General Motors is doubling down on its US operations with a fresh round of investment aimed at boosting local production of internal combustion models at its Ohio and Michigan plants. The automaker has announced $550 million in new spending as part of nearly $5.5 billion set aside for wider production expansion across its network.

Roughly $250 million of that sum is headed to GM’s Parma Metal Center in Ohio, a facility central to the company’s manufacturing backbone. The added funding will support higher output of sheet metal stampings and assemblies.

Currently, the Parma site produces more than 100 million parts each year and handles over 400 tons of steel daily. It supplies components for a wide range of GM vehicles built across North America, making it one of the company’s most productive operations.

Read: GM’s EV Plant Will Now Build The Gas Models People Actually Want

“Our commitment to Parma Metal Center isn’t just about upgrading equipment—it’s about investing in the people who make it all happen,” GM senior vice president of global manufacturing, Mike Trevorrow, said.

“Our manufacturing teams are the driving force behind GM’s success, and we’re committed to giving them the tools and training they need to excel in today’s advanced manufacturing world. When we invest in our workforce, we’re not only building great vehicles—we’re helping secure the future of American manufacturing.”

Other Investments

Beyond Ohio, GM is allocating $300 million to its Romulus Propulsion Systems plant near Detroit. The upgrade will expand output of the company’s 10-speed automatic transmissions, the same units found in its full-size pickups and SUVs.

Shifting consumer demands have forced GM to make significant production changes. Its Orion Assembly plant has been down since 2023 and was originally being retooled to build electric pickup trucks, but it will now instead handle production of gas-powered Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Cadillac Escalade models.

Looking further ahead, GM confirmed that production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer will move from Mexico to its Spring Hill plant in Tennessee in 2027.

There, it will join the Cadillac XT5, Lyriq, and Vistiq on the production line, another sign that while GM’s electric future is still in motion, its gasoline-powered present remains very much alive.

Audi is stepping up its assault on the North American market by finally doing something its BMW and Mercedes rivals have been doing for years: building vehicles inside the US.

Related: Audi’s New 4×4 Could Blend Scout DNA With G-Class Swagger

The VW-owned luxury brand already lagged behind its opposition in terms of stateside sales, but its lack of a US plant means it’s been particularly hard-hit by the tariffs, since it relies on imports from Europe and Mexico. Now it plans to tackle that problem with a new luxury SUV aimed at the Land Rover Defender and produced in the US.

Built by Scout

The secret SUV will be a range extender hybrid designed specifically for the US market and will be built locally. But that doesn’t mean Audi is about to commission a new factory of its own on American soil, German website Automobilewoche reports.

Instead, it will build the SUV at the Blythewood, South Carolina, plant currently being constructed by VW-owned Scout Motors, which hopes to begin rolling out Scout trucks and SUVs by late 2027.

Scout, a utility brand launched by International Harvester in the late 1950s but dormant since 1980, was resurrected by VW in 2022 and plans to launch with two vehicles, the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra truck.

Scout’s new models have ladder-frame chassis, which would be a first for Audi, and four-wheel drive systems with proper locking differentials. Although Scout offers both fully electric and range-extender powertrains, over 80 percent of reservations are for the range-extender, CEO Scott Keogh told Bloomberg recently.

While the full EVs can travel for 350 miles (563 km) on their 120 kWh batteries, the range-extenders offer around 500 miles (800 km) of range, only 150 miles (240 km) of which comes from their smaller battery.

What Could it Look Like?

Although Audi hasn’t revealed any images of its tough new SUV, and we’ve yet to see it in spy shots, we have had strong hints from the automaker that one is on the way.

Earlier in 2025, Audi debuted the Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept, which featured portal axles and a massively increased ride height to underline how serious Audi is about building a more off-road-focused machine.

Though Audi used the Q6 as a base for that concept, the real SUV, probably due in 2028, will be much bigger and almost certainly boxier, as imagined in these images below from @theottle.

