It was pretty shocking for the five Polestar drivers in the United States when the automaker announced it was leaving the market. Now a much bigger name could be next, and this one builds cars in Alabama. Mercedes-Benz. Yes, really. First, two different rules doing two different things This is where most coverage gets muddled, so let’s separate them. The first is the Connected Vehicle Rule, a Commerce Department regulation already in force. It restricts cars with connectivity or automated driving tech tied to China or Russia, and it works case by case: automakers apply, Commerce says yes or no. That’s the one that got Polestar shown the door in June, denied authorization from the 2027 model year. Polestar shrugged it off, since 94% of its first-quarter sales happened outside America anyway. The absurd part is that Volvo, owned by the same Chinese parent, was approved weeks earlier. And the Polestar 3 rolls off the same South Carolina assembly line as the fully approved Volvo EX90. The second is the Connected Vehicle Security Act, a bill that would write all this into law and go much further. It cleared the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously on July 22, sponsored by Senators Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, two states that build a lot of cars. Starting January 2027, it would bar the import or sale of connected vehicles from companies tied to China, Russia, Iran or North Korea. And it adds a hard number the existing rule doesn’t have: any automaker more than 15% owned by Chinese entities is out. For software and hardware suppliers, the threshold is 25%. That 15% is where Mercedes falls in. Two shareholders, twenty percent, one very big problem Here’s the math nobody at Mercedes wants to explain again. BAIC, a Chinese state-owned
Jul 30, 2026 · via autonocion.com
The average collector car auction features vehicles with fascinating histories, but this is not your average collector car auction. This one features 47 high-end vehicles connected to one of the biggest money laundering investigations in history. According to a report by The Straits Times, authorities in Singapore are preparing to sell off 11 Rolls-Royces, multiple Ferraris and Porsches, and other exotic and luxury cars seized as part of a massive S$3 billion (about $2.2 billion USD) money laundering investigation. A little backstory: Back in August of 2023, the Singapore Police Force conducted an anti-money laundering raid that led to the arrest of 10 people and the seizure of nearly 50 vehicles, luxury watches, jewelry and over 100 properties. The total value was estimated to be nearly $1 billion. There were an additional 17 suspects who fled Singapore before they were arrested; however, their assets, worth about $1.4 billion, were also seized. The cars have been in storage since 2023, but are now part of a closed-bid auction that is being handled by Sgcarmart Quotz. Among the highlights of the sale is a Ferrari SF90 Stradale and a F8 Spider. A Porsche 911 Targa 4S and a couple of Bentley Flying Spurs are also up for bid. However, the suspects’ favorite automaker seems to have been Rolls-Royce, as there are 11 of them crossing the block, with multiple Cullinans, Phantoms and Dawns up for sale. All the cars being offered are from the 2017–2023 model years. The cars are certainly exciting, but some of them have the added bonus of being fitted with valuable vehicle registration numbers, as ones like “888” or “1” can be worth nearly $50,000 on their own in Singapore. Then again, the money from selling those registration tags might be needed to make the cars roadworthy again.
