Author: James Bryant

U.S. car imports fell sharply in May following the imposition of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump, signaling mounting disruption across the auto industry and a potential surge in used car prices. According to Automotive News, U.S. vehicle imports dropped by 72.3% in May 2025 compared with May 2024, marking one of the steepest year-over-year declines in recent history. The report, shared via InsideEVs, links the collapse to Trump’s 25% tariff on imported new cars, which took effect in April, and a further 25% tariff on auto parts that followed on May 3. Although used cars are not directly subject…

Apple on Monday introduced new updates to CarPlay during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), unveiling enhancements that include widgets, live activities, and improved messaging features, alongside a refreshed user interface aligned with its new “Liquid Glass” design language. Among the notable additions, CarPlay users will be able to interact with real-time widgets and select tapback responses for incoming messages. The platform will also allow users to pin favorite conversations, mirroring functionality found in iMessage on iOS. Apple also showcased a redesign of the incoming call interface. Instead of occupying the full screen, incoming calls will now appear in a smaller…

A car carrier sailing from China to Mexico caught fire in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Alaska on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of its crew and highlighting the growing risks associated with shipping electric vehicles (EVs). The vessel, Morning Midas, was carrying approximately 3,000 vehicles, including 800 EVs, when smoke was first seen rising from a deck loaded with electric cars, according to Zodiac Maritime, the ship’s London-based management company. All 22 crew members evacuated safely after efforts to extinguish the blaze failed. The Liberia-flagged carrier departed from Yantai port, China, on May 26, bound for Lazaro Cardenas,…

BASF has started operations at its black mass production facility in Schwarzheide, eastern Germany, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to establish a closed-loop battery value chain in Europe. The plant, one of the largest of its kind on the continent, will process up to 15,000 tonnes of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap annually, which is equivalent to the battery material from around 40,000 electric vehicles. The facility complements BASF’s existing production lines for cathode active materials and its prototype metal refinery on the same site. Originally scheduled to begin operations in early 2024, commissioning of the…

Tesla reported its strongest monthly sales performance of the year in Australia in May, with the Model Y accounting for the majority of deliveries as demand rebounded following a production line switchover earlier this year. The electric vehicle (EV) maker delivered 3,897 vehicles in May, up 9.3% from the same month last year, according to sales data. The Model Y made up 3,580 of those sales, marking a 122.5% year-on-year increase and the model’s best month since June 2024. See also: Tesla’s European Sales Slide for Fifth Month Despite Norway Surge, Faces Political Blowback and Stiff Competition It was also…

Volkswagen is reportedly reconsidering plans to shift production of the Cupra Born electric compact car from its Zwickau factory to the company’s main plant in Wolfsburg, according to local media reports. The potential reversal comes amid internal concerns that the Zwickau facility—already operating below capacity—could face a major underutilization crisis if both the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born are relocated as originally planned. The proposed relocation was part of a December 2024 labor agreement between Volkswagen and the IG Metall union, intended to consolidate production of the ID.3 and Cupra Born at Wolfsburg and shift ID.5 production to Emden. If…

Circle K has opened its first European electric vehicle (EV)-only charging station in Gothenburg, marking its largest EV charging site globally and the first fossil fuel-free location in Scandinavia. Located in the Gårda neighbourhood along the Swedish E6 motorway, the new facility includes a 100 square meter convenience store and a high-capacity charging system installed by Kempower. The system features two 600 kW Power Units dynamically distributing electricity across ten individual outlets, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW. This allows ten vehicles to be charged from zero to 80% in approximately 15 minutes while customers shop onsite. The…

Infineon Technologies will provide silicon carbide (SiC)-based power modules, microcontrollers, and power management integrated circuits (ICs) to Rivian for its next-generation R2 electric vehicle (EV) platform, with series production expected to begin in 2026. The German semiconductor manufacturer said it will supply power modules from its HybridPACK Drive G2 family, which includes both SiC and traditional silicon (Si) components, designed for the traction inverters of Rivian’s upcoming platform. The R2 platform aims to underpin a more compact and affordable electric SUV targeted at a wider consumer base compared to Rivian’s existing R1 models. Infineon will also deliver microcontrollers from its…

Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, has reached a global fleet of 1,000 robotaxis, the company said on Tuesday, marking a key milestone for the Chinese tech giant’s push into self-driving mobility. The announcement came during Baidu’s first-quarter earnings call, where CEO Robin Li highlighted the company’s strategic plans to expand internationally following significant growth in China. “Looking ahead, we will deepen our presence in existing markets while strategically entering new ones, capturing broader growth opportunities worldwide,” Li said. Apollo Go provided more than 1.4 million rides in the first quarter of 2025, a 75% increase year-on-year, according to Baidu’s…

China’s BYD on Wednesday unveiled its latest electric vehicle for the European market, the Dolphin Surf, at a launch event in Berlin. The model, a slightly reworked version of its top-selling Seagull EV in China, marks BYD’s tenth vehicle offering in Europe and reinforces its strategy of targeting the continent’s entry-level electric vehicle segment. The Dolphin Surf will be available at three price points, starting at €22,990 ($26,100) for a 322-kilometre range version, and rising to €24,990 for the 507-kilometre range model. It enters a market where European automakers are under increasing pressure to deliver competitively priced EVs as consumers…

The municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, is set to receive a $248.3 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to support the electrification of its public bus fleet. The funding, recently approved by the IDB, will enable the deployment of approximately 2,200 electric buses as part of the city’s broader transition to cleaner public transport. São Paulo has already integrated 527 electric buses into its network, but the new financing marks a major boost to its electrification ambitions. The loan will also support operational enhancements under SPTrans, the city’s public transport authority, which oversees a fleet of more than…

Stellantis brand DS Automobiles has launched the updated DS N°4 compact hatchback, introducing a fully electric E-Tense model with a 450-kilometre range alongside a refreshed plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. The new DS N°4 is slated to arrive in Germany by late September, with UK deliveries expected in early 2026. Focusing heavily on technological advancement, DS Automobiles highlights efficiency and performance improvements across both electrified powertrains. The electric DS N°4 E-Tense is powered by a 213hp (157kW) motor delivering 343Nm of torque, paired with a 58.3 kWh nickel-enriched battery that enables a WLTP combined range of up to 450 km. The…