#Connect

Volkswagen Opens Orders for ID. Cross With Smaller 37 kWh Battery

Volkswagen has opened pre-sales in Germany for the ID. Cross equipped with a 37 kWh battery, adding a lower-capacity option to the electric SUV’s lineup. The new version offers a WLTP range of up to 324 kilometers, with a starting price of €27,995 for the Trend trim with an 85 kW (116 PS) powertrain.

Rivian Plans to Bring Third-Party AI Assistants Into Future Vehicles

The company has not announced a rollout timeline, but it is expected to provide more information at its Autonomy & AI Day on December 9. The planned expansion builds on Rivian Assistant, the automaker’s existing in-vehicle AI system.

Ford Fathom Prototype Spotted at Dearborn HQ With Prominent Front Sensor

Although heavy camouflage continues to conceal most of the truck’s design, the latest prototype sighting reveals a prominent sensor in the front grille and Michelin e-Primacy tires. Ford plans to fully unveil the all-electric pickup in early 2027.

EU Pressures UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars Amid ‘Made in Europe’ Push

The move is tied to negotiations over Britain’s inclusion in the EU’s “Made in Europe” industrial policies, with Brussels concerned that lower UK tariffs could allow Chinese vehicles to enter the European market through Britain.

US Senate Delays Vote on Bill That Would Permanently Ban Chinese Vehicles

Senators Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin had planned to seek unanimous consent on September 24, but Republican Sen. Rand Paul raised concerns about the bill. The sponsors now plan to continue discussions with Paul before trying again next week.

Ford Fathom Electric Pickup Heads to Las Vegas Ahead of 2027 Launch

Ford CEO Jim Farley shared photos and video of Fathom prototypes in Las Vegas, where the trucks were undergoing hot-weather testing. The vehicles remained heavily camouflaged but carried their Fathom name on the doors along with QR codes and signs indicating that preorders will begin in early 2027 and the camouflage will come off later that year.

Lucid’s $1.4 Billion Turnaround Plan Faces a Tough Test as Stock Hits 52-Week Low

Lucid shares closed at $4.55 on Sept. 1, down 42% from the $7.78 closing price on Aug. 4, the day before Napoli’s operational reset was announced. The decline came as the broader market remained comparatively stable, making the move largely company-specific.

Polestar Says It Was Blindsided by U.S. Sales Ban

Polestar and Volvo Cars share the same Chinese majority owner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The companies also have vehicles with closely related hardware and software, while the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 are produced on the same line at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina.

Ford Fathom Is Shaping Up to Be a $30,000 Electric Pickup

The Fathom is still several months away from its full reveal, but Ford has already disclosed a number of details about the upcoming pickup, including its approximate size, powertrain configurations, technology and expected range.

Ford Hypercar Roars to Life in First Official Track Test

The test car was driven by Matt Campbell, one of six drivers expected to compete with the Ford Hypercar during its debut WEC campaign in 2027.

Cadillac Beats Every Ranked Luxury Brand in J.D. Power Tech Study

The result puts Cadillac ahead of Genesis, BMW, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury category, although Tesla and Rivian both posted substantially higher scores while remaining ineligible for the official rankings.

Ford Fathom to Include Free Apple Maps Navigation Features

The announcement provides another look at the technology package that will debut with Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.

2027 GMC Sierra EV Adds New Camera Features and Tesla NACS Charging Port

The electric pickup also gains a factory-installed North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, giving owners direct access to Tesla’s Supercharger network and other compatible charging stations.

2027 GMC Hummer EV Adopts Tesla’s NACS Charging Port

The update is part of a broader transition across General Motors’ electric vehicle lineup and arrives alongside several styling and feature enhancements for the new model year.

Denza Z Electric Supercar Opens China Pre-Sales Starting At $100,000

The two-door electric supercar starts at 680,000 yuan (about $100,300) in China, significantly lower than its starting price of 142,900 pounds (about $191,400) in the UK, where it made its global debut earlier this month.

2026 GMC Sierra EV Drops Planned Digital Key Feature Before Launch

The executive said the decision reflects a broader shift toward regionalized vehicle production and market strategies as governments tighten regulations surrounding connected vehicle technologies.

Polestar CEO Says ‘The Days Are Over’ for Global Carmaking After US Sales Ban

The executive said the decision reflects a broader shift toward regionalized vehicle production and market strategies as governments tighten regulations surrounding connected vehicle technologies.

BYD’s Denza Z Electric Supercar Debuts in Europe With Up to 1,582 HP

The high-performance EV marks the first Chinese electric supercar to debut in the European market and will be offered in three variants, with UK pre-orders opening in October ahead of deliveries expected by the end of the year.

Polestar 4 Discounts Drop EV’s Price Below the New Chevy Bolt

Buyers can save as much as $25,000 on select vehicles as the automaker clears inventory before sales end under new federal regulations.

Polestar to Exit US Market After New Connected Vehicle Rule Blocks Sales

The regulation targets connected vehicle hardware and software linked to China or Russia, citing national security concerns.