Tesla has long shunned traditional forms of advertising, and for most of the past decade, this approach has worked out well for them. Thanks to Tesla’s often fanatical owners, the power of word of mouth helped them become from a fledgling EV startup to the world’s leading EV brand and comfortably the most valuable car company on the planet.

Read: Tesla Kicks Off First Discounts On Model Y Juniper

But the past year has thrown Tesla a few curveballs, and now it looks like the company is trying to claw its way back into the public’s good graces.

Enter TeslaVision Content

To help reinvigorate interest in the brand, Tesla has announced the ‘TeslaVision Content.’ It’s been launched eight years after the original video contest, where Tesla owners were tasked with creating a homemade commercial. The original contest was won by Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD on YouTube.

According to Tesla, the new contest has been created to celebrate the global rollout of the new Model Y. Owners and fans can submit a video that is 90 seconds or less, “showing how Tesla vehicles give you more in your life – more freedom, more safety, more fun, more convenience.”

Prizes Galore… But Mostly for North America

The winner of the grand prize in North America will walk away with a brand new Tesla Model Y as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Gigafactory in Texas. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a free trip to the same factory and enjoy a private tour. There are different prizes in other markets. For example, for anyone living in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the grand prize is $830 in Tesla Shop Credits.

In Australia, the best fan-made commercial will get a trip to Tesla’s Gigafactory and enjoy a Cybertruck and Full-Self Driving experience. The 2nd place prize is a 2-day Model Y loan and 2 nights’ accommodation at a selected Tesla Destination Charging location. Yes, that’s a real prize. The pleasure of staying at a charging station.

The reason behind the contest is obvious: free promotion. All participants must upload their commercial to YouTube. Additionally, they need to make posts on X and Instagram, tagging Tesla and the words ‘TeslaVision contest.’

The clock’s ticking. All submissions must be in by July 17, with winners announced by August 16. Get creative, because Tesla is counting on you to sell their cars for them.

Lead image Carscoops / Elon Musk White House

In a political tug-of-war that’s been playing out for a long time, the battle between Donald Trump and California over vehicle emissions has landed back in the spotlight. The US president has now taken formal action to reverse California’s aggressive push toward electric vehicles and clean air regulations, signing a trio of resolutions that target the state’s authority on the matter.

With these resolutions, the President is effectively blocking California’s plan to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035. The move also eliminates federal support for the state’s plans to retire medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks, and strips California’s ability to enforce its own tailpipe emissions and nitrogen oxide pollution limits.

Read: Trump’s Big Beautiful Tesla Just Got Fired

Trump has pushed back on California’s environmental authority since his first term, and with these latest actions, the battle is now heading to court.

“We officially rescued the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all,” he said during a White House news conference.

Unsurprisingly, the move has both supporters and detractors. In a statement, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an important representative of major car manufacturers, applauded Trump’s move. “Everyone agreed these EV sales mandates were never achievable and wildly unrealistic,” he said.

California Hits Back

Almost immediately after Trump signed the bills, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit, the New York Times reports, describing them as “illegal resolutions.”

“Trump’s all-out assault on California continues – and this time he’s destroying our clean air and America’s global competitiveness in the process,” Newsom said. “We are suing to stop this latest illegal action by a President who is a wholly-owned subsidiary of big polluters.”

California’s ability to set its own emissions standards dates back to the Nixon administration. The state is home to five of the ten cities with the worst air pollution in the United States. According to the governor’s office, clean air efforts over the past 50 years have saved $250 billion in health costs through reduced illness.

Attorney General Bonta echoed the urgency, calling the resolutions a reckless rollback. “The President is busy playing partisan games with lives on the line and yanking away good jobs that would bolster the economy – ignoring that these actions have life or death consequences for California communities breathing dirty, toxic air,” he said. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: California will not back down. We will continue to fiercely defend ourselves from this lawless federal overreach.”

The Model S and Model X currently account for less than 5% of Tesla’s annual sales, but despite this, they have been updated one more time. The changes made to the two EVs are relatively minor, particularly compared to the overhauled Model 3 and Model Y launched over the past 18 months, but for those seeking the most premium Teslas on sale (Cybertruck excluded), they will be welcome.

Subtle Exterior Tweaks

From a visual standpoint, there’s not much to distinguish the refreshed Model S and Model X from the outgoing versions, which were originally introduced in 2012 and 2015, respectively, meaning they’ve now entered their 13th and 10th years in production

However, the Plaid versions of both models feature newly designed front bumpers, giving them a slightly more aggressive look. Whether or not that’s an improvement is up to personal taste, but there’s no denying that, despite the Model S’s basic shape being 13 years old, it still looks good. The Model X, on the other hand, remains as porky as ever.

Read: Why Tesla Pulled The Model S And X From China

Sticking with the visual updates, both models get new wheels. The Model X sports 20- and 22-inch rims, the latter being a $5,500 option, while the Model S can be configured with new 19- and 21-inch wheels, with the larger ones priced at $4,500.

Tesla has also incorporated a new and improved camera into the front bumper, while the headlights have been updated with new adaptive functions. According to Tesla, the changes made to the exterior of the Model S Plaid also enhance its high-speed stability.

Tesla Model S

Elsewhere, the new Model S and Model X can be optioned in a new shade known as Frost Blue, which is a $2,500 option. Furthermore, a regular steering wheel is standard, with the Yoke being offered only on the Model X as a $1,000 upgrade (or is that a downgrade?).

Mechanical Changes and Refinements

Much like the most recent updates made to the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has also made some upgrades under the skin of both models, although they don’t go as far as the 3 or Y. They include new bushings and an updated suspension ride, which the carmaker says should improve the ride. Other alterations also promise to make the cabin even quieter, thanks in part to a better Active Noise Cancellation system.

