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
Every AI Company Now Wants to Ride Shotgun. The Car Dashboard Is Becoming the Last Screen that Matters.
Apple’s iOS 26.4 update lets third‑party AI chatbots run natively on CarPlay, opening the car dashboard to competitors like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini and soon xAI’s Grok. CarPlay is already on over 800 million iPhones and in 98% of new U.S. vehicles, turning the dashboard into a new battleground for voice‑first AI assistants. Grok’s entry marks its first deployment outside the Tesla ecosystem, pitting it directly against OpenAI on a massive consumer platform. The move highlights a shift from proprietary, wake‑word‑activated assistants toward a marketplace model driven by Apple’s hardware reach.
Tesla Reaches 10 Billion FSD Miles — Is There’s a Magical Milestone for Autonomy
Tesla announced its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) fleet has surpassed 10 billion miles, logging about 29 million miles per day by late April—double the rate at the start of the year. The company cites a crash rate of one serious incident per 5.3 million...
Why Did Car Brands Ditch Traditional Door Handles?
Automakers have embraced hidden, flush door handles to shave drag and boost electric‑vehicle range, a trend popularized by Tesla and copied by brands like Toyota and Nissan. The design offers a sleek, futuristic look but can freeze in cold weather...
Global Carmakers Desperately Want to Be More Chinese
The Beijing International Auto Exhibit, now twice the size of its 2024 edition, displayed roughly 180 new vehicles, underscoring China's dominance in the automotive sector. Chinese manufacturers are outpacing foreign rivals in electric‑vehicle technology and autonomous‑driving showcases. Global OEMs are...
Tesla Launches Chinese‑made Model 3 in Canada at $29,000, Slashing Price by Half
Tesla has begun shipping its Shanghai‑built Model 3 Premium Rear‑Wheel‑Drive to Canada at a list price of $39,490 CAD (≈$29,000 USD), nearly 50% lower than the previous entry‑level price. The move follows Canada’s reduction of tariffs on Chinese EVs to 6.1%, reversing a...
Used EV Sales Are Surging — How Their Ownership Costs Compare to Gas-Powered Cars
Used electric vehicle (EV) sales surged 27.7% in March year‑over‑year and were 53.9% higher than February, fueled by a wave of three‑year lease returns flooding dealer lots. The average price of a used EV fell 6.1% to $34,653, narrowing the...
Nissan Redirects $500 M Mississippi Plant to ICE Trucks and SUVs, Scrapping US EV Build
Nissan announced it will abandon a $500 million investment to produce electric vehicles at its Canton, Mississippi plant, converting the line to gasoline and hybrid trucks and SUVs. The decision reflects sluggish US EV sales and the loss of the federal...
Hong Kong Deploys World's First Six Autonomous Zero‑Emission Trucks at Terminal 4
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust) has placed six autonomous, zero‑emission trucks into operation at Terminal 4 of Hong Kong's container port, the first such fleet worldwide. The rollout aims to boost efficiency, cut emissions and set a template for...
Fewer Features, More Value: Why some Americans Are Buying Simpler Cars
Average new‑vehicle prices are edging toward $50,000, leading many American buyers to favor basic, lower‑priced models. Sales of base trims such as the Ford Maverick, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Kicks have surged, with some models more than doubling...
This 380,000-Mile Tesla Model 3 Has Its Original Battery. Range Loss Is Huge
A 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range with 380,000 miles still runs on its original battery, but its EPA‑rated range has dropped from 240 miles to 158 miles—a 34.2% loss. The car completed a highway test at 68 mph, covering 138.3 miles...
Ramkrishna Forgings Set to Foray Into Forged Wheel Production Next Month
Ramkrishna Forgings will launch commercial operations at its Chennai plant in June, marking its entry into forged‑wheel production. The $240 million facility, built in two phases, will become Asia's second‑largest wheel unit with an annual capacity of 228,000 wheels. In FY26...
What's the Deal with Safety First for AVs?
