Author: Jacob Sullivan

BMW has announced pricing and technical specifications for the BMW iX3 50 xDrive in the United States and Canada, ahead of the launch of the company’s first production vehicle based on its Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform. The iX3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500 in the United States and 75,900 Canadian dollars in Canada, BMW said. The electric SUV is scheduled to enter the U.S. market on Sept. 25, while the Canadian launch is planned for autumn 2026. See also: BMW Debuts China-Specific Neue Klasse iX3 and i3 at Auto China BMW has already begun deliveries of the iX3…

New York has allocated an additional $30 million to its Drive Clean Rebate programme, offering incentives of up to $2,000 per vehicle to encourage the adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, state officials said. The programme, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides point-of-sale rebates ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on the vehicle’s electric range. Higher incentives are available for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with longer zero-emission driving capability. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding during Earth Week, framing the move as part of broader efforts to reduce emissions…

Toyota reported a sharp increase in U.S. sales of its bZ electric crossover in the first quarter of 2026, signaling growing traction for its battery-electric vehicle strategy in a market where it had previously lagged rivals. Toyota said sales of the bZ crossover rose 79% year-on-year in the January–March period, with more than 10,000 units sold in the United States during the quarter. The performance follows a comprehensive update to the model for the 2026 model year, including pricing adjustments, improved cold-weather charging performance and an extended driving range of up to 314 miles (505 km). The company also revised…

Ride-hailing company Uber has expanded its electric vehicle incentive programme nationwide in the United States, offering eligible drivers grants of up to $4,000 to support the transition to battery-electric vehicles. The initiative, known as the “Go Electric” grant, had previously been limited to selected markets including New York City, California, Massachusetts and Colorado. The nationwide rollout comes as Uber seeks to sustain momentum in electrification amid shifting federal incentives and higher fuel costs. The programme targets Platinum- and Diamond-tier drivers who switch to an EV and complete 100 eligible trips by December 31, 2026. Applications will open from April 16…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast plans to resume construction of its North Carolina plant in 2026 and begin production in 2028, while significantly scaling back its expected workforce, according to company disclosures and local media reporting. The company reaffirmed its timeline in an earnings report accompanying its latest financial results, despite multiple delays since the project was first announced in 2022. “VinFast also expects to resume construction of the North Carolina manufacturing facility in 2026, with a planned SOP in 2028,” the company said in its business outlook statement. The planned facility, located in Chatham County, North Carolina, was originally…

Volvo Cars will discontinue sales of its compact electric SUV EX30 in the United States after the 2026 model year, citing changing market conditions and financial considerations, according to statements reported by automotive outlet The Drive. The decision follows a series of challenges for the EX30 in the U.S., including shifting trade policies and the expiration of federal electric vehicle incentives. Volvo said the move comes after “a thorough evaluation of our business and operational strategies,” describing it as a “direct response to shifting market conditions and financial factors.” See also: Volvo EX30 Black Edition Priced From £40,060 as It…

Chinese-owned sports car maker Lotus plans to enter the Canadian market under a newly introduced reduced tariff scheme for Chinese electric vehicles, according to chief executive Feng Qingfeng. The move follows a decision by the Government of Canada to allow up to 24,500 electric vehicles imported from China to enter the country at a 6.1% tariff rate during the next six months, significantly lower than the 106.1% tariff previously imposed. “We will be the first Chinese brand to enter Canada (under the new tariff). The Canadian market opportunity is too precious to miss. Since we’ve taken the lead, we must…

Scout Motors has received more than 160,000 reservations for its upcoming Terra pickup and Traveler SUV, with about 87% of customers choosing extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions rather than the originally planned battery-electric variants. The reservation data highlights a stronger-than-expected preference for range-extender technology among prospective buyers. Chief executive Scott Keogh had previously expected a roughly 60/40 split in favor of the EREV models. Scout Motors was revived by Volkswagen in 2022 as a purely electric brand inspired by the historic Scout off-road vehicles. However, the company later adjusted its strategy to include EREV models as growth in the U.S.…

Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Farley said the company misjudged market conditions when launching its first generation of electric vehicles, including the Ford F‑150 Lightning, after pandemic-era demand created what he described as misleading signals for automakers. Speaking in an interview with Car and Driver, Farley said the surge in vehicle demand during the COVID-19 period led the company to overestimate long-term market dynamics. See also: Ford CEO Discussed Possible US Joint Ventures With Chinese Automakers “I totally would’ve done it differently. I mean, look, we didn’t know what we didn’t know… COVID totally was a false signal,” Farley said.…

Rivian said its upcoming R2 electric sport utility vehicle has been engineered for high-volume production, with its manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 155,000 units per year as the company prepares to expand into a broader market segment. The U.S. electric vehicle maker described the R2 as a new platform designed from the outset to balance performance, cost, manufacturability and long-term serviceability. The model is expected to play a key role in increasing sales volumes beyond Rivian’s current premium offerings. “We made R2 so easy to build, our plant is capable of producing 155,000 R2 units annually,” the company…

Volkswagen Group is expected to delay the relaunch of its Scout brand in the United States, with production of the first vehicles now projected to begin in mid-2028 rather than 2027, according to German media reports. The revived brand will also reportedly debut with range-extended electric vehicles instead of fully battery-electric models. Manager Magazin had earlier reported that the first Scout vehicles—a pickup and a sport utility vehicle—would initially use range-extender technology. Such vehicles are driven by an electric motor but include a small combustion engine that acts as a generator to recharge the battery rather than directly powering the…

Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Farley discussed a potential framework with senior officials in the Trump administration that could allow Chinese automakers to build vehicles in the United States through partnerships with American companies, according to a media report. The concept, outlined last month, would enable Chinese manufacturers to establish joint ventures with U.S. automakers while ensuring that American partners retain controlling stakes, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the discussions. The structure would aim to share profits and technology between the two sides while maintaining domestic oversight of operations. Farley raised the idea during meetings with U.S. Trade Representative…