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
Tesla Earnings: Financial Expectations and What We Should to Hear About
Tesla is slated to report Q1 2026 earnings after market close, with Wall Street forecasting EPS of $0.36 and revenue of $22.35 billion, up from $0.27 and $19.34 billion a year earlier. The company beat expectations in the prior quarter but saw the stock dip, underscoring the market’s unpredictable reaction to Tesla’s results. The earnings call will likely focus on the Robotaxi rollout into Dallas and Houston, the delayed Roadster unveiling, and the expanding Full Self‑Driving approvals in Europe. Optimus Gen 3 timing is also expected to be addressed.
Lincoln Future Models: 2026-2036
Ford’s Lincoln division is maintaining modest growth without a major new investment plan. U.S. sales reached 106,868 units in 2025, the strongest figure since the 2019 peak, while Chinese sales slipped 13% to 7,228 units in Q1. The company is...
Dreame Nebula NEXT Auto Teams with UC Berkeley to Accelerate AI‑Defined Vehicles
Dreame Nebula NEXT Auto has expanded its collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, bringing engineers and researchers together to speed up AI‑defined vehicle development. The partnership focuses on safety, control and full‑stack AI integration as the company moves toward...
Microchip and Sunny Smartlead Expand ASA-ML Ecosystem with ADAS Camera Collaboration
Microchip Technology and Sunny Smartlead have partnered to broaden the Automotive SerDes Alliance Motion Link (ASA‑ML) ecosystem. Sunny Smartlead will launch ADAS camera modules that integrate Microchip’s VS700 ASA‑ML serializers, promising faster, simpler, and lower‑cost development for automotive OEMs and...
China's CATL Reveals 621-Mile EV Battery, Under-7-Minute Charging
CATL introduced two new battery systems at a Beijing event ahead of the auto show. The Qilin pack delivers a 1,000‑km (621‑mile) range while shedding weight, using high‑energy NMC chemistry. The Shenxing LFP pack can charge from 10% to 98%...
High-Potential Testing for EVs: Why Reed Relays Raise Confidence in Insulation and Safety
High‑potential (hipot) testing validates insulation integrity across EV batteries, inverters, chargers and wiring harnesses by applying voltages above normal operation and measuring leakage or breakdown. The article explains how building reliable hipot stages hinges on the switch technology, highlighting high‑voltage...
China Apr 1-19 NEV Retail Sales Fall 14% as Buyers Await Auto Show
China's new‑energy vehicle (NEV) retail sales slipped to 387,000 units in the first 19 days of April, a 14% year‑on‑year decline and 5% drop from the previous month. Overall passenger‑car retail sales fell even sharper to 627,000 units, down 26%...
PACIFIC Enables Multi-Tenant, Sovereign Product Carbon Footprint Exchange on the Catena-X Data Space Using AWS
BASF and CircularTree launched PACIFIC, a multi‑tenant SaaS platform that automates product carbon footprint (PCF) exchange on the Catena‑X data space using AWS services. The solution leverages Amazon ECS on Fargate, Cognito, IAM and Secrets Manager to provide tenant‑level data...
GM Says It Has 'Not Canceled Any Electric Trucks'
General Motors told Motor1 it has not canceled any electric‑truck programs, reaffirming that EVs remain the company’s long‑term goal. The automaker emphasized that production of refreshed electric trucks is still on track for a 2028 start, despite reports of an...
Energy, Intelligence and Social Impact to Drive CV Sector Transformation: Ashok Leyland MD & CEO
Ashok Leyland MD & CEO Shenu Agarwal told the CII Commercial Vehicle Summit that the commercial‑vehicle (CV) sector will be reshaped by three forces – energy, intelligence and social impact – as India eyes 2047. He called for a multi‑fuel strategy...
Chinese EVs Flood US Social Media Despite 100% Tariff Wall
Chinese EV brands such as BYD, Xiaomi and Zeekr are generating massive buzz on U.S. social media despite a 100 % import tariff that blocks their vehicles from the market. Surveys show 58 % of potential U.S. EV buyers have seen Chinese...
