Autos in Five

JLR Cuts 4,000 Jobs, No Bailout

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:02:31 +0000

Jaguar Land Rover confirms 4,000 job cuts. Automotive World reports the carmaker will cut 4,000 roles over two years, with the UK government ruling out bailout support, setting the planning baseline for suppliers and regional workforces. (Automotive World, Just Auto, Automotive News)

VW reaches deal with labor over restructuring. Automotive News reports Volkswagen settled a cost program affecting 100,000 workers through talks with labor and regional officials, indicating how much leverage co-determined boards still hold. (Automotive News)

US president threatens 50% tariff on Canadian auto imports. Just Auto reports a threatened 50% tariff on Canadian vehicle imports dated to 1 January 2027, not in force, so the near-term effect falls on sourcing and pricing plans. (Just Auto, Automotive News)

Tata Motors opens €14.1 tender offer for Iveco. Automotive World reports Tata Motors has launched a tender offer for Iveco Group at €14.1 per share, putting a stated price on a European commercial-vehicle network. (Automotive World)

Also moving today:

Ford expands China export strategy with electric van shipments to Europe (Automotive News)

VW reaches deal with Israeli company to turn German plant into defense hub (Automotive News)

Unifor opens contract talks with Stellantis covering over 9,000 Canadian workers (Just Auto)

Tesla adds emergency self-activation to FSD Supervised (Automotive World)

Nissan’s global sales fall 16% in July (Just Auto)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Federal Probe Into Tesla's Cybercab, and 54,000 Auto Jobs Cut

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:02:45 +0000

NHTSA opens probe into Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi. Automotive News reports a federal safety probe of a two-seat autonomous cab launched without a steering wheel, pedals or mirrors, a test of the path to selling controls-free vehicles. (Automotive News)

Volkswagen restructuring plan could cut 50,000 jobs. WardsAuto and Automotive News report Volkswagen is advancing a restructuring that may eliminate up to 50,000 positions and halve its model lineup by 2035. (WardsAuto, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Jaguar Land Rover said to cut 4,000 UK jobs. The Times of London reports JLR plans to cut 12 percent of its U.K. workforce as it confronts U.S. tariffs and falling revenue. (Automotive News)

Automakers jointly press Congress on Chinese vehicles. GM, Ford, Toyota and other rivals wrote to congressional leaders through the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, moving policy on Chinese cars onto an industry-wide footing. (Idaho Statesman, WebProNews, en.shafaqna.com)

Also moving today:

Hyundai to begin delivering robotaxis to Waymo in Q4 (WardsAuto)

Germany’s ruling SPD backs EU tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars (Automotive News)

Carney says U.S. wants Canadian industries, such as auto, ‘wiped out’ or made subsidiaries (Automotive News)

Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine (The Wall Street Journal)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

VW Board Backs 50,000 More Job Cuts

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:02:52 +0000

VW board approves turnaround plan, 35,000 job cuts. Volkswagen's board signed off on a restructuring plan that includes further headcount reductions and a review of new uses for four German plants, setting the capacity baseline suppliers and labor negotiators will work against. (Automotive News)

Automakers ask Congress to ban Chinese cars this year. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation urged lawmakers to bar Chinese-built vehicles from the U.S. market before year-end, attaching a stated deadline to a market-access question that shapes product planning. (MyrtleBeachOnline, American Journal of Transportation | AJOT | 1-800-599-6358, Automotive News)

Tesla launches camera-only Cybercab robotaxi in Texas. Tesla put its camera-only Cybercab into commercial robotaxi service in Texas alongside lidar-equipped rivals, with analysts saying the safety case remains unproven. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Tech Times)

Xiaomi signs German dealer groups ahead of 2027 launch. Xiaomi is reportedly building its German sales network through established dealer groups including Emil Frey and Penske Automotive, placing a new Chinese entrant inside incumbent retail networks. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

London’s first self-driving taxis hit the road with Wayve (Automotive World, Just Auto, Automotive News)

Launches of extended-range Jeep, Ram EVs pushed back again, suppliers told (Automotive News)

Auto sales see 3rd consecutive month of gains in August (Automotive News)

BYD closes the export gap with Chery, hits BEV sales record (Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Uber Cuts 10%, and the Tariff Bill Lands on Toyota

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:02:42 +0000

Uber to cut about 3,300 jobs, Automotive News reports. Uber is eliminating roughly 10% of staff and framing the cut as preparation for a robotaxi future, a read on how the largest demand aggregator is sizing itself against AV operators. (Automotive News)

