Today's Automotive Pulse
Waymo suspends driverless rides in Atlanta and Texas amid severe storms
Waymo announced a temporary suspension of its driverless‑car services in Atlanta, Georgia, and multiple Texas cities after a vehicle became stranded in flood‑water. The company said the pause is an "abundance of caution" as flash‑flood warnings, severe thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds threaten safety.
Also developing:
By the numbers: LTM Ltd acquires Randstad’s Europe and Australia units for $186M
BMW Reaches 2 Million EV Milestone as Dingolfing Plant Takes Center Stage
BMW announced that its Dingolfing plant has produced the two‑millionth battery‑electric vehicle, a high‑performance i5 M60 xDrive in Tansanit Blue bound for Spain. The milestone follows the launch of the iX in 2021 and reflects the brand’s rapid EV rollout, now exceeding two million worldwide. Dingolfing alone has built over 320,000 EVs, representing roughly one‑sixth of BMW’s total electric output. The achievement underscores BMW’s shift toward high‑volume, flexible electric manufacturing.
USA April 2026: Accord Helps Honda up, Sales Off -6.7%
U.S. light‑vehicle sales slipped 6.7% year‑over‑year in April 2026, falling to 1.367 million units, as higher fuel prices, the loss of federal EV tax credits and lingering tariff pressures bite. Imports plunged 16% while North‑American production declined only 3.9%, highlighting the...
Lithium Demand to Surge Sixfold by 2040, but Zimbabwe’s Role Limited by Refining Constraints
The OECD projects global lithium demand will rise almost sixfold by 2040, driven by electric‑vehicle sales and grid‑scale battery storage. Zimbabwe, Africa’s top lithium producer, currently accounts for about 9% of world output but is expected to fall to 6%...
Beyond Electrification: India’s EV Push Hinges on Power Storage, Critical Minerals, and Grid Readiness
At the Maharashtra Business Summit 2026, Indian policymakers and industry leaders warned that the country’s electric‑vehicle ambition hinges on three pillars: secure critical minerals, large‑scale energy storage, and a grid capable of handling renewable intermittency. The government unveiled a ₹34,000 crore...
Flexdrive: Lyft's Secret Weapon in Autonomous Mobility
In this episode of Autonomy Insiders, FlexDrive CEO John Parks explains how Lyft’s fleet‑management subsidiary keeps autonomous and rental vehicles charged, maintained, and matched to rider demand. He details FlexDrive’s evolution from a rideshare rental partner to a vertically integrated...
Truckmaking Giants Favour Shareholder Payouts Over-Investing Into the Zero-Emission Transition
European truckmakers are increasingly allocating a larger share of revenue to shareholder payouts than to zero‑emission research, according to a Profundo analysis of 2019‑2025 reports. In 2025 average payouts reached 4.9% of revenue, overtaking R&D which fell to 4.4%, with...
Port of Brunswick the Busiest Auto Terminal
The Port of Brunswick retained its title as the United States' busiest automobile terminal in 2025, moving 779,000 vehicle units and more than 53,000 heavy‑machinery units across 731 ship calls. State and port leaders unveiled a $100 million, 30%‑complete fourth berth...
Nexa’s Decade of Drift
Maruti Suzuki’s premium sub‑brand Nexa marks a decade with mixed results, as its contribution to total sales slipped to 27.6% in FY26 and unit volumes fell to 503,881 units. The brand’s portfolio is heavily skewed, with Baleno, Fronx and Grand Vitara...
Mercedes to Make Cars that Are “More AMG than Ever”, V8 to Return
Mercedes‑AMG announced a strategic shift back to its performance roots, unveiling a new flat‑plane‑crank V8 that complies with modern emissions standards. The brand promises cars that are “more AMG than ever,” emphasizing emotional driving experiences alongside continued hybrid and electric...
Ford Gets $1.3B Refund as Audi Braces for Trump Tariffs, EU Pushes Back
Ford announced a $1.3 billion tariff refund from the United States, even as Audi warned that President Trump’s proposed 25% duty on European cars could erode its profit outlook. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, rebuffed the threat, insisting the...