Jul 29, 2026 · via roadandtrack.com
Advertisement Can China’s EV boom give it decisive edge in geopolitical tech war? Beijing’s dominance in global EV industry may provide leverage over countries dependent on its technology and supply chains, analysts say 4-MIN READ4-MIN 11 Listen Nayan Sethin Washington China may increasingly seek to use its dominance in the global electric vehicle industry as geopolitical leverage, giving Beijing greater influence over countries dependent on its technology and supply chains, according to analysts. “With China, the strategy is different. It’s to overwhelm the industry, capture it, and use it ultimately as leverage,” said Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, an auto advisory firm. “When it comes to crunch time, they say, ‘Oh, by the way, we’re the source of all manufactured cars today. How about that?’” Dunne said during a discussion hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI). “And you’re dependent on us for cars, and we want this and this and this from you on other political issues.” China’s slowing domestic auto market has pushed its carmakers to expand overseas, with monthly vehicle exports surpassing one million for the first time in June and projected to reach around 12 million by year-end. The global expansion of cheaper, high-quality Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles has sparked concerns in many countries over Beijing’s alleged “overcapacity”, which governments attribute to state subsidies – a charge China denies. Advertisement Select Voice Select Speed 1.00x
Jul 29, 2026 · via amp.scmp.com
Did you know that 16 public Flock cameras capture snapshots of car license plates in Hudson? Did you know that, along with the police department, federal agencies can get access to the information gleaned from these cameras? In 2022, the city installed the cameras, using funding from a federal grant. These cameras capture snapshots of the backs of cars passing by. The Hudson Police Department's Flock cameras average roughly 17 searches per day, according to records of searches compiled by HaveIBeenFlocked.com, a site that reports data of Flock customers. Two artificial intelligence add-ons, "Nova" and "FreeForm," go further: FreeForm analyzes people in addition to vehicles, while Nova compiles license plate reader data, records management systems and other law enforcement sources into a single searchable profile. Why the Hudson Police Department uses the cameras Hudson Police Chief Geoff Willems claims that these cameras have helped immensely with solving crimes, such as sex trafficking, stolen vehicles, missing children and more. Investigators used Flock cameras to track a vehicle connected to a residence at the center of a human trafficking investigation in Hudson — the case relating to Paul L. Anderson, an 85-year-old Hudson landlord charged with human and drug trafficking. An officer used Flock’s “vehicle fingerprint” feature to search for vehicles near the property after a report of suspicious activity. The search helped investigators identify and track a vehicle seen near the residence. Hudson police primarily use the cameras to help with active investigations. “After something happens, we can go back and look for descriptions or partial license plates for our suspect’s vehicle,” Willems said. Occasionally, the cameras will get a hit from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). “If a license plate registered in the NCIC database comes into the city, [the Flock system] will alert us,” Willems said. The case
Jul 29, 2026 · via hudsonstarobserver.com
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA has been revealed, ushering in a new era for the German brand's best-selling small SUV with electric power, a larger footprint and a technology suite centred around artificial intelligence and connected-car functionality. Launching first with three battery-electric variants, the new GLA promises up to 657km of claimed range and ultra-fast charging capabilities thanks to its new 800-volt electrical architecture. Electrified petrol-powered variants will join the range from early 2027. As Mercedes-Benz's best-selling compact vehicle globally, it represents one of the brand's most significant tests yet of whether mainstream luxury buyers are prepared to embrace EV-first platforms, cloud-connected software and AI-powered vehicle experiences. While the brand has not explicitly detailed platform sharing in its reveal materials, the GLA's battery sizes, charging architecture, software ecosystem, AI functionality and electric drivetrains closely mirror those introduced by the recently launched CLA range. Mercedes-Benz claims a maximum WLTP driving range of 657km and says the 800-volt architecture can add up to 270km of driving range in 10 minutes at a compatible fast charger. The SUV has also grown in size, with additional passenger room and a larger cargo area than its predecessor. Inside, the optional MBUX Superscreen combines a 10.25-inch driver display with dual 14-inch screens, while the latest MBUX Virtual Assistant uses artificial intelligence from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini to answer questions, control vehicle functions and provide recommendations. The increasingly connected nature of modern vehicles is also becoming a focus for regulators and privacy advocates. Mercedes-Benz says the GLA's AI-powered systems can access information from multiple sources, including navigation, charging and parking data, while connected services help optimise route planning and other vehicle functions. As manufacturers introduce more sophisticated software and always-on connectivity, consumer advocates are calling for stronger privacy protections governing how vehicle-generated information is collected, stored
