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Apple Wallet Adds Digital <b>Car</b> Key Support For Xiaomi <b>Vehicles</b>

Apple is preparing to introduce digital car key support for Xiaomi electric vehicles within the Apple Wallet platform. Discovered in recent system beta software, this integration establishes an unexpected bridge between two direct global competitors in the consumer technology and mobile device sectors. - Supported Vehicles: The software integration will extend native keyless entry and ignition capabilities to drivers of the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, the YU7 SUV, and future connected vehicles produced by the Chinese manufacturer. - Core Functionality: Vehicle owners can store an encrypted digital key in Apple Wallet, allowing them to unlock, lock, and start their car using an iPhone or Apple Watch via NFC (Near Field Communication) and proximity sensors. - Broader Automotive Ecosystem: Apple Wallet currently supports digital vehicle keys for legacy and electric automakers including BMW, Rivian, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Polestar, and Audi. Xiaomi represents the first direct smartphone competitor to adopt Apple’s digital key standard. The integration offers distinct strategic advantages for both companies in China, which serves as Xiaomi’s primary automotive market and one of Apple’s most crucial international regions. For Apple, adding native support for popular domestic electric vehicles increases the iPhone’s utility among Chinese consumers. This strengthens platform retention at a time when software feature rollouts, such as localized Apple Intelligence, face regional schedules. For Xiaomi, interoperability ensures that its rapidly expanding electric vehicle lineup remains attractive to affluent car buyers who operate primarily within the iOS ecosystem rather than using Xiaomi smartphones. The digital car key integration is anticipated to launch publicly in upcoming mobile software releases. A full list of vehicles that support Car Keys can be found on Apple’s official CarPlay model availability webpage. Filed in . Read more about Apple, Electric Cars and Xiaomi.

Volvo Adds Crowdsourced Hazard Warnings to Latest Electric <b>Cars</b> | WhichEV.Net

Volvo is expanding the connected safety capabilities of its latest electric cars, enabling them to warn drivers about large animals, pedestrians, cyclists, roadworks and accidents that may be hidden from view. The four new alerts will be introduced through a software update for the Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90 in Europe, the US and Canada. Volvo says the warnings could give drivers more time to slow down or take other precautions, particularly on winding roads and in poor weather. Rather than relying solely on what an individual car’s cameras and other sensors can detect directly, Volvo’s Connected Safety system uses information shared by vehicles farther along the road. Accident data can also come from traffic management centres. The update introduces a Large Animal Alert, which warns approaching drivers when an animal is detected on or close to the carriageway. Although potentially valuable in rural parts of Britain, the feature could prove even more important in countries where collisions involving elk, moose, reindeer and other large animals are relatively common. A Vulnerable Road User Alert will provide warnings when pedestrians or cyclists are detected on or near highways. The wording suggests this is primarily intended for faster roads, where an unexpected person or bicycle could present an especially serious danger. Roadwork Alert will notify drivers about approaching roadworks, while Accident Ahead Alert will use live information from connected Volvo cars or traffic management centres to identify crashes farther along the route. All four alerts are intended to extend the driver’s awareness beyond the range of the car’s own sensors and, in some cases, beyond their direct line of sight. A vehicle around a bend could, for example, identify a hazard and pass that information to cars approaching the same location. The technology does not remove the driver’s responsibility to watch the