Interior Touches and Price Adjustments

The interior of both models has been largely retained from the outgoing model. With that being said, configurable ambient lighting has been added to the dashboard, door panels, and around the center console. Tesla has also proudly boasted of a unique animation for the ambient lighting when the EV is started up, not something you get on the cheaper 3 or Y.

We all know that Tesla loves to chop and change prices on a whim, so it comes as no surprise that both these new models command a premium over the outgoing ones. The Model X will still be offered in Long Range and Plaid guises, priced from $89,990 and $104,990, both increases of $5,000. Similarly, the Model S is available as a Long Range or Plaid, with prices starting at $84,990 and $99,990, respectively.

Tesla Model X

Just because you see something funny or interesting online, that doesn’t mean you should try to copy it. The occupants of a Tesla Model X Plaid have learned that the hard way while trying to replicate a video featuring a Porsche 911 Turbo S went awry. Thankfully for all of us, the fail was caught on film and shared online for our viewing pleasure.

Read: Why Tesla Pulled The Model S And X From China

Last week, the owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo S shared a viral video on Instagram that demonstrates how quickly the flagship sports car launches off the line. In the clip, the owner’s young son is pinned so forcefully into the backrest of the passenger seat that he’s able to lift up his legs, essentially floating as the Porsche picks up speed.

While viewers were quick (and rightfully) to criticize the father for not securing his kid with a seatbelt, the internet still ate it up, as the post has racked up over 12 million likes. Go figure.

A Copycat Stunt Goes Predictably Wrong

Eager to replicate this clip, inevitably in an attempt to go viral, two men in a Model X Plaid had the amazing idea of doing the same. But it seems as though they completely forgot about the EV’s regenerative braking. The result? The passenger ends up smashing their head into the windshield.

Acceleration test with no belt… Wonder if this knocked any remaining brain cells back online
byu/KiddieSpread inCrazyFuckingVideos

Like the Porsche, the Model X Plaid can accelerate quickly enough to pin the passenger into the seat, allowing him to briefly lift up his legs. However, as soon as the driver lets off the throttle, the passenger goes flying forward and his head smashes into the windshield when the SUV starts to brake. His head hit the glass so hard that it shattered, and in all likelihood, he was probably left with a hefty concussion.

Making things even worse for the occupants is that the Model X’s windshield is particularly expensive to replace as it stretches much further back than a typical one, roughly in line with the front headrests.

So what did we learn? Seatbelts matter. Regenerative braking is not your friend in stunts like these. And above all, trying to go viral by copying strangers on the internet is a fantastic way to end up with a busted windshield and a CT scan. Watch the original Porsche video for entertainment, not inspiration.

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Subaru might be gearing up to bring back a familiar nameplate, and for fans of quirky utility vehicles, this one’s worth paying attention to. We’re not talking about the possible return of the STI, but something even more unexpected: a modern take on the Brat or Brumby, depending on which side of the planet you’re on.

This small pickup truck was a fixture in North America from 1978 to 1987, remembered as much for its utility as its unmistakably odd charm. If it’s coming back, though, expect some big changes.

Toyota May Be the Key to Subaru’s Pickup Revival

A new report out of Australia claims that Subaru is actively exploring a revival of the Brat, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it could be brought to life with the help of Toyota. The world’s largest automaker is reportedly developing a small truck of its own, and Subaru could piggyback off that effort by sharing the same underpinnings. The two brands have a long history of collaboration, from the BRZ and GR86 twins to recent efforts like the bZ Woodlands and Trailseeker EVs.

Whether this joint project leads to an all-electric pickup remains unclear. While Toyota originally floated the idea of a fully electric compact truck, current market conditions suggest a combustion-powered or hybrid option is also on the table. Either way, affordability appears to be the common goal.

More: Forget The Slate, Toyota Wants To Make A Cheap Small Truck For America

It’s a mystery what the new-age Brat could look like. Heck, we don’t even have a good idea of how Toyota’s pickup will look like. Toyota did preview an electric concept called the EPU back in 2023, but whether that design translates into a production model remains to be seen.

Obviously, it’s all very speculative at this point. And if this project is real, it might end up channeling more four-door Subaru Baja than two-door Brat when all is said and done.

Regardless of how Subaru goes about styling the new model, it seems inevitable that it will be much larger than the original. That’s a shame, but beggars can’t be choosers, I suppose. Odds are, it’ll end up somewhere in the same size class as the Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz, compact by today’s standards, but still a far cry from the tiny trucklet it once was.

Now, it’s important to note that Subaru has not confirmed a revival of the Brat, and CarsGuide has only received word of the project “through the grapevine.” As is so often the case, we recommend taking this report with a grain of salt, at least until Subaru makes some kind of announcement, or perhaps follows the lead of Toyota and drops a mysterious teaser image of the new model.

Read: Subaru Is Having Second Thoughts On EVs

If the Brat does make a comeback, expect it to feature all-wheel drive, as you’d imagine from Subaru. The Australian website speculates that it could be electric (though as we mentioned, we’re not so sure about that), powered by dual motors putting out a combined 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque.

The report also claims Subaru could reveal plans for its new truck as early as this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in November.

Illustrations Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes

Tesla’s troubles are stacking up like traffic on the 405 during a power outage. Between falling sales, public backlash, and a growing list of lawsuits including one in France over Musk’s antics, the electric automaker finds itself in yet another international legal mess. This time, it’s not just the usual social media outcry or a shareholder spat, but a pair of class actions in Australia, with customers calling out everything from phantom braking to misleading marketing.

We first reported on the lawsuit back in February, and new developments show it has officially made its way into the Federal Court. Around 10,000 Tesla owners in Australia have now joined the class action, suggesting that concerns about the vehicles are far from isolated.

