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
Indonesia Ends Nationwide EV Tax Breaks, Shifts Control to Regions
Indonesia has ended its nationwide zero‑tax incentive for electric vehicles, moving tax authority to provincial governments. Under the new framework, EVs will be subject to the standard Motor Vehicle Tax and title‑transfer fee, with rates set locally. The shift creates uncertainty as rates may vary across regions, potentially slowing adoption and investment. The change comes as the country targets 600,000 EVs per year by 2030, but analysts warn it could undermine that goal.
No USMCA Cuts Threaten Cheap Foreign Cars in US
If USMCA no longer exists or a renewed version doesn’t significantly reduce tariffs on cars and auto parts made in North America, some foreign carmakers might not be able to build and sell the cheaper cars for the US market by...
Car Market Posts Growth in March
Thailand’s domestic car market accelerated in March, with sales up 7 % year‑on‑year to 59,865 units, driven by strong electric‑vehicle demand. The Bangkok International Motor Show contributed 132,951 bookings, where battery EVs represented 60 % of orders and BYD led with 17,354...
Tesla Update Forces Choice After Canceling FSD
In the new Tesla update 2026.2.9.9, this pops up if you cancel your FSD subscription and doesn’t go away until you pick one of the options https://t.co/MVSeKFQCqT
Agentic AI Boosts BMW's Engineering Speed Twelvefold
The AI-powered R&D department: how agentic AI is supercharging engineering velocity “BMW accelerates analysis cycles twelvefold” https://t.co/wshZeLW7q3 https://t.co/6Sl6SlBiic
U.S. Opens Process to Cut Section 232 Steel, Aluminum Tariffs for Mexico and Canada
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new tariff‑adjustment procedure that could slash Section 232 steel and aluminum duties on qualifying imports from Mexico and Canada by up to 50%, but not below a 25% floor. Relief is conditioned on suppliers’...
Tesla's Latest Update Rolls Out, FSD Version Unchanged
New Tesla software update rolling out now. Looks to be the same FSD version so not sure what changed https://t.co/BNY1w80bmp
Gen Z Will Embrace the Next-Gen Electric Vehicles
I’ve Seen the Future of Electric Vehicles, and Gen Z Will Love It #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/hEVST6ynHx https://t.co/9OPZQq6E7T
SAIC-GM-Wuling Signs Cooperation Agreement with Saudi Distributor
SAIC‑GM‑Wuling signed a cooperation agreement with Saudi United Automotive Company (UMG) on April 24, using Saudi Arabia as a launchpad to expand its presence across the Gulf and broader Middle East. The partnership will combine Wuling’s expertise in micro electric...
Waymo Says Expecting Robotaxis Not to Block Bike Lanes Is “Too High a Bar”
Waymo disclosed that its robotaxis routinely pull into bike lanes for passenger pick‑ups and drop‑offs, labeling the expectation that they stay out of those lanes as “too high a bar.” The admission, made to bike‑advocacy groups, highlights a gap between...
Oregon Boosts EV Road Trips with 24 New Fast-Charging Sites
Oregon’s Department of Transportation approved a second round of NEVI funding, allocating $16.7 million to install 24 new fast‑charging stations along Interstate 84 and several US highways. The sites will provide roughly 126 DC fast‑charging ports, each co‑located with rest‑area amenities to...
![Here’s Our First Look at the Hyundai IONIQ 3 in Real Life [Video]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Hyundai-IONIQ-3-EV-spotted.jpeg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Here’s Our First Look at the Hyundai IONIQ 3 in Real Life [Video]
Hyundai unveiled the IONIQ 3, a compact electric hatchback, at Milan Design Week and spotted a standard model on the road a week later. The vehicle sits on the E‑GMP platform with 42.2 kWh and 61 kWh battery options, delivering up to 308 miles...
