Technology


  • A dark-colored 2027 X5 SUV inside BMW's Plant Spartanburg.
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    Courtesy of BMW Group
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    BMW completes its $1.7B investment in South Carolina, debuts new X5

    In addition to a vehicle assembly expansion, a new battery plant is ready to support production of EVs in the U.S.

    By July 1, 2026
  • Jeff Wyler Springfield Chevrolet
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    Courtesy of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family
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    Dealership group creates its AI solutions in-house

    Jeff Wyler Automotive Family employees harness tech training to build AI tools that boost efficiency.

    By June 30, 2026
  • The interior of a Kia EV3 showing the dashboard and front seats. Explore the Trendline
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    Courtesy of Kia Corporation
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    Trendline

    Artificial Intelligence

    Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.

    By WardsAuto staff
  • Renault Flexis SDV Platform
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    Courtesy of Flexis Renault Group
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    Renault acquires Flexis EV business from joint venture partner Volvo

    The French automaker seeks to boost its vehicle production capabilities by taking control of the electric last-mile logistics company it set up with Volvo in 2024.

    By June 26, 2026
  • Ford CEO Jim Farley speaking to workers at the automaker's Kentucky Truck Plant in April 2025 with a large blue display screen behind him.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford named top mainstream brand in initial quality by JD Power

    Executives said the company is moving from a “find and fix” mentality for addressing quality issues to preventing them before they occur.

    By June 25, 2026
  • An electric truck charges as a charging station in a snowstorm.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Managed, bidirectional EV charging gains utility, automaker support

    General Motors and Rivian announcements this month underscore the growing U.S. electric vehicle fleet’s load management potential.

    By Brian Martucci • June 23, 2026
  • A 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 in painted in White Sands parked on a dirt trail.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM unveils next-gen Silverado 1500 pickup with new V8 engine options

    The company has a lot riding on upcoming 2027 models for Chevy and GMC. It sold nearly 130,000 Silverado trucks in Q1, making it the Chevrolet brand’s best-selling vehicle.

    By June 23, 2026
  • Renault Thales 4 Troop Military Concept
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    Courtesy of Renault Group
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    Renault unveils 4 Troop prototype military vehicle with Thales

    A collaboration with the military specialist sees the French automaker move into the burgeoning European defense sector.

    By June 23, 2026
  • Nissan LEAF Chassis Line Sunderland Plant
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor UK
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    Mixed messages, perceived costs may be roadblocks to UK EV adoption

    Recent study results from the rental and leasing firm Europcar suggest fragile confidence in EVs across the broader market.

    By June 22, 2026
  • Land Rover Defender Production Solihull
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    Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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    JLR plans Defender models designed for US market

    The British automaker eyes “double-digit revenue growth” with a wide range of powertrain choices for Land Rover.

    By June 18, 2026
  • BMW M Concept Neue Klasse
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    Courtesy of BMW
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    Electric BMW M3 previewed with racing-inspired concept car

    The M Concept Neue Klasse showcases new design direction, four-motor drivetrain ahead of the electric M3’s US arrival in 2027

    By Greg Kable • June 18, 2026
  • Nissan Qashqai -POWER Sunderland
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor UK
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    Auto lobby presses UK government to revisit 2030 zero emission mandate

    The industry group hopes a rethink of EV sales targets will take consumer demand into account.

    By June 17, 2026
  • The infotainment screen in a Honda CR-V TrailSport showing a graphic with pitch and roll data.
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    Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co.
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    Honda launches free off-road app for TrailSport models

    The app was developed by Honda engineers in collaboration with TrailSport owners and enthusiasts seeking off-road adventures.

    By June 16, 2026
  • Toyota Inventor Garage
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    Bengt Halvorson/WardsAuto
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    Deep Dive

    Toyota looks at mobility away from the open road with Woven City

    Toyota is betting on AI-informed tech that transcends cars, and on its long-lens development approach rather than startup timelines.

    By June 16, 2026
  • Toyota Motor Europe Production Plant
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Europe
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    Toyota Europe CEO views company as a ‘European OEM’

    Yoshihiro Nakata says its manufacturing partners in the U.K., Japan and Turkey should be recognized as “Made in EU” under a legislative proposal.

    By June 15, 2026
  • 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV, from the front angle
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    Courtesy of Mitsubishi
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    Mitsubishi reveals Eclipse Sportback EV based on the Nissan Leaf

    A fully electric model under the Eclipse nameplate will be the next to arrive in a series of steps toward the brand’s U.S. renewal and sales growth.

    By June 12, 2026
  • Audi Nuvolari
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    Courtesy of Audi
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    Audi Nuvolari supercar revealed as brand’s fastest road car ever

    The limited-production hybrid combines a Lamborghini-built twin-turbo V8 gas engine with three electric motors for a top speed of over 217 mph.

    By Greg Kable • June 12, 2026
  • Cinemo BYOD phones
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    Courtesy of Cinemo
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    Cinemo comes out of the shadows with its latest infotainment tech

    Customers of many U.S. brands will soon enjoy a more comprehensive audio and video experience in their vehicles.

    By June 12, 2026
  • A picture showing screenshots of GM's Energy Pass on multiple smartphones.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM debuts ‘Energy Pass’ to help its EV customers manage public charging

    The automaker is providing a single unified experience instead of having to use multiple public EV charger apps and payment methods from competing companies.

    By June 11, 2026
  • Stellantis Bolt Ponyai Pilot Luxembourg
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Stellantis launches driverless pilot program in Luxembourg

    The automaker has teamed up with Pony.ai and Bolt to trial autonomous technology on the nation’s city streets.

    By June 11, 2026
  • Lucid Hands-Free Drive Assist, in the Lucid Gravity
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    Courtesy of Lucid
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    Lucid enables hands-free driving in the Gravity SUV

    The software update adding the feature to some Gravity models also brings navigation, headlight and charging improvements.

    By June 10, 2026
  • A Ford worker installing parts on a white Ford Expedition SUV at the automaker's Kentucky Truck Plant.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    How Ford flags assembly line defects with IBM’s AI-powered inspection tools

    The automaker has installed computer vision-based inspection technology at 17 of its North American manufacturing facilities.

    By June 10, 2026
  • A technician inspects a part in the service department of Ricart Ford dealership in Columbus, Ohio in front of a white Ford F Series Super Duty truck.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford, Bloomberg investing $5M to train technicians at Detroit schools

    Ford says the U.S. auto industry will need more than 350,000 new technicians by 2029 to keep pace with rapid vehicle technological shifts, including 7,000 in Michigan.

    By June 9, 2026
  • 2027 Audi SQ7
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    Courtesy of Audi
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    2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7 debut bolder look, building brand upward

    The third-generation luxury SUV gains a six-passenger layout while Audi leaves room for a larger and more luxurious Q9.

    By Greg Kable • June 9, 2026
  • BYD Dolphin Surf, side view
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    Courtesy of BYD
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    Column

    Automakers: Catch up to China Speed!

    Once again, Detroit needs to swallow its pride and go back to school, John McElroy writes. 

    By John McElroy • June 8, 2026
  • Lotus Emira 420 Sport 2026
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    Courtesy of Lotus Group
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    Lotus launches most powerful 4-cylinder Emira 420 Sport

    The track-day focused gasoline sports car breaks cover claiming 0-62 mph in under four seconds.

    By June 8, 2026