German luxury automaker and part of Daimler AG, founded 1926
BMW has begun a voluntary redundancy programme targeting administration and development divisions, excluding production, with around 8,000 positions affected as part of broader industry-wide job cuts amid fierce competition from Chinese EV makers, US tariffs, and a pivot to electric vehicles.
FIA, F1 and teams have moved to fast-track changes to power-unit regulations after a Miami weekend marked by energy-management concerns. Officials aim to tilt the balance toward the internal-combustion engine, with new talks about larger fuel tanks and possible future V8s to restore flat-out racing. The shift comes as teams upgrade ahead of the 2027 rules and long-term engine plans are debated.
The Pentagon has announced a plan to pull about 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months as tensions over the Iran war intensify with European partners. NATO says it is studying the details of the move, while German officials say Europe must bolster its own defence capacity.
Kimi Antonelli has secured pole at Monaco, commanding the weekend with a lap that felled rivals including Leclerc and Hamilton. He leads the championship after four wins in six races, while questions swirl about Ferrari’s future and Vasseur’s medical absence.
Lewis Hamilton wins at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix for Ferrari, ending a long drought and narrowing Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead. The race features a three-stop Ferrari strategy, Antonelli’s retirement late on, and an all-British podium with Russell second and Norris third.
Gasly has had his Monaco Grand Prix penalties rescinded after a timekeeping error, restoring his third place on the track and reshuffling the final standings. Alpine had appealed; FIA confirmed the error and the penalties were withdrawn. The Barcelona weekend follows as teams await further clarity.
Lewis Hamilton has claimed a breakthrough win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, ending a 41-race drought and signalling a rebound with Ferrari. Teammate Kimi Antonelli suffers an electrical failure while pushing for a second-place finish, and George Russell secures pole but stalls in race troubles for Mercedes. The results lift Hamilton toward the drivers’ standings as Antonelli leads the championship.
Germany has agreed with France to take a large stake in Franco‑German defence group KNDS and to set joint governance, clearing the way for a potential IPO. Berlin has said it intends to buy roughly 40% from family shareholders to secure long‑term influence over a firm that supplies tanks and armoured vehicles and supports European rearmament.
Automakers have announced strategic shifts as Chinese brands and US trade rules upend the sector. Volkswagen has proposed deep job cuts to cut costs, Jaguar Land Rover is adding hybrids and prioritising the US, and the Commerce Department has denied Polestar permission to sell new connected models in the US from 2027, pushing the brand to refocus on Europe.
A Toronto court has found Frank Stronach, founder of Magna International, guilty on two counts of sexual assault related to incidents involving two complainants. The verdict follows a long trial covering allegations from the 1970s through the 1990s. Prosecutors say more charges remain pending and await sentencing.
China has placed 10 US companies, including rare‑earth producers MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, on its export control list and has barred Chinese government procurement from 46 US firms. Beijing has said the moves respond to a recent Pentagon blacklist of Chinese companies and has ordered immediate suspension of Chinese-origin dual‑use exports to the named firms.
The Financial Conduct Authority has had parts of its £9.1bn motor‑finance compensation scheme suspended after legal challenges from Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes‑Benz Financial Services, Crédit Agricole Auto Finance and consumer group Consumer Voice. The Upper Tribunal has set hearings for December or February; lenders will not need to calculate or pay redress while legal proceedings continue, delaying mass payouts until at least 2027 if the scheme survives.
The Verge reports Donut Lab is facing scrutiny over battery claims; a science YouTuber has challenged the company’s assertion about solid-state batteries, suggesting the tested cell is lithium-ion. Electrek highlights inconsistencies in production-vehicle claims and CT Coatings’ supplier history.
Verstappen has finished second in Austria and warns Silverstone may be difficult under the new engine regulations. He says battery recovery is limited, making the Silverstone layout hard to manage. Hamilton notes Red Bull’s progress with weight reductions and upgrades, suggesting the team will be a force in upcoming races.