Read: Tesla Sued In Australia For Overpromising Range, Phantom Braking, Misleading FSD

The lawsuit, brought by law firm JDA Saddler, claims that Tesla vehicles have a troubling tendency to slam on the brakes without warning. One owner told ABC News his car abruptly slowed down while he was driving on a major highway, an experience that’s becoming all too familiar among Tesla drivers.

Rebecca Jancauskas of JDA Saddler says the firm has received numerous reports of vehicles braking suddenly while traveling at highway speeds at 100 or even 110 km/h (62 to 68 mph). And importantly, these incidents aren’t limited to when Autopilot is turned on. Drivers have reported the same problem even when they’re fully in control.

“Drivers have reported feeling completely terrified when their vehicles have braked suddenly, and it has led in some cases to collisions,” Jancauskas told ABC. “We’ve had many reports of people who registered for this class action, telling us that they’ve been driving with their hands on the vehicle, fully alert, and these issues have occurred nonetheless.”

Claims About Range and Autonomy Under Fire

Beyond the braking problem, the lawsuit also targets Tesla’s advertised driving range. It says the brand’s EV “lack the ability to achieve, or come close to achieving, the advertised maximum range or the range displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard when the battery level is greater than 50%.” The lawsuit claims that Tesla has known its vehicles cannot achieve their mileage claims for several years, yet has done nothing to address it.

In addition, the lawsuit takes issue with Tesla’s Autopilot system, noting “the hardware on Tesla vehicles is incapable of supporting fully autonomous or close to autonomous driving.”

Although more than 10,000 owners have signed on to the class action, Australia’s federal infrastructure department says it has received only six formal complaints about phantom braking. That discrepancy raises questions about the reporting process, but it doesn’t necessarily undermine the broader concerns voiced by Tesla drivers across the country.

Chrysler’s electric future was supposed to be just around the corner. Back in 2022, the company said it would launch its first EV in 2025 and shift to an all-electric lineup by 2028. That put it in the same boat as a long list of automakers pledging allegiance to a battery-powered future.

However, just like many other major legacy brands, including Volvo, Cadillac, Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes, Chrysler seems to be quietly backing away from those early promises. Why? EV sales are growing, but not nearly at the pace some executives were confidently forecasting just a few years back.

Current Lineup Is Running on Fumes

Right now, Chrysler is barely keeping the lights on with just two aging minivans, the Voyager and the Pacifica, which are, for all practical purposes, the same vehicle. The brand is in serious need of something new and relevant. That was supposed to be an electric crossover slated for 2026, but the launch has now been pushed back “until further notice.”

Stellantis knows full well that Chrysler needs some serious attention, and giving the brand a real shot at relevance may mean offering powertrains that appeal to as wide a range of buyers as possible.

Chrysler Wants to Experiment

Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles recently spoke with Auto News about what the future holds for Chrysler, just after it celebrated its centenary on June 6. He said the conglomerate wants to “experiment” with the brand and noted that the flexible STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms are ideal for new Chrysler products.

“I think it’s time for us to pivot,” he said. “We’re going to try. We’re going to experiment with the brand. There is an unserved part of our portfolio in our showroom that our dealers have identified that we can maybe serve with Chrysler, so we’re in the process of experimenting.”

New Platforms Could Power the Revival

“We have two brand-new platforms — STLA Medium, STLA Large — that are perfect foundations for new product, and we’re waiting for them to appear,” Gilles added. Importantly, both the STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms are designed to support ICE, hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains.

The STLA Medium platform is already being used in models like the Peugeot 3008, Citroen C5 Aircross, and the new Jeep Compass. STLA Large, meanwhile, supports both ICE and EV variants of the Jeep Wagoneer S and the new Dodge Charger.

Read: Chrysler Halts 2026 Electric Crossover “Until Further Notice”

While we wait for Chrysler’s next generation of products to take shape, Gilles confirmed that the Pacifica minivan will get an update in 2026. The refreshed model will feature front and rear fascias inspired by the sleek Halcyon concept, giving it a much-needed design nudge as the brand repositions itself.

Needless to say, that’s not going to be enough to turn things around on its own. A facelifted minivan, no matter how slick the bumpers or grille might be, isn’t going to carry the weight of an entire brand’s comeback. Chrysler will need more than just tweaks, it needs fresh models, clearer direction, and vehicles that a lot more people genuinely want to buy.

Shopping for a new car on a tight budget in the US often feels like choosing between a rock and a base-model hard place. At $18,000, your options are basically limited to something like the subcompact Nissan Versa or, if you’re lucky, a leftover 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage gathering dust on a dealer lot.

Take that same $18,000 across the Pacific to China, though, and suddenly you’re looking at an entirely different class of vehicle. One example? Toyota’s newly launched all-electric bZ5, a compact electric crossover priced from just 129,800 yuan, or roughly $18,100 at current exchange rates. That’s less than what many used five-year-old Corollas go for in the States.

Read: New Toyota bZ5 Debuts In China And It’s Powered By BYD

It’s a shockingly low price for what appears to be a well-equipped compact crossover with modern tech and clean styling that doesn’t scream ‘budget car’ from across the parking lot.

First showcased last month but only just launched in China, the bZ5 is the production version of the bZ3C that was presented 12 months ago in Beijing. It has been brought to life through the FAW-Toyota joint venture and will be offered in four variants.

Decent Performance

Under the hood – well, under the front panel, every version of the bZ5 come equipped with a front-mounted electric motor producing 200 kW (268 horsepower) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque. Charging is handled via a 90 kW fast-charging system, which can take the battery from 30 to 80 percent in 27 minutes.

As for dimensions, the bZ5 measures 188.2 inches (4,780 mm) long, 73.5 inches (1,866 mm) wide, and 59.4 inches (1,510 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 113.4 inches (2,880 mm). That makes it noticeably larger overall than the bZ4X that has been renamed to bZ in America, which measures 184.6 inches (4,690 mm) long, 73.2 inches (1,865 mm) wide, and 65.0 inches (1,650 mm) tall, with a 112.2-inch (2,850 mm) wheelbase.