JPMorgan: Toyota and Honda most exposed to Canadian tariffs. JPMorgan analysts argue Trump's threatened tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles would hit Japanese automakers harder than US ones, a reading that would shift which supply chains face pressure. (Yahoo! Finance)

BYD posts 30% quarterly profit gain on overseas business. BYD reports higher margins abroad than at home as international deliveries climb 82%, a mix shift that shapes how exporters read Chinese pricing pressure. (Automotive News)

August US sales slip while SAAR reaches 2026 high. Reported August volume fell even as the seasonally adjusted annual rate hit a 2026 high of 16.84 million, a split dealers and planners will weigh against Q4 inventory and incentive calls. (Automotive News, Just Auto)

Also moving today:

Waymo opens public rides in Denver, San Diego and Tampa (Automotive World)

BYD asked about taking over Stellantis Brampton plant, mayor says (Automotive News, The Last Refuge)

Honda targets $9.4bn in cost cuts as China competition intensifies, report (Just Auto, Automotive News)

VW boss Oliver Blume heads for labor showdown with chances of accord receding, report says (Automotive News)

China makes cars so quickly that regulators are getting worried (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Canada's Tariffs Land on Toyota and Honda

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:02:38 +0000

Toyota, Honda most exposed to proposed Canada tariff. Automotive News reports the two automakers build over three-quarters of Canada's vehicles, concentrating the cost of a proposed 50 percent tariff. (Automotive News)

August US sales split by brand as hybrids climb. Automotive News reports Honda, Kia and Subaru posted August gains while Toyota, Hyundai and Mazda slipped, with hybrid demand again outpacing the market. (Automotive News)

Report: VW board proposes closing four German plants. WirtschaftsWoche reports VW Group management plans to shut four German plants by 2034 under CEO Oliver Blume's cost-cutting push, an account VW has not confirmed. (Automotive News)

China issues overseas conduct guidelines for BYD, peers. Automotive News and Automotive World report Chinese regulators urged automakers to avoid unfair pricing abroad and comply with anti-monopoly, labor and corporate responsibility rules. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

GM Canada workers ratify deal to bring Sierra HD to Oshawa, prevent CAMI closure (Automotive News, Automotive News)

French EV market share hits record 38% in August, doubling year-earlier figure (Automotive News)

Tesla’s European sales mixed in August, strong in France and Denmark (Automotive News)

Stellantis shakes up European leadership with new heads of Fiat, other brands and marketing (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Nvidia backs MediaTek with US$3.5bn SDV investment (Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Honda and Nissan Pool Their Electronics

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:02:32 +0000

Honda, Nissan to share vehicle hardware and software. The two Japanese rivals plan jointly developed E/E architecture, ECUs and software for next-generation software-defined vehicles from fiscal 2029, giving suppliers a possible shared spec to plan against. (WardsAuto, Tech Times, Automotive News)

Unifor opens Stellantis talks with idled Brampton plant central. Unifor and Stellantis began contract negotiations Sept. 1 with the union targeting a deal by Sept. 11 ahead of a Sept. 20 expiry, compressing Canadian assembly decisions into a ten-day window. (Automotive News)

BYD overseas revenue passes domestic sales for first time. BYD's international business outearned its home market for the first time, illustrating why Chinese automakers are looking abroad as domestic price competition erodes profits. (Automotive News)

Electrified powertrains lifted EU new-vehicle registrations in July. Jato Dynamics data ties July registration gains to breadth of powertrain lineup rather than BEV share alone, a read that bears on how automakers sequence hybrid and EV capacity in Europe. (WardsAuto)

Also moving today:

Dallas Robotaxi Zone Grows 50 Percent as Tesla Registers First 45 Cybercabs in Texas (Tech Times, Tech Times)

Europe EV Sales Report: BEVs Reach 26% Market Share! (CleanTechnica)

DiDi launches R2 driverless service tests in China (Automotive World)

APMA’s Flavio Volpe on trade war: ‘What the F are we doing?’ (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Ottawa Waits Out the 50% Tariff Threat

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:44:39 +0000

Canada dismisses Trump threat to double auto tariffs. Automotive News reports Ottawa publicly brushed off a threatened 50% tariff on Canadian-made vehicles, leaving planners without a settled input. (Automotive News)

Tariff refunds spark automaker-supplier disputes over who keeps cash. Automotive News reports billions in tariff refunds have been issued, and contract language now decides who keeps the money. (Automotive News)

VW management may bypass supervisory board on turnaround. Automotive News reports VW Group management could push its turnaround plan without supervisory-board sign-off, setting up a showdown over jobs and plants. (Automotive News)

