GM Reinstates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto After Customer Backlash
General Motors will reinstall Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles after initially planning to remove the software from new cars. The reversal came as part of this week's announcement of a new high-resolution dual-screen infotainment system, in which GM quietly noted that CarPlay and Android Auto projection would now be supported. GM had been slowly phasing the software out, reportedly to capture data and subscription revenue, but customers rebelled, and dealers had warned that buyers would walk away without CarPlay. Pras Subramanian, Yahoo Finance's senior autos reporter, cited a statistic that 79% of new car buyers would only consider a vehicle that offered CarPlay, while 98% of cars have CarPlay. Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that 70% of Ford customers are Apple customers, underscoring why automakers are reluctant to drop the feature.
Volkswagen Cuts 2026 Profit Outlook on China Slump and Porsche Writedown
Volkswagen has dramatically cut its 2026 profit outlook, now expecting an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%. The German carmaker expects around €10 billion, or $11.5 billion, in charges this year, including restructuring costs tied to workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese assets; that total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker. Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower. Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said the Chinese market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight, while Chinese automakers take domestic share and expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles. Volkswagen also said growing EV sales are weighing on profitability at its Volkswagen passenger-car and Audi businesses, and it recently reached an agreement with labor representatives that could increase planned job cuts to 100,000 globally.
Volkswagen warns of 10-billion-euro profit hit, cuts 2026 margin forecast to one percent
Volkswagen warned Friday of a 10-billion-euro hit to its annual earnings, citing tough conditions in China, problems at subsidiary Porsche and restructuring costs. The German auto giant said it now expects a profit margin of just one percent for 2026, down from a previous forecast of between four and 5.5 percent, and narrowed its sales outlook for the year to a slight fall to about 315 billion euros. Volkswagen wrote down the value of Porsche by six billion euros, its second such hit in a year after a 5.1-billion-euro charge last September, and booked another two billion euros in charges linked to write-downs of VW assets in China, the sale of its Osnabrueck plant in northern Germany and the expansion of early retirement schemes. Finance chief Arno Antlitz said the situation on global markets has continued to worsen, particularly in China, where the Volkswagen and Audi marques are feeling the heat and demand for battery-electric vehicles has accelerated while earning significantly less than internal combustion engine cars. VW shares plunged 7.5 percent after the announcement, while fellow German carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW both fell over five percent. The carmaker earlier this month struck a deal with unions to axe up to 100,000 jobs by 2030, increasing by 50,000 the number of expected cuts across the group.
Tesla to Operate Megacharging at Three Forum Mobility Truck Depots
Tesla said it will operate public Megacharging locations at three electric-truck depots being developed by Forum Mobility in California, adding a combined 30 megawatts of charging capacity using Tesla's Megawatt Charging System alongside CCS connectors. The announcement came as Tesla shares climbed about 1% Friday morning, lifted by a broader move into consumer-discretionary stocks that also boosted automakers. General Motors, Ford and Stellantis all gained on Thursday, while the consumer-discretionary ETF rose faster than the broader S&P 500, suggesting the advance was partly tied to sector-wide buying rather than a single Tesla catalyst. Broader market conditions were supportive as well, with oil prices falling about 2% and the 10-year Treasury yield declining, helping ease pressure on equities. Tesla's gain therefore reflects both the new charging-network development and the wider rebound across consumer and automotive stocks.
Volkswagen Cuts 2026 Profit Guidance, Shares Fall 7.5%
Volkswagen AG slashed its fiscal year 2026 operating return on sales guidance to up to 1%, down from a previous forecast of 4% to 5.5%, sending its shares down 7.5%. The German automaker blamed a goodwill impairment tied to Porsche AG, a challenging market environment particularly in China, and additional restructuring expenses. Group sales revenue is now expected at around €315 billion, roughly the midpoint of the prior forecast range, while special effects totaling approximately €10 billion are expected to weigh on operating profit for the financial year, of which €0.9 billion were already reported in the first half of 2026; adjusted for those effects, the full-year 2026 operating return on sales would be about 4%. Volkswagen will recognize a non-cash impairment of around €6 billion on goodwill allocated to the Porsche business segment in the third quarter, following updated medium- and long-term assumptions from Porsche AG including a medium-term corridor of 10% to 15%. The company also flagged additional restructuring expenses from expanded early retirement schemes and the planned sale of Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH, plus non-cash impairments of assets at fully consolidated companies in China, with the three effects combined expected to have a negative impact of around €2 billion in the second half of the year. Volkswagen maintained its net cash flow guidance for the Automotive Division at €3 billion to €6 billion and net liquidity expectations at €32 billion to €34 billion for 2026.
