Alan Clarke

GM just laid out its rebooted autonomy strategy. Eyes-off Level 3 driving. Target launch: 2028. First vehicle: Escalade IQ. It’s a smart pivot away from robotaxis to personal vehicles, combining Cruise’s autonomy tech with GM’s manufacturing discipline. But here’s the honest question. Are they late to the party? I drive with Tesla FSD today, and I rarely have to intervene. On highways and surface streets, it already feels close to “set it and supervise.” That’s right now. So imagine where Tesla will be four years from now while GM is launching its first eyes-off model. Tesla’s advantage isn’t hype. It’s compounding: • Millions of cars collecting real-world data daily • Constant over-the-air improvements • Neural nets trained on edge cases at massive scale • A system customers actually use every day GM is doing this the right way from a regulatory and safety standpoint. Level 3 certification, redundancy, liability transfer. That takes time. But time is the one thing Tesla has already spent. By the time GM ships eyes-off autonomy in 2028, Tesla won’t be standing still. The bar will have moved. This isn’t about who’s “right” technically. It’s about momentum. GM is building for where autonomy needs to be. Tesla is already operating where autonomy is going. Both paths matter. But don’t confuse “first certified” with “most advanced.” Those won’t be the same thing. Source: Automotive News, “Robo reboot: GM shifts autonomous focus toward eyes-off driving,” Dec 17, 2025

8

7 Comments

One thing I’ve noticed over my years in European vehicle parts is that scaling product lines is usually the easy part. Scaling them cleanly is where things get complicated. Doing it correctly comes down to supplier and brand alignment, catalog quality, application accuracy, and timing. If those things aren’t working together, expansion can get messy pretty quickly — especially with European vehicle applications where customer confidence is tied heavily to fitment accuracy. When those pieces come together properly, it creates a much better experience for both the customer and the business long term because customers become repeat customers. Supply a low quality or incorrect part once, and there’s a good chance they never call again. Time is money — especially when a vehicle is tying up a hoist or keeping a vehicle off the road, out of the show, or away from the track.

42

12 Comments

In surprise shakeup at the world's biggest automaker, Toyota picks's a new CEO. It's Kenta Kon, a minivan-loving, money-obsessed numbers guy. Read why Toyota thinks this is a good idea is my story here at Automotive News. TOKYO — Toyota’s next CEO, finance veteran Kenta Kon, is a minivan-loving, money-focused, numbers guy who says his mission is to create the war chest for the world’s biggest carmaker to take on “courageous challenges” in an industry under siege by unprecedented change. Kon, who was reinstalled as CFO last year, said he wants Toyota Motor Corp. to be more agile in adapting to new technologies. But the company also needs to bankroll that risk. “I’m a guy that loves numbers. I’m a guy that loves money,” Kon, 57, said at a Feb. 6 news conference in which the company appointed him to succeed CEO Koji Sato, 56. “I always think about money and creating a financial foundation, so we can make good cars.” Kon, who takes the helm April 1, is one of the architects of the automaker’s stellar profits and a longtime confidant of Chairman Akio Toyoda. He is currently in his second stint as CFO of Toyota Motor and has been CFO of the Woven by Toyota software spinoff company since 2023. Kon helped develop Toyota’s new trajectory of profit generation from selling services and add-ons to its massive pool of 150 million vehicles on the road. This approach has relieved reliance on the sale of new vehicles and has created a massive revenue feedback loop through parts, accessories, used vehicles, connected services and finance.  The appointment marks a strategic shift for Toyota, prioritizing financial discipline as it invests billions in software, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving to compete with Chinese rivals and Silicon Valley tech companies. Kon’s task: create a framework to take bets and make profits. “My role will be establishing this good profit structure, this foundation, so that the people can take courageous challenges,” he said. “I want to use that money for the future of Toyota.” Kon said he learned lessons about thinking outside the box during his time at Woven by Toyota, the technology-focused unit tasked with designing the company’s next-gen software-defined vehicles. “At Woven, we have a different culture, an agile-development culture. And the way of thinking is slightly different,” Kon said. “This is also something Toyota should be focused on. “If we try something new, we tend to be bound by past precedents,” Kon said. “But if it’s a new challenge, we need to take a different perspective and a different approach.” The overhaul swaps a car-guy engineer for a financial guru at the helm of the world’s largest automaker, putting a buttoned-down business executive behind the wheel for the first time since Toyoda took the helm in 2009 vowing to refocus his company on his mantra of ever-better cars. “It was unusual to pick a finance guy as a leader of Toyota,” said Christopher Richter, at CLSA in Tokyo.

