Author: Clara Weiss

The Canadian government has begun issuing permits allowing a limited number of electric vehicles from China to enter the domestic market at a sharply reduced tariff, marking a partial easing of restrictions introduced during recent trade tensions. Between March 1 and August 31, Canada will permit up to 24,500 electric vehicles imported from China to be sold with a tariff of 6.1%, instead of the previously imposed 106.1% duty. The permits are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by Global Affairs Canada. The policy forms part of a broader agreement reached earlier this year between Canada and China that…

Rivian said it is accelerating the expansion of its service infrastructure, planning to open more than 50 new Service Centers by next year as it prepares for higher vehicle volumes tied to the upcoming launch of its R2 electric SUV platform. The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer expects its global service network to exceed 150 locations by the end of 2027. Larger facilities will be built in regions with high concentrations of Rivian owners, while customers in less populated areas will increasingly be supported through mobile service operations. Mobile Service has become the company’s most widely used maintenance channel, prompting Rivian…

Nissan has decided not to introduce a lower-cost entry-level version of its redesigned LEAF electric vehicle for the 2026 model year in the United States, abandoning plans for a smaller-battery trim intended to reduce the starting price. The updated LEAF, featuring a taller crossover-like design, extended driving range and a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for access to Tesla Superchargers, will instead launch with a single battery configuration. See also: Nissan Starts Production of Third-Generation LEAF at Sunderland Plant The 2026 LEAF S+ is priced from $29,990 before destination charges, or about $31,485 including fees, positioning it among…

Toyota has unveiled the all-electric 2026 bZ Woodland sport utility vehicle as the newest addition to its battery-electric lineup in the United States, featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a combined output of 276 kW (375 horsepower). The vehicle is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in March 2026 with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $45,300, excluding fees. It is powered by a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery and offers an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 281 miles. Toyota estimates the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds. Models equipped with optional all-terrain…

Toyota will expand its electric vehicle lineup in North America with a battery-electric version of the Toyota Highlander, with sales expected to begin in late 2026. The three-row Highlander BEV will be assembled at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, making it the first battery-electric Toyota model produced in the United States. Production had initially been scheduled for 2025 but was postponed by one year. Since the Highlander’s U.S. debut in 2001, more than 3.6 million units have been sold. “With the addition of this BEV model, Toyota aims to further evolve the Highlander in its pursuit of a carbon-neutral society,”…

Lucid has appointed former Rolls-Royce executive Neil Marsons as senior vice president of supply chain, tasking him with strengthening the company’s global supplier network as it scales production in the United States and Saudi Arabia. Lucid said Marsons, who brings more than 20 years of experience, will oversee supply chain operations supporting manufacturing at its facilities in Arizona and Saudi Arabia. He will report to Interim Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff. Marsons had spent the past six months advising Lucid on supply chain strategy before joining the company in a full-time role. See also: Lucid Air Grand Touring Tops Norway Winter…

Rivian is expanding its vehicle software ecosystem with the introduction of an Apple Watch companion app for its R1 lineup, enabling owners to control key vehicle functions directly from their wrist, the company said. The Apple Watch app will be available to both first- and second-generation R1 vehicles through software version 2026.03, alongside Rivian mobile app version 3.9. See also: Rivian Struggles to Fully Fix Battery Calibration Issue in Some R1 Vehicles The update allows drivers to lock or unlock doors, vent windows, sound the alarm, adjust cabin temperature and set a target state of charge using the watch’s digital…

Chinese automaker BYD has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging the legality of tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump and seeking a refund of levies it says it has paid since April last year, according to court documents. The case, lodged on Jan. 26 at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, marks the first legal challenge by a Chinese carmaker to the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. Thousands of other global companies with U.S. operations have filed similar suits contesting the same authority. See also:…

Ford Motor Company has promised its U.S. dealer network that it will introduce five all-new vehicle models priced below $40,000 before the end of the decade, as the automaker seeks to address growing concerns over affordability in its lineup, Automotive News reported. Ford executives outlined the plan during meetings with dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) show in Las Vegas, according to the report. The strategy follows years of rising transaction prices and the company’s withdrawal from several lower-priced passenger vehicles, including the recent discontinuation of the Escape crossover. See also: Ford Says New Universal EV Platform Built…

Canada is exploring a deeper automotive cooperation agreement with South Korea that could pave the way for more vehicle and electric vehicle component production on Canadian soil, just weeks after Ottawa struck a deal with China to sharply cut tariffs on EV imports. The two countries, which have had a free trade agreement in place since 2015, are now discussing a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding industrial collaboration, particularly in the automotive and battery sectors. The talks come as both countries seek to diversify trade ties amid uncertainty over U.S. trade policy. See also: Canada–China EV Tariff…

Rivian has issued a recall covering 869 electric vehicles in the United States after identifying a potential issue with the installation of second-row seat belt components that could increase the risk of injury in a crash. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects certain 2022–2025 R1T electric pickup trucks and 2022–2026 R1S electric sport utility vehicles. Rivian said the bolts securing the second-row driver- and passenger-side seat belt retractor assemblies may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing. See also: Rivian Backs Washington Ballot Push to Allow Direct EV Sales, Pledges $4.6 Million If…

Lucid Motors has assembled the first prototypes of its upcoming mid-size electric SUV at its Arizona facility, marking a key step as the company looks to expand beyond its current premium offerings, company executives said. Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communications, said the prototypes were built at the company’s Casa Grande plant, where the manufacturer currently produces its Air sedan and Gravity SUV. “Spent time in our prototype build area today watching the first full Lucid midsize vehicles come together,” Twork wrote in a post on social media platform X. “Same Lucid DNA as Air and Gravity – space, efficiency,…