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
Wayve Teams with Stellantis to Deploy Hands-Free Driving in U.S. Cars by 2028
Wayve and Stellantis have signed a commercial agreement to embed Wayve’s end‑to‑end AI driving stack into Stellantis vehicles sold in the United States, with a target launch in 2028. The deal leverages Stellantis’s STLA AutoDrive platform and Wayve’s sensor‑agnostic software, marking the startup’s second major OEM partnership after Nissan.
Canada Breaks Ground on $2 B Matawinie Graphite Mine, Targeting EV Battery Supply
Prime Minister Mark Carney officially broke ground on the Matawinie graphite mine in Quebec, a $2 billion project that will produce over 106,000 tonnes of natural graphite a year. Backed by a $335 million Canadian‑to‑U.S. financing package and a seven‑year, 30,000‑tonne offtake...
Tesla Rolls Out Supervised FSD in China, Triggering Fierce Race with Domestic EV Makers
Tesla announced that its supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is now available in China, priced at 64,000 CNY ($9,410). The rollout arrives as Chinese EV makers such as XPeng claim their own autonomous tech already outpaces Tesla, igniting a high‑stakes battle...
Waymo Takes Multi-City Pause on Floods, Suspends Freeway Access
Waymo announced a temporary suspension of its robotaxi service in four U.S. cities after an unoccupied vehicle became stranded on a flooded road in Atlanta. The pause now covers Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and an additional city, reflecting heightened caution amid...
The McKinsey Center for Future Mobility’s Bold Claims About the Coming AV Revolution
In this episode of Zag Talk, the hosts discuss the latest Q1 earnings surge for gig‑economy firms like DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft, then dive into McKinsey’s Center for Future Mobility report on autonomous vehicle (AV) projections with guests Darius Skirtu...
NTN Starts China Push for EV Bearing Production
NTN announced the start of prototype production for its resin‑mold insulated bearings in China, targeting e‑axle applications for electric and hybrid vehicles. The company previously began mass production in Japan in 2025 and now plans a staged rollout in China...
Freudenberg’s New DIAvent maxFlow Vents over 190 Liters per Second in EV Battery Thermal Runaway Events
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies unveiled the DIAvent maxFlow, a thermal‑runaway vent for lithium‑ion EV batteries that pushes more than 190 L s⁻¹ at a 300 mbar differential—about 2.5 times the flow of its HighFlow predecessor. The device replaces the traditional rubber umbrella with a profiled...
BASQUEVOLT Launches 402 Wh/Kg Li-Metal NMC Cell with 8.9C Pulse Power, Manufactured in Spain
BASQUEVOLT unveiled the BQV400L, a 27 Ah lithium‑metal NMC cell that achieves 402 Wh/kg and 8.9C pulse power, produced in Spain with 75% European‑sourced components. The cell uses a proprietary polymer electrolyte, positioning it as a bridge toward full solid‑state batteries while...
Plug-In Hybrids Get Plugged in More than You Might Think
Toyota’s research institute released charging data for more than 6,000 RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX 450h+ plug‑in hybrids, showing owners plug in on the majority of driving days. RAV4 Prime drivers charge on seven out of ten days, while Lexus NX owners do so eight...
POSCO Future M to Mass‑Produce Silicon Anodes by 2028, Targeting Premium EV Battery Demand
South Korean battery materials firm POSCO Future M said it will begin mass production of silicon anode material by 2028, aiming to meet rising demand for high‑performance EV batteries. The technology promises four‑times the energy of graphite anodes and could reshape...
Analysts Warn Rivian Stock May Stay Below $15 Despite Autonomous Software Gains
Rivian (RIVN) is trading just under $15 per share, prompting analysts to caution that the stock may linger below that level despite a $1.25 billion Uber robotaxi deal and a $5.8 billion Volkswagen software partnership. The debate centers on whether the company’s...
“Europe Must Close Ranks on Bidirectional Charging” As Germany Dawdles
Germany is lagging behind its European peers in deploying bidirectional vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) charging, despite a growing number of pilots such as a MAN electric‑truck demonstration and several passenger‑car models ready for two‑way power flow. Industry leaders including BMW, Ford, Volkswagen...
