NOVI, Mich. — 1,800 auto industry delegates gathered for the first-ever combined ceremony of the AutoTech Awards, the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX Awards, and the Women Automotive Network Awards. Brought together under a single banner — “Where Innovation Meets Excellence” — by AutoTech, Omdia Automotive, and WardsAuto, all partners within Informa, the evening was designed to establish what organizers called a new gold standard for recognizing automotive excellence. Hosted by Edward Wilford, Senior Research Director at Omdia Automotive, the ceremony honored winners across twelve categories: six Company Awards and six Product/Service Awards. Together they mapped, with unusual precision, the industry’s present preoccupations — AI integration, software-defined vehicle architecture, cybersecurity, interior experience, and the endless, unresolved negotiation between screen and knob. The evening produced at least one resounding consensus: Hyundai Motor Group is, right now, the automaker the rest of the industry is watching most carefully. The Automaker of the Year: A Standard Other Brands Are Chasing Hyundai Motor Group took home the night’s top honor, Automaker of the Year, presented by John Heinlein, Chief Marketing Officer of Sonatus — the award’s sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. It was not a close call, according to the judges’ citation. The group was recognized for what judges described as a gold standard of consistent excellence: an unprecedented three consecutive World Car of the Year wins, a revolutionary dedicated EV platform, ultra-fast 800-volt charging architecture, and a model lineup that routinely earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designations and international design accolades. It is a portfolio encompassing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis that has made HMG the benchmark against which rivals now measure ambition. The recognition arrives at a pivotal moment. HMG’s electric vehicle strategy, built around the Ioniq and EV platforms, has demonstrated that range, performance, and charging speed can be delivered
Jun 4, 2026 · via autoconnectedcar.com
Volvo Cars Wins US Approval for Connected Vehicle Sales Volvo Cars has received authorization from the US government to continue importing and selling connected vehicles despite its majority ownership by China's Geely Holding, clearing a key regulatory hurdle as the automaker expands its North American manufacturing footprint and broadens its product strategy to include both electric and hybrid vehicles. The approval follows regulations finalized by the Biden administration in January 2025 that effectively restrict most Chinese vehicles and vehicle technologies from entering the US market. The rules prohibit most software developed and maintained in China for connected vehicles beginning with the 2027 model year and apply to companies with significant Chinese ownership. “Because of our ownership structure, Volvo Car USA had to undergo a process with the US Department of Commerce to obtain a specific authorization allowing the continued import and sale of connected vehicles in the country,” Volvo said in a statement. “With this specific authorization, Volvo Cars can continue its growth plans in the United States.” The automaker said the authorization was granted following what it described as “constructive discussions” with US government agencies regarding the company’s governance framework, technology architecture, and data security practices. The decision provides greater certainty for Volvo’s US operations as the company increases local manufacturing capacity. In September, Volvo announced plans to begin production of a new hybrid vehicle in the United States before the end of the decade. The model is being developed specifically for the US market and is expected to increase utilization at the company’s manufacturing facility in South Carolina. The company has also confirmed that production of the Volvo XC60 midsize SUV will begin in South Carolina in late 2026. Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson previously stated that the automaker intends to manufacture more vehicles in the United States as
Jun 3, 2026 · via mexicobusiness.news
In brief - Security experts are warning that internet-linked vehicles are posing increasing risks. - Ninety-five per cent of vehicles in Australia are expected to be internet-linked by 2035. Security experts have cautioned that internet-linked vehicles pose an increasing threat to Australian consumers as their data-gathering capabilities grow. The country's top spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), issued a recent warning that government officials should avoid having confidential conversations in internet-linked vehicles. "Obviously, a connected car may have other vectors to gather that information, but those conversations should only ever happen in places that are set up for classified conversations," ASIO's deputy director general Lisa Alonso Love told Senate Estimates last week. "We would say that people should be conscious of the things that they are discussing in vehicles, knowing that people may be able to get that information." Experts have told SBS News that the risk of malicious actors taking advantage of the smart capabilities of vehicles is growing and that the public is unaware of the risks their high-tech cars pose. News that makes sense Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox. "Most people haven't fully ingested how many data points are being collected in a vehicle," Montii Abid, a cybersecurity consultant and researcher at the University of Technology Sydney, said. "The tech has moved away from being something simple to being a computer with a microphone, cameras, personal data, everything." A 2021 report by consulting firm McKinsey estimated that half of the vehicles on Australian roads that year were connected to the internet. By 2035, that number is expected to rise to 95 per cent. The same report found that sensors across the car can generate one to two terabytes
Jun 3, 2026 · via sbs.com.au