Volvo expands <b>connected</b> safety alerts across its EV lineup

On the Dash: - Volvo is adding four new connected safety alerts to select EVs through an over-the-air update. - The alerts can warn drivers about animals, vulnerable road users, roadwork and accidents using real-time data. - Select EX90 and ES90 models also gain Apple CarPlay Spatial Audio through the update. Volvo is expanding its Connected Safety suite for select EVs, specifically the EX90, ES90, and EX60. This update allows drivers to send and receive four new safety alerts between connected vehicles, and will be available to Volvo EV drivers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with timings that vary by model. The new alerts include warnings for: - Large animals on the road ahead - Vulnerable road users, like pedestrians and cyclists - Roadwork - Accidents Real-time data will be gathered from connected Volvo vehicles and traffic centers, with warnings to help drivers react more quickly, particularly in bad weather and poor visibility. For example, they supplement existing alerts for slippery roads and low-light situations. Currently, more than 1 million Volvo vehicles have activated connected safety features. Notably, in Europe, Volvo vehicles can share alerts with vehicles from other brands through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem. From a dealer perspective, connected features are becoming an increasingly important aspect of the ownership experience as automakers continue to expand safety technologies through software updates. Additionally, Volvo is introducing a premium audio upgrade. The EX90 and ES90 models equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system and Dolby Atmos will now support Spatial Audio in Apple CarPlay, which delivers a multidimensional audio experience throughout the cabin using 25 high-performance speakers in equipped vehicles. This update provides owners with another feature enhancement without the need to purchase a new vehicle. Volvo’s latest update illustrates how automakers can add new

Toyota to build its next EV in China first, under Lexus

Toyota will build its next-generation battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in China before anywhere else, marking a rare break from the company’s usual practice of debuting new technology in Japan first. The model, to be sold under the Lexus brand, will be produced at a plant in Shanghai starting in autumn 2027, beginning at a modest 1,000 vehicles a month before scaling to tens of thousands annually by 2028. The vehicle will use gigacasting, a manufacturing technique that moulds multiple aluminium body sections into a single large piece, cutting the weight of those sections by up to 20%. This weight reduction offers an estimated boost of around 4-5% to a typical BEV’s driving range, while making the body more rigid and simplifying assembly. Earlier in 2026, Toyota halted development of a separate electric coupe in Japan, redirecting toward the SUV format Chinese consumers generally prefer. The scale of China’s BEV market explains the shift. China accounted for 8.57 million BEV sales in 2025, 60% of the global total and roughly triple Europe’s volume and more than a hundred times Japan’s, according to GlobalData. Despite a backsliding car market overall, local BEV sales are forecast to reach 11.41 million by 2030. In July, retail car sales fell 20.9% year-over-year to 1.46 million units, but the decline was driven almost entirely by a plunge in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which collapsed 44%. Plug-in hybrids also fell by 21.1% while BEVs grew 6%, according to China Passenger Car Association data. Like many Japanese automakers, Toyota’s professed multi-pathway strategy towards zero-emissions leans primarily towards hybrids and more efficient ICE for the US and Japan. Increasingly, it is leaning towards BEVs for Chinese consumers, where its existing lineup already comprises an entry-level SUV and a sedan. Leveraging this local expertise for global markets is logical, perhaps

1 hospitalized after <b>car</b> smashes into Grove Park utility pole

1 hospitalized after car smashes into Grove Park utility pole Published: Aug. 28, 2026 at 7:14 AM EDT|Updated: 7 hours ago ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A person was sent to the hospital after a car smashed into a utility pole in Atlanta’s Grove Park neighborhood on Friday morning. The accident happened on Chappell Road near Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, sending the pole leaning over into wires. The road was closed as crews repaired the damage. The victim was sent to Grady Memorial Hospital, where their condition is unknown. Just before the crash, police were called to reports of gunfire in the 1300 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, about half a mile away. Officers are investigating whether the two incidents are connected. This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.

