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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.

Geely Galaxy A7 is set to launch on August 8th, with a pre-sale price range of 97,800-133,800 yuan. Positioned as a mid-size sedan with a wheelbase of 2,845 mm, it offers two electric ranges: 70 km and 150 km. The Galaxy A7 aims to challenge BYD Qin L DM-i, which is priced between 99,800 and 153,800 yuan. The Galaxy A7's official price is expected to be lower than the pre-sale price, with an estimated range of 86,800-122,800 yuan, and an early bird price potentially starting at 81,800 yuan.

Omoda C7 has been spotted again in Malaysia, with two nearly uncamouflaged units undergoing on-road testing in Subang Jaya. The C-Segment SUV measures 4,660×1,875×1,670 mm with a 2,720 mm wheelbase. It is powered by a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine producing 197PS and 290 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT, available in both FWD and AWD. The PHEV variant features a 1.5L turbo engine with an electric motor, offering a combined 360PS and 530 Nm of torque, and an 18.3kWh LFP battery for up to 95 km of electric range and a total range of 1,250 km. The interior highlights include a 15.6-inch sliding screen and a Sony sound system with “12+2” speakers.

Hyundai has launched the facelifted Ioniq 6 in South Korea, featuring significantly larger battery packs and increased range. The standard model’s battery capacity has increased from 53 kWh to 63 kWh, offering 437 km of range, while the long-range variant now has an 84 kWh battery (up from 77 kWh), providing 562 km on RWD models and 532 km on AWD models. The car also includes a third-generation adaptive regenerative braking system, retuned dampers, and new low-rolling-resistance tyres for improved ride comfort. The exterior design has been refined with a sleeker front bumper and a more streamlined rear, maintaining its impressive drag coefficient of 0.21. Inside, the centre console has been reorganised for better usability, with a Qi wireless charger and Type-C USB ports. The N Line variant adds sporty touches like a unique steering wheel and metal pedals. Prices start at 48.56 million won (RM147,800) for the base model and go up to 67.06 million won (RM204,000) for the top-spec Prestige N Line AWD.

Mercedes-Benz has built its 600,000th G-Class at its Graz, Austria production line, with the milestone vehicle being an electric G580 with EQ technology in obsidian black metallic. Originally developed as a military vehicle and launched for civilian use in 1979, the G-Class has become an iconic model. Since the introduction of the Manufaktur service in 2019, over 90% of G-Class customers choose at least one customization option, with an average of three per vehicle. The G-Class, along with the S- and E-Class, is one of the longest-produced passenger car model series in Mercedes-Benz history, maintaining its off-road capabilities and classic design elements.