In this episode of Driving Impact, Matt Maher sits down with Jessica Stafford to discuss what today’s car buyers value most and how dealers can evolve alongside changing expectations. From digital retailing and automotive financing to AI’s growing role in automotive retail, they share insights from Cox Automotive research and real-world dealership examples. The conversation explores practical ways to streamline the car-buying experience, connect online and in-store interactions, reduce deal times, and build customer trust. Whether you’re focused on improving customer experience, increasing dealership profitability, or strengthening customer loyalty, you’ll find ideas you can put into practice. Episode Transcript Introduction JESS: If your average deal time is still taking three, four hours, you’re creating too much friction in the process. Create the very best customer experience. If you kind of stay true to that as your North Star on how you’re operating your dealership, you’ll end up in this place where you really can connect all the tools. All of those points of technology are now enabling us to create this seamless, frictionless experience for customers. And that’s what they’re looking for, because that’s how they shop for everything these days. MATT: Welcome back to Driving Impact. I’m Matt Maher, founder of M7 Innovations, and today I’m joined by someone I had the pleasure of intellectually sparring with on stage at NADA 2026 back in February. We covered a lot of ground that day on AI, on dealers, on what’s actually working, what isn’t, and a lot has happened since then, and there’s even more to dig into. So, Jess Stafford, welcome to the show. How are you, Jess? JESS: I’m so good, and I am so happy to be here today and to get to talk to you. I mean, you. It really is insane how much has changed
Aug 22, 2026 · via coxautoinc.com
LOS ANGELES — LUV Car Wash announced the acquisition of three Southern California carwash locations, expanding its Los Angeles footprint to 20 locations. The acquisitions mark another milestone in the company’s growth. The newly acquired locations include: - Vermont Handwash: 1666 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California - American Express Car Wash: 2345 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, California - Century Car Wash: 4700 W Century Blvd., Inglewood, California. Service, network expansion With 20 locations across the region, LUV Car Wash operates one of the largest express carwash networks in Los Angeles. Customers can expect fast, friendly service, premium chemicals, complimentary high-powered vacuums, modern amenities and a consistent experience. “Southern California continues to be an exciting growth market for LUV, and we’re thrilled to welcome these three locations into our family,” said Darren Skarecky, CEO of LUV Car Wash. “Reaching 20 locations in Los Angeles is a significant milestone, allowing us to serve even more customers with the convenience, quality and consistency they expect. Just as importantly, we’re proud to provide carwash owners with a transparent, straightforward acquisition process built on trust, integrity, and long-term relationships.” Seller perspectives The sellers echoed that experience, highlighting the professionalism and integrity of the LUV team throughout the acquisition process. “Our family has run Vermont Handwash for over fifteen years, so handing over the keys wasn’t something we took lightly. LUV walked us through every step, answered every call and never once tried to rush us. They kept every promise they made, and in this business, that’s rare,” said Benny Pirian of Vermont Handwash. “We have had numerous offers over the years, but we really liked the LUV team and had confidence that they would do what they said, and I am happy to say they lived up to their word,” said Gaby Jabbour of
Aug 22, 2026 · via carwash.com
Renault 5: Prices for electric small car decrease slightly Renault is lowering the prices for the electric small car 5 by 1710 Euros and simultaneously equipping it with more standard features. It is getting crowded in the electric small car segment. Demand may be rising, but the fight for customers is evidently getting tougher. Renault is reacting to this development and is lowering the prices for the small car 5 across the board by 1710 euros without removing anything from the equipment. Rather, Renault is adding things as standard in some versions that previously cost extra. This should improve its position in the market. Previously, the list price for the base model was 28,000 euros; now it is 26,290 euros, putting it on par with the Cupra Raval. The battery has an energy content of 40 kWh, which is sufficient for 317 km in the WLTP, and the e-motor has an output of 90 kW. The larger battery with 52 kWh is supposed to enable 417 km in the cycle, with the e-motor having an output of 110 kW in this model. Videos by heise Differences in Charging There is a difference between the two when charging with direct current. The base model charges at a maximum of 80 kW and needs 31 minutes to go from 15 to 80 percent. In this time, around 26 kWh are recharged at an average of about 50 kW. This works a bit faster in the model with the 52 kWh battery, which can be charged at a maximum of 100 kW. Here, the aforementioned window is said to be closed in 30 minutes. This means almost 34 kWh are recharged on average at around 68 kW. In the test, a Cupra Raval with a similarly sized battery was faster. Extended Equipment The
