Author: Isabelle Fournier

Kia America has released pricing details for the 2026 Niro EV, offering the compact electric crossover in two trim levels as it continues to expand its battery-electric lineup in the United States. The 2026 Kia Niro EV will be available in Wind and Wave trims, priced at $39,700 and $44,700 respectively. Both prices exclude a $1,495 destination and handling charge, as well as taxes, title and dealer fees, the company said. See also: Kia Reveals Updated Niro Design, Leaves EV Future Unclear Kia said both versions of the Niro EV come standard with a technology-focused interior featuring dual 10.25-inch displays,…

A group of Colorado auto dealers has filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging its decision to grant Scout Motors a license to sell vehicles directly to consumers, escalating opposition to the new Volkswagen-backed brand’s retail strategy before it has begun production. More than one-third of Colorado’s Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche dealers submitted the lawsuit on Jan. 20 in Denver District Court, arguing that the state’s Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles misinterpreted dealer franchise laws when it approved Scout’s direct-sales license in December. The dealers are not suing Scout Motors itself, but the state agency that authorized the…

The third-generation 2026 Nissan LEAF has received recognition in two categories at the 2026 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, earning titles as Best New Model and Best Electric Vehicle Under $35,000, adding to a growing list of industry accolades since its debut. Editors at Kelley Blue Book cited the LEAF ’s combination of updated design, extended driving range, fast-charging compatibility and pricing as key reasons for the awards. “The latest LEAF stands out by pairing meaningful range improvements and modern technology with an accessible price point that remains competitive in the current EV market,” Kelley Blue Book editors said…

Rivian said it has partnered with Pantone to create a custom color known as “Rivian Green,” positioning the hue as a core brand identifier expected to debut on its upcoming R2 sport utility vehicle when production begins in the first half of 2026. The company announced the collaboration on Jan. 20, describing Rivian Green as an evolution of Launch Green, the color introduced with its first-generation R1 vehicles. Rivian said the new shade has been formally certified by Pantone and will serve as a visual anchor as the automaker expands its lineup with more affordable models. According to Rivian, the…

Canada’s agreement with China to reduce tariffs on a limited volume of electric vehicles is expected to benefit manufacturers that already hold North American certification and have expanding overseas operations, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg. The deal, announced last week, allows up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada each year at a most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%, down from the 100% tariffs imposed in 2024. The move marks a significant shift in Canada’s EV trade policy and could reshape competition in the domestic market. See also: Canada to Allow Limited Imports of Chinese EVs at Reduced Tariffs…

Acura has confirmed that the fourth-generation RDX compact SUV will feature the brand’s first two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain, marking a key step in its electrification strategy. The new RDX is expected to reach dealerships within the next two years. Ahead of the transition, production of the current 2026 RDX at Acura’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio will be suspended later this year, the company said. See also: Acura Ends ZDX Production as Focus Shifts to New RSX EV and Hybrids The RDX will be Acura’s first model to adopt a two-motor hybrid system, expanding the brand’s powertrain offerings to include…

Electric vehicle sales in the United States fell 2% in 2025 to 1.28 million units, as a sharp decline in the final quarter followed the expiration of a nationwide federal tax credit, according to data released by Kelley Blue Book. Sales dropped to 1,275,714 battery-electric vehicles for the full year, down from 1,301,441 units in 2024. The downturn was concentrated in the fourth quarter, when EV sales fell 36% year on year to 234,171 units — the first full quarter after the tax credit ended at the end of September. See also: Hyundai U.S. EV Sales Rise 7% in 2025…

Stellantis will discontinue its plug-in hybrid vehicle lineup in North America beginning with the 2026 model year, ending sales of some of the region’s best-selling PHEVs as the automaker adjusts its electrification strategy, according to a report by The Drive. The move means the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid will no longer be offered in the U.S. and Canada from the 2026 model year onward. Stellantis said the decision reflects shifting market conditions and customer preferences. See also: Jeep Unveils Recon Electric SUV with Focus on Off-Road Performance “With customer demand shifting, Stellantis…

Lucid is again facing criticism over delays to promised software features for its Gravity sport utility vehicle, with customers highlighting the absence of hands-free driving capability that the company had previously said would arrive in 2025. The issue resurfaced this week after Lucid Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff outlined the company’s longer-term autonomy strategy in an interview with Bloomberg TV. Winterhoff said Lucid plans to introduce point-to-point Level 2++ assisted driving on city streets and highways later this year using its existing DreamDrive Pro hardware in partnership with NVIDIA. He added that the company is targeting Level 3 capability by 2028…

Kia posted its strongest-ever sales performance in the United States in 2025, crossing the 800,000-vehicle mark for the first time, even as deliveries of its battery-electric models declined, underscoring a shift in demand toward hybrids and conventional SUVs. Kia America said it sold 852,155 vehicles in the United States last year, marking its third consecutive annual record and lifting the brand to its highest U.S. market share to date. The automaker attributed the growth to a broad lineup spanning internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. See also: Volkswagen U.S. EV Sales Rise in 2025 as Combustion Models Decline Several…

