Ford Motor reports a 10.2% decline in July U.S. vehicle sales, attributing the drop to the intentional phase-out of select models (Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair) and reduction of low-margin rental fleet sales by 96%, prioritizing retail sales of F-Series pickups amidst production recovery.
India's passenger vehicle industry recorded a 33% year-on-year increase in domestic dispatches in July, reaching nearly 4.7 lakh units. Major manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai achieved record sales, bolstered by demand-supporting measures such as GST 2.0 and lower repo rates.
TechCrunch and Hudson Labs analysis of GM and Ford earnings calls reveals a significant drop in EV discussions, indicating a shift from prior heavy investment. Both automakers have altered or delayed EV plans, citing regulatory changes and a focus on profitability, despite still selling EVs.
Bentley unveils its first electric car, the 300-mile range Torcal, set to arrive in September, amidst a challenging luxury EV market following mixed performances from Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes, raising questions about the timing of its entry.
Rivian has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and its commissioner, seeking a full refund on tariffs paid under President Trump's "Liberation Day" taxes, which the Supreme Court later deemed unconstitutional. The automaker expects tens of millions in refunds while rolling out its R2 SUV.
Tesla's stock plunged 13.5% after its Q2 earnings missed analyst expectations, revealing lower-than-anticipated profitability and negative free cash flow due to heavy investments in Robotaxi and Optimus, impacting the broader "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks.
The US Senate Commerce Committee approved the "Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026," which bans vehicles from companies with over 15% Chinese ownership. This legislation could bar Mercedes-Benz (due to 20% Chinese investment) and Polestar (majority-owned by Geely) from the American market, prompting concerns from European automakers.
Honda confirmed its next-generation Ridgeline pickup will be produced in the U.S. after a temporary halt later this year at its Alabama plant, with assembly resuming by 2028. The new model aims for increased ruggedness and capability amid declining sales.
Apple introduces MapKit for Automotive, enabling direct Apple Maps integration into Ford's next-gen electric vehicles, starting with a midsize truck in 2027. This enhances navigation, EV routing, and feeds data to Ford's BlueCruise driver assistance system.
Hybrid car sales in the U.S. surged nearly 20% in H1 2026, reaching 15.4% market share, almost triple that of pure EVs. Toyota, Hyundai Motor Group, and Honda control 86% of this booming market, benefiting from early investments as consumers prioritize fuel savings and range over pure EVs.
Automakers urge India's oil ministry for a formal system to detect fuel contamination at petrol pumps. Amid rising E20 ethanol blending, drivers report vehicle issues, with investigations revealing high chloride and moisture levels, prompting calls for independent fuel quality certification.
Hyundai Motor Company denies that its plan to deploy humanoid robots by 2028 is a factor in current strikes by its South Korean union, stating negotiations focus on compensation. Reports suggest the union seeks job protections against AI and automation, with a new "yellow envelope law" potentially slowing robot adoption.
Tesla reported Q2 earnings with profits of 31 cents per share, below Wall Street's 51-cent prediction, causing its stock to dip. Despite exceeding revenue expectations and auto sales, the company faces competition and subsidy ends, pivoting focus to AI, robotics, and autonomous driving projects like Optimus and Robotaxi.
A Ford employee, Kurt Kromm, was fired over an alleged $1.95 cookie theft from a self-checkout kiosk. He proved payment with bank records, leading Ford to offer reinstatement and back wages, but he now plans to sue for defamation and other claims.
Colorado has enacted a law (SB26-003) making automakers responsible for collecting and processing unwanted EV batteries and banning their disposal in landfills by July 2029. The legislation sets specific recycling targets for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, aiming to establish a blueprint for other states facing similar end-of-life battery challenges.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced bipartisan legislation to toughen a ban on Chinese automakers from the U.S. market. However, Chairman Ted Cruz warned that the bill's 15% Chinese ownership threshold could unintentionally bar Mercedes-Benz due to its significant Chinese investment, necessitating changes before it becomes law.
A former Ford electrician, Kurt Kromm, was fired from the Kentucky Truck Plant over an alleged $1.95 cookie theft from a self-checkout kiosk. After providing bank proof of payment, Ford offered reinstatement and $33,000 in back wages, but Kromm is now suing Ford and Aramark for defamation and improper handling of the incident.
Cloud-based connected services in vehicles, offering remote functions and over-the-air updates, are becoming obsolete due to aging hardware, cellular network shutdowns, and manufacturers discontinuing support for older backend systems. This leaves many owners without features they paid for, though alternatives like software/hardware upgrades and smartphone integration exist.
Ford is overhauling its electric vehicle strategy, discontinuing models like the F-150 Lightning and taking significant financial writedowns. The company is now pivoting to focus on hybrids and a new family of low-cost EVs, including a $30,000 midsize truck by 2027, alongside leadership changes in its EV and software teams.
Volkswagen Group plans a major efficiency overhaul, aiming to halve its model line-up and reduce production capacity to nine million vehicles annually. The move addresses a "changed global market environment" and aims for sustainable improvements by 2030.
The Slate, a new electric pickup truck, is launching at $25,000, making it the most affordable EV truck in the US. Backed by Bezos, it aims to compete with Ford's Maverick and features better-than-expected specs, utilizing lower-cost batteries perfected in China.
US companies are increasingly adopting Chinese AI models due to significant cost savings compared to domestic rivals. Models from DeepSeek and Z.ai are closing the performance gap, with Chinese AI usage via OpenRouter surging from 11% to 46% weekly.
European carmakers are grappling with a severe crisis marked by plant closures, job cuts, and declining profits, exacerbated by high energy costs, regulatory pressures, and intense competition from Chinese EV manufacturers. Germany, France, and Italy are among the hardest-hit nations, facing significant job losses and economic strain.
President Trump stated that his tariff policy is compelling South Korean, Japanese, and German automakers to establish factories in the U.S., aiming to revitalize American manufacturing and reduce trade deficits.
