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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Regional Forum, held in Liverpool for the first time, brings together UK automotive leaders to explore leveraging the shift to zero emission mobility for new business and growth in the North West. Since 2021, global brands have invested £2.8 billion in the region, transforming factories to produce electric vehicles and components, directly creating 20,000 jobs. The North West is crucial to UK automotive manufacturing, producing one-seventh of the country's vehicles last year, equivalent to over 140,000 units. The forum will discuss attracting further investment and creating new business opportunities to boost regional economic development.

The next-generation Lexus ES has been spotted at dealerships ahead of its April market launch. The redesign features the brand's evolved spindle grille—now closed-off for electrification—paired with split-type irregular LED headlamps comprising lightning-bolt DRLs above and integrated main beams within vertical black trim panels. A trapezoidal lower grille with graduated diamond patterning completes the front fascia. The model will debut with both hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, initially offered as CBU imports before transitioning to local production upon completion of Lexus' Chinese manufacturing facility.

Zeekr Malaysia has announced its 2026 product roadmap featuring three new models: a compact luxury SUV (expected facelifted Zeekr X), a luxury MPV (likely the Zeekr 009 Grand Collection four-seat executive variant with 43-inch rear entertainment screen and dual Snapdragon 8295 chips), and the flagship Zeekr 9X ultra-luxury range-extended electric SUV. The 9X, dubbed "China's Rolls-Royce Cullinan," offers dual-motor (897 PS) and tri-motor Hyper (1,400 PS) variants, with 55/70 kWh batteries paired to a 2.0T range-extender delivering up to 1,250 km CLTC range. The flagship features 900V architecture with 6C ultra-fast charging (20-80% in 9 minutes) and G-Pilot H9 autonomous driving system with five LiDAR sensors.

Honda has announced organisational changes effective April 1, 2026, to sharpen its response to a rapidly evolving global automotive landscape. Honda R&D Co. will absorb Automobile Development Operations and the SDV Business Development Unit, creating an integrated flow from technology selection through market launch. Automobile Operations will reorganise into new Business Strategy and Regional Business Units, dissolving the current SDV unit. Additionally, Motorcycle and Power Products Operations will merge electric and ICE model functions across sales, strategy and product development to optimise resource allocation and enhance mid- to long-term competitiveness and profitability.

Mercedes-AMG has acknowledged its four-cylinder downsizing strategy as a mistake, launching the new GLC53 to replace both GLC43 and GLC63 variants. Powered by the CLE53-sourced M256M 3.0-litre inline-six producing 449 PS and 600 Nm, paired with a 48V ISG mild-hybrid system, the SUV accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The key attraction is the "powerful, sonorous" exhaust note, augmented by optional AMG Real Performance Sound. Standard AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive features rear-biased torque distribution and Drift mode with the Dynamic Plus Package. A limited Golden Accents launch edition debuts Obsidian Black with techgold detailing.

Volvo CTO Anders Bell revealed to Autocar that the dedicated SPA3 EV platform could enable the brand's return to station wagons and sedans. Debuting on the EX60, the architecture eliminates ICE adaptation constraints by repositioning the battery-forward crash structure junction, allowing at least 7 kWh of pack placement ahead of the bulkhead. Combined with rear footwell "cell depopulation" for lower seating positions, this achieves conventional ICE-like proportions. The scalable platform decouples battery capacity from roof height, potentially facilitating sleek, low-slung EX60 derivatives should market demand justify their development.