Q1 2026 China's Auto Industry Profit Falls 18% YoY, Sales Profit Margin Drops to 3.2%
China's auto industry output fell 6% YoY to 7.15 million units in Q1 2026. Total sector revenue slipped to about ¥2.41 trillion (~$337 billion) while costs rose, squeezing profit to ¥78.4 billion (~$11 billion), an 18% decline and pushing the sales margin to 3.2%. March’s...
Taipei’s Scooter Market Accelerates Toward Full Electrification in 2026
Gogoro announced 665,000 battery‑swap subscribers as Taipei’s two‑wheel market pushes toward full electric adoption in 2026. Sales data shows electric scooters climbing to about 8% of the 1.4 million‑unit fleet, while legacy manufacturers scramble to adapt.
China's April Passenger Vehicle Retail Sales Projected to Reach 1.42 Million Units
China's passenger vehicle market is expected to sell about 1.42 million units in April, a 13.8% drop from March but in line with seasonal patterns. While internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) sales remain under pressure from high fuel prices and lingering price‑war effects, new‑energy...
JAC, Huawei Device Sign Joint Innovation Cooperation Agreement
JAC Group and Huawei Device signed a Joint Innovation Cooperation Agreement in Beijing on April 26, deepening R&D, supply‑chain integration, and brand building for the MAEXTRO ultra‑luxury smart vehicle line. The partnership builds on a 2019 framework and a 2023...
Three Scenarios for the USMCA’s Review—And Why Auto Manufacturers Should Prepare Now
The United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA) faces its mandatory review this July, forcing auto makers to anticipate possible changes to tariff and content rules. The deal currently mandates 75% regional content, a 40‑45% labor‑value threshold and a $16‑per‑hour wage floor, but...
This Ford Mustang Dragster Is The Quickest EV In The World
Ford Racing unveiled the Mustang Cobra Jet 2200, an all‑electric drag car that set a new world record with a 6.87‑second quarter‑mile and a 221 mph trap speed. The “2200” designation reflects its 2,200 horsepower output, achieved using only two electric motors instead of...
I’ve Seen the Future of Electric Vehicles, and Gen Z Will Love It
The electric‑vehicle (EV) market is pivoting from individual ownership to rideshare fleets, a shift driven by Gen Z’s preference for on‑demand mobility. Companies such as Waymo, Uber, and Tesla are pouring capital into all‑electric robotaxi programs, with Uber committing over $1 billion...
OEMs Lock Control While Risk Moves Downstream
The post argues that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly locking down vehicle architectures early, as illustrated by Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab SOP, recent tariff escalations, and tightening rare‑earth supplies. By standardizing hardware and software platforms, OEMs shift cost, compliance and...
Shell Is Making a Concept EV that Will Charge in Under 10 Minutes
Shell unveiled the Triple 10 Challenge Concept Car, a compact SUV that can charge from 10% to 80% in under ten minutes using immersion‑cooled battery cells. The vehicle targets 10 km per kilowatt‑hour efficiency and a lifetime CO₂ footprint of ten metric...
Next-Gen Alfa Romeo Giulia, Stelvio Quadrifoglio May Stick With Ferrari-Derived V-6 Power
Alfa Romeo is developing next‑generation Giulia and Stelvio models that will be offered in both internal‑combustion and fully electric forms, reversing an earlier EV‑only plan. The high‑performance Quadrifoglio versions are expected to retain the Ferrari‑derived 2.9‑liter twin‑turbo V6, now Euro 7‑compliant,...
Caruso Sparks Deal with Rivian for EV Charging
Caruso, the Los Angeles‑based real‑estate developer, signed a multi‑year agreement with Rivian Automotive to install over 150 DC fast‑charging stations across its properties within the next year. The partnership adds two Rivian showrooms at The Commons at Calabasas and The...
LG Electronics Unveils Hybrid eCall Solution for 2G‑5G Emergency Calls at 5GAA Sweden
LG Electronics presented its Hybrid Emergency Call (Hybrid eCall) platform at the 5G Automotive Association’s meeting in Gothenburg, showcasing a telematics control unit that can switch seamlessly between 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. The rollout targets compliance with Europe’s...