Aug 22, 2026 · via heise.de
HONG KONG (AP) — Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday. The U.S. carmaker is recalling about 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S over door handle safety risks, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall, the largest this year according to Chinese media, comes a few months after Chinese authorities said in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles that are commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models. China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside. In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice said. Some experts in the industry said the automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall “an inevitable step” in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a more reliable, “safety-first” approach. “This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade,” said Cui. Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Xiaomi,
Aug 21, 2026 · via ny1.com
Crime & Safety Newton Police Looking To Identify Pair Possibly Connected To Car Break-ins Newton police are asking for community assistance is solving these crimes. NEWTON, MA — The police department is looking to identify two people it believes were involved in recent car breaks that took place in Newton Centre and the Auburndale area. The first person was captured on surveillance footage on Pleasant Street on Thursday, Aug. 20, shortly before 11:40 p.m., the time of the reported break. According to police, the person is a younger man with lower facial hair. He was seen wearing black pants with a white stripe down the side, a red tank top, a backwards black Yankees baseball hat, and a black and white backpack. He also appears to have a neck tattoo and was wearing a black brace on his left hand. The second person is a younger man with facial hair above and below his lip. He was last seen wearing a white baseball hat, white sweatshirt, and dark-colored shorts. According to police, the car break-in in the Auburndale area began at approximately 11 p.m. that same night. Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch. A witness later reported seeing a man matching a similar description entering a vehicle on Bencliff Circle at approximately 4 a.m. Police have not said how many vehicles were entered during the incidents or whether anything was taken from them. Community members with relevant information are being asked to contact detectives at 617-796-2104. Police have not released the identities of either person or announced any arrests in connection with the car break-ins. Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters
Aug 21, 2026 · via patch.com
Artificial intelligence (AI) could give automakers something they have spent years trying to build: a way to keep making money from a vehicle long after it leaves the dealership. Ford and General Motors (GM) are both betting that an AI assistant tied to a vehicle’s data can keep that relationship, and the revenue, going long after the sale. Ford is rolling out an AI assistant through the Ford and Lincoln owner apps, reaching 8 million eligible vehicles after an initial launch earlier this year, Ford President of Integrated Services Mike Aragon said in the company’s Aug. 10 blog post. The assistant connects to a vehicle’s real-time data to answer questions about tire pressure, oil life and fuel level. An in-vehicle version is planned for 2027. The assistant sits inside Ford’s existing connected-services infrastructure, the same digital relationship customers already use to activate, buy and cancel services tied to their car’s own vehicle identification number, such as BlueCruise, ensuring the offer and pricing match that specific vehicle rather than a generic account. The Subscription Numbers Already Explain Why Ford CEO Jim Farley told analysts on the company’s second quarter earnings call on July 28 that paid BlueCruise subscriptions grew 20% during the quarter, and that BlueCruise now accounts for 50% of Ford’s retail Integrated Services revenue. Ford Pro Intelligence subscriptions surpassed 900,000, also up more than 20% year over year, and Farley said Ford could see Integrated Services contribute roughly half a percentage point to the company’s overall margin. Ford has not said it will charge separately for the new AI assistant. The value instead comes from making paid services easier to discover and renew, since an owner asking about a vehicle capability is already expressing exactly the kind of intent an AI system could connect to an eligible feature or
Aug 21, 2026 · via pymnts.com
HONG KONG (AP) — Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday. The U.S. carmaker is recalling about 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S over door handle safety risks, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall, the largest this year according to Chinese media, comes a few months after Chinese authorities said in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles that are commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models. China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside. In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice said. Some experts in the industry said the automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall “an inevitable step” in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a more reliable, “safety-first” approach. “This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade,” said Cui. Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Xiaomi,