U.S. electric vehicle sales at Ford Motor fell sharply toward the end of 2025, underscoring a shift in the automaker’s electrification strategy even as it posted its strongest overall sales performance in several years. Ford delivered 14,513 electric vehicles in the fourth quarter in the United States, a 52% decline from a year earlier, as sales of its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup dropped steeply. For the full year, Ford sold 84,113 EVs, down 14% from 2024, despite recording its best overall U.S. sales since 2019. See also: Ford Says New Low-Cost EV Platform Will Support Multiple Models and Cut Production…

Rivian said it produced 42,284 vehicles and delivered 42,247 vehicles in 2025, finishing the year within its revised guidance after adjusting output to match a more challenging demand environment for electric vehicles. In the fourth quarter, Rivian built 10,974 vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Normal and delivered 9,745 vehicles, closing the year without unexpected changes to production or delivery targets. See also: Rivian Rolls Out Hands-Free Driving Update For New R1 Models Annual volumes declined compared with earlier years as Rivian moderated output. The company produced about 57,000 vehicles in 2023, followed by roughly 49,500 in 2024. Deliveries reached…

Ford Motor Co said its upcoming low-cost electric vehicle platform will underpin a wide range of future models and play a central role in reshaping how the company designs and manufactures EVs, as it works to improve profitability and scale. The platform, internally referred to as the Universal EV or CE1 architecture, is expected to debut with a mid-size electric pickup in 2027. It will later support multiple vehicle types, including crossovers, vans and other body styles, Ford executives said. “This is one of our major bets,” Ford Chief Financial Officer Sherry House said during the 2025 Barclays Global Auto…

Audi has temporarily shelved plans for a dedicated manufacturing plant in the United States as part of its delayed five-year planning round, amid mounting pressure to cut costs and reassess investment priorities, according to a report by German business magazine Manager Magazin. The publication reported that Audi Chief Executive Gernot Döllner presented his five-year strategy to the Audi Supervisory Board in mid-December, including funding requirements that exceeded targets set by Arno Antlitz, the chief financial officer of Volkswagen Group. “There are differing accounts and interpretations regarding the size of the gaps,” Manager Magazin said, adding that the sums involved amounted…

The Tesla Cybertruck has become the only pickup truck to receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ designation in the organization’s final safety ratings for 2025, IIHS said. In its year-end update, IIHS evaluated 20 newly tested vehicles and awarded safety honours to 16 models across several segments. While a number of electric SUVs and sedans achieved top ratings, the Cybertruck was the only pickup truck to qualify for the highest-tier award. The Toyota Tundra had previously earned a Top Safety Pick+ earlier in the year, though with lower overall scores. See also: Unplugged Performance Unveils…

Lucid Group has introduced its first certified pre-owned (CPO) electric vehicle programme, marking a new step for the luxury EV maker as it seeks to attract a wider range of buyers amid a competitive market. The programme, branded Lucid Recharged, offers factory-backed inspection, reconditioning and additional warranty coverage for used Lucid vehicles. The company said eligible cars must be less than six years old, have fewer than 62,000 miles, and come from a single previous owner before undergoing a 160-plus-point inspection. See also: Lucid Motors Says It Is on Track to Build 18,000 EVs in 2025 as Production Ramps Up…

Ford Motor said it is preparing a next-generation version of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup featuring an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, as the automaker looks to build on the model’s role in supporting its U.S. electric vehicle sales. The company said production of the current F-150 Lightning will end later this year, with the next-generation F-150 Lightning EREV to be assembled at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford did not disclose a launch date or detailed specifications, saying further information will be shared at a later stage. See also: Ford Files Patent for Road Trip Energy…

Polestar said it has opened a new full-service retail and service location in Coral Gables, Florida, as the Swedish electric vehicle maker expands its presence in the fast-growing South Florida EV market. The site, located at 336 Miracle Mile, transitions a former brand experience centre into a fully operational Polestar Space, offering vehicle sales, servicing and test drives. The facility is operated by Nordic Motors, which has assumed ownership and management of Polestar Miami. See also: Polestar Opens Largest Retail Hub in Stockholm to Combine Sales, Service and Delivery The expansion comes as electric vehicle demand accelerates in the region.…

Ford has filed a patent for a road trip energy consumption optimization system designed to make long-distance travel more efficient for electric-vehicle drivers, according to documents identified by Ford Authority. The patent, filed on May 29, 2024, and published on December 4, 2025, outlines a software-driven approach to enhancing charging convenience during extended journeys. The system would evaluate a driver’s destination, pre-condition the vehicle to improve range efficiency, and identify optimal charging stops along the route. It would also track charge levels and trip timing to prioritize charger availability and, where possible, off-peak hours when electricity is less expensive. The…

Faraday Future has started pre-production assembly of its FX Super One multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at the company’s Hanford, California facility, marking a key step toward the model’s formal rollout scheduled for December 21. The process began following the arrival of knockdown component sets, each vehicle requiring roughly 3,000 parts. The company said the milestone validates the near-completion of its “Bridge Strategy,” a supply-chain model designed to ensure readiness across logistics, customs compliance, testing operations and tariff adaptation. See also: Zevo Partners with Faraday Future to Deploy 1,000 FX Super One Electric Vehicles The start of assembly also serves as a…