@theottle

Toyota has announced plans to invest an additional $10 billion in the United States over the next five years. The company didn’t say where the money is going or what it will fund, but it will bring their total U.S. investment to nearly $60 billion.

While the automaker was coy on specifics, the move comes amid tariffs and pressure from the Trump administration to build more vehicles in the United States.

Just last month, the White House said “Toyota plans to export its U.S.-made vehicles to Japan and open its distribution platform in Japan to U.S. automakers.”

The country also decided to allow sales of American-made vehicles and “U.S. safety-certified vehicles” without additional testing.

An American Battery Plant

Putting politics aside, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina has officially opened and begun production. Located in Liberty, the $13.9 billion plant is the company’s eleventh manufacturing facility in America and Toyota’s only battery plant outside of Japan.

It’s expected to generate up to 5,100 jobs and be capable of producing 30 GWh of battery capacity annually. While the opening comes shortly after the clean vehicle tax credit was eliminated, Toyota noted the plant has 14 battery production lines that support not only electric vehicles, but also hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Speaking of which, batteries made at the plant will be used in the Camry Hybrid, Corolla Cross Hybrid, and RAV4 Hybrid. It will also make batteries for the company’s upcoming three-row EV.

While production is just getting started, Toyota plans to open additional assembly lines by 2030. The company also noted that once construction is complete, the facility won’t just be a workplace as it will also house a pharmacy, a medical clinic, a fitness center, and on-site childcare.

Toyota Motor North America CEO Tetsuo Ogawa remarked, “Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history. Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers.”

For the second time this year, Toyota has delayed its plan to build a new factory dedicated to EV batteries in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture. The decision, while not unexpected, highlights the company’s cautious approach amid fluctuating global demand for electric vehicles.

Sales of Toyota’s EVs have slowed, yet the automaker maintains that the plant will still move forward in due course.

Read: Toyota’s Lineup Overhaul Could Include A Surprise Sedan And Electric Highlander

Toyota paid roughly 6 billion yen, about $39 million, for the site located in an industrial zone under development in northeastern Fukuoka Prefecture. As part of the purchase, the company agreed to begin construction within three years.

Earnings Results Shift The Timeline

Despite this, the car manufacturer announced in March that it would postpone work at the site due to fall demand for its EVs. The governor of Fukuoka, as well as Toyota President Koji Sato, have since confirmed work on the site has been postponed for a second time.

Production had initially been slated to start in 2028, though an updated timeline has yet to be provided, according to Nikkei Asia.

Word of the delay coincided with Toyota’s latest earnings report. It cut its global EV sales expectations by 10 percent from a previous forecast of 277,000 units for the fiscal year ending March 2026.

Even so, Toyota hasn’t ruled out adjusting its long-term targets, including its aim to reach 1.5 million global EV sales in 2026, a figure that could yet evolve as market conditions change.

Toyota Is Still Betting On EVs

Notably, Toyota is still investing heavily in new electric vehicles and factories. It continues to work towards opening a new factory in Shanghai, China, around 2027, to produce EVs for Lexus. This facility will likely handle the production of the LF-ZC and LF-ZL that were introduced a couple of years ago as concepts.

Toyota’s EV sales through the first nine months of the year were actually up 20.6 percent to 117,031 units, but even so, that number has still fallen short of expectations.

Until the company is confident that sales will rise significantly, it doesn’t make sense to rush and build new plants only for them to sit idle or operate at partial capacity.

Sources: Nikkei Asia

General Motors bet big on electric vehicles and now employees are paying the price. We recently saw this play out in Canada, where over a thousand workers lost their jobs when BrightDrop vans were axed last week.

The cuts are now happening stateside as approximately 1,750 workers will be laid off. According to CNBC, the hardest impact will be felt at Factory Zero in Michigan, where around 1,200 jobs will be eliminated. An additional 550 people will be let go at the Ultium Cells plant in Ohio.

More: GM Lays Off Hundreds After Saying Business Is Going Great

On top of the indefinite cuts, there will reportedly be 1,550 temporary layoffs. These are said to be spread across Ultium Cells plants in Ohio and Tennessee, with the latter impacting 700 people.

