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Spain becomes key testbed for Stellantis and Leapmotor’s expanded alliance
Stellantis and Chinese electric vehicle brand Leapmotor are preparing to deepen their allegiance as both companies angle to expand their electric vehicle footprint across Europe.
The partnership began in 2023 when Stellantis purchased an approximately 21% stake in Leapmotor and launched a joint venture focused on selling and manufacturing Leapmotor vehicles outside of China. The companies now say they are exploring new ways to increase production efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs.
UK new car market grows by almost a quarter in best April since pre-pandemic levels
The UK’s new car market registered unprecedented growth last month, expanding by almost a quarter, up 24%.
According to new data from the SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the UK recorded 149,247 vehicles in April, the strongest growth in the sector since before the pandemic.
WeRide and Lenovo announce expanded partnership to deliver 200,000 autonomous vehicles by 2031
Announced at Auto China 2026, Chinese tech firms WeRide and Lenovo have revealed an expanded partnership to develop 200,000 autonomous vehicles over the next five years. Of these 200,000 vehicles, many will be robotaxis operating at Level 4 autonomous capability, or “driver-out.”
Based in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, WeRide has already been a leader in China’s autonomous push, with established R&D and pilot projects in 40 cities across 12 countries globally.
The world’s #1 auto tech event is back…what’s new for MOVE 2026?
We are back for our eighth edition… so what’s new for MOVE 2026?
This year’s agenda brings together 250+ speakers, 75+ sponsors and 75+ start-ups for two days of dynamic discussion. From an exciting refocus, to a wave of influential new speakers, expect some big changes at our 2026 event. So what’s new this year?
Lotus joins luxury automakers pivoting to hybrids, forecasting “long-term trend”
The luxury automotive segment has long struggled to decouple itself from petrol. In 2026 alone, several major automakers walked back their EV targets or revised their electrification timelines: Lamborghini axed plans for its fully electric model, Lanzador, whilst Rolls-Royce pledged to continue selling petrol vehicles beyond 2030.
In an interview with the Financial Times, chief executive of Lotus Group, Qingfeng Feng, said that EVs would account for under half of their entire lineup—the rest coming from hybrids. This is a much more conservative estimate than previously predicted by the company, now owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, which had banked on a lineup of 90% EV sales by 2028.
Wayve receives fresh backing from chipmakers Qualcomm, AMD and Arm
British autonomous driving firm Wayve is strengthening its position in the race toward driverless vehicles, announcing fresh backing from chip giants Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm. The trio contributed $60 million in a follow-on investment, adding momentum to the company’s earlier $1.2 billion raise revealed in February.
Although modest compared to that larger round, the latest funding carries strategic weight, bolstering Wayve’s tech-forward, end-to-end AI approach. Wayve is building a distinct autonomous strategy that is rooted in AI and avoids reliance on high-definition maps or hyper-localized geomapping.
Rolls Royce develops 100 highly bespoke EVs for super-rich clientele
In the world of the super-wealthy, hyper-personalisation ensures ultimate exclusivity, promising a completely unique driving experience that sometimes even money cannot buy. This is the strategy that Rolls-Royce is banking on when it comes to its luxury EV segment, pledging to produce just 100 highly bespoke vehicles for a small number of super-rich customers.
These custom-built, two-seater vehicles will be developed alongside clients in a four-year-long process that began back in 2024.
UK automotive industry expects £4.6 billion uplift by 2030, new predictions suggest
According to the latest report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK automotive industry could deliver a £4.6 billion injection to the UK economy by 2030.
The uplift is driven by the UK’s commitment to ban the sale of all new petrol vehicles by 2035, a decision that is pushing automotive manufacturers towards electric vehicles with prescriptive rule of origin laws. Much like EU content laws, the UK government will offer preferential trade conditions for cars that exceed a threshold for UK or EU manufactured content.
The SMMT forecasts that this strategy will increase demand for UK-made parts by 80% by 2030, providing considerable opportunities for investment and a healthy boost to domestic supply chains.
Government backs 8 projects to drive UK autonomous mobility sector
Eight autonomous projects have received funding from a UK government-backed initiative aimed at driving the progress of autonomous solutions in the emerging UK market.
The eight projects, announced yesterday, will receive financial backing from the government-backed £150 million CAM Pathfinder programme, as part of the Feasibility Studies 2 competition. The funding marks a significant step in advancing the country’s Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) industry—already valued at £3.7 billion.