Aug 21, 2026 · via baynews9.com
Max Davies 2026 Cupra Formentor price and specs 8 Hours Ago While its premium pricing sparks fierce debate, the top-spec Civic e:HEV is a dynamic benchmark that's also very efficient and practical. If this is the car for you, we’ll compare offers from trusted dealers, handle the back and forth and manage your purchase from enquiry to delivery. The current 11th-generation Honda Civic may not be a top-seller in Australia's small passenger car segment, but that's not because it's a bad car. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The 2026 Honda Civic e:HEV is one of the small-car benchmarks – mainstream or premium – thanks to its excellent dynamics, smartly presented and practical interior, and strong hybrid efficiency. The CarExpert team named it Best Luxury Small Car in our most recent Choice Awards, somewhat controversially judging by the on-site commentary. While the recurring feedback seemed to be around whether the Civic is worthy of being labelled a small 'luxury' car, within the context of VFACTS segmentation that's precisely what it is. Now that the Civic range starts from just under $50,000 drive-away, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) classifies the Japanese hatchback as a 'premium' small car, alongside other mainstream-branded $45,000-plus offerings like the MG 4, Subaru WRX, and Volkswagen Golf. Even alongside traditional premium compacts like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, I'd still maintain the Civic holds its own. But without giving away our verdict before we've finished the introduction, we'll frame this review around what actually constitutes a premium compact vehicle, and how the Civic stacks up against that criteria. We recently drove the 2026 Honda Civic e:HEV LX to find out if the up-spec hybrid variant remains worthy of being CarExpert's Best Luxury Small Car... choice. The hybrid-only non-Type R Civic range
Aug 21, 2026 · via carexpert.com.au
Honda has been working on the Elevate facelift for a while now. The SUV has been spotted testing multiple times in both India and abroad. As per recent reports that have surfaced online, the updated Honda Elevate facelift is almost production-ready and will be launched in our market soon. The Honda Elevate facelift is now just weeks away from its official launch. As per our sources, the upcoming Honda Elevate facelift is expected to be launched by the end of September or early October. The test mule has been spotted multiple times, and based on the images and videos, we have an idea of what to expect from the SUV. As this is a facelift, Honda is likely to retain the overall design while making minor cosmetic changes. The SUV is expected to come with a revised front grille, nose and tweaked headlamps, along with a revised bumper. It will continue to offer LED headlamps and fog lamps. The overall design of the SUV is likely to remain boxy, and we expect to see a new set of alloy wheels as well. Honda might also revise the tail lamps and add LED elements to them. It remains to be seen whether Honda will go for a connecting LED bar, which has slowly become a common sight on SUVs in this segment. The Honda Elevate facelift will continue to get roof rails, a shark-fin antenna and an integrated roof spoiler. On the inside, we expect Honda to offer an updated cabin. The layout is likely to remain the same, but Honda might add more features than the current version. We may see seat ventilation, a 360-degree camera and a new colour theme for the cabin. The existing model comes with a decent number of features, including a 10.25-inch infotainment unit with
Aug 21, 2026 · via cartoq.com
JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index reinforces consumer desire for ‘simpler’ vehicles By subscribing, you agree to receive communications from Auto Remarketing and our partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We may share your information with select partners and sponsors who may contact you about their products and services. You may unsubscribe at any time. Carfax recently highlighted how “less complex vehicles” topped its reliability rankings. Findings from the JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study released on Thursday reinforced why those vehicles would be viewed so favorably. Amid growing complaints about screen overload in today’s vehicles, JD Power’s research found that owners are most satisfied with the technology that they barely notice Researchers said smart technologies quietly simplify tasks like starting the vehicle and managing cabin comfort, reducing friction instead of adding complexity behind the wheel. JD Power explained that features like smart ignition, which automatically starts and turns off the vehicle based on driver actions, and smart climate control, which uses artificial intelligence to adjust the cabin environment for maximum comfort and efficiency, deliver high satisfaction with few problems, while more complex features like hands-free driving systems and passenger screens often add friction instead of value. “The technology customers value most is often the technology they barely notice because it simply works,” said Doron Hikry, director of customer success at JD Power. “Smart ignition and smart climate control make everyday driving easier without demanding the driver’s attention, while more automation and additional screens don’t necessarily translate into a better experience. Subscribe to Auto Remarketing to stay informed and stay ahead. By subscribing, you agree to receive communications from Auto Remarketing and our partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We may share your information with select partners and sponsors who may contact you about