Kia has found a replacement for the Niro EV with the new EV3 electric <b>car</b>

Kia found replacement for Niro EV in new EV3 electric car - what's inside and how much it costs Kyiv • UNN The electric Kia EV3 has entered the US market starting at $29,890 — nearly $10,000 cheaper than the Niro EV. Its range reaches 517 km. The new Kia EV3 is a modernized version of the discontinued Niro EV and is approximately $10,000 cheaper, Electrek reports, writes UNN. Details After its success in Europe, the United Kingdom, and other overseas markets, Kia’s compact electric crossover (SUV) has gone on sale in the United States as well, the publication writes. The 2027 EV3 starts at $29,890. On Thursday, Kia announced that the updated 2027 Niro has the same starting price of $29,890. The 2027 Niro, the company said, will be sold exclusively as a hybrid. Jeon Won-joon, vice president of Kia Corp, said that the Niro is "Kia’s first step toward an electrified future" during a media briefing on the updated Niro Hybrid in March. The 2027 Kia EV3 is available in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT, with two battery options. The standard front-wheel-drive EV3 Light, which starts at $29,890, is equipped with a 58.3 kWh battery that provides an EPA-estimated range of up to 221 miles (355.7 kilometers). The Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT models use an 81.4 kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 321 miles (516.6 kilometers) on a single charge. By comparison, the 2026 Kia Niro starts at $39,700, which is nearly $10,000 more than the EV3, and offers a range of up to 253 miles (407 kilometers). The front-wheel-drive (FWD) versions are equipped with a single front electric motor producing 201 horsepower. All versions except the Light can be fitted with all-wheel drive (AWD) for an additional $3,200. The dual-motor

<b>Car</b> Crash Detected by iPhone in 201 N Post Rd

1Radio Clip 1Reaction Car Crash Detected by iPhone 201 N Post Rd Published · Updated Timeline A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 201 N Post Rd. Stay up-to-date Download Citizen Radio Clips East District Primary · Aug 27, 7:52PM · 0:13 Attention East District 61, Baker 224, Baker 224, accident, no information, 201 Post Drive, phase 2 cell, iPhone automated crash notification, voicemail on callback, state police is aware, 2300 North, 8600 East. Comments1 MistyIndy17h ago Is this connected to the robbery that just happened down the road?? MistyIndy17h ago Is this connected to the robbery that just happened down the road?? MistyIndy17h ago Is this connected to the robbery that just happened down the road?? MistyIndy17h ago Is this connected to the robbery that just happened down the road?? Stay informed on local incidents Download Citizen Is this connected to the robbery that just happened down the road??

Kitchener, Ont. company creates technology that lets <b>vehicles</b> 'talk' to traffic lights

A Kitchener, Ont. based company is rolling out technology that allows vehicles and traffic signals to communicate, with the goal of making commutes safer, easier and less stressful. Miovision’s vehicle-to-everything, or V2X, technology sends real-time traffic signal information to a connected vehicle’s dashboard. The concept of a traffic light is simple: red means stop, yellow means slow and green means go. But Miovision’s system is designed to give drivers more information about what’s coming next. During a test drive through Kitchener with CTV News, the system displayed a traffic light icon on the vehicle’s dashboard, including a countdown to when the light would turn green. It can also recommend a speed to help drivers catch a series of green lights, or tell them when it’s time to slow down. “What we have basically now done, I would say, is the first in the industry to provide a service or a data flow back from the signal to the car,” said Thomas Bauer, vice-president of V2X at Miovision. The technology is also designed to help drivers navigate what is known as a “dilemma zone” — the moment when a driver must decide whether to continue through an intersection. “We basically now provide an advisory help to the driver to assist them through that process,” Bauer said. The system could be particularly useful for large commercial vehicles, he said. “Imagine you have 80,000 lbs under you. You cannot simply stop,” Bauer said. Miovision’s technology does not change the traffic lights themselves. Instead, it takes information from traffic signals and sends it to vehicles over cellular networks. Its V2X technology covers more than 70,000 intersections in eight countries, including Canada. “Region of Waterloo, Kitchener now we have 90 per cent of the traffic signals here in service,” he said. V2X is currently being