In a series of statements, the automaker said the changes were “in response to slower near-term EV adoption and an evolving regulatory environment.”

This appears to be a reference to the elimination of the clean vehicle tax credit as well as the relaxing of regulations under the Trump administration.

Factory Zero builds the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, GMC Hummer EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ. These models weren’t exactly flying off dealer lots even when there was a $7,500 federal incentive.

Promises and Pauses

The company said they remain committed to U.S. manufacturing and believe their “investments and dedication to flexible operations will make GM more resilient and capable of leading through change.”

That remains to be seen, but GM is pausing battery cell production in Warren, Ohio as well as in Spring Hill, Tennessee this January. Both plants are scheduled to reopen in mid-2026 and the downtime will be used to upgrade the facilities to provide “greater flexibility.”

It’s not entirely clear what that means, but the company said “Impacted employees may be eligible to continue receiving a significant portion of their regular wages or salary, plus benefits.”

Corporate Optimism Meets Reality

The news comes roughly one week after CEO Mary Barra told investors the company “delivered another very good quarter of earnings and free cash flow.”

She added the automaker achieved their highest third-quarter market share since 2017 and were raising their full-year guidance.

Despite being upbeat, Barra warned of cuts by saying “it is now clear that near-term EV adoption will be lower than planned. That is why we are reassessing our EV capacity and manufacturing footprint.” Despite this and new investments in ICE-powered vehicles, she said “electric vehicles remain our North Star.”

A fire at a Novelis aluminum plant has disrupted operations for several automakers, including Ford and its top-selling F-150. The setback has been costly, but the Blue Oval plans to bounce back next year by ramping up truck production.

Under the plan, the Dearborn Truck Plant will add a third shift with roughly 1,200 employees. This will be supported by more than 90 new workers at Dearborn Stamping as well as more than 80 additional employees at Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing.

More: 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning Solves Its Biggest Flaws For Free

Thanks to these workers and the extra shift, Ford aims to produce an additional 45,000+ F-150s in 2026. They’ll have traditional powertrains as the F-150 Lightning hasn’t lived up to expectations.

Assembly of the electric truck will “remain paused” indefinitely as the company is prioritizing production of models with gas and hybrid powertrains. The automaker added these types of trucks are “more profitable for Ford and use less aluminum.”

Due to the pause, hourly employees at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center will transfer to the nearby Dearborn Truck Plant to join the third shift. The shift will also consist of new hires as well as some transfers from other plants.

To increase production of the popular F-Series Super Duty, the automaker is investing $60 million into the Kentucky Truck Plant. These funds will help speed up the production line, so that one additional truck will be built every hour. That might not sound like much, but it will result in more than 5,000 additional pickups.

The funds will also be used to help train new employees. Speaking of which, the plant is expected to add more than 100 jobs.

In total, the automaker will increase production by more than 50,000 units and create up to 1,000 new jobs. Ford’s Chief Operating Officer, Kumar Galhotra, said “The people who keep our country running depend on America’s most popular vehicle – F-Series trucks – and we are mobilizing our team to meet that demand.”

Novelis Fire Could Cost Ford $1 Billion

Novelis

The announcement to ramp up production comes as Ford revealed the “Novelis headwind” could cost them up to $1 billion in losses between 2025 and 2026.

CEO Jim Farley has already visited the damaged plant and said, “We are working intensively with Novelis and others to source aluminum that can be processed in the cold rolling section of the plant that remains operational, while also working to restore overall plant production.” This has enabled them to “minimize the impact in 2025 and recover production in 2026.”

Given the fallout of the fire, Ford now expects to finish the year with an adjusted EBIT of $6 billion to $6.5 billion as well as an adjusted free cash flow of $2 billion to $3 billion.

It wasn’t all bad news as third quarter revenue reached a record of $50.5 billion. That’s up 9% from a year ago and the company posted a net income of $2.4 billion. Unfortunately, Trump’s tariffs cost the automaker roughly $700 million.

