German luxury automaker, part of VW Group, famed for 911 and high-performance cars.
Formula One’s 2026 engine split has sparked praise and protests. Cars are faster, lighter and more electrified, but drivers say the new rules hinder on-track racing. Audi’s entry is shaping the calendar, with officials weighing contingency plans for the season end amid regional conflicts.
German automakers are under pressure from China’s EV surge, prompting cost cuts and workforce reductions. BMW is cutting around 8,000 roles in admin and development, production spared, as rivals accelerate restructuring. Porsche adds 5,000 more job cuts with guarantees to keep plants open and significant investments, while others like Volkswagen and Mercedes respond with broader cuts amid a shifting global market.
Several firms have announced expansion plans and new measures that will accelerate commercial robotaxi rollouts. Mobileye has announced a 2027 U.S. launch with an initial 100-vehicle fleet and a five-year target of 17,000; Wayve and Uber are preparing a supervised London service in the coming months; Tesla and Waymo are expanding U.S. coverage; and new indices show Chinese robotaxi players are scaling faster than many expected.
Stellantis has unveiled a plan to roll out nine new models under $40,000 by 2030, aiming to revive US volume and stabilize margins. The move includes new Ram, Dodge, and Jeep entries, alongside cost-cutting measures after heavy investments in electrification and a prior $26 billion annual loss.
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.
A roundup of recent coverage shows interest in plug-in hybrids remains steady. Experts highlight the cost hurdle, but buyers are turning to used models to save money. The Prius Prime leads within small cars; Tucson and Sorento plug-in hybrids offer more space. The debate hinges on price versus electric range as buyers seek efficiency.
Slate Auto has unveiled a bare‑bones two‑seat electric pickup with a $24,950 base price and a two‑row SUV conversion starting at $29,950. The company has raised the base EPA range estimate to about 205 miles, is taking preorders with a $300 deposit, and plans production to begin in late 2026 with direct online sales.
Ford has rehired roughly 300–350 veteran engineers to correct defects that automated inspection and AI-driven tools failed to catch. Executives have said the specialists are auditing designs before parts reach factory floors, mentoring younger staff, and retraining AI systems; Ford has risen to the top mainstream spot in JD Power’s initial-quality study.
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 restructuring plan that will cut model lines by up to half and reduce production capacity to about 9 million vehicles a year. Chief executive Oliver Blume has said the group faces a 20% cost disadvantage to rivals and has proposed a "theoretical" further 50,000 job reductions on top of earlier cuts, prompting union protests and board resistance.
The 86-year-old Paul Pelosi faces a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge and an unlawful-turn infraction after allegedly striking a legally parked car in Yountville on July 3 and driving away. No injuries were reported; Pelosi has a history of traffic infractions and a 2022 DUI conviction.