s executive vice-president says they will make up their mind in 18-24 months.
The Chinese brand’s first two plants will have a combined production capacity of 500,000 units.
EU imposed an additional 17.4% tariff on BYD in October last year.
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.
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.
Buyers across the United States are having tax returns rejected due to paperwork errors.
Although the cars are eligible for rebates, dealers made mistakes on the paperwork.
It’s unclear how many buyers are out of their tax rebate, but the IRS could offer a solution.
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids promise savings on energy costs—and sometimes at the dealership, too. But while federal incentives have helped push adoption, they’re not guaranteed to last forever and might disappear soon. In 2024, many buyers factored these rebates into their purchase decisions, only to find out later that dealership paperwork mistakes left them empty-handed.
It seems as if every year, taxes regarding EVs change to one degree or another. That was certainly the case in 2024 too. Perhaps the biggest change is that buyers could get access to their rebate at the time of purchase. For this to work though, dealers had to enroll in the program and then use a specific portal to report when buyers took advantage of their rebate at the time of sale.
According to NPR, however, thousands of dealers failed to meet those guidelines. Those who didn’t enroll still needed to provide buyers with paperwork to obtain their tax rebate at the end of the year. In many cases, the form provided was out of date and, therefore, meaningless.
Kristina Meier, who bought a PHEV minivan last September, says that her dealer provided forms that worked in 2023 but not in 2024. Without the dealer properly submitting the paperwork on time, customers aren’t eligible for the tax rebate, even if they did everything else by the book.
A Slim Chance for a Fix
The deadline for a dealer to submit paperwork to the IRS is just three days after the sale, which means it’s currently impossible for Meier and others like her to claim their tax rebate. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope: the IRS has allowed retroactive submissions in the past.
If the agency does so again, it would allow buyers like Meier to get their tax rebate despite the dealer screwing up on the front end. Whether or not that will happen, however, remains unknown. For now, it’s unclear how many buyers are affected by this issue, but the more people speak up, the better chance there is the IRS might to do something about it.
According to Mitchell, US recorded 38% more claims for EVs in 2024 compared to 2023.
On average, EVs remain more expensive to repair compared to ICE, Hybrids, and PHEVs.
Tesla models accounted for over 71% of the total repairable EV claims throughout 2024.
As electric vehicles continue to gain traction on U.S. roads, their crash claims are rising right along with them. According to collision management software provider Mitchell, the US recorded 38% more claims for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2024 compared to 2023. This surge isn’t exactly shocking, given the growing popularity of fully electric cars. However, it does highlight just how much more expensive these vehicles are to repair.
Rising EV Collision Claims
The study revealed that EVs accounted for 2.71% of all claims in the States in 2024, marking a 38% increase over the previous year. In Canada, the percentage was slightly higher at 3.84%, reflecting a 34% year-over-year jump. These figures are another indication of the rapid growth in EV adoption across North America.
In fact, according to Argonne National Laboratory and Electric Autonomy, there are over 100 different EV models sold in the U.S. and 75 in Canada, with dozens more expected by the end of this year. It’s clear that electric cars are here to stay, and they’re crashing just as often as their gas-guzzling counterparts.
In terms of total loss frequency, EVs experienced a jump from 8% in 2023 to 10.2% in 2024. Mitchell noted that this 2% rise in write-offs was consistent across all vehicle powertrains in America, primarily due to a spike in catastrophic claims during the latter half of 2024.
Tesla Leads the Pack in Claims Frequency
Unsurprisingly, Tesla models dominate the EV crash claim stats. The Model Y and Model 3 topped the charts in the US, with claim frequencies of 31.43% and 29.86% respectively. Together, these two models accounted for more than 60% of the claims for collision-damaged repairable EVs in 2024.
When you factor in the Model S (5.53%) and the Model X (4.58%), Tesla’s share of the total climbs to a hefty 71.4%. The only non-Tesla BEV to crack the top five was the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which saw a claim frequency of 6.37%.
