Rivian has stood out among EV startups over the past decade, with its R1T and R1S showing that electric trucks and SUVs can match their gas-powered rivals in speed, capability, and comfort. Now, as it prepares to launch smaller, more affordable models like the R2 and R3, the company is also quietly supporting a new player in a very different space: a micromobility startup called Also Inc.

This new company was spun out of Rivian earlier this year with $105 million in funding from the carmaker and Eclipse, a well-known venture capital firm. While Also is remaining tight-lipped about what products it will launch, company president Chris Yu confirmed earlier this year its technologies would work for e-bikes and small three- and four-wheel neighborhood EVs and micro cars.

Read: Sales Slip Shows Rivian Needs Affordable Models Now

In July, Also reached a valuation of $1 billion following a $200 million investment from Greenoaks Capital. That’s a significant jump for a company still in stealth mode, signaling strong confidence from investors in its potential.

According to Bloomberg, Also operates out of Palo Alto and is expected to start with a team of about 80 employees. Yu mentioned that its vehicles would likely be a good fit for US communities where golf carts and other micromobility options are already part of daily life. The company is also aiming to launch several products tailored for both consumer and commercial use in regions like Asia and South America.

By establishing Also as a separate entity, Rivian can keep its focus on core vehicle development without diluting its attention. Even before the spin-off, Rivian had been exploring the idea of an electric bike, which hints at the early roots of this new venture. Although now independent, Also is expected to benefit from its connection to Rivian, gaining access to an established supply chain and possibly sharing some components between the two companies.

“When you get a small vehicle, one size doesn’t fit all,” Yu noted. “We want to give customers confidence and a brand technology platform customers can rely on with the same principles and technology, regardless of what the end solution looks like.”

Trump’s tariffs might be a major headache for European automakers shipping cars to the US, but they’re not the cause of a temporary pause in exports of the electric ID. Buzz, Volkswagen of America claims.

The automaker was responding to a story that appeared in European media claiming Trump’s decision to increase the tariffs on German exports from 2.5 percent to 27.5 percent forced VW to halt US deliveries.

Related: VW Warns Nearly 17,000 Owners To Stop Using Passenger Seat

“Not true,” a Volkswagen spokesperson told Carscoops when asked about the report in the German publication Handelsblatt. “Volkswagen of America temporarily held ID. Buzz vehicles at the port of Emden while resolving issues related to the stop sale. These vehicles are moving again, with several hundred currently on a ship. To clarify, the pause at Emden only affected East Coast-bound vehicles—we continued shipping ID. Buzzes to the West Coast throughout.”

The “stop sale” notice was issued in May when VW announced a recall for 5,644 ID. Buzz EVs because the rear seats were too wide. Yes, while you’d think Americans would be more likely to complain about seats being too narrow, the folks at the NHTSA decided that the rearmost seats on the Buzz were too generous.

There are only two seatbelts in the back but legislators reckoned the bench was wide enough to encourage a third, unbelted person to try squeezing themselves in there. VW’s remedy was to place unpadded bits of trim on the bench to reduce the size of the seating area and all of the EVs exported to the US in future will have a narrower rear seat.

Having to stop all sales of a vehicle is never good, but if ever there was a convenient time to do it, this period of tariff hell was it. While the UK has negotiated a trade deal with the US that allows the likes of Land Rover to escape with 10 percent tariffs, the EU has yet to finalize something similar, meaning its automakers’ exports are still subject to a 27.5 percent duty. VW builds US-market ID. 4s in Chattanooga, but the Buzz is manufactured in Hanover, Germany.

The Buzz is also shaping up to be far less of a sales hit than VW hoped. Having talked up the prospects of 40,000 US sales annually at one point, it’s going to struggle to hit 10k this year – in fact, it delivered just 564 in Q2. The ID. Buzz looks great, but its $61,545 starting price seems expensive and its 234-mile (377 km) range poor compared with what other EVs like the Kia EV9 offer for the same money or less. Other gripes include the stylish retro two-tone paint being restricted to upper trim level (or a $995 option on the entry-level model) and VW’s failure to launch Europe’s panel van version in the US.

Some industry watchers believe VW simply took too long launching the Buzz, having first showed a retro bus back in 2001. Perhaps if the model had come sooner, and with a combustion (possibly hybridized) engine, it might have been a better fit for mainstream America.

Carscoops

Lead image VW

Lamborghini has been talking about electric vehicles for years, but it appears the company has finally discovered an unwelcome truth. Buyers of high-end exotics don’t want a fully electric powertrain.

Ferrari and Lotus have already discovered this, so it comes as little surprise that Lamborghini has also come to their senses. CEO Stephan Winkelmann alluded to this as he recently confirmed the Urus EV has been delayed.

More: Lamborghini Introduces Urus SE PHEV, Confirms Second-Gen Urus EV

Speaking to Autocar, the executive said “We want to have a new generation again as a plug-in hybrid. This is something very important for us and for the customers.” He added clients will be “very happy to hear about this.”

