Author: Shaun Williams

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in an effort to overturn an administrative ruling that found the company engaged in false advertising related to its “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” driver-assistance systems. In a complaint dated Feb. 13, Tesla argued that the DMV “wrongfully and baselessly” labeled the company a “false advertiser,” contending regulators failed to prove that consumers were misled into believing the vehicles could operate without human supervision. See also: Tesla Offers 0% Financing on Model Y and 0.99% on Model 3 in U.S. Promotion The legal action follows a long-running dispute…

Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo has reached a collective agreement with the IG Metall union guaranteeing job security for its workforce in Salzgitter, Germany, until the end of 2030, providing stability amid uncertainty in the electric-vehicle battery sector. The deal protects roughly 2,000 employees from redundancy for operational reasons and will run from March 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2030, according to IG Metall’s Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt district. The agreement forms part of a broader bargaining package covering employment terms and compensation. PowerCo was established as an independent subsidiary in 2022 to spearhead Volkswagen’s battery cell production strategy, initially with…

Audi has announced that Chief Technology Officer Geoffrey Bouquot will leave the company after just over a year, with Lamborghini CTO Rouven Mohr set to take over as Head of Technical Development beginning March 1. Bouquot joined the German automaker in mid-2024 to lead a newly created board-level division focused on innovation and software-defined vehicles. By the end of that year, the unit was merged with Technical Development, and Bouquot assumed responsibility for the combined organization, succeeding CEO Gernot Döllner, who had temporarily overseen the department. Audi did not provide specific reasons for Bouquot’s departure but said he had initiated…

Latvia’s Ministry of Climate and Energy has proposed a new subsidy programme worth €40 million to support the purchase of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, with the scheme currently under public consultation ahead of a government decision. The consultation period runs until 24 February. If approved, the programme would operate until the end of 2029 or until the allocated funds are exhausted. Officials said the proposal builds on strong public demand and the perceived success of earlier incentive schemes launched in 2021, which initially carried a €10 million budget and were later expanded by an additional €20 million.…

Rio Tinto has taken majority control of Canadian producer Nemaska Lithium, aiming to develop a fully integrated lithium supply chain in Quebec to support electric vehicle manufacturing in North America. The mining company said it now holds a 53.9% stake in Nemaska Lithium and will assume direct management responsibility. The government of Quebec retains the remaining 46.1% through its investment arm Investissement Québec and will continue to participate in strategic decisions, though it no longer has a controlling share. Rio Tinto first entered the project by acquiring a 50% interest through its takeover of lithium producer Arcadium in a $6.7…

Polestar said on Wednesday it plans to expand its vehicle portfolio with four new electric models scheduled for release over the next three years, describing the initiative as the “largest model offensive in its history.” The Swedish electric vehicle maker is seeking to strengthen its position in key market segments as global competition intensifies. Chief Executive Michael Lohscheller said the expansion follows a strong sales performance and is aimed at driving profitability. “Following our best sales year ever, we are now launching the largest model offensive in our history, with four premium EVs coming to market within three years. We…

Indian motorcycle maker Royal Enfield expects to launch its first electric motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6, in early 2026, Chief Executive B. Govindarajan said during a recent earnings call. The executive indicated the model is “almost ready for production” and that “you will see it in the next quarter time window,” offering the clearest timeline yet for the long-anticipated project. The C6 will inaugurate Royal Enfield’s new Flying Flea electric sub-brand, reviving the name of a lightweight motorcycle the company produced during World War II. Prototype versions were showcased at EICMA 2024 and EICMA 2025 in Milan, where the bike…

Swiss microcar manufacturer Microlino is entering the Norwegian market through the creation of Microlino Norge AS, a new local entity intended to support sales and after-sales operations for its compact electric vehicle. The subsidiary will provide customer advisory services, maintenance, servicing, and warranty handling, aiming to establish a long-term presence in one of the world’s leading electric mobility markets. The company has partnered with a local business to coordinate its activities in Norway, with headquarters in Sandnes and operational support based in the Stavanger region. The arrangement appears to involve Egeland Auto, a dealership whose address matches that of Microlino…

Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer Merida has introduced the ETMO range of electric mountain bikes, positioning the lineup as its most price-focused Bosch-powered eMTB offering to date. The new models aim to attract riders seeking trail capability at lower price points than premium electric mountain bikes, with entry pricing starting at £3,650 (€4,380). The ETMO series draws design inspiration from Merida’s longer-travel eONE-EIGHTY platform but adapts it into a more versatile format. Depending on specification, suspension travel ranges from 140 mm to 160 mm, combined with mixed wheel sizes intended to balance agility and stability across varied terrain. See also: Decathlon Launches…

Unplugged Performance has introduced a stainless steel bed storage slider system for the Tesla Cybertruck priced at $4,995, targeting commercial fleets, tradespeople, and outdoor users seeking organized cargo solutions. The modular drawer setup is designed to add two-tier storage capacity without compromising the truck’s original bed functionality. The system uses a dedicated steel frame with heavy-duty sliding mechanisms and locking latches to keep drawers secure under load. A reinforced secondary platform above the drawers can support more than 1,000 pounds, enabling users to store equipment both within the drawers and on top of the structure under the tonneau cover. See…

Vehicle dependability in the United States has deteriorated over the past year as software-related problems and technology performance issues continue to frustrate owners, according to the 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study released by JD Power. The study found that vehicles experienced an average of 204 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership, up by two points from 2025 and the highest level recorded since the survey methodology was redesigned in 2022. A lower PP100 score indicates better quality and reliability. Infotainment systems remain the most problematic area, accounting for 56.7 PP100, followed by exterior-related issues such as…

Stellantis has begun reintroducing diesel variants across at least seven passenger car and van models in Europe, reversing an earlier phase-out as the company adapts to slower-than-expected electric vehicle uptake and evolving customer preferences, according to an analysis of dealer websites cited by Reuters. Since late 2025, diesel versions have reappeared for models including the Peugeot 308, Opel Astra and DS 4, as well as light commercial vehicles such as the Opel Combo Van, Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter. In some markets, particularly in the van segment, the group had previously aimed for a fully electric lineup before retreating from…