Eisman Calls Tesla's 220x Multiple Crazy, Counts Himself a Robotaxi Skeptic
Steve Eisman, the Neuberger Berman senior portfolio manager made famous by The Big Short, said on his weekly wrap podcast that Tesla's valuation only makes sense if investors believe its robotaxi business will conquer the world, adding, "just count me a skeptic." Eisman noted Tesla's 2026 consensus EPS of $1.66 puts its 2026 P/E at 220 times, versus 6.5 times for General Motors, and that the estimate sits 59% below Tesla's 2022 peak EPS of $4.07. Tesla's Q2 2026 8-K, filed July 22, 2026, showed revenue of $28.24 billion, up 25.5% year over year, but non-GAAP EPS of $0.33 that missed the $0.54 estimate by 38.5%, operating income down 56.9% to $398 million, and free cash flow of negative $1.09 billion. On the bull side, Tesla has expanded Robotaxi service to seven U.S. metros with unsupervised rides in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, reached 1.48 million active FSD subscriptions, up 56% year over year, and plans 2026 CapEx above $25 billion. GM, meanwhile, posted Q2 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.57, beating the $3.18 estimate by 12.1% for a fifth consecutive beat, and raised full-year guidance to EBIT-adjusted of $14.0B to $16.0B and adjusted EPS of $12.00 to $14.00.
Subaru Partners With onsemi to Evaluate Embedded Power Platform for Future EVs
Subaru has entered a strategic collaboration with onsemi to evaluate its Embedded Power Platform, a step toward integrating next-generation power architectures into future electric vehicles. Under the partnership, Subaru gains early access to engineering samples and technical expertise as it assesses whether onsemi's power semiconductor integration can deliver scalable, efficient solutions for vehicle electrification. The two companies said the work will explore how a more integrated power system design can improve vehicle performance, efficiency and design flexibility as automakers expand their electrified lineups. The collaboration was announced by onsemi on GlobeNewswire.
Hyundai CEO Warns Chinese Cars Could Flood U.S. Without Tariffs
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz warned that Chinese vehicles could flood the U.S. market, as they did in Europe, unless Washington maintains tariffs and other trade safeguards, Reuters reported. Munoz noted that Chinese vehicles are 30%-40% cheaper than rival models in some markets including Italy, Spain and France, even with EU trade barriers such as tariffs and minimum pricing commitments in place. He said the UK, which left the EU in 2020 and has no similar tariffs on Chinese cars, now counts all of its top car sellers as Chinese, and warned similar things could happen in the U.S. at different levels unless certain conditions are met. The U.S. has effectively blocked Chinese electric vehicle imports with tariffs of about 100%, though President Donald Trump recently said he would be open to Chinese automakers manufacturing in the U.S. as long as they employ Americans. Munoz's remarks echoed Ford CEO Jim Farley, who told staff in July that the company was bracing for Chinese automakers to enter the U.S. within the next 5-10 years.
Ford Motor has lowered prices on several high-end trims of its 2027 F-150 lineup while adding updated styling and new technology features, a move aimed at addressing truck affordability concerns. The automaker's shares trade at US$13.61, with a 1-day share price return of 1.95%, a 30-day share price return down 2.30% and a 90-day share price return down 3.20%, against a 1-year total shareholder return of 21.33% and a 3-year total shareholder return of 34.72%. The most followed narrative frames Ford as 13% undervalued with a fair value of $15.73 versus the recent $13.61 closing price, while the SWS DCF model estimates a value of US$12.01, below the current price. Ford's Ford Pro commercial platform continues to outperform, with paid software subscriptions up 24% year-over-year and aftermarket approaching 20% of Pro EBIT. Trade policy shocks and a slower than hoped EV transition remain risks, particularly if tariffs bite into costs while truck and SUV demand softens.
Musk Signals Deeper Tesla SpaceX Ties and Terafab Chip Push
Tesla CEO Elon Musk signalled closer operational ties with SpaceX, including potential corporate integration, during recent public comments. Musk highlighted a joint Terafab semiconductor manufacturing effort aimed at supplying custom chips for Tesla vehicles and energy products, and teased the upcoming Tesla Roadster reveal as a showcase for new technology that could leverage SpaceX-related engineering. The hinted Tesla SpaceX integration, the Terafab chip effort and the Roadster technology are only one part of Tesla's broader story, alongside its large electric vehicle operation and its energy storage and generation business. The Terafab partnership and talk of deeper SpaceX integration strengthen the part of the Tesla thesis that relies on tight vertical integration for AI hardware and software, pointing in the same direction as the robotaxi and Optimus plans, where the story depends on owning the full stack rather than relying on external chip suppliers like Nvidia. The news also leans into risks analysts already flag around heavy AI capex, execution complexity and regulatory friction, with a merger or deeper tie-up adding governance and integration questions on top of existing concerns about slower product ramps and already high spending, while competitors such as Mercedes-Benz or BYD keep pushing more conventional EV strategies.
