Industry & Business

The Industry & Business category covers the business side of the automotive world, including earnings reports, sales figures, factory investments, partnerships and regulations. Here you will find analysis of market trends, EV transition strategies, regional policies and how major brands position themselves in global competition.

Fiat 500X: A Relic Still Haunting Dealership Lots
Industry & Business, News, SUV & Crossovers

Fiat 500X: A Relic Still Haunting Dealership Lots

The Fiat 500X, a model that has long since been discontinued in the United States after the conclusion of the 2023 model year, continues to linger on dealership lots. This persistence is particularly evident at Criswell Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where ten new 500X models remain unsold despite significant discounts.Criswell's inventory includes a variety of 500X variants, with the entry-level Pop model originally priced at $33,785 now available for $20,999. This represents a discount of over $12,000, making it one of the most heavily discounted vehicles on the market today.The Sports variant, which initially retailed for $35,865, is also being offered at a steep discount of $14,116. This model can now be purchased for just $22,999, reflecting the desperate meas...
Volkswagen Opens Exclusive EV Development Center in China
EV & Electric Cars, Industry & Business, News

Volkswagen Opens Exclusive EV Development Center in China

Volkswagen has inaugurated a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) development center in Hefei, Anhui province, marking the company's first full-scale research and development facility outside of Germany. The new center spans over 100,000 square meters with more than 100 advanced laboratories for software-hardware testing, battery validation, powertrain verification, and whole-vehicle validation.The Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) is designed to streamline decision-making processes and align closely with local customer needs. This strategic move allows the company to develop new vehicle platforms and key technologies fully within China, bypassing traditional German-based approval processes for the first time in its history.Volkswagen aims to significantly reduce development time...
NIO’s Firefly Brand Expands Internationally with Right-Hand Drive Models
EV & Electric Cars, Industry & Business, News

NIO’s Firefly Brand Expands Internationally with Right-Hand Drive Models

NIO has launched its firefly brand in several international markets, including the UK, India, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa, expanding beyond its initial focus on China. The company commenced production of a right-hand drive (RHD) model specifically for these regions, with deliveries beginning in Singapore.Since its introduction in April 2025, firefly has rapidly expanded globally, achieving European market entry within four months. Currently available in the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, the brand is set to enter Denmark, Greece, Austria, Portugal, and Luxembourg soon. This swift international rollout underscores NIO's commitment to global expansion.The firefly model targets urban mobility with a focus on safety, design, space efficiency, intelligent features, and dynamic dri...
Tesla’s FSD Licensing: Musk Surprised by Automakers’ Rejection
Industry & Business, News, Tech & Autonomous

Tesla’s FSD Licensing: Musk Surprised by Automakers’ Rejection

Elon Musk recently expressed his surprise and frustration over the lack of interest from other automakers in licensing Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) technology. In a tweet, he mentioned that despite previous optimism about potential deals, discussions have been few and far between. He described these conversations as tepid and unrealistic, with no real progress being made.Musk's earlier statements suggested significant interest from other manufacturers in licensing FSD, but those promises seem to have faded over time. During an investor call last year, he claimed that one automaker was already discussing a potential deal, while in January this year, he reiterated there was substantial interest. However, the reality has been different.The current situation highlights Musk's belief that FS...
Uber and WeRide Launch Driverless Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi
Industry & Business, News, Tech & Autonomous

Uber and WeRide Launch Driverless Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi

Just over a year after Uber announced its partnership with autonomous vehicle specialist WeRide, the companies have officially started offering driverless robotaxi rides to the public in Abu Dhabi. The journey began in September 2024 when both firms declared their intent to bring self-driving cars to the UAE.Three months later, they launched supervised rides in Abu Dhabi with a safety operator on board, setting the stage for fully autonomous operations planned for early this year. Today marks the beginning of true driverless commercial robotaxi services without any human presence inside the vehicle.Citizens and visitors in Abu Dhabi can now choose an UberX or Uber Comfort ride through the app, which could potentially match them with a WeRide GXR Robotaxi. To increase their chances of getti...
Tesla Unveils World’s Largest Supercharger with 168 Stalls
Industry & Business, News

