Author: Jacob Sullivan

Three European Parliament committees have adopted proposals to simplify technical requirements and testing procedures for the automotive industry, while introducing new measures to support electric vehicle production and improve vehicle safety. The draft rules were approved on Wednesday by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, and the Transport and Tourism Committee, with 105 votes in favour, 39 against and 21 abstentions. The proposals form part of the European Commission’s broader automotive package, which aims to reduce regulatory burdens and support the industry’s transition towards cleaner mobility. New Categories for EU-Made Electric…

Ford plans to price its upcoming Fathom electric pickup from $28,350 in the United States, positioning the midsize model among the country’s lower-priced electric vehicles. Higher configurations will extend into the high-$30,000 range, according to Andrew Frick, president of Ford Model e. The entry-level price excludes a $1,595 delivery fee, which would bring the starting cost to $29,945. Ford has not yet disclosed the specifications or equipment differences between the available versions. Pricing and Model Lineup Frick discussed the planned pricing during a recent investor call, explaining that the $28,350 figure represents the starting point rather than the price of…

General Motors (GM) is recalling 67,380 electric vehicles from its Cadillac and Chevrolet brands after identifying a software defect that can cause a temporary loss of braking under certain driving conditions. The recall covers selected all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the Cadillac Lyriq, Celestiq and Vistiq, as well as the Chevrolet Blazer EV. GM identified an issue in the brake system control module (BSCM), which can incorrectly calculate wheel slip when a vehicle encounters a specific combination of steering and road conditions. Software Defect and Investigation According to GM, the problem can occur when a driver lightly applies the brakes while…

Re Manufacturing, a Massachusetts-based advanced manufacturing company that helped launch electric vehicle startup Slate Auto, has raised $2.1 billion in new funding to expand its production capabilities and support the creation of industrial startups in the United States. The funding round was led by General Catalyst and JPMorganChase’s Strategic Investment Group. Other investors were not disclosed. Re said the capital will support manufacturing capacity expansion and the development of new industrial businesses across sectors including aerospace and defense, electrification, medical technology, energy and environment, and robotics and automation. The company said its founding team has raised more than $4 billion…

Audi plans to invest approximately $4 billion in its first U.S. production plant at the Middle Georgia Mega Site, with the project expected to create around 4,500 jobs and support annual production of up to 200,000 vehicles. Announced on October 25, the proposed facility is scheduled to begin construction in 2027, with production targeted for the early 2030s. Audi plans to manufacture premium SUVs tailored to North American customers. North America to Become a Third Production Pillar Audi currently identifies Europe and China as the two main pillars of its global production network. The Georgia plant would establish North America…

Canada will freeze fleet-wide greenhouse gas emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles at 2026 levels through the 2029 model year, giving automakers additional flexibility amid trade pressures and uncertainty across the automotive industry. Annual tightening of the standards is scheduled to resume with the 2030 model year. The decision forms part of a joint package announced by the Canadian federal government and the province of Ontario on October 21. Under the plan, the fleet-average emissions limit will remain at 172 grams of CO₂ per mile, equivalent to approximately 107 grams per kilometre, during the freeze period. To…

General Motors is introducing an in-house AI assistant to its OnStar connected vehicle service, beginning with the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq EV in the coming months. Announced at the company’s GM Forward event in New York, the update forms part of a broader effort to modernize its software and connected vehicle technologies. OnStar AI Assistant Debuts in Cadillac Lyriq The OnStar AI Assistant will initially launch in the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq, with additional GM vehicles expected to follow. The assistant will allow drivers and passengers to use voice commands to control selected vehicle functions, including climate settings, and ask questions about…

Electric vehicle sales in the United States increased 6.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, reaching their highest quarterly volume in a year, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. Automakers sold an estimated 262,649 electric vehicles in the three months through September. However, sales were down 39.5% from the same period in 2025, when buyers accelerated purchases ahead of the expiration of federal incentives, making it the strongest quarter on record for US EV sales. Despite the year-over-year decline, the latest figures suggest the market has continued to recover from the correction that followed the…

Geely Auto plans to introduce its main Geely brand to Canada in 2027, expanding its international presence as Chinese automakers explore opportunities in the North American market. The company has begun establishing local operations and developing a retail and service network ahead of the planned launch, but has not yet disclosed its initial vehicle lineup, powertrain options or pricing. In a statement on Friday, Geely said further details about its products and retail locations would be announced as preparations progress. The company is working with local partners to establish sales and after-sales support for Canadian customers. Geely Builds Canadian Retail…

Clemson University students have developed Deep Orange 17, a solar-powered electric vehicle prototype designed to generate more energy than it consumes during a typical urban commute. The two-door coupé, nicknamed Luminetta, was developed by 16 students who recently completed Clemson’s Master of Science in Automotive Engineering program. The project was carried out with support from BMW’s research and development team and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Solar Power Integrated Into Vehicle Design Deep Orange 17 incorporates more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells into its exterior surfaces. The solar system is designed to generate electricity while the vehicle is…