Across multiple projects, autonomous and humanoid machines are moving from labs to factories and field sites. From Louisiana’s solar-grid work to Austin’s Robot Park and a Chinese factory livestream, developers say robots are proving value in real-world settings while building data and capability for broader deployment.
EU trade chiefs push to rebalance trade with China as talks with Beijing seek tangible results by autumn. Europe faces a €360 billion deficit as climate, industry and tech sectors depend on China, even as leaders vow to defend strategic industries.
Christian Horner has been linked with a Formula 1 return, with talks centering on roles at Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, or even a new BYD-backed team. He has issued cautious statements about timing, saying he will return only for a winning opportunity, while others say the sport remains hungry for his leadership.
Automakers have pulled several electric models from the U.S. market even as quarterly EV sales have risen. Q2 2026 U.S. consumer EV purchases have reached 247,226 vehicles, a sequential rise driven by higher fuel prices, new low-cost entrants and state rebates. Manufacturers and startups are responding with cheaper models, but many legacy brands have cancelled or delayed U.S. EV projects.
China has topped 1 million monthly car exports for the first time, with overall trade up 27%. While brands like BYD gain share overseas, EU imports face pressure from Chinese EVs. Germany’s VW group signals big structural shifts at home as it faces competition and potential plant adjustments.
Volkswagen has presented a sweeping restructuring blueprint that will cut its model range by up to half, reduce annual capacity to about 9 million vehicles and could require up to 100,000 job reductions worldwide. CEO Oliver Blume has told staff the company must close cost gaps versus rivals and is assessing factories and roles across brands and regions.
The High Court has ruled that most testing strategies do not amount to prohibited defeat devices, narrowing a long-running lawsuit over NOx-emitting diesel cars. Mercedes-Benz faces one upheld allegation, which was removed from 2015. The ruling binds other manufacturers; a broader trial continues.
Three robotics and automation startups have raised significant funding this week, underscoring a shift toward automated manufacturing across diverse sectors. Munich-based microagi has secured $55 million in a seed round led by Hummingbird, while Senra instrumentalizes wire harness automation in aerospace and defense with a $65 million Series B. The funding underscores a broader push to standardize and scale automated production amid labor shortages and reshoring pressures.
Kimi Antonelli has claimed pole at Spa-Francorchamps, extending his title lead. Verstappen starts behind with a heavy grid penalty, Norris is third. The Hungarian GP is approaching, with teams looking to finalise setups before the break.
Lando Norris clinches pole at the Hungaroring, with Leclerc second and Piastri third. Kimi Antonelli starts further back due to a grid penalty; the race is set to unfold amid a tight championship battle and the final sprint before the summer break.
Mercedes-Benz is navigating U.S. pressures over Chinese investors as a bipartisan bill would tighten restrictions on Chinese-owned automakers. The company has pledged to shield its U.S. operations while expanding local production, and lawmakers warn Mercedes-Benz could be affected by new ownership limits.
Russell has trailed Kimi Antonelli in the standings. An engine deployment problem at Spa-Francorchamps contributed to a race-ending incident and left him further behind. Mercedes has identified an engine calibration issue and is working toward a fix ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren's Lando Norris has claimed pole position at the Hungarian GP ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen spins on final lap; Hamilton faces potential penalty for impeding Piastri. Aston Martin show progress with upgrades but Alonso starts 16th. Malaysia race to feature this October, with possible Imola finale in doubt.
Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, branded as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, slotting the race between Azerbaijan and Singapore. The move follows Middle East tensions and calendar revisions, with Imola considered as a contingency for Qatar if needed. Fans are assured a full calendar as the FIA and F1 adapt.
Lando Norris has won the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking McLaren’s first victory of the season. Oscar Piastri retires with a gearbox fault after leading for a large portion of the race. Max Verstappen finishes second, while Kimi Antonelli extends his championship lead. Hamilton receives a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane and finishes fifth.