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
Goodbye, V8: The New Mercedes-AMG GT Is Electric Only
Mercedes‑AMG unveiled the 2027 GT 4‑Door as its first all‑electric model, discarding the traditional V8. The sedan offers two powertrains – a 805‑hp GT55 and a 1,153‑hp GT63 – both achieving 0‑60 mph in under 2.5 seconds and a WLTP‑rated range of about 435 miles. Its 106 kWh battery supports 600 kW ultra‑fast charging, adding roughly 286 miles in ten minutes, while active aerodynamics and a revamped interior underscore a new design language. Production is slated for late 2026 with pricing expected in the low six‑figure range.
India Plans $1B+ Incentives for Private Electric Buses, Trucks
India is considering incentives exceeding $1 billion to spur private-sector adoption of electric buses and trucks, in an attempt to cut fossil-fuel use in the segment amid a deepening energy crisis, according to sources https://t.co/MBxRTCZtiE
Aptera Launches Solar EV that Charges on the Move
Aptera Unveils Solar-Powered #EV That Charges While Driving and Redefines Efficiency by @IntEngineering #Automotive #Transport #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/RbsNni0vim
BYD Sends Its Own Ship with Almost 5,000 NEVs to Meet Surging Demand in Australia Market
Chinese automaker BYD is dispatching its own roll‑on/roll‑off carrier, the BYD Zhengzhou, loaded with almost 5,000 new‑energy vehicles to Australia. The shipment is part of a broader plan to deliver an additional 30,000 electric and plug‑in hybrid models, including the...
Tesla’s Former AI Lead Goes To Anthropic
Andrej Karpathy, the former head of Tesla’s artificial‑intelligence division, announced he is joining Anthropic, the creator of the Claude large‑language‑model. Karpathy, a co‑founder of OpenAI and a key figure behind Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving effort, left the automaker in July 2022...
Tesla Hikes Model Y Price as It Pivots to Autonomy and Robots, Reshaping Sales Strategy
Tesla increased U.S. Model Y prices by $1,000 for premium trims and $500 for the Performance version as it leans into autonomous driving and humanoid robots. The move follows the company’s first annual revenue loss and signals a fundamental shift...
CHARGE Launches South Africa’s First Off-Grid EV Charging Network on the N3 Corridor
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) launched South Africa’s first off‑grid, solar‑powered EV charging stations on the N3 Johannesburg‑Durban corridor, with the first site at the Reitz Interchange opening on 19 May. The two stations, funded by a R100 million (≈ $5.6 million) DBSA investment, can...
How Toyota Became an EV Winner
Toyota has surged into the U.S. EV market’s third‑place slot with its bZ series, highlighted by the newly released C‑HR electric crossover. After years of lagging behind rivals, the automaker is rolling out a suite of EVs—including an updated bZ,...
Toyota Backs 40 Hydrogen Class 8 Trucks for Southern California Logistics
Toyota announced a deal to deploy 40 Class 8 hydrogen trucks for Hyroad's Southern California logistics fleet, while building hydrogen refueling stations in Ontario, California. The move underscores Toyota's multi‑role strategy in the nascent hydrogen freight market.
Event Preview: Connecting with Foton Motor for Collaboration Opportunities
Gasgoo will host a technical matchmaking event on June 30, bringing leading component suppliers together with Foton Motor’s R&D and purchasing teams. The Chinese commercial‑vehicle giant reported 650,000 units sold in 2025, a 5.9% increase, while revenue rose 28.4% to...
![[Gasgoo Briefing] Xiaomi YU7 GT Scheduled for Launch This Month](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://autonews.gasgoo.com/logo.png){kind=logo}
[Gasgoo Briefing] Xiaomi YU7 GT Scheduled for Launch This Month
Xiaomi’s EV arm announced the YU7 GT, a high‑performance SUV, will debut on May 21. The model, unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, features a dual‑motor AWD system delivering 1,003 hp, a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) and a CLTC range...
Musk Slams California yet Depends on Its Subsidies
NEW: Elon Musk trashes California and subsidies. He needs both for Tesla’s Semi to succeed https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2026/05/19/california-hater-elon-musk-needs-the-states-subsidies-to-launch-teslas-semi/
Stellantis Taps Accenture and Nvidia for AI Factory Push
Stellantis has formed a three‑way partnership with Accenture and Nvidia to roll out AI‑powered digital twin technology across its factories. The collaboration will use Nvidia’s Omniverse platform and Accenture’s physical‑AI expertise to create high‑fidelity virtual replicas of plants that can...