Jul 29, 2026 · via carsales.com.au
SWKS Q3 Earnings Beat on Broad Markets, AI Data Center Growth Skyworks Solutions SWKS reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $1.08 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.85%. Earnings declined 18.8% year over year from $1.33. Revenues of $934.8 million fell 3.1% year over year but topped the consensus mark by 1.38%. Results benefited from healthy mobile demand and continued Broad Markets growth, with automotive and data center delivering double-digit gains. SWKS Broad Markets Maintains Growth Momentum Broad Markets generated approximately $403 million in revenues, rising 8% year over year and accounting for 43% of total sales. Management highlighted that demand for several fast-growing products remained ahead of available supply during the quarter. Wi-Fi, data center and automotive represented nearly two-thirds of the business and collectively grew 15% year over year. Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center was the fastest-growing operation, expanding at a rate above the 50% annual growth outlook provided in the prior quarter despite supply constraints. Skyworks Solutions, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Skyworks Solutions, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. Quote Wi-Fi 7 adoption and early customer work on Wi-Fi 8 supported the connectivity pipeline. In automotive, connected-car and infotainment applications drove current growth, while management highlighted multiyear engagements with global automakers and suppliers. Demand for several faster-growing products exceeded available supply, partly offset by softness in consumer-oriented Internet of Things products. Skyworks Mobile Mix Remains Concentrated Mobile contributed 57% of total revenues. Performance was supported by healthy sell-through at the largest customer and successful new-product ramps at the company’s largest Android customer. The largest customer generated approximately 57% of total revenues. Management maintained its expectation for roughly flat blended mobile content this year, with stronger unit demand helping offset previously disclosed content pressure. Skyworks also reiterated that its major Android design win
Jul 29, 2026 · via tradingview.com
Key Legal Insights from Foley’s Automotive Team Analysis by Julie Dautermann, Competitive Intelligence Analyst Foley is here to help you through all aspects of rethinking your long-term business strategies, investments, partnerships, and technology. Contact the authors, your Foley relationship partner, or our Automotive Team to discuss and learn more. AUTOMOTIVE KEY DEVELOPMENTS - The most recent article in Foley & Lardner’s 2026 AI in Manufacturing & Supply Chain Series is AI Bills of Materials (AI-BOMs) and Model Provenance: Contracting for Cybersecurity in AI-Enabled Manufacturing Supply Chains. Subscribe here to get updates about new articles in this series. - U.S. new light-vehicle sales in July 2026 are projected to reach a SAAR of 16.9 million units, representing an increase of 1.4% year-over-year, according to a joint forecast from JD Power and GlobalData. - Automotive News released its 2026 list of the top 100 global parts suppliers. - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously to send the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 (S.4429) to the full Senate for consideration. Expanding on Commerce Department rules that restrict the sales of connected vehicles with software or hardware linked to China, the Senate proposal would prohibit the U.S. sale of connected vehicles by companies that are more than 15% owned by Chinese entities, such as Mercedes-Benz. A similar bill remains under consideration in the House. - On July 24, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a notice granting a petition to begin the rulemaking process for potential new car door safety requirements. If finalized, the requirements would mandate a “robust and obvious door egress system in all motor vehicles.” - Stellantis reintroduced a supplier reward program that shares certain cost savings. TRADE/TARIFFS - Foley & Lardner provided updates for multinationals regarding the escalation of customs and tariff enforcement by the
Jul 29, 2026 · via foley.com
Starting next year, Kia will begin launching vehicles equipped with Hyundai’s new high-tech infotainment system. Kia vehicles begin to get Hyundai Pleos in 2027 After introducing its new software brand last year, “Pleos,” Hyundai said that by the end of the decade it planned to have over 20 million vehicles equipped with the new tech, including Kia and Genesis models. Starting next year, Hyundai plans to begin deploying Kia vehicles equipped with Pleos. According to the Korean news outlet ETNews, Hyundai is focusing on its flagship models first. The new Grandeur was the first to debut with the Pleos infotainment. Later this year, Hyundai will launch the redesigned Avante and Tucson, both with its newest technology. Local reports suggest Pleos could be a turning point for Hyundai as it expands into a global software platform company. Based on the Android Automotive OS, Pleos is more like using a smartphone with apps and customizable screens, similar to Tesla models. The setup includes an available 12.9″ or 14.6″ center infotainment screen, plus an optional instrument cluster. The Pleos system also includes Hyundai’s new AI companion, Gleo AI. Built on a large language model (LLM), the AI voice assistant continues to learn and generate responses based on location, driving conditions, and other real-time factors. You can ask it questions like “find a restaurant near me” or “take me here,” and it will learn and adapt based on the conversations you have with it. It can also search the web for news, sports, and more. Top comment by Nutmac One of the compelling reasons for buying Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla is the long-term software support with new features. I hope to be wrong, but Pleos is very unlikely to coming to older Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia models. When Hyundai say Pleos will be available
