Nissan Group closed the second quarter of 2026 with total U.S. sales of 242,741 units, a 9.6% increase compared to the same period last year, as the brand extended its streak as the fastest-growing mainstream automaker in the United States. The results mark 16 consecutive months of year-over-year retail sales growth for Nissan, driven by sustained demand across key models including Rogue, Frontier, Sentra, Pathfinder, Kicks, and Armada. Nissan Division total sales reached 230,443 units for the quarter, up 10.2% from the same period in 2025, while year-to-date total sales stand at 464,761 units.

Source: CBT News

Lawmakers, automotive lobby groups, and domestic auto manufacturers alike have been working to keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S. for some time now, which is currently the case thanks to rules imposed by the previous Biden Administration, which have thus far been upheld by the Trump admin. These rules are in place due to concerns pertaining to alleged national security threats posed by connected Chinese vehicles, as well as unfair competitive concerns.

For some time, Canada also barred Chinese automakers from its market, but that all changed just a few months ago, when Prime Minister Mark Carney opted to let a select number in.  Those vehicles are already flowing into America's neighbor to the north - and have been on sale in Mexico and other countries for some time now - and that's clearly emboldening Chinese automakers that believe eventually, the U.S. will open up its borders as well, according to Automotive News.

"We definitely have the idea of selling cars in the United States,” said Chery International President Zhang Guibing. “Everyone definitely has that idea.” It's a sentiment shared by many in the industry, more so now that Canada has accepted Chinese vehicles. This is because the Canadian car market is much more similar to America's than Mexico, where cheaper vehicles are the top choice among consumers. As such, shifting to the U.S. next would be akin to "flipping a switch,” according to analysts, who also call Canada "the practice run for the U.S."

Thus, it's no surprise to see the U.S. automotive industry continue to warn officials not to follow Canada's lead here. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation - a Ford-backed group - says that the Canada-China trade deal “creates a potential back door for Chinese brands to enter the U.S. market" that would pose an existential threat. “The market distortions and risks to the auto industry in the U.S. are fundamentally the same whether these vehicles are imported or produced domestically." Ford CEO Jim Farley has also issued similar warnings on multiple occasions, all while exploring potential partnerships with Chinese automakers for other parts of the world.

Source: Ford Authority

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume is seeking approval for a broader restructuring plan that could include up to 100,000 job cuts and the closure of four German factories as the automaker works to restore profitability and improve competitiveness. Blume has stated that Volkswagen’s traditional business model no longer suits today’s automotive market. While the company aims to achieve an operating margin of 8% to 10% by 2030, following a decline to 2.8% in 2025, it also faces challenges from U.S. tariffs, a slowdown in sales in China, and growing competition from Chinese automakers, such as BYD and Xiaomi.

Source: CBT News

Volkswagen's supervisory board will meet on July 9 to discuss what could become the carmaker's biggest transformation to date, marking a make-or-break moment for Chief Executive Oliver Blume in tackling an escalating crisis. Below are some of the most pressing questions and answers ahead of the committee's gathering ‌at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters, which is expected to start at 1230 GMT and will be preceded by labour protests.

Source: Reuters

Ford Motor Company has signed a long-term Strategic Customer Agreement with Micron Technology to secure memory and storage chip supply for its next-generation vehicles. The two companies announced the deal July 6. Under the agreement, Micron will expand output of automotive memory solutions, with capacity increases designed to support long product lifecycles and sustained supply for Ford’s critical production programs. The agreement is backed by Micron’s ongoing expansion of advanced DRAM production at its fabrication plant in Manassas, Virginia.

Source: CBT News

Car loans have been stretching for years, but 2026 looks set to break new records. With prices and interest rates still sky-high, more buyers are signing up for seven-year loans (or even longer) just to keep their monthly payments from going off the rails. Experian Automotive says nearly 36% of new-car loans and almost a third of used-car loans now run longer than 72 months. The 73- to 84-month bracket is growing the fastest, and even loans longer than that – once unthinkable – are starting to pop up. A few lenders are now dangling 96-month loans, but most dealers aren’t eager to push buyers that far out on a limb.

Source: Autoblog

The U.S. Department of Transportation is putting autonomous vehicle developers on notice. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a public call to action Wednesday, telling autonomous vehicle companies to move fast on a pattern of driverless cars interfering with first responders. In a letter sent to the industry, Morrison said NHTSA has identified a clear pattern of driverless AVs interfering with law enforcement and other first responders.

Source: CBT News

America’s dealership service departments are generating record revenue even as they lose ground to competitors, and a new Ikon Technologies report suggests AI-powered tools are among the most effective weapons against the slide. Average dealership service and parts revenue reached approximately $9.23 million in 2025, up 33% over the past eight years. But dealers’ share of overall service visits fell from 33% to 29% over the same period, and only 54% of owners of vehicles two years old or newer returned to their selling dealership for service in 2025 — down sharply from 72% just two years earlier.

Source: Dealer Agent News

Stellantis has opened U.S. orders for the 2026 Fiat Topolino, bringing the all-electric neighborhood vehicle to America as FIAT expands into the fast-growing micromobility segment. The Topolino starts at $13,995 before destination charges, with a mandatory $990 destination fee bringing the total starting price to $14,985. The vehicle is available in limited quantities through select FIAT dealers.

Source: CBT News