Author: Isabelle Fournier

Rivian reported a 38 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to $2.155 billion in the third quarter of 2026, supported by higher electric vehicle deliveries and continued growth in its software and services business. The US automaker also recorded new quarterly production and delivery records, driven partly by the ramp-up of its R2 SUV. According to the company’s quarterly results, Rivian produced 19,751 electric vehicles and delivered 19,248 units to customers during the three-month period. Production increased 84 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2025, while deliveries rose 46 per cent. The R2 became Rivian’s best-selling model during…

Ford’s Model e electric vehicle division recorded an operating loss of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2026, as lower vehicle sales and revenue continued to weigh on the US automaker’s electric passenger car business. Although the loss narrowed by $300 million compared with the same period last year, the division remains unprofitable. Model e generated $1.2 billion in revenue between July and September, down 33% from $1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2025. Ford also reported an EBIT loss of $1.1 billion, an improvement of approximately 21% year-on-year. The division sold around 34,000 battery-electric vehicles during the…

General Motors plans to invest $1.25 billion in its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant in Michigan to prepare for future vehicle production, including hybrid-electric models, as the automaker adjusts its powertrain strategy in response to changing consumer demand. The investment forms part of a broader plan to spend more than $2 billion across the Lansing region over the next several years, GM said on Tuesday. The company did not provide a production timeline or identify which models would be built at the facility. GM is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to restructure a previously awarded Domestic Manufacturing Conversion…

Kia America has announced pricing for the 2027 EV6, keeping prices unchanged across all seven trim configurations. The electric crossover continues into the new model year with its existing range, fast-charging capability and advanced driver assistance technologies. Built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, the 2027 EV6 starts at $37,900 for the Light Short Range rear-wheel-drive version. The destination charge also remains unchanged at $1,545. 2027 Kia EV6 Pricing Kia’s suggested retail prices exclude the $1,545 destination charge. Trim MSRP EV6 Light SR RWD $37,900 EV6 Light LR RWD $41,200 EV6 Light LR AWD $45,200 EV6 Wind RWD…

General Motors has terminated a long-term supply agreement with eVAC Magnetics, the US subsidiary of German magnet specialist Vacuumschmelze (VAC), with the two companies now involved in arbitration proceedings, according to Reuters. The dispute raises uncertainty around a major North American production facility for rare-earth permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors. GM disclosed in a stock exchange filing that it had “terminated a strategic sourcing agreement” and was involved in arbitration. Reuters cited company documents and a source familiar with the matter in reporting the termination. Ten-Year Magnet Supply Agreement Signed in early 2023, the agreement required VAC to…

Ford has introduced a new Trail package for the 2027 Mustang Mach-E, adding light off-road enhancements to the electric SUV’s entry-level Select all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant. The automaker is also making its 88-kWh extended-range battery standard across most of the lineup, replacing the previous 73-kWh standard-range pack. The Trail package offers an alternative to the more performance-focused Mustang Mach-E Rally, giving buyers additional ground clearance and rugged styling without moving to the higher-end model. The package costs $2,295 on top of the Select AWD trim. Trail Package Adds Raised Suspension and New Tires The Trail package is available exclusively on the…

General Motors is closing its Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant in Michigan, a facility that produced battery packs for the Cadillac Celestiq electric luxury sedan and electric motors and batteries for the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. A GM spokesperson confirmed the closure to TechCrunch, saying it was linked to the expiration of the site’s lease rather than a direct decision tied to the company’s electric vehicle strategy. Employees and production activities at Brownstown will be transferred to other General Motors facilities. Automotive News first reported the closure. The move comes as GM continues to adjust its electrification plans amid weaker-than-expected…

Rivian has opened an Autonomy Early Access Program to let selected electric vehicle owners test its Point-to-Point driving feature, which enables vehicles to follow a planned route while handling turns, highway merges and surface streets under driver supervision. The program launched in October and is limited to eligible owners of second-generation R1 vehicles and the R2 who have an active paid Autonomy+ subscription. Participation is free, and Rivian is targeting a year-end public preview before expanding access more broadly in 2027. James Philbin, Rivian’s senior vice president of Autonomy and AI, said the company was on track to launch the…

Rivian plans to expand its in-car artificial intelligence capabilities by potentially integrating AI agents developed by third-party companies, including frontier AI providers, according to CEO and founder RJ Scaringe. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, Scaringe said the electric vehicle manufacturer could eventually allow its vehicles to run external AI agents alongside its own in-car assistant. Rivian recently introduced a voice-based AI assistant that allows drivers and passengers to interact with vehicle functions using natural language. “That’s where it becomes magical,” Scaringe said onstage. Rivian has not announced a timeline for third-party integrations. The company declined to provide further details, referring instead…

Mind Robotics, the industrial robotics startup spun out of Rivian, has appointed former Ford electric vehicle executive Doug Field as its president as the company expands its efforts to develop AI-powered automation systems for manufacturing. Field will oversee product development, engineering and operations, working alongside Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, who founded Mind Robotics and serves as its board chair. The company did not disclose Field’s compensation or start date. “Doug is a remarkable leader with a track record of delivering new technologies in successful products. He has an incredible ability to foster great teams that take on big, complex ideas.”…

