Author: Shaun Williams

Ford Motor and China’s Geely are in talks over a potential collaboration focused on technology and vehicle production, with negotiations centring on Ford’s manufacturing capacity in Europe, according to a Reuters report citing people familiar with the matter. Producing vehicles at Ford’s European plants could allow Geely to sidestep European Union tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, Reuters reported, citing eight sources. Several of the discussions are said to involve battery-electric models, which are currently subject to additional EU duties. See also: No EV Joint Venture Planned, Ford and Xiaomi Say After Media Report According to three people familiar…

The 2026 Nissan LEAF has earned a Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award, following a comprehensive evaluation covering performance, value and driving enjoyment, the publication said. The third-generation battery-electric model achieved a minimum score of 9 out of 10 in Car and Driver’s instrumented testing and segment comparisons, placing it among a limited group of vehicles recognised across 47 categories. The award comes as Nissan refreshes the LEAF with longer range, updated design and broader access to public charging infrastructure. See also: 2026 Nissan LEAF Wins Dual Honors At Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards The 2026 LEAF delivers an…

U.S. automaker Ford Motor and Chinese technology group Xiaomi have denied a media report that the two companies held discussions about bringing Xiaomi’s electric vehicles to the United States, after the claim drew attention amid growing global interest in Chinese-made EVs. The Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing four people familiar with the matter, that Ford had explored possible cooperation with Xiaomi, including the idea of a joint venture to manufacture electric vehicles in the U.S. The newspaper also said Ford had held similar exploratory talks with BYD and other Chinese carmakers. See also: Xiaomi EV Delivers Over 39,000 Vehicles…

Mitch Evans surged from ninth on the grid to claim a record-breaking 15th career victory in Formula E after a dramatic wet-weather Miami E-Prix on Saturday. Driving for Jaguar TCS Racing, Evans navigated treacherous conditions to move clear at the top of Formula E’s all-time winners list, with a decisive switchback move on pole-sitter Nico Müller proving the turning point of the race. Müller finished second for ABT Cupra Formula E Team, ahead of factory Porsche Formula E Team driver Pascal Wehrlein in third, securing a double podium for Porsche. Envision Racing’s Joel Eriksson finished fourth, with Nyck de Vries…

French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has launched a new electric all-terrain bicycle in Europe, expanding its Rockrider electric lineup with a model positioned at the more affordable end of the market. The Rockrider E-EXPL 100 LTD has debuted in France and is designed for mixed use on paved roads and light trails. The model follows the recent introduction of the E-EXPL 140 29-inch semi-rigid electric mountain bike and reflects Decathlon’s continued push into accessible electric mobility. See also: Decathlon Launches Updated Stilus Off Road 29 Hardtail E-MTB in Europe at Higher Price The E-EXPL 100 LTD is powered by a…

STMicroelectronics forecast first-quarter revenue slightly above market expectations on Thursday, citing improving conditions in its core end markets, while cautioning that restructuring costs will continue to weigh on results through 2026. Shares in the Franco-Italian chipmaker rose as much as 5% in early trading and were up 2.2% by 1115 GMT, as investors reacted to signs that the downturn following the post-pandemic slowdown may be easing. “We are entering 2026 with better visibility than entering 2025, with the inventory correction in distribution progressively improving,” Chief Executive Jean-Marc Chery said during an investor call. STMicro’s main markets—automotive, industrial and consumer electronics—have…

Design considerations are playing a larger role than technical specifications in shaping consumer interest in battery-electric vehicles, according to new research from Escalent, challenging long-held assumptions about what motivates EV adoption. Escalent’s EVForward 2025 Product DeepDive study found that 71% of new-vehicle shoppers consider interior and exterior design equally important when selecting their next car. Design-related factors ranked ahead of traditional EV priorities such as driving range, charging performance and brand recognition, suggesting visual appeal and cabin experience are increasingly decisive for buyers. See also: EV Buyers Prioritise Cost and Usability Over Emissions, GreenCars Survey Shows Interior design was cited…

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said he expects China to emerge as the company’s biggest competitor in humanoid robots, mirroring the competitive dynamics that have shaped the global electric vehicle market. Speaking during Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday, Musk said China’s ability to rapidly scale manufacturing and advance artificial intelligence positions it as a formidable rival in the development of humanoid robots. See also: Tesla Beats Q4 Earnings Expectations as Margins Improve and Energy Business Sets Records “Well, I do think that by far, the biggest competition for humanoid robots will be from China. China is incredibly good at…

A growing number of countries are committing to expand electric mobility as part of their national climate pledges, with 66 nations now setting concrete targets for electrification, the highest number recorded to date, according to analysis by the think tank Agora Verkehrswende. In total, 104 countries have included plans to expand electric mobility in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the United Nations, which underpin the Paris Agreement. Of those, 66 countries – including all 27 EU member states – have defined specific expansion targets for electric mobility, accounting for more than 60% of global automobile sales, Agora Verkehrswende…

Electric vehicle adoption in the United States is increasingly being driven by practical considerations such as cost, reliability and day-to-day usability, rather than environmental concerns, according to new research from GreenCars. The study, based on a survey of more than 6,000 attendees at Electrify Expo events across eight U.S. cities, found that just 1.6% of respondents cited reducing pollution as their primary reason for choosing an electric vehicle. Instead, most consumers said affordability, charging access, performance and suitability for daily routines were the dominant factors shaping their decisions. See also: Ellen MacArthur Foundation Flags Circular EV Batteries as Shield Against…

UK-based electric motor developer Advanced Electric Machines said it has secured new development contracts with a global Tier 1 automotive supplier and a major Asian vehicle manufacturer, as carmakers seek to reduce reliance on rare earth materials and concentrated supply chains. The company did not disclose the identities of the partners but said one of the agreements is a seven-figure development contract with a globally operating Tier 1 supplier, while the second involves an Asian original equipment manufacturer. Both projects focus on developing distinct electric motor technologies for passenger cars, the company said, adding that it plans to expand its…

Mini has upgraded the drivetrain technology of its electric Countryman SUV, pushing the model’s driving range beyond 500 kilometres for the first time under the WLTP standard, as the brand builds on rapidly rising global electric vehicle sales. The Mini Countryman Electric, first unveiled at the IAA motor show in 2023 and in series production since March 2024, will receive a technical update from March 2026, Mini said. The changes focus on efficiency improvements rather than visual redesigns, two years after production began at BMW Leipzig Plant. See also: Electric Mini Cooper Named Euro NCAP’s Safest City and Supermini Car…