The autonomous‑vehicle sector has leaned heavily on the “Safety First” slogan, but critics argue it often masks inadequate safety performance. Recent essays and a podcast highlight how repeated safety promises, when unmet, erode public trust and invite stricter regulation. The...
AUR Stock In Focus After Massive Driverless Truck Expansion Plan
Aurora Innovation announced an expanded partnership with Hirschbach Motor Lines that could see the carrier own 500 Aurora Driver‑powered trucks, delivering roughly 500 million driverless miles. The memorandum of understanding sets the stage for a multi‑year revenue stream once commercial terms...
Tesla’s First Semi Rolls Off Nevada High‑Volume Line, Targeting 50,000 Units Yearly
Tesla announced that the first Tesla Semi has left its Nevada high‑volume production line, a facility designed to build up to 50,000 electric trucks a year. The rollout follows a series of pilot trials with major logistics firms and introduces...
These Countries Embrace E.V.s to Avoid Oil Price Shocks
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating in developing regions, with Costa Rica leading the Western Hemisphere at 18% of new car sales in the first quarter of 2026. Across Latin America, Africa and much of Asia, EV sales jumped 79%...
Driving Electric in Costa Rica Is Surprisingly Doable
Costa Rica’s 2018 law mandates fast chargers every 50 miles and offers tax breaks, propelling electric vehicles to represent about one in five new car sales. The country’s utilities typically install a single charger per site, but many units are...
Google Gemini Comes to Polestar and Volvo EVs
Google Gemini is being rolled out to Polestar and Volvo electric vehicles in the United States via over‑the‑air updates, replacing traditional voice commands with a natural, conversational AI. The system, built on large‑language models, understands context, handles multi‑turn dialogues, and...
Maruti Suzuki India Starts FY27 with Increase in Market Share to 42%
Maruti Suzuki India opened fiscal 2026‑27 with a 42% domestic market share, up from 39% a year earlier. The automaker logged a record 191,122 units sold in April, driven by strong passenger‑car and SUV demand. Passenger‑car sales jumped to 96,725...
Omoda Jaecoo Extends Amazing J5 EV $36,990 Driveaway Price to EOFY
Chinese automaker Chery has extended the Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV’s A$36,990 drive‑away price (≈US$24,400) until the Australian financial year end on 30 June 2026. The midsize electric SUV has already attracted more than 4,000 orders, driven by fuel‑price spikes and its competitive pricing....
Geely Offers Low Finance Rate and Free Charger with EX5 Extended Range Model
Geely has extended its sales incentives for the Australian EX5 Extended Range electric SUV, offering a 0.88% comparison‑rate finance over 36 months with no deposit. The deal also includes a free 7 kW single‑phase home charger (installation excluded) and is available...
Fuel Crunch Driven by Iran War Boosts China’s Electric Two-Wheeler Exports to South-East Asia
Chinese electric two‑wheelers saw a sharp export surge to Southeast Asia in Q1 2026 as the Iran‑driven fuel crunch forced consumers to seek cheaper alternatives. Exports to Myanmar jumped 617.5% YoY to 64.7 million yuan (≈$9 million), while Laos and Cambodia grew 25.7%...
Land Rover Unveils Range Rover SV Ultra with Premium Materials and New Tech
Land Rover introduced the Range Rover SV Ultra, its most opulent flagship SUV, featuring a new Titan Silver paint, handcrafted rattan interiors and an electrostatic sound system. Powered by a 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 delivering 537 bhp, the model also offers a...
Toyota Drives EV Recycling in Crucial Race to Save Planet
Toyota Motor Philippines brought its partner En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler to Japan for a two‑day training on EV battery dismantling, storage and recycling. The program, part of Toyota’s Global 100 Dismantlers Project, also included participants from Thailand and aims to expand a...
