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
Pakistan March 2026: Market up 39.9%, Sazgar Haval H6 up to #2
Pakistan’s March 2026 light‑vehicle registrations jumped 39.9% year‑on‑year to 15,531 units, pushing Q1 volume to 55,707 – a 38.6% rise. Suzuki remained the market leader with a 40.2% share, though its dominance slipped from the 45.5% Q1 level. The domestically produced Sazgar Haval H6 surged 84.4% to claim the #2 spot among models, while JAC’s X200 recorded a staggering 278.9% increase. The data, compiled by PAMA, excludes non‑member brands such as Kia, Changan and MG, which could affect the full market picture.
Cheaper EVs Are Finally Entering the Local Market, but Will South Africans Bite?
South Africa’s electric‑vehicle market is finally seeing sub‑R400,000 (≈$21,000) models from Chinese manufacturers, breaking the long‑standing price barrier. BYD led March sales with 316 units, pushing total EV registrations to a record 389 for the month. The new entrants –...
OM in the News: Running a Factory on Recycled EV Batteries
Rivian will power its Normal, Illinois factory with more than 100 second‑life EV batteries, creating the largest repurposed‑battery storage system for a U.S. automaker. The 10 megawatt‑hour installation will supply on‑site electricity during peak‑demand periods, reducing reliance on the grid and...
Tesla Robotaxi Misses Exit on Dallas Highway, Raising Safety Concerns
Tesla’s driverless robotaxi service stumbled in Dallas when a Model Y missed a highway exit, slowed, and pulled over at 80‑90 mph, prompting passenger Chris Ramos to flag navigation flaws. The incident arrives as Tesla rolls the service out to Dallas and...
Mercedes and Samsung SDI Sign First EV Battery Supply Deal
Mercedes‑Benz has signed a multi‑year agreement with Samsung SDI to source EV batteries for its upcoming compact and midsize models. The contract, valued at over 10 trillion won (approximately $7.7 bn), also includes joint development of next‑generation battery technology. Samsung SDI will supply high‑nickel NCM...
Jeep, Ram Shipments Surge in North America, Driving Stellantis’ Q1 Rebound
Stellantis posted a 12% year‑on‑year rise in global shipments to roughly 1.4 million vehicles in Q1 2026, driven by a 17% jump in North America to 379,000 units. The surge stemmed from strong demand for the new Jeep Cherokee, refreshed Jeep...
AI-Defined Vehicles and Expanded Electrification Shape Nissan’s Future Mobility Strategy
Japanese automaker Nissan announced its long‑term “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life” strategy, focusing on AI‑defined vehicles (AIDV) that blend its AI Drive and AI Partner platforms. The plan expands electrification options, allowing the company to tailor battery‑electric, hybrid or fuel‑cell...
Tesla Stock Faces Tight Margins and Delivery Miss Ahead of Q1 2026 Earnings
Tesla (TSLA) is set to report Q1 2026 earnings on April 22 after a 14% sequential drop in deliveries and widening margin pressure. The stock, down 18% from its peak, trades at a PE near 370, forcing investors to weigh...
Nio to Deliver 100,000th Revamped ES8 This Week as Sales Momentum Holds
Chinese EV maker Nio is set to deliver its 100,000th third‑generation ES8 this week, marking a key milestone for the high‑margin electric SUV. The ES8 has topped 10,000 monthly deliveries for five straight months, contributing 45,184 units and 54 % of...
Smart Concept #2 Teased: Reinventing the Iconic Electric City Car
Smart unveiled the Concept #2 design study, a premium reinterpretation of its iconic Fortwo two‑seater, ahead of the Global Brand Event and Auto Beijing 2026. The matte white and warm‑gold two‑tone exterior, buckle‑inspired accents, and Mercedes‑Benz global design language signal...
Self‑driving Cars Now Infer Intent, Not Just Objects
A Xiaomi car reportedly flagged a nearby Range Rover as likely undercover police. And that is a much bigger signal than it sounds. What interests me is not whether it got this one case perfectly right. It is what this points to. Cars are...
