Technology

  • Subaru Getaway EV, parked in the grass at a Southern California preview.
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    Bengt Halvorson/WardsAuto
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    2027 Subaru Getaway EV primed for family fun

    A smart strategy with Toyota brings Subaru an electric SUV that serves as a stealth flagship.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • A rendering of a software-defined vehicle showing various electronics and networked computer systems.
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    Courtesy of Android Automotive
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    Google will open-source Android Automotive OS SDV platform

    The company said the platform standardizes the software layer of vehicle architectures, allowing OEMs the ability to integrate modules running software from dozens of different suppliers.

    By • March 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
  • A gray 2026 Nissan Sentra undergoes moderate overlap front crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
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    Courtesy of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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    IIHS eyes crash avoidance improvements with its 2026 safety awards

    SUVs accounted for 47 of the 63 vehicles that earned a spot on the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards list.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • A Rivian truck recharges at a Rivian EV charging station on Mar. 3, 2024 in Truckee, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Rivian walks back 2027 profitability target

    The EV maker no longer expects to be adjusted EBITDA positive in 2027 as it focuses on autonomous vehicle technology efforts, including a multiyear partnership with Uber.

    By Grace Noto • March 26, 2026
  • A prototype of the Afeela 1 electric sedan that was unveiled in 2023 shown outdoors with a dark sky in the background,
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    Courtesy of Sony Honda Mobility
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    Honda Sony Mobility cancels planned EVs

    The partners are reevaluating the future of the JV, which was set to launch the Afeela 1 sedan in California later this year.

    By • March 25, 2026
  • Tesla Model Y with Tesla Wall Connector
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    Courtesy of Tesla
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    Dealers need to step up and educate on EV charging: JD Power

    The firm underscored that EV drivers have a lot to navigate to understand the best home-charging option — and dealers are in the best position to help. 

    By • March 25, 2026
  • A rendering of Elon Musk's Terafab project in Austin, Texas.
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    (2026). "Terafab launch" [Video]. Retrieved from X.
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    Elon Musk to build advanced chip factories in Austin, Texas, for SpaceX and Tesla

    The 100 million-square-foot facility will make two kinds of chips for terrestrial and space applications. The Terafab project is reportedly valued at up to $25 billion.

    By Nathan Owens • March 24, 2026
  • Napa Auto Parts Store Building Exterior
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    Genuine Parts Company CIO retires amid major overhaul

    The automotive and industrial parts distributor said it has no plans to replace Naveen Krishna as it undertakes dividing the company.

    By Nicole Laskowski • March 24, 2026
  • A Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV outfitted with sensor and other hardware to test the automaker's driving technology.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM begins public road testing of its next-generation self-driving tech

    The automaker will offer a more advanced, “eyes-off” version of its Super Cruise automated driving system in 2028, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

    By • March 24, 2026
  • A concept rendering of the $5.8 billion BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, Kentucky.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    BlueOval SK delays layoffs at Kentucky battery plant

    Ford and SK On had previously decided to dissolve their electric vehicle battery joint venture, which included a planned $11.4 billion investment by the two companies.

    By • Updated March 27, 2026
  • Renault Twingo E Tech Electric 2026
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    Courtesy of Renault Group
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    Renault to sell EVs priced to match hybrids by 2030

    The automaker predicts its “futuREady” strategy will see production cost savings passed on to consumers.

    By • March 20, 2026
  • A white Rivian R2 electric SUV parked outdoors with greenery in the background.
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    Courtesy of Rivian
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    Uber to invest up to $1.25B in Rivian, buy 50K R2 SUVs to use as robotaxis

    The ride-hailing company will initially purchase 10,000 electric SUVs, with the option to buy 40,000 more in 2030 if certain “autonomous milestones” are met.

    By • March 19, 2026
  • The BMW i3 sedan from the front angle, as it makes its Munich debut in March 2026
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    Courtesy of BMW
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    BMW unveils fully electric i3 sedan with pioneering technology

    The distinctive sedan is based on an entirely new structure that CEO Oliver Zipse said will underpin at least six new EV models by the end of the decade.