Tesla’s Semi Truck Could Jolt the Trucking Industry
Tesla has begun taking orders for its long‑awaited Semi electric truck, priced around $290,000 for a 500‑mile range model—significantly cheaper than rival heavy‑duty EVs that start near $400,000. The Semi also offers a 350‑mile variant, both promising longer distances than...
Expiring Trade Agreement Cranks up Pressure on Automotive Supply Chains
The U.S.–China tariff pact known as the Busan Rapprochement, which has kept duties on critical minerals and Taiwanese semiconductors low, will lapse in November 2026. North‑American automakers, already grappling with pandemic fallout, chip shortages and the shift to electric powertrains, could...
SBRS Introduces 500 kW Charging System for Commercial Vehicles
Shell subsidiary SBRS has launched the PowerPack 500, a modular DC fast‑charging system delivering up to 500 kW for heavy‑duty commercial vehicles in Europe. The all‑in‑one unit starts with two charging points and can scale to six connectors without any depot redesign....
Software Ownership and Vertical Integration: VinFast European Winning Cards According to Head of Commercial Vehicles Diego Ghirardi
VinFast is accelerating its commercial‑vehicle push, developing revised 12‑metre and a new 8‑metre battery‑electric bus for the European market. The company leverages deep vertical integration—designing hardware, assembling its own batteries and electronics, and owning the full software stack—to cut components,...
China's EV Ecosystem Targets Africa as Battery Minerals Drive New Partnerships
China's electric‑vehicle industry has pivoted from exporting finished cars to exporting a full ecosystem of batteries, software and charging standards, creating strategic openings for African economies. With BYD and CATL controlling 55.6% of global battery markets, the shift promises new...
MG’s SolidCore Battery: Why Semi-Solid State Is the Smarter Path to Production
MG announced that its new SolidCore semi‑solid‑state battery will debut in the MG4 EV Urban, marking what the company calls the first mass‑produced semi‑solid battery. The architecture blends a lithium‑manganese‑oxide (LMO) cathode with a thin liquid fraction—about 5% of cell...
ChargePoint Wants To Fix The Condo EV Charging Problem With 2,500 New Ports
ChargePoint announced a plan to deploy roughly 2,500 Level 2 EV charging ports at multifamily residences across the United States, beginning in 2026. The rollout is backed by a partnership with OBE Power, which will own, operate, and handle all maintenance...
Bosch Secures Major Order From Mercedes-Benz for Electric Motors
Bosch has landed a high‑volume order from Mercedes‑Benz to supply electric motors for the automaker’s next‑generation EVs through the 2030s. Unlike full e‑axles, Mercedes‑Benz will integrate Bosch’s motors into its own drive units, leveraging Bosch’s 98% efficiency and up to...
XPeng Rolls Out Its First Mass-Produced Robotaxi
XPeng announced the first mass‑produced, Level 4 robotaxi built on its GX platform, debuting in Guangzhou with pilot operations slated for the second half of 2026 and fully driverless service targeted for early 2027. The vehicle relies on four self‑developed Turing...
BMW Addresses Home Energy Opportunity with Neue Klasse and Partner
BMW and German solar firm SOLARWATT are deepening their collaboration to offer fully integrated home energy solutions. Starting with the Neue Klasse iX3 and i3, the automaker will pair its bidirectional Wallbox Professional with SOLARWATT’s Home Energy Management System, allowing...
Stellantis to Roll Out Small Affordable EVs in 2028, Expands China Partnerships
Stellantis said its first small, affordable electric cars will begin production in 2028, marking a new European‑made EV offering. The automaker also unveiled expanded joint ventures in China with Dongfeng and Leapmotor, underscoring a dual‑track strategy to capture both European...
Nissan Weighs EV Exports to Canada From Chinese JV – Report
Japanese automaker Nissan is evaluating the export of electric vehicles built with its Chinese joint venture partner Dongfeng Motor to Canada, following the country's recent removal of a de facto ban on China‑made EVs. The automaker has set an initial...