Closing the Compliance Gap: Validating EV Chargers Ahead of ISO 15118-20
The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation now mandates that all new or upgraded AC and DC EV chargers support ISO 15118‑20 by January 2027, requiring TLS 1.3 mutual authentication, Plug‑and‑Charge and bidirectional power transfer. However, formal conformance test plans for the AC...
KYOCERA AVX Rolls Out FFLK DC Capacitors for EV and Industrial Power
Kyocera AVX has launched the FFLK series of DC‑filtering film capacitors aimed at electric‑vehicle traction inverters and industrial motor drives. The new parts handle higher currents while staying compact, using cylindrical aluminum cases and metallized polypropylene film with a self‑healing...
Why Is Mercedes-Benz Partnering With Samsung SDI? The Strategy Behind the EV Supply Chain Shift
Mercedes-Benz has signed a long‑term agreement with Samsung SDI to secure next‑generation EV batteries. The deal reflects a strategic shift from owning battery production to controlling access through a deep supplier partnership. By outsourcing battery capability, Mercedes stabilises input costs...
From Mauritius to Mumbai–Pune: Switch Mobility Delivers 100 Urban Buses and 25 Intercity Coaches
Mauritius has completed an India‑backed programme by taking delivery of 100 electric buses, adding 90 to the earlier batch of 10. The National Transport Corporation will operate the fleet with off‑peak charging and a new real‑time fleet‑management system. Meanwhile, Switch...
CATL to Unveil Sodium Battery and Fast-Charging Tech at Apr 21 Tech Day
China's battery giant CATL announced its most technology‑dense launch event for April 21, where it will unveil sodium‑ion batteries, condensed‑cell formats, and next‑generation fast‑charging solutions. The sodium‑ion cells retain 90% of capacity at –40 °C and are slated for a joint vehicle...
Suzuki Debuts First Indian Electric SUV Amid Supply Constraints
Suzuki launched its first electric SUV in India, highlighting both EV ambition and supply chain constraints. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/suzuki-e-vitara-electric-suv-launch.html
BMW Simplifies EV Charging with Contract-Free Plug & Charge
BMW Group has rolled out a contract‑free Plug & Charge service for compatible BMW and MINI electric models in Germany, with plans to extend across Europe in 2026. The system authenticates the vehicle at public DC stations and processes payment...
From Budget to Premium: New Wave of Low-Cost Autosteer Expands Across Segments
Chinese manufacturers are reshaping the global retrofit autosteer market by offering low‑cost, high‑accuracy GNSS solutions that rival premium systems. CNH Industrial teamed with CHCNAV to launch the affordable FleetPro kit, while ComNav’s AG501 Pro and Sveaverken’s F200 bring modularity and...
BYD to Debut Third-Gen Yuan Plus at Beijing Auto Show
BYD will unveil the third‑generation Yuan Plus SUV at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24, featuring its newest flash‑charging technology that can replenish 10‑70% of the battery in roughly five minutes. The model, sold overseas as the Atto 3, offers two...
Prolonged West Asia Conflict to Impact India's Automobile Sector, Says FADA President
FADA President C.S. Vigneshwar warned that a prolonged West Asia conflict could curb India’s automobile exports and strain supplies of oil, aluminium and lithium, even as the domestic market posted a robust 13% growth rate. He flagged production challenges from...
Volvo Rolls Out VNR Regional Haul Tractor in Canada, Claims 7.5% Fuel Savings
Volvo Trucks introduced its VNR regional haul tractor at Truck World 2026 in Canada, promising up to 7.5% fuel‑economy improvement and a suite of active‑safety features. The launch targets the growing demand for maneuverable, low‑emission trucks in urban and regional...
Logisteed and REXEV Team Up to Accelerate Electric Truck Adoption
Logisteed and REXEV have announced a partnership to advance electric truck electrification, aiming to speed up zero‑emission freight solutions. The collaboration signals growing momentum in the EV truck market as logistics firms seek greener fleets.
