- Total job cuts have now grown to 100,000. - Model range will be cut in half to focus on popular/profitable vehicles. - VW will redouble its efforts in North America and China. The board of Volkswagen has just approved a long-term programme aimed at saving the company in the face of falling sales, high production costs, diminishing demand in China for high-profit brands like Audi and the increasing threat from Chinese makers in the European market. It's called Future Plan 2030. We are taking responsibility for our entire workforce, for our partners and for industrial jobs worldwide," says CEO Oliver Blume. "Over the coming years, we will invest a three-figure billion sum to make our iconic brands even more attractive, stronger and more competitive." The VW Group includes core brands such as Skoda, Seat, Cupra, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and motorcycle maker Ducati. It also has a heavy vehicle subsidiary (including MAN, Scania and International) and joint ventures in China. VW's financial woes have been very public since 2024 - a situation that has grown into a national crisis in Germany. Some political commentators are even linking the rise of far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) to dissatisfaction at the economic situation surrounding the VW crisis. On September 3, VW announced Supervisory Board approval of Future Plan 2030. While the tenor of the announcement is positive, focusing on investment and improved efficiency, the reality is also a further 50,000 job losses (on top of 50,000 announced earlier, totalling 1/6 of the company's total workforce), and closure of its Emden, Zwickau, Hanover and Neckarsulm plants in Germany, a result of excess capacity of 500,000 cars in the European market. Alternative uses for these facilities are being sought. The company says Future Plan 30 is "the most extensive transformation
Sep 6, 2026 · via drivencarguide.co.nz
How to sideload apps onto Android Auto You can unlock video streaming on your dashboard, but should you? Android Auto was built to make your driving sessions simple and easy, but not everyone wants simple. If you've ever wished you could stream YouTube through your dashboard or mirror your phone's screen to your car display, you're not alone. Luckily, there's a way to do it. Sideloading lets you install apps that Google never approved for Android Auto, opening the door to features the platform doesn't officially support right now. The process doesn't require any crazy moves like rooting your phone, but it does come with trade-offs regarding security, reliability and safety. By design, Google restricts what can run on your dashboard to cut down on driver distraction, which means no YouTube videos, no browser and no screen mirroring. It's a sensible policy, but one that leaves plenty of drivers feeling like their car's display is capable of a lot more than it's being allowed to do. How do you sideload apps onto Android Auto? The whole process of sideloading apps on Android Auto is not that complicated, but you do need to go through a few steps to set things up. - First, you'll need to enable Developer Mode on your phone. You can do this by going to Settings > About and rapidly tapping Build number seven times. You'll get a note when Developer Mode is on. This will allow you to install third-party apps on your phone. - Now you have to turn on Developer Mode for Android Auto. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Android Auto, scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Version and permission info about 10 times in quick succession. Next, you have to tap on the three-dot menu at the
Sep 6, 2026 · via engadget.com
William Stopford 2027 Nissan Qashqai price and specs 11 Hours Ago Deputy Marketplace Editor Skoda won't launch connected services in Australia this year, though local CEO Lucie Kuhn promises the technology isn't far off. "I think we're getting closer, significantly closer. We're heading there, we are simply finalising its development," Ms Kuhn told CarExpert in Queenstown, New Zealand. "It won't be in a week or two, but I hope the next time we talk... I can finally give you a date. "Not this year." Thus far, the Volkswagen Group has largely been unable to implement factory-backed connected services in Australia, at least among its mass-market brands, with only Audi, Porsche and the ultra-premium Bentley and Lamborghini brands offering proper inbuilt connectivity. As such, owners have been denied access to features offered by many rivals, including satellite navigation with live routing and traffic updates, digital key and emergency call functions, over-the-air software updates, and proper app functionality. Last year, Volkswagen Australia's passenger and commercial vehicle divisions rolled out a third-party solution called Goconnect in lieu of proprietary services. Via the Goconnect smartphone app, owners can locate their parked vehicle, view recent