30

2 Comments

RIVIAN POSTS $206M GROSS PROFIT, SECURES $1B FUNDING BOOST FROM VOLKSWAGEN Rivian has reported its second consecutive quarter of gross profit, totaling $206 million, marking continued momentum in its path to profitability. Additionally, the EV manufacturer will receive a $1 billion investment from Volkswagen as part of their growing joint venture—part of a broader commitment that could reach $5.8 billion. The funding will accelerate development of Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV and power the integration of global software architecture across platforms. #Rivian #Volkswagen #EVInvestment #AutoTech #JointVenture #GrossProfit #ElectricVehicles #R2SUV #AutomotiveSoftware #MobilityInnovation #CleanTech #SustainableTransport #AutoIndustryNews #CapitalInvestment #EVGrowth

53

Wait, what? Is General Motors rethinking ditching CarPlay and Android Auto? Per the GM Authority article below, "The 2027 Cadillac Lyriq will retain a feature many EV shoppers still consider essential: both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility." There's no official press release, but you may recall it was announced that *all* Cadillac EVs headed for Australia and New Zealand were retaining smartphone mirroring--so the capability is apparently there, likely as a easy as flipping a virtual switch. The Hummer EV and Silverado EV lost smartphone mirroring in 2026. And, since GM made its announcement to remove this feature, the number of automakers to follow suit is exactly zero. In fact, Lucid began rolling out CarPlay to its Air and Gravity this past March, and Tesla is reportedly looking at bringing this capability to their vehicles. Let's see if this turns out to be a fluke... https://lnkd.in/dDmVGsKX

44

19 Comments

🚀 #Tesla Model Y: The First to Conquer NHTSA’s New #8Point ADAS Standard 🌐 In a landmark safety achievement, the 2026 Tesla Model Y (manufactured on or after Nov. 12, 2025) has become the first vehicle officially recognized by the #NHTSA as passing all eight Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) evaluations. This follows the updated New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) framework announced on May 7, 2026, marking a pivotal shift toward standardized performance transparency in automotive technology. 📊 The 8-Test gauntlet: A New Safety Floor 👉 Forward Collision Warning (#FCW): Original baseline alert for impending front-end impacts. 👉 Crash Imminent Braking (#CIB): Automatic emergency braking to mitigate or prevent crashes. 👉 Dynamic Brake Support (#DBS): Supplementing driver braking force during emergency stops. 👉 Lane Departure Warning (#LDW): Passive alerts for unintended lane drifting. 👉 Pedestrian AEB (#PAEB): A critical new addition testing day/night scenarios, crossing pedestrians, and stationary/moving targets at speeds up to 60 kph (37 mph) with zero mannequin contact allowed. 👉 Lane Keeping Assist (#LKA): Active maintenance of lane position via haptic, visual, and auditory feedback. 👉 Blind Spot Warning (#BSW): Visual or audible alerts for vehicles in adjacent lanes. 👉 Blind Spot Intervention (#BSI): Active steering or braking to prevent collisions during lane changes. ⚖️ Regulatory Evolution & Industry Impact 👉 Standardized Performance: These are rigorous pass/fail checkmarks, ensuring "Lane Keep" or "AEB" functions consistently across different manufacturers rather than just existing as marketing checkboxes. 👉 Vision-Only Validation: Tesla’s success confirms that its camera-based "Vision" approach meets federal performance criteria without relying on traditional radar hardware. 👉 Compliance Timeline: While the industry-wide mandate was delayed to MY2027 following lobbying for more preparation time, Tesla’s early submission and passing of the MY2026 tests sets an immediate benchmark for competitors. 👉 Safety Goals: The program targets a reduction in the ~40,000 annual U.S. traffic fatalities by forcing higher reliability in Level 1 and Level 2 assistance systems. ⚠️ Key Distinctions to Remember 👉 Driver Responsibility: These tests evaluate driver assistance, not unsupervised autonomy; the human driver remains fully responsible for vehicle operation. 👉 Rating Structure: While critical for transparency, these ADAS checkmarks are currently separate from the traditional 5-star crashworthiness ratings. 👉 Testing Integrity: Results are based on a combination of manufacturer-submitted data and NHTSA verification, reflecting the most stringent federal testing to date. #Tesla #ModelY #NHTSA #AutoSafety #ADAS #ElectricVehicles #RoadSafety #TechInnovation #AutonomousDriving #VehicleSafety

19

1 Comment

Rivian just launched R2: 330 miles of range, below $60k. And just like that, the Model Y becomes the Model Why.