Toyota to build next Lexus EV in China first. Automotive World and Just Auto report Toyota will produce its next EV in China under the Lexus badge, a signal on where BEV engineering is sourced. (Automotive World, Just Auto)

Also moving today:

GM gives Oshawa plant Sierra HD pickup, CAMI gets a lifeline in Unifor deal (Automotive News)

Ford’s Lisa Drake to retire; Dave Carroll takes over new energy storage business (Automotive News)

China proposes liability rules for autonomous vehicles (Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Autos Become the Hardest Point in US, Canada Trade Talks

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:02:06 +0000

Autos emerge as sticking point in U.S.-Canada talks. Automotive News reports negotiators are stuck on autos as they try to avert 50 percent duties on Canadian goods, putting the integrated North American vehicle supply chain at the center of the outcome. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Automotive World: China-led sales decline may be tapering. Automotive World's August global light vehicle forecast says seven months of China-led volume decline could be easing, an input planners use for second-half production and inventory calls. (Automotive World, Automotive World)

China begins yearlong connected-car safety campaign. Automotive World reports Beijing will require software configurations to be frozen before sale, a rule that would reshape OTA release practice for connected vehicles sold in China. (Automotive World)

Canadian auto supplier shares fall on 50% tariff threat. Automotive News reports shares of Canadian auto suppliers dropped after President Trump's 50 percent tariff threat, signaling tariff exposure is now being priced beyond assemblers. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Tesla’s emergency door concerns reach Europe as Dutch regulator weighs options (Automotive News)

Mitsubishi Motors plans return to US pickup market through Nissan partnership (Just Auto, WardsAuto, Automotive News)

Geely shoots for 2027 solid-state batteries pilots (Just Auto)

Xpeng Q2 margin hits 20.7% as overseas revenue tops 25% (Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Hyundai Strike Ends, Canada Doubles Metal Tariffs

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:02:44 +0000

Hyundai and union reach wage deal, ending strike. Automotive News reports Hyundai and its union settled after the first full strike in a decade, with AI and automation job security set for further talks. (Automotive News, Just Auto, Automotive World)

Canada doubles countertariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum. Automotive News reports Ottawa raised duties to 50% on roughly $20 billion in U.S. imports, pairing the move with business aid. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Honda ties new North American plant to USMCA extension. Honda executive Noriya Kaihara told reporters the automaker may not build a new North American plant absent a trade-framework extension. (Automotive News)

China passenger-vehicle retail sales fell 20% in July. Just Auto reports domestic retail sales dropped sharply last month while exports rose, per industry data cited in the coverage. (Just Auto, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

Driving autonomy race pivots to AI-powered Level 2 systems over eyes-off Level 3 (Automotive News)

VW CEO Oliver Blume booed by workers over his plan for sweeping job cuts (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Uber launches Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go in Dubai (Just Auto)

Porsche sharpens focus on core business with MHP sale to India’s TCS (Just Auto)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Trump Vows 50% Tariffs on Canadian Vehicles

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:02:30 +0000

Trump vows 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, parts, steel. The president announced levies effective Jan. 1 after Canada signaled retaliation, setting a dated cost shock for cross-border flows. (WardsAuto, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Tesla ordered to recall 3 million cars in China. Just Auto reports Chinese regulators ordered the recall over hidden door handle safety, with domestic brands also affected. (Just Auto)

Chinese automakers forecast to build 1.5 million cars in Europe. Economists cited by Automotive News say the projected buildout could add assembly jobs without the industrial value around them. (Automotive News)

Volkswagen CEO calls for deeper cuts ahead of restructuring. Blume said sector conditions are expected to worsen, increasing the need for competitiveness measures, per reports. (Just Auto, Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Volvo’s European plants will build Geely cars, Li Shufu’s successor says (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Unifor, GM reach tentative labor agreement for 4,600 workers in Canada (WardsAuto, Automotive World)

Waymo Discloses First Custom Chip: 5nm TSMC Automotive Silicon in Every Robotaxi (Tech Times, Automotive World, Just Auto)

Polestar accuses Trump administration of ‘disparate treatment’ with sales ban (Automotive News)

Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis reveals flagship GV90 electric SUV (WardsAuto)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Tariff Talks Collapse, GM Engine Probe, Hyundai Strike

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:02:35 +0000

U.S. sets 50% tariffs on Canada; Carney vows response. Automotive News reports a shelved deal would have cut auto, steel, aluminum and lumber tariffs, putting cross-border flows back in play for North American automakers. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

