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
Analysts Hail Stellantis, Microsoft’s AI Training Partnership
Stellantis announced a five‑year strategic partnership with Microsoft to embed AI across its production and customer‑experience processes. Analysts say the collaboration could close a 20‑25 % cost and software capability gap with emerging Chinese automakers. The automaker plans to roll out an AI upskilling program that integrates training into daily work rather than a separate academy. Executives expect the initiative to accelerate Stellantis’s shift toward software‑defined vehicles and improve global competitiveness.
Schaeffler’s MultiMode Dedicated Hybrid Transmission Enters Volume Production with up to 145 kW
Schaeffler has begun volume production of its MultiMode dedicated hybrid transmission, a compact 125‑kg unit delivering up to 145 kW. The DHT integrates two electric machines, power electronics and hydraulics, supporting electric‑only, serial and parallel driving modes. The company also rolled...
GM Raises 2026 Outlook After Tariff Ruling
General Motors reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $43.62 bn, a 0.9% YoY decline, while adjusted EBIT jumped 21.9% to $4.25 bn. The automaker raised its full‑year adjusted EBIT outlook to $13.5‑$15.5 bn after a U.S. Supreme Court decision trimmed tariff costs by $0.5 bn....
Dealerships Are 'Terrified' Direct Sales Might Be The Future
Dealerships are alarmed as direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) sales gain traction, with 28 states still restricting or banning the model. Tesla pioneered DTC, and recent victories for Rivian in Washington and a California ruling against Scout Motors highlight a shifting legal landscape....
One Thing Silently Hurting EV Sales
The used electric‑vehicle market has expanded dramatically, offering a wide range of recent models at lower prices, which is diverting buyers from new EVs and slowing new‑vehicle sales growth. Historically, new EVs drove adoption because few used options existed, but...
Swiss Post Deploys Kempower Charging Stations for Electric Buses and Trucks
Swiss Post has installed a Kempower DC fast‑charging system at its new Villmergen logistics centre, marking a key step in electrifying its fleet of roughly 2,400 buses and trucks. The rollout includes 16 charging points—14 control units with cable arms...
Tesla Model Y L Gets Biggest Hint yet that It’s Coming to the U.S.
Tesla’s longer‑wheelbase Model Y L, currently sold in China, is generating strong speculation about a U.S. debut after a coordinated influencer tour of China and Australia. The L version adds roughly five inches to the wheelbase, optional captain’s chairs, and...
GM’s AI Story Is Taking Shape as the Carmaker Aims to Distinguish Itself From Rivals Like Tesla
General Motors reported solid first‑quarter earnings, emphasizing the growing role of its autonomous‑driving technology. The automaker highlighted Super Cruise, its advanced driver‑assistance system launched in 2017, as a key differentiator from rivals such as Tesla. Executives said the company sees...
Geely Galaxy M7 Hybrid SUV Hits Market with Aggressive Pricing and Long Range
Geely Galaxy unveiled the M7 compact plug‑in hybrid SUV with a limited‑time price of 109,800 yuan (≈$16,060), positioning it against BYD’s budget‑friendly models. The M7 delivers a pure‑electric range of 225 km and a combined range of 1,730 km, while fast‑charging from 30%...
The "Kill" Switch
Congress’ 2021 infrastructure law mandates that new vehicles embed technology to detect impaired driving, turning cars into data‑collecting platforms. The system combines cabin cameras, steering sensors and emerging breath or skin‑based alcohol detectors, initially marketed as safety features but increasingly...
Senate Urges Trump to Ban Chinese Car Factories in U.S.
We first reported Senate letter calling on Trump to bar Chinese automakers from building vehicles in US (But no we did not tag the story exclusive) https://t.co/OTaYqFRbuf
Tesla Begins Probing Owners on FSD’s Navigation Errors with Small but Mighty Change
Tesla’s latest Full Self‑Driving update (v14.3.2, version 2026.2.9.9) replaces the generic “Other” option in the intervention menu with a dedicated “Navigation” label. The change lets owners directly report map‑related disengagements, giving Tesla cleaner data on routing and speed‑limit errors. Navigation...