2027 Kia Niro: All The Details | AutoGuide.com

- Acura - Alfa Romeo - Aston Martin - Audi - Bentley - BMW - Buick - Cadillac - Chevrolet - Chrysler - Dodge - Ferrari - Fiat - Ford - Genesis - GMC - Honda - Hyundai - Infiniti - Jaguar - Jeep - Kia - Lamborghini - Land Rover - Lexus - Lincoln - Lotus - Lucid - Maserati - Maybach - Mazda - McLaren - Mercedes-Benz - MINI - Mitsubishi - Nissan - Pagani - Porsche - Ram - Rivian - Rolls-Royce - SMART - Subaru - Tesla - Toyota - Volkswagen - Volvo 2027 Kia Niro: All The Details The 2027 Niro receives restyled front and rear fascias featuring Kia's "Star Map" LED lighting signature, bringing its exterior appearance in line with the brand's newest crossover models. The update also adds new exterior paint color choices and minor cabin revisions. Inside, available models feature Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system, which supports over-the-air (OTA) software update functionality. On the driver-assistance front, available features now include Highway Driving Assist 2, a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. Under the hood, the 2027 Niro retains its existing hybrid configuration. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine works alongside an electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to send a combined 139 horsepower to the front wheels. Kia notes that suspension retuning for 2027 improves ride comfort and cabin sound insulation.

Australian drivers missing out on dash cam protection

Almost three-quarters of Australian drivers do not have a front-facing dashcam fitted to their vehicle, according to new research commissioned by Compare the Market. The finding comes despite dashcam footage potentially helping motorists support insurance claims following a collision, with almost 15 per cent of Australians surveyed reporting involvement in a road incident over the past 12 months. The nationally representative survey of 1019 Australians found vehicle security upgrades remain uncommon, despite the potential benefits in both theft prevention and insurance claims. Front-facing dashcams were the most popular security addition, fitted to 26 per cent of vehicles. Engine or electronic immobilisers ranked second at 20 per cent, while 17 per cent of respondents had a rear dashcam. GPS trackers, including Apple AirTags and connected vehicle services, were used by 13 per cent of motorists. Compare the Market Economic Director David Koch said dashcam footage can play an important role when insurers assess claims. “Dashcam footage can be really useful to insurers trying to piece together what actually happened,” Mr Koch said. “While our memories might fail us, dashcam footage can be valuable evidence. “Depending on the circumstances, it may even help show you weren’t the at-fault driver and support having your excess waived.” Mr Koch also encouraged drivers to collect evidence following an accident, including photographs of vehicle damage and registration plates, along with the details of those involved. With nearly one in seven Australians surveyed reporting a road incident in the past year, the research highlights the potential value of recording devices and other security measures. As dashcams become more affordable and readily available, more motorists may consider fitting one to help document events and support future insurance claims.

Kia EV3 price matches the Niro Hybrid, $10,000 less than the EV

The new Kia EV3 is essentially an upgraded version of the now-retired Niro EV, and it’s about $10,000 cheaper. Kia EV3 undercuts Niro EV on price and adds style After proving to be a hit in Europe, the UK, and other overseas markets, Kia’s compact electric SUV is finally on sale in the US. The 2027 EV3 starts at $29,890, making it not only Kia’s most affordable EV, but one of America’s most affordable electric vehicles. Kia announced on Thursday that the refreshed 2027 Niro has the same starting price of $29,890. Although the 2026 model is available in fully electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and traditional hybrid (HEV) powertrains, Kia confirmed earlier this year that the 2027 Niro will be sold exclusively as a hybrid. Jung Won-jung, vice president of Kia Corp, said the Niro was “Kia’s first step toward an electrified future” during a media briefing (via The Korea Herald) for the refreshed Niro Hybrid in March. With more advanced, dedicated EVs, like the EV3 now on sale, the all-electric Niro is no longer needed. The 2027 Kia EV3 is available in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT, with two battery packs. The standard EV3 Light FWD, starting at $29,890, is powered by a 58.3 kWh battery with an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 221 miles. The Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT use an 81.4 kWh battery that delivers up to 321 miles of range on a single charge. In comparison, the 2026 Kia Niro starts at $39,700, nearly $10,000 more than the EV3, and offers up to 253 miles of range. Front-wheel drive (FWD) variants have a single front-mounted electric motor with 201 horsepower. You can upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD) on all variants outside of the Light model for an extra $3,200. The