Safety First: Autonomous Tech Must Outpace Driver Recklessness
It's hard to understand some driver's actions but I do look forward to when all autonomous systems prioritize safety over hype and headlines. In this instance, there wasn't much for Tesla's FSD to do as the driver ahead executed this dick...
Turntide Expands Axial Flux Motor Portfolio for Hybrid and EV Integration
Turntide Technologies has added two axial‑flux motor models, the AF300 and AF400, delivering over 192 Nm and up to 290 Nm of continuous torque respectively. Both models are offered in single‑ and double‑stack configurations and feature cast‑casing designs that boost durability and...
GM’s Growing EV Retreat Raises Long-Term Viability Questions
General Motors has halted development of next‑generation full‑size electric pickup and SUV models, including successors to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Hummer EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ. The pause follows the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, pushing the anticipated 2028...
Renault-Geely Joint ICE Venture Horse Powertrain Showcases New Twin-Turbo V-6 for Future Cars
Renault, Geely and Saudi Aramco’s joint venture Horse Powertrain unveiled its first high‑performance engine, the 3.0‑liter twin‑turbo V6 dubbed Horse W30, at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The gasoline V6 delivers 469‑536 horsepower and 443‑516 lb‑ft of torque, redlines at...
Hyundai Is Upping Its EV Warranty Over A Common Failure. But Many Owners Are Still Upset
Hyundai announced a warranty extension for the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) in its E‑GMP electric vehicles, covering the component for 15 years or 180,000 miles, up from the original 5‑year/80,000‑mile limit. The ICCU, which manages onboard charging and power...
67 New EV Chargers Will Be Installed In San Diego
San Diego announced the installation of 67 new public electric‑vehicle chargers at recreation centers, libraries and community hubs, expanding the city’s earlier target of 750‑800 chargers. The grant‑funded stations are expected to be Level 2 units delivering roughly 30‑40 miles of...
California Offers Incentives To Philippine Automaker To Set Up Electric Jeepney Factory
California’s Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has offered Filipino automaker Francisco Motors a comprehensive incentive package to build an electric‑jeepney factory in Santa Clarita. The $5 billion Project Mesa will span up to 90 acres, create 1,800‑2,200 permanent jobs and...
VWCV Upgrades the ID. Buzz for the New Model Year
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is rolling out a major 2026 refresh of the ID. Buzz, adding the Pro 4MOTION all‑wheel‑drive variant that delivers 250 kW and matches the GTX’s power output. The update raises towing capacity to 1.8 tonnes on the standard wheelbase and introduces...
Volkswagen Hits the Reset Button, Starting with Its EVs
Volkswagen announced a comprehensive brand reset, shifting focus from feature‑laden electric models to a customer‑centric approach rooted in its heritage. The company will reintroduce physical buttons, intuitive controls, and traditional model names, ending production of the ID.4 SUV at its...
Axens’ MACARON Cathode Plant Earns France’s Strategic Project Label and 25% Tax Credit
Axens’ MACARON cathode‑active‑materials plant in Saint‑Saulve has been named one of France’s 150 major strategic projects, earned a Net Zero label, and secured a 25 % Green Industry Investment Tax Credit. The design aims to supply cathode materials for French and...
UK Government Says It Will Cut Red Tape for On-Street EV Charger Installations
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced a package of measures to speed the clean‑energy transition, including new permitted‑development rights for on‑street EV chargers. The reforms will streamline outdated grid rules, accelerate grid upgrades, and make it easier for renters and...
Volvo Cars Says Demand for New EX60 Electric SUV Exceeds Expectation
Volvo Cars announced it will produce up to 40,000 units of its new EX60 electric SUV in 2026, a figure that surpasses the company’s original sales forecast. The demand surge has prompted the automaker to consider adding an extra week...
Opel Names First Formula E Car GSE 27FE
Stellantis announced that Opel will replace DS as the group’s factory entry in the upcoming Gen4 Formula E season, unveiling the GSE 27FE prototype at Circuit Paul Ricard. The neon‑yellow test car showcases Opel’s rear‑powertrain development, built in partnership with Citroën, while...