EU and China Adopt Divergent EV Battery Policies, Shaping Global Supply Chains
A comparative analysis released this week finds that the European Union and China are pursuing opposite policy mixes for electric‑vehicle batteries. The EU leans on subsidies and standards, while China pushes scale and domestic raw‑material control, creating distinct supply‑chain footprints.
Waymo Opens Autonomous Ride‑Sharing to All Orlando Riders
Waymo announced that its autonomous ride‑sharing fleet is now open to every rider in Orlando, ending a limited‑access trial. The move adds the Florida market to the company’s growing list of U.S. cities where Level‑4 robotaxis operate, intensifying competition with...
Wayve Lands $60 M From AMD, Arm and Qualcomm to Speed AI Driver Rollout
Wayve announced a $60 million extension to its Series D round, funded by AMD, Arm and Qualcomm Ventures. The cash builds on a prior $1.2 billion raise and is earmarked for integrating Wayve’s AI Driver across diverse automotive compute platforms, underscoring chipmakers’ confidence...
Autoliv Q1 2026 Revenue Up 6.8% to $2.75B, China & India Drive Growth
Autoliv (NYSE:ALV) posted first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $2.75 billion, a 6.8% year‑over‑year increase, and non‑GAAP earnings of $2.05 per share, beating consensus by 11.4%. The growth was anchored by strong sales in China and India, even as the company faced margin...
Li Auto to Debut L9 Livis on Apr 24, Launch on May 15
Chinese EV maker Li Auto will unveil its L9 Livis version at the Beijing auto show on April 24, with deliveries slated to begin May 15. The Livis, marketed as an embodied AI flagship SUV, carries a price of 559,800 yuan (about $82,100), markedly...
Pony AI Deploys Driverless Robotaxis in Dubai, Plans Commercial Service Launch in 2026
Chinese autonomous‑driving startup Pony AI has deployed driverless robotaxis in Dubai and plans to start a fare‑charging service later in 2026. The launch will involve a fleet of hundreds of seventh‑generation vehicles, part of a broader goal to operate over...
Share Tesla’s Live Navigation via FSD Database Link
You can now share the live location and navigation status of any vehicle on @fsd_database Just like how Uber lets you share trip status with friends and family, this will give you a link you can share with anyone to...
Zwolle's BYD Buses Power Up at Train Station
Good morning from Zwolle where the BYD buses are charging up at the train station !⚡️⚡️🌶️🌶️🍿🍿 #alwaysbecharging 🇳🇱 https://t.co/apQCjL8j3E
These Are The Worst-Selling Cars In America In 2026 (So Far)
The U.S. auto market is in a slump, with the average new‑car price hovering around $49,353 and 2025 tariffs adding pressure on foreign‑made models. High‑priced, niche vehicles such as the Lexus LC, Dodge Charger Daytona EV, and Jeep Wagoneer S have...
Europe 2026: HYC400 vs HYC1000 Showdown
2026 in Europe might really be about HYC400 vs HYC1000 who should win this "competition" and why? #alwaysbecharging ⚡️⚡️⚡️ photo @charginghero1 📸 https://t.co/fmJb6iss5Z
BMW iX3 Leverages Chinese Tech, Production Timeline Unclear
BMW iX3 featuring tech by Momenta, Huawei AND Alibaba to stay relevant in China - when does China production start?! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging 🍿 🇨🇳 https://t.co/44b6dvQehl
Tesla Confirms Work on Autonomous “Robovan” After Social Media Exchange
Tesla’s Director of AI Ashok Elluswamy told Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan on X that the automaker is “on it” with a fully autonomous van dubbed the Robovan. The reveal revives a concept previously described as shelved during the Q3 2025...
China's EV and Hybrid Trucks Surpass Diesel Sales
In China battery electric trucks and hybrid trucks now outsell diesel trucks for the first time. https://t.co/iprDfUBNG9
First European FSD Car Logged in FSD Database
Ladies and gentlemen... the first European FSD car reporting to @fsd_database thank you @tvanschadewijk https://t.co/DV7uWfWQ7y
China Auto Show, India State Elections, TSMC Tech Event
The Auto China Show in Beijing underscores China’s rapid rise as an electric‑vehicle powerhouse, a trend amplified by soaring global fuel prices linked to the Iran war. In India, elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will be decided amid a...