NHTSA probes nearly 1 million GM pickups and SUVs. The regulator says it received 499 complaints alleging engine failures, opening a near-term warranty and recall-exposure question for GM. (Automotive News)

Hyundai union stages first full strike in a decade. Automotive News reports the walkout, which includes Kia workers, follows partial stoppages that disrupted output of 55,200 vehicles worth more than $1.67 billion. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Chinese brands pass full-year 2025 European sales in seven months. Automotive News reports a record 11.2 percent July share in Europe, up from 5.6 percent a year earlier, a marker of how fast share is moving. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Unifor, GM reach tentative agreements at 4 Ontario plants (Automotive News)

As battery needs shift, automakers rethink supplier partnerships in search of long-term benefits (Automotive News)

Waymo Ojai Now Open to All Riders: Its Zeekr Chassis Faces Same Geely Ban That Expelled Polestar (Tech Times, Electrek)

Auto manufacturing jobs decline despite Trump’s push for U.S. production (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

China's Record Slump, Canada Tariff Cut, UK Mandate Review

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:02:12 +0000

China passenger vehicle sales fell 25% in July. Automotive News reports a 25 percent July drop in China's passenger vehicle sales, putting the world's largest car market on track for a double-digit annual decline that would push volume pressure onto exporters. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Trump reported set to cut Canada vehicle tariffs to 15%. Automotive World reports the U.S. is set to lower tariffs on Canada-built vehicles to 15 percent under a trade deal, a concession the outlet notes lacks the multi-year certainty of USMCA. (Automotive World, Automotive News, Automotive News)

UK opens review of 2030 EV mandate for automakers. WardsAuto reports UK regulators are reviewing the mandate banning non-hybrid vehicles from 2030 after industry pressure, leaving compliance timelines unsettled rather than changed. (WardsAuto)

Geely pitches legacy automakers turnkey development in 'reverse JV'. Automotive News reports Geely's engineering division is offering global automakers vehicle development, platform licensing and manufacturing expertise, a sourcing route rather than head-to-head model competition. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Stellantis recalls 848K vehicles for backup camera fault (WardsAuto)

Ottawa moves to repeal EV sales mandate without new emission rules in place (Automotive News)

Hyundai faces escalating strike action (Just Auto)

Why legacy automakers keep falling behind Tesla, Rivian and the Chinese despite heavy spending on tech (Automotive News)

GM CAMI’s future hinges on costly paint shop as contract talks start (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Spain Clears a Chinese Car Plant Next Door to a Naval Base

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:45:20 +0000

Spain nears approval of SAIC plant in Galicia. Automotive News reports Spain is set to approve a Chinese-owned car factory near a naval base, despite reported intelligence objections, a test of how far security concerns can gate Chinese manufacturing investment in the EU. (Automotive News)

Toyota recalls over 655,000 Camry units for turn-signal fault. Just Auto reports a turn-signal defect recall covering more than 655,000 Camrys, with the bulk falling on the current-generation Hybrid, Toyota's highest-volume US nameplate. (Just Auto)

Also moving today:

Hyundai to enter new segments with $26 billion product push (Automotive News)

Western Europe’s car market continues to defy the broader economic picture (Just Auto)

Zoox moves from free rides to paid service in Las Vegas (Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

GM Buys $4.5 Billion of Insurance

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:29:59 +0000

GM signs $4.5 billion deal to stockpile parts. GM has agreed to build a $4.5 billion buffer of key components, putting a price on supply-chain insurance that rival procurement teams will be asked to match. (Automotive News, Automotive World, Just Auto)

Ford to shift some Lincoln production from China to U.S. Ford is relocating output of certain Lincoln models to the U.S. in response to import duties, per Automotive News, evidence that tariffs are now moving individual nameplates. (Automotive News)

Porsche exits VW emissions pool, partners with Xpeng. Porsche is leaving the VW Group emissions pool to pool with China's Xpeng for 2026-27, a move Automotive News reports could help VW Group avoid emissions fines. (Automotive News)

Nvidia adds BYD, Nissan, Hyundai, Geely to autonomy lineup. Nvidia has expanded its self-driving partnerships to several competing automakers and says it plans a 28-city robotaxi network by 2028, per a Crypto Briefing report. (Crypto Briefing)

Also moving today:

China-made models fuel 16% sales gain in Europe’s midsize segment (Automotive News)

GM Has One Hybrid. Toyota Has a Whole Strategy (Autoweek)

Kia banks on crossovers, hybrids and a rugged new truck for growth (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Germany's China Slide, GM's Battery Exit

