Global demand for electric vehicles fell 2% in September, ending six consecutive months of growth, as record sales in Europe were not ‌enough to offset sharp declines in North America and China, data from UK-based research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showed on Friday. The data highlights growing divergence across major EV markets. Europe is benefiting from ⁠strong consumer demand and policy support, while China's domestic market remains weak and North America continues to feel the impact of the expiration of US federal EV tax credits at the end of September 2025.

Source: Reuters 

According to Cox Automotive’s September EV Market Monitor, used EV sales rose 12.3% from August and 21.2% from a year earlier to an estimated 47,862 units. Used EVs made up a record 3.3% of total used vehicle sales, up from 2.9% in August, while sales of ICE+ vehicles fell 4.4%. According to Cox, a growing flow of off-lease EVs continues to support used EV sales and availability. Meanwhile, new EV sales accounted for an estimated 86,632 units, down 0.8% from August and 40.7% from a year earlier. That annual drop reflects a high comparison, since September 2025 sales reached 146,076 units.

Source: CBT News 

The Mid-Engine Supercar Concept Arrives as Porsche Battles Falling Profits, Weak Chinese Sales, and a Difficult EV Market. 

Porsche is facing a severe financial and operational crisis, highlighted by a collapse in operating profit margins from an 18 percent peak down to 1.1 percent in 2025. Deliveries in China have fallen sharply, for instance, down more than 50 percent over the last several years, and by another third so far this year. Sluggish EV sales aren’t helping, either, and parent company Volkswagen has troubles of its own. Add to that Porsche has to pay something like 25 percent US tariffs on anything it imports, and you start to see that the iconic sportscar maker is more than just struggling. 

As Bonnie Tyler, who was not a Porsche executive, once said, “I need a hero.” 

So yesterday Porsche CEO Dr. Michael Leiters rode in on a white horse, or more specifically, a white Mission S, an all-new mid-engine supercar positioned above the 911, that may or may not save the brand. “The Mission S provides a glimpse of the ideas and design features that will shape Porsche in the coming years,” Leiters said. “The Mission S represents a mid-engined super sports car platform positioned above the 911—not as a one-off hypercar, but as a permanent and versatile addition to our customer offering.” There was irony in the unveiling, or at least symbolism. The car debuted on the very same dock in Queens, New York on which the mid-engined Porsche 550 Spyder first came to America in 1953. “As the brand’s first super sports car, the 550 Spyder is still regarded today as having defined the company’s identity,” Porsche said with the launch of its newest model. “At the same time, it laid an important foundation for Porsche to become popular and successful in the US. By choosing this location, Porsche is emphasizing the importance of its history for the future of design and brand—a claim that is also reflected in the Mission S.” 

So, no pressure. 

“The Mission S is the result of a forward-looking, holistic design strategy,” said Tobias Sühlmann, Porsche’s design chief. “This vision model illustrates a fundamental strategic direction that we will soon be translating into our future product portfolio.” 

Mid-engine architecture characterizes the proportions of the show car, Porsche says, while at the same time pointing out that the wheels are based on the 928, which was maybe less of a pure sports car and a little more of a GT. Read into that what you will. 

The interior is purely Porsche. While the carmaker says it’s is based on the 550 Spyder and the 356, it looks far more modern, if a little snug. “A smooth transition between analogue and digital controls makes the interior feel both familiar and modern,” Porsche said. “Classic switches and buttons are combined with modern displays, creating an ergonomic layout that combine the familiar with the future.” “In addition to the further developed interior architecture, the focus is clearly on the driver experience,” Porsche said. “The aim is to create an ideal symbiosis of analogue and digital controls. Rather than additional displays and functions, the concept focuses on simplicity, clarity and intuitive operation.” 

There was no word on what might power this new supercar. The 1953 550 Spyder was powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC flat-4 officially designated the Type 547 "Fuhrmann" engine. That one made 109 hp. And remember the 2017 Porsche 911 RSR race car, which was unveiled at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show? That was powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six delivering 510 hp. 

But the lack of powertrain information in the Mission S opens the door to speculation about everything from a flat six to a flat eight to a flat 16. At last summer’s The Quail, RUF revealed a 1000-hp flat eight. And remember, in the 1970s Hans Mezger and Ferdinand Piëch made a 7.2-liter flat 16 that produced 880 horsepower at 8,300 rpm. Who wouldn’t want one of those? 

