Tesla fans get really excited when new features, trials, or beta programs arrive. That’s probably why very few people realized that a post on Reddit was just a prank by an overeager owner. They reported a birthday reward email supposedly from Tesla offering a 30-day horsepower boost. It turns out that before realizing it was a hoax, many took the chance to bash the US EV maker and other brands for paywall-blocked features.

More: Rivian Will Make You Pay For Extra Power And Range Your EV Already Has

Posted on Reddit’s Tesla Model 3 forum, the main feature was an image. It appeared to be an email directly from Tesla. “Happy Birthday! We are delighted to offer you an exclusive birthday gift: +50 Extra Horsepower,” it said. “Your Tesla has been upgraded with an additional 50 horsepower, effective for the next 30 days.”

A Convincing Fake

At first glance, it looks legitimate. The script looks realistic, the grammar is fine, and it appears to come from no-reply@Tesla.com. That was more than enough to fool several people. The top comments are full of people assuming it’s real. Some ask about future programs based on the idea, others joke about changing their birthday in the Tesla app, and others comment on their excitement about it.

At the same time, it left some fans feeling disillusioned and annoyed. Several made comments to that effect. “…is it just me that thinks that’s absolutely ridiculous? If I have the hardware, why would I pay to use the hardware? That’s like buying a computer with 16gb of ram, only having 12, and then getting an email “unlocking” the other 4gb for 30 days.

“Just… stupid. Either sell me the car without the extra horsepower (so, without the hardware that makes it possible)… or let me use all the horsepower it can produce. This is just… awful,” said one. After another commented on how cool it was that you could download extra horsepower, another responded, “You mean mildly infuriated it’s locked behind a paywall.”

A Familiar Practice

Of course, in this case, the birthday gift wasn’t real, but it’s not as if Tesla doesn’t offer similar products. As of this writing, buyers can unlock features that the hardware they own is already capable of, like additional range or speed.

Notably, Tesla is far from the only brand to offer this sort of thing. Several brands offer similar ‘subscription services’, from extra power to adaptive suspension. Unless buyers unite to condemn this type of practice, it’ll probably never end.

Credit: glebulon / Reddit

After earlier merger talks between Nissan and Honda fell through, a new contender stepped into the spotlight. Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics giant best known for assembling iPhones, is reportedly in discussions to partner with Nissan on EV production. According to a new report, Nissan may allow Foxconn to use its Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Japan, to build EVs.

Read: Foxconn Will Build EVs In The US But You’ll Never See Its Name On Them

Foxconn has been signaling its automotive ambitions for years now. The company has previewed a range of electric models, including the Model C, Model B, Model E, Model T, and Model V, reflecting a clear push to gain a foothold in the competitive EV industry.

Underused Factory, Uncertain Future

As it stands, Nissan’s Oppama site employs roughly 3,900 people and has been in operation since 1961. It has the capacity to build 240,000 units, but its utilization rate has fallen well below that, reportedly topping out at just 40 percent last year. That’s bad news, particularly since it’s said to have a break-even point of 80 percent.

That underutilization has raised concerns about the plant’s long-term viability. Nissan has announced plans to shut down seven global factories but has yet to name all of them. If Oppama ends up on the chopping block, the closure would be costly.

Beyond laying off thousands of employees, Nissan would need to find a replacement for the facility’s on-site test track, and many nearby suppliers with long-standing ties to the automaker would also be affected.

While details of the arrangement are still unclear, Nikkei Asia reports that the two companies could explore a joint venture, with longer-term collaboration on future EV development.

In a statement responding to the report, Nissan asserted “that article is not based on any official announcement from Nissan.” It handed that under the Re:Nissan plan, the company “is currently reviewing the integration and closure of some of its global production sites. However, this process has not yet been concluded beyond the two sites that have been announced so far.”

In response to the report, Nissan clarified that “the article is not based on any official announcement.” The automaker said that under its Re:Nissan plan, the company “is currently reviewing the integration and closure of some of its global production sites. However, this process has not yet been concluded beyond the two sites that have been announced so far.”

Model C Coming to North America

Meanwhile, Foxconn is moving forward with its own EV rollout. Auto News reports that the company plans to begin deliveries of the Model C in North America before the end of this year. A minivan, known as the Model D, is expected to follow in 2027, signaling Foxconn’s broader push into both the consumer and commercial EV spaces.

Electric cars have come a long way from being just quiet, efficient commuters. Today, some of them are pushing deep into enthusiast territory, proving that performance doesn’t have to rely on combustion. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a prime example, showing that an EV can be engaging, fun to drive, and tailored to those who love driving for its own sake.

Still, there’s a certain kind of mechanical involvement, like shifting your own gears, that even the best EVs can’t fully replicate. That point seems to be completely lost on Hyundai’s European technical chief, Tyrone Johnson.

Read: We Drove Hyundai’s Last i20 N And It’s The Hot Hatch You’ll Wish You Bought

In a recent interview, Johnson said that for those wanting to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV, and he knows a thing or two about performance cars. Before joining Hyundai in 2018, he had worked at Ford for 33 years and, at one stage, was the chief engineer for Ford’s RS cars, including the Focus RS. That happened to be one of the finest hot hatches of the last decade, but the industry has undergone significant changes since then.

Manual Holdouts Still Have a Case

“Nobody wants manual gearboxes and handbrakes anymore, or analogue instruments,” Johnson told Car Magazine. After living with the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, complete with a six-speed manual and a traditional handbrake, we’d beg to differ. Hyundai also continues to sell the i20 N and i30 N/Elantra N with stick shifts, so clearly, some people still want a manual.