Trim Levels, Pricing, and Range

Toyota hasn’t done something sneaky by introducing a bargain-basement entry-level version and then jacking the prices up significantly for higher-end models. In fact, the flagship version starts at just 159,800 yuan, or approximately $22,200.

Sitting at the base of the bZ5 family is the 550 Joy, priced from 129,800 yuan ($18,100). Right above it is the 550 Pro from 139,800 yuan ($19,400), the 550 Pro Smart Edition starting at 159,800 yuan (~$22,200), and the 630 Pro, which is also available from 159,800 yuan ($22,200). Both models use BYD’s Blade LFP battery packs.

The 550-branded models have a 65.28 kWh pack offering up 550 km (342 miles) of range, while the 630 Pro uses a 73.98 kWh pack good for 630 km (392 miles). Bear in mind, though, that these are figures from the generous CLTC cycle and probably won’t be quite as impressive in the real world.

Even so, for the money, there’s not much to complain about. Not only is the bZ5 cheap compared to what we pay here in the US for even the most basic of EVs, it also comfortably undercuts the Tesla Model Y in China. Despite being built locally, prices for it start at 263,500 yuan ($36,700), meaning you could buy two bZ5s for the price of one base RWD Model Y.

It’s not as though the Toyota is lacking in features either. It includes a Navigation on Autopilot system that uses 33 sensors, including a LiDAR in high-end models. There’s also a 10-speaker JBL audio system and a 15.6-inch infotainment display. Unlike the Model Y, there’s also a digital instrument cluster.

Photos Autohome / Toyota

The BYD family continues to grow at a frantic pace, and this is the latest addition to its fleet: the Sealion 8. No, it won’t be sold in the United States, but it will be offered in several markets outside of China, including Australia and Europe. Unlike the new EVs from BYD that have attracted plenty of attention in recent months, the Sealion 8 is exclusively a plug-in hybrid (for now), but the truth is that his may only add to its appeal.

Two versions of the Sealion 8 will be offered. The first, known as the DM-i, comes equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 19 kW battery pack. The engine is rated at 148 hp (110 kW) and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm), while an electric motor at the front axle delivers 268 hp (200 kW) and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm). BYD claims it can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds.

Read: BYD’s 1,100HP EV Monsters Promise Insane Charging Speeds

Those in the market for something a little punchier would be wise to opt for the DM-p. It retains the same 1.5-liter engine and front electric motor, but adds a 189 hp (141 kW) and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm)motor at the rear axle. It also has a larger 35.6 kWh battery and can hit 62 mph in 4.9 seconds.

With figures like these, the Sealion 8 could sway potential buyers out of new seven-seat electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. With the exception of the EV9 GT, the Sealion 8 is quicker than the flagship versions of both the Kia and the Hyundai and, being a hybrid, takes range anxiety out of the equation. It will t’s a big deal in markets like Australia, where the charging infrastructure is still quite poor. It should also serve as a compelling alternative to other hybrid SUVs like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.

BYD says the Sealion 8 sips just 5.6 l/100 km (42 mpg) over the combined cycle, and the larger of the two batteries gives it up to 150 km (93 miles) of electric range. It’s also equipped with the BYD DiPilot 300 suite of autonomous driving systems that includes five radars, 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a LiDAR.

The Chinese automaker unveiled the homegrown version of the Sealion 8 earlier this year, where it’s known as the Tang L. Interestingly, the Chinese model is also available as an EV and uses BYD’s new Super e-Platform with a 1000-volt electrical architecture. It has a large 100.5 kWh battery yet only takes 30 minutes to charge from 0-100%. BYD has yet to say if the EV version will also be sold internationally.

BYD Tang L

Rising tariffs are doing more than sparking political arguments, as hey’re reshaping where, how, and even if some companies build their next-generation manufacturing hubs. While former President Trump’s trade policies have nudged a few automakers toward building more vehicles in the United States, they’ve also sent car prices climbing and stirred chaos in the global auto market.

One of the latest casualties? A $1.6 billion battery factory in South Carolina, where construction is on hold before production has even begun.

Read: EV Support In America Is Falling Faster Than Anyone Predicted

In 2023, Automotive Energy Supply Corp., better known as AESC, began constructing a battery plant in South Carolina to supply BMW with cells for its electric vehicles, including the upcoming production models based on the Neue Klasse Vision concepts, the iX3 SUV and i3 sedan..Work on the physical buildings at the site is almost complete, but efforts to install equipment and establish assembly lines have been halted.

In a memo addressed to employees that was seen by The Wall Street Journal, AESC’s chief executive for the US and Europe, Knudt Flor, said work was being paused because of “economic uncertainty arising from current federal policy and tax issues.” However, he added that “Our intent is to finish construction of the facility once stability and predictability have returned to the market.”

According to the WSJ, AESC would face a substantial tariff bill if it were to import the necessary machinery from China. Additionally, separate tariffs on steel and aluminum could hurt the battery giant.

AESC announced its South Carolina plant while Joe Biden was still President and the administration was providing huge subsidies to attract battery manufacturers to the United States. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration helped attract more than $130 billion in investments across the automotive sector, with many focusing on batteries for electric vehicles.

Now, many subsidies are in the firing line of Republicans. A new bill proposes ending EV battery production subsidies a year early and making them unavailable to companies with ties to certain countries, like China. Although AESC is headquartered in Japan, it is majority-owned by the Envision Group in China.

“AESC has invested over $1 billion into the Florence facility, and we anticipate being able to resume construction once circumstances stabilize,” the company told the news outlet in a statement. “AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years.”