Aug 21, 2026 · via autoremarketing.com
In June 2026, we discovered an unusual new piece of malware targeting… Android-based car head units. This is the first documented case of malware being delivered to automotive head units via an automatic firmware-update service. We’ve covered automotive cyber-incidents many times before, but those were generally related either to data leaks in manufacturers’ digital infrastructure, or to security researchers’ experiments. This case, however, involves malware that cybercriminals are distributing in the wild. Their goals are ad fraud and creation of a proxy botnet made up of infected automotive head units. In this article, we explain what a head unit is, how exactly attackers infect these devices, and what this could mean for drivers. What is a car head unit (HU)? First, let’s clarify what a car head unit actually is. The term may sound technical, but in reality, most drivers interact with one every time they use their car. A head unit is the vehicle’s infotainment system — usually centered around a display used to control navigation, music, and other vehicle functions. In modern cars, head units are often connected to the internet. Manufacturers frequently use Android as the operating system for their head units — in part for simplicity’s sake: Android is designed to support automotive head-unit usage cases, bringing a number of advantages: - extensive options for customizing the interface; - easy app development; - the ability to add one’s own system apps and components; - a large existing app ecosystem. However, those same advantages also create risks — because the apps involved may be malicious rather than legitimate. And that’s what’s happened here: using a malicious application, attackers have made cars part of a botnet. Here’s how… How do attackers infect car head units, and what malware do they use? First, it should be noted that this
Aug 21, 2026 · via kaspersky.com
As OEMs invest heavily in connected services and software-defined vehicles, customer engagement is rising. Yet subscription revenue and renewal rates often remain stubbornly flat. The industry has largely assumed that higher engagement should lead to stronger monetisation. But engagement measures activity, not whether customers perceive enough ongoing value to keep paying. This distinction matters. A customer may repeatedly use remote climate control, vehicle status or charging functions while seeing them not as premium digital services, but simply as part of the car they already own. Another customer may browse a subscription store frequently because they are evaluating whether anything justifies the price. Both generate engagement. Neither behaviour necessarily signals willingness to pay. Three behavioural modes, one interface To understand this gap, consider a behavioural framework based on three customer modes: discover, execute and commit. In ‘discover mode’, customers browse, explore and evaluate what is available. This is highly visible in product analytics, but discovery is not commitment. The customer is asking whether anything is worth paying for. In ‘execute mode’, the customer has a specific task: start the climate control, check vehicle status or find a charging point. The interaction is efficient and purposeful. Yet when a service becomes a reliable utility, customers may begin to perceive it as part of the vehicle rather than an additional digital service. In ‘commit mode’, the customer recognises ongoing value and chooses to continue paying. This requires the service to feel distinct from the vehicle itself: something that would genuinely be missed if it disappeared. The structural problem is that many connected ecosystems are optimised for discover and execute while paying too little attention to the conditions that create commit. The decision compressor The renewal period reveals another important dynamic. Customer behaviour in the broader period before renewal does not necessarily look the
Aug 21, 2026 · via automotiveworld.com
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Aug 21, 2026 · via autoconnectedcar.com
Biometric Vehicle Access Systems Market to Reach US$3.97 Billion by 2035, Driven by Rising Vehicle Security Concerns The global Biometric Vehicle Access Systems Market reached USD 1.27 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 3.97 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period 2026-2035. The market is gaining momentum as automotive manufacturers increasingly adopt biometric authentication, connected vehicle technologies, advanced driver-assistance systems, and intelligent security features to enhance vehicle safety and personalization. Growing concerns around vehicle theft, unauthorized access, and demand for keyless entry solutions are further supporting the adoption of biometric technologies such as fingerprint, facial, voice, and iris recognition. The competitive opportunity is increasingly focused on secure vehicle authentication, contactless access, personalized in-vehicle experiences, and seamless integration with connected-car ecosystems. Automakers and technology providers are investing in