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz was supposed to usher in an entirely new vibe for the brand. It leaned heavily on nostalgia, it came with outstanding packaging, and it drives better than it has any right to.

At the same time, it has less range than almost any other EV, and it’s so expensive that only wealthy people can afford it. Now, a new report says that VW isn’t just slowing production of the van but is halting it altogether. We’re not exactly shocked.

From October 20 through 24, Volkswagen will pause production of the ID. Buzz and its Multivan sibling at its Hanover, Germany, plant, according to Autonews.

The company told Germany’s DPA news agency that the move will allow it to “flexibly adapt production processes to changed market conditions.” In plain English: sales aren’t meeting expectations.

More: VW Denies Halting ID. Buzz Exports To US Over Tariffs

When the ID. Buzz was launched, VW claimed the Hanover factory could build up to 130,000 units annually, but reality never got close. The model managed around 30,000 global sales in each of the last two years.

Clearly, those totals fall well short of those early ambitions. Meanwhile, European EV demand has softened, Chinese competition is surging, and VW is trimming costs and hours across its German plants.

Priced Out Of Its Own Market?

Part of the problem is self-inflicted. The ID. Buzz starts at roughly $61,500 in the U.S., more than many three-row SUVs, and even higher trims crest past $70K.

That’s a far cry from the spirit of the original Microbus, which became iconic precisely because anyone could afford one. By aiming high, VW built a great electric van that few can justify buying.

The automaker says it’s stepping up marketing and incentives to boost interest in its light commercial lineup, but the challenge is steep. New rivals like the Kia PV5, which promises similar space, more range, and a lower price tag, are waiting in the wings.

Credit: Stephen Rivers

It might look like something dreamt up by a designer with a fondness for sci-fi gadgets for teens, but Toyota’s FT-Me concept is more than a flight of fancy.

The pint-sized two-seater EV has taken a tangible step toward production, thanks to a £15 million ($20 million) grant from the UK government that could bring it to European and UK streets before long.

More: Toyota Teased A New Corolla Concept So Radical You’ll Struggle To Recognize It

The investment comes through the UK’s Drive35 program, managed by the non-profit Advanced Propulsion Centre. It will back a Toyota-led consortium including lightweight EV specialists ELM, solar-tech firm Savcor, and the University of Derby.

What’s the Plan?

At its core, the study aims to determine the feasibility of developing a battery electric vehicle designed for Europe’s L6e light quadricycle category, drawing direct inspiration from the FT-Me concept.

Research will take place at Toyota’s Burnaston facility in Derbyshire, while the University of Derby will handle performance testing. The Burnaston plant could even serve as the base for limited local production should the project move forward.

The research will cover the integrated solar roof that was developed by Savcor, enhanced digital connectivity, the extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials, plus the possibility of sharing components with ELM’s last-mile delivery vehicle that was introduced in 2024.

It is safe to assume that some of the concept’s features like the futuristic LEDs will be toned down, although its basic form could be carried over.

The FT-Me was introduced in concept form in March 2025, with clear intentions for production. The sub-2.5 m (98.4 inches) model could compete with quadricycles like the Citroen Ami, Fiat Topolino, Opel Rocks Electric, Renault Mobilize Duo, and Microlino, promising a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to urban EVs.

More: Dacia’s Tiny EV Declares War On Europe’s Overpriced Cars

Toyota estimates a range of 100 km (62 miles), that could be further extended by 20-30 km (12-19 miles) if enough sunlight hits the roof-mounted solar panels.

The L6e regulations require a maximum power output of 5 hp (4 kW) and a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). On the bright side, light quadricycles can be driven by 14 year-olds in certain European markets.

Dariusz Mikolajczak, Managing Director of Toyota Manufacturing UK, said:

“We are delighted to receive support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre for this important study. The funding allows us to advance our understanding around the feasibility of creating a cutting-edge battery electric vehicle that addresses the growing demand for sustainable urban mobility. The study acknowledges TMUK’s overall project excellence and will further strengthen our members’ capabilities.”

