+++ Despite coming up with some compelling vehicles in recent years, ASTON MARTIN has continued to struggle financially, leading it to some tough decisions as it plots a path forward. Among other efforts, the storied British automaker reportedly plans to sell its stake in its Formula 1 racing team and some expect the company to delist itself from the London Stock Exchange. Aston only owns 4.6 percent of the racing team, but the sale would raise $146 million for the company, which desperately needs cash. The automaker cited tariffs and a slowdown in China for its struggles, saying it would only break even this year, which caused a drop in its share prices. The company’s stock market valuation has dropped from almost $6 billion in late 2018 to just over $1 billion today. That said, the F1 team sale valued the company at $3.2 billion. While Aston Martin won’t have a stake in the F1 team after the sale, it will continue a relationship with the sport through naming and branding agreements, so we won’t see a change on the grid. The automaker’s car line-up is one of the most compelling in its history, so there are reasons for Aston to be encouraged. Its first SUV, the DBX has grown to account for almost half of its sales, and other new models have received stellar reviews from customers and critics. Lawrence Stroll acquired the Force India F1 team in 2018 and transformed it into the Aston team we know today. +++
+++ BMW has officially started series production of its 6th generation eDrive motor; a key piece of its all-electric Neue Klasse platform. Built at BMW’s Steyr plant in Austria, the new motor will power the company’s upcoming wave of EVs, starting with the iX3. This production milestone signals a major shift for the brand as it pushes toward greater electrification, higher efficiency and smarter software integration across its future line-up. The Gen6 motor is part of a clean-sheet electric drivetrain that will underpin all Neue Klasse models. Developed in tandem with BMW’s next-gen battery technology, the new system features a high-efficiency 800 volt electrical architecture and a redesigned cylindrical cell format offering 20% higher energy density than the previous generation. The result is a projected 30% increase in range and the ability to gain 350 km of range in just 10 minutes using fast charging. That’s critical for vehicles like the upcoming iX3, which will debut the Neue Klasse architecture in production form. Slated for launch in late 2025, the iX3 promises more than just performance upgrades: it also showcases the first real-world application of BMW’s Gen6 tech. More than just motors and batteries, Neue Klasse introduces a major leap in BMW’s vehicle software. A zonal wiring architecture drastically cuts complexity and weight, while 4 centralised control units (or ‘superbrains’) consolidate tasks like driving dynamics, infotainment and driver assistance. This new setup is said to offer 20 times more computing power than current-generation systems. At the CES earlier this year, BMW gave a preview of the in-car experience with its next-gen Panoramic iDrive display. The system features a head-up display stretching across the entire windshield, 3D overlays, swipe-able central screens and haptic steering wheel controls; all designed to make the cabin as futuristic as the tech beneath it. +++
+++ Tesla opened its first Indian showroom earlier this month, and the automaker appears to have an opportunity to make up lost ground against Chinese rival BYD in the country’s challenging but substantial market. BYD, and many other Chinese companies, have been unable to obtain visas for executives to work in India following a conflict over a disputed Himalayan border in 2020 between Indian and Chinese soldiers. This blockage has resulted in BYD conducting board meetings and other high-level interactions in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Singapore, complicating on-site management, delaying responsiveness and harming growth potential. Additionally, Ketsu Zhang, BYD’s managing director for India, hasn’t been able to obtain a work permit since leaving the company’s local facility in Chennai. BYD’s hurdles in India are compounded by the country rejecting its proposal to build a $1 billion local plant in 2023, which would be significantly larger than the automaker’s current facility. Tesla touched down in India in mid-July, and BYD’s operational challenges give Elon Musk’s company a chance to establish more of a foothold in the market after its rival’s head start, which included launching its first electric vehicle (EV) in the nation in 2022. On July 15, Tesla launched its rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model Y in India at about $70.000. The automaker needs to price its Model Y significantly higher than in the U.S. ($44.990), since it faces high export duties ranging from 70% to 110%. Tesla is also exporting the Model Y into India from its China factory since its U.S. facilities don’t manufacture right-hand drive vehicles. Since Tesla faces high tariffs from India and isn’t considering building a facility in the country to get relief, its vehicles in the nation will be geared toward luxury buyers. Tesla opened its first showroom in Mumbai and has plans to launch a second showroom in Delhi next month. Despite operational challenges, BYD has increased its presence in India, so Tesla still has an uphill battle against its rival. BYD’s sales during the first half of 2025 are approaching the total for all of 2024, and while its assembly footprint in India is limited, models like its Sealion 7 sell for around $11.000 less than Tesla’s Model Y in the country. In 2023-2024, BYD’s India market share stood at 1.9%, before increasing to 3.2% in 2024-2025. As of April 2025, BYD had 40 dealerships in India, up from 27 in September 2024. +++