It’s unclear when the second-generation crossover will arrive, but Winkelmann implied it might come around 2029. That’s a ways off, but the company is still working on new variants of the current model including a plug-in hybrid version of the Urus Performante.

As for the Urus EV, it could land in 2035. However, that’s not a firm date as the executive noted the company has time on their side. This means they can see how regulations, infrastructure, and acceptance changes in the years ahead.

The Lanzador EV could also be pushed back and a decision is expected to be made early next year. However, Winkelmann signaled his support for a launch late this decade. Regardless of what happens, the model has already been delayed from 2028 to 2029.

As a refresher, the Lanzador concept was introduced at Monterey Car Week in 2023 and designed to preview the brand’s fourth series production model. It was a slick 2+2 crossover with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system and an interior made almost entirely out of sustainable materials.

The Trump administration recently signaled the end of the clean vehicle credit, which can save consumers up to $7,500. Its last day will be September 30, sending EV prices up and demand down.

That’s a disastrous combination and we’re already starting to see some fallout from the move. However, it can’t be blamed for Nissan’s reported decision to cut production of the redesigned Leaf.

More: Nissan Takes A Leaf From The Z For Its Mass Market EV

While the model hasn’t been launched yet, reports out of Japan suggest the automaker is scaling back production because of rare earth export restrictions imposed by China. Reuters cites Kyodo News as saying the restrictions have resulted in a parts shortage, although specifics are hazy.

Rare earths play an important role in a variety of industries and China’s export restrictions have impacted a number of automakers including Ford and Suzuki. Suppliers are also in a bind as they can’t always get the materials they need.

In fact, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers recently warned the supply chain is “experiencing significant disruption due to China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets.” They went on to say the move impacts “both combustion engine and electric vehicles,” which threatens “automotive production and thousands of jobs in the European Union.”

As for the Leaf, the third-generation model was fully revealed last month and will reach U.S. dealerships this fall. It adopts a crossover-inspired design as well as a modern and high-tech interior.

The model will be offered with two different powertrains including an entry-level version that combines a 52 kWh battery with a 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) electric motor. Customers can also get a 75 kWh battery that comes paired with a 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) motor.

What a difference a couple of years can make. In 2023, Tesla was crushing it in Europe, the Model Y was on its way to becoming the first ever EV to top the continent’s year-end best sellers league table, and VW announced it was pausing production of the ID.3 and its Cupra Born electric twin due to slow sales. But just two years later, Volkswagen is reveling in a surge of EV demand that has helped it overtake its American rival.

Related: Tesla’s European Sales Bloodbath Continues, But One Country Is Over Hating Musk

According to the latest figures, the VW Group delivered 4.41 million vehicles of all energy types around the world in January-June, a 1.3 percent increase on 2024’s total. But global BEV sales were up a staggering 47 percent, reaching 465,000 (464,200 if you discount commercial trucks), and in Europe they rocketed by 89 percent to 347,900 deliveries.

Tesla Falls Behind in Europe

Though Tesla hasn’t broken out its European sales figures, it has confirmed that global sales fell 14 percent to 384,000 in the first half of the year. And Dataforce numbers revealed that Tesla had only sold 76,400 units in Europe between January and the end of May, a period in which the core VW brand alone shifted 122,600 EVs. The report says VW tied with Tesla in March’s sales race but trounced it in every other month, selling three times as many cars in April, for example.

Delivering more electric cars is important for VW’s image as it continues to put distance between itself and the Dieselgate scandal that keeps coming back to life via various ongoing court cases. And it’s also crucial if VW is to meet the EU’s draconian CO2 fleet limits.

VW GROUP EV SALES

But VW’s sales success is the result of discount campaigns on cars like the ID.3 hatch, Handelsblatt cautions, and that is putting pressure on Wolfsburg’s bottom line. A senior VW exec told Handelsblatt the company is still making money on its EVs, but that the operating margin is below the 6.5 percent return target it has set for 2029.

VW is hoping its new range of affordable EVs on sale from next year, including the ID.2 and Cupra Raval, will help improve the health of those margins.

VW GROUP EV SALES BY BRAND

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.

To fans of Northwoods League baseball, Jane Snediker is “Twirling Jane,” a fixture at Kenosha Kingfish games.

The post ‘Twirling Jane’ of the Kenosha Kingfish is a Northwoods League baseball mainstay appeared first on WPR.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

American Family Field, formerly Miller Park, opened in 2001. The ballpark's most unique feature is likely its movable roof, which is made up of 12,000 tons of steel.

The post How the Milwaukee Brewers decide when to open or close American Family Field’s roof appeared first on WPR.

Last summer, downtown Milwaukee’s Baird Center hosted the Republican National Convention. This week, the convention center has hosted a very different scene — thousands of fencers competing in over 90 different fencing events.

The post World’s largest fencing tournament comes to Wisconsin appeared first on WPR.