Jay Li doesn’t recommend getting sued by Tesla if you’re trying to get a startup off the ground. But he does think his company, Proception, might be better off for having endured the experience. “I think it’s kind of like a resilience test, or pressure test,” he told TechCrunch in an exclusive interview. “People say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” Li, who was a technical lead on Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program, was accused by his former employer last year of absconding with trade secrets to start Proception. But after months of trading legal blows, he finally reached a settlement with Tesla, which dismissed the lawsuit earlier this month. (Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.) Now Li is free to tackle what he thinks is an even harder problem: making robot hands work like a human’s. To help do that, Proception announced Monday that it has raised an $11 million seed round led by First Round Capital, with contributions from Y Combinator and early-stage fund BoxGroup. Proception also announced Monday that it is shipping the first batch of its “high-dexterity robotic hand” to “researchers and robotics companies,” while opening up to wider orders. The goal, Li said, is to become the top hand supplier to other companies that don’t want to spend the time or resources developing what’s known in the industry as “dexterous manipulation.” While there’s been an avalanche of money and attention rushing into the world of robotics, Li believes not enough of that has gone to making robotic hands truly mimic a human’s hands. One of the loudest voices talking about this challenge has actually been his old boss, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has said robot hands are one of the biggest engineering problems yet to be solved. While
Jun 29, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
With so many pedigreed supercars around, it’s hard to break into the game as a startup that no one has heard of. But while it doesn’t have decades of backstory or a famous name at the helm, Netherlands-based Sanrivatti does have something unique: You won’t sit in the company’s planned supercar. You’ll straddle it. Sanrivatti has devised what it calls the “Apex Position,” a motorcycle-style seating position the company claims will combine with proprietary tech to give the driver a “heightened sense of awareness, superior balance, and enhanced connection during acceleration, braking, and cornering.” It’s all about making the driver feel more connected with what the car is doing, Sanrivatti boss Santiago Sánchez Rivero said in an interview with Top Gear. “On a high-performance motorcycle, rider and machine move as one,” Rivero said. “By contrast, even the world’s most capable performance cars frequently separate driver and machine through layers of architecture, packaging, systems technologies, and convention.” Exactly how Sanrivatti will achieve this higher level of connection is unclear. The company talks of “immersive ergonomics” and “controls designed around natural human movement.” And according to Top Gear, it counts veterans of McLaren, Lotus, Bentley, and Singer among its staff. But no details of the car’s construction or powertrain, or even a firm reveal date, have been disclosed so far. Other companies have tried to replicate the feel of a motorcycle with more wheels, but by focusing on the way bikes lean into corners rather than the seating position. Also hailing from the Netherlands, Carver was founded in 1994 and went bankrupt in 2024, but in between, it produced a three-wheeler with a pair of conventional seats placed in line. A proprietary control system allowed the extra-narrow vehicle to lean when cornering without toppling. The Mercedes-Benz F400 Carving concept of 2001 was
Jun 28, 2026 · via thedrive.com
- Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding new dealer networks across Canada. - Experts say entering America later could be surprisingly straightforward for brands. - Limited Canadian sales now matter less than bigger potential US opportunities later. Several Chinese brands are preparing Canadian launches despite strict limits on vehicle imports and relatively modest sales prospects. But the appeal of the Canadian market has less to do with immediate profits and more to do with what it could teach manufacturers ahead of a potential future move into the United States, a new report says. Canada recently opened the door to a limited number of Chinese-built EVs, allowing imports under a quota system that starts at 49,000 vehicles annually. That’s hardly enough volume to transform anyone’s balance sheet, especially when multiple brands are competing for the same customers. Related: Canada Tells Chinese Brands They Can Sell EVs Past The Quota, On One Condition Yet automakers including Chery, BYD, Changan and Lotus are all making plans. Some are recruiting dealers, others are carrying out testing programs, and several are already preparing vehicles for regulatory approval. And the reason they’re going to all of that trouble, Reuters reports, is that Canada’s automotive market looks remarkably similar to America’s. Consumer preferences and budgets overlap heavily, regulations are broadly comparable and dealership structures operate in much the same way. That means any company that successfully establishes itself in Canada could gain valuable experience before eventually tackling the much larger US market. Dan Hearsch, global co-leader of AlixPartners’ automotive practice, told Reuters that moving from Canada into the United States later would be like “flipping a switch.” Eyes On The US Prize Robert Karwel of J.D. Power Canada was even more direct in the same report, describing Canada as “the practice run for the US.” That prospect continues