+++ Introduced on August 11, 1965, as a 1966 model, the FORD BRONCO was designed to bring the simplicity and excitement of the Mustang into a rugged, off-road-ready vehicle. It marked Ford’s entry into what it termed the “sport-utility” space, a phrase that would later define an entire segment. For decades, the Bronco became a recognizable presence in both everyday use and off-road circles, earning a reputation for toughness and adventure-readiness. After a 23-year production gap, Ford revived the Bronco in 2020 with a design that leaned heavily on its vintage roots. In 2026, the model marks its 60th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Ford is rolling out a 60th Anniversary Package for the Bronco, designed to highlight the vehicle’s legacy while maintaining its off-road utility and modern comfort. Built on the Outer Banks trim, the 60th Anniversary Bronco comes exclusively with the Sasquatch Package. It features 35 inch Goodyear rugged terrain tires, an advanced 4-wheeldrive system, high-clearance suspension and locking differentials. A new 17 inch Gravity Gray alloy wheel design nods to the past with a Vermilion Red center cap stamped with the year ‘1966’ and a bucking Bronco logo. A reworked grille with Warm Alloy paint and red ‘Bronco’ lettering is paired with body colour options that evoke classic Ford tones. Wimbledon White (a colour used on the original Bronco) is available for the body or as a contrast roof when paired with Ruby Red paint. Vermilion Red accents appear throughout the exterior, including a rocker panel graphic with a 60th Anniversary logo and a Wimbledon White spare tire cover with a red Bronco wordmark. The interior receives a modest upgrade with Ebony and Alpine leather seats embossed with anniversary logos, Alpine-stitched dash accents and marine-grade vinyl door trim. Red detailing on the dashboard and grab handles continues the subtle nod to classic design. Newly introduced A-pillar-mounted grab handles and standard running boards enhance everyday usability. +++
+++ J.D. POWER’S INITIAL QUALITY for 2025 has unveiled information and insights that those considering a new vehicle won’t want to miss. The survey sources data from drivers evaluating their first 90 days of owning a new car, and one of its most surprising findings is that the number of problems owners are reporting during this period has slightly decreased, despite the growing complexity of today’s vehicles in areas like software. In terms of data, the number of problems per 100 vehicles improved from 194 a year ago to 192. Premium brands experienced a noticeable year-over-year decline in problems, from 230 per 100 vehicles to 203, primarily driven by Tesla, which may not have been expected, given the automaker’s position among manufacturers with the most U.S. recalls over the past 3 years. Mass-market brands went in the wrong direction, increasing from last year’s 181 problems per 100 vehicles to 187. One of the less surprising figures was infotainment remaining a pain point, retaining its status as the study’s most problematic vehicle category. Still, infotainment problems improved at an annual rate of 1.9 per 100 vehicles. Automakers are increasingly relying on touchscreen displays to facilitate features, and problems in this area within the first 90 days of ownership are growing. Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, said: “Customers are having to tap and swipe through multiple screens to access key vehicle functions like climate settings and built-in garage door openers. Owners find these things to be overly complicated and too distracting to use while driving. By retaining dedicated physical controls for some of these interactions, automakers can alleviate pain points and simplify the overall customer experience”. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are becoming more popular, but J.D. Power reports that for the first time, this segment has more problems than battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Petrol-powered and non-PHEV hybrids also recorded fewer problems than PHEVs and BEVs. New vehicle launches were also listed as more problematic than average this year. More specifically, of the 18 new models launched, only 2 have fewer problems than their segment average. +++
