Stellantis’ $70 billion “FaSTLAne” plan for 2030 includes some intriguing new products, resurrecting several familiar nameplates from the 1970s and 1980s and expanding into new product segments… When PSA and FCA merged, many assumed that some of the underperforming brands would be kicked to the curb. But CEO Carlos Tavares surprised just about everyone by not only reviving Lancia (which by then was one aging minicar sold in a handful of countries) but keeping all the other br

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/_sU81lo-rug Ferrari Sees the Light Ferrari’s new Luce is the brand’s first electric car, and it arrives as a highly ambitious, highly controversial flagship that blends dramatic design, extreme performance, and experimental user experience. Styled inside and out by LoveFrom, the Jony Ive– and Marc Newson–led design firm, the Luce features an unusually cab-forward shape, a black passenger capsule wrapped in colored bodywork, aerodynamic fr

Now that VW’s ID.Polo is officially out, I find myself... bored. Maybe it’s because we’ve been hearing about an affordable VW EV for quite a while, and we saw the nearly-identical-looking concept four years ago. I do agree the ID.Polo is handsome and well-proportioned, and I welcome the return of physical controls. It appears to offer a suitably diverse range of powertrain options with respectable (though not class-leading) performance. But, to quote Peggy Lee, “Is that all t

Since the original ES, the formula for front-wheel-drive Lexus products has been rather straightforward: take a Toyota product, reskin it with a bolder look, upgrade the interior, add some new tech, and tweak the powertrain. And because that strategy has largely worked, it’s happened again with the Lexus TZ. While Toyota’s new EV-only Highlander will be sold alongside the ICE-powered Grand Highlander, the TZ will be sold alongside the ICE-powered TX, and target the small grou

The Honda 0 Series Saloon and SUV We’ve seen a number of automakers cancelling (or delaying) EV programs lately, but it’s usually accompanies by increased investment on the ICE side of the business. For instance, Porsche cancelled the EV variant of its upcoming K1 fullsize SUV, but a Macan-sized ICE SUV is due to re-enter the portfolio in a couple of years. Similarly, Nissan cancelled its two planned US-built SUV EVs but is bringing back the Xterra and developing a new body-o

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/1WAdQvZkjBw Three For the Road Hyundai’s Ioniq 3 is a small, sporty Europe-focused EV that borrows its 400V underpinnings from the Kia EV3/EV2 but adds distinctive “Art of Steel” styling cues, strong aero for its size, and a wide range of color and wheel choices. Performance is modest (roughly 9–10 seconds to 100 km/h), but the projected EV range is competitive depending on battery, and the feature list is rich with advanced driver assist

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/Hd8pQKypr6I Smart Returns to its Roots Smart’s Concept #2 previews the next chapter for the storied city-car brand that began with Swatch’s early-1990s ambitions and reached production with the ForTwo in 1997. Built on a new Electric Compact Architecture, the #2 goes fully electric and targets roughly 186 miles of range (likely on China’s CLTC cycle), a major step up versus the outgoing model. Visually it stays close to the ForTwo’s compa

With the launch of the new electric C-Class, it appears Mercedes has finally put their EQ sub-brand to rest. Initially used on vehicle names (e.g., EQA, EQB, EQC...), and then relegated to a verbose suffix (e.g., "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology"), the press release for the electric C doesn't contain "EQ" at all. What Mercedes has told us is that the electric C is essentially an electric GLC with a lower and sleeker profile, less mass, better aero, and better performanc

In a world that's gone SUV-crazy, the Ioniq 3 is a fashionably-styled five-door compact coupe. Rather than wait until the Beijing Motor Show, Hyundai unveiled the Ioniq 3 during (appropriately enough) Milan Design Week. Although it shares its 400V platform with the recently unveiled Kia EV3 and EV2, this is a sportier entry that picks up some flavor from the recently discontinued Veloster. The "Art of Steel" inspired exterior includes four centrally mounted lights up front an

Just as the JLR/Chery JV is taking the Freelander nameplate and building it into a brand, VW Group deployed this strategy seven years ago. The Jetta compact sedan had a strong following in China, and VW Group decided to leverage it to create a new brand targeting young, first-time buyers. The first Jettas were (of course) the original Jetta sedan, followed by several rebadged SEAT SUVs. Now, at this year's Beijing Motor Show, Jetta is being reinvented as a largely NEV (PHEV,

