Chinese luxury EV brand under Geely, now part of Zeekr Group
Federal and local investigators have opened probes after a Tesla Model 3 drove across a Katy, Texas, lawn and crashed into a home on 19 June, killing 76‑year‑old Martha Avila. The driver, Michael Butler, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains jailed on $150,000 bond; the victim’s family has filed a wrongful‑death suit naming Tesla and Butler.
Federal and local probes have produced new findings and warnings about autonomous vehicles. The NTSB has reported that a Tesla driver manually overrode Full Self-Driving before a June crash that killed a 76‑year‑old in Katy, Texas. NHTSA has issued a directive demanding AV developers fix cases where driverless cars enter or block emergency scenes; Waymo and California regulators are under pressure over several incidents.
Waymo has announced the expansion of its driverless robotaxi fleet to four new U.S. cities, starting with employee rides before opening to the public. The Ojai vehicle is introduced as a comfort-focused option, with expansion plans across San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver. The rollout faces regulatory approvals and past safety incidents.
A wave of Chinese automakers is expanding into Europe and the UK, challenging traditional premium brands. Zeekr, BYD and others are pursuing UK launches while major players like Geely, Volvo and Lucid push into premium segments. European and US automakers are restructuring to cope with China’s rising export power and shifting supply chains.
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.
Waymo has expanded its Ojai robotaxi rollout, adding more U.S. markets and plans to accelerate fleet growth. The company is integrating its sixth‑generation self‑driving system with Zeekr’s Ojai platform, aiming to reduce cost and improve safety as deployments accelerate globally.
Ferrari’s first fully electric Luce has sold at Sotheby’s Monterey for $40 million, a record for a new car at auction. Proceeds go to the Ferrari Foundation’s educational programs. The sale follows mixed reception to the EV’s design and Ferrari’s push into electrification.
Genesis unveils the GV90, its first full-size electric SUV, signaling a bold push into premium markets. The Neolun variant with coach doors and a lounge-like cabin showcases high-end features as Genesis outlines its three pillars—luxury, performance and hospitality—while signaling a broader portfolio development.
Chinese regulators have announced recalls affecting more than four million vehicles, largely driven by safety concerns over hidden, electronically operated door handles. Tesla has accounted for about 2.98 million cars; Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Geely are also recalling vehicles. Automakers will add warning labels and push software updates to improve emergency egress and driver monitoring.
Several manufacturers have launched or previewed new electric and hybrid models this month. Skoda has introduced the compact Epiq from £24,950; Mercedes has unveiled a seven-seat electric GLB with an 85kWh battery and up to 379 miles claimed range; Bentley has previewed the Torcal EV and a lighter Supersports coupe; Rivian has launched the smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki, Volvo, Leapmotor, Aion and Honda have released updated or new models aimed at family and city buyers.