automakers

The Trump administration is preparing to announce weaker fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, rolling back requirements that vehicles become more efficient. The move would ease rules imposed to cut gasoline consumption and emissions, and is expected to draw opposition from environmental groups and possibly legal challenges from states, while automakers may welcome reduced compliance costs.

Toyota is reported to be developing an electric version of the Corolla, the world's best-selling car. The move would put the company's most recognisable nameplate into the battery-electric segment, a notable shift for a manufacturer that has long favoured hybrids. Discussion is focused on what this means for Toyota's broader EV strategy and its competition with other automakers.

The Trump administration is preparing a sweeping rollback of US clean car rules, according to reporting by the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer. The plan would weaken federal emissions standards for vehicles, undoing a centerpiece of Biden-era climate policy and easing requirements on automakers. The move is expected to trigger legal challenges from environmental groups and several states.

Automakers are exploring a pivot into defence manufacturing, repurposing pickup production lines and idle plants to build military hardware as a buffer against weak civilian demand. The idea of car factories serving a global defence boom is drawing attention as manufacturers look for new revenue streams amid slowing vehicle sales and underused capacity.

Electric vehicle sales are surging across Europe, rising 52% as gasoline prices hit record highs of roughly $10 a gallon. The report highlights how expensive fuel is pushing European drivers toward electric cars faster than expected. Commenters are debating whether high fuel costs or policy incentives are the real driver of the boom, and what it means for automakers and consumers elsewhere.

Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta and Donglean, the China joint venture between Stellantis and Dongfeng, will jointly develop intelligent driving technology. The partnership signals growing cooperation between global automakers and Chinese tech suppliers as advanced driver-assistance systems become a key battleground in the Chinese car market.

Donald Trump says he has approved new fuel economy standards for vehicles in the United States. The announcement, reported by automotive outlet Carscoops, signals a change in federal requirements for carmakers, though details of the standards have not been laid out. The move is drawing attention from the auto industry and environmental groups watching how US emissions and efficiency rules will shift.

Ford is working to develop electric vehicles capable of competing with Chinese automakers, who currently lead the market on cost and technology. InsideEVs reports from behind the scenes at Ford, examining how the company is rethinking its EV design, manufacturing and supply chain in an effort to close the gap with China's fast-moving car industry.

UBS argues that the threat posed by Chinese carmakers to Europe's auto industry is larger than European policymakers currently appreciate. The bank's assessment adds to growing concern that Chinese manufacturers, with their cost and technology advantages, could take significant market share from established European brands faster than regulators and industry leaders have planned for.

Car manufacturers are increasingly looking to secure defense contracts as vehicle sales slow, but analysts caution that military production cannot fully compensate for weakness in the automotive market. The discussion highlights the tension between diversifying into weapons and defense technology and the reality that military work is unlikely to replace lost consumer demand.

Automakers are moving closer to so-called dark factories — plants that run entirely by machines without human workers or even lighting — as artificial intelligence and robotics improve rapidly. The idea is drawing attention in the auto industry, where manufacturers face pressure to cut costs and speed up production, while raising questions about the future of manufacturing jobs.

Nikkei Asia reports that the race among automakers to dominate Southeast Asia's electric vehicle market could leave ordinary drivers behind, as the rapid push for new EV models raises prices beyond what many consumers in the region can afford. The article highlights the tension between automakers' expansion plans and affordability for local buyers.

President Trump is preparing to roll back fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks put in place under the Biden administration, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. The move would loosen emissions-related requirements on automakers, reversing one of the previous administration's key climate policies. The change is expected to affect vehicle efficiency rules that had been tightening through the end of the decade.

Geely has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in the battery-swapping business of rival Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. The move would link two competing automakers in the infrastructure segment that Nio has built out as a differentiator for its cars, allowing drivers to exchange depleted batteries for charged ones in minutes. The reported deal highlights growing consolidation and cooperation in China's crowded electric vehicle market.

Chinese automaker BYD is investigating a reported cybersecurity vulnerability in its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute, while defending the data-handling safeguards it has in place for Australian customers. The issue has raised questions about how connected vehicles from Chinese manufacturers collect and protect user data, a growing concern as BYD rapidly expands in the Australian market.

Stellantis is using a new robot from Dexory, an AI-powered vision-scanning system, according to The Detroit News. The system is designed to scan and monitor environments autonomously, with the automaker applying the technology in its operations. Coverage is so far limited to the announcement that the robot uses AI-driven visual scanning as part of Stellantis' technology push.

BMW's chief executive has said that some Chinese-made cars sold in Europe 'make no business sense,' while also supporting dialogue over tariffs rather than outright trade barriers. His comments reflect the tension facing European automakers as Chinese brands expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles, prompting EU tariff discussions. The remarks signal BMW's call for a negotiated approach that protects European industry without escalating a trade conflict with China.

President Trump has approved a rollback of US fuel economy standards, arguing that the looser rules will encourage automakers to expand manufacturing output in the United States. Supporters frame the move as relief for carmakers facing costly compliance requirements, while critics warn it could raise fuel consumption and emissions. The decision is expected to reshape regulatory requirements for vehicles sold in America.

Vietnamese automaker VinFast is continuing construction of its electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the United States, even as EV demand growth cools across the industry. The company is pressing forward with its American expansion while other automakers scale back or delay EV investments amid slowing sales, making its strategy a point of discussion in the auto sector.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio will operate a dedicated battery swapping network for Geely's ride-hailing brand Cao Cao Mobility and robotaxi fleets, according to an industry report. The arrangement would give Geely's commercial fleets access to Nio's fast battery swap technology through a segregated network, separate from the one serving Nio's own customers, as both automakers push deeper into fleet and autonomous mobility services.

Congress has passed a law requiring all new vehicles sold in the United States to come equipped with AM radio. The measure, reported on September 28, 2026, is aimed at preserving broadcast AM service in cars as automakers have been phasing the technology out of newer electric models.

Volkswagen's most affordable electric models are reportedly overtaking orders for its petrol and diesel cars in Germany, a shift the company is said to be slowing as it balances the transition. The development is being covered by finance and climate-focused outlets, with commentators framing it as a sign that cheap EVs are reaching mass-market buyers faster than the automaker planned.

President Trump announced that his administration has eliminated the electric vehicle rule introduced under President Biden and has updated federal fuel economy standards. The announcement reverses a core piece of the previous administration's climate and transportation policy, easing requirements that pushed automakers toward electric vehicle production. Reaction is focused on what the rollback means for US carmakers, consumers and emissions goals.

Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio and Geely are rumoured to be preparing an announcement of an agreement on September 28, according to a report circulating in automotive media. No details of the deal's scope have been confirmed by either company. The prospect of cooperation between the two automakers is drawing attention amid ongoing consolidation and cost pressures in China's electric vehicle sector.

Ford Motor Company and General Motors are running nearly neck and neck on revenue, according to a finance report comparing the two Detroit automakers. The close figures have renewed attention on which company is better positioned, with analysts weighing Ford's truck strength against GM's broader lineup and scale in North America.