Is The 2025 Kia EV9 Reliable? Here's What Consumer Reports Says
The 2025 Kia EV9 targets families with a spacious, premium‑styled electric SUV priced from $56,395 to $75,395. While reviewers praised its driving dynamics and interior, Consumer Reports ranked it among the least reliable new EVs. The main reliability culprits are...
Tesla Expands FSD Lite to Older HW3 Cars Worldwide and Overhauls Intervention Reporting
Tesla said its stripped‑down Full Self‑Driving (FSD) Lite will be offered to older HW3 models globally, after an initial U.S. rollout, while also unveiling a streamlined intervention‑reporting menu. The moves target disgruntled HW3 owners and aim to sharpen the company’s...
ZaiNar Sells Universal Geolocation Data to AI World‑model Firms
The Everything Bagel of geolocation 🥯 CEO Daniel Jacker said his technology can track any phone, car, drone or robot in almost any environment... He framed his company’s technology in cinematic terms: “We know where everything, everywhere, all at once...
Tesla Feels Like a Supercomputer, Never Needing Gas
It’s hard to understand what the other 39% are thinking. Once you drive a Tesla, it’s like driving an all-seeing sensor with a super computer behind the scenes doing all the decision making, driving and navigation. Also, you never have...
An Inevitable Rise in Chinese-Made EVs in America?
U.S. policymakers from both parties have converged on a hard line against Chinese electric vehicles, with President Biden imposing a 100% tariff and former President Trump echoing the same stance. Chinese EV makers leverage years of joint‑venture experience and advanced...
Tow Drivers Likely Safe From Automation for Decades
Saw a Waymo on a tow truck yesterday. And realized these tow truck drivers may still have a job 20 years from now.
Robotaxis Log 10 Billion Miles, 29 Unsupervised Runs
10 billion miles… 29 unsupervised Robotaxis… Join me at my subscriber space in 2 hours to discuss everything that happened this week https://t.co/DhPl34AQu9
House Subcommittee Passes SELF DRIVE Act, Raising AV Cap to 90,000 Amid Senate Counterbill
The House Transportation Subcommittee approved the SELF DRIVE Act, which would lift the federal limit on self‑driving cars from 2,500 to 90,000 vehicles. The measure now faces a full‑committee markup while the Senate pushes the opposing Stay in Your Lane...
Add Phone-Call Scheduling to Robotaxi for Accessibility
Great idea below to let our disabled friends profit from the robotaxi app. @CreedRollsBy is a Tesla enthusiast who has many good ideas for people with disabilities. It would be great if @Tesla could reach out to him. @travisraxelrod
Foreign Automakers Race to Match China’s EV Surge
Shifting gears: how foreign giants aim to catch up in China’s EV era International carmakers launch tailored models and accelerate R&D as they scramble to match the speed and sophistication of domestic rivals https://t.co/fO88qXFkEy via @scmpnews
Chinese Car Makers Turn to SaaS Subscriptions to Challenge European Luxury Brands
Chinese automotive manufacturers are launching SaaS‑style subscription packages for advanced driver‑assist and infotainment upgrades, aiming to chip away at European luxury brands. The move mirrors a broader SaaS surge, highlighted by Extreme’s 29% year‑over‑year ARR growth to $236 million, underscoring the...
US Auto Industry Faces $5 B Supply‑Chain Shock
Supply chain hell for US auto firms. Detroit carmakers warn of $5bn commodities shock due to Iran war. Sector faces rising prices for supplies from aluminium to plastics and paint
Tandem Solar Could Extend EV Daily Range by 5 Km
Oxford PV says tandem solar could add up to 5 km to daily EV range #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/GlT3EVyIWd
12 New SUVs Coming Out In 2026 We're Most Excited About
The 2026 model year introduces a wave of all‑electric SUVs from legacy and new‑comer brands, spanning luxury, mainstream, and budget segments. Notable launches include Cadillac's Vistiq at $77,395, Rivian's R2 starting around $48,490, and Jeep's Recon priced at $65,000, each...