Ford Reveals Bold European Strategy With New EVs, Vans & Software-Driven Growth
Ford unveiled its "Ready‑Set‑Ford" roadmap for Europe, pairing a new brand platform with a suite of electric, hybrid and extended‑range vehicles and a software‑centric commercial‑fleet business. Ford Pro will target 25% of its EBIT from software and services, leveraging over...
Interview: How Volvo Built Software for a Two-and-a-Half-Tonne Moving Object
Volvo’s chief engineering officer Anders Bell outlines a five‑year, software‑first overhaul that birthed HuginCore, the company’s single‑codebase platform powering the EX60, EX90 and ES90 electric models. The effort earned Volvo a S&P Global Mobility Level 5 rating—the only automaker to achieve...
The “Invisible Army” Behind Amazon’s Robotaxi Revolution
In this episode, Bob Safian talks with Ayesha Evans, CEO of Zoox, about the company’s autonomous robotaxi program and its recent partnership with Uber. Evans explains Zoox’s purpose‑built vehicle design, the milestones they’ve reached (over 2 million driverless miles and a...
BMW iX3 & I3 Bring Bidirectional Charging With SOLARWATT Home Integration
BMW is extending its partnership with SOLARWATT to launch bidirectional charging for the iX3 and i3 models, enabling Vehicle‑to‑Home (V2H) operation. The system couples the BMW Wallbox Professional with SOLARWATT’s Home Energy Management System, allowing the EV to store solar...
Tesla Dominates Fleet Choice for EVs, but Lack of Electric Utes a Problem
Origin Energy’s fleet‑electrification report shows the Tesla Model Y dominates its Australian leasing program, representing 27% of electric SUVs – more than twice the next best sellers, the Kia EV5 and VW ID.4. While passenger EV adoption is strong, the program’s goal of...
Honda and LG Team up to Accelerate Battery-Swapping Electric Motorcycles
Honda and LG Energy Solution have signed a memorandum of understanding with Hanoi to launch a battery‑swap pilot for electric motorcycles. The project, slated for Q3 2026, will install about 50 swap stations and deploy roughly 500 Honda two‑wheelers equipped with...
Škoda Epiq Launches as First Car on New MEB+ Platform
Škoda Auto unveiled the Epiq, the first model built on Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ electric‑vehicle platform and the brand’s inaugural front‑wheel‑drive EV. The compact crossover will be priced to match the gasoline‑powered Kamiq in many markets, offering three powertrains: two...
Battery Debonding
Henkel introduced a debonding‑on‑demand adhesive system that lets electric‑vehicle batteries be repaired, upgraded, or recycled without destroying the pack structure. The technology works via thermal or electrical triggers, enabling clean separation of cells, modules, and cooling components in integrated cell‑to‑pack...
Tesla’s Musk Expects Widespread US Use of Cars Without Human Monitors This Year
Elon Musk told the Smart Mobility Summit that Tesla’s fully driverless cars, already operating without human safety monitors in Texas, will see broader U.S. deployment later this year. The company’s robotaxi service in Austin, Dallas and Houston has drawn criticism...
Limoges Orders 33 to 85 Electric Buses From Iveco Bus for TCL Network Electrification
Limoges Métropole has awarded Iveco Bus two contracts to supply between 33 and 85 electric buses for its TCL network, with deliveries starting in 2028 and spanning four years. The first deal covers 20‑45 articulated GX 437 Elec Linium buses and...
BYD Top Scientist Says 9-Minute Flash Charging Won't Damage Battery Life
BYD’s chief battery technologist Sun Huajun affirmed that the company’s new flash‑charging system—capable of delivering 1,500 kW and recharging a battery from 10 % to 97 % in nine minutes—does not compromise lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery life. The claim is backed by extensive durability testing,...
Xiaomi EV Reportedly Taps New Battery Suppliers for Second Brand to Target EREV Market
Xiaomi is launching a second electric‑vehicle sub‑brand, Skynomad, with its first model Kunlun N3 slated for H2 2026. The company tapped Sunwoda (60% share) and CALB (40%) to supply the 70 kWh battery pack, moving away from its reliance on CATL and...
Einride and EASE Logistics Deploy Autonomous Electric Trucks on Ohio Highways
Einride and EASE Logistics have begun operating SAE Level 4 autonomous electric trucks on public roads in Marysville, Ohio, under the Truck Automation Corridor Project. The deployment, monitored by a remote operator, aims to generate safety and efficiency data for future...