    By Greg Kable • March 18, 2026
  • A view of wiring and various hardware components in a software-based Hyundai vehicle platform.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
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    Hyundai to integrate Nvidia’s Drive Hyperion platform in select vehicles

    The automaker says its expanded partnership with Nvidia will put it at the forefront of “AI-defined driving.”

    By • March 18, 2026
  • The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric prototype in motion at Mercedes' Immendingen facility in Germany.
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    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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    First drive: The electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class will stand out, not reinvent

    We sample a prototype of Mercedes-Benz’s forthcoming electric C-class sedan ahead of its US market launch early next year

    By Greg Kable • March 17, 2026
  • The Lucid Lunar two-seat robotaxi, from a rear angle view
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    Courtesy of Lucid
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    Lucid reveals Lunar robotaxi concept, previews Cosmos and Earth

    Three Midsize models aim toward profitability with Lucid’s leaner new platform, while autonomous-driving features point to a new subscription model.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • Honda 0 Series Saloon and SUV prototypes
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    Courtesy of Honda
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    Honda cancels 0 Series EVs amid ‘extremely challenging’ financials

    Tariffs and global competition factor into a quiet end for a family of EVs set for Ohio production.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • A Mercedes VLE from the side view, under studio lights
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    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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    Mercedes-Benz VLE EV shows that vans can be luxury limos

    The upmarket aero-styled van family will be sold in the U.S. with a choice of electric or gasoline power, and seating for up to eight.

    By Greg Kable • March 11, 2026
  • Renault Production Robots
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    Courtesy of Renault Group
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    Renault focuses strategy on SDVs, China-like speed to market

    The automaker is aiming to grow outside its domestic European markets, where its expects 100% of sales to come from BEVs by 2030.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • A Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid drives along.
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    Courtesy of Nissan
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    Nissan e-Power review: Hybrid power set to amp up 2027 Rogue

    Kept in charge by a gasoline engine, an electric drive motor powers the wheels in Nissan’s third-generation e-Power series hybrid system.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • Several people shown securing cargo in a 2024 Ford F-150 pickup and preparing yellow hold-down straps on an attached trailer.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford recalls over 4.3M trucks, SUVs over trailer module defect

    In November, the automaker closed its review of the issue, concluding that the loss of trailer lights did not violate federal safety standards due to the presence of driver warning messages.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • Ford executive Alan Clarke, with its upcoming UEV platform for affordable EVs
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    Courtesy of Ford
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    Ford scrapped cost-cutting norms to create its $30,000 EV

    The automaker applied bounties, not bean-counting, down to the smaller parts that collectively have a cascading effect on an EV’s weight, aerodynamics and overall efficiency.

    By • March 5, 2026
  • A 2026 Subaru Trailseeker and 2026 Subaru Uncharted are parked next to each other on a dirt off-road course in California.
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    Permission granted by Subaru of America
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    Subaru joins EV party in thoughtful way with new Trailseeker, Uncharted: review

    Subaru and Toyota divided the development costs, human resources, engineering and design of the Subaru Uncharted and Toyota C-HR, while Subaru did additional development on the Subaru Trailseeker.

    By Tanya Gazdik • March 5, 2026
  • A CarBravo salesperson smiles as she speaks with a potential customer at a GM dealer with a Chevrolet pickup truck in the background.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM merging its CPO dealer sales program with CarBravo

    The move will consolidate the automaker’s certified pre-owned vehicle sales under a single, nationwide omnichannel platform for car shoppers.

    By • March 4, 2026
  • Brightpick robots standing in front of metal racks in a facility.
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    Courtesy of Brightpick
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    NAPA expands use of warehouse robots

    Following a pilot project last year, the auto parts retailer plans to roll out 100 robots from Brightpick at a new facility.

    By Antone Gonsalves • March 4, 2026