Automotive 4 March 2026 - 24 April 2026

Porsche Exits Bugatti in Supercar Shake-Up as Rimac Takes the Wheel
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Porsche Exits Bugatti in Supercar Shake-Up as Rimac Takes the Wheel

Porsche has agreed to sell its 45% stake in Bugatti Rimac and 20.6% in Rimac Group to a consortium led by HOF Capital, ending its direct involvement with Bugatti. The sale follows a 93% drop in Porsche’s 2025 operating profit and is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Financial terms were not disclosed. BlueFive Capital is the largest investor in the HOF-led group.
April 24, 2026
Tesla Earnings: Profit Beat Faces a $25 Billion AI and Robotaxi Test
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Tesla Earnings: Profit Beat Faces a $25 Billion AI and Robotaxi Test

Tesla raised its 2026 capital spending plan to over $25 billion, citing investments in AI, robotaxi, and Optimus robot projects. First-quarter net income rose 17% to $477 million on revenue of $22.39 billion. Deliveries climbed 6% to 358,023 vehicles, while capital expenditure jumped to $2.49 billion from $1.49 billion a year earlier. Tesla shares fell 3.5% despite higher profit and free cash flow.
April 23, 2026
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Revealed: First GT3 Convertible Arrives as 911 Sales Defy Slump
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Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Revealed: First GT3 Convertible Arrives as 911 Sales Defy Slump

Porsche introduced the 911 GT3 S/C, its first open-top GT3, with a fully automatic convertible roof and a starting U.S. price of $273,000. The manual-only, 502-hp model arrives at U.S. dealers in fall 2026. Despite a 15% drop in global deliveries last quarter, 911 sales rose 22%. The GT3 S/C uses lightweight materials to offset the convertible’s added weight.
April 15, 2026
Porsche Patent Reveals Disappearing Racing Stripes That Appear in Sport Mode and Show EV Charge
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Porsche Patent Reveals Disappearing Racing Stripes That Appear in Sport Mode and Show EV Charge

Porsche has filed a German patent for car bodywork that can display, hide, or change the color of exterior stripes based on drive mode, and show battery charge on electric models. The application, published March 26, 2026, lists Porsche AG as applicant and names three inventors. The move comes after Porsche reported a 15% drop in first-quarter deliveries and increased focus on customization.
April 14, 2026
Stellantis, Leapmotor Explore Brampton EV Production as C10 “Leap Mode” Proves Fictional
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Stellantis, Leapmotor Explore Brampton EV Production as C10 “Leap Mode” Proves Fictional

Stellantis is in early talks with China’s Leapmotor to build electric vehicles at its idled Brampton, Ontario, plant, Bloomberg reported Thursday. Stellantis shares rose 4.1% in Milan after the news. The discussions follow Canada’s recent move to lower tariffs on some Chinese EVs and seek joint-venture investment. Stellantis holds a 21% stake in Leapmotor and controls Leapmotor International.
April 2, 2026
Toyota ‘Will Not Survive’ Without Change, Koji Sato Warns as China Pressure Builds
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Toyota ‘Will Not Survive’ Without Change, Koji Sato Warns as China Pressure Builds

Toyota CEO Koji Sato warned suppliers the company may not survive without major changes, citing competition from Chinese automakers and tariff pressures. Sato’s remarks came days before Kenta Kon takes over as CEO on April 1. February data showed Toyota’s global output fell 3.9% and sales dropped 3.3%, with China sales down 13.9%. Despite record 2025 sales, leadership urged tighter cost control and faster adaptation.
March 30, 2026
Lloyds Faces Fresh Car Finance Pressure as FCA Opens Taskforce Ahead of Payout Ruling
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Lloyds Faces Fresh Car Finance Pressure as FCA Opens Taskforce Ahead of Payout Ruling

UK regulators launched a taskforce Monday to target motor finance claims firms as Lloyds Banking Group faces a £66 million lawsuit from over 30,000 borrowers alleging mis-sold car loans. The Financial Conduct Authority is set to announce final compensation rules later today. Lloyds has set aside £1.95 billion for the scandal, but actual costs may change. Other banks, including Santander and Barclays, are also exposed.
March 30, 2026
Rolls-Royce Stock Back in Focus After German Defence Order as Buyback Rolls On
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Rolls-Royce Stock Back in Focus After German Defence Order as Buyback Rolls On

Rolls-Royce said its Power Systems unit won a major contract to supply about 200 mtu propulsion units for Germany’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle, with deliveries starting in 2028. The company has repurchased 21.46 million shares since launching a £7–9 billion buyback, while its stock remains 16% below its February high. Rolls-Royce is also expanding its Rotherham plant and faces scrutiny over engine repair pricing.
March 26, 2026
BYD Set for Australia Emissions Credit Windfall as Shark 6 Expands and Hungary Questions Grow
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BYD Set for Australia Emissions Credit Windfall as Shark 6 Expands and Hungary Questions Grow

BYD held 6.28 million tradable units under Australia’s new vehicle emissions scheme as of March 13, outpacing Toyota and Tesla, regulator data showed. BDO estimated those credits could be worth A$562 to A$972 per imported vehicle. The cab-chassis version of BYD’s Shark 6 ute has arrived in Australia, targeting the commercial fleet segment. Chinese brands made up 24% of Australia’s new vehicle market in early 2026, up from 14% a year earlier.
March 21, 2026
Rolls-Royce Share Price Today: RR.L Rebounds After Buyback Filing, But Oil Risk Lingers
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Rolls-Royce Share Price Today: RR.L Rebounds After Buyback Filing, But Oil Risk Lingers