Chinese Automakers Seek European Production Sites as EU Weighs Local Content Rules, BYD Adviser Says
Chinese automakers are scouting locations for production bases in Europe after the EU signaled it will introduce local content requirements. Alfredo Altavilla, BYD's adviser for Europe, told Reuters at the opening ceremony of a Denza premium brand dealership in Turin, Italy, that companies are focusing their efforts on inspecting existing auto assembly plants, which can start production faster than building factories from scratch. The European Commission is drafting a "Made in Europe" policy that favors industrial parts and products made within the bloc, and is expected to set minimum local content thresholds for EVs sold in the region, possibly as early as next year. BYD aims to acquire existing plants, take full ownership and then retrofit them; its first European passenger car plant in Hungary is in the early stages of production, and the company is expected to select a second European site within the year. Altavilla said that to grow while meeting EU regulations, BYD will eventually need "three assembly plants and one battery plant" in Europe, adding that Spain and France offer "clearly simpler situations" and are the "most feasible" options. Italy is a "second-best" choice because Stellantis is reluctant to sell plants, he said. Chinese manufacturers have already begun partnerships to share production lines at underutilized European plants: Leapmotor is teaming up with Stellantis in Spain, Dongfeng Motor with Stellantis in France, Geely with Ford Motor in Spain, and Chery has bought a plant in Spain previously owned by Nissan.
Tesla Shares Rise 2.32% as Earnings Loom With EPS Seen Down 6%
Tesla ended its latest trading session at $366.37, up 2.32% and ahead of the S&P 500's 1.14% gain, with the Dow up 0.61% and the Nasdaq up 1.69%. Ahead of its upcoming earnings disclosure, the company's projected EPS is $0.47, a 6.00% drop from the same quarter a year earlier, while consensus revenue is forecast at $27.95 billion, a 0.5% decline. For the full fiscal year, Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $1.79 per share and revenue of $105.97 billion, representing changes of +7.83% and +11.75% from the prior year. Tesla currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell), and its consensus EPS projection was unchanged over the past 30 days. The stock trades at a Forward P/E of 200.93, a premium to its industry average of 17.48, and a PEG ratio of 8.89 versus an Automotive - Domestic industry average of 1.05.
GM Begins Supplying Patriot Missile Components to Lockheed Martin
General Motors has started supplying missile-housing components for Lockheed Martin's Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors, delivering its first batch in August. Lockheed said GM completed work that typically takes months in three weeks. CEO Mary Barra told analysts this summer she expects $700 million of defense revenue this year at double-digit margins. The opportunity comes as Lockheed Martin faces a significant production ramp, with the Pentagon ordering it to more than triple Patriot output to over 2,000 missiles a year by the end of 2030 while constrained suppliers make scaling difficult. The most advanced Patriot costs over $4 million and takes more than two years to reach the customer, with many key parts largely handmade and sourced from single suppliers such as Boeing, which makes the seeker.
Stellantis Weighs Sale of 60.5% Aramis Group Stake
Stellantis N.V. is considering selling its controlling stake in used-car marketplace Aramis Group as the automaker prepares for a larger investment cycle. Stellantis owns 60.5% of Aramis and controls 67.4% of its voting rights, and Rothschild & Co and Citi have reportedly been hired to work on a prospective sale. Aramis is now valued at just 263 million, down from nearly 1.9 billion at its 2021 IPO, and sales of Aramis vehicles fell more than 6% to 1.6 billion in the first nine months of 2026, with restored vehicle sales down about 5%. The prospective exit comes as management focuses more on Stellantis' main automotive business, with the automaker planning investments of almost 60 billion up to 2030 amid growing competition, mainly from Chinese manufacturers. Stellantis shares rose roughly 3.4% on Thursday.
Lucid Shares Jump 8% on Bolt Deal for 25,000 Self-Driving EVs in Europe
Lucid Group shares climbed about 8% Thursday after the electric-vehicle maker entered a partnership with Bolt targeting autonomous ride services across Europe. Under the agreement, Bolt aims to deploy at least 25,000 self-driving Lucid vehicles across major European cities, with Bolt planning to own and operate the fleet; the companies did not provide a rollout schedule or investment amount. The vehicles are expected to use Lucid's upcoming Midsize platform and Nvidia's Hyperion system, a technology platform designed for autonomous driving, with production planned at Lucid's new Saudi Arabian facility, which is expected to begin operations early next year. The deal comes as Lucid works through continued financial pressure: in the second quarter, revenue was $405.35 million, below the $422.32 million consensus estimate, while the company posted an adjusted loss of $2.78 per share versus expectations for a $2.36 loss. Lucid shares ended Wednesday at $4.04 after falling 1.94% during the session and remain down about 35% over the past month.
Stellantis and Ford to Launch Extended-Range EVs in US, WSJ Reports
Stellantis and Ford are preparing to launch extended-range electric vehicles in the US that run purely on battery power but carry a small gasoline engine used only as an onboard generator, the Wall Street Journal reported on September 7, 2026. Stellantis plans to introduce an extended-range Jeep Grand Wagoneer later this year or early next, followed by the Ram 1500 REV, which the Journal reports can travel roughly 690 miles on a full battery and tank of gas combined. Stellantis previously scrapped an all-electric version of the Ram 1500 in favor of this range-extended design, and plans to offer more than 100 miles of electric range in its new EREVs. Ford plans to bring back the F-150 Lightning as an EREV, while Hyundai is also preparing extended-range models for the US market. Hedge fund holders of Stellantis fell to 26 in the second quarter from 32 in the first, with the combined position value nearly halving to $195 million from $424 million, while Ford's holder count held steady at 50 funds and its position value dipped slightly to $1.02 billion from $1.12 billion.