trips, interact with and book appointments at their dealer, check vehicle errors and warnings, monitor high-voltage battery status, and view driving speed. Meanwhile, most major brands – including Ford, Toyota, BYD, Hyundai and Tesla – offer extensive factory-backed connected services, as do many of the emerging automakers arriving in Australia from China. However, there may finally be light at the end of the tunnel for Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra, all of which have been lobbying their respective global parent companies to establish factory-backed connected services in Australia and better compete with rival brands. Cupra recently confirmed it will be among the first Volkswagen Group brands in Australia to offer factory-backed
Sep 5, 2026 · via carexpert.com.au
Dr. Tim Meyer: “The electric car is a gift from the powertrain transition to the energy system” In Germany, the energy and transport transitions are too often treated as separate issues. However, electric vehicles could connect the two; as flexible electricity consumers, mobile storage units, and even active participants in the energy market. The technical prerequisites for intelligent and bidirectional charging are advancing – but regulation, grid infrastructure, and energy industry processes continue to lag behind. The current debate about new feed-in limitations for PV systems highlights this contradiction particularly well. For energy expert and author Dr. Tim Meyer, this issue remains one of the key challenges of the coming years. Meyer has spent more than 25 years examining the interplay of technology, economics, and politics within the energy transition. At the CharIN Testival & Conference Europe 2026, he will deliver a keynote titled “Bridging the gap: why supply and demand are out of sync – and how to fix it”, exploring the increasingly complex interplay of electricity supply, demand, and infrastructure. In an exclusive interview with electrive, Meyer explains why he considers the electric car a “sleeping giant” within the energy system, why bidirectional charging today fails less due to vehicle technology and more due to the structures of the energy industry. Beyond that, he outlines the bridges he believes Germany must now build in order to ensure the energy and transport transitions mutually support one another. Dr. Meyer, your keynote at the CharIN Testival is titled “Bridging the Gap.” Where exactly is this gap in Germany’s energy system? I would actually speak of three gaps. For too long, we have primarily pursued a power generation transition and expanded renewable energies. That was correct, but in doing so, we neglected three things. The first is electrification: if the power
Sep 5, 2026 · via electrive.com
Kia Sorento vs Jeep Meridian vs Skoda Kodiaq vs Volkswagen Tayron vs Toyota Fortuner: Price, Specs and Buyer Comparison - Team Autopunditz - 20 hours ago - 7 min read The arrival of the Kia Sorento has added a new dimension to India’s premium SUV market. Priced from ₹27.99 lakh to ₹40.39 lakh, the Sorento offers diesel and strong-hybrid powertrains, two- and all-wheel drive, and six- or seven-seat configurations. That puts it within reach of buyers considering the Jeep Meridian and Toyota Fortuner, while its higher variants can also be evaluated against the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron. However, these SUVs approach the premium three-row formula very differently. The Sorento, Meridian, Kodiaq and Tayron use monocoque construction and focus primarily on passenger comfort, refinement and road manners. The Fortuner retains a body-on-frame chassis and proper part-time four-wheel-drive hardware, making it the more purpose-built option for demanding terrain. Price comparison | SUV | Ex-showroom price | Seating point to remember | | Kia Sorento | ₹27.99 lakh–₹40.39 lakh | Six and seven seats, depending on variant | | Jeep Meridian | ₹23.33 lakh–₹38.26 lakh | Five- and seven-seat versions available | | Skoda Kodiaq | ₹36.99 lakh–₹46.99 lakh | Lounge is a five-seater; Sportline and L&K are seven-seaters | | Volkswagen Tayron | ₹41.99 lakh–₹47.74 lakh | Life is a five-seater; R-Line is a seven-seater | | Toyota Fortuner | ₹34.76 lakh–₹50.46 lakh | Seven seats across the range | All prices are ex-showroom and should be checked against the applicable city and current dealer quotation. The headline starting prices need context. The entry-level Meridian, Kodiaq Lounge and Tayron Life do not provide the same seating proposition as a seven-seat Sorento. Buyers seeking a direct three-row comparison should therefore compare the Sorento with the relevant seven-seat variants—not simply the least expensive
Sep 5, 2026 · via autopunditz.com