Jul 29, 2026 · via electrek.co
WEX Brings Standard Fleet's Connected Vehicle Platform to Fleet Customers This week’s product launch with Standard Fleet’s connected vehicle platform reflects WEX Venture Capital's strategy of turning startup innovation into customer solutions. Standard Fleet is now available to WEX fleet customers. - WEX has integrated Standard Fleet's connected vehicle platform into its offerings for fleet customers. - This partnership is part of WEX Venture Capital's approach to leveraging startup technologies for innovative customer solutions. - The product launch enables WEX fleet customers to access enhanced connected vehicle capabilities. *Summarized by AI Eligible fleet customers of WEX, a global leader in intelligent payment solutions, can now access the Standard Fleet connected vehicle platform. With the launch, Standard Fleet's modern fleet management experience is available to WEX customers, including capabilities such as digital keys, remote vehicle access, and deviceless vehicle tracking. Announced at the WEX Venture Capital Summit in Portland, Maine, the offering is a commercial solution that emerged from a previous WEX Venture Capital investment. WEX said that as fleets transition to increasingly connected vehicles, operators are looking for simpler ways to manage vehicle data and services across mixed fleets. Standard Fleet’s platform links directly with supported vehicle manufacturers, allowing eligible WEX customers to activate vehicle data and services without traditional aftermarket telematics installations. “Making Standard Fleet available through WEX gives customers a faster, simpler way to connect supported vehicles and begin using features like vehicle data and remote access," said Carlos Carriedo, chief operating officer, Americas Payments and Mobility at WEX. "It also demonstrates how WEX Venture Capital helps us identify emerging technologies and bring them to market faster, creating new opportunities to deliver offerings to customers that help build greater efficiencies to grow and scale their business.” The Standard Fleet platform is available across more than 30 supported vehicle
Jul 29, 2026 · via worktruckonline.com
The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) is urging the Federal Government to strengthen privacy protections for connected vehicles, warning Australia's current framework has failed to keep pace with increasingly data-hungry cars. Car companies often transmit Australians' voice recordings, cabin camera footage and detailed trip histories offshore or into the cloud; AEVA says this data shouldn’t leave the car. Australians are being warned their connected cars pose a serious privacy risk, but so far, no-one in power has offered a real fix. Now the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) says it's stepping up where government has stalled. The consumer advocacy group has handed the Federal Government a detailed set of policy recommendations aimed at overhauling what it calls a weak, outdated system for protecting driver data. You can read the policy paper here. The numbers behind the push are significant. By 2035, an estimated 95 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia will be internet-connected. Nearly 70 car brands sold locally trace back to just 12 overseas jurisdictions, raising fresh questions about where Australians' voice recordings, cabin camera footage and detailed trip histories actually end up. We previously reported on major car brands like Toyota, Kia and Tesla collecting and sharing personal data from drivers, which is often through connected car services, which requires owners to pair their smartphone with a car. At present, connected car owners are protected by little more than the decades-old Privacy Act 1988 and a voluntary code from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), rules AEVA argues simply have not kept pace with what a modern vehicle can see, hear and transmit. AEVA National President James Pickering says the current approach is failing drivers. “Consumers nationwide continue to be let down by insufficient data privacy legislation,” he said, adding that policymakers have the power
Jul 29, 2026 · via carsales.com.au