Add more reckless speculation in the comments.

Source: Autoweek

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rose 0.7% to 207.4 through Oct. 15, as wholesale prices, adjusted for mix, mileage and seasonality, climbed from September. The index now sits 2.2% above its level a year ago, rebounding after third-quarter softness. Non-adjusted wholesale prices fell 2% in the first half of October from September but remain 0.5% higher year over year. Jonathan Gregory, Senior Director at Cox Automotive, said much of the annual gain reflects an easy comparison with last October, which was unusually weak, and that the monthly decline matches the pace October typically brings.

Source: CBT News

Global demand for electric vehicles fell 2% in September, ending six consecutive months of growth, as record sales in Europe were not ‌enough to offset sharp declines in North America and China, data from UK-based research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showed on Friday. The data highlights growing divergence across major EV markets. Europe is benefiting from ⁠strong consumer demand and policy support, while China's domestic market remains weak and North America continues to feel the impact of the expiration of US federal EV tax credits at the end of September 2025.

Source: Reuters 

Automakers and dealers face a new challenge as the electric vehicle market evolves: retaining customers who are increasingly willing to switch brands when purchasing a battery electric vehicle (BEV). First things first: Recent research from Escalent's 2026 Brand DeepDive report, part of its EVForward study, reveals that current EV owners are the least brand-loyal segment of new-vehicle buyers. Just 46% of current EV owners say they are likely to purchase their next vehicle from the same brand, compared with 60% of EV Intenders, 65% of EV Open buyers and 68% of EV Resistant buyers.

Source: Car Dealership Guy

Back in August, Awenate Cobbina - who most recently served as chief of staff to the CEO of Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley - was named as the new chief executive officer of Michigan Central, succeeding Carolina Pluszczynski, who served as interim CEO and is retiring after 26 years at Ford. That left the job of chief of staff open, at least, until now, as Ford Canada CEO Bev Goodman has been tabbed as Cobbina's replacement. 

Goodman began her career with Ford of Canada as a finance intern, and over three decades, held leadership roles in finance, parts and service, plus sales and marketing before taking over the lead role in that part of the world. “Under Bev’s leadership, Ford strengthened its position in Canada, growing market share and extending Ford’s leadership in F-Series trucks,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue & Model e. “She leaves Ford of Canada stronger, with employees and dealers well positioned to deliver for customers and Ford’s future in Canada.” 

As for the role of Ford Canada CEO, that will be taken over by 30-year Ford veteran Ivan Boykin, who joined The Blue Oval back in 1996. Since then, he's held leadership roles across marketing, sales, service, Ford Pro and finance. His career has included leadership roles supporting dealers and customers across the U.S. as well as global product marketing roles, spanning North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Boykin also held a number of senior leadership roles at Ford Pro, and previously led retail marketing overseeing car buying programs and retail go-to-market strategies.

Source: Ford Authority 

Global automakers face an increasingly demanding customer: one who wants both competitive prices and better technology, according to Bain & Company. Tech and features were a leading purchase consideration for 58% of Chinese consumers, ranking ahead of price, the consultancy’s latest Global Automotive Consumer Survey found. In the U.S. and Europe, price remained the top consideration, cited by 68% and 62%, respectively.

Source: CNBC

Toyota a fateful decision last fall as it neared an all-time U.S. sales record for its top-selling car. The Japanese automaker decided to keep producing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 SUV well into the fourth quarter, delaying work to retool its factories to make the all-new 2026 model. A year later, Toyota is reckoning with the consequences: North American production of the popular crossover has plunged 30% through September, according to consulting firm AutoForecast Solutions. And RAV4’s U.S. sales are down 29% this year.

Source: Wall Street Journal  

According to a recently released Edmunds report, nearly 3 in 10 financed trade-ins toward new vehicles were underwater in the third quarter, and the average amount owed is the highest for a third quarter in at least a decade. In Q3, 29.1% of those trade-ins carried negative equity, up from 28.1% a year ago. Those buyers owed an average of $7,107 more than their vehicles were worth. Buyers who rolled negative equity into a new loan financed an average of $57,235, up 44.1% from $39,732 in Q3 2019. Their monthly payment rose 47.4%, from $646 to $952. 

Source: CBT News