Xiaomi unveils “Dragonscale” EV battery with CALB, Sunwoda, offers free Skynomad SUV in case of fire Xiaomi has announced a new “Dragonscale” (Longjia) battery for its Skynomad SUV models. Developed in partnership with CALB and Sunwoda, the tech giant is offering a lifetime safety guarantee for the new battery, covering spontaneous combustion and post-collision fires. Xiaomi’s guarantees Li Xiaoshuang, vice-CEO of Xiaomi’s automotive arm, says the Dragonscale battery far exceeds China’s national standards for cycle life, thanks to strict raw-material vetting and optimised manufacturing and design. In the case of self-ignition due to quality defects, Xiaomi is offering a free car of equal specification and trim level as compensation. The tech giant is also covering battery fires caused by collisions or underbody damage, pledging to cover the difference between insurance payouts and the car’s pre-loss market value. In the fine print, Xiaomi says the safety guarantees apply only to non-commercial first-owner cars, which rules out rideshare drivers, rental cars, and pre-owned vehicles. Owners must also subscribe to Xiaomi’s connected vehicle services and service their cars at official Xiaomi centres. What’s new with the Dragonscale battery Beyond cycle life, Xiaomi claims the Dragonscale battery exceeds China’s national standards in other areas. It says Dragonscale packs feature high-voltage isolators with millisecond-level switching times and redundant insulation materials. The battery also comes with a Xiaomi-developed “Cloud BMS” (battery management system), which claims to monitor cell condition with “cloud-based AI inspectors continuously”. Xiaomi asserts that the BMS samples cell data 10 times more frequently than the national standard, with 3 times the data size. Xiaomi says that all these measures allow the Dragonscale battery to react to incidents or failures in milliseconds. In high-temperature (55 °C) and full SoC (state of charge) testing, the tech giant claims that individual cell fires will not spread
Sep 5, 2026 · via carnewschina.com
***Friday’s Free Practice 2 for the 6 Hours of Circuit of The Americas marked only the second time Aston Martin machinery topped both the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes in a FIA World Endurance Championship session, the other coming in FP3 at Fuji last year, and ironically with times set by the same drivers in Harry Tincknell (Hypercar) and Zach Robichon (LMGT3). ***Seven drivers received five-minute stop-and-hold penalties for “constant abuse” of track limits in Free Practice 1: Francois Heriau (No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo), Miguel Molina (No. 50 AF Corse Ferrari 499P), Tom Van Rompuy (No. 78 Akkodis-ASP Team Lexus RC F GT3), Gray Newell (No. 23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo), Nick Cassidy (No. 93 Peugeot 9X8) as well as Logan Sargeant (No. 88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3 Evo) and Martin Berry (No. 61 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo) which were both handed two five-minute holds for continued track abuse. ***Additionally, Johannes Zelger (No. 79 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG) was penalized post-session and his car was forced to serve a five-minute hold at the start of Free Practice 2, while Timur Boguslavskiy (No. 91 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo), Antonio Felix da Costa (No. 35 Alpine A424) and Petru Umbrarescu (No. 87 Akkodis-ASP Lexus) were handed five-minute stop-and-holds for track limits incurred during FP2 itself. ***Genesis Magma Racing were fined €2,000 ($2,321 USD) for its No. 19 Genesis GMR-001 having taken to the track in FP1 with a different transponder than the one declared by the team. The No. 92 Manthey Porsche also initially encountered the same issue, although a second report from the stewards indicated the declaration was correct and thus no fine was issued. ***Joint Hypercar points leader Robin Frijns is seeking to bounce back from a disappointing result
Sep 5, 2026 · via sportscar365.com
How does Ottocast CarPlay work and how much does it cost? Sometimes you just want to jump in the car and have Apple CarPlay load automatically. Apple CarPlay can offer a seamless experience when your iPhone connects wirelessly. If all goes well, it can link automatically when get in your car and put multiple apps at your fingertips. Wireless CarPlay isn't supported by every car, however, with plenty of compatible vehicles still needing you to connect your iPhone using a USB cable. Ottocast CarPlay is one solution to this problem, as long as your infotainment system supports wired CarPlay connections to begin with. Ottocast adapters plug into your vehicle's USB port, acting as a bridge between your car and your iPhone to turn your wired CarPlay connection into a wireless one. Ottocast has several adapters on sale that ship with a range of features and compatibility. Making wired CarPlay vehicles wireless The Ottocast adapter is the middleman between your iPhone and the car's infotainment system. You'll plug it into the same USB port that you'd use for wired CarPlay and leave it in place. The car effectively sees that it's a CarPlay-compatible device, but it's more than just that: It's handling all of the communications with your iPhone wirelessly. Ottocast requires an initial setup process, though. You'll need to pair it with your iPhone using Bluetooth the first time you hook it up to your car's USB port, then approve the connection once you're prompted to. Bluetooth handles the connection before it shifts to Wi-Fi, ensuring there's a secure and stable connection between the Ottocast adapter and your iPhone. After that first pairing, the process should be pretty seamless. The Ottocast adapter will remember your iPhone and attempt to reconnect to it whenever you start your vehicle. It might take