Building an electric vehicle that’s affordable, customizable, and actually something people want to drive has become the holy grail of the modern car industry. Slate Auto, a startup in the EV world, has been generating plenty of hype over the past few months by claiming it can deliver exactly that.

But beneath the viral videos and slick promises, the reality is a back-to-basics vehicle that skips many modern comforts and might not end up costing much less than a Ford Maverick. And according to one Stellantis executive, Slate’s wallet-friendly image could unravel pretty quickly.

Read: Slate Shakes Up EVs With $28,000 Pickup That Turns Into An SUV

The startup has adopted a novel approach with its EV. Known simply as The Truck, as the company wants buyers to name their pickups, all of Slate’s vehicles will leave the factory looking exactly the same. Shoppers will then be able to select options and special features to make their Slate stand out.

Want it to resemble more of an SUV? Just check the box for the optional roof. Want an exterior wrap or speakers for the optional audio system? Those are on the list too. Just check the boxes and build it out from there. Slate says pricing will start under $28,000, or around $20,500 after applying the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

However, as part of the Trump administration’s proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this incentive could be phased out after 2026. In practice, it might disappear even sooner, by the end of 2025, since it would only apply to vehicles from automakers that have sold fewer than 200,000 EVs.

Kuniskis Reacts

Ram chief executive Tim Kuniskis thinks that prices of the Slate electric truck will be much higher than advertised. “I think it’s super interesting,” he told CNBC. “The idea behind it, we’ve talked about that idea a million times. Now, what’s it going to actually transact at in the marketplace … when people start to option them up, it’s not going to be $20,000. It’s going to be $35,000, and by the time you get to $35,000, you’re in midsize truck territory.”

Kuniskis has a point. The starting price of the Slate may be compelling, but it’s important to note that it lacks many of the features you’d expect from a modern car. It doesn’t have an infotainment system, there are no speakers, and there are manual window winders. Option in some of those things, like Bluetooth speakers, and the price will rise. Once the tax credit is gone, the Slate may not seem so appealing.

Affordability Still Elusive

“Slate is an example of why and how hard it is to produce a cheap EV,” iSeeCars auto analyst Karl Brauer told CNBC. “They are producing an electric vehicle with only two seats, 140-mile range, manual windows, no touch screen, and it’s still $27,500 … To me, it’s not a competitive vehicle at that point.”

For now, Slate is chasing a compelling idea of an EV that’s simple, customizable, and affordable. But unless costs stay low without the help of government incentives, it risks becoming yet another example of how tough it really is to build an electric car for the everyman.

Luxury might be where Genesis built its name, but lately, it’s been looking beyond plush cabins and elegant sedans. The brand has started flexing its muscles in motorsport and now seems ready to explore more performance-oriented territory through its new Magma sub-brand – think of it as Genesis’s answer to BMW’s M division. Alongside that push comes word of a deeper dive into electrification.

Read: Genesis G80 Magma Hints At Performance Electric Sedan

Manfred Harrer, the head of Genesis’s performance development tech unit, recently shared that these new systems are well underway. While Genesis currently offers a limited mix of internal combustion and fully electric models, it has made no secret of its plan to expand its electrified lineup, especially by adding traditional hybrids into the mix.

Hybrids, But Not as You Know Them

We first heard about the brand’s hybrid ambitions last year, but Harrer just confirmed that Genesis is working on both conventional hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). He also revealed he’s already had seat time in one of the prototypes.

“This is going full steam, but now is not the right moment to reveal the exact date when we can really bring it to the market,” he said of the project. “But I promise you, we are working intensively to bring it sooner rather than later. And this is really advanced technology. It fits perfectly with the brand’s premium luxury approach and is the next step for our electrified propulsion.”

The Case for EREVs

Harrer also spoke about the brand’s planned EREVs. He noted they offer a similar seamless driving experience to an EV, but with more range. Genesis’s first range-extender model is expected to be a special version of the GV70 tailored for North America, though Harrer stopped short of confirming that outright.

“The beauty of EREVs lies in combining EV driving characteristics – instant high torque and serene cabin space – with a longer range,” he said. “It’s kind of a modern hybrid: You can use it as an EV on a daily basis, but if you have to take a long trip, say, from San Francisco to Las Vegas, and you don’t want to carefully plan your route around EV charging stations, it provides seamless driving with the ICE generating electricity for you. This freedom is generating a lot of excitement around the world.”

“But there’s more to EREVs than range. There’s also the ample power for towing capacity – the energy to tow something like a horse trailer – which remains an unsolved issue with EVs.”

Next-Gen EV Platform in the Works

In addition to new powertrains, Genesis is also working on a next-generation EV platform that promises to boost driving range. This new platform will also support EREV options and include a “new kind of torque vectoring system” that promises to “bring back agility at every speed.”

“We can’t do much about the weight of the underfloor batteries in EVs,” Harrer said. “What we can do, however, is modify weight distribution within the vehicles by optimizing the placement of various components and adjusting the balance of systems. For example, different types of tires could be used at the front and rear to enhance the grip level. Another way would be balancing the drivelines. In the future, you will see more drive-oriented, more powerful e-motors with a rear-wheel bias. This would bring balance by pushing the vehicle from the rear.”

More Powertrains Coming to G90

Harrer also confirmed that the first model to carry the Magma nameplate will be the GV60. As for the flagship G90, he hinted at some notable updates on the way, including a broader range of powertrain options.

“We are currently enhancing the G90 with numerous ideas for new technologies, including digital experiences and improvements to ride quality, ” he said. We’re also looking forward to more powertrain variations, which go in tandem with our broader efforts to optimise our whole propulsion lineup encompassing electrified and hybridized solutions.”

