July 25, 2025

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EV Battery Longevity Advances with Upgrades and Durable Designs

EV battery longevity is being redefined both on the road and in the lab. In one notable case, a Tesla Model S 70D with 470,000 miles under its belt gained a 50% range boost—up to 300 miles—after its owner installed a higher-capacity used pack for about $12,000. Meanwhile, a Rivian R1T has covered 83,000 miles in three years with under 1% capacity loss, showcasing today’s pack resilience.

On the research front, Iowa State University is deploying an accelerating-rate calorimeter (ARC) to push lithium-ion cells to their thermal and mechanical limits. By simulating crush tests and thermal runaway events, the team aims to improve safety guidelines, inform next-gen battery designs and even streamline recycling protocols.

Mercedes-AMG Unveils V-8-Powered GT Track Sport Concept

Mercedes-AMG has lifted the veil on its Concept AMG GT Track Sport, revealing a potent V-8 engine and aggressive track-focused aero. Teased in camouflage, the two-seat coupe sports a swan-neck rear wing, large front splitter, hood vents and Michelin street tires, hinting at road-legal homologation.

• Preview of GT range expansion: AMG calls this concept a “possible expansion” of its GT family and suggests a production version is likely.
• Nürburgring ambitions: Positioned above the GT 63 Pro, the Track Sport aims to reclaim lap records from Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS models.

Affalterbach engineers are also developing a new flat-plane crank V-8—expected to debut later this year—potentially making the concept the most hardcore street-legal AMG yet.

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Trump’s Tariffs Carve Billion-Dollar Hits Across Auto Sector

Major automakers from Volkswagen to General Motors are reporting multibillion-dollar profit hits as U.S. import levies under President Trump erode margins. Volkswagen disclosed a $1.3 billion decline in its operating result for the first half of the year, while GM said tariffs shaved $1.1 billion off its second-quarter adjusted profit. Stellantis warns of a $2.7 billion loss in 2025.

Parts suppliers and export volumes are also sagging, with Valeo cutting its annual sales forecast by €1 billion and German auto exports to the U.S. plunging by up to 25% in May. Companies are shifting production closer to home—Volvo will build the XC60 in South Carolina—and caution that higher costs may soon be passed on to consumers.

Tesla Rolls Out Broad Incentives as U.S. Sales Slump

Tesla is flooding its U.S. market with fresh discounts and perks as domestic sales sag and investors brace for Q2 earnings. According to influencer Sawyer Merritt on X, the automaker now offers:

Free Full Self-Driving (FSD) transfers on any purchase and a one-month trial of supervised FSD.

$1,000 discounts for military members, teachers, first responders and students.

Lyft credit packages: $1,000 from Tesla plus $1,000 from Lyft when using a Tesla on the ride-hailing platform.

Model 3 and Y discounts up to $2,000; Model X savings up to $8,300; plus $250 referral credit on all models.

These incentives stack with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit through September and follow a 12% revenue drop in Q2, an upcoming “affordable” Model Y variant and a 23% slide in European deliveries.

2026 Chevy Groove Debuts in Mexico with Turbo Power and RS Trim

General Motors has officially rolled out the all-new 2026 Chevy Groove in Mexico, marking the second generation of its entry-level crossover. Available in LT and sporty RS trims, the Groove boasts a new turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 149 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, a 52% power boost over its predecessor, paired with manual or CVT transmissions.

Key highlights:

EV Breakthrough: Tesla Model S Logs 470K Miles, Gets 50% Range Boost