Lucid Motors has denied reports that it is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, stating that the company has sufficient liquidity to continue operating well into next year. The statement came after the company’s shares plunged more than 50% during trading following reports that it was evaluating restructuring options. Bloomberg News reported the sharp market reaction, while TechCrunch published Lucid’s response denying the claims. Company Rejects Bankruptcy Claims Nick Twork, Lucid’s chief communications officer, said reports suggesting the company was considering bankruptcy or other restructuring scenarios were inaccurate. “The company has sufficient liquidity to carry its operations well into…

Rivian has raised its vehicle delivery forecast for 2026 after reporting stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance, signaling growing confidence despite a more challenging environment for electric vehicle sales in the United States. The electric vehicle manufacturer now expects to deliver between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles this year, up from its previous guidance of 62,000 to 67,000 units. The revised outlook represents a notable increase from the 42,247 vehicles Rivian delivered in 2025. Strong Second Quarter Rivian said it produced 12,613 vehicles and delivered 12,194 vehicles during the second quarter, exceeding its earlier expectation of 9,000 to 11,000 deliveries. The company attributed the…

Polestar will be unable to sell new vehicles in the United States beginning with the 2027 model year after the US Department of Commerce declined to grant the company an exemption under the Connected Vehicle Rule. The decision means Polestar’s model-year 2027 vehicles and future variants will not be eligible for sale in the US market, while vehicles produced through the 2026 model year, including the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, can continue to be sold. Exemption Request Rejected The Connected Vehicle Rule restricts the sale of connected vehicles manufactured by companies, or using certain software suppliers, that are controlled…

Volvo Cars has introduced Plug & Charge functionality for its EX90 electric SUV in the United States and plans to extend the feature to the upcoming EX60 when deliveries begin later this year, simplifying the public charging experience for EV drivers. The technology allows charging sessions to start automatically when a vehicle is connected to a compatible charger, eliminating the need for mobile apps, RFID cards, or manual payment processes. Automatic Authentication and Payment With Plug & Charge activated, drivers only need to plug the charging cable into the vehicle. Authentication and payment are processed automatically between the vehicle and…

Rivian has confirmed another round of layoffs affecting several hundred employees as the electric vehicle manufacturer continues efforts to reduce losses and move toward long-term profitability. The company said the workforce reduction will impact less than 2% of its total employee base and primarily affect teams within its service and customer operations departments. Cost-Cutting Continues The latest restructuring comes as Rivian intensifies its focus on operational efficiency despite recent product launches and growing software revenue. “We recently restructured a handful of teams within Rivian as we work to profitably scale our business,” the company said in a statement. At the…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 electric SUV has achieved efficiency figures comparable to Tesla’s Model Y Performance, according to newly released U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification data, highlighting increasing competition in the high-volume electric crossover segment. The EPA figures show the Rivian R2 Performance AWD and the 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance both achieve a combined efficiency rating of 105 MPGe and consume 32 kWh of energy per 100 miles. However, Rivian’s vehicle is rated for an EPA-estimated driving range of 330 miles (531 km), compared with 306 miles (492 km) for Tesla’s Model Y Performance. Rivian Narrows Tesla’s Efficiency Lead…

A proposed US requirement mandating that vehicles produced within the North American trade zone contain at least 50% US-made components would likely present greater challenges for Mexico’s automotive sector than for Canada’s, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said. The proposal is being discussed as the United States, Canada and Mexico begin the review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Vehicle Content Requirements Under Discussion According to Bloomberg, Carney said vehicles assembled in Canada already meet the proposed threshold on average, while many vehicles produced in Mexico would face greater difficulty complying with the requirement if it were implemented.…

Polestar has reintroduced the Polestar 2 to the Canadian market, offering a single Long Range Dual Motor variant priced from CA$69,900 (US$50,328) as the company expands its presence with a three-model lineup in the country. The return of the electric fastback completes Polestar’s Canadian portfolio, which now includes the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 SUV, and Polestar 4 coupe SUV. Orders for the 2027 model are now open. Single Fully Equipped Configuration For the Canadian market, Polestar is offering the Polestar 2 exclusively in a Long Range Dual Motor configuration. The model delivers 310 kW of power, accelerates from 0 to…

Lucid Group has appointed Silvio Napoli as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, as the electric vehicle manufacturer seeks to strengthen execution and navigate ongoing production challenges. Napoli’s appointment follows an earlier announcement in April that he would assume the leadership role. He succeeds Marc Winterhoff, who had been serving as interim CEO and will now return to his previous position as chief operating officer, reporting directly to Napoli. Leadership Transition Lucid Chairman Turqi Alnowaiser said the board remains confident in the company’s direction under Napoli’s leadership. “On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to have Silvio as CEO…

General Motors has unveiled the GMC HUMMER X concept alongside the opening of its new Advanced Design studio in Pasadena, California, presenting a pair of electric vehicle concepts intended to explore future design, manufacturing and mobility ideas. The concepts, which include both truck and SUV body styles, are not planned for production and serve primarily as design studies developed by the company’s advanced design and engineering teams. New Pasadena Design Campus Opens The GMC HUMMER X made its debut at GM’s new 148,000-square-foot Advanced Design campus in Pasadena. The facility spans three buildings and houses approximately 100 employees, including designers,…