It hasn’t been an easy ride for Toyota and Subaru’s first major foray into the EV market. The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra stand out for their unconventional styling, but unfortunately, not for reasons that win over buyers. Now, Toyota has been hit with a lawsuit in the US that claims the vehicles have 12-volt batteries prone to premature failure, and that the carmaker knew about the problem before it began selling the vehicles.

Filed in California, the class action lawsuit targets 2023 to 2025 model year Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra models. According to the complaint, the 12-volt batteries in these EVs are prone to draining quickly and dying altogether. Although the vehicles are still under warranty and dealers have reportedly been replacing the batteries, the lawsuit alleges that replacements are just as unreliable.

Read: Toyota Kills bZ4X To Welcome New bZ

As with over EVs, the 12-volt battery in question isn’t the one powering the car’s electric motors. It handles secondary systems like the windows, seats, HVAC fans, radio, lights, and wipers. It’s also believed to activate a relay that connects the main battery pack to the electric drivetrain. In other words, it may be small, but when it fails, the car is effectively dead in the water.

Just a single plaintiff has been named in the lawsuit: John Wade. He bought a 2023Toyota bZ4X in March 2023 and says he began experiencing issues within weeks. According to the filing, a series of warning lights lit up the dashboard before the vehicle completely shut down, requiring roadside assistance just to get moving again. Less than 2,000 miles later, the 12-volt battery failed a second time. This time, even a jumpstart couldn’t revive it.

Wade claims he was forced to tow his EV to a nearby Toyota dealership, which replaced the 12-volt battery. In December 2024, this replacement battery died. While attempting to diagnose the problem on his own, Wade paid $4,800 for a Level 2 home charger as he believed the issues may have stemmed from “not using a sufficient EV battery charger.”

Toyota now has until July 3 to officially respond to the lawsuit. For both Toyota and Subaru, the case raises questions about how well early EV issues are being addressed, particularly when they involve something as basic as the 12-volt battery system.

Several robotaxis operated by Waymo in Los Angeles have been torched by protestors as the National Guard arrived in the city. While locals have the right to protest, there’s no need to set Waymo vehicles on fire, simply as a means to vent their frustrations against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Footage shared to social media shows at least five Waymo vehicles vandalized by protestors in recent days, before being smashed and set alight. The attacks forced the self-driving division of Alphabet to pause its services in the city.

Read: Waymo’s Driverless Cars Kept Hitting Objects You See But They Don’t

According to the LA Times, protestors descended on an area of Los Angeles Street at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday. They proceeded to slash the tires, smash the windows, and tag them with anti-ICE messages. At least one protester is believed to have used a makeshift flamethrower to set the interior of one of the Waymo robotaxis on fire.

Local police were forced to respond and had to close Los Angeles Street north of Arcadia and south of Alameda streets, declaring it an unlawful assembly. Not only is intentionally setting EVs on fire stupid, but it’s also dangerous, as burning batteries can release toxic fumes, including hydrogen fluoride.

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Waymo Responds

Waymo responded to the incident in a statement to CBS News, saying it didn’t believe its vehicles were deliberately targeted but rather were “present during the protests.” That may be true, but it doesn’t exactly offer much comfort when your AI-powered fleet ends up as kindling during civil unrest.

This is not the first time that Waymo’s fleet of robotaxis has been targeted. In early 2024, a wild mob in San Francisco attacked one of the company’s Jaguar I-Pace models, setting it on fire.

The chaotic scenes across Los Angeles didn’t just lead to the destruction of several Waymo vehicles. Over the weekend, a blacked-out Tesla Cybertruck was filmed driving in circles at a major LA intersection, as seen in a video shared on Reddit. The EV was waving a large Mexican flag and had anti-ICE messages sprayed on both sides. It hasn’t been confirmed whether the truck was stolen, borrowed, or part of a performance protest, but it certainly added to the surreal tone of the weekend.

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Rivian’s collaboration with Volkswagen might just be one of the most consequential pairings in today’s EV landscape. It brings a much-needed cash boost for Rivian and, in return, gives VW access to some of the most compelling electric vehicle software and zonal architecture currently in development. Now, a key Rivian executive has made it clear that the partnership may be even more pivotal for VW than initially expected.

Read: Next VW Golf EV Will Ride On Rivian’s Electric Architecture

Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s chief software officer and co-head of the Rivian-VW joint venture, recently spoke with Yahoo! and revealed that all future EVs from VW will use the same platform as the American brand’s upcoming R2 series. Evidently, the German giant using its partner’s know-how on EVs is the best way to move forward.

VW EVs Will Adopt Rivian’s Scalable Software Platform

“R2 is the platform that will underpin actually all future EV products from VW,” Bensaid said. “It’s really that modular, scalable technology stack that we will take into VW brands. We will do it in a way where we will still allow different brands to express their own identity. Each brand will have its own UI, look and feel, their own suspension tuning, but underneath the guts of the vehicle, will be optimized from the same technology and software architecture.”

Importantly, the R2 platform that Bensaid is referring to appears to be limited to the “technology stack” and not necessarily the physical platform itself. VW is already deep into the development of its in-house SSP architecture that has been confirmed to replace the current MEB and is set to be used by the next-generation electric Golf and all-electric T-Roc.

Multiple Platforms Still in Play for VW

At the same time, VW is working with Chinese automaker Xpeng on a separate project. The platform, known as China Electrical Architecture (CEA), is designed to significantly cut costs compared to the MEB. VW expects it to lower production expenses by up to 40 percent, which could be a crucial step in making its EVs more price-competitive in China.

“R2 is an evolution of the architecture that we introduced with our [R1] Gen2 vehicles, and there’s a ton of lessons learned that went into how we make the R2 from a technology standpoint, from engineering [to] … manufacturing,” Bensaid added. “That is allowing us to really not only make progress, but we’re extremely happy with the maturity of R2 compared to where R1 was.”

