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

I don't understand why BMW is tying itself into Gordian knots trying to explain their new steering wheel. According to BMWBlog , BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk talked about the new design in a briefing ahead of the i3’s world premiere. The discussion addressed the twin vertical spokes and the ‘elimination’ of the horizontal spokes. “We began to make the steering wheel smaller and flat on the top and on the bottom. In order to see that display, we needed to open up the s

It's hard to believe it's been two years since Rivian first showed us an R2 prototype. There was so much news last week (Lucid, Renault, Mercedes...) I realized I had taken notes but hadn't yet offered up my thoughts on the final details that Rivian released last week.Of course, the promised $45,000 model is not the one available at launch; Rivian's strategy mirrors that used by numerous other automakers (startup and legacy) that hit the streets with high-margin premium mode

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/BXHtSUvsPeI Honda Retreats From EVs (in the US) Honda’s recent cancellation of three U.S.-market EVs reinforces its long‑standing reputation as an engine company first, automaker second, with the decision raising questions about its EV strategy and competitiveness. While the cancellation of the avant‑garde 0 Saloon makes some sense given American buyers’ preference for SUVs, it’s surprising that the seemingly stronger 0 Series archi

Can Opel help save the Chrysler brand? While writing about how Detroit's brands could bring cars back to an SUV-saturated market, I had a minor epiphany. Could Stellantis use a trans-Atlantic twinning strategy to both bolster the nearly-invisible Chrysler brand and add affordable cars to their US portfolio? In 2013, Reuters reported on General Motors plans to essentially twin their U.S./China Buick brand and their European Opel/Vauxhall brand, a "strategy that could shave dev

I confess, I was a little disappointed to see the first photos of the interior the still-clumsily-named Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Yes, the quilted leather, carbon fiber, jet-engine vents, projection-screen glass roof, and ambient lighting are cool. The three rotary knobs to control the performance software are a nice addition, too. Unfortunately, the instrument panel looks like just about any other three-screen setup on the market — and, in the process, takes away the ph

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: SAIC-VW Almost six years ago, the CEO of Volkswagen China said extended-range EVs (EREVs) were environmentally unfriendly, while their head of R&D called them “outdated technology.” So, when Volkswagen proudly announced the first EA211 four-cylinder range extender — to be used in the upcoming ID.Era 9X fullsize SUV — had just rolled off the line, at least one Chinese automaker was ready. Said newcomer Li Auto (who launched their first EREV in 2018): ‘Congratulations

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

Check out the video ... Alpine’s Next EV Alpine’s reborn A110 represents the French brand’s shift into an electric performance future, following its 2017 lightweight mid‑engine coupe revival and a broader reboot as an EV‑focused brand in 2021. After canceling a planned Lotus partnership in 2023, Alpine has moved ahead independently, already launching the A290 hot hatch and A390 compact SUV, while revealing early details of a next‑generation A110 due in 2027. The new model is

image: Ford Ford’s latest press release on the Universal EV Platform (UEVP) shows plenty of clever ideas, although nothing that sounds truly groundbreaking. Although some outlets thought Ford might actually show the upcoming midsize electric pickup, what we got today instead was a behind-the-scenes look at the product development process, a/k/a the “ skunkworks .” Noteworthy highlights include: Ford claims aerodynamic performance that’s 15% better than the best available tod

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/f4wfp7aJHDY Ferrari Sees the Light Ferrari’s first electric vehicle is officially named Luce — Italian for “light” — and represents a surprising design direction for the brand’s EV debut. Previously known as Elettrica, the Luce features an interior and exterior designed by LoveFrom, the firm co‑founded by Jony Ive, with a deliberate emphasis on physical controls rather than touch-only interfaces for safety and ergonomics. The cabin avoids

Image: Microsoft CoPilot Could Detroit bring affordable sedans back to America? I had a fascinating chat with the Wall Street Journal's Chris Otts about this (see his article here ), and thought it sounded like a good time to look into how GM, Ford, and Stellantis might go about getting back into the car market... GM actually still sells both compact and midsize sedans in China. The compact Chevy Monza is based on a low-cost variant of GM's D2 platform, so they might be able

Well, as both Tesla and Rivian demonstrated, it can be a lot more financially beneficial to buy an existing plant than build one from the ground up. Now, the Nissan-Mercedes jointly-run plant in Mexico is up for sale , with three bidders. You’ll recall BYD (who sold about 80,000 vehicles in Mexico last year, or about 5.3% of the market) began talking about building a plant in Mexico back in 2024. Then they said they’d wait until the election, and then the Financial Times

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/rGmkUVkeo4g Nissan’s Body-on-Frame Play Nissan has confirmed that its upcoming body‑on‑frame strategy will extend beyond the revived Xterra to include a next‑generation Frontier, an Infiniti off‑road variant, and new versions of the Pathfinder and QX60, signaling a broad investment in rugged architectures. AutoPerspectives is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscri

A POSSIBLE 2028 NISSAN XTERRA [IMAGE: AVARVARII] Is this the answer to a question nobody asked? And no, I’m not talking about a new Xterra — I know that’s got a cult following, and America’s current obsession with off-roading (and vehicles that just look plain off-roadworthy) will likely last at least a couple more years. I'm not talking about the next Frontier, either. That's a mainstay of the Nissan portfolio, even if volumes get nowhere near the Tacoma's. An "Infiniti var

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/mwNTrwGEk90 The Best Gets Better Often described as “the best car in the world,” the latest Mercedes S‑Class arrives with a major under‑the‑skin overhaul despite its familiar look, with roughly half of its 5,400‑plus parts newly developed or revised. Styling updates focus on a larger optional illuminated grille, abundant gloss‑black trim, and distinctive illuminated star details, while customization is taken to extremes through MANUFAKTUR