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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.

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.

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.

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.