Jun 28, 2026 · via carscoops.com
CHINA, June 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Li Auto has officially entered the Macao Special Administrative Region (Hereinafter referred to as Macao) market with the opening of its first retail center in partnership with Hong Yue Group at Macao’s Gold Island. Alongside the launch, Li Auto has completed a series of localized product adaptations, encompassing window glass, communication networks, and the smart cockpit system, to meet local regulatory requirements and the needs of Macao and the mainland. Recognizing Macao as a premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, this milestone represents a pivotal leap forward in connecting mainland China with global markets. Since Macao also plays a unique role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Macao retail center not only enables local consumers to experience Li Auto’s products and services firsthand but also strengthens the company’s service network across the Greater Bay Area. The opening of Macao’s first retail center allows local customers to explore the Li i6 and Li i8 while enjoying a seamless, all-in-one journey from vehicle purchase and delivery to after-sales care. To address varying regional regulations and driving habits, Li Auto has tailored its vehicles to ensure that Macao customers receive the same high-quality experience as customers in mainland China. In response to local regulations governing vehicle glass light transmittance, Li Auto collaborated with Fuyao Glass, a global leader in automotive glazing solutions, to develop an original-equipment-specification laminated non-privacy glass solution for Macao models. The solution fully complies with local regulations while preserving the vehicles’ performance in noise insulation, thermal comfort, and safety. This commitment to global consistency extends to software as well. Recognizing the high volume of multi-city travel between Hong Kong, Macao, and the mainland, Li Auto has fully localized its connectivity, infotainment, and navigation systems. Li Auto vehicles now support
Jun 28, 2026 · via kitsapsun.com
Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup June 21-27, 2026 | | The Auto Channel — Trusted automotive reporting for 31 years. This article is part of The Auto Channel’s independent automotive coverage library — one of the longest-running automotive publications online (since 1995). Our editors test, research, and document vehicles, technologies, recalls, and ownership experiences to help drivers make informed decisions. Unlike short news blurbs, our content is written for long-term usefulness — explaining what the vehicle is, why it matters, and how it affects real owners. Coverage includes reviews, specifications, safety data, recall history, industry context, and real-world driving impressions collected over decades of reporting. | | The full version of today’s News Nuggets — along with hundreds of thousands of additional articles, reviews, and editorial insights — can be found in The Auto Channel’s Million-Page Automotive Library, built and indexed over three decades. To dive deeper, simply copy any headline and paste it into this or any Site Search box on The Auto Channel. LEARN MORE FROM THE WEB'S LONGEST RUNNING AUTOMOTIVE COLUMN Here are Larry’s Top Auto Story Picks of the Week of June 21-27-20, 2026; Larry picked these as important, relevant, interesting and sometimes semi-secret stories you need to know—served up as snappy, opinionated, and insider-sharp, these are expertly crafted, easy-to-understand news nuggets that cut through the noise and get right to what matters to you in the automotive world. | | * Which cars are most American made? Cars.com’s American-Made Index has once again ranked all qualifying vehicles built and bought in the U.S. for model-year 2026. Now in its 21st year of publication, some 379 vehicles of model-year 2026 vintage were analyzed to qualify the vehicles that ultimately made the full list of 86. Click through to see the complete results and where a vehicle
Jun 28, 2026 · via theautochannel.com
