industry

A peek under the hood of the global automotive industry.

France Just Locked In Its Votes to Stop Europe From Backing Down on EV Rules But Germany Wants Exactly That
Here's what happened in May: electric vehicles made up 22% of new car sales across Europe's main markets. That's up from 17% the same month last year. In France specifically, EV sales jumped 93% year-on-year and accounted for 29% of the market.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Volkswagen to Cut 50,000 Jobs as Global Auto Industry Accelerates Restructuring
Volkswagen plans to eliminate 50,000 jobs and significantly reduce production capacity by 2030 as Europe's largest carmaker embarks on one of the most extensive restructuring programs in its recent history. The cuts, affecting operations across Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and software subsidiary Cariad, form part of a broader effort to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve profitability as the global automotive industry navigates slowing demand, intensifying competition, and the costly transition to electric vehicles.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Polestar's U.S. Exit Raises Bigger Questions About the Future of Global EV Brands
For years, Polestar positioned itself as one of the most promising premium electric vehicle brands. Backed by Volvo and China's Geely Holding Group, the Swedish automaker combined Scandinavian design with cutting-edge electric technology to challenge established luxury brands like Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Yet despite its strong products and growing international presence, the company has now confirmed it will cease selling new vehicles in the United States from 2027 onwards.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Auto China 2026: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining the Future of the Automotive Industry. AI-Generated.
For decades, major auto shows were primarily about horsepower, styling, and the unveiling of new vehicles. Manufacturers competed to showcase faster engines, sleeker designs, and innovative mechanical engineering. Visitors would crowd around concept cars, admire futuristic bodywork, and debate performance figures.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
What Renault’s New EV Reveals About the Global Auto Industry. AI-Generated.
The automotive industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. Electric vehicles are no longer niche products aimed at early adopters; they are rapidly becoming the centerpiece of manufacturers' plans. Yet beneath the excitement surrounding new EV launches lies a more complex story about global competition, changing supply chains, and the shifting balance of power within the automotive world.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
China's Auto Industry Races to Embed AI Under Beijing Mandate. AI-Generated.
It took China 25 years to dominate the global market for electric vehicles. Now, the country's auto industry is hurtling toward the next disruption: embedding artificial intelligence in cars that will make the next generation of EVs not just network-connected, but self-reasoning machines running on Chinese chips and software.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Nissan’s UK-Built EV Ambitions Face Uncertain Future Without Government Support. AI-Generated.
The transition to electric vehicles has become one of the biggest transformations in automotive history. Governments are pushing for cleaner transportation, manufacturers are investing billions into battery technology, and consumers are slowly embracing the shift away from internal combustion engines. Yet despite the optimism surrounding electrification, the journey is proving far more complicated than many expected.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Outside the EU, Britain's Car Industry Is Struggling. AI-Generated.
British car manufacturing is in crisis. In 2025, vehicle production fell to its lowest level since 1952. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) described it as "the toughest year in a generation," with output dropping 15.5% to just 764,715 vehicles. A major cyberattack at Jaguar Land Rover, the closure of Vauxhall's Luton plant, and deep uncertainty over US trade policy all contributed to the collapse.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Why China's Unstoppable Car Industry Is Suddenly Losing Momentum at Home. AI-Generated.
For years, China's automotive industry seemed invincible. It was the world's largest car market, the undisputed leader in electric vehicles, and the factory floor of the global auto industry. In 2025, vehicle shipments rose 9.4%, a remarkable achievement. But in 2026, that momentum has hit a wall—and the industry is now confronting a reality it had long avoided.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Report: Honda Plans to Revive Element as a Hybrid. AI-Generated.
The news comes from Automotive News, citing "people with knowledge of the plan," who claim Honda will begin production of the revived Element in the second quarter of 2029 at a plant in central Ohio. Honda has not officially confirmed the report, with a spokesperson stating: "The Honda Element has maintained a cult following since it was discontinued in 2011, and hopes for its possible return continue to circulate online. We sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm for the Element, but we are not going to engage in speculation about our future product plans".
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel
Under the Hood of the Hybrid Market
In 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act was passed, which later led to many regulations being pushed out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations were aimed at car manufacturers and would start the move toward cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles in the future. With these new regulations putting pressure on the manufacturers, research and development increased on hybrid and electric vehicles, as opposed to the vehicles using the common internal combustion engines. This essay will focus on Honda’s practice of producing the Accord. This vehicle is produced with either an internal combustion engine or a hybrid option. The American Honda Motor Company should continue to produce the majority of their Accords with the internal combustion engine for the foreseeable future due to the production cost of hybrid vehicles drastically outweighing the consumer’s willingness to pay for the hybrid variant of the Accord.
By Sam Shroyer4 months ago in Wheel
America's Auto Industry Is Stuck In Neutral, And There's One Key Reason Why. AI-Generated.
The American auto industry is in a strange place. Sales are decent. Profits are steady. New models are being launched with predictable regularity. But something is off. The excitement is gone. The passion is fading. And the cars themselves are becoming less engaging to drive.
By Mark Lim 4 months ago in Wheel