IMAGE: GEMINI The latest buzz about the future of GM’s electric trucks – and the imminent launch of the T1-2 next-generation Sierra and Silverado ICE models – raises some questions about where GM is going in this lucrative product segment. Let’s start with the electric side of the equation. When the Silverado EV (off the new BT1 platform) was launched, the Ford F-150 Lightning was already on the market. While the Chevy, on a dedicated EV skateboard platform, was arguably a be

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/9B1QouuYUUQ Project Nightingale Project Nightingale is Rolls-Royce’s next step in turning bespoke into a bigger profit engine, building on the success of ultra-low-volume coachbuilt cars like Boat Tail and Droptail and backed by a $407 million Goodwood expansion to grow “Bespoke and Coachbuild” capacity. Due around 2028, the enormous two-seat convertible (Phantom-sized) will be the brand’s first electric coachbuilt model, leveraging Spect

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/pkgnrqxbMds Welcome to Ioniq Universe The Hyundai Venus is a wedge-shaped sedan concept that previews the future of Hyundai’s Ioniq sub-brand in China, debuting alongside the broader “Ioniq Universe” at the Beijing Motor Show. More angular than the Ioniq 6 and visually reminiscent of Honda’s 0 Series Saloon, Venus features a lightweight, frame-structured roof, a transparent rear spoiler, and a highly driver-focused interior. Inside, a wra

Check out the video ! Rivian’s R2 Gets Real The Rivian R2, first previewed as a prototype two years ago , has now been formally detailed as a compact electric SUV launching initially in higher‑priced trims, with standard, premium, and performance models ranging from about $49,000 to $58,000, while the originally promised $45,000 version is delayed until later in 2027. In dual‑motor form it delivers a striking 656 horsepower, outperforming luxury rivals like the Mercedes GLC E

You might recall that Renault Group’s 2021 ‘Renaulution’ strategy included the reboot of Alpine as an all-electric performance brand (which sounded a lot like a French Porsche), with the help of an unspecified “top-notch player”. Two years later, they announced plans for a seven-model range for 2030, which included an A310 (a 2+2 based on the next-generation electric Alpine A110’s platform) and two new “D/E segment cars” (reportedly targeting the Porsche Cayenne). But the lat

source: Mercedes Mercedes is already connected with Chinese automaker Geely in a joint venture for the rebooted Smart brand, as well as purchasing mild hybrid powertrains from Horse (the Renault-Geely joint venture). Now, if the reports from the Chinese media are true, Mercedes will leverage Geely expertise to develop a new compact EV platform, codenamed Phoenix. Such a move raises some questions about Mercedes’ future low-end strategy. You may recall that, back in 2022, M

source: Scout That was the big takeaway from an Automotive Press Association briefing with Scout Motors Inc. CEO Scott Keogh. With numerous rumors circulating over the past several weeks, Keogh told the audience that early prototypes will begin rolling off the line this year, with production vehicles launching in 2027 and in owners’ hands in 2028. Those early prototypes—which Scout could have had constructed at a 3rd party supplier – will help get workers familiar with th

As relative newcomer VinFast struggles in the US and European markets and shifts its focus to India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, you’d think their leadership would be focused on this significant pivot to try and stabilize the ship. Instead, they have also announced an expansion of their “ultra luxury” Lac Hong brand, initially launched last year with an armored variant of the VF9 three-row SUV. Lac Hong 900LX (source: VinFast) There are few specifics available on the 900

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/T6DovaPFU20 Mercedes’ “Baby G” Mercedes has shifted its strategy several times in recent years, initially prioritizing profit over volume and focusing on high-end sub‑brands like Maybach, AMG, and G, before partially reversing course with plans to reintroduce entry-level models and target 2.0 million annual sales. Announced in Munich in 2023, the smaller “Baby G” was first expected to use Mercedes’ MMA architecture but will instead ride o

After a high-profile debut of its solid-state battery at CES, Donut Lab has some writers wondering how real this all is, especially with rumors of launch delays. Their new website embraces the skepticism, to a point… To their credit, they have engaged a reputable independent lab to run and report on a series of tests intended to prove the capabilities of their battery, starting with the oft-quoted “5-minute charge” claim. I’ll defer to those with electrical engineering degr