My mornings tend to start with a fairly consistent routine. I grab my coffee, get in my car, and hit the gym. Before leaving the driveway, I usually unlock my phone, open my maps app, start the music, and enable do not disturb, making sure that everything is ready to go before I start driving. These are simple tasks, but fairly annoying to do every day, first thing. That’s why I put together a simple automation using Android’s built-in tools so that I didn’t have to do any of these steps manually again. My goal was to achieve all of this using Android’s built-in tools so that it would work reliably instead of depending on an app that could fail because of battery optimization algorithms. In 2026, my phone should be able to recognize when I’m driving to the gym at a consistent time every morning and set all the modes and rules automatically. Turns out, the tools have always been there. I wasn’t using them. Since then, I’ve been using the automation for the last couple of weeks, and it’s been rock-solid and exactly what I was looking for. It has become my favorite feature on my Google Pixel phone. I started automating these routines on my Google Pixel and streamlined my daily routine My Pixel predicts my entire day now My phone knows when I start driving A Bluetooth connection is the perfect trigger The entire routine revolves around a very simple idea. My phone already knows when I’ve started driving, so it should enable my preferred features and modes when I get in the car. The goal was to set my car’s Bluetooth connection as the trigger for everything else. As soon as my phone connects to my car’s Bluetooth, the wireless automation kicks in. Instead of
Jun 28, 2026 · via androidpolice.com
A new car is already a big enough decision before you start thinking about apps, subscriptions, software updates, and trial features. I was reminded of that recently when my mother-in-law needed to replace her car. She had bought a hybrid a year earlier, and unfortunately, it gave her enough problems that she was ready to move on. So I was enlisted to help with the search. She was looking for a compact SUV that fit her needs, which meant comparing four or five options from brands like Subaru, Hyundai, Toyota, and a few others. We had the usual conversations with dealers about price, reliability, warranties, safety features, and what was actually available on the lot. But because I spend a lot of time writing about technology, I also had another set of questions in the back of my mind. Modern cars aren't just cars anymore. They're also app platforms, subscription bundles, connected devices, and software products. Before she bought anything, I wanted to know what would still work a few years from now. A car can feel great during a test drive because everything is turned on, paired, updated, and ready to impress you. That doesn't always mean every feature is included forever. Some features may be tied to free trials. Some may require a paid connected-service plan. Others may depend on an app, a cellular connection, or future software support from the automaker. That's why these four questions are worth asking before you buy, not after the free trial expires or the infotainment system starts feeling old. What subscriptions are tied to this vehicle The free trial is part of the sales pitch The first question I'd ask is simple: what features on this vehicle require an active subscription now, and what features will require one later? That sounds
Jun 28, 2026 · via howtogeek.com
Just last week, we published a story about how companies that maintain automatic license plate readers—and profit from selling the data they collect—are also looking to track electronic signatures from connected devices and even your car’s infotainment hardware with a new product straightforwardly named SignalTrace. And they’re not stopping there. 404media published a report on Tuesday detailing plans to equip schoolhouses with automatic license plate readers and turn the data over to law enforcement. The report is based on leaked documents from BusPatrol, a company that specializes in stop-arm cameras that capture images of drivers illegally passing school buses (“stop-arm” is the proper name of the fold-out stop signs on school buses). The company claims to have over 40,000 of these cameras deployed across 24 states, and at least 30 states permit them. They use AI software to automatically review images and submit them to law enforcement. As noted by Reason, stop-arm cameras have been criticized for not delivering promised safety benefits, but they’ve nonetheless generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the companies that deploy them. And according to the report, BusPatrol now wants to turn those cameras into license plate readers. Instead of activating when a specific law is allegedly being violated, they’ll now reportedly be live at all times, capturing data on any vehicle within sight of a school bus that can then be sold to the law-enforcement agencies BusPatrol already counts as customers. Civil rights advocates are already concerned that the current, unregulated use of automatic license plate readers amounts to unconstitutional mass surveillance by the government. And the potential for abuse is already being demonstrated. This same week, 404media published additional reporting detailing police officers using the wildly popular camera system Flock to stalk people. Taking humans might not help. Speaking to 404media
Jun 28, 2026 · via thedrive.com