New BEV Market Growth Continues at Pace in Australia
Australian battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) sales surged in February 2026, reaching 11,101 units – a 94.5% year‑on‑year increase. The first two months of the year recorded 18,656 BEVs sold, up 94.8% from the same period in 2025. Tesla’s Model Y remains the...
Volvo’s Sustainability Chief Discusses Green Mobility Future
Hey all, I'm on another podcast with my pal Craig Cole for GreenCars.com . First episode is now available with guest Vanessa Butani, head of global sustainability at Volvo Cars. You can find the audio version at https://shows.acast.com/greencars-the-podcast/episodes/s2-e1-vanessa-butani-volvo
Rivian CEO Announces R2 Volume Production Launch
Rivian CEO @RJScaringe joins us on Bloomberg Tech today as R2 starts volume, saleable production. 8:10amPST @BloombergTV
Jaecoo Sibling Delivan Due in UK Next Year with Ford Transit Rival
Chinese commercial‑vehicle brand Delivan, part of Chery Holding Group, announced its UK entry with a Ford Transit Custom‑size electric van slated for early 2027, followed by light and heavy models by 2028. The lineup will be “electric‑first” but may also...
Humble Raises $24 M Seed to Launch Cab‑less Autonomous Freight Truck
San Francisco‑based Humble announced a $24 million seed round led by Eclipse and Energy Impact Partners and unveiled its cab‑less electric autonomous freight vehicle, the Humble Hauler. The startup aims to capture a slice of the $906 billion U.S. truck freight market...
VELO3D and ANDRETTI PERFORMANCE PARTNER FOR 2026 IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE
Velo3D, the metal‑additive‑manufacturing specialist, has signed a sponsorship with Andretti Performance for two 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. The deal positions Velo3D as the official additive‑manufacturing technology provider, supplying a custom‑engineered aluminum CP1 radio‑control mounting...
BMW Integrates Neue Klasse Technologies Into the I7
BMW has refreshed its flagship i7 sedan by swapping the previous 101.7 kWh prismatic pack for a 112.5 kWh Gen 6 cylindrical‑cell battery from the Neue Klasse platform. The new pack boosts usable energy, raises peak charging to 250 kW and cuts a 10‑80 % charge...
Vietnam: Ford and Tasco Auto to Establish a Fast-Charging Network
Ford Motor Company and its Vietnamese distributor Tasco Auto signed an MoU to build a fast‑charging network across Vietnam. The plan calls for more than 89 DC fast chargers, with Ford installing 34 stations by Q3 2026 and Tasco Auto adding...
New Tesla Model Y Variant with More Range Specs Spotted in Approval Documentation
Tesla’s Model Y Long‑Range variant, equipped with an 8L battery that delivered up to 821 km (CLTC) in China, has appeared in European type‑approval paperwork, signaling a potential launch in Europe and later Australia. The model could achieve roughly 700 km on the...
California’s BEV Market Share Hit a Four-Year Low in Q1 2026
Battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) sales in California slumped 40.2% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026, pulling the state’s zero‑emission market share down to 13.7%, the lowest level since Q4 2021. The decline follows the termination of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit on September 30 2025, which...
Uber’s AV Pivot: Growth Opportunity or Margin Risk?
Uber announced a $10 bn investment to build the world’s largest autonomous‑vehicle network by 2029, marking a departure from its traditional asset‑light ride‑hailing model. The move coincides with a projected Q1 2026 EPS of $0.71 and a full‑year EPS decline of...
Volkswagen Accelerates AI-Driven EV Push with Four Premieres Ahead of Auto China 2026
Volkswagen used its Media Night before Auto China 2026 to unveil a China‑centric EV and AI roadmap, debuting four new models across the VW, Jetta and Audi brands. The company aims to roll out about 30 electrified models by 2027,...
Vietnam March 2026: VinFast Reaches Record 39% Share
VinFast surged to a record 39% share of Vietnam's March vehicle market, nearly tripling its volume year‑on‑year. Total new‑car sales jumped 51% YoY to 70,859 units, pushing Q1 sales up 41.8% to 162,039. The Limo Green reclaimed the top model...
Clock Ticking for German OEMs to Show Staying Power in China
German automakers are grappling with a loss of prestige in China as domestic rivals move into the premium segment. The 2026 Beijing Auto Show, running April 24‑May 3, will see Nio, Geely and BYD unveil high‑spec models aimed at affluent buyers. This...