Sep 5, 2026 · via engadget.com
- Market Value (2025): USD 3.4 Bn - Estimated Value (2026): USD 3.9 Bn - Forecast Value (2036): USD 16.0 Bn - CAGR (2026-2036): 15.1% What is the Full-System Vehicle Twins Market forecast to be worth by 2036? USD 3.9 billion in 2026 to USD 16.0 billion by 2036, at 15.1% CAGR. - The Full-System Vehicle Twins Market crossed a valuation of USD 3.4 billion in 2025. - Demand is projected to increase from USD 3.9 billion in 2026 to USD 16.0 billion by 2036. - The market is forecast to record a 15.1% CAGR from 2026 to 2036 as OEM engineering teams and validation groups standardize digital evidence across vehicle programs. What are the defining numbers behind Full-System Vehicle Twins Market growth? USD 12.1 billion absolute opportunity by 2036, led by full-vehicle multiphysics twin, passenger cars and simulation-led data coupling. - Demand Drivers in the Market - OEM vehicle-program teams need system-level correlation since battery packs, chassis loads and control software interact at platform level. - EV platform engineers need energy and heat models across the whole vehicle. The IEA reported in May 2025 that electric car sales topped 17 million worldwide in 2024. - ADAS safety teams need repeatable virtual road scenes so software behavior can be tested before public-road programs expand. - Manufacturing launch teams need digital continuity from design freeze to quality checks, which suits full-vehicle twins linked to plant simulation. - Fleet software teams need live twin feedback after release since connected vehicles create service data for calibration updates. - Key Segments Analyzed - By Twin Scope: Full-vehicle multiphysics twin is expected to hold 34.0% share in 2026 because it links thermal, structural and control behavior in one model. - By Lifecycle Stage: Concept & design is projected to account for 28.0% share in 2026
Sep 5, 2026 · via factmr.com
- United States - / - Auto Components - / - NYSE:APTV 3 Auto Stocks Retail Investors Are Watching As North American Trade Risks Shift Trade disputes between the US, Canada, the UK, and China are reshaping how cross border auto and industrial companies think about supply chains and pricing. For investors, that can mean sharp winners and quiet laggards as tariffs, meetings, and policy signals ripple through earnings expectations. This article breaks down three stocks exposed to the latest trade headlines and explains how the current climate could help or hurt each one. The three stocks below are just a sample of what trade sensitive auto and industrial companies can look like, and the full screen surfaced 79 more that carry equally compelling cross border narratives not covered here. If you want to move beyond a short list and identify which trade exposed stocks best fit your approach, head straight into the North American Auto and Industrial Companies With High Cross-Border Trade Exposure screener to filter and analyze the highest conviction plays. Visteon (VC) Overview: Visteon is an automotive technology company that supplies digital instrument clusters, displays, infotainment and connected car electronics to vehicle manufacturers, with programs that run across North American production hubs and other global auto markets. Its focus on cockpit electronics, battery management and in car AI software means Visteon is closely tied to how automakers equip higher tech vehicles and manage cross border production costs. Operations: Visteon generates all of its roughly US$3.8b in revenue from automotive electronics, with reported geographic disclosures highlighting China and other Asia Pacific markets but with programs that also span North American OEM production footprints. Market Cap: US$2.7b For investors following cross border auto suppliers, Visteon brings together cockpit electronics, AI driven software platforms and battery management systems that sit
Sep 5, 2026 · via simplywall.st