- Expected to debut in early 2027 - Will get turbo petrol and hybrid power Spied on test The Renault Duster might be capturing all the headlines right now and seems to be enjoying its place in the spotlight. However, that spot will soon have to be shared with its elder sibling. This is expected to be a localised version of the Dacia Bigster/Renault Boreal SUV, which will be offered with three rows of seating for the first time. Dimensions, features and powertrains The spy images reveal the same silhouette as the Duster, but with the added length at the rear to accommodate the third row. The Duster has a length of 4.3-meters with a wheelbase of 2.65-meters while the Bigster/Boreal has a length of 4.57-meters and a wheelbase of 2.70-meters. It is expected to have the same features and powertrain options as the Renault Duster. The former will include things like climate control, dual digital screens, level 2 ADAS, connected car technology and a full LED light package. It is expected to get the 1.3-litre turbo petrol and the 1.8-litre strong hybrid. The latter will make its debut with the Duster during the 2026 festival season. Piece of the puzzle This SUV will be a large piece of Renault’s India puzzle. It will be the automaker’s new flagship vehicle and will be Renault’s answer to the likes of the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It will also spawn an equivalent Nissan model. Renault will launch a facelift for the Kwid early next month and this is expected to be the most major update for Renault’s smallest car. RGMP Deep Dive Reveals New Details on Upcoming Three-row SUV
Jun 28, 2026 · via carwale.com
There’s a new autonomous vehicle (AV) in town: Waymo is launching a specially configured robotaxi, a few of which are circling the streets of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The original Waymos are Jaguar I-PACE luxury SUVs with an added sensor stack including cameras, LiDAR, and radars. The new vehicles, which look like snub-nosed minivans, are made by Chinese auto manufacturer Geely on its Zeekr platform. Waymo then adds the sensor stack. There are more than 100 in the fleet, compared with thousands of I-PACEs. "The technology that collects data and makes our vehicles autonomous—the software, sensors, and computing systems—is developed in the US. Waymo installs the autonomous driving technology on stripped-down, disconnected OEM-provided vehicles in our Arizona manufacturing facility,” says Sandy Karp, a Waymo spokesperson and my tour guide on a recent ride. (Last year, the US banned most Chinese and Russian connected-car tech.) Waymo calls the finished product Ojai. It’s a city in Southern California, but no doubt a playful reference to the pronunciation of "oh, hi!" Its parent company, Alphabet, generally doesn’t have a sense of humor in its product naming, but its subsidiary, Google, did recently launch an AI image-generation product called Nano Banana. When Karp pulled up in my purple chariot, she asked where I wanted to go. San Francisco’s famously twisty Lombard Street, of course! Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that. Waymos are designed to take the fastest route, and eight switchbacks with tourists driving down in awe of San Francisco at 5mph will never be that. Functional Upgrades Over Luxury The first thing I noticed is that the sensors are better integrated into the Ojai. On the I-PACE, it looks like someone added a crown to a Jaguar. (Which is exactly what they did.) Waymo has optimized costs by reducing the number of
Jun 28, 2026 · via pcmag.com
Your Car Is Now a Smart Gadget: Why Connected Apps Are Changing Everything Modern cars are turning into smart gadgets on wheels via connected car apps. These platforms link your smartphone directly to your vehicle for better control. Drivers now enjoy features like remote engine starts and geo-fencing. This digital bridge offers Indian owners a new level of convenience. It proves that software is now just as vital as hardware. Remote control usefulness is the biggest draw for tech-savvy buyers today. You can cool the cabin before entering on a hot summer afternoon. The app also lets you check fuel levels from your living room sofa. Such features make daily commutes more comfortable and less stressful. It effectively turns the vehicle into a personal assistant on wheels. Security Benefits of Connected Car Apps Safety remains a primary concern for every Indian car owner. Real-time theft tracking using the Global Positioning System (GPS) helps recover vehicles quickly. This GPS technology provides the exact location of the car to the authorities. Geofencing alerts notify you if your car moves beyond a chosen area. Digital tools act as a silent guardian for your expensive asset. Remote Diagnostics through Connected Car Apps Predictive maintenance alerts help drivers avoid sudden breakdowns on busy roads. The system monitors engine health and battery life through remote diagnostics efficiently. It sends a notification to your phone when service is needed soon. This ensures your vehicle stays in peak condition for many years. Proactive care reduces the total cost of ownership over time. Subscription ecosystems are now common as brands offer premium digital packages. However, this shift highlights the vital importance of data privacy today. Manufacturers must protect sensitive location data from potential cyber threats constantly. Smart drivers should read terms before sharing their driving habits online. Balancing digital