Johnson did concede that certain sensory cues, like vibrations and engine noise, help drivers stay in tune with the car.

“I can understand that some people want to have the sounds, vibrations, things like that,” he acknowledged. “Those sensory inputs help the human brain understand what’s going on in a car.” It’s for these reasons that Hyundai added things like a faux combustion soundtrack to the Ioniq 5 N, as well as an artificial transmission.

As for the nostalgia or more traditional performance cars? Johnson doesn’t understand it.

“I’m a performance guy,” he said. “I did the first Mustang Shelby [the 1992 SVT Mustang]. I don’t understand the idea that performance cars are dying. If you want to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV. I don’t understand the nostalgia.”

He even went so far as to say that most current performance cars are “a disappointment” compared to the Ioniq 5 N.

It’s easy to understand where Johnson is coming from. After all, software is allowing car manufacturers to add features that improve the driving experience, and this will be on full display with the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. But, if given the choice between driving an Ioniq 5 N or a six-speed Elantra N up a mountain road, we’d probably still opt for the Elantra.

A mother in Hanford, California, is speaking out after her 5–year-old son was left alone in a hot school bus for nearly 45 minutes, reported ABC 30.

The incident reportedly occurred last month, when a Hanford Elementary School District student enrolled in a summer learning program was on his way back home from a swim lesson. He then fell asleep during the route and was left alone on board the school bus.

The boy’s mother, identified only as Ms. Guerrero, told local news reporters that the principal following the school bus in another vehicle did not have a student ridership roster and did not ensure that all the students had gotten off the bus.

According to the news report, the school bus driver also did not perform the required walkthrough of the bus before exiting, leaving the child in the bus alone for 30 to 45 minutes.

Guerrero said her son was hot and had a headache when he was found. Everyone involved reportedly apologized, and a nurse checked the child and said he was okay.

California law requires school buses to be equipped with alarm systems that should ensure children are not left behind at the conclusion of routes. Additionally, school bus drivers must walk to the back of the bus to deactivate the alarm, checking every seat along the way. Guerrero said that did not happen.

The school district said immediate action was taken after learning of the incident, including medical assessment of the student and a full investigation. The superintendent stated that due to confidentiality, the district could share no further details pertaining to personnel actions taken as a result of the investigation.

Guerrero said she feels let down and wants those involved to be held accountable for their actions.

---

Related: Illinois School Bus Driver Finds Teen Wandering Alone
Related: Louisiana Child Left Alone in School Bus for 5 Hours
Related: Ohio Student Left on School Bus, Parent Speaks Out
Related: Ohio Parents Sue School District After 6-Year-Old Left on Bus for Hours

The post California Student Left Alone in Hot School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law on the Fourth of July and it calls for the elimination of the clean vehicle credit. It’s now scheduled to be phased out on September 30, instead of its originally planned date of December 31, 2032.

The fallout has been fast as Slate’s pickup is now expected to start in the “mid-twenties.” However, they’re not the only ones making changes as Nissan has decided to delay two EVs.

More: Nissan Teases An Assortment Of New Models Includes The Sentra And Next-Gen Rogue

According to AutoNews, the company recently informed suppliers that plans to build two new electric crossovers in Canton, Mississippi will be delayed by ten months. This means the Nissan model (codenamed PZ1K) is now slated to go into production in November 2028, while its Infiniti counterpart (codenamed PZ1J) has been pushed back until March of 2029.

In a statement to the publication, a Nissan spokesperson confirmed the delay and said “We’ve made the strategic decision to slightly adjust the production timeline for our EVs at the Canton plant. Our goal is to ensure that this facility continues to bring highly competitive vehicles to market that exceed customer expectations.”

Earlier this year, Nissan announced the “adventure-focused SUV” and said it would arrive late in the 2027 fiscal year. The Infiniti was slated to follow in 2028 and draw inspiration from the Vision QXe concept. At the time, the company said it would combine the “brand’s latest Artistry in Motion design language with a suite of technology features.”

Little else is known about the crossovers, but a teaser image showed the Nissan featured a boxy design that vaguely recalled the Xterra. The Infiniti, on the other hand, is far more curvaceous and aimed at luxury buyers.

The latest delay is a setback for the pioneering EV brand, which unveiled the Leaf in 2009. Earlier this year, the company dropped plans for electric Nissan and Infiniti sedans. The automaker also axed plans to offer a subcompact electric crossover in the United States, which would have been smaller than the Rogue.

Plans for global growth rarely follow a straight line, especially when politics and international trade come into play. For BYD, one of the world’s fastest-rising automakers, a much-anticipated expansion into Mexico has been put on hold.

The reason? A mix of shifting geopolitical winds and concerns over U.S. trade policy, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Still, the company isn’t slowing down entirely, and has just opened its first factory outside of Asia, located in Brazil.

Read: Major Carmaker Sued Over One Toilet Per 31 Workers And Other Horrors

As we reported last year, had been scoping out three locations in Mexico for a new factory. However, it paused its search in September to wait to see the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election, likely anticipating that a victory for Trump would likely shake up the status quo of international trade. That’s exactly what the 45th and 47th President has done.

While recently speaking at the opening of BYD’s new factory in Brazil, executive vice president Stella La said the surging automaker is rethinking its strategy.

“Geopolitical issues have a big impact on the automotive industry,” she told Bloomberg. “Now everybody is rethinking their strategy in other countries. We want to wait for more clarity before making our decision.”

BYD’s efforts to establish a base in Mexico were hampered in March, even before President Trump announced sweeping tariffs. That month, China’s commerce ministry delayed approval of the Mexican factory due to concerns the carmaker’s technology could be accessed by the US.

