Technology

  • 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
  • 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 a Kia EV3 showing the dashboard and front seats. Explore the Trendlineâž”
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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
  • An image of a number of vehicles at EV chargers against a tan background. Text above the image says "Ionna. Circle K. We'll be electrifying your favorite stop."
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    Courtesy of Ionna
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    Circle K plans 350 EV charging sites with Ionna

    The partnership will involve a mix of updating existing charging stations and adding over 250 new sites to the network, all of which Ionna will operate.

    By Jessica Loder • 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
  • 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
  • Futuristic car design
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    Permission granted by dSPACE
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    Sponsored by dSPACE

    Automotive software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing – and how do I do it right?

    In the SDV era, software-in-the-loop testing is indispensable for shortening development cycles and ensuring quality right from the start.

    By Barbara Kempkes • April 13, 2026
  • Kia pickup in side profile.
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    Courtesy of Kia
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    Kia plans US-bound pickup, more hybrids and robots

    In a strategy update, Kia aims to double the number of U.S. hybrid models but is again lowering its EV targets.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • Dacia Duster III Hybrid G150 Extreme
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    Courtesy of Renault Group
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    Europe vehicle registrations drop in first two months of 2026

    Hybrids remained the most popular consumer choice while EVs gained market share.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoid robot.
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    Courtesy of Boston Dynamics
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    Column

    Taking the jobs humans don’t want: the ironic promise of the humanoid robot

    Robots are being used to perform increasingly complex tasks in automotive plants.

    By John McElroy • April 8, 2026
  • Dan Harrowell Repairability BYD Dolphin
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    Courtesy of Thatcham Research
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    EVs should be as repairable as ICE, Thatcham Research says

    Building longevity into EVs is good for consumers and the aftermarket industries alike, says the vehicle assessor.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • The 2027 Kia EV3 in U.S. specification, in the sun
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    Courtesy of Kia
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    2027 Kia EV3 confirmed for US as entry-level electric SUV

    While the automaker has confirmed a wide range of versions, it remains mum on production location and price.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • Euro NCAP Zeekr X Post Crash Test 17.03.2026
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    Permission granted by Paul Myles
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    US-created New Car Assessment Program takes a leap forward in Europe

    Politics ties NHTSA’s hands in driving vehicle safety innovations, according to Euro NCAP.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • The interior of a 2025 Ford Explorer SUV showing the steering wheel, instrument cluster and center display screen.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford recalls nearly 255K SUVs for camera image processing module errors

    A software fault can lead to an intermittent loss of the image feed or advanced driver assist features, including blindspot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • Humanoid robots work on a production line.
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    Courtesy of Mobileye / Mentee Robotics
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    Deep Dive

    Autonomous vehicles are driving the auto industry toward humanoid robots

    Learnings from autonomous-vehicle development fit nicely with robotics, which industry executives said could become a potential $100 billion-plus market by decade end.

    By • April 3, 2026
  • Refreshed 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE.
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    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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    Mercedes-Benz overhauls GLE and GLS SUVs — again

    The latest facelift extends an already long model cycle for the U.S.-built SUVs.

    By Greg Kable • April 3, 2026
  • A driver in a Ford SUV travels on a highway without their hands on the steering wheel while using the automaker's BlueCruise automated driving feature.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    NTSB: Ford’s BlueCruise failed to intervene in 2 fatal crashes

    The agency investigated the crashes in 2024 that killed three and determined that the hands-free driving system failed to brake for stationary vehicles.

    By • Updated April 7, 2026
  • The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid, out in the sun in Southern California.
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    Bengt Halvorson/WardsAuto
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    2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid expands the horizon

    Subaru’s first hybrid Wilderness might sound like keyword-stuffing, but it’s simply where the brand sees growth. 

    By • April 2, 2026
  • Polestar 2 and 3 Recycled Battery Content
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    Courtesy of Polestar
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    Polestar launches recycled battery content in two models

    Batteries in Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 now get at least half of their cobalt from recycled sources.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • Subaru Getaway EV, parked in the grass at a Southern California preview.
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    Bengt Halvorson/WardsAuto
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    2027 Subaru Getaway EV primed for family fun

    A smart strategy with Toyota brings Subaru an electric SUV that serves as a stealth flagship.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • A rendering of a software-defined vehicle showing various electronics and networked computer systems.
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    Courtesy of Android Automotive
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    Google will open-source Android Automotive OS SDV platform

    The company said the platform standardizes the software layer of vehicle architectures, allowing OEMs the ability to integrate modules running software from dozens of different suppliers.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • A gray 2026 Nissan Sentra undergoes moderate overlap front crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
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    Courtesy of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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    IIHS eyes crash avoidance improvements with its 2026 safety awards

    SUVs accounted for 47 of the 63 vehicles that earned a spot on the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards list.

    By • March 30, 2026