Germany Allocates 2026 Funding for Additional 1,500 Zero-Emission Buses
Germany’s transport ministry unveiled a 2026 funding programme allocating roughly €400 million (≈$432 million) to add at least 1,500 zero‑emission buses. The scheme covers up to 70% of vehicle costs for operators with low electrification and 55% for those further along, plus...
Do Plug-In Hybrids Really Work? Toyota Study Says Yes
Toyota Research Institute North America analyzed over 6,000 Toyota and Lexus plug‑in hybrids and found most owners charge them regularly—about seven out of ten days for RAV4 PHEV drivers and eight to nine days for Lexus NX 450h+ owners. Only a...
JSW Group Partners with Uber to Develop and Deploy EVs in India
JSW Group and Uber have signed a memorandum of understanding to co‑develop and roll out electric‑vehicle solutions for Uber’s ride‑hailing platform in India. The partnership leverages JSW Green Mobility’s battery and charging expertise with Uber’s data‑driven fleet insights to create...
Mazda Says New Mazda6e Is ‘the Car Dealers Wanted’
Mazda unveiled the UK‑priced Mazda6e electric sedan, starting at £38,995 (about $49.5k), positioned below the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold. The car features a 78 kWh LFP battery delivering a WLTP range of 348 miles and can charge from 10% to...
Bosch Lands Major Mercedes-Benz EV Motor Contract Into the 2030s
Bosch has secured a long‑term contract to supply electric motors for Mercedes‑Benz’s next‑generation powertrains, extending into the 2030s. The agreement highlights Bosch’s high‑efficiency motors—up to 98% efficiency—with advanced rotor‑oil cooling and a scalable architecture that can be sized for different...
Dealers Convinced Mercedes To Put Gas Engines In The Baby G-Class
Mercedes-Benz will offer a gasoline‑engine version of its upcoming "Little G" compact SUV after U.S. dealers urged the company to retain an internal‑combustion option. The move counters the original plan to sell the model exclusively as an electric vehicle, reflecting...
Geely to Launch First Petrol Model in South Africa, Targets 10-Vehicle Lineup
Geely will introduce its first internal‑combustion engine model in South Africa in 2026, expanding its local lineup to roughly ten vehicles by year‑end. The Chinese automaker entered the market last year with electric and plug‑in hybrid models and now plans...
Stellantis Teams with Dongfeng in 51/49 EU JV to Launch Premium EVs
Stellantis N.V. announced a 51/49 joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor Group to market and manufacture Dongfeng’s Voyah premium new‑energy vehicles across Europe. The deal, sealed with a non‑binding MOU, will use Stellantis’ sales, distribution and after‑sales network and localize...
Tesla Says Its Semi Electric Trucks Enjoy Less Down-Time than Diesels
Tesla reports that its Semi electric trucks achieved more than 95% uptime during 2025 trial operations, with downtime below 5%. The fleet’s service efficiency outperformed diesel trucks, which typically see 90‑92% uptime and two‑to‑three days of repairs. Tesla’s Megacharger delivers...
Is Japan Being Dragged Into a "BEV Black Hole"?
Japan’s auto market is lagging far behind global EV trends, with only 3 % of surveyed car buyers considering a battery‑electric vehicle for their next purchase. BEV market share slipped to 1.3 % in the first half of 2025, while hybrids now...
BAIC Group and Tsinghua Unigroup Form Strategic Partnership
BAIC Group and Tsinghua Unigroup announced a strategic cooperation on May 18, signing three agreements that span automotive‑grade chips, smart cockpits, autonomous driving, industrial investment, and vehicle‑cloud ecosystems. The partnership leverages BAIC’s vehicle R&D and manufacturing strength with Unigroup’s chip design...
All-New AITO M9 to Launch on May 27
The all‑new AITO M9, Huawei’s premium electric SUV, will launch on May 27 after debuting on April 22. Pricing begins at ¥499,800 (about $70,000) for the base model and ¥669,800 ($94,000) for the Ultimate Extended Edition, with pre‑orders already surpassing 50,000 units....