Promising Electric Vehicle Stocks To Follow Today – April 21st
MarketBeat highlights five electric‑vehicle stocks—Tesla, Lucid Group, Rivian, NIO and Faraday Future—as today’s top performers by dollar trading volume. The list spans established players like Tesla and emerging challengers such as Lucid and Faraday Future, covering automakers, battery makers and...
Storm Warning? Rivian's Real Test Is Not a Tornado
An EF‑1 tornado struck Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant on April 19, damaging a parts‑storage building but leaving the main assembly lines for the R1T and R1S untouched. The disruption was confined to logistics for the upcoming R2 SUV, and the...
ArcelorMittal Gains Full Control of Italian Steel JV After Debt‑Equity Swap
ArcelorMittal will assume 100% ownership of the CLN Distribuzione Italia joint venture by converting the partner's debt into equity. The move ends a decade‑long partnership with CLN‑Coils Lamiere Nastri SpA and positions the steelmaker to streamline its automotive supply chain....
Tesla's Q1 Earnings Preview Stirs Investor Caution as Driver Lawsuits Target FSD Promises
Tesla shares fell 0.42% to $390.86 as investors await Q1 results, focusing on robotaxi progress, a $22‑$22.7 billion revenue outlook and a $20 billion cap‑ex plan. Simultaneously, drivers file lawsuits accusing the company of misleading claims about Full Self‑Driving, intensifying pressure on...
German Public Truck Charging Gets Cheaper, More Competitive
Truck charging in public becoming more competitive even in Germany 🇩🇪 ⚡️⚡️⚡️🪩🪩🪩 Prices 📉 #alwaysbecharging #elektrotrucker https://t.co/qezy70DVTh
Half of Networks Fail 99% Reliability Rules
Tom Riley’s Fast Charge analysis of 38 UK rapid‑charging operators shows only 16 networks—just 42%—fully comply with the government‑mandated 99% uptime rule for chargers rated 50 kW or higher. Compliance requires three steps: maintaining the uptime target, publishing the metric on...
'Actions Don't Match the Narrative': EV Industry Slams HMRC Appeal Against Public Charging VAT Ruling
The UK tax tribunal ruled that VAT should be removed from public electric‑vehicle chargers, a decision HMRC is now appealing. Industry groups argue the appeal undermines the government’s net‑zero narrative and hurts drivers who cannot charge at home. Ministers have...
GAC’s Aion Introduces the Aion V to the UK Market
Chinese EV maker Aion, a GAC subsidiary, will debut its Aion V SUV in the UK at the end of May, pricing the single‑trim model at £36,450 (about $45,600) on‑the‑road. The vehicle boasts a rapid 30‑80% charge in 13 minutes...
Bosch Sampling Third-Generation SiC Chips to Global Automakers
Bosch has begun sampling its third‑generation silicon carbide (SiC) power chips to automakers worldwide. The new chips deliver about 20% higher performance while being significantly smaller, enabling more chips per wafer and lower costs. Bosch has invested roughly $3.3 billion in...
Volkswagen to Expand China-Made EV Exports to Emerging Markets
Volkswagen announced it will increase exports of electric vehicles built in China to emerging markets, leveraging lower production costs and locally developed technology. The plan follows a partnership with Xpeng and SAIC Motor to accelerate model development and comes as...
No Driveway, No Problem? New Rules Could Unlock At-Home EV Charging
The UK government is set to extend permitted‑development rights to cover on‑street electric‑vehicle (EV) charger installations, eliminating the need for planning permission for pavement‑integrated solutions. Homeowners without driveways will be able to install chargers without a formal planning application, though...
INTERVIEW: Tiancheng Lou, Founder and CTO, Pony.ai on PonyWorld 2.0
Pony.ai unveiled PonyWorld 2.0, an upgraded world‑model and training system that enhances its autonomous‑driving stack. After confirming profitable unit economics with its seventh‑generation robotaxi fleet in Shanghai and Beijing, the company is accelerating commercialization. It targets more than 3,000 vehicles...