Key Legal Insights from Foley’s Automotive Team Analysis by Julie Dautermann, Competitive Intelligence Analyst KEY DEVELOPMENTS - Foley & Lardner partners Nicholas Ellis and Vanessa Miller were featured in Supply & Demand Chain Executive for their article, 6 Strategies to Reduce Price Risk and Strengthen Supply Chain Stability. - U.S. new light-vehicle sales are projected to reach a SAAR of 16.3 million units in May, representing an increase of 5.8% year-over-year, according to a joint forecast from JD Power and GlobalData. The analysis notes that year-over-year comparisons remain challenging, as May 2025 results were lowered by accelerated purchases in the two preceding months in response to U.S. import tariffs. Total global sales in 2026 are forecast to decline 1.1% YOY to 91.1 million units, due to market challenges that include the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and weakened sales within China. - Plante Moran’s 2026 North American Automotive OEM-Supplier Working Relations Index® (WRI®) Study revealed overall improvements across all six North American OEMs for the first time in the study’s history. Toyota and Honda are in the top two positions, followed by GM, Nissan, Ford, and Stellantis. - Foley & Lardner provided an update for multinationals pertaining to new rules for Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper derivatives. - The Justice Department filed notice on May 29 announcing plans to appeal a Court of International Trade order that granted all U.S. importers the ability to seek refunds on IEEPA tariffs that were deemed unlawful by the U.S. Supreme Court. - The U.S. Court of International Trade will not stay its ruling prohibiting the collection of Section 122 10% global tariffs for certain plaintiff importers while the judgment is appealed, according to a report in Law360. This follows a federal appeals court’s temporary stay on a decision that
Jun 3, 2026 · via jdsupra.com
LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) today announced an expanded collaboration with AT&T (NYSE: T) and Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) to support next-generation in-vehicle entertainment experiences through AT&T's Connected Car™ platform. The collaboration enables automotive OEMs to more easily deploy premium connected entertainment services using AT&T's Connected Car platform and Cisco's multi-party billing technology, with LiveOne delivering personalized music, curated playlists, and live audio content directly to drivers and passengers. "Working with AT&T allows LiveOne to seamlessly bring our premium music and entertainment experience directly into connected vehicles at scale," said Bradley Konkol, Head of LiveOne's Slacker Radio. "By leveraging AT&T's established Connected Car platform, we can simplify OEM integration while delivering a best-in-class in-car audio experience to consumers nationwide." As part of the collaboration, LiveOne will be available as a bundled entertainment option in select vehicles equipped with AT&T Connected Car services. Because connectivity and billing infrastructure are already integrated through the AT&T platform, automakers can deploy LiveOne's entertainment services faster and with reduced operational complexity, supported by AT&T's work with more than 60 of the top global automotive brands. "Our Connected Car platform is designed to help automakers accelerate deployment of connected digital experiences," said Matt Harden, Vice President, Connected Solutions at AT&T. "By working with LiveOne and Cisco, we're enabling scalable, turnkey entertainment experiences that simplify integration for OEMs while enhancing the in-vehicle experience for consumers." With its multi-party billing capabilities, Cisco's Mobility Services Platform allows connectivity and entertainment providers to independently manage services on the same embedded SIM within the vehicle, helping OEMs streamline deployment and scale connected services more efficiently. About AT&T Business AT&T Business offers a wide range of solutions designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes. Services include high-speed internet, networking, mobile connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud services, and IoT solutions. AT&T Business also provides unified
Jun 3, 2026 · via investingnews.com
U.S. Wants to Block Chinese Connected Cars From Even Driving Over The Border A new bill aims to ban Chinese-made connected vehicles from ever even driving across the border into the United States via Canada or Mexico. Representative Haley Stevens and Senator Elissa Slotkin, both Michigan Democrats, announced the Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act last week. The legislation would prohibit connected vehicles from China and other adversarial nations from entering the U.S., whether they are imported for sale or simply driven across the border by bored boomers from the GTA looking for discounts in the outlet malls of Buffalo, or to their time shares in Myrtle Beach. That would include vehicles made or designed in China, vehicles built by Chinese companies, and vehicles from any automaker more than 15 percent owned by Chinese entities. The concern is that modern connected vehicles can collect and transmit location data, video, mapping information, and other data that could be valuable to foreign governments. “The Chinese Communist Party should never have access to sensitive information about American drivers, roads, or critical infrastructure,” Stevens said. Slotkin used stronger language, calling Chinese connected vehicles “surveillance packages on wheels.” She said the bill is intended to stop fully finished Chinese vehicles from crossing into the U.S. “in any capacity, even just for the day.” Public Safety Canada has already warned that connected vehicle systems could be used to establish movement patterns or monitor sensitive sites. The Canadians also pointed out that national security laws in China can compel companies to share data with domestic authorities. The bill arrives as the doors to Canada are opening to China's EVs. Earlier this year, Canada agreed to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the country at a reduced 6.1-percent tariff rate, down from the previous 100-percent rate.