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a lobby group for the auto industry, wants an outright ban on Chinese-made cars, parts and software. John Bozzella, the AAI’s CEO and president, sent a letter to congressional leaders this week that asks Congress to ban selling, importing and manufacturing Chinese-made cars, hardware and software. There is currently bipartisan support in Washington to do just that, including the “Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026,” which “prohibits the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into US interstate commerce of connected vehicles and related software and hardware components associated with China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.” In the letter, Bozzella said the Chinese government’s policies are “rooted in a well-documented pattern of unfair trade, subsidies, intellectual property theft and surveillance.” The AAI expressed urgency and asked Congress to enact a ban before ending its session for this year. The AAI didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Existing automakers selling to US consumers have had their own brushes with regulators over drivers’ privacy. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission ordered General Motors not to sell driver data for five years, and a Consumer Reports investigation that year found nearly every automaker collects and shares data on driver behavior. Chinese cars, particularly electric vehicles, have seen their popularity rise across the world due to their affordability. One reason those prices are so low is that the automakers get significant government subsidies. Chinese automakers are essentially blocked from selling to US consumers by high tariffs. The AAI said a permanent ban will “send a clear and bipartisan message that China’s strategy to dominate global automotive manufacturing will be met with a national security policy response from the American government.”
Sep 5, 2026 · via cnet.com
I know people lament that letter writing is dead, but I’m happy to say I don’t think that’s true. I say this because just yesterday the Alliance for Automotive Innovation – a trade group made up of a large number of automakers, including GM, Ford, Ferrari, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Mazda, McLaren, Toyota, Subaru, hell, even VinFast, among many others – sent a heartfelt, personal letter to congressional leaders asking about enacting a “permanent ban” on Chinese-made “connected” cars in America. Their argument in the letter is essentially that they believe Chinese carmakers don’t play fair, and are determined to surveil Americans and, when able, steal intellectual property. Here’s what they say in the letter: “Alliance for Automotive Innovation urges Congress to enact a permanent ban on the sale, import and manufacture of Chinese connected vehicles, hardware and software before the conclusion of the 119th Congress. Multiple committees in the House and Senate have devoted time and attention this session to the Chinese government’s industrial and manufacturing policy that’s rooted in a well-documented pattern of unfair trade, subsidies, intellectual property theft and surveillance. This behavior is a feature of the Chinese approach and especially acute when it comes to China’s strategy to dominate global automotive manufacturing and critical supply chains. Right now, Chinese automakers are dumping subsidized vehicles with connected software and hardware around the world. China is capturing market share in Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Mexico and South America with vehicles capable of collecting, processing and transmitting sensitive vehicle and consumer data to the Chinese Communist Party. This hasn’t happened inside the U.S. yet, but given the scale and urgency of this threat, we urge you to enact a Chinese vehicle, software and hardware ban before adjourning this year and make this policy the law of the land.” Now,
Sep 5, 2026 · via theautopian.com
On the Dash: - Bill would order a Commerce study of automakers’ ties to foreign adversaries - Review covers ownership, joint ventures, technology transfers and intellectual property impact - Commerce must report to two congressional committees within two years of enactment Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced bipartisan legislation that would require automakers with financial or technical ties to China to undergo a formal federal accounting of those relationships. The Automotive National and Economic Security Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of Commerce to study the national and economic security risks posed by foreign adversaries to the U.S. automotive industry. However, the bill stops short of restricting any vehicle or manufacturer and instead builds the factual record lawmakers would need before taking that step. “China has a playbook, and we’ve watched them run it on critical minerals, shipbuilding, and batteries,” Harshbarger said in a statement released by her office. “Now they’re setting their sights on the global automotive market, building out their industrial base with state subsidies and flooding markets with artificially cheap products to undercut American manufacturers.” What Commerce