Today's Automotive Pulse
BYD Honors Trump as EV Sales Champion Amid Export Surge
China’s electric‑vehicle exports jumped to 435,000 units in May, a 100% increase from the same month in 2025 and accounting for roughly 30% of the U.S. monthly vehicle market. In recognition of former President Donald Trump’s role in promoting its models, BYD will present him with a “Salesman of the Year” award.
New Nissan X-Trail Revealed with Hybrid Power and Bold New Look
Nissan unveiled a dramatically restyled X‑Trail SUV, branding it with the E‑Power full‑hybrid badge. The new model, built on the existing CMF‑CD platform, features a bold trapezoidal grille, angular LED lights and sharper body creases. Nissan positions the X‑Trail as a core global model slated for a 2027 launch, likely debuting in the U.S. as the Rogue before reaching Europe. The reveal aligns with Nissan’s Re:Nissan recovery plan, which trims its lineup to 45 models and pivots to architecture‑led development.
GAC-Backed Greater Bay Claims Breakthrough in Solid-State Batteries with New Prototype Roll-Out
Greater Bay Technology, backed by GAC, unveiled its all‑solid‑state A‑sample cells, claiming energy densities between 260 Wh/kg and 500 Wh/kg and fast‑charging rates of 2C‑3C. The composite electrolyte design passed nail‑penetration, crush and thermal‑shock tests, demonstrating fire‑free operation. The company says the...
Chile March 2026: GWM Poer Now #1 Year-to-Date
In March 2026 Chile saw 27,358 new light‑vehicle registrations, a 14% year‑on‑year rise, pushing Q1 volume to 74,977 units. Great Wall Motors (GWM) Poer surged 38.5% to claim the top spot for the month and seized the year‑to‑date lead. Chinese...
Can Networks Solve Australia’s “Chicken-and-Egg” EV Problem? The Battle for Control of Kerbside Charging
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has asked the Australian Energy Market Commission to amend ring‑fencing rules so distribution networks can install, own, and maintain kerbside electric‑vehicle chargers on existing poles. The change would reclassify EV chargers from a contestable service to...
Iran War Oil Spike Spurs EV Searches but Near-Term Demand Impact Likely Muted
The Iran‑related conflict pushed crude oil above $120 per barrel, lifting U.S. gasoline to $4.06 per gallon and triggering a noticeable rise in electric‑vehicle (EV) searches. Edmunds and AI‑driven platform CarEdge reported traffic to popular models such as the Tesla...
US Trade Chief Says Tech Restrictions to Block Chinese Carmakers
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that new restrictions on foreign‑entity connected‑vehicle technology will take effect over the next 12‑18 months, effectively blocking Chinese automakers from entering the U.S. market. The rules target "foreign entities of concern" such as BYD...
Duracell E-Charge Picks Paythru for UK Network Payments
Duracell E‑Charge has appointed Paythru to run payments for its UK ultra‑fast electric‑vehicle charging network. Paythru’s platform will process card, app and terminal transactions and aims for a 99.8% payment success rate, supporting Duracell’s 99% overall uptime target. The network...
Vector Informatik Expands CANoe EV with V2G Security Testing
Vector Informatik has broadened its CANoe Test Package EV to include automated security testing for electric‑vehicle charging communication. The new module covers vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) fuzzing, TLS 1.2/1.3 protocol checks, and Plug & Charge validation, aligning with ISO 15118‑2 and ISO 15118‑20 standards. By automating...
Volvo Trucks Unveils 700km-Range Electric Long-Haul Truck
Volvo Trucks introduced the FH Aero Electric, a heavy‑duty tractor with a 700 km (435‑mile) range on a single charge, slated for market launch in 2026. The model features a novel e‑axle that combines dual motors and a six‑speed gearbox, freeing...
Austria March 2026: Market up 27.2%, Tesla Model Y Best-Seller
Austria’s new‑car market surged 27.2% year‑on‑year in March, reaching 33,018 units and lifting Q1 volumes 17% to 77,235. Volkswagen remains the market leader but its share fell to 12.6%, while Skoda (+46.2%) and Audi (+36.5%) posted strong double‑digit gains. Tesla’s...