Toyota hasn’t confirmed when the production-ready FT-Me will make its debut. The timeline depends on the results of the ongoing feasibility study, but if progress stays on course, the compact EV could begin appearing on UK roads within the next few years.

Toyota

To say that Nissan had a rough 2024 would be a big understatement, but it’s already hard at work to turn things around. Along with the introduction of new and updated models, it’s looking to partner with other brands, some of which are fierce rivals, like Ford and Stellantis. Before the end of the decade, though, Nissan could be building hybrids for multiple automakers.

Sleeping With The Enemy

According to a new report, the latest Rogue could be the basis for the vehicles in question. Nissan’s compact SUV features the brand’s proptietary e-Power hybrid system that uses a gas engine to power an electric battery and motors. The models that could come from partnerships would be built alongside the Rogue in Smyrna, Tennessee.

More: Nissan Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Frontier

Nissan’s e-Power technology has been available in Japan and Europe for years, but it won’t debut in the U.S. until late 2026. It promises 15 percent better fuel economy at highway speeds than in the outgoing Rogue.

That’s a promising figure, and U.S. manufacturing makes it a tempting platform for Ford and Stellantis, according to Autonews. In fact, Nissan might ink some sort of deal with either of these brands even if it doesn’t secure an order for badge-engineered cars.

Nissan spokesman Brian Brockman confirmed that the company is “exploring options” to localize vehicle and powertrain production to meet rising hybrid demand. He added that Nissan “remains open to dialogue” but has “no agreements in place regarding production at our U.S. plants.”

Partners Could Come From All Over The Globe

Interestingly, potential partners don’t stop with two of the Big Three. Mitsubishi is allegedly interested in joint production, too, and would reportedly use e-Power engines for the Outlander. Foxconn could even enter the fold as a contract manufacturer. For Nissan, making two or even three deals of this sort would be a huge step forward.

After initially leading the EV charge with the Leaf, the brand has fallen behind many competitors when it comes to electrified vehicles. As AutoForecast Solutions analyst Sam Fiorani put it, “They can’t get to market soon enough.”

The electric Dodge Challenger hasn’t had the greatest start to life. After middling reviews, low sales, and many reports of problems, things might be getting even worse. According to industry sources, the 800-volt Banshee halo trim is dead before it ever arrives.

More: Ford, GM, And Stellantis Paid Billions To Tesla And Rivian Until Trump Pulled The Plug

Over the past six months, Stellantis has made a dramatic pivot from its EV goals to a more conventional ICE-focused plan. The HEMI V8 is reigning supreme once again with its reintroduction to the Ram 1500, exclusive use in the Durango, and continuation in the Jeep Wrangler. Heck, even the Gladiator might get one.

Strategy in Flux

That makes a report from MoparInsiders indicating the death of the flagship SRT Banshee all the more believable. Suppliers allegedly claim that Dodge has axed the car entirely. Dodge didn’t confirm or deny the decision when we asked for comment.

“Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy to align with consumer demand”, a press spokesperson told us. “Our plan ensures we offer customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options that best meet their needs. With the great news announced in July that Stellantis is bringing back its iconic SRT performance division, it follows that we are also reviewing the plan for future SRT vehicles.”

Rules No Longer Binding

Undoubtedly, the brand is clearly willing to make big sweeping changes now that EPA regulations basically don’t matter, and as a result, automakers won’t have to pay for carbon emission credits. The all-electric Ram REV is dead, as is the Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid. What’s one more EV that would’ve cost more than the Charger Daytona already does?

That said, it’s not as if performance at the brand is going by the wayside. The Charger SIXPACK is rolling out and promises a taste of what the Hellcats once offered. The possibility of a V8 Charger feels more plausible than ever, even if it’ll take reworking of the chassis and engine bay. We’ve reached out to Stellantis and will update this piece if we hear anything new. 

Credit: Michael Gauthier / Dodge