Production of the Rivian R2 is currently scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, and it will be followed by the smaller, more affordable R3 lineup. With VW committing to the same software backbone, both brands are banking on the idea that a shared foundation can deliver scale, speed, and flexibility across a wide range of electric vehicles.

Luxury on a budget is no longer a contradiction, at least not in China, where local automakers are figuring out how to give European giants a run for their money. The latest example is the Maextro S800, a full-size flagship luxury sedan that blends design cues from both Mercedes-Maybach and (mainly) Rolls-Royce, with a price tag that’s far more down to earth. It’s the result of a joint venture between JAC and Huawei, and it’s already creating a stir in the domestic market.

With styling that leans heavily into the opulence of its European inspirations, the S800 tries hard to look the part of a six-figure cruiser. Apparently, the effort is paying off. In just the first week after launch, 3,600 orders were placed. Around 1,600 of those came within the first 24 hours, and by day two, that number had jumped to 2,100.

Read: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Looks Like Someone Put A Maybach, A Rolls And A Porsche In The Blender

A key part of the S800’s appeal is the price. The base version starts at 708,000 yuan or roughly $98,600 at current exchange rates. Those seeking even more luxury can buy the flagship version priced from 1,018,000 yuan ( $141,600).

It’s still a hefty price, but it comes in well below the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which starts at 1,468,000 yuan ($204,600) before options. And compared to a Rolls-Royce? The Ghost begins at around 4.2 million yuan, or roughly $585,000, putting the S800 in a completely different financial universe.

Chinese buyers seem to be getting a lot of car for their money. First and foremost, the S800 is big. It is 5,480 mm (215.7 inches) long, 2,000 mm (78.7 inches) wide, and stands 1,536 mm (60.5 inches) high with a 3,370 mm (132.7-inch) wheel base, similar dimensions to an S-Class. However, whereas the Mercedes has a relatively understated (for what it is, anyway) design, the S800 makes a more grandiose impression on the road.

Tech-Laden Interior with Lounge-Like Options

Maextro S800

Then there’s the cabin. The S800 features a digital gauge cluster, a 15.6-inch infotainment display, and a 16-inch passenger display. It also has a wide head-up display, two wireless smartphone chargers, and an audio system with an incredible 43 speakers, Autohome reports. Maextro offers the S800 as either a four-seater, with captain’s chairs at the back, or as a more conventional five-seater.

Multiple Powertrain Choices, Including a 852 HP Option

The S800 is available in both fully electric and range-extended versions. The battery electric model uses a 95 kWh pack paired with dual motors producing 523 horsepower. The range-extender version adds a 1.5-liter engine that works purely as a generator, coupled with a 65 kWh battery and the same 523 hp dual-motor setup. For those who believe too much power is just enough, there’s also a tri-motor EREV variant cranking out 852 horsepower.

When you picture a tiny electric car weaving through tight urban streets, your brain probably goes straight to China. Fair enough, as the country’s been churning out budget EVs like it’s a national sport. But a small Japanese startup is now stepping into the spotlight, aiming to shake up its home market with an even smaller electric city car.

Meet the Mibot, a pint-sized electric car from KG Motor. It’s even smaller than a Kei car and roughly matches the Citroen Ami in stature, which is another way of saying that you won’t be squeezing a suitcase inside – or another person, for that matter, since it only seats one. It’s so small, in fact, that KG Motors demonstrated it can fit inside the back of a Toyota HiAce van.

Read: Japan’s Top Car Importer? It’s Now A Japanese Brand

According to company founder Kazunari Kusunoki, modern “cars are simply too big” and he wanted to create something better suited to Japan’s narrow streets. The Mibot is just 2,490 mm (98 inches) long and has a small battery pack that gives it 62 miles (100 km) of range. That may not sound like much, but as an EV to drive exclusively in a tightly-packed city, or a small village, it should be adequate. The top speed is limited to 37 mph (60 km/h).

Kusunoki founded KG Motors in June 2022 and has already sold 2,250 examples. Oftentimes, it takes new Chinese brands just a matter of minutes to shift “several thousand examples of a newly-launched EV, but as far as Japanese brands go, KG Motors is doing a very good job. In fact, in 2024, Toyota only managed to sell roughly 2,000 EVs in Japan. It’s not just local brands that struggle to sell EVs in Japan. BYD, despite its growing global footprint, managed only around 2,200 deliveries in Japan last year.

KG Motors currently has the capacity to build 3,300 units by March 2027. One thing working in the Mibot’s favor? The price. It comes in at just ¥1 million, or about $6,900 at current exchange rates, or a fraction of Slate Auto’s $28,000 electric pickup, and hilariously, even less than the $7,500 federal credit that truck is banking on.

That puts the Mibot firmly in impulse-buy territory, especially for anyone who just wants a no-fuss commuter or something to zip around the neighborhood.

The firm’s founder hopes that the Mibot can change perceptions about EVs in Japan. “Toyota said EVs aren’t the only solution and, because it’s Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,” Kusunoki told Bloomberg in a recent interview. “A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won’t become popular.”

Once the initial batch of 3,300 is sold, KG Motors plans to scale up quickly, with a target of producing 10,000 units annually. That’s an ambitious leap, but if early sales are any indication, the appetite for small, simple EVs might just be bigger than anyone expected.

Photos KG Motors

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Rivian was supposed to be the new-age automaker that could finally go toe-to-toe with Tesla. However, while Tesla sold nearly 1.8 million vehicles last year, Rivian managed around 50,000, barely enough to register as a rounding error on Tesla’s sales report. To have any shot at closing that canyon, Rivian needs to get its more affordable R2 and R3 models on the road quickly. But price isn’t the only hurdle.