Rolls-Royce shares rose 1.2% to around 1,230p in London on Monday, partly recovering from Friday’s 5.3% drop. The company said it bought back 1.82 million shares on March 13 and has repurchased 12.52 million under its £2.3 billion programme. Shares remain below the 1,420p year high as investors weigh buybacks and upgraded profit guidance against supply-chain and oil-price risks.
March 16, 2026
Why Rolls-Royce Share Price Is Back in Focus After New European Tank Contract
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Why Rolls-Royce Share Price Is Back in Focus After New European Tank Contract

Rolls-Royce said its Power Systems arm won a contract to develop the drive system for Europe’s MGCS tank program, a day after shares rose 5.85% to 1,311 pence. The company is aiming to sustain gains after strong 2025 results and a major buyback plan. On Wednesday, the FTSE 100 fell 0.6% and Europe’s defence sector dropped 2.8% amid concerns over oil prices and Middle East tensions.
March 11, 2026
Qualcomm’s New Wayve Deal Puts Self-Driving AI at the Center of Its Auto Push
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Qualcomm’s New Wayve Deal Puts Self-Driving AI at the Center of Its Auto Push

Qualcomm announced a partnership with UK startup Wayve to combine Wayve’s AI Driver software with Snapdragon Ride chips for advanced driver-assistance and automated driving systems. Qualcomm shares fell 1.9% to $135.54 Tuesday after the company warned last month that a global memory shortage was hitting phone demand. Wayve recently raised $1.5 billion at an $8.6 billion valuation. The joint platform is drawing automaker interest.
March 10, 2026
Ford’s new 1.74 million-vehicle recall: Bronco and Edge hit by rearview camera blackout risk
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Ford’s new 1.74 million-vehicle recall: Bronco and Edge hit by rearview camera blackout risk

Ford is recalling 1.74 million U.S. vehicles after NHTSA found a rearview camera defect that can cut off the image, affecting Bronco and Edge models. A separate issue can flip or invert images on other vehicles, including the Escape and Lincoln Corsair. The recall follows a separate Ford action a day earlier over wiper-motor failures. No fix for the camera issue was detailed in NHTSA’s statement.
March 6, 2026
Ampol Limited Faces Fresh Scrutiny as ACCC Warns on Petrol Pricing, EG Australia Decision Nears
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Ampol Limited Faces Fresh Scrutiny as ACCC Warns on Petrol Pricing, EG Australia Decision Nears

Ampol’s proposed takeover of EG Australia faces continued ACCC scrutiny as fuel prices surge amid Middle East tensions. Brent crude jumped 16.4% for the week, and the ACCC warned it may act if companies mislead consumers. Queensland retailers raised prices sharply, prompting an RACQ referral. The ACCC’s final decision on the merger is due by June 5.
March 6, 2026
Tesla’s UK sales drop 37% as BYD gains ground, putting March in focus
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Tesla’s UK sales drop 37% as BYD gains ground, putting March in focus

Tesla’s UK car registrations fell 37% in February to 2,422 vehicles, while rival BYD’s registrations jumped 83%, industry data showed. The broader UK market rose 7.2% to 90,100 new cars, with battery-electric vehicles up 2.8% but losing market share for a second month. Another tracker put Tesla’s drop at 45.2%. Tesla’s EU carbon-credit pool will not include Stellantis or Toyota in 2026, filings showed.
March 5, 2026
Rolls-Royce buyback rolls on: fresh share purchases and two retired U.S. generals join North America board
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Rolls-Royce buyback rolls on: fresh share purchases and two retired U.S. generals join North America board

Rolls-Royce bought 449,629 shares across four exchanges on March 4 under its £2.3 billion buyback, with prices ranging from 1,296 to 1,347.5 pence. CEO Tufan Erginbilgic and CFO Helen McCabe had shares vest and sold portions to cover tax. The company named retired U.S. Generals Laura Richardson and Duke Richardson to its North America board, effective January 2026.
March 5, 2026
Tesla’s EU carbon-credit pool thins out for 2026 as Toyota and Stellantis hold back
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Tesla’s EU carbon-credit pool thins out for 2026 as Toyota and Stellantis hold back

Stellantis, Toyota, and Subaru are absent from Tesla’s carbon-credit pool for 2026, according to an EU filing, after joining the group last year. The European Commission now allows automakers to average fleet emissions over 2025-2027, easing compliance. Tesla could face reduced demand for its regulatory credits as a result. Stellantis and Toyota said they may still join later.
March 4, 2026
Nio orders hit 2026 high after March promos, Deutsche Bank says — but wait times shrink
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Nio orders hit 2026 high after March promos, Deutsche Bank says — but wait times shrink

Nio’s weekly new orders rose to about 3,500 units in early March, the highest level this year, Deutsche Bank said, citing dealer checks. Wait times for the ES8 SUV dropped from up to 14 weeks in February to as little as 4 weeks, suggesting a shrinking order backlog. Nio shares fell for a fifth straight day Tuesday. The company reports quarterly results next week.
March 4, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • CAR vs SOL Shares: Value Comparison for 2026
    May 22, 2026, 10:39 PM EDT. CAR Group Limited (ASX:CAR) shares have declined nearly 20% since early 2025, despite strong revenue growth averaging 37% annually since 2021 and a 2024 net profit of AUD 250 million. The company operates vehicle marketplaces globally, including Australia and the US. In contrast, Washington H Soul Pattinson (ASX:SOL) shares are near a 52-week high, reflecting its status as a diversified investment holding with low debt (8.5% debt-to-equity) and a consistent dividend history dating back to 1903. SOL reported a 5.6% return on equity (ROE) in FY24, with an average dividend yield of 2.4% over recent years. Investors seeking growth might favour CAR's expanding profits and market presence, while income-focused investors could prefer SOL's stable dividends and lower risk profile.