Today's Automotive Pulse
Volkswagen expands Rivian stake amid $1.75B fine risk
Volkswagen is increasing its investment in Rivian while facing potential fines of $1.75 billion over regulatory concerns. The move underscores the automaker's push into electric vehicles despite mounting compliance challenges.
Also developing:
By the numbers: LTM Ltd acquires Randstad’s Europe and Australia units for $186M
Toyota’s FY Profit Plunges 19% as U.S. Tariffs Wipe Out $9 Billion
Toyota Motor Corp posted a 19% decline in fiscal‑year profit to 3.85 trillion yen ($25 bn), saying U.S. tariffs on auto parts erased roughly $9 bn of operating income. The loss came despite a rise in global vehicle sales, underscoring how trade policy can instantly erode margins in the automotive supply chain.
U.S.-China Battery Race Heats Up as CATL Unveils 5‑Minute 320‑Mile Battery
China’s battery giant CATL announced a lithium‑ion cell that can deliver 320 miles of range after a five‑minute charge, prompting U.S. officials and analysts to question the impact of the Biden administration’s trillion‑dollar green‑energy push. The development comes as BYD...
Aurora Secures McLane Deal to Launch Driverless Truck Routes in Texas
Aurora Innovation has signed a commercial agreement with Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane to operate fully driverless trucks on a Dallas‑Houston corridor. The service runs seven days a week, two round‑trips daily, and will expand to additional Sun Belt routes before the...
Tesla Model Y First to Pass NHTSA’s Eight-Point ADAS Test
Tesla’s 2026‑model Year Model Y became the first vehicle to clear all eight criteria of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s revamped Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) benchmark. The test suite adds four new evaluations—pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane‑keeping assistance, blind‑spot...
How the 'Wrong' Tyres Are Sabotaging Your Car’s MPG
Tyres, often overlooked, can consume 20‑30% of a vehicle’s fuel or electricity through rolling resistance. Continental estimates that a 30% rise in rolling resistance adds 3‑5% to fuel use, while Michelin confirms similar impacts for EV range. The industry is...
Can Ford Revive Its Struggling EV Program? – This Week in Cleantech
The latest "This Week in Cleantech" roundup spotlights a proposed 21‑gigawatt solar‑plus‑storage project in California that could become the world’s largest renewable installation. It also examines how the Iran‑Israel conflict is underscoring the strategic risks of continued fossil‑fuel dependence. A...
CPCA Preliminary Data Shows China April Passenger NEV Retail Sales at 883,000
China's passenger new‑energy vehicle (NEV) retail sales reached 883,000 units in April, a 5% year‑on‑year drop but a 4% rise from March, surpassing CPCA’s forecast. The NEV share of total passenger‑car sales hit a record 62.8%, while overall vehicle retail...
Tesla FSD Outperforms Drivers, Offers Seamless Self‑service
Tried @tesla FSD yesterday in NL for the first time. Insane. Drives better than most drivers on the road. Also incredible experience getting service: - car drives itself to service center - I work from there at a proper desk. Free...
Synergi Showcases 2.5 MW of Smart EV Charging
"Yesterday, Finnish EV smart charging service Synergi organised a mass 'smart charging' event in Finland, demonstrating 2.5 MW of controllable capacity." 🇫🇮 ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging https://t.co/22nV60TMzF
Malaysia’s EV Import Curbs to Protect Local Car Sector Criticised for Inconsistency
Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry announced that from July 1 only imported electric vehicles with a CIF value of at least 200,000 ringgit (US$51,000) and a power output of 180 kW will be allowed to sell, effectively barring most Chinese‑made...
Rocsys Launches ‘Next-Generation’ Hands-Free Charging System for Heavy-Duty Electric Fleets
Rocsys has introduced the S2, its next‑generation hands‑free charging system for heavy‑duty electric fleets, now available for ports, distribution hubs and logistics facilities. The first unit has been delivered to a large‑scale port customer, and the solution comes in a...
Automotive Trade Groups Urge US to Extend USMCA over Bilateral Deals
President Trump has reduced tariffs on automotive imports, setting a 15% rate for Japan, the European Union and South Korea and a 10% rate for the United Kingdom. Seven leading automotive trade associations—including GM, Volkswagen, Tesla, Toyota and Hyundai—have written...
