new car market

The Trump administration is sharply scaling back federal fuel economy standards for new cars, according to a New York Times report. The move would weaken mileage requirements for gas-powered vehicles, reversing stricter efficiency rules and drawing criticism from climate advocates while being welcomed by automakers and industry groups.

President Donald Trump said he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back Biden-era rules pushing automakers toward electric vehicles. The move ends what Trump called the Biden EV mandate, loosening requirements that had pressured manufacturers to sell more electric cars. The decision affects US automakers, emissions rules and the wider EV market.

Sales of Chinese hybrid cars are growing rapidly in the European Union even as the bloc imposes tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The tariffs, introduced to counter alleged subsidies, apply mainly to battery-electric models, so manufacturers are increasingly exporting hybrids, which fall outside the measures, to keep a foothold in the European market.

Nikkei Asia reports that the race among automakers to dominate Southeast Asia's electric vehicle market could leave ordinary drivers behind, as the rapid push for new EV models raises prices beyond what many consumers in the region can afford. The article highlights the tension between automakers' expansion plans and affordability for local buyers.

Electric vehicle sales in Europe jumped sharply in January, widening the gap with the United States, where EV demand has cooled. Reporting highlights how European buyers, supported by a broader range of models and tighter emissions rules, are adopting electric cars at a much faster pace than American consumers. Commentators are weighing what this divergence means for automakers' strategies on both sides of the Atlantic.

A Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer has entered the Australian market with three new models positioned as rivals to premium brands like BMW and Range Rover. The launch signals the continued global expansion of Chinese EV makers, which have been pushing into Western markets with competitively priced, feature-rich electric cars. The move intensifies competition in Australia's growing EV segment, where Chinese brands have already been gaining ground on established automakers.

Nissan is bringing back the Pixo name for a new small electric city car priced from under $25,000, making it the brand's cheapest EV. The compact model is aimed at urban drivers seeking affordable electric mobility. The move signals Nissan's push to compete in the growing budget EV segment.

Volkswagen is preparing an electric SUV to be sold as the ID. Tiguan, with a market launch expected in early 2027. The model will bring VW's best-selling nameplate into its electric ID. family, sitting alongside the existing petrol-powered Tiguan rather than replacing it outright. Details on specifications, pricing and battery options have not yet been confirmed, but the announcement signals the brand's continued push to electrify its core lineup.

Two of America's best-known whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam, are sponsoring Formula 1 racing teams, in a photo feature highlighting the tie-ups. The move signals growing interest from major spirits companies in motorsport marketing as Formula 1's audience expands, with the brands putting their names and imagery alongside the teams' cars and drivers.