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At CES 2026 Sony Honda Mobility unveiled the Afeela Prototype 2026, a low-key crossover that mirrors the Afeela 1 sedan’s front LCD visor, roof-mounted LiDAR, auto-power doors and aero wheels. SHM says a production version will reach the U.S. in 2028. The Afeela 1, meanwhile, is being trial-built at Honda’s East Liberty plant for California deliveries later this year, followed by Arizona and Japan in 2027.

Volkswagen has announced plans to add an “import fee” to the price of imported cars sold in the US later this month, in response to the 25% tariffs imposed by the US government on imported cars and auto parts. This move is one of the first clear examples of how automakers are dealing with the tariffs imposed by President Trump. Volkswagen also plans to reduce sales incentives and has halted rail shipments of cars from its plants in Mexico to the US, although sea shipments will continue. The Volkswagen Atlas and ID.4, produced at its Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, are also expected to be affected by the tariffs due to their imported components.

The 2026 Changan UNI-Z has launched on March 26 with two variants—500ar PRO and 500ar MAX—priced at 115,900 and 124,900 yuan respectively. Exterior updates include enlarged front bumper air intakes while dimensions remain unchanged at 4,730 mm long with a 2,795 mm wheelbase. Interior revisions feature a new three-spoke steering wheel and column-mounted gear selector. The model introduces the Tianshu intelligent driving assist system with added functions including reverse tracking and lane change assist, alongside upgraded voice control with continuous recognition, CarPlay/HiCar connectivity, and driver's seat massage functionality.

Toyota has teased a new US-market SUV believed to be the fifth-generation Highlander, potentially transitioning to full electrification on the e-TNGA architecture. The teaser image reveals a boxy silhouette, pronounced fenders and full-width LED taillights echoing the 2021 bZ Large SUV concept. The three-row battery-electric vehicle is expected to compete against the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, with the existing Grand Highlander continuing to serve internal combustion customers.

BYD has announced the launch of the 2026 Seal 06 GT and Seal 06 DM-i Touring variants on April 2. The Seal 06 GT debuts second-generation Blade Battery technology with flash charging capability, achieving 10-70% charging in just 5 minutes and 10-97% in 9 minutes, with only 3 minutes additional charging time at -30°C compared to ambient temperature. The model offers optional LiDAR with ADAS indicator lights, new Aurora Purple and Portia Rose exterior colors, black wheels with red calipers, and a revised interior with column-mounted gear selector. Single-motor variants see power output increased to 200 kW and 240 kW. The Seal 06 DM-i Touring comes standard with Yunni-C intelligent damping control and upgraded EV range capabilities, strengthening BYD's Ocean Series product portfolio.

Spy photos of the first model from FREELANDER—a new independent electrification brand jointly developed by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover—have been leaked online, with the global debut scheduled for March 31. The large six-seat plug-in hybrid SUV, spotted in crash test configuration with Chery badging visible, signals Chery's lead in project development. The vehicle is reportedly built on Chery's T1X platform, developed by an international team integrating JLR and Qoros technologies for shared development and synergistic benefits. The modular T1X architecture supports wheelbase adjustment between 2,560-2,800 mm, covering A to B-segment SUVs with flexible dimensional scalability. The FREELANDER launch marks the substantive execution of Chery-JLR cooperation in the electrification domain.