A Billion Miles in Less than a Decade: GM's Super Cruise Reaches a Milestone
General Motors’ Super Cruise hands‑free driver‑assist system has surpassed one billion driven miles across roughly 750,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada since its 2017 debut. Usage has doubled year‑over‑year, with 7.1 million hours logged and 485.9 million miles covered in 2025...
Truck Sales Drive GM’s Q1 Profitability as Company Raises Earnings Guidance
General Motors posted a 21.9% jump in adjusted Q1 earnings, driven by a dominant 42% U.S. full‑size pickup market share. Revenue slipped 0.9% to $43.6 billion, while net income fell 5.7% to $2.6 billion after a $1.1 billion settlement with EV suppliers. Adjusted...
GM Hits 1 Billion Hands-Free Miles, Will Drop Google Gemini Into 4 Million Cars
General Motors announced that its Super Cruise driver‑assistance system has accumulated 1 billion hands‑free miles across a fleet of roughly 750,000 North American vehicles. The automaker expects paid subscriptions to exceed 850,000 by year‑end, with about 40% of users renewing after...
Infineon Provides MEMS Technology for Valeo’s Ground Projection Module Based on Laser Beam Scanning Presented at 2026 Auto Beijing
Infineon and Valeo unveiled a short‑distance ground projection module at Auto Beijing 2026, integrating Infineon’s 2D MEMS mirror and controller into Valeo’s high‑definition, bi‑color projector. The system delivers superior brightness, contrast and resolution for daytime visibility and is positioned for...
What Car's Cancellation Left The Biggest Hole In The U.S. Market?
Hyundai announced that only the high‑performance Ioniq 6 N will be sold in the United States, effectively ending availability of the regular Ioniq 6. U.S. sales fell to 10,478 units in 2025, a 15% drop from 2024 and far behind the 47,039 Ioniq 5s...
Tesla Beats EPS but Misses Revenue; Stock Holds Near‑Term Levels
Tesla reported earnings that topped analysts' EPS expectations while revenue lagged, yet the stock barely moved. The high‑valuation EV maker leans on AI and robotaxi ambitions to sustain investor interest despite a 16% YTD decline.
Hyundai Takes Wraps Off 2027 Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Black Ink Model
Hyundai unveiled the 2027 Ioniq 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy Black Ink, its most upscale electric SUV yet, at the new Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia. The limited‑edition model features an all‑black exterior and interior, a 110.3 kWh battery with 800‑volt architecture, and...
A Defunct EV Startup’s Assets Are Up For Grabs, Including 20 Electric Trucks
Bankrupt EV startup Bollinger Motors is auctioning all its assets, including 20 nearly new B4 Class 4 electric trucks, 17 chassis and three test units. The auction, scheduled for May 13, lists 427 lots ranging from torque wrenches to a DC fast...
Zoox Expands Autonomous Robotaxi Testing to Miami
Zoox, Amazon’s autonomous‑vehicle arm, has begun deploying its purpose‑built robotaxi on public roads in Austin, Texas, after a mid‑2024 mapping program that used retrofitted vehicles with safety drivers to train its AI. The initial phase targets key neighborhoods such as...
Tesla Rival BYD Reports Plunging Earnings. China EV Giant Is Betting On A Flash Recovery.
Chinese EV maker BYD reported Q1 revenue of $22.01 billion, marginally beating analysts’ $21.28 billion estimate, while earnings per share plunged 57% to $0.07, aligning with forecasts. The drop reflects intense domestic competition that eroded sales and margins, though overseas shipments continued...
Iran Conflict Spikes Electric Car Sales Amid Oil Turmoil
The war in Iran and the turmoil it has set off in global oil markets fueled a surge in electric car sales in March https://t.co/HPt3fEZnNX
Leapmotor and Stellantis Considering Co-Developing New Platforms
Stellantis and Chinese EV maker Leapmotor are discussing deeper collaboration that may include co‑developing shared vehicle platforms. Stellantis currently owns about 20% of Leapmotor and a 51% stake in its international distribution arm, giving it access to Leapmotor’s dealer network...
Waymo Says Blocking Bike Lanes Is 'Normal Practice'
Waymo has publicly acknowledged that its driverless taxis often pull into bike lanes to pick up or drop off passengers, describing the behavior as "normal practice." The admission follows a lawsuit filed by a San Francisco cyclist who was injured after...