would examine The study would examine four areas: - Foreign ownership of and state-directed investment in U.S. automakers by foreign military organizations, political parties and state-owned enterprises - Joint ventures, subsidiaries and commercial partnerships between U.S. manufacturers and foreign adversaries - Transfers of critical and emerging technologies to foreign adversaries - Impacts on U.S. national security, economic competitiveness and intellectual property protection The Bill Text filed on Aug. 26 broadly defines the activity under review. Any direct or indirect ownership interest in a manufacturer counts, as do any contract manufacturing agreement, research and development partnership, or licensing deal. Connected vehicle technology falls inside the scope The measure also reaches software-enabled hardware installed in vehicles, electronic
Sep 4, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
US carmakers want Chinese cars banned. Waymo has imported 3,200 Zeekrs The Chinese car doing the most miles in America turns up with no electronics in it The Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote to Congress this week asking for a permanent ban on Chinese connected vehicles, along with the software and hardware inside them. Three days earlier, Waymo opened public driverless service in Denver and San Diego, and in both cities the only car a passenger can ride in is built by Zeekr in Ningbo. None of that is illegal, and the reason why is the whole story. The Alliance wants a law on the books before Congress adjourns on 3 January Reuters first reported the letter on 3 September. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation speaks for most of the industry selling cars in the United States, counting General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo among its members, and its chief executive John Bozzella asked lawmakers to act before the session ends. He argued that Chinese makers are dumping subsidised vehicles with connected software and hardware around the world, and pointed at two bills sitting in committee: H.R. 10158, the Automotive National and Economic Security Act, and the Connected Vehicle Security Act. Tariffs and Commerce Department rules already keep Chinese cars out. The industry wants that turned into law a future administration cannot quietly unwind, even though Ford's own chief executive has told staff the barrier will not hold forever. Waymo's Ojai is built in Ningbo and only becomes a connected car in Mesa, Arizona The vehicle, internally the Zeekr CM1e and previously known as the RT, leaves China as what US customs treats as an incomplete rolling glider. It ships without the autonomous computer, without the sensors and without the telematics. Waymo and Magna
Sep 4, 2026 · via autonext.co
CHI Bears vs CAR Panthers: 4th Quarter Winner Tie 4th Quarter11¢ CAR0¢ CHI0¢ LIVE 1D 1W MAX Select a contract Tie 4th Quarter 11¢ Carolina 0¢ Chicago 0¢ Timeline Trading hours 24 hours a day, except Thursday 3AM-5AM ET Event day September 13, 2026 Contract resolves Determines the outcome of the contract Payout Usually within 1 hour of event resolution About Who will be the CHI Bears vs CAR Panthers: 4th Quarter Winner?The following market refers to the team that scores the most points during the 4th Quarter (excluding overtime). Only points scored during the 4th Quarter (excluding overtime) of play count towards this market. If both teams score the same amount of points during the quarter, all team strikes resolve to No and the Tie strike resolves to Yes.Kalshi is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Governing League. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.Get $1 for every contract you own if your prediction is correct. Or close your position before the event resolves. Additional fees apply. Read the full contract terms and conditions Trading prohibitions - Current and former players, coaches, and staff of the league, association, or organization(s) governing the event. For college leagues/associations specifically, or where otherwise appropriate (as identified by the Exchange), this applies to current and former players/coaches/staff of the specific teams in CHI Bears vs CAR Panthers: 4th Quarter Winner rather than the league/association as a whole (e.g., if the Division I Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Team is playing in CHI Bears vs CAR Panthers: 4th Quarter Winner, this prohibition will restrict trades by current/former players of that team, rather than all current/former players/coaches/staff in any NCAA sport). - Paid employees of the league and league participants - Owners of
Sep 4, 2026 · via robinhood.com