From Pause in Mexico to Progress in Brazil

Although Mexico is no longer in play for the moment, BYD is still moving forward in the region. The company’s new facility in Camaçari, Brazil , is now operational and has room to grow. It currently produces up to 150,000 vehicles a year, with plans to double that figure to 300,000 within two years.

However, the site has not been without controversy. Late last year, Brazilian authorities reported that some international workers at the plant had been living in conditions likened to modern-day slavery.

In response, Li emphasized the company’s commitment to reform. Going forward, she said, BYD will work more closely with local partners to uphold labor and human rights standards.

“We should slow down, step back from the focus on speed,” Li said. “It will take longer, but that’s OK.”

A Tesla Cybertruck and a Lamborghini Urus were reportedly racing down a Miami road, only for the EV to crash into not just one parked car but nine. That’s the story according to witnesses on the mangled scene. Racing or not, it’s clear from video taken at the scene that a Cybertruck can do a lot of damage.

A Tesla Cybertruck and a Lamborghini Urus were reportedly racing down a Miami street when the EV slammed into not just one, but nine parked cars. That’s the account from witnesses at the mangled scene. Racing or not, video footage makes one thing clear: the Cybertruck can cause a whole lot of damage.

The crash happened just after midnight on Sunday Morning near the area of Northwest 10th Street and Eighth Street Road in Miami. Google Street View shows the road to be relatively tight with cars parked on both sides of the one-way street. It’s unclear if there really was a race or not, but the aftermath is undeniable.

More: Cybertruck Owner Wanted To Show How Awesome FSD Is, It Crashed Instead

The social media account “Only In Dade” posted a video of the scene showing cars on the right side of the road mangled. At the very start of the line of damaged cars is a Toyota Corolla with its driver-side wheel ripped all the way off. Ahead of it is a Kia Sportage with the rear end so crumpled that it’s likely a write-off.

At the front of the pack, the Tesla Cybertruck with teal-painted wheel covers sat idle while touching the last car it hit. In total, reports state the vehicle hit nine parked cars before coming to a stop. Exactly how the driver lost control remains unclear.

Eyewitness Account Suggests Street Race

Jose Zelaya, who owns a Suzuki damaged in the crash, told WSVN that the Cybertruck appeared to be racing a Lamborghini Urus before the driver lost control. “The Cybertruck was racing a Lamborghini Urus, and the Cybertruck lost control and hit every single car,” he said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ONLY in DADE (@onlyindade)

At this stage, local authorities haven’t released any information on the crash, the cause, or the charges that the Cybertruck driver could be facing. Fortunately, it appears that no one was injured in the incident, which may be the only silver lining in an otherwise costly and chaotic scene.

Credit: Only In Dade

The electric vehicle boom in China has reshaped the global automotive landscape, but not every player in the field is built to last. While China’s automotive industry has grown into a formidable force, a new report suggests that only a fraction of the country’s EV brands may survive the coming years.

Read: China’s Auto Industry Is A One-Way Street As Exports Boom And Imports Collapse

With hundreds of startups already gone and consolidation gaining momentum, China’s EV market is headed for a major transformation.

Industry Faces Sharp Consolidation

In 2018, it was estimated that over 500 companies in China were developing and planning to build “new energy” vehicles. Many of these companies failed to get off the ground and quickly folded. As of 2024, it’s understood that there were 129 companies selling NEVs in China.

According to consulting firm AlixPartners, just 15 of these are expected to remain financially viable through 2030. While the consultancy firm didn’t name which companies it expects to thrive, these 15 brands could account for roughly 75 percent of China’s total EV and plug-in hybrid market. Some of them have already reached full-year profitability.

According to the head of AlixPartners’ automotive practice in Asia, Stephen Dyer, some local governments may support non-viable companies to protect jobs and economies. As such, consolidation may proceed more slowly across the industry in the coming five years.

Intense Competition and Rapid Innovation

“China is one of the most competitive new energy vehicle markets in the world,” Dyer said. “It is experiencing a fierce price war. Its rapid innovation speed is constantly being refreshed by new forces. Such an environment drives significant breakthroughs in technology and cost efficiency, but it also makes it difficult for many businesses to become sustainably profitable.”

As we reported in March, only three EV brands in China are believed to have achieved profitability. These are BYD, Li Auto, and the Seres Group, which includes the Seres, Aito, and Landian brands. Some other local companies are edging towards profitability, including Zeekr, Xpeng, and Leapmotor.

In just a few years, Hyundai has built an impressive lineup of electric vehicles that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, what many long-established automakers have brought to market. With options ranging from the retro-styled Ioniq 5 to the spacious new seven-seat Ioniq 9 and the compact Niro EV, Hyundai is covering a lot of ground. And the brand isn’t slowing down, as another electric model is on the way.

Read: New Hyundai Inster Is A Tiny Electric Crossover For The Masses

This upcoming addition will slot in above Hyundai’s Inster, the battery-powered version of the compact Casper. While the Inster’s charm lies in its tiny footprint, it may be a bit too small for some buyers. That’s where this new model fits in.

A new report points to a debut in concept form at the Munich Motor Show this September. The vehicle is expected to land between the Inster and the Kona in terms of size, aligning closely with the Bayon, which is currently offered in European markets.

Few details are known about the new model at this stage. However, Auto News speculates that it could be dubbed the Ioniq 2 if it is to use the automaker’s well-established E-GMP platform. Styling remains a mystery, but regardless of what the concept looks like, recent Hyundai history suggests that the eventual production model should resemble it closely.

