Automotive & Mobility

Frankfurt – – September 19, 2026 -- CARKU unveiled a sodium-ion jump starter and two new starting batteries at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, expanding its emergency-starting portfolio for passenger and commercial vehicles.

CARKU's jump starter series generates roughly 30% of company revenue in Europe

Europe ranks among CARKU's key overseas markets, with its jump starter line contributing approximately 30% of total revenue in 2025, according to internal sales data.

JS-617N jump starter starts vehicles at temperatures as low as -40°C

The 12V/24V JS-617N combines automatic voltage recognition with manual-start capability and 10 integrated protection functions covering electrical, thermal, and software safeguards. Internal testing showed the unit successfully starting vehicles at -40°C, according to the company.

Pittsburgh – – September 18, 2026 -- A Louisiana-based inventor has developed a water dispersion nozzle designed to deliver cooling fluid directly to electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries, aiming to prevent thermal runaway incidents. The device, named THE DIAMOND, was submitted through InventHelp's national office and is now available for licensing or sale to manufacturers and marketers.

Inventor targets a persistent EV safety risk with a mechanical solution

The inventor, from Ventress, La., said the goal was to create an apparatus that halts thermal runaway before it escalates. "My design allows for effective water dispersion and delivery of cooling fluid to the battery," the inventor said.

Design prioritizes ease of use for everyday EV owners

The nozzle is engineered for straightforward deployment, positioning it as a retrofit or integrated component rather than a complex safety system requiring specialized installation.

United States – September 18, 2026 -- Nearly 27% of taxi and rideshare vehicles across 16 major U.S. cities are operating with at least one open, unfixed safety recall, according to a CARFAX analysis of almost 438,000 vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

National average masks sharp city-by-city gaps

While the study found a roughly 20% national average of unrepaired recalls among the fleet vehicles reviewed, performance varied widely by market. Los Angeles recorded an 11% open-recall rate and Boston posted just 9%, both well below the broader industry figure of 27% identified across the full 16-city sample.

Frankfurt – September 17, 2026 -- Aeson Power, an Australian sodium-ion battery technology maker, is showcasing its vehicle battery portfolio at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, with over 100,000 units of its aftermarket starter and start-stop batteries already deployed across more than 30 countries.

Sodium-ion starter batteries claim triple the lifespan of lead-acid alternatives

Aeson Power's sodium-ion starter and start-stop batteries deliver instant starting power, fast charging and strong cold-start performance at lower weight, according to the company. The batteries operate across a wide temperature range and are engineered for a lifespan exceeding three times that of conventional lead-acid batteries in start-stop applications, positioning them as a direct aftermarket replacement.

Hannover – September 17, 2026 -- Kia Corporation unveiled the PV7, its second dedicated all-electric Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) model, at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, targeting a 2027 launch in Korea and Europe with expansion to 23 variants and additional markets to follow.

PV7 arrives in Cargo and Passenger variants built on new E-GMP.S architecture

The PV7 expands Kia's light commercial vehicle segment offering, built on the brand's PBV-dedicated E-GMP.S architecture that supports 800V charging and long-range capability. The platform's flat-floor design and Flexible Body System are engineered to maximize interior space, enabling multiple body styles and conversion models for logistics, shuttle, fleet and small business operations.

Södertälje, Sweden – September 17, 2026 -- Scania has engineered an electric long-haul truck configuration capable of up to 720 kilometres of range, combining expanded battery capacity with megawatt charging system (MCS) support to tackle one of freight electrification's toughest segments.

Battery packs behind the cab add 356 kWh of capacity

In a typical configuration, two MP20 battery packs mounted behind the cab add approximately 356 kWh of installed capacity, supplementing existing chassis- and under-cab-mounted batteries. This layout lets operators scale energy storage without solely depending on chassis-mounted batteries, giving fleets more flexibility to balance range against payload on demanding routes.

Södertälje, Sweden – September 17, 2026 -- Scania has launched Scania Dynamic, a comprehensive update to its R- and S-series trucks that cuts total energy consumption by around 2 percent while overhauling the driver's cab environment.

Aerodynamic redesign drives the efficiency gain

The 2 percent energy reduction, which varies by vehicle specification and operation, stems from exterior changes that lower air drag. These include digital rear-view mirrors, side skirt extensions, redesigned A-pillars, new door handles and a front end built to support Increased Vehicle Dimension legislation. Scania says the efficiency improvement applies across both combustion and battery-electric powertrains, translating into lower fuel use for diesel fleets and reduced electricity draw for electric trucks.

Seoul – September 17, 2026 -- Hyundai Motor Group has put its "Data Flywheel" system into full operation, converting real-world driving data from an annual fleet of 7 million vehicles sold across the Group into continuous AI training and validation cycles for autonomous driving technology.

Group unveils dual-track roadmap combining NVIDIA hardware with proprietary Atria AI

At the "HMG Autonomous Driving Media Day" held at 42dot headquarters in Gyeonggi Province, Hyundai Motor Group detailed a dual-track strategy pairing NVIDIA-based solutions with its own Atria AI stack. NVIDIA solutions-based Level 2+ production is targeted for the first half of 2028, with Level 2++ capability following in the second half of 2028. Atria AI-powered Level 2++ vehicles are scheduled for the second half of 2029.

New York – September 17, 2026 -- The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 17, 2026 attacks by detailing how the automotive industry mobilized hundreds of thousands of dollars and dozens of vehicles for recovery efforts within weeks of the tragedy.

GNYADA seeded a $250,000 disaster relief fund within two weeks of the attacks

On September 17, 2026, GNYADA announced the Greater New York Auto Dealers Disaster Relief Fund with an initial $250,000 contribution from the Association, calling on dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, and other dealer associations to add to the pool.

Stokke, Norway – September 17, 2026 -- Yutong Bus officially opened its first integrated European Service Center in Stokke, Norway on September 8, combining vehicle delivery, after-sales service, spare parts supply and technical training under one roof to support electric bus fleets across Norway.

Facility spans nearly 39,000 square meters with dedicated parts warehouse

The site covers approximately 38,941 square meters, including a 6,074-square-meter building and a 2,300-square-meter spare parts warehouse. The warehouse stocks 4,500 original Yutong part numbers covering batteries, motors, electronic control systems, drivetrains, chassis, steering, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, and interior and exterior components.