Car News from USA

Scout Motors plans to sell its Traveler and Terra models directly to customers instead of through franchised dealers, and Volkswagen dealers are now suing in several US states over it.

Scout Motors welded the first Traveler body shell at its Blythewood, South Carolina plant, a pre-production milestone as the site moves from construction to line trials ahead of series production.

Ford ranked first among mass-market brands in J.D. Power's 2026 Initial Quality Study, but CEO Jim Farley says he is not satisfied because Ford still leads the industry in recall campaigns. Ford has issued 56 recalls covering 12.1 million vehicles so far in 2026, after a record 153 recalls covering nearly 13 million vehicles in 2025.

The latest special edition in Jeep's Twelve 4 Twelve programme brings back a Wrangler trim name last used in 1995. Built on the off-road Willys base with a 1-inch lift, 35-inch tyres, and Southwest-inspired graphics, the Laredo starts at $53,240 for the two-door and $55,620 for the four-door.

Kia is recalling 462,869 Telluride SUVs from the 2020-2024 model years in the United States. A damaged or displaced front-seat adjuster switch can leave the seat's motor running and overheating, with 18 cases of localized fire or melting recorded since October 2024. It is the second recall over the same defect. Dealers will install a free electronic fuse; owner notifications start August 13, 2026.

American startup Slate added five Crayola-branded wraps for its electric pickup and SUV, sold as dealer-installed accessories rather than factory paint. The Blank Slate concept - an unpainted grey base built for post-purchase personalization - stays intact.

Ram and Roush Performance built the Ram 1500 Direct Connection by Roush, an off-road package around the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter HEMI V8 rather than the turbocharged Hurricane inline-six used in the Ram RHO.

Tesla tore down its Fremont, California Model S/X assembly line in just 46 days, closing out 14 years of production that began with the Model S in 2012. The freed floor space is being converted into an Optimus humanoid robot line that Tesla wants scaled to roughly a million units a year, with full-scale output targeted for late July or August 2026.

Ford expects to collect $1.3 billion back after the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs. A proposed class action argues that the buyers who paid the tariff-inflated prices are owed a share, and that keeping both would be a windfall.

Slate's $24,950 electric pickup is real: a two-seater with 205 miles of range, unpainted body panels, hand-crank windows and no infotainment screen. The options catalogue is where the money goes, and a fully loaded build has been configured past $46,000. Here is the price ladder.

Slate Auto has confirmed it will not sell its sub-$25,000 electric pickup or SUV conversion in Canada. The company has not given an official reason, but a 25% retaliatory tariff on US-built cars would push the truck's Canadian price to roughly $44,500 CAD ($31,100 equivalent before conversion), undercutting the model's entire value pitch.

Toyota will invest $3.6 billion to expand its San Antonio, Texas plant and shift Tacoma pickup production there from Mexico, with the new line targeted for 2030.

After the Connected Vehicles Rule blocked future US sales, Polestar is discounting its remaining 2026 inventory - up to $25,000 off the Polestar 4 and $23,000 off the Polestar 3 for cash buyers, with 0% APR financing and leases from $399 a month.

General Motors is investing $275 million in its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant, with $150 million earmarked for a new gasoline-powered Cadillac, the clearest sign yet that the brand has stepped back from an all-electric future.

The recall covers the Ford F-150 (2021), Explorer (2020-2021) and Expedition (2018-2021), plus the Lincoln Aviator (2020-2021) and Navigator (2018-2021). A transmission fault can let the parking mechanism fail after the vehicle is shifted into P, allowing it to roll. Dealers will apply a free software update and replace damaged parts as needed.

Ford has brought back more than 300 human quality inspectors after replacing them with AI systems several years ago. The automaker found AI handles repetitive defect checks well but struggles with unusual production issues, and now runs a hybrid model where AI assists inspectors rather than replacing them.

Hyundai Motor America sold a record 450,568 vehicles in the first half of 2026, up 3%. Hybrids grew 67% year-to-date and now outpace EVs as the brand's main growth engine, echoing Toyota's playbook.

Kia's US-market 2027 Niro refresh cuts the lineup to a single hybrid variant, 139 hp combined from a 1.6 GDI engine and electric motor through a 6-speed DCT. The EV3 takes over as Kia's electric crossover in the US.

Ford tested its Ford Security Package on the F-150 using Tag, a trained 800-pound grizzly bear known from Yellowstone, who rocked, clawed at, and even opened a door on the truck. The system correctly flagged every intrusion attempt and notified the owner through Ford's mobile app.

Jeep has opened US orders for the Recon EV, its first fully electric, Trail Rated off-roader. Only the range-topping Moab trim is available so far, with 650 hp and a 357 km EPA range, starting at $66,995.

Ford's new Sinister package brings blacked-out ST badges, amber daytime running lights, and 21-inch gloss-black wheels to the 2027 Explorer ST for $1,695. It ships with any standard exterior color, not just black, and leaves the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6's 385 horsepower untouched.

Scout Motors, the Volkswagen Group subsidiary reviving the legendary International Harvester Scout name, has revealed the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup. Both are available in full electric or Harvester EREV form, start under $60,000, and are built in South Carolina from 2028.