Tesla CEO Predicts Nationwide Rollout of Fully Driverless Cars This Year
Elon Musk told the Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv that Tesla’s fully driverless cars, already operating in Texas without human safety monitors, will be deployed more broadly across the United States before year‑end. The announcement comes as Tesla seeks...
BYD Targets Europe with Smaller, Tailored EV Models
Chinese EV giant BYD announced a Europe‑focused product wave, beginning with the Dolphin G plug‑in hybrid debuting at the Goodwood Festival in July. The model is under 4.3 m long, targeting the B‑segment, and is the first vehicle BYD has designed specifically...
E-Week Highlights | BYD Is in Talks with Stellantis and Other Automakers to Acquire European Factories; Li Xiang Says Li...
Chinese EV makers are accelerating global expansion and domestic growth. BYD is in talks with Stellantis and other European automakers to acquire idle factories, while XPENG is negotiating for a Volkswagen plant to bypass tariffs and speed localization. In China,...
![[Gasgoo Express] GAC Responds to Aion Being Called Ride-Hailing King; Tesla China Denies Price Hike](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://imagecn.gasgoo.com/moblogo/News/UEditor/image/20250610/6388517001938359565414136.jpg)
[Gasgoo Express] GAC Responds to Aion Being Called Ride-Hailing King; Tesla China Denies Price Hike
GAC Group’s chairman Feng Xingya defended the Aion brand’s "Ride‑Hailing King" label, arguing that ride‑hailing vehicles must meet capital‑goods quality standards to earn driver loyalty. In a separate statement, Tesla China denied any recent price increase for the Model Y, urging...
GBA Synergy, Intelligent Future | 4th Future Auto Pioneer Conference — Intelligent Connected NEV Technology Collaboration Meeting
The 4th Future Auto Pioneer Conference will convene on May 29, 2026 in Shenzhen, leveraging the 30th Guangdong‑Hong‑Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Expo. The gathering targets domestic OEMs, Tier‑1 and Tier‑2 suppliers, and upstream partners to discuss intelligent connected...
Volvo Teases a New Affordable EV to Replace Discontinued EX30
Volvo announced that it will replace the discontinued EX30 with a new, more affordable electric vehicle slated for a 2027 U.S. launch. The EX30’s price ballooned from an intended $34,950 to $44,900 due to tariffs and a battery recall forced...
Tesla Is Making Sweeping Improvements to Robotaxi
Tesla unveiled Robotaxi app version 26.4.5, introducing remote operator voice calls, proactive AI‑driven assistance, and manual override plus remote‑start capabilities for steering‑wheel‑less Cybercabs. The update also adds soft‑matching dispatch, multi‑stop routing, cabin‑sync controls, and a high‑security kill‑switch. These features are...
Global EV Market Hits 1.60 Million Units in April 2026 Amid Regional Divergence
Global electric‑vehicle sales reached 1.60 million units in April 2026, lifting the first‑four‑month total to 5.6 million – a 6% year‑on‑year rise but a 9% drop from March. Europe emerged as the growth engine, topping 400,000 units in April and posting a 26%...
Waymo's Self-Driving Taxis Hit 1.3M Monthly Rides
Self-driving taxi company Waymo is now doing over 1.3 million rides per month in California, a 16x increase over the past two years. https://t.co/vpjYgs1ISR
Maruti Suzuki Commences Second Factory at Kharkhoda with 2.5-lakh Units
Maruti Suzuki began commercial production at the second phase of its Kharkhoda plant, adding 250,000 vehicles per year and bringing the site’s total capacity to 500,000 units. The expansion lifts the company’s overall annual production capacity to 2.65 million vehicles across...
XPeng Starts Mass Production of First China‑Made Robotaxi in Guangzhou, Aims for H2 2026 Pilot
XPeng announced today that its first robotaxi has entered mass production in Guangzhou, making it the first Chinese automaker to produce a Level‑4 robotaxi at scale. The vehicle, built on the GX platform with four in‑house Turing AI chips delivering...
Proterra Adds US-Sourced Cell Option to Onyx Heavy-Duty Battery Platform
Proterra announced that its modular Onyx heavy‑duty battery platform will be offered with a U.S.-sourced cell option, with first shipments slated for the first quarter of 2027. The company says the new configuration will boost the American content of the...