Chinese Startup ZYT Moves to Mass‑produce Semi‑autonomous Trucks by Late 2026
Shenzhen‑based ZYT, a spin‑off from drone maker DJI, announced plans to begin mass production of semi‑autonomous trucks in the second half of 2026 after securing deals with China’s six largest heavy‑truck manufacturers. The move positions the startup as the first...
Smarter EV Charging On The Way
New Zealand will require all electric‑vehicle chargers over 2.4 kW to include smart functionality and clear labeling, enabling automatic shifting to off‑peak, cheaper electricity. The policy aims to curb a projected 40 % rise in household peak demand and could save households...
Chinese Automakers Face Excess Capacity, Seek Overseas Markets
Guess I should have said shrinking industry margins rather than summarised for stiklers for accuracy like Glenn: " In China alone, experts estimate annual demand of about 25mn cars against estimated factory capacity of 45-50mn. The prolonged price war and eroding...
Today's 300kW Chargers Already Lag Behind Future EVs
Congrats @LaChaineEV for making it on 📺 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 Isn't it amazing that 300kW chargers today are already on the slow side for many EVs coming out right now, imagine what a highway stop in France will look like in 2035! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging https://t.co/LGE5EvLDJu
Advocates Host Press Conference Outside Las Vegas Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, Calling for Faster Transition to Electric Trucks
Environmental and health advocates staged a press conference outside the Las Vegas Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, urging a rapid shift to electric trucks. They singled out Volvo and Daimler for greenwashing and lobbying against stricter clean‑truck standards. Speakers highlighted the...
Waymo App’s Car Section Offers Easy In‑Ride Controls
love this my car section in the waymo app. all the in ride controls you want, easy to access https://t.co/4dEph2wIj8
Tesla's $2B Lucid Purchase Likely Terrible Amid $1B Quarterly Losses
At a market cap of just $2 billion, should $TSLA buy Lucid for shits n gigs? Probably a terrible idea considering they’re losing $1 billion a quarter, but interesting to consider.
The Driven Podcast: EV Sales Surge, FBT Survives, and Petrol Starts to Wobble
The Driven Podcast highlighted a record month for electric‑vehicle (EV) sales in Australia, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) achieving an unprecedented 34 percent EV share. The episode explored the next phase of the federal EV tax credit and its potential...
Tesla Semi in Production; Time to Deliver Promised Trailer
Not that they’ve started volume production of the Tesla Semi, it’s time to deliver what was in its trailer at the unveil…
Chinese EV Makers Capture 8 of Top 10 Slots at Bangkok Motor Show, Marking Thailand's Shift
Chinese automakers seized eight of the top ten vehicle bookings at the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, with BYD taking the lead. The surge follows Thailand's halving of the NEV purchase tax break and price cuts of up to 30%,...
Ford Teases The Affordable EV Of The Future, But Where’s The Beef?
Ford has launched a secretive skunkworks effort in Long Beach, California, to build a low‑cost, high‑volume electric vehicle platform. The 350‑person team is equipped with rapid‑prototype tools that can produce full‑size parts in under a day, aiming to debut a midsize...
Tesla Hits 10 Billion Miles, Meeting Musk’s ‘Safe Unsupervised’ Driving Threshold
Tesla announced its fleet has driven more than 10 billion miles, satisfying Elon Musk’s benchmark for safe unsupervised self‑driving. The milestone fuels speculation about a shift to fully autonomous FSD, while legal and regulatory questions linger.
EV Pickup Boom Gains Momentum
Thailand’s electric pickup market accelerated in Q1 2026, with sales soaring 227% to 314 units as diesel prices jumped to 40.80 baht per litre (about $1.14). The government’s EV 3.5 incentive scheme, offering tax cuts and subsidies, is boosting both commercial fleet and...