Jun 3, 2026 · via thetruthaboutcars.com
Kars4Kids-connected nonprofit gave no money to charity, records show
Joe Strupp
Asbury Park Press
June 3, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ET
LAKEWOOD – A Texas-based affiliate of Kars4Kids, which offers a similar car donation pick up service for charitable donations, has not distributed any of its millions of dollars to charity since it began in 2020, according to tax records.
Jun 3, 2026 · via app.com
Kia Sonet vs Mg Astor Kia Sonet Diesel 1.5 GTX+ AT 14.00 lakh Mg Astor 1.5 Petrol Savvy Pro CVT 15.30 lakh Engine & Transmission Fuel Type/ Propulsion Engine Installation Number of Cylinders Engine Displacement Engine Type Max Engine Power Max Engine Torque Drive Layout Gearbox Type Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox Number of Gears Lockable Differential/s Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox Pure Electric Driving Mode Fuel & Performance Fuel Tank Capacity Emission Standard E20 Compatibility Terrain Modes Official Fuel Economy Drive Mode Types Fuel Supply System Auto Start/Stop Autocar Tested City Mileage Autocar Tested Highway Mileage Autocar Tested Mileage 20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown) 40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown) 0-100kph City Fuel Economy as Tested Highway Fuel Economy as Tested User Reported Mileage Suspension & Steering Front Brakes Rear Brakes Type of Power Assist 4 Wheel Steer Steering Adjust Steering Adjust type Front Suspension Type Front Springs Rear Suspension Type Rear Springs Damper Control Ride Height Adjust Wheels Wheel Size Front Tyre Size Rear Tyre Size Spare Wheel Dimensions Length Width Chassis Type Height Wheelbase Doors Ground Clearance Kerb Weight Boot Capacity Comfort Power Windows Door Pockets Steering Mounted Controls Bottle Holder in Doors Cabin Boot Access Comfort Headrest Cooled Cup Holders Cooled Glovebox Cooled Storage Heated ORVM Cup Holders Headlight and Ignition on Reminder Digital Instrument Cluster Roof Grab Handles Accessory Power Outlet Driver Armrest Storage Driver rear view monitor (DRVM) Rear Window Sun Shades Electric Tailgate Release Rear Reading Lamp Rear Parcel Tray Flat Bottom Steering Wheel Foldable Seatback Table Glove Box Power Windows with One Touch-Down Powered Tailgate Powered Backseat Recline Adjustment Front Seatback Pockets Bluetooth Connectivity Vanity Mirror Utility Recess On Dashboard Sunglass Holder Trunk Light Voice Assisted Sunroof Interior Lamps 12 Volt Port Power Windows with
Jun 3, 2026 · via autocarindia.com
Gasgoo Munich- The "4th Future Automotive Pioneer Conference — Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Technology Collaboration Meeting" wrapped up on May 29. Hosted by the Shenzhen New Energy Vehicle Industry Office and organized by the Shenzhen Automobile Industry Federation, the Greater Bay Area International Auto Expo Organizing Committee, and Shenzhen United Exhibition Group, the event featured Gasgoo as a strategic partner. As a key sideline event for the 2026 Greater Bay Area International Auto Expo, the meeting focused on integrating the full supply chain for intelligent connected and new energy vehicles. Addressing real procurement needs and technical collaboration bottlenecks