New Tesla-Like Infotainment System

One of the more significant updates is expected inside the cabin. This SUV is likely to be the first Hyundai equipped with the new Pleos Connect infotainment system. Unveiled earlier this year, Pleos Connect is based on Android Automotive and features a large, freestanding touchscreen mounted at the center of the dashboard. It’s a layout that recalls Tesla’s approach and echoes what’s becoming common in many Chinese EVs.

This new setup could prove controversial. Most current Hyundais feature sleek digital instrument clusters and infotainment systems, sometimes housed within a single curved display. While tablet-like displays often have great functionality, they’re not particularly appealing to the eye.

Shared Roots with Kia

0Underneath, the new model is expected to share much of its architecture with the forthcoming Kia EV2. That vehicle will ride on a shortened version of the E-GMP platform and be offered with a single electric motor. If Hyundai follows a similar path, it could help keep costs manageable while still delivering competitive performance in the growing sub-compact and compact EV segments.

As more buyers gravitate toward hybrids over fully electric vehicles, automakers are rethinking their EV roadmaps. Among them is Honda, which has reportedly shelved plans for a large electric SUV intended for the US market as it reevaluates its electrification strategy.

More: Honda’s Future Is Packed With New Models And It Isn’t All Electric

The decision seems tied to the slower-than-expected pace of EV adoption in the US. A recent tax bill passed under the Trump administration may have also played a role, rolling back key EV incentives and making electric models less appealing to cost-conscious buyers.

Cost Challenges and Changing Priorities

According to a report from Nikkei Asia, development and procurement costs for larger EVs are significantly higher, mainly due to the size and expense of the battery packs. Honda appears to have concluded that the financial risk of launching a large EV in this environment wasn’t worth taking, especially with the model originally scheduled for a 2027 debut.

The now-canceled SUV was meant to round out a lineup that includes a midsize electric SUV and sedan, both of which have already appeared in near-production form and are still expected to launch in 2026 as part of Honda 0 Series concepts. Honda’s broader plan was to offer seven EVs in the US by 2030, a target that now looks less certain.

Electrification Pullback, Hybrid Push

In May, Honda announced it had reduced its investment in electrification from ¥10 trillion ($69 billion) to ¥7 trillion ($48 billion). The company is now placing more emphasis on hybrid models, which will result in a scaled-back EV rollout.

Between 2027 and 2031, Honda aims to introduce 13 new-generation hybrids worldwide, targeting 2.2 million hybrid sales by 2030. This lineup will include a new large SUV designed specifically for the North American market, which could effectively replace the scrapped electric version.

More: Honda’s Latest Concept Looks Familiar Yet Unexpectedly New

Earlier this year, we reported a notable uptick in Honda Prologue sales, with a 963% increase in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Still, total sales stood at just 16,318 units, making it the lowest-selling model in Honda’s US portfolio. Despite the sharp percentage gain, the numbers underscore the ongoing challenges in the EV segment.

Of course, Honda is not the only automaker that has delayed its EV plans. Nissan has canceled two EVs originally planned to be produced in the US, Ford has paused development of large EVs, while Toyota has postponed the production of a large electric SUV from 2026 to 2028.

Wagons may no longer be the default choice for families, but they’re far from forgotten. Skoda remains one of the few manufacturers still committed to the practical, low-slung appeal of the estate format, and it’s about to offer a glimpse of what’s next. At this September’s Munich Auto Show, the company will unveil an electric concept version of the next-gen Octavia Combi.

More: Your Insane Appetite For SUVs Is Killing Skoda’s Dreams Of Fun Sports Cars, But There’s Hope

The upcoming EV was first previewed in 2023 as a “spacious” electric estate, targeting families and business users. It’s expected to measure around 4.7 meters (185 inches) in length. At the time, Skoda also released renderings of a sculpture, hinting at the styling, featuring sharp lines, large wheels, and a sporty wagon silhouette.

Originally scheduled for release in 2026, the new Combi’s launch has been pushed closer to the end of the decade. According to a report from Autocar, the electric wagon will be based on Volkswagen Group’s SSP architecture, the same platform that will underpin the next-generation Volkswagen Golf.

Despite the focus on electrification, the new model won’t directly replace the current Octavia. Skoda plans to continue offering its internal combustion engine lineup, with gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options for those not yet ready to switch to fully electric driving.

Strong Wagon Sales Keep ICE Alive

According to Auto News, the Octavia Combi remains Skoda’s best-selling model in Europe in 2025, even outperforming its hatchback counterpart. From January through May, the wagon version sold 81,353 units, despite a 21 percent drop compared to the same period last year.

The fourth generation of the Octavia was introduced in 2019 and received a mid-lifecycle update in 2024. Skoda will soon add a plug-in hybrid version to the facelifted lineup, giving more options to buyers. Given its continued popularity, it’s likely that the MQB-based Octavia will receive a second facelift before the end of the decade, keeping it in production well past 2030.

Skoda Sells More EVs In Europe Than Tesla

May proved to be a standout month for electric Skodas across Europe. The automaker delivered 14,290 electric vehicles, marking a 181 percent year-over-year increase. This was enough to surpass Tesla, placing Skoda second only to Volkswagen in EV sales for the month. Much of this growth is credited to the addition of the Elroq SUV, which joined the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe in the brand’s electric lineup.

More: Skoda’s €25K Crossover Could Knock BMW Out Of Europe’s Top Three

Looking forward, Skoda has several more EVs in the pipeline. In 2026, the company plans to introduce the Epiq, a compact electric SUV built on the same platform as the VW ID.2 and Cupra Raval. Targeting a starting price of €25,000, the Epiq will serve as an EV alternative to the Fabia, Scala, and Kamiq models, which will remain available with combustion engines for the foreseeable future.

