Compact crossover SUV, best-selling of all time
UK ministers weigh incentives for vehicle-to-grid tech as part of the ZEV mandate review. The policy could reward carmakers for V2G adoption, while groups warn it may accelerate petrol-car sales if credits are misused. The move comes as grid balancing and consumer costs loom large in the transition to renewables.
Slate’s electric pickup has impressed a tester with its balanced chassis, strong on-road feel, and surprising efficiency. Despite a modest power figure, the truck shows promise in daily driving and highlights a new, more affordable EV approach.
Toyota Motor Corp has reported a strong first-quarter profit and higher sales, aided by a weaker yen and robust hybrid demand. The company warns of potential headwinds from Middle East tensions and a Kumamoto earthquake, but maintains its full-year profit forecast and plans to boost hybrid production through 2030.
Ford has announced the Fathom, a sub-$30,000 electric pickup built on a new Universal EV Platform. Prototypes will start in early 2027 with deliveries later that year, as Ford pushes a cost-focused, vertically integrated approach to catch up with Chinese competitors and Tesla.
A digest of recent car industry moves: Rivian adds captain’s chairs in updated models; Ford explores new sub-$30k entry crossovers and a cheaper four-door pickup; 2026 cancellations signal potential discounts; rear-camera glitches prompt safety concerns; Mazda explores a new EV-based 6e with long range.
Toyota former president Hiroshi Okuda has died at 93. He led the company from 1995 to 2006, spearheading globalization, the Prius development, and a push for lean production. His tenure helped Toyota expand production worldwide and strengthen governance, even as criticism of Yen-driven profits persisted.
Manufacturers have unveiled or trialled several new electric and hybrid family cars. Mercedes-Benz has launched a seven-seat GLB EV in the UK with an 85kWh battery, claimed range up to 379 miles and prices from £46,100. Bentley has previewed its Torcal EV with about 300 miles EPA range and up to 850+ PS calibration; Honda has reintroduced the Prelude as a hybrid coupe and compared it with Toyota's GR86.
Tesla has revealed European specifications for the Semi, announcing a 342-mile range, 800 kW Megacharger support, and 1,073 bhp from three rear motors. BYD and others unveil competing electric trucks across 3.5–44 tonnes, highlighting chargers and efficiency as the race for long-haul electrification accelerates.
Automakers including Hyundai, Genesis, Ram, Jeep, Ford and Scout Motors are pursuing extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) by 2028, aiming to blend electric driving with gasoline range for long trips amid high fuel costs. Toyota's plug-in RAV4 and Hyundai’s Santa Fe EREV illustrate growing plug-in and hybrid options, while comparisons show RAV4 Plug-in leading in range and efficiency versus the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.
GM is updating its in-vehicle infotainment to surface controls proactively, revamp Super Cruise visuals, and enable split-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The changes aim to reduce driver cognitive load and improve coexistence of native systems with third-party apps across the GM portfolio.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into Comma AI devices after five crashes in which users’ cars collided with slow or stopped vehicles. At least three people have died and 11 injured across the incidents. Forked versions of the software may be involved, and regulators are checking the software running in each crash.
A wave of electric and hybrid family vehicles is redefining what daily transport looks like. From Subaru’s wagon-like Trailseeker EV to Kia’s EV4 GT and Hyundai’s Santa Fe, automakers are blending practicality with performance while pushing charging limits and efficiency. Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid transition also signals a broader shift toward electrified crossovers.