3

A new WA law expands access to EVs by allowing folks to buy direct from automakers whose names don't rhyme with 'Shezla.' We need “to use every tool in our toolbox to cut climate pollution,” said Leah Missik. “And expanding direct sales for EV manufacturers is one of them.” https://lnkd.in/g5CkAydZ

5

Catalytic converters don’t just “go bad.” There’s almost always an upstream issue, and knowing the cause is what separates a quick fix from a long-term solution. When shops understand the real causes, everybody wins: fewer comebacks, better diagnostics, and happier customers.

4

Yo Hyundai Motor America Another day, another day of dreading interaction with my car’s main brain… The term "head unit" isn't just automotive jargon, but a reflection of how the interface between driver and technology has evolved over decades. In early vehicles, the stereo's control box literally anchored the audio system, earning it the name "head unit" because it was the head, the central command for everything audio, even as its roles expanded with each technological leap. Today, especially in modern electric vehicles, the head unit is no mere stereo, it is the orchestrator of in-cabin connectivity and comfort. Those touchscreens do much more than play music. The three essential functions every EV owner expects now are: Infotainment and media integration: From streaming platforms to navigation, the head unit must connect and coordinate entertainment, information, and communication in one unified display. EV-specific energy management: A best-in-class head unit delivers real-time battery analytics, shows charging stations in navigation, and tailors route recommendations based on vehicle range, direction, and state-of-charge. Connected services and updates: Acting as a gateway to cloud services and the mobile app, the head unit handles wireless updates, app management, and seamless syncing with driver devices for a personalized drive. But innovation is not universal. As a Hyundai owner, seeing head unit shortcomings firsthand is frustrating. The head unit in the 2025 Hyundai Kona SEL (ZEV) is a template for what not to do, clunky and incomplete menus, broken wireless CarPlay, and limited customization pollute what should be a seamless experience. Hyundai, the opportunity is spectacular, and the technology is within reach. For roughly $100,000, Hyundai could completely revamp the Kona's head unit with a genuinely innovative, human-centered design, syncing easily to cloud platforms, offering expanded EV analytics, and elevating touchscreen responsiveness to luxury standards. Here's the call to action: Hyundai, invest in the head unit as your flagship differentiator in the EV market. Listen to real EV drivers. Build a system worthy of a modern electric vehicle and deliver an experience that matches the promise of your ZEV badge. Every touchpoint matters; make the head unit the pride of next-generation Hyundai ownership. #gearHeads #know #listenUp

2

3 Comments

You’re an R&D engineer in automotive and you carry a lot. Pressure. Deadlines. Expectations. Constant acceleration. And yet something feels off. You can’t quite name it, but it’s there. I listen. You breathe. And in that space, clarity returns.

1

2 Comments

Toyota is taking a very deliberate approach to electrification. Recently, I spent time in Ojai, California driving the all new 2026 Toyota Motor Corporation C HR, now fully electric and standard with all wheel drive. With 338 horsepower and a 0 to 60 time under five seconds, this compact SUV is quicker than many expect from the brand. But here is the strategic question. Why does Toyota stop short of the 300 mile range benchmark when several competitors use that number as a marketing headline? After evaluating ride quality, mountain road handling, cabin refinement, packaging, and real world usability, I have a clearer perspective on what Toyota is prioritizing and why that approach may matter more long term than a single range figure. My full first drive impressions are now live. If you follow automotive strategy, EV adoption trends, or brand positioning in the electric era, this review is worth your time. #Toyota #ElectricVehicles #EVStrategy #AutomotiveIndustry #AutoNsider https://lnkd.in/gJwVAaHe