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:03:47 +0000

German premium brands losing China ground to domestic EVs. Trade reports say Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche are seeing China sales and profitability slip as local EV brands gain, pressure that reaches back to European plants and model plans. (Economic Times, ETAuto.com, Automotive News)

Samsung SDI takes full control of GM Indiana battery plant. Samsung SDI moves from joint venture partner to sole owner of the New Carlisle cell plant, shifting who carries the capex and offtake risk mid-build. (Just Auto, Automotive News, Automotive World)

Volkswagen reviewing US line-up and naming new chief, report says. VW is reported to be reviewing its entire US model range, with some models possibly dropped and a pickup possibly added, a reset of its US segment coverage if confirmed. (Just Auto, Automotive World, Automotive News)

Japanese automakers weigh US expansion beyond tariff pressure. Automotive News reports Toyota and Honda are leading a push toward more US manufacturing driven by capacity limits and product ambition, not tariffs alone. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Volvo XC60 to boost South Carolina factory output by two-thirds in 2027 (Automotive News)

Chinese brands poach Hyundai, Kia drivers as they gain ground in Germany (Automotive News)

Status Update: California's ZEV rebate starts with 3 automakers, more to come (The Orange County Register, Redlands Daily Facts, SCVNews.com)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Stellantis Opens Windsor Battery Center, UK BEVs Jump 44.5%

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:05:47 +0000

Stellantis plans $2.8-billion battery technology center. CarBuzz and Automotive World report Stellantis is committing stated capital to in-house battery development, positioning it against Toyota as rivals build their own cell and pack capability. (CarBuzz, Automotive World)

UK July car registrations rise 11.7% on EV demand. Just Auto reports UK new car registrations grew 11.7% in July while battery-electric registrations rose 44.5%, a demand data point for European sales and compliance planning. (Just Auto)

Hyundai and Kia post record July US sales. Automotive News reports both Korean brands set July volume records and attribute the result to hybrid demand, a mix signal for planners watching US powertrain preferences. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Unifor seeks Sierra pickup production in Oshawa as GM talks start (Automotive News)

July sales fall 1.4% even as hybrids power some automakers to gains (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Toyota to join Volvo, Daimler heavy-duty fuel-cell JV (WardsAuto)

LGES seeks US ban on import of Chinese EVE batteries (Just Auto)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Unifor Opens GM Talks With Two Plants Dark

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:23:30 +0000

Unifor opens contract talks with General Motors. Unifor named General Motors as its next bargaining target after the Ford settlement, per Automotive News, setting the reference point for the second round of Canadian pattern bargaining. (Automotive News)

Mercedes CEO says China price competition will persist. Ola Kallenius told reporters that fierce pricing pressure in China's luxury market is a multi-year condition, according to Automotive News and Automotive World, a framing that bears on guidance across premium OEMs. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Schaeffler targets 1,300 job cuts via early pensions. Automotive News reports Schaeffler is cutting roughly 1,300 jobs using an early-retirement push, as weak automotive demand continues to pressure the supplier. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Toyota suspends 17 lines at 9 plants as typhoon follows earthquake disruption in Japan (Automotive News)

VW’s controlling families call for swift action in restructuring battle after $2.6 billion loss (Automotive News)

Daimler upgrades 2026 guidance as tariff burden lessens (Automotive World)

UK Government funds 33 automotive projects via Drive35 (Just Auto, Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Ford's $30,000 Fathom, and London's first robotaxi licenses

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:03:52 +0000

Ford names low-cost electric pickup Fathom at $30,000. Ford has attached a nameplate and a $30,000 starting price to its affordable electric pickup, with pre-orders reported for early 2027, giving suppliers and dealers a dated marker to plan against. (WardsAuto, Automotive News)

Uber and Wayve licensed for supervised robotaxi trial in London. Wayve has won licenses to run up to 15 supervised autonomous vehicles with Uber in London, moving self-driving deployment in a major European market from testing toward a permitted commercial pilot. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Honda output still halted as three rivals restart after Japan quake. Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi have restored production following Japan's deadly earthquake while Honda remains down through Aug. 19, narrowing the disruption to a single automaker. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Ford, Dacia halt Romania plants as extreme heat impact widens (Automotive News)

Toyota targets 10.5 million vehicles in 2027, report (Just Auto)

BYD launches first Brazilian-made plug-in hybrid flex car (Just Auto)

Mercedes-Benz leans on U.S. growth to counter tariffs, China slump (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

July Slips, Kia Bets Big, GM Locks In China to 2047

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:02:38 +0000

US light vehicle sales fell 1.4% in July. Preliminary estimates put July US light vehicle sales at 1.38 million units, down 1.4% year-on-year, the demand baseline for the rest of the year. (Just Auto, Automotive News)