for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, the event leveraged technical showcases and offline, one-on-one matchmaking to significantly boost efficiency and deal closure rates. Centered on "technology showcases + precise matchmaking," the event drew a roster of high-caliber buyers. Attendees included an unnamed NEV OEM, JAC, Chery, BAIC, a luxury automaker, XPENG AEROHT, a Japanese automaker, Grammer, NIO, Geely, Shanxi Success, Aisin, Magna, Jifeng, Adient, VCS Technology, and Hangsheng. Together, they engaged in on-site exchanges covering more than 60 product requirements. On-site demand spanned a wide spectrum: ADAS autonomous driving, automotive-grade chips, electronic components like wiring harnesses and sensors, smart surfaces, seat structural components, comfort ventilation and massage systems, carbon fiber, chip localization, and new materials for bodies and chassis. Notably, parts, chips, controllers, wiring harnesses, and connectors for eVTOL vertical take-off and landing aircraft—brought by a leading flying car company—became a procurement focal point. These requirements map out the critical intersection of intelligent connected NEV technology: from upgrading traditional parts to breakthroughs in new energy power systems, and from smart cockpits and autonomous driving to new materials. The industry is demanding supply chain capabilities that offer high reliability, high integration, and strong cost-performance. For instance, the demand for carbon fiber and
Jun 3, 2026 · via autonews.gasgoo.com
By proceeding, I acknowledge that I have read and agreed to the Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, consent declaration, and the sharing of my information with lending partners, dealers, OEMs, and for marketing communication via Phone Calls, SMS & WhatsApp. Tata Sierra EV is expected to launch by the end of June. Honda ZR-V and BYD's first plug-in hybrid SUV are arriving soon. BMW X6, Mini Countryman C and Kodiaq RS headline the premium SUV segment. SUV buyers are in for a treat this June. From electric SUVs and hybrids to performance-focused luxury models, several exciting launches are lined up across different price segments. Whether you're planning to buy an EV, a premium family SUV or a sporty luxury model, there's plenty to look forward to. Here's a look at the top six SUVs expected to launch in June 2026. BYD is set to unveil its first plug-in hybrid vehicle for India on June 9. While the company hasn't officially revealed the model, the Sealion 6 and Atto 2 are among the strongest possibilities. The SUV is expected to combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and could offer a driving range of nearly 1,000 km. This launch will mark BYD's entry into India's growing plug-in hybrid SUV market. Also Read: Top 8 Interesting Facts About Wagon R Flex Fuel Mini India will launch the Countryman C on June 17. Unlike the electric and John Cooper Works versions already available, the Countryman C will be locally assembled, making it the most accessible Countryman in India. It gets a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 134 bhp and 230 Nm. The SUV is expected to appeal to buyers looking for a compact luxury SUV with Mini's signature styling. Honda is expected to announce prices for the ZR-V hybrid SUV this month.