Geely Launches AI-Driven I-HEV Hybrid with Record Efficiency
Geely Auto unveiled its i‑HEV Intelligent Hybrid, a motor‑led system that leverages Full‑domain AI 2.0 and the i‑CMA architecture to achieve a Guinness‑verified thermal efficiency of 48.41% and fuel consumption of 2.22 L/100 km. The AI Cloud Power module dynamically adjusts the petrol‑electric...
Nissan Reaffirms Infiniti as Luxury Growth Pillar
At its global Vision event in Nashville, Nissan announced a refreshed Infiniti strategy, positioning the luxury brand as a core growth pillar. The rollout includes four new models—a midsize hybrid SUV, a performance‑focused V6 sedan, and two large hybrid SUVs—starting...
Always‑On Rideshare Exists, Yet Still Needs Refinement
A real rideshare service is available 100% of the time. Lots of work to do before this goes from proof of concept to a service people can depend on.
China Leads Solid-State Battery Patent Surge in Q1 2026
Over 1,710 solid‑state battery patent applications were published globally in Q1 2026, with China responsible for 1,429 filings. Chinese automakers and battery makers such as FAW, CATL and Gotion posted double‑digit growth, highlighted by FAW’s 800% surge. On the grant side,...
XCharge Opens First European Assembly Plant in Spain
XCharge inaugurated a 3,000 m² assembly plant in Silla, Valencia, Spain, its first European manufacturing hub. The facility will assemble high‑power EV chargers such as the 400 kW C7 and the GridLink battery‑integrated solution, currently sold in North America. By localising production,...
“Screens Are Everywhere. Radio Must Be Visual”
The latest In‑Vehicle Visuals Report from Quu Inc. shows that 68% of the 100 best‑selling new U.S. cars now sport multiple screens, extending beyond the central dash to driver, passenger, and rear‑seat displays. While FM and AM radio remain installed...
Leaked: Car Industry’s Latest Demands Could Cost EU Extra €74 Billion In Oil Imports
A leaked ACEA position paper urges EU ministers to weaken 2030 car CO₂ targets by averaging them over five years and scrapping the utility‑factor credit for plug‑in hybrids. Transport & Environment estimates the move would freeze battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) market...
BYD Fang Cheng Bao to Unveil First Sedan at Beijing Auto Show
Chinese EV maker BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao sub‑brand will unveil its first sedan, likely called the Mei 7, at the Beijing Auto Show opening April 24. Spy shots suggest a fastback‑styled electric sedan equipped with a tri‑motor system near 1,000 hp, roof‑mounted LiDAR...
CATL, Wuling Partner on Under-10-Minute EV Fast Charging
Chinese battery leader CATL and SAIC‑GM‑Wuling (SGMW) have sealed a strategic partnership to co‑develop ultra‑fast charging technology that can boost EV batteries from 10% to 80% in under ten minutes. The deal makes CATL the core battery supplier for SGMW’s...
EV Charging Network Sees 54 per Cent Leap in Customer Numbers as Electric Interest Surges
Jolt, one of Australia’s largest public EV charging networks, reported a 54.4% month‑on‑month rise in new driver registrations for March, coinciding with a record share of EV sales nationwide. A Jolt survey found that 70% of EV owners are motivated...
Intel Shares Jump 51% in April, Adding $100 Billion to Market Value
Intel Corp. rallied 51% in April, lifting its market value by more than $100 billion. The surge was sparked by a $14.2 billion Irish plant buyback and fresh partnerships with Tesla’s Terafab project and Google’s data‑center Xeon chips, even as analysts warn...
2027 “EV1” To Be Kia’s Most Affordable EV, and Could Mean the Axe for the Tiny Picanto
Kia announced the 2027 EV1, its cheapest electric hatchback, aimed at undercutting rivals such as BYD Dolphin, MG4, Ora and Renault 5 EV. Developed under the "B‑hatch" codename, the EV1 will replace the petrol‑powered Picanto and will be offered with 42.2 kWh or...
Tesla 2026 Spring Update Drops 12 New Features Owners Have Been Waiting For
Tesla rolled out its Spring 2026 OTA update, delivering twelve new features across Full Self‑Driving, voice AI, safety lighting, dashcam storage and pet‑mode customization. The revamped Self‑Driving app lets owners subscribe to FSD with a single tap and view real‑time...