The South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor India Limited is planning to launch a number of new electric and hybrid cars in India in the coming months. This strategy to expand its electric and hybrid lineup is to make sure that it does not lose any more market share to Tata Motors and Mahindra Automotive. Now, without any delay, here are the details of the upcoming Hyundai electric and hybrid cars. The Hyundai HE1i will become the brand's most affordable electric SUV in India when it launches around the end of 2026. This electric SUV is being developed specifically for the Indian market. It will be rivalling the Tata Punch.ev, Tata Nexon.ev, Mahindra XUV 3XO EV, and the Kia Syros EV. Test mules of the HE1i have shown that it will feature a rugged, boxy design with split LED headlamps, roof rails, large alloy wheels, and a long wheelbase. It will be underpinned by Hyundai's dedicated E-GMP (K) electric platform and will offer locally sourced LFP battery packs. Hyundai is expected to offer 42 kWh and 49 kWh battery options, which will produce around 97 bhp and 115 bhp, respectively. Now, depending on the variant, the claimed driving range is expected to be between 300 and 400 km. As for the features, it will most likely offer dual 10.25-inch displays, ventilated seats, wireless charging, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and connected car technology. Hyundai will manufacture the HE1i in India and is also expected to export it to European markets. The next Hyundai on this list is a hybrid, and it is none other than the Bayon crossover SUV. It is currently sold internationally, and in India, it will be positioned between the Venue and Creta. Bayon is expected to measure around 4.2 metres in length and will target buyers
Jul 29, 2026 · via cartoq.com
- Li Auto rose 11%, Nio about 5%, while Xpeng and BYD gained more than 4.6%. - The MIIT said it will speed up the drafting and release of a 15th Five-Year Plan for the smart, connected NEV industry. Auto stocks in Hong Kong surged across the board on Wednesday, after China's industry regulator said it will speed up the drafting and release of a 15th Five-Year Plan for the smart, connected new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. As of the time of writing, Nio Inc's (HKEX: 9866) Hong Kong-listed shares were up 5.08% at HK$38.86. Xpeng (HKEX: 9868) was up 4.82% at HK$51.95. Li Auto (HKEX: 2015) led the EV startups, at one point soaring 11.01% to HK$55.15, its highest level in more than a month. BYD (HKEX: 1211) rose 4.62% to HK$93.95. Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) was up 6.90 percent, Chery gained 7.79% and GAC Group climbed 7.27 percent. Xiaomi (HKEX: 1810) rose 7.59 percent, Leapmotor (HKEX: 9863) gained 7.11% and Seres (HKEX: 9927) was up 6.63 percent. Battery giant CATL (HKEX: 3750) rose a more modest 0.58 percent. Vehicle makers listed on the mainland's A-share market also extended their strength. BAIC BluePark was close to its daily limit up, while Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC) and Changan Automobile also rose. Guo Shougang, head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's (MIIT) equipment industry department, said at a media roundtable on July 27 for the 2026 World Intelligent Connected Vehicle Conference that the ministry will next speed up the drafting and release of a 15th Five-Year Plan for the smart, connected NEV industry, according to a Xinhua report on Tuesday. China will accelerate breakthroughs in a batch of key core technologies, speed up the development of major standards, their international coordination and implementation, and further advance pilot
Jul 29, 2026 · via cnevpost.com
Question of the Day: Should There be a Ban on Cars from Chinese-Owned Automakers A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that could lead to the Volvo and, perhaps more shockingly, Mercedes-Benz being banned from selling vehicles in the United States. Introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 would ban the import, sale and operation of vehicles manufactured by companies deemed “foreign entities of concern” by nature of being based in certain nations deemed adversarial. “Chinese cars are surveillance packages on wheels, with the ability to collect on American citizens and transmit that data back to Beijing,” said Slotkin in a release. Moreno offered up similar language in support of the build, which made it out of the Senate Commerce Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Our own Matt Posky wrote about the ramifications of the bill today. Rolling surveillance units. China is testy about Tesla vehicles driving near government installations. Is turnabout fair play or is the paranoia run amok? What say you? [Images: Mercedes-Benz, Volvo] Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter. Michael Strong has spent more than 25 years writing about the automotive industry. A Detroit-area native, he’s written about everything from local car shows to product reviews to financial news. Currently he writes and edits for a variety of national and local publications. He’s also a longtime member of the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Hail Southern! Despite a love for ’70s land yachts and BMWs from the late ’80s and early ’90s, his personal vehicle is neither of those. More by Michael
Jul 29, 2026 · via thetruthaboutcars.com
By: Dr. Philipp Schulte For more than a decade, the automotive industry has been transforming into a software-defined ecosystem, where vehicles evolve through software updates, digital services, and continuous performance improvements. The scale of that transformation is massive. As of last year, more than 400 million connected cars are on the road globally, with connectivity quickly becoming a baseline expectation for modern vehicles. At the center of this transformation is connectivity. And with the recent finalization of the GSMAâs SGP.32 specification, the industry has reached an important inflection point in how vehicles connect to mobile networks globally. The Growing Complexity of Automotive Connectivity Modern electric and software-defined vehicles rely on constant, secure connectivity to enable OTA updates, real-time diagnostics, ADAS enhancements, infotainment, telematics, and data-driven upgrades throughout the lifecycle. The complexity of these