NHTSA Opens Safety Probe Into Tesla's Driverless Cybercab
NHTSA has opened an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab after the company began offering rides in Austin, Texas, according to reports from WSJ and Reuters on September 4. The agency will examine the technical data and methodology Tesla used to self-certify the two-seat vehicle, which lacks a steering wheel, pedals, accelerator, and mirrors, and will assess whether Tesla correctly determined that certain federal safety standards do not apply to it. Tesla has not sought an exemption for the Cybercab, unlike Amazon's Zoox, which received an exemption in July for its steering-wheel-free robotaxis. NHTSA could require recalls or impose fines if it finds the Cybercab noncompliant. Tesla had 420 autonomous vehicles registered in Texas as of Friday, including 45 Cybercabs, as it begins expanding the robotaxi service.
XPENG Launches G9L AI Flagship SUV in China, Global Debut Set for Oct 12 in Paris
XPENG held the China launch event for its next-gen AI flagship SUV, the G9L, in Beijing, and said the model will be available in 64 global markets with a global launch event on October 12 at the Paris Motor Show. The G9L comes in both BEV and REEV versions, measures 5,120 mm long with a 3,100 mm wheelbase and a 0.605 wheelbase-to-length ratio, and runs on XPENG's VLA 2.0 model and the same Turing AI chip used in its IRON humanoid robot. The vehicle meets the design standards of four major five-star safety ratings worldwide, having completed 192 crash tests across the Euro NCAP, ANCAP, C-NCAP and CIASI protocols totaling more than 110 individual test items, plus global road testing across 26 countries and regions with cumulative mileage surpassing 6.74 million kilometers. The G9L will begin production in both Guangzhou, China, and Graz, Austria, becoming the fourth XPENG model to roll off the line at Magna's plant in Graz after the G6, G9 and P7+, meaning four localized models within a single year. At the event, Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng also said the world's first automated production line for advanced general-purpose humanoid robots was officially commissioned, using robots to produce robots, and confirmed XPENG's Paris Motor Show booth is in Hall 6.
Tesla Delivers Record 480,126 Vehicles as Margins Collapse and FSD Subscriptions Jump 56%
Tesla delivered a record 480,126 vehicles in a single quarter, expanded Robotaxi to seven U.S. metros, and grew active FSD subscriptions to 1.48 million, up 56% year-over-year, even as its stock trades at $357.24, down 20.56% year-to-date. The core problem is margin compression: operating margin collapsed to 1.4% in the second quarter, operating income fell 56.88% year-over-year, and free cash flow swung to negative $1.092 billion as capital expenditure surged 141.81%. Wall Street's consensus price target sits at $390.09, with 6 Strong Buys, 16 Buys, 19 Holds, 3 Sells, and 2 Strong Sells, while the article's own model base case is $389.65, a bull case of $465.72, and a bear case of $351.99. Reaching $550 by 2027 would require a 54% gain and a forward price-to-earnings ratio near 234x, hinging on Robotaxi scaling beyond the current seven cities, FSD attach rates climbing past the current 55% of new North American deliveries, and tangible Optimus manufacturing progress. The primary risk is that capital expenditure expected to exceed $25 billion this year could suppress earnings longer than bulls expect.
Lucid Signs 25,000-Vehicle Robotaxi Deal With Europe's Bolt
Lucid signed a partnership with European ride-hailing platform Bolt to deploy at least 25,000 autonomous vehicles across major European cities, extending the electric-vehicle maker's robotaxi push beyond the US for the first time. Under the deal, Bolt will build a robotaxi network on Lucid's upcoming midsize platform, with the vehicles powered by Nvidia's Hyperion autonomous-vehicle architecture and engineered for SAE Level 4 driving. Lucid shares rose 4% in early trading, though the stock is down over 60% year to date. The agreement is the second major robotaxi partnership Lucid has struck this year, following a July plan with Uber to deploy more than 35,000 Lucid vehicles over six years, a deal that brought $750 million in fresh capital, $550 million from an affiliate of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and $200 million from an Uber subsidiary. Unlike the Uber tie-up, the Bolt partnership disclosed no dollar investment or firm launch timeline, and the work will be led by Lucid Technologies, a newly created unit consolidating the company's artificial intelligence, advanced driver-assistance, and autonomy efforts. The Bolt deal also advances Bolt's stated goal of putting 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035, with its dedicated Bolt Autonomous Driving Solutions unit owning and operating the fleet.