GM’s electrification long game: The Detroit automaker still banking on EVs
As many U.S. automakers walk back on their ambitious EV targets, General Motors Co. is remaining steadfast in its commitment to expand its electric segment. Since the end of the federal EV tax credit and the rollback of fuel economy regulations, the U.S. EV industry has been clouded by uncertainty.
More recently, soaring gas prices , driven in part by the Iran War, have exposed the vulnerability of an economy built on fuel-intensive ICE engines. Against this backdrop, many automakers are turning to hybrid powertrains in an effort to meet market demands and remain profitable in an unpredictable market.
Trump administration denies Ford tariff relief despite aluminium supply disruption
It has been over a year since President Trump announced a sweeping suite of country-by-country tariffs on imported foreign goods. After many reversals, walk-backs, and changes of mind, some industries have emerged largely untouched by these unpredictable and, at times, erratic shifts in trade and foreign policy.
For industries that rely on steel, aluminium, or semiconductors—of which automotive is one—the story is different. Owing to Section 232, materials deemed critical to matters of national security are subject to Trump’s high and unwavering tariffs.
A year after “liberation day,” many OEMs are calling for a reappraisal of Trump’s stringent tariffs due to mounting pressure caused by aluminium supply disruptions. Among these is legacy automaker Ford, which, under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley, has been vocal in its opposition to import tariffs.
NHTSA drops investigation into Tesla’s “Actually Smart Summon” autonomy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed its investigation into Tesla’s divisive “Actually Smart Summon” feature, an autonomous system that allows vehicles to collect passengers from parking lots or garages remotely using an app.
The feature requires the passenger to select a location within a short radius and claims to be able to navigate out of tight parking spaces or from the other side of a busy car park to collect waiting riders.
Einride paves the way for autonomous “smart corridors” in Texas
Founded in 2016, autonomous trucking company Einride is forging ahead with a partnership with the State Highway 130 corridor, a major toll road in Texas. This strategic collaboration aims to build out a smart freight corridor between Austin and San Antonio, operating as a testbed for Einride’s cab-less autonomous freight vehicles.
The project will represent the first time an autonomous truck company has partnered with a toll road operator to deliver this kind of service. Einride’s vision includes plans to build out Texas’ EV infrastructure through the co-development of next-generation rest stops with electric charging facilities and autonomous truck docking infrastructure.
Hyundai and Kia deepen strategic partnership with leading chipmaker NVIDIA
On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group announced it is accelerating its advancements in the autonomous mobility space by deepening its collaboration with world-leading chipmaker NVIDIA. This partnership represents a wider shift in the industry, as automakers are increasingly turning to the tech world to accelerate the development of autonomous and software-defined vehicles through partnerships with chipmakers, AI firms, and software companies.
Hyundai Motor Group, made up of Hyundai Motor and Kia, has positioned this strengthened partnership as a means to drive forward progress on its Level 4 all-electric robotaxis through its joint self-driving venture, Motional.
The design vs safety dilemma: Why carmakers are embracing buttons over touchscreens
As automakers seek to maximise the sleek, futuristic look of new models, the market has seen a sharp increase in the number of vehicles minimising bulky handles and buttons in favour of digital screens and concealed, automated handles.
Whilst these design features may offer the forward-looking glamour that elevates the in-car experience, concerns over safety have seen automakers retreating back to intuitive design features, including tactile buttons and manual handles.
Elon Musk’s Tesla approved to enter UK energy market amid security concerns
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, could soon have sway over the UK’s private energy sector after its subsidiary, Tesla Energy Ventures, received approval to operate as an electricity supplier in the United Kingdom. The licence, granted by the UK energy regulator, clears the path for the company to enter a market that has faced turbulence in recent years and rising concern among households over an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Industry experts herald 2026 as “pivotal year” for UK autonomy at CAM Innovators’ Day
Industry experts gathered at the IET in London yesterday to discuss the key obstacles and scalable, practical use cases of autonomy within the UK.
The annual CAM Innovators’ Day, hosted by Zenzic, brought together some of the industry experts driving innovation in autonomy and connected mobility. Among those attending were representatives from government, industry leaders, scale-ups and key stakeholder groups, with speakers from Google, Waymo and several autonomous startups, including Oxford-based group Oxa.
China’s NIO turns a tidy profit on EV strategy after 2025 record sales
Chinese electric-vehicle maker NIO reported its first quarterly net profit in the final months of 2025, representing a significant milestone for the Shanghai-based company. The result places the automaker among a small but growing group of profitable EV manufacturers in China, the world’s largest EV market, alongside emerging rivals XPeng and Li Auto.