Jun 28, 2026 · via drivespark.com
About
Press
Copyright
Contact us
Creators
Advertise
Developers
Terms
Privacy
Policy & Safety
How YouTube works
Test new features
NFL Sunday Ticket
© 2026 Google LLC
Jun 28, 2026 · via youtube.com
Polestar says US rules will force end to vehicle sales in 2027 STOCKHOLM/WASHINGTON, D.C.: Polestar said June 25 that it will be forced to stop selling vehicles in the United States from the 2027 model year after the Trump administration declined to authorize the Swedish electric-vehicle maker under rules targeting China-linked connected-car technology. The company said the U.S. Department of Commerce did not permit it to sell vehicles under the Connected Vehicles Rule, which restricts the import and sale of cars that use certain technology linked to China, effective from the 2027 model year. The rules cover Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular connectivity, and some satellite communications technologies, citing national security concerns over the potential collection of sensitive data on U.S. vehicle owners. Polestar shares fell 5.7 percent in early trading. The rule was adopted in January 2025 under former President Joe Biden and has remained in place under President Donald Trump. It is part of wider U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese-made and China-linked vehicles while supporting domestic car manufacturing. Imports of Chinese electric vehicles already face high tariffs, while lawmakers have proposed additional restrictions. Polestar, which is based in Sweden and majority-owned by China's Geely Holding, said it would continue selling existing Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models in the United States and maintain access to its service network. The Commerce Department did not immediately comment. Polestar had warned in 2024 that the connected-vehicle rules would "effectively prohibit" it from selling vehicles in the United States, including models manufactured there. "The automotive industry is entering a new phase, based on regional dynamics. Our strategy reflects that, with Europe being our largest growth engine and our plan to manufacture Polestar 7 in Europe," Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said. The automaker has increasingly focused on Europe as its U.S. sales remain weak amid
Jun 28, 2026 · via bignewsnetwork.com
Polestar US sales ban starts with model year 2027 vehicles. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security did not authorize the Chinese-owned EV brand under the Connected Vehicles Rule. Polestar confirmed the decision in an investor release. It said the company will focus more heavily on Europe as the US market becomes harder to serve. The decision does not mean current Polestar owners suddenly lose support. It targets sales of new model year 2027 vehicles in the United States. Polestar says existing new-vehicle inventory remains available. That includes Polestar 3 SUVs built in South Carolina and Polestar 4 vehicles imported before the rule takes effect. What the Connected Vehicles Rule Does The BIS rule targets connected-vehicle hardware and software linked to China or Russia. Commerce officials argue that modern cars can collect location data, camera feeds, and sensor data at scale. The software restrictions begin with model year 2027 vehicles. Hardware restrictions follow later for model year 2030 vehicles. That distinction matters for Polestar because the company is majority-owned by China’s Geely. The rule does not simply look at where a car is assembled. It also looks at ownership, software, and hardware. A manufacturer needs authorization to keep selling connected vehicles in the US. Even the US-Made Polestar 3 Is Affected This lands awkwardly because Polestar moved Polestar 3 production to South Carolina in 2024. The shift helped reduce exposure to tariffs on China-built EVs. Those US-built SUVs were supposed to make the brand look more local. Under the Connected Vehicles Rule, that is not enough by itself. The compliance question follows the connected technology and corporate structure. Polestar is not presenting the US as its main growth engine anymore. The company says Europe accounted for nearly 80 percent of its global sales in 2024. It also says 94
Jun 27, 2026 · via techmymoney.com