+++ JLR has confirmed that PB Balaji, chief financial officer of its parent company Tata Motors, will become its new CEO from November. The appointment follows the news last week that current CEO Adrian Mardell was retiring after 35 years with the company. Prior to becoming CEO in 2023, Mardell had been JLR’s CFO. While Mardell’s departure hadn’t been announced prior to the news becoming public last week, it was obviously long planned, as JLR’s search for a replacement had been ongoing “for the past few months”, according to Tata chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. JLR said Balaji is “a well-regarded global leader with 32 years of experience in the automotive and consumer industries across finance and supply chain functions”. With experience working across Tata’s operations in Mumbai, London, Singapore and Switzerland, Balaji is “closely associated with the successful transformation” of the company. Balaji is already on the board at JLR, as well as Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, Tata Motors Finance Group and, notably, Agratas, which is building a battery factory in Somerset, partly to supply JLR EVs. Chandrasekaran said: “I would like to thank Adrian for the stellar turnaround of JLR and for delivering record results. I am delighted to appoint Balaji as the incoming CEO of the company. The search for a suitable candidate to lead JLR has been undertaken by the board for the past few months and after careful consideration it was decided to appoint Balaji. He has been associated with the company for the past many years and is familiar with the company [and]its strategy and has been working with the JLR leadership team. This move will ensure that we continue to accelerate our journey to reimagine JLR”. Balaji said: “It is my privilege to lead this incredible company. Over the past 8 years, I have grown to know and love this company and its redoubtable global brands. I look forward to working with the team to take it to even greater heights. I thank Adrian for his immense contributions and wish him well for his next innings”. +++
+++ TESLA has signed a massive $4.3 billion deal with LG Energy Solution to supply lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries produced in the United States. The agreement will span from August 2027 through July 2030, with the potential to extend to 2037. Unlike previous partnerships, this one focuses exclusively on energy storage systems like Powerwall and Megapack, not the company’s vehicle line-up; at least for now. The move is a major step in reducing Tesla’s dependence on China for critical battery materials. In fact, the company’s energy division has faced ongoing pressure from high import costs, which Tesla’s CFO recently admitted had an “outsized” impact on profitability. It’s yet another sign of Tesla pivoting toward more domestic production after a string of difficult quarters. That pressure has been mounting for a while. Tesla’s profits have nosedived recently and a cheaper Model Y (stripped of its luxuries and built to a budget) is reportedly in the works to help claw back margins. For now, the batteries secured from LG’s Michigan plant will be reserved for home and grid storage products. However, it’s easy to imagine that future vehicle applications are on the table, particularly as Tesla tries to broaden its market reach. A recently leaked video from China hinted at a radically de-contented affordable Model Y and reports suggest the vehicle will be visually and mechanically distinct from current versions. This shift would likely demand a new supply of cost-effective battery packs—an area where LFP chemistry shines. This comes as Tesla engineers have also floated the idea of a smaller Cybertruck, aimed at reducing cost and appealing to markets that find the full-size truck impractical. The Cybertruck itself, once a symbol of Tesla’s bold ambition, is now becoming a poster child for overpromise. Quality concerns have plagued early deliveries, with owners reporting everything from panel gaps to drivetrain problems. One customer has even requested a buyback after service visits failed to fix a persistent issue. It’s not an isolated case. Persistent quality problems have seen early adopters lose patience; and that’s without the truck hitting mainstream volumes yet. While the Cybertruck struggles, Tesla’s energy division is increasingly seen as a stabilizing force. This LG deal solidifies Tesla’s commitment to that space, offering a domestic, tariff-proof supply chain for one of its fastest-growing business units. This isn’t Tesla’s first major attempt to de-risk its supply chain. The EV maker recently partnered with Samsung on a $16.5 billion chip deal to secure domestic production of next-generation AI hardware. Combined with this new LG agreement, Tesla is drawing a clear line between its future ambitions and the volatile Chinese sourcing that’s dominated its past. It’s a smart move given the political climate; and a necessary one as competition from global EV startups continues to rise. For instance, Xiaomi’s new electric SUV drew nearly 10.000 preorders within 24 hours, a sobering reminder that Tesla’s dominance is no longer guaranteed. +++