Also expected in 2026 is the production version of the Vision 7S concept, a larger electric SUV positioned above the Elroq and Enyaq. Once launched, it will sit alongside the ICE-powered Kodiaq in Skoda’s SUV portfolio.

A former school bus driver in Springfield, Illinois, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on child pornography charges, reported WCIA News.

According to the news report, 38-year-old Anthony Marconi was sentenced last Thursday to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of possessing child pornography on a computer and one count of solicitation of child pornography.

Authorities reportedly started looking into Marconi in October, which resulted in a search warrant being signed for his home on East Enos Avenue. He was arrested after that search found evidence of child sex abuse material. Marconi was employed by First Student at the time of his arrest.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said via the article, “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois children by identifying and holding offenders who prey on them accountable.”

Raoul’s Office co-prosecuted Marconi’s case alongside the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.

---

Related: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver, Former Police Chaplain Faces Child Porn Charges
Related: New York School Bus Driver Caught with Child Pornography
Related: California School Bus Driver Indicted on Federal Child Porn Charges
Related: Florida School Bus Driver Faces Child Abuse Charges

The post Illinois School Bus Driver Charged for Child Pornography appeared first on School Transportation News.

Lancia spent years as one of Europe’s weakest car brands, with a bare-bones lineup and almost no sales outside Italy. Its outdated third-generation Ypsilon clung to life for 14 years before finally being replaced last year. Now, under Stellantis, the brand is showing signs of revival. A higher-performance Ypsilon HF has just launched, but something more exciting is already on the horizon.

In a press release earlier this week tied to the launch of the Ypsilon Rally6 race car, Lancia quietly revealed plans to revive what is arguably its most iconic nameplate: HF Integrale. Likely because the project is still in its early stages, Lancia’s revelation was short on details, but it did confirm the name will be used on the new Gamma and Delta.

Read: One Lancia Ypsilon HF Is Fast The Other Just Pretends

“HF will become the defining feature of all the high-performance versions within the new Lancia lineup,” the automaker confirmed, “today on the Ypsilon model and soon to appear in 2026 on the upcoming Gamma and Delta with the ‘HF Integrale’ label.”

Integrale, But With A Twist

Importantly, the HF Integrale versions of the new Gamma and Delta won’t mirror the original Delta HF Integrale. In its first generation form (and not the one that followed), that car earned its reputation in the World Rally Championship, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The upcoming Delta, by contrast, is expected to be an electric vehicle, which, yes, may disappoint some purists.

According to a report from Autocar, the new Delta will be a sibling to the Vauxhall Mokka and is expected to ride on Stellantis’ CMP platform. While this architecture supports both internal combustion and electric powertrains, only high-performance EVs have been released on it so far, such as the new Lancia Ypsilon HF and the Peugeot e-208 GTI

If the Delta HF Integrale shares the same setup, it would likely feature a single electric motor producing 280 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque.

As for the Gamma, Lancia hasn’t revealed much. An HF Integrale version hasn’t been shown yet, and even the standard model is still under wraps. What we do know is that Lancia teased it late last year and confirmed it will be available as both a hybrid and an EV. More specifics will likely follow as the 2026 launch approaches.

Electric or not, Mercedes-AMG’s latest concept makes a strong first impression. The AMG Concept GT XX doesn’t just aim to keep up with combustion-powered predecessors; it wants to make sure you hear and feel every bit of its presence.

Strongly hinting at a production car that may launch in 2026, it boasts 1,341 horsepower (1,000 kW), four doors, and a top speed of 223 mph (359 km/h). That’s not all, though, because we know it’ll also come with fake sounds. Now, in a new interview, we’re learning more about that and new insights on how AMG will evoke emotion from its drivers.

More: AMG Is Ditching Its Hated Four-Cylinder C63 For Something Much Better

From the outset, Mercedes-AMG confirmed that the production car, likely the next AMG GT 4-Door, will have speakers to make engine noises. Sure, placing them at the front of the car in the headlights does seem a bit odd, but we digress. We’ve actually heard the fake engine noises already, too. They’re the main feature in a new Instagram post from Mercedes.

Engineering Emotion

That said, tech chief of Mercedes AMG, Markus Schäfer, is still dropping new information in an interview with Autocar. There, he says that evoking emotion is a paramount concern for AMG.

“How does the car feel in terms of noise, in terms of sound level, in terms of the vibration, in terms of the gearshift?,” he asked. “It has to touch the emotional side of you. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t do the job. This is what AMG cars do, and that’s exactly what we transferred piece by piece into this AMG GT XX.”

Apparently, Mercedes is taking this lightly. “It has to be authentic when it comes to power and drivability and track performance,” Schäfer remarked, “but the AMG is also an emotional experience from an acoustic standpoint, from noise and vibration harshness, and that’s exactly what you should expect in this car as well.”

At this point, it’s fair to expect the first all-AMG EV to rumble, shake during simulated gear shifts, and deliver a soundtrack that mimics the drama of a combustion engine. That actually sounds pretty promising. Interestingly, it’s also not far off from what Hyundai has already achieved with the well-received Ioniq 5 N.

Ultimately, this shouldn’t be all that shocking. Whether electric vehicles end up taking over or not (ed’s note: they likely will, since automakers have already invested too much and will want to recoup it), they’re a part of the auto industry for the foreseeable future. It’s also pretty clear that they have enormous performance potential. Still, a brand like AMG would be putting itself at great risk by not at least planning for what EV models would look like. By extension, that same logic applies to how an AMG EV would sound and feel.