Polestar and Volvo share a Chinese owner, a Swedish badge and a South Carolina assembly line. However, only Volvo will be selling new cars in the United States from the 2027 model year. Commerce does not publish its authorization decisions, and Volvo‘s own account describes a private, case-by-case negotiation. Volvo cleared the rule a month before the denial reached Polestar, yet the gap between the two siblings, not either ruling alone, is what now hangs over the brand’s US exit. That gap is being pressed by Polestar‘s dealers and former executives, the people the company itself will not echo. The Shared Ground Polestar and Volvo sit under the same controlling shareholder, China’s Geely and its founder Li Shufu, who together hold about two-thirds of the EV maker. PSD Investment, Li’s personal holding company, is the largest single owner at roughly 44%, while Volvo keeps about 16%. Both are publicly traded, Volvo on Nasdaq Stockholm and Polestar on the Nasdaq under the ticker PSNY. That ownership placed both brands inside the Connected Vehicle Rule’s definition of a manufacturer subject to Chinese control, the same test each had to clear. Finalized in January 2025, the rule bars carmakers owned or controlled by China or Russia from selling connected vehicles in the US, whatever the assembly location. Ridgeville, South Carolina, builds the Polestar 3 on the same line as the Volvo EX90, with output consolidated there earlier this year. Volvo has put about $1.3 billion into that site, which runs a body shop, a paint shop, a battery-pack line and final assembly and employs more than 2,000 workers. Only Volvo operates the plant, and Polestar keeps no American factory of its own, leaning on that workforce to build its single US model. So a US-built Polestar, rolling off the same line as an
Jun 27, 2026 · via eletric-vehicles.com
One of our newer customers called in and stated that his BMW M3 had gone into limp mode. He told us that a few days before, his dynamic stability light (DSC) turned on while driving. He then pulled over, turned the car off and started it again. After restarting the car the DSC light was off. Two days later, he was accelerating onto the freeway and the car lost power and went into limp mode, yet this time it did not recover. During the second failure, the service engine light (CEL) also turned on and did not turn off. The CEL stores codes in the digital motor electronics (DME) computer. As soon as we received the car, we connected it to the Intelligent Service Technical Application (ISTA). We ran the short test and pulled three codes. We pulled 0027E4 DME: Vacuum sensor, Brake booster, plausibility, 0027E6 DME: No electricity fuel pump activation and 002B13 DME: Speed recording. The primary code we have to address first is the 0027E4 DME: Vacuum sensor, Brake booster, plausibility. Before I go on, I want to explain the power brake system we have to diagnose. Most power brake boosters on the market gain their assist from a vacuum source. For the past 60 years that vacuum source primarily came from the engine intake manifold. The problem with that is that the air that is removed from the intake affects the air-fuel mixture. Another mainstream vacuum source is from a mechanical pump that is driven off the engine. Again, the problem with that is it robbed horsepower and does not play well with valve-controlled throttles. The answer to all of these problems is to have a separate electronic vacuum pump. We then ran the test plan for the vacuum sensor fault. To run this test, we
Jun 27, 2026 · via losaltosonline.com
Jacob Sutton/Getty Images © 2026 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved. When software controls repairs, owning your car doesn't mean what it used to. When President Trump emerged from a recent meeting with automotive executives and said he found it strange that some industry leaders oppose Americans repairing their own vehicles, most coverage focused on the politics. I was more interested in what happened afterward. If manufacturers truly support independent repairs, why remove provisions governing the very data modern repairs increasingly depend upon? Because the deeper you dig into the latest right-to-repair fight, the more one question keeps surfacing: Why are automakers fighting so hard to control information generated by vehicles consumers already own? Follow the money Follow the money, and the picture becomes much clearer. The U.S. automotive service market generates roughly $200 billion annually. Service departments are among the industry's most reliable profit centers. As vehicles become more software-driven and connected, automakers have discovered that selling the car no longer has to end the customer relationship. Software subscriptions, connected services, maintenance plans, warranty work, and dealership repairs all create recurring revenue long after the vehicle leaves the showroom. There's nothing wrong with companies pursuing new revenue streams. The problem begins when protecting those revenue streams limits consumer choice. That's why the latest legislative fight deserves attention. Stripped for parts The debate centers on H.R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026. Supporters describe it as a way to modernize regulations while preserving independent repair access. On the surface, that sounds like good news for consumers. Then something interesting happened. One of the most important parts of the broader right-to-repair debate disappeared. Language covering telematics — the wireless vehicle data increasingly needed for diagnostics, calibrations, software updates, and repairs — was stripped from the bill before it advanced
Jun 27, 2026 · via theblaze.com