The chances of our ever seeing a full range of Chinese cars on American roads keeps getting more and more remote, like the disappearing wall-to-wall taillights on a 1966 T-Bird. On September 3, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing automakers, called on Congress to “enact a permanent ban on the sale, import and manufacture of Chinese connected vehicles, hardware and software before the conclusion of the 119th Congress.” It’s important, though, to know what we’re missing. Chinese consumers enjoy some very inexpensive, technically interesting cars that would probably sell quite well if they were ever offered here, even with some tariffs and transportation costs thrown in. Here are five of the more interesting best-selling bargains on the Chinese domestic market. Thanks to the China EV Data Tracker for 2026 year-to-date sales figures, and to Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights for editorial help: Geely Xingyuan Price: $9,130 Higher trims of this EV, a.k.a. Star Wish or EX2, go to $13,500. This number-one bestseller from Geely has moved 226,465 units in China so far this year. In 2025, Geely sold 465,775 of them, surpassing the Tesla Model Y (425,000). The front-drive subcompact is about the same size as a Chevrolet Sonic, with room for five passengers. It offers 46.6 cubic feet of interior cargo space, with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a 2.5-cubic-foot frunk. Range is 193 to 298 miles depending on the version. Don’t expect a ball of fire. The Xingyuan has a 40-kilowatt-hour battery and a 114-horsepower motor, yielding a leisurely 11.5-second zero to 60 time. Just like Doctor Doolittle, it gets you there eventually. Testers say this entry-level Geely has light steering without much feel, soft suspension, and a fair amount of body lean. Says Kevin Williams at Inside EVs, “The EX2 feels smooth riding, quiet,
Sep 4, 2026 · via autoweek.com
Toyota released an updated version of the ProBox on September 4, 2026, making a built-in cellular Data Communication Module (DCM) standard equipment across every trim — the first time Japan's most enduring commercial van has carried factory-embedded telematics hardware. The change unlocks Toyota's T-Connect connected-car platform on a vehicle that has historically required dealer visits for software maintenance and offered no remote diagnostics capability, and it arrives with five years of T-Connect access included at no additional cost from the date of first registration, as confirmed by the ProBox DCM T-Connect update reported by Japanese automotive outlets. The ProBox is not a vehicle most TechTimes readers will have driven. It is a five-door, 4,245 mm (167.1-inch) light commercial wagon sold only in Japan, with ProBox pricing and trim lineup starting from ¥1,918,400 (approximately $12,100 USD) to ¥2,261,600 (approximately $14,200 USD). Its design philosophy — maximum cargo floor, minimum gadgetry, mechanics every shop in the country can service — has kept it essentially unchanged since 2014. Annual sales run at roughly 50,000 units in Japan, making it one of the country's highest-volume commercial vehicles and the preferred workhorse of delivery operators, tradespeople, and small businesses from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Today's connectivity upgrade is significant not because the ProBox is exciting but because of what its sheer volume means when connected: approximately 50,000 new vehicles per year now feeding real-time diagnostic and location data into Toyota's Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) through a direct connection to the CAN bus. What the DCM Does That Aftermarket Telematics Cannot The DCM is not a smartphone dock or a Bluetooth adapter. It is a dedicated cellular modem, hardwired to the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN bus) — the internal backbone through which all of the ProBox's electronic control units (ECUs) communicate, per Toyota's CAN bus connectivity
Sep 4, 2026 · via techtimes.com
As vehicles become more connected, consumers gain new features that can make driving more exciting, but they also share more personal information with automakers. During today’s CBT Live segment, Lauren Fix, Founder of Car Coach Reports, shared insights on how this issue is growing in importance for dealers, especially since many consumers blame dealerships for data practices that are actually managed by automakers and their software. Fix recounted that her concerns about connected vehicles grew after a personal software update on her Ford Bronco Raptor seemed to restore data-sharing permissions she had disabled. The vehicle briefly indicated that permissions were enabled, prompting her to review and revert the settings. She then emphasized the issue’s broader scope beyond Ford, noting that it is tied to automakers’ software and connected-vehicle systems rather than dealer-controlled. For dealers, it’s crucial to understand these systems, as customers might still direct privacy complaints to the retailer. The issue also poses a potential customer-communication challenge regarding connected services, Bluetooth, and vehicle software. Fix said that while consumers may believe they have