Thankfully, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N proves that an EV can indeed be genuinely fun. If a Korean automaker, mostly known for everyday people carriers, can manage it, surely AMG can too. We can’t wait to see and, more importantly, experience whatever it dreams up. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mercedes-AMG (@mercedesamg)

A decade ago, Honda and Sony partnering with each other would have resulted in a Gran Turismo concept at best. However, today it has translated into the sleek-looking Afeela Joint EV project. But there’s one problem: before even selling a single car, Sony Honda Mobility has posted an operating loss of approximately $362 million (¥52 billion).

It’s not just a matter of pre-launch development expenses either. According to recently released financial disclosures, losses more than doubled compared to last year’s ¥20.5 billion deficit, highlighting just how expensive it is to play catch-up in the premium EV market. Set to debut later this year, the Afeela will command a starting price of $89,900, a clear sign of the market positioning the joint venture targets, but also underscoring the challenges of recouping such heavy upfront investments.

A Challenging Entry

Any new car launch is going to incur losses to begin with; that’s practically a given. And with Honda and Sony’s war chest seemingly well-stocked (combined, the two Japanese companies pocketed over ¥2.6 trillion in operating profit last fiscal year), it’s unlikely that the project will put either at financial risk.

Read: Watch Sony Exec Drive Afeela EV With A PlayStation Controller

But the market Afeela will be entering won’t be without its hurdles. Analysts suggest that luxury electric vehicles, while highly attractive to premium buyers, typically come with high development costs: think extensive R&D, complex software integrations, and the pricey task of prototype building. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida points out that although the high sticker price of the Afeela aims to offset these expenses, fully covering these substantial costs through sales alone might prove challenging.

Late To The Party

Adding to the complexity, the Afeela will launch into a market where Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other established players already dominate (and that’s without mentioning the Chinese, of course…) , making Sony and Honda’s mission to carve out their own niche all the more difficult. But both companies remain confident, banking on a combination of Honda’s proven engineering expertise and Sony’s strength in software and entertainment tech to win over buyers.

Whether the Afeela becomes a hit or remains an ambitious footnote, the venture highlights one thing clearly: even for giants like Sony and Honda, the transition to electric luxury is neither cheap nor easy.

As demand patterns shift in the auto industry, the tension between future-focused electric vehicles and proven combustion models continues to shape manufacturing plans.

Toyota has always been a strong believer in that a multi-energy approach is best, which is why you’ll find EVs, hydrogen fuel-cell cars and combustion models in its showrooms. But the brand is experiencing such a massive demand for one particular ICE SUV it was forced to press pause on a planned new EV to make room.

Related: Akio Toyoda Says EVs Are Dirtier Than You Think

An electric SUV that was to be built at the automaker’s Princeton, Indiana, plant from 2027 now won’t start rolling off the line until 2028, according to a Bloomberg report. And that line has been switched to Toyota’s Georgetown site, where another EV will start production in the back end of 2026, around six months later than planned.

This is bad news for EV fans, but could be good news for anyone looking to buy a Grand Highlander in the next couple of years.

There are a couple of reasons for the delay and switcheroo, one of which is that EV sales haven’t taken off in the way Toyota – and every other automaker – thought they might. Although the brand’s own bZ4X had a great first quarter, and the facelifted model, now called simply bZ, is a much stronger proposition, the overall US EV market is growing at a slower rate than in previous years.

Hybrids and Gas Models Are Still Pulling Ahead

And going hand-in-hand with that is the much faster growth being experienced by the hybrid segment and the continued appeal of simple gas cars, trucks and SUVs. Toyota’s Grand Highlander – which is available in gas and hybrid forms – has proved such a hit with buyers that the automaker desperately needs to make more of them.

The Grand Highlander was Toyota’s second-best-selling non-truck model in June, deliveries jumping 92 percent when, at the same time, even the number one spot RAV4 was down 4.5 percent.

The rush to pick up one of the midsize SUVs left dealers with just a three-day supply at the end of that month, Bloomberg reports, and switching production of the delayed-to-’28 EV will ensure Toyota has plenty of spare Grand Highlander capacity at Georgetown going forward.

Toyota

Porsche may be getting ready to reverse course on one of its biggest bets. A new report suggests the automaker is reconsidering its decision to retire the internal combustion version of the Macan, its best-selling crossover. Not long ago, the company was confidently signaling the end of the gas-powered Macan. Now, that stance appears to be shifting.

We’ve heard rumors that this could happen already this year. Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer stated in January that, “We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future.” Now, his words have sparked further investigation and one publication says an announcement could come soon.

More: Porsche Testing 2026 Cayenne EV In Two Different Chilli Strengths

Here’s what Car Magazine says about the situation. “A combustion version – presumably sharing underpinnings with the new Audi Q5 – would most likely take three years to develop, meaning a long absence from the market of one of Porsche’s biggest sellers. An announcement is expected in March.” Sure, that’s months away, but these things take time.

If true, it would mean Porsche working hard between now and then to revamp its plans. Announcing a new Macan ICE in March of 2026 could also have the benefit of making its launch feel closer. No doubt, if Porsche does decide to go this route, and all indications are that it’s at least considering it, we could see test mules before the end of the year.

With the latest Audi Q5 already on the road, Porsche wouldn’t be starting from scratch. Sharing a platform could accelerate development and help control costs. The real challenge will be figuring out how to keep Macan customers engaged in the meantime.

Macan EV Holds Its Own, for Now

That’ll be the toughest hurdle but the Macan EV isn’t exactly a flop. Porsche sold 18,278 of them in the final quarter of 2024. While regulation in Europe spelled the demise of the Macan ICE, it’s encouraging for Porsche that the EV version made up 66 percent of the model’s sales for the year.

