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Honda plans to source around 400,000 hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota’s North Carolina plant to circumvent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Toyota’s $14 billion factory, its first battery plant outside Japan, will begin production next month. This move is part of a broader trend among Japanese automakers to restructure supply chains in response to US tariffs. Demand for efficient hybrids is rising in the US, while President Trump plans to scrap his predecessor’s initiative to promote electric vehicles. By 2030, hybrid vehicle sales in the US are projected to double last year’s figure to 4.12 million units, accounting for a quarter of new car sales. Honda aims to sell 1.3 million hybrids globally (excluding China) by 2030, a 50% increase from last year. However, Trump’s trade policies pose challenges, with a 20% tariff on Chinese imports and plans to raise tariffs on Japanese car imports from 2.5% to 25%. Japan exports 1.3 million cars to the US annually, and the tariff hike is expected to cost Japan’s six major automakers approximately $20 billion.

Tesla has launched the refreshed Model Y with two configurations: the Rear-Wheel Drive Launch Edition priced at 263,500 RMB and the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive Launch Edition at 303,500 RMB. The refreshed Model Y features significant updates in design, interior, rear seating, range, and suspension. The exterior includes a new front end with split headlights and a full-width taillight bar, reducing the drag coefficient to 0.22 for improved range. The interior offers two color options with increased Alcantara coverage and a 15-inch central touchscreen powered by an AMD Ryzen chip. The vehicle also introduces a new Glacier Blue color option.

Wuling has released official teasers of its new electric compact SUV, Bingsuo S. The vehicle features a sleek design with wing-like LED headlights and a pulsar ring tail light. It measures 4265/1785/1600mm in length, width and height with a 2610mm wheelbase. Equipped with a single motor of 75kW power and a phosphate iron lithium battery pack, the Bingsuo S is set to hit the market in Q3.

The Zeekr 009 Brilliance Edition will be available in Ice Jade White starting August 5th, with an official suggested retail price starting at 789,000 yuan, a free option. This new color, meticulously blended from 12 pigments, complements the handcrafted Silver front grille and features a natural Himalayan marble interior. The vehicle measures 5217 × 2024 × 1812 mm, with a 3205 mm wheelbase. It features an 800V platform, dual-motor all-wheel drive, 789 horsepower, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.9 seconds. Nationwide deliveries begin this month.

Spy shots reveal the next-gen BMW 3-Series PHEV, mirroring the ICE design with Vision Neue Klasse cues. A 2.0-liter turbo plus e-motor drives through an 8-speed automatic, delivering over 300 hp and 100 km electric range from a 20 kWh pack; launch set for 2027.

The latest spy shots of Genesis' new large SUV, the GV90, have been revealed, showing a possible opposite-opening door design to enhance convenience and luxury. The exterior draws inspiration from the Neolun concept car, featuring a distinctive double-bar light strip on the front face and a boxy body with a round rear end and light bar. The interior boasts spacious and thick rear seats with a central armrest, cup holders, wireless charging pad, and control screen, likely in a 4-seat layout. Built on the new "eM" platform with a planned annual production capacity of 21,000 units, the GV90 is expected to be equipped with a 113kWh battery pack, offering a range of over 800km. Production is delayed until June 2026, with a debut expected by the end of 2026 or in 2027.