BYD Is Struggling to Meet Demand for New Fast-Charging EVs as Orders Reach 100K, 60K
BYD announced that its new flagship electric SUVs equipped with the Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging technology have attracted more than 100,000 pre‑orders for the Great Tang and 61,240 for the Song Ultra. The battery promises a CLTC range of...
Rivian Unveils In‑House Silicon for R2 SUVs, Boosting EV Sales Pitch
Rivian announced that its R2 SUV line will ship with a self‑designed Gen 3 Autonomy Computer, built on proprietary silicon developed in a Palo Alto skunkworks. The move gives the company full stack control, promises higher compute efficiency and creates a...
Auto Industry Faces ‘Great Reset’ in 2026 Amid Tariffs, Regulation and R&D Cost Surge
In 2026 the automotive sector is undergoing a sweeping reset as manufacturers grapple with tariffs, regulatory rollbacks and rising research costs. The shift is driving a pivot to hybrid models, higher vehicle prices and a re‑tooling of management metrics.
Volvo’s Electric EX60 Launches in US, Undercutting Its PHEV Sibling
Volvo Cars introduced the EX60 midsize electric SUV in the United States, pricing it at $59,794 including destination—a $2,751 advantage over the XC60 plug‑in hybrid. The model arrives with three powertrain options, the top‑end P12 AWD delivering an estimated 400‑mile range,...
Tesla Full Self-Driving Expands in Europe, Entering Its Second Country
Tesla has expanded its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised suite to Lithuania, making it the second European Union country to offer the system after the Netherlands. The rollout follows a mutual‑recognition framework that leverages the Dutch approval, which was earned after...
Audi A2 E-Tron Confirmed for 2026 as New Entry-Level Electric Car
Audi has confirmed that its new A2 e-tron, an all‑electric compact, will debut in autumn 2026. The model will be built at Audi’s Ingolstadt plant and is positioned as an entry‑level premium EV below the brand’s larger offerings. Development is...
Mercedes Unveils Electric Sports Car with V8‑like Sound
Mercedes-Benz unveiled an electric sports car that simulates gear shifts and reproduces the soundtrack of a V8 engine - Bloomberg
China May Soon Fulfill Global EV Demand
If there is one thing that I hope European policy makers internalize it is that China's auto export wave picked up steam in the late 25 and early 26 -- and with Chinese internal demand for EVs cresting, China could...
Audi Tests A2 E-Tron Ahead of Autumn Premiere
Audi unveiled a camouflaged prototype of its upcoming A2 e‑Tron, the brand's first entry‑level electric model, ahead of an autumn 2026 launch. The compact EV is currently undergoing a series of rigorous tests, including cold‑weather trials in Lapland, wind‑tunnel aerodynamic work,...
Hesai Ships 471,000 Lidar Units in Q1 2026, Revenue Jumps 30% to $99M
Hesai Group announced it shipped over 471,000 lidar units in the first quarter of 2026, driving a 30% year‑over‑year revenue increase to $99 million. The Chinese sensor maker also secured a strategic supply deal with Mercedes‑Benz for Level 3 autonomous models and...
Mercedes‑Benz Unveils Battery‑Electric GLC with 23% Production Emissions Cut
Mercedes‑Benz rolled out the battery‑electric GLC 400 4MATIC, delivering a 23% emissions reduction in production and a two‑thirds cut in lifecycle carbon footprint. The automaker paired the launch with aggressive supplier targets, renewable‑aluminum contracts and a 40% drop in carbon...
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa Unveils $15,000 E‑Car Plan to Revive Profitability
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa announced a €15,000 ($17,500) affordable electric‑vehicle line slated for 2028 production, paired with a new joint venture with China’s Dongfeng to boost European sales. The plan targets the company’s slipping U.S. market share, excess dealer inventory...
SAIC Audi Sets May 29 Launch for AUDI E7X SUV, Dropping Premium Pricing
SAIC Audi will officially launch the all‑electric E7X SUV on May 29, pricing it between 289,800 yuan ($42,670) and 379,800 yuan ($55,900). The price represents a cut of more than 130,000 yuan from Audi’s original internal target, signaling a shift...
Nio Discloses First Carbon Reduction Target and Links Executive Pay to ESG Goals
Chinese EV maker Nio announced a 43% reduction in the full life‑cycle carbon footprint per vehicle by 2035, using 2023 as the baseline. For the first time, senior‑executive compensation is tied directly to ESG performance metrics. The company also celebrated...