That’s an encouraging sign, though the company is clearly watching what happens next. Models like the Taycan have shown how EV sales can soften over time. The task now is to maintain momentum while preparing for a possible return to combustion.

Despite not meeting since 2015 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Congress on School Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa last month concluded one half day ahead of schedule.

The early finish was noted by steering committee chair Michael LaRocco, state director student transportation services for the Indiana Department of Education, and on-site chair Charlie Hood, a former NASDPTS president and retired state director for Florida, who attributed the expedited conclusion to the understood importance of the process.

As a first-time attendee—like many in the room—the organized structure of the proceedings was apparent. Like a well-oiled machine, each committee took the stage and presented the proposed changes, with delegates agreeing quickly, or putting up a fight on something as seemingly simple as a word choice.

Much of the debate occurred over three words: May, Should and Shall. But those are important delineations, I learned.

Shall is the most stringent, a legal obligation. May connotates allowable equipment or processes. Should is a recommendation. I questioned why the wording matters, especially if the book itself is intended to serve as a best-practice resource and not a requirement in many states. It all comes down to legalities.

For instance, say a school district doesn’t equip its school buses with crossing arms and a student gets hurt, when a crossing arm could have prevented the injury. The specifications manual could be used in court, and the district would have to defend the decision of not equipping vehicles with the available safety device.

Despite no delegates speaking on the crossing gates proposal, it passed in one of the most controversial votes, 34 to 13, changing “may” have to “shall” have.

Word choice remained important to the delegations and was a sticking point for most amended changes. Whether that word choice was changing school district to local education agency, using the word student versus child, or removing the word privilege when referring to school transportation. One Michigan delegate argued the service should no longer be a privilege but a right, especially when a student’s on-board behavior is an issue.

One delegate even noted at the start of the Congress that using the word shall could be subjective language and called upon the states to use the term must as universal language when referring to requirements throughout the entire specs manual.

“Must is a directive,” the Michigan delegate shared. However, Hood reminded delegates that rules were already accepted and such changes could not be made at that time.

Proposal 50 of the school bus specifications committee was one of the few that was granted extra time for discussion (each proposal is allocated a total of 15 minutes) due to wording relating to mitigating a child being left on a school bus and preemptive procedures for the driver to take. The proposal stated that passenger advisory systems are optional but if installed, “a passenger advisory system shall require the driver to walk through the bus looking for sleeping children before leaving the bus. The driver shall have to push a button at the rear of the bus to deactivate the alarm. If the driver tries to leave the bus without deactivating the system, the system shall cause the horn to sound, notifying others that the bus is still occupied.”

The proposal added a description for how the passenger advisory system works. Delegates, however, found that the language was too specific to a procedure or system. It was amended to remove the description, as delegates pointed out some systems don’t use a button. Instead, the proposal was updated to state that the driver shall walk the bus aisle, look for sleeping children, and proceed to the rear of the bus to deactivate the system.

Another proposal in the specially equipped school bus specifications committee discussed the use of air conditioning. The proposal stated, “Climate control options shall be installed that include heating and air conditioning.” However, delegates voted 37 to 7 that changing shall to may was more appropriate to address the various climates across the U.S.

2025 New Committees
New this year was the addition of the emerging technologies and alternative transportation committees as well as the separation of infants, toddlers and preschoolers from transportation for students with disabilities and health care needs. The emerging technologies committees proceeded quickly, with one Maryland delegate questioning the need for inserting language into the specs manual as opposed to creating a guide that can be updated more regularly for school districts.

“What’s new today is old tomorrow,” a delegate commented. Alternative transportation was an especially hot topic. Many agreed that it was necessary to discuss but in little detail, leaving most governing to state and local decision makers. For instance, a line item for driver credentials stated that alternative transportation drivers “be at least 18 years of age or commensurate with the state’s required age and required years of driving to become a school bus driver.” The delegates felt the age was not necessary and should be removed, leaving the decision to the state.

One delegate suggested a policy consideration for not allowing students to be transported in the front seat of alternative transportation vehicles under any circumstances. However, other delegates had concerns, stating that a 10-passenger van would be limited to nine passengers. A Kentucky delegate said their school district allows high school students to sit in the front when space is limited. The proposed amendment failed by a vote of 31 to 9.

The delegates voted to remove the types of alternative transportation driver training (12 bullet points ranging from defensive driving to operations in inclement weather to safe loading and unloading) to instead comply with federal, state and local requirements.

After two days of the delegates sharing their opinions, presenting amendments and approving proposals (or not), the 17th NCST concluded with the resolutions committee. Resolution 2 states that “School Transportation News in a March 2024 publication identified a reporting issue that indicates the school bus is disappearing.”

STN Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray’s column “The Disappearing School Bus?” highlighted a discrepancy between historically reported numbers of students who ride the school and those of the National Household Travel Survey sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.

The resolution noted the need to develop a standardized reporting system for collecting ridership data and called on “the interim Steering Committee of the 18th NCST to appoint a focus group to research and develop recommendations for standardization of data collection relative to ridership on school bus and make periodic reports to the Interim Committee.”

The 2024 National Household Travel Survey is currently about halfway through data collection, which will run through Oct. 31 of this year. Meanwhile, the dates and location of the 18th NCST were not announced. State delegates were surveyed about if they felt meeting every five years was appropriate, or if they would rather meet every two or three years. The results were not available at this writing.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the June 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

---

Related: NASDPTS Publishes Paper Espousing Safety of School Buses Over Alternative Transportation
Related: National Congress Finishes Early After 10-Year Hiatus
Related: National Congress on School Transportation Delayed Until 2025
Related: National Congress on School Transportation Writing Committees Prepare for 2025 Meeting

The post May, Should, Shall? appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver in Sacramento City Schools uses music to unite students across the school district, reported KCRA News.