platforms is already immense. Todayâs vehicles can contain more than 300 million lines of code and generate up to 25 gigabytes of data per hour from sensors, telematics systems, and in-vehicle applications³. As automakers expand globally, this creates a logistical challenge: mobile network operator (MNO) requirements vary by country and region. Historically, supporting multiple markets often meant different hardware configurations, different SIM profiles, and region-specific integrations. That adds cost, operational overhead, and long-term rigidity â particularly for vehicles expected to remain in service for 10 years or more. What once worked for regional launches and fixed architectures no longer scales in a global, longâlived vehicle fleet. SGP.32 marks a shift from static connectivity choices to a framework where decisions can be managed, governed, and adapted over a decade or more of vehicle operation. What Makes SGP.32 Different? SGP.32 is the GSMAâs new eSIM specification designed specifically for IoT and automotive use cases. While earlier consumer-focused eSIM standards worked well for smartphones, vehicles present a fundamentally different set
Jul 28, 2026 · via pipelinepub.com
By: Ivo Ivanov In January 2007, Steve Jobs walked onto a stage in San Francisco and unveiled a device that would permanently alter the balance of power in the technology industry. At first glance, the iPhone looked like a âbetterâ phone, but with hindsight, we know it was something far more disruptive. It marked the moment when hardware stopped being the center of gravity. For the first time, particularly at this scale, the real value of the product didnât lie with the device itself â it lay in the software, the operating system, the apps, and the burgeoning ecosystem around it. Companies like Nokia and BlackBerry had spent years perfecting the physical handset, but the real winners of the smartphone era were the ones who controlled the platform. The likes of Google and Apple succeeded because they looked beyond the device, and into the user experience itself and the data that powers it. Hardware lost the battle, and now it looks like the automotive industry is about to have its own âsmartphone momentâ. For more than a century, competition in the automotive industry revolved around engineering, manufacturing, and mechanical innovation. Things like horsepower, fuel efficiency, safety, reliability, and design determined who succeeded and who didn't. Those things still matter, of course, but they are no longer the whole story. Today's vehicles are increasingly defined by software, connectivity, and data. They receive updates long after they leave the factory, learn from how they're driven, connect to cloud services, and generate a continuous stream of information about the vehicle, the driver, and the world around them. According to McKinsey, 95 percent of vehicles sold globally are expected to be connected by 2030. And as that transformation accelerates, automakers are finding themselves confronted by the same question that reshaped the smartphone market two
Jul 28, 2026 · via pipelinepub.com
Chinese-connected ‘surveillance packages on wheels’ facing Senate ban See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on GoogleMercedes-Benz faces a potential ban on selling connected vehicles in the US under legislation targeting automakers with significant ownership ties to China. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced a measure last week that would bar the sale of connected vehicles in the US by companies with more than 15% ownership by Chinese entities, potentially affecting German automaker Mercedes-Benz, in which two Chinese investors hold stakes totaling nearly 20%. Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, sponsored the bipartisan legislation, which would codify and expand restrictions established under the Biden administration, arguing that it “closes the door on Chinese-origin vehicles, software, and key components at every stage, from production, importation, to sale, so that data gathered on US roads can’t be funneled back to the Chinese government.” “Chinese cars are surveillance packages on wheels, with the ability to collect on American citizens and transmit that data back to Beijing,” Slotkin said in a statement. Moreno said the measure aims to prevent “an absolute, total, and complete destruction of our industrial base.” “China’s auto industry was not built to compete, it was built to destroy American manufacturing, gut the middle class and undermine our national security,” he said. But Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who chairs the Commerce Committee, warned that Mercedes-Benz could effectively be shut out of the US market if the legislation becomes law without changes and said the bill needed changes. Cruz accused General Motors of pushing for the measure to cut Mercedes-Benz out of the market and make its Cadillac brand more appealing. “We would never consider” banning Mercedes-Benz sales in the US, he said. GM contended that the legislation does not attempt to target an
Jul 28, 2026 · via nypost.com
