Just three automakers control the majority of one of the hottest segments in the U.S. car market — and none of them are American companies. In the first half of 2026, sales of hybrid cars have risen nearly 20% year over year to a record market share of 15.4%, according to the Center for Automotive Research, almost three times the share of pure EVs. Toyota, Honda and Hyundai Motor Group control 86% of the U.S. hybrid car market, according to Baum & Associates. Sales of the segment have surged, while pure electric vehicles and internal combustion cars have lost market share. High fuel prices, broader selection and lingering skittishness around EV range and charging are pushing more buyers toward hybrids.

Source: CNBC

NADA’s latest Dealer Attitude Survey showcases Lexus as the top brand, with some brands climbing and dropping in the order.

Results of the latest survey are out, which was conducted during the winter season back in February. According to a report by Automotive News, the survey took place from February 2-26 and garnered 16,000 responses from new vehicle dealers. Results of the winter survey were shared with NADA members and the automakers this past spring. At the moment, the summer survey is already being conducted until July 30
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According to the report, Lexus is the overall winner of the winter Dealer Attitude survey. In fact, the top four brands remain unchanged: Toyota comes in second, followed by BMW and Honda. Some brands moved up the survey, albeit by one spot; Subaru jumps to 5th place while Mazda, Buick, and GMC finished 6th, 7th, and 8th.

As Ford Authority reported earlier today, Ford officially reached an agreement with Chinese automaker Geely that will result in the latter gaining access to a portion of the former's Valencia Assembly plant in Spain. Geely will use that space to build electric vehicles for Europe, which will enable it to circumvent tariffs in the region, while Ford gets the benefit of selling off some of its unused production capacity. However, the two automakers will be establishing a new partnership as part of this effort, too.

According to Reuters, not only will Geely build a pair of new EV crossovers at the Valencia plant for Europe starting in 2028, it will also jointly-develop a new model with Ford for that same market. The new joint-venture between the two automakers will be 66 percent owned by Ford, with the remaining 34 percent going to Geely. As a result, existing workers at the Valencia plant will be retained, becoming employees of the new joint-venture - though it's expected that more hiring will need to take place to satisfy production targets.

One of the Geely models slated to be built at Valencia is its EX5 crossover, already on sale in Europe, while the other model is reportedly still in development. The jointly-developed Ford and Geely SUV will be offered with a variety of powertrains - a plug-in hybrid, extended-range electric vehicle EREV) and pure EV, with production also slated to begin in 2028.

Previously, it was unclear if this deal meant that Ford might be considering a change of plans as it relates to building a new Bronco model planned for Europe at Valencia, but it seems as if that plan is still on track for 2028 as well. Currently, the Kuga is the only vehicle Ford builds at that facility. "We have the ability to really load up the facility," said Ford Europe head Jim Baumbick. "That's the goal. He added that there are no "hard constraints" on how much of the plant's capacity Geely can use. "We need to rely on strong partners with the right know-how and expertise to support our localization efforts," added Geely Senior Vice President Victor Yang.

Source: Ford Authority

International automakers expanded their presence in the U.S. automotive market in 2025, accounting for the majority of new-vehicle sales, dealership employment, and sales of electrified vehicles, according to a new study. The 2026 Economic Impact Report revealed that international automakers captured 58% of all new vehicle sales in the U.S., which equates to 9.4 million vehicles sold nationwide in 2025. These brands led sales in 37 states and Washington, D.C., emphasizing their increasing significance in the retail automotive market.

Source: CBT News

Europe’s best-selling electric microcar arrives in the US for under-$15,000—but only as an alternative to golf carts and neighborhood EVs.

Fiat is betting that one of Europe’s smallest electric vehicles can find a cozy spot in one of the world’s biggest vehicle markets. The Italian brand has officially launched the all-electric Topolino in the United States, but it won’t be street legal everywhere. The tiny two-seat EV is intended as an alternative to golf carts and other low-speed neighborhood vehicles (NEVs) rather than a conventional passenger car. Starting at $14,985, the Topolino is available in standard and open-air Dolcevita versions, with Fiat marketing it primarily at beach communities, resorts, college campuses, and planned developments.

Unlike the Fiat 500e, the Topolino isn’t intended for highway driving. The battery-powered microcar weighs just over 1,000 pounds, has an estimated range of just 46 miles, and is speed-limited to 25 mph, placing it in the federal low-speed vehicle category. Later this year, Fiat says it plans to offer a no-cost conversion kit that will allow the Topolino to meet US low-speed vehicle requirements for use on certain public roads where permitted by state law.