School bus driver Sunny Eselekhomhen reportedly grew up on a small Nigerian village that he said via the article had limited resources.

As Eselekhomhen drives his afternoon routes, he reportedly hums while singing in a foreign language. He spent most of his youth teaching and performing West African music across Africa and Europe. When Eselekhomhen moved to the U.S. he was even part of Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom act in its early stages.

Once he moved to Sacramento, Eselekhomhen reportedly started working as a school bus driver and eventually began traveling to different schools across the Sacramento City School District to teach West African music to the kids.

As a parent at Leonardo Davinci School, Eselekhomhen started a yearly nine-week drumming program for all the school’s third-grade students. According to the article, he’s taught drums and even sung in his native tongue for 14 years. The kids then put on a concert for their families and friends.

Eselekhomhen told local news reporters that he wants kids to learn music, but the deeper lesson in drumming is about “lifting people up.” He also shares stories about his life as a kid.

“I went to primary and secondary school barefoot with no sandals,” said Eselekhomhen via the article. “[During] rainy season, you just take your clothes off to wrap your books, you don’t have backpacks,” he continued.

Eselekhomhen added that some villages in Nigeria still have living conditions that could be hard for American children to imagine. He went to Africa last spring, and the village he visited, the students in that school did not have drinking water. The students there went from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. without drinking water. Eselekhomhen was inspired to start a project to build a freshwater well for a school in his father’s village.

Students, both current and former, parents, teachers and other people from across the district reportedly made donations to support Eselekhomhen’s project to build the well. A class at Miwok Middle School where Eselekhomhen’s wife works, started its own fundraiser, making arts and crafts to sell.

---

Related: Kentucky School Bus Driver Gifts Pajamas to Student Onboard Bus
Related: Arkansas School Bus Driver Donates Shoes to Local Organizations
Related: Louisiana School District Honors Bus Drivers
Related: Wisconsin School Bus Driver Saves Girl from Choking

The post California School Bus Driver Teaches Lessons of Compassion Through Music appeared first on School Transportation News.

Mitsubishi’s European return is starting to take shape in unexpected yet practical ways. After announcing its retreat from the region in 2020 due to mounting losses, the brand has quietly shifted gears. Now, five years later, Mitsubishi is expanding its presence across Europe by tapping into its alliance with Renault, opting for strategic efficiency over in-house development.

More: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Returns But It’ll Be As Japanese As A Croissant

That partnership began with the Mitsubishi Colt and ASX, which are essentially Renault Clio and Captur models with new badges. The next phase arrives in September with a fully electric successor to the Eclipse Cross, sharing its platform with the Renault Megane E-Tech crossover.

Following that, Mitsubishi plans to launch a more family-focused model called the Grandis, based on the Renault Symbioz, before the end of the year.

Building Identity in a Shared Platform World

There’s understandable skepticism around badge engineering, but Mitsubishi isn’t ignoring the criticism. Frank Krol, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe, addressed this in a conversation with Auto News. He said the upcoming Eclipse Cross EV will be “much more Mitsubishi” than previous rebadged efforts.

He also emphasized the brand’s intention to bring more own-developed models to Europe. At the moment, the Outlander PHEV is the only vehicle that fits that description.

Still, Krol hinted at another stage of Mitsubishi’s collaboration with Renault for the near future. While he didn’t get into details, this could be a new model based on the next generation of the Renault Clio that is expected to debut before the end of 2025.

Mitsubishi’s target is to grow annual European sales to between 75,000 and 80,000 units, up from 60,879 in 2024. That figure already represented a 44 percent increase over 2023, largely driven by the strong performance of the Renault-derived Colt and ASX.

The Problem And A Possible Answer

Despite some encouraging progress, Mitsubishi’s Renault-based models haven’t been able to offset recent losses. Between January and May 2025, the brand saw a 29 percent drop in European sales. Much of that decline stems from the discontinuation of the Space Star (Mirage) and Eclipse Cross, both of which were pulled from the market after falling short of updated safety regulations.

More: Mitsubishi’s American EV Will Be A Nissan In Disguise

The departure of the Space Star is especially significant. In 2024, it made up 39 percent of Mitsubishi’s European sales, occupying the crucial entry-level spot in the lineup. Without a replacement in the city car segment, the brand faces a clear gap in its offering.

Kei Cars in Europe? Not So Simple

One potential fix could lie in a European take on Japan’s kei car segment, an idea floated by Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and former Renault CEO Luca de Meo. For Mitsubishi, this approach would tap into its deep kei car know-how without requiring heavy investment in Europe-only models.

As Krol put it, “That would be a good tool to ramp up this industry in terms of electrification.” Still, he was quick to add that bringing kei cars to Europe “sounds easier than it is,” hinting at the regulatory and market hurdles involved.

Mitsubishi is currently active in 20 European markets, with two more under review. That’s a notable drop from the 32 markets it covered in 2019, a decline largely tied to the withdrawal of the L200 pickup from the region. According to Krol, reintroducing the midsize truck in Europe would require an electrified powertrain, which isn’t a commercially viable option given the segment’s limited sales potential.

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi cancelled plans to develop two in-house electric vehicles, choosing instead to focus on hybrids and plug-in hybrids. During a May earnings call, global CEO Takao Kato acknowledged the need for EVs in Europe, but said the company would meet that demand by leveraging products from partner OEMs rather than going it alone.