Kia commits $649m to EV3 production in Mexico. Kia is putting $649 million behind EV3 output in Mexico plus charging, solar and water infrastructure, per Just Auto, a marker of where North American EV capacity is landing. (Just Auto)

GM and SAIC extend China joint venture to 2047. SAIC-GM's tie-up now runs to 2047, per Just Auto, Automotive News and Automotive World, a 50-year planning horizon for one of the last major foreign-brand JVs in China. (Just Auto, Automotive News, Automotive World)

Weak yen lifts Honda profit, raises EV restructuring costs. Honda's quarterly operating profit hit a record $3.28 billion on currency effects, Automotive News reports, the same yen move that inflates costs tied to its scaled-back EV plans. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Lucid rolls out operational reset as Q2 net loss widens (Just Auto, Automotive World, Automotive News)

EV outlays, incentives broadside Subaru as profit falls 44% in latest quarter (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Hyundai Counters Chinese Automakers in Latin America with Eco-Friendly Vehicles (조선일보, Automotive World)

Stellantis’ Trevor Longley doubts return to zero tariffs under new USMCA (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Toyota's 75% Profit Jump, and Hybrids Beat EVs in California

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:01:40 +0000

Toyota lifts guidance as net income climbs 75.6%. Toyota raised its guidance on a 75.6 percent first-quarter net income jump even as operating income fell, setting the quarter's benchmark for how automakers explain the gap between reported and core profit. (Just Auto, Automotive World)

Toyota plans next-generation battery push funded by hybrids. Automotive News reports Toyota is leaning on hybrid demand to bankroll next-generation battery development, signalling capital timing to cell and powertrain suppliers. (Automotive News)

China issues mandatory national standard for automated driving. Automotive World reports China has set a mandatory safety baseline for automated driving, creating a compliance floor for any automaker selling Level 3 and Level 4 features there. (Automotive World)

Hybrids outsell EVs in California first-half registrations. Automotive News reports standard hybrids took 22 percent of California's first-half registrations against 16 percent for EVs, a mix shift that concentrates volume in franchised dealer networks. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

4 top automakers combine to recall 900K vehicles -- what you need to know (al)

Martinrea International Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and Declares Dividend (wallstreet:online, Financial Post, The Montreal Gazette)

Mazda plans CX-90, CX-70 updates to reverse flagging sales, sustain rebound to profitability in 1st quarter (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Nissan Profits, Cuts Forecast; Chinese Brands Hit 9.5% in Europe

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:04:55 +0000

Nissan returns to profit, trims global sales forecast. Nissan posted a fiscal first-quarter profit while lowering its global sales outlook, and CEO Ivan Espinosa has framed the U.S. Rogue e-Power launch as the year's most important, according to Automotive News. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Just Auto)

Honda, Hyundai and Kia lift July U.S. sales; Toyota, Mazda slip. July U.S. results split along powertrain lines, with hybrid-heavy lineups posting gains, per Automotive News, a mixed signal in a month forecasters did not agree on. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Chinese brands reach 9.5% of Europe's market, up from 0.5%. Chinese automakers have taken 9.5 percent of Europe's market since 2021, and analysts cited by Automotive News say the share could reach 30 percent, raising capacity questions for incumbents. (Automotive News)

Chery to invest $75 million in Korea's KG Mobility. Chery will take a convertible-bond position in KG Mobility that could convert to a 10 percent stake and open overseas distribution channels, according to Automotive News and Just Auto. (Automotive News, Just Auto, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

Honda adds auto plant shutdowns, including Civic, Prelude line, as Japan’s earthquake production losses mount (Automotive News)

Waymo Freeway Return Lands Amid Study Showing Higher Crash Rate Than Uber Drivers (Tech Times)

BYD sales jump in July, but full-year 2026 target slips away (Automotive World)

Tesla’s European registrations uneven in July despite broader EV momentum (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Japan's Quake Shutdowns Spread Across Four Automakers

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:29 +0000

Five Japanese automakers suspend output after earthquake. Automotive News reports quake-driven shutdowns at Toyota, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda will erase more than 10,000 vehicles, including U.S.-bound models. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Trump administration imposes new tariffs as USMCA talks continue. Automotive News reports the new tariffs land while North American free-trade terms are still under negotiation, leaving sourcing costs unsettled. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Rivian narrows Q2 losses as revenue rises 27%. WardsAuto, Automotive World and Automotive News report consolidated revenue grew 27% year over year while the EV maker remains unprofitable. (WardsAuto, Automotive World, Automotive News)

