Author: Michael Carter

Rivian Automotive is recalling 19,641 electric vehicles in the United States after identifying a potential safety issue linked to rear suspension components that may have been incorrectly reassembled during earlier service work, according to a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects certain model-year 2022 to 2025 R1S sport utility vehicles and R1T pickup trucks that underwent service requiring the separation and reassembly of a rear suspension toe link joint. NHTSA said the issue stems from the use of an older service procedure applied between April 1, 2022, and March 10, 2025, before Rivian…

American Honda posted U.S. vehicle sales of 1,430,577 units in 2025, its strongest performance since 2021, as record demand for electrified and hybrid models helped offset supply constraints and changing market conditions. Electrified vehicle sales across the Honda and Acura lineups surpassed 400,000 units for the first time, driven by a third consecutive annual record in hybrid sales. American Honda said hybrids accounted for a growing share of deliveries across its core models, including the CR-V, Accord and Civic. See also: LG Energy Solution to Sell Ohio Battery Plant Assets to Honda in $2.86 Billion Deal “Record sales of light…

Equipment maker Vermeer has launched a limited pilot program for three new electric machines aimed at the landscaping and forestry sectors, as the company evaluates battery-powered alternatives to its diesel-powered equipment in the United States and Europe. The initial rollout covers an electric brush chipper, an electric stump cutter and an electric mini skid steer, which will be supplied to selected customers through participating Vermeer dealers. The company said the controlled release is intended to support field validation and gather feedback from professional users before deciding on broader market availability. “This lineup is a critical step in our electrification journey,”…

Toyota Motor said it is recalling about 55,400 hybrid vehicles in the United States after identifying a manufacturing defect in the inverter assembly that could lead to a loss of drive power or, in rare cases, a fire. The recall covers certain 2025–2026 Camry Hybrid models and 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles produced between late August and late November 2025. According to Toyota, the issue stems from an improperly torqued bolt inside the inverter assembly supplied by Denso Manufacturing Tennessee. The automaker said the bolt may not have been tightened to specification during production, potentially resulting in incomplete electrical contact.…

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric said it has completed the first pre-production build of its FX Super One multi-purpose vehicle at its Hanford, California facility, marking a key milestone in the company’s efforts to expand beyond its flagship FF 91 model. The rollout marks the completion of Faraday Future’s initial “Global Automotive Industry Bridge Strategy” in the United States and signals the transition of its FX brand into the next development phase, which will focus on localized testing, homologation, and real-world validation ahead of mass production. The company said the FX Super One will be positioned as a premium, mass-market MPV…

Volkswagen will not offer a 2026 model year version of its electric ID. Buzz van in the United States, the automaker confirmed, as it reassesses market conditions and cost pressures, according to a report by Carscoops. The move follows a temporary suspension of U.S. deliveries announced in July, initially linked to a recall that required modifications to the third-row seating. Industry sources cited by Carscoops also pointed to tariff-related challenges, as the ID. Buzz is produced exclusively at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ plant in Hanover, Germany, making it subject to U.S. import duties. See also: Volkswagen to Add Long-Wheelbase ID. Buzz…

Rivian released a software update for its second-generation R1 electric vehicles that introduces its new “Universal Hands-Free” driving system, expanding hands-free operation well beyond limited-access highways. The feature, unveiled last week at Rivian’s first Autonomy & AI Day, allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel on more than 3.5 million miles of roads across the United States and Canada, including selected highways and surface streets, provided lane markings are clearly visible. See also: Rivian CEO Reiterates Rejection of Apple CarPlay in Favour of In-House Software Rivian said drivers must continue to supervise the system at all times.…

Slate Auto, an electric pickup startup backed by Jeff Bezos, said it has collected more than 150,000 refundable reservations for its low-cost electric truck, which is scheduled to enter production toward the end of 2026. The company disclosed the figure in a recent question-and-answer video featuring chief executive Chris Barman, who addressed questions from reservation holders about vehicle features and development plans. Slate has previously said it does not intend to offer self-driving capabilities for the model. See also: Slate Auto Hires Former Tesla Leader to Head Vehicle Engineering at Indiana Factory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0K3g4OCp8A While reservation numbers can signal consumer interest,…

Ford said it will significantly reduce its investment in fully electric vehicles and instead focus more heavily on hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), cancelling several planned battery-electric models and reassigning production at multiple plants. The strategy shift is expected to cost the automaker about $19.5 billion. Building on a hybrid strategy outlined in 2024, Ford said it now expects around half of its global vehicle volume to come from hybrids, EREVs and fully electric vehicles, compared with about 17% previously. The company said it will pursue a three-pronged hybrid approach covering economy-focused models, performance-oriented vehicles and hybrids capable of…

Stellantis is recalling nearly 6,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in the United States after identifying a defect that could cause the brake pedal arm to collapse under hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall covers 3,286 units of the 2024 Dodge Hornet PHEV and 2,688 units of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV, according to regulatory filings. The action expands a recall issued last year involving about 21,000 vehicles, bringing the total number of affected cars in the United States to roughly 27,000. See also: Stellantis Secures Patent For Foam-Based EV Battery Fire Suppression System Stellantis said…