The Commerce Department has denied Polestar authorization to sell its 2027 and later model-year cars in the United States, citing the Connected Vehicle Rule and Geely's controlling stake. The ban even covers the Polestar 3, which is built in South Carolina. Existing dealer stock can still be sold.

Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos-backed startup, has unveiled its first vehicle: a stripped-back two-seat electric pickup from $24,950 that converts into a five-seat SUV with bolt-on kits. A 150 kW rear motor, 330 km EPA range and deliveries from Q4 2026.

Chevrolet has revealed the fifth-generation Silverado, a seven-trim lineup topped by the off-road ZR2 and luxury High Country. Engines carry over the 3.0L Duramax diesel and 2.7L TurboMax four, plus new 5.7 and 6.6-litre V8s. US sales start by the end of 2026; prices come later.

Rivian has started customer deliveries of the R2, its first mass-market model and the car its future depends on. Built in Normal, Illinois, the mid-size electric SUV starts at $48,490 and offers up to 555 km (345 mi) of range, with a 656 hp Performance version at the top.

Apple is broadening CarPlay in iOS 27, turning it from a navigation-and-music tool into a fuller in-car media platform. New features include video apps via AirPlay while parked, a redesigned Siri interface, a music mini-player, audio scrubbing in Now Playing, and a Liquid Glass visual refresh. It is in beta now, with a public release this autumn.

Nissan updated the Frontier for 2027 with a new Sport Edition package on the SV trim - black wheels, Hankook Dynapro all-terrain tires, and a skid plate for $990 over the base SV price. Pro-X and Pro-4X gain a sunroof option and wireless charging. Powertrain unchanged.

Stellantis has brought the off-road Trailhawk and luxury Overland trims back to the Grand Cherokee lineup, now with a petrol engine only and no hybrid option. Both use a 329 hp 2.0-litre Hurricane turbo four. The Trailhawk gets 290 mm of ground clearance and serious off-road hardware; the Overland keeps the same drivetrain in a plusher package. Deliveries are due by the end of 2026.

Dodge has opened pre-orders for the new Charger in Europe, in two body styles and two powertrains. The all-electric Daytona offers 544 or 680 hp from a 100.5 kWh battery; the petrol Sixpack uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six with 426 or 558 hp. The range starts at 66,000 euros ($71,000), with first deliveries in September 2026.

Ford has built a special Bronco with Seattle outfitter Filson, fitting the Bronco Raptor's 418 hp twin-turbo V6, the Sasquatch off-road package as standard, and Filson-trimmed leather. Orders open in fall 2026, deliveries in early 2027.

GM has opened a design studio in Pasadena and shown its first result - the GMC Hummer X concept. Its modular Flex Fab body uses 3D-printed panels, and GMC presented it in both SUV and pickup forms.

Rezvani has built its first pickup. The Fortress starts as a Ford F-150 Raptor, keeps only the platform, and adds up to 862 hp and military-grade armor packages. Prices run from $285,000 to $582,685.

From the 2027 model year, Volkswagen will no longer sell any car with a manual gearbox in the United States. The Jetta GLI was the last holdout. It joins the Golf GTI and Golf R, both of which lost their manuals in recent years.

Google's biggest update to Android Auto and Google Built-in adds a Material 3 redesign, immersive 3D Maps navigation, Full HD video, Dolby Atmos audio, and an expanded Gemini assistant. Rollout during 2026.

The two companies signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to jointly develop vehicles for America. No specific models or technologies disclosed - both sides say they are beginning to explore possibilities.

The seventh special edition in Jeep's Twelve 4 Twelve anniversary programme marks three milestones simultaneously - 85 years of Jeep, 85 years of Captain America, and 250 years of the United States. Built on the Willys base, with Marvel-licensed graphics, a shield-printed spare cover, and engine choices up to the 470 hp 6.4L V8. Sales begin summer 2026.

To mark its debut Formula 1 season, Cadillac built 26 examples of the most powerful Blackwing ever made. A new GM Motorsports supercharger raises output to 685 hp. Six-speed manual only. The Precision Package (normally $18,000) is standard. No pricing announced; expected to exceed $150,000.

Cadillac announced the Escalade IQL, the long-wheelbase version of the electric IQ. GM Ultium platform, 205 kWh, 800V, 750 hp, ~740 km range (Cadillac estimate). Seven seats, 55" curved display, Super Cruise. From $132,695.

Stellantis showed the updated Jeep Avenger in Brazil first. European version expected to look identical. Exterior updates confirmed - interior and powertrain details still unannounced. Full premiere coming soon.

The 2027 F-250/F-350 Super Duty gets a Carhartt collaboration package - announced in January, now revealed in full. Dark grille, body-coloured bumpers, unique 20" wheels inspired by the Detroit manhole cover outside Carhartt's flagship store, Carhartt fabric throughout the interior. Orders open now.

Ford's Model e division posted a $4.8B operating loss in 2025 on top of $10.7B in programme writedowns. GM added $6B. The F-150 Lightning is discontinued. Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, GMC Hummer EV, and Escalade IQ production is being cut. Both companies are pivoting to hybrids and EREVs.