Inside Torc Robotics: How Autonomous Trucking Is Moving Toward Commercial Reality
Torc Robotics, a veteran autonomous‑driving firm founded in 2005, is advancing Level 4 self‑driving trucks on the Freightliner Cascadia platform in partnership with Daimler. The company has broadened public‑road testing to Texas, Virginia and Michigan, gathering data across diverse weather and...
Kia Appoints Cycle & Carriage as Key Dealer in Malaysia
Kia Sales Malaysia has appointed the Cycle & Carriage Group as a key authorized dealer, replacing Bermaz Auto after the latter's partnership ended in November 2025. The move is part of Kia’s manufacturer‑driven strategy to tighten control over sales and...
Hyundai Mobis Unveils New 160-kW Electric Drive System for BEVs
Hyundai Mobis unveiled a new 160‑kW (215 hp) Power Electric drive system for battery‑electric vehicles, marking its first fully in‑house developed drivetrain. The system combines a motor, inverter and reduction gear in a modular architecture that can be shared with its...
Italy Fines Enel €2.3M for EV Charging Margin Squeeze
"July 2025, Italy's competition authority fined Enel over €2.3M for a margin squeeze in EV charging. The case began w/ a complaint from @GoEvway, small independent mobility service provider, which found itself paying wholesale tariffs higher than retail price that Enel's own consumer app charged drivers"
Stellantis Deepens Leapmotor Tie-Up with New Opel EV, Spanish Plant Transfer
Stellantis announced it will deepen its partnership with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor by adding a new production line at its Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza to build an all‑new Opel C‑segment electric SUV, with production slated for 2028, and by commencing...
Mitsubishi Reins in 2026/27 Guidance Due to Middle East War
Mitsubishi Motors announced it is lowering its 2026/27 earnings guidance as the ongoing Middle East conflict threatens material and logistics costs. The company posted a net profit of ¥21.2 bn (about $152 m) for 2025/26, a 58.2% drop from the prior year....
Spring Update Launches Standalone Self-Driving App
New Self-Driving app in the spring update. It’s actually a whole separate app, not just part of the self-driving section in vehicle controls. https://t.co/dbDy9MedI1
DC Charging Prices Drop 10 Cents Since October
Newsflash from charging specialists in Deutschland: "CHARGING RADAR by #CIRRANTIC evaluations show a significant movement in prices: The average DC charging price has fallen from 75 cents to 65 cents per kWh since the peak in October 2024." ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging 🇩🇪 https://t.co/Xm8i5eKe0L
South Africa April 2026: Market up 13%, Jetour T2 Just Outside Top 10
South Africa’s passenger‑vehicle market surged 13% in April, delivering 47,979 units and lifting the year‑to‑date total 12.5% to 209,925. Toyota remained the dominant brand with a 21.2% share, while Suzuki fell 10.3% yet stayed second. Chinese manufacturers posted spectacular gains...
Tesla Fleet Generates 500 Years of Driving Data Daily
The Tesla fleet can collectively produce the equivalent of 500 years of driving data every single day.
Tesla Semi’s Official Battery Capacity Leaked by California Regulators
A California Air Resources Board filing released in April 2026 confirms that Tesla’s Semi trucks use two battery sizes: an 822 kWh pack for the Long‑Range model and a 548 kWh pack for the Standard‑Range version. Both variants share the same lithium‑ion...
Vauxhall to Launch New SUV Developed with Leapmotor
Vauxhall (Opel) will co‑develop and launch a new electric C‑segment SUV with Chinese EV start‑up Leapmotor, targeting an early 2028 debut. The model will combine Leapmotor’s core electric architecture with Vauxhall‑engineered design, chassis and interior experience, and will be assembled...
Ford E-Tourneo Courier
Ford unveiled the 2026 e‑Tourneo Courier, an electric version of its compact commercial MPV, priced at £29,940 (≈ $38,300) after the UK £3,750 grant. It packs a 43.6 kWh nickel‑manganese‑cobalt battery delivering a WLTP‑rated 178 mi (about 135 mi real‑world) range and a 134 bhp...