Jun 3, 2026 · via carlelo.com
The Fronx may still be Maruti Suzuki India's undisputed export champion, but the company's electric SUV, the e Vitara, is quickly emerging as a serious contender for the spotlight. The e Vitara has already become Maruti Suzuki's third-largest export model and is now sold in 46 countries worldwide, underscoring the growing global demand for India-made electric vehicles (EVs). Maruti Suzuki's Senior Executive Officer for Corporate Affairs, Rahul Bharti, recently highlighted the model's rapid rise in the company's export portfolio. "The e Vitara is our third largest export model now. The Fronx is the largest exported model, out of both Maruti Suzuki and India. The Jimny is the second," Bharti said. "The e Vitara is sold in 46 countries of the world, and we have done cumulative of about 35,700 units so far. Japan is the third largest market, the UK being the first," he added. Bharti's comments offer a glimpse into how quickly the electric SUV has established itself in overseas markets despite being a relatively new entrant compared to Maruti Suzuki's established export products. According to company data, Maruti Suzuki exported 41,914 vehicles in May 2026, up 34.26% from 31,219 units in the same month last year. The Fronx led the export tally with 8,049 units, reaffirming its position as not only Maruti Suzuki's largest export model but also India's highest-exported passenger vehicle (PV). The Jimny followed with 5,809 units, while the e Vitara secured the third spot with exports of 5,153 units. While the Fronx and Jimny have already established themselves in overseas markets, the e Vitara's rise is particularly noteworthy because it represents Maruti Suzuki's first dedicated EV and a key pillar of Suzuki Motor Corporation's global electrification strategy. The fact that cumulative exports have already reached around 35,700 units suggests the vehicle is finding acceptance across
Jun 3, 2026 · via moneycontrol.com
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Jun 3, 2026 · via youtube.com
Washington, June 3 (IANS) A senior US lawmaker has raised concerns over a Commerce Department decision allowing a foreign automaker with significant ties to China to continue selling and producing connected vehicles in the United States. This could expose sensitive data, undermine national security safeguards and create loopholes in restrictions aimed at keeping Chinese technology out of the American auto market, Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, warned. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he questioned a recent authorisation granted by the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) despite the administration's connected vehicle security restrictions. "The Department of Commerce finalized these rules because connected vehicle technologies present clear national security risks," Dingell wrote. She said modern connected vehicles are capable of collecting and transmitting large amounts of sensitive information, including geolocation data, driving patterns, infrastructure mapping, operational diagnostics and personal consumer information. "These systems can enable remote access to vehicle functions. As the Department itself recognized, these technologies are vulnerable to exploitation by our adversaries and could be leveraged for surveillance, intelligence gathering, or disruption of critical infrastructure," she said. Dingell argued that the authorisation appears to create a pathway for companies with substantial ownership, operational or governance ties to the People's Republic of China (PRC) to continue accessing the US market despite the intent of the connected vehicle rule. "This authorization appears to create a pathway for entities with substantial ownership, operational, or governance ties to the PRC to continue accessing our market despite the intent of the underlying connected vehicle rule," she wrote. The congresswoman said Congress and successive administrations have recognised that Chinese companies operate under laws that can compel cooperation with Beijing and its intelligence services. "These concerns cannot be mitigated simply through corporate restructuring, branding distinctions, or supply chain adjustments,"
Jun 3, 2026 · via ianslive.in
HMG/Hyundai Motor Group Named Automaker of the Year at 2026 AutoTech Awards as Ceremony Unites with Wards 10 Best Awards 2026 AutoTech Awards celebrated companies & technologies driving the connected mobility revolution at gala ceremony themed âWhere Innovation Meets Excellence.â NOVI, MI, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The 2026 AutoTech Awards celebrated the companies and technologies driving the connected mobility revolution at a gala ceremony themed âWhere Innovation Meets Excellence.