Nissan Confirms New Xterra Will Offer Hybrid and Non-Hybrid V6 Options
Nissan confirmed that the next‑generation Xterra will debut in 2028 with two powertrain choices: a traditional V6 and a V6‑based regular hybrid. The hybrid will be non‑plug‑in, designed to meet tightening emissions standards while preserving the V6’s character. Nissan also...
Nissan Teases An All-New Skyline—But Not For America
Nissan has unveiled a teaser for an all‑new Skyline sport sedan that will not be sold under the Nissan badge in the United States. The concept features round taillights, aggressive modern styling and a twin‑turbo 3.0‑liter V6 expected to deliver...
The 2027 Nissan Rogue ePower Finally Goes Hybrid And Ditches The CVT
Nissan is set to launch the 2027 Rogue ePower, a parallel‑hybrid crossover that replaces the Xtronic CVT with a generator‑only engine and electric motors on each axle. The ePower architecture has been used globally, but this is the first time...
New British-Built Nissan Juke Unveiled as Radically Styled EV
Nissan unveiled the third‑generation Juke as its fourth electric vehicle, built at the Sunderland plant on the CMF‑EV platform and slated for spring 2027 launch. The radical Hyper‑Punk‑inspired design is meant to attract new buyers and differentiate the Juke from...
In Conversation: Xiaomi on Its Shift to the XLA Cognitive Model in Assisted Driving
Xiaomi has unveiled its third‑generation assisted‑driving system, the XLA cognitive large model, marking a shift from rule‑based and data‑driven approaches to AI‑driven cognition. The multimodal XLA model integrates vision, audio, radar and navigation, and leverages Xiaomi’s proprietary MiMo‑Embodied foundation model...
Janus Electric Continues US Expansion with HVIP Vouchers and Energy One MOU
Janus Electric announced it has secured two California Heavy‑Vehicle Incentive Program (HVIP) vouchers, each valued at US$112,500, confirming its conversion system meets CARB standards. The company also signed a non‑binding MOU with Energy One Solutions International to explore battery‑swap and...
“Cheaper to Run:” NSW Targets Charging Gap and Electric Trucks in New EV Strategy
The New South Wales government unveiled a $100 million electric‑vehicle strategy aimed at closing charging gaps and accelerating EV uptake amid rising fuel prices. The plan funds fast‑charging stations in regional and remote areas and adds kerbside chargers for apartment residents...
Surging Petrol Prices Drive Record EV Sales in Europe in March
Record EV registrations in Europe surged to nearly 540,000 units in March, propelling global electric‑vehicle sales up 3% year‑on‑year to over 1.7 million. The spike follows sharply higher petrol prices after the Iran war disrupted a key oil shipping route, prompting...
Waymo Robotaxis Stuck in Nashville Prompt Police Guidance
Waymo's self‑driving robotaxis experienced navigation failures and became stuck on Nashville streets, prompting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to release specific guidance for officers. The incident highlights sensor reliability questions and adds pressure on urban autonomous‑vehicle deployments.
Philippines to Manufacture Hybrid Vehicles by 2028- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Mitsubishi Motors announced it will join the Philippines’ Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) to produce a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) at its local plant by mid‑2028. The move marks the first large‑scale hybrid manufacturing effort in the archipelago, leveraging...
Why 14 Western Battery Companies Went Under While Demand Kept Rising
From January 2025 to April 2026, fourteen Western battery firms collapsed despite raising over $20 billion, with Northvolt alone accounting for $15 billion of that capital. The failures spanned cell manufacturers, recyclers and materials players, and were driven by premature gigafactory scaling, lack of...
UK‑Korea Partnership Drives Autonomous Vehicle Future
Fantastic event at the @RAEngNews today on UK-Korea🇬🇧🇰🇷 collaboration on Autonomous Vehicles. Pleased to represent part of the UK views on the topic. Lots to learn & adapt from each other as the tech gets real in 2026. And super...
Tesla Launches Spring Update 2026 with ‘Hey Grok,’ New Self-Driving App, and More
Tesla’s Spring Update 2026 introduces a redesigned Self‑Driving subscription app with a $99.99‑per‑month one‑tap sign‑up, the voice‑activated “Hey Grok” assistant, and an auto‑install option for overnight software updates. The rollout also adds playful touches like a Cyberhog character in Pet Mode, custom...
