Nissan Announces Its New ‘Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life’ Long-Term Strategy
Nissan unveiled its "Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life" strategy, centering on AI‑defined vehicles, expanded e‑Power hybrid options and a leaner model lineup. The plan calls for integrating Nissan AI Drive technology into 90% of its cars and delivering end‑to‑end automated driving via ProPilot Assist by FY2027. A new shared‑platform architecture aims to boost sales per model by 30% while trimming the portfolio from 56 to 45 vehicles. In the United States, Nissan targets one million annual sales by 2030, anchored by a hybrid Rogue and a revived Xterra SUV.
Stellantis to Cut 650 Engineer Jobs at Opel’s German HQ
Stellantis announced it will eliminate 650 engineering positions at Opel’s Rüsselsheim Tech Center, trimming the workforce from 1,650 to roughly 1,000 engineers. The cuts are part of a transformation plan that will be completed by the end of 2027 and...
Build It and They Will Come? Not Always in the Auto Biz
Dodge’s 2012 Dart configurator let shoppers customize dozens of options, but dealers couldn’t stock every possible build, leading to frustrated buyers. Recognizing the mismatch, automakers have been trimming the number of trims and options, a trend J.D. Power quantifies as...
UAW Signals Alabama Mercedes-Benz Plant May Be Next in Push to Unionize
The United Auto Workers, fresh from securing a four‑year contract for 3,200 Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, is setting its sights on Mercedes‑Benz’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. After a failed organizing vote in May, the union can re‑file a petition this spring...
Vann York Auto Group Acquires Hyundai, Kia Stores
In March, Vann York Automotive Group bought the Hyundai and Kia dealerships in High Point, North Carolina, expanding its footprint to eight rooftops and 11 franchises. Group president Greg York emphasized that scale improves human‑resources, compliance and finance capabilities, while...
Automotive Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing – and How Do I Do It Right?
The article explains how software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) testing using virtual ECUs (V‑ECUs) lets automotive developers validate code without physical hardware. dSPACE’s VEOS platform integrates V‑ECUs, supports standards, and enables 24/7 automatic validation aligned with ISO 26262. Benefits include faster time‑to‑market, parallel development,...
Europe Vehicle Registrations Drop in First Two Months of 2026
European new‑vehicle registrations slipped 1.2% year‑to‑date through February 2026, marking a modest decline after a 3.9% drop in January. Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) expanded their market share to 18.8% from 15.2% a year earlier, while hybrid‑electric models remained the dominant power‑train...
Volvo’s Global Sales Slump 11% in Q1
Volvo Cars announced that global vehicle deliveries fell 11% in Q1 2026, dropping to 153,316 units from 172,219 a year earlier. Fully electric sales rose 12% year‑over‑year to 36,348 units, representing 23.7% of total volume. Electrified models made up 47.3%...
Low Inventories, Income-Tax Refunds Raising Used-Vehicle Values
Cox Automotive's Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index jumped 6.2% in March to 215.3, translating to a seasonally adjusted average wholesale price of $19,692—the highest since May 2023. The rise is fueled by record‑low used‑car inventory, measured at just 37 days...
Low Inventories, Income-Tax Refunds Raising Used-Vehicle Values
Cox Automotive’s Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rose 6.2% in March 2026 to 215.3, translating to a seasonally adjusted average price of $19,692, the highest since May 2023. The surge is driven by record‑low used‑car inventory—just 37 days of supply—and...
Hyundai Recalls Nearly 47K Palisade SUVs for Third-Row Seat Belt Issue
Hyundai Motor America announced a recall of nearly 47,000 2026 Palisade SUVs after discovering a wiring harness defect that can falsely indicate the driver‑side third‑row seat belt is buckled. The problem is limited to Limited and Calligraphy trims, including hybrid...
JLR Sales Rebound in the Final Quarter of FY2026
Jaguar Land Rover’s fourth‑quarter FY2026 wholesale volumes jumped 61.1% versus Q3, signaling a rapid rebound after the autumn cyber‑attack that halted production. Despite the recovery, Q4 retail sales fell 14.3% year‑on‑year and full‑year wholesale volumes were down 23.2% amid lingering...
Taking the Jobs Humans Don’t Want: The Ironic Promise of the Humanoid Robot
Humanoid robots, such as Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, are moving from labs to auto factories, with Hyundai showcasing a $250,000 unit that can work two shifts and plans to build 30,000 units per year by 2028. Proponents argue the machines will...
EVs Should Be as Repairable as ICE, Thatcham Research Says
Thatcham Research, the UK’s leading vehicle assessment body, released an Electric Vehicle Blueprint aimed at making EVs as repairable as internal‑combustion‑engine cars. The initiative targets the high insurance costs caused by unnecessary write‑offs, noting that battery packs represent roughly 40%...
2027 Kia EV3 Confirmed for US as Entry-Level Electric SUV
Kia confirmed that its 2027 EV3 compact electric SUV will launch in the United States later this year, marking the model’s first entry into the U.S. market after a European debut in 2024. The EV3 will be available in five...