Onsemi and Geely Expand Collaboration to Support Next-Gen 900V EV Architectures
onsemi and Geely have deepened a global partnership to embed onsemi’s EliteSiC silicon‑carbide technology into Geely’s SEA‑S‑based Super Electric Power (SEP) system. The collaboration targets 900 V vehicle architectures, promising faster acceleration, longer range and dramatically reduced charging times. By leveraging...
Start with the Sensors, Then Design the Rest: How Zoox Built Its Robotaxi
Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, is shifting from retrofitted test fleets to a purpose‑built robotaxi that debuted in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Austin. The vehicle’s design starts with sensors mounted on all four corners, giving unobstructed forward vision and enabling...
Carmakers Warn that Affordable Compact Cars May Leave US Market
Several foreign automakers, including Nissan, Hyundai and Toyota, warned that without a renewed or strengthened USMCA, entry‑level compact cars could vanish from the U.S. market. The current pact provides tariff‑free treatment only for vehicles with North American parts, but recent...
Driving BYD’s EV Story with Stella Li
Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice‑president, explained how the Chinese group’s EV‑first, vertically integrated model lets it innovate and scale faster than legacy OEMs tied to internal‑combustion platforms. BYD’s in‑house battery, chip and manufacturing capabilities enabled rapid pandemic‑era production pivots and...
Upcoming Earnings Reveal Divergence in Chinese EV Stocks
Chinese EV stocks face a key test in upcoming results, which will offer clues for investors betting on the recently diverging performance of major players https://t.co/BL0f0WYjSK
Global EV Sales Surge as Buyers Abandon Gas Post‑Iran War
New EV sale figures confirm buyers around the world are moving away from gas-powered cars in the wake of the Iran war https://t.co/qVpb5rV8nJ
Volkswagen to Kick Off New Era with ID Polo Unveiling Tomorrow
Volkswagen will unveil the ID Polo, an electric hatchback priced below £22,000 (about $28,000), marking the brand’s first model fully designed under chief designer Andreas Mindt. The vehicle adopts VW’s refreshed design language and features a “premium haptic” interior that...
Eastman Launches Saflex™ Evoca™ XIR.SR to Elevate EV Sunroof Performance
Eastman announced the launch of Saflex™ Evoca™ XIR.SR, an infrared‑reflective interlayer designed for panoramic sunroofs in electric vehicles. The new material reduces solar heat gain, helping keep cabin temperatures lower and easing HVAC demand. By delivering a neutral‑gray, angle‑stable reflection,...
Vision AI Enables Robot to Inspect Car Chassis
How Han’s #Robot Uses Vision #AI to Inspect #Automobile Chassis via @WevolverApp #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/SgvoUx0Qdt
Tesla Beats Estimates and Unveils 'Terafab' Chip Strategy to Accelerate Autonomy
Tesla posted an adjusted $0.41 earnings per share, surpassing forecasts, and hinted at a new internal semiconductor venture called Terafab. Analysts see the move as a bid to tighten feedback loops for its autonomous‑driving stack, potentially reshaping the market for...
PATEO Expands Vehicle AI with New Computing Platform
PATEO announced deep collaborations with NVIDIA and a leading NEV OEM to bring on‑vehicle large AI models to mass production. The company will use NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX Thor platform to power its AI Box, enabling Level 3/4 autonomous driving workloads. It...
Formula E’s GEN4 Car Shows the Future of EVs with 335kph Speeds and 600kW Charging
Formula E unveiled its GEN4 race car for the 2026/27 season, capable of exceeding 335 kph and accelerating from 0‑200 kph in 4.4 seconds. The car introduces 600 kW ultra‑fast charging, a rare‑earth‑free battery and permanent all‑wheel drive, delivering up to 50% more power than...
Ethiopia-Based Dodai Raises $13 Million to Expand Battery-Swapping EV Network
Dodai, an Ethiopia‑based electric two‑wheeler firm, closed a $13 million Series A round—$8 million equity and $5 million debt—to scale its motorbike and battery‑swapping network in Addis Ababa. The funding arrives as Ethiopia bans private ICE vehicle imports, pushing the nation toward an estimated...