biometric solutions that can provide faster authentication while enabling personalized settings, driver identification, and enhanced security. The market is therefore shifting toward AI-powered biometric recognition, multimodal authentication, smart vehicle access, connected security systems, and personalized mobility solutions, supporting strong growth in the global Biometric Vehicle Access Systems Market through 2035. Get a Free Sample PDF Of This Report (Get Higher Priority for Corporate Email ID): https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/biometric-vehicle-access-systems-market?sai-v Recent Developments August 2026: Asia-Pacific continued expanding biometric vehicle access adoption, with the region accounting for 37.95% of automotive biometric revenue in 2025. Growth is being supported by connected vehicles, EV adoption, fingerprint authentication, and facial-recognition technologies. July 2026: North America continued advancing biometric vehicle access systems, particularly across premium vehicles, EVs, and connected-car platforms. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly combining biometric authentication with vehicle cybersecurity and personalized driver experiences. June 2026: Europe continued developing integrated biometric access solutions, with facial, fingerprint, iris, and voice recognition being incorporated into next-generation vehicle access and authorization systems. OEMs are also focusing
Aug 21, 2026 · via openpr.com
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Aug 21, 2026 · via youtube.com
On the Dash: - Simple background tech, like smart ignition, earns higher satisfaction than advanced automation features, JD Power survey finds. - Hands-free L2+ systems score lower than basic L2 systems despite offering more functionality. - Passenger screens rank among the most problematic features, and most owners never use them. Owners are least satisfied with the technology automakers are betting on most, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study, released today. Hands-free driving systems and passenger screens rank among the most problematic features in the industry, while simple background tech like smart ignition and climate control earns the highest satisfaction scores. The study looked at 40 technologies across five categories, such as: - Comfort and convenience - Connected vehicle - Driver assist - Electric vehicle - Smart vehicle systems Results are based on 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. Smart tech that goes unnoticed Features that seamlessly integrate into the driving experience tend to be more satisfying and reliable than flashier upgrades. For example, smart ignition automatically starts and stops the vehicle depending on driver behavior. It scores highest in overall satisfaction and has one of the lowest issue rates in the study, at 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Similarly, smart climate control and driver preference systems are well-regarded, with owners appreciating their functionality and rarely reporting issues. “The technology customers value most is often the technology they barely notice because it simply works,” said Doron Hikry, Director of Customer Success at JD Power. He reiterated that smart ignition and smart climate control make everyday driving easier without demanding attention and added that automation and extra screens don’t necessarily improve the experience. He said automakers should prioritize technology that simplifies driving rather than complicates it, since features
Aug 21, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Genesis has entered the top tier of the luxury SUV market with the reveal of the GV90, the automaker’s first full-size flagship SUV, shown at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The vehicle arrives in two forms — a GV90 Neolun with an unusual hidden-pillar coach door and a standard GV90 with conventional swing doors — and it is built to signal that Genesis intends to compete directly with the world’s most established luxury nameplates. The GV90 is a production version of the Neolun concept the brand showed in 2024, and Genesis executives framed it as the culmination of the brand’s design and engineering ambitions to date. Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, said the GV90 was meant to represent a new vision for luxury mobility built around design, AI-driven software, connectivity and safety, rather than any single technology. José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, pointed to Genesis’ rapid rise — becoming the fastest luxury brand to reach one million sales in under eight years — as the backdrop for the new flagship. A Door Designed Around Hospitality The GV90 Neolun’s signature feature is the Neolun Arch Gate, described by Genesis as the first independently opening and closing hidden B-pillar coach door of its kind. Front and rear doors swing open facing one another, eliminating the visual and physical barrier of a traditional B-pillar and creating a wide, open entry point. A newly engineered dual-motion hinge allows the rear door to slide slightly outward before rotating open, so it can operate independently without interfering with the front door. Removing the B-pillar required new structural thinking. Genesis substituted high-strength dual steel beams at the point where the doors meet the body to distribute crash forces, and reinforced the passenger cabin with a frame 1.5
Aug 21, 2026 · via autoconnectedcar.com