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. said it believes it has regained compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market's Equity Standard as of July 31, 2026, and has maintained compliance through the date of its latest Current Financial Report. The company's Total Stockholders' Equity had fallen to $1.412 million as of June 30, 2026, below the $2.5 million minimum required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). During July and August 2026, FF reduced notes payable by approximately $10.0 million based on a preliminary fair valuation of the instrument as of June 30, 2026, lowered its derivative call option liability by approximately $5.8 million, and cut accounts payable and accrued liabilities by approximately $15.3 million, primarily through a $13.5 million reduction in employee-related liabilities and a $2.5 million cleanup of legacy vendor accounts payable. The company said its EAI robot cumulative sales and shipments reached 552 units by August end since deliveries began in February, with positive product gross margin, as it works toward its full-year target of 2,000 units. Nasdaq will continue to monitor the company's ongoing compliance, and final third-quarter 2026 financial results remain subject to auditor review and will be disclosed in the company's Form 10-Q for Q3 2026.
BYD adviser says Chinese automakers scouring Europe for factories ahead of EU local content rules
Chinese automakers are scouting existing European car assembly plants ahead of expected EU local content rules, according to BYD's European adviser Alfredo Altavilla, who said he keeps running into rival executives in airport lounges on the same quest. Altavilla told Reuters that Spain and France remain the "most actionable" options for BYD, China's biggest electric vehicle maker, because they offer "decidedly simpler situations," with refurbishment cost the top consideration. Chinese manufacturers have already struck several deals to share production lines at underutilised European plants owned by legacy automakers, including Leapmotor and Dongfeng with Stellantis in Spain and France respectively, Geely with Ford in Spain, and Chery teaming up with a local partner to take over an old Nissan plant in Spain. Unlike its Chinese rivals, BYD wants to buy, fully own and refurbish an existing factory, and is currently in the initial stage of production at its first European passenger car plant in Hungary, with a site for a second European facility expected to be selected by the end of the year. Altavilla said BYD would eventually need three assembly plants and one battery plant in Europe to support its growth ambitions and meet EU rules, adding that Italy has become a "plan B" because Stellantis, the country's sole major automaker, is unwilling to sell any plants.
Volvo to launch 13 new models by 2030 in bid to improve profitability
Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said on the 17th that it plans to launch 13 new models by 2030. It will roll out six models for the Chinese market and seven for the European and American markets, expanding its lineup in an effort to revive sales. Through this, it aims to raise its EBIT margin from 3.5% in 2025 to above 8%, a long-standing target. The models for Europe and the United States will use Volvo's SPA2 and SPA3 vehicle platforms, while the models for China will be developed jointly with Geely Automobile, which is part of the same group. Chief Executive Officer Håkan Samuelsson said in a statement that this new model launch strategy is based on four distinctive strengths: regionally tailored product development, a leading position in electrification, synergies with Geely, and comprehensive customer services that go beyond the car itself.
General Motors to Restore Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2027 Silverado and Sierra Pickups
General Motors plans to reintroduce built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its 2027 Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks, reversing its earlier removal of the smartphone systems. The automaker is pairing the return of phone integration with a redesigned in-vehicle interface focused on safety and driver usability, blending vehicle data with familiar phone apps so drivers can access navigation, media, and diagnostics through a unified display. The change applies to GM's high-volume pickups, which anchor a product ecosystem that also includes trucks, crossovers, cars, and parts sold worldwide for a company with a market cap of about $74.9b. GM aims to keep the trucks competitive while still owning the vehicle data and safety features that sit alongside phone apps, and to use the setup to surface its own paid services such as Super Cruise and OnStar. Investors are expected to watch how quickly the unified software platform rolls from the light-duty Silverado and Sierra into the broader truck range through 2027, along with subscriber growth and management updates on digital revenue and user engagement in future earnings calls.
Changan Automobile Elects Wang Yaohua as Employee Director of the Tenth Board of Directors
Changan Automobile announced on September 17 that the company recently received a resolution from the trade union committee regarding the election of an employee director, and Wang Yaohua was elected as the employee director of the company's tenth board of directors. The announcement also disclosed that in the first half of 2026, Changan Automobile achieved revenue of 65.634 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to the parent company of 817 million yuan.
Tesla Faces September 30 Deadline to Explain Cybercab Safety Compliance
Tesla faced a September 30 deadline to explain to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration how its Cybercab satisfies federal vehicle-safety requirements. The agency wants details on Tesla's self-certification process, including whether temporary human-driving controls or other equipment were used to establish compliance, and is also seeking information about operating restrictions such as speed, geographic boundaries and time-of-day limits. The questions go straight to the Cybercab's unconventional design, which operates without a traditional steering wheel, pedals or mirrors. Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles in the second quarter and has already begun Cybercab production, but does not yet provide standalone Cybercab revenue figures, making regulatory progress one of the clearest near-term markers for the program. Tesla shares gained approximately 2.0% to $363.75, a level that trades 8.92% above the GF Value estimate of $333.97.