Geely Auto Expands UK Line-Up with New EX5 Ultra Flagship
Geely Auto has launched the EX5 Ultra, the top‑spec variant of its UK electric SUV line‑up, with deliveries beginning May 5, 2026. The model packs a 68.39 kWh battery that delivers a WLTP‑rated 280‑mile range and 0‑62 mph acceleration in 7.6 seconds. For the first...
Purists, Look Away: The Next Porsche 911 GT3 Could Go Turbo
Porsche’s GT division chief Andreas Preuninger hinted the next 911 GT3 could receive a turbocharger as Europe’s tightening emissions rules threaten the naturally aspirated 4.0‑liter flat‑six. The EU’s Euro 7 standards require a 90% fleet CO₂ reduction by 2035, making NA engines...
Chinese Robotaxi Companies Ramp International Plans
Chinese robotaxi leaders Pony AI and WeRide announced aggressive international expansion plans at the Beijing Auto Show. Pony AI unveiled a seventh‑generation vehicle priced below ¥230,000 (≈ $33,000), undercutting the entry‑level Tesla Model 3, and aims to ship 3,000 units globally by 2027. WeRide,...
Automotive Infotainment Will Dominate Cellular IoT Data Growth Through 2035
Omdia projects cellular IoT data traffic to reach 218.6 exabytes by 2035, with automotive infotainment and over‑the‑air updates driving the bulk of growth. Automotive traffic alone is expected to climb from 30.7 EB in 2025 to 135.4 EB by 2035, dwarfing all...
ADAS Calibration Systems Cost Up to $20,000: Why Sensor-Driven Windshield Repairs Are Reshaping the Automotive Aftermarket
Modern windshields now host cameras, radar and light sensors that feed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). When glass is replaced, even minute shifts can misalign these sensors, leading to degraded lane‑keeping, automatic emergency braking or traffic‑sign recognition. Recalibrating the sensors...
Xpeng Launches Its Biggest EV and Showcases AI Tech at Beijing Auto Show
Xpeng introduced the GX, a six‑seat electric SUV that is the company’s largest model to date, at the Auto China 2026 show in Beijing. The vehicle showcases Xpeng’s newest AI chip and the VLA 2.0 autonomous‑driving system, promising capabilities comparable to Tesla’s...
Zimbabwe SMEs Set to Power Green Revolution as Lithium Drives EV Boom
Zimbabwe, home to the continent’s largest lithium deposits, is positioning its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as key players in the global electric‑vehicle supply chain. Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair that the country’s 126 million‑tonne...
Toyota Sales Dip for Second Month on Iran War and RAV4 Retool
Toyota reported a 7.3% decline in global vehicle sales for March 2026, dropping to 897,871 units including Lexus. The slump was driven by a near‑33% collapse in Middle East sales amid the Iran‑Israel war and a production gap from the RAV4...
China’s Chery Seeks to Be ’Toyota Plus Tesla’ as It Targets Global Expansion
Chinese automaker Chery, the country’s largest car exporter, is positioning itself as a blend of Toyota’s quality and Tesla’s technology in a "double T" strategy. It plans to boost production capacity at its Barcelona joint‑venture plant and explore shared‑production deals with...
BYD Denza Launches Second-Gen D9 with Ultra-Fast Charging to Defend MPV Market Share
BYD’s premium sub‑brand Denza unveiled the second‑generation D9 MPV, priced from 359,800 yuan (≈$52,730) and offered in both BEV and PHEV trims. The model features BYD’s second‑gen Blade Battery and flash‑charging tech that lifts the charge from 10 % to 70 % in...
Five Chinese EVs Cost as Much as One US Car
Reuters: “For the average price of a car in the US, you could buy 5 new Chinese EVs” https://t.co/QabZJ2BjnR
Singapore EV Sales Surge, Ending 150‑year Petrol Reign
EV share of new car sales in Singapore: 2021: 3.8% 2022: 11.7% 2023: 18.1% 2024: 34% 2025: 45% 2026 (1st 3 months): 60% Game over: 150 years of petrol dominance wiped out in 6 years https://t.co/0ZlkJO6sJF