NHTSA moves on first AV performance standards. Automotive World reports NHTSA is funding first-ever AV performance standards while clearing Zoox for service, suggesting rulemaking and approvals running in parallel. (Automotive World)

Nissan says development time cut 40% for China. Automotive News reports Nissan compressed product development by 40% to match China's two-year model cycle, starting with the redesigned Skyline. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Stellantis to sell off car-sharing unit to concentrate on core operations (WardsAuto, Automotive News, Automotive World)

Ford CEO Jim Farley tells employees Chinese automakers could enter U.S. market in next decade (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Honda renews China joint venture despite collapsing sales as CEO says carmaker ‘learned the hard way’ (Automotive News)

Mercedes-Benz CEO vows to protect U.S. investment as Congress targets Chinese ownership (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Stellantis Profits Again, BMW Puts Numbers to the Cuts

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:01:47 +0000

Stellantis posts second straight profitable quarter. Stellantis reported another quarterly profit as CEO Antonio Filosa said U.S. market share rose half a point, the trade's first read on whether its turnaround plan is landing. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Automotive World)

BMW reports lower quarterly earnings, plans job cuts. BMW's second-quarter earnings fell as the automaker plans thousands of job cuts, while holding full-year car-margin guidance at one to three percent. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Zoox wins first U.S. exemption for driverless paid robotaxis. Amazon's Zoox received the first U.S. approval to run paid robotaxi service without human controls, setting a regulatory reference point for purpose-built autonomous vehicles. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Chinese suppliers tie U.S. count in Automotive News Top 100. Chinese suppliers now hold 16 spots in the Automotive News Top 100, matching the U.S. and tracking a shift in where the global supply base sits. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Ferrari sees higher earnings as special models drive results (Automotive News)

Pickup truck profits highlight growing divide among global automakers (Superhits 97.9 Terre Haute, IN, Investing.com, Market Screener)

Uber confirms end of tie-up with Waymo as rivalry heats up (Automotive World, Just Auto, Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Every German Automaker Is Cutting At Once

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:03:16 +0000

BMW to cut thousands of jobs via voluntary severance. Automotive News and Automotive World report BMW is expanding voluntary severance as it cuts costs to compete with Chinese rivals, a marker of the scale of restructuring now underway at a German premium automaker. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Chinese brands accelerating Europe push, Automotive News reports. Automotive News reports BYD, Chery and MG are moving into Europe faster than expected, with industry experts cited projecting market share as high as 30 percent, a projection that would reset incumbents' volume planning. (Automotive News)

Renault reports first-half profit, holds 2026 margin target. Renault swung to a first-half profit on EV volume and confirmed its 2026 operating-margin target, according to Automotive News, a counterpoint for anyone modelling Chinese competition as uniformly margin-destructive. (Automotive News)

Toyota extends Lexus plant closure after Japan earthquake. Automotive News reports Toyota will keep its southwestern Japan Lexus assembly plant closed through July 31 following an earthquake, with suppliers Aisin Kyushu and Ahresty also halted, a near-term supply risk for allocation and dealer stock. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

Porsche trades extra 5,000 job cuts for 2035 site guarantees (Automotive World, Just Auto)

BYD goes live with debut kei EV, Japan subsidy wall remains (Automotive World, Automotive News)

Gotion secures €100m to build Moroccan battery plant (Automotive World)

Momenta wins Germany-wide level 4 testing approval (Automotive World)

Toyota takes one-third stake in fuel cell JV Cellcentric (Just Auto, Automotive World)

Ford names former Stellantis, BYD executive Maria Grazia Davino to lead European sales (Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Ford's Billion-Dollar Loss, and a Raised Outlook

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:05:56 +0000

Ford posts $1.3 billion Q2 loss, lifts guidance. Ford reported a quarterly net loss on further EV-strategy charges while raising its outlook again, per Automotive News, a reference point for how those costs land in second-half plans. (Automotive News)

Toyota suspends Lexus output after Kumamoto earthquake. An earthquake in southwestern Japan halted Lexus production and prompted Nissan plant assessments, per Automotive News, leaving production schedules open until damage reviews conclude. (Automotive News, Automotive News)

Nissan and Honda revive vehicle software partnership. The two automakers will jointly develop an operating system for software-defined vehicles, per Automotive News and Just Auto, after their merger talks collapsed. (Automotive News, Just Auto)

U.S. to set new car door safety rules. Federal regulators plan new rules for car doors after deaths in Tesla EVs, per Automotive News, putting electronic handle designs on a compliance timeline. (Automotive News)