KIA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR REFRESHED 2027 NIRO

KIA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR REFRESHED 2027 NIRO - Now offered exclusively as a hybrid, Niro builds on established blend of responsive performance, everyday utility and practicality - Pricing starts at $29,8901 MSRP (plus $1,495 destination) IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia America is pleased to announce pricing for the refreshed 2027 Niro, which sharpens its hybrid crossover formula with a bolder design, expanded technology and newly available driver assistance features. Offered exclusively as a hybrid, the 2027 Niro lineup also welcomes a new S trim alongside the LX, EX, and SX models. Highlights for the new model year include redesigned front and rear fascias with Kia's signature Star Map lighting elements, new exterior colors and an updated cabin. Available Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) brings over-the-air update capability2, while newly available driver assistance technologies3 include Highway Driving Assist 24, 360-degree Surround View Monitor5 and Blind-Spot View Monitor6. The Niro continues to pair a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing a combined 139 horsepower. Updates to suspension tuning, ride comfort and cabin quietness further enhance the driving experience. MSRP for the 2027 Niro is as follows: | Pricing – MSRP (excludes $1,495 destination)1 | | | Niro LX FWD | $29,890 | | Niro S FWD | $30,590 | | Niro EX FWD | $31,390 | | Niro SX FWD | $35,440 | | Niro SX Touring FWD | $38,990 | Click below for more information about the 2027 Niro: - Vehicle Specifications, including fuel economy - Features and options Kia America – about us Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2026. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA

Volvo will enable new <b>connected</b> safety features in its EVs with OTA update

Volvo Cars is launching an over-the-air update for its Volvo Connected Safety suite for select electric vehicles that will provide a host of new warnings, including spatial audio support in some models. Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60 EV drivers will now be able to send four new safety alert messeges to other vehicles, as well as receive them, the automaker said in its Aug. 26 release. The alerts include large animal detection on the road ahead, the presence of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as roadwork and accident alerts using real-time data from connected Volvo vehicles or traffic management centers. The features expand the system’s ability to provide clear early warnings, especially in low-visibility conditions, such as winding roads or poor weather, and complement existing alerts of slippery roads and poor light conditions. The new connected safety features will be available for Volvo EV drivers in Europe, U.S. and Canada, but the timing of the update may vary depending on the model. Currently, more than 1 million Volvo vehicles have connected safety technology activated. In Europe, the alerts can also be shared with other brand vehicles through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem. Drivers of Volvo Cars’ flagship EX90 SUV and ES90 sedan equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins optional premium sound system and Dolby Atmos technology will also receive support for Spatial Audio in Apple CarPlay, which can provide a multi-dimensional and immersive sound experience that places music and vocals around the cabin using 25 high-performance speakers. “Built on decades of our real-world safety insight, these innovations represent another step towards our vision of zero collisions,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Center. “Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier to avoid accidents and

2027 Kia Niro Pricing Announced: Refreshed Styling and New Trim | AutoGuide.com

2027 Kia Niro Pricing Announced: Refreshed Styling and New Trim Kia America has released official pricing for the refreshed 2027 Niro crossover. Offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, the 2027 model starts at $29,890 for the base LX trim (excluding a $1,495 destination fee). The update introduces revised styling, upgraded infotainment technology, and a new S trim level positioned between the entry-level LX and mid-tier EX. 2027 Kia Niro: All The Details Exterior and Interior Updates Visually, the 2027 Niro receives restyled front and rear fascias featuring Kia's "Star Map" LED lighting signature, bringing its exterior appearance in line with the brand's newest crossover models. The update also adds new exterior paint color choices and minor cabin revisions. Inside, available models feature Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system, which supports over-the-air (OTA) software update functionality. On the driver-assistance front, available features now include Highway Driving Assist 2, a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. Carryover Hybrid Powertrain Under the hood, the 2027 Niro retains its existing hybrid configuration. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine works alongside an electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to send a combined 139 horsepower to the front wheels. Kia notes that suspension retuning for 2027 improves ride comfort and cabin sound insulation. 2027 Kia Niro Pricing Breakdown All prices listed below reflect the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and exclude the $1,495 destination charge: - Niro LX FWD: $29,890 - Niro S FWD: $30,590 - Niro EX FWD: $31,390 - Niro SX FWD: $35,440 - Niro SX Touring FWD: $38,990 Including destination, the entry-level 2027 Niro LX arrives at $31,385, maintaining its position as one of the most affordable dedicated hybrid crossovers on the U.S. market. Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing

With the launch of the Neue Klasse: BMW expands its standard active safety features.