A Demographic Rivian Can’t Ignore

According to a recent study by S&P Global, Rivian also needs to do a better job connecting with Asian-American buyers in the United States. Through the first quarter of this year, Asian households accounted for approximately 7.2 percent of total new car registrations, but for Tesla, this figure rises to a remarkable 27.2 percent . They also accounted for 12.7 percent of all EV sales, excluding Rivian and Tesla.

That’s a clear pattern. Asian-Americans are buying EVs in significant numbers, and a large share of them are choosing Tesla.

Read: Rivian’s Secret Stockpile Could Be Its Key To Defeating Tariffs

However, according to S&P Global, just 13.7 percent of Rivian’s sales go to Asian households. One possible explanation is that one of Rivian’s only two models currently on sale is a pickup truck. Data shows that Asian buyers account for just 2.3 percent of all full-size pickup sales in the U.S.

Even among those who are shopping for electric pickups, Rivian still comes up short. The Tesla Cybertruck, polarizing as it is, seems to be faring better with this demographic. About 24 percent of Cybertruck sales are to Asian buyers, compared to just 8 percent for the Rivian R1T. So it’s not just about the body style. Tesla’s appeal clearly extends deeper.

Can It Be Done?

Brand perception might be playing a major role here. Asian-American buyers seem to gravitate toward brands with a strong premium or tech-forward image. Just look at the numbers: 28.3 percent of Mercedes EQS SUV sales and 25.5 percent of BMW iX sales go to Asian households. Tesla is in that same league, with Asian buyers making up a full 33 percent of Model X sales.

For Rivian to break through, it’s not enough to be different or electric, as it needs to be desirable in the same way these established brands are. That means competing not just on specs, but on image.

The smaller R2 and R3 will also prove to be extremely important for Rivian’s expansion ambitions in the country, as they’ll appeal to a broader range of buyers. However, Rivian will need to be careful to ensure they remain well-equipped and feel premium, or else they may alienate one of their most important group of customers.

The electric vehicle boom in China hasn’t just been about innovation or environmental consciousness. A big part of the story has been an ongoing price war that’s turned the market into something resembling a discount electronics aisle

Read: EV Discounts Hit Record High In China And That’s Bad News

The price war among Chinese EV makers has been raging for a couple of years now, no doubt playing a huge role in the uptick in EV sales across the country. However, the local government has called for an end to the practice, aiming to halt excessive competition and prevent a race to the bottom among local car manufacturers. Whether or not the war will stop remains a different question.

Regulators Push for Stability

Executives from several local EV brands were recently called to Beijing, with government officials urging them to “self-regulate”, CNBC reports. The country’s market regulator echoed the message, calling for efforts to “comprehensively rectify ‘involutionary’ competition”, a term Chinese Premier Li Qiang also used in his recent annual work report to describe the increasingly self-defeating market dynamics.

New EV and hybrid prices in China have been cut repeatedly in the last two years, as local automakers scramble for market share. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers weighed in, warning that “disorderly price wars intensify vicious competition.” The group also called out BYD, without naming it directly, noting that “a certain automaker has taken the lead in launching significant price cuts and many companies have followed suit, triggering a new round of ‘price war’ panic.”

Xpeng Boss Has His Say

According to CNBC, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology plans to increase regulation of non-productive competition and looks to enforce laws promoting fair competition. However, some are doubtful that this will work and suspect that the price wars will only intensify.

Xpeng’s chief executive, He Xiaopeng, doesn’t sound too optimistic about a ceasefire. In his view, “competition will become more intense in the next five years,” describing the current situation as merely an “appetizer” for what’s ahead. Analysts at Nomura share that perspective. Speaking to CNBC, they said that with an ongoing oversupply of vehicles, the worst of the pricing wars may still be on the horizon.

Over the past two years, the average retail price of a new car in China has dropped by around 19 percent, now sitting at roughly 165,000 yuan, or about $22,900. The question is whether those low prices can last without breaking something in the process.

Electric vehicles have been rapidly evolving into tech showcases, and the latest from Xpeng looks ready to push things even further. The Chinese company is preparing to roll out its new G7 electric SUV, and along with it comes a head-up display called “Light-Chasing Panoramic Display” that’s not just a fancy speedometer. It’s a high-tech AR system enhanced by artificial intelligence, co-developed with none other than Huawei.

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

Rather than sticking to the usual HUD fare, like speed, radio stations, or which boy band is currently playing, the G7’s setup uses augmented reality to project layered graphics right onto the driver’s view of the road. Many Chinese EVs already feel like smartphones with wheels, and this system leans into that vibe.

Navigation, Enhanced

The new head-up display made its debut at a recent media event in China, and it’s anything but subtle. Apparently spanning nearly the entire width of the windshield, the system boasts the equivalent of an 87-inch ultra-large screen with a contrast ratio of 1,800:1. Images shared by the company show it seamlessly blending augmented reality into the driving experience, projecting overlays directly onto the road ahead.

It’s worth noting that head-up displays using augmented reality are not a new concept. Several automakers have been offering similar systems for a few years now. Mercedes-Benz first launched its system on the current-generation S-Class, and it’s one of the most advanced. However, Xpeng’s system looks to have taken things to a new level, plus it will be launched on a vehicle that’s far cheaper than an S-Class.

The First Xpeng With An AR-HUD

Chinese prices for the new Xpeng G7 are expected to start at around 250,000 yuan, or approximately $34,800 at current exchange rates. Full technical specifications have yet to be announced, but it will reportedly be offered with two different battery packs. The entry-level version may rock a single electric motor delivering 292 hp (218 kW), enough to send the SUV through to a 125 mph (202 km/h) top speed.

Visually, the G7 borrows a few cues from the Kia EV6, though it rides a bit higher. Up front, sharp LED daytime running lights add some edge, while the rear is finished with sleek LED taillights linked by a full-width light bar. It’s a clean, if unexciting design that seems more interested in fitting in than standing out in China’s increasingly crowded EV scene.