Automakers


  • Land Rover Defender 130 2022
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    Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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    JLR recalls more than 170,000 US mild hybrids over power loss

    A remedy for the issue that could lead to DC-DC converter failure is "currently under development," according to a JLR letter filed with NHTSA.

    By April 27, 2026
  • Smart Automobile Co. executives post next to a white and yellow vehicle during an event in Beijing, China.
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    Courtesy of Smart Automobile Co.
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    Smart signals US ambitions as it unveils Concept #2 city EV

    While current trade tensions are preventing the brand’s return, the company’s marketing chief Kang Yi said the company is not closing the door on the U.S.

    By Greg Kable • April 27, 2026
  • The interior of a Kia EV3 showing the dashboard and front seats. Explore the Trendline
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    Courtesy of Kia Corporation
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    Trendline

    Artificial Intelligence

    Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.

    By WardsAuto staff
  • A rendering of a gold Tesla Cybercab with its doors open while parked on an urban street.
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    Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
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    Tesla plans over $25B in capital spend for robotics, chips and AI

    The planned expenses this year are triple the amount of capital spent in 2025 and will support the automaker’s factory and production line conversions.

    By April 24, 2026
  • Home Pro Kia PB5
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    Courtesy of Kia
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    European consumers rush to EVs as gas prices soar

    The Iran war was cited as the reason for a boom in new electric vehicle registrations across most EU markets.

    By April 24, 2026
  • SOP Ibiza And Arona 2026
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    Courtesy of Seat S.A.
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    SDVs pose challenges to automotive supply chains, Moody’s says

    Quality control of software is not as easy as hardware, but automakers are warned not to overreact.

    By April 24, 2026
  • A light gray Chevrolet Bolt EV parked outside at a charging station at a Chevrolet dealer in Colma, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Column

    The $100B quality tax: Why the industry is losing the war on defects

    Automakers are trying to build more complex vehicles in less time, while navigating broad technology shifts. What could possibly go wrong?

    By John McElroy • April 23, 2026
  • Renault CEO François Provost futuREady India
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    Courtesy of Renault Group
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    Renault plans global tech, production hub in India

    The automaker aims to launch seven models in the local market by decade-end offered with a full range of powertrain options.

    By April 23, 2026
  • Volvo EX60 Start Of Production 2026
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    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
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    Volvo starts global production of EX60 electric SUV

    The Swedish automaker has high hopes for its "game-changer" midsize model.

    By April 22, 2026
  • VW
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    Courtesy of Volkswagen
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    Volkswagen hits the reset button, starting with its EVs

    Europe’s largest automaker admits it “lost its way” with its ID EV lineup and is returning to “true Volkswagen” qualities across the brand.

    By Greg Kable • April 22, 2026
  • A silver 2022 Honda Odyssey minivan driving on a road with greenery in the background.
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    Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co.
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    Honda recalls nearly 441K Odyssey minivans over unintended airbag deployment

    The supplemental restraint system control module may misinterpret potholes and speed bumps as collisions, and inadvertently trigger some airbags.

    By April 22, 2026
  • A silver electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class on display at a media event in Seoul.
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    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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    Mercedes-Benz secures multi-year EV battery supply deal with Samsung SDI

    The automaker plans to use the nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries for future compact and mid-size electric SUVs and coupe models.

    By April 21, 2026
  • Honda 0 Series platform, emphasizing thin, light, and wise
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    Courtesy of Honda
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    Honda considers an analog spin for software-defined vehicles

    With an investment in semiconductor manufacturer Mythic, analog computing might help cut energy consumption in future AI-powered vehicle systems.

    By April 20, 2026
  • A light green Jeep Compass SUV on the assembly line at the Stellantis Melfi plant in Italy.
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Stellantis teams with Microsoft to strengthen digital capabilities

    As part of the 5-year agreement, collaborative teams will co-develop more than 100 initiatives relating to AI and cybersecurity.

    By April 20, 2026
  • The interior of Rivian's electric vehicle factory in Normal, Illinois, showing R1T pickups on the assembly line.
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    Courtesy of Rivian
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    Rivian, Redwood Materials announce energy storage partnership

    The EV maker’s second-life battery packs will be integrated into an energy system for its Illinois assembly plant.

    By April 20, 2026
  • Jeep Recon Moab Trim 2026
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Jeep, Ram shipments surge in North America, driving Stellantis’ Q1 rebound

    The automaker reported a strong start in 2026 as new launches boost demand for its products.

    By April 20, 2026
  • Lucid Lunar robotaxi concept, looking inside.
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    Courtesy of Lucid
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    Lucid confirms $750M of fresh investment, scaled-up Uber robotaxi project

    Alongside the appointment of a new CEO and a vote-of-confidence investment from Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Uber is agreeing to up its investment and buy 15,000 more vehicles.

    By April 17, 2026
  • Kemal Curic McLaren Designer
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    Courtesy of McLaren Automotive
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    Ford Mustang designer takes lead role at McLaren

    Kemal Curic takes over design direction for the British supercar builder.

    By April 17, 2026
  • Three Universal EV Platform team members at Ford's Vehicle Performance and Electrification Center working on the underbody shield of a vehicle.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford creates new unit to deliver next-gen vehicles, software and services

    The automaker aims to make its highest-volume vehicles into platforms for digital growth with updated electrical architectures and enhanced over-the-air software capabilities.

    By April 16, 2026
  • The interior of the Tesla Model 3 showing the dashboard, steering wheel and center display screen.
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    Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
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    Tesla’s Full Self-Driving approved for public roads in the Netherlands

    The country’s Vehicle Authority will test the deployment for 18 months, while stressing it’s an ADAS system and not self-driving technology.

    By April 16, 2026
  • RAM Rampage Europe 2025
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    US automakers fear EU safety, emissions rules endanger tariff deal

    The European Union's unratified tariff deal with the U.S. is now in the balance as proposed safety and emissions standards affect big truck imports.

    By April 16, 2026
  • A Lucid Gravity luxury electric SUV parked outdoors with greenery in the background.
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    Courtesy of Lucid Group
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    Lucid Group appoints permanent CEO after 14-month search

    COO Marc Winterhoff has been serving in the role on an interim basis since February 2025 following the resignation of Peter Rawlinson.

    By April 15, 2026
  • The 2027 Nissan Rogue e-Power hybrid SUV
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor Co.
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    Nissan announces its new ‘Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life’ long-term strategy

    The automaker aims to boost its global competitiveness with next-generation AI technologies, electrification and shared vehicle architectures.

    By April 15, 2026
  • A driver using a hands-free driving system in the new BMW iX3 electric vehicle.
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    Courtesy of BMW Group
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    Bosch, Qualcomm expand partnership to include ADAS technology

    Bosch said it delivered over 10 million cockpit computers to global OEMs using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon system-on-chips.

    By April 15, 2026
  • Opel Astra Production in Russelsheim
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Stellantis to cut 650 engineer jobs at Opel’s German HQ

    Company and unions confirm decision to trim more than a third of technicians at Rüsselsheim after Tech Center assessment.

    By April 14, 2026
  • The Slate Auto Truck, from the side, wrapped in orange
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    Courtesy of Slate Auto
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    Slate Auto says $650M boost will get it to ‘next stages of production’

    Deliveries of the startup’s affordable electric truck are due in late 2026, with pricing set to be announced in June.

    By April 14, 2026