Porsche has expanded its electric Macan lineup with the debut of the first Macan GTS, positioned between the Macan 4S and Macan Turbo. The new performance model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds and reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 13.3 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

System output is 380 kW (516 hp), or 420 kW (571 hp) in overboost mode with Launch Control, while peak torque reaches 955 Nm (705 lb-ft). The 100 kWh high-voltage battery enables up to 586 km (364 miles) of range and can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes at 270 kW DC fast chargers.

BMW has announced that, beginning in 2028, new vehicles with gasoline engines will receive an initial factory fill of synthetic e-fuels at select production sites. Under an agreement with Lother GmbH and German eFuel One GmbH, newly built vehicles will be fueled with a small amount of renewable gasoline before delivery — enough to reach the nearest gas station.

Diesel models produced in Germany have already been delivered with bio-based HVO100 fuel for several months. BMW says the move reflects its technology-open approach, calling renewable fuels a complementary tool for reducing CO₂ emissions alongside electrification and other drive technologies.

Volkswagen Anhui has released the first images of its all-new electric sedan, the ID.UNYX 07, designed specifically for the Chinese market. Unlike the previous ID.UNYX 06, which used VW’s MEB platform, the new 07 is built on a completely different architecture.

According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the ID.UNYX 07 features a 170 kW electric drive, weighs 2,057 kg (4,535 lbs), and has a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). Battery details and range figures have not yet been released. Volkswagen Anhui — VW’s third joint venture in China, established in 2017 with JAC and now majority-owned by Volkswagen — plans to launch three new models by 2026.

Stellantis and Chinese autonomous-driving company Pony.ai have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and deploy robotaxi solutions in Europe. Pilot testing using Peugeot e-Traveller vans will begin in Luxembourg — where Pony.ai’s European headquarters is located — within the next few months.

The trials will focus on safety, performance, and regulatory compliance before expanding to additional European cities from 2026 onward. The partnership combines Pony.ai’s autonomous driving software with Stellantis’ medium-size (K0) van platform, which is fully electrified and designed for self-driving capability.

Initial applications will center on light commercial vehicles, ideal for robotaxi and multi-passenger shuttle services. Pony.ai currently operates robotaxi fleets in China’s four largest cities, with over 500 robotaxis and 170 robotrucks already in service.

General Motors plans to introduce its first Level 3 hands-free driving system in 2028, debuting in the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ. The SUV features dual motors producing 559 kW (750 hp) and a 205 kWh battery providing up to 745 km (463 miles) of range.

GM will leverage extensive experience from its existing Super Cruise system, which has mapped 600,000 miles of roads and logged over 700 million miles of customer use. The company will also integrate data from 5 million miles of fully driverless operation gathered during its now-discontinued Cruise robotaxi program.

A new centralized computing architecture will debut alongside the system in 2028, initially in the Escalade IQ. It will consolidate key vehicle systems onto a single high-speed processor, offering 10× greater OTA update capacity, 1,000× more bandwidth, and up to 35× more AI performance for autonomous driving. Starting in 2026, GM vehicles will also feature a new conversational AI assistant powered by Google Gemini.

Chinese automaker Chery has unveiled a next-generation solid-state battery developed with Anhui Anwa New Energy Technology. The cell reportedly achieves an energy density of 600 Wh/kg and enables real-world ranges of up to 1,300 km (808 miles).

Chery says the battery demonstrated exceptional safety in tests — maintaining performance after nail penetration and even drill damage without catching fire or emitting smoke. Pilot production is planned for 2026, with series production expected in 2027.

Meanwhile, battery manufacturer Sunwoda has introduced its own solid-state cell featuring 400 Wh/kg energy density, nearing mass-production readiness. The polymer-electrolyte battery is designed for 1,200 charge cycles under minimal external pressure (< 1 MPa) and will enter pilot production later this year with an annual capacity target of 200 MWh.

BYD has released a teaser image of its first fully electric kei car, which will make its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. The compact EV features a boxy design with a short front overhang, extended wheelbase, and rear sliding doors.

The model will be powered by a 20 kWh Blade Battery, providing approximately 180 km (112 miles) of range. According to BYD Auto Japan, it is the company’s first vehicle developed exclusively for an overseas market and designed to comply with Japan’s kei car regulations for ultra-compact vehicles.

Deutsche Bahn has officially unveiled the new ICE L high-speed train, which introduces a step-free boarding design for improved accessibility. Additional innovations include signal-permeable windows for better mobile connectivity, a redesigned interior, and upgraded seating comfort.

The ICE L will gradually enter service with the December 14, 2025 timetable change, initially on routes between Berlin and Cologne (ICE 1548 departing Berlin Hbf at 7:10 a.m., and ICE 1055 departing Cologne Hbf at 3:36 p.m.). From May 1, 2026, the ICE L will also run between Berlin, Hamburg, and Westerland (Sylt) — marking its first use on a tourist route.

Berlin’s public transport operator BVG and Volkswagen subsidiary MOIA have launched the joint pilot project NoWeL4 (North-West Area Level 4) to test autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD shuttles equipped with advanced Level 4 technology.

The project aims to integrate flexible autonomous shuttles into Berlin’s existing transit network. During the trial, the vehicles can serve up to 80 bus stops on demand. A safety operator remains on board to monitor operations and intervene if necessary, while all vehicles are remotely supervised from a central control center.