James Wong 2026 Kia EV5 review 6 Hours Ago The Long Range version of the base Kia EV5 is currently on offer for under $60,000 drive-away, and could be the pick of the electric SUV range. Marketplace Editor If this is the car for you, we’ll compare offers from trusted dealers, handle the back and forth and manage your purchase from enquiry to delivery. Electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to boom in Australia, but while emerging Chinese brands are making all the headlines, there are still plenty of options from the household names. The 2026 Kia EV5, for example, was one of the earlier entrants in the mid-size electric SUV category from an established auto brand, and has enjoyed plenty of success since it arrived in 2024. Sourced from China like most of Australia's top-selling EVs, the EV5 continues to post sales growth – just not quite to the lofty heights of the hugely popular BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y. So far this year to July 31, the EV5 has found 3601 new homes Down Under, an increase of 11.6 per cent on the January-July period last year. However, that figure pales in comparison to the aforementioned Sealion 7, sales of which have soared by no less than 190.6 per cent to 15,064 units in the same timeframe (although it only became available to order in February 2025). Even newcomer Geely has surpassed the Kia's volume within 12 months of being on the market with its EX5, which so far in 2026 has recorded 8790 sales, up a whopping 276.4 per cent on its 2025 figures after going on sale last March. And everyone knows Australia's top-selling EV is the Model Y, which has notched up more than 25,000 sales to July this year, aided by the new
Aug 21, 2026 · via carexpert.com.au
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology Established in Wuhan New joint venture plans four NEV models for launch from 2027 ·Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. was officially inaugurated in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone on August 20. ·The company has registered capital of approximately RMB 8.2 billion and is jointly funded by six investors, including Dongfeng Motor, Stellantis, and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA). ·Its equity structure comprises: oDongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile: approximately 24.1%. oDongfeng Motor: 13.5%. oStellantis: 13.5%. ·The company will engage in vehicle R&D, industrial investment and new energy vehicle sales. ·Its initial product plan includes four new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models for off-road, urban commuting and family mobility scenarios. Launches are scheduled to begin in 2027. ·Under the partnership, Dongfeng Motor will lead core new energy vehicle and intelligent connected vehicle technologies, Stellantis will contribute its brand resources and global distribution network, and the local investors will provide regional industrial support. Chery Automobile Reports Stronger Margins and Overseas Revenue Growth in H1 2026 Overseas revenue approaches RMB 100 billion as NEV revenue rises 63.8% ·On August 20, the Hong Kong-listed Chery Automobile released its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. ·First-half revenue reached RMB 143.28 billion, up 1.2% year on year, while gross profit rose 25.1% year on year to RMB 23.044 billion. ·Gross margin increased from 13% a year earlier to 16.1%. Profit for the period totaled RMB 9.016 billion, with a net profit margin of 6.3%. Profit attributable to owners of the company reached RMB 8.567 billion. ·Overseas revenue increased 51% year on year to
Aug 20, 2026 · via autonews.gasgoo.com
Volvo has confirmed that it will launch two new EVs, the EX90 SUV and the ES90 sedan, in India on October 12, 2026. The EX90 and ES90 will serve as Volvo’s flagship electric offerings for the Indian market. Notably, the ES90 will mark Volvo India’s return to the luxury sedan space, following the discontinuation of the S90 in June 2025. The EX90 is expected to rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Kia EV9, while the ES90 is likely to go up against the BMW i5. Volvo EX90, ES90 battery and range Both get identical 92kWh RWD and 106kWh AWD powertrains The EX90 and ES90 are both underpinned by Volvo’s SPA2 platform, which features an 800V electrical architecture. In global markets, both EVs can be had in 92kWh (Single Motor) and 106kWh (Twin Motor) guises. In the 92kWh spec, the EX90 and ES90 get a single rear-mounted motor (RWD) developing 333hp and 480Nm. Meanwhile, the 106kWh battery option is split into Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance variants, developing 456hp/670Nm and 680hp/870Nm, respectively. For the EX90, 0-100kph comes up in a claimed 6.6 seconds for the 92kWh, 5.3 seconds for the 106kWh Twin Motor and 4 seconds for the Twin Motor Performance. The ES90 Twin Motor is slightly slower at 5.4 seconds but mirrors the EX90 for the other variants. As for WLTP range, the EX90 92kWh is rated at 565km, while the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance trims manage 608km and 602km, respectively. Meanwhile, the ES90’s WLTP range is certified at 664km for the 92kWh variant and 696km for the 106kWh versions. Coming to charging speeds, both the EX90 and ES90 can utilise up to 350kW DC charging and take 22 minutes for a 10-80 percent top-up across all variants. Volvo EX90, ES90 exterior design Look quite
Aug 20, 2026 · via autocarindia.com