Slate Auto Launches Sub‑$20,000 Electric Pickup, Hits 100,000 Reservations
Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos‑backed EV startup, revealed a fully customizable electric pickup priced under $20,000 after the $7,500 federal tax credit. Within two weeks of its public debut, the company logged more than 100,000 refundable $50 reservations, positioning it...
Toyota, Daimler Truck and Volvo Form Cellcentric to Accelerate Hydrogen Trucks
Toyota Motor Corp., Daimler Truck and Volvo Group have announced an equal‑partner joint venture, Cellcentric, to develop and mass‑produce hydrogen fuel‑cell systems for heavy‑duty trucks. The alliance aims to overcome long‑haul battery limits and spur refueling infrastructure, positioning senior leadership...
Tesla Leads Dutch EV Market; FSD Subscription €99/Month
“Tesla is the most popular maker of electric cars in the Netherlands, w/ around 100,000 Model 3 & Model Ys combined on its roads that would be eligible for FSD.. Kees, a Tesla enthusiast, said he had purchased a subscription to...
Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y Spotted Side-by-Side: Detailed Size Comparison
New side‑by‑side photos of the Rivian R2 and Tesla Model Y reveal that the R2 is slightly shorter but three inches taller, with a boxier silhouette and 60% higher ground clearance. Despite weighing about 370 lb more, the R2 Performance delivers...
Bourbon Byproduct Powers Next-Gen EV Energy Storage
Researchers have found a way to turn waste grain from making bourbon into high-performance energy-storage materials for EVs. https://spectrum.ieee.org/supercapacitor-electrodes-bourbon-waste
Opposing Self‑driving Cars Increases Deaths, Widows, and Disabilities
Interesting framing, but it's actually worse than this. With cancer the median victim is 73 whereas the median car accident victim is 35. If you're anti-self-driving you're arguing for more widows and more orphans. And far more people...
Tesla Drivers Must Pass A Quiz To Enable FSD In Europe
Tesla has launched its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) feature in Europe, beginning with the Netherlands. Before activation, owners must complete an in‑car safety tutorial and pass a two‑question quiz confirming they understand the system’s limits and their responsibility. The quiz satisfies...
China’s Driverless Bus Operates Nonstop, 24/7
No Driver, No Breaks: China’s #Autonomous Bus Runs 24/7 by @jacksonhinklle #SelfDrivingCars #AutonomousVehicles #ArtificialIntelligence #Automation #Automotive #Transport https://t.co/uJ2EybIVnF
More Extended-Range EVs Soon to Hit the Road
Automakers are accelerating the rollout of extended‑range electric vehicles (EREVs) that pair a modest gasoline generator with an electric drivetrain to eliminate range anxiety. Renault’s new RGEV medium 2.0 platform can deliver up to 1,400 km total range, while Volkswagen’s ID. Era 9X...
Uber Pilots Door‑to‑door Car Rentals, No Counter Needed
Uber Is Testing A Better Way To Rent Cars — Skip The Counter, Skip The Shuttle, Get Delivery - View from the Wing https://t.co/YVOVNExKct
Supplier Risk Is Now a Daily Operating Reality
The weekly "Under the Hood" brief highlights four critical shifts affecting automotive suppliers. A pricing dispute between Stellantis and ZF halted production of the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, illustrating how single‑source components can become operational roadblocks. The U.S. Section 232 tariff...
NYT Proposes Conditional Entry for Chinese Automakers
.@NYTimes opinion piece: “We could allow Chinese automakers to enter the U.S. market provided their cars are manufactured in the U.S., their costs aren’t subsidized by the Chinese government and Chinese automakers satisfy U.S. government security concerns with regard to...
Toyota’s Electric SUV Was the Third Best-Selling EV in the US in Q1
Toyota’s refreshed bZ electric SUV sold 10,029 units in the United States during Q1 2026, an 80% year‑over‑year jump that lifted the model to the third‑best‑selling EV slot behind Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3. Overall U.S. EV sales slipped 7.8% quarter‑over‑quarter to...
Europe Approves Tesla FSD, Critics Deem It Troubling
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system has just been approved in Europe for the first time, but critics have called the decision "deeply troubling" —here's why. https://t.co/lZXSvZRDMn