The accolade was fuelled by surging vehicle demand and stronger margins, following a year that began with slower-than-expected sales growth. The company’s upwards trajectory was sparked by the launch of the company’s redesigned premium SUV, the NIO ES8, which quickly became a major contributor to sales.
Introducing MOVE 2026’s Women in Mobility Awards
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are relaunching our annual Women in Mobility Award, recognising the inspiring women driving innovations in auto tech through their leadership and expertise.
After receiving hundreds of nominations for the MOVE 2025 Women in Mobility Award last year, we have brought it back this year to give more of the industry’s ever-growing female talent the chance to win the 2026 title.
BYD launches improved Blade battery with faster charging time to outstrip competitors
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a major update to its signature Blade battery technology, marking the first significant upgrade to the system in six years. The company hopes faster charging speeds and longer driving ranges will help them outstrip its rivals in China’s intensely competitive EV market.
EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act could bring UK and Japan into ‘Made in Europe’ scheme
The EU’s “Made in Europe” content laws are set to undergo an expansion, with countries like the UK and Japan included within Brussels’ manufacturing targets.
The European Commission said these adjustments would protect European manufacturers, and now those of allied nations, from ferocious Chinese competition.
Firefighters and factory workers: Meet the intelligent robots at the forefront of the AI revolution
As corporations begin to embed AI into the ways they process data, make sales, and draft communications, many companies are also looking for ways to automate and implement AI in manufacturing processes, on factory floors, and to perform difficult or dangerous tasks that humans may not want or cannot do.
Automotive manufacturers are among the companies leading the charge in the physical AI space. Read more to find out how.
Geely surpasses BYD in EV sales for second consecutive month
As the Chinese government winds down its EV incentives, China’s fiercely competitive EV market is showing signs of slowing down. EV sales in China fell for the first time in almost two years last month, the first time since February 2024.
In the midst of this downturn, Chinese EV maker Geely has emerged as a clear frontrunner, surpassing BYD’s sales for the second month in a row. This two month lead comes just months after BYD was announced as the global-leader in EV sales for 2025, beating historical rival Tesla.
Stellantis explores Leapmotor’s EV technology to cut costs and boost European sales
Multinational automotive manufacturer Stellantis announced it is exploring the use of electric-vehicle technology from its Chinese partner Leapmotor as it looks for ways to cut costs and stay competitive in Europe.
The legacy automaker, headquartered in the Netherlands, is considering expanding the scope of its joint venture to gain deeper access to Leapmotor’s battery systems and EV powertrain expertise, particularly for high-volume brands such as Fiat, Opel and Peugeot.
Wayve secures $1.2 billion in investment to scale “generalisable” self-driving tech
Autonomous driving company Wayve, founded in 2017, has officially raised $1.2 billion in funding following a successful Series D investment round. This new development accelerates Wayve’s post-money valuation to $8.6 billion, making it one of the UK’s most valuable AI startups.
The investment round was backed by investors including Microsoft, world-leading chipmaker Nvidia, ride-hail provider Uber, and automakers including Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.
Lamborghini abandons plans for “Lanzador” EV supercar and bets on hybrids
In a radical reversal of its sustainability strategy, Lamborghini has announced that it is ditching plans to launch its first electric supercar. The Italian automaker is instead betting on hybrid vehicles following a slump in global EV sales that has seen companies like GM and Stellantis roll back their ambitious EV targets.
Lamborghini first announced plans to launch an electric supercar, the Lanzador, back in 2023, but since then the global EV landscape has shifted.
Hyundai joins the physical AI race, promising humanoid robots and autonomous mobility
A year ago, Hyundai Motor Company appeared to be trailing behind its rivals in the race to fuse artificial intelligence with the automobile. While competitors such as Tesla and BYD showcased advances in humanoid robotics and autonomous driving, Hyundai’s leadership openly acknowledged it had been slow off the starting line.
At the Consumer Electronics Show, earlier this year, Hyundai demonstrated that the tides were beginning to turn, exhibiting an ambitious physical AI project, Atlas—a humanoid robot developed by its US subsidiary Boston Dynamics.
Software-defined vehicles and the 15-year challenge: Can automotive software outlast the hardware?
Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) were introduced with the promise of extending a vehicle’s “relevance” through continuous software updates. Manufacturers promoted the idea that cars could ‘level-up’ long after leaving the factory, gaining new features and performance improvements over their lifespan. Made simple, cars would literally have the power to evolve as technology improves and connectivity becomes more advanced.
However, as the first generation of these vehicles matures, questions are emerging about lifecycle costs, hardware limitations and long-term responsibility—are the glitzy promises made by automakers simply too good to be true?
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