Ford Unveils 2027 F-150 With Price Cuts on High-End Trims
Ford Motor has unveiled its 2027 F-150 lineup, cutting prices on several high-end trims while adding updated styling, new technology and a new base engine. The 2027 F-150 Raptor will start at $77,790, a $4,010 reduction from the comparable 2026 model, while the Tremor starts at $62,440, down $5,270, and the base F-150 will start at $42,630. The trucks also get a new grille, redesigned wheels and an upgraded version of Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driver-assistance system. Ford shares fell more than 2% Tuesday despite the reveal, as investors weigh whether lower pricing can protect demand without sacrificing margins on the high-end pickups that carry stronger profitability. Ford stock has still gained roughly 19% over the past year, and Wall Street carries a Moderate Buy consensus on the shares with an average price target of $15.88, implying roughly 17% upside from recent levels. Ford also announced a Veterans Day event for November 11 featuring NASCAR drivers, Mustang racing and the Zac Brown Band, where it plans to launch its Proud to Honor Fund supporting six military-focused organizations.
Subaru to Evaluate onsemi Embedded Power Platform for Future EVs
Subaru Corporation has entered a strategic technology engagement with onsemi to evaluate onsemi's Embedded Power Platform, or EPP, for future electrified vehicles. Under the engagement, announced by onsemi on Sept. 16, 2026, Subaru gains early access to EPP technology, engineering samples, simulation models and technical expertise as it explores next-generation power architectures. EPP embeds multiple semiconductor devices directly into a silicon-based wafer-level package, and onsemi says the platform could support smaller, lighter and more efficient traction inverter systems while reducing development complexity and accelerating time to market. Tamotsu Inui, Managing Executive Officer and Chief General Manager of Engineering Div at Subaru, said the early engagement gives Subaru a chance to evaluate EPP's integrated approach to power system design, and Dinesh Ramanathan, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy at onsemi, said Subaru's engagement brings valuable customer insight to EPP's continued evolution. The initial phase focuses on early engineering evaluation and technical learning, building on a longstanding relationship between the two companies.
GM Warns of Softer Q4 on Truck Transition, Flat 2027 for EVs
General Motors is warning investors to expect a softer fourth quarter as the changeover to its next-generation pickups temporarily cuts truck deliveries by roughly 35,000 units, while management also sees 2027 as a difficult year for electric vehicles. CFO Paul Jacobson said at Morgan Stanley's Laguna Conference that the truck shortfall is about the right way to think about the fourth quarter, which is typically seasonally weaker than the second and third quarters. The near-term weakness looks largely operational, but the bigger investor issue is whether GM can protect truck profits while making its EV business sustainably profitable. Pickups and SUVs remain critical profit engines for GM's North American business, which in the second quarter generated $48 billion of revenue and $3.9 billion of adjusted EBIT at an 8.6% adjusted EBIT margin, and GM raised its full-year 2026 guidance for the second time this year. Jacobson said 2027 is going to be a bit of a flat spot for EVs as profitability remains under pressure, hit first by tariffs and second by the loss of EV credits in the variable profit equation, though GM still believes EVs are a long-term opportunity. GM's next major checkpoint comes October 20, when it reports third-quarter results, with investors watching updated 2026 guidance, North American margins, truck inventories and progress reducing EV losses.
NHTSA Orders Tesla to Prove Cybercab Is Legal to Sell
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a special order requiring Tesla to prove that its Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals, is legal to sell and safe for the road. In a 21-part request, the agency is requiring Tesla to list every federal motor vehicle safety standard it certified the vehicle to and explain in detail how a car with no driver controls meets rules governing indicators, turning, and braking. NHTSA is specifically concerned about whether Tesla relied on temporarily bolted-in steering wheels and pedals to pass certification and then removed them, which could violate the Safety Act's prohibition on rendering required safety equipment inoperative. The agency also demands that Tesla explain how the Cybercab complies with the rules without seeking an exemption under Part 555 of the federal rules, which NHTSA has said any vehicle solely operated by an automated driving system would likely need before it can be lawfully sold. Tesla has until September 30 to respond to the request or face fines and penalties, a significant matter for a company that has bet its future on physical AI including autonomy, robotaxis, and robots. Amazon's Zoox, by contrast, received the necessary NHTSA authorizations for the exemption after first proving the safety case for its robotaxis, then received its commercial permit. Tesla has also suggested it would sell the Cybercabs to the public, which now seems under threat given the rules NHTSA has in place for vehicle sales and its inclination so far to approve robotaxi use for commercial operators.
Musk Promises Excitement at Tesla Roadster Reveal on October 1
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the upcoming unveiling of the Roadster high-performance vehicle on October 1 will far exceed expectations. Speaking on the All In Podcast via video on Monday, Musk said, "Success is not guaranteed, but excitement is," and added that an audience would be needed to vouch that the demonstration is not AI. Podcast host Jason Calacanis said he had seen a preview of the event and that the demo would blow people's minds, initially believing it was a simulation before Musk confirmed it was real. Musk also hinted at a possible merger between Tesla and SpaceX, citing deep collaboration between the two companies; such a merger could hand Musk an $824 billion payday through terms in the new Tesla CEO pay package approved by investors in November. Tesla had previously filed a patent, granted in August last year, detailing an active aerodynamic system that could generate downforce and potentially make the car hover by reversing airflow.