US and EU Sign Critical Minerals Pact to Cut China Dependence
The United States and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding on April 27, 2026 to jointly secure critical mineral supplies and reduce reliance on China. The deal covers the full supply chain—from exploration to recycling—and sets up coordinated...
How the 160–220% Anode Tariff Died in 8 Months
In February 2026 the U.S. Department of Commerce recommended antidumping and countervailing duties that would have pushed effective tariffs on Chinese active anode material to 160‑220%, but the U.S. International Trade Commission voted 2‑1 on March 12 to reject those...
Faraday Future Lands $45 Million in Funding
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. announced a $45 million financing round with an unnamed U.S. institutional investor. The deal delivers $15 million upfront and places the remaining $30 million in a controlled deposit, to be released in installments upon meeting specific milestones. The...
Iran-Israel Conflict Boosts Used EV Demand in Vietnam and Southeast Asia
The outbreak of hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran has sparked a sharp rise in demand for second‑hand electric vehicles in Vietnam and other emerging Asian economies. Prices for used EVs in the $20,000‑$50,000 bracket have jumped 10‑20%,...
AI Drives the New Horsepower at Beijing Auto Show, Boosting Autonomy Race
China’s 2026 Beijing International Auto Show turned the spotlight on artificial intelligence as the core performance driver for autonomous vehicles. Over 1,400 models, including 181 premieres, demonstrated how OEMs and suppliers are racing to embed "physical AI" into next‑generation cars,...
EU Faces ‘China Shock’ as EV Imports Drive Beijing’s Record Surplus with Bloc
The EU recorded a record $83 bn trade surplus with China in Q1 2026, driven by a surge in Chinese electric‑vehicle imports that doubled to $20.6 bn. Chinese EVs now account for about one‑third of China’s vehicle exports and represent 42% of...
Alfa Romeo CEO: The 'World Is Not Ready Everywhere' For EVs
Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili said the world isn’t ready everywhere for full electric vehicles, prompting the brand to adopt a mixed‑powertrain strategy. The next‑generation Giulia and Stelvio will be offered with both hybrid and battery‑electric options built on the...
Chrysler Could Actually Build Its Pacifica Grizzly Peak Off-Road Minivan Concept: Report
Chrysler is weighing a production version of the Pacifica Grizzly Peak, an off‑road concept unveiled at an overlanding expo. The potential model would retain the Pacifica’s V‑6 engine and all‑wheel drive, add more than two inches of lift, all‑terrain tires...
Tesla Expands Robotaxi in a Way that Was Long Anticipated
Tesla launched an Android version of its Robotaxi app on April 24, extending the driverless ride‑hailing service beyond iOS. The new app lets Android users hail Model Y robotaxis, view fares, control climate, seats, and music, and receive real‑time trip updates. By...
Leapmotor Reportedly Plans Second Brand for Higher-End EV Market
Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, announced plans to launch a new premium brand in 2027 aimed at vehicles priced above 300,000 yuan (about $44,000). The Chinese EV maker posted a net profit of 540 million yuan ($79 million) in 2025 and delivered 596,555...
126 New EV Fast Chargers Are Coming To Oregon
Oregon's Climate Office announced the deployment of 126 DC fast‑charging ports across 24 sites along Interstate 84 and highways 20, 26, 97, and 101, funded by NEVI Round 2 grants. Each station will feature at least four 150 kW ports with CCS and NACS connectors and will...
Powerbank on Wheels: Bidirectional Charging Demonstrated in Electric Trucks
Project partners in the German SPIRIT‑E research initiative publicly demonstrated bidirectional charging on a MAN eTGX electric truck, delivering up to 325 kW back to the grid. The 480 kWh truck also powered a second eTGX via a bidirectional station, showcasing vehicle‑to‑vehicle...