Australian EVs Cut Weekly Petrol Use by 13 Million Litres
Fact check: Bowen says EVs save Aus ~15M litres of petrol/week As at Mar2026, Aus fleet: 389,431 BEVS + 125,399 PHEVs = 514,830 Av Aus annual mileage 12100km at 11.1L/100km =1343L fuel🤔 Aus growing fleet of EVs now save Aus 13.3ML/week🤓 Accurate 😎 https://t.co/nAFztCHS6B
Portable MSI EZgo Charger Delivers Reliable On‑the‑Go Power
Got an EV and dreamed of having a smart charger at your home or office? How about one for while you're on the road? The @MSIusa EZgo Portable J1772/NACS EV Charger neatly fits the bill, as I ascertained when I...
The Average U.S. Car Is Nearly 13 Years Old—What that Means for Your Wallet and Safety
The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has risen to 12.8 years, the highest on record, with passenger cars averaging 14.5 years and light trucks 11.9 years. Advances in engineering and materials have allowed cars to reach roughly 175,000 miles, extending ownership life....
All‑Terrain Capability Defines True SAE Level 5
A system that can go anywhere in a wide range of inclement conditions is what I would categorize as SAE Level 5
Lithium Rush: Nations and Corporations Scramble for the White Gold as EV Demand Soars
China, the United States, Europe and South American producers are locked in a race to secure lithium as global battery demand climbs to over $150 bn. Production is projected to hit 290,000 t in 2025, while China is set to control roughly...
Vroom, Baby, Vroom: Energy Shock Puts Aussie Graphite in the Box Seat
Australia’s Leliyn Graphite Project, owned by Kingsland Minerals, contains 14.2 Mt of graphite – the country’s largest known deposit – positioning the nation to supply the fast‑growing EV battery market. While global demand for battery‑grade graphite is rising, prices remain muted...
Uber Commits $300M to Launch up to 50,000 Rivian Robotaxis by 2031
Uber announced a partnership with Rivian to purchase 10,000 self‑driving R2 SUVs, with an option for 40,000 more, and invest up to $1.25 billion through 2031. The first robotaxi services are slated for San Francisco and Miami in 2028, marking a...
This Fuel Crisis Could Last for a While. It’s Time for a New Approach to Fuel Use – End It
Australia faces a fuel crisis as the federal government slashes fuel excise, spending roughly $1.7 billion USD over three months to lower petrol and diesel prices. State responses have been piecemeal—Victoria and Tasmania offered temporary public‑transport fare cuts, while other states...
Survey Sunday: How Much Pain at the Pump Will It Take to Switch to EV?
Electrek surveyed 2,800 readers on the gas price that would push the most stubborn ICE‑enthusiasts to adopt an electric vehicle. Nearly half of respondents believe no price, even above $10 per gallon, would convince a segment of drivers to switch....
Compact 2026 Subaru Uncharted Packs Big Power
Finally got around to editing this one. The 2026 @subaru_usa Uncharted was a surprise to drive and I really dug its compact size. Goes to prove small EVs can be backed up by big power. #subaru #subaruuncharted #subarunation #suv #ev ...
200 Bidirectional EV Chargers To Be Used In Trial
Sweden’s state‑owned utility Vattenfall, together with Energy Bank and Volkswagen, will deploy 200 bidirectional electric‑vehicle chargers as a pilot. The chargers can both charge EVs and discharge stored energy back to the grid, creating a distributed virtual power plant. If...
Uber Says More Waymos Are Good for Uber Too
Uber told investors that the rise of Waymo and other robotaxi services is boosting overall ride‑hailing demand, not cannibalizing it. The company highlighted significant trip growth in Austin and Atlanta, where Waymo rides are booked through the Uber app, and...