Car News from USA

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.

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.

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.

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.