â In a historic first, the AutoTech Awards combined forces with the prestigious Wards 10 Best Awards, bringing together AutoTech, Omdia Automotive, and WardsAutoâall partners within Informaâto establish a new gold standard for recognizing automotive excellence.Hosted by Edward Wilford, Senior Research Director at Omdia Automotive, the evening honored winners across twelve categories spanning six Company Awards and six Product/Service Awards, recognizing breakthroughs in AI, connectivity, software, safety, and the technologies enabling and monetizing the connected car ecosystem. HMG/Hyundai Motor Group took home the nightâs top honor, Automaker of the Year, presented by John Heinlein, Chief Marketing Officer of Sonatus, the awardâs sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Judges cited HMGâs gold standard of consistent excellenceâincluding an unprecedented three consecutive World Car of the Year wins, a revolutionary dedicated EV platform, ultra-fast 800-volt charging, and a lineup that regularly earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards and design accolades. Company Award Winners ⢠Automaker of the Year: HMG/Hyundai Motor Group ⢠Tier-1 of the Year: Magna, recognized for complete vehicle integration, modular powertrain coverage from 48V to 800V, and the milestone of 100 million radars shipped ⢠Automaker AI Excellence Award: Mercedes-Benz, honored for industry-first Level 3 autonomy, MB.OS integration, and agentic AI at the edge via its new CLA platform ⢠Automotive-Tech Partnership Award: Parkopedia and Hyundai Autoever ⢠Connectivity Leader Award: Aeris ⢠Software Leader Award: KPIT Product/Service Award
Jun 3, 2026 · via einpresswire.com
Who Owns JBL? When it comes to speakers, including underrated Bluetooth speakers, one of the most popular brands on the market is JBL. For those unaware, JBL stands for the initials of the company's founder, James Bullough Lansing, who started the company in 1946. Today, JBL is owned by Samsung Electronics through the 2017 acquisition of its parent company, Harman International, but let's take a look at the ownership history of this Los Angeles-based speaker company. The origins of JBL start in 1927, when Lansing started the Lansing Manufacturing Company to build speaker components. This business was acquired in 1941 to form another company that audiophiles will recognize today, Altec Lansing. Just five years later, Lansing ventured out on his own once again as the founder of the company we know today as JBL. In 1969, JBL was acquired by Harman, an American electronics company that currently owns iconic audio brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Infinity, Polk Audio, and many more. Fast forward to 2017, when Samsung paid $8 billion to acquire Harman and its brands in order to take advantage of its success in the automotive audio space, which accounted for nearly 65% of Harman's revenue at the time. This included everything from infotainment systems and connected-car tech to premium speakers, with JBL audio already featured in vehicles made by Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Samsung owns Harman, Harman owns JBL, and JBL makes great speakers And the acquisition has been a success for all parties involved, especially Harman, which reported $10.1 billion in revenue for 2024 and $10.1 billion in 2025. As one of Harman's individual brands, JBL is very much still in the spotlight. Renowned for portable audio, JBL's rugged Bluetooth speakers deliver pulse-pounding sound both indoors and outdoors, and they are sold in numerous shapes and
Jun 3, 2026 · via bgr.com
Every year, a small but telling ritual plays out in the back seats of millions of Uber rides: a door swings shut, a car pulls away, and somewhere behind, a phone, a passport, a gold grill, or — in at least one documented case this year — a 75-gallon fish tank, is left behind. For the tenth consecutive year, Uber has compiled and released its annual Lost & Found Index, a running tally of forgotten and abandoned items that has quietly become one of the more unusual cultural documents in American consumer life. What began as a quirky rider-relations exercise has evolved into something closer to an accidental anthropology project — a year-by-year chronicle of what we carry, what we value, and what we are apparently too distracted, too celebratory, or too exhausted to remember when the car stops. The 2026 edition, released this week, marks a decade of data. And in that data, a portrait emerges. The Basics Haven’t Changed Some findings in the index have remained stubbornly consistent. Phones topped the most-forgotten list for the tenth year running, with more than one million reported lost over the index’s lifetime. New York City once again claimed the title of most forgetful city. And July 17 — the morning after the kickoff of Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball tour, Uber noted with characteristic deadpan — was the single most forgetful day of 2026. The top ten most commonly forgotten items — phone, wallet, luggage, keys, headphones, clothing, passport, glasses, jewelry, and laptop — read like a packing list for modern life, which is precisely the point. The things we cannot function without are, by definition, the things most likely to leave our hands in a moment of distraction. “The tech we can’t live without is also what we’re most likely to
Jun 3, 2026 · via autoconnectedcar.com
June 02, 2026 02:12 PM EDT
Featured Stories
Hybrids power Honda, Hyundai, Kia as Toyota sales slip and Subaru, Mazda rebound in May
After falling four consecutive months, U.S. light-vehicle sales are expected to rise for the first time this year in May, with deliveries up 0.1 percent to 1.9 percent, based on forecasts.