opted out of data collection, information can still be transmitted when they connect smartphones or use other vehicle-connected features. She argued that consumers need clearer disclosures and a reliable way to opt out. Fix also noted growing consumer interest in simpler vehicles with less technology, suggesting that automakers’ push toward greater connectivity could eventually face resistance from buyers who prioritize privacy and simplicity. Nevertheless, Fix said data ownership could become an increasingly important issue for automakers, dealers, and consumers. She argued that consumers should have greater control over vehicle-generated data and suggested that dealerships could use transparent data practices to differentiate themselves when communicating with customers. She also said AI could help consumers navigate lengthy privacy agreements by identifying data-sharing provisions and explaining how to opt
Sep 4, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Hyundai’s electric van is bigger than the Kia PV5 and Volkswagen ID. Buzz, with enough room for nine passengers. Hyundai Staria Electric van prices and specs We got our first look at the Staria Electric in January when Hyundai unveiled it at the Brussels Motor Show. The electric van is essentially the EV version of the gas-powered model sold in Europe, South Korea, and other global markets. After launching it in Korea earlier this year, Hyundai is opening orders for the Staria Electric across Europe. In Germany, Hyundai’s electric van starts at €57,450, or about $66,500. Measuring 5,253 mm (206.8″) in length, 1,997 mm (78.6″) in width, and 1,990 mm (78.3″) in height, with a 3,273 mm (128.8″ wheelbase, the Staria Electric is about 200 mm (7.8″) longer than Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9. Although it looks about the same as the gas version, the Staria Electric stands out with EV-like elements, including a closed-off grille and a full-length light bar across the front. The flat floor and open-plan design open up interior space with 7- and 9-seat configurations. The 9-seater offers up to 1,303 liters of luggage capacity, plus an additional 24-liter frunk. With sliding doors and folding seats, Hyundai said the electric van is perfect for larger families or trips with friends. Inside, the Staria Electric adopts Hyundai’s new “Inside-Out” design theme. The setup includes Hyundai’s latest connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) with dual 12.3″ instrument cluster and infotainment screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Powered by an 84 kWh battery and a 160 kW (218 hp) front-mounted electric motor, Hyundai’s electric van has a WLTP range of up to 430 km (267 miles). Thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, the Staria EV’s battery can charge from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes at a 350
Sep 4, 2026 · via electrek.co
Zeekr robotaxis expand to 14 American cities as a part of Waymo fleet Waymo began public driverless ride-hailing services in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa on September 1, expanding its U.S. operating footprint to 14 cities. Denver and San Diego launched with the Zeekr-built Ojai as the exclusive vehicle platform, giving Waymo’s newest robotaxi a larger role as the company transitions away from its Jaguar I-Pace fleet. The Waymo Ojai, internally identified as the Zeekr CM1e and previously associated with the Zeekr RT designation, is manufactured in Ningbo, China, before being shipped to the United States for autonomous-system integration in Mesa, Arizona. Zeekr supplies the vehicle platform, while Waymo supplies the autonomous driving system, computing hardware, and sensors. Magna is involved in downstream integration. Denver puts the Ojai into a new environment Denver adds a cold-weather, high-altitude environment to the Ojai’s commercial deployment. The vehicle uses Geely’s SEA-M architecture with redundant steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems. Its single rear permanent-magnet synchronous motor produces 200 kW (268 hp) and 342 N·m (252 lb-ft) of torque, paired with a 93 kWh gross-capacity battery. Waymo’s sixth-generation system uses four LiDAR units, six radar sensors, and 13 external cameras, compared with 29 cameras and five LiDARs on the fifth-generation Jaguar I-Pace. The Ojai’s cameras use 17-megapixel imagers. Heated sensor housings and 10 miniature wipers, each less than 3 inches (76 mm) long, are designed to keep sensor surfaces clear of snow, slush and ice. The Ojai measures 4,640 mm long with a 3,000 mm wheelbase and uses opposing sliding doors around a B-pillarless passenger opening. Its 2+3 cabin leaves four usable passenger positions because the driver’s seat is unavailable to riders. The battery uses active liquid cooling. More than 3,200 Ojai chassis have entered the US More than 3,200 CM1e chassis had landed through the
Sep 4, 2026 · via carnewschina.com