Adient PLC (ADNT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Adient plc reported Q2 2026 revenue of $3.6 billion, a 4% year‑over‑year increase primarily from favorable European FX, and adjusted EBITDA of $207 million, lifting its margin to 5.7%. Free cash flow hit $15 million, prompting the company to raise full‑year guidance to...
Tesla FSD Hits Major Speedbump with EU Regulators
Tesla secured Dutch approval for its supervised Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system after 1.6 million kilometres of testing, marking the first EU member state to green‑light the technology. The approval covers a European‑specific version that mandates hands‑on steering, stricter eye‑tracking and limited...
Peugeot E-408
Peugeot finally launched the e‑408 in 2026 after a three‑year delay, pricing it at £43,655 (≈$55,900) – just £1,500 above the mild‑hybrid 408 and £4,500 below the plug‑in version. The lift‑back crossover packs a 58 kWh battery, 210 bhp motor and a...
Avoid Lucid Stock
Macro: EV demand solid; supply bottlenecks persist. Lucid halted guidance after seat supplier glitch cut Q1 sales. Risk: production & material limits. Trade: avoid LCID until updated guidance. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
China's EV Trucks Surge as Car Sales Cool, War Boost
As electric car sales soften in China after years of breakneck growth, electric trucks are taking off, with the emerging industry expected to get a boost from the Iran war https://t.co/42g5lCCBfq
Lucid Motors Doesn’t Know How Many EVs It Will Build This Year
Lucid Motors announced it can no longer confirm how many electric vehicles it will produce or sell in 2026, pulling its earlier guidance of 25,000‑27,000 units. The shift follows a CEO transition and a 12% workforce reduction that will cost...
Nissan and BMW Squashed Early EV Advantage Despite Expertise
Both Nissan in 2009 and BMW in 2011, had early leads in EVs and also had the knowledge to build world-class sports cars. And both, screwed up the lead, royally. https://t.co/zY39EMW5E7
Google Gemini Expands to Cars, Sparking Privacy Concerns
Google Gemini is rolling out to millions of cars, but some owners are concerned about data privacy. https://t.co/ffvLwEJQFu
EV Li-Ion Batteries Market Set to Reach US$320 Billion by 2036
The global lithium‑ion battery market for electric vehicles is forecast to grow from $170 billion in 2026 to $320 billion by 2036, a 6.5% CAGR. Growth is driven by booming BEV sales in China, rising adoption in Europe, and a projected 4,500 GWh...
Electric Trucks Already Conquering Chile’s Atacama Desert
BEV trucks are already cruising across the Atacama Desert today yeah baby, we're rockin' #alwaysbecharging ⚡️⚡️⚡️ 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱 video: Alex Fabian Salas Garriga https://t.co/4rxJH8d699
Outlook for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors: Explainer Video
The IDTechEx explainer video reviews the outlook for wide‑bandgap semiconductors—silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)—and their expanding role in power electronics for data centers, renewable‑energy systems, and electric vehicles. It outlines the current state of commercialization and presents a...
This EV Charger System Runs Like a Mini Power Plant – up to 10 MW
ABB E‑mobility unveiled its OM X‑Series, a distributed EV‑charging platform that can deliver up to 10 MW from a single site and power more than 100 fast‑charging points. The system uses liquid‑cooled silicon‑carbide converters, maintains over 98 % conversion efficiency in continuous...
Lucid (LCID) Will Adjust EV Production After Ending Q1 with Bloated Inventory
Lucid reported a 149% jump in first‑quarter production to 5,500 EVs, yet deliveries fell short at 3,093 due to a February seat‑supplier disruption that inflated inventory. The issue has been resolved, and March sales rose 14% year‑over‑year. Revenue reached $282.5 million,...