Tesla’s dominance isn’t surprising, given the sheer volume of Model Ys and Model 3s on the road. The more cars there are, the greater the likelihood of accidents, and Tesla has more than its fair share of both.
What About The Repair Costs?
Mitchell’s study also revealed the average repair costs for collision-damaged vehicles in 2024, highlighting the stark difference between EVs and traditional internal combustion engines. Electric cars proved to be the most expensive to repair, with an average claim severity of $6,236 in the US, marking a 3% decrease compared to 2023. For reference, ICE vehicles came in at a lower average of $5,066.
However, when we look only at newer ICE models ($6,127), their repair costs begin to rival those of electric cars. This is due to the increased complexity of newer ICE cars, which translates into higher repair costs.
Average Repair Costs (2024)
Powertrain
USA
Canada
BEVs
US$ 6,236
CA$ 7,241
ICE
US$ 5,066
CA$ 5,576
Hybrids
US$ 4,726
CA$ 6,104
PHEVs
US$ 5,583
CA$ 6,261
Newer ICE
US$ 6,127
CA$ 6,818
SWIPE
There are, of course, outliers. Take Rivian, for instance, where owners have frequently voiced frustration over absurdly high repair costs for what are often relatively minor damages – a topic we’ve revisited more than once on these pages.
Mitchell also pointed out that EV values have been declining faster than other powertrain types. This drop in value is linked to factors such as reduced manufacturing costs, the increasing age of these vehicles, and consumer concerns over battery health, especially in used models. As a result, the average total loss market value for EVs dropped significantly in 2024, falling to $33,346 in the U.S. (-22%) and $40,203 in Canada (-18.5%).
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There are many benefits to entering the world of EV ownership. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and are considering switching from gas-powered to electric, you’re probably wondering about the cost differences and how they’ll affect you long term. If you’re ready to shop the different used cars for sale, we have plenty of electric cars for sale in Madison, WI, at our dealership: cars that will save you money long-term.
The Tax Benefits
Unlike gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles qualify owners for a significant tax credit. Most popular electric vehicle models qualify for this incentive, and the total tax credit ultimately depends on the vehicle’s battery size. Drivers who choose hybrid models will receive a lower tax credit than those who choose fully electric vehicles, in which case you can expect several thousand dollars in federal incentives.
Fuel Savings
Buying an electric vehicle means you’ll no longer have to plan regular trips to the gas station, search for the cheapest or least crowded station, and fight over pumps when the prices rise or there’s yet another gas shortage. You’ll save thousands of dollars yearly in fuel costs because you won’t have to rely on gas to power your vehicle.
Plus, you can take advantage of the many free public charging stations at restaurants, universities, gas stations, and other locations all over the country. Whether driving around your local area or heading out on a road trip, you can search for free charging stations online with an interactive map that will give you links to locations throughout the country.
You’ll Save Money on Vehicle Maintenance
Because electric vehicles require fewer parts than traditional vehicles, the maintenance costs are far cheaper than gas-powered vehicles. Drivers who choose electric vehicles may spend 40% less on maintenance costs than those who own gas-powered vehicles.
Shopping for Used Cars for Sale? Consider an EV
If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, you can’t go wrong with an electric option. In the long run, you’ll benefit from tax incentives, save money on fuel and maintenance, and help the environment.
At Zimbrick Automotive, we have electric vehicles that can meet the needs of drivers with all different lifestyles and budgets. Whether you’re looking for an economical or luxury vehicle, we have plenty of options. The most popular automotive brands, like BMW, Porsche, Audi, GMC, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, and more, have designed some incredible electric options, and we carry them here at our dealership.
If you want to enter the electric vehicle world, our expert team can help you choose the right option at the right price. Visit us today at Zimbrick Automotive to browse our new and pre-owned electric vehicle inventory, learn more about the advantages of driving an EV, and test drive your favorite model.
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