Mercedes cuts guidance, citing weak demand in China. Mercedes now expects sales and revenue slightly below last year's level on Chinese demand, per Automotive News, a data point on premium brands' China exposure. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

U.S. trade rep says he hopes to give Trump USMCA ‘options’ for Canada by end of year (Automotive News)

VW Group reshapes European factory network to prioritize lowest-cost plants (Automotive News)

Honda considers new North American assembly plant as Canadian footprint faces threat from tariffs (Automotive News, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

VW Wants Tariffs on Chinese Plug-In Hybrids

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:03:21 +0000

VW CEO urges EU tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids. Automotive News reports VW Group CEO Oliver Blume wants faster EU duties on Chinese plug-in hybrids, a category the current tariffs do not cover. (Automotive News)

Ford recalls more than 565,000 Broncos over fire risk. An NHTSA notice cited by Just Auto covers six model years of Bronco vehicles recalled for an engine fire risk, putting warranty and remedy logistics on Ford and its dealers. (Just Auto)

Trump visits GM proving ground, touts tariffs and EV rollback. Automotive News reports the first sitting-president visit to GM's Milford Proving Ground, where Trump tied recent automaker investment to tariffs, a signal for product and capex planning. (Automotive News)

CATL reports 42% profit rise on energy-storage demand. Automotive World reports CATL's profit climbing 42% on grid-storage demand while EV cell demand stagnates, a mix shift that bears on cell allocation and supply contracts. (Automotive World)

BMW's South Carolina battery plant to start output in December. Automotive News and Automotive World report BMW's Woodruff plant beginning battery production in December for the 2027 iX5, a step in US battery localization. (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

Audi turns gloomier on sales outlook because of downturn in China (Automotive News)

China resumes robotaxi permits after three-month freeze (Automotive World)

Car manufacturers have lobbied the UK to lift the ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035 | Electric, hybrid and low-emission vehicles (ExBulletin)

Global vehicle market stalled in June (Just Auto)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Waymo Goes Direct, and a Crash-Data Milestone

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:07:29 +0000

Waymo to launch own rider app in two cities. WebProNews reports Waymo plans a direct-to-rider app in Austin and Atlanta, ending its Uber exclusivity there and signaling a shift in how AV developers reach riders. (WebProNews)

IIHS says Waymo crashes 68% less than humans. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports Waymo's robotaxis crash 68% less often than the average human driver, a third-party benchmark the institute says carries data limits. (Electrek, TechBullion, Automotive World)

Also moving today:

Hyundai profit tumbles as sales slump in China, Europe (Automotive News, Automotive World, Just Auto)

GM reports net revenue of $48B in Q2, but EV losses dent margins (WardsAuto, Automotive News, Automotive News)

VW cuts 2026 revenue forecast as Q2 profit falls 9.5% (Automotive News)

BEV surge drives Europe’s biggest car sales jump since 2023 (Automotive World, Automotive News, Automotive News)

Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua to step down as robotaxi push expands (Automotive News, Automotive World)

Robotaxis in Austin are vexing first responders -- and cities can't do much (Austin American-Statesman)

Get Autos in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://autosinfive.com

Tesla's Record Revenue, Thinner Profit

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:03:23 +0000

Tesla posts delivery and revenue growth, thinner profits. Tesla's Q2 delivery and revenue gains came with weaker profits as spending rises on Optimus and robotaxi, putting capital allocation in front of investors. (WardsAuto, Automotive World, Just Auto)

US imposes 50% Section 338 tariffs on Canadian goods. The duties are reported to apply to a wide range of imports even when they qualify as duty-free under USMCA, repricing cross-border flows. (WardsAuto, Automotive News)

Ford and Geely to build EVs jointly in Spain. Ford will partner with Geely on electrified vehicles at its Valencia plant, a cost-focused response to Chinese EV competition. (Automotive News, Automotive News, Just Auto)

Porsche to cut 5,000 more German jobs, CEO restructures. Porsche plans further German job reductions through attrition and early retirement as weak China demand erodes earnings. (Automotive News)

Also moving today:

13 carmakers sign up for California EV rebate initiative (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Mazda adjusts product plans, production as tariffs reshape strategy (Automotive News)

Canada’s 2035 EV target in doubt, even as tailpipe emissions rules take shape (Automotive News)

Grupo Antolin granted U.S. court protection as part of restructuring (Automotive News)

Earnings call transcript: Mobileye beats Q2 2026 estimates but shares fall premarket By Investing.com (Investing.com)

German automakers’ China woes deepen with another drop in exports (Automotive News)