6

GM SOARED on strong EV growth in Q2, while Ford stumbled with steep declines. Just a year ago, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E symbolized its electrification hopes. In Q1 2025, it was the third-best-selling EV in the U.S., but in Q2, sales dropped 20% versus Q2 2024, leaving it down 2% for the first half. The F-150 Lightning fell 26% in Q2 and is down 17% year-to-date, while the E-Transit plunged 88% in Q2, down 34% so far. Ford blamed volatile fleet orders, but the declines point to deeper challenges. See EVinfo.net's article: https://lnkd.in/gh6eYzGT GM’s EV sales more than doubled in Q2 to 46,280 units. By mid-2025, General Motors had sold around 78,000 EVs, grabbing a 13% U.S. market share. The star: the Chevrolet Equinox EV, with over 27,000 units sold in the first half of 2025. Affordable pricing ($34,995) and over 300 miles of range make it a standout. GM now offers 11 EV models, including the Cadillac Escalade IQ and Optiq, though large electric trucks like the Silverado EV (3,056 Q2 sales) and GMC Sierra EV lag. GM even shifted its Orion plant plans back to gas trucks, signaling truck buyers’ hesitance on EVs. Beyond Detroit, Nissan Motor Corporation’s Ariya shined, with Q2 sales up 44% and up 24% through the first half of 2025, ahead of the new 2026 Leaf. Hyundai Motor America and Kia struggled: the Ioniq 5 dipped 12% in Q2 but stayed up 2% year-to-date. Kia EV6 sales collapsed 69% in Q2 (down 46% YTD), while EV9 sales fell 79% in Q2 and are down 96% for 2025. Ford Motor Company’s declines highlight the need to reignite consumer excitement, while GM proves the power of a diverse, strategically priced EV lineup. Nissan’s gains and Hyundai/Kia’s struggles show how critical timing and model updates are. A vote may come as soon as today to eliminate the $7,500 tax credit for households that buy or lease a new EV, and a $4,000 credit for consumers who purchase a used EV. EVinfo.net believes EV growth will continue, even if these U.S. tax credits end soon, as electric remains the most cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. The future is electric, and while China currently leads, the U.S. will catch up in time. Long-term, clean, cost-effective EVs will win over inefficient, dirty gas vehicles, in the US and worldwide. EVinfo.net is an EV-influencer led publication, offering sponsored articles, interviews and more to the EV industry: https://lnkd.in/gH5Gdqb7 Sign up for the EVinfo.net e-news: https://lnkd.in/gHq6iA2p #electricvehicles #ford #GM

60

16 Comments

I’ve been reflecting on GM’s decision to remove Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from its upcoming vehicles. Like many, my initial reaction was one of surprise. But when I view it through a different lens, I think about friends and family members who rarely - if ever - use these features. They represent a significant demographic that isn’t necessarily “tech-forward.” Could this user segment influence GM’s strategic shift? Is GM taking a risk, or are they pivoting toward a different, less tech-dependent audience? Of course, while allowing GM to capture all of that valuable driver data. 😉😏 #AutomotiveIndustry #GeneralMotors #UX #TechTrends #ConnectedCars

21

18 Comments

Oldsmobile’s DOHC 455 V8 is one of the most intriguing “what could have been” stories in American automotive history. Developed in the late 1960s as an experimental performance engine, this dual overhead cam (DOHC) version of Oldsmobile’s standard 455 cubic inch V8 was intended to push the brand’s engineering boundaries and compete with the rising tide of high-revving, high-tech engines both domestically and abroad. It featured an aluminum intake, hemispherical combustion chambers, and twin overhead cams per bank—technology that was far ahead of its time for a pushrod-dominated American market. The engine was rumored to produce well over 500 horsepower in naturally aspirated form and even more in turbocharged or fuel-injected configurations tested in secret. It was also said to rev significantly higher than the traditional 455, thanks to the DOHC design, which allowed better breathing at high RPM. Despite its promise, the project was ultimately scrapped—largely due to cost, emissions regulations looming in the 1970s, and General Motors’ reluctance to deviate too far from its mainstream production strategies. Only a few prototypes of the DOHC 455 were ever built, and they remain mythical among muscle car enthusiasts and collectors. The engine stands as a symbol of the bold experimentation that briefly flourished in Detroit during the golden muscle car era—a tantalizing glimpse at what might have been if performance and innovation hadn’t been curtailed by external pressures.

843

247 Comments