Norway spent months trying to prove that a Chinese-built city bus could be remotely disabled by its manufacturer. It found that proof. What nobody expected is that the same capability has been sitting inside American cars for nearly two decades, sold back to drivers as a safety feature. Ruter, the transit authority that runs public buses across Oslo and Akershus, parked two electric buses inside an isolated facility built into a mountain, the kind of shielded space normally used to keep radio signals from leaking in or out, and let its own security engineers take them apart. One bus came from Yutong, the Chinese manufacturer that has quietly become one of Europe's largest electric bus suppliers. The other was a three-year-old unit from VDL, a Dutch manufacturer. Ruter chose that pairing deliberately: the two buses sit at opposite ends of how connected a modern transit vehicle can be. The Boring Bus Turned Out to Be the Safer One Ruter's own published findings are blunt about the VDL bus: it has no capability for over-the-air software updates at all. Every change to its systems requires a technician to physically connect a cable. That makes it a hassle to service. It also makes it nearly impossible to hijack remotely, which is exactly why Ruter's engineers moved past it quickly. The Yutong bus is the opposite. It receives software and diagnostic updates automatically, the same way a phone downloads a firmware patch overnight, except this particular phone weighs roughly 30,000 pounds and carries dozens of passengers through Oslo traffic. That connection routes through a Romanian SIM card, which gives Yutong direct digital access to the bus's battery and power management systems. Ruter's engineers concluded that, in theory, this access could be used to stop the bus or render it inoperable, not through some
Jul 28, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
Norway spent months trying to prove that a Chinese-built city bus could be remotely disabled by its manufacturer. It found that proof. What nobody expected is that the same capability has been sitting inside American cars for nearly two decades, sold back to drivers as a safety feature. Ruter, the transit authority that runs public buses across Oslo and Akershus, parked two electric buses inside an isolated facility built into a mountain, the kind of shielded space normally used to keep radio signals from leaking in or out, and let its own security engineers take them apart. One bus came from Yutong, the Chinese manufacturer that has quietly become one of Europe’s largest electric bus suppliers. The other was a three-year-old unit from VDL, a Dutch manufacturer. Ruter chose that pairing deliberately: the two buses sit at opposite ends of how connected a modern transit vehicle can be. The Boring Bus Turned Out to Be the Safer One Ruter’s own published findings are blunt about the VDL bus: it has no capability for over-the-air software updates at all. Every change to its systems requires a technician to physically connect a cable. That makes it a hassle to service. It also makes it nearly impossible to hijack remotely, which is exactly why Ruter’s engineers moved past it quickly. The Yutong bus is the opposite. It receives software and diagnostic updates automatically, the same way a phone downloads a firmware patch overnight, except this particular phone weighs roughly 30,000 pounds and carries dozens of passengers through Oslo traffic. That connection routes through a Romanian SIM card, which gives Yutong direct digital access to the bus’s battery and power management systems. Ruter’s engineers concluded that, in theory, this access could be used to stop the bus or render it inoperable, not through some
Jul 28, 2026 · via theautowire.com
Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the U.K. ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments. The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million. That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis. London in particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later. Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval. For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The U.K. government is in the process of creating
Jul 28, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Josh Nevett BYD Seal 6 Touring to become Australia's top-selling wagon 1 Day Ago Deputy Marketplace Editor Fast wagons may be disappearing from Australian showrooms, but BYD could buck the trend with a hotter version of its new Seal 6 Touring. Aussies are no strangers to performance wagons, having previously embraced V8 versions of the Holden Commodore. In more recent times, Volkswagen, Skoda, and Subaru have kept the segment alive. However, few affordable options remain, with the cheapest being the Skoda Octavia RS wagon priced from $62,990 drive-away. That could leave room for BYD to undercut the established players with a spicier version of the plug-in hybrid Seal 6 Touring, which is currently priced at $39,990 before on-road costs. "I guess we will wait to see the response from the Australian market and how this model goes," BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. “There are a lot of enthusiasts working at BYD in the product team, and we’re all thinking that, if this goes well, we could launch something with the mid-life update or whatever it is. “But, yeah, we’ve got a few ideas about what we could do. We would just need to work through HQ and Europe as well to see what that business case looks like.” The Seal 6 Touring was launched in Australia last month in a single Premium trim, powered by a version of BYD’s DM 5.0 Super Hybrid system. Unlike the all-electric Seal mid-size sedan, the Seal 6 wagon combines a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine with a 19kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack and an electric motor. The system produces 163kW and drives the front wheels exclusively. BYD claims the Touring can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds. By comparison, the Octavia RS wagon produces 195kW and 370Nm and
Jul 28, 2026 · via carexpert.com.au