Tesla to Unveil New Roadster on Oct. 1, 2026, With SpaceX Cold Gas Thrusters
Tesla, Inc. is set to unveil its new Roadster on Oct. 1, 2026, more than eight years after first introducing the concept in 2017, with a teaser released last weekend hinting that the production model will feature Tesla's signature "Cyber" design language. The teaser also highlights SpaceX cold gas thrusters mounted at the rear, and Tesla plans to reveal the Roadster at an event near Waco, TX, with the SpaceX package as the headline feature. Per Elon Musk, the Roadster will reach 60 mph in less than two seconds without the thrusters and in under one second with them. The Roadster was previously expected to debut on April 1, 2026, and the original concept promised a 1.9-second 0-60 mph time, a 620-mile range, a starting price of about $200,000, and a 2020 launch. Separately, Rivian Automotive, Inc. has introduced its R2 SUV in the United States and is considering bringing it to Europe as early as 2028, while Lucid Group, Inc. is preparing to unveil its midsize electric SUV, the Cosmos, this summer, with production expected to begin in late 2026 and an expected starting price below $50,000.
Nissan invests $230 million to build hybrid Kicks in the UK, targeting the European market
Nissan Motor announced a 170 million pound, or 230 million US dollar, investment at its Sunderland plant in the UK to produce the compact Kicks SUV equipped with Nissan's proprietary e-Power hybrid system, aiming to strengthen its position in the European market and expected to help preserve manufacturing jobs. The new-generation Kicks went on sale in Japan last June with the latest e-Power hybrid system, which Nissan says improves fuel efficiency. Kyodo News reported that vehicles built at the Sunderland plant will be sold in the UK and exported to other markets in Europe and Turkey. Jonathan Reynolds, the UK's Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, welcomed the decision, saying it shows great confidence in the UK's manufacturing expertise and the future of its automotive industry. The Kicks is currently produced in Japan, Mexico and Brazil for global sales, and production in the UK marks the start of its official launch into the European market. The Kicks will be the 10th model built at the Sunderland plant, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. It was previously reported that the plant has been operating below full capacity, and Nissan revealed last June that it was considering building passenger cars for Chery, a major Chinese automaker, at the UK plant from fiscal year 2027 onward.
Renault and Geely to invest an additional 319 million euros in Brazil, expanding partnership
French auto giant Renault and Chinese peer Geely Automobile announced on the 15th that they will invest a further 319 million euros in Brazil through their joint venture, strengthening their partnership in that market. With this new investment, the two companies' total investment in Brazil from 2025 to 2027 will reach 899 million euros. According to Renault, the agreement will allow Geely to use Renault's existing plants and dealership network, while Renault will be able to raise utilization at its assembly plants and add large vehicles to its lineup. Under the new investment plan, Renault will begin producing its flex-fuel-capable four-wheel-drive hybrid system, Hybrid E-Tech, in Brazil starting in 2027. In Brazil, rival Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is steadily building a foothold with affordable EVs and plug-in hybrids.
Nissan to build Kicks at UK Sunderland plant with 170 million pound investment
Nissan Motor announced on the 16th that it will produce the new Kicks, a hybrid compact sport utility vehicle for the European market, at its Sunderland plant in the UK. It will invest 170 million pounds, or 229 million dollars, for assembly. The model to be built is the Kicks e-POWER. The Sunderland plant already produces the Qashqai, the Juke and the Leaf electric vehicle, but Nissan did not disclose when production will begin. Nissan is pushing ahead with a business restructuring, cutting costs through plant closures and job reductions as well as shelving plans for some models, including an EV version of the Qashqai. Concerns have been raised about the future of the Sunderland plant, the UK's largest assembly site, and in June Nissan said it was considering lending one of the plant's two production lines to China's Chery Automobile so the company could use it to build its own vehicles.
US regulators ask Tesla to answer questions on Cybercab self-certification by September 30
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked Tesla on the 15th to answer a series of questions by September 30 about whether the self-certification of its Cybercab, a vehicle designed exclusively as an unmanned autonomous taxi, was carried out properly. Tesla must answer questions including whether temporarily installed human driving controls and other equipment were part of the basis for its compliance certification. The Cybercab does not have conventional manual controls such as a steering wheel, brake pedal, accelerator pedal or rearview mirrors. NHTSA asked Tesla to confirm whether the Cybercab can be driven by a human driver and whether the touchscreen inside the vehicle includes controls allowing an occupant to operate it. Tesla was also asked to answer questions about top speed, geographic or time-of-day restrictions, and other limits on the robotaxi. Tesla began commercial operation of the Cybercab with a small number of vehicles in Austin, in the southern state of Texas, on September 3.