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa expects the US automotive market to adopt electrification more slowly than other regions, although he believes electric vehicles will eventually gain wider acceptance, Reuters reported. Speaking at an event alongside the Paris Motor Show 2026, Filosa said electric vehicles accounted for 7% of US auto sales in 2026, the same share recorded five years earlier. He attributed the limited progress partly to changes in government policy and consumer preferences. US EV Adoption and Consumer Demand Filosa said regulatory policy had played a significant role in shaping demand for electric vehicles in the United States. He argued…

Volkswagen is recalling 22,524 ID.4 electric SUVs in the United States over a potential high-voltage battery defect that could cause thermal runaway and, in the worst case, a vehicle fire. Until a permanent remedy is available, the automaker is advising owners to limit battery charging to a maximum of 80%. The recall covers Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles from model years 2023 through 2026, according to a notice submitted to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Volkswagen has not yet determined the precise cause of the issue but has identified certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge above…

ENC has introduced Zavir, a new brand of purpose-built shuttles designed for public transportation, paratransit and other passenger transport services. The company presented a concept vehicle at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Expo in Chicago, with production planned for 2028 at its facility in Jurupa Valley, California. The shuttle will be offered in low-floor and high-floor configurations, with seating for up to 18 passengers plus standing room. Buyers will be able to choose between a battery-electric powertrain and a range-extender configuration designed to support longer operating distances. Two Powertrain Options for Shuttle Operators Zavir will measure approximately 22 feet…

Lucid produced 2,954 electric vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, down 54% from the same period a year earlier, as the company reduced production to align with near-term demand. Lucid’s deliveries, meanwhile, reached 3,806 vehicles during the quarter, exceeding production as the company continued to reduce existing inventory. The production figure represents Lucid’s third consecutive quarterly decline and its lowest quarterly output since the first quarter of 2025. The company began producing its second model, the Gravity SUV, around that period. Lucid Reduces Production as Deliveries Exceed Output Lucid delivered 3,806 vehicles in the third quarter, broadly in line…

BMW has opened US orders for the 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive, allowing customers to reserve the new electric saloon one week earlier than previously expected. The model is initially available in a single all-wheel-drive configuration and has an estimated EPA range of up to 468 miles (753 km). Customers can place a $1,000 deposit to reserve the BMW i3 50 xDrive, with deliveries through US dealerships expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. BMW i3 50 xDrive Starts at $61,500 The US-market BMW i3 is offered in Sport, M Sport and M Sport Professional variants. BMW’s Driving…

General Motors is expected to produce significantly fewer units of the new Chevrolet Bolt than originally planned, with production now projected at around 35,000 vehicles before the model is phased out in the first quarter of 2027. The estimate, reported by Reuters, is based on current production rates at GM’s Kansas City plant and comes from Dontay Wilson, president of the local United Auto Workers (UAW) union branch. GM had originally planned to produce approximately 50,000 Bolts. The automaker declined to provide a specific production target, saying it continuously evaluates market conditions and customer demand. Bolt Production Target Cut The…

The U.S. Department of Transportation has finalized significantly lower vehicle fuel economy standards for the 2022-2031 model years, reducing the regulatory pressure on automakers to improve fleet efficiency and potentially affecting the pace of electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. market. The final rules set an estimated fleetwide average fuel economy requirement of 34.9 miles per gallon (mpg) for the 2031 model year, compared with approximately 50.4 mpg under standards finalized during the Biden administration. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the revised rules are intended to reduce vehicle costs and give automakers greater flexibility in responding to…

Hyundai is recalling 5,360 Ioniq 9 electric SUVs in the United States over an issue with the second-row power seats that could allow the seats to continue moving after contacting an occupant. The recall affects certain 2026 model-year vehicles in the Limited, Calligraphy and Calligraphy Design trims. Second-Row Seats May Fail To Detect Occupants According to recall documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected seats may fail to detect a person during powered functions such as automatic folding and stowing. As a result, a seat could continue moving after making contact with an occupant, potentially…

Ford is facing renewed scrutiny from the US government over its partnerships with Chinese companies, including battery manufacturer CATL and automaker Geely. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has urged Ford to reconsider its relationships with Chinese firms, citing concerns over technology dependence and broader ties with companies from China. InsideEVs reported on Duffy’s letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley. US Transportation Secretary Questions China Ties In the letter, Duffy expressed “deep concern” about Ford’s relationships with Chinese companies. The review includes Ford’s cooperation with Geely, the production of certain Lincoln models in China and, in particular, its partnership with CATL.…

Hyundai has revealed plans for a new Santa Fe extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) at its 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul, with the model scheduled to launch in North America in 2027. The Santa Fe EREV is expected to offer more than 600 miles of combined range from a full battery charge and a single tank of gasoline and will be manufactured at Hyundai’s plant in Alabama. Santa Fe EREV Targets More Than 600 Miles The Santa Fe EREV will combine a high-voltage battery and electric drive units with a gasoline engine that operates as a generator to recharge the…