Tesla Unveils World’s Largest Supercharger with 168 Stalls

Tesla has completed the construction of its largest Supercharger station in Lost Hills, California, boasting a total of 168 charging stalls. The facility, known as Project Oasis, spans over 30 acres and was fully operational by November 25, 2025. Tesla initially opened half of the stalls back in July 2025, with full certification enabling the remaining 84 stalls to become active.The Lost Hills Supercharger is powered entirely off-grid, relying on a combination of 11 MW solar panels and 10 Megapack batteries for energy storage. This setup ensures that the station generates approximately 20 GWh annually, sufficient to power around 1,700 homes. The site's completion marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s efforts to expand its charging infrastructure into more rural areas.With over 70,000 ac...
Mitsubishi-Fuso and REE Partner for SDV and XBW Tech in Commercial Vehicles
Industry & Business, News, Pickup Trucks

Mitsubishi-Fuso and REE Partner for SDV and XBW Tech in Commercial Vehicles

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Israeli automotive technology company, REE Automotive Ltd., to develop next-generation commercial vehicles. The collaboration aims to integrate Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) and X-By-Wire (XBW) technologies, which promise enhanced flexibility and scalability in vehicle architectures.SDVs represent the future direction for Mitsubishi Fuso as they offer greater design freedom through software control, extending vehicle lifespans and reducing total cost of ownership. XBW technology replaces traditional mechanical linkages with electronic controls, improving safety, operability, and fuel efficiency while facilitating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features.Th...
Industry & Business, News, Tech & Autonomous

Uber Launches Driverless Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi with WeRide

Uber has expanded its autonomous vehicle footprint to the Middle East, launching driverless robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi through a partnership with Chinese AV company WeRide. This marks Uber's fourth market for fully automated rides, following Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta in the U.S.The introduction of these vehicles in Yas Island represents a significant milestone as it is the first such service to operate without human oversight in the Middle East region. Previously, Uber had been testing autonomous technology with safety operators on board since December 2023 in Abu Dhabi, and similarly in Riyadh earlier this year.Riders can now book WeRide robotaxis through the Uber app by selecting the autonomous option when requesting an UberX or Uber Comfort ride. The service is currently limited ...
BYD Sealion 7 Undercuts Tesla Model Y by £100+ Monthly
EV & Electric Cars, Industry & Business, News

BYD Sealion 7 Undercuts Tesla Model Y by £100+ Monthly

Black Friday is in full swing, and BYD's Sealion 7 has emerged as a formidable player against the reigning champ of the electric SUV market: 'tesla'. The Sealion 7 offers a sleek coupe-SUV design, high equipment levels, and a generous range of 300 miles on a single charge. But the real kicker is its lease price – just £289.93 per month through Leasing Options via our Auto Express Buy A Car service. By comparison, the cheapest Tesla Model Y leasing option clocks in at £402 monthly. That's over £100 more than the BYD every single month for two years. Now, that’s a significant difference when it comes to your wallet. The Sealion 7 also boasts impressive performance stats, with a powerful 308bhp electric motor propelling this SUV from zero to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds – quite the punch for an ...
Mahindra Electrifies India’s Roads with Ultrafast Charging Stations
Industry & Business, News

Mahindra Electrifies India’s Roads with Ultrafast Charging Stations

Mahindra is stepping up its game in the electric vehicle (EV) race by planning to install a whopping 250 ultrafast EV charging stations across India. With over 1,000 individual charging points promised by 2027, this move signals Mahindra's serious commitment to making electric cars more accessible and practical.The first two Charge_IN hubs are already up and running—one near Bengaluru on NH75 and another close to Delhi on NH44. Each site features two 180 kW chargers capable of simultaneously charging four EVs. That’s a significant improvement over the slower public chargers that many EV owners currently rely on.Mahindra's network is designed for its future eSUV lineup, including models like the XEV 9e and BE 6. The goal is to get these vehicles from 20% charge to 80% in around 20 minutes—a...