Kyodo News Digest: May 8, 2026
Toyota Motor Corp. posted 50.68 trillion yen ($32.3 bn) in FY 2025 sales, the first Japanese firm to break the 50‑trillion‑yen barrier, but its net profit fell 19% to 3.85 trillion yen due to higher U.S. tariffs. Sony Group’s FY 2025 net profit slipped 3.4%...
Infrared LEDs Support In-Cabin Sensing for Vehicle Safety
ams OSRAM introduced its OSLON Black IR:6 C‑Series infrared LEDs, a 940 nm high‑power solution designed for camera‑based in‑cabin driver and occupant monitoring. The LEDs suppress the visible red‑glow effect, delivering low‑visibility illumination that works across changing lighting conditions. By targeting...
Autoliv to Wind Down Türkiye Production by 2028
Swedish safety‑systems supplier Autoliv announced it will wind down production of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels in Turkey, completing the shutdown by the first half of 2028. The move will affect roughly 2,200 workers and shift output to other EMEA...
Europe’s First Robotaxi Service Is Underway in Croatia at $2.33 a Ride
Verne, a Croatian startup, has rolled out Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, deploying a fleet of ten electric Arcfox Alpha T5 SUVs equipped with Pony AI’s autonomous software. Rides are priced at a flat €1.99 (approximately $2.33) within a 35‑square‑mile...
Porsche to Shut Three Subsidiaries, Cut 500-Plus Jobs
German automaker Porsche AG announced it will wind down three subsidiaries—Cellforce Group, Porsche eBike Performance, and software developer Cetitec—as part of a strategic refocus on its core sports‑car business. The closures will affect more than 500 employees, with roughly 50...
Volkswagen Readying 282bhp ID Polo GTI Clubsport
Volkswagen is developing a high‑performance Clubsport version of its ID Polo GTI, boosting power from 223 bhp to about 282 bhp. The upgrade will add a mechanical limited‑slip differential and software‑driven paddle‑shift simulation that mimics traditional gear changes. A lower chassis and...
BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao Titanium 7 Launched: All-Electric Toyota Prado Rival Shapes up for Aussie Arrival as a Denza
BYD unveiled the Fang Cheng Bao Titanium 7 (Ti7) at the Beijing motor show, offering both a pure‑electric version and a plug‑in hybrid with a 1.5‑litre turbo engine. The all‑electric model features a 106 kWh battery, delivering up to 755 km (RWD) or...
Dauch Nearly Doubles Q1 Sales on Dowlais Deal
Dauch Corporation reported first‑quarter 2026 sales of $2.38 bn, nearly double the $1.41 bn a year earlier, after completing the Dowlais acquisition and rebranding from American Axle & Manufacturing. The deal added GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, driving the sales surge but also...
Kodiak Takes Autonomous Trucks to Canadian Forests
Kodiak AI is deploying its autonomous trucking system to West Fraser Timber's logging operations in Alberta, marking the company's first overseas rollout and entry into the timber sector. The pilot will transport raw timber from remote forest sites to West...
Zeekr Sets May 19 Launch for Revamped 009 MPV
Zeekr, Geely's premium EV brand, announced the May 19 launch of its revamped 009 MPV after opening pre‑sales on April 24 and test drives on May 9. The new 009 offers three luxury configurations, with the base Ultra version built on an 800‑volt...
New Faster, Cheaper Tesla Model to Come with New LFP Battery Pack
Tesla has introduced a new, lower‑priced Model 3 for the Canadian market, priced under A$43,000 (about $28,000 USD). The vehicle uses a 62.5 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by Sunwoda, replacing the CATL packs previously used in rear‑wheel‑drive versions. The LFP pack delivers...
ZF to Present Retrofit SolarBoost Solar Panels for Urban and Coach Fleets at Milan’s Next Mobility Exhibition / Transpotec
ZF will debut its SolarBoost retrofit solar panel system for buses at the Next Mobility Exhibition in Milan, running May 13-16, 2026. The plug‑and‑play kit fits 24 V urban buses and coaches with batteries of at least 150 Ah, adding roof‑mounted panels...