Tesla Cybercab Launch Underwhelms as Waymo Keeps Robotaxi Lead
Tesla's long-awaited Cybercab launch in Austin on September 3 failed to impress Wall Street, leaving Alphabet's Waymo as the clear robotaxi leader. The invitation-only event was not livestreamed and CEO Elon Musk was absent, with the company's main public update a 51-second video on X of the two-seat, steering-wheel-free vehicle; shares rose roughly 5% during the session to near $376 before plunging as much as 6% on September 4 as investors found little detail on deployment timelines, production ramp, or regulatory clearance. Only 45 Cybercabs were registered in Texas, and Tesla did not seek an NHTSA exemption before deployment, instead self-certifying the vehicle as compliant with federal safety standards, prompting NHTSA to open an audit into that certification and order Tesla to provide more information on the basis for its compliance claims. Waymo, by contrast, operates more than 4,000 autonomous vehicles across its U.S. fleet and more than 500,000 fully autonomous rides per week, an operational track record Tesla is still chasing. Analysts are divided, with Future Fund's Gary Black calling the debut largely a bust while Deepwater Asset Management's Gene Munster predicted Tesla will add approximately 300 Cybercabs in Austin over the next month, and with robotaxi success ascribed up to half of Tesla's total valuation, the market's verdict on Cybercab's credibility carries outsized weight.
Kia and Hyundai Face $1 Billion Insurer Lawsuit After 9th Circuit Ruling
A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit in which some 200 U.S. car insurance companies are seeking more than $1 billion in reimbursement from Kia and Hyundai over thefts of their easy-to-steal vehicles. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the insurers can sue the Korean automakers, reversing U.S. District Judge James V. Selna, who had dismissed the complaint after finding his Santa Ana court lacked jurisdiction over the foreign manufacturers. The appellate panel found the companies intentionally reserved engine immobilizers as an upsell for American buyers, and that because more than 70% of all Hyundai and Kia shipments to the U.S. passed through California ports, the vast majority of vehicles built without working immobilizers were targeted to the state. The ruling is the latest legal blow to the automakers, which have already settled a $145-million class-action suit with car buyers and a $9-million case brought by state attorneys general. The case now returns to Selna's court in Orange County, as a new UCLA study projects elevated thefts of the vulnerable models in Los Angeles through 2042.
Musk Promises Tesla Reveal on October 1 as Bettors Price Roadster Delivery at 4.5%
Elon Musk said a Tesla Roadster unveil is coming on October 1, telling an All-In Summit appearance published September 14, 2026 alongside SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell that "It'll be a banger. Excitement guaranteed. Success is not guaranteed, but excitement is," and adding that "We actually need an audience to vouch for the fact that this is not AI." Venture investor Chamath Palihapitiya reposted the Roadster clip to his X audience with the caption "We will all be witnesses," drawing more than 48,000 impressions within hours. Prediction market bettors are far less convinced: on Polymarket, the "Tesla Roadster delivered by...?" market prices a Roadster delivery by December 31, 2026 at 4.5% and by December 31, 2027 at 61%, while a separate contract on whether Tesla will release Optimus by December 31, 2026 sits at 4.2% yes, up only slightly from 3.0% on September 8, though the Roadster market has traded just about $1,019 in total volume, making the prices sentiment signals only. Tesla reported Q2 2026 revenue of $28.24 billion, up 25.5% year over year and beating expectations of $26.36 billion, while non-GAAP EPS of $0.33 came in below the $0.54 estimate as operating expenses surged 47% to $4.35 billion on AI infrastructure and stock-based comp tied to the 2025 CEO Performance Award. Tesla traded at $360.45 on September 15, 2026, down 19.85% year to date and down 8.96% over the past year, against a market cap of roughly $1.43 trillion and a P/E ratio near 374.
Citi initiates Rivian at Neutral, doubts R2 production targets
Citi Research analysts Michael Ward and Vikram Bagri initiated coverage of Rivian with a Neutral rating, citing risks around the R2 launch and high-volume production. The R1S, R1T, EDV, and R2 are currently built at Rivian's Normal, Illinois facility, which Citi estimates has annual production capacity of 120K but has been underutilized, with 2025 output at just 42,417 units, or about 35% of that capacity. The analysts question market estimates, noting the FactSet consensus expects Rivian to deliver 82K R2s in 2027, implying production of over 1,500 units a week, and 183K R2 sales in 2028, both of which Ward and Bagri believe are not attainable. They said production is expected to accelerate in 2029, but meeting the 300,000-capacity target would require distribution locations to more than double from current levels and a significant market expansion, and they argued the consensus 2028 R2 sales estimate assumes a faster ramp at the Georgia plant, expected to start production in late 2028. The analysts said monthly sales and production data over the next 6-9 months will likely be the most important metrics to monitor, while Rivian shares are down about 2% Tuesday, the stock's third straight day in the red.