The US debut builds on a fan base the little Topolino has already generated overseas. Fiat says the model became Europe’s best-selling electric “quadricycle” in 2025 and is on pace for record order volume this year. The automaker has already expanded the lineup with new lifestyle-oriented variants, including the recently unveiled Sport Special Edition, while positioning the Topolino as the centerpiece of a broader micromobility strategy that also includes the TRIS electric three-wheeler and future urban mobility concepts.

“We don’t do big cars, we don’t do expensive cars,” Fiat CEO Olivier François told The Wall Street Journal. Instead, the automaker says it sees an opportunity to serve buyers who want a stylish, all-electric vehicle for short trips where a full-size automobile may be unnecessary.
The strategy reflects a shift in how many automakers are starting to view urban transportation. Rather than treating micromobility as a novelty, Fiat is trying to give the NEV a European glow up. Whether the Topolino can win over American buyers remains an open question, but Stellantis is hoping its unmistakable Italian design and low operating costs will appeal to customers looking for a different way to get around town.

Source: Autoweek 

In 2024 British Columbia updated its Motor Vehicle Act to ban highly automated self-driving vehicles on public roads. 

• As of April 5, 2024, the  B.C. law states cars with Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 autonomy can’t drive on public roads or use high automation self-driving systems. The exception is vehicles that are part of a government-approved pilot project, states the B.C. government.
• Penalties for driving such a vehicle — even without the self-driving features in use — include a $368 to $2,000 fine and 6 months in jail.
• Why the ban?
• The B.C. government says the ban will enhance the safety of vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. 

“These new regulations will keep people safer on our roads and encourage even more use of active transportation,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, in a press release. “It’s another step in modernizing our rules to keep up with new technologies that are changing how people are getting around.”

Commenting on the ban, Vince Amodeo, director and Technology Practice lead, and Nicole Brassard, vice president, British Columbia and the co-chair of the Technology Practice at Global Public Affairs, tells Electric Autonomy in an email that the ban is “in keeping with British Columbia’s traditional outlook, the government is taking a cautious approach to autonomous vehicles when compared to other jurisdictions. However, it is important to note that there are no Level 3 autonomous vehicles for sale in Canada at present so the urgency from a regulatory perspective is somewhat lessened.”

While the provincial government acknowledges that highly automated self-driving vehicles will one day be a part of its residents’ lives, it emphasizes that these vehicles “remain a new and emerging transportation technology.”

The B.C. government states: “Further testing and policy development are necessary before Level 3 or higher automated vehicles are considered safe and can begin to be allowed for public use on B.C. roads.”

The technical regulations cite SAE International as the source for six levels of autonomous driving:

• Level 0 (No automation): Driver assumes all control
• Level 1 (Driver assistance): The system controls either steering or acceleration/braking, but not both simultaneously
• Level 2 (Partial Automation): The system controls both steering and acceleration/braking simultaneously. The driver must retain control of the vehicle.
• Level 3 (Conditional Automation): The automated driving system performs all driving tasks under specific conditions. The driver is required to supervise and remain alert to take control at any time.
• Level 4 (High Automation): The vehicle can perform all driving tasks and monitor the environment entirely on its own within specific operational areas. The driver is not required to supervise.
• Level 5 (Full Automation): The vehicle can drive itself under all road, weather and traffic conditions. Human control is not required. The vehicle may even lack human controls.

Source: Electric Autonomy

Ford Motor’s revenue fell in the second quarter amid declining U.S. sales. The automaker is nonetheless upbeat about the auto industry. The Dearborn, Mich., company on Tuesday raised its full-year profit forecast and said it is confident Americans would continue to buy pricey, big pickups and sport-utility vehicles that dominate its lineup. “We play only where we have real competitive advantage, or we can build one, and we’re ruthless about where we put our money,” said Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley in a call Tuesday with analysts. “Every dollar must earn durable returns and drive profitable growth.”

Source: Wall Street Journal 

AI agent recommendation algorithms - Automakers face a new competitor in the battle for car buyers — and it’s not another brand. Artificial intelligence agents are increasingly making purchase recommendations on behalf of consumers, fundamentally changing how the industry competes, according to a global study by consultancy Accenture. To remain competitive, automakers must make their product data machine-readable and trustworthy for AI algorithms, Accenture Global Automotive and Mobility Lead Jürgen Reers told Automotive News Europe. According to the study, 84 percent of consumers are open to AI handling complex tasks, such as negotiating deals and resolving complaints. Meanwhile, 42 percent said they would allow an AI agent to make the final purchase decision on their behalf.

Source: Automotive News