Hateful vandal carves swastika into car on Upper East Side in ‘despicable act of antisemitism’ See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on GoogleA hateful vandal carved a swastika onto the hood of a parked car on the Upper East Side this week – a disturbing act being investigated as a hate crime, potentially linked to an Israeli flag displayed in the back seat. The owner of the car, a 56-year-old woman, discovered the antisemitic vandalism on Friday morning – three days after parking on East 85th Street near First Avenue, cops said. The driver had an Israeli flag inside the car, which may be connected to the vile attack, the Daily News reported. Elected officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned the vandalism. “The swastika carved into a car on the Upper East Side is a despicable act of antisemitism,” Mamdani wrote on X. “It is a hateful attack of intimidation on our Jewish neighbors and on the values that make our city what it is. “To every Jewish New Yorker: your city stands with you,” the mayor said. “We will confront acts of antisemitism wherever they appear with urgency and without exception.” City Council Speaker Julie Menin also weighed in. “This horrific, antisemitic symbol continues to appear across our city,” Menin wrote in her own X post. “Sadly, this isn’t the first time it’s been discovered in my district.” Menin added that the council is in communication with the NYPD, which is currently investigating the incident, adding that Jewish New Yorkers “refuse to let antisemitism be normalized.” The incident comes amid a troubling trend of rising hate crimes in the city. In May alone, hate crimes skyrocketed by 74.4 % – from 39 to 68 – compared to the same month last
Jun 27, 2026 · via nypost.com
As Project South investigators swept across the Greater Toronto Area, arresting several cops as well as the network of alleged criminals they’re accused of conspiring with, a group of officers descended on a North York car lot. During that Feb. 4 raid on Lecos Auto Sales, officers seized a Ford F150 that was listed for sale. According to authorities, the truck had a vehicle identification number belonging to another F150 that had been shipped out of Canada in 2024. The vehicle’s “true VIN,” authorities allege, matched that of a truck that had been stolen from Toronto streets nearly two years earlier. Investigators also allegedly uncovered other fake VIN plates and forged VIN stamps at the dealership. Phil Lecos, the auto lot operator, was charged with one count of possession of property obtained by crime. He was among the 28 names included by police when they announced the Project South arrests, but Lecos’s alleged role in the sweeping corruption probe was unclear. Lecos Auto Sales, tucked on an industrial drag near Keele Street and Lawrence Avenue W., is less than a 10-minute drive from Toronto police’s 12 Division, where at least five of the officers arrested in Project South have worked over their careers. An increasing number of connections outlined in both civil and criminal court records, as well as financial and regulatory documents, suggest it’s more than geography tying Lecos and his dealership to the case that has rocked the Toronto Police Service. Meanwhile, a provincial authority is trying to strip the dealership and its financing branch of being allowed to sell vehicles. The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) has suspended, and will move to revoke, the registration of Lecos Auto Sales’ North York location, along with that of its financing entity, Vista Finance, in light of Lecos’s arrest.
Jun 27, 2026 · via thestar.com
- The 2027 Hyundai Elantra was revealed under its South Korean Avante nameplate at the 2026 Busan auto show in South Korea this week. - Hyundai made massive changes to the Elantra's exterior and interior designs, with a sharp, angular approach that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. - The Avante will go on sale in South Korea later this year, and the Elantra will likely reach the United States in 2027. The 2027 Elantra is bigger and sharper-looking than ever in its first redesign since 2021. Hyundai unveiled the new model in South Korea just days after we caught it testing in Austria and California. The Elantra, known as the Avante in South Korea, was revealed at the 2026 Busan auto show in Busan, South Korea, where attendees got a first look at the dramatic new styling. The grille got a major overhaul, with an angular jawline replacing the current model's wide, sweeping mouth. The headlights were pinched down to become thin perpendicular lines that follow the car's bodywork. The new design could easily fit in on a sci-fi movie set. For Sale Near You See all results for new 2027 Hyundai Elantra for sale near 08901 Hyundai ditched the Z-shaped creases along the side of the car for straight lines and more defined front and rear fenders, which complement the front end's angular flair. The front and rear windows blend together, with black trim along the B-pillar, while the C-pillar stands out in the car's paint color and separates the two main windows from a small triangular window toward the back. The wheels complete the jagged look with a five-spoke star shape. The back certainly takes inspiration from the current Elantra, but it's revamped with fewer angles and a boxier design. The taillights mimic the front perpendicular
Jun 27, 2026 · via caranddriver.com