GM to Shift some Production From Asia to Mexico From 2027
General Motors announced that it will begin assembling the Chevrolet Groove and Aveo at its Ramos Arizpe complex in Coahuila starting in 2027, moving production out of its China joint‑venture plants. The shift is part of a $1 billion investment aimed...
Electric Car Sales Race Ahead in SE Asia and Latin America Amid Oil Supply Crisis
The International Energy Agency’s latest analysis shows electric vehicle sales surged in the first quarter of 2026, with nearly 30% of all cars sold projected to be electric as the Iran‑Hormuz conflict drives oil prices higher. Sales jumped 80% in...
Global Light Vehicle Production Forecast for 2026 Gets a Downgrade
Oxford Economics cut its 2026 global light‑vehicle (LV) production outlook to 93.3 million units, reflecting a broader downgrade of world GDP growth to 2.4%. The forecast assumes Brent oil will average $113 per barrel in Q2 before falling to about $80...
Stellantis Dealer Network to Distribute Dongfeng Voyah EVs
Stellantis will lead a 51%‑owned joint venture with China’s Dongfeng to distribute the premium Voyah electric‑vehicle brand across Europe using its existing dealer network. The new entity will handle sales, after‑sales, manufacturing, purchasing and engineering, and may produce Voyah models...
Ford Believes Forcing EV Mandates In Europe Will Backfire
Ford of Europe says the EU’s push for an all‑electric fleet could backfire, arguing that mandatory ICE bans may keep consumers holding older, less efficient cars longer. The automaker points to modest EV penetration—about 20% of new registrations in Q1 2026—and...
Global BEV Sales Surge to 14 Million in 2025
JUST RELEASED: 14 million battery-electric cars sold globally in 2025 says @IEA China: 8.2m. Europe: 2.9m (28% of new cars). Norway: 97%. US flat at 1.2m. In 2015 the world sold 330,000 BEVs. Ten years later, 14 million. Long-read coming 👇 https://t.co/JlNPoE97Pl https://t.co/jDBldAs9ad
Moose-Proof and Megacasting: Ars Drives the New Volvo EX60
Volvo introduced the all‑electric EX60 in January, the first model built on its new SPA3 platform and offering up to 400 miles of range. The vehicle uses megacasting to replace more than 100 rear‑floor components with a single aluminum‑alloy piece, and...
Germany Launches New Electric Car Subsidy Aimed at Low-Income Households
Germany has launched a digital portal for a new electric‑vehicle subsidy that offers up to €6,000 (about $9,800) to low‑income households buying or leasing new EVs. The program, funded with €3 billion (roughly $3.2 billion), aims to support roughly 800,000 vehicles through...
Michelin Debuts Universal Tyre Digital Twin for SDVs
Michelin unveiled a universal tyre digital twin, a software‑only platform that transforms vehicle data into real‑time tyre‑state recommendations without any tyre‑mounted sensors. The solution evaluates pressure, wear, load, grip and driving conditions, enabling features such as maximum‑grip alerts, aquaplaning prevention...
MINI Aceman SE Joins Electric Line-Up in Australia
The MINI Aceman SE has arrived on Australian roads, expanding the brand’s electric portfolio alongside the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman. The compact crossover delivers 160 kW (218 hp), 330 Nm of torque and a WLTP‑rated range of up to 405 km from its 49.2 kWh...
Are Plug-In Hybrids Reaching the End of the Road?
Plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) sales in China dropped 22% in April, shrinking their market share to 19% while pure electric vehicles rose to 40%. The decline follows the removal of purchase‑tax exemptions and higher oil prices, hitting even premium brands like...
The New Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe's Synthesized V8 Sounds Might Be The Best EV 'Engine' Noises Yet
Mercedes‑AMG unveiled the 2027 GT 4‑Door Coupe, its first purpose‑built electric performance sedan, boasting 1,153 horsepower and active aerodynamics. The highlight is the new AMGFORCE Sport+ mode, which projects a synthetic V8 soundtrack both inside and outside the cabin, emulating the roar...