Waymo Launches 6th‑Gen Zeekr RT with Fast Charging
Waymo Debuts 6th-Gen Zeekr RT with Fast-Charging in San Diego by @niccruzpatane #Automotive #Transport #EV #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/axCIJCzcKh
Volvo Trucks Tackles EPA 2027 with ‘Most Efficient’ D13 Engine Yet
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its next‑generation D13 13‑liter engine, designed to meet the EPA’s 2027 rule that cuts NOx emissions by 80 %. The powertrain delivers up to 540 hp, 1,950 lb‑ft of torque and a record 630 braking hp while preserving the VNL’s...
BorgWarner Wins Three Electric Motor Contracts in China and South Korea for BEV, PHEV and Hybrid Programs
BorgWarner announced three new electric‑motor contracts in Asia, covering a battery‑electric SUV in South Korea and two distinct hybrid programs in China. The South Korean deal supplies a stator assembly for a B‑segment electric SUV slated for production in September 2027....
Reporter Tests BYD’s High‑Tech Electric Ride‑Hailing
.@Kubota_Yoko: “It was one of my first times riding in a new BYD electric car, and as a…reporter, I was excited. China’s BYD was the talk of the car world, and the ride-hailing vehicle I was in had buzzy features,...
Lucid Misses Revenue Expectations After Delivery Disruptions
Lucid Group reported first‑quarter revenue of $282.5 million, well below the $389.2 million analysts expected. A seat‑supplier quality problem halted Gravity SUV deliveries for 29 days in February, limiting deliveries to 3,093 vehicles despite producing 5,500. The automaker reaffirmed its 2025 production...
VTNA Unveils EPA 2027-Compliant D13 Engine
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled a D13 engine that meets the pending 2027 EPA nitrogen‑oxide emissions rule of 35 mg/hp‑hr. The power unit, offered on the VNL and VNR Class 8 trucks, delivers up to 540 hp and 1,950 lb‑ft of torque across 13...
Buyers Opt for Budget Cars as Prices Hit $50K
JUST IN: More car buyers are selecting cheaper, basic vehicles as average new vehicle prices near $50,000.
Waymo Launches Fully Driverless Ojai Robotaxi Service in Phoenix
Waymo has started fully autonomous operations of its Ojai robotaxi fleet in the Phoenix area, marking the first driver‑free runs of the next‑generation vehicle. The service precedes a planned ride‑hailing launch later this year, expanding Waymo’s testing footprint that began...
Hyundai Pushes for Tens of Thousands of Boston Dynamics Atlas Robots, Accelerating Mass Production
Hyundai Motor Group, which controls Boston Dynamics, has asked the robotics firm to deliver tens of thousands of Atlas humanoid robots within the next few years. The demand follows a CES showcase of a production‑ready Atlas and comes as Boston...
Volkswagen Becomes Rivian’s Top Shareholder, Displacing Amazon
Volkswagen has become Rivian’s largest shareholder, increasing its stake to 15.9% and overtaking Amazon. The German automaker pledged $5.8 billion, released in milestones, to fund a joint venture focused on EV architecture and software. Rivian secured an extra $1 billion after completing...
Chinese Supercars Roll Into El Paso, Threatening US Automakers
JUST IN: El Paso's streets show rare, advanced Chinese cars that are the biggest threat to U.S. automakers in decades.
China’s Hyper‑Automated Factories Build a Car Every 30 Seconds
China’s Hyper-#Automated Auto Plants: One Car Every 30 Seconds Rolls Off the Line by @Eng_china5 #Robotics #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/LWot8ymHwq
Honda Shelves $11B Canada EV Factory as Its Electric Retreat Deepens
Honda has officially shelved its C$15 billion ($11 billion) electric‑vehicle and battery complex in Alliston, Ontario, turning a two‑year pause into an indefinite retreat. The move follows a $15.7 billion EV writedown, the cancellation of three U.S. EV models and the termination of...
Download Trend Paper: Supercharging Data Connectivity to Meet Next-Generation Automotive Expectations
TE Connectivity has published a trend paper outlining how data connectivity must evolve to support next‑generation automotive experiences. Consumers now expect personalized, autonomous, and highly connected vehicles, driving demand for more compact, high‑resolution cameras. These cameras require connectors that can...