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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.

Suzuki Fronx is set to enter the Malaysian market as an entry-level compact crossover SUV. The vehicle measures 3,995×1,765×1,550 mm with a wheelbase of 2,520 mm, positioning it in the same segment as the Perodua Ativa and Honda WR-V. It offers two powertrain options: a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a 12V mild hybrid system, producing up to 101PS and 105PS respectively. The Fronx is expected to be sold as a CBU (Completely Built-Up) model, with prices in Indonesia ranging from approximately USD 7,500 to USD 9,000.

The redesigned VW T-Roc will debut on 27 Aug and appear at Munich Motor Show. It sports a honeycomb grille, full-width DRL, blacked-out two-tone body and low-drag wheels. The eTSI badge confirms 48 V mild hybrid tech; cabin gains floating infotainment and 3D cluster, with PHEV likely.

On August 5th, MG4 started pre-sales with a price range of 73,800-105,800 yuan. As MG's first strategic pure-electric model, MG4 excels in space utilization, safety, and intelligent features. With a wheelbase of 2750mm and a flat rear floor, it maximizes interior space. The exterior is rounded and vibrant, offering 6 exterior colors and 2 interior colors. The smart cockpit features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and supports OPPO Smart Link hand-car interconnection. It includes 360° sun protection, a 98L magic trunk, and 14 active safety features. The maximum range is 530km, and it is the first to use a semi-solid-state battery, which offers superior low-temperature performance and safety. The official pricing will be announced in September, with the semi-solid-state battery version set for delivery by the end of the year.