News Roundup: Mar 30, 2026

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/f7FTjwMgkUc?si=YKvp7RcK4uGgRMKU

AMG Gets an SUV

Mercedes‑AMG is preparing its first standalone SUV, expanding the GT family beyond the SL and GT coupes with a fully electric performance flagship aimed squarely at the Porsche Cayenne Electric and BMW’s upcoming iX5. Riding on the new AMG.EA platform rather than a repurposed Mercedes architecture, the GT SUV is expected to use Yasa axial‑flux motors in a high‑output multi‑motor configuration that could approach four‑figure horsepower, alongside ultra‑fast charging rumored to reach 850 kW. While the four‑door GT has yet to be fully revealed, its screen‑heavy interior is expected to carry over largely intact, with the SUV debuting next year and a coupe‑style variant following shortly thereafter.

WHY IT MATTERS: Mercedes updated strategy includes an increased emphasis on their high-end portfolio to boost revenue, which includes the AMG brand. This is AMG’s fourth standalone entry, and their first in the higher-volume SUV segment. It also helps provide a business case for the new AMG.EA architecture.

THE BOTTOM LINE: We don’t have all the details, but aside from the screen-heavy interior the new AMG GT SUV seems to be packed with all the right stuff.

A-Class Revival

Once slated for cancellation as Mercedes shifted investment toward higher‑margin vehicles, the A‑Class has earned a reprieve thanks to renewed emphasis on volume and growing affordability pressures in the global car market. The next‑generation A‑Class will remain a compact hatchback with a slightly raised driving position, echoing the original model’s forward‑thinking packaging while offering both electric and internal‑combustion powertrains. Production of the current model has been extended to 2028, after which the replacement will move to the new MMA architecture shared with the CLA and GLB, retaining its familiar two‑box shape.

WHY IT MATTERS: This gives Mercedes something to compete directly with the upcoming Audi A2 e-tron and next-generation BMW 1 Series, and is likely to help feed customers into bigger and more profitable Mercedes models. It also boosts economies of scale for the entire MMA portfolio

THE BOTTOM LINE: It’s still a few years off, but the positive reviews on the new CLA suggest the next A-Class will be highly competitive.

Ford Adds a Fifth Van

Ford is preparing a new Transit City to slot into the middle of Ford Europe’s light commercial vehicle lineup, reflecting the market’s long‑standing division into small, medium, and large van segments. Designed to complement the broader Transit family rather than replace existing models, the Transit City is expected to target urban users who prioritize compact dimensions, efficiency, and maneuverability without sacrificing the functionality required of a true commercial van. Its introduction underscores how competitive and segmented the European LCV space has become, particularly as manufacturers refine their offerings for dense city environments.

WHY IT MATTERS: Chinese brands like BYD and Maxus have been making inroads into Europe’s electric van market, and this new model gives buyers an option from an experienced brand they recognize.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It’s fairly simple but it gets the job done, and that might be enough for value-focused small business owners.

Promaster City is Back—and Bigger

Ram’s new Turkish-built Promaster City, at 210” long (that’s bigger than a Chevy Tahoe) is the brand’s new entry-level commercial van, positioned as a “midsize” entry and significantly larger than its predecessor. Although the previous model’s base (the Fiat Doblo, et al) is still in production, Stellantis chose their midsize van (the Fiat Scudo, et al) for the new model. This hardware is a bit old; it was launched in 2016 and updated in 2022. However, compared to the current Promaster--whose bones date back to 2006--it’s practically fresh off the boat. Unfortunately for some, the electric variant of this van won’t make it to the US, leaving a capable 1.6L L4 that supports a fair amount of capability.

WHY IT MATTERS: Given the apparent failure of smaller vans in the US (including the Nissan NV200 and Ford Transit Connect), this might be a logical move to address business owners’ needs. In addition, with the launch of Stellantis Pro One in 2023, it became clear the company is looking to generate the same cash flow that Ford does with its commercial operations. No other commercial brand in the US market currently fields an entry in this segment, which gives Ram an edge for the moment; let’s see them run with it.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A unique and capable entry that puts Ram in front of its US competitors.

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