Norway’s Near‑Total EV Adoption Driven by Policy, Not Oil
Almost 100% of new cars sold in Norway last year were electric. Not just because of oil wealth. Because of carbon taxes, EV incentives, and thirty years of consistent policy. New newsletter: Norway: The World's Most Instructive Energy Paradox https://t.co/C28R4nPhww https://t.co/ob3Qw4x01u
Mexican Police Deploy
Meanwhile, in Mexico, police and local government are using SHARKs seemingly everywhere ⚡️⚡️⚡️ 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 📍Chiapas #alwaysbecharging https://t.co/RjumBa0hYy
Qualcomm Shares Jump $15B on Q2 Beat and 5G/AI Growth Outlook
Qualcomm's shares surged 12% after the chipmaker posted fiscal Q2 results that beat forecasts, highlighted a 38% jump in automotive revenue and outlined a roadmap for custom silicon and AI‑enabled 5G chips. The rally added roughly $15 billion to the company's...
Diesel Soars to $7.50 as Tesla Semi Rolls Out
Two things happened almost simultaneously: - Diesel hit $7.50 per gallon - @Tesla Semi produced its first unit off its new high-volume production line in Sparks, Nevada on April 29, 2026. https://t.co/ZDUV34vxAz https://t.co/QpK0wp2y29
Driverless Truck Completes First 230‑Mile Commercial Delivery
For the first time, a driverless commercial truck delivered freight, completing a 230-mile route from Houston to Dallas. https://t.co/DW9N98wW3D
Electric Fire Trucks Grow, Yet Adoption Trails Buses and Garbage Trucks
Electric fire trucks are now in active service in cities like Vancouver, but they remain far less common than electric buses or garbage trucks. The high cost, custom designs and slow public‑procurement cycles are slowing adoption, raising questions about charging...
Teenage SF Streets Feel Surreal in Driverless Ride
I drove these SF city streets as a teenager so it’s still pretty trippy to be driven around them in a driverless car 🤯 https://t.co/VWByQpIADx
Ethiopia Surpasses Europe: 60% New Cars Are Electric
In 2024, more than 60% of new cars sold in Ethiopia were fully electric. That’s not a typo. Ethiopia is one of the world’s least motorised countries. It now ranks alongside global EV leaders by share of new car sales. Ahead...
Odysse Electric April Sales Jump over Threefold to 965 Units
Odysse Electric Vehicles reported a 333% year‑on‑year surge in April 2026, shipping 965 two‑wheelers versus 223 in April 2025. The growth builds on March momentum and reflects expanding consumer confidence in electric mobility. The company now serves over 150 cities,...
Waymo Bans Solo Minors in Driverless Cars Amid California Scrutiny
Waymo announced it will no longer allow unaccompanied minors to ride alone in its autonomous robotaxis across all U.S. markets. The change follows a California labor‑group complaint and new in‑car age‑verification checks. The move tightens safety rules while preserving a...
US Autonomous Trucks Surge as China Halts Autonomy
A new episode of #AutonomyMarkets is out. Watch or listen on your favorite podcast player. Big Week for U.S. Autonomous Trucks, While China Shuts Down Autonomy @BotAutoAV $AUR https://t.co/m8nl7i1a4Q
Big Week for U.S. Autonomous Trucks, While China Shuts Down Autonomy
Bot Auto successfully completed a 231‑mile fully driverless commercial haul between Houston and Dallas, marking the first paid run without a safety driver or observer. Aurora announced a non‑binding MOU for up to 500 trucks with carrier Hirschbach, covering roughly...
1966 Ford Mustang Converted Into a Tesla with Working ‘Full Self-Driving’
A Sacramento auto‑parts shop spent about $40,000 and two years turning a 1966 Ford Mustang into a fully electric vehicle powered by a 2024 Tesla Model 3 dual‑motor drivetrain. The conversion includes Tesla’s 15‑inch touchscreen, Cybertruck‑style yoke, and a retrofitted camera...