PressClub Global · Article. With the launch of the Neue Klasse: BMW expands its standard active safety features. Thu Aug 27 09:00:00 CEST 2026 Press Release New active safety functions support drivers in critical driving, parking and exit scenarios. The enhanced Exit Warning function can actively delay door opening, helping to prevent collisions with cyclists. Unique to BMW Symbiotic Drive: Safety assistance systems remain discreet in the background and can provide effective support when it matters most. Press Contact. Martin Tholund BMW Group Tel: +49-151-601-77126 send an e-mail Author. Martin Tholund BMW Group This article in other PressClubs Show all Munich. The launch of the Neue Klasse marks the first time BMW will offer an expanded portfolio of active safety assistance systems as standard across multiple model series. Among them is an exit warning function with active door opening delay, helping to prevent so-called dooring accidents. The BMW iX3 was the first Neue Klasse production model to feature these technologies, with further models including the BMW i3, BMW X5 and BMW 7 Series to follow. "The broad rollout of our new active safety functions as standard is based on our 'Smart, Symbiotic, Safe' philosophy. We bring drivers and assistance systems together into a cooperative system that works in harmony. At BMW, active safety functions operate as quiet, intelligent companions in the background, discreet yet highly effective when it matters most in critical situations,” says Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience Development at the BMW Group. Active safety assistance systems support drivers in critical driving, parking and exit scenarios. Analysis of customer-consented data from BMW’s intelligently connected vehicle fleet demonstrates that these functions contribute to greater road safety. In the last month alone, the fleet analysed* in Europe covered 1.6 billion kilometres. Customers were alerted to potential collisions around

China launches yearlong auto quality campaign focused on <b>connected</b>-<b>car</b> safety

- China will conduct nationwide inspections of intelligent connected vehicle safety, R&D and production capabilities, and product conformity. - The campaign escalates recent scrutiny of automakers and testing organizations into a cross-agency, nationwide quality drive. China has launched a 1-year campaign to improve automotive product quality, expanding oversight of intelligent connected vehicle safety and production conformity. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued a notice announcing the campaign on Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The campaign to improve the production conformity and quality of road motor vehicle products will be carried out nationwide. Inspections will focus on areas including intelligent connected vehicle safety capabilities, companies' design, development and production capabilities, and product conformity. CCTV's brief report provided no further details. The full text of the joint notice is not yet available. The move is China's latest effort to strengthen quality and safety oversight as the auto industry rapidly adopts new technologies. It also brings earlier inspections of automakers, products and testing organizations under a cross-agency, nationwide campaign. MIIT launched its 2026 production conformity inspection program in May, covering road motor vehicle manufacturers and products that have received market-access approval. Inspectors can collect sample vehicles and key components from factories and dealerships, seal their hardware and software configurations, and send them to testing organizations. Testing covers vehicle structure, crash safety, EV safety and traction battery-pack safety, with some samples also subject to cross-checks. Under the annual inspection program, manufacturers that fail to continuously meet market-access requirements or whose products do not comply with national standards may be publicly named, have related products suspended from MIIT's catalog, or be barred from filing new products. After samples are sealed, automakers are also prohibited from improperly