Migrating a Charging Network to a New Software Platform: Case Studies From AMPECO
AMPECO, a European EV‑charging software provider, has built migration into a core competency, moving more than 120,000 charge points from legacy systems to its platform. The company detailed four recent migrations – E.ON Drive’s 6,000 points across 11 countries, Swisscharge’s...
CATL to Supply Chinese Steelmaker with Batteries and Charging Stations for Electric Mining Trucks and Machinery
Chinese battery leader CAT CATL signed a multi‑year deal with steelmaker Jianlong to equip its mining trucks, heavy trucks, ships and construction equipment with lithium‑ion batteries and integrated charging‑and‑swapping stations. The partnership targets deployment of over 3,000 electric heavy trucks within...
AD Enviro2000EV Buses Enter UK Passenger Service for First Time
Go North East has become the first UK operator to place Alexander Dennis’s next‑generation Enviro200EV into passenger service, deploying four 37‑seat, lightweight electric single‑deckers on the high‑demand X66 route between Gateshead Interchange and the Metrocentre. The buses, built domestically with a...
Great Wall Motor Unveils "Return to Essence, Keep the Covenant", World's First Ethanol Plug-In Hybrid to Launch in Brazil Tomorrow
Great Wall Motor unveiled its new "Guiyuan" platform at the Beijing Auto Show, a modular architecture that can accommodate internal combustion, hybrid, plug‑in hybrid, pure electric and hydrogen powertrains with over 95% parts commonality. The platform underpins the refreshed Hi4...
Best-Selling Plug-In Hybrids More Costly than Electric Vehicles, Research Finds
New analysis by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit shows eight of the UK’s ten best‑selling plug‑in hybrids cost on average £4,150 ($5,300) more than comparable electric vehicles, a 10% premium. Real‑world fuel use is three times higher than manufacturers...
Tesla FSD Gains Power Through OTA Updates, Nearing Full Autonomy
Tesla FSD is getting more powerful with each over the air update. This could be the future when full unsupervised is released later this year. What about using it like this now?
China's High-Speed Rail Builder Expands Into Electric School Buses
China's high speed rail maker apparently also makes electric school buses One just pulled up in my hood https://t.co/S65KTfIKLK
NHTSA Escalates Probe of Tesla's Full Self-Driving System Amid Visibility Concerns
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stepped up its investigation of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, zeroing in on low‑visibility conditions. The move pits regulators against Tesla's rapid, data‑driven deployment model and raises questions about how the industry will...
Tesla’s 10‑Q Flags $260M Expense on 20M Vehicle Delivery
10-Q surprises First provision for a first milestone of the 2025 comp package, and I was wondering last week which one it would be. Well, like always, read the 10-Q: "Delivery of 20 million Tesla vehicles" it is. $260m were expensed. https://t.co/CAPAjFaaf7
Most New Cars Will Be
Within 10 years most new cars produced globally will not have steering wheels or brake pedals
Tariff Costs Are Forcing Tough Choices for Auto Suppliers
A Dykema survey shows 79% of auto industry leaders cite tariff‑driven cost pressures as their top concern, up from last year. Fixed‑price contracts signed before recent tariff volatility force suppliers to absorb higher costs, sparking disputes over pricing and cost...
UNECE Final ADS Working Group Sets Stage for WP.29
📍Bangkok 🇹🇭 Kicking off the final @UNECE Automated Driving System Informal Working Group meeting before WP.29 meeting in June when the regulatory text will be tabled. Final steps now on the interpretation document & starting the plans for version 2 of...
EVs Triumph with Dropping Prices and Lower Ownership Costs
EVs win on both axes if these forecasts turn out to be correct: falling upfront prices and structurally lower lifetime ownership costs https://t.co/MalaEpoNSJ
Swedish Town Likely to Greenlight One-Year FSD Test
More FSD ripples in Europe: Strängnäs municipality, Sweden, is set to decide whether to approve a one-year FSD test on its roads, which would set it up for regulation approval. The vote is reportedly steering for a yes. Details: https://t.co/13O8UkZpXX h/t @Knytanders