Auto industry news covering car manufacturers, vehicle sales, automotive technology, recalls, and automaker business developments.
Ford issued an urgent 'Do Not Drive' recall for 4,653 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles due to incorrectly installed front lower control-arm ball joints that could increase crash risk. Owners are advised not to drive until free inspection and repair is completed.
Electric vehicles accounted for one in five new vehicles sold in Australia in May 2026, a monthly record. Combined with hybrids and plug-in hybrids, electrified vehicles made up 46% of sales. Petrol and diesel SUV sales dropped sharply, while plug-in hybrid SUV sales surged 377%.
Hybrid car and truck sales jumped 33% year-over-year in May 2026, driven by elevated gas prices from the U.S.-Israel conflict in Iran. The surge stands out in an otherwise stagnant US new-car market.
Nissan signed a non-binding deal to explore contract manufacturing for Chery at its Sunderland plant, potentially starting in 2027. The move would utilize spare capacity and secure jobs for 6,000 workers, as the plant produced only 273,000 cars in 2025 against a 600,000 capacity.
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models from 2018-2022 due to a seat belt defect that may cause injury in a crash. The seat belts can lock inadvertently, preventing retraction or extension. Ford has received reports of one injury related to the issue.
This commentary argues that Mercedes-Benz's commitment to electric vehicles is a contrarian but strategic move as other automakers retreat. It contends that Mercedes is betting on long-term EV dominance, leveraging its brand strength and premium positioning to weather short-term market turbulence.
Carvana received a warrant to buy shares in Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, as it plans to expand into new car sales. The option was granted around the time Slate was raising its $650 million Series C round. Carvana has also purchased several Stellantis dealerships in the US.
SAIC Motor's MG unit selected Spain for its first European car factory, aiming to mitigate EU tariffs on Chinese EVs. The move marks a strategic expansion into Europe.
Nearly 1,000 workers at American Axle's Three Rivers, Michigan plant are set to strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday after contract negotiations failed, halting production of key parts for GM's midsize and full-size pickup trucks. UAW Local 2093 authorized the strike in May, seeking higher wages, profit sharing, and better benefits. This is the first strike since an 89-day walkout in 2008.
This commentary argues that Lamborghini's early commitment to electric vehicles, initially seen as risky, now appears prescient as Ferrari lags behind. The author contends that Lamborghini's strategic pivot to hybrids and EVs positions it better for the future, while Ferrari's delayed response may hurt its competitiveness.