China launches yearlong campaign on <b>connected</b>-<b>car</b> safety

China has launched a yearlong nationwide campaign to improve the quality and safety of intelligent connected vehicles, jointly announced 27 August by various government agencies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Public Security. Inspections will be conducted by state officials, covering connected-vehicle safety capabilities, automaker design and production processes, and whether finished products actually conform to what was approved for market access. The campaign builds on an existing MIIT inspection programme launched in May, under which regulators can pull sample vehicles and components directly from factories and dealerships, seal their hardware and software configurations, and send them for independent testing. These tests encompassed a range of criteria including crash safety, vehicle safety and battery-pack integrity. Companies found not to be complying can be publicly named, have their products suspended from MIIT’s approved catalogue—a necessity for local sales—or be outright barred from filing new models altogether. A central target is the practice of shipping new software features before they are fully validated and patching problems afterward through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Once a sample vehicle’s configuration is sealed for testing, automakers are now prohibited from altering its technical parameters via OTA. This closes an option that regulators have clearly identigied as a compliance loophole, rather than ordinary software development. MIIT Vice Minister Xin Guobin said a day before the campaign was announced that—without naming names—some “aggressive” innovations had already been installed without adequate validation. Further, he noted that that isolated quality and autonomous driving safety incidents had raised public concern. Several high-profile crashes have already triggered a government response; Xiaomi’s SU7 ADAS-related crash in 2025 paved the way for a clampdown on how such features are marketed; the Apollo Go robotaxi outage from April led to a three-month freeze on new robotaxi permits. Under the

Volvo <b>cars</b> now warn each other about road hazards

Volvo just turned a million cars into one shared hazard network The car ahead of you can now tell you what it just saw Volvo has begun rolling out a free over-the-air update that turns its newest electric models into hazard reporters. When an EX60 picks up a deer at the edge of an unlit road, or an EX90 slows for a lane closure, the position of that hazard goes to the cloud and reappears on the screen of a car still minutes away from the same corner. It is a modest update carrying a large idea. Volvo says more than a million of its cars worldwide already have connected safety switched on, and that number is the whole argument: a warning network is worth almost nothing on launch day and a great deal once enough cars are quietly feeding it. Four warnings you never had to spot yourself The update adds four alerts. Large Animal Alert flags a deer or comparable animal on or beside the carriageway. Vulnerable Road User Alert warns of pedestrians and cyclists ahead, which matters most on the fast rural roads where nobody expects them. Roadwork Alert marks live construction zones. Accident Ahead Alert passes on a crash spotted by a car in front or reported by a traffic management centre. They join Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert, the two warnings Volvo has been running for years. The difference now is coverage. The old pair reacted to what a car felt through its own wheels and lights; the new four react to what other people's cars have seen with their cameras and radar, several kilometres before you get there. That distinction is worth holding on to, because it changes what the driver is being told. Existing driver aids describe the situation in front

<b>Connected cars</b>: security risks and the driving forces behind a business that already ...

Connected cars: security risks and the driving forces behind a business that already accounts for 40 per cent of a vehicle’s value Connected cars move and operate in a way that generates a data economy and raises the major issue of cybersecurity: security risks and opportunities for a multi-billion-euro business for consumers and European industry, including Italian and Mediterranean industries Key points From purely mechanical objects made up of pistons and a few electronic circuit boards to connected mobility systems based on processors, sensors and cloud-based data exchange – not only for operation but also for production, maintenance and the provision of services: in less than twenty years, cars have become veritable sensors and bidirectional data gateways constantly on the move across the country, which, in turn, map their surroundings using cameras and GPS. As a direct consequence, not only are the business models of those who sell them changing, but also the habits of those who use them – drivers and passengers – and therefore also the cybersecurity and physical security parameters that need to be considered and enforced, with full awareness of what is at stake. It is no coincidence that on 21 August, the manager of Lexus in Australia stated quite openly that the privacy of car data and the way it is processed must be given equal importance to that of physical security. Both the political sphere and the manufacturers’ associations have been taking action for some time, and whilst regulatory responses are being organised, the automotive world has adopted the pace of evolution from the IT sector in the areas of maintenance, fleet management and the sale of services. One example is ‘remote’ vehicle updates (so-called Over-The-Air updates), which, according to industry studies, cost manufacturers a tenth of the price of traditional updates; these are