Used EV Prices Surge Amid Rising Gas and Electricity Costs
Prices of Used EVs Spike, from already Lofty Levels, as Gasoline Prices Spike. But Electricity Prices also Soared. High gasoline prices tilt operating costs in favor of EVs. But soaring electricity prices eat into that math https://t.co/AQxoXuXjP4 https://t.co/G8b7PjCGPa
US Buyers Seek Sub‑$50k Cars, Market Falls Short
Americans want to buy cars for less than $50k but that’s not what we can get.
Prices of Used EVs Spike, From Already Lofty Levels, as Gasoline Prices Spike. But Electricity Prices Also Soared
U.S. gasoline prices have surged 57% to $4.58 per gallon, prompting a rebound in demand for used electric vehicles. At auction, wholesale prices for used EVs climbed 3.4% in April to $29,453, marking a 7.8% year‑over‑year increase and widening the...
BMW Leipzig Plant Deploys Terahertz Imaging to Boost Paint Quality on Plastic Parts
BMW’s Leipzig plant has installed das‑Nano’s terahertz‑based “Irys” system to measure paint thickness on plastic exterior parts in real time, replacing manual scalpels and microscopy. The non‑destructive solution promises micrometre accuracy, reduced waste and faster defect detection, reinforcing the plant’s...
China’s Move to Cut EV Payment Cycles May Push Weaker Carmakers Out: S&P
Beijing has tightened oversight of price competition by forcing EV makers to shorten supplier payment cycles, cutting average terms from up to 300 days to around 50 days. S&P Global Ratings warns that the tighter cash‑flow regime will increase borrowing...
Tesla Semi and Megachargers Costs Versus Diesel
Tesla unveiled two charging solutions for its Semi: the $40,000 Basecharger for modest fleet needs and the $188,000 Megacharger capable of 1,200 kW output. A hardware‑only cost analysis shows a 4‑truck electric fleet costs $1.23‑$1.35 M versus $760,000 for comparable diesel Cascadias,...
Toyota Reveals Grand AI Vision for Vehicles and Beyond
Toyota’s software arm Woven by Toyota introduced the AI Vision Engine, a large‑scale vision‑language model that fuses visual, behavioral and environmental data. The engine will underpin the next‑generation Anzen driver‑assist suite and the Arene software platform, enabling hardware‑agnostic updates for...
Kodiak Robotics Secures $100M to Scale Driverless Trucks
Physical AI has moved from "if" to "how quickly" and @KodiakRobotics is hitting that next gear. With a $100 million capital raise, 28 driverless trucks already in our customer's hands, and new developments across the long haul, defense and industrial verticals,...
Zero‑Emission Electric Trucks and Refrigerated Trailers Face Unnecessary Opposition
Clean electric trucks. No emissions coming from either the truck or the refrigerated trailer. How lost are we as a country when people are fighting against this?
What War On EVs? The EV Battery Ecosystem Continues To Grow
Dragonfly Energy secured a $527,000 non‑dilutive award from Nevada Tech Hub and added $432,000 of internal capital to expand its in‑house cell prototyping and testing capabilities. The company’s patented dry‑electrode battery process eliminates toxic solvents, cutting energy use by roughly...
True Autonomous Cars Remain Unrealized Despite Robotaxi Hype
A truly autonomous car can sit in my driveway if I ask it to, go out and do work for money, or drive me wherever I want. Robotaxis are great, but nobody has built a truly autonomous car yet.
Jeff Bezos’s Representative Just Left the Board of a Startup that Raised $1.4 Billion on His Name. The First Truck...
Jeff Bezos’s family office representative Melinda Lewison has stepped down from Slate Auto’s board just months before the EV startup begins production of its low‑cost electric truck in Warsaw, Indiana. The departure follows a CEO swap in March, with former...
Fastener Licensing Costs Threaten India's Make in India, 1% Input Halts Factories
A Global Trade Research Initiative report says India's Quality Control Orders on fasteners are raising licensing fees to as much as $4,800 and causing line stoppages across automotive and construction plants. The 1% cost component is now a bottleneck that...