Jun 3, 2026 · via autonews.com
Finance and leasing software provider, Sofico, has bought Vinli, a US-based automotive artificial intelligence (AI) company, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition aims to accelerate Sofico’s development of an intelligent AI-powered automotive finance and leasing platform. Vinli launched Velona in 2025, an AI fleet manager built to proactively manage fleets through specialised agents covering fraud, predictive maintenance, idling, safety, compliance and cost optimisation. The Velona platform uses aggregated operational data from various sources, to identify a list of priority actions that aim to drive economic value for the leasing company. Vinli has also developed a connected vehicle data platform called Era that collects data from any source and turns it into actionable intelligence. Together with Sofico’s Miles platform, Velona and Era will form Sofico’s intelligence layer, bringing proactive insight and action to every stage of the contract lifecycle. Ensure you always get Fleet News insight. Make us your preferred source on Google “This acquisition is about accelerating something we have been building towards,” said Wim De Bruyne, CEO at Sofico. “Every automotive finance and leasing company is sitting on an enormous amount of untapped intelligence: contract data, vehicle data, operational patterns, residual value signals, and customer data. “The data has always been there. What’s been missing is the layer that turns it into decisions. Vinli gives us that layer.” Matt Himelfarb, CEO of Vinli, added: “We built our company on a simple bet that the data inside contracts and connected vehicles can rewrite the economics of mobility, but only if operational decisions are tied to financial outcomes. That’s what Velona does. It turns operational signals into prioritised actions. “Sofico Miles sits at the centre of global leasing, and together we can put that intelligence in front of millions of contracts and vehicles. “There is no better home for what we’ve
Jun 2, 2026 · via fleetnews.co.uk
There could be over 130 million active monthly direct-to-cell (D2C) users by 2031, according to a new report from Juniper Research, “Direct to Cell Market 2026 – 2031.” Juniper estimates there will be 17.4 million active D2C subscribers in 2026, so it is expecting a jump of well over 100 million subscribers in the next five years. Juniper Research released details of its new report on June 1. Juniper says this substantial growth will be driven by new mobile network operators (MNOs) launching D2C services, as well as the entry of new satellite operators such as AST SpaceMobile. D2C is a technology that allows standard unmodified smartphones to connect directly to satellites. However, it is not all positive news. It also found that although an increasing number of MNOs are launching D2C services, usage will remain below initial expectations. The report recommends that MNOs offer greater flexibility to their subscribers, and says that D2C service has significant value for subscribers living in or visiting remote areas. Certainly, we are seeing a number of announcements in this area. For example, late week in the U.K., Virgin Media announced it was switching on its O2 Satellite service for iPhone users. Also recently in the U.S. the top three telcos announced plans to form a joint venture to collaborate on standards and spectrum-sharing for this type of service. The new Juniper Research report contains in-depth forecasts for over 60 countries. The dataset contains over 2,000 market statistics within a five-year period. “Consumer demand for D2C is currently concentrated to specific trips and travel, such as to national parks and nature reserves, rather than during everyday usage of mobile services,” commented Alex Webb, senior research analyst and author of the report.
Jun 2, 2026 · via satellitetoday.com
NEW: Concerns Over Chinese-Connected Vehicles Underscore Need for Stevens-Slotkin Bill Washington, D.C – Following reports that the Trump administration will allow Chinese-owned automakers to continue selling vehicles in the United States, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens is renewing her calls for stronger protections against Chinese-connected vehicles entering the American market. Her legislation with Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, the Protecting America From Chinese Cars Act, would close loopholes that could allow Chinese-connected vehicles to enter the U.S. through Canada or Mexico and strengthen safeguards against national security threats tied to foreign adversary-controlled automotive technology. “Michigan workers should not be forced to compete against heavily subsidized vehicles tied to the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “American roads should not be open to foreign adversary technology that threatens our national security and undercuts our manufacturing base. As China works to expand its influence in the global auto market, Congress must act to close loopholes and ensure Chinese-connected vehicles cannot enter the United States unchecked.” Here’s what Michiganders are seeing about Rep. Haley Stevens and Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s push to protect national security and Michigan manufacturing: Fox 2 News: Michigan lawmakers push for bill to ban Chinese-made cars - Senator Elissa Slotkin and Congresswoman Haley Stevens talking about bipartisan legislation to make sure that Chinese EV car companies can’t just dump cars here for two reasons: one, it’s bad for our security, our cybersecurity, because those cars can take pictures of sensitive places all across the country, but also, because of our economy. - Senator Slotkin: “Everyone says American cars collect the same information. Yes, but they’re also American companies that are subject to American laws. The Chinese Communist Party is not.” - Senator Slotkin: “They cheat. They subsidize their cars so that they’re super cheap. They come into a market, like Michigan,
Jun 2, 2026 · via stevens.house.gov